Calorie conscious Pizza

Homemade pizza is one of the Humble Bungalow staple meals.
It's a versatile pantry friendly meal.
The ingredients for the dough are flour, yeast, salt, oil and sugar.
I use the Expo 86 Cookbook recipe which I have posted here.

Lovely daughter and I recently enjoyed a delicious lunch in an eclectically decorated artsy bistro. The menu has creative with unusual offerings. We shared a spinach goat cheese salad which was topped with skinny deep fried onion rings and dressed with balsamic vinegar to start and that was followed by a pizzette. The pizzette was a crisp skinny crust which was sparingly topped with fresh tomatoes, basil leaves, pancetta and cheese.

I wanted to make my pizza crust thinner to elevate the flavours of the toppings rather than being over powered by the crust.
A skinny crust means that I could savour a few slender slices without too much caloric consideration!
As Martha Stewart would say, "That 's a Good Thing"

I used the standard recipe and I rolled the dough thinly.
I sprinkled the pans with cornmeal so they would not stick and reduced the baking time by 5 minutes.

Black olives, basil leaves, home grown cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese.

I think they look very like a rustic Italian pizza.

I sampled a few small slices and I think the crust could even be thinner but it is quite delicious.

I will be sharing these pizza's with my family.

The recipe made 4 instead of the usual 2!

After posting my kitchen nightmare last week about my frustrating experience making pasta

I wandered into the local Thrift Shop

and 

as is my routine 

I peruse all the wares 

just in case there is something that I could use here in the Bungalow.

A shiver went through my body 

when I spied a cookbook by Lidia Bastianich!

It was $8 and I now have all the necessary information about making pasta!

Gracious Adrienne from La Vie Quotidienne is sending me her fail proof pasta recipe.

I'm keen to try it as you use the food processor to do a lot of the work.

Thank you so much!

"Timing is Everything"

Stay tuned!

Kate Spade meet Land's End

You might recall the Kate Spade bag that I bought in Seattle.
Mr. HB was involved in the choosing of this bag...
the contenders were all black and quilted bags...
some were far and away beyond the budget!

Talking of budgets reminds me that I am really uncomfortable buying things that cost the earth when there is a perfectly acceptable option available at a reasonable price.
I say Yes to a luxe treat now and again but it is not an everyday event and I only indulge if I have the money in the bank.
In mid life I have come to accept that I need less and am happy with a smaller wardrobe.
I am not "doing without" I am choosing to be "content with less".
These thoughts and actions are readying me for retirement when my clothing needs will dwindle.

I read a fabulous post on this subject by Cupcake Caramel and it fits perfectly here.


A Humble handbag...

A classic style in basic black and happily the honeymoon period is far from over.
I have pared down my bag collection and have sold most others through a local consignment shop.
It feel great having less clutter in the closet and the decision making is simplified.

Boat totes, a bathing suit, cashmere sweater and tank tops were purchased from Land's End a few years ago, and then I forgot about the company until recently.

Their garments are great for my workplace as they are washable and classic.
The quality of the garments is impressive, the sizing is consistent and are available in Petite sizes.

The Sun Shower Coat is made in water proof microfiber, is lined and has nice top stitching and button detail.
The fabric has just the right amount of weight to it so that it hangs well and I don't think it will crease.

It is available in a variety of colours and you can see it here.

( Now on sale, I should have waited)

Land's Ends Sun Shower coat, Hermes scarf, Kate Spade bag.

I think a bright umbrella 

in sunny yellow or Hermes orange 

might be just what is needed for those drizzly days that will soon be here in the Pacific Northwest.

What colour is your bumbershoot?

Tea for the wee...and thoughts of 911.

When I was a little girl I had a miniature porcelain tea set which had been given to me by my grandparents. I cannot remember if it was a birthday or Christmas gift.
It was white with a dainty pink rose pattern on it and consisted of a teapot, cream and sugar bowl, small plates and cups and saucers.
Mother would help me by boiling the kettle and making mini cucumber sandwiches and cutting the crusts cut off.
These tea parties were small and spontaneous and a few dolls were usually invited as well as my much younger sister. Mother would sit down on the child's size table and chairs and we would enjoy a wee tea together sipping thimble full cups of tea.

