OOTD ~ Butterfly World

 

Pop of colour 

while wearing a cool grey sweater.

I use a gentle touch when it comes to cosmetics...

tinted CC cream, mascara and lipstick or lip gloss for daytime.

The lipstick is by Miss Pupa from Milan

Rossetto #503

New tweed knit pants in ankle length...

Hudson North

available at The Bay.

Versatile with my basic wardrobe in a grey black check.

The reason I went shopping for pants is because I recently culled my clothes.

Leaving only 3 pairs of pants...

Two pairs of jeans 

(Eileen Fisher and Nicole Miller)

and a dressy pair of black pants.

(Eileen Fisher)

Just happened upon a dreamy soft wool and cashmere blend Italian made sweater.

It fits like a Tee top 

perfect for layering under my black Eileen Fisher vest

or my Old Navy distressed denim jacket.

I added a felted woven grey and black scarf...

found at a thrift shop for an unbelievable price :-))

Warm and cozy and adds an interesting textural detail.

Adding interest with accessories when wearing basic neutral coloured garments 

is a good habit to get into.

I like adding accessories so I don't look "mumsy"

being mindful that I exercise a modicum of restraint.

I daren't invite a citation from those sneaky Fashion Police.

Dressing over 65 can be full of pitfalls!!!

Friday Field Trip with the granddaughters...

~ Beautiful Butterfly ~

We took our granddaughters to the attraction 

Butterfly World near Butchart Gardens.

There are some really interesting insect displays in cases...

ants, stick insects, spiders.

Through the double doors there is lush tropical open area 

with

exotic birds, colourful butterflies, carp, flamingoes, frogs, and tortoises. 

There was an open feeding tray with sliced citrus and banana skins.

We saw a few of these butterflies nibbling on the fruits when we entered

 when we were leaving 

each piece of fruits had one of these gorgeous butterflies feeding.

After our visit we drove to The White Spot for lunch...

it was quite busy and by the time our food arrived we were famished!

It doesn't feel like our usual October weather here in Victoria.

The weather has been dry and warmer than usual.

On the News tonight they mentioned that

this warm dry spell is about to change...

Cooler wetter weather is definitely on the horizon

the roses are still blooming but the rest of the garden is fading.

We need some serious rainfall and only a smattering of moisture has fallen so far.

I've been busy knitting the Rowan Toasty Slipover Vest...

a group of us met at a friends' home for a cuppa, chat and to knit.

Our hostess served a delicious Victoria Sponge Cake...

with a pot of incredibly tasty Mariage Freres Rose Royal Tea.

I am craving Rose Tea for my afternoon cuppa here in The Humble Bungalow!

All I need to do now is fly off to Paris and buy some...

A gal can dream...

Laundry needs to be done.

Dust bunnies need to be mopped.

Dinner needs to be prepped...

Until next time...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Victoria ~ September Tidbits and Snippets

I walked past the church today and observed a crowd of people 

talking animatedly poised with clipboards.

There will be a commemorative service held here in Victoria 

at Christ Church Cathedral to honour Queen Elizabeth.

Many of us are saddened by her passing...

I have known no other Queen in my lifetime.

She visited Victoria BC many times.

She stayed at Government House in Rockland a few blocks from our bungalow.

I remember once that we were able to go down to the Inner Harbour 

to watch her disembark from her royal yacht The Britannia

She stepped gracefully into a launch to come ashore 

making her way to the excited throng of onlookers.

Girl Guides gave her fresh bouquets of flowers.

She had a lovely smile and wore a colourful outfit and matching hat.

She was a hard working monarch with a strong sense of duty...

steadfast in her determination to do a good job

she was kind and compassionate.

She will be missed by many.

Her funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey on Monday September 19th 

The Federal Government has just announced that the day will be a holiday.

The Queen loved Sweet Peas...

Our local Pharmasave in Oak Bay offers many wonderful skin care products.

They carry some exclusive make up items like Pupa from Milan.

I enjoy shopping there as the clerks are so knowledgeable and helpful,

plus they have a wonderful exchange policy.

The Andalou CC cream is easy to apply,

rich and creamy which offers nice coverage without being cakey.

I am test driving a new serum from Derma E.

Ther Andalou Brightening Renewal Cream is a new product.

I recently had a facial at the Boathouse Spa at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

After the 60 minute treatment my skin felt wonderful...

I want to continue to take care of my skin and keep it supple.

Hydration and sunscreen are my two top priorities...

I also try to buy "natural" products.

I look a lot like my mom...

the older I get, the more that the resemblance is evident!

Mom loved her pearls and I love wearing mine too...

