We are not accustomed to unrelenting high temperatures here in Victoria and like many people I am learning the hard way how to modify and adapt my routine and habits in accordance with the changing climate.
The roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are totally loving this summer sunshine and they are putting on a spectacular and repeated display of blooms.
A few David Austin Roses in the front yard have proven to be a delicious snack for our local deer :-(
Roses are rather high maintenance in the heat as they are "thirsty plants"...
I've decided that I am in that "same category" when it comes to maintaining my "cool."
Gardening in the sunshine is certainly thirsty work for this Hostess.
I've been mindful and hydrating while I work sipping sparkling Perrier when I am out in the garden.
A little later in the evening after a hard days work in the garden Mr. HB made me a Gimlet.
Do you know what goes into a Gimlet? I didn't.
Roses Lime Cordial, gin and a slice of lime.
It was delicious...
Our lower level of The Humble Bungalow is cool...
( we turn off the in floor heat for the summer)
I love looking out our French door to the patio when I am ironing or doing the laundry.
Sometimes I take a mug of tea or a cold drink downstairs and gaze out at the garden.
I plan a lot of changes when I sit on the bench.
Amalfi shoes
on the cool tile.
(wearing my standard uniform of black Yoga pants and a Tee shirt)
I get cleaned up and change into something a bit nicer...
Lately have been wearing a cool loose black linen dress that was made in Italy.
I purchased it from Mercedes Lane, a shop in the Cook Street Village.
I proudly wear my natural linen dress with wrinkles!
It's a "sack dress" with slouchy pockets but the thing is so darn cool that I grab it more often than any other garment in my closet...the women that I met in the South of France wore Italian linen dresses too and they have very HOT weather there.
I wear a sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
~ ~ ~
The Humble Bungalow Garden is undergoing a transformation this summer.
It's long overdue...
with marauding and hungry deer and the recent drought I figure it's as good a time as any.
I will be posting some updates soon.
A lone Allium stands amid a bed of Lily of the Valley...
these dry beautifully and make an interesting feature in a simple glass vessel.
Thanks for stopping by...
Hostess
32 comments:
I often use wrinkled linen napkins and tablecloths. Perhaps it's my laziness, but I swear I like the look better. It reminds me of crepe paper. Most of our summer was cool and rainy. Very unusual. The sweltering humidity has returned though. Can't wait to see the revamped garden!
Hostess, I love this post! Now you understand why I wear loose dresses all summer long in Dallas!
I love your black linen dress. I have also been wearing dresses -- linen and cotton. So much cooler than pants. We are having a hot wave here in Los Angeles and it is a challenge to stay cool. Especially with the humidity. Love that allium!
Your black linen dress is the perfect thing for our summer weather. Dresses are so much more comfortable than shorts or pants. My garden is suffering from the prolonged heat, too.
You should see my gardening outfit...yoga pants and a tee shirt sounds absolutely elegant...I more resemble a scarecrow when gardening. I love your dress it looks both fashionable and cool and black is always my favorite color.
I look forward to seeing the changes in your garden, in the past year I have tried to alter mine to make it both easier to tend and less dependent on lots of water...this summer with the drought and heat it has really paid off.
Thank you for your input on the Mac, I definitely see one in my future.
Sunscreen every day is an absolute must.
Your post reminded me I have a taupe coloured dress in the wardrobe though with the horrid rain we have been having in North of England wellies and a mackintosh are more appropriate. The garden is loving it though. Hopefully we will get some warmer weather in August as we have 2 weddings to attend and they will need some sun as do my roses.
I have a very large linen dress that I bought in Paris a couple of years ago. My dress has scallops and slouchy pockets. Maybe I'll wear it to the beach today. My friend and I are taking my new puppy for an outing/picnic. I'm actually taking the doggy playpen. Our local shop has a lot of Cut loose and Chalet sundresses this year. Your patio looks the perfect spot for a cool drink. I've been drinking lots of Pellegrino this summer.
Your black linen dress looks perfect for hot weather. I m wondering what proportions of gin and lime cordial your husband uses when making a gimlet? It sounds very refreshing! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your recent trip on your boat and looking at your gorgeous pictures. Unfortunately I couldn't comment due to poor wifi!
