Shopping, new and used...

Black with charcoal flecks lined wool trousers, side zip, dressy, flattering and on sale marked down from $200, for $45 how could I not buy these?

Shop a holic that I have become, I went yesterday with my beloved mother....you should see what she bought! 

Picture this...an 83 year old, with silver bobbed hair, black tailored jacket and skirt (not a suit), pearls and a modest blouse in beige, sensible shoes..flats in black with a bow....ends up with a sumptuous grey wool tweed fitted jacket sporting a flirty peplum flare with a grey and white fur (removeable) collar to frame her face (She looks so fabulous and energetic in this jacket I just had to smile)

She said oh where will I wear this?

My response, the theatre, the symphony, to tea, to the grocery store, to the bank, out to dinner...SOLD!

 That's what she bought, she tried on many garments so many that I was wondering if I was going to have to get a chair and sit down!

I learned from the master.

Skinny leather belt came with the trousers and they popped the hanger in to the bag.

INC new ($69) spring line grey longer top to wear with my new capri length leggings. I really love this on me...covers a multitude of sins but doesn't swamp me.

Debra Kay designed crystal necklace which I have had since my son was married several years ago.

Debra K. does lovely work and this piece has been worn a lot, it goes with everything!

($350  CPW=dollars)

As you can see I am not a skinny gal and so I need to be ever mindful of cut and style...no flappy pockets on the chest...no extra heavy fabrics, simple unadorned garments are best, but not too skimpy either, abhor cling.
Cleavage works, and I work it too! V necks or lower round, not high or turtlenecks because I turn immediately into MRS. DOWDY.

Tribal gently worn (9.99)  off white cotton sweater, shorter length with 3/4 sleeves scalloped edging works as a great layering piece over a tank top (blush pink). Worn here with my new Gap striped wide legged pants and Dolce and Gabbana wide leather grey belt....and I have on my Mee Too red shoes... and my black Elliot Lucca bag...(Hello stranger, I've missed you)

Did some sorting and purging of garments that have been taking up needed space in my small closet...donation bag ready for the charity shop.

Air is good, garments hang without being crushed, sorted into colour groupings, I can dress with ease as I can see everything now.

Have you spring cleaned your closet?

Is it easy for you to purge the garments that you no longer wear or do you hang onto them?

I have two types of friends, the savers and the chuckers...I'm a chucker.

Emma Bridgewater has entered the Humble Bungalow.

Cheerful Emma Bridgewater mugs, a gift from Mr. HB...I have been lauding the fact that Emma and her husband have saved a company and launched a hugely successful business with hard work and passion.

Daffodil inscribed inside the rim, how lovely and cheerful.

What time is it in the Bungalow?

Pure and simple

Tissue, wrap, and ribbon...

I have admired Emma Bridgewater's lovely wares from the UK via my favourite magazine Country Living UK...she has a delightful line of country inspired pottery...you can see her lovelies here.

I opt for the artist more often than the mainstream manufacturer when choosing something new and needed...I feel more of a kinship with the person who created something lovely with a passion than I do with an item that is mass produced in an offshore factory.

I spend more by choosing this route but the cost of enjoyment is more than worth it.

 Go out and find something wonderful made by an artist or craftsman and report back to me!

55 years ago today....a baby was born.

Snow on our street a few years ago.

March 3, 1955

Leslie Anne entered the world.

It was a snowy day and father had to shovel snow before getting the car out of the garage and up the incline that was the driveway to the street.

There really was no need to panic as first babies sometimes take their time. 

Mother, a nurse is excited and panicked as she is experiencing labour pains, and worried that she will not be able to get to the hospital due to the snowfall, and might have to deliver her own baby.

Father who is expert in all things snowy, is confident, packs his shovel in the trunk and has confidence in the snow tires that he put on in the early winter. (He did this every year until he passed away)

Mother has her bag packed and father carries it to the car and then goes back to assist her, no slipping is permitted. It is of note that mother has "dressed" for the occasion! (some things never change!)

They drive slowly through the deserted streets, it is very early and there is not much traffic, there really was not much traffic back in 1955 in the quiet neighbourhood where they resided.

The hospital is run by Catholic nuns, mother trained there and they know her well. She gets extra special treatment, and a private room.

