Busy Bees...flowers and food from The Humble Bungalow garden.

Hip Hip Hooray!
Sunflower season is upon us and bunches and bunches of these gorgeous flowers are waiting to be scooped up from the Farm Stands and Flower shops.

Such a cheery yellow flower...

so simple and when massed together they make a bold bouquet.

The bees are attracted to these beautiful big blooms.

Look at all the pollen that this worker bee has on its wings and body!

Another bee gathering pollen...looks like the pollen is dropping off the wings

I managed to capture another worker bee in flight...

with so many bees on the sunflowers you could hear them buzzing.

Bees seem to be plentiful here in The Humble Bungalow Garden and for that I am grateful as we have been enjoying the first taste of our tomato crop.

The greenhouse is proving to be quite valuable...

we had our first cucumber last weekend and the flavour was so sweet.

Heirloom tomato "Salad" variety served on top of butter lettuce leaves.

Sprinkled with a bit of salt and pepper with a light drizzle of dressing...

yummy!

I was busy running errands and it was noon before I knew it

so I took myself out for a quick bite 

a curried vegetable wrap and a side of salad

sitting at an outdoor table in the sunshine 

with the sounds of the birds and the scent of the sea...

 a lovely summer holiday moment

and I did not need to travel far...

Hope you are having a fabulous week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

On going Maintenance...

How do you handle maintenance of home and self?
Do you write lists, schedule appointments, keep a journal?
Or wait until it is almost too late?

The on going maintenance of home and garden can be expensive...
and our modest arts and crafts bungalow is in dire need of some TLC.
Our bungalow is looking really shabby...I am embarrassed
as the paint is peeling and it is looking rather pathetic.

Exterior house painting is our current project...
the scraping and prepping required would take many many hours up on a ladder and neither myself nor Mr. HB have the inclination or stamina to do this job so we are hiring a company that we know will do a good job.

One cannot let things go too far or things would start to deteriorate...
it is after all, a slippery slope
besides she is looking her age...a ripe old 104!

As we age, new challenges arise...

aches, pains, stiffness in the joints
sleep issues crop up
our skin changes
waistlines disappear and our youthful figures blur
our hair turns grey
necks get saggy
skin wrinkles: laugh lines are pronounced
the skin on our hands becomes crepe-y

All these challenges are a normal part of aging...
we can attempt to ignore them or become obsessive.

This wee poppies freshness and beauty are fading...

the wrinkled petals are turning brown in the sun

past their prime

but still lovely.

These lilacs did not last long in the vase...

in 2 days they wilted and turned brown.

There must be a trick to keep them looking fresh...

I cut up into the stems and plunged them into cold water all the way up to the flowers

but that did not seem to keep them from fading...

This toiletry tray holds a few of my favourite things...

scents, and a few of the "tools" that I regularly use.

I love a quality brush when I apply powder, shadow and blush.

Aveda and Jane Iredale make great brushes and with care and maintenance they last for years.

I wash mine frequently in Aveda Shampure shampoo and let them air dry.

I use these two products once a week and give myself a facial 

which takes about 5 minutes.

Then I moisturize with the Eminence coconut lotion 

 my skin feels fresh and looks and feels softer.

I slather this oil on my legs after shaving.

Before I go for my walks I use it on my feet and I think it helps my heels from cracking.

It also smells lovely!

Each morning and evening I wash my face with Eminence Coconut scented Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating cleanser

apply a few drops of the Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum 

and apply Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer.

I don't think it really matters too much what brand of products that we use.

They could be drugstore or heath food store lines.

Many people are fans of regular olive or coconut oil.

Whatever you use I think the main thing is to remove your make up and to keep you skin moisturized.

Always use Sunscreen!

It has been added to many formula's and is easy to use.

I like the Eminence sunscreen with the built in brush.

I brush and floss my teeth at least twice a day.

This Sonic Care toothbrush has improved my gum health in 4 short months.

The dental hygienist was amazed!

She said if I kept this up for the next 20 years my gums would not deteriorate!

I love the idea of having healthy gums

as I read somewhere that gum disease is linked to heart problems.

Keep active

find something that you love to do and immerse yourself in it.

