OOTD...spa time and lunch out.

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Blogger has introduced a new interface which is proving to be quite quirky.
If it continues to be problematic I will give up and post only on Instagram.

Vintage Coach bag and Maui Jim prescription sunglasses

Summertime Basics

Chaus of New York Polka dot top.

I found this at Marshalls and it is a comfy loose longer length top that I can wear with my casual black Yoga pants or dressy Eileen Fisher skinny black pants.

I have done very little shopping since Covid arrived.
When I do shop I wear a mask.

Except for a new pair of black Yoga pants and a blue pair of linen trousers by Ellen Tracey both sourced at Marshalls. I have only ventured into Toys R Us to buy birthday gifts for the grandchildren.

Our cases of Covid are up a bit more here in BC and both my husband and I remain very vigilant in our efforts to stay safe. Our ages put us at a higher risk and I have had pneumonia 3 times, the last bout kept me bedridden for 6 weeks so I daren't take any chances.

                       Pepper, our elder cat,
                       loves to find a ray of sunshine and have a nap.

My sister and I went to the Spa last week at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

We were celebrating her 60th birthday.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we really enjoyed soaking in the mineral pool.

We enjoyed lunch at Faro the new pizza spot in the hotel.

Sized for sharing

I met a long time reader Rosemarie for lunch last week.

She and I exchanged gifts.

Rosemarie is a vivacious and kind woman who sends me cheery emails.

She sends me sunflower seeds at the anniversary of my Mom's passing...

she has also sent me tea, earrings, and more recently some polka dot socks!

My current book stack...

Just finished The Guest List by Lisa Foley, an Agatha Christie type of mystery.

I never guessed who the murderer was, with so many twists and turns.

Well that about wraps up this post...

I hope Blogger can give us a tutorial on the new format.

It is difficult trying to figure it out withour much help!

Stay Safe

and 

Please 

Wear your Mask

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Love...

Feeling love...
possibly more intense in these precarious times that we are living in.

a brightly painted heart rock on my beach walk last week

Intense Blue Skies at McNeill Bay in Oak Bay.

This is the beach where I spent my childhood..

we lived 2 blocks from the beach and we loved exploring the seashore.

I found some pretty sea glass on my walk.

Feeling so grateful for the smallest of things each day...

 European Wall Lizard

one of many living in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

 ~ Muguet des Bois ~

Intoxicating...

a heavy heady fragrance

pure white elegance.

Mother's Day

Remembering my dear Mom today  

I think of her everyday

but miss her more on these "special" days.

Mother's Day garden visit

with gifts from darling daughter and her sweet husband.

Tokens of love.

Garden visit with our son.

Flowers...a handmade card made with love.

Warm weather over the weekend...

we broke two weather records for high temperatures!

Cats are content snoozing on our bed.

Yummy dinner of chicken baked potatoes 

with

freshly harvested asparagus which is growing in our garden.

Mount Baker as seen from Island View Beach.

A wee bit blurry...

 a magnificent sight to see.

So many things to see

to appreciate 

to love.

Hope that you are finding some bright spots in your daily round.

Our eyes can embrace the beauty that surrounds us all...

take a few moments breathe in the fresh air

in awe of Mother Nature and all her glory

stay calm

be well.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Tulip Mania...and a surprise!

The Spring tulips are magnificent in colour and form...
tulip mania is very real here in The Humble Bungalow!

Intricate patterns and vibrant details.

I've been gardening in these pretty grey pearls...

a gift from our darling daughter.

Love this soft worn in chambray shirt from the Gap.

Its years old and a favourite of mine.

It is so very cozy and in these troubling times I am wearing only comfy clothes.

Cashmere, chambray and yes! Yoga pants.

Keeping it real here.

My days are slow paced and provide a variety of activities...

gardening, dusting, cooking, reading, knitting and walking.

I never know exactly how my days will shape up.

Coffee and checking in with social media and the news are the first things...

Sitting still and looking out the window

while quietly reflecting

on things that I am grateful for and that practise sets the tone for the day.

I don't usually gravitate toward suspense thrillers...

 this one by Shari Lapena caught my eye and WOW!

I read it in two days and was riveted to my seat!

The ending has a real twist!

Reading is such a fabulous distraction.

I am "escaping" every day through books during this pandemic.

How are you doing?

What are you reading?

Chester napping...he makes it look effortless to fall asleep!

I envy him...

Rosemarie who resides in Vancouver sent me these sweet socks.

Cheerful and soft, perfect for these cozy comfort clothing days...

Thank you Rosemarie.

XO

I am going to start reading this book later today.

In the meantime I am going to water the garden and do some laundry.

Routines help fill the time while we are staying home so much.

Are you keeping busy?

Stay safe

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

April Showers bring May flowers...

