Luxe Votives...and a new pillow

Life is ticking along here in The Humble Bungalow, nothing too outstanding just a regular rhythm.

I don't know about your taste when it comes to fragrant votives but mine run along the lines of healthy waxes and lead free wicks. Once those two things are satisfactory then I'll choose a wonderful scent.

The latest votive to make an entrance here is made by the Upper Canada Company. They are well known in these parts for their soaps and lotions.
Buying Canadian products is good for the economy=guilt free spending!

The Wild Mint Lime combination is not too sweet or too floral

it has a nice blend of citrus and I love it in my kitchen.

It looks good with the newest linen pillow

look at that crewel embroidery

I am pretty sure that the embroidery was done by a machine 

because the pillow was not that expensive.

My love affair with beeswax continues and will never wane.

The greens are spot on for colour.

Researching Votives online 

was an eye opener

 what a wide range of varieties, scents and costs!

Jo Malone, Archipelago, Votivo, and Diptyque 

are a few that I perused

 I had a wee shock when I saw some of the prices.

This Canadian candle was $20 and has a burning estimate of 65 hours.

When it's finished I'll pop the container in the freezer for a bit and it makes it easy to remove the last of the wax

then I'll repurpose the glass for another use...

at the moment I am thinking Q-Tips in the bathroom!

Do you buy luxe candles ?

What are your favourite brands and fragrances?

Pepper takes the stage...

By request Pepper will be making an appearance.
She has been pretty lazy sleeping on soft duvet covered beds both upstairs and downstairs in the guest bedroom.

I coaxed her to wake up with some cat treats and got the camera out and snapped her picture.
For every picture that you see here there were about 10 more of each pose and most were blurred as she doesn't hold a pose for long.

Here she is perched up on the granite counter by the stove

looking rather nonchalant.

Pepper is royalty here in The Humble Bungalow.

Do you think she has any idea of her power?

I wonder what she's thinking...

"here she goes again with that crazy camera"...

This look is not for the camera

it was the birds outside that caught her attention!

When she was first here in our home she refused to have her claws clipped.

Snarling, biting, wriggling out of the towel, scratching and hissing at us.

I worried that we'd lose an eye!

We ended up taking her to the vet so that the technician and the vet together could do the job.

I took her for many monthly visits before deciding to train her to allow me to do the job.

I gave her a treat then cut the claws on one paw,

another treat and another paw,

same again twice more and we're finished.

Pepper does love her food

and she loves to chase her catnip mice.

She chirrups when she's happy and it's the sweetest sound ever!

She does not like water unless it is fresh from the tap...

"She who must be obeyed."

Pepper often sleeps on top of the duvet of our bed with us asleep underneath.

Part Bengal, part Egyptian Mau, part Alley cat she does not like to be left alone.

She follows me around the house when I clean or water the plants.

If I am sitting at the computer, more often than not, she is snuggled up right beside me keeping me warm.

Pepper is cheeky and sneaky and does rule the roost.

(can you tell?)

She has taken to jumping way up to the top of the cabinets

 snoozing and surveying what goes on below.

What a spoiled Puss!

I have toyed with the idea of getting another cat to keep her company...

but I have a sneaky feeling that she might not like sharing us with another feline.

It's been a cold and stormy day

 there's a sweet geranium blooming on the windowsill

cheering up the grey gloom that lies beyond the pane.

If the sun is not shining 

I find my own way to add cheer to the day

and that usual means having some fresh flowers close by.

What makes your life a little sunnier?

Dinner is cooking in the oven, 

Pepper's asleep, 

The Vancouver Canucks are on the TV and Mr. HB is happy.

What's not to love?

Sending you roses with thanks and walking the path of my youth...

Thank you all for your comments on my last post.
I am overwhelmed by the out pouring of kindness.
I am humbled and grateful...
so I am sending these roses to all of you.

I drove to go for my walk, it sounds crazy but it's true.
I drove a few miles over to the neighbourhood where I grew up and walked a familiar route.

It's very picturesque although it was a very grey day. It was not windy or cold just calm and dullish.
Just perfect for walking and there were not that many people out and about so I had the place mostly to myself.

someone had left this little floral arrangement on the ledge

a little too much signage

or is it just me?

I spent many sunny summer days sunbathing on this beach when I was a teen.

We would bring our transistor radios

baby oil, snacks and towels and spend the afternoons 

lazying about in our bikinis.

There was a canteen that sold french fries, hot dogs, ice cream, candy and pop.

If I had some money left that I had not spent on buying new clothes

I would usually spend it here.

Walking here stirs up many memories from long ago.

