August snippets...

It's been a food fest this past week as we celebrated Mr. HB's birthday.
He loves pasta so we went to one of the best Italian restaurants Zambri's.
Family, friends and food...a winning combination!

We shared a Caesar salad and I opted for the filet of beef with polenta.

I only ate half of this tasty meal but every bite was delicious!

Mr. HB ordered his favourite pasta dish.

His dessert was a lemon gelato with cookies!

I couldn't help but think of something else when this arrived at the table.

Does it remind you of something?

The morning of the eclipse I stayed inside.

I had oodles of laundry to catch up on and a new book to read...

A lovely assortment of stories from well known authors.

A little armchair travel in the City of Light.

I made a tasty pasta last night with some of our homegrown tomatoes.

We like to eat our pasta out of bowls

using a fork with the aid of a spoon 

which makes it easy twirling the spaghetti noodles.

The recipe is from Monet's Palate Cookbook:

The Artist and His Garden at Giverny.

it's definitely

one of my favourite ways to use ripe fresh tomatoes.

Rich in flavour and simple.

Dinner is served!

Graham Thomas, a David Austin rose, 

is blooming in the "work area" of the Humble Bungalow Garden. 

This area is where we have our rolling bins 

that we use for garden cuttings and grass clippings...

we also have a wood pile in that spot so a beautiful fragrant yellow rose is a wonderful way of cheering up this area.

Good news!

 We have found a garden helper.

She is a well known local landscape designer 

who is studying at Great Dixter in the UK 

and she has graciously agreed to help us out.

I have high hopes....

We may avail ourselves of her expert design services 

and have her improve two of our overgrown beds.

The limelight hydrangeas are really in their glory this month.

I have been on a boxwood kick too...

buying them and popping them in pots randomly around the garden.

The construction of one of the two houses next door to The Humble Bungalow.

We chatted with the neighbours a couple of days ago

when they were looking at flooring samples and they have been told by the contractor that the house will not be ready to occupy until February!

Its no surprise that it is taking so long as the local trades are so busy.

There is a building boom happening here in town and our neighbourhood is just one of many that are buzzing with building projects.

The real estate market here has gone berserk!

 Prices have sky rocketed and I keep thinking that it has to stop sometime soon...

It makes it very challenging for young families and couples starting out to get into a condo or a home.

I have been diligently applying this cream 3 times each day.

It has reduced the red area on my knee...

from my nasty fall on the dock.

Instead of a Toonie sized angry red patch 

there is a small dime sized spot

which I think will fade and there will be no scar.

I met up with some girlfriends for lunch today and had a lovely long walk.

The weather continues to be warm and sunny...

Summer is drawing to a close...

and soon we will be thinking about sweaters and dressing in layers 

but for now let's savour the last few weeks.

What are you reading?

Have you been shopping for Fall and Winter pieces yet?

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

XO

Family, food, flowers, and a funeral...

It is a busy busy week here in The Humble Bungalow...
lots happening and I took a few moments to put this post together.

We have a guest staying with us this week, the focus has been on food, flowers and a funeral...an elderly relative's life will be celebrated.

I apologize that I have not had time to respond to all your comments and my blog reading has taken a back seat to my real life.

Oh and while all this is going on we have the painters here tarting up this old bungalow.

Peony seen on my walk in our neighbourhood.

Fuchsia blooms on Oak Bay Avenue glimpsed while running errands.

Beautiful Blue Hydrangea flowers 

in a yard on a street near Our Humble Bungalow.

We took our daughter and her fiancee out to dinner at our favourite Italian bistro Zambri's last week and gave them their wedding gifts.

Caesar Salad

Tenderloin and polenta with a gorgonzola sauce.

Gifts for the soon to be newlyweds!

This novel has captured my attention,  it was on the shelf in the wee library across the street.

I have been able to sneak in a few chapters and find this book hard to put down...

