Greener cleaner...and an owl sighting.

I realized how dirty the bedroom carpet was when the morning sun came streaming in through the window.
It's funny how on the subject of home keeping that I can be so complacent and not really notice the dust and grime. I used to be so fastidious when I was younger, not that I am a slob by any means, but let's just say I've been letting the team down just a tad.

I do not own a carpet cleaning machine and I did not want to hire a carpet cleaning company for just one carpet so I did some research and was surprised to learn that it is easy to make an effective carpet cleaner using things that one has in their pantry. Cheaper too than running off to the hardware store to buy some chemical infused cocktail that smells toxic.

A recipe for a "Greener" Carpet Cleaner.

You might already have these items in your cupboard.

Mix into a sprayer over your kitchen sink:

 1 teaspoon dish soap

add 1 tablespoon vinegar

pour in 1 cup warm water

add 1 teaspoon baking soda

expect a bit of a fizz!

Thoroughly vacuum the carpet then liberally spray a section that you can reach working from the farthest corner sideways and backwards until you are done.

and vigorously scrub with sponge.

Rinse the sponge frequently making sure that you are not scrubbing the dirt back into the carpet.

Let dry well before you vacuum.

(I made 3 batches of the cleaner to do a carpet about 9X10)

The carpet after washing ~ before the final vacuum.

It was a great workout for the arms too!

My walking partner and I ventured north to the Rockland area yesterday for our 2 hour jaunt.

It was sunny when we started but we got soaked to the skins on the last half hour.

In the middle of our trek we stopped to admire some holly bushes and perched on a majestic oak tree was this owl.

I love owls.

Seeing one during the day is rare.

This little fellow was very interested in the squirrels and birds flitting about and did not mind us taking photos.

I tried to capture an image of his face but he kept turning around.

(perhaps he was camera shy)

One of the most Joyous moments today was the owl sighting. 

Mr. HB hung the family wreath.

It was made by a friend of his mother and father. 

It is decorated with glass balls and studded with rhinestone brooches.

I know Christmas is not far off when the wreath is in it's place...

it feels so Christmassy!

Hostess

OOTD...simple at home style.

It's a slow mo day here in The Humble Bungalow just me and the cats.
The laundry pile is getting smaller, the silver is getting a polish and the kettle has been on at least 5 times today.

It feels good keeping things simple and sensible and not getting caught up in the rat race.
That's the best thing about retirement ~ time to go at a slower pace ~ my kind of luxury.

I can tell that there are some pretty stressed out folks out and about these days.

Like the fellow that drove right in front of me and took the parking spot that I had been waiting for...and had my turn indicator on signalling that is where I was intending to go as soon as the car in the spot backed out....

Or the elderly gentleman who deliberately budged right in front of me in the line up at the pharmacy to buy his lottery tickets!
I very nearly said something but thought why get all ruffled up over such a trivial thing?
Really people where are your manners?

Have you noticed how many people are rushing around and getting upset?
I have heard some pretty rude customers grumble at the check out clerks in the grocery store.
It's enough to make one cringe.
Mother always said "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all."

It would be so much friendlier if we could all keep our tempers in check and relax.
Are you carving out a bit of restorative time to nourish your spirit and soul?
Something soothing perhaps?

I took an extra few minutes in the shower and exfoliated using this yummy sugar scrub.

I found it at Shoppers Drug Mart for under $10.

It softens and has a lovely scent.

Mother, my sister and I walked the Esplanade in Oak Bay the other evening and this beautiful sunset graced the sky.

Amalfi vintage shoes...soo comfy.

OOTD

(excuse the grainy image as the lighting is really not great by the mirror)

Skinny jeans g21

Amalfi shoes ~ thrifted

Lands' End navy cashmere sweater ~ thrifted

Champion white top

My house "uniform" is basic and simple.

I have no idea how old these shoes are..

they remind me of the purple Ferragamo's I loved and had years ago, the very ones I wore holes in the soles!

I couldn't resist this orchid last weekend at the market.

I don't think of orchids when I think of Christmas, but my cats leave these alone.

 I think the value of cheerful blooms can never be underestimated.

"Simplicity in character, in manners, in style; in all things the supreme excellence is simplicity."

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~

Be kind to others and be gentle with yourself.

Hostess

The Humble Bungalow Porch...dressing it up for the holidays.

Our porch is the first thing that visitors to The Humble Bungalow see.
We like to keep it looking festive depending on the season.

In the summertime it is a riot of colour as there are cheery red geraniums and many flowering plants in pots.
I keep cushions on the wicker chairs when the weather is warm.

At this time of year we have a few potted plants...
and we like to keep the theme organic and natural.

Cones gathered after wind storms in the Ross Bay Cemetery.

Plunked in the vintage tool carrier that last season held fresh herbs.

A succulent from my BFF a gift for our 39th anniversary last July.

My BFF is a generous and thoughtful giver of gifts...

she brought this to our dinner party as she knows that the cats destroy floral bouquets.

