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 ~

Abundance of roses, and clothes that Spark Joy!

 

We have a full garden with an abundance of roses.

I consider myself an avid rosarian....

desiring more roses in an already full garden is rather greedy.

My husband mentioned that our olive tree might have died during the icy cold snap.

He mentioned I could always buy a rose to fill the space where the tree was planted!

What a great idea!!!

I have always been smitten by shoes with bows.

I own a pair of Ferragamo black patent shoes with bows.

Years ago I had purple suede flats with velvet bows...I wore them out!

They were my "Happy Shoes" I felt so joyful when I wore them.

A few years after the demise of the purple shoes 

I found a pair of black patent flats with black velvet bows.

Mom had a similar pair...

they were such a great mood lifter.

We smiled at each other knowingly when we were together 

wearing our patent bow toed shoes.

So when I was in Twice As Nice consignment looking for a wool winter coat

(which I didn't find)

I spied these shoes by Browns...

tried them on and HAD to have them.

My current "daytime" winter wardrobe.

Athletic wear is stored in the bureau

evening and dressy clothes are in the Hobby Room closet.

I have been adding a few thrifted finds lately...

Gap casual sweater.

Thrifted

Will be worn with my denim and white denim jeans.

A sequin top!!!!

Thrifted

$2.00

The volunteers at the thrift shop were literally doing a "Happy Dance" 

when I approached the cash desk...

asking how much it was?

They said $2.00 and I was so stunned that I gave them $5 and told them to put the extra money toward their new building fund!

I am definitely going to wear this top and perhaps it will be daytime.

It is a JOYFUL top.

Do you think it will SPARK JOY?

I love how we can shift our moods with clothing...

wearing brighter colours on a dark dreary day.

Adding accessories that elevate a plain outfit or dress.

Finding inexpensive and vintage pieces in the thrift shops that are cheap and cheerful.

One needn't go into debt to have fun with fashion.

Happy Hunting in the Thrifts!

An abundance of Sea Glass...

one day's haul after my beach walk.

Saw two fat seals lying on a floating log...

a familiar face and a shaggy dog

a wee chat with a neighbour.

Gulls, Ravens and a majestic Eagle calling...

Fresh Air, a gentle breeze, and I feel rejuvenated.

Jar of sea glass...

probably my 10th jar.

(I must go downstairs to count them, they are in the window sill of the Hobby Room)

~ Sunshine and Blue Skies ~

BLISS

Farm Fresh Free Range Eggs

a lovely gift from Becky.

They look like jewels such pretty colours.

Taste great too!

Finished this fabulous book by Anthony Horowitz.

Need to read some more of his books...have read a couple and they are so well written and are wonderful murder mysteries.

What are you reading?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cottage week...Retail and water therapy

I have been thinking about a lot of things this week.

Spending quiet time here at Quarterdeck Cottage is conducive to reflection.

The beautiful scenery fills me with immense gratitude.

Gratitude to be alive and be a witness to this natural majestic beauty.

Beach walks and Sea Glass Collecting go hand~in~hand.

My first marble found in a gorgeous turquoise blue!

I felt quite excited by this discovery...

 a small snippet of Joy.

It's the little things in my daily round that make the most difference.

I wonder if I appreciate these so much more now that I am older?

Years ago I never would have dreamed about the feeling of Joy 

that finding a marble would bring to me.

The pool has been a godsend this week.

I've been "taking to the waters."

My achy and painful joints are responding positively to water therapy.

Moving without stress on my joints while getting exercise is wonderful!

I know now that I need to find a pool at home.

I will probably return to the Athletic Club in the hotel

where I swam when I worked in James Bay.

They have a lovely pool and a hot tub...

offer daytime Aqua Fit Classes

which I can easily add to my schedule.

My 68 year old body is far from a svelte youthful form!

The bathing suit is called a Miracle Suit...

it is comfy and keeps the jiggly bits from flapping too much!

Did you see Martha Stewart on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition?

She's 81 and looks so amazing!

I bet she had lots of fun on the photo shoot.

She's looking better and better these days.

Her skin is radiant and she looks very vibrant and healthy.

Sunshine in the morning makes me feel so happy.

Mornings would not be the same for me without a couple of tasty cups of coffee.

I do love my coffee.

Funny thing is, years ago, I drank tea in the morning...

I make time to savour the mornings.

Starting slowly

Check my socials online, play a few words games, 

perhaps read a chapter or two in my current book.

Think a bit as I gaze around the room...

When I feel ready I

do a quick tidy up in the kitchen

maybe pop a load of laundry in the wash

then I shower and get dressed for the day.