I had forgotten these memories until we were cleaning out our basement and we came upon this charming tea set.
We completely forgot that we had this stored away.

This sweet porcelain set was from Mr. HB's grandmother.

It is in remarkably great shape and I wonder how many teas were served for it to have survived all these years.

It has been carefully washed and now has a place of honour on the bottom shelf of the china cabinet.

Tea has been such a major part of my life from toddlerhood to date.

I cannot imagine not sitting down and partaking in this luxurious brew.

What memories stand out from your childhood?

My thoughts go out to all of those who have lost a loved one 

in the September 11th attack on The World Trade Center.

The 10th anniversary of this event today brings with it the memories of where we were on that fateful day

when we found out about this tragic event.

The eerie images that have graced the pages of the newspapers

and the TV documentaries

 are a grim reminder of man's inhumanity to man.

We may not be able to help influence global change

but we can help in small ways by giving to our own community.

There are opportunities to make a difference at every turn.

I challenge you to make a difference 

even the smallest kind gesture can brighten someone's day.

Kitchen nightmares!

The afternoon started out great,
it found me happily perusing the collection of cookbooks looking for inspiration for dinner.

My husband loves Italian food and I thought I'd try and make some fresh pasta with a simple tomato sauce.
It can't be that difficult.

We watch Lidia Bastianich most nights before dinner is served.
She makes everything look so easy.

I put all the ingredients in the food processor to mix as directed

and then proceeded to knead the dough.

It was hard work and my muscles got really sore.

It doesn't look that difficult on TV.

(that should have been my first clue that something was wrong)

At least I had some time to recuperate after fighting with the dough.

It needed to be wrapped in cling film and chilled 

for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting.

Try rolling a large clump of clay 

it was quite a battle and the clay won.

I managed with this pasta machine to flatten the lumps

but it was struggle with only two hands.

One to hold and guide the dough and one to turn the crank.

Why did I not purchase that Kitchen Aid pasta attachment when I saw it in Seattle?

Oh and I didn't have a pasta rack for drying the pasta.

(make do and mend)

 I used some glasses and put wooden spoons on top of them.

Pasta needs to dry before cooking it.

Cooking should take 3 minutes to al dente.

Here's where things got really messed up...

the pasta was cooked for 12 minutes and was still chewy and not at all al dente.

I felt like a failure as I followed the recipe to the letter.

I had simmered the tomatoes, garlic, onions and basil for an hour or so and it smelled delicious.

We were hungry so

we ate it anyway.

I am on the hunt for a fabulous pasta recipe

if you know of one please let me know.

In the meantime 

I will be visiting Lidia's Italy website 

seeking some pasta pointers.

Hope that you had a better day in every way!

Have a wonderful weekend

and carve out some time to just sit and be still 

and observe some of nature's bounty.

Shoe party!

What could be more fun than bows on toes?
When it comes to a party I love shoes that are girly and ready for fun.

I love my Stuart Weitzman black patent leather pointers from Spain.
These dress up a pair of denim jeans and they elevate a simple LBD.
I wore them today with white capris and a black V neck sleeveless top.
I don't believe in not wearing white after labour day.
Besides baby, it's HOT outside!

Stuart has competition

these dainty sling backs are made by a company that used to make 

"old lady shoes"

Naturalizer has amped up their designs...

perhaps they realized that "old ladies" don't like looking frumpy.

The new kids on the block...

These are the blacks in my shoe wardrobe

there are more

(of course!)

Sadly no red ones as I wore out the last pair.

They made me feel so happy and energetic 

gotta love what a great pair of shoes can do for a gal.

"I like Cinderella, I really do. 

She has a good work ethic. 

I appreciate a good, hard-working gal. 

And she likes shoes. 

The fairy tale is all about the shoe at the end, and I'm a big shoe girl." 

Amy Adams 

Do you LOVE shoes?

Tell me a shoe story I'm all ears.

French Perfume...

This post is in response to an anonymous commenter who wanted to know what fragrance I wore.

I love wearing scent as it makes me feel very feminine.
I use it sparingly as I do not want the fragrance to be overpowering.
Have you ever been in the unfortunate situation where someone has literally bathed in perfume and it is so strong that you sneeze?
It is very off putting if you are dining and you cannot avoid breathing in a scent that is so bold that it threatens to flavour your food.

