My latest crushes...

Teas are probably my favourite beverage of all time...
martini's are a close second!

I wanted to share with you an unusual new tea from the UK that is dazzling my taste buds.

It sounds like it might be hot and spicy but it is extremely well balanced.

The cocoa is the top note and there is no caffeine to keep you awake at night.

I brewed a mug and went to bed early and read a few chapters in my book.

Summer at Tiffany

which I am enjoying as it is a perfect light read to ease into slumber.

In order for me to maintain my sanity I need to go to bed earlier rather than later.

I have always needed lots of sleep.

My greatest luxury is 

waking up in the morning refreshed and rested and taking my time getting out of bed

I am very very fortunate that Mr. HB brings me a cup of tea every morning before I get out of bed.

(thank you honey!)

My dear father did that for my Mother every morning too 

I often think how hard it must be for her 

since he has gone 

to have to get up all by herself and brew her own pot of tea...

she has many more important reasons to miss him 

 it is just that at the start of her day now 

everyday since he passed away 

is the sad reminder that she is a widow.

Last Friday when we went to the Marina for my birthday sushi dinner 

my BFF and I both had a Grey Goose martini

the bartenders there mix a wonderful martini

so good in fact, that we had two!

Mr. HB bought a bottle and I was more than surprised to discover it is made in France of all places!

I had no idea!!

Mr. HB mixed me one on the following Saturday evening which I sipped ever so slowly...

a girl can get into trouble if she isn't careful

do you remember that classic Dorothy Parker quote?

"I like to have a martini,

Two at the very most.

After three I’m under the table,

after four I’m under my host."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Always have some food when imbibing in a martini or they can sneak up on you!

"Men seldom make passes

At girls who wear glasses."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Have some FUN this weekend!

Thank you for stopping by my humble little blog.

I do love all your comments and I read each and every one of them.

Hostess

OOTD...

I wore my new Lands End walking togs this past weekend.
Black active wear Performance pants and Polartec jacket in glacier blue.
Mr. HB  commented that it was "a younger look"...
just how much younger is that?

(it was a compliment that I enjoyed)

Does wearing active wear = youth?

I like the fit and quality of the Polartec jacket so much that I ordered another one in chartreuse...
no one can accuse me of buying only black and grey these days...
it seems that it's all about colour.

We are planning a trip to Seattle soon...

Thank you Mr. HB!
all of the above!
SERIOUSLY?
you do know how to spoil a gal.

I walked 

after breakfast

in the warm sunshine.

~ yogurt  ~  berries  ~  nuts ~

probiotic of course.....

I have introduced a Greens + shake by Sam Gracie into my mornings

it's an award winning product that has given me a much needed boost in energy after that boring bout with pneumonia.

there were some gorgeous blooms

they look vibrant against the blue skies

\

the view from the beach

Lots of folks had the same idea and I met quite a few smiling happy people on my walk.

I usually travel on the same familiar walking route...

 Along the ocean front and then along a curving road of waterfront homes before snaking back and looping up to the seafront again.

Walking is so meditative...a sublime time to be mindful.

I do not walk with an IPod

 I think it is important to make time to just listen to the steady beat of the heart 

 allow thoughts to bubble up and be recognized. 

Ideas and solutions to problems flow freely in the silence.

Decisions can be made when one is tuned in and focused and this time is perfect to mull things over.

Besides there is gorgeous scenery to soak in and savour.

Watching the Real Housewives of Vancouver is quite an eye opener.

The ladies have embraced youth and are having fillers injected into their faces 

seriously some of their lips look a bit too puffy for my taste.

Do any of you watch the Real Housewives?

I think it's trash TV but I watch it anyway...

perhaps it's so far from my reality that it fascinates me.

“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

 For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. 

 People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

 As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” 

~ Sam Levenson ~

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” 

~ Sophia Loren ~

It's almost the weekend how has your week been so far?

Take care and Be Well

Hostess

Saturday shopping finds...

Lovely daughter and I hopped in the car bright and early Saturday morning to head out for a day of thrift shopping.
We were hoping to hit all our favourites before mid afternoon...

I have lots of "stuff" so I am very particular what I bring home.

These blue suede shoes were in such great shape with very little wear that I opted to take them home.

I think they'll be a nice change from ballet flats with my boyfriend jeans.

