OOTD and a few books...

The ultimate in comfort food...

cabbage roll casserole 

from 

The Best of Best of Bridge Cookbook.

So soothing on a rainy cold Autumn evening.

I made this after recuperating from 3 days of flu like symptoms after getting the Shingrix vaccine.

It was my second shot, the first one left e feeling flu-ish for one day 

so I was not expecting to be sidelined for 3 days 

but it's over and I am feeling more like myself.

It is worth a few days of malaise 

the effectiveness rating is 97% which is good.

Our GP told us that he had a rash of older patients recently who suffered permanent neurological damage after a bout of shingles...

one patient went blind 

so he is advising all his older patients to get the vaccine.

Have you had yours?

I had lots of good cuddles from Chester who lay beside me most of the days.

The cats were quite perplexed, perhaps confused

as I am usually very active here in the Humble Bungalow...

I read Joanna Goodman's novel The Finishing School

I really enjoyed it...

Before I had my shingles shot I went shopping and purchased a cozy new vest...

Of course it is in the grey and black basic wardrobe theme colours!

Whats up with all the wrinkles in those pants?

(ha ha)

worn here with my new Timberland boots

Verve Ami vest from Marshalls

super cozy for our cool autumn weather.

Today I am wearing my striped Saint James top with a black skirt, tights and black Chelsea boots.

I've started this book by JoJo Moyes...

its grabbed me right from the first page and I can tell its going to be a great read.

What are you reading?

Are you in a book club?

Well I must get some stuff done here so I will close for now.

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

These boots are made for walkin!

Do you remember Nancy Sinatra's hit song "These Boots are Made for Walkin?"
It's a classic "golden oldie" have a listen...

I went shopping with a friend and while she was trying on shoes my eyes wandered and I spied these Timberland boots on sale...

Comfy to wear walking...

I do not buy ANY shoes or boots that are uncomfortable.

 I walk a LOT!

 I plan to pair them with tights

for my skirts and casual dresses 

with thicker socks 

for my jeans.

I do not have any brown foot wear so they will expand my wardrobe.

Have you bought something "different" recently?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Dinner Party...with a wee bit of help from My Stylish French Box

For the evening I picked two David Austin Roses, my favourite 

"Jude the Obscure" and some rosemary for the main dish.

I set a very simple table...

The Menu:

Tray of appies

Salad

Jamie Oliver's Succulent Lamb Stew

Mashed Potatoes

Green beans and shaved carrots

Chocolate torte with raspberry coulis

Brie cheese, balsamic fig spread, olives, cherry tomatoes, dates, & crackers.

Mixed in a big bowl

butter lettuce, radicchio, endive

pea shoots

pomegranate seeds

Julia Child's basic vinaigrette drizzled over top and tossed.

Jamie Oliver's Succulent Lamb Stew can be found in his 5 Ingredient cookbook.

I borrowed a copy from our local library.

The chocolate torte was a packaged mix by Marlette

from the most recent delivery of "My Stylish French Box"

The chocolate torte mix was fast and easy.

Look at all the beautiful items that Sharon and her team chose for the last box!

The candle is fragrant and the copper tin will come in handy when it is finished.

(put the candle in the freezer for a few hours and the wax shrinks away from the sides and then I pop it out.

Vintage linen tea towel.

linen apron

copper cannele molds

Love these carefully curated French themed boxes.

A wonderful treat filled with exquisite delights.

If you want to try one 

or indulge in an annual subscription 

please click here.

The November box will be on its way shortly and I am really excited as heard that one of the items will be from the company Petrusse who make and design beautiful scarves and shawls!

Most of the contents are kept secret so that subscribers are surprised...

when all the boxes have been delivered 

the team will share the box contents on the website.

I'm back in the kitchen today preparing a casual dinner for family who are visiting from the Kootenay region of our province.

So I must not dilly dally and put my apron on and start prepping!

Hope that your week is going well and that you are finding some time to stop and smell the flowers along the way!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Todays tidbits...right here in black and white!

Later I will share a few new things here in The Humble Bungalow...

first things first...

my creative juices have been waning for awhile

writing has taken a back seat for now

my energy is otherwise engaged in reading and knitting

There have been some moody moments, thinking about and remembering mom.

Yesterday I bought a latte and sat on the beach
where my sister and I spread mom's ashes.

It was a beautiful afternoon,
the seas gently rippled
and
glistening in the bright sunshine.

Waters ebb and flow...
moods alter

a white lab comes by for a pat
its owner follows ~ apolgizes for the intrusion
not bothered at all by the dog
I continue to sit and savour the latte
thinking how close I feel to mom

calmed by the lapping of the waves
restored
peace follows
a positive energy has returned.

A pretty pink

 pop of colour 

 lewisia blooms.

I have been indulging in a wee bit of retail therapy...
nothing outrageous
but a few things that caught my eye.

Emma Bridgewater Black Toast pattern is a favourite of mine...

I found these wee picnic pieces at The Bungalow on Estevan Avenue.

Too cute to pass up on and fit perfectly in my small insulated picnic tote.

Lands' End packable down jacket 

it will keep the chill away on my winter walks.

New black napkins

white mini pumpkins 

for the table

We are hosting a dinner party

I'll post on the menu and the table settings in a future post.

Our neighbours' cat napping in our garden in a patch of sunshine.

There are two cats, each look identical, so I can never tell them apart.

I didn't mean to disturb its slumber

the ragdoll cats that live across the street are so friendly.

Time for a stretch on the gravel drive...

Time for me to get back to my dinner party prep...

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thanksgiving at Quarter Deck Cottage

We've been cozy here at Quarter Deck Cottage this past weekend.
The weather has been mixed with some sunshine, rain and fog...

Cheers...

we sat on the deck one afternoon in the sunshine 

admiring the views and sipped a Corona.

Excuse the grainy picture 

 I wanted to share the sighting of the two whales as they swam past the deck.

Fresh from the Flower Shop

We pick flowers up from the florist as soon as we get settled in at the cottage.

Then we go grocery shopping.

A simple Thanksgiving meal.

Turkey, mashed potatoes and parsnips, with peas and gravy 

topped with a generous dollop of homemade cranberry sauce.

Dessert was a small store bought pie with ice cream.

I made turkey soup...

when I posted this on Instagram one of the readers asked for the recipe.

Quarter Deck Cottage Turkey Soup

In a large pot

Saute 1 large diced onion in a wee bit of oil until soft.

pour in chicken stock

( I used 1 can and 2 cans full of water)

Add a large cubed carrot about 1 1/2 cups

Then add chopped up the turkey meat approximately 1 1/2 cups

3/4 cup of frozen peas

1 cup short skinny noodles

(I used the No Yokes noodles)

a generous amount of fresh ground pepper

( do not add salt as there is plenty in the chicken stock already)

Parsley is optional

Boil and then reduce heat and simmer until carrots are cooked.

Hope you enjoy it!

The cottage smelled so wonderful as the soup simmered...

we had a bowl and then went for a walk in the rain.

A peaceful walk along the beach...

in moody light

a few pieces of sea glass were gathered.

Time now to finish French Exit by Patrick deWitt.

His book "Sisters, Brothers" has just been made into a film and has been released.

I read the book sometime in the last two years and found it rather shocking!

Filled with violence with a rough rawness that kept me on the edge of my chair!

I have no doubt that the film will be powerful.

French Exit has interesting and quirky characters

with a plausible storyline...

I enjoy Patrick's wry edgy writing.

(The book has been short listed for the Scotia Bank Giller Award.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~