Christmas shopping...

I have been shopping...
mostly for friends and family but a trip to the local boutique could not be avoided
and I found a new duo to pair with my black pointe pants.

I passed this by as I thought it too busy

and it didn't have much oomph on the hanger

thankfully

my favourite sales clerk at the local boutique suggested that I just try it on...

and as they say the rest is history.

This sweater is very forgiving

it hangs without clinging

and is elongating

in the front

I will add long strands of creamy pearls and add a black vintage jet strand as an accent.

The jet beads sparkle

black grossgrain ribbon belt

which I tie in the back

underneath the sweater is a jersey knit V-neck top with short sleeves

a light layering basic which has longer sides than the front

I also have my black sequin top from last year which would add some serious sparkle should I need to be dressed up a bit more...

Pepper and I are starting to look alike...

they say people resemble their pets...

I am in good company :)

Behold the new tins...
for shortbread, rum balls and chocolate bark.
Conveniently they nest inside one another when empty
and so storage will not be an issue after Christmas.

they'll look festive on the counter

Hostess Hint...

I wrap gifts as I buy them and bring them home

make note of what I bought and for whom

then keep track of who is left to buy for

pace myself

shop with a purpose

and have fun!

I hope that you are pacing yourself too

and savouring the lights and decorations that accompany the festive season.

Hogweed...

oh these are such fun...

Hogweed

artist designed

In last months issue of Country Living Magazine (UK)

I was enchanted by the Hogweed pottery 

and went online to see more...

and to my delight I discovered that tea towels were available at a gallery in Oxford.

I emailed back and forth with a delightful woman who arranged the purchase and then took these towels home with her to wrap and post.

(the generosity of virtual strangers never ceases to amaze me)

Thank you Liz

I'd like to put out a challenge to you all this weekend

perform one kind and thoughtful deed for someone in need

or someone that would least expect it...

We are donating to the local Food Bank

this weekend...

 Pepper contemplating Hogweed

Baby it's cold outside...BUR BUR BURBERRY

The weather is damp and chilly, winds have been gusty and fierce...
the recent snowfall is but a distant memory...now the thermometer reads 2 degrees and everything is covered in a twinkling icy film.
Bur...Bur...Burberry...
come hither...

My love affair with scarves continues...

Hermes, I have been unfaithful...

my head has been turned

can you see why I have strayed?

behold the magnificance...

soft shades of pink and cream with a smattering of blue...

a scarf of another colour

it wraps twice around my neck 

adding a nice insulating layer of warmth...

(2 years young and still going strong)

It looks so much warmer in Southern California

Adrienne's blog

La Vie Quotidienne

shows a lush green garden image taken this week.

 Deja Pseu's beach view

Une femme d'un certain age

sun, sand and swimming.

and check out

Faux Fuchsia's garden

she lives in Australia

and is gifted in all things glamourous.

Enjoy your weekend

and keep warm...

Tiffany, Pepper and some more seasonal recipes...

Pepper helped me choose a tin this afternoon...
I made a batch of whipped shortbread to take to school,
it's report card time and the staff are running low on energy...
I like to surprise them with treats in the staffroom...

Do you perform random acts of kindness?

This shortbread is about as fast and easy as it gets
You will need a reliable mixer, preferably one with a stand...

cool on a rack

these melt in your mouth

line the tin with wax paper

 carefully place one layer of cooled shortbread 

alternate with another layer of the wax paper

until the tin is almost full

gently transport

to avoid breaking the cookies

remember to take a break and pace yourself

you'll feel much more energetic :)

 Lily Lemontree

recently blogged about a great hostess gift

inexpensive and lovely.

Tiffany crystal votive 

While shopping I came across battery operated votive candles

who knew they made these?

Now I will not be concerned that Pepper might burn herself

The company claims they last for 100 hours 

and replacement batteries are available.

I will be relaxed about leaving this "burning" while I am not in the same room.

I plan to have several of these in various locations throughout the Bungalow to add ambiance.

 A post from last year with my mulled wine recipe 

 easy and inexpensive to make

 great for casual gatherings

neighbourhood caroling

 snow sledding 

or ice skating 

you could serve it to the adults 

while the children sip cocoa.

I have been nominated for the Stylish Blogger award

by Janet Ellis from The Skinny on Mini

rules state that I must mention 8 things about myself 

forward this to 15 new bloggers...

those who read my blog know that I have trouble passing on this task

so I am suggesting that if you read The Humble Bungalow and want to participate

add your link in my comment section and we'll all race over and get to know you better!

8 things about me...

1. My middle name is Anne...

mother when annoyed with me linked the two names together "Leslie-Anne"...

when I heard her call I knew I was in some kind of trouble!

2. The new Hawaii 5-0 is my new current favourite show on TV... James Caan's son has a lead role.

3. I was born tonque tied and had to have it "snipped" so I could suckle more efficiently.

4. My favourite Beatle was and is Paul McCartney

5. I was a member of the Barbie fan club and Junior League.

6. I played the flute in the school band.

7. I once ran away from home with nothing but Teen magazines and some cake mix in my suitcase!

(I got as far as the corner)

in my sleepy neighbourhood everyone knew everyone and the woman of the house called my mother to report my whereabouts and to say I was sitting in tall grass reading Teen and dipping my fingers into the cake mix package...

8. I am not good at laundry...we send Mr. HB's shirts out to be washed and pressed.

I hope that you laughed a bit here...

  I did 

when writing some of these obscure tidbits

so how about it

care to share 8 things?

who's game

?

Mom's Christmas shortbread recipe...

Bungalow baking increases exponentially here at this time of year.
I bake for family, friends, events and to give as gifts.

I set aside a day as a "baking day"
I do not try to do much else or I will invite stress into my life...

I get my "head into the right space" and this is done with relative ease...
The apron is instrumental it is the uniform of choice and as important as having all the ingredients at hand.
You do not want to be "rushing out" to buy something that you have forgotten or are short of...
plan ahead, make a list, check it twice :)

Dress in comfortable clothing that is flour friendly (no silks or taffeta)

Pearls are fine !

cozy cashmere sox

Put some great music on...music that inspires and energizes...
sip a beverage to keep hydrated...for me it's usually a mug of tea,
roll up your sleeves and follow the recipe...
joyfully !

this recipe is such a reliable basic

 an original Scottish recipe from several generations ago

I return to it every year

I do not recommend doubling this recipe

make it as it stands 

you can however make several batches 

the results are rich and buttery

do not overbake

they "set up" on a rack quite nicely as they cool

If you try this let me know what you think

and don't forget to sample the product when finished

a good cook never serves or gives anything that doesn't meet his or her standards!

P.S.

Look what arrived in the post!

I recently read Michael Tonello's Bringing Home the Birkin

and 

I loved it...

 he has kindly sent me this signed bookplate

all the way from Barcelona.

I have it on good authority that he is working to a December deadline for his new book

I'll be sending him a proper Thank You note in the post

Michael if you are reading this...

Thanks so much!