50 Year Anniversary Getaway...

 

We celebrated our 50th Wedding  Anniversary on July 20th.

We thought about going on another cruise to Alaska but decided on Point No Point.

Point No Point Resort is a quiet place for a getaway.

They have numerous small log cabins and a couple of houses to rent.

The resort was started in 1952 and is almost completely offline...

No cell coverage and there is now wifi in the area by the office.

A former "pay phone" outside the office is FREE for local calls to Sooke.

We holidayed here every year until we purchased the quarter share in the cottage.

Many memories of relaxing getaways and amazing meals were brought back!

The restaurant serves fabulous food and is currently open Thursday through Monday.

We arrived prior to the 4:30 check in so we took advantage of the Happy Hour

 

A bowl full of baby clams in a delicious broth and a glass of wine.

Expansive and scenic ocean views from our table next to the window.

Cozy one room cabin, rustic style furnishings and a hot tub on the deck.

Wood burning fireplace, a small kitchen area, and a full bathroom.

Views to Washington State

Tide went way out in the early mornings...sandy beach waiting for beach combing!

The Beach House has a covered area with a fire pit 

perfect for roasting marshmallows or Smores.

Lovely secluded cove 

My walking stick and the Red Chairs :-))

Some of the Sea Glass that I found on the beaches.

Stellar's Jay landing on the railing of the deck...a foggy morning.

The fog was cool and so I decided to make soup for lunch.

I did not expect to be making soup and had to improvise!

~ Smoked Salmon Chowder ~

Saute: 1 large peeled and cubed carrot, 

2 diced peeled potatoes in butter

( I had no oil)

Add 2 cups of water

1 cup small pieces of candied smoked salmon

simmer until veggies are soft

then add 1 cup creamo

Salt and Pepper to taste.

It was surprisingly good!

Holiday and Beach themed books are on my radar....

Limelight Hydrangeas are in full Bloom!

A Welcome Home Surprise

Patio views in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Our daughter gave us a gift package to take with us to Point No Point.

Inside were some tasty treats and a lovely linen tea towel,

a vintage heart shaped candle holder

and

this vintage paper weight.

I had mentioned that I really liked it when she posted it on her Instagram.

She set it aside and gave it to us!

A good friend gave us wine.

another couple gave us a gift card for the local garden centre.

Our long time friends

hosted an al fresco dinner 

and 

gave us a lavender wand

and 

a small blue and white dish decorated with fish.

 

Today...

We are busy in the garden...

as we have lots to catch up on since we were away.

~ Gertrude Jekyll Rose ~

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

I'll be back here on the blog in a week or so...

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Holidaze in July...

 

Sunshine and Sweet Peas

Popped this posy into a thrifted English Ironstone Meakin sugar jar.

I LOVE finding interesting vessels that I can use for flowers.

If memory serves me I think this one was 35 cents!

We celebrated our 49th anniversary on July 20th...

no fanfare or big gathering just a quiet evening for two.

We ate some champagne truffles...

a surprise gift from friends.

Our closest friends had us over for a dinner on their lovely porch a few days before our actual anniversary and we felt very spoiled...

Those same friends will be celebrating their 50th next year so

maybe we'll have to do something exciting for our 50th?

We are enjoying some time at the cottage.

Have some special guests here to share the time with us.

I made a fresh loaf of sourdough bread...

this fun adventure in bread making is so satisfying!

We had a couple of days with rain 

which should help with the drought and the forest fires here in BC.

The deer obviously do not like to nibble these plants...

I think this might be Queen Anne's Lace?

Feel free to chime in if you know the name of this flower.

I believe this is Yarrow...

the bees love this flower and are usually busy buzzing atop these blooms.

I took the photo after dinner so they may have all gone back to their hive.

~ Hosta Flowers ~

In The Humble Bungalow Garden

This huge Hosta is called Sum and Substance.

We built a deer fence 

so that we can keep this safe from being nibbled to the ground!

Here at the Cottage...

I am taking a break to relax, restore and mend...

The last round of antibiotics are almost finished.

I've been going to bed earlier than usual and sleeping soundly.

Staying hydrated with cans of flavoured Bubly Brand Water.

~ Zero calories ~

While I am having LOTS of fun with the family and the three grandchildren...

I am also "pacing myself."

Reading Three by Valerie Perrin, knitting the Miriam sweater,

gazing out at The Salish Sea

taking time to reflect on all the good things in life and counting my many blessings.

Making time to be focused and calm is good for the soul.

Walking along the beach...

breathing in the fresh salty air

listening to the calls of the gulls and the songs of the eagles.

Picking up a few pieces of sea glass...

~ LIFE IS PRECIOUS ~

it is a gift

not to be wasted.

I feel Grateful everyday.

Hope that you are well and feeling positive.

Life can be a challenge as we know

it is a journey.

When we navigate the rough patches life teaches us more...

we can be resilient or we can be weak.

It is a personal choice that we make...

we can rely on others or find strength within ourselves.

Or a little bit of both...

How do you handle adversity?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ Summertime ~ Linen Dress

Beach Walk a week ago in Oak Bay on a hot summer day.

Wearing an Italian linen dress with capri tights.

Thankful for my sunhat, sunglasses

 the

COOL sea breezes blowing across the sand

while I peruse the beach for treasure.

I found a smooth white rock, very much like an egg...

a simple find but it begged to be picked up!

A handful of sea glass.

Behold the 4 jars full...

Working on filling up Jar 5 and I am well on my way!

The dress is a super simple style

loose and easy to wear in the heat.

Pearls accessorize and elevate the dress and sweater.

Pearls are the ultimate gift from the Sea.

My newest project...

Knitting pattern for the Miriam Sweater is available on Ravelry.

Rowan Felted Tweed Yarn is a dream to work with on any project.

I LOVE the softness of this yarn.

The Beehive Shop in Victoria is my go to yarn and knitting spot.

The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful.

Started knitting the Miriam sweater a few days ago...

a quiet few days at Quarterdeck Cottage and I am indulging in some knit time.

PURE BLISS

The weather hasn't been overly hot and we're enjoying a slow rhythm to our days.

Having an engaging project is wonderful 

when we are not swimming in the pool

or out walking.

Took advantage of the sunshine yesterday and knit 

while watching the pleasure craft

boats and ferries as they made their way across The Salish Sea.

Holiday time is perfect for relaxing and engaging in activities that one enjoys.

I would never spend as many hours knitting if I was home...

the household and garden duties and chores would keep me busy!

Lovely beach vibe bowls from our friends...

perfect for the cottage!

We celebrated our 48th anniversary on July 20th.

I made a simple penne pasta dish with a gorgonzola cream sauce and freshly shucked English Peas from the Humble Bungalow Garden.

Penne Pasta with Gorgonzola and Peas 

Melt several tablespoons of butter in a shallow pan 

add a couple of cloves of chopped garlic and some red pepper flakes

cook gently.

Whisk in a few tablespoons of flour add a 1/3 cup of cream.

Keep whisking then add crumbled gorgonzola and simmer until melted

then keep warm on low.

Meanwhile...

Put a large pot on to boil

When the water is boiling add the penne pasta and cook until al dente.

Drain

add sauce to pasta and stir to coat.

Grate some fresh pepper on top and serve.

I've had an extraordinary amount of SPAM here on the blog.

Really it has come out of the blue and I cannot for the life of me figure out why?

Comments have been streamlined to not allow Unknown accounts to respond.

Anyone with a legitimate google account can leave a comment.

Hopefully this will stop the crazed spam artists and robots 

who seem to have nothing better to do than to invade a rather calm and gentle place.

If you are unable to leave a comment and want to connect with me 

please send me an email, the address is on the blog at the left hand side.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you are making the most of the season wherever you are.

Be Back Soon!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Anniversary of our wedding day from July 20, 1974

July 20, 1974

47 years ago...

We were so young 

but we knew that we were in love 

and

ready to spend our lives together

as husband and wife.

I have kept my wedding dress, veil and blue garter.

Maybe Isla will want to play "dress up" and wear it someday?

We went out for dinner with our friends on Sunday evening to celebrate.

We went to the Snug at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and we were waited on by Mom's favourite server.

I had a glass of the wine that Mom always ordered.

Tonight

If it is not too hot we will sit on the deck and have a cocktail.

I will make my husband his favourite spaghetti dinner and a simple salad.

The sun is shining down on The Humble Bungalow Garden.

on the north side of the bungalow we have a slate patio

that is surrounded by a riot of hydrangeas, 

Limelight and Angelina mixed in with hostas and lady's mantle.

We spent the better part of the weekend in the garden getting caught up on the weeding and the deadheading of the roses.

It feels a little bit cooler today as there is a breeze...

an exterminator is coming by this afternoon to deal with a large wasp nest.

We are planning to buy a new TV and get an upgrade on our viewing subscriptions.

There are so many options and channels that it feels quite daunting trying to decide what to order...

Do you have any suggestions on particularly good channels?

Will close with this pretty sunflower grown from the seeds that dear reader Rosemarie sent to me in memory of my mom.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~