I think she called it a lemon cypress.

Boughs of balsam and red Huck twigs, my nod to the holidays.

I may add some holly to give it a red berry punch.

What do you do to decorate your front porch?

This week is a busy one as there are some last minute things to do.

More baking, shopping and some entertaining and being entertained are on the calendar.

Some long walks and cleaning the Humble Bungalow will be interspersed with sipping tea and finishing Tish Jett's new book Forever Chic.

What is on your agenda this week?

OOTD ~ a leaner wardrobe and some holiday sparkle.

Still rebuilding my wardrobe...
It is taking a long time because I am being very discriminating when I buy something new.
It needs to tick all the boxes...fit well, be versatile and classic, and at a price that I can feel comfortable spending.

Our local thrift shops have lots of stock so it takes time to carefully sift through the racks.
Keeping my wardrobe on the leaner size I pass up a lot of clothes that would "do."

In the new year I have an appointment with a consignment shop to sell off the garments that are just too big to wear. I thought I could make them work but they do not flatter me anymore...much too much volume!

OOTD

Ann Taylor top which feels like silk but is obviously a high quality polyester.

Gemstone earrings made by lovely daughter.

They pick up the amber shade in the top.

I like a drop earring for evening.

They catch the light and I feel more feminine.

The basic black Bellissima ponte knit pants were a thrift shop bargain

worn here with my new Calvin Klein kitten heels which are so comfy.

I wore this OOTD when we had some friends over for a casual meal.

The basic garments (the ones I refer to as workhorses) are getting lots of wear.

CPW (cost per wearing) is hovering at about 50 cents for these pants.

Our Humble Bungalow "Closet" has no doors!

The last room on our renovation list is the master bedroom.

It needs a complete makeover.

I have empty hangers in the closet for the first time in many years.

Each garment is hung in its' colour group and has lots of breathing room!

Our wee Humble Bungalow closet has never seemed as large as it does right now.

Living with less, has surprised me so much, I should have done this years ago.

I've discovered that it's never too late to make a change...

I just needed to be in the right frame of mind to commit and embrace it wholeheartedly,

My recent weight loss journey is a prime example.

I needed to be "ready" before embarking on the program.

It only took me 6 years!

The festive season is a good excuse to wear some sparkly jewels.

JCrew necklace a gift from son and lovely daughter in law.

Sherman brooch

Sequins

Club Monaco earrings from last season.

These are fabulous to wear for candle lit dinners!

Thoughts and changes are afoot...

In the New Year I plan to explore the opportunities to get more involved.

With so many agencies needing volunteers in our community I'll have a few options.

The difficulty lies in deciding where to put my time and energy.

If you volunteer in your community how did you decide which job to take on?

Hostess

Meow...

Our cats rule the roost here in The Humble Bungalow!
They sleep wherever they want and are very vociferous when it comes to feeding time.
We have had to modify the plants and flowers that we have in our home as they munch leaves of the plants and deconstruct the floral arrangements that I love so much. Fortunately they leave the orchids alone.

Chester the youngest, is what our grand daughter Isla calls a "Troublemaker."
He gets into everything! Cupboards, drawers, baskets, the washer and dryer when the doors are open.
If there is something mischievous that he can find to do, he does it!

Pepper is much more ladylike and she is less demanding and much better behaved...perhaps because of her age she has matured and has left those kitten habits behind. Pepper chirrups at the moths that flap by the light shining through the windows into the night.
She will bite us when she has had enough attention.
Chester will bite if we have not put out the dry food at the same time as the canned food.
He is greedy about having food on the bowls all day long and I attribute that to the fact that he was malnourished in his first few weeks of life.
He was a California rescue kitten flown up by Victoria Adoptables a local rescue organization and he only weighed 1 3/4 pounds when we got him at 7 weeks old.

Pepper was also a rescue cat but she was a local find from a farmer's field on the Saanich peninsula.
Pepper has the softest fur and she eats lots of food...
where Chester grazes Pepper gobbles!

They bring us much joy here in our Humble Bungalow.

The cats asleep on our bed.

Pepper

Chester

This post is in response to a request from reader Sharon from Toronto.

I'm glad that you asked.

Hostess

Popcorn cookies ~ Smitten Kitchen

The inclement weather kept me inside so I decided to have a browse in my cookbooks and make some cookies for my husband, lovely daughter and her fellow.
My OOTD is the Bon appetit linen apron with skinny jeans, a Merino long sleeved sweater and cozy slippers.
Not really photo worthy!

This book was a gift from my son and daughter in law.

Deb Perlman is very creative and in her small kitchen she produces some pretty amazing recipes.

Can you see the popcorn in that cookie batter?

I was curious about popcorn cookies so I just had to make them.

I tried a small one and they are delicious.

Mr. HB enjoyed them too.

The collection of cookie tins has been a focus for the past few weeks.