Leslie Anne takes her time in arriving and mother has some pain medication and gets "knocked out." (She tells me that this is what all the mothers did back then.)

When she wakes up a few hours later...

She has a tray brought to her with tea and toast and after a quick bite she freshens up using the hot water in the washing bowl, applies some lipstick, perfume, and arranges her hair. 

The nuns plump her pillows, she sits up in bed and they bring Leslie Anne and place her in her arms.

Father is then allowed in to see Mother and baby...

Father leaves sometime after and goes out to the tobacconist to purchase a box of cigars banded in pink foil declaring "It's a Girl" on them and to the liquor vender for a bottle of Seagrams Crown Royal...which incidentally comes wrapped in a purple felt bag with a gold cord drawstring at the top.

(I use one of these bags for my marble collection when I am older)

He has some celebrating to do before Mother comes home a week later!

The accuracy of this story might be slightly skewed by years of retelling and a foggy memory...but that is pretty much how I entered the world.

I was born tongue tied and did not nurse as vigorously as desired so I  had to have minor surgery to allow my tongue to move more freely. To this day I cannot stick my tongue out far, it only reaches the lower edge of my bottom lip.

I am happy to say that this has not hindered me in carrying on long conversations or licking ice cream cones!

Snow angel across the street, circa 2008.

 Erected in honor of a family member who had died.

This enchanting angel took almost a week to melt.

Hermes, tying one on in a variety of ways, or distracted on a domestics day.

It's a day of domestics here in the Humble Bungalow, yes they do exist, it is not all shopping, partying and playing....sheets need to be laundered and clothes need to be washed.

I am wearing my grey matchy matchy capri's and jacket here to attack the chores and get a bit of a work out at the same time....running around the bungalow in barefeet multi-tasking and getting distracted.

Time out for a late breakfast, cottage cheese and cantalope, and a sidetrip to the blogosphere.

I spy with my little eye....a stack of orange boxes....

Hermes, 

what a lovely distraction!

(One cannot stare at the washer as it turns around and around or one would become dizzy.)

OK playtime...just for a few minutes.

Humour me here!

Hermes a study in black and white, probably my most worn scarf so far...CPW = pennies.

Simple square knot, it doesn't get much easier than this.

I always think of a cowboy scarf when I wear it on the side, giddy up!

 Tuck this under a coat or jacket, a pop of color and pattern that elevate and add interest.

Silky and soft it folds so easily,

it drapes with little effort,

it can be twisted and folded into a variety of shapes and looks.

Tie one on...and dress up your daily round, you'll be glad you did!

My dedication to domestics is not a passionate one, rather a necessary job which I perform only to be able to stand back and admire such accomplishments and move on to more rewarding and exciting activities...flower arranging, thrifting, shopping, gardening, and hostessing.

Are there any Domestic Diva's out there?

Do they dust with devotion?

Dirt bust with delight?

Domestic Diva's Do Have Help ( I do)

My "Leave it to Beaver" pot roast and GOLD for Canada!

My Red Mittens standing on guard for thee...

Our Golden moment on hockey, Crosby shoots he scores!

The Closing ceremonies are a few minutes away and I am prepping my Leave it to Beaver Pot Roast....so tasty, so easy and so retro.

Tested and served for years...a Humble Bungalow staple.

Brown roast in oil in a heavy pot with a tight fitting lid.

 I like Le Creuset.

Mix together: 

1/4 cup wine vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp. soy sauce (I use Braggs), 

2 tbsp. worchestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp. garlic, and 1/2 tsp. dry Colman's mustard

( I omit the salt suggested in the recipe)

Pour over roast and put the lid on.

There is not much liquid but if you have a heavy pan this is all you need.

Simmer 

2 hours

Enjoy the delicious aroma while this cooks.

After 2 hours, remove roast to carving board and cover with foil, let rest 5-10 minutes before carving.

I like to serve this with mashed potatoes and vegetables.  

I use the cooking liquid as a sauce on the potatoes.

I mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch in a small amount of water in a dish and then whisk it into the pan until heated through, serve!

It's pot roast night in the Humble Bungalow...the Hostess is taking it easy and watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies!