Sea Ray Summer ~ Friday Harbour

While we were moored at Roche Harbour Marina we decided to spend the day exploring Friday Harbour on San Juan Island. We'd been there before, many years ago, once by boat and once via the Clipper and remembered that it was a quaint historic town with a large grocery shop and many small and interesting stores.
The Washington State ferry docks at Friday Harbour and there is a very large Marina adjacent to where the ferry comes in...if we were staying longer we would have cruised into the harbour and stayed for a day or two to provision.

It was a really hot afternoon and we wandered about for over an hour before ducking into a shady patio for something cold to drink and a bite to eat.

Crab cakes for The Hostess!

(minus all the mayo)

We found a bamboo salad bowl set with a First Nation design in the little kitchen shop.

They are made in Vancouver BC!

Mr. HB spied them and mentioned that if we could find somewhere to stow them that we should purchase them for our boat.

As we were paying I said "Happy Anniversary!"

Our 41st to be exact.

We did take time to relax...

we read our books and wandered along the dock peeking at all the boats.

Easy meals...our "Picky Plate."

(when it's too hot to cook we nibble and "pick at" an assortment of things)

That's Maytag Blue Cheese...made by the son of the Maytag Empire and only available in the US.

We try to buy some each time we go south as it is delicious...

I love it sprinkled on a green salad...

a little goes a long way.

Coffee and foamed milk...

 a good way to savour the start to the day.

My OOTD

Black Yoga capri length pants

a white linen Lands End Tee

Sperry Shoes and an "old as the hills" Eddie Bauer straw hat.

I don't dress up much on the boat.

It's comfort all the way!

The winds were strong Gale Force in all the nearby Straits so we chose to stay another night.

We were up bright and early the next morning and scooted across Haro Strait in our SeaRay before the predicted winds rose up again...

I love the hues of blue and mauve in the petals of this hydrangea.

The garden is shaping up nicely with an energetic and dedicated garden helper on board.

I'm so grateful for an extra pair of hands...

you know that old saying 

"many hands make light work."

~ John Heywood ~

And speaking of hands

 a reader has brought me some of those fabulous Playtex Living gloves from the states.

(which I think is so exciting!)

I'm going to meet up with her this week and visit her new home on Salt Spring Island.

I love the kindness and generosity of people in the blogging community.

I've had great opportunities to meet new people and make connections.

It's something that I never expected...

Thank you!

A rabbit hole...and a 5 year blog anniversay giveaway.

On a grey day while walking I almost fell into a "rabbit hole" that appeared on the path right in front of me.
Looking around I noticed the grey gloom, the cold and heavy mist hanging like curtains almost hiding the trees.

On a day like this we could use some sunshine and light,
a bright punch of colour would be a great mood lifter...

Mushrooms 

Leaves

Autumn Trees on a sunny day so much lovelier and distinctly more beautiful.

Colour is Mother Nature's best accessory...

which got me thinking

about some of my choices 

which at the time seemed sensible and prudent 

but now feel "boring and plain."

A prime example here is "the clutch."

I own several clutches and most are black except

 for this vintage gun metal grey bag...

This one is hands down the most useful due to it's size but it could be in a brighter shade...

Hmmm....

Looks like there's a bit of a copy cat thing happening here with the ridges in bedding and the bag.

Vintage Nordstrom

Paired with the Lisa Campione skirt

Chanel inspired tweed jacket Jeremy Spenser

I'd opt for one of the black bags with this jacket.

It works with the black Velvet Jones of NY fancy pants.

not so much with the wrap top by Laura Petites...

I'd use one of the black bags with this top.

Sherman brooch

Aurora Borealis Sherman brooch

Boucher pin

unknown maker

I like to think of it as my St.Tropez brooch

Gumball Freshwater Pearls...

anniversary gift from my husband several years ago

Vintage coin necklace

Salt Spring Island silversmith artisan designed silver bangle

Venus flytrap necklace J Crew

I'm going to keep my eyes open for a classic clutch in a brighter shade.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you'll know how much I love drinking tea.

I find teatime a wonderful opportunity to sit in peace and quiet. 

I count my blessings

and reflect on all that is good in my life.

If I am having a gloomy day I always reach for a cheerful bone china cup and saucer.

Sipping tea out of a pretty cup is so soothing to the soul.

 I try lots of different teas...

I have developed a fondness for Lapsang Souchong Tea.

It is a smokey tea and quite different from others that I have tried and I highly recommend it.

Abraham Darby Rose

You might also know that I am a passionate rose grower and I love David Austin roses.

Climbing Iceberg with Lady's Mantle on the table and in the background atop the cabinet Abraham Darby.

It's been quite a journey...

since I started blogging back in November of 2009.

I've learned a lot about myself in these 5 years.

I lost 30 pounds through Weight Watchers

took up walking for fitness

discovered my personal style

 honed my wardrobe 

I retired

I decided to follow my dream and plan a trip to Paris

I've started taking French lessons

and am trying to figure out how to pack for 3 weeks in France in a carry on!

I hope you come back frequently and read my humble blog

In celebration of the blog's 5 year anniversary I have decided to give a gift to one of my readers.

Please leave a comment telling me what you like best about my blog.

A Bone China mug with roses, of course, and a tea towel.

All the entries will go into a bowl and I'll draw one name.

The giveaway closes on November 29th, 2014 at midnight PST.

If you are the winner you'll need to email me at bungalowhostess@gmail.com with your mailing address.

Good luck!

We have been "Empressed"

The Fairmont Empress is a grand hotel with many "Empressive" amenities...
We walked from our home not too far from the hotel on a sunny warm summer's eve.
Our 40th wedding anniversary was last month and we were given a gift voucher for The Bengal Room.
Thank you to our son and daughter in law for our lovely evening and classic Bengal Room Curry Buffet.

Looking out the window towards the legislature...

a celebratory cocktail

Edwardian decor...

very much a hunting vibe going on here!

The Bengal Room is famous for their curry.

It was delicious!

Dessert rice pudding and a chai creme brulee...

After our dinner we walked through the lobby to hail a cab.

Lovely shops...with high end clobber!

I'll be wearing my scarf tied over my coat this way when the weather cools...

Oh and those blue bags so tempting...

How about a ruby ring?

40th after all is "ruby celebration."

How about a sapphire necklace?

The tea shop beckons...

Pretty plates for an afternoon tea party.

How about a classic afternoon tea at The Empress...

when one is in Victoria this is a must.

A high calorie indulgence...

worth it once in awhile.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!