I currently have 2 perfumes which I use according to my mood.
Hermes makes a lovely green citrus scent, Voyage d' Hermes which is light and I feel very energetic when I spritz this on. My sister wears this too!
Moonflower Orchid is from Grasse in France, it is slightly musky and feels rather exotic and somewhat bohemian!

I do love scent for men too and Mr. HB wears T'erre d' Hermes which I chose for him and it's intoxicating and very sexy!

Here's a post from 2009 on scent...

Christian Dior
''Long after one has forgotten what a woman wore, the memory of her perfume lingers''.


Coco Chanel
''Wear perfume wherever you want to be kissed''.

Earrings and alliums...

I can think of only a few things that make me feel more feminine than wearing pretty dangling earrings.
(lingerie, scent, and silk and not necessarily in that order!)

I have not been able to put my finger on how or why certain styles of earrings impart femininity they just do.

Lovely daughter made me a pair of crystal drops in the 1990's which I have and wear when I want to sparkle.
These Citrine beauties were a recent gift for my birthday.
I love them, and they have more value to me because she made them herself.

Large in size 

dainty in style

shaded softly in a warm honey tone.

Aren't they pretty?

I can never remember if this wee feline bronze

is made by Walter Bosse 

or by Baller.

It's vintage and was purchased years ago

from a thrift shop.

I had no idea they were "collectible" at the time 

I just liked the face and form.

Behind the scenes

a handmade amber art glass bauble.

Blowing glass is an amazing skill

I watched a documentary on Dale Chihuly on PBS

it's a craft not for the faint of heart.

If you have the opportunity to view it 

I highly recommend it.

Summer days are getting shorter

and I can feel there's a nip in the air

the garden is getting ready for her long winter slumber

and some of the leaves have started to turn.

If you love flowers and gardens you must go and meet Belinda

she has talent when it comes to growing flowers and creating lush bouquets

 she also makes and sells jewelry!

Go over and see her

 you'll be impressed.

Alliums have been growing throughout the season

they are now reverently tilting and bowing their heads 

as they wither

saying a fond farewell to summer.

Wonderful and reliable performers 

in a floral arrangement

 as a filler 

to add interest

or 

grouped together 

rubbing shoulders with their next of kin.

Close up

they are a lacy parasol of purple

oh to be a ladybug

sitting beneath

in the dappled shade 

protected 

from the hot summer sun.

I'll be trading in the parasol for an umbrella before you know it.

Dressing on a shoestring budget or "Parisian Chic #101"

Living with a little bit of restraint and some planned spending is on the agenda.
Not a self imposed total ban on spending,
just watching the purse strings a little more carefully so that we can embark on a renovation that has long been overdue.

The mantra being "living better, consuming less."

Debt has become such a large scale problem on the global stage and it is affecting all of us worldwide.
If we cannot manage our personal financial houses how can we expect the leaders and politicians to keep fiscally responsible?

Saving money is not easy for me as I am easily tempted by luxe products
and I have a tendency to indulge myself more often than not.
I am going to try very hard to be more mindful of my spending habits,
using cash and the bank debit card for all but online transactions.

Restraint with a "capital" R.
(not a capital H for Hermes)

Starting today...

Back to school shoes...

ballet flats

black leather

simple

(affordable)

Shoes to wear with skirts and dresses

black leather

comfy

(affordable)

These are very pedestrian foot friendly

shoes

perfect for a Humble Hostess.

I am shod for September's school bell which will be ringing in a few days.

My closet is looking lean

in shades of black white and grey

with several LBD's

a few basic classic garments

that will transition together 

making a multiple of looks

and

with scarves, bangles and baubles

I am set.

I feel more like a French girl than ever before!

Parisian Chic did inspire me to make a fresh start

culling the unloved and unworn sad sacks that hung in wait to haunt me

whispering ever so subtly

 "ha ha told you so"

The bulk of which were patterned garments of flimsy fabrics

purchased on a whim

as a tonic

to appease a low ebb.

Just to be upfront and clear

I am not giving up 

scrunchies

leggings 

or 

scarf rings

no apologies to Ines

I did enjoy this book.

It was a very quick read and I think would be very helpful as a guide to shopping in Paris.

