The weekend of an entertaining hostess...

It's been a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow....
I have been wearing my apron again and acting as a Hostess.

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OOTD

boots

skinny jeans

V neck black jersey knit top

regulation black and white striped apron

I cannot cook without wearing an apron as I am a messy cook.

I have ruined many tops in the past before reconciling the fact that I need to have protection from splatters!

a rather blurry image of the table set for our dinner party

Mr. HB's bar set up 

Bowmore single malt scotch for the men

lemon drop martini's for the women

tray of nibbles

olives

Welsh cheddar cheese

eggplant spread

rice crackers

smoked salmon candy

dried apricots

spinach salad

tomatoes

sunflower shoots

slivered almonds

dried cranberries

with

maple syrup balsamic vinaigrette

(Dressing recipe Whitewater Cooks)

Thai coconut chicken

before cooking

recipe from Whitewater Cooks

served with coconut rice

sauteed green beans 

chocolate cake

(recipe from Whitewater Cooks)

served with raspberry coulis 

fresh raspberries

with 

vanilla soy dream ice cream

Our guests were consulted regarding food preferences and allergies

the meal was lactose and gluten free.

Our friends came bearing gifts!

yellow tulips

 paperwhites

single malt scotch for Mr. HB 

wine 

Prosecco for dinner

olives

and this lovely

chartreuse green baker 

to heat up the black olives

if you have never warmed olives 

run don't walk 

pop some in the oven

you are in for a delicious surprise!

Hope that your weekend has offered up some memorable moments.

The weekend is not quite done...

 The Golden Globes are on TV 

as well as Downton Abbey

 so we'll be glued to the tube tonight.

There's a dusting of snow on the ground

 I plan to get outside and enjoy some frosty loveliness

before donning my apron to make a roast beef Sunday Supper...

but first I must get out of my robe and get showered and greet the day.

I spent most of the morning lazing about in bed reading the latest Town and Country

sipping tea!

(and putting together this post!)

Hostess meets Bumble and Bumble for a razor bob

The tresses have been lopped and chopped...
there were a LOT of curly locks on the floor beneath my chair!

Diane worked her magic
she used her recent New York trek to Bumble and Bumble headquarters
and fashioned the Bumble and Bumble razor bob.

the cut has perked up my curls

it's not too short

and I can straighten it with my flat iron of I want a different look

I could also put in some styling gel and let it air dry for a curlier look

I am pleased with the results.

I am feeling rather like I am a high maintenance woman these days

which leads me right into the recent discussion that 

a bunch of us were having

 discussing age related things like eyes and complexions and pedicures

we have decided that it costs more to keep up our appearances as we age.

How does one factor in these costs into pension planning I wonder...

I went to the eye doctor and found out that I need new lenses

I don't know why they are so very expensive

($900 just for the lenses!)

 I opted for some new frames too

they are rather masculine looking

someone referred to them "geek chic"

we'll see

well that's the whole point

(ha ha)

Gosh that sounds silly but I am not hitting the delete key.

I am not a funny person but I do love a good laugh

I rarely "get "jokes

and am hopeless when it comes to telling them.

I plan to do some entertaining this weekend...

try out some new recipes.

What are you planning to do?

White speaks to me...

There is something so lovely about white.
I feel an elegance, charm and purity when I am surrounded by this shade and cannot seem to ever get enough of it in my life.
From those ethereal all white bouquets that I compose
to the shabby chic artifacts that keep popping up and into my bungalow
to that classic white shirt
the milky goodness of tapioca
an orchid
or pearls that make a heart sing a song of joy.

White is an instant mood lifter
a beacon of hope
she's a bride
she's a muse
the perfect antidote for the dark days of winter.

Picture white roses, or tulips, or star gazer lilies
draped in swatches
shades of white...

it could be the dishes

of the vintage persuasion

or a combination of both

as they happily marry together

and join us in service

"The White Issue"

My hairstyle research is complete

thank you for your feedback 

I really appreciate your comments...

the appointment is booked

and I'll show you the results.

While you are waiting 

go over and visit Rebekah at Cupcake Caramel

she looks amazing in her new chic cut.

It totally suits her and I think it looks like the penultimate French Chic Style.

Out and About...OOTD

Today the sun shone and I felt a lightness in my step.
The ground was still wet and muddy from all the precipitation but that seemed like a minor inconvenience when there was such a clear blue sky overhead. The weather was perfect for a stroll around the neighbourhood.

