Sunshine and Sweet Peas
Popped this posy into a thrifted English Ironstone Meakin sugar jar.
I LOVE finding interesting vessels that I can use for flowers.
If memory serves me I think this one was 35 cents!
We celebrated our 49th anniversary on July 20th...
no fanfare or big gathering just a quiet evening for two.
We ate some champagne truffles...
a surprise gift from friends.
Our closest friends had us over for a dinner on their lovely porch a few days before our actual anniversary and we felt very spoiled...
Those same friends will be celebrating their 50th next year so
maybe we'll have to do something exciting for our 50th?
We are enjoying some time at the cottage.
Have some special guests here to share the time with us.
I made a fresh loaf of sourdough bread...
this fun adventure in bread making is so satisfying!
We had a couple of days with rain
which should help with the drought and the forest fires here in BC.
The deer obviously do not like to nibble these plants...
I think this might be Queen Anne's Lace?
Feel free to chime in if you know the name of this flower.
I believe this is Yarrow...
the bees love this flower and are usually busy buzzing atop these blooms.
I took the photo after dinner so they may have all gone back to their hive.
~ Hosta Flowers ~
In The Humble Bungalow Garden
This huge Hosta is called Sum and Substance.
We built a deer fence
so that we can keep this safe from being nibbled to the ground!
Here at the Cottage...
I am taking a break to relax, restore and mend...
The last round of antibiotics are almost finished.
I've been going to bed earlier than usual and sleeping soundly.
Staying hydrated with cans of flavoured Bubly Brand Water.
~ Zero calories ~
While I am having LOTS of fun with the family and the three grandchildren...
I am also "pacing myself."
Reading Three by Valerie Perrin, knitting the Miriam sweater,
gazing out at The Salish Sea
taking time to reflect on all the good things in life and counting my many blessings.
Making time to be focused and calm is good for the soul.
Walking along the beach...
breathing in the fresh salty air
listening to the calls of the gulls and the songs of the eagles.
Picking up a few pieces of sea glass...
~ LIFE IS PRECIOUS ~
it is a gift
not to be wasted.
I feel Grateful everyday.
Hope that you are well and feeling positive.
Life can be a challenge as we know
it is a journey.
When we navigate the rough patches life teaches us more...
we can be resilient or we can be weak.
It is a personal choice that we make...
we can rely on others or find strength within ourselves.
Or a little bit of both...
How do you handle adversity?
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
13 comments:
I am envious of your cottage life, but you earned it, and I'm glad you are enjoying it. Wave at the 10am ferry on Friday - I'll be on it, headed to Vancouver with my closest girlfriends (yes, we have reservations!).
Happy 49th, Leslie! You should definitely do something special for your 50th. Love seeing your wedding picture - is that here in Victoria? It reminds me of the Anglican church on Quadra (that's where my mom and dad got married).
Adversity: first, I hide from the world, and have a good cry (as needed). Then, I start thinking and pondering (ponder ponder). Then I talk to other people (shuffle their thoughts with mine). Ponder some more (ponder ponder). Then I decide on a plan, give myself a motto (eg. "just keep swimming" or "first world problem!"), and face it. So much of life we cannot control - we can only control ourselves and how we react to it. Sending you good vibes.
Happy Anniversary, and well done you for stopping to sniff the flowers and the salt air, going to bed early and making time to read a good book, and to simply enjoying the company and companionship of a few good friends, family, and your sweetheart husband. Wishing you a healthy, happy, enjoyable day from the East Coast of the US.
Shari
I believe the Queen Anne's lace in the photo is a Water Hemlock. Poisonous, even the sap on the stem. It is related to Queen Anne's lace, carrots, parsnips and other edible plants. Susan in Seattle.
Sheila ~ Hope you have a super fun weekend in Vancouver!
The Church we were married in was The Metropolitan United Church on the corner of Pandora and Quadra. It is no longer a church...
I like the ideas and steps that you take when dealing with adversity...a motto is a strong tactic. I like it!
Shari ~ How's the weather on the east coast of the US?
Are you in the upper, middle or southern area of the east coast?
We are enjoying lovely sunny days and had so much fun with the grandchildren!
Susan in Seattle ~ Oh thank you for identifying the plant. I will have to be careful with the sap if I pick another Hemlock bloom!!! There is a lot of it growing here...it must be a drought tolerant plant. We usually have lots of mullein here but there doesn't seem to be much this year as we are in a drought with so little precipitation.
Hope you have a lovely week.
Happy anniversary and may you have many more with lots of great adventures to come. Life is good. My philosophy is there are always going to be bumps in the road of life. Take the good with the not so good and move on. Regarding health, I've learned to get second opinions and do lots of research. I also like Dr. Ray Sahelain, MD, for research on natural medicine thinking and options.
To Sheila - I like your thoughts on dealing with adversity and that you "talk to other people and shuffle their thoughts with mine". Those words match what I do, but never had the words for the process. Thank you!
Susan ~ I like your philosophy on adversity...expecting there will be bumps and acceptance then moving forward.
As to second opinions on the medical front I am not sure how my situation could have been dealt with any other way? It was very serious by the time I was diagnosed...I would have developed sepsis without intervention and that could have been in a matter of hours and the results are frequently fatal. I had to have faith that the specialists were prescribing the right treatment.
Hello Leslie, I haven't been reading my favourite blogs for quite a while since bloglovin' stopped working, but now I have found another way of getting notifications. I've always loved to read your posts and see your lovely photos. I'm sorry to hear that you have been very ill, but it sounds like you are recovering and I wish you all the very best.
One of my favorite sayings is, « Life may have handed you a cactus but that doesn’t mean you have to sit on it ».
Congratulations on your anniversary, and best wishes for continuing improved health.
Hi
I have never commented before but I wanted to wish you a happy 49th anniversary! We celebrated our 50th on July 20th also with a visit to California - San Francisco area. It was beautiful! Love your beautiful photos and wish you a swift recovery.
Patricia ~ Hope that you are doing well...I read your latest blogpost and see that you are back home from your trip and are blogging!
Joan ~ Thank you for the well wishes. We had a fun holiday and are back home to "reality!"
Anonymous ~ Happy 50th anniversary! San Francisco is a fun city...hope that you enjoyed your time there, we spent a lovely week there on holiday many years ago.
Hi again Leslie, I think you must be thinking of another Patricia - I only read blogs, I don't have one of my own! But I'm so happy to be reading yours again, all the best.
Patricia ~ Oh I am very sorry that I mixed you up with a different reader, who is also named Patricia, a blogger.
I am feeling much better and thank you for your kind words.
XO
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