Contemplating contentment...

My kitchen windowsill

This is my view 

which is above my kitchen sink

My Shaw country sink 

the company has been making sinks since 1897

I spend hours here

I tend to ponder

when I am engaged in dishwashing

 or when washing and chopping vegetables

it's a form of meditation for me

a quiet respite 

a place of great comfort

my heart feels full in the kitchen

The Bungalow kitchen is really the hub

 of my home

(some say it's the hearth)

where do you feel most at home?

Polishing up...and procrastinating less!

I have a habit of putting off tasks and chores that I would rather ignore....aka Procrastination!
I have been putting off polishing the silver for months...fellow blogger mette commented on one of my posts that she might polish silver on a rainy day and that got me thinking that I was remiss in not getting on with the job.
Today it was rather grey and foggy so I took out all the tarnished pieces and got down to business. I am happy to say that it only took a little over an hour and now it is done and gleaming ready for the next family gathering...

I do procrastinate and wonder why, when I do accomplish a task or chore that is not as pleasant as I envision, I feel very proud and smug. (I did it)
The Baby rattle is on the left! It might be in Isla's sweet little hand sometime soon.

The flatware will be polished another day

the sun came out and I went outside to the garden to deadhead my roses...

I'll try not to wait too long...maybe the fog will come out or it might rain

and that will be my cue.

Look at all the butter pats...

I use these for tea lights, they reflect the light and can be arranged to add ambiance at the buffet or dining table.

My parents were married in the 1950's and silver was a common wedding gift.

When I was married in the 1970's pottery replaced silver in it's popularity

we received 2 or 3 pieces of silver; candlesticks, goblets and a tray.

I received a fraction of Mother's silver, my sister got some too.

Mother has a cabinet full in her condo that she makes time to sit and polish her collection regularly!

I do not think Procrastination factors into her daily round.

I use Twinkle Silver Polish...

a little round sponge moistened and a bit of soft paste goes a long way

coat silver, rub gently, and rinse with warm water, dry immediately.

a word of CAUTION..

do NOT cover your silver with Saran Plastic Cling film

it looks incredibly TACKY.

I was invited for an afternoon tea at a Naval Officer's home hosted by his wife, 

a delightful, well spoken, well groomed, English lady

it was a "meet and greet" Tea.

She served us all tea using her finest silver service

and bone china cups and saucers

how lovely!

On the buffet

on display

 and in full view

covered in plastic

sat the rest of her silver!

(it was impressive and very ornate but dressed for the rain)

am I being judgemental?

The mere fact that I was included and that a blissful tea in the good company of a variety of interesting women 

should have been sufficient...

yet

20 or more years have gone by and what I remember is the cling film!

(what do you think?)

Wild life in the Bungalow Garden

Our garden is full of plants and flowers and not surprisingly wildlife.

The hard working local Mason Bee

The honey bee hard at work

Many birds come to nest in the trees and some in the downspouts and gutters...they are a constant source of entertainment and song.

Resident Flicker

we have a pair coming regularly to the suet feeder 

(the wee house with the roof, houses the suet)

 Food is abundant...flowers, berries, rose hips, not forgetting the birdbaths...we actually cater to them.
We have a suet feeder in winter
 and a hummingbird feeder year round

Anna's Hummingbirds

In the cold of winter we bring the feeder in at last light so it doesn't freeze and then set it out at first light for the morning feed. They drink for a long time and then sit nearby "on watch" as they are very territorial and chase other hummingbirds away.
A large Coopers Hawk regularly flies through the garden and swiftly swoops up a small bird, then perches in the tall Acacia tree spits out the feathers and dines...(nature can be harsh to watch sometimes) The Hawk is a large, magnificant bird...he once flew into the kitchen window with such a loud crash that  I thought that I'd be looking out to see him dead. He was shaken up and sat for a few minutes turning his head side to side before flying off....he must have had quite the headache.

The feather collection which gets larger as time goes by

We have had a family of raccoons living in the area for as long as I have lived here...over 28 years.
They wander through the garden and eat grubs from the grass...play with planters, upend plants, dig up bulbs,  roll the garden balls around and engage in play in the various water features.
We had a pond on the deck for a few years but gave up after the nightly raids on the lilies...they'd eat one chunk out of each and leave them for us to find the next morning...we knew we were beat.

 I heard yesterday that they have recently been going into our neighbours' home through the cat door. They have discovered where the cat food is stored and opened up the cupboard and helped themselves...all while the neighbours' 2 cats and the homeowners slept upstairs completely oblivious!
The cabinet closure was modified to make it "raccoon proof" but the next night they just pried the door off it's hinges! I have it on good authority that there is a new plan in the works to "raccoon proof" the cupboard which involves reinforcing the hinges, rebuilding the door and involves a drop in magnetic closure! (whew, I am tired just thinking about it!)
I would have sealed up the cat door if it was my home...

I managed to get my camera when the family came by this morning but the first 2 had already gone over the fence...into the neighbours blackberry patch.

We also have a growing population of deer which are working their way into the city. I have seen 2 at the corner near our home and a large antlered buck 3 blocks away standing tall and proud on a rocky outcropping...my roses and plants will be a virtual salad bar when they saunter down the street looking for food. I'll need to move some of my prized roses into the back fenced garden or say goodbye to their blooms.
As the natural habitiat is destroyed the wildlife have no choice but to adapt and move into urban areas and share it with us...I have planted a feast, (for the eyes and the beasts)...I suppose I'll need to adapt and adopt new plantings...and live harmoniously with the wildlife.

