Showing posts with label guests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guests. Show all posts

Friday, October 9, 2015

Thanksgiving...October Oranges.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and with that in mind,
 there are a few autumnal features in our Humble Bungalow.


Small simple additions are creeping in...
orange mini pumpkins.
Given that I prefer natural seasonal touches to those made in factories
it's relatively inexpensive and easy.


A dried allium bloom from the garden is housed under a glass dome
on top an arts and crafts copper tray
hand hammered copper arts and crafts Roycroft "Princess" candle sticks
Objibwa First Nations tamarack duck decoys

Canada's Thanksgiving is on Monday, a month before the US celebrates their Thanksgiving.



We are hosting dinner here in Our Humble Bungalow
So I'm looking through my cookbooks
and planning ahead.
Some dishes are prepared in advance so that I can enjoy visiting with our guests.


I like to set the table early
lay the tablecloth and linen napkins
arrange the silver
the glasses and plates.

I'll be wearing my linen apron and "fussing in the kitchen" for most of the day.

I'm looking forward to dinner with our family.
We all live in the same city, which makes it easy to gather together often and share a family meal.


Giving Thanks
being 
Grateful
honouring family
celebrating
in a humble and simple way
with a home cooked meal
served with love

remembering thanksgiving feasts from the past

carving out and creating future
memories 
for the elders 
and the wee ones.


I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Hopping back...

It's been a miserable couple of days...
and it was not from over imbibing on NYE!


Cheryl and I both got sick and took to our beds...

We both drank copious amounts of lemon water on NYE in between our cocktail and champagne but both succumbed to a nasty bug...with chills but no fever...no one else got sick.



She rested downstairs in the guest room and I upstairs in the master...
the "fellows" were left on their to fend for themselves.
Thank goodness for frozen convenience food!


Cheryl and John have returned home and I have emailed her and she feels much improved...


Chester stayed at my side while I was in bed and kept me company. 
He even went so far as to bring the bunny up from the grand children's toy basket.
Bless his heart...he must have known that I needed some TLC.

I hope the New Year has started off better for you and yours...
I'll be back shortly with a new post...
Take care.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Just desserts...

Dessert is not a course that we eat every day here in The Humble Bungalow...
however, when we have company for dinner, it is a given.


Our house guest is not on Weight Watchers but she ate and enjoyed a low point count dessert.
Whether she knew it was a WW friendly choice or not I am not sure.
 I try not to inundate our guests with my eating regime rules or point counts!

Angel food cake and fresh fruit was served with a choice of whipped cream or yogurt.
It was a refreshing seasonal option especially with all the fresh fruits currently available in the grocery shops.

We discussed desserts and dinner party menus and L shared her easy peasy dessert recipe with me.

I think it is a keeper so I am sharing it with you.



Beat 3 egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar until blended and set aside.
Whip 1 cup of whipping cream and add 1/4 cup of any liqueur
Fold the egg mixture and the cream together and put into serving size ramekins.
Freeze until just before serving.

I picked some flowers and snuck them inside The Humble Bungalow when the cats were snoozing...
arranged and placed in the main bathroom and guest suite downstairs.



Flowers, Perrier, scents and light reading are stocked and ready for our guests.
The bed is comfy and the room quiet.
The downstairs bathroom has shampoo, cream rinse, razors, Q-Tips, cotton balls, toothpaste, toothbrushes, fresh white towels and a spare bathrobe.


My friend L and I walked each day and chatted while sipping wine before dinner.
We went for massage at Silk Road Spa and followed up the pampering with a healthy lunch at Rebar.
Bliss!

She helped me choose some new frames for prescription sunglasses.
They are Maui Jim sunnies, not the Ray Ban Wayfarer's that I had been considering.


Jacob's Coat rose growing by the back door...
the vintage Parisian table and chair where I sit with a mug of tea or a bottle of water when it is 
 time to relax a bit and soak in the beauty and sounds of the birds and the bees as they go about their business in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I've been busy catching up on domestics.
I washed the wood floor in the kitchen on my hands and knees as that's the only way to really get the job done.
The floor is over 100 years old ~ it's dull, scratched and dented ~ it looks so much better when it's clean!

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has a clean floor and she shares her recipe so you might want to pop over and check it out, she's lovely.


Hope that you are taking care of you and yours...
until next time when we meet up again here on this blog.


Hostess

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Observations ~ are old fashioned traditions and the homemade on their way out?

