Vegetable Extravaganza....

Good morning!

It is really really early...I am wide awake.

Thank goodness the coffee is hot 

as I stand by the window watching the sky.

The morning light is just peeking over the horizon.

All is quiet.

I am conscious of my breathing.

  I will sit here in peace 

looking out and looking inward.

Preparing as I do for the day to unfold.

I cherish the slow morning time 

pondering life and counting my many blessings

since retiring...

There is a sense of calm and order when one has time to gather their thoughts...

knitting them together 

making them strong

determined.

A blurry snapshot of one of the many bald eagles that perch nearby...

this week I stood among several other cottagers as we watched as a bald eagle spread its vast wings and preened itself.

Such magnificent creatures and they are far bigger up close than one might imagine!

A bountiful haul of beach glass after combing the beach for treasure.

The views are stunning!

Just look at those puffy white clouds punctuating the blue sky

I could sit here for hours 

watching 

as the clouds meander across the expansive sky.

This beach would be a fun place to bring the grandchildren...

they could play on the beach before we sit and nibble a picnic lunch.

Perhaps even have a dip in the salt chuck?

Veggies... 

Prepare for the peeling and chopping.

You are going to be roasted!

Just a smattering of olive oil and a grinding of peppercorns 

then you'll be tossed in a super hot oven to caramelize.

You will be left to cool on the counter 

before being sprinkled with balsamic vinegar 

then topped with crumbled feta cheese

tossed together and devoured by a hungry Hostess!

Roasted veggie salad is a tasty treat and low in WW points!

Vegetable Extravaganza

Roast a variety of root vegetables...

I added mushrooms and zucchini to the pan.

Toss a wee bit of olive oil and mix to coat.

Grind a bit of fresh pepper over top.

Roast at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Turn the veggies halfway.

Cool then sprinkle with some balsamic vinegar, 

add a few crumbles of feta cheese.

IF 

there are leftovers 

simply pop them on top of some lettuce for a healthy and colourful salad.

The charming book that I just read...

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale

it's definitely worth reading.

Hope that you are having a lovely week...and its almost the weekend!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Quarter Deck Cottage week 2

Cottage holidays are busy and full to the brim with adventures and family fun.

Visiting the seashore and beach combing with the 3 grandchildren, "seeing it anew through the eyes of the children" is refreshing and the sheer thrill of discovery is contagious.
Their enthusiasm upon finding baby crabs under a rock or spying a jelly fish floating near the beach, picking up and collecting sea shells in a bucket...
simple joys.
Rowing in the dingy with Grampa...swimming in the pool, eating ice cream cones, colouring, playing games...it's all packed into our days.

We spend a lot of time on the deck looking out to The Salish Sea.

Ferry watching

From sunrise to sunset...

Bird watching...

Gulls, eagles, herons, hawks, purple martins, flickers,

robins, pigeons 

Our son bought a boat and had fun speeding over from Sidney for a visit...

he's at work this week.

 After he left our DIL's mom came over to  the cottage

so we have 3 grandparents to share in the fun!

Today is our 43rd wedding anniversary...

these are my "fun rings" not my wedding set 

and you can see Mr. HB is in the background!

Happy Anniversary to my life partner.

A kind, gentle and caring man...

his support and love mean the world to me.

 I must close now...

 there are laps to swim in the pool and plenty of fun waiting...

I will not be posting very much for the next week or so here on the blog but I will be active on Instagram.

Seaside planters at Otter Bay are filled with colourful flowers.

Hanging baskets and lush green lawns are fringed by weeping willow trees and the native arbutus.

Thank you for stopping by Quarter Deck Cottage...

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

Monday the view from here....

Walking at my usual pace has been difficult recently due to a sore knee...
I don't know what I have done.
I could have twisted it or pulled a muscle,
so I am walking slower and trying not to exacerbate it.

Really must not complain too much as there are so many more serious things to consider out there, other than knee pain...
I'm sure you can think of a thing or two worse.

"Sorbis Hupehensis"

Aren't these wee pink berries adorable?

They are growing on a bush on a street nearby The Humble Bungalow.

Mr. HB made me a fancy cocktail...

a Chambord Cosmopolitan.

Chambord is a raspberry liqueur from the Loire Valley.

Here is a link to the recipe.

We used pure unsweetened cranberry juice and it is delicious!

The cooler weather inspires me to make roasts on Sunday evenings.

A free range organic chicken or a prime rib is a tasty treat at this time of year.