Walking feels very like a form of meditation
my thoughts flow and I let them percolate at their own rate
they bubble up and ebb
I see things in nature that give me cause to pause
details that are visible only because I am not rushing
I am open to what might cross my path
and I pay particular attention to what I see
looking clearly at what is before me
what is now
what is here
in this very moment in time
which will be changed a few minutes from now

it might be something as subtle as they way the light falls
or the breeze as it has rearranged the clouds
or leaves as they swirl about

walking gives me perspective
often gives me inspiration
it brings me solutions to problems
and answers to questions

I read an article recently that said 30 minutes of walking a day was a prescription for wellness...
I'd have to agree.

I looked up and studied the trees
their form
the branches
glorious in their beauty.

  a few blocks from The Humble Bungalow

Garry Oaks in a meadow

towering overhead

rocky outcroppings

carpeted with moss

OOTD

Charcoal tights ~ Secret

tan tunic top ~ Alfred Sung

boots ~ Hush Puppies

down puffer coat ~ Land's End

grey cashmere scarf ~ Club Monaco

Hostess hiding/lurking in the shadows...

I met my "besties" for coffee at the local coffee shop

we celebrated because BFF has had a birthday!

Happy Happy BFF!

gifts

 cards 

girly time

grand baby pictures

book talk

kid talk

sibling talk

mom talk

talk talk talk

there is not often a lull....

did I mention that I am getting my hair cut?

My girlfriends all look so amazing and young

and I am feeling rather old and somewhat tatty

I think it is because of my current hairstyle 

too long and lanky

no bounce

it needs a major tweak...

I would love to try something chic and French...

any thoughts?

What will I do...

any thoughts before I get snipped?

Here's a snippet of snaps...

I have a few ideas and fear not I am the boss of my own hair!

Just thought I 'd get some feedback by posing the question.

Mall therapy...

After spending a few days in bed staring at the same four walls and reading books I decided an outing was in order.
Gosh it feels good to be back in action!

I went to the mall and checked out the post Christmas sales. It was really busy so I am guessing that there were a lot of other shoppers who had the same idea.

I tried on dozens of jeans until I found just the right fit.
I got some cheap skinny denim jeans to wear with boots.
I really like a bargain and I am not a brand snob
these are by Jules and James.

Pepper

a.k.a. "the fashion police"

 is on the job!

Paws down she gave them her approval.

I love a crisp white shirt with jeans

and I'll roll up the cuffs when I wear ballet flats.

Pearls and sterling bangles and I am good to go...

Hermes scarf casual with a simple loop

or tied tight at the neck

the tips asymmetrically hanging loose.

I found some new boots to wear with the skinny jeans!

"Gelding"

by

Hush Puppies

who knew the Hush Puppies Company was still around?

Not me

I was really surprised.

They are super comfy and they are not too tall for my short legs

and they are supple leather...

can you say "giddy up?"

I found this timepiece at a consignment shop

it's sparkly crystals and blue leather strap

won me over

 I am happily checking out the time

and often!

Downton Abbey is back!

I will be recording the new season

watching and re-watching.

Julian Fellowes is such a clever writer

and the cast is far and away one of the best

the sets and the costumes are enchanting

I have read his books

"Snobs" and "Past Imperfect"

I highly recommend them if you are looking for a good read 

they are about the upper crust British Society

filled with tidbits and insights into how the upper class lives...

Please let me know what you think.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

From France, gifts that I will cherish...

Our dear friends John and Cheryl have been in France for a few months and they have returned home.
(Cheryl is the hostess for the VCCA in Auvillar, France)
We were able to spend New Years Eve and New Years Day together.

Usually we have them stay here but the guest room is currently out of commission due to dust and mayhem with the renovations on the lower level so they stayed in a nearby hotel.

Cheryl who is a talented artist, has a keen eye for colour and a heart of gold.
 (her paintings from France are here.)

They never come empty handed...
John and Mr. HB enjoy their scotch and red wines
Cheryl and I prefer bubbly and chocolates.

John is a talented photographer and we were delighted to view some of the images that he took of their life and travels abroad. I think that he would do well to publish these in a book format, they are some of the most beautiful and evocative images I have seen anywhere.

Look at what they brought us.

The colours in this tea towel are so cheerful

It goes so well with the chartreuse Le Creuset 

Osso Bucco is simmering within

recipe here.

Cheryl saw the horse drawn wagon pull into Auvillar 

and set up shop 

she hastened to see what was being sold.

