Hostess Gifts ~ Part 1

I have been giving and making gifts for many years...
Mother always took a Hostess gift. She impressed upon us how important it was to properly and politely recognize invitations and the efforts that a Host or Hostess put into having an event in their home.

Flowers, plants and chocolates are the first gifts that come to mind.

If you decide to give one of these items I would suggest a bouquet arranged in a vase 

or a potted plant or an orchid...

be considerate

leave nothing extra for the busy Hostess to do on the night of her open house or dinner party.

If you are giving chocolates...

opt for a local artisan chocolate shop over a box of "store bought" sweets.

(or make your own!)

If you are invited out to a dinner or house party do not arrive empty handed...

the gift does not need to be extravagant 

and please consider the Hostess and her tastes.

A bottle of wine

jam

a scented candle

marmalade

fancy teas

French milled soap

beeswax candles

exquisite olive oil

nuts

pretty napkins

a linen tea towel

lavender sachets

Hostess gifts need not be purchased if you are handy in the kitchen.

I have a few things that I like to make every year just before Christmas.

Our social calendar gets filled up quickly and I like to be prepared with a variety of gifts.

I buy pretty tins and doilies at the local Dollar Store.

My latest gift is dried fruit from the health food store dipped in chocolate.

Buy an assortment of fruit...melt the chocolate "buttons" and dip the fruit.

Cool on a parchment lined sheet pan then store in air tight containers

a layer of parchment or waxed paper between each layer of fruit.

Trust me...these are delicious!

They do not take very long to dip once the chocolate is melted.

Work in smaller batches so the chocolate stays smooth and pliable.

Arrange tins so that you can divide the fruit evenly.

Assembly line seems to be the most efficient way for me to get things done.

The fruit made ahead and stored in separate tins...

Each tin has a variety of chocolate dipped fruit.

You could add nuts if you like...

I make a batch of spiced nuts that I package in separate containers.

This is an easy and inexpensive Hostess gift...

delicious

but

 be warned

the fruit is slightly addictive!

(I reserve a large tin of dipped fruit in the pantry for our use)

Organic Chinese Mandarin Oranges are so sweet...

we have eaten one box so far and are into the second one!

BTW

I like to make one dinner and serve it twice when I am busy.

I made a big batch of soup...

I served it for dinner

and packed the leftovers for another day.

You can freeze it of you want and bring it out on a night when you are pressed for time.

Keeping Calm

is always so much easier if you "plan ahead!"

Stay tuned for more Hostess approved recipes!

a quick hello...

Oh my the time has gotten away from me and I have not had an opportunity to sit at my computer...
until now with a cup of Mariage Freres Paris Breakfast Tea and a late breakfast.

I am really loving this Riviera yogurt from Quebec.

The wee jars are so sweet.

The Laiterie Chalifoux website sells plastic lids for the jars in a variety of colours.

Which makes them even more useful!

Mr. HB has been busy decorating the Humble Bungalow Garden.

He hung up the wreath that his Mother had a friend make way back in the late 60's.

It is made of pine cones, baubles, ribbons and vintage rhinestone pins...

now we are the stewards of this family "heirloom!"

I went to my favourite flower shop Thorn and Thistle and bought some festive greenery.

I just popped it all in our urn at the bottom of the stairs...easy peasy.

I love these colours and the variety of textures.

Night time images of Our Humble Bungalow Garden all dressed up for the season follow...

Well that is it for now...

things are about to happen in the kitchen.

Stay tuned as next

I'll post on some super tasty and easy Hostess Gifts.

Happy Sunday to you all!

Tick Tock...Life in the moments.

Most afternoons I take a break from whatever I am doing and sit in one of our Morris chairs in our living room and sip a cup of tea.
This is a restorative time to sit in peace and ponder...

The ticking of the clock, the beating of my heart, a few cars passing by...
children's excited voices a they skip home from school are the usual sounds.

I find quiet times are very important to my well being.

One yellow lone Daisy sits in a vase in our Humble Bungalow bathroom.

One bloom spreads as much cheer as an entire bouquet.

(and it's cheaper!)

The frosty mornings have seen me bundle up in layers.

Warmth is essential to my comfort.

The windscreen on our Volvo has a thick crust of ice...

the automatic heat defrosting fan takes about 5 minutes 

so I usually speed up the process by using the scraper.

