Life at the cottage ~ easing into 2019

After a busy festive season I felt the need to relax and cocoon.

Taking life a wee bit slower 

as we ease gently into the New Year.

We were fortunate to be able to go over to the cottage for a week of relaxation.

Its such a peaceful place...

there are many opportunities to "just live in the moment"

to  listen to the birdsong

watch the raindrops 

while listening to the howling winds

taking note of the tides

the ebb and flow of the waves 

as they lap upon the Salish Sea

savouring

a bouquet of fresh flowers 

preparing

nibbles for dinner 

sharing them with the neighbours from across the road

They joined us for the Juniors Hockey Gold Medal Game

USA vs. Finland

one of our neighbours is Finnish 

so it was much more exciting watching the game!

Finland won the gold!

Heritage barn

seen on our walk.

My BFF came over for a few days.

We played crib, chatted, walked, drank tea and enjoyed each others company.

My BFF has a Fit Bit so we knew how many steps we took...

7,000 on our walk and by the time time we had picked up a few groceries

then returned to the cottage

it read out 10,000 and fireworks exploded on her screen!

Self care is so important...

it can mean different things for each of us:

Walking

eating mindfully

dabbling in a creative hobby

learning something new

taking time to dress in clothes that make us feel good

indulging in a spa day

putting on a pretty and flattering shade of lipstick

savouring a piece of good quality chocolate

going out for lunch

saying yes to things we love and no to things that rob us of joy

we can choose those

opportunities that fill our days with meaningful "feel good" moments

listening to our heart and paying attention to what we need

reading a good book

Thirty More Chic Days by Fiona Ferris

an inspiring one that is starting my year off on a positive note.

Thank you to Fiona who sent this to me...

I am embracing many of her ideas from the book.

Wishing you a peaceful 

Happy New Year!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Vancouver weekend

We recently spent a weekend in Vancouver...
attended the AGM for the cottage strata, shopped, walked, enjoyed lunches and dinners out.
We also met up with friends we knew when my husband attended school over there...
we have kept in touch...over 40 years!

The view from our hotel.

A wee bit of snow on Grouse Mountain.

We did not stop for tea...

We opted for a Chinese dinner at a small restaurant on Robson Street 

after our afternoon walk and shopping.

The food was delicious and obviously a popular spot with the locals 

as there was a steady line up outside the door.

A fresh new candle...

and a few goodies in the bags.

Some loose tea...

A refill for my Hermes fragrance.

Mr. HB bought his Hermes scent as well.

We dined at an Italian restaurant called Cin Cin and the food was amazing!

Grilled lettuce with pancetta...

a WOW moment for this Hostess!

It was actually more like a "Meg Ryan" moment.

(the scene from When Harry Met Sally!)

Mr. HB enjoyed Osso Bucco

and I opted for the lamb chops with lentils.

NOM NOM NOM

A single bloom in the bathroom packed a powerful pop of colour.

We enjoyed our weekend getaway in the big city!

We will be busy getting ready for Christmas here in The Humble Bungalow.

The wreath has been hung on the front door 

inspired by the Country Living Christmas issue there will be more festive touches coming soon.

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Painting the town red...

I am seeing red everywhere I go...

from the innocent shelf in the pharmacy

to the red cup...

 Essie Jag-U-Are red nails

the red stripe in my Burberry scarf

The red fire engine that was called to our hotel when we had to evacuate

(it was a false alarm)

dinner out at our favourite Indian fusion restaurant

curried lamb popsicles served on a bed of potatoes

beef curry and kale

naan bread

I had an entire day to spend in Vancouver while Mr. HB was on course.

I walked for hours browsing and exploring the shops.

One blue top...on sale.

a pair of NYDJ boyfriend style jeans

(I LOVE THESE)

a wee bit of a splurge

I needed to stop for a break after 4 hours...

lettuce wrap

shrimp, crab, coleslaw and a few crunchy noodles

I bought this Hermes fragrance after discovering it in Paris when I was there...

it is a soft feminine scent that I quite love.

