Meet the gorgeous bold yellow fragrant climber Graham Thomas.
A stalwart David Austin Rose.
This repeat bloomer grows in the "work area" of The Humble Bungalow Garden.
Every garden needs a work area...
it is a space dedicated to storage of things we use.
Bamboo stakes, empty pots, the wheelbarrow, extra soil, tools and such.
We have it cordoned off by a half lattice fence with a smallish entryway.
It is rather like a linen closet...that holds extra sheets, towels and TP.
So necessary, but not really an inviting space
well except
that this rose beckons me in...
I regularly deadhead it to encourage more blooms
pick a few blooms to bring inside
who could resist?
Things are moving along fast here in The Humble Bungalow.
We had an unexpected "oopsie" with the oven...
it died completely last Wednesday.
No warning...
I did some research and the life expectancy of the former stove was 13-15 years.
Ours was 15 years and 1 month...
So we scrambled off to the shop.
A locally owned one
where we purchased a freezer during Covid.
We were pleased with their staff, service and delivery options.
Thursday morning bright and early we stepped into the showroom
5 minutes later I was paying for the stove.
With a next day delivery and they hauled away the old one.
How fabulous is that?
~ LG STOVE ~
I LOVE the blue interior.
Ceramic stovetop with expandable elements.
Convection and regular baking settings.
It has a built in air fryer, and a proofing setting for bread.
So let the baking begin...
the first order of business will be The Victoria Sponge Cake
followed by the weekly sourdough boule.
I have been trying to get out for some short walks in this glorious weather.
Need to build up some strength...
lots of idle time spent inside resting up and trying to get better.
Stopped for a cuppa at The Willows Tea Room.
Mom and I used to come here when we walked the Esplanade.
Thought of her while I gazed out to the sea.
Good news is that I am not in such terrible pain,
feeling better and sleeping soundly.
I finished the antibiotics and go for some more tests this week.
Another diagnostic CT scan, this time with dye.
Fingers crossed the specialists can figure out what is going on and how to fix it.
Sweet peas are putting on a lovely show in the garden...
picking them insures that more flowers will follow.
If you don't pick the flowers the seed pods set and no more flowers.
The new mug is a thrift shop find...
I had 30 minutes before my dentist appointment and I was close to the Sally Ann.
So I went in and made the rounds...
I got lucky!
A cute Banana Republic top that I plan to wear with my white jeans.
(and Pearls)
Silver trivet for the teapot
all it needed was a quick polish.
Some days all the stars align and the thrift GODS smile down from above...
feeling grateful.
I've been reading a LOT!
I just finished Bloomsbury Girls this morning...
I really enjoyed it.
The first book was The Jane Austen Society.
I can recommend both these novels by Natalie Jenner.
I will start The Lipstick Bureau later this afternoon...
I have read and enjoyed all of Michelle Gable's books so I am pretty confident that this one will not disappoint.
Been on a spending Spree...
Bought this vase at a yard sale...
not sure that it has any age to speak of but it spoke to me!
I also upgraded our toaster as the old one was not working very well.
Bought a Zwilling long slice toaster in matte black.
It will accommodate the longer sourdough slices.
Also I bought a new All Clad pot and ordered a new All Clad Pasta pot.
Put all the old pots on the boulevard and they went to new homes lickety split!!!
With the stove on the fritz
Hubby took me out to lunch last week...
we went to Faro in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel for pizza.
The oven fired Italian thin crust pizza was delicious.
We ordered an arugula pear salad to go with it and couldn't eat it all!
On our way back to the car we stopped by the Hen House...
I had to stop and say hello to the darling girls.
There were quite a few in the yard and they are very friendly.
I love free range eggs...those amber coloured yolks have so much flavour.
We had to order in a few meals with no cooking facilities available
but that was fun because we seldom order in, it is so easy to make a meal.
Now that I have a new oven there will be no excuse not to cook!!
Since my UTI and kidney infection I have been mindful of drinking more fluids.
A LOT of water with MANY MANY cups of tea have passed through my system.
If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen this post in my stories.
Fortnum and Mason Tea
a gift from Christine who asked her son to pop into the shop in London and buy some tea for her friends...
fortunately I was one of the lucky friends who were given a tin of tea.
This blend is so amazing! I may need to order some more...
or else I could pop over to London and shop in person?
(HAHA)
That's about all the news I have to share for now.
Will pop in again soon for an update.
Take Care.
XO
In the meantime...
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
10 comments:
What a fun, newsy post! And I’m glad to hear you’re feeling a fair bit better. But take care not to rush back to your regular routine too quickly. Just my two cents’ worth, no charge ;-)
Hi Leslie,
A total delight as always to read your blog and I am so pleased you are feeling better. Good luck with your upcoming tests. I was able to buy a tub of the Andalou Day cream you mentioned some time ago, in a local health food shop here in NZ. I was very surprised ! Thanks for the recommendation. Our days are cold, but I have seen spring flowers blooming when out walking, and they make you smile. Your roses are just beautiful x
Lots of newsy bits in this post, Leslie. Feeling better is such a boost to the spirit and gives energy. Faro makes great pizza! Enjoy cooking and baking with your new appliance.
Just popped in to get up to date. Sorry you've been poorly, but hopefully on the mend. Didn't realise you were on Insta - will chase you up there too. I resisted for ages, but I've been putting paintings on for the last few months as @artistveg. Hope you can pop in! Take care.
I made your receipt for Victoria sponge a few days ago. Filled it with my homemade raspberry jam. It was a big hit. Will make another this week for fresh strawberries and cream.
Frances ~ Thank you for the wise advice...I will be cautious and mindful of how I feel.
XO
Colleen ~ Oh that's great news about finding that Andalou cream...I never thought they would export to NZ. Hope you find it to your liking. I appreciate "natural" non toxic products.
Lorrie ~ Your cake with raspberries looks delicious! I just made a Victoria Sponge cake and garnished it with Kiwi slices as we have no fresh berries in the garden.
The Veg Artist ~ Welcome, I noticed your name pop up on my Instagram to say you are following now...I will follow you too!
Deborah ~ I just assembled my Victoria Sponge and filled it with Bonne Maman raspberry spread and topped it with Kiwi slices...will have to see if I can get some Devon cream at the shops.
Glad you liked the recipe!
Lovely to read all your news. What a great new stove you have, and a blue interior! I have never seen such a delightful oven. So sorry you have had a kidney/UTI, they are the devil. Get well soon. As always, you have a gift for thrifting: the red stripe top, the vase, the trivet - I would have grabbed them too. Well done you. I rather like the idea of dining out or deliveries while waiting for a new stove. We rarely do it either, just the occasional coffee stop during the day. I need to get back into blogging, as have been recovering from our overseas trip. Great post!
Good to hear you are on the mend. I also love the blue interior of your new stove! Lots of new things for you lately - we've had times like that, one year it was a new roof, new truck, new lawn tractor, new freezer, new fridge. Rather a yikes on the spending that year!
I love the blue interior of the stove - I've never seen that! You did well at the thrift shop - you've got a great eye.
Stay cool!
Patricia ~ Oh I hope that you had a wonderful time on your holiday in Canada :-))
Look forward to reading your posts when you are over jet lag.
Jeannine ~ Yikes indeed ...we are not used to spending so much in a few weeks!! Now that we are both retired we need to be watch our expenditures. Hope you are enjoying your summer so far!
Sheila ~ I love thrift shopping (as you know) and it seems that there are way more shoppers out in the shops these days...the secret must be out :-)) Bargains are addictive!!
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