Red just keeps on popping up on my radar...

Everywhere I look I seem to notice Red...

The Red Camellia blooming in a neighbour's garden.

Ilex berries

The felted wee animals at a local shop in our Village.

Our neighbours hosted a cookie open house this weekend.

They made dozens of cookies and in the centre of the table was a gumdrop structure of Saint Paul's Cathedral.

It was done to scale too...

most impressive and the cookies that I sampled were very tasty!

We had stormy wild winds and rains yesterday and there is more wild weather in the forecast.

I took a short video of the storm as it lashed the breakwater at The Oak Bay Marina...

it is on my Instagram page if you want to check it out!

The new dried cranberry citrus shortbread recipe that I baked.

Handy because you make it and then pop it in the fridge to bake later.

I bake it on parchment for even heating and quick clean up!

The shortbread is going to be stored in the red tin after it cools...

and then I will put the kettle on to boil and sit for a bit with my mug of tea and read.

I brought this book home to peruse...

I have always enjoyed Tricia Foley's style.

Red and White Roses at the local Oak Bay Coffee Shop and Bakery

called Delish.

It was cold and windy on my walk so I 

I stopped there for a pot of tea and a cookie last Friday.

How was your weekend?

A time tested Hostess Gift

Olives anyone?

I love a Martini...gin and 3 olives...just one and I am done.

“I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most.
After three I'm under the table,
after four I'm under my host.”

~ Dorothy Parker ~


Last time we were sharing the dipped fruit recipe...today we are making my Mother's Rum Balls.
I have made them every year for the past 30 years.
They are well received and a much anticipated sweet treat...

These are quick and easy...

Mother's Rum Ball Recipe

In a food processor grind a 312g. box of Vanilla Wafers and 1 cup of pecans.

Place in a large bowl 

add 1 cup of icing sugar

 3 tablespoons of Caro Syrup

1 1/2 tablespoons of cocoa 

1/2 cup rum

Mix together and roll into small bite sized balls.

Roll in icing sugar or cocoa.

Store in airtight containers.

Place in pretty containers for gift giving.

Enjoy!

(don't tell Mother I am sharing her recipe yet again...she likes to keep these family recipes a secret!)

We bought a wee tree for the front porch.

We can look out the living room window and see the little white fairy lights twinkling.

The sunlight warmed a very frosty day...

we scavenged some boughs from the fallen limbs on the Golf Course for the porch.

I am reading this novel...the first in a series and am enjoying it very much.

We went to see our darling grand daughter in her school Christmas Play.

All the students in her private school were in the production.

From the preschoolers and their rendition of the "Teddy Bear's Picnic" to the grade 4's

it was an uplifting and joyous evening.

We gave Isla a pink rose after it was over and she just beamed...

our little Miss shined on stage...

she danced

she remembered her lines 

and best of all she smiled and waved to all of us!

Members of the audience were oohing and awing when she waved and Mr. HB and I wanted to stand up and shout...

"That is OUR Grand Daughter!"

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time out of your busy day to say hello.

Cheers!

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.