Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Thursday, December 19, 2019

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


Seasons greetings!

As I am whittling down my to do list 
getting ready for the holidays 
 finding myself extra busy
fatigue will surface.

If I am not careful I can feel the stress of trying to do it ALL.

Inner pressure to be the "perfect hostess"
 serve elaborate and tasty meals
keep up appearances
wanting
 a "picture perfect" home.

I need to remind myself not to set the bar too high.

Readjust my thought patterns...

Keep it simple
slow down
breathe
relax.


Candles are one of the things that help set a relaxed mood...
I light these festive reindeer votives in the morning when I sit and sip my coffee and 
again later in the afternoon with my tea.

Music is also a powerful mood shifter...

if I need energy I play some lively tunes from my teen years
if I am looking for calm I usually play a classical piece.

One of my favourites is Barber's Adagio for Strings
you can hear it performed by the Detroit Symphony

I feel like I could just float away when I listen to the music.

The gifts are purchased and wrapped.
The tree is up...


Soon
festive tins will be filled 
with shortbread, dried fruit dipped in chocolate, and cookies.

Our dinner menu is in the planning stage.

Leisurely mulling over cookbooks
slowly turning the pages
 looking at the pictures 
 what to cook?


The Humble Bungalow is dressed up very simply...

Grapevine wreath wound with fairy lights in our family room.

Hope that you are savouring the wee moments
that make up your days.

We can start by
inviting
Peace and Quiet 
into our hearts and our homes.

I like this quote it sums up  what I am thinking.

“No person, no place, and no thing has any power over us, 
for 'we' are the only thinkers in our mind. 
When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, 
we will find it in our lives.”

~ Louise L. Hay ~

Wishing you a calm and meaningful holiday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Books, Bedding, and Bouquets...

Summer reading...
I love having a stack of books ready and waiting for summer holidays.



Reading has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember...
The summer of 1960 we moved to Oak Bay and the first friend I met was Diane.

Her family lived up the block from us and we hit it off right from the start...
they resided in a charming heritage home tucked away, it was actually hidden from the street, surrounded by a lovely large garden.

We spent many lazy sunny afternoons playing in her garden that first summer.

I learned how to read at Monterey School using the Dick and Jane readers and became interested in other books. The Anne of Green Gables series, Trixie Beldon, The Famous Five series, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Box Car Children were among my favourites...

After playing outdoors all morning,
we would retire to read in her cozy bedroom nestled under the eaves.

We started reading novels voraciously...attending a library club one summer at the Public Library. Our mother's permitted us to take the bus downtown...Victoria was a small town and much safer in those days. We read so many books that summer and collected a stamp for each book we read...the program was called "Circus McGircus."

In our preteen years, we started listening to music and developed crushes on the Beatles. We owned a TV and her family did not, so she came to our house to watch The Beatles on Ed Sullivan...a lot of screaming ensued, and my parents were not amused!

We would peruse the Beatle fan magazines that her English aunt would send in the post...I had a huge crush on Paul McCartney, and if my memory serves, I think she liked John Lennon.
We even wrote fan mail to Paul and John at The Beatles Fan Club!

As we grew older our taste in reading changed and Diane and I went our different ways...she now lives back east and I stayed in town,
we are now "FaceBook friends."

The love of reading was fostered early in our lives and continues to be strong.
Fostering the love of reading is important and one needs to start early....
reading regularly to babies and children is the best way I know of to get them into the habit...and there are so many great kids books available!


Lands' End had a 50 % off sale on one item on the 4th of July.
I jumped at the chance and ordered some linen bedding 
linen sheets have been on my list for several years.

Bunny is test driving them...
These are the flax colour and soon I plan to buy a linen duvet cover.


Love love love this bouquet!
 Thorn and Thistle put this beautiful bouquet together for our darling daughter's elopement photo shoot.


OOTD
NYDJ skinny jeans
London Fog polka dot trench coat
Sperry espadrilles


I arranged to meet a friend for lunch this week.
We met at a popular Victoria institution...
Pagliacci's on Broad Street.


You need to be there early or wait in line until a table is available.
They are well known for their pasta and focaccia bread.

