Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Mother Nature's paintbrush...


Frosty morning at Quarter Deck Cottage.
The peace and quiet is restorative and so soothing.
Time to slow down, reflect and take stock of all our blessings.


Rainy morning
time to take a moment and be grateful.
Savouring the stillness and listening to what is in our heart...
taking notes and planning
perhaps trying something new.


Perfect time for hunkering down with a great book.
I was sad when I finished this book as I did not want my session at Parisian Charm School to end!

Jamie and I will be collaborating on a blog post about her newest book 
which BTW I totally LOVE!


Clouds lifting and the sun is starting to make an appearance...
hope to get out for a walk in the crisp air.


Time to go for a walk...
a gentle breeze
sunshine
the gulls are swooping and diving into the Salish Sea.


Serene and pristine Peter Cove.


A snug little bay with mooring buoys for the boats of the summer residents.


Kelp and driftwood wash up on the beaches after the storms.


The glorious beauty of Mother Nature at every turn...
so grateful to be alive and in this magical place.


Watching the ferries come and go...
the gentle ebb and flow of the tides
the rhythm that is humming just outside our door.


Our tray on the coffee table with a simple sea inspired collection
shells from the beaches
a few feathers gathered on our walks
the piece of coral a gift from a dear friend
a lavender soy candle made on the island.


The dining room table dressed in a similar fashion.


A book found in the used section of the Island Book Shop...

a new day dawns
there will be ferries to watch
ravens will be cawing
with a mug of hot coffee in hand
my thoughts stray 
as I watch the waves on The Salish Sea beyond our deck.


Views from the sofa...
change as the morning light moves across the Salish Sea
illuminating the trees and valleys 
of Vancouver Island...

Hope that you are safe and snug in your part of the world.
Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog today.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

34 comments:

Madame Là-bas said...

Your lovely getaways must refresh you. The Quarterdeck Cottage looks beautiful. Sunrise was lovely this morning but clouds have appeared here. It's my day off so I'm going with Daughter to the European Christmas Market at Jack Poole Square. I just finished reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It's an old book but worth the read. I'll have to read Parisian Charm School. I had a lovely surprise yesterday at work. You'll relate. A little girl made me a glitter card:" I love reading, Mme L" and got the secretary to put it in my box. It made me feel that the decision to go back to work was a good one (for now). Enjoy your retreat!

Anonymous said...

Have just taken a deep, deep breath, as I so often have this last year reading your blog. Such tranquility and appreciation of the every day pleasures...if we just pay attention. Your gift for noticing and calling the simple pleasures of life so,so,so inspires me. Thank you.
In a two month period, encompassing deep,rocking, family drama and loss of innocence....and a flood in our flat all over our belongings, I am craving peace.
I so, so often find it here and should have said it long ago.
My apologies for not doing so sooner...and my thanks.
I especially love Chester and his cohort, and I am missing feline serenity in my life at the moment.
A.in London

Thank you for will you provide.

Anonymous said...

Have just taken a deep, deep breath, as I so often have this last year reading your blog. Such tranquility and appreciation of the every day pleasures...if we just pay attention. Your gift for noticing and calling the simple pleasures of life so,so,so inspires me. Thank you.
In a two month period, encompassing deep,rocking, family drama and loss of innocence....and a flood in our flat all over our belongings, I am craving peace.
I so, so often find it here and should have said it long ago.
My apologies for not doing so sooner...and my thanks.
I especially love Chester and his cohort, and I am missing feline serenity in my life at the moment.
A.in London

Thank you for will you provide.

Unknown said...

We went by on the ferry and I thought of you looking out the window. It is a truly beautiful spot that you have chosen. I'm glad we are home.
Ali x


Ali said...

When we went by on the ferry I thought of you looking out the window. What a beautiful spot you have chosen. I'm glad to be home.
Ali

Jeannine said...

Lovely. Thank you.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful part of the world you live in! Your photos capture its tranquility and beauty. It's on my bucket-list to visit! (from Sydney, Australia)

Sandra Sallin-Apart from my Art said...

So beautiful. My goodness what a joy to live in such a beautiful place.

Sandra Sallin-Apart from my Art said...

PS. Have you read "A Man called Ove?" It's wonderful. I've got another writer for you. I just can't remember her name. When I do I'll get back to you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The skies have been mostly cloud free today and the sun has shone brightly throughout the day. Hope you had fun at the Market...I did a little bit of shopping myself but it was confined to the wee chocolate shop on the island.
I remember getting those sweet little cards from students...it meant a lot and you deserve appreciation for all that you do for the students.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Consider it my pleasure to have shared these images with you A in London...
when all around us is in chaos and there is uncertainty we react by feeling stressed...taking a walk in a beautiful park or by the seaside has a way of easing some of the feelings...not unlike that Yogic breath that we harness in our practise to calm our minds and ease the tension in our bodies....I can hear the instructor's voice "breathe in and breathe out."