Cole Haan is a reputable maker of quality leather goods so there is very little risk involved...

besides the fact that the price was about the same as a grande latte from Starbucks!

I realized that I have a Dior mens shirt in the exact same shade of blue which is tunic length 

add a strand or two of pearls and some leggings and I'm good to go.

~ ~ ~

Lovely daughter found all kinds of mid century moderne treasures...

she is contemplating starting up an etsy shoppe.

She and my BFF's daughter are friends and they rented a stall at a local vintage market to test the market.

There seems to be quite the demand for Danish teak, West German pottery, Finnish and Swedish glassware

among the younger generation.

Several shops focusing exclusively on this era have popped up and seem to be doing a healthy business.

~ ~ ~

I did find a book to keep here in The Humble Bungalow for our grand daughter Isla to read when she visits.

These "beginner books" are a great way to introduce reading and colour concepts.

Isla knows her colours and is happy to count out loud

build tall towers with blocks 

(before knocking them down and giggling!)

and loves to sit and have a story read to her.

Grammy decided that it is prudent to always have a stash of juice, goldfish crackers and fruit leather on hand.

You never know when that sweet red head will pop by for a visit.

~ ~ ~

Chester has been quite well behaved and patient with her despite just being a kitten himself.

Which of course is a huge relief as one never knows how animals will behave around busy little children.

Pepper on the other hand just finds a place to hunker down and go to sleep.

I wonder if there is a Go Cat Go book...

I'll post more about the birthday weekend next time.

Do you have any favourite children's books?

I would love to hear from you

Isla will be turning 3 in June and her Grammy does love books.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

Birthday snippets!

Birthdays have changed over the years...
but the sentiments remain the same.

It was a wonderful weekend from Friday until Sunday.
Lots to share and a wee peek at a few of the highlights...

Dessert on Friday

shared with friends at the Marina Sushi Bar.

gorgeous tulips

and a new cook book...

and that's just Friday's celebrations

stay tuned as there is more to come in my next post.

Hostess

~ Shoulda ~ woulda~ coulda ~ Post 786

Do you ever replay events over in your mind and they get a little stuck?
Like a loop....
to illustrate my point the movie Groundhog Day comes to mind.
Things at work are making me a little crazy.
I know in my head and heart that I need to let it go
and I will...

~ Shoulda ~ Coulda ~ Woulda ~

“As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost.
And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going.”

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw
Sex and The City TV series
circa 2001

Looking at the signposts of life

those proverbial forks in the road 

 pondering which path to follow next...

Where will it lead?

Will I pack the right clothes?

What will be around the next corner?

Will I be prepared?

When do I leave?

Who will I meet?

~ ~ ~

~ Food for thought ~

I am loving eating salads...

and then ordering this dessert with 4 forks for sharing...

I treated myself to an early birthday present.

I'll be out walking

(clad in this wonderful shade ~ Glacier Blue )

Please wave if you see me!

Hoofin' it in my Hood

wearing this stellar Lands End Polartec

Hoodie

I love this longer sleeve arrangement

with a thumb hole

my down coat has these built in and they are such a great idea

my hands are warmer

Oh so cozy

no more toothy zippers biting into our necks.

The Lands End hoodie

is a star performer.

it stretches

wicks away moisture

is wind proof and warm

 light weight

comes in bright cheery shades

what's not to love?

Thank you to whoever designed this garment.

~ ~ ~

Who designed this home?

It was on a garden tour a few years ago and I still dream about it.

This garden room is one of my favourites.

It belongs to a creative and talented gardener who lives in Oak Bay.

I'd pay money to sit here and have tea and a chat.

the cats are snuggled up contentedly snoozing on the couch

I can hear 

 the kettle whistle

with the promise 

of a restorative moment to sit

taking time to ponder the good things in life

whispering hushed grateful thoughts....

 I'll be celebrating 58 years of life on this planet on Sunday

 I feel so blessed to be alive 

to see the blooms of spring

 to listen to the birds sing

be a part a lovely family 

and honored to have such dear friends.

Namaste

Have some fun this weekend...

and take some time to stop and smell the flowers.

Hostess

Chipits ~ Chocolate Chip Cookies....