After lunch we perused Russell Books
then parted ways 
as I was totally immersed in searching the shelves for more books!

The newlyweds will be home soon...
looking forward to seeing all the pictures taken by Kim Kaylyn Photography.

What books are you reading this summer?
Any titles worth sharing?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Walk the Walk...OOTD

My walking partner and I ventured out on our bi-weekly 10K walk.
We planned to walk in between the rain and got caught smack dab in the middle of a thunder and lightning storm.
The torrents of rain came down so fast we had nowhere to take shelter and we stood under the canopy of trees hoping not to get the full force of the storm.
I was worried about lightning strikes though and suggested maybe we make a dash for home...
which we did but it took us about 30 minutes to return.

We got totally soaked right through our coats, shoes, and socks.
Walking with a squeaky squish squish sound on each step.
We were complaining to each other loudly and laughing rather hysterically at how wet we were...
and it was of some comfort that we were not the only fools out in the path of the storm.

Think of two people jumping into a pool with all their clothes on and you'll get the idea of our dampened state!


OOTD 
This is how I looked before I left...
my Mondetta jacket was layered underneath my "water resistant" jacket with a tee underneath
 Gap jeans rolled up twice with Lands" End trail shoes and padded cotton Hanes sports socks.


My hair was presentable before the deluge...


This stone sits in the Humble Bungalow garden.





Boot weather is a' comin...
my Sperry boots are ready by the door.


Puddles await...


~ I'm so grateful for ~
soap and hot running water.


bath salts


fluffy white towels
and 
music


No music will be playing for awhile...
One of the cats has been very naughty and chewed through several of the wires of the cord to the plug.
We think it was Pepper as she likes to bite on cords and yarn...
several years ago
she pulled on her stitches after her spay surgery
I stayed awake two nights with her trying to keep the cat "cone" on her head so she would be safe.



She looks quite innocent here...
appearances can be deceiving.


My radio is on most of the day tuned to the CBC but all is quiet and will be until my new adaptor arrives.


I've got my eyes on a pair of red shoes for the fall...
I am going to be very very frugal and buy very little so that the Paris account will be growing and ready for next Spring.

I find it much easier to save when I have a tangible goal...
these would be fun to wear on the streets of Paris with a pretty scarf knotted at my neck.

What is on your list of things to buy for the fall?


Monday, February 10, 2014

Skincare Tonics ~ Caudalie

Perhaps I have been living under a rock but until Christmas day I had never heard of the fabulous French skin care line Caudalie. My son and his gorgeous wife gave me a Caudalie gift package that was made up of make up remover cleansing water, Beauty Elixir, hand and nail cream, anti-oxidant lip conditioner and divine oil.
I am over the moon with these exquisite potions.


Caudalie products are made without the use of harsh chemicals.
Sephora carry their line of products and you can read the reviews online.
They are very popular and come highly recommended by skin care guru's.

I've been test driving these new products and am very happy with the results.
I am particularly excited about the Divine oil.


(you can see the telltale signs of rosacea on my cheeks)

I went to my Yoga class without any foundation just a quick swipe of mascara and some pink lip butter.

Feeding one's face is as much about nutrition and hydration as it is about product.
Janet at The Gardener's Cottage swears by Olive oil and she is an esthetician.
I love her blog, she eats vegan and posts many wonderful recipes as well as her thrifty thoughts on shopping.
I'd love to meet up with her someday.

Here's my power packed Kale Salad.
It is my go to lunch these days.
Full of anti-oxidants and vitamins.

~ ~ ~



Humble Bungalow Kale Salad

Wash and spin kale dry in a salad spinner.
Cut out the big inner rib and tear into bite size pieces.
Put into a large salad bowl with sliced peppers, shaved carrots, cucumber cubes, a handful of dried cranberries, 
1/3 cup chopped pecans and 1/2 cup goat feta cheese.
Toss with healthy dressing.

~ ~ ~



Healthy Dressing

In a blender mix

1/4 cup each sesame seeds, tahini
1/2 cup olive oil
2/3 cup lemon juice and grated rind of 1 lemon
1 cup water
1 large garlic clove
pinch of sea salt
sliver of fresh ginger grated
1/4 cup of honey

Process until smooth store in fridge and dress serving size portions of Kale salad.
Keeps for several weeks in the fridge.

