Martha Stewart is in the house!

Martha Stewart is a household name here...
I think that Martha Stewart Living Magazine and her TV show have influenced home makers and domestic gods and goddesses. She brought home keeping back into focus with her show and her "good things" and recipes gained such popularity. I would sit down every Sunday and soak in her 60 minutes of Martha.

Macys, Kmart and Sears have sold her products.
Her name has been associated with everything from pots to paint.

A new line of cleaning supplies appeared at my local market and I bought one to see how it might perform.

This "green cleaner" worked it's magic on the Bungalow bathroom.

For extra oomph I am using a micro fiber cloth

which seems to make domestics a whole lot easier.

Our cleaning gal has been off for quite a few weeks now

I cannot remember if I mentioned this fact.

She was injured in a car accident 

and is undergoing physiotherapy

she is improving but it is slow going

soft tissue damage

and I think she has whiplash.

I have missed her weekly visits so much.

The Bungalow is admittedly not as tidy

I am trying to keep on top of it!

The bathroom sparkles 

and 

now it is steeped in fragrance

 a lovely soap from my dear friend and artist, Cheryl Fortier 

which is hand made in Auvilar, France

and 

home grown roses.

Last night I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open

what saved me was to soak my feet in aromatherapy salts

while listening to Bruce Springsteen

and 

sliding between the sheets before 10 pm

as I type tonight I yawn....

I have pushed the Miele around the Bungalow

upstairs and downstairs

made dinner

and 

have done 2 loads of laundry

and 

it is only Tuesday...

I think that I am getting very cranky and weary in my old age...

Martha 

how did you ever keep all the balls in the air?

You made it look so easy....

were there out takes?

did you have help?

ZZZ

Whitewater Cooks...shrimp bisque!

Lovely daughter and I spent about an hour in the kitchen cooking the best ever shrimp bisque!
Rave reviews from everyone...
It's great for a lunch or a dinner party.

It's another winner from Whitewater Cooks.
I highly recommend their cookbooks...
if you love cooking and enjoy sharing meals with family and friends you will want to have these on your shelf.

I love what they say about the bisque...
Yes! we want to feel like we are in a Paris Bistro!

serves 6-8 as a starter

we ate it as our main 

served with a crusty baguette

smiles all round!

Prep bowls are great for recipes like this one

The Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry 

is leftover from the Christmas trifle

Saute

I love Le Creuset pots for soups and stews

they conduct such even heat and are oven proof

 (lifting them is a wee bit of weight training)

the clam juice has been added

and the aroma is making me feel giddy

I used my Braun hand blender to puree rather than the food processor

saves a bit of clean up 

be aware that it might splatter so wear your apron and be careful not to splash yourself

Meet

our lovely daughter

she agreed to have her photo taken and to be introduced

 on The Humble Bungalow Blog

Thanks honey!

I hope that you will let me know what you think if you try this amazing bisque.

I am so excited about it!

I can hardly wait to make it again...

it is the best bisque ever

and 

I have sampled many many bisques over 56 years!

David Austin Roses...

Greetings from the Humble Bungalow Garden...
a bouquet of blooms await...
grab your secateurs and follow me!

frilly and fragrant

Abraham Darby

I forget the name of this rose and have lost the tag!

Clusters of flowers cling to this bush all summer long

it is so easy to make a fabulous arrangement 

all you need to do is cut a bunch and sit them in a vase full of cold water

they look spectacular by themselves.

This sweetly scented rose is an old variety

and was an orphan on the garden club's sale table

I scooped it up as there was a bloom in a wee cup advertising it's scent.

It loves the sunshine and is a greedy drinker

I would call this a high maintenance rose.

We all know someone whom we consider to be high maintenance 

don't we?

Citrus scent

peachy petals

do you recognize this one?

It's a David Austen winner

Abraham Darby 

again...

I bought two of these temptresses

one could never be enough

as I snip them 

so they can spread their scent in the main rooms of the Humble Bungalow.

