Blues....

Slim Paley has a beautiful blog and she recently published a post on Delft blues...
she entitled it Feeling Very Delftish!

She reminded me of my small collection of Harumi Ota hand painted porcelain pieces.

I use them for serving up salads and vegetables and when they are not full of food they are in plain sight for my amusement and admiration.

I love blue and white china and porcelain.

The makers of fine porcelain have used this colour combination for hundreds of years.

This is the newest piece which I purchased with money that Mother gave me for Christmas.

I am a firm believer that when one is given money for a gift that it should be spent on something 

that one desires rather than something one needs.

Imagine if you will these bowls filled 

with oranges, lemons or limes...

These tomatoes looks so plump and juicy

I love how they look redder by comparison to the cobalt blues and snowy whites.

Turned upside down

the base is commodious

I could stand a large bees wax candle on top and use it in a centre piece!

Think of the honey scent as it slowly burns and illuminates the area.

This older image is one of Pepper as a kitten.

It's cold and icy here 

 the heated floors in the basement are turning out to be my favourite place to walk barefoot!

It would not surprise me if the cats take to napping on them.

I hope that your week is filled with colour and good times.

Hostess

T.G.I.F.!

This week has been long and tedious and I am so looking forward to the weekend.

I am going to indulge in some good old fashioned bread

maybe buy some flowers and go for a massage.

I may even tackle reorganizing my wardrobe.

A stop at the Thrift store might be in order

to donate and to browse and see what might fill the void created by the purge!

Oh and The Golden Globes are on TV on Sunday...

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are the hosts

I love to see the red carpet fashions.

What plans have you got on your agenda?

Take care

Restocking...yawn my life is in the slow lane!

Restocking a few staples.
YAWN! I know, life is not full of drama or excitement it's slowly ebbing.
I actually like it!

Keeping clutter to a minimum means that I do not stock pile much any more.
I used to keep extra supplies on hand but found that the space needed to store them was a complete shamble...
so now I replace only when needed and several of my regular products ran out at the same time.

Microdermabrasion scrub

I've had several spa microdermabrasion facials where they use a machine to polish and refine the skin and I find this is a great option to spending hundreds of dollars and I use it at least once a week...a little goes a long way.
Use it sparingly and do not rub vigorously, the little particles do all the work.
This lasts me about a year and currently retails for $33.00

In winter I cannot be without a lotion after bathing...
do I sound like I am too high maintenance?
( I hope not)
the forced air furnace and the chilly temperature outside can be so drying.
My skin flakes and looks scaly unless I use something emollient and soothing.
This formula is easy to use and the French Almond milk scent is delicate.
An esthetician friend of mine mentioned that one of the trade secrets was to apply on slightly damp skin.
She can be trusted as this keeps my skin moisturized and hydrated.

I've used up all but a wee bit of both of these Revlon Shea Butter Balms.

They are quite soft in the tube and start to wilt and disappoint when one gets to the bottom of the tube.

They are so great on lips as they truly deliver a surge of moisture and the colours stay on far longer than many I have tried in the past.

Red Velvet and Sugar Plum

at just under $10 each when not on sale they are budget friendly options.

some escape reading has found it's way into my hands....

I need an escape and will be transported 

very soon...

I've been wearing my pearls....

Have you been practicing Random Acts of Kindness?

It seems that is very much the theme of the month.

What have you been up to?

Please tell me everything....

Wednesday...a day to celebrate.

It's Wednesday...
and my BFF's birthday.

Happy Birthday Suzanne!

there's a January rose blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden 

it brightened my day and I hope it will do the same for you my dear friend

surprises and unexpected pleasures

are worth sharing

 having shared so many milestones and memories with you

I feel very honored to have you in my life

~ ~ ~

I hope you know just how special you are to me

more than a sister

a lifelong friend 

who is beside me in spirit when distance and time separate us

~ ~ ~

shares thoughts and tastes

picks me up when I am down

takes me along with her 

as she navigates the rocky road that rises up

~ ~ ~ 

laughter

tears

joys

sorrow

grief

euphoria

we've felt them all

together

~ ~ ~

looking back

looking forward

you have always been there

and I hope you always will be.

Love and Hugs

Happy Birthday my friend!

Hostess

H is for Health...

I need to boost my immune system....
it's been a fall full of ills and I am tired of feeling tired.
Tired of hearing myself complain...
tired of listening to myself cough or sneeze
it's not like ME...
at least the ME I used to be.
I want the old ME back!

Health

Happiness

Hope

~

Happy Hostess

Bring on colour
bring on the organic veggies....
it's a 911 call for wellness
ban the sugar
binge on water
meditate
reduce stress
invite joy
slow down
walk more
take notes...

carrots

vitamins

sweet tasting

please tickle my taste buds

I need to boost my immune system

eat my way to wellness and health

spuds and squash

a sprinkling of pepper

a gentle caress of virgin olive oil

a roasting pan

and some heat

give me some time and there's a roasty toasty tasty meal

after these veggies have softened a bit

toss with some feta cheese and balsamic vinegar

grab a fork or spoon and dinner is done...

chew slowly

 savour the flavours

be mindful

think happy thoughts

invite positivity and wellness to be a part of every day...

