Domestic helpers and Rosacea Salve

We recently broke a very large Reidel wine goblet,
it snapped with very little force and I was concerned that Mr. HB had sliced his hand.
He was fine but the goblet was a goner.

I have a thing about thick walled wine glasses.
I really truly hate them!
I've tried to like them but I cannot abide the width when sipping from them.
We have owned some for years and I have finally donated those that have been taking up space in the cupboard.
I feel so much better now because they annoyed me every time I opened the door.
De-cluttering is so wonderful...

We have some thin crystal glasses which feel great in the hand and are very light to hold.
They are very fragile and so I hand wash them very carefully.

I use foamy cleaners that we bought from Williams Sonoma in Vancouver.

Use lots of soap and hot water

gently wipe

place on a tea towel and let air dry. 

Luigi Bormioli 

makes titanium reinforced stemware which is much more durable

and they are whisper thin.

These gloves have a ridges which grip so the glasses do not slip out of my hot soapy hands.

Our farmhouse porcelain sink is not very glass friendly

many a chip has happened by accident

and I do not use any chipped china or glassware.

It repels me.

Chips in crystal and china are to me 

what Faux Fuchsia feels about chipped nail polish.

The weather has turned very cold, there was ice in the birdbath this morning.

The grass is frozen and the front stairs were treacherous.

I hung on tight to the handrail on the way down.

The skies are a beautiful clear blue and the trees silhouetted against that backdrop look amazing.

Outdoor lights twinkling in the icy and frosty nightlight

in the Humble Bungalow front yard.

I am so happy that I purchased the down puffer coat this fall

I am toasty and warm on my walks.

My face is the coldest part of me when I walk.

I have rosacea

and cold air exacerbates the skin condition.

It is troublesome,

 as the skin becomes quite pink and stays that way.

Products that have alcohol or with hazel are to be avoided as they irritate and inflame the skin.

Gentle natural ingredients are the way to go.

I spoke with the esthetician at the local Pharmasave 

who coincidentally suffers from Rosacea.

She has taken many workshops and has spoken to the skin care representatives about their products

 with the hope of finding a line that helps her skin look it's best.

She suggested that I try the Sea Buckthorn Salve 

 it was 1/3 rd. the price of any other product for Rosacea on the shelf.

I am testing it out and will be returning to report back to her in a few weeks.

It is rich in natural oils

goes on smoothly

imparts a glow

and has no scent to speak of...

Rebekah over at Cupcake Caramel

is having a similar problem.

I wonder if this salve would help settle her skin...

I think I'll let her know about this product

maybe it'll help her rash.

Hope that your week is off to a good start.

Harrods soap, an eggnog loaf, and roast beef Sunday dinner.

When I think of Harrods I think of quality.
My English friends who have lived and shopped in London feel that it is up there with the best merchants.
I am disappointed in their soap...
is it the soap or is it the way that I am using it?

Calling all experts...

here's the soap

looks nice 

smells lovely

all wrapped up in a pretty package 

and now look...

personally I think this is hideous looking soap and I am going to chuck it in the garbage

it sits in an english china soap dish with raised ridges to give it a chance to dry between uses

Is it the soap or is it the dish?

What is the problem here?

Please let me know if you have the answer as this is really bugging me.

There are very few pet peeves of mine but this is up there with rudeness 

and those annoying sticky price stickers that will not come off of glasses and other things that one buys.

I dislike wasting food and those items that don't get used up before their expiration dates.

Which brings me to the eggnog that is about to get tossed...

Did you know that you could use eggnog for something other than sipping?
I have sampled French Toast made with eggnog and it's delicious.
So in the spirit of thrift. waste not want not...

I went online and found an eggnog loaf recipe which I made this afternoon...

It went together very quickly and baked in the oven for 50 minutes.

I will wrap these up and store them in the freezer

later when I am busy 

I'll have something tasty to share with friends and family.

 The Humble Bungalow is a busy place these days.

More workers on the scene, dust seeping upstairs.

More next week and the reno is coming along nicely.

I'll be taking photos one day soon.

Exciting times!

I am cooking a roast beef and yorkshire pudding with veggies tonight.