I love Roses

they are children in the garden

I feed and nurture them...

tend to their particular tastes

show them off

take pictures

and brag about them!

One year I won Best Bloom in Show at the local Horticultural Show.

I had my name engraved on the silver rose bowl

and could keep the bowl for the year until the next show

when another bloom was voted more beautiful.

The Bungalow Garden

The first Jude the Obscure rose

Gertrude Jekyll

The Humble Bungalow Front Porch

and meet Molineux

she's the new kid on the block

I'll be finding a suitable spot for her 

I can hardly wait until she puts on a show!

be prepared as I will be showing her off when she performs!

I once had a rose named after me and I

was very flattered. But I was not pleased

to read the description in the catalogue:

no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.

- Quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt

On that note...

I'm signing off

Enjoy the weekend, whatever you do...

I hope that you will take some time to stop, look, and smell the roses.

Pepper's back...

I cannot bring anything home that Pepper does not approve of
she has particular taste
she is so high profile in The Humble Bungalow...
I think we defer to her!

Beware of silly cat posts....
seek only authorized feline opinions.

She is lurking and waiting on the sidelines until she pounces.
It might be an innocent fashion watch that Mother bought on holiday and has had second thoughts on....
Pepper is giving it the taste test.

It could be the Hostess's

 new hat...

to wear onboard the Chris Craft 

or 

for riding in the BMW convertible

Pepper is the Fashion Police

she has put her paw down

she knows what she wants

She is hungry...

(our recent vet visit proved that she is still gaining weight...so much for tough love!)

and

she loves to play

and after...

there is always time for a cat nap

Sweet dreams Pepper!

your job today is done...

And Next...

I have something that I think you might like to chew!

Look at the weave

the yarn is loose

you could really get your claws in and scratch !

Please do not shred this one

 Pepper...

it is my summer shrug

I can wear it belted too....

what do you think?

I'd like to dedicate this post in the memory of Parker

my son and darling DIL's cat

who died this week

Losing a pet is so sad

we love them so much

my heart aches

Lighten up and beat the heat...keep your cool!

Hooray it's sunny!
A fond farewell to wooly layers of cashmere sweaters, socks and scarves!
Welcome to sundresses, tank tops and flip flops!

OOTD

James Perse pants

black V neck top Sympli

Print linen jacket Opus 204 Seattle

silver sandals Bandolino

In summer when the temperature climbs I wilt if I am not dressed in natural fabrics like cotton and linen.
Those fabrics breathe and allow air flow,
I opt for styles that are loose...
I bought some fabulous James Perse linen pants last year in black that are the coolest pants in my wardrobe.
They have a drawstring waist and wider legs...
maybe not the most flattering for my short frame but they keep me cool.
Comfort is imperative...
(I am not a slave to fashion)

Eddie Bauer Linen top

(last year's purchase)

a bit baggy

but a lifesaver when the mercury rises.

Water water water

when I feel a flush

it's water to the rescue.

If I am hydrated I avoid that feeling of "fuzzy brain"

Air conditioned spaces are few and far between here

so we open windows

have cold showers 

and 

sit in the shade!

Salads are on the menu for the season.

Crisp lettuce, fresh herbs and veggies.

a simple homemade dressing

eating light seems right.

Accessorizing has taken on a lighter note

a little arty

a little BOHO

lots of fun!

cooler than a scarf

easy to wear

adds a little something 

 not too serious

 beads like these are easily found

thrift shops here are full of beads and baubles

I like to cruise through import and ethnic themed shops

and survey the wares

cheerful

 pick-me-ups 

await

and summertime is a great time to try something a little different

give yourself permission to take a risk

be a little more of that "artsy cousin"

rather than that sensible "sturdy girl"

to understand these types you must hasten over to Lisa's blog

she is the High Wasp who has a firm grasp on Fashions for the Privileged!

say hello

who knows you might become a follower like me.

I owe a lot to Lisa

hers was the first blog that I followed 

and a few months later I became a blogger myself

Thanks Lisa!