I don't often make cookies but when I do I usually make chocolate chip cookies.
Years ago when the children were wee I always had a cookie jar full of cookies...
when the jar would get close to being empty I'd make a new batch.

Those were the days when all the neighbourhood kids would come by to play.
Moms would drop by for coffee and we'd watch the children play and have some adult conversations.
We might have been discussing the price of food or shoes or thinking about ways to save money.
Stay at home moms needed to be frugal back in those days...
I think they still do.

I used Chipits chocolate chips back then and I still do...
on my last trip to Costco I picked up a big bag and thought I'd whip up a batch for old times sake.
Mr. HB loves to nibble on cookies.

The Kitchen Aid makes cookie mixing so easy.

All ingredients go into the bowl and blend until creamy

mix in the nuts and chips and then shape and bake.

Recipe on the back of the bag

I use way less sugar than the recipe calls for as I don't think they need to be as sweet.

Now to indulge in just ONE cookie with my tea!

If I had a jar full of cookies here on the counter in plain sight I'd be too tempted.

Every time I'd pass by I'd find my hand dipping into the jar.

A friend of mine says that she has the answer to that dilemma

pop them in the freezer and take them out when you need them...

haha

I've been known to eat frozen cookies before so that trick would not fly with me.

Why they even have cookie dough ice cream...

What treats tempt you?

Can you keep them in the house and just say no?

~ ~ ~

Basics on a Budget...

Do you adhere to a budget?
I do, sort of...
it's a bit willy nilly but I do TRY!

My favourite shop for basics that do not break the budget 

they are not "cheap" 

 the CPW (cost per wearing) is what makes them a great buy.

I can ALWAYS find something that will work with my wardrobe here.

When sales are at 50% or better I only browse for the basics...
I am NEVER wooed by rampant patterns of colour...it may sound boring but when I did this in the past they were the buys that were worn once and then they hung sadly passed over forever after in the closet until they were purged by me in disgust!
The basics are neutral and are the workhorses in my wardrobe that I wear over and over again.
They are the backdrop to accessories...
think of them as a blank canvas waiting for a dab of colour or a smattering of sparkle!

I found one new basic today when getting out of the house to ease the cobwebs of inactivity and a release from the domestic chores that have taken most of my morning. In case you think I am complaining I am not...domestics are a big part of my life here in The Humble Bungalow and I truly enjoy pottering about getting things done.

Carilyn Vaile 

(made in the USA)

basic black Tee top in a weight that is flattering 

(especially great for those of us who are not comfortable wearing Spanx!)

This top looks really large but in fact it is not

the sleeves are a bit on the dolman style and 3/4 length which I like to wear at the elbow

it is very sheer and hangs close to the torso

it needs to be worn over a tank top.

This "Splendid" top was not on sale as it is Spring Stock but I liked it so much so I bought it anyway!

I love this lacy "Atmosphere" vest and it is a nice layer over top a white top

not too hot for summer either...

loose weave and it drapes wonderfully

it's

longer in the back than in the front

I think this neutral shade that I would call oatmeal is a great option for a variety of reasons

it's so versatile for starters

can be worn over a dress

pants

capri's or a skirt

it makes total sense when one opts for less rather than more clothes.

Have you been aware of the popularity of dots lately?

I m seeing them every where...

I love the cardigans at J Crew and some of the pretty dresses and scarves in the shops are all dotty.

I might splurge on a dotted scarf too but for now I opted for some cute dotty sox.

In keeping an eye on my expenditures I chose a simple Skimmia posy

which was under $10 and I later divided in two vases

one for the kitchen and one for the powder room.

I got this sweet vase from my BFF as a gift a few years ago

I love the swirly pattern on the matte white background.

Skimmia lasts weeks looking fresh

so it's a great way to stretch the budget.

My orchids are the "go to performers"

 when the Humble Bungalow Roses are not ready for picking.

Orchids are budding out but not in bloom just yet and I do so love having something in a vase to perk me up.

Orchids are budget friendly and re-bloom again and again.

What measures do you take to live within your income?

Are you a budget conscious consumer or do you spend with wild abandon?

Just thinking it might be fun to have you all chime in on this topic 

as it is one that I have been considering quite a lot of late...

what with retirement on the horizon.

I really could use some of your ideas...

Espadrilles, books, and blue skies...