Affordable Classics...(is there such a thing?) time will tell....

I recently went out shopping for some Alfred Sung white towels for the Bungalow bathroom and came home with a pair of Dark Denim skinny jeans by Canadian designer Alfred Sung.
He also has a Euro cut in the Fall Collection which I may go back and try on...I am surprised at how well made these jeans are and the fit is great. They were incredibly affordable...translation CHEAP.

I like to buy pieces that suit me and are classics in multiples

I like this rule of multiples because it is a timesaver and seems a sensible approach to the bare bones of wardrobing.

Have you ever gone shopping and fallen in love with a garment and didn't buy it only to return to the store and find that it has been sold?

Or maybe you've seen two items in different colours and only chosen one and then decide it would be wise to have it in the other colour...and when you return to the store...SOLD OUT!

I found myself at the local mall for an hour this afternoon...
I am still looking for white towels (none came home with me)

I found a new line of Classics from Alfred Sung called MOON...
they are carried at The Bay here in Canada.

There were a large group of well dressed "bigwigs"  walking around the store and making notes on clipboards, blackberries and some were taking photos with their IPhones. The staff were all on their toes, interacting with customers and going the distance to help us find garments...
A very cheerful salesgal recommended the MOON line to me and I had never heard of it before today.
I was carrying a Jones of New York 2 ply cashmere black and grey sweater at $300 and an INC grey cardigan for $175 one of which I thought might be my back to work basic to pair with my white tanks, shirts and Tees.
(they were not flattering on me)

I thought I'd at least try some of the MOON pieces on on....they are all in very classic basic colours and styles that are wardrobe basics. I noticed some of the stitching on the dresses was uneven and wavy so I put those back....too bad because for school they'd really work.
Most of the outer wear was exceptionally well made...I do not need outer wear as I have enough already. I perused the sweaters and found a cardigan in charcoal and one in black. The line reminds me of Club Monaco in it's approach to colour and form but the price point is significantly less....
I got both of these for under $100...they may not outlast my cashmere and only time will tell how they perform...it's an experiment...I am attempting to be frugal.
I've been having a little fun with my camera and my accessories as you will see...a cuppa tea is restoring me as I sit here and bang away on the laptop keyboard.

Basic Black

Elita cotton tank top

(I bought 2!)

I have forgotten the designers name who made this necklace, which I was fortunate enough to win.

I have the earrings as well.

(I never wear them both at the same time...too matchy matchy)

My lovely daughter worked at a local jewelry shop when she was at University and the shop had a fundraiser for The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

I had the winning ticket.

Introducing Charcoal

With Pearls

I also have several strands of natural baroque and freshwater pearls that I could layer on.

with my long scarf

with the necklace I made of pearls and Labradorite

the vintage eelskin clutch

Artisan Debra Kay necklace

Guy Vidal modernist necklace

side one

Guy Vidal modernist necklace

flip side

Modernist Swedish R. Tennesmed designed pin

Tiffany Heart

These two staples are going to be my go to classics for Fall

I can see them with dressy trousers, my black skirt,

black denim jeans, tweed pants and the list goes on...

I haven't even brought out the Hermes scarf collection...they'll work with those as well.

I think the secret to making a less expensive basic look better is to up the ante when it comes to accessorizing...

My new favourite scent

I'll be making a trip to Hermes sometime very soon

I hope they haven't sold out!

Paris...maybe one day...

I dream of going to Paris....

In the meantime I aspire to the French way of cooking...simple fresh and using what is in season.
There are many wondeful books on French cooking and I have my favourites...

Ina Garten and her husband love Paris and have an apartment there,
she has such a passion for food and I adore her enthusiasm for life itself.
I watched her cooking show religiously when it was on the Food Network
her home in the Hamptons was "to die for!"

This book gives insight into the philosophy of French life and cooking

there are a few recipes

but it is more of a how to book.

Aspiring to be stylish here...

A colourful romp through French Markets and Fishmongers

by the creative and talented author Joanne Harris

richly illustrated

with easy to follow directions

some of the ingredients are not found locally

so substitutions are required.

I follow and read many books and blogs on France and the French way of life.

I am adopting some French habits

and dreaming of Paris.

This pursuit has lead to some changes...

I have focused more on my skincare, 

I am indulging in facials more frequently

I do a spa facial every few months and an at home one every month.

I use the exfoliating Bio Gommage by Physiodermie followed by the Burt's Bees Clay Pore Refining Masque and then finish by dabbing on Dr. Hauschka's lavender oil.

This takes about 30 minutes 

 I relax with a cup of herbal tea

when I have finished.

I have rethought the use of makeup too

I now use lightly tinted Dr. H foundation, 

eye liner to draw attention to my eyes

 mascara and 

lipstick or gloss in a berry shade

as I am keeping things on the light side I felt I could add a bit of colour on my lips.

I am dressing simply and as a result acquiring less.

I am paring down the wardrobe 

the local Hospice Thrift shop has been receiving my cast offs!

I am using accessories to add interest and colour;

Hermes scarves

sterling bangles

 layers of pearls

vintage brooches and pins

(but not all at once!)

I now choose garments with a critical eye

I study the construction

the seaming, 

the details

the cut

the fabric

the weight of the cloth

does it flatter?

will it last?

do I love it?

does it reflect the image that I want to convey?

I am by no means "there" yet

I am so enjoying the foray into the French Way...

if you have any fabulous French bloggers or books to assist me in my quest please let me know.

 (The French themed blogs that I follow can be seen on my sidebar at the bottom.)

Merci beaucoup!