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I look up regularly to watch the ferries as they slowly glide by...perhaps I did see the boat that you were aboard!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for stopping by Jeanine...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

BC has many lovely spots to visit...let me know if I can be of any help with your future travel plans.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The views never get old!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Yes, I enjoyed A Man Called Ove...will stay tuned for the other writers name...
I saw the Carol Burnett special and watched for you in the audience. It looked like a fun place to be...her energy and comedic timing are still there!

Lorrie said...

The views from your Quarterdeck Cottage must be stunning with the sunshine these days. It's such a welcome relief from the rain and grey. The books look interesting.

Ellie's friend from canada said...

Oh the views from the deck are truly beautiful and your photos capture the mood of the scenery so well. Such a subtle beauty in these photos!

Anonymous said...

You mentioned receiving sweet little cards from students. Were you an elementary teacher or perhaps a Library Media Specialist?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Our week here has been quite sunny although cool and crisp but great for snapping pictures! I always like to have a book on hand to read...one of the perks of retirement for me is having the time to read a bit each day.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I worked in the school system for over 25 years.
In the library as a library clerk, a general assistant in the office for some time and a special student assistant working with students with autism.

Wendy said...

Particularly beautiful photographs today! So sharp and well-framed. I've been going through old family photos and videos that are grainy and washed out...what a long way our cameras (and phones?!) have come. We are fogged in up in Nanaimo this morning, and are being treated to the baleful moaning of the foghorns on the boat traffic going by.

La Contessa said...

YOU GOT ME with the CHARM SCHOOL BOOK!
I thought it was a flyer and you were attending a make up class!!!!!!!
The LIPSTICK caught my eye TOO!!!!Pretty color!
WHAT VIEWS you have to take in!
XX

Anonymous said...

Stunning photos. How very lucky you are to be able to live in Victoria and have an oceanfront cottage as well. With the cost of housing in that part of the world those are luxuries few can afford. I worry for all the young families struggling to get by. You are so very fortunate and it seems you know and appreciate that which is very nice.

Anonymous said...

I also worked in the school library and thought I recognized a kindred soul. Thank you for sharing your inspiring, gentle, and kind thoughts from the humble bungalow.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Do you remember those Polaroid cameras where the pictures that developed right in front of our eyes? They eventually turned a sepia shade before fading away altogether! It was super foggy yesterday...the ferries were blowing their foghorns all morning until it lifted.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Jamie's new book is full of fabulous lessons on cultivating charm...its a delicious read. The lipstick is by L"Oreal #315...I have been wearing it all Fall and I like the creamy texture...
The views are really quite spectacular....
Is your home located near the California wildfires? The devastation is so widespread...the images on the TV are totally terrifying.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

We have a quarter share of the cottage which is indeed a luxury and we are very grateful...housing costs here in Victoria have gone crazy! Many young people cannot afford to buy homes here which is very discouraging and the rental situation is grim too...we purchased our home over 35 years ago and it was a major "fixer upper" you can see how horrible it looked by reading the series I published a few years ago called The Ugly Truth...there are tags on the sidebar of the blog that you can use to search for older posts..."renovations" might take you to those posts.

dottoressa said...

Amazing photos-such a beautiful place to enjoy all the changes of the Nature
Dottoressa

Marilyn L said...

What beautiful photos. Thank you.

Karen said...

Thank you so much for your beautiful photos and your thoughtful writing. We often spend time on Saltspring in the summer time and watch the ferries roll by Ruckle Park. I have one of those photos as my screensaver at work. It never fails to inspire a deep breath on the busiest of days. I've been to Pender Island but always in the summer months also. We've been living in fog here for the last few days with the foghorns blaring incessantly. I love the sound although all the neighbors complain about the volume. I wish you a very merry Christmas and thank you for all the quiet consolation you've brought to my heart. X0

Patricia said...

I seem to have missed this post, and I am glad I found it. What a beautiful place to walk, beside the sea and the sweet beaches and bays. I would want to be out there all day long! Parisian Charm School sounds enticing too.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Salt Spring is a lovely island...we have family and friends living there and I really should visit more often as I love the galleries and shops in Ganges.
Wasn't that fog thick? The foghorns woke me up before 6am!
Happy Holidays Karen I hope that the festive season brings you much joy.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Its a busy time of year...at least it is for us! So slowing down is important...the week at the cottage felt like a tonic!