Maybe that's boring for you to read but it was an interesting exercise for me to think about what it is that I do in the morning that takes so long!!

I've been wearing my bangles more...

I took them out and gave them a good old polish.

Most of these are gifts...

from

mom, my husband, and my darling daughter.

A couple I found at thrift shops.

I popped into the local boutique here on the island.

I usually check out their new stock when they are open.

Well dear reader, it proved fruitful when I was there this week!

Not only did I have a pedicure but I found some comfy sandals.

I do love bows...

I have another pair of shoes by Bueno

they are unbelievably comfortable to wear.

These new "slides" are soft and cozy on my feet.

I haven't had a pair of white shoes in any form for many many years!

I always think white shoes are for car salesmen...

why I think that I haven't the foggiest?

So this casual top caught my eye 

and it wasn't until I tried it on that I knew it had to come home with me!

I have a soft linen skirt in a blue shade that I can pair this with as well as my jeans.

The white jeans have not made their debut yet this season...

they hang waiting in the closet...

now that there are white sandals and this cute top I think it's time.

What are you wearing this season?

Have you found anything new and exciting?

Fashion is fun and I am enjoying shopping more these days.

I think that Covid curtailed a lot of my creativity

especially with views of expanding my basic wardrobe.

As a minimalist, I don't tend to go crazy at the shops

if money and space were no issue who knows what I might be like in a shop?

Would I be rather keen and amass a huge pile at the checkout?

( Have you ever done that?)

I watched movies as a young teen where women need a helper to carry all the boxes and bags after shopping.

Those stores would be situated on an elegant avenue in Paris or New York.

I cannot recall the names of those films but they were rather fun to watch!

Well I have rambled on a bit long

more tidbits and thoughts than I had originally planned...

Oh and just before I close 

Have you been watching the coverage of  The Chelsea Garden Show?

I am totally smitten with the plants and show gardens.

It would be fun to attend in person and wander in The Grand Hall.

Have you ever attended the show?

Thank for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Last Week ~ in a wink of an eye...

 

Gorgeous flowers

a surprise cottage welcome bouquet from a friend.

Springtime seems to have finally arrived at the Cottage...

warmer days and sunny skies.

Such a tonic after all the grey gloom and rain.

~ Thrift Shop Finds ~

Adams English ironstone jug and a well used wood board

A soft wool sweater...

it is lovely but is a wee bit too small.

I have a friend who stretched a lovely wool sweater by washing it in conditioner and manually stretching it back into a larger size!

I hope the conditioner trick works!

Read this book and loved it...

set in a charming picturesque area of Cornwall

involves a woman who has a daughter

is recently separated

and

with her mother buys a rambling old house on a cove by the sea.

This book appealed to me on so many levels...

I would LOVE to buy an old rambling home by the sea and redecorate!!

If one cannot have a rambling old home by the sea...

how about a week at the cottage once a month?

(I cannot nor dare not complain, I am immensely grateful)

My husband brought a few lettuce plants with us so we could harvest it fresh.

He really has discovered his "green thumb" upon his retirement.

The expansive sea views feed my soul.

They never "get old" and there is always something to see.

Boats, otters, whales, birds...

I baked a sourdough boule and two kinds of cookies.

Found a "flat oyster" shell on the beach...

they are a European variety.

I walk the local beaches daily in search of sea glass and the occasional shell.

I am surprised by the amount of glass I find.

There must be 8 or 9 jars full downstairs here in The Humble Bungalow.

What to do with it?

I suppose if I felt creative I could make mosaics...

for now I just keep it on the window ledge in the vintage sealer jars.

Have you read Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book Gift From The Sea?

I love the gentle story that she weaves of her time spent alone in a small rustic cabin on the beach.

She went there to rest, restore and recharge...

we all need a place to find solace and peace.

Years ago when life was really busy and hectic I went to the Spa for relaxation.

It was not a frugal option, but I was working and could justify the expense.

As a retiree, now living on a pension, I chose to find relaxation in Nature.

~ Things I find soothing ~

puttering in the garden

 reading a good book

knitting

sipping a cup of tea from a pretty vintage cup

baking bread

walking

beach combing

soaking in the tub

looking in thrift shops

ironing linens 

What do you find soothing?

Our week at the cottage passed so fast...

in the blink of an eye and here we are back home in The Humble Bungalow.

Well I have a busy week ahead...

lots of social things planned and will be catching up with friends.

How about You?

What does your week ahead have in store?

Hope its a good one.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~