Summer Snippets...gardening and some new clothes!

 

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Blog!

Everyday life has been getting in the way of me sitting down at the computer...

I am still here!

Gosh where does the time go?

Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are BLOOMING.

I LOVE when the roses are in full flush of flower...

Picking roses for a bouquet is a perk 

especially when one grows and tends 30 of these fabulous plants.

Fragrance is a MUST for me when I grow a rose.

I've tried to find a rose perfume that is similar to the heady scents 

that the David Austin varieties are famous for...

I enjoy the intoxicating fragrances as they waft about in the garden.

How has your June been?

Ours has been very busy and flew by so fast...

we were actively working in the garden and created a big new perennial bed.

We shopped for the right plants and then planted them...and shopped again!!

Two new black Adirondack chairs are a welcome addition to the back yard...

a place to sit with a cup of tea or a refreshing cold beverage.

We headed over to the cottage for a week of rest...

I read three books!

Ann Patchett has written another delightful book...Tom Lake.

I loved her book The Dutch House and this one was lovely too.

I stayed up late way past my usual bedtime to finish the book...

that is what I do when a book is exceptional :-))

I mentioned on Instagram that I prefer to wear dresses over shorts...

this new dress from Pokoloko is a wonderful warm weather option.

Woven waffle weave cotton, the slit up the front is another cooling affect!

It is a loose style which allows the air to move.

The black hat is by an Australian company called Kooringal.

I recently consigned 7 garments...most were dresses.

I don't like to have too many things in my tiny closet...

I actually find the decision making process stressful if I have too many choices.

So in an effort to reduce any unwanted stress I keep it simple.

I bought this new linen jacket in about 15 minutes...

it's true.

Hubby and I were on our way to lunch and I stopped in at Glam and Fame 

on Government Street to look at their European Linens...

Apparently it is the largest linen clothing shop in Canada?

Love the pocket detail...

abalone buttons.

Perfect with the Hong Kong Pearls.

I was offered a free scarf in exchange for an online Google rating...

how easy was that?

I want to got back and peruse leisurely...

think it could be my new go to linen location.

~ Thrifted Belt ~

Leather and chrome

Sparkly beads

Dressy and stretchy...

not bad for a thrifted find.

Do you shop in Thrift Stores?

My daily weight training sessions on YouTube are paying off...

my hands feel stronger.

I am able to open jars and grip things better.

20 minutes every morning is really easy to add to my routine.

I am also noticing that my upper arms are not as jiggly :-))

there is more definition...and it has only been 5 weeks since I started.

Hopefully it will help build bone with my recent diagnosis of osteoporosis.

In other news I am not aware of any negative side effects from the Prolia injection.

Fingers crossed this will continue is a positive way...

two shots a year.

The costs are quite high but my doctor says it is the easiest way to get stronger bones.

Do you have osteoporosis?

What are you doing to help improve your bone health?

I almost forgot to mention the vest...

50% off sale 

I've been eyeing these men's wear vests for a few months.

Thinking of Diane Keaton's wardrobe in Annie Hall...

a great layering piece.

Versatile too.

Pink Dogwood in bloom at the cottage.

Such a vibrant shade of pink.

Loads of blooms on the small tree.

Makes such a BOLD statement.

Am so glad that I bought this blue and white transferware platter.

It was a find at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

I have had it about 6 months now...

I hadn't realized that the cottage was already showcasing BLUES...

we don't have any blue pieces in The Humble Bungalow.

So this blue and white colour pallette 

fills me with gladness and I am truly happy that I have a few 

BLUE and WHITE things 

in the cottage that are vintage.

Little things that elevate the way we feel about our space is pure JOY.

~ Sea Glass ~ 

My ankle continues to improve...

I take my walking stick when I go to the beach as the shore is uneven

Am very comfortable walking with it...think it has a beachy vibe!

It also has become a conversation starter!!!

~ Sweet Peas ~

We grow them and the best thing is...

their fragrance

plus

they produce more flowers IF you pick them regularly!

Most recent Thrift Shop Find...

it may just look like an old piece of wood and it is just that!!

I have plans for this board...

it will be a great base for cheese and crackers

appetizers

bread.

I saw many antique French boards when I was in the quaint French villages...

Aix en Provence had a huge variety of these boards.

I loved the brocantes...

Wanted to buy some things when we were there but I was travelling with a carry on

 so I could not really justify the added weight!

Was very excited to find this gem...

old and distressed with genuine wood worm holes.

Well I think that is all the news I have for now...

More gardening is on the horizon...

Hope that you are enjoying your summer.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Blues ~ Tea, clothes, books and knitting

~ Tea ~

The Elixir of the Gods

I partake in afternoon tea each day.

It might be served with a silver service or poured over a bag in a humble mug.

Tea is good accompanied with a small snack...

a cookie, an apple, or a few bites of chocolate.

Decaf tea is my go to brew after 4pm and later in the evening, after dinner.

Tea goes well with my knitting :-))

The Miriam pattern sweater (available on Ravelry)

Rowan Felted Tweed yarn.

Italian wool and alpaca blend, so soft.

You may remember that I knit one of these casual cardigans in soft grey and love it!

