A little bit British...a Hodge Podge post.

The Humble Bungalow has a bit of a British theme going on....

The British are coming...the British are coming...

In the early days of Victoria 

in the era when I grew up

we had a rather English flavour or "flair" if you like..

our historic association to "the crown"

Victoria was known as

"little bit of Old England"

particularly in Oak Bay...

(where I lived and went to school)

it was often referred to as the community behind "The Tweed Curtain."

Think Tweeds, Burberry, Barbour jackets, wellingtons, brollies, twin sets and pearls.

Old money

MG's, Bentley's, and Austins.

Stiff upper lips

Atco mowers, spades, shovels, gardening trugs.

Horticultural Flower Shows

Babies in smocked cotton sets and hand knitted sweaters.

Victoria has long been known as "The City of Gardens"

we have a thriving gardening community and there are many many garden groups and clubs.

Gardeners are a very dedicated lot and work very hard.

Walking around the city you can see their handy work everywhere.

Last week I stopped to take photos of these gorgeous dahlias in a garden on Hollywood Crescent.

My 5K route winds around the waterfront towards Gonzales Beach and then snakes back towards Dallas Road.

I find photo opportunities at every turn....

even weeds can be pretty.

You can't beat Mother Nature for her amazing pops of colour.

The light on the water changes constantly...

The muted colours here remind me of an artist's work...

Toni Onley.

This bench beckons...

if I had a coffee in hand I'd probably sit for a spell and observe the ocean.

There are often sightings of otters, seals and occasionally whales.

I am in awe of Kate Atkinson's writing...

I like her mysteries involving Jackson Brodie.

Mt favourite character is still

Louise Penny's Armand Gamache.

Life has taken on a quiet rhythm since retiring...

I'm still thrilled with this Red Kettle.

A good book, a cup of hot tea and a comfy chair in the afternoon.

long scenic walks

playing with the grand children

cooking

cleaning

gardening

weekly Mah Jongg class

and bridge games.

Mr. HB got his new English Halls greenhouse!

Next Spring there will be tomatoes, basil, cucumbers and possibly melons hanging out in here.

He surprised me with a gift this past weekend...

he came home and said "close your eyes" 

when I opened them he presented me with this beautiful British Racing Green Haws watering can...

it's quite posh.

My favourite Black Toast Patterned Emma Bridgewater Bowl...

came out of the dishwasher with a chip on the rim.

I don't usually use chipped crockery but I cannot bear to throw it away.

because it's Fall and the nights are getting darker and the temperatures are dipping...

I've been lighting candles...

I'm off to exercise my democratic right and heading off to the Polling Station.

If you are in Canada don't forget to get out and cast your ballot.

It's our duty to VOTE!

Thanks for stopping by...

hope you have a fabulous week!

White Wednesday and Breaking the "Rules"

The Fashion Police might consider citing me for this infraction....
I admit that I am breaking the rules...and do so with gay abandon!

Hint Hint...It's white Wednesday.

It's the rule about white...

are you familiar with that rule?

Hey Girlfriend...

these jeans are soooo comfy.

(they go with so many things that are hanging in my closet)

So why not wear white after Labour Day?

I have not retired these jeans to the "off season closet" just yet.

The COS striped Tee purchased in The Marais district of Paris.

New purchase from The Hudson's Bay

Style and Co.

Monoprix necklace from Paris.

Bianca Nygaard top 

vintage coin necklace

Cloudveil Merino Tee and Zara shawl sweater vest

J Crew Venus Flytrap necklace

Eddie Bauer down vest and a basic white tee

Tweed jacket ~ Spenser Jeremy

Amalfi shoes

(a dressy affair)

same again but with Coach loafers.

Gap distressed denim jacket

Sperry Top Siders espadrilles

Silver is my current shade to accessorize these jeans...

Bangles ~ vintage, Tiffany, Birks, Boyd Bond, and artisan.

Vintage Belt 

French Connection soft cozy grey top

it looks oversized but really is not baggy

the hem sits on the hips.

Worn with freshwater pearls

Stripes and white...

nautical and nice.

Love the weight and shape of this top.

It camouflages the midriff area which is not as toned as it was when I was younger!

Just saying that if this anemone can still bloom in October...

I can wear white jeans.

