September...and it Feels like Fall

Photo of The Hostess by my friend Laurette.

We had a wee dinner party last weekend at Quarterdeck Cottage.

Two couples joined us...

one couple sailed over in their boat and the other couple bunked in with us at the cottage.

On the menu:

Wontons stuffed with crab (Julie's creation)

Fresh grown heirloom tomatoes with balsamic crema.

Ina Gartens Parmesan Chicken served over a bed of arugula.

Baby new potatoes roasted 

Chocolate Mousse with fresh raspberries.

We had a sad thing happen in our family.

My SIL passed away quite suddenly.

I heard that she was not doing well and that my husband's nephew was driving up from Oregon.

I kept in touch via text and he told me they were getting her to the hospital asap.

As soon as she had a bed I picked a bunch of roses and took them out and had a visit.

We had a great chat, I held her hand and we were laughing...

I thought that she would get the help she needed and be back home soon.

That was Thursday afternoon.

We got a call Saturday night and she had passed away from

Congestive Heart Failure.

We have wonderful friends...

Found a pottery shard on the beach...

it goes with the blue and white ironstone that I have at the cottage.

~ Beach Vibes ~

We had some foggy and rainy days but the rest of the week was sunny.

The air felt cooler and there was a Feel of Fall.

A pair of "new to me" mugs from Good Things in Oak Bay.

I knit a bunch this week...

I found it very therapeutic as I was still trying to process the death.

The shawl is called Easy Goes It...I made it in pink last winter.

To lose a loved one is hard...even when they have lived a good long life.

Thank goodness I got to see her before she passed away...

I will hold that visit close to my heart.

A precious memory and a true life gift.

My Sea Glass necklace designed and made by Charlene Hall is getting lots of wear!

I never tire of searching for Sea Glass...

The sunsets were so beautiful.

The mauve shades were quite spectacular...

I enlarged this photo to see what boat this might be...

I thought at first it might be Holland America.

Turns out it is a different cruise line altogether...

I must be waiting to get some repairs or maintenance at a local shipyard.

Pender has freighters that anchor in the bays but this is a rather unusual sight.

Home today and am tackling the laundry and made Pasta Carbonara for dinner.

Very comforting...

We have a few things to tend to this week.

The painters will be here refreshing the front porch and fascia boards.

I'm going to be making soup for a friend who has cancer and is starting chemotherapy.

Hope that I will be back at the pool.

Aqua Fit classes are up and running and the pool has been refurbished.

Other than that,

 I have some dead heading to do on the roses and the apples look ready to pick. 

My husband will be bringing in a harvest of tomatoes for me to freeze.

What are you up to?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summertime and wee snippets of our family vacation...

 

We are on vacation at Quarterdeck cottage...

These are the lazy days of summer that I look forward to every year.

Time for simple card games 

family meals, hopscotch, bubble blowing, 

sidewalk chalk art

beach ball volleyball in front of the cottage

swimming in the pool

 the laughter and fun that we have while making precious memories.

Crib games were mostly won by Mr. HB

Towels and bathing suits...hanging when not in use.

The cottage takes on a rather more casual vibe when the family is here.

We tidy up a wee bit but mostly it just fills up with stuff!

I actually enjoy the chaos as it feels more genuine than a picture perfect image.

A special girl celebrated her 9th birthday!

The party was casual and had a beachy theme...

This inflatable beach ball was a big hit!

The Volleyball Games began and so far have been quite popular.

Sunshine and a seaview...great combination for a holiday.

 ~ Vintage fish sculpture ~ 

It was the first thing I purchased when we bought our share in the cottage...

it is originally from the Grand Cayman Islands.

I have been busy preparing and serving meals to the crew...

it is one of the things I most enjoy.

Watching people happily eating at the table.

IF 

they score a seat at the table!

Our table seats 6 and the kids have had extra friends visiting...

so it is a wee bit of a race to grab a seat. 

Those of us who are served last 

sit on the deck overlooking the Salish Sea 

which is actually the best seat in the cottage :-))

Well I must close for now as I have people to feed and things to do!

Hope your summer is ticking along nicely.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~