New Year ~ A time for Hope, Promise and a Fresh Start...

 

~ January 1, 2023 ~

Waking up on a brand new day, a brand new year, feels so full of promise.

There is a sense of optimism, thoughts of possibilities, and wonder.

How DO we start this New Year?

Are there any changes we want to make? 

Are we planning any new adventures?

Will we try something new?

A clean slate awaits...

We stayed up until Midnight on New Years Eve.

Something that we have not done for many years.

We haven't spent a New Years at the cottage before...

 there were quite a few cottages full of people who were celebrating.

We met up with friends who were on their new boat...

its maiden voyage in fact!

Lovely to be welcomed aboard for a tour and a chat.

The Salish Sea is calm 

there is a lot of debris in the water from the recent King Tides.

The logs float off the beaches and become a danger to navigation.

It did not stop me from climbing over and around the beach full of logs...

the edges of the beach were badly eroded from the pounding of the waves.

There were shells, kelp, plastic, trash, and a myriad of things strewn along the shoreline.

I managed to find a few pieces of seaglass but it was tough work.

I do not make new year's resolutions anymore...

I usually just break them :-(

I like to focus on healthier habits and continue to live with intention and gratitude.

I could definitely stand to lose some weight...

so I know what I need to do.

Move more, eat smaller healthy meals...and stop munching on potato chips!

They are a snug size 12

I bought a new pair of jeans and am going to use them as a "tool"

a tool to slim down my midsection.

I will not be "beating myself up" 

but will phase in small changes in over the next few weeks.

You know what they say..."Rome wasn't built in a day!"

~ OOTD ~

Style & co jeans

Hand knit Miriam sweater 

Akoya Pearls

Simple white Tee Lands' End

Starting 2023 with a casual look

wearing slightly snug jeans

How did you spend New Years?

Did you stay up to ring in the New Year?

Are you making any resolutions?

I'd love to have you chime in and leave a comment.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Let it snow....

It was almost a white Christmas!

The snow fell fast and furious and closed down the roads.

Ferries, buses and some businesses were out of service for several days.

Tea for Two?

Iced Tea perhaps...

Dinner on the Deck?

Looks like a puffy Pavlova dessert.

Even the Christmas baubles were clad in snow....

The Humble Bungalow Garden

looked quite pretty dressed up in all white.

We've been busy!

The snow has melted and there is a gusty wind and rain taking its place.

Power outages are predicted and the lights here are flickering

so I am hoping that we don't lose our power.

We have a lot of candles and a fireplace with some logs 

in which to build a fire if need be...

Hubby got one of those cool toques with a light in the front

so he can turn it on and read his book.

I don't think there would be enough light for me to knit on my current project.

I finished the vest and am knitting another Miriam sweater.

I knit one in a soft dove grey and the one that I am knitting now is a turquoise shade.

We were busy over the holidays with family, friends and there was lots of good food.

Did you try the nut recipe that I posted last time?

I gave away all the jars I made except one...

it is currently on the counter and I sneak a bite every so often.

Dang those nuts are tasty!!!

My husband and I no longer exchange gifts at Christmas.

We really have enough...

If we really NEED something we go out and buy it.

For example...

Our infloor heating thermostat broke just before the holidays

so we hired an electrician to come and swap it out.

Besides it is much more fun to give...

to our family

and

to friends.

I've been able to add a donation to the local food bank every week 

when I buy our groceries...

there are many people in need.

I will close for now and get our dinner started.

I hope that you had a good Christmas.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

 ~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess Gift ~ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in The Humble Bungalow

 

Festive Season is upon us and I am keeping things very simple.

Am wearing some sparkly vintage pins.

(Sherman pin ~ close up)

 Sherman brooches are a favourite of mine.

The newest one seen here is from our darling daughter. 

I popped it on a black boiled wool Eileen Fisher tunic sweater.

Some women avoid black but I gravitate to it for several reasons...

it is easy to wear,

it can be casual, or dressy.

It transitions well to evening...

My basic minimalist wardrobe relies heavily on black basics.

Accessories are the stars in a basic black ensemble.

I prefer pieces with a history...

Vintage jewellery is found in thrift shops, antique malls and online.

The thrill of the hunt excites me.

I found a new Finnish modernist votive holder at the thrift shop...

now I have a pair!

The silver baubles are from my childhood home.

Mom used to put them in a tall vase, I popped them in this silver trophy.

We don't have a lot of decorations...

a simple tree with white fairy lights

I found a pair of Josef Seibel boots 

to replace my tired "almost 8 year old" Chelsea Boots.

I will wear these with tights and skirts as well as my jeans.

A classic vintage handmade wreath made by a friend of my MIL.

Made with baubles, pine cones, rhinestone brooches.

I consider us custodians of this wreath...

it is a family "heirloom!"

Mixed Nuts are one of my go to Hostess Gifts.

Here's the recipe...

Mixed Nuts 

2 egg whites (at room temperature)

4 cups mixed unsalted nuts:

cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cayenne pepper or hot paprika

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Place egg whites in a large bowl and whisk until frothy.

Stir in nuts ~ mix to coat.

Combine in a small bowl: sugar, and spices

Pour over nut mixture.

Mix well.

Place on a parchment lined sheet pan spread out so they are in a single layer.

