June Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden, swimsuit shopping and a recipe for an at home Spa Day.

June in The Humble Bungalow Garden 

is all about the roses.

Constance Spry is putting on a fabulous show here on the pergola.

The side garden patio is nestled between a lush border of Lady's Mantle

 a bed with two apple trees, various roses and foxgloves.

It's a lovely spot to sit and take tea.

I snapped this photo while sitting with my tea...

you can see the tool shed through the "jungle!"

My husband and I went on the Victoria Hospice Teeny Tiny Garden Tour.

We really enjoyed our day perusing the various gardens on the tour.

I got a few ideas to add to our garden...

for example we could use a water feature, and some more planters with annuals.

I'd also like to find some bamboo wind chimes and a tall wind ornament.

We have volunteered our garden for the fundraising tour next year...

it will be up to the coordinator in charge to decide if ours is worthy.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

fragrant and a vigorous growing variety.

Jude the Obscure is blooming!

It is my favourite rose.

I actually Love So Many Roses...

it is rather difficult choosing just one favourite.

The Miraclesuit shown here is 3 or 4 years old and is losing it's shape.

The Aqua Fit classes are fabulous fun!

I didn't know how much I would enjoy them.

The class is an hour and we are moving continuously.

The movements do not aggravate my arthritis or hurt my joints.

I dislike swimsuit shopping but I NEED a NEW one.

There is a limit on the number of suits that you can take into the change room

so you can try on maybe 6 then have to get dressed and take back the 6 to the clerk at the desk.

So it makes swimsuit shopping a really frustrating challenge.

It was a surprise finding this black suit.

I had already been to the Marshall's store 4 times in search of a decent style and fit.

Well this just proves that old saying...if at first you don't succeed Try Try Again.

Simon Chang

The wrap style is flattering.

I chose the size up for added comfort.

I am short so the adjustable straps are a nice feature.

The suit was $35 and I couldn't believe what good value it was.

My physio appointments are weekly and I am getting IMS treatments.

I have had two sessions so far.

I am hopeful that these will help loosen up the taut and tight muscles 

that are causing the pain in my lower back.

My doctor recommended them so I am hoping that they will make a difference.

It will be nice not to need any pain medication and be able to walk 5km as well as attend the Aqua Fit classes.

Sleep is much better with a thick pillow propped underneath my knees.

I lie on my back which is the most comfortable position.

I am learning to relax my back and get a better sleep.

Back to the garden...

Lady Angela a fragrant David Austin Rose is blooming.

She is a pretty variety and is trained as a climber.

Lots of flowers repeat throughout the summer.

I like to have some fresh flowers above the kitchen sink.

I spend a lot of time washing dishes and gazing out the window.

Eagles often soar high above in the sky floating in the air.

We live in an area quite close to the downtown and yet we have lots of urban wildlife.

Deer, raccoons, European Wall Lizards, eagles, owls, crows and various songbirds.

There are always some animal antics or birds entertaining us in the garden.

~ Hey Jude ~ 

Buds 

Blooms Present and Past

I've been busy this week and am planning some quiet time.

My energy and enthusiasm for social events are not always in sync.

Do you schedule days where you stay at home and relax?

I find I like to be out and about so much more than recharging at home.

You would think that I might not want to miss out on something!

(Life can be so full of fun that it is a challenge to wean myself off of the excitement)

After chatting with, and reading blog posts from women my age

I have found that many are "under the weather" because 

they have been "burning the candle at both ends."

So as an observer 

I have made note and am going to enact a day of quiet.

Perhaps a Spa Day?

Spa Day Bath Salt Recipe

What do you like to do when you feel the need for some self care?

Do you book yourself into a hotel?

Reserve a pampering package of treatments at a local spa?

Stay in your pajamas all day read a good book, sip tea and munch on chocolate?

I do love a great chocolate bar...

Lindt creamy milk chocolate with hazelnuts is my current favourite.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

Take Care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cold weather, a Thrifty Chicken Veggie Soup Recipe, and knitting at the cottage.

 

We are at the cottage and awoke to snow dusting the stairs...