 The iconic double breasted/belted French trench is something I have lusted after

yet it does not suit my frame.

A figure skimming shape with a row of single buttons with a built in half back belt detail work much better.

and I sourced a very affordable example at Land's End.

(as I type it is in transit)

There is not much left on my back-to-school list.

I'm feeling pretty content with the pieces that I have acquired and I have not blown the budget.

I'm ready to meet and greet the staff and students.

Apple anyone?

Under the weather...

September the first has brought the fog in blanketing us with a cool misty overcoat of dewdrops.
There's a frosty feel in the air...BRR.
I am ailing,
snug under the cozy and warm duvet of down.

Ginger ale in hand, I have donned my grey cashmere sox.
Pepper is curled up at my feet and is slumbering deeply.

I have read the blogs that I follow...
before resuming my latest project, the twisted scarf in simple garter stick with that sumptuous alpaca yarn.
Knitting is conducive to meditating on all the gifts of everyday life
the garter stitch of gratitude.

I love and embrace the simple things in life.

Hot water for bathing,
food in the fridge,
a roof overhead,
family,
a warm hug,
the sound of birdsong in the garden,
scented soap,
comfortable shoes,
a great book to read,
a job to do,
friends who accept us for who we really are without judging,
a hobby to be passionate about...
and last but not least health.

What would be on your list?
Have I forgotten anything important?

My head is a bit foggy like the weather so feel free to add your own thoughts.

This vintage soap dish is so simple in style and form
it performs a function and in my eyes, is quite pretty.
I particularly like those two random black specks which are inside the porcelain glaze.
"Beauty in imperfection"

A recent find in the local shop from the village 

 residing by the kitchen sink

married with a bar of Provence triple milled lavender soap.

Pepper 

another beauty

and

not as simple as you might think!

She has become the most wonderful cat

she keeps me company here in the Humble Bungalow

follows me from room to room 

 "helping" with the domestics

her playful nature is a great source of entertainment.

Seeking comfort in small ways today

I'd like to have something yummy for lunch...

Lisa has something interesting on the menu.

I think they would go very nicely with my Schweppes ginger ale and Tums.

What do you think?

Slow-Mo day in the Humble Bungalow

I am enjoying a very quiet day here in The Humble Bungalow.
Relaxing in the sunshine between domestic chores.
I am working in slow motion and I like it!
This just might be the most boring post ever...
you might be yawning
and that's great if it's your bedtime.
Sleep and relaxation are not to be underrated.

Bees are buzzing about busy at work gathering pollen.

Hosta and spurge competing for space in a pot.

Look at all these smiling yellow blooms

they are an instant mood lifter.

Molyneux is blooming 

the newest David Austin Rose to set up shop in the Bungalow garden.

The fawns like her buds, their mother prefers Jude the Obscure.

As a dedicated Hostess it is my duty to feed my guests and feed them I am.

The buffet is a virtual salad bar that the local deer population seem to be enjoying.

Oh well

live and let live.

I love chartreuse green

it fills me with joy.

The blog was chartreuse in the beginning

before my love affair

with black white and grey

Do you love it too?

 Behold!

Limelight Hydrangea

showy pom pom blooms

greedy for water but excellent performers

with

masses of flowers.

"proven winners"

Two more have made their way into my possession.

I highjacked them when I saw them at the nursery

they were the last two standing.

I will be planting them soon.

Unfortunately a bloom snapped off in transport

so I popped it in some water,

funny thing

it looks too large for the vase

a rather awkward arrangement

but I am not bothered.

All is calm

I have actioned some comfort food for dessert.

It tastes much better than it looks

the creamy coconut flavour is lip smacking good.

"He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul's estate."

Henry David Thoreau

Take a few minutes and just breathe....

Teatime with Parisian and Shoe String Chic....

If you have been following my blog you might recall that I have given up caffeine for health reasons.
I have been a tea drinker since I was a young girl. My grandmother used to make me cups of "Boston Tea" which was a tea cup of mostly milk with a small amount of tea from her Brown Betty teapot.

I have not given up the ritual of tea I have simply replaced the tea for a decaf version of my regular brand which is Typhoo.
I decided that I needed to make tea time more attractive and so I pulled out my silver tea service and polished up the tray which was downstairs in "my room" and voila we have elevated tea to another level. It tastes better too!

