December Vibes

 

The Christmas tree and fairy lights

we've added a few festive touches.

Our decorating has happened much sooner than usual.

Spending most of our time in The Humble Bungalow during the pandemic 

has made us much more aware of our surroundings and we need more Cheer!

Snow capped Mount Baker in the background at Willows Beach.

Walking along the sandy beach listening to the sound of the waves 

gulls calling as they fly overhead.

Walking under sunny skies is preferable to the rain...

unfortunately 

there is rain in the forecast for most of the week

so I will don my new red raincoat and grab a brolly...

Needs Must!

Cooking through Covid is helping me stay focused on comfort food.

Why not make a soothing meal each night for dinner?

Ina has hit the ball right out of the park with this timely cookbook.

The Ultimate Beef Stew recipe is full of flavour and makes a big batch.

Leftovers can easily be frozen for a future meal.

While this stew was simmering in the oven our Bungalow 

sumptuous scents wafted out from the dutch oven.

We were extra hungry by the time it was ready to sit down to dinner!

This wonderfully written book is transporting me back to Tuscany.

Its a delight to read...thank goodness for armchair travel!

Mr HB is busy building our deer fence. 

He installed the 3 panels this past weekend.

The tall cedar posts will be cut down and capped.

Hopefully 

Our roses out front should be safer next Spring and Summer.

We listened to Dr. Bonnie Henry's announcement yesterday and learned that the Covid cases here in BC are showing no bend in the curve...

We are not allowed to gather with friends or family inbdoors or outside.

Fines will be issued if we do not obey the rules.

Christmas will be only allowed for the family that live under one roof...

so we will need to be creative 

meet up remotely via Zoom or FaceTime.

In good news the vaccines are on their way!

How are you holding up during the pandemic?

 What are you reading?

Have you decorated earlier than usual for the festive season?

Stay Safe

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My Stylish French Box reveal...

I just hopped on to the blog to quickly share the November contents of My Stylish French Box! The luxurious items were themed "holiday chic" and they did not disappoint. Sharon Santoni and her team know their clientele very well.

My favoutite item is a bespoke cashmere and wool wrap.

It is so cozy!

Our weather is colder now so it is perfect for the chilly afternoons and evenings.

I am draping this over my shoulders and don't feel any of the usual drafts in our 100+ year old bungalow.

This lipstick is super moisturizing and luscious.

The box is pretty too and opens up like a flower petal.

The lipsticks are refillable and come in a red velvet pouch.

Emollient balm

Writing paper and a beautiful pen.

Antique crystal drop strung onto a purple velvet ribbon

It can be worn as a necklace or hung in a window to refract the light.

A lovely pouchette to use as a bag or for makeup or whatever you fancy!

I've got to run now as I have a bunch of things that I need to get done.

It surprises me how busy my days are during the pandemic.

The homekeeping chores haven't gone away and despite the fact that we are not entertaining I cannot let the dust bunnies take over.

I've been cooking a ton of new recipes, reading oodles of books, walking, and more recently I have ventured out to the shops to buy gifts for friends and family.

Take care, stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Adding some festive touches in The Humble Bungalow.

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow

we've started adding a few festive touches a wee bit earlier than usual.

With all the time that we are spending in our home these days...

 why not?

Festive starry candle holder 

a recent purchase from the Victoria Art Gallery gift shop.

I love to decorate with warm creamy white accents.

Sweet white hearts are hung from the knobs on the cupboard.

These were also found at the Art Gallery gift shop.

I think they would be really pretty hung on a tree with all white lights.

Cookie tins and English crackers.

We have no idea if we will be permitted to have our family come over for Christmas with the Covid cases still climbing.

I bought the crackers just in case...

I will drop them off when I pass over the gifts

 if we are not allowed to meet up in person.

The tins will hold cookies and chocolate bark...

which I will start making in a couple of weeks.

Battery powered LED lights add ambiance in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen.

These lights are warm and add festive cheer.

We plan to put up the tree this coming weekend and will pull out some of the other decorations.

Are you decorating for Christmas early this year?

Do you think Christmas will be celebrated differently this year due to lockdown?

Have you started shopping for the holidays?

Are you shopping online or supporting the local small businesses?

I am making a concerted effort to buy local.

I want to see the small shops survive...

it's so sad seeing those that have already closed up shop.