Mr. HB's sister and Mother will joining us for dinner.

SIL lives near the Alberta border and is in town for a reunion.

Must get busy and get cooking...

I'll be wearing an apron so there will be no OOTD images today!

Have a great day.

Lights and natural touches...

Lighting up the Bungalow...
Mr. HB has been busy stringing the white Christmas lights.

He has been up on ladders to add some twinkle and sparkles to The Humble Bungalow.
I like the dark wood details much more at night when it takes on a warm glow.

Daytime it can be dark inside and I find myself turning on lots of lights.

Living room

(I did not use the flash as it looks far too harsh)

view from the kitchen butler's pantry door 

looking east into the dining room

mantle above the fireplace

sporting the resident 

Ojibwa tamarack duck decoys

Mom and babe...

Salal

a native plant,

simple and natural 

in a mercury green glass vase

a gift last year from a friend

The Paper Whites are growing taller

I hope they bloom for Christmas!

Dining room plate rail lit with white

 subtle and just enough to add warmth to the dark fir.

Simmering on the stove is a tomato sauce 

made with whole tomatoes,onions, garlic, basil and red pepper flakes

a healthy glug of Worchestershire sauce

salt and pepper...

I'll boil up some pasta and dinner is done.

Quick and easy are the meals these days as there are lots of things to do to get ready for the holidays.

Most of the gift shopping has been done.

There will be some more baking as I give homemade goodies away.

My uncle, who lives alone always gets an assortment of treats.

I take some to work and share them with the staff.

Then there is the fellow who hauls away our garden refuse to the compost centre

 and various others who provide us with service over the course of the year that I try to remember at Christmas.

The Food Drive is in full swing at school and the truck will be overflowing with food for the needy.

The sock drive is at 500 pairs with our goal for 1,000.

Street people need to keep their feet warm and dry.

The Hampers are getting filled with toys for the families at the school who are experiencing hard times.

With generous hearts 

this spirit of giving could happen all the time.

I'm thinking of dedicated tireless volunteers

 whose helping hands and hearts of gold

make such an enormous contribution to our communities everywhere.

I am in awe of you all!

There's lots to do this weekend and I may not get to it all...

what's on your agenda for the weekend?

Have some fun!

OOTD and Gingerbread in the afternoon...

It's tea time in The Humble Bungalow.
Mother and my sister popped by for a visit...
I put the silver service into action and took out some pretty china teacups.

 I made gingerbread for tea this afternoon.

I made the recipe in a pie plate so that I could serve small wedges of this delicious treat.

You can serve this with a dollop of whipped cream or a good Greek yogurt if you so desire.

Gingerbread Squares

1/2 c. unsalted butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 large egg
1/4 c.molasses
1 1/2 tbsp. coffee
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 c. golden raisins
1/2 c. dried apricots chopped
1/4 c. chopped candied ginger
2 tbsp. icing sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Butter an 9X9 pan. (or 9 inch diameter pie plate)
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Beat in egg, molasses and coffee until well blended.

Mix or sift dry ingredients together, then stir in wet batter. Mix in fruit. It will be sticky. Press into pan.

Bake 20 -30 minutes until the top starts to crackle.
Sprinkle with icing sugar and slice when cool.

I got some great prep bowls last year from Santa......

they are so handy when you are baking up a storm in the kitchen.
They seem to reduce the mess on the counter and leave little room for forgetting to add all the ingredients.

measuring is easy peasy.....

At tea today we caught up on all the things that my sister was doing in Rancho Mirage,
it is a tony neighbour to Palm Springs.
She shopped El Paseo, rode horses in the desert, walked her dog and swam...
all while her significant other played golf.

They have a townhouse in a gated community and have bought several acres outside of town with thoughts of building a great southern retreat.
I think that they have what it takes to make the classic Canadian Snowbirds.

Meanwhile I have had a house full of electricians and the lower level is in controlled chaos!
Things are progressing at a healthy pace and the reno is in full swing.
The downstairs is not Pepper friendly so we have been keeping her upstairs and safe while the work crews are here.

