Showing posts with label antiques. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antiques. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Wednesday late night post...


~ Antique Porcelain Bowl ~

I have had this antique bowl for many years.
I purchased it from a thrift shop.
I was drawn to its' "staples"
obviously an early repair.

I often wonder where this bowl came from?
Who owned it?
Why was it repaired and not just thrown away when it cracked?
If this bowl could tell its' history...
what might it be?


Looking at this bowl got me thinking...
so
I wrote this post on Instagram...



I've been busy this week...
dinner for the family, aqua fit classes, writing lists of things to do before Christmas.
Writing Christmas gift lists, buying cards and stamps.


I started polishing all the silverware.
Trays, candle sticks, the tea service, pedestals, bowls.
I still have a few pieces to do...
the champagne ice buckets, a baby rattle, some trophies.

I use Hagerty silver polish and Twinkle polish.
They both work well.
It is a time consuming job but is immediately rewarding.
The shine is like a smile.

I've been knitting and reading too...


I started this book Run by Anne Patchett.
I really enjoy her books, and after just one chapter I am already hooked!

I'll be sending Christmas cards out soon...
baking some shortbread cookies 
making my favourite spiced nuts which make nice hostess gifts, 
and of course the pork tourtieres.

~ Spiced Nuts ~
2 cups almonds
2 cups walnuts
2 cups pecans
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp allspice
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp coriander
2 tsp ginger
2 egg  whites
3 tbsp water

Sprinkle nuts with sugar and spices.
Beat egg whites and water.
Mix into nuts and spice mixture and spread on a buttered baking sheet.
Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour stir occasionally.
Cool
Place into glass containers for gifts.
Add a ribbon and some greenery and a dried orange slice.

Hope that you enjoy these nuts!
Well I'll close for now as it is past my bedtime...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, March 19, 2023

One of the BEST BOOKS, baking, shopping and wabi sabi.

 


Good morning from The Humble Bungalow...
it is Sunday and I am baking a loaf of sourdough bread.
The bread has become part of my weekly routine...
my husband seems to be enjoying the bread.
I loved it toasted with Bonne Maman raspberry confiture.


Life here has been quite quiet...
Having hurt my back, so for the past few weeks, I have been in a lot of pain.
Am dealing with it by attending therapeutic Yoga classes for the back.
Going for slower, shorter walks and taking Aleve to help me sleep.
I have a huge amount of empathy for people who live with chronic pain.
I am new to pain.

Shorter Walks mean fewer steps...
averaging about 5500
so have gained a few pounds in these past few weeks.


Salads to the rescue...
simple to make and very satisfying.
Lots of chewing and low in WW points.


Here are the tete a tetes planted out front in The Humble Bungalow garden.
Thank goodness that the deer don't eat them.


We filled in some gaps recently when the plants were on sale at the garden centre.
They are so sweet...cheap and cheerful!


Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout is a powerful book...
set in Maine during Covid Lucy Barton shares her everyday experiences.
The emotions and insights are very real...
Perhaps one of Strout's best books.
The story has stayed with me.
I highly recommend it.


Very casual Papillon denim jumper...
found at the shop Suzanne's in the mall.
Seen here in the change room with my jeans on underneath!
Not the way I will wear it when I get home :-))

~ Summer wardrobe staple ~
 White tee and white capri leggings
blue suede sandals
wicker bag.


Great for running errands or a beach walk.
With warmer weather in the forecast 
we should all have a basket or bag to carry market staples and finds.
Which is the perfect segue...
speaking of finds


Or speaking of Papillons...
can you see one here on this antique transferware plate?

The crazing and cracks add to the "charm" of this plate.
It has History...

Am I the only one who is attracted to the imperfections?

Do you embrace the "wabi sabi" in old things?...

Suppose that could stretched to include people too :-))

None of us are perfect...
(now there's a profound thought to contemplate)
Call it homework..

Go forth and look for the imperfect in your week and report back.

On that note I shall close this post...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


The beauty is in the crazing...
can we extend that idea a wee bit and include wrinkles on faces?


Thank you for stopping by...
I appreciate you taking the time to read my wee blog.

Friday, October 23, 2020

Thrift shop inspiration...cottage decor

 


Dried foliage foraged from the wilds of Pender Island
at
Quarterdeck Cottage.


Freshly rinsed antique crystal vessel...


A pleasant mix of materials...
rustic and rough juxtaposed with fine quality antique crystal.


A modernist votive holder...
looks like Ittala Glass by Tapio Wirkkala.