We took a ride out to the boat on the weekend and I sat and sipped sparking water and knit a few rows...

My knitting is slow going since I had my frozen shoulder.

I am able to knit for short periods each day and with any luck the poncho will be finished by the time Fall arrives!

~ Peek a Boo ~

Our grandson Henry came over for a few hours of fun and play.

Grammy was happy!

Today

Birthday dinner preparations are underway 

and the guests will arrive later.

All the food is organized and the Lemon Charlotte cake is in the fridge.

I need to set the table and put together a few things but they will not take too long...

This bee was busy working in the Poppy when I looked closely...

and it is time for me to get back to work.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pretty Garden Pinks, a road trip and a picnic...and it is only Wednesday!

Oh the weather these past few days has been so hot!

Darling daughter celebrated her birthday on Monday.

Here she is on one of her first walks.

In 1979 we lived on Marlborough Street by Beacon Hill Park which is just off Dallas Road 

in a big old rambling house which still stands today.

I love this picture of the two of us 

with the snow capped Olympic Mountains in the background.

So much time has elapsed...

Our daughter has grown into a lovely woman and she will be tying the knot with her Kiwi fiancee this summer.

Darling daughter and I drove up island for the day...

poking our noses into 

antique shops and a couple of thrift stores.

This is the view from the Bridgeman's Bistro at The Mill Bay Marina.

The water was so calm...

just like a "mill pond" which by the way is not usual for "Mill Bay!"

The crab cakes were delicious!

We came home with a few bit and bobs...but no "big" treasures.

It is aways fun spending time together.

I wore my bangles...

she says it makes me easy to find in a shop...she just listens for the sounds of the bracelets jingling!

The lilacs are blooming and it is not even May!

I have had to venture downstairs to my "out of season" closet
to find some summer garments to wear in this heat...

It is "slim pickins" down there too....not much more than a couple of dresses, a few Tees and a couple of pairs of pants. I must have done a major cull last season when I put the summer stuff into storage.

Thank goodness I had the peace of mind to keep my Italian black linen dress...
it is loose and very cool..perfect for this weather.

Last year I noticed that In the south of France loose linen dresses seem to be the preferred choice of women of a certain age...so I promptly went out a bought one when I came back from my trip...a very sensible choice too and one that makes sense as the fabric breathes in the heat.

I love to wander around in the garden in the morning before it gets too hot... to see if there are any major weeds that need pulling and to see what is in bloom.

The roses are starting to bloom...this Pavement series rose has an intoxicating scent...

unfortunately it bears lots of thorns which make it hard to pick.

These sweet little "money plant" volunteers have seeded themselves in the front beds.

This area is "under construction"

Our clematis is very old and woody but is a stalwart when it comes to putting on a spectacular show.

This picture was taken before the clematis came into bloom.

We planted variegated iris, several hostas and black mondo grass in this shady bed. 

The patio was redone by our garden gals.

The clematis has twined itself high up into the neighbours Dogwood tree.

Close up of a rhododendron...like a jewel box inside.

I bought a few geraniums to put on the front porch.

They are a great value

 inexpensive

will last all summer 

look so cheerful.

My sister and I took Mother to the beach for tea and a late afternoon snack yesterday.

Inside this basket I keep 3 pretty china cups and saucers, 3 matching side plates, assorted silver wear.

Picnic ready 

with a tablecloth, napkins when the sun shines on Willows Beach.

I've got some more posts on the back burner so I will be back soon.

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful emails after the recent shenanigans...

I did not think that the post would have generate so much discord among readers...

if I have personally offended any of you, 

I humbly apologize.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ Not a Birthday Suit!

March 3rd came and went in a flash...
the birthday celebrations started a few days before and are continuing well into the weekend.

~ Tea and nail polish two routines that I now view as rituals. ~

At 61 years of age I have lived long enough to know what I "need" to be happy.

often it is "not doing" 

but resting 

or

 taking "time out" for scenic walks that makes the biggest difference.