The locals were mumbling and shaking their heads

the "gypsies" have arrived!

Look what they were selling...

the family grows and harvests lavender

and presses it into oil

then travel village to village in a horse drawn caravan

setting up on market days and selling their wares

I hope you can read all these wonderful tips on what the oil can be used for...

I like to sprinkle some on my pillow for a sleep aid

it is so conducive to slumber

if I wake in the night I breathe deeply and am lulled back to sleep.

Sleep is so precious

and I need at least 8 hours or I am force to be reckoned with!

a hand bound note book

they picked this up on one of their trips to Rome

I've yet to put pen to paper

I am considering using this for a gratitude journal.

It's so beautiful

that it should be kept for special thoughts...

I am certainly blessed with wonderful friends

thank you John and Cheryl.

Hugs to you both in love and gratitude.

Hostess

XO

I'd like to welcome new followers of The Humble Bungalow blog

It's wonderful knowing that I have an audience and that I am not here alone!

Please feel free to leave me comments.

The view from here...OOTD, music and more

I have been temporarily sidelined...

My bed has been unmade for several days

as I have spent the better part of the past week hunkered down.

Pepper has been my companion and she seems to like napping with me.

I cannot decide if I have a bug or am over tired or have something else unknown going on...

I've made an appointment with my doctor just to be on the safe side

but he's a busy GP so I will not see him for another few days.

Many of my co workers have been sick too 

so I know something is worming it's way through the ranks.

I make a very bad patient on all fronts.

I get frustrated laying about

and feel so unproductive.

I'd never be the kind of woman who likes to eat bon bon's in bed!

I have finished The Distant Hours and it was a great read.

I read her other book The House at Riverton

and I also have The Forgotten Garden on my book stack waiting.

I did get myself up and dressed to attend the memorial service for my BFF's husband's father.

I found it challenging trying to decide on my OOTD

with a foggy brain...

Black ponte knit skirt, Joe

nightshade hose, Secret

black leather boots, Naturalizer

grey V neck jersey top, Talbots

grey vest, Orange

a light spritz of eau de toilette

The service was held at the Yacht Club

and many familiar boaters were in attendance.

It felt good to connect with all the family 

and to take a few moments to look at the board of photos taken throughout the years

and see his deck chair, burgee and boaters cap on display.

Driving home I felt a melancholy rise up in my chest...

Michael Buble's Crazy Love CD was playing in the car and I cranked it up on Whatever it Takes My Love

and had a good weep.

Music moves me

it always has and continues to do so...

I hope you'll take a few minutes and have a listen 

to Michael and Ron Sexsmith 

as they weave their melodic magic on this early Saturday morning...

What are your weekend plans?

I'll bet they are much more exciting than mine!

I plan to sink my teeth into a new novel

and keep hydrated 

while keeping warm in bed.

You'll find me wearing LuLulemon Yoga pants in grey

and an oversized grey sweatshirt (eons old) by Tommy Bahamas

warm cashmere socks

my hair will be piled atop my head 

and crudely fastened with a black plastic claw clip

no make up, 

but plenty of Avene deep conditioning moisturizer

and a swash of Burt's Bee's lip gloss in pink

It's me at my least glamourous...

but it's the real me.

Your Humble Hostess

reporting from the Bungalow Bed.

Detox and a fresh start....

New Years brings with it a fresh start,
a clean slate and anything feels possible.

Holiday chocolates, cheeses and cocktails are over for awhile...

I embrace change at this time of year when a healthy optimism prevails.
It seems like a good time to get serious about ridding one of those bad habits...
a detox is one of the first things I like to do at this time.

I am going green

with Green Apple Greens+

1 1/2 cups water and a scoop of this powder

shake and sip

a healthy detox in a jar

what could be easier?

I am eating lighter 

making and sipping Miso soup

 drinking lots of water 

 a wedge of fresh lemon squeezed into each glass

and I am resting up

going to bed early with my latest novel

"The Distant Hours"

by Kate Morton

Enzymes

for the face

a gentle pick-me-up in a jar

dishes get cleaned the green way too

I am wishing now that my yellow gloves were green.

Hand cream goes on before the gloves

for a mini spa treatment

who says domestics can't be fun?

I picked this magazine up at the market

it looks like I am not the only one thinking about detoxing and refreshing one's life.