The skies are looking very blue today...
such a welcome change from the grey and gloomy February weather that has hung around for the past few weeks.
Living in the Pacific Northwest one gets used to these weather patterns but I never quite embrace them!
It's the clear blue skies and the sun that make my heart go pitter patter.

Blue Skies = Happiness

Oh there are many more things that make me joyful

but waking up to a sunny day does wonders for my mood.

the house lights up when the sun is shining

whites seem clearer and crisper

I love the glow of The Humble Bungalow when it is bathed in warmth.

this crystal hangs in the living room window

causing

prisms of light to dance on the walls

I picked up a couple of new books

that sound interesting.

I am filling up the book nook so I have some decent reading at the ready.

It gives me comfort to know that I have a stash of books nearby.

Heaven forbid that I should be at sea with nothing to read!

I know that summer is on the distant horizon 

but when I spied these espadrilles I just had to say yes.

they are so very comfy

it's like walking on pillows

and the leather is buttery soft

Andre Assous is a Spanish Company

when I googled them I found out that he is considered the King of the Espadrilles!

Who knew?

If foot comfort is any reason why he has been crowned the King 

I understand!

Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes.

Have yourself a lovely day

I hope that you've got something fun on the agenda and that the sun is shining where you live.

~ ~ ~

Are you going to be tuning in The Oscars this Sunday?

I know that I will!

I love seeing all the red carpet gowns and gems.

Mr. HB is outside pruning the roses as I finish up this post...

he is the "King of Pruning" here in The Humble Bungalow!

I think everyone should be appreciated for a superior talent and this is just one of his many gifts.

 (I am one lucky woman)

Clean sheets are folded ready to be put away

and newly laundered pillows are in the dryer...

radio CBC 2 Drive is playing in the back ground and I am about to pop the kettle on for a pot of tea.

I have some reading to do for work this week and all I really want to do is to stick my nose into a new novel.

What's happening in your house?

Take care

Hostess

French Vanilla ~ (a shop I love)

I've written about French Vanilla before...
the lovely French themed gift shop in the Oak Bay area of town.
I pop in every month to pick up my copy of Jeanne D'Arc magazine and to peruse what is new and exciting.

There are lovely linens, soaps, scarves, accessories and an array of home decor items.
She also stocks and sells Anne Sloan Chalk Paint and is planning to have classes on how to refurbish furniture by using this paint. There is no prep work involved so it saves oodles of time and the results are quite remarkable.
Sheila has a great eye and her shop is full of enticing and tempting items.
If you live in town you really must pop in and check out her wonderful wares.

                             I love black and white and this pillow is well made...

I love the pattern and it's perfect for my kitchen bench seat.

The pillow is hand made locally by a retired woman who loves to sew.

It turns out our children went to school together and I remember them having after school play dates and driving them on school field trips.

She has used a different fabric pattern for the back 

and she made some beautiful fabric covered buttons using the same print as the front.

The pillow is filled with a down insert and is plump allowing comfort at my back.

~ ~ ~

Recently I have been getting a LOT of spam on my blog.

I am not sure what that means in the whole scheme of things

perhaps it is because I do not have word verification enabled 

or perhaps it's because I have been getting more traffic to my site.

(which I do like!)

In any event it is rather tedious deleting these comments and not all of them go into the spam filter.

I am wondering how many of you would be reluctant to comment if I were to enable word verification?

When I comment on other blogs often the verification slows me down as the numbers are blurry.

My eyes are not what they used to be even with glasses!

So reader what is your opinion?

~ ~ ~

Aside from spam dinner is a weeknight special

 a pot roast simmering on the stove, 

potatoes are boiling waiting to be mashed 

and I need to prepare the peas.

Leftovers for Mr. HB's sandwiches tomorrow and maybe even dinner Friday night!

The week feels extra long...

work has been a struggle

I'm a wee bit grumpy.

The city has been digging up our road as there are two new houses going in across the street on the corner

and the storm drains needed upgrading so our driveway was the target zone...

the jack hammering shook the house 

 the cats were startled, 

the windows rattled, 

knick knacks vibrated and skidded on the shelves

there is a big hole out front right now 

 it should be filled in soon and then we can park our vehicles in our regular spots

the gravel driveway 

and in front of our Humble Bungalow.

How has your week been?