October 31st ~ Snippets and tidbits

Spider webs adorn the Humble Bungalow Garden.

They are woven throughout and one needs to be mindful when walking :-((

Our zinc planter has some new plants...

the geraniums had faded and were getting leggy 

so I zipped off to the garden centre and grabbed these foliage plants.

Black Mondo Grass and Dusty Miller.

~ Jude the Obscure ~

These may quite possibly be the last roses of the season that we bring inside.

The garden is settling into a long winter slumber...

I have candles at the ready...

they add fragrance and much needed warmth and a cozy ambiance.

I have looked at many many shops for boots...

thought that I was destined to have wet feet

until 

I spied these serious rain boots at Mouats on Salt Spring Island.

~ Tretorn ~

I bought some thick socks to wear with them and they are so comfy!

I have been wearing them this past weekend on Pender.

The thrifted (repaired) backpack made its first voyage on the ferry to the cottage!

This is an excellent book...

it centres around an interesting character and flashes back to the Japanese internment.

Set in BC and Ontario

written by a very talented author.

I read her book Deafening years ago and enjoyed it,

 so when I saw this title and read the jacket cover I knew I needed to read it.

I also went to the bookstore and found several books!

I am amassing another small book stack 

after "almost" catching up on all my reading :-))

There was an atmospheric river weather warning for the weekend...

I was prepared for a power outage but I think we must have been spared.

The views from the cottage this morning.

The activities here this week are centred around relaxation, 

punctuated with scenic walks, reading and knitting.

When we arrived on Friday I popped into the Thrift Shop.

It is only open on Fridays now...

I bought this wee sugar bowl (missing the lid) for $1

I decided to pick some rosemary and add it to our tablescape.

Blue and White are a classic pairing and seem to mingle nicely with the cottage decor.

We walked along the Home Farm Trail and saw the Halloween Display...

lots of scary scenes

goblins, ghouls, ghosts, skeletons, witches...

will put together a wee post for my Instagram.

Have a safe and Fun Halloween.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Garden snapshots, thrift shop finds and scenic views on my walks...

 

Large green bottle in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I saw many of these when I was in Tuscany 

so when I spied one at Kay's Korner in Cook Street Village I snapped it up!

(Thanks Karin for saving it for me when I was out of town.)

Floating...

Dappled light

shadows

sunny day

 ~ Abraham Darby ~

A stunning fragrant

David Austin Rose

Fatsia Japonica 

growing

above a bed of ferns.

Dahlia season is upon us...

so many blooms and various varieties.

Which ones to choose?

Annual Tagetes Marigolds

we plan to save the seeds for next year.

Thrift shop teacups...

very cheerful and so pretty.

I don't NEED them but I HAD to buy them!

The de-cluttering binge is still underway...

I took the orchids in their big pots off the shelf above the sink.

The pots were washed and stored away

the orchids were put out on the boulevard for free

they were snapped up quickly!

My goal was to invite more light into the kitchen.

Cleaning off the shelf worked and I am very pleased that I can enjoy the view.

Candle light in The Humble Bungalow Living Room.

My morning routine...

coffee

reading.

Love the soft light and scents...

Most days I find myself 

Walking in Oak Bay...

where I spent my childhood.

Memories flood in...

Salty Air

The call of the Gulls

SeaViews

The sound of the waves

as they crash upon the Shore. 

~ Sunshine ~

Kitty Islet in Oak Bay

I collect sea glass along the rocky shoreline.

The chairs on the point are very popular...

with expansive scenic views towards Trial Island and beyond

it is not surprising that locals and tourists alike stop and gaze across the sea.

Many bring coffee and some bring picnics...

there is also a picnic table which you might spy on the right side of the rocks.

So many things to be grateful for...

had our 4th vaccination.

We hope to stay healthy and enjoy the Fall weather.

I'll be starting a new knitting project soon and am reading a fun book right now.

Rise and Shine Benedict Stone

by 

Phaedra Patrick

soon to be a Hallmark Movie.

That's all for now...

hope you are well.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Weekend getaway...and flowers in The Humble Bungalow Garden

Last weekend we were invited to visit long time friends who retired to Thetis Island.

They built their dream home on the water's edge in Telegraph Harbour.

Other long time friends made the trek across the big pond from the Lower Mainland and we had a reunion of sorts...

we were celebrating Mr. HB's birthday.

I found a wee bit of time to work on the Miriam sweater...

the view was a bit distracting as

there were so many gorgeous yachts cruising past 

that I had to keep looking up from the knitting!

Just knitting the garter stitch front border, it will be finished soon!

Enjoying the newly purchased Tonka and Oud candle 

from a wee shop in Chemainus near the ferry dock.

The scent is woodsy and rich.