There are many things that we can do to maintain our appearance and stay healthy...

I have just touched on a few...

this post just scratched the surface of a very large topic.

Please feel free to chime in with your own hints and thoughts...

we are all in this journey together.

Embrace beauty in all it's forms...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Salt Spring Island Day Trip...

On a rainy weekday morning last week we got up at the crack of dawn and headed out to the ferry to spend the day on one of the Gulf Islands.

Salt Spring Island is a short scenic 35 minute ferry ride from The Swartz Bay terminal.

The island is the largest of our Gulf Islands and it is very lush and green.
A popular spot for many who are fortunate enough to call it home...
and a lovely place to go for a visit.

Many of the homes along the waterfront have low bank beach access with private docks while others with expansive water views, are built high up on the cliffs that plunge sharply to the sea.

SSI is home to a diverse mix of locals... from affluent celebrities, talented writers, gifted artists, wealthy retirees, farmers, vintners, potters, quilters, organic produce growers, "back to the earth" hippies, professionals, chefs, gardeners, families, teachers and the list goes on...
definitely an eclectic group... which makes for a very "colourful" community.

Mr. HB had business on the island so I tagged along for the ride...
While he worked, I walked and explored the galleries and shops in Ganges which is the retail hub of the island.
It was a quiet day as not that many people were out and about.
Perhaps it was the rain...
but then I am comparing it to the busy summer season
when tourists are on their holidays and the marinas are full of boats.

There are some lovely women's shops with sumptuous imported linen garments in fashionable styles.
Shoes, scarves, hats, and stylish accessories.
Many of which are beyond my budget...but it is fun to browse.

There are two thrift shops...
well worth perusing
as you never know what you are going to find.

There was an adorable bright pink and lime green classic Lily Pulitzer sheath dress,
alas it was too small.
Lots of designer labels and most in good condition, some of the pieces I recognized from last season.

I did find an Eileen Fisher "jacket"....
very simple and in a versatile navy for under $20.

Mr. HB and I met for lunch at Auntie Pesto's on the waterfront overlooking the marina.
The food was tasty and the half portion of pasta that I opted for was more than adequate.
Judging by the crowd that were dining there it must be a favourite with the locals.

After lunch we walked the docks and looked at boats before heading back to Fulford Harbour to catch the ferry.

Fulford Harbour is quite small and features a couple of funky shops,
a mercantile store, book shop, restaurant and a cafe.

After we parked the car in the line up, we poked our heads into all the wee shops and had a good look around.
There was a surprise in one of the shops... a yellow silk scarf!
The one that I have been hunting for to wear with my navy coat and yellow walking shoes.

Who would have thought that I would find it on a Gulf Island?

If you get the opportunity to visit Salt Spring Island try to make time to drive around the entire island.

Perhaps you'll find a charming B and B in which to stay for a few days

or if you have "deep pockets" you can stay at Hastings House

 a luxurious spot that has beautiful gardens and a Spa.

Mr. HB and I stayed there one long weekend in May many years ago and we both felt so pampered...

our suite was in The Post House

the grounds are beautiful

the food was delicious and the service impeccable.

 The Farmer's Market is held on Saturdays from April until October.

You will find jewelry, paintings, jams, crafts, clothing, collectibles, food, spices, soaps and more...

it is held on Saturdays in Ganges.

It is a "must see" if you are on the island.

If you need any more information on SSI go here.

 you will find places to stay and things to do.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble  Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Beauty...in the eye of the beholder.

I've been so fortunate to find such beauty in my daily round.

These pretty leaves hugging a concrete wall near Oak Bay Avenue.

The blue coloured berries stood out against the grey concrete.

How could I just walk by and not capture this image?

They are sumptuous and stunning...almost sensual.

A sweetly scented and frothy yellow rose blooms in Our Humble Bungalow Garden.

I love those wee dewdrops on the petals...

Mother Nature paints such a beautiful picture on our planet.

I've been enjoying the silver arm party bangles this past week.

Always the crow...drawn to shiny things...

I'd buy more bangles if I found some that "spoke to me."

The grand children and I had "lunch" together!

Nom Nom!