These two glass pieces were found at the thrift shop on Pender Island.
I have found some real gems in this shop.

If I lived on Pender full time I would be an active volunteer.

Since we only come over once a month I cannot commit to helping.
So I shop instead...

Do you like shopping for vintage items at thrift shops?
Do you shop online at Etsy or Ebay?

What are your favourite finds?

I'd love to hear from you...

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Our Covid numbers here in BC are increasing...
the second wave predicted by the health authorities is here now.

Stay Safe, wear your masks, wash your hands and keep your bubbles small.

~ 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 ~

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Fluffing the nest...and a Spring de-cluttering project


Looking like a barbarian/warrior slightly disheveled...

Can you tell that I am growing out my hair?
It is a slow process but now that my frozen shoulder is in the thaw stage 
I can get back to using the blow dryer.

Casual Beach combing OOTD
(last month)

Gowland Point on Pender Island 
Saint James raincoat
Calvin Klein puffy down vest 
(under coat, not visible but needed to fend off the cold)
long sleeved Esprit Tee
Tribal jeans
colourful scarf ~ no name brand from the local pharmacy
Merrell walking shoes
Coach handbag


Hunting for Beach glass is a favourite pass time of mine.

Speaking of glass...
I emptied out the cupboard in the Humble Bungalow dining room and wiped down all the shelves and packed up many of the pieces of crystal 
(which were purchased at $1.49 day at Woodward's back in the early 1970's)
popped them in the dishwasher for a quick clean up 
before wrapping them up and whisking them off to the WIN thrift shop.


What possessed me you may wonder?


My husband knew that I wanted to pare down and have a simple set of stylish
 classic glassware that will never "date"
Here is the Tapio Wirrkkala Ultima Thule style of glasses I am now collecting.
My sweet husband brought home 4 of these goblets as a surprise which really kick started the whole de-cluttering exercise...
Thank you Honey!


Here's how the shelves are looking so far...
the vintage ones to the right of the new goblets are from thrift shops.

I have kept a few other wine glasses 
(on the shelves below, not in the photo)
until we purchase more Ultima Thule.

They are quite pricey...
I hope to find more at consignment or thrift shops 
or watch out for sales...


Spring cleaning...
The laundry room got a quick lick and a polish this week too.


The vintage enamel ware seems to go well in the black and white themed area downstairs.


Upstairs beside the farmhouse sink 
is my "work area."


I found an Antique transfer ware platter at a local shop to hold all my supplies.
Peach Blow circa 1886

Marseilles Soap Cube




Spring Parrot tulips 
full blown 
almost at the end of their prime
but still beautiful.

I have a bunch of cookbooks by Julia Child 
waiting for me at the local library
I am going to try and make her fish buerre blanc.

Until next time...
Enjoy your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Cooking lesson with Julie...Aglio e Olio

Our friend Julie came over to visit at Quarter Deck Cottage on Pender Island.

We went for a walk, tootled around the island, saw the sights, went out for lunch, and we visited the antique shop.


I found a Lalique piece of glass at the antique shop.
Which I planned to use as a candle holder 
it was quickly re purposed as a wine coaster!



The Rioja Spanish wine was Julie's suggestion...
I had never tasted it before and it's really a nice wine.

Julie is a friend, whom I consider to be a real  "foodie" 
she is passionate about cooking.
I would call her a gourmet cook. 

She has a catering business...
if you have been a long time reader of my blog you may remember that she catered my 60th birthday party.

So when we perused what was fresh at the grocery store we had many options...
but I was swayed when she described the simple pasta dish Aglio e Olio 
which she described as Italian Fast Food!
I was already salivating!

Here is the link to Chef John's version of the dish.


Thinly sliced garlic cloves cooking very gently in a good quality olive oil.
The pasta water is already boiling on the back burner.


We pounded the chicken breast quite flat, 
coated it in flour 
seasoned it lightly with salt and pepper
before sauteing it in a small amount of oil.

(The pasta is added to the pot of boiling water so that everything will be done at the same time.)

We flipped the chicken breast after it was golden brown...
cooked it on the other side
then added it to the sheet pan with the roasted cherry tomatoes.

We drained the pasta and popped in on top of a platter
added a generous handful of arugula 
sliced the chicken breast
and added it
then
squeezed a half a lemon over top 
drizzled the entire plate with a wee bit of balsamic vinegar.


Here is our tasty dinner.
Thank you to Julie!

Hope you try this recipe and if you do, I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~