Alaska Cruise ~ some snapshots and snippets

 

My hair was doing its own thing most of the cruise.

I didn't bring my flat iron and the breezes on the decks 

made any effort to tame my hair go sideways!

I packed very lightly...

glad I packed with versatile layering pieces.

The puffy vest was great as it kept me warm at the Glacier and on shore excursions.

Koningsdam

Holland America Cruise Ship

Very well appointed, cozy room with a verandah.

 Great staff, fun entertainment and overall exceptional service and food.

Beautiful scenery

~ Juneau ~

On the only rainy day

we went to the State museum which was fabulous.

Lots of First Nations Art and Artifacts

and local history displays.

We HAD TO stop at Tracy's Crab Shack.

It did not disappoint.

Sweet and Fresh Crab 10 out of 10

I wore my sleeveless black dress several nights...

the lacy cardigan was a good choice as it kept my arms warm.

Creme Brulee

Lindt Chocolate Mousse atop a wee cake...

YUM

Food in the dining room and onboard in other areas was really delicious.

(I gained 4 pounds on the cruise)

I blame it on dessert...we rarely eat dessert at home.

One of my favourite spots...

overlooking the pool.

~ Skagway Alaska ~

Heritage buildings and a rich gold mining history.

On board "wildlife"

Our favourite night time entertainment was Billboard.

Two incredibly talented young fellows playing two pianos.

Crayton and George were a fun duo...

they engaged the audience and we totally enjoyed their evening sets.

(5 nights we attended)

They played a wide range of hit songs from the 60's to the 90's.

One shelf had books to exchange in the Onboard Library.

Am reading this now...

can't wait to figure out how it ends.

~ Glacier Bay ~

Johns Hopkins Glacier

Stunning Scenery

Floating ice

lots of birds

and

harbour seals.

The weather after the rainy day in Juneau was amazing!

Sunshine, blue skies and so warm.

I purchased a new scent in Vancouver before we boarded the ship.

Have never had any Jo Malone fragrances before and I quite like this light cologne.

Salmon Croquette and greens

Cheese Board

~ Ketchikan ~

We went to The Great Lumberjack Show.

Had another crab feed at Ketchikan Crab and Go.

So tasty...

I didn't buy anything except a deck of cards and a ball cap.

Never had a ball cap before and I always wanted one.

Well we had a GREAT WEEK.

It flew by so fast and we enjoyed the cruise SO MUCH.

I highly recommend Holland America if you plan to go on a cruise.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing Bold Colour....

 

~ Painted Lady Butterfly ~

This beautiful butterfly spent quite a long time exploring the Verbena Bonariensis

that we have growing in the garden. 

I grabbed my phone and followed it quietly as it flew from flower to flower.

I've since learned that butterflies are attracted to the colour purple.

Purple Buddleia bushes are also known as the Butterfly Bush.

We don't grow many purple plants but I plan on buying more purple varieties of flowers next Spring to grow in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I love the idea of having more butterflies visiting our garden.

Treated myself to Jenny Rose-Innes new book.

I brewed a big pot of tea and sat in the sunny corner of our kitchen

 read the book from cover to cover one recent afternoon.

Oh my goodness!

The photographs are fabulous, 

the interviews of the homeowners are rich in detail

there is so much of nature to bring inside the home.

I continue to be inspired by Nature...

I've been known to add natural features to our bungalow too.

Large foraged twigs, pine cones, sea shells, flowers, and stones.

They are free which make hunting for these items much more adventurous and fun.

 Why go to a store and buy a plastic or manufactured piece when you can get outdoors in the fresh air, explore and find something that you want to bring inside?

Our Boscobel Rose is putting on a spectacular show.

So many big blooms for a rose that is planted in a pot!

Speaking of colour...

I have been wearing the "hippy-dippy" vintage thrifted necklace.

Those juicy looking garnet red beads just add an extra something to basic black.

I dug out this vintage quilted bag that i have had for ages.

It seemed like a good idea to wear it with the beaded necklace.

I don't often switch up my bags mid season...but am trying to change some habits.

Like wearing more pieces of my small jewelry collection on rotation.

It definitely takes more time and effort

 but it keeps my eye fresh seeing these small changes.

Professional pedicure

 (a luxury) 

 one thing that I cannot do well myself anymore.

The pampering is so lovely too...

