Showing posts with label gadgets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gadgets. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Tea from Paris....and a new book which sounds so exciting!


Red flowering currant in our neighbours garden...
the hummingbirds love it!


Versailles Rose Tea
with
rose petals, grapefruit and sunflowers



The label is in French but I can provide you with a "rough" translation...

It is with a lot of love that I made this tea
the passion to do what I love 
and the love of a woman 
who is still waiting...

I am happy.



English Royal Chelsea cup and saucer
probably my favourite of the bunch.


A new mystery written by Jessica Fellowes...
she wrote all the companion books to the Downton Abbey series.

She is also the niece of Lord Julian Fellowes who wrote the Downton Abbey series.

I just finished reading Six, the book about the Mitford sisters
 and lo and behold this new book pops up on the shelf at the book sellers...
I grabbed the last copy!


 Also a new "can" to help me keep all the container plants well watered.
I like to have one on the front porch and one in the back so that I don't need to lug a heavy can throughout the garden and strain my back or arms.

My frozen shoulder has been slowly improving...
I am optimistic that it is in the thawing stage.


Tea time is over 
the flowers are in bloom and I am embracing the possibility of change.

Perhaps a trip?

Or maybe a new class or a course?

Feeling like I need to kick things up a notch...

What plans are you making?

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

OOTD and some new bits and bobs.


Selfie of my OOTD

Cut Loose top
 Zella skinny pants
Jessica Simpson flats

I've been wearing comfy clothes more frequently since Mother passed away.
I crave comfort in all the areas where I have control.
Clothing is one area where I abhor discomfort...


I could not resist this classic Saint James raincoat.
It is lightweight and a very comfortable and sensible choice for our April showers.


I am smitten with this line of garments designed in France.
Their Breton striped tops are wonderful and they make some fabulous sweaters and coats...
You may remember that I bought their navy and white striped brolly 
a few weeks ago.


I spy a new gadget in the Humble Bungalow...


this wee machine makes quick work of pills 
found on cashmere and wool sweaters
it is fast and easy to use.
I give it two thumbs up!


a soft scented candle recently found its way into my shopping basket
I love roses and our garden roses are still at least a month away from blooming
so I found a way to imbue the home with the scent of roses...
cheating a bit, I know,  but that's fine by me!


The spiky ball that we use at Yoga is now working overtime to help me at home.
It is amazing how this wee thing can loosen up hips and rid shoulders of tension.

It works really well on the balls of the feet too...
just go easy until you get used to the sensations!

In other news...
the view from here is dramatic.
The driveway has shrunk and our fence has too. 


We consider ourselves kind and decent neighbours...
so we have allowed a portion of our fence to be removed 
some of the driveway has been "loaned" 
to the developers 
to allow them to excavate with ease at the property line.


Deep holes have been fenced off so that no one falls into the pit!


Looking out the window you can see the site which is ready for construction to commence.

Which we have been told will be any day now...


On the past post I asked for books suggestions 
I was most surprised as you went above and beyond my expectations.
Thank you!

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.
Cheerio from The Humble Bungalow.
XO


Thursday, August 11, 2016

Holiday snippets and snapshots...part three.

We met up with friends who have a boat and we all cruised to Genoa Bay.
The Marina is quaint and small but very protected from the wind and is quite near Cowichan Bay where they hold a sailing regatta every year.


The winds were blowing about 25 knots so the sailors were happy.


Spinnakers made an appearance on part of the race...
the reason these photos are rather blurry is that I took them from inside the window of the GrayLing shuttle boat.
The wee lapstrake hulled boat ferries passengers (and dogs) to Cowichan Bay.
The main street is not long but is jam packed with
shops, a chandlery, several eateries, a bakery, deli and a small grocery store.

We spent about an hour and a half perusing the shops and eating lunch before hopping back on the shuttle to Genoa Bay. 


It was super hot in Genoa Bay so I used my personal fan...
O 2 Cool
which mists water and helped me stay cool.


We ate simple fare...
fresh home grown tomatoes from The Humble Bungalow Garden were harvested before we left and carefully spread out in a basket so they would not bruise.
The taste of these heirloom varieties are out of this world!


I was "roughing it" and had to use a soup bowl for my cafe creme every morning.
It tasted good but looked quite tacky!
You know what they say...
Necessity is the Mother of Invention.

(so much for keeping up standards...it has gone to the dogs)


Walks in the morning were kept short due to the extreme heat and it was uphill all the way from the marina. 


I saw a family of quail with about a dozen babies and a couple of wild bunnies that were nibbling in the gardens.
Flowers catch my eye and turn my head every time I go walking.


We ate lunch out with darling daughter and her husband.
They had the loan of Mr. HB's BMW and drove up from Victoria to show us the elopement pictures.

Sipping an icy cold margarita on the deck of The Genoa Bay Cafe.
It is a fabulous place to dine, most of the boaters go up for a meal or two while they are tied up at the docks and many other diners come by car.

Our friends joined us for dinner on the deck on another evening...


