Happy New Year!

As 2013 closes and I reflect on the days, months and events over the course of the year...
inspired by wonderful friends both near and far,
a loving husband, family and precious grand babies.
A cozy home, food in the fridge, and the bounty and beauty of nature.

It is gratitude that keeps me on an even keel.
I find immense comfort living a simple life, finding joy in the small everyday routines.

Perhaps a small celebration is in order...a toast for the things yet unknown.
The good, the not so good and those things that we cannot change and must accept.

I wish you all the best for 2014.

Hostess

The gentle ebb and flow of domesticity...is elevated by tea!

Quiet days are such a respite from the busy work that we all do.
Sometimes I like to just sit in the peace and stillness listening to the ticking of the clocks.
I do my best thinking when I am alone.

On a day like this I like to brew a pot of my favourite tea and serve it in a cup and saucer.

One needn't dress up to use a cup and saucer.

I frequently wear my jeans a white tee and a cashmere cardigan when sipping from a bone china cup.

I have collected quite a few pretty cups and saucers over the years.

Sadly they seem to have fallen out of favour.

On a positive note one can find these in thrift and charity shops for under $10.

Mr. HB gave me my favourite blend for Christmas.

I think this might be my favourite cup and saucer.

I love the gold and turquoise blue together.

The bowl of the cup is shallow and wide and feels very comfortable in ones hand.

Royal Chelsea is the maker.

This dainty pattern by Aynsley is cheerful and when the tea is finished you can see the pretty flowers in the bottom of the cup!

As you can see I am drawn to gold and turquoise patterns.

Royal Chelsea 

Now to decide which cup to use...

Royal Chelsea wins again.

Why don't you join me for a cup of tea?

Do you have a favourite cup and saucer?

What pattern makes your heart swoon?

"Architecture is basically a container of something. 

I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea."

~Yoshio Taniguchi ~

Christmas Past...

Christmas has come and gone for another year.
There is so much anticipation and preparation getting everything ready and whoosh it's over so quickly.

While the LG machines are working hard to clean and dry the clothes I thought I would sit down with a mug of tea and have a catch up. It feels like a long time since I sat at the computer and wrote a post.

Meet Charlie.

It is our Christmas tradition to buy a Charlie Brown tree.

We use all white fairy lights and vintage ornaments and glass garland.

Mr. HB bought some Christmassy drink coasters.

He also bought some for the dining table.

I love these, they are so cheerful.

The Humble Bungalow dining table set for Christmas dinner.

I picked up a few sprigs of holly from a neighbours yard.

They trim their tree and leave it on the boulevard for anyone passing by to help themselves.

They've been doing this for the past 30 years.

I got into the red and green theme with our food.

In the bathroom...

The Objibwa duck decoys were nestled snugly between the vintage bottle brush trees.

A wonderful nautical themed wreath was a gift from our friends.

This will be taken out to our boat after the holidays.

Love the organic effect of the rope.

Mr. HB gave me a new Emma Bridgewater mug and some of my favourite tea from Murchies.

He knows how to keep me happy.

Thank you :-))

Christmas is not about the gifts.

It's about giving...

family and friends,

pure and simple.

Well dear readers my tea break is over and I need to go and iron the linen.

Remember kindness never goes out of style.

Hostess

Humble Bungalow Holiday Greetings

Seems like it's been weeks of baking, shopping and wrapping.
I honestly enjoy wearing my apron and I love mucking about in the kitchen.
There is so much joy in the simple routines.
Washing dishes, preparing meals...ironing the linens.

Waking up early this morning sipping my tea and realizing that it's Christmas Eve.

While I prep the food and set the table in peace and quiet I like to reflect on all the blessings in our lives.
The roof over our heads, the food in the fridge, our family and friends.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say Thank you.
Thank you for all your comments, thank you for reading my words, thank you for all your emails.
Without you I would just be a voice in the dark.

Wishing you good health and happiness.
Merry Christmas.

Hostess

Humble Bungalow Sunday Dressing...

I'm taking a break from my cooking and prepping for the party and sitting down with a mug of restorative tea.
I love to catch up on my favourite blogs and see what is new.

We've dressed up our Humble Bungalow with some new wooden blinds. Our former "old" green roll up blinds were looking shabby and the pulls had fallen off.
Mr. HB and I decided that these blinds would be our Christmas present this year.
Fortunately the installers were able to squeeze us in before they closed for Christmas holidays.

They lend an entirely different ambiance to the family room and kitchen and I love the effect.

I opened a new Diptyque candle to celebrate.

Found some new dishcloths and in the nick of time too as the old ones were in tatters.

They are stiff when dry but soften up when they get wet.

Went to my favourite little flower shop Thorn and Thistle and bought some cheery greens.

Love the shade of these...

cannot remember their name.

Chartreuse loveliness.

I place a jam jar inside this arts and crafts vessel as I was not too sure if it would leak.

We have been plagued by water marks on the quarter sawn oak furniture lately.

I've tried a few recipes for removing rings but they just minimize the damage.

If anyone has a great recipe or product that they can suggest I would really appreciate hearing from you.

Well Time's up and I need to get busy.

We've got friends coming by later today to join us for some Christmas cheer.

On the menu:

 ~Appies ~

Homemade tapenaude

baguette

Antipasto

crackers

assorted cheeses

marinated mushrooms

~Main ~

Glazed Ham 

(Barefoot Contessa Parties)

Cranberry Fruit Conserve 

(Barefoot Contessa Parties)

Spinach Salad

Sweet Potato bake with maple syrup and walnuts

Parsnips and Carrots with thyme and orange sauce

Apple curry couscous salad

Homemade dinner rolls

~ Dessert ~

Nigella's Chocolate Olive Oil Cake

whipped cream

Best wishes for a fabulous week!

Hostess