Flower power, a birthday and a thrift shop find...

Cheerful Primulas on the front porch...

they were on sale at the garden centre and I could not pass them up!

I culled my out of season clothes and took them to the thrift shop.

While there, I quickly perused the kitchen area...

I spied this vintage chopping board and grabbed it.

It has a new home here in The Humble Bungalow.

A friend gave me these branches and they forced into flower.

Pretty pink blossoms which are the harbingers of Spring.

This time of year, when the gardens come alive, feels so hopeful.

There is a sense of renewal and energy...

spirit soars.

Crocus are blooming.

Pops of colour are bursting forth in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

A new Hellebore from the garden centre...

a frilly chartreuse green.

I plan on planting this in a bed with Black Mondo grass.

Think that the green and black colours will be a pretty combo.

Mother Nature's Paintbrush must have had a hand in these flowers.

Slowly

 wake up 

smell the coffee

listen to the birdsong

feel the warmth of the sun

cocooning in my robe

after slumber

a new day

awaits

Hope

Promise

Gratitude

Feeling renewal and embracing a fresh year 

Cheers to 66!

Polenta coated mozza balls on a bed of spicy tomato sauce.

Salmon beets and baby potatoes.

Birthday dinner at Zambri's restaurant with my husband.

I had a martini 

did not count my WW points 

earlier I walked over 15,000 steps over 9.3km

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A quiet week in February ~ Walks, snow, books, and home decor finds.

 

Creamy white Ribes 

with a smattering of chartreuse

Blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

It has been pretty quiet this past week here in The Humble Bungalow.

Lots of walks, reading, mindful eating ~ counting my WW points.

I read this gripping crime drama book by Jane Harper.

She is an accomplished author and wow can she weave a murder mystery!

The snow has melted in our neighbourhood...

Blue skies, crisp cold temperatures and a lonely snowman on the beach.

We walked at Butchart Gardens on Sunday.

I cannot remember ever visiting the gardens in the snow.

I know that there was an icy Christmas when we visited to see the Festive lights.

Yes those ponds are frozen!

BRRRR

A wee snowman in The Japanese Garden.

I posted a picture of this vintage bureau on Instagram.

I purchased it from Karin at Kay's Korner in The Cook Street Village.

It fits well in our laundry area and is so much neater than the open shelf unit.

I have stored my knitting "stash"

needles and patterns 

in the two lower drawers

 my garden apron, secateurs and gloves in the top drawer.

A wonderful purchase that has given me a lift!

Speaking of changes

while tidying and de-cluttering in The Humble Bungalow...

I have repurposed two silver champagne buckets.

Feeling restless, and as a result, the need to refresh and fluff our surroundings.

Spending so much time at home has definitely made me look closely at what we have and what is lacking.

New bedding linen, a hall runner and the bureau are examples of change.

Laura Ashley coverlet and pillow shams.

Pepper our older cat approves!

I had a strange dream last night...

(my dreams are frequently weird)

I was in the make up department and was trying on dozens and dozens of lipsticks.

The clerk running to all the cosmetic counters in search of the perfect shade.

When it came time to choose I told the clerk to wrap them all up!

Think I know what might have fueled the dream...

Yesterday when I removed the mask that I wore at the grocery store 

I discovered that it was smeared with red lipstick.

Thank goodness that they are washable.

What is new with you?

Just finished...

Lisa Jewell has done it again...

a thrilling page turner.

Now I need to find a new book.

What do you recommend?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Skin care products that I rely on to help keep my rosacea under control.

Are you on 

De-cluttering your spaces?

Feathering the Nest?

Editing your closet?

Working my way through The Humble Bungalow 

culling stuff from cupboards and drawers

Ridding ourselves of things that are no longer wanted

are out of date

&

 dusty and dull.

The bag of donations grows each day!

I tackled the skincare products and only kept the top performers.

You may not know that I have rosacea or that my skin is VERY sensitive.

I must be careful to use only the gentlest products.

No HOT water

no excessive rubbing

GENTLE but EFFECTIVE medical grade serums are worth the expense.

Here are my reliable trusted stalwarts in skincare.

Gentle cleanser and Micellar Lotion

by Avene

Rose Mask and Exfoliator

by Andalou

Pro Health Advance and Hydra Cool Serums

from IS Clinical

I use 3 drops of Pro Health Serum in the morning dabbing gently on cleansed skin

followed by Sukin Enriching Night Cream 

(it is super hydrating as my skin tends to be dry)

After cleansing at night I use 3 drops of the Hydra Cool Serum 

followed by the Sukin Enriching Night Cream

I use the Andalou CC cream every morning 

followed by La Bella Donna Mineral powder with additional sunscreen.

I use the Moroccan oil once a week as an intensive treatment.

It would be lovely to go to the spa for a facial 

but with Covid still active I am not planning a visit anytime soon.

Any skin care pampering will have to be done by me!

“Beauty is not in the face; 

beauty is a light in the heart.” 

~ Khalil Gibran ~

A January Rose bud that was blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

The rosebuds have all faded after the recent snowfall!

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

I hope that you are staying safe.

and

Taking good care of yourself.

We are living in a precarious time... self care is important

being proactive and soothing one's spirit is not being selfish.

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Frances Sprout's Dal recipe....it's a winner!

Thank you to Frances for posting this delicious recipe.

Winter Warming Dal

Cook the lentils with water, ginger, bay leaves and a cinnamon stick.

10-12 minutes on simmer.

Jasmine Rice cooking on the back burner according to the directions on the package.

Saute a diced onion in butter for 3 minutes.

Add the spice mixture cook 3 minutes.

Topped with a tablespoon of Major Grey's Chutney

This dish is loaded in flavour and nutrients and is delicious.

Here is a link to an online site that has information on the benefits of eating lentils.

I have been eating this dish for my lunches.

 1/2 cup of rice and 1/2 cup of the dal with a tablespoon of chutney

5.5 Weight Watcher Points

It keeps me satisfied and mid afternoon I have a cup of tea and a piece of fresh fruit.

Hope you'll enjoy this recipe and many thanks to Frances.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My new Vintage bag...

 

Vintage Gently Used Coach Regina bag.

Compact size, supple soft leather

with a zippered small inner compartment 

 an open space for my wallet and keys

&

featuring an exterior pouch for my phone.

Several years ago I had a frozen shoulder.

 which was incredibly painful.

It came on suddenly and scared me with the intensity of the pain.

The specialist that I saw told me to get rid of my big heavy handbags as they may have contributed to the problem.

I immediately bought a smaller bag.

Once my shoulder recovered, the other one froze!

I now carry a minimal amount of things

 just what I need.

Wallet, keys, nail file, lipstick and a mask.

My IPhone is stored in the outer pouch.

Darling daughter happens to have been the influencer on this Coach Bag.

She dropped off that lovely pearl pin that I purchased from her

at my front porch and I spied the bag...

well what can I say.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Jennifer was wearing an embroidered mask when she stopped by...

After several disposable masks fell apart after one wearing last week

I decided it was time to get serious and purchase a few decent non disposable masks.

These are from a dressmaker in Halifax Nova Scotia.

Her ETSY shop is Janice's Tailoring

her site has quite a few lovely patterns to choose from 

 hop on over and check them out!

Hope that you are doing well, staying safe and wearing your masks.

Have you had your vaccination yet?

Our supply of vaccines arriving here in Canada has slowed down...

we hope to get the shots as soon as they are available for our age group.

Maybe by Late Spring or Early Summer?

How is your area doing regarding Covid?

Have you seen a recent spike with the new strains?

 Are your numbers of active cases relatively low?

We are all in this together.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~