The Joys of Cooking....removing sap, a bit of nature and a new book.

Browsing through cookbooks and trying new recipes help to keep me enthusiastic about cooking.
Cocooning inside The Humble Bungalow on a blustery day making a hearty stew feels so good.
Harvesting and eating root vegetables seem to go hand in hand with the shorter daylight hours and cooler weather.

The colours of yams, parsnips, turnips and carrots remind me of autumn...

Our family have been enjoying "Little Stew" for years.

It is a simple meal of ground beef and vegetables made with a rich gravy.

It simmers in the large Le Creuset dutch oven for hours and is just as tasty the next day.

Little Stew

Saute a large diced onion until soft.

Add ground beef and brown.

Make a "gravy" with a bouillon cube or beef stock and pour over cooked beef.

Add vegetables, any that you like.

I used carrots, potatoes, and peas.

Season with salt and pepper.

Simmer for several hours.

I served it with some home made bread.

Our large Le Creuset gets used most days.

It's a heavy Dutch oven that can go into or on top of the oven.

I feel like I get a workout merely lifting it in and out of the cupboard!

This Ulster Weavers linen tea towel is new from The Irish Linen Shop on Government Street.

I liked the whimsy of the lone black sheep.

I bought some new linens from them when I walked by 

after the Veteran's Day Ceremony at the Legislative Buildings.

Speaking of new things...

I found a new ~ to ~ me platter.

It is enormous and will be fabulous for the turkey dinner at Christmas.

I love the oak leaf and acorn detail on the edges.

In the "Oak Bay Style" 

I grew up in Oak Bay and went to both Oak Bay Junior and Oak Bay Senior High Schools.

(many moons ago)

I plan to go to out and gather up a bunch more cones to decorate this platter.

I read recently that cones are considered "autumn roses."

I got the cones but ended up getting some sticky sap on my coat!

Grrr..."How to remove sap?" 

I entered this line into a google search and to my relief the results were "hand sanitizer removes sap."

It worked and was so easy, no damage to my coat either!

Reading another book by Linda Grant and loving her writing...

a former English literature professor who spent time lecturing at Simon Fraser University in BC during the 1970's.

I've been shopping for some new core wardrobe pieces and will share them with you later in the week.

~ ~ ~

“Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn--that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness--that season which has drawn from every poet worthy of being read some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.” 

~ Jane Austen ~

 Persuasion

Revlon Red Velvet...

Have you noticed how many magazines have articles on choosing the right red lipstick?
Red seems to be in vogue this season.

When I regularly went to the Aveda salon to have my hair cut the stylist would always offer to refresh my lipstick after my cut and colour. It was a wonderful opportunity to try a new shade without having to parade in front of all and sundry at the make up counter. Frequently I would treat myself to a tube of the shade that my stylist would recommend, but that was a few years ago and I now go to a salon that sell Bumble and Bumble hair products but no cosmetics of any kind.

I went to the drug store with the idea in mind, of a new shade of red for the holiday season.
With the cosmetic clerk's help I tried on a dozen or so shades from a variety of brands.
I found one that I liked and she thought was perfect!

Guess what?
It's the same shade of red that I have been wearing for evening for the a couple of years!

I guess that just proves that often we don't always need to try to change what's not broken.

Do you have a favourite shade of red lipstick?

While I do not wear red garments I find that I can wear this red velvet shade by Revlon.

Worn here with my Banana Republic top...feeling just a wee bit French.

Hope that you are having a FUN weekend.

Hostess

XO

Bits and Bobs...Books and Bags in the Bungalow.

It has been a quiet day here in The Humble Bungalow.
It's one of the first days that I gave myself permission to just relax and have a slow day. A guilt free day of indulging in reading and drinking tea with no thoughts of jumping up and tackling the domestics.

I ate a variety of fresh fruit for breakfast and lunch. 

(no WW points!)

I splurged and ate sushi for dinner.

I've rediscovered our local library.

They have their collection online so it makes it easy to peruse the collection.

 Holds can be placed with the click of the mouse. 

I have been reserving many books...from home decor to entertaining, fashion to food and novels.

Quotes from the book jacket.

"A good handbag makes the outfit."

"Only the rich can afford cheap shoes."

