Sunday ~ Sunshine and Snow

 

This candle is not what I expected...

it is melting in a rather unusual fashion.

The shopkeeper where I purchased this candle

assured me that they were quality imports from Europe.

I think I will go back to buying beeswax candles.

They burn cleanly and look lovely and are fragrant while they burn.

Reading Mick Herron's book Slow Horses the first in the series.

Mr. HB is on book 5 London Rules...

he has the next one and will purchase the new one when it is published this April.

We do not usually read the same books but this series is an exception.

My reading corner at the cottage.

The weather is freezing cold and we had some snow overnight.

Just a dusting.

It is a beautiful sunny Sunday here at the cottage!

Another vintage sealer jar...almost full.

We managed to get out for two beach walks and gather sea glass.

Fashionable OOTD at the cottage are rather non existent!

I pack a Lands' End tote with cozy casual sportswear during the fall and winter.

What I pack for the week:

Nightgown and Ralph Lauren terry robe

thick alpaca socks (instead of slippers)

Lingerie:

bras, panties, camisoles

Two long sleeved Lands" End cotton tops 

Yoga pants and a pair of black lined leggings

32 Below black velour zip jacket

Black quilted Eileen Fisher vest

distressed and much worn Gap denim shirt

Jeans 

Long sleeve Eileen Fisher boiled wool sweater 

Boots:

Warm lined Reiker boots in a tobacco shade

Black waterproof Josef Seibel Chelsea Boots

Columbia blue puffer coat

Burberry plaid scarf

You might be curious, I do wear my Akoya pearls...

my vintage burgundy leather Due Fratelli bag

I also bring a small black leather Roots bag for hikes and walks.

Our cottage time is laid back and casual.

Hope that you are keeping warm and cozy if it is snowing where you live.

We'll be spending most of the week with our noses in our books and going for walks.

Meals will be simple and the weather sounds like it will warm up.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Many of you are frustrated that the email service Blogger offered is no longer working...

You can try Feedly or check in most Sundays for the post.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~

Thoughts on living through a pandemic...and coming out a changed person.

Please join me on the porch of The Humble Bungalow.

Not in person, of course, but in the spirit of friendship.

Our porch is a quiet contemplative place to sit outside 

in the sunshine

a place to chat and perhaps sip a beverage

make yourself comfy...

The news over the past few years has been disheartening and grim.

We've suffered a catastrophic worldwide pandemic...

Covid has changed us all and not necessarily for the better.

Many of the early days of Covid were dark and filled with fear...

we couldn't see our friends or family.

We were set adrift from our comfortable and often predictable routines

left alone to endure and weather the storm.

The Nightly News was focused around the serious nature of the disease

the deaths and the spread of the virus.

Things were incredibly bleak.

We were told the scientists were already working on a vaccine.

We waited and waited

often impatiently 

for the promised vaccine.

I had to limit my exposure to the news broadcasts 

to prevent myself from going down a dark rabbit hole...

I embraced the basic simple joys to keep my spirits level...

my moods were not euphoric but the little things in my daily round kept me going.

Getting outside in the garden was a gift...

We were so fortunate that we could dig in the dirt

plant seeds and watch them grow.

I think we grew closer as a couple and relied on each other 

more than ever before in our married life.

Our "BUBBLE" was small...

two humans and two cats.

The roses rewarded us with blooms for our hard work tending to their needs.

We took JOY seeing things bloom and thrive, 

excited to see seeds sprouting.

Cutting a few blooms and bringing them inside was a luxury.

Popping them in a vessel, be it a jam jar or a crystal vase

was a tonic that enriched our days.

Escaping safely to the cottage to cocoon was an absolute godsend.

We were able to self isolate and have a change of scenery.

It helped to temporarily soothe our worried minds...

We've now come through several years living with this virus.

have had our 4 vaccinations and we have changed...

Life as we knew it will never be the same.

I've learned a lot about myself...

Discovered that I am resilient, and can rise to a challenge.

Am able to amuse myself for long periods of time without going stir crazy!

Can make do and mend.

Will laugh at the littlest things...

Found out the small (est) things can and do bring JOY...

sweeping the floor

cooking new recipes

listening to music

washing the dishes

knitting

reading a good book

collecting sea glass on the beach

walking 

the songs of the birds

butterflies

the smell of a scented candle

coffee

fragrant soap

I think expectations I have held onto for years have been drastically altered.

I no longer crave expensive things...

or even "things" if I am being honest...

I desire only the comforts of home, family and friends.

It is a shift in mindset, 

honestly it is the one huge takeaway for me, from these past two years.

 

I also decided to declutter the entire bungalow...

donated most everything that we no longer use.

Gave away a lot to charity.

We do not NEED to KEEP stuff we don't love and use.

The feeling of having less stuff is so uplifting.

I did that to my clothes closet too!