Shutting out the "should"  messages and exploring the "could" messages is also incredibly powerful. Freeing up time for personal hobbies and enriching activities makes me feel so much contentment.

Embracing the attitude of gratitude made the most significant change in my life.

It sounds like a little thing because it is relatively easy

and 

 it alters the perception of everything in such a positive way.

I have learned a lot about life during these past decades

my body is not as young or toned as it used to be

there are aches and pains

there is wisdom

inside

outside there are the signs of aging

"laugh lines" sound so much better than "wrinkles"

this arts and crafts oak table shows signs of wear and it is circa 1912

much older than I am 

we are not refinishing it or giving it a "face lift"

this table has a history

it's imperfections are indicative of it's age

I like to think that is true about women as we age...

many stories

history

our faces reflecting life, love, and laughter over time.

My Mother, sister and I walked along the Esplanade at Willows Beach before dining at the Snug in the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

The light was quite luminous after the rain.

Friends joined us for a casual delicious sushi dinner at The Oak Bay Marina.

Three tasty truffles were shared 6 ways!

Mr. HB gave me a silver bangle to add to my collection.

This one is carved by a First Nations artisan, Alex Helin.

He was the youngest carver to work on the totem for The Commonwealth Games.

The carving on the bangle is in the hummingbird pattern which represents healing, joy and love.

Flowers arrived from dear friends who live in Vancouver and the south of France.

My favourite bouquets consist of white  and green flowers with a smattering of greenery.

OOTD

NYDJ skinny jeans

 Chaus printed tunic top

~ The good news is that I can rise my right arm high enough to take this picture ~

(physiotherapy, exercises and massage are paying off)

View from the change room...

I'm looking for new black ponte knit pants.

My current pair are 2 years old and I wear them twice a week at least so they are on their way out.

I tried on 3 pairs but they were not made of thick and sturdy fabric.

I want them to hold their shape and wear well.

The birthday celebrations will continue into the weekend.

What plans have you got for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Dinner time for the deer and the dears....

There are a few plants in the front garden of Our Humble Bungalow....
that have delighted the resident deer population...Dinner is Served!

Sum and Substance is a large leafed Hosta...

those bite marks are huge!

This Hosta had it's flower stalks bitten down and most of the leaves removed.

I planted it this Spring...may be moving it next Fall to the fenced back yard.

Yum Yum someone had a tasty treat.

Another Hosta that was planted this Spring...

munch munch munch.

The deer have left this Giant Rudbeckia alone...

The grasses are untouched but the Orange Crocosmia flowers have been all eaten.

They love eating roses...the tender new foliage and the flowers.

David Austin Rose William Shakespeare has not been a target yet...

perhaps because it is surrounded by Hostas 

which I have decided are the snack of choice for the deer.

This is the same size as the deer that I saw walking along our side walk out front of The Humble Bungalow. I think he must need a lot of greenery to keep him feel full...don't you?

(picture from the archives)

Plump Rose Hips are forming on our neighbours rose bushes.

They are really quite beautiful...

Indulged in a wee bit of pampering...

a relaxing spa pedicure with a bright red polish.

OPI 

Give me a Lido Kiss

from

Bliss Spa.

We had the family around to celebrate Mr. HB's birthday.

I cooked up a big batch of macaroni and cheese, made a couple of salads, baked a salmon, and served cupcakes with coloured sprinkles.

Mother and Aunty Jennifer got to meet Mira Louise and we had plenty of cuddles and hugs from the children...

it was a lovely evening.

Seriously The Best!

The house feels so quiet now...

I can hear

the dishwasher swishing and the linens are in the washer spinning.

Yet

I can still hear the enthusiastic voices of the little ones...

 singing Happy Birthday to Grampa.

They will sustain and keep me happy until I see them again....

Life with Grand Children...

is as Good as it Gets!