Monday, August 26, 2019

A beautiful and Bountiful Harvest ~ Recipe included


Mr HB has a greenhouse where he grows tomatoes and cucumbers.


When there is a bountiful harvest
we eat many bunches of small cherry tomatoes fresh as "candy"

I roast a tray of sliced tomatoes seasoned with fresh ground salt and pepper
several chopped garlic cloves
a small sprinkling of red pepper flakes
drizzle with a glug of good quality olive oil 
Roast at 425 until they are soft and squishy.

The Bungalow smells wonderful
very "Italian" in my opinion.


Roasting brings out the intense sweet flavour of the tomatoes.


The pasta and cheese were gifts for Mr. HB 
on his recent birthday...

Pasta
with the roasted tomatoes
topped with a 
 grating of sharp Pecorino.

Served with a bowl of freshly sliced cucumbers 
seasoned with fresh ground pepper
 a little drizzle of olive oil.

Perhaps accompanied by a glass of Italian red wine.

Dinner is ready!

Bon Appetit

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, August 23, 2019

Pretty in Pink ~ rosacea and skincare.


The Pink McCartney Rose


Long time readers will know that I suffer from a skin condition called rosacea...
there is no "cure" one needs to be proactive to manage the condition and deal with the occasional flare ups.

Some of the triggers for Rosacea are stress, sunshine, hot and cold temperatures, wind, red wine, spicy foods, and certain chemicals in skincare products.

One never knows when a bout of rosacea may occur.
I try my best to manage the condition.


I use the Avene line of products for sensitive skin.

My routine:

I wash my skin in the morning 
using Anti redness lotion
warm water
with a very a light touch 
then I gently pat my skin dry.

I apply 3 drops of IS Clinical serum 
followed by Avene Hydrance Intense.

I wait a few minutes to allow the products to be absorbed
before applying Bella Donna mineral powder.
It has an SPF of 50 which I use everyday all year long.
The powder covers most of the redness.

In the evening 
I remove all the powder with a cotton pad soaked in Micellar Water.
Then I wash my face with the Avene lotion, add the 3 drops of serum and apply  Fresh Rose Deep Hydration moisturizer.
( It smells wonderful!)

I occasionally go to a medical based Spa in Oak Bay Derma Spa 
 for laser treatments which target the broken capillaries and redness.
They are super knowledgable and provide many services 
to patients like myself who have skin conditions.
They also sell IS Clinical serums and Bella Donna mineral make up.

I have read a lot about Rocasea and there are many great sites online where you can find out more about the condition.

I hope that you have found this information helpful.

To those of you who have this condition I hope that you have found some ways to cope with the redness and the inevitable flare ups.

I welcome your thoughts and ideas on what works for you...


Jude the Obscure and McCartney roses.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

French luxury items ~ My Stylish French Box

Oh be still my beating heart...
the anticipation and opening of this luxurious box is to be savoured...


I love the satin ribbon tied in a bow
the contents are hidden beneath whisper soft tissue paper


There is a folder with descriptions of the items.
Details about the makers and companies behind the products.


a beautiful leather case for my sunglasses
Paves Sonores
(I need a new one too!)


Look at this beautiful box!
Rose et Marius


inside is an enamel case with a scented pot of fig perfume
refillable too which is very handy


a story from the perfumer


it's a refreshing summery scent
one I will enjoy wearing



Hand made woven lavender wand
La Maison Franc
I plan to pop this in my lingerie drawer


a small chalk board for memos and messages
Un Esprit En Plus


a botanical print from an antique book
suitable for framing


a notebook
Les Editions Du Paon

 extra virgin olive oil spray
Nicolas Alziari

two gorgeous cushion covers from 
Charvet Editions



Thank you to Sharon and her team.
Thes boxes sell out quite quickly and you can see why they are so popular.

You can order the next box which will be delivered in November.
Simply click on the link below


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Snippets from Quarter Deck Cottage

We've been enjoying our summer time stint here at Quarter Deck Cottage.


The first week our son and three grandchildren were here at the cottage so we slept on our boat at the marina...
we had full busy days with swimming, crafts and pool time.


Our grands made fast friends with the neighbour's grandchildren from the cottage across the street. They had oodles of fun together...made some great memories.


After the family left it was very quiet but we manage to keep ourselves entertained with the usual routine...

lazy mornings with our mugs of coffee
gazing out at The Salish Sea watching for sea life and birds


our habit of looking for 5 ferries at once...we call it Ferry Yachtzee!


I finished this fabulous book last night before dinner 
will be starting the next one sometime today!


reading our books


walks along the beaches


beach combing for sea glass




going to the Farmer's Market


swimming in the pool


eating tasty simple meals



Cottage Fruit Crumble 

4-5 cups fruit
I used blueberries and Gravenstein apples
place in a buttered deep ovenproof pie pan

add a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
a sprinkle of cinnamon

Topping 
1 cup flour 
1/2 cup room temperature butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

Cut the butter into the flour
when blended add the brown sugar 
Cover the fruit mixture

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes

Serve with ice cream, whipped cream or yogurt.

Enjoy!


going to bed early
waking soon after the sun rises

a simple routine



We saw 2 humpback whales swimming past the cottage last night!
Big excitement!
We shared the binoculars...saw their water spouts and they were breaching!

This morning the sun is shining and the seas are calm...
we will let the day unfold slowly while we quietly sip our coffee.

I will hit publish before I have my second cup of coffee on the deck...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Enjoy your weekend!


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, August 9, 2019

My love affair....with roses

For many years I have loved and grown roses.
They are such beautiful flowers...
so many wonderful varieties
my favourite roses are those from David Austin.

Many of you who read and follow my Instagram page are inundated with photos of roses during the summer season.
I can't help myself from sharing the amazing blooms.

Growing and tending roses has become an all consuming addiction passion.

Today I am sharing my all time favourite rose Jude the Obscure...
I will let the pictures speak for themselves.


Look at those luscious frilly and frothy petals.


So many blooms!


In bud, bloom and overblown.
The three phases of Jude.


A veritable bouquet growing on the bush.

I can completely "lose myself" in the garden.

 Troubles wash over me when I am in the garden tending to these beauties.

Hand watering is so soothing...
with
 hummingbirds and butterflies 
flying in the mist at the edge of the spray.

Dead heading spent roses is a simple yet rewarding job.

Listening to the birdsong ~ a natural symphony.

 Bees buzz as they collect pollen 
 a steady drone of deep reverberations.

At ease
 the gentle rhythm of repeated movement
a mindful meditation 
 tending to these jobs
when 
working in the garden.

Gardening is a tonic to the soul.

Many gardens are created by people just like me.
We have a vision for natural beauty 
enjoy the respite 
that working in the dirt provides.

Do you have an all consuming passion?

Do you grow roses?

What is your favourite rose?

Until next time...
Thank you for popping by to visit The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~