Week of wild weather...

Beeswax candles glowing...

adding ambiance on a frigid cold day.

Very snowy here these past few days...

not a lot of accumulation in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Other areas of Victoria have a LOT more!

Schools were closed, traffic was snarled, buses got stuck.

Mr HB and I stayed home.

I read books, played word games on the computer, 

knit a few rows on The Sophie Scarf,

decluttered and cooked.

Chester seems unfazed by the snow.

He is an indoor cat so he isn't really affected by the weather.

He has been taking advantage of having Mr. HB home...he's snoozing on his lap!

Chester asleep on the cat blanket.

I make soup for many of our lunches.

This spice was in a French Country Home subscription box.

It is made by Compagnie Francaise...

peppers, turmeric, oregano, thyme, curcumin, paprika, sage, basil, tamarind, onion, cinnamon.

The Christmas Cactus is still in bloom!

I bought this orange cactus recently...I love the bright shade of orange.

Here I am just before my Aqua Fit class....

no make up, just lipstick.

My decades old Burberry scarf, Columbia Puffer coat and a hand knit gift hat.

The Sally Hansen Insta Dri nail polish matches one of the stripes!!

Post swim relaxation.

Reading an interesting book by Lesley Crewe called Amazing Grace.

I have not read her books before but I am really enjoying this one.

What are you reading?

The weekly sourdough boule baking is still very much part of my routine.

I keep the sourdough starter active stored in the fridge.

The recipe I use I found online at Alexandra Bakes.

Cooking, baking, cleaning all these things happen here in The Humble Bungalow.

I accomplish a lot everyday but I intersperse the jobs with rest and tea.

I've been wearing these pink gloves to wash the dishes.

They are help my manicure last longer!

What is the weather like where you live?

We aren't used to snow so any amount can mess with the commutes of workers.

It makes getting around much more difficult...especially when the buses are stuck!

Tomorrow the forecast is for warmer temperatures and rain.

I think the snow will melt quite quickly and we will all resume our normal activities.

I plan to get out for some groceries and perhaps peruse a thrift shop or two.

Have you found any treasures recently in the shops?

I go into shops with an open mind and look at all the stock...

if I go in with a certain item in mind I find that I feel stress.

You never know what is waiting in the thrift and charity shops!

~ Happy Thrifting ~ 

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January ~ Thrifting and some healthy changes...

 

Found a camisole at the Thrift Shop and I was SO pleased...

A lacy camisole had been on my "wish list" for quite a few months.

The cost of the ones that I loved were much more than I wanted to spend.

Trying to be mindful of expenditures now that Hubby is fully retired. 

Slowly coming to the reality that we are now "pensioners."

The cost was under $5 so easily justified :-))

Paired it with my faded denim shirt....added some pearls.

I am really enjoying wearing denim these days.

The denim jeans (no spandex) from MNG purchased last year.

Have a few old distressed items that I am happy to say didn't get culled.

The denim jacket from Old Navy, the Old Navy darker denim shirt, lighter one (here) and the denim jumper by Tribal and a chambray denim long tunic from Lands End.

I have on order a new denim dress...from Lands End.

I love how soft the garments feel when they have been washed many times.

~ COZY ~

Adding more fibre daily...

Bran Buds and protein rich Greek Yogurt

1/3 cup of each mixed together in the morning after my cup of coffee.

Also reducing portions for a while to see if this helps me shed a few pounds.

I have tried intermittent fasting for the past year and was not seeing much difference.

We have had a mixed bag with weather...

sunshine and clear blue skies mixed with gale force winds and rain.

Despite the inclement weather 

I need to push myself to get out in the fresh air...

Mother Nature's Pearls...

Snowberries.

There is snow in the forecast!!!

Lovely hand cream, William Morris At Home.

A gift from our son and the grandchildren.

Did a quick manicure today...Sally Hansen "Expresso" one coat dries in a minute. 

Soft faded denim and pearls with a wee bit of lace peeking out.

This image shows off the lace...

I didn't have my black velour jacket open this much at coffee!!!

I just wanted to show you the pretty lacy details that are hidden.

Lingerie is really a private item in our wardrobes...

wearing it makes us feel feminine and comfortable.

I love the Prima Donna line of bras and panties...

Lily Pad Lingerie here in Victoria carry their line.

I am due to visit them soon and purchase my annual supply.

Well I suppose that is all to share for now...

Hope your year is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Christmas happened...despite Covid and we survived!

Christmas Gifts

Kosta Boda Rose pattern crystal votives.

Gift from darling daughter and her husband.

I love the design and the icy light from the candles.

The festive season was a bit different this year due to catching Covid.

My husband and I both had it earlier in December.

I have scarred lungs from repeated bouts of pneumonia 

so when I get a cold (or Covid) I tend to get a chesty cough.

We went to our son's home for Christmas morning where we exchanged gifts and had brunch.

I made Jacques Pepin's French Toast Bake, a fruit salad and sausages with croissants.

The kids were so excited!!!

Lovely to see their enthusiasm and joy.

Here is the island that Mr. HB made for our son's home.

It was a summer project and I have serious Island Envy!!!

I didn't have a ton of energy and so I had to give up on most of the baking.

Fortunately I had prepared the candied nuts ahead of time 

the chocolate bark is a quick recipe to make.

(posted the recipe in a previous blogpost)

Food is a BIG part of our traditional celebrations...

turkey and lots of side dishes.

Simple table setting...

using

red and greens.

The cute little tree was found in our Cook Street Village Garden Centre.

I used it as our centrepiece on the Christmas table...

The turkey was about 10 pounds...

I made stuffing, maple glazed carrots, whipped potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussells sprouts with pancetta, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Dessert was Panna Cotta with Italian sour cherries in syrup.

Served in an iittala Ultima Thule Glass

We have quite a few pieces of Tapio Wirkkala's Icy Modernist Crystal.

It was popular when we got married in 1974 and is still in business today.

After Boxing Day...

made a small batch of Yorkshire puddings to add to the leftovers.

Turkey Soup

Candles in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen above the Farmhouse Sink.

This morning I woke early...

have been going to bed before 10:00 most nights.

Coffee in the dark and thoughts swirling...

felt a surge of energy to get some decluttering done.

The car was loaded up and I dropped off the donations around noon.

Starting downstairs in the guest and hobby rooms.

Still a few more things to deal with but it feels way better!!

Funny thing that has happened since I had to cancel my haircut...

I have been using the flat iron and straightening it...

I think it is "growing on me"

Not perfect 

getting to the stage where I can wear it up in a French Roll 

or put it in a scrunchie for a loose ponytail.

So I suppose that's enough rambling for one post...

Hope that you had a wonderful Festive Season.

Hope that you are staying healthy and are avoiding Covid.

Let me know how things are going...do you declutter after the holidays?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~