I'm on a journey to wellness

will you join me?

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."

~ ~ ~ 

Hippocrates 

What do you do to stay healthy?

Monday morning...post 754

We've been under the weather since Christmas with the flu...
coughing and sneezing and here I thought it was the "common cold."
The evening news reported that there has been a flu outbreak here in our fair city.
I have never had a flu shot although many of my colleagues swear by them.
It's a scary thought to think we might be having an epidemic.
I am wondering if Mother will manage to keep it at bay. So far she's been staying close to home and I have been unable to visit her for fear of spreading and sharing my germs.
Mr. HB has not been able to see his Mother since Christmas Day as she is in an extended care facility and the residents are elderly and frail. She is 95!

I've been sleeping in the guest room so Mr. HB and I can cough at our own pace without the fear of waking each other. It's very cozy and warm downstairs and there have been quite a lot of lazy lie in's when I have not surfaced until after 9am. What luxury!

When I sat down to type this blog post I did not think it would be on this topic. My plan was to focus on the cats this morning...

The cats have been up to their usual tricks and are very much enjoying the new laundry area.

Pepper is the elder of the two cats and she has the upper hand

and does not take any nonsense from Chester despite his best efforts

she keeps him in line.

He's laying at her feet

rather subservient

waiting for the opportunity to play

she calls the shots so when she wants to play they play.

If he tries to get her to do something that she doesn't want to do he gets a swift and mighty swat with her paw.

Both cats sleep on our bed at night

on my side!

We discussed installing a rod or rack for hanging delicates

and I spied these iron hooks at a local gift and card shop and thought they'd work.

I don't know about you but I have quite a few items of clothing that I like to hang to dry.

They seem to last longer and there is less pilling of the fabric.

I hand wash all my cashmere sweaters.

If you've been reading for awhile you already know that I use Aveda Shampure Shampoo 

to launder all my cashmere.

Look at the spring shades that I have chosen!

These are two new sweaters that I picked up online when Lands End had a sale

free delivery and 40% off.

I've worn them both and to my mind there is nothing more cozy than cashmere next to one's skin...

there's always silk but I do not find it very warm.

I've been on a mending mission

sewing buttons, repairing seams

hemming pants...

nothing like being house bound to make you realize that there are some jobs needing attention

and what better time to get on with the task as there's not much point making yet another lame excuse!

Procrastination is the name of the game when it comes to plying a needle and thread.

I don't know why I have an aversion to mending but I do.

Ironing used to be another chore that I'd avoid but since the laundry room is so lovely

it's not such an onerous task.

~ ~ ~

Are there domestic jobs that you put off?

Has the flu invaded your home?

Take care and have a great week.

Books and Bricks...

I'm passionate about cooking and naturally great cookbooks help to keep me inspired and challenged in the Humble Bungalow kitchen.
Often I am fortunate enough to receive them as gifts...
this Christmas I was given one of the new Barefoot Contessa cookbooks and have been reading, browsing and planning what I'll cook first. Ina has such a wonderful assortment of basic staple recipes and none of them look too challenging, nor do they require exotic spices or ingredients that might make preparations a bit daunting.

She's really quite pretty

I'd love to be able to watch her cooking shows again

but they are not available on our current channels

and we have many!

Do you read the smitten kitchen blog?

Well Deb has a cookbook!

This is a vast volume with an wide array of interesting and tempting recipes

I cannot decide what I'll make 

but I'm thinking I should invite my son, DIL and Isla to dine with us 

when I do decide as they gave me this gift.

Merci!

I found this cookbook while browsing the aisles at Home Sense.

Williams Sonoma Weeknight Fresh and Fast 

which is often what I need on a busy weeknight after work.

Fresh, healthy and tasty meals that don't take hours to put together.

Williams Sonoma has not set up shop in our town

so 

whenever we go anywhere that has one 

Mr. HB knows he'll be exploring their wares with me

and it's difficult harnessing my desire to buy when surrounded with so many great tools.

This book has been out for quite sometime and I was eyeing it at the local book seller 

but I resisted until it went on sale at a price that I could not resist.

Bunny's writing is easy ~ yet pleasant

the pictures are lovely

and the pages are full of great ideas 

 suggestions on what supplies are necessary for entertaining

and home keeping basics that one might need to have on hand.

I'm in my element reading her thoughts.

One of my prized "possessions" is a Sidney Island brick

mostly prized as there are very few whole ones left plus it was discovered on one of my most memorable dates!

Mr. HB and I found it on the beach at Sidney Spit when we were teenagers.

He used to take me over there in his speed boat and we'd hold hands and walk along the sand barefoot.

I'd hazard a guess that we found it about 45 years ago...

