Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Wardrobe Basics ~ A symphony in Black and White, a recipe and our Star Magnolia

 


Our Star Magnolia
is
blooming out front of The Humble Bungalow.

I love the elegant waxy white flowers.
They emerge from fuzzy cocoons...
if you look closely you can see one as it is about to pop.


The tree was planted many years ago and has grown quite slowly.
It is in the middle of a bed and makes a bold statement.


My linen skirt has an asymmetrical detail that makes it more interesting...
I like a flounce and it sways as I walk.

I can dress it up or wear it simply 
with a casual white top and my distressed denim jacket.
I actually wear it with my white "trainers" or tennis shoes and lacy white socks.

The length is longer on me so I don't feel I NEED to wear capri tights.
My legs are not at their best...they have scars and marks which I try to hide.
One cannot live to 69 and still have pristine unblemished skin.


This white blouse is a favourite of mine.
I love the texture and the fabric is pure white.
The shape is forgiving especially for my mid section 
which is where I now carry most of my weight.


Nice detail on the cuffs.


I wear this with black Eileen Fisher pants, and often with casual denim jeans.



The Big Baroque Pearls add an interesting touch.
I feel so much more "dressed up" with pearls.

Black and white wardrobe basics are so easy...
I can get dressed for almost any occasion and have a lot of mix and match options.

Recently I found a lovely Saint James black sweater which has a good structure.
I purchased it second hand for a fraction of the original price.
It is almost like a sweater jacket...
Saint James make lovely clothing...I visited one of their stores in Aix en Provence.


I have my sourdough boule baking in the oven as I write this blogpost.
The kitchen smells wonderful...

I just finished making Hamburger Soup.
It is a recipe that I have been making for many decades...
I used to make a big batch and freeze it in containers for my lunches when I worked in the schools.


We had a bowl for our lunch today with a couple of small pieces of sourdough toast.

I try to make soups once a week...
the soups is quick to heat up and works well on my aqua fit days.
I arrive home hungry and my husband has soup and toast ready when I get home.

Do you like to make soup?

Have you tried making sourdough bread?
I got my starter from a good friend and I have given batches of it to many people...
she has shared hers with many others as well!

We both use the recipes on Alexandra Bakes.

I have recently discovered Farmhouse on Boone and am enjoying Lisa Bass's site.
She lives on a large farm and has 8 children!


I wear a vintage rhinestone brooch on my wool beret and other hats.

Wearing vintage pins are a bit of a habit of mine. 
I don't seem to find many but I always look!!

Do you enjoy thrifting?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
I appreciate your comments and invite you to share your thoughts.

Take care and 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 ~

Friday, December 29, 2023

Christmas happened...despite Covid and we survived!


Christmas Gifts
Kosta Boda Rose pattern crystal votives.

Gift from darling daughter and her husband.
I love the design and the icy light from the candles.

The festive season was a bit different this year due to catching Covid.
My husband and I both had it earlier in December.
I have scarred lungs from repeated bouts of pneumonia 
so when I get a cold (or Covid) I tend to get a chesty cough.

We went to our son's home for Christmas morning where we exchanged gifts and had brunch.
I made Jacques Pepin's French Toast Bake, a fruit salad and sausages with croissants.
The kids were so excited!!!
Lovely to see their enthusiasm and joy.


Here is the island that Mr. HB made for our son's home.


It was a summer project and I have serious Island Envy!!!

I didn't have a ton of energy and so I had to give up on most of the baking.
Fortunately I had prepared the candied nuts ahead of time 
the chocolate bark is a quick recipe to make.
(posted the recipe in a previous blogpost)

Food is a BIG part of our traditional celebrations...
turkey and lots of side dishes.


Simple table setting...
using
red and greens.


The cute little tree was found in our Cook Street Village Garden Centre.
I used it as our centrepiece on the Christmas table...


The turkey was about 10 pounds...
I made stuffing, maple glazed carrots, whipped potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussells sprouts with pancetta, gravy and cranberry sauce.