This is a sight that you don't see much anymore

what with cell phones being part of our everyday life.

There used to be phone booths on many corners 

now there are only a handful of pay phones left.

I wonder if this one even works.

When I was a teenager I used to use pay phones to call my friends 

as my parents would limit my talk time to 3 minutes

we had this kitschy egg timer with a chicken on it that sat beside the telephone

and often I would turn it back over to allow more sand to flow through and hope that my parents had not noticed that I was talking longer than it took to cook an egg!

If my sister saw me she'd scream "I'm telling" and that would be the end of that!

When I get on the phone with my BFF we can still easily talk for an hour 

and we might have seen each other yesterday.

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

Confucius

Sharing and airing of thoughts and an emailer who doesn't really like my blog.

Blogging is a great source of enjoyment for me. It is a hobby and something that has given me the opportunity to work on my writing and photography skills. My spelling has improved and my vocabulary is steadily increasing.

Blog topics are all over the map and from day to day I never really know what is going to get written and published until I sit at the computer and let the creative juices flow.

There are certain things that I do not write about because they are too personal. A girl doesn't like to tell all her secrets, after all an aura of mystery must be maintained to a certain degree.

My family rarely appear here on the Humble Bungalow Blog.

I prefer to keep some things private.

I share so much here and often wonder if I say too much.

My life is not one of glamour and non stop parties.

I am rather a simple woman with a few interests and a small circle of fabulous long time friends.

We get together for coffee, lunches and dinners both out and at home.

I'd be very lonely if I didn't have friends.

They are a treat and a treasure.

There are many happy hours to pursue hobbies, 

go for walks, 

read 

and plenty of healthy distractions 

from the domestic duties which are ongoing here in the Bungalow.

I like regularity and rhythm 

I am a creature of habit.

I love things here to be organized and tidy.

I could never be happy living in a chaotic mess.

It would be too stressful for me.

I only have one junk drawer and it is neat and tidy!

I like predictability

and 

do not like to be "rushed."

I like to keep moving and have purpose.

I do not over think things.

My expectations are low

and I am overjoyed when something wonderful occurs.

I am easily satisfied.

Travel is not high on my priority list

as I delight in exploring what is very near to my own back yard.

I am on a first name basis with most of the shop keepers whose businesses I patronize on a regular basis.

I do like to chat and exchange pleasantries with them.

I feel that this relationship goes beyond the usual exchange of goods and money.

I dislike rudeness in any form.

I seldom use a curse word as I believe there are many wonderful adverbs and adjectives that can be found to describe any situation.

I can keep a secret and am very trustworthy.

I do not like gossip and find it in extremely bad taste when someone tries to get me to say something negative or unflattering about someone.

I stay true and positive.

Road rage is not on my radar.

I try to be a Zen driver.

I narrowly missed getting hit this week by a driver who ran through a stop sign.

I blew my horn out of shock and disbelief 

and to try to alert the person in the vehicle that they had made a serious mistake.

My car stopped within 6 inches of their speeding car and I thought for sure we would collide.

It really is a miracle that my reactions were so fast and my brakes were so efficient.

Normally I do not use my horn.

In this case I think it was justified.

It's sound even startled me.

I am a list maker

groceries

things that need to be done

birthdays

menu planning

chores

goals

I am sure that I can come up with some more tidbits of information 

 but that's about it for now.

“If you must speak ill of another, do not speak it, write it in the sand near the water's edge''”

 Napoleon Hill 

I get a fair number of emails...

most of which are friendly. 

Many want to share with me their own bungalow images and I feel a wonderful cross border connection

with other owners who are passionately restoring their homes.

Some want to know where they can buy some of the clothes that I have bought and I am more than happy to guide them in that direction.

Others just want to say how much they enjoy reading about the simple life that we live here in our humble home.

I have had some emails from a blog commenter who did not want to go public and leave a comment.

But chose to write in depth about all that was wrong on the blog

from the layout to the content...

The emailer critiqued The Humble Bungalow Blog 

in a very blunt way with a rather harsh tone which bordered on rude.

Blogging does open one up as a target for malcontents.

Perhaps this person is unhappy with her life

or is suffering from an illness 

maybe venting makes her feel better.

I hope that I have helped some one feel better,

as it is my aim to have an open door policy

welcoming all to The Humble Bungalow.

Next time I hope that she will go public and share her words with all of us in this community

and please do not mince words

I'd like everyone to share and comment on my blog.

Bulking up and the battle of the bulge...

I have weighed in and the numbers are going down...
ever so slowly but the good news is that 6 pounds have been shed.