Shake well or stir before serving.
I make this ahead and keep on hand for quick lunches.
(My sister uses this dressing as a marinade for chicken)


Good nutrition, plenty of water, a good night's sleep, exercise, and reduced stress all play a role in health.

  Our skin seems to reflect some of our bad habits or negligence.
Think of it as your calling card.

We have all met women who radiate beauty and good health.
 Their devotion to exercise and nutrition seem to be the ticket.
This has been very evident with quite a few women I have met at The Hemma Yoga Studio.
Most are well into their 70's and the instructors who radiate calm and peace tell me they are vegan or vegetarians.

I've gone back to Yoga because I had noticed some stiffness in my neck and joints.
Flexibility is something that we lose as we age if we don't keep stretching we lose it.
Walking is great but not enough.
After 75 minutes of Hatha Yoga at the studio I feel so much calmer and surprisingly rested.
On the days that I go to Yoga I sleep much deeper and longer than the days that I don't go.
Better than any medicine, Yoga has far reaching benefits.

You don't need to go to the studio to practise Yoga.
You can cocoon and go through the poses on your Yoga mat in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

I have tried to practise at home but my cats will not leave me alone.
Something is rather fishy... it's my Yoga mat.


I lay my mat out in the hobby room on the shag carpet.


Someone has been trying to catch a fish!


Whoever it was had very sharp claws...
and it happened so fast.
I was in the Warrior pose and obviously not doing a very good job defending my territory.
I suppose I'll need to find another mat at some point.
 The gals at the studio are still laughing about my cats trying to catch the fish.
They smirk everytime I unfurl it and I do smile when I catch them looking.
It might just be another connection...so be it.

~ ~ ~

"It's been my experience that the longer I do yoga, the more I want to know, the more I am able to understand and the less judgmental I am."

~ Ali MacGraw ~

Let's hope the week ahead will unfold like a beautiful butterfly...
who knows what we might uncover.


Monday, November 26, 2012

Pillow talk ~ Hostess Tips for Stress Free Holiday Shopping

Do you remember the film Pillow Talk?
The vintage rom com starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

Mother and I spent many happy hours watching films with Doris Day and Rock Hudson when I lived at home.
Father wasn't a big fan of this genre, he preferred James Bond or espionage films.

Mother and I went for a drive this past weekend and did some shopping at Mattick's Farm.
Homebody has sumptuous imported linens and Danish porcelain pieces. It's my new favourite spot to shop for gifts and home decor items.

I managed to find a pillow for our new love seats.
My back aches if I do not support it with a cushion,
it's because I am short and my feet cannot touch the ground without the extra padding!


Belgian Linen 
in an off white shade
the cover is removable for laundering

Chester is giving it the sniff test.


checking the construction


I think he approves.

Over a cup of freshly brewed tea I made out my annual Christmas Do List.

Things to make and bake and take.
Scottish Shortbread
Rum Balls
Bark

List of hostess gifts and ideas...
candles
soaps
linen tea towels and napkins
jams and jellies
fancy vinegars
olive oils
teas

List of people that we buy gifts for, mostly family and friends
 ideas jotted down beside their names.

Things I need to do...
buy, write and mail the Christmas cards
order the turkey
buy the Christmas crackers
get the tree
buy a wreath for the front door
buy some poinsettias
plan the menu for Xmas dinner

Decide on the table cloth and napkins for the turkey feast.
If a new colour is in order buy the cloth and napkins ahead so there is no last minute panic shopping.

 I try to shop ahead close to home 
in smaller shops nearby 
to avoid stress of parking lots and crowded stores.
Walking to the shops is a bonus and I'll frequently indulge in a seasonal treat ~
an egg nog latte from Starbucks.

When I bake, write cards, or do the wrapping I put on my favourite Christmas CD's.
I'll light an aromatic candle and sip a cup of tea or perhaps a wee sherry.
It's so much more pleasant and helps me get into the spirit of the festive season.

