Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Victoria ~ September Tidbits and Snippets


I walked past the church today and observed a crowd of people 
talking animatedly poised with clipboards.

There will be a commemorative service held here in Victoria 
at Christ Church Cathedral to honour Queen Elizabeth.

Many of us are saddened by her passing...
I have known no other Queen in my lifetime.

She visited Victoria BC many times.
She stayed at Government House in Rockland a few blocks from our bungalow.

I remember once that we were able to go down to the Inner Harbour 
to watch her disembark from her royal yacht The Britannia
She stepped gracefully into a launch to come ashore 
making her way to the excited throng of onlookers.

Girl Guides gave her fresh bouquets of flowers.
She had a lovely smile and wore a colourful outfit and matching hat.

She was a hard working monarch with a strong sense of duty...
steadfast in her determination to do a good job
she was kind and compassionate.
She will be missed by many.

Her funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey on Monday September 19th 
The Federal Government has just announced that the day will be a holiday.

The Queen loved Sweet Peas...


Our local Pharmasave in Oak Bay offers many wonderful skin care products.

They carry some exclusive make up items like Pupa from Milan.

I enjoy shopping there as the clerks are so knowledgeable and helpful,
plus they have a wonderful exchange policy.

The Andalou CC cream is easy to apply,
rich and creamy which offers nice coverage without being cakey.


I am test driving a new serum from Derma E.


Ther Andalou Brightening Renewal Cream is a new product.

I recently had a facial at the Boathouse Spa at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
After the 60 minute treatment my skin felt wonderful...
I want to continue to take care of my skin and keep it supple.

Hydration and sunscreen are my two top priorities...
I also try to buy "natural" products.


I look a lot like my mom...
the older I get, the more that the resemblance is evident!
Mom loved her pearls and I love wearing mine too...

I snapped this selfie while waiting in a long line up at the car wash today.
was getting a wee bit bored as I forgot my book.


I picked up this book by Maggie O'Farrell
The Hand That First Held Mine won the Costa Award in 2010

Want to read all her books as I so enjoy her writing...

I loved her novel Hamnet and Judith.
The Marriage Portrait that was published in 2020 is on my list.

What are you reading?

Are you planning to watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth on the telly?
It will be broadcast here at 3am...


Well I must close for now...
Mr HB has been harvesting the Jalapeno and Anaheim Peppers
SO
 I am making a big batch of Salsa.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

December ~ love, loss and memories.


Are you ready for the Festive Season?
No matter how hard we try to make Christmas special 
we cannot be prepared or predict what might happen.

Christmas has always been one of my favourite holidays.

Family, friends, giving to others, baking, bright lights and song.
It's never been a picture postcard storybook Christmas 
but that is what makes it special
we try 
but
because we are human things can go sideways...


This past weekend we went over to the cottage and rode on the Salish Orca.
(our regular ferry is out for annual maintenance)

While we were driving onto the ferry my husband's cellphone rang
it was the nurse from the care home.

 Mr. HB's mom, who is 100, took a turn. 
The next morning
my husband boarded an early ferry and returned to town...
his mother passed away within a few minutes after he arrived.

We have lost our beloved matriarch
the last of the long lived Scottish family.
It is the end of an era...

Elaine lead a long and rich life 
she was a spunky woman, 
"a force to be reckoned with"
her gifts and talents were many
she will be missed by all of us.

I feel blessed to have met her when I was fifteen 
 she taught me so much...
she was generous with her time, fiercely loyal to her family,
 she shared so many wonderful things with all of us
her tried and true recipes
boat skills, crocheting, card games,
how to live within a budget
everything from hostessing tips to the full on turkey feast.

She will be missed...

Fortunately we all have many years of great memories to recall.
I am confident that they will help comfort and sustain us 
in the days and weeks ahead.


I made a pasta dinner for my husbands' return to the island.
I knew that he would need a warm hug and a hot meal.
We rely on comfort food to help soothe us in times of distress.


We hunkered down in the cottage as the skies grew dark and ominous...


The weekend weather was very stormy...
rain pelting sideways with powerful gusty winds
the seas churned up with choppy waves covered in white caps.

I started reading this new book by Beatrice Colin...
it is set in Paris around the time that the Eiffel Tower was under construction.



We spent most days quietly thinking of her
 reminding each other of our favourite memories.
Laughing and weeping.

We were cozy and warmed by the fire
while outside the storms raged on...


We ventured out when there was a break in the rain...
for a welcome breath of fresh salty air.


We went to the Chocolate Shop where Mr. HB enjoyed a rich hot chocolate 
I opted for a salted caramel mocha...
I've never tasted one before today!
(it was so tasty!)
I purchsed some of their delicious chocolates for a few people on our Christmas list.


Dessert in a mug.