Rosie
Looking forward to your garden update! I too tend to gaze out the windows, and then wander through the garden. And, agree, it's been hotter than average and a long cotton or linen dress is the perfect attire.
Love in-ironed linen in the summer. Your black dress is lovely! And the hat.....love it! Is it a Helen Kaminski?
Very inviting view out your patio door from the lower level. Love the linen dress - looks comfortable and very cool.
I love the French door to the patio. It looks so inviting. I need to get in the habit of wearing dresses more and linen is a nice cool fabric. Your hat is lovely, also. It's been much too warm for me this Summer which has made for a much shorter gardening season. I'll be heading West to Seattle this weekend for my Son's wedding where it will be much warmer than usual and I WILL be wearing a dress.
Dear Hostess : I have to tell you how much I enjoy yor blog ! I have spent this evening going back in your archives and reading so many lovely, soothing posts. I love your philosiphy on simple living, streamlining and downsizing, finding what works for you.... All of your posts are so informative and interesting and always with the most beautiful photos. Your blog truly is my favorite, and I read many blogs ! Thank you for your wonderful writing
What a lovely view through your french door. And your new linen dress is lovely. I live in dresses in the summer due to our hot and humid climate.
I iron my linen tea towels and napkins...not always the tablecloths as they are so big and so far not my linen apron. I adore linen and I'd love linen sheets...
How is Barbie? Did you buy the Subaru? I miss your blog posts Stephen...but I am ever so grateful to have you pop by here and chat.
I have heard that it is very hot and humid in Texas. I'm certain that I could learn a lot from you on how to handle the heat!
I love alliums too...
I heard that you got a bit of rain this week. I hope that helps with the heat wave and the drought conditions.
My hanging basket has shrivelled up despite twice daily watering...next year I will make or buy one lined in moss...my neighbour is planting all his potted plants right into the beds now as he cannot keep them alive otherwise. Drought tolerant plants are taking centre stage at all the gardens shops and nurseries!
I'd love to see more of your garden changes...I love to be inspired by other gardeners.
I hope you get to enjoy some sunny summer weather and have a chance to wear that taupe dress...and your roses will be much more content with some heat.
A new puppy!!! How exciting!
Please tell us more about it...what breed is it and have you got it named yet?
Mr. HB found the recipe on the label of the Roses Lime Cordial bottle...
2 ozs. gin and 1 oz. Lime Cordial shake with ice in a cocktail shaker, strain while pouring into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Oh I know what you mean about weak signals Rosie.It's frustrating when the WiFi goes off...that happens a lot when we are cruising in the Gulf Islands.
Do you find yourself sitting under the shade of the trees sipping a beverage after a day of working in the garden...when Mr. HB comes home I like to take him outside and show him what I've done. I've been spending quite a bit of money buying plants and paying for help...I think it will be worth it when it's all finished...we have quite a few more projects on the back burner!
I actually am not sure...there is no longer a label inside and one of the cats chewed off the straw piece which was tied in a loose bow around the brim!
I think loose and airy are the way to go when looking for cool clothing!!
Congratulations! I hope you have a lovely time at the wedding...that's such an exciting event! Savour every minute..and maybe pack a small pretty fan as it is supposed to be another scorcher this weekend.
Thank you Patricia...you are most kind.
I am very pleased to hear that you enjoy my humble blog.
It's comments like your that remind me that there are people reading what I write...
and this week I met up with another kind reader who brought me Playtex gloves all the way from the US! I never knew when I started writing that my life would be enriched so much by the experience.
I have a whole new respect for people who live in hot climates...iced tea, lemonade, fans and loose linen dresses are my new "best friends!"
I haven't done much sitting after working - I am usually so grubby I get into the shower. But after that, sitting outside with a glass of white wine and some raw vegetables would be lovely.
Thank you Leslie...I ll look forward to trying it when we re home. ...We re travelling in Europe at the moment, hence the occasional weak wifi.
Rosie
You have my sympathy with those deer! I am looking forward to your chronicals of the new gardens.
That black linen dress looks wonderful! I love linen in the summer, and it gets pretty hot and humid here in Virginia. I, too, often wear my linen wrinkles proudly. 😉
can't wait to see the garden updates!
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