It coated the ground which reminded me of icing sugar...

then I thought of cookies :-))

We purchased a wee tree for the cottage and chose small fairy lights in white.

It looks best when the lights are dimmed or turned off but we felt the need to add some festive cheer, it is December after all.

With this cold I decided to make a chicken veggie soup.

It was full of flavour and was a warm and cozy choice for the cold day.

Thrifty Chicken Soup

I used a roast chicken carcass.

Pick off the bigger chunks of meat and set them aside in the fridge.

In a soup pot I added the carcass and just covered the bones with water.

Boil then simmer for about an hour.

Take out bones and set them aside to cool.

Put the rich stock into a large container.

Pick off any more meat from the bones and add to the stock, discard the bones.

Saute one large diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery in oil until soft.

Add the meat from the fridge and the stock to the pot

2 diced carrots, some sliced greens 

(I used bok choy)

Cook about 45 minutes until carrots are soft

salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

It is very tasty and is so warming on a cold snowy day.

The sun was shining and we bundled up for a cold weather walk.

The air was crisp and so refreshing.

Little birds skitting about pecking for morsels of food...

Gulls soaring in the sky.

Soon the birds will be nibbling these red berries and rose hips...

December is a truly beautiful time to visit the cottage.

It is quite peaceful so we sleep deeply and feel relaxed when we wake up.

We are so fortunate to be able to come and do not take our time here for granted.

It is a precious gift.

We have been reading our books and I've been knitting on my vest 

which is getting very close to being finished.

I needed to buy some new locking stitch markers

 so I went to The Beehive before we left town.

 

Wouldn't you know it! I spied a lovely blue variegated yarn by Berocco.

Wool shops are rather lethal for me...chocolate, tea and book shops are trouble!

I rarely leave with empty hands.

This pattern is my next project.

Are you a knitter?

What do you love to make?

Hope that you are warm and cozy and enjoying the beginning of December.

I think it is going to get busy with baking and shopping and wrapping!

(with time set aside for knitting and reading)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January...starting slowly

Easing into the New Year...

mulling over some goals and ideas

making a few intentions

not necessarily resolutions

confirming if they are reasonable, attainable and worth considering.

Have you made any resolutions for twenty twenty?

The view on my walk earlier this week on a beautiful sunny day.

December Hollyhocks in bloom on a street near the Humble Bungalow.

The eagle has landed!

There are frequently two bald eagles perched up in the tree...

On

New Years Day 

a few people walking past the tree 

stopped to look up and admire this majestic bird.

Speaking of looking up...

A Single Star 

made out of tin 

hangs above the sink in The Humble Bungalow.

Different from the 

Stars

 that sparkle and twinkle up above 

in the night sky.

Do you remember this poem about Stars from your childhood?

The rains have started and they'll be with us for awhile.

 Cenotaph near Cattle Point in the Uplands area of Victoria.

Glimpsed as we walked by on our morning walk.

I don't know any food more comforting 

except a bowl of soup on a cold rainy day.

 Homemade Tomato Soup

I roasted several pounds of fresh tomatoes 

diced onions 

5 cloves of minced garlic 

in a shallow pan with some olive oil 

 400 degree oven for 45 minutes

 I popped them all in a pot 

added a tetra pack of veggie stock

put it on to simmer.

Then I used the immersion blender to blend it all.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Currently reading The Rocks by Peter Nichols.

Going to pop the kettle on soon and brew a pot of tasty Murchies Chestnut Tea.

Will light the candle and read for a bit.

How is your New Year looking so far?

What are you reading?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Weekend snippets...

I meant to post this earlier in the week but I have been preoccupied with other things...

Last weekend we had oodles of fun.
The highlights featured a garden wedding, lunch out with friends, pottering about in the garden tending to the roses, some leisure reading, and we went to see a matinee ~ Yesterday by Richard Curtis.

 It is a delightful story with the music of The Beatles playing throughout the film
Starring...
Himesh Patel, Lily James, Ed Sheeran, Kate MacKinnin, James Corden.

We thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

a bucket full of roses from our garden for the wedding

Definitely deer food

half a hosta munched

Pink carpet of rose petals...

The wedding was set in the glorious garden of our dear friends.

You can see the Salish Sea just beyond the wedding arbour.

This arbour has been used several times for weddings.

It was reinforced with rope and new driftwood logs for this weekends' nuptials.

Beautiful bee balm co-mingling with yellow roses.

A gorgeous Monarda bloom

(aka Bee Balm)

A Family Affair...

Salmon caught by one of the cousins, 

smoked by the groom and served by my BFF

The theme for the wedding was birds as the couple are "birders"

The groom made these stunning bird sculptures.

I'd like to commission him to make us some too!

I wore a polka dot dress by a Vancouver company called Gilmour.

Flip Flops with some sparkle by Amanda Bleu.

My current read Windfallen by the exceptional author JoJo Moyes.

Marigold The Mouse is making an appearance on the blog.

She's been hiding snug in her mouse hole

as the ongoing noise from the construction has made her a wee bit jumpy.

The bedroom is getting a much needed makeover...

it is unbelievable that it has taken us so many years to have this done.

I am looking forward to purchasing new sheets and a dust ruffle.

Pillows are on my wish list too.

I must close for now and attend to some of the domestic chores that are waiting.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Feel free to leave a comment

 tell us what you have been doing this week

or

what you are reading.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday Tidbits and Snippets in the Humble Bungalow Garden....

We have a well established patch of Lily of the Valley out front 

of The Humble Bungalow.

Its' quite the luxury to be able to walk outside and pick a bunch.

I found these bonsai secateurs at the local garden centre.

 What drew me to them was their simple style.

They are super sharp which is great when one cuts flowers for the vase.

Crisp clean cuts make it much easier for the water to be absorbed

which helps keep the flowers happily hydrated.

They last longer!

Muguet des Bois 

scenting the Humble Bungalow bathroom...

such an intoxicating fragrance.

Raindrops on the Lewisia Cotyledon

We have several of these charming plants...

 a few shades of pink, one white and another in apricot.

They seem to like dappled shade and do well in pots.

Montana Ruebens

a stalwart clematis in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

One of the first things that we planted years ago 

after ripping out the thorny blackberry brambles and invasive Morning Glory.

What a lot of work it was taming this garden in the early days...

I get tired now just thinking about it!

Its so rewarding now to see the fruits of our labour.

Our garden has been and is a work in progress...

as are many of the gardens of gardeners that we know.

Changing to suit our tastes and needs...'

One of the first roses to bloom 

Joesph's Coat, 

a climbing rose near our back door.

One of many Alliums standing tall above the perennials.

One of my morning routines

 at this time of year 

is to go outside and hand water the potted plants 

and anything else that looks like it needs a drink.

I can pick a few weeds and check on the condition of the plants.

See what might need dead heading and perhaps pick a few blooms.

Its quite relaxing slowly walking about in the garden listening to the birdsong.

Our garden has been home to hummingbirds for many years and this year is the first time that we have seen one of the nests.

Its been exciting watching the mom sitting on her nest.

The nest is so tiny and looks like it is made with dryer lint and lichen.

She gets a bit anxious if we get too close so we are trying to weed and trim things quickly and quietly so as not to make her nervous.

My garden apparel is not worthy of a picture...

Unlike

my former neighbour 

a lady

who gardened in pearls, a pretty floral print dress and a straw hat.

I wear yoga pants, a tee shirt and a linen apron with pockets in front.

I use the pockets for secateurs, my IPhone and Kleenex...

for some reason when I bend over my nose runs!

Not at all glamorous or worthy of comment.

I tend to be a messy gardener...

smeared with dirt

leaves in my hair

not even remotely 

"nymphlike"

perhaps

in my dreams.

Hope that you enjoyed this wee garden tour of The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I have a stack of books to read and am having trouble deciding which one I will read next...

the kettle is about to be boiled, 

there will be tea poured and a new chapter awaits.

Which book would you choose?

Have you read any of these books?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~