Did you receive many Christmas cards this year? We did not get as many as we have in the past.
I sent cards to those on our list as I have done for as long as I can remember...I think it was our first year as a married couple way back in 1974.
Do you think sending cards and writing letters is falling out of fashion?
I like getting newsy letters at Christmas...well anytime is nice but people these days are far too busy to sit down and put pen to paper.
These days I look upon letters and cards as a luxury.

I have not penned a long letter in ages but filled our cards with snippets of our highlights over the past year.
Joys of grand babies, family events, the cats and their antics, the new boat, and my retirement to name a few.

Blogging has replaced my tendency to write letters or keep a journal.

It's interesting how many changes have come about with the technology that we have available today.
I know that I am rambling on...
this is a rather disjointed post!


I took this picture before the paper whites bloomed.
Chester did his best to hide the bulbs about the bungalow but I stumbled onto his hiding place and saved them.
(under the guest bed)
(where I might add I also found a pea pod and a string bean!)

One of my dearest friends found out on Christmas morning that she is going to be a grandmother!

I love to have a knitting project on the go so I have started a baby blanket.
It is the Big Blocks pattern from Churchmouse Yarns.


Cotton Bernats Crafters Yarn
the ecru shade should go with any nursery decor.


The pattern has a garter stitch border and alternating blocks of knit and purl squares.
Easy to do if you put markers in between the boxes which alert you to the stitch change.
My friend Claire at the wool shop shared this tip with me after I had to rip out a few rows on the first blanket I made for Isla over 4 years ago now.


Look at the big ball of yarn!
I love using these as they are one continuous strand so there is no need for a join in the project...
unless one of the cats chews though the yarn, which has happened, but thankfully not on this project so far.

I get a lot of satisfaction out of making things myself.
It is not just the process of making it.
 It is also the knowledge that time and effort went into making something useful.
 With any luck it will be appreciated and become a keepsake.



I made split pea and ham soup and while it simmers on the stove I am going to sit and knit.
I think of soup made with leftovers as a "free" meal.
In the spirit of thrift I embrace soup making.
It uses up what might be wasted.
"Waste Not Want Not"

My grandmother made pots and pots of soups and stews in her days.
The butcher knew that they were struggling to make ends meet and he set aside bones for her and when she went in to buy a joint of meat he would wrap up a few of the bones and put them in her bag for free.
My grandmother always had a fresh loaf of bread on the counter to help sop up all the tasty goodness in the bottom of the bowl.
Did I mention that my grandfather always picked up wayward strangers who were down on their luck and brought them home for dinner?
My grandmother never knew how many would be sitting down to eat at her farm sized kitchen table!
Homemade soup is a hearty and inexpensive way to keep people fed and warm.
Hence the many soup kitchens in church basements and local shelters.
Enjoy a bowl of goodness.



A silicone chick perched on the rim of the pot holds the wooden spoon.
Friends gave this to us last year for Christmas.
I use it a lot.

~ Split pea and Ham soup ~

Soak 2 cups of split peas in water for an hour.

Boil a ham bone with cubes of leftover ham in 6 cups of water.
Add several diced onions, a couple of carrots chopped and a sprig of fresh thyme.
Add pepper to taste.
(I don't add salt as there seems to be enough in the ham)
Simmer for an hour.
Add the split peas and water, Simmer until the peas are mushy and soft!
Ladle into soup bowls and enjoy.



Share some soupy goodness with your family and friends and see if they like it!

Hostess

Thursday, January 2, 2014

OOTD ~ New Years Eve 2014

Our New Years Eve was spent at the gorgeous home of my BFF and her husband.
Friends from Vancouver came over to our Humble Bungalow to stay and help with the celebrations.


At Tigara, Christmas trees are full and fill the grand living room and touch the ceiling.
They are lavishly decorated with vintage baubles and many lights.


The first course consisted of delights from Hilary's Cheese shop on Fort Street.
Olives, antipasto, crackers, cheeses, stuffed peppers and salami.
We grazed leisurely over these while sipping a couple of cocktails.


This year Mr. HB made us Brambles.
Cheryl had enjoyed one of these at Heath Row Airport Lounge while waiting for her flight to Paris.
They are so very refreshing.
Gin, simple syrup, lemon, and Chambord served over crushed ice then garnished with blackberries.


The dining table set with care.


I love the art nouveau sterling vases.
The Roycroft china is perfect for this arts and crafts home.


On the menu...
fresh Dungeness crab
Caesar salad
bread


Nigella's olive oil chocolate torte with raspberries.
Served with coconut bliss ice cream.

