Spring weather and Spring cleaning

Nothing like a pop of yellow to brighten our days.

Spring is definitely helping to cheer us on as we move ahead into the warm weather.

More birds have returned and they are singing happy chirpy songs.

I wake to their serenade early in the morning.

It energizes me listening to their melodies.

We spent a few days at the cottage last weekend

 While we were there I picked up 3 used books and one new release at the bookstore.

All the books had been highly recommended by friends who are avid readers....

I do love a good book.

One of the joys of retirement is reading a chapter or two every day.

I have read several of Tana French's books and enjoyed them all.

Only 5 chapters into this book and it is so engaging...

I love how she captures the everyday elements with such an artistic eye.

The phalaenopsis orchids that live above our farmhouse sink 

in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen are back in bloom.

These beauties bloom every March and keep flowering well into summer time.

I water them once a week.

 They seem happy with the humidity of the steamy water that rises washing dishes.

I've started my Spring cleaning...

and am planning to make my own cleaners.

I'll post more on this soon.

In other news, we may be getting our vaccinations in April!

The US sent us a big shipment of Astra Zenica which will help fast track our program.

With all the new variants it is important that everyone get a shot asap.

Hope that you are staying well.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Ups and downs during the Pandemic...

Parrot tulips with chartreuse streaks...

Mother Nature could have painted these sweet flowers herself.

I love the modernist icy Tapio Wirkkala Finnish vases.

They cleverly camouflage the flower stems.

I cannot imagine my life without flowers.

Can You?

I suppose that is why I toil for hours in our garden.

Hopeful that seeds, tubers and bulbs will grow and flourish.

Gardening is a quiet hobby

one that offers many rewards.

Tending and creating a garden has so many benefits

fresh air

 exercise

nature

birdsong

bees 

butterflies

"My extravagance is my garden - 

it's the first thing I look at every morning when I wake up. 

It gives me so much pleasure."

~ Ina Garten ~

Flowers have the power to elevate even the humblest of vessels...

from a jam jar to a crystal vase.

We are flying a new flag here in The Humble Bungalow.

It is flown in support and gratitude for the front line workers

who are helping us all stay safe during the pandemic.

We purchased this flag at The Victoria Flag Shop on Fort Street.

Each night at 7pm we are out banging pots and pans with our neighbours

to let the workers know that we are grateful for their work.

Current read Mary Coin by Marisa Silver

an interesting book so far and I am almost halfway through the story.

Am seriously looking for some book suggestions 

as I am running out of books fast!

Hope that you are managing to stay safe and are feeling cozy in the comfort of your own home.

We are living through such unusual times...

some days are better than others.

I read that we might be modifying our way of life for the next couple of years.

Perhaps we will never go back to those carefree days?

Who knows?

We just have to take it one day at a time and do our best.

I miss so many things

family

friends

entertaining at home and being entertained at other peoples homes

our bridge games

knitting group meetings

sitting sipping coffee at the cafe

the freedom to go shopping and browse in a store

the local library and bookshops

the pool and yoga studio

lunching out with my gal friends

the spa and hair salon

dinners out with friends

going to the cottage

travel

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears."

~  Nelson Mandela ~

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

~  Desmond Tutu ~

Take care.

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday ~ thoughts on light and bright pops of colour....

Good morning from The Humble Bungalow!

Its a gloomy day here in my neighbourhood 

so I am seeking 

comfort and inspiration via colour.

This gorgeous fuchsia pink Lewisia Cotyledon bloom elevates my spirit 

which I find necessary when the sun is not shining.

I don't suffer from SAD but I do crave brights when the skies are grey.

At a bridge lesson yesterday afternoon I felt like I was in way over my head!

It was an introduction to duplicate bridge 

with an emphasis on newer conventions of which there are MANY!

I had fun and plan to return 

it's good to flex my "grey cells!"

I took this photo over the weekend

we enjoyed an hour of bright sunshine before the clouds returned.

This pink orchid was a bargain at the market.