I snapped this selfie while waiting in a long line up at the car wash today.

was getting a wee bit bored as I forgot my book.

I picked up this book by Maggie O'Farrell

The Hand That First Held Mine won the Costa Award in 2010

Want to read all her books as I so enjoy her writing...

I loved her novel Hamnet and Judith.

The Marriage Portrait that was published in 2020 is on my list.

What are you reading?

Are you planning to watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth on the telly?

It will be broadcast here at 3am...

Well I must close for now...

Mr HB has been harvesting the Jalapeno and Anaheim Peppers

SO

 I am making a big batch of Salsa.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Abkhazi a jewel of a garden...created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

 

Abkhazi Garden is an oasis of beauty.

It is full of rhododendrons and azaleas which are full of blooms in April and May.

This magical place was created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

It's a hidden gem here in Victoria.

The profusion of peachy pink blooms on this azalea are incredibly fragrant.

The shed was built when the royal couple were beginning the garden in 1946.

 It used for tool storage and picnics.

You can read more about the history in the book 

A Curious Life: The Biography of Princess Peggy Abkhazi by Catherine Gordon.

From here there is a fabulous view of the curving lawns under the vast Garry Oaks.

You can see the house that they built on the left

this is now a gift shop and tea room.

We sat on the patio in the sunshine.

The tea room has 3 teas on the menu, this is Elevenses.

It was the smallest of the three but it was plenty of food.

There are two resident turtles 

one was swimming and the other one was sunning itself on the rocks.

This driftwood cat is a newly installed art piece from a local Fairfield artist who specializes in creating woody creatures.

We enjoyed our walk, the tasty tea and the incredibly beautiful flowers.

I felt like I was transported away on a lovely holiday.

Parks, local gardens, and the seaside, are such a tonic in these unusual times.

Hope that you are staying safe and taking care of yourself.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

A garden visit to Point Ellice House.

Victoria has oodles of gardens worth a visit...

Butchart Gardens,  Abkhazi Gardens, Royal Roads, 

and this historic garden home Point Ellice House which is off the beaten track.

It's fun exploring local sites and seeing the parts of Victoria that the "tourists" see.

 I chose a sunny Sunday to explore before perusing "the secret vintage shoppe."

Point Ellice House also offer a tasty afternoon tea which can be savoured while sitting in the verdant garden with heritage roses and plants.

The home and garden are not open every day so please check the website for times on the link above.

Frothy Native plant Ocean Spray

Yellow Phlomis

After the tour of the gardens I wandered into the secret vintage shoppe.

There were chintz pillows, linens, scarves, housewares, silver trays,  collectibles, wicker pieces, teacups, plants and more...

I purchased this charming white candle holder which will goes nicely with my vintage ironstone pieces like this simple white tray.

Hope that you enjoyed this scenic tour of one of our local heritage sites.

Do you go on an adventure as a tourist in your own hometown?

I needed a break from all the weeding and deadheading in the garden so this was a perfect escape!

What is new with you?

Strolling in a Victoria Rose Garden...

Glorious white Iceberg climbing Roses in the garden of Government House.

The roses look so elegant against the white stone wall.

One of the many Rose Gardens located within The Government House grounds.

The sound of running water adds such a calming sound to the space...

fountains are such a beautiful addition to a garden.

This gargoyle statue that has seen better days...

I wonder if someone took a hammer to his nose and ear 

or perhaps he once teetered and toppled over.

A visitor left a rose offering...

There are benches throughout the garden to sit and relax.

 The lush grounds of Government House is a lovely place for a walk.

There is a tea room located at stable and working area of the garden.

Hens and chicks are clucking away in a pen 

and last year there was a lamb onsite grazing on the grass.

The Tea room serves light lunches and teas and it is open Tuesdays through Saturdays in the high season.

Staffed by an army of dedicated volunteers Government House grounds are well tended and beautiful.

There is a small Costume and Government House Historic museum on the site with admission by donation.

If you find yourself in Victoria BC on a holiday you might want to include this garden while you are visiting.

I borrowed this book from the library and spent a few hours sipping tea 

while perusing the many gorgeous gardens featured inside...

looking at gardens is one of my favourite things to do.

Our Humble Bungalow looks best when the roses are all in bloom...

her paint is peeling and the painters will return shortly to give her a much needed makeover.

We are having some problems with the ancient plumbing. 

(which is not much fun...)

I am expecting a plumber with a snake and a camera attached to delve deeper and tell us what we need to do to remedy the situation...

I hope it will not mean that we need to dig up the garden and install a new sewer pipe...fingers crossed it is an easy fix that does not cost the earth!

Thank you for stopping by my humble blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~