Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Abundance of roses, and clothes that Spark Joy!

 


We have a full garden with an abundance of roses.
I consider myself an avid rosarian....
desiring more roses in an already full garden is rather greedy.

My husband mentioned that our olive tree might have died during the icy cold snap.
He mentioned I could always buy a rose to fill the space where the tree was planted!

What a great idea!!!


I have always been smitten by shoes with bows.

I own a pair of Ferragamo black patent shoes with bows.
Years ago I had purple suede flats with velvet bows...I wore them out!
They were my "Happy Shoes" I felt so joyful when I wore them.

A few years after the demise of the purple shoes 
I found a pair of black patent flats with black velvet bows.

Mom had a similar pair...
they were such a great mood lifter.
We smiled at each other knowingly when we were together 
wearing our patent bow toed shoes.

So when I was in Twice As Nice consignment looking for a wool winter coat
(which I didn't find)
I spied these shoes by Browns...
tried them on and HAD to have them.


My current "daytime" winter wardrobe.
Athletic wear is stored in the bureau
evening and dressy clothes are in the Hobby Room closet.

I have been adding a few thrifted finds lately...


Gap casual sweater.
Thrifted
Will be worn with my denim and white denim jeans.


A sequin top!!!!
Thrifted
$2.00


The volunteers at the thrift shop were literally doing a "Happy Dance" 
when I approached the cash desk...
asking how much it was?
They said $2.00 and I was so stunned that I gave them $5 and told them to put the extra money toward their new building fund!

I am definitely going to wear this top and perhaps it will be daytime.
It is a JOYFUL top.
Do you think it will SPARK JOY?

I love how we can shift our moods with clothing...
wearing brighter colours on a dark dreary day.
Adding accessories that elevate a plain outfit or dress.
Finding inexpensive and vintage pieces in the thrift shops that are cheap and cheerful.
One needn't go into debt to have fun with fashion.

Happy Hunting in the Thrifts!


An abundance of Sea Glass...
one day's haul after my beach walk.
Saw two fat seals lying on a floating log...
a familiar face and a shaggy dog
a wee chat with a neighbour.
Gulls, Ravens and a majestic Eagle calling...
Fresh Air, a gentle breeze, and I feel rejuvenated.


Jar of sea glass...
probably my 10th jar.
(I must go downstairs to count them, they are in the window sill of the Hobby Room)


~ Sunshine and Blue Skies ~
BLISS


Farm Fresh Free Range Eggs
a lovely gift from Becky.
They look like jewels such pretty colours.
Taste great too!


Finished this fabulous book by Anthony Horowitz.
Need to read some more of his books...have read a couple and they are so well written and are wonderful murder mysteries.

What are you reading?

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

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, January 29, 2024

Art, Entertaining and my recent successful thrifting adventures...

 


We attended the art exhibit "Building Bridges" at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.


Victoria Artist Tanya Bub


Paper Mache Rooster


~ Grace ~


Tanya Bub created this "chair" using a variety of reclaimed and recycled pieces.
Walmart carry bags, cardboard, and papers among them.

Can you see the boots hanging underneath the chair?

A documentary "Sitting With Grace" has been screened locally.


Tanya has such a great eye for detail...
the face is exquisite.

Tanya is well known locally for her amazing driftwood sculptures.

~ OOTD ~


Thrifted Black Kirkland Tee
Artisan necklace


Thrifted ankle length pants black with small white dots.
(label missing but I think they are by INC)
Coach Loafers that I bought new last Spring.


We shared dinner with friends...
on the menu:

Appies ~ Olives, Dried Apricots, Dates, Smoked cheese and Blue Cheese

Salad ~ Arugula, sweet red pepper mini pearls, chopped pecans, thinly sliced white radishes and a French Vinaigrette.

Main course ~ Chicken Breasts stuffed with feta and topped with red pepper pesto
Spinach Gnocchi with cheese sauce, garnished with snipped fresh basil

Dessert ~ Olive Oil Citrus Cake with fresh blackberries and whipped cream


Our guests brought a lovely Maidenhair Fern.
(Thank you!)


I popped it into our Vintage Arts and Crafts Weller Jardiniere.

Chester, our smaller cat, was quite taken with the fern!
It is a pet friendly plant so if he nibbles a wee bit no harm done.


I absolutely LOVE Vintage Sherman Rhinestones.
I have a small collection of brooches.
If you have been reading my Blog awhile you know I wear these pieces often...

If you are REALLY lucky you might find some in a thrift shop.
Most of the ones that I see are now sold in The Antique Malls.


Denim shirtdress...was purchased on sale, not thrifted.
(Lands' End)


The Baroque strand of Pearls add some interest.


Dress by H&M

Second Hand Hope Thrift Store.

I went thrift shopping with Annie, a woman I have connected with on Instagram.
She is starting up a business where she plans to take people to the thrift shops and consignment stores here in Victoria.
Her instagram page is Victoria Thrifting Tours.
If you pop over to check out her site, please say I sent you :-))


Ralph Lauren reversible leather belt from WIN Thrift Shop.


Small Patterns work better for me as I am a curvy gal...
I like the small metal button details at the neck and on the cuffs.
The fabric is a jersey knit so this will be a great Spring and Summer Dress.