"The only thing worse than being skint is looking as if you're skint."

For centuries, an interest in clothes has been dismissed as the trivial focus of vain, empty headed women.

And yet clothes matter, because how we choose to dress ourselves defines our identity. From the immigrant arriving in a new country to the teenager who needs to be a part of the fashion pack or the woman turning forty who must reassess her wardrobe. the truth is that how we look and what we wear tells a story.

And what a story. The Thoughtful Dresser tells us how a woman's hat saved her life in Nazi Germany; looks at the role of department stores in giving women a public place outside the home; celebrates the pleasure of adornment; and savours the sheer joy of finding the perfect dress.

Here is the thinking woman's guide to our relationship with what we wear: why we want to look our best and why it matters.

In this book almost 1500 of the world's perfumes are reviewed.

There are only a handful that the experts claim are masterpieces.

I've made a list of a few that I would like to sample.

This handbag is new to me...

A lovely gift from my daughter who regularly shops in the local thrift stores.

The brand is Valentina and it is made in Italy.

The leather is sturdy and unscuffed and I love the shape and style.

Thank you J!

Elle Canada has a couple of interesting You Tube Video's I thought you might like.

 How to Tie an Hermes scarf and 15 accessories that you will wear forever.

What perfume do you love to wear and do you have an all time favourite?

Hostess

XO

OOTD ~ Janice Riggs might call it Potato Sack Dressing!

Oh my! I just finished reading Janice Riggs, the writer of the fabulous Vivienne Files.
Today Janice has some great tips on dressing 10 years younger.
That would make me um, 48.

I appreciate and agree with her tips and they all make sense.
Today I think perhaps I've dropped the ball...

OOTD

Grey grey and more grey.

Skirt ~ Armor Jeans

Top ~ Segments Merino

Scarf ~ Tilo

Boots ~ Hush Puppies 

Belt ~ unknown maker

This Tilo scarf gets lots of wear as it is light and not too warm under a coat.

I liked the details on the belt.

 I have worn this to cinch in some of my bigger clothes which I am keeping until I reach my final WW goal.

I plan on replacing some of them when I get there.

Looking at this rather plain errand running OOTD I can see that I could switch up the boots and scarf.

Perhaps my cowboy boots and a colorful scarf are in order.

OK readers it's your turn...

Please "be kind" when you chime in on what you would do to perk up this OOTD.

Hostess

The No Make Up Look

Are you familiar with the "No Make Up Look?"
It is make up that looks like you only better!

Too much make up makes me feel like a clown!
I've never gone in for the thick pancake and pressed powders...

I want to use products that imbue a subtle, healthy result.

I've noticed that aging has changed my skin tone and elasticity so I need to use a lighter touch with all cosmetics and choose shades that flatter softly without screaming or drawing too much attention.
I also found that eye shadows can settle into the creases, that powder mineral based formulas seem to stay set and look fresh much longer.

Here is what I have in my make up bag:

I can "do my face" once it is cleansed and moisturized in under 10 minutes between sips of my morning tea.

I highly recommend having good lighting and a magnification mirror.
As a woman whose eyesight is rather dodgy without her specs I would be messing things up something dreadful if I cannot "see" what I am doing!

Bobbi Brown

Foundation

Bronzer and Blush

The foundation and bronzer are applied with brushes.

The cheek lip tint duo are done with clean fingers.

Eye pots are Mac and Pur

I always curl my lashes and mascara is a staple because my lashes are so fair that they virtually disappear.

On days when I am going out of the house, not just for my walk, I will use some liner and shadow.

Lining the upper eye only and using a very thin line.

Lavender Mourite, the eye pot on the right is great by itself for daytime.

For evening I'll add some of the darker Haux above the Lavender for a bit of a smokey eye effect.

Bobbi Brown Fresh Melon

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters in Sugar Plum and Pink Truffle

for evening I wear a Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Red Velvet.

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. 

That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” 

~ Gwyneth Paltrow ~

Enjoy your day and remember that Kindness Matters!

Hostess

XO

As an after thought....

My darling daughter gave me the most gorgeous vintage handbag!

 I will share it with you just as soon as I can.

The NZ meat pies were a huge success on Sunday evening.

I ate a piece and they tasted seriously delicious...lip smacking good.