I am feeling much better wearing pants. I now have what I can only all breathing room!
The doughy muffin top is looking much firmer and that dreaded back fat is disappearing.

So why would I want to dress like the Goodyear Blimp?

I'll tell you why...

I do not do cold, chilly, or freezing at all well. I love to be warm and cozy. Perhaps that explains my love for all things cashmere and why I am usually wearing some kind of scarf around my neck.

I needed to buy a coat as my car and seat heaters used to keep me warm!

Walking has it's benefits but it does expose one to the elements of nature, and she can be quite cool and frosty.

I bought this coat online from Land's End. It has some great features like the fleece lined pockets, a two way zipper, faux fur on the hood and down fill throughout. If you live in a climate such as we have here in the Pacific Northwest you might consider buying one of these...as an advocate of warmth and comfort while facing those inevitable dips in the Celsius this one get's my seal of approval and it comes in a variety of colours.

You can see it here.
I have linked to the Canadian site so if you are not in Canada go to Land's End.com.

My feet get cold too so I purchased some chill chasing sox and tights...

Alfred Sung

tunic top / dress

in a butterscotch shade

quite the departure from my usual palette

cheap as chips

washable

warm

will be worn with tights

and boots.

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  

~ Edith Sitwell

Sarah over at My Yellow House warmed my heart with her recent post.

Go over and visit

she has such a way with words.

as you gather round the hearth

snug and safe

enjoy the warmth and be grateful

for what you have.

Remembrance Day is this Friday 

I hope that you will pause and give thanks,

many people gave their lives in hope that we could live our lives without fear 

in freedom.

What to wear when the temperature dips...

Baby it's cold outside!
I am cocooning in wool and layers and have recently purchased a down coat to wear walking about in the chill windy weather. I'll show it to you in an upcoming post...it's from Land's End!

Cashmere Club Monaco long scarf/shawl

3rd or 4th year in service and what a soft way to keep cozy

I highly recommend owning at least one of these.

(I have another in emerald green)

Looks rather dark in this image but I am wearing tights in charcoal grey by Hue

and my short booties in black with the western cowboy vibe

and a wool V neck dress which I bought from Zellers 

and it was under $50!

The texture has some interest

as the theme here is all grey.

I have taken off all my sterling bangles and have taken out my trusty timepiece

and I have added my gold bracelet for fun.

I am putting my best foot forward 

exercise is now so much easier

and I feel so much more energy as a result.

If you had told me this would have happened 

I think I might have doubted that fact.

I am embracing steaming mugs of tea and hot soups.

Chill chasers of the finest order.

Keep warm!

Fly little bird fly!

Fly little bird fly...
be free and easy.

Test those wings that you were born with and use those aerodynamics...
you have the ability
 just do it.


Be very afraid of this next image....
footwear,
of the mummsy kind...

I have lost my mind and gone for comfort over fashion.

It''s true.

I am no longer barefoot prancing on the slivery wood floors.

My feet are warm and happy.

But they scare me when I look down and see those faces.

I put these soft slippers on my feet and fell madly in love.

Not with their looks but with the way they conformed and cushioned my tired toes.

Lambs or Sheep...

does it matter?

They are a fashion no no of the first order,

scary!

I am shuffling through The Humble Bungalow in these...

toting my Haws watering can

pottering and watering the house plants.

This miniature orchid is putting on a great blooming show

and I water it once a week.

Routines are so not on these days..

everything has changed.

I hope that I have chosen the right job in the career department...

the move is radical

I am going back to my roots...

elementary school

and I'll be working with special needs students.

Autism was my forte and I have come full circle...

I may be posting less

or possibly more

I suppose it will depend on my level of energy

and what inspires me.

I 'll let you know how things are going but it might take awhile...

I might be a stranger in a strange land

for a wee bit...

bear with me as I am standing on the precipice of something new...

I hope to soar and not plummet

but with any new endeavor there lies a modicum of doubt...

I wish that someone was holding my hand!

 Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Hugs from the Hostess

XO

Lazy Saturday...after a big night on the town.

I slept in and am sipping a mug of real coffee, the first in many months. Feeling very lazy sitting here in my robe and slippers...
There is something so decadent about waking up to the aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen.
We had a wonderful evening last night and it was a later one than is usual on a Friday evening after a busy week.
It's hard to imagine that we can go out on the town and live it up like we did when we were much younger. Good to know that we haven't forgotten how to have fun!

We were celebrating the fact that I have a new job!

Flowers from my daughter's fellow!