Autumn shadows grow long...

the last summer geranium is blooming.

Red Green and Silver

my favourite colours to use in Christmas Bouquets.

I must get something organized for our front porch soon and buy a wreath for the front door.

I've discovered some lovely French products...

wee glass jars of yogurt

Bonne Maman Dulce de Leche Caramel sauce.

I reuse jars...do you?

the Bonne Maman jars are sturdy

used for everything 

from homemade vinaigrette to storing small bits and bobs.

~ Waste not Want Not ~

Last week I cooked a small prime rib of beef for the two of us.

The ultimate comfort food on a cold day.

Mr. HB uses horseradish with his roast and I love Coleman's Hot mustard.

There is room enough in our home for both our tastes.

I volunteered to work at the Craft Fair last weekend

it was a busy morning selling jams, home baking and the crafts. 

These sold out in the first hour!

I had to buy one even though I cannot even think of who I could give it to...

Just so creative and kitschy.

Beautiful bright sunshine

twinkling on the ocean at McNeil Bay.

Trial Island Light House is in the distance.

We are so fortunate to live here...

Nudge Nudge

Wink Wink

I think this seal was "flirting" with me!

I posted this lovely David Austin Rose on my Instagram page this morning.

I was surprised to see it blooming in our garden as the weather is freezing outside.

Thank you for stopping by...I hope that you are enjoying your week.

Stormy weather...

Last week we experienced a positively "Beastly Day"...

~ most of the day ~

the 

wind howled

tree limbs cracked

branches fell

the rain pelted sideways at the windows 

and 

water seeped in and pooled on the sills

the buds on our climbing Royal Sunset Rose were shaken about ferociously 

but somehow they managed to cling on 

for dear life

BC Ferries were cancelled

power outages were reported

trees blew down

waves lashed the shore and spilled over the onto the streets

floods followed

While the storm raged I prepared a simple curry...

"sweating" the seasonings

chopping vegetables

sauteing 

aromas waft up 

and 

fill the kitchen with a heavenly scent

~ Vegetarian curry ~

garbanzo beans

cabbage

carrots

onions

cilantro

tomatoes

spices

simmering on the stove

and then

the sun came out and there was the most vivid of rainbows arching across the sky

a snapshot taken in summertime of our Royal Sunset Rose

What a difference a few hours make...

the forceful wind blew the clouds 

and

inclement weather 

east of Victoria

and thankfully

we were bathed in warm golden sunshine.

AND

NOW

The forecast locally is for snow flurries from Tuesday through Thursday...

I will be bundled up for my walks.

I have a Lands' End Down coat 

that Mother refers to as "the walking quilt!"

Hope your week is off to a great start.

"Weather is a great metaphor for life...

sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, 

and 

there's nothing much you can do about it 

but carry an umbrella or choose to dance in the rain!"

~ Terri Guillemets ~

One new thing...

I've been very frugal lately...
"shopping my closet"
instead of running out and buying new clothes,
wearing the basics that I already own
adding a scarf or some jewelry to create a bit of interest
so that I do not get bored.

I purchased this scarf before I went to Paris last Spring.

 I had planned to take it with me but found that it was too bulky.

It is perfect for the Fall and Winter weather here.

I love the colours in this scarf as they mesh and meld with all my black and grey staples.

The texture is soft and feels a bit like it has been "felted."

I picked this up at our local Pharmasave store in Oak Bay for about $25.00

I've worn in with this striped Lands' End tunic top and black leggings and ankle boots.

When we were in Vancouver recently 

I popped into Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.

I love Eileen Fishers designs

she sells such great basics

 in the tones that I love to wear 

and 

the fabrics and textures of her garments are splendid.

However 

I consider her prices to be a wee bit expensive now that I am retired.

But wait...

 I spied a lovely viscose charcoal top on the sale rack

in my size

the last one!

I had a $25.00 off coupon too so the price was even better.

I snapped a quick shot of the top in our hotel room.

The wool is cozy and warm and the fabric itself is soft.

The hem dips down at either side on the bottom.

The neck is a U shape so I can showcase some of my necklaces when I am not wearing a scarf.

It will get LOTS of wear...that is how I am justifying this "one new thing."

Have you been shopping your closet

Or 

shopping the shops?