Positively Beastly Weather and Comfort Food.

Autumn walks are beyond beautiful.
I find them to be refreshing, exhilarating and energizing.
The air is fresh and crisp and there is a bit of a chill which keeps me moving.
The trees are shedding their leaves with the change of season...
I like to listen to the crunch of the leaves as I walk on their colourful carpeting.

On one of my most recent walks I ventured into the local cemetery. It's a park like space in our neighbourhood which has many heritage trees and a wide assortment of wildlife from birds and squirrels, to raccoons and deer. There are many headstones and a few crypts. My family ancestors have a plot and are buried here.

mushrooms the size of dinner plates!

I gathered a few leaves and cones to add to the wee pumpkins.

Walking in the crisp air made me so hungry!

 A simple salad on such a chilly day would not be enough so I actioned some serious COMFORT food for lunch.

French Toast with a wee drizzle of Canadian Maple Syrup!

Seriously simple to make...

whisk and egg in a shallow dish big enough to accommodate a piece of bread.

Buy the Silver Hills Little Big Bread in the blue bag ~ 2 pieces are only 1 WW point!

Soak bread and then flip over to allow it to absorb the rest of the egg.

Place in a small fry pan with a wee and I do mean "wee" bit of butter.

Cook a few minutes and then flip until done.

Drizzle with Maple Syrup.

I ate a pear after as dessert and sipped a mug of Earl Grey Tea.

~ ~ ~

Today as I read over and edit this post it is blustery outside and I am not too keen going out for my walk.

The wind is howling outside and I am grateful to be snug in a warm Humble Bungalow keeping cozy.

The weather is really beastly out there today...the ferries have been stopped due to the high winds and many people are stranded at the terminal waiting for a break in the storm.

I have been busy in the kitchen all morning making meat pies for my daughter's fellow, who is originally from the Marlborough area of New Zealand. His family own an award winning Olive Grove.

 N has been craving the meat pies that he grew up eating...

apparently they even sell them in McDonald's in NZ!

I googled New Zealand meat pies and found a recipe in a woman's magazine so I am following it to the letter.

The pies are cooked and cooling on the counter, and a pear dessert is baking in the oven.

I plan to cook fish for my daughter and myself...

I will try one bite of the meat pies just to see what they taste like.

What family recipes do you remember loving from your childhood?

Do you still make them?

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."

 ~ Virginia Woolf ~

Hostess

XO

The Humble Bungalow ~ Our Guest Room.

As a Hostess I try to make guests feel welcome when they come to stay.
I think it truly is "the little things" that make a BIG difference in their enjoyment and comfort while they are away from home. I put myself in their position and think about what I like to have when I am staying in someone else's home.

A quiet place to sleep and one that feels cozy enough to retire to for a midday nap. Often we do not sleep as deeply or as long in a strange bed so naps are often needed. This time will also allow the Hostess to prepare appetizers or tidy up a bit before serving the next meal.

I like to have extra blankets, a shawl and robe for guests to use.
Some light reading and a room spray as well as a light pillow spray for setting the tone for slumber.
Bottled water, energy bars or chocolates if I know my guests have a sweet tooth.
Shampoo, cream rinse, soaps and lotions are kept in the bathroom in case they have forgotten to bring their own.
Cotton balls, Kleenex, razors, Q Tips, toothpaste, mouthwash and Tylenol...just a courtesy really but it saves them having to ask.
I realize that I need to buy a blow dryer as my friend did not bring hers along when she last stayed overnight.

A bedside light to read by...

Perrier and pillow spray.

Vintage oak luggage stand at foot of bed

like a butlers tray but lower.

Warm wool blanket just in case.

The duvet on the bed is down filled and usually warm enough but it never hurts to be prepared.

Wicker chair by the window.

A distressed oar adds whimsy.

Thrift shop floral painting.

I used a nautical, beach theme to decorate the guest room.

White beach glass that I collect is stored in a vintage sealer jar.

Shells and coral round out the beach theme.

Light reading...

The bathroom has the basics.

I love fluffy large white towels so naturally I put them in the guest bathroom.

Hotel size samples.

More toiletries reside in this handy shelf unit.

We like to let the guests wake at their own time.

So we get the coffee maker ready the night before and show them how to use it.

