Showing posts with label habits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label habits. Show all posts

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Starting 2023 slowly, thoughtfully and with intention...

 


 ~ New Year ~

Thoughts of change and the steps required to take the necessary actions
easing slowly...
mulling over the multitude of possibilities.
What to do?
Stay the same or move ahead in a fresh new direction?
Take a risk or keep it safe?


Current read...

I heard so many lovely things about this book that I bought a copy.

Numerous friends told me that it was the BEST book that they had read last year.
That says a LOT!

I am not yet finished it...
reading slowly to absorb and digest the thoughts 
and 
significance of the words.

It is very beautifully written, full of emotion and poignant life experiences.
Very Sad...
the attention to detail is divine, the author writes like an artist paints.

In the spirit of not rushing...


I've signed up for a 30 day online Yoga challenge.
On day 4, I realized how much I have missed my Yoga practice.

Watching the instructor,
  (who looks effortless) 
while she moves through the poses
was quite discouraging for me.

 I was struggling on my mat!

I signed up at my former Yoga Studio 
for in person classes with the instructor whose teaching style I love.
Her calming voice, slow movements and gentle spirit are absolute BLISS!
Classes start in 2 weeks and I am very excited.

Our naughty cats were guilty of shredding my old Yoga mat...
it was time to replace it.
I bought a new one today which is 6mm thick to cushion my 67 year old achy joints.
While I was shopping I found a small bolster and a lavender scented cleaning spray.

Do you practice Yoga?

Sunday morning post on Instagram today...




Sand and Fog Candle
in a lovely soothing fragrance
~ Roses and Sandalwood ~

This scent would make a great perfume.

The painted rock above was designed and painted by my former neighbour.
It reminds me of a mandala...

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.

 We are immersed in a Netflix series called The Stranger...
oh my goodness it is so complicated!

We've watched a few good ones lately...

Treason and another one called The Bodyguard
coincidentally
 they are all British.

The Stranger is British too with an all star cast.
You might enjoy them too...
let me know.

What are you watching?

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Monday, February 18, 2019

Checking in...

My time on the computer has dwindled of late...
there are more things keeping me busy that require my attention.


In advance of our trip to Italy 
I enrolled in a class at the local community centre.
Italian for travellers.

The language is beautiful...
it has a very melodic sound
and
spoken with such passion.

Learning a new language at my age is proving to be a challenge!
The teacher, 
who is from Rome,
gives us lots of homework and much of it requires memorization.

I am really enjoying the sessions
 have met many wonderful people 
who are also planning a trip to Italy.


The snow kept me indoors more than I would have liked...
I love to walk every day.

The fresh air clears out any cobwebs and energizes.
I discovered that noticing and savouring the beauty of nature has a positive effect on my mental well being.

So I suffered a bit with cabin fever...
which prompted me to clean out cupboards and drawers.
Many bags are heading off to the charity shop,


The snow is melting!
The roads are clear and only a few patches of snow linger in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Walking has resumed!


I'm reading a great book...
have you read it?

What are you reading?
Do you have any favourite books to share?


My hair is greyer these days...
its longer and some days is curlier than others.
I've stopped washing it every day as grey hair tends to be dry.

My skin has been extra dry...
think it must be the cold weather.
I have been slathering on serums, moisturizers, body lotion and hand cream.

Are you on Instagram?

She lives in Paris and has an amazing shop called Crimson.
She is a style icon.
I plan to visit her shop when I go to Paris.

Many mature women are reinventing themselves...
the confidence, joy and passion that they share 
is positively invigorating...

Times up! 
Must close the laptop 
 I am meeting friend for a walk.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Sunday flowers...giving up alcohol on the blog today.


Remember these pink foxgloves?
The geraniums are still going strong but many of the garden flowers have faded away...summer is slowly but surely on its way out 
surprisingly the sunshine and warmth have not yet waned.


When we have finished working in the garden we are able to sit on the deck in our comfy chairs and survey all our hard work.


The garden has many plants that love the heat and perform well over the entire summer season...
others fade as soon as their blooms have wilted.
The lady's mantle is looking very straggly and needs to be drastically cut back.


