Monday, April 29, 2024

Rosemarie arrives...fun ensues...and then a few tidbits.

 


Meet Rosemarie!
She lives in Vancouver and we are friends.
On any given week we will email several times and catch up with what we are doing.
Rosemarie is active, has a vibrant personality, is gregarious,
an adventurous traveller, kind and giving.

We have met up in Victoria several times for lunch and teas.
 Both of us love gardens, gardening and enjoy visiting gardens.

I invited Rosemarie to tour our Humble Bungalow Garden.
Then I asked if she wanted to peek inside our home.


We drove around the waterfront and stopped in at The Oak Bay Native Plant Garden.
The garden is tended by volunteers and is an oasis of calm and beauty.


Trilliums blooming...


Several different trilliums were dotted about in the lush space.


Checker Lily a Frittilaria 


The sound of water had us looking for the source
a  brook or a creek was nearby
such a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the natural beauty.

We met up with a couple who were visiting from Oakville Ontario.
Alix Scott and her husband...
Alix knows Ellen...
a woman who went to Oak Bay High School with me...
who I recently met up with at our 50th reunion.
(Hi Alix ~ Hi Ellen)
Apparently they both follow and read my blog!

Rosemarie and I continued on our scenic waterfront drive...
we stopped again at The Esplanade at Willows Beach.


Rosemarie collects cans and bottles and takes them to the depot
 exchanges
 them for cash 
which she sends to her cousin who has an animal shelter up island.
The shelter is called Misfit Meadow Sanctuary in Ladysmith.
You can read all about them on Facebook.

If you want to donate to them I am sure that Rosemarie would be THRILLED!
Tell them you read about it on my blog!!!
Let's see if we can help all those animals like Rosemarie does :-))


She tells me she usually sends about $100 a month.
The shelter needs the money for food to feed the rescued animals.


I bought a chicken on sale and wanted to find a new recipe...
I searched on line and found this one.
The site is Simply Delicious by Alida Ryder


Mr. HB and I love East Indian cuisine so this one caught my eye.
I had all the spices on hand and I got busy mixing up the rub and I marinated the roaster a few hours before cooking.

The results were delicious!


Jeanne on Instagram mentioned this book to me a few months ago.
It has been on my radar ever since,
so when I spied it at the thrift shop I knew I would buy it!

I read it in 2 days...loved it!
Thank you Jeanne 2707


Vintage Mustard Yellow Beret matches the yellow chrysanthemums.

I was washing dishes and gazing out at the gorgeous sea views...
when this combo caught my eye 


~ Cheap and cheerful ~


Weather Report
yesterday was super windy with rain.
This morning we awoke to glorious sunshine!
What a Gift!


Speaking of gifts...
I received this new book for my birthday from my BFF.
I am going to pop the kettle on and brew a pot of tea and start the book.
Thank you Suzanne.
XO


Hope your week is off to a great start...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Friday, April 19, 2024

Beautiful pops of colour on my radar...

 


~ Camas ~

My husband and I ventured out to Playfair Park 
to have a peek at the gorgeous Native Plants that are in full bloom.
Fawn lilies, Shooting Stars and Camas
absolutely stunning!


A meadow of blue Camas under the canopy of The Garry Oaks.

My ankle injury is slowly improving...
I think it is what Google says is a grade 2 sprain.
Torn ligaments on the outer side of the ankle.
Estimated Recovery Time 
3-6 weeks

Wearing the compression brace which really helps and not going for long walks.
Having said that...I am slowly increasing the number of steps that I do in a day.
Yesterday it was almost 6,000.


Met with friends for Tea at the Union Club.
We spent a few blissful hours sipping bubbly, tea and treats.
Such a beautiful spot, views over the Inner Harbour...
great food and superb service.

In other news... I have been replacing lipsticks...
nothing like a fresh pop of colour to lift the spirit.


~ Rouge de Germain ~


Red is my go to colour for lipstick...
when I was in Paris the first time in 2015 I stayed in the Saint Germain area.

The chic Parisian women walking in the neighbourhood all wore red lipstick.
Not wasting any time, despite being jet lagged, I high tailed it to
the nearest Monoprix!
There I discovered a fabulous selection of red lipsticks...
 so dear reader I bought one!
Paris holds a very special place in my heart.
I went back again in 2019 and who knows...perhaps I will return :-))


My make-up bag was falling apart so I purchased a new one...
instead of a vinyl one, like my old bag, I chose fabric which I much prefer.