Stay safe and wear your masks!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Roses, Tea and Covid Cooking...a tonic during lockdown

 

Roses continue to bloom in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

The cheerful pops of colour elevate our days.

Jude the Obscure still putting on a show!

Walked downtown on Thursday 

to meet my husband at the lawyer's office and sign our new wills.

I had a few minutes to spare so I popped into Winners.

I bought a couple of gifts and just happened upon this trio of teas.

I have savoured the Wittards Chelsea Afternoon Tea blend and was eager to expand my taste experience...

I bought all three!

I have yet to try this one but it sounds delicious...

Oolong tea, pineapple, strawberry and papaya pieces, marigold flowers.

No7 Mango and Bergamot is SO GOOD!!!!

Green Tea, Mango, petals from cornflowers, sunflowers and roses.

Bergamot flavouring.

This one is a gift for a dear friend.

Lockdown is here to stay for the forseeable future.

The Covid Cases are climbing far too fast.

Hospitals are filling up and our provincial health doctor has had to enact the act

that prohibits us from gathering with others.

Only our immediate household can be together, even outdoors.

We are permitted to walk with one friend.

Masks are mandatory in public places and at worksites.

So I am cooking like crazy as a distraction to save my sanity...

(my husband winks when I say this!)

Thanks darling XO

BTW

Mr. HB seems to be enjoying all the meals.

Christmas decor here is minimal and I am fluffing the house bit by bit...

I will publish a post sharing what I've done soon.

Our neighbours to the south are preparing their Thanksgiving menus and sharing many gorgeous tablescapes.

I made Ina Garten's Herb and Apple Bread Pudding from her book 

"Cooking For Jeffrey."

(page 152)

I made it this morning and it is in the fridge waiting for later...

I love a make ahead dish.

Ina mentioned that it pairs well with Turkey.

I am making "Engagement Roast Chicken" similar to Ina's Perfect Roast Chicken.

Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Will steam some broccoli to serve with dinner.

I had hoped to buy green beans but they were not that fresh...

why do some stores keep them on the shelf when they are past their prime?

My husband has been outside all morning digging fence post holes.

He'll be weary when he finally comes inside...

Hope this meal will be tasty and comforting.

How are you doing during this pandemic?

What are your favourite distractions?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

Stay Safe

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Fashion with a Vintage Vibe ~ French themed books

When I visited Paris in 2015 I met a savvy young stylist named Alois Guinut.

She led a workshop on French fashion and style 

for women on The Ooh La La Tour.

The tour was arranged and led by author Jamie Cat Callan.

You may have read some of her books...

( if you haven't already read her books you may want to!)

French Women Don't Sleep Alone: Pleasurable Secrets to Finding Love 

Bonjour Happiness: Secrets to Finding Your Joie de Vivre

Ooh La La!: French Women's Secrets to Feeling Beautiful Every Day

Parisian Charm School: French Secrets for Cultivating Love, Joy and That Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi

I took notes at the workshop as I was so inspired by this young woman.

When I returned home I decided to add some French flair to my daily outfits.

Not too long after I returned I learned that Alois had written a new book

"Dress Like a Parisian."

 I knew that I had to buy it and read more about this fascinating style.

I have just finished reading 

"Why French Women Wear Vintage and other secrets of sustainable style."

There are lots of great ideas here and as I am a passionate second hand, consignment, and thrift shopper so this fits right into my values of recycling and my current relaxed lifestyle.

My wardrobe is streamlined and minimalist with a colour palette based on black, white and greys that makes it easy to mix and match items.

I have denim jeans and chambray shirts too.

I add a pop of colour with accessories.

Alois shares some fun ways to add fun and flair to the classic basics.

I plan to look for more "unique accessories" when I venture out in the second hand consignment and charity shops

as well as

perusing

 ETSY and EBAY 

for more vintage finds.

Now I want to re-read her first book!

Hope that you are keeping well.

Are you cooking, baking, knitting, crafting or reading to stay safe during Covid?

 'French Exit ' a new fragrant candle from the company Cancelled Plans.

Scented candles add ambiance to our Humble Bungalow.

When the Fall and Winter weather gets gloomy I can't think of anything easier

 than lighting a candle to add a warm glow and a beautiful fragrance.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you are staying safe, wearing your mask and washing your hands!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~