I am slightly under the weather with lower back pain....
not to complain too bitterly but it is not my favourite way to live.

I have no idea what I have done either, I woke up this way.

I am calling out for the big guns in pain relief
Epsom salts, Voltaren
and ALEVE!

To give me a boost of energy I am colour blocking.
I am wearing a red tunic top with my charcoal wooly tights and my boots.

Style and Co. red tunic

which is above my knees

by about 3 inches!

I might be pushing the best before age limit here with this top...

what say the fashion police?

Hermes scarf and lovely DIL

Hermes update;

Last weeks post on how and what to do with one of my lesser worn Hermes scarves caused quite a stir.
So after comments and consideration
a quick email
and the Hermes scarf has a new owner...

Natalie,
daughter in law,
a fabulous fashion blogger
(I Heart This Blog.com)

Go here to see her wearing it.
I think she looks amazing...

I am happy that things turned out this way...

The Humble Bungalow Blog is nothing that exciting without followers.
Please know how much your comments mean to me...
when you take a moment to leave a comment
know that I read each and every one and that they mean a lot to me.

Two years of blogging and I'm still tapping on the keyboard.
Things have changed a bit over these past two years.
I have noticed that some bloggers have given up, others have changed their focus, some have stopped posting as often, others have huge numbers of followers and have gone on to commercialize their space.

It is difficult to know what direction a blog should take after rambling on for so long and after so many diverse posts. I am wondering if there should be a renovation....

While I muddle and wade through these thoughts I hope you'll tag along with me on this journey.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Muddy boots...

I have muddy boots!
They are not the luxe leather variety that are fashionable, they are utilitarian boots that are made for grime and puddles.

If you have been following along here for awhile

you might remember when I purchased these...

I had been lusting after Hunter boots

 and tried some on 

only to discover that my legs were too short 

and that the top of the boot went well above my knees.

These boots are perfect for me but I do love how the Hunter boots look.

You'd be surprised to see how many of our students at school are wearing them.

There's an adorable young fellow who wears a kilt with his!

Cozy with wooly liners and great for the muddy playground.

Our local "village street" has a new shop which sells rain gear for women and children.

In the Pacific Northwest rain is a given.

So you must be prepared and suitably attired.

Curious about this shop I popped in and checked out their stock...

very chic, stylish, and very pricey

oh and

welcoming staff who were eager to assist.

If Miss Isla were a size 4, I could buy her a pair for $55.

Were she to want some, they come in many cheery colours

I particularly like red and yellow.

I can see her splashing about in puddles

her feet dry and warm...

what a picture of loveliness!

Our children wore Mothercare boots in cheery red

with their "muddy buddy" zip up gear.

Rain did not keep us indoors.

I am a proponent of seeking fresh air in all kinds of weather.

I used to put my children outside in the garden to nap in the pram when they were babies.

Mothercare was available here by catalog only and it was my "go to shop" when they were young.

(Before they decided what styles they would insist on wearing!)

Osh Gosh B'Gosh 

from Wisconsin was another place that I ordered regularly from...

denim overalls and pink jeans

worn with white tees underneath

gosh they were cute

and they never wore out

I passed them on to several friends and they may still be in service

 who knows!

My Mother and Gran, my husband's mother

saw to it that they were dressed up in fancy clothes

smocked dresses with white tights and leather Mary Janes

navy jackets grey flannels shirts and bow ties...

Social outings with the family required more than casual attire

but I digress...

Simple boots

by Sperry

the company that has been making deck shoes for boaters for years...

Mr. HB checking his email

 aft deck

summertime.

(I have lost count of how many Sperry shoes he has owned over the last 30 years)

if Sperry can help us keep our feet firmly planted on the mahogany decks 

they can certainly be trusted to keep our feet dry in the rain.

Now I think I'll go outside and splash in a puddle....

Hermes Giveaway or a contest you decide!

Well the time has come to part with one of my lesser worn Hermes scarves.
I am DE-CLUTTERING in a big way!

I checked in with Mr. HB and I mentioned that I might try to sell it here on the Humble Bungalow Blog
and he thought not...
too tacky and so not in the style of The Humble Bungalow Hostess.