I chose this turquoise shade as I think it will pair well 

with my classic denim and black wardrobe.

My chunky pearls and the new shirt...

Caught my eye while shopping... versatile soft Tencel shirt

 inexpensive and will fit in well with my minimalist wardrobe.

I don't buy a lot of clothes,

 but when I see something that meets all the criteria that I have for garments I pounce!

Life continues to be busy...

lots of social opportunities and meet ups are on the calendar.

Being a social being I quite like the flurry of activity.

I do enjoy quiet time and spend part of each day here in The Humble Bungalow 

tidying, cooking, doing laundry, knitting and reading.

Am immersed in this story set in Tuscany...

loving the characters and the setting.

It spans several decades and follows the lives of a group of friends

and acquaintances on their adventures.

Apparently it was named number one of the "best books" for 2023. 

I've got quite a few books on my TBR list...

have some Holds at the library and a few on my bookshelf.

Reading continues to be one of the luxuries that I really enjoy since retiring.

I used to be too busy when I worked full time to really get into a novel.

Holidays were the only time that I could devote a chunk of my days to books.

I was such an avid reader as a young girl growing up...

I always had my nose in a book!

I was a regular at the local Carnegie library downtown.

It all started with Nancy Drew mystery books, 

then L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series.

I graduated to more serious fiction in High School 

reading various authors among them: 

Aldous Huxley, 

Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leon Uris, Ayn Rand, Leo Tolstoy

Walt Whitman

I have read and continue to enjoy many genres.

Reading is definitely a passion of mine and I always have a book on the go.

Are you an avid reader?

Who are your favourite writers?

What are you reading now?

It is time for me to close this post and get busy with dinner.

Hope that you are well and enjoying the start to the New Year.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Shopping my closet...casual denim for Spring

I have been wearing my go-to cashmere sweaters with jeans but with the sunnier days and Spring flinging our way I've been looking in my closet and thinking about dressing in lighter clothes.

Cailey 22 lightweight denim shirt 

In winter I layer this shirt under my black V neck cashmere sweater.

Gap heavier denim shirt

this works alone or layered over top of a Tee or top.

Gap shirt

Eileen Fisher sleeveless top

Letol French scarf

(was included in a previous delivery of My Stylish French Box)

Gap denim dress

layered over a long sleeve Eileen Fisher top

(I may purchase a pair of white capri tights to pair with these two pieces)

A lovely scarf...

with

cheerful colours

heavier and can also be worn as a shawl.

Works really well with denim and chambray garments.

I am trying not to panic 

after the recent announcement of the world wide Covid-19 pandemic.

Looking at the bright spots in my daily round.

I plan to do some "deeper cleaning" here in The Humble Bungalow.

Bathrooms, surfaces and door knobs will be disinfected.

We have not travelled on a plane or left the country and hope that people who  are ill will stay at home and self isolate.

Nice scented soap

Wash your hands well and avoid touching your face 

to minimize your chance of getting the disease.

Make sure you have 2 weeks of non perishable food on hand 

in case of an emergency.

(just like you would have in your earthquake preparedness kit)

Many people have been panic purchasing toilet paper and hand sanitizers.

According to scientists soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers.

Of course we don't have access to these when we are in our cars 

so maybe keep a bottle handy when you are between the shops and your home.

Planning to avoid large crowds...

Having had pneumonia 3 times in the past and at 65 years of age

 I may be one of the demographic that needs to exercise more care.

Happy Weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

The blues...

I've been quietly collecting more blue items in my wardrobe...
it all started so innocently.

Blue jeans have always been a star performer in my wardrobe...
they are what I consider to be a serious workhorse and they have been in my closet since I was a teenager.

I have three pairs of blue jeans...all by NYDJ.

Slowly, over the past year, I have added these blue items:

a denim shirt - Ralph Lauren
a blue chambray shirt ~ Cailey 22
a pale blue tencel shirt - Lord and Taylor
a navy and white top -Saint James
a thrifted denim jacket - no name tag inside ?
two blue and white striped tops - Cupio and Antibes Blanc
two pairs of blue shoes - Jungla and Ecco

prescription glasses - Face a Face Paris

You can see the blues in the 

centre of my wardrobe.

This is what the circa 1913 era closet looks like

its very small and not at all organized

currently on our list of future projects...

perhaps this fall or winter

it is part of the bedroom remodel that has been on our list for many years.

Our remodel list is getting smaller as the years buzz by...

Busy buzzing bees hard at work in the beautiful blue Agapanthus.

The Ralph Lauren denim shirt

Antibes Blanc linen top

No name denim jacket

white NYDJ jeans

I almost forgot about the blue patterned swimsuit!

The NYDJ boyfriend style jeans

are super comfy and great for the summer weather...

casual style dressing with a pop of red.

The blue and beige linen duvet cover will figure prominenlty in our remodelled bedroom as we plan to install white panelling and use blue accents.

Maybe we will get busy and organize something this Fall.

What have you introduced into your basic wardobe over the past year?

Are you playing it safe with colour or kicking it up a notch?

Blue

Grape hyacinths an image from the archives.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~