My scarf drawer has been reduced to about a dozen scarves in total...

The cupboards look really organized and some quite bare!

I don't crave designer or name brand things...

a few well made items work and I have not shopped as much as pre Covid.

I did buy two lovely linen aprons which I have happily

worn to cook and clean...

with my pearls :-))

My daily household uniform is simple...

Jeans and a Tee, or top, linen apron and a strand of Akoya pearls.

While I know that pearls might be considered a wee bit "mumsy"

I don't care if they are not "on trend."

I wear what I like and they bring me JOY.

Family and friends are so precious...

we make time to see them whenever possible.

When it wasn't safe we saw people outside from afar...

thankfully now we can see the nearest and dearest close up.

What a huge relief that is!

I drank too much alcohol during Covid...

Possibly I was trying to numb myself from reality.

I've not had a drink for 3 months now 

am sipping a tasty faux beer called Partake these days.

Enjoying a de-alcoholized bubbly from Italy called Bottega.

Surprising

it was not hard to quit drinking, but now I crave chocolate!

I haven't decided if I will drink alcohol again or not?

It is too early to know...

I know that I sleep better without the wine.

Our recycling box is not very full these days :-))

I have a lot more things that I could say about Covid and how it changed me...

 this is a good start or maybe it's enough?

How has Covid changed you?

While I am on the subject...

there is a lot of room for (self) improvement left here too...

for example I could lose at least 15 pounds.

Maybe WW is in my future?

I'll close for now 

hope that you will chime in and share some of your thoughts...

What simple JOYS do you enjoy?

The fresh air walks are one of my favourite ways to banish

any negative thoughts and energy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

September ~ School daze and memories

We are staying at the cottage for a few days.

I picked a handful of Annabelle and Limelight Hydrangeas...

a little reminder of our Humble Bungalow Garden.

There are flowers here on the property at the cottage 

part of the communal "complex" 

owned by various owners 

so it doesn't feel right picking any flowers.

This morning the sun was shining brightly and the Salish Sea was calm.

There was the refreshing scent of sea salt in the air...

(which I love) 

I sat quietly sipping my coffee and soaking in the view.

Since retirement in 2014, I make time to savour two cups of coffee each morning.

I LOVE a good cup of coffee.

After I visited France in 2015, I made a bowl of espresso with foamed milk,

(cafe creme)

then after I returned from Italy 

I purchased an Italian espresso maker for the stove

using the popular Lavazza Italian coffee.

Mr. HB makes drip coffee and I admit I like to wake up and just pour a cup...

it is such a treat having someone make it :-))

Just finished this entertaining story by S J Bennett.

I read her other book, The Windsor Knot 

which is about HRH working on a mystery set in Buckingham Palace.

This is another mystery in which Elizabeth gets involved in solving a mystery.

It is an easy read ~ lots of fun...

if you are looking for something light you might enjoy it.

Warm nights 

the sun slipping behind the trees

crickets serenading us 

watching the boats as they pass by 

Quarterdeck Cottage.

The grandchildren are all heading back to school tomorrow...

summer is fading and fall is on its way.

Fall weather will be here before we know it...

warm sweaters and coats will be on our radar.

My new Eileen Fisher black fleece lined walking coat arrived last week...

The size fits perfectly, (the clerk was right) is lovely, cozy, great for everyday walks, yet stylish.

Will be able to wear it for errands, walking, and evenings out.

 

We will be busy putting the Humble Bungalow Garden to bed soon...

it has been a lovely summer in the garden.

We are currently enjoying oodles of fresh tomatoes, zucchini, yellow beans, cucumbers and several varieties of lettuce.

Salads have been a mainstay on the table for dinner for almost every meal.

It will be strange to go to the shops and purchase veggies 

when the harvest has finished.

Do you look forward to the new season and the change in the weather?

The opportunity to sort out your closet and bring the warmer or cooler clothes as needed?

I will be laundering the linen dresses, tops and skirts and swapping them out for the fall dresses and sweaters.

I need to buy some tall rubber rain and snow boots as my ancient pair fell apart!

It might be fun to look for a colourful pair this year.

Do you have plans to buy any new clothes?

What is on your list?

I must close for now and get some dinner organized...

thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

May daze...

Sunshine has made an appearance after many days of precipitation...

The sun streaming in through the windows elevate my spirits.

Tall ships sailing on The Salish Sea

out front of Quarterdeck Cottage.

Seas are calm and it is so soothing to watch the ferry boats as they glide past.

Oh my goodness!

Kate Quinn writes the MOST amazing historical fiction.

Her strong female characters are so interesting.

I just finished reading the book and it was a real page turner.

I highly recommend it.

Toadstool seen on our walk.

Walks in nature provide an interesting array of flora and fauna.

The woodpeckers have been working hard on the tree trunks...