I agree I am not really commercially minded.
I know
it's sad.

My question is how should I pass on the scarf?
Retailing in at just a tad under $400
should I give it away?

Would a writing contest be worthy of a scarf?

Are any of you bloggers willing to help judge a Hermes scarf writing contest with me?
I cannot do this alone!
I think that the subject could be "where and how you would wear this scarf!"
Embellish and be colourful...

I would love for someone who would appreciate it to own it.
The scarf in question is VERY EQUESTRIAN...look here.

Please let me know what you think...writing contest or giveaway?

Let's get this going soon so that someone might have a new scarf under their Christmas tree!

Please vote for a giveaway or a writing contest and do so asap!
Time is ticking away....

Sequins and the memories they evoke...

I am joining Adrienne today from The Rich Life on a Budget and Jill at Everything Just So on the topic of sequins...

My wardrobe would not be complete without some sequin studded garment.
Sequins were something that I grew up appreciating.

Mother in her hey day had a few sequined garments. I remember sitting on her bed watching her at her vanity getting ready to go out with Father. She would be sipping a martini and  smoking a cigarette.
She took great care with her hair and makeup and she would dab Shalimar on her pulse points.

Mother and Father had quite a busy social life when I was growing up. My Father was involved in the ELKS Club, a fraternal order of gentlemen who raised money for local causes. He wore a purple Fez and held office while doing many good deeds for the under privileged.
Father was either in the May Day parade riding in a convertible with Mother beside him or at the start co-ordinating behind the scenes. Our parade is one of the largest in BC and many bands from the US would venture north to join in and get practice and exposure.

There were numerous dances and galas which required fancy dress and often Father would wear his tux.
Mother had a large wardrobe just for these occasions and would often whip up a dress the week of a big event.

She would clear off the kitchen table and set up her sewing machine and stitch well into the night.
On those weeks we'd be fed quick and easy meals, often grilled cheese sandwiches and Campbell's soup!

One of my favourite outfits was Mother's black velvet skirt and silver sequined top. The top was pure magic, at least that's what I thought when she put it on. Father would zip up the back zip in one deft move. He'd also fasten the clasp on her Sherman sparkly rhinestone necklace...she'd clip on the long dangly earrings.
She'd pop her lipstick and cigarettes into her clutch and snap it closed.
She was ready for their evening out...

I thought Mother had the best taste in fashion.
Through the eyes of a pre teen, she was much better dressed than my Barbie or Midge.
I must add that Mother made many of their clothes out of the velvets and silks that she herself would be wearing.

Mother elevated getting ready to a fine art.

She'd bathe in bubbles scented with Yardley's Lavender for at least an hour...and we had one bathroom back in those days. She'd announce her intentions so if we needed to use the facilities do it before she finished drawing her bath!
Her hair would be in curlers under the commodious bonnet of the portable hair dryer which was attached to a 12 foot cord that allowed her a range of movement. It was kept in a round case which had an image of the Eiffel Tower on it, I think it might have been made by Sunbeam. Check this out!

Often she'd apply her make up sitting in her silk slip before dressing.
Mother loved fur coats...she had several but never owned a stole.
A stole would have elevated this to a higher plane...

My sister has the silver sequined top now and wears it once in awhile.
It is a heavy top to wear but so worth it!
Vintage circa 1966-67.
Mother mentioned that she had spent quite a substantial sum for this top which is sleeveless with a U shaped neck, a simple tank style. Mother wore it on many occasions over the years, and received many compliments probably because it lit up her face.

I still love sparkly things and I am older than Mother was when she wore her top.
My sequined top is subtle and something I like to wear under a jacket.

Memories of watching Mother get ready for a party and sequins are forever linked.

Lovely daughter has a dress heavily laden with sequins.

I used to sew sequins on her leotards for her ballet recitals....

sequins link the generations.

I spied these silver shoes at a local shoppe

I think they might be Tom's

my favourite things...

 bling and shoes!

I didn't realize how the thought of sequins would bring up so many cherished memories...

it's surprising how easily the past can be revived and I find myself back in the home that I grew up in.

There's no place like Home!