A lovely fragrant rose at the Telegraph Harbour Marina...

an old rose scent with soft apricot petals.

When I posted the picture on Instagram of the unknown rose...

several readers identified it as Just Joey.

Thank you :-))

Pulled out the stack of my TBR books

had a wee gander...

there are far more than I remembered.

Now my dilemma is to decide which one to read next?

What are you reading?

Our hydrangeas are the current stars in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

This hydrangea was a gift from my husband's architectural firm 

when my dad passed away years ago...

it has grown and never disappoints with its variety of blooms.

These limelight hydrangeas are just one of the dozen or so that we have planted over the years.

Their shade of chartreuse green glows

it lights up and illuminates the perennial borders.

Lots to keep us busy in the garden at this time of year.

I plan to go out and pick some of the various hydrangea blooms 

with hopes of drying them to bring indoors for the Fall and Winter months.

The weather is still very hot but i know that it will change as the summer wanes.

I'll be wearing boots and carrying my brolly before too long!

(I need to buy new rubber boots too!)

Well I must close and make lunch for us...

How are things going with you?

If you have a moment or two

please leave a comment and share your thoughts...

I always appreciate hearing from readers.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

August ~ Hydrangea Season and a wee chat...

Candles with a woody fragrance add ambiance to our arts and crafts bungalow.

I love to sit and read or knit 

 a candle glowing and the scent wafting about in the air.

Our Annabelle Hydrangeas are putting on a spectacular show!

 The Humble Bungalow Garden is looking quite lovely this summer.

Some years are better than others for certain plants...

 I think it is a very much a stellar hydrangea season.

They do love water so we need to keep the soil moist...

Look at the size of this bloom...

a HUGE mophead almost threatening to break the branch

with its weight.

The Sea Glass haul that nearly wasn't...

I fell on the uneven rocky shore not too far from the Humble Bungalow.

My instinct was to put out my hand to save my face from hitting the ground

when I fell...

My poor wrist took the brunt of the tumble and I sprained it.

It swoll up pretty quickly so I zipped off to the local pharmacy

a tube of Voltaren

 (which is an analgesic and an anti inflammatory)

a right hand wrist brace

a week later

yellow bruising remains but fortunately the wrist is feeling MUCH better!

The sweet peas are still blooming so we have bouquets in the bathroom.

Such a delightful fragrance!

Did you know that sweet peas must be picked regularly 

to keep them from going to seed?

I am looking forward to getting back to my knitting project...

I haven't snapped a picture of the progress that I made until my mishap.

Am working on the yoke of the Miriam sweater.

It will be lovely to wear this in the fall and winter.

I have so few sweaters...

the cooler fall weather will be here before we know it and I will want to be cozy.

I've been staying pretty close to home as my husband is up on ladders sanding and painting the pergola above the sundeck.

He's not accustomed to this kind of work, but since he retired, he has taken on various projects that I would usually hire people to fix.

I posted this quote on my Instagram...

so worthy of reposting here on the blog.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

It is really unfortunate that your comments are not forthcoming...

I have tried to fix this on my end but alas it is beyond my scope.

I do hope that you will continue to stop by and read my blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing small Joys...

 

Cheap and Cheerful Primulas are planted in the front porch planter.

I usually buy an assortment of colours...

this time I decided to go for the full impact with sunny yellow blooms.

Very pleased with these healthy stalwart plants...

they'll be planted in the garden beds early in the summer.

My spices are stored in these Bon Maman Jam Jars.

I also use them to make a "simple vinaigrette."

Oil ~ 1/3 cup

vinegar ~ 1 Tbsp

salt and pepper (to taste)

a couple of tablespoons of honey

Shake well and pour over salad.

We went to a "hidden gem" here in Victoria.

The Market Garden is located on Catherine Street and it is a wonderful shop!

We bought this tin of Italian tomatoes to use in our spaghetti.

I saved the tin because it is so pretty.

Candles have been lit most evenings here to add scent, warm light and ambiance.

Ethel Wood fragrant candle made on Pender Island.

The scent is fabulous!

I 've been consciously using up "stuff" in an effort not to be wasteful.

We tend to stockpile staples that we use regularly here in The Humble Bungalow.

Buying when things are on special...

to save money.

Soap, toothpaste, tinned goods.

Storage is limited so we need to be creative...

Here's a snapshot of our quarter sawn oak arts and crafts shelving

in The Humble Bungalow bathroom.

Walking attire...

OOTD

Cashmere Burberry scarf...at least 10 years old

Wool hat

Black Eileen Fisher wool tunic top

(recent investment piece)

Eddie Bauer Down Puffer coat

Needs Must!

Warmth comes first on my winter walks.

Hope you are staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~