Tulips are blooming in the glorious Sunshine.

With so much uncertainty in our world 

we are clinging to the comforting rituals and safety of our homes.

Feeling grateful for so much right now...

Food in the fridge and cupboards

hot water for baths and showers

scented soaps

candles

flowers

books

the cats

family

friends

our small cozy bungalow

fresh air

sunshine

walks outdoors

I loved this new book by Santa Montefiore.

This is the 4th book in The Deverill series and it did not disappoint!

Healthy dinner 

steamed assorted vegetables with a Tasty Bite package of Ancient Grain Mixture.

My digestive system has been really acting up...

major heartburn!

maybe it is caused by stress or just plain old age

it would appear that I have all the signs of a hiatus hernia.

I had a telephone call to my GP and I am on some new medication.

Hope that we have nipped it in the bud as there are not many other options right now with all the closures in place.

I've tidied up the pots on the patio.

Primula

Not sure why Chester was hanging out in the clawfoot tub?

He's so entertaining!

Am looking forward to reading this new book.

I placed an order with my favourite independent local book seller 

Ivy's Bookshop on Oak Bay Avenue.

 I am reading so many books during this pandemic...

it is a wonderful "escape" during these quiet weeks.

We have been washing our hands so many times each day that we are getting low on our favourite lemongrass liquid soap.

So I went online and purchased more soap from Nezza Naturals 

another local small business, we were able to pick up our order just outside their front door.

I do hope that we can help small business owners "stay afloat" until more "normal" business can resume.

What are you reading?

Have you been sewing masks?

How are you occupying your time at home?

Love to hear from you...

(use Google as Safari is not working if you want to leave a comment)

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD and a few books...

The ultimate in comfort food...

cabbage roll casserole 

from 

The Best of Best of Bridge Cookbook.

So soothing on a rainy cold Autumn evening.

I made this after recuperating from 3 days of flu like symptoms after getting the Shingrix vaccine.

It was my second shot, the first one left e feeling flu-ish for one day 

so I was not expecting to be sidelined for 3 days 

but it's over and I am feeling more like myself.

It is worth a few days of malaise 

the effectiveness rating is 97% which is good.

Our GP told us that he had a rash of older patients recently who suffered permanent neurological damage after a bout of shingles...

one patient went blind 

so he is advising all his older patients to get the vaccine.

Have you had yours?

I had lots of good cuddles from Chester who lay beside me most of the days.

The cats were quite perplexed, perhaps confused

as I am usually very active here in the Humble Bungalow...

I read Joanna Goodman's novel The Finishing School

I really enjoyed it...

Before I had my shingles shot I went shopping and purchased a cozy new vest...

Of course it is in the grey and black basic wardrobe theme colours!

Whats up with all the wrinkles in those pants?

(ha ha)

worn here with my new Timberland boots

Verve Ami vest from Marshalls

super cozy for our cool autumn weather.

Today I am wearing my striped Saint James top with a black skirt, tights and black Chelsea boots.

I've started this book by JoJo Moyes...

its grabbed me right from the first page and I can tell its going to be a great read.

What are you reading?

Are you in a book club?

Well I must get some stuff done here so I will close for now.

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Todays tidbits...right here in black and white!

Later I will share a few new things here in The Humble Bungalow...

first things first...

my creative juices have been waning for awhile

writing has taken a back seat for now

my energy is otherwise engaged in reading and knitting

There have been some moody moments, thinking about and remembering mom.

Yesterday I bought a latte and sat on the beach
where my sister and I spread mom's ashes.

It was a beautiful afternoon,
the seas gently rippled
and
glistening in the bright sunshine.

Waters ebb and flow...
moods alter

a white lab comes by for a pat
its owner follows ~ apolgizes for the intrusion
not bothered at all by the dog
I continue to sit and savour the latte
thinking how close I feel to mom

calmed by the lapping of the waves
restored
peace follows
a positive energy has returned.

A pretty pink

 pop of colour 

 lewisia blooms.

I have been indulging in a wee bit of retail therapy...
nothing outrageous
but a few things that caught my eye.

Emma Bridgewater Black Toast pattern is a favourite of mine...

I found these wee picnic pieces at The Bungalow on Estevan Avenue.

Too cute to pass up on and fit perfectly in my small insulated picnic tote.

Lands' End packable down jacket 

it will keep the chill away on my winter walks.

New black napkins

white mini pumpkins 

for the table

We are hosting a dinner party

I'll post on the menu and the table settings in a future post.

Our neighbours' cat napping in our garden in a patch of sunshine.

There are two cats, each look identical, so I can never tell them apart.

I didn't mean to disturb its slumber

the ragdoll cats that live across the street are so friendly.

Time for a stretch on the gravel drive...

Time for me to get back to my dinner party prep...

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~