Inside The Humble Bungalow the orchids have taken a beating...
something has crept in...
an unwelcome insect or pest
that has affected several of the older plants...
I had to throw them into the compost.

Fear not, 
I will be on the look out for a sale and find a few replacements.
They do add loads of cheer to the windowsill above the Humble Bungalow farmhouse kitchen sink.


The rose scent hunt for "the one" is still ongoing...
I have eliminated quite a few on the quest to find one or two that I love.
I will report back when I have completed my testing.


Love a pop of colour in the garden...
these chairs are perched on the railing of a porch on Denman Island
placed next to a jumble of blue flowers.


Delphiniums and bees.


Clematis
gardening is a green thumbs' way of painting!


After trying and failing to lose 10 pounds several times
I am back counting my points and have quit drinking all alcohol 
in an effort to get back to my goal weight.

The liver plays a significant role in burning fat so cutting out anything that impedes this progress is worth it.
I've been sipping non-alcoholic wines 
which are 1 or 2 WW points per 8 oz. glass.
After sampling several varieties ~ red, white and bubbly...
I have found a couple that taste great, and I have opted for the 1 point wines.

The plan is to return to weight watchers in September...
in the meantime 
I am back counting my points, making sensible food choices
and walking briskly every day.


Putting my "best foot forward" 
as I did it before
 I CAN do it again.


I have lusted after the red Ferragamo Varina's for many years 
IF I can find a pair this Fall 
providing I get back to my WW goal weight 
that is going to be my reward.

Nothing like a red shoe to make one feel cheerful.


There's a lot to do in the garden so I must hasten away and get busy.

Have you seen The Gardener's Cottage newly designed blog?
Janet has been one of the first bloggers that I discovered and I think she's just delightful and her new blog is wonderful.
Pop over and take a look.

Until next time...
Be well and Be Kind.
XO

Friday, May 12, 2017

Tulip mania...and some "happy" habits.

The local markets are overflowing with buckets and buckets of colourful Tulips.
Priced so low, that they practically hop into my shopping basket...


Even after Tulips have fully blown open they are quite lovely.

One can buys masses of these or settle for a bunch as I have done here.
It depends on your budget, how big your vases may be and how many bouquets you want to display in your home.


Flowers in the home have always been a prominent accent in our home decor.

Personally I feel it essential that one has something of natural beauty in the home
 it helps keep ones spirits up...

it can be a single stem
some woody branches
a fern frond
plants or orchids
a bowl of lemons
pine cones
seashells
stones

These natural adornments are particularly helpful for our long rainy winter season.
The season here where sunshine is rationed and the gloom can be oppressing...
for some it is debilitating and depressing.


I look for "guaranteed mood lifters"
 like flowers that add elegance and ambiance.
Scented Candles are another one of my essentials for the home.
They do not need to be the posh Diptyque or Cire Trudon brands
many scented candles are affordable and readily available.

I find that it is the "little things" make our everyday life richer.

Tea
flowers
linen tea towels
triple milled soaps
quality chocolate
perfume
soft cashmere sweaters and wraps
cozy socks
plush robes
a hot cup of coffee
a great fitting pair of jeans
lingerie
framed family photos
pretty china cups and saucers
emollient hand lotion
bath salts
fluffy white towels
pearls

Those are a few of my favourite things...

I also like to keep our home tidy
free of clutter
pleasing to the eye.

I am also a big fan of lists. 
Which help to motivate me and keep me up to date on things that need to get done.

I love using "rolling ball" ink pens 
better still, but more expensive, a beautiful fountain pen.
Writing feels effortless using these inky writing implements.
Great for cards, grocery lists and letters.

I keep stocked in our writing desk a variety of pretty cards and stamps.
I buy them in bulk when they are on sale.
I look for the most attractive stamps from the post office.
Lately they have had floral stamps which are simply lovely.
Why opt for boring when one can have beautiful for the same price?


Friends gave us an arts and crafts copper letter opener one year for Christmas. 
I use it for every bill and letter that we receive...
it slices envelopes open swiftly and evenly
a bit of affordable luxury that I enjoy.

