Tea time, a french chic book and a drug store purchase...

Afternoon Tea in The Humble Bungalow

Canterbury pattern cup and saucer 

one of several patterns of tea cups that I use for my afternoon tea ritual.

I am on the lookout for a spectacular ornately decorated floral cup and saucer.

Reading an inspirational French themed book by Tish Jett

I read and enjoyed her first book Forever Chic.

A lovely tea from our local Tea Merchant Murchies

Paris Afternoon is sweet and tastes like a decadent dessert.

My last mascara was gloppy and had not performed that well.

Frustrated, 

but on a mission

 off I went to the local pharmacy to buy a new mascara.

Always one to seek advice from the knowledgeable gals in the cosmetics department 

I asked the clerk what she uses and could recommend.

Marcelle was her hands down winning performer.

 She handed me the gift pack that included a Kohl eye pencil.

This pencil is SO soft and easily lines the eye without tugging or pulling.

It is rather like Velvet Gel.

So now I am regularly defining my eyes with Kohl 

and they are the focus when wearing my mask.

New Year Goal

walk a minimum of 4 km each and every day

I've downloaded the Walk Meter App which is free and helps me track my distance.

The IPhone tracking is not that accurate but it does record the individual steps.

So I am using both to keep tabs on my progress.

Do you have any New Year resolutions or goals?

My winter accessories

consist of 

a cashmere scarf and a vintage Coach bag.

Do you switch out your handbag often?

I am a creature of habit and frequently use one for years...

I  have other bags.

A straw bag for summer

a vintage wine coloured quilted bag

a travel bag

a small vintage black Coach bag for evening.

Hope that you are staying safe.

Our provincial doctor has just extended our Covid restrictions until February.

Our numbers of new cases continue to go up...

hundreds are in hospital with many in critical care.

I'm going to have to get creative to help pass the time.

Another month of not seeing my grandchildren and family is going to be difficult.

I walk with a friend each week but we stay a safe distance from each other.

How are you coping?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Pop of colour ~ Rouje Lip Compact from Paris

 

Rouje

Lip Compact from Paris

01- Signature

New lipsticks for 2021

Beautiful Rouje gold case and a gold lip brush by Jane Iredale.

Some women might like to use their fingers to apply the lipstick. 

I prefer a lip brush.

We are all wearing masks these days for safety

but when I am at home or out for my walks I want to add a pop of colour.

This compact feels luxurious and with the variety of lip colours I can vary the shade depending on what I am wearing that day.

The lipsticks run true to colour.

 Are very emollient and last a long time.

This is the bold red lip.

The plum shade.

I wear very little make up so I focus on my lips.

A couple of readers emailed me asking about my skincare regime...

I use Avene 3 in 1 cleanser

Mad Hippie daily facial oil and at night Mad Hippie Vitamin A serum

I wait 10 minutes then follow up with rosehip night cream by Sukin.

I avoid the sun and use Avene BB cream with an SPF.

I hope that answers some of your questions.

If you have any more queries please leave me a comment.

Winter bloom on Jude the Obscure a David Austin Rose.

Wishing you a wonderful week.

Take time to nurture yourself...we are living in a strange time and it is easy to forget to make time for those rituals which are soothing and relaxing.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Welcoming the New Year...thoughts

A bright and shiny New Year is on the horizon.

Feeling very encouraged that we will see some significant improvements...

 the vaccines are here and are being doled out to the health care workers and the residents of long term care first and then they make their way down the ladder to those of us who wish to get the vaccine. 

Our Covid cases in BC are moving slowly downward.

I cannot help but feel optimistic...

Every year, for decades, I write in a day timer.

The Moleskine day timer for 2021 has been updated with birthdays.

I chose a new gel pen with a pretty peacock blue shade of ink.

The little things that can be mood shifters and change they way we see life

are so worth embracing...

Ideas for small Joys:

a new shade of lipstick

wearing a vintage piece of jewelry

mixing up your outfits, pairing different items

wearing a bright coloured pair of socks or tights

fresh flowers and foliage in a jug

a new blend of tea

experimenting with a new hairstyle

sampling a new fragrance

painting your nails

rearranging an area of your home

hanging your clothes in a different order, by colour or grouped by item

polish your leather shoes, boots and purses

buy a vintage accessory or piece of clothing that makes you smile

get rid of any clothes that are "ho-hum" ~ keep only what makes you feel great

invest in a new teacup and saucer or mug

read a new magazine, perhaps one from another country

sample an exotic variety of fruit

make a vinaigrette with a different type of oil and vinegar than you usually use

walk in a different area and explore

take a thermos of coffee or tea and sip it in a park or on a beach

The list of ideas could go on and on...