Lovely and delicious 

 the silver pot keeps the tea hot for a long time

one cup is never enough!

Taking tea has been a custom in our family for as long as I can remember.

Our family matriarchs were known as "tea grannies"

Tea tastes much better when it is served in a bone china cup and saucer.

I use them from time to time but opt more often for bone china mugs for everyday.

I love the English Dunoon line of arts and crafts mugs.

I keep my tea in a caddy for freshness.

Pisces my birth sign

by

 Portmeirion  Stoke-on-Trent England caddy.

I am sipping tea as I type,

perhaps you are sipping tea as you read these words.

It's a Blog Tea Party!

I received these in the mail this week

and I am looking forward to reading them...

I think it was Tish whose blog is a femme d'un certain age 

that recommended both of these books.

Thanks Tish!

It will be fun comparing these two books on Chic Style.

Sweet Peas

in the Humble Bungalow Bathroom

I wish you could smell these

they are so lovely.

I wonder if any perfume has their scent in a blend.

I am working hard around the Bungalow

touching up chipped paint

Like Kristin of Faux Fuchsia fame

 I abhor chipped paint!

Besides dressing well, cooking and decorating

 she has an adorable baby boy 

so pop on over and say hello

you might never want to leave her lovely place

she does motherhood in a royal style.

We are planning a renovation downstairs which is exciting me no end.

I am jumping out of bed early to get rid of all the "junk" that has taken up residence in the basement.

Stuff that we have kept in case we might need it "one day" and many "one days" have past and we have not used them!

I'm off to de-clutter...

To the woman who complained that riches hadn’t made her happy, the Master said “You speak as if luxury and comfort were ingredients of happiness; whereas all you need to be really happy, my dear, is something to be enthusiastic about.

Anthony de Mello

A Room of Her Own...

Chris Casson Madden wrote a book a few years back, "A Room of Her Own."
This book was the inspiration behind my choice of carving out some "personal " space.

When the children were at home it was a small corner of my bedroom that had an assortment of chocolate treats, some scented lotions, a candle, a pretty teacup and some richly illustrated books on home decor and a large collection of magazines that calmed me as I leafed through them in a dream like fashion.

(Chocolate and caffeine were never far from my side back then and now I rarely have either)

Dressed in a cozy nightgown sitting in bed with the pillows plumped and the door slightly ajar taking some "Me" time before turning in for the night. Morning came very early in those days and sleep was a luxury to behold.

A room of my own had to wait.

Bittersweet in it's own way...
because when it came into being was when my son left home.

It is his childhood room that I now use for my hobbies and healthy pursuits of Yoga and the occasional session of weight training. It has become a place where I can go and sit and peruse magazines, read books, listen to music and ponder and more recently to paint.

Steiff teddy sitting in the linen slip covered armchair

a cozy nest to curl up in.

I opted for soft neutrals to invite serenity and peace.

I put down an old rug from upstairs to add warmth

the floor is painted concrete and is chilly in the winter.

Here is where I play...

Pepper loves it when I am down stairs 

she runs around like a super charged energizer bunny.

She has climbed the easel and tried to bite the paint brush,

"steady on Pepper."

  The recent knitting project is going rather slower than I hoped as I need to be "on guard" 

for she likes to stalk the yarn and then pounce with all claws bared before the attack.

Picking up slipped stitches are not my forte and so they take forever to fix.

Pepper does have cat naps throughout the day

I think that is her secret...

I should adopt a napping habit 

but there is always so much I want to do.

Like knitting....

I have used up 2 skeins of the Alpaca yarn so far...

slow and steady.

Image from a birthday card

which my sister bought because it reminds her of Pepper.

Vintage keys

a tarnished tray

weathered weary cabinet

glass dome

and a pair of silver candelabras

all things that I like because of their quirks.

Do you have a place or a space of your own?

I'd be interested to see some images of where you find peace and inspiration.

Is it inside or out of doors?

You might be like my friend LM who meditates deeply

in a quiet place wherever she happens to be...

she always has that zone 

so very close

whether she is in Hawaii, 

France

 or the UK.

Be true to yourself this weekend

and try and soak in some loveliness

after all it's free.