Looking to the light...

Holding fast to the memories of Christmases past
when all our loved ones were gathered...
several generations at the tables
wearing our paper hats from the Xmas crackers
an older family member saying grace
before
 we dined on turkey and all the trimmings.

This year there are many empty chairs...
we will gather around
in their memory
and 
toast to them.

Wishing you a Very Happy Holiday Season.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, June 1, 2018

OOTD...

I've been wearing white jeans and white linen pants these past few weeks and mixing them with denim shirts, chambray tops and here with a thrifted denim jean jacket.


NYDJ white jeans
Marks Work Warehouse white top
Guess silver sneakers
No Name denim jacket
(the tag was cut out)


I am at Marshall's looking for a new top to wear with my dressy white UP pants.

You can see my messy hair...
it's growing 
but not as fast as I would like it to!
I have to persevere and be patient until the short layers are longer.


I found a top and some birthday gifts for our darling granddaughter Isla 
who is turning 8 in June!
Where does the time go?
She is growing up just so fast!


The top is striped in blue and white
the silhouette is flattering as it camouflages some of my wobbly bits!


The garden is keeping me quite busy these days...
watering all the potted plants
 dead heading the roses
weeding.

I just get "caught up" in one section and then I have to start all over again!


I love being able to pop outside and pick our roses 
 bring them inside and arrange a bouquet
or as in this case give them to a friend
who hosted a celebration of life for a former colleague 
who died unexpectedly
at the age of 70.

Which reminds us all that we need to live each day to the fullest.

Carpe Diem ~ seize the day!

We paid tribute to our dear friend and colleague Ray 
in a beautiful garden 
where we used to have our year end staff parties.

His wife attended and there were lots of hugs, tears, a toast and many stories were told.
She was very fragile 
but was so glad that she was there 
as she realized how much he meant to all of us 
 we were able to tell her about the kind things that he did for so many 
 students and the staff.




Here are two David Austin Graham Thomas roses.
They are heavily scented large sunny yellow blooms.

If you grow many roses as I do you'll come to realize

That they require attention and TLC
like offspring
if they are to thrive and grow.

I only choose varieties that are fragrant, hardy and are repeat bloomers.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Hope your weekend has some fun packed into it.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Springtime ~ In the Pink


Pink Spring blossoms are found along many streets and boulevards in Victoria.
They lift the spirits even on the greyest of days.


Moms' robe now hangs in the guest room.
She wore this frequently...and it is silky satin.
One might want a pair of pink marabou slippers to go with it!
Did you notice that the hanger is in the same pattern and fabric as the robe?


I've been keeping the flowers fresh at Mom's condo for the showings...
we think it has sold and are just waiting for the buyers to secure their financing.
There were multiple offers all well above our asking price...
the real estate market here is brisk!


Mr. HB and I went to Fan Tan on Fisgard Street
in the heart of Victoria's Chinatown
 for a date night dinner this week.
Our meal was delicious and my tea arrived in a sweet little cast iron teapot.
It was really heavy especially when you consider the size.
 Pouring tea and a bit of "weight training!"


Spring cleaning, decluttering and rearranging things have been in the works.
Two bags of donations are waiting to be dropped off at the charity shops.


I culled quite a few books from this cupboard before I rearranged the shelves.


The French Market Basket was purchased years ago.
I planned to walk to the shops and wheel my groceries home...
that has happened exactly once!

I must fix that stat by going shopping in the Cook Street Village more often  pulling it behind me!

The wire heart was meant for postcards and photos.
I like it just the way it is...unadorned.


I'm going to pull these pieces together and add a few more.
My plan is to make a candle vignette of sorts...
I love how mirrors and candles can be best friends!


I took this wee painting from Mom's condo yesterday when I rearranged the flowers...
I am not sure that I will keep it forever 
but I could not part with it...
not just yet
and I did not want to regret giving it away...
it is a small street scene in Paris.

I also plan to take one of her French style chairs to add to the one that I have slip covered in linen beside the table in the hobby room.
It could be for one of the grandchildren to sit on as we read stories
or play with the toys...
another thing that is "speaking to me" 
one that I never thought would tug at my heart strings 
but one that is saying loudly...
don't let me go!

The journey is far from over...

saying goodbye
dealing with the details
is totally keeping us busy.

This emotional process is not easy
I have my ups and downs and find myself crying while standing at the kitchen sink.
I have had vivid dreams of Mom, so vivid, that when I wake I think she is still here...

My friends have been so amazing and strangers have been kind.
Every phone call that I make to advise them of moms demise 
is met with gentle soft spoken condolences...
the agency representatives in person are more than sweet
understanding 
patient

death of a loved one is obviously something that we all share in 

 it feels like it brings out the most empathetic responses 
the "best" from most...