I'll keep my shopping list in my purse and make notes as I shop
that way I can keep track of who I have bought for and therefore do not over buy.
I could use my IPhone too but old habits die hard!

Make and plan ahead some meals for nights when energy is waning.
Aim to get to bed earlier to avoid falling ill.
Hydrate with plenty of water
and 
breath deeply and mindfully.
Try to give yourself ample time to accomplish your tasks
rushing just makes one frantic and nerves can get frazzled so quickly.
Be kind to others and don't let the rudeness of others get you down.

Try to schedule in some pampering at the Spa 
or set some time aside 
a few hours at home for a restorative facial 
and a relaxing soak in the tub.

I savour and enjoy getting ready for the holidays
making it easy and enjoyable is how I manage to make the most of the pre-season busy~ness.

Oh!
 I almost forgot
Remember to smile!

Best wishes
Hostess
XO

Sunday, October 14, 2012

And the beet goes on...

Beets are best served fresh and we have enjoyed our garden's bounty this summer.
Sweet and delicious served simply with butter, a grind of pepper and a few crystals of sea salt.

With the weather finally slinking into fall
the fog, the damp and the rain...
It seemed like a good time to pull out the rest of our beets and do something with them.


red beets


yellow beets


Pickled beets
a real treat
which we'll enjoy over the winter.

Do you remember Sonny and Cher?

They look so young and in love in this video clip.



Can you see the massive spider's web that has been woven outside our living room window?
It's so intricate.
No sign of the spider though...
I've noticed many webs strung and woven in the garden recently.
Which makes me wonder where these spiders have been all summer long.

When I looked at this web I thought I'd recently seen this design up close.
Then I remembered that I have a pottery bowl by potter Terry Ryals.




celadon green


look closer


The pattern looks rather weblike
perhaps he was inspired by a spider's handiwork.

I don't know how he has achieved this effect
perhaps it's in the firing or a very specific kind of glaze.

All I know is that I do like the finished product.
You can find his works locally in galleries and on Salt Spring Island.

I love to browse galleries for unique gifts for friends and family.
And on a rare occasion I find a treasure that comes home with me!

~ ~ ~

Hope you are having fun and enjoying your day.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Unbelievable!

On my walk I saw something so strange that I had to look twice...
it was not a bird sighting or a whale spy hopping in the bay.
It was...
well you'll have to see it to believe it.


Scene
as seen
 on top of a man made rocky groyne
in the bay not too far from The Humble Bungalow.

Old love seat and chairs 
that someone has obviously dumped there.

In my opinion this is littering of the first order
it looks ridiculous 
and 
makes our pristine waterfront look like a tip.

Bypassers were stopping their cars and hopping out to take pictures.
Some brave ladies, in heels no less...
scaled the rocks and logs and took photos of each other sitting 
on the
precariously perched pieces of furniture.

I stopped my walk to capture this image 
and then hastened on my merry way.

This must have been done under the cover of darkness
no one in their right mind would attempt this during daylight hours
I am sure there would be a substantial fined levied if the city caught them.

Maybe it was a Graduation prank...
there are lots of grad ceremonies going on and schools do try to "outdo" each other.
UBC engineers used to hang VW bugs from the Lion's Gate Bridge
at least they did that when I worked for UBC.
(that was back in the mid 70's)

Did your graduating class participate in any pranks?
I cannot remember what, if anything, my class did
but hey that was in 1973....
and we were still the peace and love generation.

Mr. HB and I were high school sweethearts
we've been together since I was 15 years old...
this is our song
and I am still in love with him....

Have a great Friday....
Hostess
XO

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Pretty Tulips and then some sad news...

Did you know that Tulips stand up straighter if you place a copper penny in the vase?
Flowers arrived from a friend...
Lovely daughter popped the penny in the water and arranged the tulips.
Thanks darling!


My sister mentioned at her Garden Club, when introducing the guest speaker Des Kennedy,
 that "Viagra would make tulips stand at attention"
the audience snickered and whispered excitedly amongst themselves...
I wonder if this really works.
(I think some of the audience might have had access to some of those little blue pills!)