Surrounding oneself with little affordable luxuries
things that make one feel good
are well worth the time and effort it takes.

Getting in tune to what "small things" that you can cultivate...
things that may add to your daily round. 
Those that augment and beautify your environment 
it is an exercise worth the time...
listen to your heart
make notes.

You'll soon discover which things make your heart soar 
household habits that make you smile...
perhaps they will change the way you feel about a chore...
like ironing.

Buying some lavender linen spray
use a pretty floral ironing board pad.

It is so much more satisfying
drinking sparkling water out of a vintage etched goblet.

Imagine how pretty it would be
storing your cosmetics or perfumes on a silver tray.

What do you like?
Do you have any tips for cultivating beauty in your home?



Wishing you a wonderful, rich and bountiful weekend.

Hostess
XO

Friday, April 7, 2017

Hostess Shopping habits...Friday post.

I try to shop locally as much as possible.
This is especially important when it comes to food.
If we want the farms to survive as acreages
and the local farmers to stay in business we need to give them our business.

I opt to shop in smaller stores where I know the owners...
the big box stores do not offer much in the way of service
and one generally does not engage in the same sort of conversation with the clerks while conducting business as these stores are usually noisy and crowded and the line ups long
which makes waiting to get through the till a rather tedious exercise.

Having said that, there are a few exceptions...

Like linens...
Our kitchen tea towels are all made of linen.
I love how soft the linen towels get after many washings.
After years of fighting with the iron I have come to terms with the job, and I love ironing...
standing back admiring the stack of freshly ironed tea towels each week on laundry day is a just reward!

I'm not sure why ironing was in the category of "domestic drudgery"...
it never occurred to me that all I needed to do was shift the way that I thought about the job in order to embrace and enjoy the process...
after all is said and done, it is repetitive and very meditative.
Calming...


Patricia Hines designed linen towels from Western Australia
found in a local second hand shop
as new ~ unused
$7.00 each


Each towel has a bit of red in the pattern which is why I bought the pair...
I have a red tea kettle and some other red accents in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen.


Coffee for my morning cafe creme comes from Italy
served in my favourite bowl
from
Emma Bridgewater Black Toast pottery from the UK

Since retiring I have been quite frugal...
especially with clothing.
I have kept a book where I record the clothes that I purchase and how much they cost.
It has been a great exercise and I plan to keep up the habit.


I love to shop vintage and peruse the charity shops.
 This is rather like a hobby as it can take up quite a bit of time.
If one is pressed for time this is not the best way to shop.

We have quite a few good consignment shops in town which are fun to browse.

One of my favourites is Good Things on Oak Bay Avenue.
I have consigned many household things with them...
recently we took some of Mom's items to them.
 I have purchased many more items from them that I could ever list!
(no book itemizing these purchases exists!)

Other shops are;
Value Village, Salvation Army, WIN thrift, St. Vincent de Paul, Super Chance and the James Bay Community Closet are located in town.

The Beacon Hospital Thrift Shop in Sidney is a 40 minute drive
but has a good selection of housewares, books, and clothing.
Like any second hand shop one needs to go with an open mind and look carefully at what is in the store.

Do you shop second hand?
Do you prefer to shop online or in person?


How was your Friday?

Mine was busy, but relaxed.
Yoga class, lunch out with a friend, and a wee bit of shopping
tried to go for a walk in the gale force winds
wrote this post while drinking a pot of tea
next up I will prepare a healthy dinner.



For those of you who may be curious about the lot next door...
and those who aren't please look away now.

This is the view from my kitchen window...
there is a huge pile of dirt waiting to be trucked away.
I wonder if we will have a weekend of peace and quiet.

Hope that you have some fun things planned for the weekend.

Hostess
XO

Monday, January 2, 2017

New Year walking and weight loss...

We opted for a stay at home dinner this past New Years Eve.

Bubbly, bread and butter...


 Caesar Salad


Alaska King Crab Legs

A rather festive menu and the last meal of the year...
time to get back on track and whittle away some pounds.