Perusing the pages I noticed that there are great ideas for getting healthy by employing common sense ideas...

eating better

exercising

 reducing stress

relaxing

kicking the caffeine habit

going to bed early enough to get a full 8 hours of sleep

spending quality time with people that you love and admire

those you hold dear, those who inspire

letting go of guilt

all great thoughts

I have a few things on my to do list...

make an appointment with my optometrist and have my eyes examined

book a hair appointment for some layers to slightly alter my current style

get my teeth cleaned

schedule a time for a massage

buy some new foundation garments

(translation = lacy lingerie!)

and

go through my junk drawer and toss what's not necessary and tidy up the mess

add all the birthdays that I need to remember and put them in my daybook

toss out and recycle anything in my wardrobe that makes me feel fat or frumpy

polish shoes 

and give handbags a wax and a polish

tend to any garments with loose buttons 

wash wool sweaters

take the non washables to the cleaners

Phew!

 and I make sure to schedule in some "down time"

I do love to cross off these tasks after I complete them

and there is a satisfaction watching the list shrinking as the days go by...

What's on your do list?

Remembering a fellow boater, the OOTD New Years style...

My BFF's husband's father passed away on Christmas Eve...
a massive heart attack....
this event was so unexpected
as he was, by all appearances, a hale and hearty fellow.

We knew him well as we spent many happy summers cruising in our boats and we joined in on many family gatherings.
(we are "adopted family, non related hanger-on-ers" )

Despite their recent loss, our friends decided to host New Years Eve dinner at their home.
My BFF set a lovely table, and I realize now that I forgot to take a photo...
It also happens to be the eve of my BFF's husband's birthday so we rarely miss spending time with them and were grateful that they wanted to be with us.

There were 6 of us who came together to contribute food and bubbly and who sat down to feast on Caesar salad, fresh Dungeness crab and a delicious chocolate torte.
Our Vancouver friends John and Cheryl, who have just returned from Auvilar France joined in the fun.
Spending the evening with friends sharing an intimate meal felt perfect to me.

a little bit of sparkle 

sequin top

diamond studs

and faux CZ drops

leather shoes with a bow on the side...

black ponte knit pants

casual and comfy

in the standard black palette...

Thoughts of life and death

and family and friends are popping up today

as I go through the motions of domestic chores.

Rather than shrug them off I let them flow...

I am feeling emotional, rather close to tears

as I clean the fridge and check the best before dates on the condiments.

The washing machine is whirring loudly

the dryer hums...

I have run vinegar through the coffee maker

wiped the kitchen counters

and here I sit typing

listening to these familiar sounds as they echo through the bungalow walls

outside there is birdsong

the skies are grey

clouds reign 

I am still...

in quiet contemplation

pondering and

remembering a life

well lived...

Flowers...

pretty pure white blooms.

Words, however kind, 

can't mend your heartache: 

but those who care and 

share your loss wish you

comfort and peace of mind. 

May you find strength

in the love of family

and in the warm embrace

of friends.

in 

 Deepest Sympathy

I dedicate this post to my BFF and her family.

Hugs from the Hostess

XO

I was recognized and identified....

Minding my own business
as I stood at the counter of the local shop,
consigning the lime green Franciscan ware set of dishes that I was so tired and bored with....

I was approached by a smiling woman whose face I did not recognize...
she introduced herself
when I heard her name I knew immediately that she was none other than the author of the blog Pondside!

I was busy at the counter so she continued shopping while the clerk finished up the paperwork.
She paid for her merchandise; a lamp and a cheery pillow for her sunny bedroom...
we decided that coffee was in order.

A short drive later, we found ourselves perched upon high stools seated across from each other
sipping steaming lattes.

Pondside has a very interesting job,
she comes from a creative and talented family who are very much in the public eye.

We both have long time marriages, are family oriented, are happy grand mothers,
we both love to read, and are keen walkers.
The topic of conversation ran all over the map...and an hour passed swiftly.

She is lovely...

a genuinely warm and gracious woman.

 She spent her morning walking with her friend along the blustery ocean seafront

and had already enjoyed a coffee with her friend

so I felt honored that she take the time to sit and share a cuppa with me.

Humble Hostess

 not looking my best..

but I am my own worst critic

if you follow me you'll know that I am much more comfortable behind the lens...

We both love to blog

   a "secret hobby" 

only a few of our friends and family know about.

We'll probably bump into each other again sometime soon

and we will be on a first name basis.

We do like walking the same route so it is just a matter of time before our paths cross again.

Thank you Pondside

until we meet again....