~ rat tat tat ~

Purple Martins have returned and their sweet songs serenade us.

The gulls, eagles and ravens calls add to the symphonic sounds.

I found this book at the used bookshop and it sounds like a gentle story.

I know you should not judge a book by the cover but that is what tempted me...

written in 1931 and it just might be a delightful beach read.

I will start it soon.

Yesterday I made a loaf of bread

we don't eat a lot of bread 

every now and then 

I crave a piece of toast with Bonne Maman apricot jam.

Muguet des Bois are in their full flush with numerous glorious blooms.

Their fragrance is totally intoxicating.

I picked a large handful...

popped them in a vase 

placed them in the Humble Bungalow bathroom

their unique scent is wafting in the air...

which reminds me.

Yardley of London had a lily of the valley soap and cologne.

They also made scented products in lavender, rose and other floral scents.

I haven't been wearing fragrance lately and I am not sure why?

I have a lovely parfum by Hermes and it sits on my dresser gathering dust!

I must spritz some on and remind myself how it smells!

We are enjoying a sunny long weekend here in Victoria.

Mr HB has been out in the garden pulling weeds and planting veggies and plants.

The garden is far behind what it usually is at this time of year...

we usually have many many roses in bloom

they are just budding out now so it might be a few weeks yet.

What is your May looking like?

Have you read any good books lately?

Leave a comment and we'll chat!

I will close for now as I need to get some work done here in The Humble Bungalow.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday musings...

Last week we were at the cottage on Pender.

We enjoyed a sunny weekend then early in the week we awoke to ice and snow.

The snow didn't stick around very long and had melted by midday.

The chilly weather with the wind chill factor was too cold for us to walk.

(it registered as minus 15)

We made it home after a 4 hour wait at the ferry terminal.

The ferry broke down and was out of service!

The ferry was replaced with a smaller one that was also slower...

only 20 cars were able to board the 11:50 sailing...

fortunately we were one of those cars!

OOTD

Watching the kids swimming lessons at the Recreation Centre.

Pearls

Denim shirt

black pants

Chelsea Boots

I recently purchased a soft Tencel blue denim dress.

V Neck with button details down the front

short flirty capped sleeves

an asymmetrical scooped hem, 

shorter in front and longer in the back.

Will plan to wear it with some capri length tights and my pearls.

Made an easy and delicious French Onion Soup for lunch.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Slice 4 large onions thinly.

Melt 3 tbsp. butter in a Dutch oven add onions

cook and stir for about 30 minutes until soft.

Add 8 cups of beef broth, boil, then simmer on low for 40 minutes.

Place 1/2 inch slices of French bread

topped with grated white cheese (I used white cheddar and parmesan reggiano)

in 425 degree oven for 5-8 minutes

until cheese melts.

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the bread.

Let sit for a minute or two to allow the bread to absorb the broth.

Enjoy!

I went to Marshalls searching for  decorative salad dressing bottle with a spout...

I use a Bonne Maman jam jar for my vinaigrette but thought it might be nicer to have an interesting bottle that looks pretty.

No luck on the bottle 

BUT!

I found these charming tins with black polka dots for the laundry room!

Our decor downstairs is black and white and these just ticked all the boxes for storage.

Stain sticks, scrub brushes, wool dryer balls and specialty soaps are now discreetly hidden.

Am still on the decluttering band wagon!

Have tackled the linen closet, the kitchen drawers, dining room buffet and cupboards.

I have the hobby room cupboards

 and guest room closet with the out of season clothing to cull and sort.

There is rain forecast for most of the week so I will probably finish soon.

In the meantime 

while the laundry spins

I am using up leftovers and veggies and making soup.

How are things going with you?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Holidaze at Quarterdeck Cottage

The lazy daze of summer...

Simple meals

family

pooltime

Sun

Gazing at the Bees collecting pollen from the flowers 

can hold the attention of a sweet girl.

Sunshine 

 a bright bold yellow flower.

Buzzing Busy Bees...

bees on almost every bloom.

We had the grandchildren here for a week and it has flown by so fast.

They left on the ferry on Friday...

I will miss their happy laughter and energy.

Simple daisies

blooming at the side of the road.

Love these humble beauties...

there is something so classic about these blooms.

I like to pick a few and pop them in a jam jar.

Behold the beauty of this gorgeous Dahlia!

Mom grew dahlias when we lived in Oak Bay.

Her garden was quite lovely and she spent many hours every week tending to the perennial beds.

She had a dedicated section for her beloved Dahlias.

Some of the flowers were as big a dinner plates.

When dahlia season was at its' peak 

mom would pack a variety of dahlias to bring inside the house.

There would be vases in almost every room.

Oh those were the days...

We've got my sister and her husband coming to the cottage today for a visit so I will close for now.

Hope that your summer is ticking along nicely.

Stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~