May morning vista from a walk in Oak Bay.
My sister and I got up early
and soon found ourselves dressed and ready to head out the door.
Yesterday was a very important day for my sister and I
as we said our final goodbyes to to our Mom.
We spread Mom's ashes
enjoyed massages
dined in The Snug
drank a few flutes of bubbly
swam in the outdoor mineral pool several times.
The Buddha Bowl was amazing!
Mango, tofu, veggies atop quinoa
drizzled with a soy sauce balsamic reduction...
this is so tasty that I am planning to find an excuse to go back very soon!
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel is opulent and elegant
very well appointed which provides the ultimate in comfort...
beautifully located
on the edge of the shoreline looking east to the San Juan Islands.
The mineral pool was so inviting and warm...
we swam twice on Monday and once today.
This is the view that overlooks McNeil Bay
a few short blocks from the house where I grew up.
The snow capped mountains of the Olympic Range in Washington State.
Freighters use the international shipping lanes located in Juan de Fuca Strait.
Trial Island and the lighthouse are a short boat ride from shore.
The currents in this narrow passage can be fierce...
they are often referred to as rip tides.
My uncle Owen used to be the lighthouse keeper.
My aunt, uncle and cousins spent quite a few years on the island.
My cousins were home schooled and there was a supply ship that delivered their groceries.
There were some amazing stories of sea rescues.
The Ham radio was the essential lifeline...
which linked my family to the boats, the Coast Guard and others in Victoria.
If you look closely you will see the Native flowering camas
which is happily growing in the Garry Oak Meadow and rocky outcroppings.
Memories and thoughts are often jogged by scenery...
the power of suggestion is so powerful
that it can transport us back to the past.
The neighbourhood where I grew up has changed quite a lot.
Houses, new and modern, are mixed with the traditional and the heritage styles.
The workers next door are building the forms
for the foundations of the new homes under construction.
The sounds of saws and nail guns repeating are louder than the drone of the bees or the hummingbirds staccato chatter.
It has not been as invasive as I first expected...
or perhaps
I am getting accustomed to the noise.
Muguet des bois in The Humble Bungalow Garden
is thick with fragrant blooms.
A handful of flowers popped into an icy vase
make a room fresher
and more beautiful.
These wee white bonnets are so delicate and dainty...
perhaps the loveliest of May flowers in our garden.
My sister and I may make an annual pilgrimage to the OBBH and Spa
sometime close to Mother's Day
to celebrate our Mom
share memories and relax.
I had never heard of this book.
I saw it on the shelf at the book sellers on Pender Island...
and was immediately intrigued by the description on the inside cover.
It is a delightful story...
easy to read and very entertaining.
It's "light enough" to be considered a Beach Book
and very hard to put down.
Fingers crossed it is a quiet week...
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.
XO
38 comments:
I am very, very sorry for your loss. xoxo.
Such a lovely post. Each time I read your thoughts about your mother, I think about how fortunate you were to have her as your mother.
Loss is felt keenly at times like this. I'm glad you and your sister were able to be together to remember your mother this way.
It is wonderful that you and your sister are sharing this time. You have a deep connection with the sea. Did you read The Light Between Oceans? That Buddha Bowl looks scrumptious.
Do you subscribe to Yummly? I have received so many wonderful salad recipes. I love muguet and have told my husband that when I arrive home next week I would really like lilacs and muguet.
Thinking of you!!!
Beautiful time devoted to your mother-it was such a wonderful idea,memory and meaning
I adore muguets (and lilac,too)
Dottoressa
A delightful day tinged with sadness and memories. Very touching but feels so right regarding spreading the ashes.
Thinking of you at this time and thinking that you were so lucky to have your wonderful mother for so long.
I'm so happy you have a lovely sister to share memories of your mother. Like Susan I always think how fortunate you were to have such a wonderful mother, but then the loss is so keenly felt.
I think a yearly event is in order, a perfect way to keep the memories alive. Sending hugs my friend XX
What a lovely way to celebrate and to remember your mother. I stayed at the OBBH many years ago and it was simply lovely.
I hope that your children and grandchildren help to ease some of the pain of your loss - especially this upcoming weekend.
Thinking of you as you navigate this first year without your mother.