($20)

I love orchids as they bloom for a few months 

then rebloom again and again...

When you consider the cost of a bouquet of flowers

and 

compare that to the price of an orchid 

that will bring you colour many months each year

its a wise choice.

A rainbow of colours

refracted by the crystal

that hangs in our living room window.

"As far as we can discern, 

the sole purpose of human existence 

is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." 

~ Carl Jung ~

I treated myself to this book.

It has been on my want to read list since it was published.

"People are like stained - glass windows. 

They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, 

but when the darkness sets in, 

their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross ~

We must press on and make our own light...

Glimpse of sunshine through the curtain of clouds.

Hooray for the snowdrops!

My afternoon tea ritual is better 

when sipped by candlelight...

 from a bone china teacup.

Embracing Daily rituals have been important.

 As I spend more time at home since retiring from my job.

These little habits are something that I look forward to...

sitting to knit or to read a book are what I consider "life's little luxuries."

Time is a gift to be honoured and cherished.

"My favorite things in life don't cost any money. 

It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time."

 ~ Steve Jobs ~

Ponder these thoughtful quotes as you move through your days...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Behold the Breathtaking Beauty of Roussillon...

Stunning in its Beauty

Roussillon surprised and delighted me.

We walked along the Ochre Trail.

The sunlight reflected off the richly coloured cliffs.

Layers of colours

The Village structures were made with the local soil and stones.

Rich Sienna toned homes and buildings line the streets.

Shops, cafes and galleries...

It's been a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow.

Dinner out with friends, 

volunteering at the Goward House Craft Fair

(White Elephant Stall)

We hosted a casual dinner for the grandchildren yesterday 

and

today it's a "Catch up Day."

Publish a Blog Post

answer some emails

Laundry, housework and French Homework.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pops of Colour

Clematis Jackmanii

In a deep blue and purple when the blooms are new.

They fade a wee bit in the sunshine.

Lucky Brand silk scarf

in shades of mauve orange and red.

I wear this with my denim jacket and dress.

A lovely fresh rose fragrance from L'Occitane of Provence.

Arlesienne

Fig scented Lip exfoliating cream and a new lipstick.

Vibrant red summer colour.

Red Russell Lupines

The bees love this flower!

May is a very colourful month in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I've been hand watering almost everyday due to the light rainfall that we have had this month.

Its so relaxing standing outside in the sunshine with the hose and nozzle spraying much needed moisture to the thirsty plants.

The hummingbirds and butterflies like to fly into the fine mists of water.

It's almost like they are saying thank you to me for providing them with water!

The geraniums on the front porch continue to put on a beautiful display.

I like geraniums as they are stalwarts in the potted plant arena!

Quite inexpensive and repeat bloom all summer long.

I opt for plants in a bold shade of red and some pure white ones.

The red ones in the planter on the railing

with some white ones in pots on the tables by the front door.

The white lavender is a new plant.

The bees are drawn to this one in droves.

I finished reading Educated, a memoir, by Tara Westover.

It was a difficult book to get through...

some parts were very graphic and utterly terrifying

her story is truly amazing.

I think I will read something much lighter next!

We've got a long weekend coming up as it is Victoria Day on Monday.

 I hope to get out weeding in the garden, do some cooking and entertaining.

What plans do you have for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A symphony in blue and white and the May box from My Stylish French Country Box!

Do you love the classic combination of blue and white?

I particularly love blue and white porcelain and dishes...

The bowls are made by a local potter by the name of Harumi Ota.

The wee whimsical footed vessel is by local artist Robert Amos.

Sweet tumbling bunnies 

The writing on the pot says...

"Flick as flowflakes, litters from aloft."

I have a few other pieces with blue and white...

a transfer ware patterned tray and a vase.

Sharon Santoni's Intsagram post popped up 

and

 My Stylish French Country Box

telling followers that the May delivery box theme is blue and white!

It should be a very elegant box...

now I am dreaming of a symphony of blue and white! 

To order a box click this link...

you'll be glad that you did!

Cheerio for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~