Sunday, July 9, 2023

Summer Snippets...


Apricot blooms of Jude the Obscure
the fragrance is citrus.

This rose is a repeat bloomer and has had its first flush and we expect more flowers.

Most of our roses have had their first flush of blooms.
Dead heading is a daily job and very worthwhile as it encourages more flowers.


Did you know that sweet peas need to be picked regularly or they set seed and stop making flowers?
I love their unique fresh fragrance.

Mr. HB has been bringing in sweet peas almost daily.
I pop them into vases and place them in the kitchen by the farmhouse sink 
and in the main bathroom atop the sink.

They last a few days and then they drop their petals,
by that time we have another couple of bunches at the ready!


~ OOTD ~

White Lands' End tee ~ Italian Linen dress
White capri tights
White Bueno Sandals

Hong Kong Pearls



Garden Shows are so much fun!

Lots of tables, many entries, ribbons galore.

The plant sale table is SO POPULAR...
plants are reasonably priced and some are VERY EXOTIC!


I had a fun day volunteering at the Summer Scentsation Garden Show.

After perusing the displays and looking at the award winning entries 
I donned my apron and served tea to the masses!!

We had 4 large tea tables set with lovely china cups, saucers and plates.
  Tea, coffee, scones, jam and clotted cream were served...

Plates of assorted home baking were circulated after the scones.
No one left hungry!

There was a silent auction and I bid on many items but only won one of them...
a large black pot which I am looking forward to potting up.

I am considering a fancy Hosta or an assortment of flowers.
Geraniums, lobelia, and dusty miller.


Our north patio area resembles a jungle right now!
The Lady's Mantle has gone wild...
we will be cutting it down soon.

I love black accents in the garden...like these vintage tables and chairs.


I found this metal rooster in a thrift shop and my husband spray painted it.

Garden accent pieces are hard to find locally...
if I wanted to spend a LOT the possibilities might be better but I love a bargain.


I usually finish my second coffee in the bathroom as I put on my makeup...
the thrifted English China mug looks like it matches the sweet peas
so I had to snap an image to share.

In other news...
my infection is now classified as "complicated."
I have had 3 or 4 rounds of antibiotics and they haven't worked.
So I am now receiving IV antibiotics at the hospital outpatient clinic.
They were selected to specifically target the different bacteria strains that I have...
Who knows how long this will take?

I had my second CT scan, this one with dye.
Haven't got the report yet.
I cannot believe how High Tech all these machines are...

The staff have been amazing and the departments are regularly short staffed.

I am drinking lots of fluids...many many cups of tea.
Knitting and reading...
taking life easy.



I've been meaning to read this book for years!
When I spied it in the local Book Nook I grabbed it.

I hope that you are enjoying your summer so far...
or the winter if you are in NZ or Australia.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~




9 comments:

materfamilias said...

I'm sorry that UTI is being stubborn, but glad that you're getting persistent and focused medical attention. That's at a premium these days!

I loved H is for Hawk. I picked up a copy of her more recent book of essays, Vesper Flights, at a Free Little Library a few months ago, but haven't even opened it yet. Not at all sure I'll be as keen as I was for the memoir.

Such a cute smile in that top photo of you -- and you're well-dressed to suit the decor for the tea ;-) very smart in the white and black!

Susan said...

I'm looking forward to seeing your new pot!

Your pearls look beautiful! Pearls are always perfect for any occasion.. I have multiple strands of brown, gold and copper pearls on right now. I wore them to take my kitty to the vet.

I hope you're UTI clears up soon.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

materfamilias ~ This kidney infection is a doozy! It has been resistant to 3 different types of antibiotics...the IV regime is the specialist's preferred method and it will be followed by a month of oral antibiotics...with testing as we progress through the month. I'll be knitting and reading a LOT :-))
Hope you have a wonderful week.

Susan ~ Your multi strand pearls sound lovely. Hope the kitty is OK and that the vet visit was a regular check up. The infection is getting new improved treatments supervised by a team of experts...I feel that I am in good hands. Now I just hope it goes smoothly because I want to put this behind me!!!
Enjoy your week!

Sheila said...

H is for Hawk was one of our Book Club reads a few years back - we all thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you do too!

Love your pretty pearls, and how fun, a Flower Show! Your roses are just to die for, Leslie!

LPC said...

Oh gosh, that kidney infection! Thank you for sharing here. We're all in this stage of life together. And I love your big irregular pearls. Hope the IV antibiotics take effect and hold on.

Judith said...

Admiring your ability to remain positive and upbeat amid your journey through the antibiotics library. Hope the IV does the trick.

Poppy Q said...

Poor you, I hope your new antibiotics work.

Jeannine said...

I am sorry about your continuing struggles with the UTI. I hope this new round and different treatment does the trick. I love your rooster! I have a wonderful metal rooster that my husband bought for my birthday. I just love him. Your volunteer time at the garden show sounds lovely.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sheila ~ I really did enjoy the H is For Hawk book...learned a lot about falconry as a result. The garden shows are so enjoyable...I have missed them since Covid stopped all these fun gatherings of gardeners and their flowers and veggies...so glad that they have returned :-))

LPC ~ The pearls are a wee bit of whimsy...I don't have a lot of costume type jewelry so it is fun to have a few pieces that I can regularly wear and enjoy. The kidney infection is a BEAST! Still working on getting rid of it.

Judith ~ Gosh I am feeling frustrated by this infection...it is antibiotic resistant bacteria so things are not going smoothly. I am under the care of an infectious disease specialist...and getting more impatient as time passes!

Poppy Q ~ Keeping my fingers crossed here too! It is a serious situation and I am so ready to be "normal" again !!!

Jeannine ~ Aren't roosters in the garden fun?
I've seen them used as wind vanes, statues, metal accent pieces and ornaments. Mine is quite small but I like it a LOT!