Come rain or come shine I will be walking.
No more excuses.


Walking is so much nicer when the sun shines
 but we cannot expect sunny days at this time of year.



Walking is convenient and free...
no scheduled time constraints
no gym fees
no special equipment.

 Weight loss is my motivation and fresh air the benefit.


Sometimes I need "a carrot" to get me out the door...
once I am out and about I am fine, 
the challenge is prying myself away from a book, my knitting or the Internet!

Walking while
running an errand
posting a letter
visiting Mother
buying coffee
getting a few groceries.

How are you doing with your fitness routine?

Do you have a membership at the gym?
Do you like to do Yoga, swim, bike or run on a treadmill?


I like to use the scale as my motivator and when I see results I reward myself with non food treats...

Flowers
a new lip gloss
fancy tea
nail polish
a thrift shop find

Staying committed is tough and we all need to keep our focus on our long term goals.

I wish it was easier and faster to get to these goals and that we can take heart by  indulging more often in things that do not derail our progress.

If you find it daunting
start small and see how it goes...
 20 minutes a day and then work up to 45 or 60 minutes
you'll be pleased to see the results.
If you feel better walking with a partner see if you can find a friend who wants to walk...
or 
join a walking group.
GOOD LUCK!

Cheerio readers, 
I'm off for my walk now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Waking in Sunshine...but not for long!

I awoke surprised to see the sunshine pouring in through the blinds last weekend.
The other surprise was the time...
9AM!
Sleeping in is so rare these days that when I realize that I have slept in
it comes as a SHOCK!


My morning luxury is to brew an espresso and serve it in a bowl with foamed milk.
This habit started in Paris and I have never looked back.
For me this starts my day off on a positive note.
I take a few minutes to check out Instagram, Facebook and read blogs.

After my shower I dress in my walking clothes...
this helps me stay motivated to go for my walk.

If I dress up in "going out" clothes right away 
I can find a million excuses NOT to go for a walk!

black yoga pants
a long top
puffy vest or puffy jacket 
(choice is dependent on the forecast)
sock and athletic shoes

 I took an alternate route
and ventured into the Ross Bay Cemetery.
It is very beautiful, peaceful, and full of all kinds of wildlife...
birds, squirrels, deer.


Heritage Trees form a canopy over the lanes.


The seafront is just beyond the edge of the grass...
you can see the seawall and ocean if you look closely.


Spectacular Autumn colours


Inside a crevice in a tree 
I spy fungi...


Not sure what kind of toadstools or mushrooms these might be but they look quite happy here...if fungi can actually be happy in its environment.
I would like to think that happiness on some level can be felt by all living things.

Speaking of happiness...


I must confess that I had my knickers in a twist...
not my usual comfortable happy place and I had to snap out of it.

I started going for my walk...
on the regular route.

Dozens maybe Hundreds
 of people running towards me.
Dear reader I had encountered a marathon!

A loud rock band was playing under a tent at the corner
there was a water station set up where runners were grabbing cups 
guzzling down the water and then tossing the cups willy nilly on the street.
I feared that I would be knocked over so I grumbled a bit under my breath and took off in another direction...the direction of the cemetery.

All in all it was a lovely walk and I felt totally refreshed when I came home.


~ Crunch crunch crunch crackle ~
the sounds under my feet as the dried leaves collapse.


~ water droplets on a leaf ~



~ the veins in these leaves are so pretty ~

There is so much beauty in the ordinary 
it is worth looking closely at every day things that we encounter.
What surprise might we see?


Orange and yellow dinner plate sized Dahlia 
still blooming in mid October in a garden on Hollywood Crescent.


This is Chester 
the little rascal will not stay off the table.
This is where I have my lap top and where I write my blog posts.

Perhaps this pose is his way of saying I am cute, really I am, 
and you know that you love me despite my hi jinx.


There are 3 storms forecast to hit our coast in the next few days and the weather experts are advising us to charge up all our devices, buy extra food and batteries and brace ourselves for power outages and possible flooding.

So if you don't hear from me for a few days 
you'll know why!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~