Bake 20-25 minutes 

stir halfway during the cooking time.

Cool then store in sealed jars.

Wrap in tissue paper add ribbon and a tag.

Ready for gift giving

BTW

They are delicious!!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

It's a busy time of year, so remember to take some time to stop and breathe, 

sip a cuppa and rest.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cold weather, a Thrifty Chicken Veggie Soup Recipe, and knitting at the cottage.

 

We are at the cottage and awoke to snow dusting the stairs...

It coated the ground which reminded me of icing sugar...

then I thought of cookies :-))

We purchased a wee tree for the cottage and chose small fairy lights in white.

It looks best when the lights are dimmed or turned off but we felt the need to add some festive cheer, it is December after all.

With this cold I decided to make a chicken veggie soup.

It was full of flavour and was a warm and cozy choice for the cold day.

Thrifty Chicken Soup

I used a roast chicken carcass.

Pick off the bigger chunks of meat and set them aside in the fridge.

In a soup pot I added the carcass and just covered the bones with water.

Boil then simmer for about an hour.

Take out bones and set them aside to cool.

Put the rich stock into a large container.

Pick off any more meat from the bones and add to the stock, discard the bones.

Saute one large diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery in oil until soft.

Add the meat from the fridge and the stock to the pot

2 diced carrots, some sliced greens 

(I used bok choy)

Cook about 45 minutes until carrots are soft

salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

It is very tasty and is so warming on a cold snowy day.

The sun was shining and we bundled up for a cold weather walk.

The air was crisp and so refreshing.

Little birds skitting about pecking for morsels of food...

Gulls soaring in the sky.

Soon the birds will be nibbling these red berries and rose hips...

December is a truly beautiful time to visit the cottage.

It is quite peaceful so we sleep deeply and feel relaxed when we wake up.

We are so fortunate to be able to come and do not take our time here for granted.

It is a precious gift.

We have been reading our books and I've been knitting on my vest 

which is getting very close to being finished.

I needed to buy some new locking stitch markers

 so I went to The Beehive before we left town.

 

Wouldn't you know it! I spied a lovely blue variegated yarn by Berocco.

Wool shops are rather lethal for me...chocolate, tea and book shops are trouble!

I rarely leave with empty hands.

This pattern is my next project.

Are you a knitter?

What do you love to make?

Hope that you are warm and cozy and enjoying the beginning of December.

I think it is going to get busy with baking and shopping and wrapping!

(with time set aside for knitting and reading)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

DIY ~ Festive Wreath and a couple of Hostess Gifts

 

I purchased a basic simple wreath from the floral department at the grocers.

The price was good but I felt like it needed something more.

The DIY spirit in me spurred me on to add something...

but what?

I mulled it over for a few days

 every time I went out and closed the door I knew I had to act.

I had made a bowl full of dried oranges...

to add to Christmas gifts.

I followed the directions that Annie Diamond

at Most Lovely Things had shared in the December issue of BHG.

Basic directions are to cut oranges into 1/4 inch slices 

place on a rack atop a cookie sheet.

Bake at 225 degrees for 3- 4 hours until dried.

I thought they might look good on the wreath.

I used florists wire and tied them onto the fir boughs 

tucking them carefully into the fronds.

I think it looks natural and dresses up and adds interest to the simple wreath.

The theme for this year's wrap is simple and natural.

The local Michaels store had a wide variety of choices for wrap.

I opted for plain and printed kraft paper with a simple twine and tags.

My current favourite scented candle...

Black Fig 

by

~ Sand and Fog ~

The Sand and Fog brand of candles use soy wax and essential oils.

I prefer a "woodsy"scent over "sweet."

The vintage wood box is my "new" recipe box.

I found it at a local consignment shop.

The new box prompted me to go through all my recipes...

what a job!

Mom's recipes as well as mine were organized into categories

some were rewritten, most of mom's recipes are for the holidays.

She was a plain cook but loved baking.

I've been baking quite a bit lately...

cakes mostly, to serve as dessert or an afternoon treat with tea.

Bath salts are a simple hostess gift.

This recipe is inexpensive, quick and easy to make.

(you can double or triple this recipe)

If you look at thrift shops you can find some pretty glass jars.

I like to add a pretty ribbon and a simple tag.

If you are gifting a spa "pampering" basket

think of including:

a soft towel

soap

body lotion

candle

bath salts

chocolate bar

hand lotion

Do you remember those expensive flavoured instant coffee beverages sold in the grocery stores?

I am not sure if they still sell them?

Years ago a friend gave me this recipe and she shared it with many friends.

We all made batch after batch of this drink...

It has stood the test of time and is still a tasty beverage.

Looks pretty in a simple clear glass jar.

Think of a canning jar or a decorative canister.

Make some for yourself while you are wrapping the gifts this season!

I'll be making some of mom's cookies and fruit loaves in a few weeks.

Hope to share some of the recipes here on the blog.

Have you started to get ready for the festive season?

Are you feeling creative?

Will you make some or all of the gifts that you give?

If you are in The US you might be getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Hope that you are able to join with friends and family this year.

Thank you for popping by the blog...

Commenting continues to be a challenge, 

I have reached out to Blogger

but it seems that there is little tech support available.

So far it hasn't stopped me from posting...

it is a fun hobby.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~