We drank wine with dinner and by the time we had dessert we were sated.


We still have the champagne!


Lace retro inspired top
black skirt
fishnet tights
Calvin Klein pumps


JCrew necklace Xmas two years ago,
a gift from my son and DIL.

New Years always feels more festive with some sparkle.

When we came home we drank lots of Perrier before going to bed.
The men were up early and the women slept in late!
 Fortified by freshly brewed coffee and tea we slowly welcomed the new year.
After a brunch of sausages, farm fresh eggs and a large fruit salad we watched the snowy outdoor hockey game from Detroit on the TV.

A 9K walk and a chicken curry were in the works for later.
WW weigh in will be postponed this week due to house guests, rich food and drinks!

Have you made any resolutions for 2014?



Friday, November 1, 2013

The Humble Bungalow ~ Our Guest Room.

As a Hostess I try to make guests feel welcome when they come to stay.
I think it truly is "the little things" that make a BIG difference in their enjoyment and comfort while they are away from home. I put myself in their position and think about what I like to have when I am staying in someone else's home.

A quiet place to sleep and one that feels cozy enough to retire to for a midday nap. Often we do not sleep as deeply or as long in a strange bed so naps are often needed. This time will also allow the Hostess to prepare appetizers or tidy up a bit before serving the next meal.

I like to have extra blankets, a shawl and robe for guests to use.
Some light reading and a room spray as well as a light pillow spray for setting the tone for slumber.
Bottled water, energy bars or chocolates if I know my guests have a sweet tooth.
Shampoo, cream rinse, soaps and lotions are kept in the bathroom in case they have forgotten to bring their own.
Cotton balls, Kleenex, razors, Q Tips, toothpaste, mouthwash and Tylenol...just a courtesy really but it saves them having to ask.
I realize that I need to buy a blow dryer as my friend did not bring hers along when she last stayed overnight.


A bedside light to read by...
Perrier and pillow spray.


Vintage oak luggage stand at foot of bed
like a butlers tray but lower.


Warm wool blanket just in case.
The duvet on the bed is down filled and usually warm enough but it never hurts to be prepared.


Wicker chair by the window.
A distressed oar adds whimsy.


Thrift shop floral painting.


I used a nautical, beach theme to decorate the guest room.


White beach glass that I collect is stored in a vintage sealer jar.
Shells and coral round out the beach theme.


Light reading...


The bathroom has the basics.
I love fluffy large white towels so naturally I put them in the guest bathroom.


Hotel size samples.


More toiletries reside in this handy shelf unit.


We like to let the guests wake at their own time.
So we get the coffee maker ready the night before and show them how to use it.
With glass fronted cupboards in the kitchen it is easy to see when the mugs are located. 
I would put mugs and sugar out on a tray in the kitchen otherwise.

The Breakfast I usually serve is:
Yogurt, fruit, scrambled eggs, turkey sausages, toasted English muffins assorted jams.
Coffee, juices and tea.

It's important to make your guests feel welcome.
I think by providing the basics and thinking ahead one can relax and enjoy the company with the minimum of fuss.

~ ~ ~

Have I forgotten anything?
Tell me what you like in a guest room?

Have a wonderful weekend.
I am going to play around with my camera and be back soon.

Hostess
XO


Monday, September 23, 2013

Weekend round up...

It was a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow.
We had a great evening with our friends on Friday, sharing a cocktail and a simple dinner.

Now that I am retired I want to focus more on entertaining at home.
I have more time to plan ahead.
Hosting friends and family in our Humble Bungalow is one of my favourite things.


Aren't sunflowers at their most spectacular this time of year?
They make me smile.


Appies and one martini before dinner...
this gin is far and beyond my favourite for a martini.


I set an understated table...
I focus much more on the food preparation.


These pretty vintage napkins were a gift from a friend.
She made them from fabric that she found in her travels...
I love to use them as they are so cheerful.

I finished knitting a hat for Henry...


I hope it fits!


Our family popped over for afternoon tea on Sunday so I made Nigella Lawson's chocolate cake.

Mr. HB harvested the last of the tomatoes and cucumbers.



I am impressed by the rich colours that are produced from such a simple beginning...


The sun came out and surprised us after we heard the dreary weekend forecast.

Pillows galore!
This is my blogging bench...
I sit at this rustic arts and crafts dinette and type my thoughts.


I picked up my copy of Country Living UK...
I will find a quiet moment this week to brew a pot of tea and read it cover to cover.


Hope you are well and enjoying the simple things that life has to offer...

Hostess