Yorkshire pudding is yummy too!

Root vegetables roasted in a shallow pan with a bit of olive oil brings out their flavours.

All the produce is locally grown.

It's important to support the island farmers.

This is the current view out the kitchen window...

the crew that are dismantling the home beside us have chosen a yellow dumpster which looks quite pretty with the autumnal foliage.

The noise starts around 8am and goes until about 4pm.

We will have two homes on this site once the building gets started.

Two couples eager to get into the housing market have purchased the old home from an estate for just under a million dollars!

(Our real estate market has been brisk but is showing signs of slowing down)

The couples have been by and introduced themselves to us 

and all the neighbours near to the property.

Just down the street 

there are 3 or 4 significant home renovation projects happening...

our little street seems to be quite a popular place for tradesmen these days...

Chester is not amused...

the constant truck traffic is disturbing his naps.

He and Pepper frequently sit on the front window ledges and keep watch.

Have you been watching The Durells in Corfu on PBS?

I am really enjoying the series...

I read most of Gerald Durrells' novels when I was growing up.

Peacock pecking on the ground in Beacon Hill Park this afternoon.

It did not seem to mind that I was slowly creeping closer...

He glanced over in my direction and then got back to the task at hand...

there were oodles of pea hens whose drab colouring helped them blend into the foliage also pecking for tidbits.

It was chilly today so I bundled up in a scarf and my puffer coat.

 Purposely I chose a different route with varied and interesting scenery 

I felt would keep me focused on distance rather than my pace.

I passed quite a few walkers who were also enjoying the park.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Walks, the kindness of neighbours and more....

The weather has been unsettled this Easter weekend...
we have had sunshine
rains
high winds.

Mr. HB and I were out in the garden doing some light weeding and he mowed the lawn.
I picked some flowers.

Grape hyacinths

We visited the nursery and checked out the new plants.

Have you ever seen a Jack in the Pulpit plant?

The flower is SO unusual!

I love the vibrant shade of this rhododendron.

On Saturday the sun was shining and it was warm so we went for a long walk.

Oodles of people had the very same idea and there were lots of people strolling along the seafront.

Smiles and greetings were the order of the day.

Sunshine has that effect on us after the "rainy daze."

Fairfield still sports a few streets lined with their names in blue tiles. 

This pretty little blue flower caught my eye.

I had to stop and take a picture.

We cut through the Park on the way to our destination....

Beacon Hill Park is a large park in Victoria.

It is located not too far from Our Humble Bungalow.

The petting zoo is very popular with families and was crowded on this sunny afternoon.

There are goats, pigs, donkeys, bunnies, ponies, birds, and many other farm animals.

Gobble Gobble

Turkeys wander freely.

Mr. HB treated me to a soft ice cream cone at The Beacon Drive In.

The line up was long but it moved quite quickly...

we walked back home licking our cones before they melted.

Nom Nom they are SO rich and creamy.

The BEST in Victoria!

One of our elderly neighbours down the street has been in the hospital.

Sadly he has no family.

 While he was hospitalized a young couple who live close by

 have gone in and cleaned and painted his home.

Other neighbours have been involved.

We all have been aware that his situation has deteriorated and we have been concerned.

He has some health issues and suffers from dementia 

the young couple have taken him "under their wing" 

How lovely that this couple is helping him out in a time of need.

I applaud their Kindness and Generosity.

We do not know what kind of care he will need in the future 

but he has been assessed and there will be some changes and supports put in place.

He is certainly happy to be back in his own home.

It was more than obvious as 

he was smiling and laughing when we walked by his house on our way home.

I must get my apron on and cook something to take to him.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Walking in Sunshine....

My car is in the shop.

Instead of taking the offer of a driver and a ride home I wore my walking shoes

and took a walk in a different area of town.

Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise.

It is simple

free

can be done almost anywhere

and the only special equipment you need is a good pair of shoes.

You might need some sunglasses

a warm coat or a rain jacket

umbrella or boots

hat

gloves

Kleenex

sunscreen

if you have a walking partner 

you are blessed.

Conversation makes the time fly and going the distance with a "buddy" is supportive.

One day you may feel tired, lazy or lethargic but your partner urges you on.

Another day it is your turn to encourage him or her.

Walking in a group is popular here in Victoria, 

beyond the seafront there are hiking trails

The Galloping Goose is popular with both cyclists and pedestrians.