While at the Pharmasave in Oak Bay I bought 2 new lipsticks.


I am test driving a pink shade...
Softsilver Rose


These Revlon lippies are very creamy and go on easily and last!

They were also on sale, which was rather fortunate timing.


I finished knitting The Easy Goes It scarf...
worn here with my old red lipstick...
will be much better with the new rose pink shade.


New fragrance...Honey Tobacco
locally made here in Victoria.

I am enjoying this new scent very much...
body wash, cologne and other honey tobacco are available on their website.


I took a bag of clothes to the Salvation Army and then had a quick browse.
Oh my goodness...I couldn't believe my luck!

I have a Burberry scarf that my husband gave me, maybe 15 years ago. that I love.
It is the traditional beige and wine plaid colourway...
it goes with my quilted Burberry jacket.

The new to me scarf will pair well with my black coats!


New silk skirt from House Of Savoy on Oak Bay Avenue.
Made by San Tropez


This will be a fun skirt for summertime.
Love the texture...
I am thinking of outfits based on the skirt...
 a simple white top, my distressed vintage jean jacket and white sneakers

Dressy black tank top, white shawl and my white bow toed Bueno sandals.
Oh and my BIG pearls!

I love a versatile garment!

Do you like thrift shopping?
Consignment?

What is new with you?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Forced relaxation....Simplified Easter Weekend


Sunny bold yellow chrysanthemums...
cheap and cheerful.

Just what I needed to perk up my spirits.

My ankle injury is slowly on the mend...the swelling has gone down.
Bruises remain and I am now able to move it in a more "normal" way.

I've taken smaller slower beach walks.
My Inner Hippie Vibe was activated when I spied a bamboo cane on the beach...


The bottom of the cane was split so I used duct tape to reinforce it.


I purchased a roll of sisal at the Hardware store.
This DIY project was easy and fun.


My walking Aid is ready for the beach walks.

It really helped my stability as the sand and rocks along the seafront are unpredictable.

I used it for every walk and have it in my car for local beach walks.

We are home now...
came home early as I have a medical appointment for a bone density test.
I have been on the wait list for almost a year!
Our medical system is overloaded...fewer family doctors. 
Many people are waiting to be assigned a doctor.
A nursing shortage, an aging population, long waits for treatments and surgeries.
It is a national crisis.


My Eddie Bauer sun hat must be over 30 years old...
you can see my walking pole.
We collect feathers...not sure why?
 But it is definitely a thing.
Our cottage partners participate too.


I got my husband more involved in meals this week...
we had quite a few BBQ dinners.


Easter Sunday dinner was this big fat burger!!
Boy was it tasty...I had made quick pickled red onions.
 I mixed up some beef patties using ground beef, egg, salt, pepper and Panko crumbs.
We added some cheese, lettuce, tomato slices and condiments.
Dinner was quick and easy.
Just the two of us.
It is OK to keep it simple.
We like to keep things relaxed at the cottage.

Thanks honey :-))


My husband likes to take sunset pictures at the cottage and post them on his Instagram Page.


We had some lovely sunny warmer 
weather at the cottage.
What a gift to be able to sit outdoors.
It felt like a luxury.


I am knitting a shawl...
"Easy Goes It" 

Using Rowan's Felted Tweed in Pink Bliss.
The pattern is not difficult but it changes a lot.
I keep track by using a book and make note of where I am in the pattern!


My lipstick matches the colour of the yarn!!!

I was able to keep my mind off of my ankle by knitting and gazing out across the Salish Sea watching the ferries and boats as they floated past the cottage.


We went to the Market...
the new soap company Island Soul Soaps had a variety of interesting soap.

It was a tough choice to choose!
Perhaps I will need to sample many more to discover my favourite!
They have interesting combinations and I love the names that the owner has chosen.


Last night, Wednesday, I snapped this image.
Hubby was taking his photos and copycat me decided I can do that too!!

I didn't notice the birds until after I looked at the photo.

Lots going on this coming week...
things often get super busy and before I know it my daytimer is FULL.

Hope you all had a lovely week.
Do you celebrate Easter?

Did you have a big Easter dinner?

What did you serve?

Thank you to those who have sent me emails 
or commented on my Instagram 
sending positive and encouraging words that help during my time of healing.

I will be back in action very soon.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~