Yummy Gomae Salad

Have you eaten the Japanese spinach salad called Gomae?

Last month I met up with a few friends for lunch at a local sushi restaurant
and my friend ordered it, mentioning that it was fabulous
so I tried it too...

WOW!

My taste buds were doing a happy dance, it is SO delicious!

After tasting it I knew that I wanted to be able to make it at home.

I needed to buy a special Japanese bowl called a suribachi

(almost like a mortar and pestle)

I found one at the local Japanese market.

I decided to use the porcelain bowl designed and made by a local artist

Japanese potter Harumi Ota

Spinach is so good for us.

It's loaded in nutrients and is available all year long.

The salad also keeps for a few days covered in the refrigerator...

but beware

it may not last that long!

It is a tasty snack in between meals.

Here is the link to the recipe that I used.

I hope that you like it!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

October in The Humble Bungalow...

BOO!

Snippets from The Humble Bungalow.

October has flown by...it has been a bit of a blur.

Where does the time go?

Copper tray on the buffet...

Ojibwa duck decoys

white mini pumpkins

a dome with a dried allium inside

Vintage

First Nations woven baskets on the shelf above the built in buffet.

Fortnum and Mason baskets

with a

pudding bowl

I love baskets and have quite a few in The Humble Bungalow.

They are handy for storing things and I leave them out on display as I like the rustic natural effect they give to the decor.

Antique basket

First Nations tray on ledge

tarnished vintage silver 

dried hydrangeas in a copper vase

A peek inside the drop front arts and crafts desk

Surprise!

a headless "scarecrow" in our spare lot

someone is into the "Halloween spirit!"

Happy Halloween!

How is your week going?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~