We have groups of walkers if you like company:

The TC 10K race has several training groups

Widow's Walking Group

Newcomers Club Walkers

Nordic Pole Walkers

Outdoor Club of Victoria

groups that walk out of the fitness and Seniors centres.

Mr. HB and I walk together on the weekends.

We have "My route" and His route."

My route goes along the waterfront to the Gonzales area of town,

his route goes along the waterfront towards the "boat pond."

Bald Eagle perched in a tree surveying the ocean 

possibly looking for a fish dinner.

Off it flies towards the sea...

soft shades of blues and greys

the sun breaks through the clouds

there are many quiet moments when we walk

moments to enjoy the scenery

moments to observe the unexpected

moments when we share some conversation

we are walking together

as we have done since we walked down the aisle so many years ago.

~ ~ ~

The Victoria Orchid Society Show is on this weekend and I'll be working at the admissions table.

I plan to take my knitting with me just in case there is a quiet moment during the day.

Looking forward to perusing the show and sales table after I finish my shift.

When it comes to orchids I have a weak spot for them and a new one might just accompany me home!

"Walking is man's best medicine."

~ Hippocrates ~

Have a fun weekend!

January daze...

This blog is a personal one and it is not one where I discuss politics or world events.

It has come to my attention that many of my readers come here for a "rest"...

a quiet respite from the hectic life that they lead.

It was never my intention to be a radical or significant voice on current affairs.

Dissecting serious issues are not my forte...

this humble blog revolves around family, home and garden...

Things that I know well.

Simple uncomplicated living experienced at it's fullest.

Looking for the finer things in life...

happiness

beauty

Joy

Blogging is a venue for self expression.

Emails and comments from readers are an added bonus...icing on the cake.

Through these communications I feel much more connected to my audience.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you all.

Flowers found their way into the Humble Bungalow as a tonic for the grey January daze.

A few days ago Mr. HB and I stopped for brunch at Bridgeman's Bistro at Mill Bay.

The view of the Marina was pretty despite the grey skies overhead.

The bistro was packed!

We sat at the window and sipped our beverages while waiting for our brunch to arrive.

Boats bobbing 

gulls soaring 

kingfishers diving

swans swimming

the scenery was calming and serene.

After lunch we perused many antique shops.

 We are on the hunt for an arts and crafts mission style small side table

 for The Humble Bungalow living room.

Our current table is wobbly and the wood is curved in the middle so it is not very practical.

We have seen one that we like online in Pasadena but it is $450 US and with the added shipping and our low Canadian dollar makes it far too expensive.

We are planning a trip south to Seattle and will look around when we are there...

arts and crafts furniture was only made for a very short period so pieces are often a challenge to find when you do find them they are usually quite pricey.

(supply and demand)

January is the month I dedicate to re-evaluating my health 

to focus on my day to day regime.

The annual visit to the doctor revealed that my thyroid medication needed changing...

other than that everything seemed in order, except my weight was up 5 pounds.

After Christmas it did not come as a surprise.

 I was eating more sweets and having more cocktails and wine.

With that in mind I am eating much more mindfully and drinking more water.

This article in The Guardian was of interest to me.

 I hope that abstaining from alcohol for a few weeks will give my skin a boost and help me shed a few pounds.

Witch hazel blooming a cheery yellow

peeking through a fence on my walk.

Orange witch hazel further along on the same street.

Flowers and blooms are few and far between at this time of year.

Eyeing a pop of colour in my periphery quickly turns my head!

OPI 

"Did you ear about Van Gogh?"

a putty shade that is a bit edgy and is a neutral shade.

Painting my nails is my newest accessory.

Pavlova on the menu for dessert when our darling daughter and her "kiwi" fiancee came to dinner.

Meringue

It looks a bit messy but it tasted delicious!

We started with a tomato, bocconcini, and basil salad drizzled with balsamic reduction.

Roast free range organic chicken, scalloped potatoes, vegetables and flaky dinner rolls rounded out the meal.

~ Healthy Focused Eating ~

Breakfasts ~ oats and fruit or yogurt and fruit.

Lunches ~ soup or salad.

Dinners ~ a small amount of protein served with lots of fresh veggies and a salad.

~ Daily Walks ~

This sign hangs on a gate in our neighbourhood

recently seen on my walk...

With so many wonderful bloggers and blogs online

 it is with gratitude that I thank you

 for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog and spending a few minutes here.

Be Well and Be Kind.

Hope that your New Year is off to a healthy Start!

Hostess