With glass fronted cupboards in the kitchen it is easy to see when the mugs are located. 

I would put mugs and sugar out on a tray in the kitchen otherwise.

The Breakfast I usually serve is:

Yogurt, fruit, scrambled eggs, turkey sausages, toasted English muffins assorted jams.

Coffee, juices and tea.

It's important to make your guests feel welcome.

I think by providing the basics and thinking ahead one can relax and enjoy the company with the minimum of fuss.

~ ~ ~

Have I forgotten anything?

Tell me what you like in a guest room?

Have a wonderful weekend.

I am going to play around with my camera and be back soon.

Hostess

XO

Celebrating....OOTD

I've reached my personal weigh loss goal ~ 25 pounds!
Honestly I cannot believe it 'cuz I still feel like a fat woman.
Probably because I have been overweight for soooo many years.

Weight Watchers guidelines suggest that I lose another 4 pounds.
 If I do, I'll get the "golden key" with it a lifetime membership ~ which means that I can weigh in and attend meetings for free if I stay within 2 pounds of that weight.
Sounds like it is worth it so I will track on and continue on this journey.

I lit a candle and made a pot of Earl Grey Tea.

My OOTD

 Johnston Scottish Cashmere sweater, a gift from Mr. HB.

Years ago (and wearing a size 10) the Christmas that he gave this to me.

Echo black and white scarf.

Dark Denim g21 skinny jeans.

Stuart Weitzman shoes...love these old stalwarts.

You might ask what big changes I have made to shed this weight.

Well besides walking everyday I am eating differently...

small amounts of lean protein and way more greens and fruits and veggies.

I celebrated by treating myself to a few non-food items...

I scored a Joules jacket in a smaller size at The Thrift Shop after my WW weigh in.

At Starbucks when I bought some coffee for Mr. HB they gave me a free coffee.

I found a dressy beaded vintage sweater.

Love the attention to detail in these vintage garments.

While I sat and sipped my tea I perused this fabulous cookbook and made notes of all the low calorie recipes.

What's not to love about a fundraising cookbook?

High Society Hostesses sharing their favourite recipes.

Well this Hostess could learn a thing or two from all these clever cooks.

The celebration menu:

Cocktail

(gin and soda with a wedge of lime)

Kale and vegetable salad with Paul Newman's Light Sesame Thai dressing

Rice

 Wasabi Encrusted Halibut

(Whitewater Cooks)

Bon Apetit!

Scotch Orange Marmalade ~a great Hostess Gift

I love to bring a Hostess gift when we are invited to a dinner party or an Open House.
Frequently I opt for flowers or a plant from the florist and a bottle of wine.

This past week I was seeking to satisfy a creative urge that was washing over me...
and decided to make something home made.

Juicy oranges on the counter were the source of my inspiration.

Mr. HB designed the label

(thank you honey!)

  I will have this printed on card stock and punch a hole in one end making my own rustic label.

 Tie it onto the jar with some twine and perhaps attach a vintage silver jam spoon.

Easy Peasy

The recipe made 9 jars of marmalade...

one which I put into the fridge for Mr. HB and the rest ready for the hot water bath!

I seal these properly so they can be stored in a dark cupboard and will stay fresh for several years...

but they usually don't last that long!

Scotch Marmalade

6 large Navel or Seville oranges

10 c. water

10 c. sugar

1c. Lemon juice

1/2 c. Scotch

1 tbsp. butter

Wash and grate the oranges discard any white bitter pith.

Soak overnight in a large pot.

Bring to a boil and simmer 1 hour.

Cool slightly and add sugar and lemon juice, stir well to dissolve.

Bring back to boil.

Check to see if it has reached the gel stage by using "sheeting" test. 

When poured off the side of the spoon there are no longer two drops, they merge in the middle as one blob!

It may take 1 hour or more.

(90 minutes for this batch)

Skim foam off the top.

When the marmalade has finally reached the gel stage 

Stir in butter and scotch.

Then pour into hot clean jars and seal. 

I use a hot water bath and a canner and process for 10 minutes.

Do you have a favourite Hostess gift?

With the Holiday season in the offing I'm looking for ideas...

Thank you for stopping by and for your comments...they really mean a lot.

Hostess

XO