Seasons Greetings

 

Our Humble Bungalow is lit up with the fairy lights and the "cat proof" tree.

Chester still climbs the tree.

We were sidelined for a few weeks with a nasty bout of Covid.

Our first experience with it and we were really surprised, as we are so careful.

Mr. HB had it first and I did try to stay away from him as much as possible 

but after all it is a small house...

I ended up with a nasty cough which is lingering even now.

So I am pacing myself, staying hydrated and getting to bed early.

Many tea breaks in between cooking, baking and delivering gifts.

Hope that you are in good health.

Ready to embrace the JOYS of the Festive Season.

My "go to" Hostess Gift

 Chocolate Bark...

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper

Add a couple of packages of Bakers Chocolate (semi sweet)

Melt slowly in the oven at about 170 degrees for 5 or 10 minutes.

Check regularly as it doesn't take long to melt.

Remove and top with the nuts of your choosing.

Chill in the fridge for a few hours.

Break up and add to cellophane bags and tie with twine.

Very tasty and so easy to make

it is easy to see why this is my favourite

~ Hostess Gift ~

I make several batches as they are well received and quite yummy!

While out shopping for gifts I came across these new towels...

I haven't upgraded my towels in AGES!!!

Donated the former set to the Sally Ann and these ones really dress up the space.

I asked myself WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?

They were not expensive and they make a huge difference.

(Perhaps frugality is not always sensible.)

Made a batch of butter tarts last night...

Mr. HB tested them and said they are good.

It is important to have someone on board as the Quality Control Expert!

I have lots of things still to make

for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Brunch

as well as the Boxing Day Turkey Feast.

I will be living (and maybe sleeping) in my linen apron!

Hope you have a wonderful and Festive Holiday.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Pearls, a simple white shirt and jeans...

an easy "uniform" for daytime here in The Humble Bungalow.

Be careful out there with all the Covid Germs circulating...

I am wearing a mask to the shops now.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

December 10th...a catch up post.

 

Time is ticking along at a very fast pace here in The Humble Bungalow.

Between the domestic jobs, baking and cooking I have been absent from my blog.

I continue to post daily on Instagram...

it is so much faster!

I use the tourtiere recipe found online though our local Yam Magazine.

In case you are not familiar with Tourtieres, 

they are a French Canadian tradition to serve during the holidays.

Basically they are a pork pie.

I like to serve ours with a good chutney or a grainy mustard.

They can be part of a dinner buffet or serve them with a simple tossed green salad.

Chester, the smaller of our two cats, finds the coziest spots to nap.

He actually folded the extra pillow downward to make a plump bed.

It looks a bit like a throne...

We have our "cat proof" tree up.

Chester can climb it but there are no fragile antique ornaments to break.

We learned the hard way...one year the tree toppled over and many delicate glass baubles were smashed.

We keep the "fairy lights" on the upper beams up all year.

Have you decorated your home for the festive season?

We are minimalists when it comes to seasonal decor... do you like to go all out?

I started knitting The Sophie Scarf.

Using wool from my Stash...two skeins of Rowan's Felted Tweed Yarn.

This is the yarn that I used in my latest Miriam sweater.

I had to go to You Tube to watch the I-cord pattern set up.
It seems that with each new project I discover and learn new skills!

The sweater turned out lovely and the wool is so soft and cozy.

Our weather has been rainy, foggy, and we had high gusty winds.

Sweater weather has definitely arrived!

Reading Mrs. England right now...

a friend gave this to me.

I picked it up early this morning and am already on page 80

I really like a book that gets and holds my attention within the first few pages.

I've decided that my Christmas baking will be greatly reduced this year.

Last year we ate far too many sweets...

I plan to make shortbread and butter tarts that's about it.

I put together a gift hamper for my cousins every year.

I vary the contents from year to year keeping a very British theme.

They receive a tourtiere, sweets, treats, pickles, tea, and a few other baked goods.

I cannot remember when I started this habit but it has become a fun tradition.

What traditions do you have at Christmas?

Our traditional wreath...

made for my Mother in Law by a friend 

consisting of baubles, pine cones and rhinestone brooches.

Mini lights and the Ojibwa tamarack ducks.

Wrapping is a very simple affair...

I use Kraft paper, twine, dried oranges and tags.

All are recyclable.

Are you feeling festive?

Will you be hosting a large or small dinner this year?

Perhaps you'll be a guest!

There are a lot of opportunities for giving at this time of year...

giving time and giving donations.

We need to think of others...

there are so many people in need out there.

Every little bit helps.

Drop off a bag of food at the local Food Bank or drop a donation in the Salvation Army Kettle.

Well I must close for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Dinners In and out ~ OOTD...

I bought this simple black Eileen Fisher dress a few years ago...

it has become a real workhorse in my wardrobe.

I have worn it with a white long sleeved top underneath

tights and black Chelsea Boots.

Last night I wore it as it is and added a soft wool Petrusse scarf as a shawl.

This is a surprisingly warm scarf despite it being rather sheer.

I received this in one of the My French Country Boxes from France.

It has had a few years of use and still looks new.

I thought about wearing my Ferragamo shoes 

but in the end I decided I should test drive the new Coach loafers.

I wore sheer black hose for the first time in ages...

fortunately I have a few new packages in my drawer.

I added the vintage rhinestone bracelet and wore my simple princess cut diamond necklace and studs.

It felt strange not wearing my pearls 

I thought that I should keep it simple when adding the BLING.

We had a delicious dinner at Zambri's our favourite Italian restaurant.