We walked downtown and dined at one of our city's top restaurants and then we hoofed it over to a heritage hotel by the sea and had a bottle of champagne, a gift from my daughter's fellow. I don't like the word "boyfriend" as that does not adequately describe him because he is a man not a boy.

I could have pinched myself as we were sitting on sumptuous leather sofas enjoying the lights of the harbour living it up and savouring the moment rubbing shoulders with international tourists.

As we were leaving we strolled through the convention center and were surprised to see a large group of red headed Lucille Ball look a likes...the Ricky Ricardo's were inside waiting!

It was a dreamy date and such a memorable way to celebrate and mark new beginnings.

New beginnings and the rapid way that change is making an entrance into what was a predictable routine has taken us by storm and I am reeling...
but all in a good way.

Once I started to action change with a new approach to fitness and health, lots of things started happening and there seems to be a domino effect.

The new job is going to be a challenge and one that I am keen to take on. I am ready to embrace a new direction in the late stages of my career and have so many tricks in my bag just waiting...so wait no longer, it's time.

Walking to work is going to be such a bonus.
Not only is it healthier it's greener and cheaper!

I did have to go out and buy some good looking walking shoes that I could wear to work.
(They cost less than 4 Michelin tires for the Volvo though!)
I never need an excuse to buy shoes, who does?

Adrienne over at The Rich Life (on a budget) has done some shoe shopping recently...
she has chosen some lovely colours.

I imagine that you are not surprised that the shoes are black...

Lisa over at Privilege shares a love of black footwear.

She just started a new job and check out how great she looks in her khaki and black.

a little silver bling in the mesh

they are not shoes for the faint of heart

they have serious support and are made by Geox

which has a patent on their shoe building technology.

I am lusting over some Frye boots and tried on some fabulous Ralph Lauren riding boots at Winners...

they are most definitely investment boots...

(cheaper than Michelin's hmmm....)

I just don't know if they are in the budget right now.

The reno is taking most of our cash and still is the number one priority around here.

Lots to think about...

I am taking today as a lazy day to ponder the whirlwind of change that is blowing through the Humble Bungalow.

(I had better get dressed as the plumber will be here in a few minutes!)

I am still the same Hostess

but with a newness that is redefining 

how I view my life and the direction that I seem to be going.

Make the most of your weekend whatever you choose to do...

carpe diem

take a leap of faith and shake up your world.

Life's a Beach....and then it's gone.

I am taking you along on the beach walk this afternoon.

Walking at the same time of day means meeting and greeting the same folks as they are out strolling, walking and jogging. Dogs are allowed on the beach from September on so there are a wide variety of canines and their owners.
I could easily have another Golden Retriever to keep me company on my jaunts...
our hearts still weep when we remember our wonderful and faithful Rufus.

Observing the people as I walk by I have noticed that there is a large fit group of older women...

all smiling!

It interests me that most are walking solo like myself.

They are wearing pretty pink shades of lipstick

sunglasses

and dressed in practical and stylish walking shoes.

I have noticed that polar fleece is very popular and the colours range from black to brights.

Down jackets and coats seem to be the favourite with the elderly.

Nordic walkers are few and far between but when they pass they take up the entire width of the sidewalk and one must stop to allow them to pass or hop down off the sidewalk and walk on the road. 

They obviously do not like to yield to oncoming traffic!

A few older couples shuffle along holding hands before they stop to sit on a bench to rest and peruse the shore.

There is constant chatter with these couples and I wonder what it is that they are discussing...

I am assuming that they have been married forever...

so lovely to see their connections.

Magnificent old trees dot the shoreline.

In the stormy winter winds these bow and sway threatening to break...

their placement on the shore has them directly in the line of fire.

the sand is soft and walking on the beach does wonders for one's calf muscles

I prefer to wear boots or I get mucky sandy shoes.

In the summertime 

barefoot beach walking is a great exfoliant for the feet.

a lovely calm day on the sea...

hardly a ripple and it's November.

sunshine-y flowers popping up out of the grassy shoreline

"bloom where you are planted"

quiet moments of meditative walking 

are so restorative

 Mother Nature is showing off her best assets.

One does absorb simple joys

and experience moments of clarity.

Change is the theme here in the Humble Bungalow.

Not one change but many...

I am waiting on some news on the career front

and rather impatiently....

One of my nearest and dearest has just lost her Mother...

she is/was the same age as my Mom and I am rather shaken by this news.

I took a lovely orchid and a card and gave her hugs and we cried

I felt so powerless

there is so little one can do or say in these moments.

Being there was all I could muster.

Mother and I will be at the memorial

they were friends too

 Mother has taken it very hard...

life is so precious

do not take anything for granted

it can change in a heart beat.