Maybe it is time to start a new collection?

I know people who collect smooth rocks from the beach...

some only collect pure white and others opt for dark black.

Put them in a bowl or a jar and enjoy looking at them.

“Always keep your eyes open. 

Keep watching. 

Because whatever you see can inspire you.”

~ Grace Coddington ~

 

How are you approaching 2021?

Are you feeling positive or negative?

Have you got goals or are you making New Year resolutions?

I'd love to hear your ideas of things that you do to lift your spirits.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Wishing you peace and joy in the New Year.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

French Canadian Tourtiere Recipe

 

Tourtiere

 French Canadian tradition

for

 Christmas

This recipe makes 3 double crust savoury meat pies.

I use the pastry recipe off of the box of Tenderflake Lard.

Make the pastry ahead of the filling as the dough needs to be in the fridge for an hour before rolling out.

Filling 

2 tsp olive oil

2 cups finely diced onions

3 cloves of garlic

1 cup of finely minced celery

2 pounds ground pork

1 pounds lean ground beef 

1 tsp ground sage spice

1/4 tsp each ground cloves and ground cinnamon spices

1 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp ground pepper

1 cup water

3 cups mashed potatoes

1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley

In a large pot heat the oil and saute onions, celery and garlic until soft.

Add the ground meat and cook until no longer pink.

Drain any fat from the pot.

Add the sage, cloves, cinnamon, salt, pepper and water

Add a lid to the pot and simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove from the heat and add the mashed potatoes and parsley stir well to mix.

Cool on counter.

Roll out the pastry dough thinly and line 3 pie plates 

make sure to save enough dough to top each pie.

Fill each pie with the filling.

Roll out the pastry tops and seal edges.

Cut in some vents in the tops for steam to escape.

(You can use a very small star cookie cutter to make these vents attractive)

Brush pies with egg yolk and milk

bake for 35 - 40 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

If you make these ahead you can freeze the uncooked pies.

remove from freezer, thaw then in a fridge then bake them.

Allow pies to sit on the counter after baking for about 20 minutes before slicing them.

Serve with the condiment of your choice...

HP sauce 

piccallilli

Branston pickle

sweet mustard pickles

Hope you have fun making these tourtiere pies.

They are usually served on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Christmas Traditions

There are many traditions that we embrace over the holidays...

We hang this hand made wreath that was made in the ealy 1960's.

This was made by a friend of my husband's mother.

It has shiny baubles, pine cones, faux holly and vintage rhinestone brooches.

We were fortunate to be given this wreath...

we hang it in The Humble Bungalow dining room every Christmas season.

Christmas is going to be VERY different this year because of the pandemic.

We will be visiting each other via ZOOM and FACE TIME.

Baking and cooking for Christmas occupies a lot of my time

 I am enjoying trying out new recipes.

Sharing Baskets and Food Hampers with family.

We'll be doing driveway drop offs!

With a focus on comfort these days I want to share a super simple pot roast recipe.

Pot Roast with whipped potatoes and peas.

Savoury Pot Roast

3 pound beef blade pot roast

2 Tbsp. oil

1/4 cup wine vinegar

1/4 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp soy sauce ( I use Braggs)

2 Tbsp worcherstershire sauce

1/2 Tsp minced garlic 

1/2 Tsp dry mustard

3 Tbsp flour

1/4 cup water

In a Dutch oven heat oil and brown roast on all sides.

Sprinkle with salt

Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour into pot.

Simmer covered for 2 hours.

Remove to a carving board and cover with foil to rest for 5 minutes.

Make a slurry of  3 Tbsp flour and 1/4 cup of water and shake in a bottle.

Whisk into the fluid left in the pot and thicken and use as a Gravy.

Enjoy!

How are you celebrating the holidays this year?

Are you able to meet in person?

I'll be busy for the next week or so baking and preparing gifts.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Thank you for dropping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~