 Homemade shortbread, cookies and rum balls make great Hostess gifts.

I thought that I was being quite thrifty sourcing them at second hand stores until I popped into the dollar store 

where I found new ones for the same price and less than I was paying for second hand ones!

What do you make for the festive season?

Do you have any tried and true favourites?

Holiday thoughts...giving.

Have you experienced the stress that can accompany the festive season?
Getting everything ready when working full time can be a challenge.
I learned how to cope with what I could control and let go of the rest...

For the things that can be controlled I say "minimize getting frazzled" by starting early and making lists.
I am a fan of lists...they can be handwritten or entered into "Notes" on your IPhone.

Lists of the people whom you exchange or give gifts to with ideas and a budget amount that is realistic.
Another list of things to do to get ready...the tree, order the turkey, buy the Christmas crackers, etc.
Food items that you might need to buy for homemade Hostess gifts, food and spirits for any events you are planning to host, the annual Christmas feast recipes and ingredients so there is no last minute panic.

I am an advocate of shopping early in small shops.

I also like to make homemade gifts like marmalade, chocolate dipped fruit and shortbread.

I find these are especially nice as Hostess gifts.

My other favourites are beeswax candles wrapped in linen tea towels, scented candles, and exotic teas.

I wrap presents as I bring them home.

The gift wrap is purchased on Boxing Day of the previous year at 50% off.

Tags are often recycled Christmas cards cut into shapes using pinking shears.

Beautiful ribbons are saved and then reused.

If you do not have the time to wrap you might opt for one of the gift wrap kiosks that local charities run at this time of year and for a donation they will do the job for you.

I make a "two dinner meal" so that I cook one night and reheat it the next.

Baking happens a week to 10 days ahead of Christmas.

Lots of pretty tins are lined with doilies and I store the baked goods downstairs in a colder spot.

Weight Watchers website published a cranberry chutney recipe this week and I made two jars for our family feast.

It keeps in the fridge for a month.

Finding balance during this busy festive season is essential for my well being.

I take extra care of my health and pay attention and slow down when I feel that I am too busy.

I drink lots of Perrier to keep hydrated and I go to bed early.

 I take Mother out more often as with the holidays she seems to feel the loss of my father more profoundly.

We go to The Fairmont Empress to look at the decorated trees and wander along The Esplanade in Oak Bay.

We'll grab a nourishing bowl of soup at Pure Vanilla Cafe.

This year she is hosting a wine and cheese!

She has invited all the residents of her condominium to drop in for the afternoon.

She is so excited that the response has been so positive but now she is feeling a little overwhelmed.

I am going to help her prepare and serve the food after all she is 86!

She continues to be an inspiration to me...

I've learned so much from her all these years.

I've got a few things yet to accomplish, the biggest of which will be cleaning The Humble Bungalow.

Our cleaning gal is in The Philippines lending her capable hands to action some much needed "missionary work." 

Knowing her as I do, I am certain she is helping the victims and putting a much needed smile on their faces.

Giving them hope and help.

She has put her jobs on hold and to do so in these busy times is so generous.

A reminder that we all need to be mindful of our fellow man.

Not just at this time of year but all year long.

I know that I need to do more to help those in need.

I'm curious, 

do you volunteer in your community?

Will you share with us how you help.

Shopping with Sheila....

After enjoying a delicious Sunday lunch with the fashion savvy Ephemera blog author Sheila we ventured out for  some serious shopping.
Sheila has a gift when it comes to finding the "needle in the haystack."
She seems to hone in on "the best of the best."

We went into My Sister's Closet a consignment shop, with open minds.
Being open really helps when you are looking at second hand merchandise.
If you have a rigid list you miss some of the goods that might be perfect for your wardrobe.

I am passionate about red shoes...

these Geox suede loafers have never been worn and were half price!

 At $11.50 they HAD to come home with me.

This silver belt had some texture and details that made my heart soar...

a bit of eccentric fun that might elevate my pedestrian denim just a tad.

Hello Peter Nygard!

I spy with my little eye a party skirt.

This will see me through the festive season...

I can cook our Christmas dinner in this (wearing my apron of course!)

Sheila found this gem for me...

merci beaucoup!

am loving the details

My new LBD

so grateful to have found this as it has been several months of looking.

(it's packable)

Brand new with the original tag.

I looks like a dud on the hanger but if fits like a dream and is a winner!

V wrap top and a flattering mid section detail.

I will be wearing this for years to come....

My head is still in a bit of a tizzy and I had SO much fun shopping with Sheila!

She is so much fun to shop with and I am so grateful that we can meet up.

I gave her a big hug as we parted saying that we need to make this a regular event.

Thank you for popping by and sharing my exciting bargain hunt.

Four pieces for under $100 and those great classic workhorses that I will wear for many years to come.

What have you found in the thrift shops lately?

Have you ever found a couture item?

Be well and Be Thrifty!

Hostess

XO