Tulips ~ Day 4 
still standing...

why not try the penny trick and see if it works for you.
Spring tulips are for sale and right now they are very cheap.
The Bungalow Hostess cannot be without them
as they raise my spirits until my garden flowers can take over.

Did I mention that our cleaning gal has returned?
We really missed her visits.
She's wonderful and I love what she does to help keep our Humble Bungalow looking presentable.
But I digress.

A friend who lives up island and I had lunch together and we were enjoying 
our food when she started to weep...
it seemed sudden and I was rather perplexed
what was moving her to tears?
as menopause affects us all so differently I didn't over react
(I can cry at the drop of a hat)
I offered her a tissue and waited...
she caught her breath, visibly shaken 
she told me her husband has been diagnosed with leukemia....
BUT
she said if you have to get leukemia get the kind my husband has 
(?)
CLL a type of chronic leukemia which has a longer time to develop
but it will get worse eventually and require treatment.
He may have 5 to 20 years before that happens
In the mean time he is scheduled for an MRI, a CAT scan, and various other tests...
they have quite the challenge ahead
and there are lots of friends who will help and be there to support them through this journey.
It's a shock for sure for all of us.

Life can be so fragile
it really shakes things up hearing of a loved one who is diagnosed with this wretched disease
and all I keep thinking is
"it's not fair"


Adele's CD 21 
has been getting a lot of play
 gorgeous and talented
she's perking things up here
I just cannot get enough of her sound...
in case you haven't heard 


I love that YOU come by 
and do me the honour of your company...
I'm
 an ordinary woman 
with a desire to write
about the mundane
 the serious
and 
the simple things in life
learning to accept my limitations
moving forward
nudging closer to 60 
 feeling gratitude in every pore of my being
and possibly learning to be comfortable in my own skin one picture at a time.

XO
Hostess

Hug and hold tight someone you love today.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Birthday Bling a weekend review....

So it's been my birthday weekend.
I am now officially 57 years "young"
sounds much better than saying 57 years "old."

The vintage rhinestone necklace I ordered from Ruby Lane Antiques arrived
I wore it out to dinner...
Sparkles + Twinkles = Bling.





To start the weekend celebrations we dined out Friday at a fabulous French Bistro.
The memory of that tasty meal is still ever so clear in my mind....


French 75 for the Hostess and a martini for Mr. HB...
we started with French Onion Soup,
followed by steak, mushrooms and pommes frites for the main course,
Creme Brulee with two spoons for dessert.
Coffee for Mr. HB and I sipped wine and water as I planned to enjoy a sleep in and caffeine affects my slumber.


French Red Wine
Sterling our waiter, 
recommended a Cotes du Rhone variety.


Fountain 
flooded in a fuchsia light

I snapped this image on my IPhone as we waited for the cab to arrive.

( Faux Fuchsia might like this)
I sent her a copy
 I sent her the Pho Fuchsia eatery from Seattle a few years ago 
and she posted the image on her sidebar.
If you've never been a visitor to her blog you'll be impressed...
she's a busy mom and a lawyer with incredible taste in home decor, food and fashion.


When we got home Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were on Jimmy Fallon,
we watched our Boss work his magic. We are huge fans!

Saturday lunch with Mother...


I'd dare not show up wearing too much Bling...
I dressed sedately in a black knit skirt, boots, a cashmere sweater, Hermes scarf.
No reason to alarm her at her age.



Saturday evening and it's dinner with friends...
I wore the sparkly choker with
Gap wide legged jeans, black tank top, black long knit sweater and kitten heels.

Janet author of The Gardener's Cottage would have been glued to the TV as Jack White was on SNL.
How was it Janet?
We taped it and will watch it sometime this week.

If you haven't met Janet yet pop by for a visit and say Hi for me.
She embraces frugality and minimalism, gardens, practices Yoga and she's a drop dead gorgeous esthetician who looks far too young to be a grandmother!


Mr. HB designed the paper that he wrapped my gift in...
he's so clever!


Lovely delicate orchid blooms.


I am going to put my feet up and relax 
with In Style and a cup of tea...

It's been a busy weekend
filled with wonderful birthday celebrations
a I feel so Happy.

Thank you
from your 
Humble Hostess
XO

How are things going with you?
Tell me everything...