Which reminds me of Dorothy and her sequined ruby slippers.

OOTD and The Humble Bungalow has a birthday!

The Humble Bungalow Blog is celebrating it's second year in the blogosphere!
528 posts and counting...
no cake or candles to mark the occasion just another post!

What I wore when the skies of the Pacific Northwest opened up and gave us copious amounts of rain.
There was a destination and a mission.
A command performance.
Mother was involved...

Mother and I had a date.

One does not dress down when out with Mother.

She sets the gold standard for dressing

a former nurse

and a fashion boutique manager in her later working life...

she does not dress down

she dresses up

and I do mean everyday.

Always.

Mother can be ill and still be coiffed and comported.

She will have jewelry on and pearls are her mainstay beads.

Baroque and Opera length if you please!

A pashmina will grace her shoulders

hose 

shoes

gloves

a handbag or clutch

it's all part of her ensemble.

I wore my Burberry coat

black ponte trousers

black ballet flats

and I carried my new thrifted Italian ostrich leather bag.

Italian Cecconi Piero Ostrich bag 

a surprising find from the thrift shop.

The frosty greeting that met me in the front garden 

of The Humble Bungalow.

I scraped the windows of the Volvo wagon before driving the block and a half to pick up Mother at her condo.

Seat heaters on...check.

Symphonic music tuned in...check.

Lipstick on...check.

Hair in place...check.

Positive attitude...check.

We went out for a bit of browsing the boutiques 

before tucking into a "wee tea" at a local Tea Room.

A repast that engaged us in a lively dialogue that lasted over an hour...

it might just be our new "go to" spot.

The weather has been quite surprising...

clear and cold 

raining cats and dogs

crisp and freezing 

cold  and  frosty....

Garments are hung by the door ready to be chosen at a moment's notice...

scarves and gloves are everyday items now.

Hand lotion is applied several times a day as the chilly weather makes ones hands dry out.

Sipping warm beverages

and 

taking vitamins are part of everyday life here.

What are you doing to adjust to the new season?

"The Official Fruitcake of the Humble Bungalow"

I am not the fruitcake in question!!

Christmas is coming....
we do not go overboard with material goods but we do bake.
It is a family tradition to bake some festive treats and have them on hand for guests and for gifts.
Mother's Rum Balls and Scottish shortbread are made every year without fail.
I posted these recipes here and here.

Mother has a very traditional fruit cake recipe that she used to make every year and ladle full of rum or brandy for many weeks before serving. It is a dark cake, the same cake that we served at our wedding and the wedding of friends. It was iced with almond paste and was quite heavy.

For the past 10 years I have branched out and broadened my fruit cake horizons and have chosen the Bon Appetit Golden Fruitcake to be "The Official Humble Bungalow Christmas Cake."

(efi recently requested this recipe)

This cake uses dried fruit...
it is not an inexpensive cake to make but it is delicious!

Humble Bungalow Golden Fruitcake
(makes 4 loaves 8 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2)

Ingredients;

1 7 oz. package Marzipan
1 1/4 c. chopped dried figs
3 c. dried fruit chopped I used ginger, apricots, craisins, pineapple, and pitted dates.
(choose your favourite fruits)
1 c. golden raisins
1/2 c. brandy

1 1/2 c. softened unsalted butter (3 sticks)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
8 large free range eggs
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 c. pine nuts toasted

Cut Marzipan into 1/2 inch cubes, freeze on a plate overnight covered in Saran wrap.
Chop and combine all the fruit and place in a large bowl with the brandy covered on the counter overnight.
Stir frequently.

Toast the pine nuts, cover and set aside.

The next morning...
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Butter the pans and set aside.

Beat the butter and sugars together in the bowl of a mixer and beat until light.
(I love my Kitchen Aid, I think of it as my Kitchen MAID!)
Beat eggs in one at a time then add vanilla and the spices.
Slowly add the flour in 4 additions, blending well each time.
Stir in the pine nuts and dried fruit and brandy.
Gently fold in the frozen Marzipan.