Thank you all again for your lovely emails...
they keep coming
and 
I must say they are a delight.

XO

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Week three...being proactive by getting back into healthy routines.

What I kept...

Going through Mom's things took time as we did not want to rush the process...
there were a few surprises, but for the most part, it was what we might have expected from an organized woman
whose attention to detail was evident in everything she touched.


My sister and I donated most of her clothes...
I saved a grey cashmere sweater and have been wearing it most days.
It feels like a cozy warm hug...
it is as if mom has her arms firmly wrapped around me.

I also brought home some small red spatulas...the kind that one uses when scraping out the last of the mayonnaise or mustard out of a small jar. I don't know what moved me to keep them but they are a practical tool that I will use regularly and take up very little room in our small bungalow.


I kept her recipes in the vintage recipe box.
One afternoon in the coming week I will make a pot of tea and peruse her collection.
It could be like a trip back in time...
she had a large repertoire 
that ran the gamut 
from jello whips to apple pie and meat loaf.


                             Mom had oodles and oodles of knick knacks!
     She wrote a note that specified she was leaving me her antique Maling bowl...


                a blue and white porcelain plant pot finds a new home here
                                   

Mom's condo is listed on the market.

I'll miss sitting on the deck with mom sharing a chat and a cup of tea.
There will be so many things that I will miss...
our telephone calls
walks
shopping trips
laughter

these memories will help to comfort me


 The Humble Bungalow is scented with the heady fragrance of lilies.
(I remove the stamens as they stain everything)

On the horizon...
I plan to return to the practise of Yoga
 am looking at local studios and their schedules.
It really helps with relaxation and I feel energized after the sessions.

Walking is back in my daily routine but having been away from it for almost a month my muscles were reminding me of that saying...
"use it or lose it!"
Thankfully bath salts and soaking in the tub have been helping.

I've got the urge to buy something bright and colourful.
My wardrobe of greys and black feels like it could use a punch of colour.
I haven't felt like shopping in quite some time and this might just well be what they call "retail therapy!"

The days are getting lighter
there is birdsong outside the window
spring flowers are emerging
 simple joys
one delights in
that can temper the sadness
 enfold one in a firm embrace
almost as cozy 
as Mom's cashmere sweater...


There is a sense of relief after these busy few weeks.
The pace has slowed and I was able to indulge in a few quiet days
that were spent at home
getting domestics under control
teas and cafe cremes were sipped 
while gazing out the windows
and
flipping through several French magazines
Cote Sud and Campagne Decoration.


Speaking of France...
I have been wearing the samples that I ordered from the new musc collection
by 
 Sylvaine Delacoutre
The Dovana scent is lovely and may be the fragrance that I order
it has notes of iris, neroli, vanilla, and ambrette.
You might like them too.

I am not affiliated with Sylvaine and have received no remuneration for this mention.
Her website is here.

Hope that your weekend is ticking along nicely.
Thank you for stopping by...
XO

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Week two...

Life has been moving at a fast pace here in The Humble Bungalow.
I prefer to take my time accomplishing tasks
"needs must"
feels like the right phrase
to explain why we are living at this high level of activity.


The bungalow is scented with floral bouquets.


Chrysanthemums, lilies, hydrangeas, roses...


Flowers and food from friends offer up such care and comfort.
They are my go-to gifts when friends and family experience turmoil and loss.

We are on the receiving end this time and it does help...


Coffee has been a key player for me these past few weeks...
sleep and early mornings and a foggy brain have needed a little extra boost!


I've taken myself out for coffee in between meetings with the lawyer, the bank and various agencies.
It has been a full roster of appointments with little time to cook or prepare decent meals.
I have relied on the kindness of friends
and indulged in some easy meals.
The staple BBQ chicken and deli salads are becoming a fast favourite of mine.


Tea and an apple with cheese 
at Mom's 
after I staged the condo for the Real Estate Photographer.

Sitting in the quiet 
listening to the ticking of the clock
surrounded by mom's things
offered up a wee bit of respite.


Mother Nature has been busy tending her garden.
Spring flowers are emerging from their winter slumber.


Parrot tulips for a wonderful friend who kindly made us a meal and has stood by us through thick and thin...

Thank you
XO

Today for the first time in many weeks I slept in...
the bed felt warm and cozy and I slowly got up
easing into a quiet morning
with no appointments until after lunch
I put the laundry in the washing machine
made a coffee
and opened up my dusty laptop to write this post.

It feels good to be alive
I feel such gratitude
and 
although my heart aches for my Mom
I know that she would not want me to be maudlin for too long...
she was a sensible woman
resilient
strong
stylish
with a no nonsense approach to life.

So, in her honour, I am going to try to do my best...
moving ahead
 I will cherish her and keep her memory alive in my heart.


Thanks MOM
XO