I forgot to capture our appetizers, main course but here is dessert!

Passionfruit Panna Cotta

so delicious!

We had a lovely evening out and it was such a treat.

On Friday evening we hosted a small dinner party here in The Humble Bungalow.

The table is set and ready for the guests.

Appetizers ~ cheese plate with Olives, pickles, antipasto and candied salmon with assorted crackers in the living room in front of the fireplace.

The main course ~ Beef Daube, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Dessert ~ large brownies topped with fresh raspberries.

I wanted to host a casual dinner before everyone got busy with the seasonal events.

Have you noticed that people are out in droves buying Christmas presents?

I too am trying to get my shopping done early.

I need time to bake some cookies and the annual Christmas Tourtieres.

Hope that you are all staying healthy...

I have heard that the viruses are making the rounds.

One of my friends has been hospitalized and she's been in for a week and only now starting to feel better.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday late night post...

~ Antique Porcelain Bowl ~

I have had this antique bowl for many years.

I purchased it from a thrift shop.

I was drawn to its' "staples"

obviously an early repair.

I often wonder where this bowl came from?

Who owned it?

Why was it repaired and not just thrown away when it cracked?

If this bowl could tell its' history...

what might it be?

Looking at this bowl got me thinking...

so

I wrote this post on Instagram...

I've been busy this week...

dinner for the family, aqua fit classes, writing lists of things to do before Christmas.

Writing Christmas gift lists, buying cards and stamps.

I started polishing all the silverware.

Trays, candle sticks, the tea service, pedestals, bowls.

I still have a few pieces to do...

the champagne ice buckets, a baby rattle, some trophies.

I use Hagerty silver polish and Twinkle polish.

They both work well.

It is a time consuming job but is immediately rewarding.

The shine is like a smile.

I've been knitting and reading too...

I started this book Run by Anne Patchett.

I really enjoy her books, and after just one chapter I am already hooked!

I'll be sending Christmas cards out soon...

baking some shortbread cookies 

making my favourite spiced nuts which make nice hostess gifts, 

and of course the pork tourtieres.

~ Spiced Nuts ~

2 cups almonds

2 cups walnuts

2 cups pecans

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp allspice

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp coriander

2 tsp ginger

2 egg  whites

3 tbsp water

Sprinkle nuts with sugar and spices.

Beat egg whites and water.

Mix into nuts and spice mixture and spread on a buttered baking sheet.

Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour stir occasionally.

Cool

Place into glass containers for gifts.

Add a ribbon and some greenery and a dried orange slice.

Hope that you enjoy these nuts!

Well I'll close for now as it is past my bedtime...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

November update...Autumnal colour, halloween, books and more...

 

~ Fall Colour ~

The limelight hydrangeas are turning pink.

I picked a big armful to dry on the porch and placed them in a jardinere on the buffet.

~ Trick or Treat ~

We had a VERY BUSY Halloween night answering the door and giving out treats!

Fortunately I purchased 250 treats...

we started the evening out by handing out 3 each,

then quickly realized the street was abuzz with children!

We had well over 100 children pop by and we ran out by 7:30

so we turned out the lights

coincidentally, our neighbours did the same at that exact time!

Fall colours are putting on a lovely show here at the cottage.

As we walk and drive the rural roads we are very aware of the different foliage on display.

I found this book in a free library on my walk.

I had not heard of Bobbi French or the title but was interested after reading the cover.

I read the book in a couple of days and am giving it to a friend.

It dealt with a difficult subject but was done so with such sensitivity and grace.

I recommend it.

BC Ferries sail by the cottage many times each day...

this one looked like a Cruise Ship all it up.

Our neighbours here refer to them as "birthday cakes!"

We also play a Yachtzee game...

if you see 5 ferries all at once on the sea you call Yachtzee.

I am so thrilled with the vintage ironstone transferware platter.

I found it at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

We don't have a Blue themed decor in The Humble Bungalow but the cottage does!

I think this tray elevates the casual beachy vibe.

Found another great book in the wee free library.

I have read several of Gill Paul's other books and really enjoyed them...

this one has hooked me already and I am enjoying the story.

I found this distressed and tarnished jug at the thrift shop.

I think it was 35 cents...

it has come in handy for casual flower displays.

I bought a silver tea strainer at the thrift shop for $1

I plan to polish it up but need to buy some silver cleaner...

it will be lovely not having to use those gauzy paper slips 

 for my loose teas here at the cottage.

I am drinking a lot of loose teas these days and most of it comes from Murchies.

The Princess blend is a lovely floral rose tea which I drink most afternoons when i sit and read my book or knit.

A scarf knit on the bias.

This will go with lots of my blue denim and my blue down puffer coat.

The yarn is Japanese Noro blend of alpaca, wool and silk.

I found the pattern and yarn at my favourite local wool shop The Beehive.

The "feel of a yarn" while knitting is very important to me...

I spend a long time making a project so I like to enjoy the process.

This lovely wash cloth was knit by my friend Michelle.

It is whisper soft and such an interesting pattern.

I purchased two new soaps when I was at Marshall's the other week.

Love the packaging...

Orange and Cinnamon

Asquith and Somerset

English 

(a generous bath size bar)

Will be savouring this for awhile!

I better close for now and put the kettle on and do some knitting.

It is a grey rainy day here at the cottage and I have soup simmering on the stove.

Feeling Very cozy and the views are wonderful.

Hope that you are enjoying the start of your week.

Have you got anything exciting planned?

Are you reading a good book that you care to share?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~