Divide the batter among the 4 pans, place on a baking sheet and bake until a tester comes out clean...
about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Cool completely on wire racks and then wrap and keep in a very cold room or refrigerate.

These make great gifts and look festive wrapped in ribbon with a sprig of fresh holly.

Paired with a glass of sherry this sweet little fruity concoction has great powers of festive restoration.
Before or after shopping and wrapping gifts...
Personally I love a sliver of this cake served with a cup of tea!

I hope that you like this recipe.
If you make it please let me know what you think of it.

If you have a family recipe that you care to share I'd love to have it here.

House dressing...

With the Christmas season approaching I like to add a few touches to The Humble Bungalow.
Living in such a wee space I cannot decorate on a grand scale so I choose a few token touches to add a little of the festive spirit. We purchase a live tree about a week before the 24th and then we really get serious and lay on the shine and sparkle.
In the mean time...

The front door must be dressed and a wreath is a "must have."

 I prefer natural and organic accents.

This will last throughout the season because the climate here is cool to cold.

If you were in a hot spot you'd need to mist this daily.

A small tree which I will wrap in some sparkly garland closer to Christmas

for now it will just be green.

Paper whites

 bulbs of distinction 

they grow tall and bear the prettiest white flowers 

which have a rich and heady perfume.

I use this glass building block for paper whites every year.

The glass beads can be purchased at most home decor stores.

It's busy times here in The Humble Bungalow.

Mr. HB is stringing up the exterior white lights

while I am inside tidying up and doing laundry

(and yes, I'm blogging!)

How are you dressing your home for the season?

Chanel and shopping...

Lovely daughter in law and I tripped the light fantastic and went to the shopping mall to buy some Christmas clothes and toys for the adorable Miss Isla, grand baby extraordinaire.

Our expedition started out at Starbucks for some yuletide lattes...

We found many cute things for her at The Gap
and then we traipsed into the big toy store...
Toys R Us and found a couple of board books and an educational toy.

We also checked out some boots, shoes and lingerie at The Bay...
our very own Canadian store which has been sold to an American conglomerate!

I found some new lip gloss from Chanel...

Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss

#517  Triomphal

which is

A Limited Edition Christmas Colour.

Rouge Allure Laque

#74 Dynastie

I sat on a tall chair which I had to jump up onto

(I am height challenged so lovely DIL asked if I needed a boost!)

I managed on my own however it was a very ungracious looking move

as I was

laden down with parcels and bundled up in my Burberry quilted coat.

Perched on the chair I was there for all to see as the cosmetician tried several shades

( I think several passers by were very amused!)

after testing, swapping and swiping

we decided on two new colours...

Dynastie is for daytime

the Triomphal is bolder and richer 

perfect for nighttime.

The super glossy one is a bit of a change for me

but it catches the light and will look good in the evening.

Lily was the name of the gal at the counter...

 she added some samples of Chanel No.19 

which is a grassy lighter green scent.

Quite a departure from Mother's signature scent Chanel No. 5.

We were home in time for me to wrap the presents.

This year I have vowed to wrap as I buy...

don't really know why I just feel like it.

Last week I bought Michael Buble's Christmas CD and he does have me in the spirit already!

It's the eve of the weekend here and I hope that your weekend is a dreamy one...

If you are shopping Black Friday Sales

be careful of those bargain hunters

I read in the paper that they can be dangerous.

I'll be posting my Christmas fruitcake soon so stay tuned!

Happy Thanksgiving !

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the US it's Thanksgiving and there will be families and friends gathered together to share in celebrations.
There might be a turkey and the traditional dishes on the menu
or possibly it will be a vegetarian or vegan feast.
It may be simple fare or a gourmet dinner.

You'll probably be dining inside in a heated home,
you might be the hostess or a guest.

Hunger is a something you might never know...
there will be food banks giving out groceries
and organized dinners provided by dedicated volunteers
feeding the homeless and those down on their luck.

Our simple table set for Thanksgiving last year.

However you celebrate I hope that you have an enjoyable day thinking thoughts of gratitude.

You could be volunteering in your community helping the under privileged,
even digging deep into your pockets to help
share some food with someone who is less fortunate.

It is always better to give than to receive....