Monday, May 18, 2026

BEST (recent) thrift shop find!!...(roses, sunscreen, walking post op hip surgery)

 


~ Lady Angela ~

Fragrant and Frothy 
Growing up the lattice next to the front porch.


I picked a large bloom for the bathroom.

I'm enjoying the thrifted antique platter that I found at Ross Bay Villa's Sale.


My skin is very sensitive to the sun and I have rosacea so I need to use sunscreen.
Eminence have great sunscreen options...
My current favourite is their radiant mineral lotion with Bakuchiol and Niacinamide.

This straw hat is a keeper...
Eddie Bauer and it must be 30 or more years old!
Funny thing happened when I was sitting on the deck at the cottage...
a swallow landed on my hat which was on my head
I was so surprised and the bird flew off pretty quick after I moved.

So every so often I find a great item at the thrift store...
In the winter
I found some great Burberry and Barbour plaid wool and cashmere scarves.
Once I found an Hermes silk scarf which I sold at a local consignment shop.

There are oodles of items that I've picked up for the house.
Mid century Moderne pieces as gifts for our adult kids.

The most exciting and recent find was a pair of leather loafers...
Loafers have been on my wish list for about 18 months.

Well was I ever surprised to find these...


Bling wasn't on my radar...

BUT
they are my size, very comfy and they are leather.


Have you ever heard of Sandro?
When I was in Paris in 2019 I discovered Sandro.
It's definitely a LUXE brand.


They are in immaculate condition.


At a bargain price and under $20.
It was a lucky find.

I am so excited about these shoes...
will be wearing them on repeat.
(doing a happy dance too)

Perhaps I need to "Moon Walk" like Michael Jackson?


~ Mount Baker seen from the shore ~


~ Old Truck on a Pender Island Farm ~

Walking continues to improve post op hip replacement.
My recent fall in the garden has set me back a few weeks.

The cane slipped on the gravel path when I was picking lily of the valley.
Hubby had to help me up and I must say it scared me.
And wouldn't you know...the side I fell on was the operative hip side.
I was in pain for a full week and am only now slowly getting back to my walks.

We've been watching Silent Witness on BBC
and Storied Spaces on Magnolia Network.

Am reading a book about the British Upper Class 
called Hunting Unicorns by Bella Pollen.
It's very entertaining.

So that's about it for today...
the sun is shining and I've been outside.

Hubby planted a new yellow rose where an old red rose was struggling.
We've had a few roses fail lately.
Not sure why but there's no need to be upset...
just zip out to the garden centre and grab a new one...
so many great varieties.

June is almost here and more roses will soon be blooming.


Bouquet from Mother's Day...
purchased from our local Pepper's Grocery Store.

Took the bouquet to our cottage on Pender and enjoyed a quiet week.
The Purple Martins are back and have babies in the nesting boxes at the Marina.
Saw two grey whales swim by the cottage, no orcas this time.
Met up with friends...had a pub meal out.

Found an arts and crafts pewter British candlestick at the thrift shop.
I've never had any pewter before this find.

I've got to put the kettle on and make a cup of tea and sit on the front porch with my book for a bit until it's time for me to make dinner.

Thank you for stopping by...
hope that you enjoyed this wee post.

Until next time...



~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, May 3, 2026

May Daze...snapshots and snippets

 


Greetings from The Humble Bungalow.

There's not too much news here...
Still in recovery from my hip replacement and have not been away.

Life is moving quite slowly
but I'm feeling positive and content to be a homebody.

There are always things to do here...
mostly home keeping jobs.
The kettle is often boiling and there's fresh tea in the pot.

Good books at the ready and a cat that loves attention.

I've been enjoying watching You Tube Videos.
So many great people out there that are sharing their homes, gardens and hobbies.
Do you have any favourite You Tube Accounts?


~ Japanese Peony ~

Seen on one of my walks...

At Government House in The Rockland area of Victoria.
Gorgeous details and a pristine white bowl of petals.

Government House Gardens are open to the public most of the year.
The gardens are a mix of Garry Oak meadows, large areas of lawn, rocky outcroppings and perennial borders.

Several ponds with ducks, a rose garden and a fountain. 
Quite a few benches are available to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

 Spectacular views of The Olympic Mountains 
across the Strait to Washington, USA.

Native plants and rock and alpine plants have there place here too...
A small museum of vintage clothing is located in the Mews where
there is a charming tea room.

Volunteers help take care of the grounds and there are plant sales during the year.

I like to visit several times each year to see what is blooming.

If you visit Victoria or live closeby this is a great spot for a walk or a picnic.


I snapped a picture of this peony just as I was leaving...


I found this antique platter at Ross Bay Villa's Saturday sale.



I was drawn to the black and white colours and the mottled age of the piece.


I popped this on our arts and crafts wooden shelf in the bathroom.

The sun has been out for a few days and we have been enjoying the warmer weather.


Warm enough for a soft ice cream cone treat!


Chester is loving this warm sunny spot.

He's been finding sunny patches to have a nap in most days...
I'd love to be able to nap like a cat.


I've been bringing out some of my summer clothes...


I love the details on the sleeves of this white linen shirt.
It's a versatile piece...can be worn as a jacket or a simple shirt.


My new denim jacket..by Angels from Marshall's.
I looked at thrift and consignment shops for several weeks but had no luck so I decided to go look at Marshall's and found one for under $40.

The silk scarf is by local artist and crafter Lise Lotte Design.
She has the scarves for sale on her website in 2 sizes...I opted for the smaller one.
It's light and lovely and has a beautiful pattern on it 
she made this using a technique called cyanotype
that harnesses the power of the sun!


Do you watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on TV?
I've seen a few and was delighted when I found a new book.

I love the details, the era that the stories are set in and the opulent fashions.
Am halfway through the book and enjoying the story...
I now can see why the books are so popular.


Have you ever tried to monitor your portions by using a smaller plate or bowl?

This is one of the tricks that I am using to help me from overeating.
My lunch 5 out of 7 days 
is high protein Greek Yogurt, fresh fruit and chopped walnuts.
I vary the fruit so that I am not bored.
I actually feel like I am eating dessert when I eat this lunch...
and it keeps me satisfied until dinner time.


~ Pasta ~
my husbands' favourite food.

To make it satisfying I usually serve it with a salad.
I have 1 cup of noodles and 1 cup of sauce.

The sauce recipe is pretty basic...
1 diced onion
1-2 cloves of garlic minced
2 stalks celery diced
several sliced mushrooms

saute in olive oil on medium heat until soft
stirring often.

Add sliced Italian sausages
(they look like meat balls)
saute until cooked.

Add 1 large large can of minced or chopped tomatoes.
(San Marzano are very flavourful)
salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and dried oregano
(all to your taste)

Simmer for an hour and serve over top of any pasta.


Native Camas is in bloom.



Many Local Victoria Parks have these plants growing...
Beacon Hill, Playfair and Uplands Parks

Lovely spots to walk and enjoy nature at its best.


Wee auricula from the plant sale table at Ross Bay Villa.
Love love love these darling flowers :-))

I am trying to get in as many steps as I can to build my muscles up.
 It is taking a longer time to get my speed back.

As a result I'm feeling stiff and have just purchased a big bag of epsom salts!!
A soak in the tub is on my radar...

Hope that things are going well for you.

Well it's your turn now...
perhaps you can share what you are up to, what you are reading 
or watching on You Tube?

Until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~