Impromptu concert from the boat on the dock across from ours...
we were asked to sing a line and be the chorus.
I am not sure that our sound was in tune but what we lacked in sound quality we made up for with enthusiasm!


all the great food and beverages have added some extra pounds and I will be starting a series of posts on what I plan to eat and do to get rid of the holiday weight gain...

I also plan to write a post on what I wore and how I packed for 18 days on a boat living out of a canvas Lands' End tote bag.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Mid~week greetings....Hearts and Hands.

Have you ever observed cats at play?
Ours love it when we have a cardboard box in the house.
It's exponentially better when it's open on the floor!


Chester is inside the box and Pepper is about to jump on top of him.
They have been in and out of this box all day.
The box will stay out for awhile to allow them to enjoy themselves.


We purchased a small carpet cleaner...
it's good for pet stains and we plan to use it on our boat carpet.
It's a small machine but it seems to do a good job.


It removed a few spots on the rugs in no time flat.
I am not easily impressed ~ but this tool is a great one.
Never having owned a carpet cleaner before now I can appreciate why people buy them.


Henry's little hands are so adorable.
Soft ~ kissable.
What a sweet boy he is...


Isla gave me some glitter hearts...she loves to share.
Little girls love sparkles...
(big girls too!)

My hands are over 60 years old and have seen a lot of use.
(they need constant attention)

Hand lotion is essential.
Shea Butter seems to do a great job and is not greasy.
I am a fan of L'Occitane hand lotions.
I've heard that coconut oil is wonderful.
Have you tried it?

Hands are always busy doing things...
I do not think they are ever idle.
Except when we sleep...

They might rest a bit when they hold a cup of tea.
 Gardening, baking, cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, making beds, ironing, knitting, turning pages in books and magazines, hugging grand children, colouring, stacking blocks, painting.


Ah yes painting...
I continue to be in a dry spell.

I read Louise Penny's novel The Long Way Home and loved it!
I read it in two sittings.
The story focuses on a painter and Louise has many wise and insightful observations about what artists need to paint.
A Muse is important...
(mine are roses)
They also must feel intense emotion...one that spurs them on to create.
She refers to it as "a lump in the throat."
This lumps precedes most creative endeavours...
If you love a mystery and have not read Louise Penny's books you are in for a treat!
Start with her first and work your way up to her latest...
The Nature of the Beast 
which was released a couple of weeks ago.


I woke up the other morning to a cool and grey day.
It felt like rain.

 My apron beckoned...
Made some retro cheese scones.
 With cooler Fall weather in the offing I am looking forward to getting back into making soups.
I think these scones would pair really well with a hearty tomato soup.

Retro Cheese Scones

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. butter
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2/3 c. milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1Tbsp. sugar

Combine all the dry ingredients.
Cut in the butter.
Add wet ingredients and stir until all flour is moistened.
Knead on floured board.
Pat into a 9 inch circle, cut into wedges.
Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes.
(Check after 12 minutes to make sure they do not brown up too much)


Yummy Soups.
They're like a warm hug.
A soup pot simmering on the stove makes me feel all cozy and warm.
They are a great offering for friends and family.
Nutritious and delicious...there's a tasty recipe out there for everyone.

Do you have a favourite soup recipe?

I made a killer pasta dish last night and will share it with you soon.
Stay tuned...


Monday, February 24, 2014

You asked...

A reader asked me to talk about what I eat on a day to day basis.
She wanted simple nutritional Weight Watchers point friendly food ideas and menus.


I seriously recommend that you first talk with your doctor before embarking on any plan.
Thyroid problems are responsible for a lot of weigh gain by women in their later years...so it is good to have a test done just in case your gland is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. (like mine)
Once you get the go ahead to start reducing I would strongly urge you to join Weight Watchers.
It is a sensible regime and one that my physician enthusiastically endorses.



Breakfast is the easiest meal and takes the least amount of time to prepare, plus I like to keep it simple.
I alternate between fresh fruit and yogurt, eggs and toast.

I opt for a variety of fresh fruits and berries with 1/3 cup of Source Yogurt several mornings a week.
Poached or scrambled eggs with Silver Hills Little Big Bread are served on other days.
Two slices of crisp bacon are a treat and I will add these on occasion.
Often I will top two slices of bread with sliced bananas or low fat peanut butter.

To make meals quick and easy I roast a tray of assorted vegetables once a week and keep them in a container in the fridge.


I use yams, carrots, peppers, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, beets, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, whatever looks fresh at the market. I drizzle a small amount of olive oil and toss with the veggies before roasting them at 450 for 40 minutes.



They get a nice colour and have a nutty flavour when they are done.



Lunches are mainly wraps or salads.
I use these with Grimm Co. corn and flour tortilla wraps topped with roasted veggies or a scrambled egg with salsa for a quick lunch.
The roasted vegetables are nice topped with a sprinkling of feta cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar which can be used as a side dish or a main course.
Salads are great for lunches and I always serve mine with a small amount of protein.
Lean chicken or turkey breast, leftover salmon, tuna, soft or a hard boiled egg.
Dressing is used sparingly, about 1 tablespoon, which you can serve on the side and dip the tines of your fork before each bite or dress your entire salad. I use Paul Newmans' lite Thai dressing as I love the flavour.