(the bottle is refillable)

I love a getaway where I can browse and shop...

and we came home 

to a date night at the theatre

A Fabulous production

in the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Activities ~ Senior Style ~ OOTD

Life is busy... and I'm finding it a bit of a challenge to sit down and blog.
Instagram is quick and easy and I am falling under it's spell.
Time is ticking along quickly...my days are full.
It could be the dental work, Mah Jongg, Bridge lessons and games, the walking, domestics, gardening and lunches out with friends. I am really enjoying meeting new people and exercising my brain cells!
I've joined Goward House, a seniors centre ( 50 years +) that is housed in a heritage home with several acres of woodland walking trails. A wide variety of classes and courses are offered and special interest clubs meet on site.
There is a small tea room set in a lovely room with vast windows overlooking the gardens...
soup, sandwiches, tea, coffee and sweets are reasonably priced, and the tea room is open to the public.
There are wide expansive decks that have tables and chairs which are used in the warmer weather...
weddings are frequently held here in the summer. It's a quiet and peaceful location for a celebration.

I think it is just lovely, such a relaxed atmosphere, antique and comfy furniture, beautiful artwork hangs on the walls, fresh flowers in vases, it feels like you are in the home of a good friend.

We purchased a beauty berry bush last weekend and planted several dozen purple allium bulbs around it's base...we plan to add a bunch of black mondo grass in the same bed.

Purple and Black sound like a interesting pairing.

I spied this super hero on my walk in our neighbourhood.

I wondered if it was making a statement and if so what was the message?

It's probably some one's idea of "garden art."

Moss covered rocks seen on Moss Street!

Creepy spiders are lurking in the trees....

Ghosts

Yikes!

Halloween decorations are more popular than they have been in the past.

We live in an area with good schools that offer French Immersion and so there are a lot of families with young children.

I'm reading this book right now and it's an easy and entertaining story.

If you liked The 100 year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared,

 I think you'll enjoy this one too.

I've used up all my old lotions and potions and have switched up my skincare regime.

Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses for Sensitive skin.

An organic and cruelty free line.

I love the rose scent of all the products.

It's scent lingers long after you put it on...

(some people would not like to smell like a rose)

I'm new to eye gel and find this product has helped plump up and fills in the fine lines.

The exfoliator is gentle and does it's job without causing irritation or redness.

The oil is great for cuticles, hair and after shaving.

The Heavenly Night Time Moisturizer is so rich and soothing...I use it for daytime as my skin is super dry.

I'm going to invest in their serum for winter as my skin usually gets drier and needs more moisture.

I draped this Hermes scarf around my neck...

for the afternoon of Bridge.

Blue top  ~ Style My Way

Black denim jeans  ~ g21

Black loafers  ~ Coach

Sitting playing Mah Jongg or Bridge there are lulls in the game where you notice what the other players are wearing...

rings, necklaces, bracelets and scarves.

"Any opportunity to adorn oneself is human, and accessories are an easy way to do it."

~ Marc Jacobs ~

Rather a busy weekend...

This past weekend was full of activity but it was a pleasant balance of work and play...

A little bit of shopping

(these did not come home with me)

I wore my pearl pendant...

a 60th birthday gift from my kids.

(They are grown adults now but they'll always be my "babies!")

J'adore Pearls!

A little time was spent in the garden 

dead heading hydrangeas and harvesting our first Liberty apples.

Mr. HB took me out for lunch to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

I had a huge salad...a Weight Watchers friendly choice.

Delicious and so very healthy.

My weight is up a couple of pounds over my "goal weight" but I am working at getting it back down.

I weeded my closet...donated a bag to the charity shop.

Then I took the remaining summer clothes downstairs to the guest room closet.

My dressy clothes are made up mostly of black and grey shades.

I ordered some new long sleeved tees from Lands' End.

They had a 30% off sale this weekend which ends today ~ Monday.

One white, a bright purple blue and a raspberry.

Last Spring in Paris I had my colours done.

Turns out that I am a Winter...

(who knew?)

Slowly embracing colour and they all go with my black basics and my Hermes scarves!

I made Jamie Oliver's Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Tomatoes.

Jamie at Home Cookbook.

Delicious and an easy one pan dinner.

This was the scene that I saw when I walked along the seafront this week...

I'm exploring a new hobby.

Mah Jongg.

The lessons start this week.

Want to keep my brain cells vibrant and stimulated...

learning something new is always exciting.

Hope that your week is off to a flying start!