Dessert was Panna Cotta with Italian sour cherries in syrup.
Served in an iittala Ultima Thule Glass

We have quite a few pieces of Tapio Wirkkala's Icy Modernist Crystal.
It was popular when we got married in 1974 and is still in business today.


After Boxing Day...
made a small batch of Yorkshire puddings to add to the leftovers.


Turkey Soup


Candles in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen above the Farmhouse Sink.


This morning I woke early...
have been going to bed before 10:00 most nights.

Coffee in the dark and thoughts swirling...
felt a surge of energy to get some decluttering done.

The car was loaded up and I dropped off the donations around noon.
Starting downstairs in the guest and hobby rooms.

Still a few more things to deal with but it feels way better!!

Funny thing that has happened since I had to cancel my haircut...
I have been using the flat iron and straightening it...


I think it is "growing on me"

Not perfect 
getting to the stage where I can wear it up in a French Roll 
or put it in a scrunchie for a loose ponytail.

So I suppose that's enough rambling for one post...
Hope that you had a wonderful Festive Season.

Hope that you are staying healthy and are avoiding Covid.

Let me know how things are going...do you declutter after the holidays?

~ 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 ~

Friday, October 27, 2023

A WEE post ~ in between...stay tuned for the regular post on Sunday!

 


I am so thrilled with the lavender soap that I ordered from French Larkspur.
I love a scented soap and treat myself regularly to a fresh new bar...
I find it difficult not buying fragrant soaps :-))

If I go into a shop that sells gifts I head to the soap section first.
Rarely do I leave without buying a bar or two.

Mom loved her Yardley's English Lavender Soap
she actually kept it in her bedroom so that the rest of the family  didn't use it all up!
I wonder if it was an expensive luxury item back in the day?
She would unwrap bars and scent her lingerie drawer with the bars of soap.


This soap has found a "home" beside the farmhouse kitchen sink.


The wee posy is still looking lovely!
Twas a gift from our lovely neighbours 
In appreciation for all the veggies and apples that we gave them over the summer.


Look at the most recent harvest of the peppers!
My husband has outdone himself growing all the veggies this year.

I am using the peppers in all kinds of dishes...
salads
soups
spaghetti sauce
chili


I love baking sourdough bread, tending to the starter is like feeding a pet.

I make a boule each week 
we enjoy the bread sliced and served with butter or toasted with jam.

The texture is dense, requires a lot of chewing and the crust is crunchy.
Not only is it fun to make it is very economical.
With food prices rising it is nice to know that homemade bread is still affordable.


Chili for dinner tonight!

Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 
3 stalks of celery and 2 green peppers diced and cooked until soft.
Add 1 pound ground chicken (or turkey or beef)
cook until no longer pink.
Drain and rinse 2 cans of red kidney beans add to pot.
Then add a large can of diced tomatoes (stewed tomatoes work well too)
2 Tbsp. Chili powder, 1 Tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt
Simmer for at least an hour, stirring often.

I serve the chili topped with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Bon Appetit


Currently reading this book...
it is rather like a travelogue.
I am enjoying the whimsy and honesty of the author as he retells the story of his trip.


We keep our "heart" lit up 
on behalf of the local hospital workers who work hard.

Covid is making a comeback here in town...
people are back wearing masks in the shops.

We both have just had our 6th vaccination and we took advantage at the pharmacy and had the annual flu shot as well.
I had a reaction to the shot(s) was awake at 2:30 with aches 
stayed awake the rest of the night...
but I managed to go to aquafit and had a great workout.
Feel totally normal now!

I've been so busy in the kitchen that I haven't really had a PLAY DAY.
I promise I will take off my apron.

I plan on taking myself to Marshall's for a WALKABOUT.
STAY TUNED :-))
It is always fun looking at their stock and I rarely leave empty handed.

What's new with you all?
Don't be SHY...leave a comment.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~