Hope that you are having a lovely week.

What fashion rules are you breaking?

Hostess Tips for Thanksgiving Dinner

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year?
Does the thought of getting all the food to the table feel overwhelming?

It can be a daunting task if you are unprepared...

Thinking about the family celebratory dinners that I have prepared over the years made me realize that I actually have a routine...perhaps my tips will help.

Set the date for your dinner and invite the guests.
Peruse cookbooks, magazines, and your recipe box and decide on the menu.
(keep the menu simple if you are new to cooking!)

You many ask your guests to bring a dish already prepared to share.

Decide on your table setting...linen tablecloth and napkins.
Purchase or gather things to decorate the table ~ candles, flowers, pine cones, pumpkins and gourds.

A couple of days ahead...buy the food and ingredients that you need to prepare the dishes.
One day ahead prepare as many dishes as you can...
I prepare most of the vegetables and place them in their oven proof serving dishes ~ then reheat them.
Write down the cooking and reheating times of all the dishes so that you leave nothing to chance.

While the roast or turkey (main dish) is in the oven.
Set the table...then sit for a bit and rest!

Enjoy the time with your guests and excuse yourself when you need to go to the kitchen.

When the roast is resting on the carving board make the gravy and cook any other veggies that you are serving.

Ask people to help carry the food to the table.
Serve and enjoy!

For our Thanksgiving dinner I used several recipes from Ina Garten's Foolproof cookbook.

I used her basic Brussels Sprouts recipe.

(I omitted the meat because we have a vegetarian in the family)

I cooked a small salmon filet and some mac n cheese for the grand children.

These Sophie Conran dishes are so handy...

they look nice and all go into the oven and microwave.

Ina's Parsnips and Carrots

colourful and tasty.

(Corning Ware oval roaster)

I served her English style potato recipe which was a huge hit.

Crunchy and delicious...

not one crumb left in the bowl!

Simple Sweet Peas and mashed yams rounded out the menu.

9 pound Prime Rib of Beef Roast...

cooked to perfection thanks to an online beef time chart.

I made gravy while this beast rested for 20 minutes on the board until Mr. HB expertly carved.

(he sharpened all the knives the day before we hosted the dinner)

After dinner ~ before dessert,

 a couple of guests helped clear the table while I put the food away.

We put the coffee on...

set the table with dessert and fresh plates.

The dinner plates were quickly loaded into the dishwasher and the silverware soaked in soapy water.

Pots and pans were stacked for cleaning until after the guests depart.

Retro Time Warp Chocolate Wafer Log for dessert.

(Christies Wafers have the recipe on the box)

I use freshly whipped cream instead of the whipped topping that they suggest.

Prepare at least 4 hours before serving, cover and refrigerate.

I served the log with fresh strawberries.

 Coffee.

Relax and enjoy your guests.

Clean up after they leave or postpone it until the next morning.

Launder the linens, iron and put them away.

If you are lucky there will be leftovers for dinner and you can take the rest of the day to put your feet up!

Thanksgiving...October Oranges.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and with that in mind,
 there are a few autumnal features in our Humble Bungalow.

Small simple additions are creeping in...
orange mini pumpkins.
Given that I prefer natural seasonal touches to those made in factories
it's relatively inexpensive and easy.

A dried allium bloom from the garden is housed under a glass dome

on top an arts and crafts copper tray

hand hammered copper arts and crafts Roycroft "Princess" candle sticks

Objibwa First Nations tamarack duck decoys

Canada's Thanksgiving is on Monday, a month before the US celebrates their Thanksgiving.

We are hosting dinner here in Our Humble Bungalow

So I'm looking through my cookbooks

and planning ahead.

Some dishes are prepared in advance so that I can enjoy visiting with our guests.

I like to set the table early

lay the tablecloth and linen napkins

arrange the silver

the glasses and plates.

I'll be wearing my linen apron and "fussing in the kitchen" for most of the day.

I'm looking forward to dinner with our family.

We all live in the same city, which makes it easy to gather together often and share a family meal.

Giving Thanks

being 

Grateful

honouring family

celebrating

in a humble and simple way

with a home cooked meal

served with love

remembering thanksgiving feasts from the past

carving out and creating future

memories 

for the elders 

and the wee ones.

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!