I've been wearing this Burberry print scarf most days.

I love the simple infinity style.

This Chanel Orchidee lipstick picks up the colour in the pattern of the scarf

It's an easy tie...

place over head, twist front twice around and then loop the open circle around your head.

Voila!

I've been spritzing on my "winter scent."

I just read that this is Ines de la Fressange's signature fragrance!

For daily pictures please follow me on Instagram...

click the picture of the Hydrangea on my side bar and you can view my IG page.

There's not a lot happening to report...thank you for popping by.

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.

More snapshots...OOTD

We are going for a walk along Hollywood Crescent.
It is the street that snakes and curves along the waterfront past Dallas Road.

Ross Bay Beach just across the street from the Ross Bay Cemetery.

This beach is open to the Straits and fierce storms are common in the winter.

The beach is vulnerable to the gale force winds and the crashing waves.

Large rocks were brought in and placed on the beach to help alleviate future storm damage.

There was a serious threat that the road and the graves would be eroded and washed away.

You would never know that this idyllic scene could be whipped up into a boiling frenzy of white caps and rolling waves...the water crashes over the seawall and onto the road.

When there is a storm of this magnitude the road is blocked off.

Logs are thrown high up into the air like match sticks and land "willy-nilly" on the sidewalk.

Driftwood is washed ashore along the beach.

An artist carved this on the roots of a huge log.

Art for all of the beachcombers to enjoy! 

Beach combing on a calm day is very meditative.

The sound of the waves as they greet the shore

the call of the gulls

the gentle salty sea breeze

many interesting stones and logs intertwine in muted shades

stones feature prominently in this garage

look at the "green" roof

this structure has been here as long as I can remember

A fence of flowers...all dahlia blooms.

the stone wall along the boulevard

inside is a large vegetable garden

This enchanting home and garden just oozes charm.

I like to think of it as "Dahlia Cottage."

The couple who live here are often seen tending their garden and flowers.

Geraniums run riot in the Spring and Summer and come Fall the Dahlias are the stars.

I stepped on the scale after the weekend and my heart nearly skipped a beat...

I have to get back on track and count my WW points!

OOTD

Saint James Top

Eileen Fisher Ponte knit pants

two strands of Opera length pearls

Coach loafers

Hope that your week is off to a great start!

Playing with lipstick...a copy cat post.

Jennifer author of the blog "A Well Styled Life" wrote a post on lipstick.
"The Classic Red Lip: Not For Every Woman"
Her post made me think about lipstick shades...those that flatter and those that don't.

Luscious and Juicy Red Rose Hips 

The Humble Bungalow Bathroom has the best lighting so that's where this experiment takes place.

My nose got a wee bit burnt on the last few days of our holiday.

I wear an SPF of 30 but there is a double dose of rays when one is out on the ocean.

(rays from above and then reflected up again from the sea)

OOTD

Grey linen Tee from Monoprix

White Club Monaco jeans

bare feet

custom made gold and diamond necklace

On my lips I am wearing 

Fresh Sugar ~ Tulip

(my everyday shade that I wear in the bungalow while doing domestics or gardening)

It works better if I wear my glasses.

I can see what I am doing!

Chanel Rouge Coco Orchidee Lipstick

(a rosy red)

Jennifer mentions that a bold lip takes centre stage and the eyes almost disappear.

One must choose to focus on either the eyes or the lips when choosing make up.

Which one do you prefer to highlight?

Maybelline  #055 Pink~a~licious

Maybelline  #547  Pleasure Me Red

(purchased in Paris)

I wear this shade for evening or when I want to capture and remember a bit of Paris. 

I think red lips are quintessentially French!

Janet over at The Gardener's Cottage wears Poppy by Aveda.

She's written a post on beauty and I think you might like to pop over and read what she has to say.

I enjoy her blog so much.

(and I am in love with her gorgeous house)

Country Living magazine did a shoot at her cottage and are going to be featuring it soon.

I can hardly wait!

Do you have a favourite shade of lipstick?

Hope that you have some fun scheduled this weekend.

I'll be focusing on watering our newly sodded back lawn.

I'll share it with you sometime soon.

Cheerio

XO