Dinners usually call for some lean meat, poultry or fish with a salad and lots of vegetables.
A bit of starch on occasion, a baked potato topped with salsa or 1/2 cup of brown rice with a bit of Braggs.

I like to drizzle some lemon juice and sprinkle herbs on top of white fish which I bake on parchment paper at 350 for about 20-25 minutes until done. If I cook salmon I use a wee bit of maple syrup and soy sauce or grated ginger if I have some fresh on hand.



Chicken breast is my preferred choice but Mr. HB likes thighs and wings which I rarely eat because they have skin and more fat than I like to consume. I cook him these when I have lean chicken breast.
Remember that the suggested 3 ounce portion is about the size of a deck of cards.

Steak is a good choice but we don't BBQ much in the winter and I don't grill in my oven so we might have some ground hamburger in burritos, chili or spaghetti sauce.
I severely limit the amount of pasta that I have because it is so high in points and serve a big salad with it so I am not hungry and tempted to have seconds!


I make a big pot of chili with beans, peppers, corn and ground turkey...this is nice leftover served in a wrap for lunch the next day.


Stir fries are a great way to get lots of veggies and a just wee bit of meat. I use vegetable stock to stir fry instead of oil so I save points and still get a tasty result. Bean sprouts are used instead of noodles and I aways add Braggs, red pepper flakes, freshly grated ginger and some Chinese five spice powder.
You can use a bottled stir fry sauce that is low in calories for added flavour if you prefer.

Homemade soup with a tomato base is great to have on hand. Make a big batch and freeze it in small containers for when hunger strikes and you do not have time to whip one up from scratch.
I saute onions, carrots and celery until soft then add water and fish or chicken bones and make a broth.
Season with dill, salt and pepper add a can of tomato paste and simmer. You can add leftover vegetables or some frozen ones if you like.
Homemade soup is very filling.


Snacks mostly consist of an apple sliced with 2 wedges of lite Laughing Cow cheese.


Fresh carrot sticks, peppers, pea pods, celery, cherry tomatoes with a tablespoon of lite Dilly Dip made by the Lighthouse company. Great for serving to company too, and look how beautiful it looks!


Popcorn is a good choice too but with no added butter!

Remember to eliminate or drastically reduce the consumption of sodas, sweet drinks, candy, cookies and pastries.
Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol.

I hope this helps and remember that the Weight Watchers have a website where you can sign up for a free newsletter to get recipes and ideas that help you eat nutritionally good food in portions that allow for weigh loss and maintain your health. Exercise is an important component when trying to lose weight. Walking just 20 minutes each day will help you to rev up your metabolism and aids in sleep. The more activity that you engage in the faster you will notice results.


One of the best things I did was buy the Walk Meter app for my IPhone which keeps track of my walk stats.
You can program it to talk and encourage you to step up your pace to walk faster if you need the motivation.

It is not a huge task if you start small.
Make a few changes a bit at a time and before you know it they become a habit.

Best of luck and thank you for posing the question.


Sunday, August 4, 2013

Point Ellice House, Joesph Joesph and a Weight Watchers report.

Last month I visited the historic home and garden of Point Ellice House with my BFF.
The grounds are lovely and the home is situated on the Victoria waterfront...
back when it was built ~ visitors could arrrive by boat at the dock, however my BFF and I arrived by car!

It is set in what is now an industrial area of Victoria but do not let that disuade you from visiting.
The cream tea alone is worth the trip!

We ventured out early on a Sunday morning to attend The Island Mavins Market.


Some of you may remember that I attended last year
the weather this year was much more favourable
and although I did not buy as much 
it was such fun to share it with a good friend.


 a fragrant rose 
citrus overtones
creamy perfection


wicker chairs lined up along a table 
under the tent
great for a rest and a pot of tea
and one can sit and gaze out toward the sea
glimpses of ocean peeking through the trees


lots of people came out to this event
warmth and sunshine make it easy to meander about in the garden
perusing the wares


bunting and bouquets
a colourful combo


artists and crafts people were showcasing their creations
everything from hand made soaps to quilts
to cards and clothing


vintage collectibles


all nestled snugly inside the gorgeous grounds


a vast potager was smack dab in the middle of it all


heritage hollyhocks
some seedlings were available for sale


The house and garden are linked for indoor outdoor living
by verandas and patios 


I bought this antique box to hide various cords and chargers
the techy tools that we use daily
the camera, IPhone and IPad.


On the frontier of new gadgets...
Joesph Joesph is all the rage...
this garlic rocker works like a charm.

On the Weight Watchers Front I am a few ounces short of 20 pounds lost with 5 to go....
who would have predicted that I would be able to accomplish this a year ago?
Not me.

With support anything is possible!