Showing posts with label dreams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dreams. Show all posts

Monday, July 15, 2019

July in the Humble Bungalow Garden

We have returned from the cruise to Alaska.
  I took oodles of pictures and if you follow me on Instagram you will have seen some of them.
I am catching up on the laundry and will try to put together a blog post of the highlights from our trip.

In the meantime...
Welcome to
The Humble Bungalow Garden 


The Humble Bungalow Garden
is a spot where we find respite from the busyness of life.

When I was working 
I de-stressed
pottering about in the garden.

The magic happens outside in Nature
when one is toiling in the soil troubles seem to evaporate
you can easily lose yourself
 dreaming about future plantings
 fresh air and exercise are both healthy benefits working outdoors 

Our Humble Bungalow Garden
 is an ever changing landscape of hopes and dreams.


You can see the holes munched by the hungry cutworms on this Claire Austin climber.

Some plants thrive and others fail...
I have tried growing delphiniums and hollyhocks but they never survive.

Roses are the stars here in our heavy clay soil.


Romneya Coulteri 
a stunner of a plant
it prefers gravelly soil
so we planted it out front in our driveway.


This plant came from a specialty nursery up island that is no longer in business.
It took 3 years on the waiting list to get a small plant.
Once established it seems to get bigger and better with each passing summer.


The side patio is a lush green oasis
 which features frothy chartreuse Lady's Mantle
Hostas and several limey Annabelle Hydrangeas.

Hope that you have enjoyed seeing some of the garden snapshots.

Until next time...
thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, March 8, 2019

Dreams and Women...

Have you travelled to France?

If not, are you dreaming of a trip?

Can you visualize yourself walking along the Seine,
or sitting outside a cafe sipping a cafe creme?

Wandering along the cobblestones streets...
lighting a candle in a church
perusing the shops.

Travelling was personal dream of mine for years.

I read numerous books on Paris and France...
they whet my appetite and I thought it may be possible
"where there is a will there is a way"
so I took French language classes,
saved money
then the year I turned 60 I went...
It was the trip of a lifetime.

Keeping the feeling of France alive...
I continue reading books set in France,
saving money and am dreaming again of French countryside and Paris.

Today on International Women's Day...we honour women.

Sharon Santoni is a great example of an industrious, creative, and energetic woman.
Sharon continues to reinvent and challenge herself,
she is an inspiration for those of us who have yet to fulfill all their dreams.

My Stylish French Box was created by Sharon...
You may be familiar with her beautiful books or the lovely blog she writes
about her life in the countryside surrounding her gorgeous home in Normandy.

Recently she also launched her online magazine...

The February box theme was The Parisian woman...



The velvet pouchette features a photo taken in Paris by Sharon.


The beret is made of soft thick wool...
the red lip gloss is ultra moisturizing and perfect for everyday wear.


I love the wee pop of red atop the beret.


Some quotes to ponder and inspire on International Women's Day. 



“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~


        "The education and empowerment of women throughout the world 
                      cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, 
                                    just and peaceful life for all."    

                                             ~ Aung San Suu Kyi ~



              "There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish."

                                              ~ Michelle Obama ~




"I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and                 confidently themselves, who bring light into the world."

                                                  ~ Meryl Streep ~



             “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 
                                         ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~



Monday, January 11, 2016

a letter to myself...

After years of dreaming about Paris I took the plunge last spring and travelled to Paris.
It was a bit of a risk...travelling alone.

Having never flown to Europe or been on a flight longer than 4 hours I wondered if the flight would be daunting or if I would experience anxiety.
There were so many unknowns...
I was optimistic and did not let any doubts cloud my determination.

A carry on with 3 weeks worth of clothes and cosmetics was packed with the help of seasoned carry on advocates whose posts on blogs and Pinterest that I avidly followed before departing.

I stayed awake the entire flight from Vancouver to Paris...9 hours and a time change were involved.

The service on the direct Air France flight was amazing...champagne and crisps were served shortly after take off...the dinner menu circulated and there were 3 options for dinner which included wine and dessert...all included in the original airfare fee...no added expenses.
The bar cart came by regularly, but I did not imbibe as I had heard that too much alcohol at 30,000 feet might not be a good idea...and I wanted to arrive in France fresh, with a clear head.

At Charles De Gaulle airport I was met by a limo driver and whisked off to my hotel...
after I checked in I unpacked and stored my extra credit cards and euros in the safe.
I ventured out and explored the area around my hotel.
The Sorbonne and The Luxembourg Gardens were nearby...the streets were crowded with people and the shops and cafes were bustling...
Fresh air, the Parisians strolling along the boulevards.


I was in Paris and felt so alive and energetic!
I walked for hours...and while I walked I kept thinking...this is really happening!

The Monoprix was located a short 3 minute walk from my hotel so I popped in and purchased cheese, a small baguette, fresh strawberries and a bottle of wine. Dinner was easy fresh and tasty...
I opened the windows wide so I could hear the sounds from the street below.


I took a refreshing shower and put on my nightgown ~ inviting sleep...
as difficult as it was to close my eyes on Paris ~ I did.

Awakened after about 6 hours of slumber around 6am by the street sweeper...
and just in case you were curious, it was a man with a broom!


The days become a bit of a blur...I packed so many things into each day.
(I kept a travel journal)
I met up with friends before the official start of the Ooh La La Tour.
Friends were renting an apartment about 5 minutes from my hotel in the 6th.
(they are seasoned travellers and visit every year in springtime for 2 months)

They took me "under their wing" and showed me the sights...we walked for many hours every day.
I took in all the sights and sounds...the city is truly enchanting...but that is a serious understatement.
You have to find out for yourself.


With so many museums, galleries, shops, cafes, and parks one has an opportunity to see and experience new things every day...and I never felt overwhelmed and absorbed as much culture and ambiance as one could in 2 weeks.


Jamie Cat Callan, author and our tour leader asked us to write a letter to ourselves about how Paris has affected us and she collected them and she sent them to us this Christmas.
I recently received my letter in the mail...


I wept when I read my letter.
It was written with such passion about what I was seeing, living and how I was feeling.
WOW!

I felt incredibly fortunate to be able to take this trip.
It was a "big deal."
I had never been apart from my husband for more than 4 days.
Here I was taking off to France for 3 weeks and it was expensive.

After Paris I took the TGV and travelled to the south of France where I spent an idyllic week in the one of the most beautiful villages where friends were living.
They showed me the sights and drove me to other quaint villages.
I wandered about the village daily exploring and taking pictures.
I will remember...
The busy weekly market day, the cafes, the shops, the food, and the friendly people.
It was wonderful to experience the daily routines of life in the country.
The pace is slower and the scenery is exquisite.
It was difficult saying goodbye when it was time to leave...


Travelling to France was a gift to myself.
On the occasion of my 60th birthday...
a trip that I had dreamt about for as long as I can remember had become a reality.
It was selfish in many ways but looking back it has satisfied me and quieted a yearning.
I am content.
If I never travel far again it matters little...
having had this time in Paris.

Following my dream was worth it...
I have great memories
wonderful pictures and I met lovely women on the tour.
We are connected by our mutual experiences and I think of them often.


Roses in Paris on Rue Racine

Thank you for stopping by...
Hope your week is off to a great start.
Hostess