I used to do in home spa days and they were equally satisfying.

The physical act of bending over 

painting my toes 

which are far away from my vision 

and as a wearer of glasses it makes the job very difficult!

Do you indulge in Spa pedicures?

Seen on my walk.

Beautiful peacock

There are so many peacocks living in Beacon Hill Park 

that they have spread out and are living closer to The Humble Bungalow.

Saw a Mom and her baby foraging close by on another street.

Went to The Beehive Wool Shop and bought some new yarn...

Fall is on the way and I do love a project.

Easy Goes It pattern is on Ravelry...

have made this at least 6 times...

I chose purple as I love the pop of colour.

Do you knit?

What have you been up to these past few weeks?

Anything exciting?

Mauve Cosmos that my husband grew from seed.

We have a few in the yard and this one seems happy growing in a big pot.

One of the newest wee free libraries in our city.

Located across the street from the cruise ship terminal.

I found a hardcover copy of Frayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

That book has been on my want-to-read list since it was published...

I am honored to share that I have met Ann-Marie as she is the sister of a dear friend.

Well it's time for me to make some lunch for us.

I've got some errands to run

and once they are done I might go for a walk.

Hope you are taking time to notice all the beauty that surrounds you.

Take Care 

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Slow days ~ domestic chores, a new dress and a garden harvest.

 

Dahlia season is upon us!

 I am enjoying the many varieties that we added to the garden.

Mom had a dedicated dahlia bed when we were growing up in South Oak Bay.

She grew many dahlias and quite a few were the "dinner plate" dahlias...

aptly named because of their size!

She filled vases and we had many bouquets in the various rooms at home.

I'm taking a wee break from my jobs this morning...

the window washing with my new squeegee.

The bedding is in the wash too and I've put fresh sheets on the beds.

There is always something to do here in The Humble Bungalow.

My silver tea service needs polishing as do several of the silver trays...

I'll probably leave that job for a rainy day.

I spent 4 days on Salt Spring Island staying at the SSI Inn.

A very cozy spot located in the centre of town.

Treated myself to a buttery flaky croissant...SO GOOD!

Felt a bit like a Paris moment :-))

I had a good look around Ganges...

Walked with Brian's cousin Terry in the Fernwood area, 

met up with my friend Ali and visited her amazing garden...

sipped a limonata and grazed on a charcuterie board of nibblies.

Thank you Ali!

A basket was purchased!!

(at the thrift shop)

Looked in all the thrift shops, explored several galleries and browsed Mouats.

I also went to a fabulous consignment shop called Bohemia.

This dress is cool loose and flowing with pockets (!) and fun details.

Is this what they call a balloon hem?

Puffy pocket detail.

I will wear this dress a LOT!

Annabelle Hydrangeas are in full bloom.

So big and beautiful.

Our limelights are in full bloom too...they are truly stunning.

I have almost worn this old Gap denim shirt out!

It is SO soft from all the washing and wearing...feels like a warm hug.

Do you gravitate to old favourites in your closet?

I have another denim shirt in a darker wash from Old Navy.

It too is faded and worn...I absolutely LOVE it.

Rewearing clothes does have it's benefits...they feel softer and are so cozy.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

popped into an old thrifted vase that was a find about 20 years ago for 35 cents.

I love this wee black elephant with the vessel beside him.

His trunk is pointing up which apparently means "good luck" 

Wild rugosa rose...fragrant and frilly.

Book from the thrift shop which is surprisingly good!

I've not heard of this author but am loving the story.

I read every day so always like to have a few books waiting...

Reading is a luxury and one that I discovered fully when I retired.

Our annual tomato harvest has started...

Simple salad...

salt pepper and St. Agur cheese.

Another tomato salad...

this one made with vegan feta for a family gathering.

So flavourful and savoured slowly on these warm summer evenings.

Slow living agrees with me...more important than I ever realized.

I'm aging so my body needs to work and rest, work and rest.

My other theory is because our world is full of chaos.

It's spinning out of control...

but I am not "losing control" as having control of everything is an illusion.

We can only control how we react to any given situation.

I am focusing on small joys, simple living and doing things that "feel good."

I'm going to wrap up this post as I have a few more jobs that need doing here in The Humble Bungalow.

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying life.

Perhaps like me in the slow lane.

~ Bouquet of chive flowers ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~