There was a brick factory over there for awhile in the early 1900's.

The Empress Hotel was built with these bricks.

Many broken bricks still litter the high tide mark near the public campsites.

There is a bomb shelter there too which is narrow dark and I used to be brave and run through it until I spied several spider webs blocking the entrance.

It's rather silly being afraid of something like spiders but I will avoid them at any cost.

The Marine park is one of my favourite spots to cruise to 

and spend the day beach combing

then if the winds are light stay the night.

The sunsets are beautiful and in the summertime you can glimpse the highest fireworks at Butchart Gardens.

~ ~ ~

Besides books and bricks...

I've been using the IPAD mini quite a bit and was rather concerned that it did not get scratched or walked on by the cats so I found a simple sleeve which also works as a stand made by Hipstreet.

my manicure is holding up rather well

I dressed it with a top coat of fresh colour and am thinking 

 maybe I could try to emulate Faux Fuchsia 

she has the prettiest nails on the blogosphere

and her blog has a bit of something for everyone...

flowers, friends, food, fashion and family.

Recipes are easy to find online but one never knows how good the recipes are...

I learned this the hard way when I made Boston Baked Beans

that bombed!

Speaking of bricks we had to have our 100 year old chimney rebuilt as the mortar was crumbling

a stainless steel liner was inserted down the chimney to prevent us from getting carbon monoxide poisoning

we have purchased a simple CO2 detector and had no knowledge that this might pose a risk to our health so mention this to heritage home owners just in case you had not heard...

Take care

Hope that your New Year is off to a great start.

If you haven't already heard Downton Abbey starts tomorrow!

Mr. HB and I watched season 3 online thanks to our clever son who showed us how to download it.

Not going to spoil any of the story line...

I'm just saying it's a season not to be missed.

Hostess

A New Year and a fresh start...

I am not given to make New Years resolutions
but do try to visualize the beginning of the year with fresh eyes and optimism.
Anything is possible!

Life will unfold as it will, as it usually does.
One can never predict what might be, where one may go, what challenges we might face.
We can only control how we react...

Embracing and holding close ~ family and friends.
Good friends are gifts and ones worth tending...
family members need unconditional love and support
(must keep in check my tendency to smother!)

Remember to keep my spirits up and to keep moving, however slow or fast.
Feeding my soul as well as my body.

Finding a time for quiet reflection
an outlet for stress
something of beauty to behold
something meaningful to do
and someone to love.

waterfront walks

go a long way to keeping me focused and fit

living in a neighbourhood

belonging to a group

doing something for others

home keeping

gardening

cocooning in a cozy space

finding joy in the everyday routines

~ it's the little things ~

flowers

accents from nature

whimsy

a juxtaposition 

the unexpected that catch my eye

and hold me close like a whisper

~ ~ ~

pushing the envelope

stretching

taking life less seriously

not conforming

reinventing

taking risks

dressing up for the day 

when staying at home doing domestics

and no one sees me but the cats!

indulging in a little luxury

a scented soap

a hot bath

emollient creams

cashmere sweaters and socks

a soft scarf

designer fragrance

exploring a new shop

tickling ones taste buds

(salad dressing never tasted so good!)

~Adopting an attitude of gratitude~

"it's not the grandeur

it's the simple

that keep me grounded"

Hostess

I'm looking ahead to the New Year

with a spring in my step and hope in my heart.

Your thoughts are most welcome

I hope you'll share some of them with me.

~ ~ ~

"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. 

I do not judge the universe."

Dalai Lama 

OOTD New Years Eve...

For those of you who like to see OOTD posts
I apologize because I have been remiss.
Perhaps because my mirror has been out of commission due to construction below decks.
Rather more likely that I have ballooned in girth and am feeling more than a tad bit stodgy!

Personal feelings aside I'll share with you...

Club Monaco earrings

Chanel Rouge Allure 

#517 Triomphal

 OPI 

Peru~B~Ruby

vintage 

eel skin bag

dress by Nygaard

in it's 4th or 5th season of wear

we enjoyed a lovely evening

a martini before dinner

then off to a seafood restaurant for some delicious fare

a glass of Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc from NZ

~ ~ ~

Oysters Rockefeller to start

crab stuffed Sooke trout with potatoes dauphinoise

beets with kale

followed by decaf coffee

Mr.HB had Oysters Rockefeller

followed by a large lobster thermidor 

~ ~ ~

home before midnight

New Years Resolutions are very much on my mind

 organizing the Bungalow linens

walking more

reducing stress

are 

very much on my radar

~ ~ ~

How about you dear reader

have you made any resolutions?

It's going to be a quiet New Years day here in The Humble Bungalow

 Mr.HB and I have come down with colds...

I wonder how long this nail varnish will last...

I rarely paint my nails as my hands take such a beating in the garden and doing dishes.

The Glove can only do so much!

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  

Start with a fresh page.  

Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, 

or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."

~  

~Henry Ward Beecher~