Found one of my favourite author's books in a wee Book Nook.
It just so happens that the Book Nook is in the front yard of my childhood home.

I keep finding the BEST books there...
if I ever see the owners I am going to introduce myself.
Tell them that I grew up in the house.

Well that about wraps up my news...
until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Week of wild weather...


Beeswax candles glowing...
adding ambiance on a frigid cold day.


Very snowy here these past few days...
not a lot of accumulation in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
Other areas of Victoria have a LOT more!
Schools were closed, traffic was snarled, buses got stuck.

Mr HB and I stayed home.
I read books, played word games on the computer, 
knit a few rows on The Sophie Scarf,
decluttered and cooked.


Chester seems unfazed by the snow.
He is an indoor cat so he isn't really affected by the weather.
He has been taking advantage of having Mr. HB home...he's snoozing on his lap!


Chester asleep on the cat blanket.


I make soup for many of our lunches.

This spice was in a French Country Home subscription box.
It is made by Compagnie Francaise...
peppers, turmeric, oregano, thyme, curcumin, paprika, sage, basil, tamarind, onion, cinnamon.


The Christmas Cactus is still in bloom!
I bought this orange cactus recently...I love the bright shade of orange.


Here I am just before my Aqua Fit class....
no make up, just lipstick.

My decades old Burberry scarf, Columbia Puffer coat and a hand knit gift hat.
The Sally Hansen Insta Dri nail polish matches one of the stripes!!


Post swim relaxation.

Reading an interesting book by Lesley Crewe called Amazing Grace.
I have not read her books before but I am really enjoying this one.

What are you reading?


The weekly sourdough boule baking is still very much part of my routine.
I keep the sourdough starter active stored in the fridge.
The recipe I use I found online at Alexandra Bakes.

Cooking, baking, cleaning all these things happen here in The Humble Bungalow.
I accomplish a lot everyday but I intersperse the jobs with rest and tea.


I've been wearing these pink gloves to wash the dishes.
They are help my manicure last longer!

What is the weather like where you live?
We aren't used to snow so any amount can mess with the commutes of workers.
It makes getting around much more difficult...especially when the buses are stuck!

Tomorrow the forecast is for warmer temperatures and rain.
I think the snow will melt quite quickly and we will all resume our normal activities.

I plan to get out for some groceries and perhaps peruse a thrift shop or two.

Have you found any treasures recently in the shops?
I go into shops with an open mind and look at all the stock...
if I go in with a certain item in mind I find that I feel stress.

You never know what is waiting in the thrift and charity shops!

~ Happy Thrifting ~ 


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, December 10, 2023

December 10th...a catch up post.

 


Time is ticking along at a very fast pace here in The Humble Bungalow.

Between the domestic jobs, baking and cooking I have been absent from my blog.
I continue to post daily on Instagram...
it is so much faster!


I use the tourtiere recipe found online though our local Yam Magazine.
In case you are not familiar with Tourtieres, 
they are a French Canadian tradition to serve during the holidays.
Basically they are a pork pie.

I like to serve ours with a good chutney or a grainy mustard.
They can be part of a dinner buffet or serve them with a simple tossed green salad.


Chester, the smaller of our two cats, finds the coziest spots to nap.
He actually folded the extra pillow downward to make a plump bed.
It looks a bit like a throne...


We have our "cat proof" tree up.
Chester can climb it but there are no fragile antique ornaments to break.
We learned the hard way...one year the tree toppled over and many delicate glass baubles were smashed.

We keep the "fairy lights" on the upper beams up all year.

Have you decorated your home for the festive season?
We are minimalists when it comes to seasonal decor... do you like to go all out?


I started knitting The Sophie Scarf.
Using wool from my Stash...two skeins of Rowan's Felted Tweed Yarn.
This is the yarn that I used in my latest Miriam sweater.
I had to go to You Tube to watch the I-cord pattern set up.
It seems that with each new project I discover and learn new skills!


The sweater turned out lovely and the wool is so soft and cozy.
Our weather has been rainy, foggy, and we had high gusty winds.
Sweater weather has definitely arrived!


Reading Mrs. England right now...
a friend gave this to me.
I picked it up early this morning and am already on page 80
I really like a book that gets and holds my attention within the first few pages.

I've decided that my Christmas baking will be greatly reduced this year.
Last year we ate far too many sweets...
I plan to make shortbread and butter tarts that's about it.

I put together a gift hamper for my cousins every year.
I vary the contents from year to year keeping a very British theme.
They receive a tourtiere, sweets, treats, pickles, tea, and a few other baked goods.
I cannot remember when I started this habit but it has become a fun tradition.

What traditions do you have at Christmas?


Our traditional wreath...
made for my Mother in Law by a friend 
consisting of baubles, pine cones and rhinestone brooches.


Mini lights and the Ojibwa tamarack ducks.


Wrapping is a very simple affair...
I use Kraft paper, twine, dried oranges and tags.
All are recyclable.

Are you feeling festive?

Will you be hosting a large or small dinner this year?
Perhaps you'll be a guest!

There are a lot of opportunities for giving at this time of year...
giving time and giving donations.

We need to think of others...
there are so many people in need out there.
Every little bit helps.

Drop off a bag of food at the local Food Bank or drop a donation in the Salvation Army Kettle.

Well I must close for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~