That is a lovely idea to make an annual Oak Bay Beach Hotel visit with your sister to share your memories and thoughts about your mom. Thank you for taking the time to post, Suz from Vancouver
What a pleasant and relaxing place and lovely company with whom to share these moments. Adding NEW memories to the old...a good way to honor your mother, I'm quite certain. ♥
Your mother was honored so beautifully. I think she would approve.As a child I always looked forward to finding Lily of the Valley and have always loved the scent. Never see them in CA.Perhaps not cold enough? I must ask at the nursery. Awhile back you asked for book suggestions. I have just started A Gentleman in Moscow(Amor Towles) and I am hooked.Have you read it? If not, I think you should!
Another heartfelt post. What a lovely way to celebrate your mom. Thinking of you as you navigate the days - now and ahead. I've never heard of lily of the valley called muguets. I love the vase that you put them in. Such an apt description - icy vase.
What a beautiful way to farewell and celebrate your Mother's life. The hotel looks lovely, and it was so interesting to read your family's history of connection to the sea. Muguet des Bois are so lovely, and a highlight for me when visiting our DD in Ottawa during Springtime. Alas, not this year :)
I think your idea to make an annual pilgrimage is a lovely one. Your willingness to share this journey of loss on your blog has been incredibly meaningful to me. The love that you and your mother so obviously had for each other, and the way you are walking through the loss, are inspirational.
My sentiments exactly - all of it. xo
Lovely way to CELEBRATE your MOTHER!YOUR MUGET bouquet is BOUNTIFUL!
I need to plant some of those...............they like shade right?
Praying.
We are moving ahead and taking life as it comes...a day at a time.
Thank you
XO
We were VERY fortunate to have mom in our lives for so long and she was an inspiration to us all.
It felt like we were able to find a bit of closure these past few days...my sister and I make a good team.
I do not subscribe to yummly...it sounds like a site that I need to explore.
Hope you arrive home to a bounty of May flowers!
Thank you Jennifer...
XO
The lilacs are just coming into bloom in our garden...we have white ones and they seem to be slower flowering than the mauve and purple varieties.
Mom deserved this honour and it was important to my sister and I to go through this together as mom had no wish for a public service.
It felt like we were setting mom free...to go back to the earth.
We agree, we were most fortunate having Mom in our lives for so many years.
That is very true Dani...powerful bonds make for significant feelings of loss.Having said that though, Mom would not tolerate our grieving for too long...she would say "snap out of it!"
KSL- You have been on this road before so you know what it is like...I have a whole new respect for daughters who lose their mothers.
The OBBH is lovely! Our room was huge and the views spectacular!
Everything was so elegant...I do not stay in hotels often so I was very impressed.
The wee ones are definitely the bright spot in our lives right now...
I am sure there will be ups and downs...I am trying to put it all in perspective and not get too maudlin. Mom would not be impressed if we wept too often...she was a no nonsense kind of gal.
It think it would be fitting to do that too...as we live in the same town it is not too difficult getting together.
I have wondered if the posts have been too bleak... I hope not.
Thank you Suz
Mom knew what we were planning to do so we kind of felt like she was there with us in spirit...as she will always be.
The plants love it in our clay soil...I am not too sure if they would thrive in the California climate...they are planted in sunny spots in our garden but our temperatures are much cooler.
I read Amor Towles Rules of Civility a few years ago and I really enjoyed it so I will add this new title to my list...thank you!
The vase is mid century modern crystal...it is either Finnish or Swedish I cannot remember but it is frosty and icy which is good for hiding messy stems!
I read that you will be visiting Next year...hooray!
There were several island along the coast that my uncle was the lighthouse keeper. It was a very isolating life...and I think one would need to enjoy solitude to be happy on these outposts.
My I never thought that this might be inspirational...thank you for that observation. I have been writing these posts for myself as I navigate this new journey. It has surprised me how all consuming and profound feelings can be...
I plan to write some "lighter" post topics at some point soon...I am just not ready yet.
They are planted here in sunny locations in our clay soil which holds water well...they multiply like weeds!
Have you seen them growing in California? Or for sale at the local garden centers?
You'll see them in the UK when you are on your garden tour! Which I cannot wait to hear all about!!!
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