Thoughts on gardening....and a tasty pork tenderloin

Our neighbour gave us a pretty bouquet,

the cut flowers are from her new garden.

 A thank you for the fresh garden produce we shared with her.

Gardeners share...

We share seeds, plants, flowers, fruit and produce.

Gardeners collect ideas when visiting other gardens.

Cultivating a garden is an incredibly rewarding hobby.

There is a shared kinship in the gardening community...

If you've ever attended a garden club meeting 

or a garden show you will hear an abundance of chatter.

Gardeners are not at a loss for words where plants are concerned.

I've visited the local garden centres twice in one week looking for more Hostas.

We are going to be involved in a garden tour and I have some plans.

We are not sure if it will be June 2024 or June 2025.

In the meantime,

 I am looking for a water feature, some more black planters and pots.

We'll be putting the garden to bed as soon as the weather changes.

So these ideas will percolate and be revised and refined over the winter.

Romneya Coulteri Poppy

This plant likes to be grown in a rocky gravelly soil.

It doesn't transplant well.

I've tried digging it up and sharing it but the cuttings have never survived.

Our plant is not very large...

I've seen huge Romneya Coulteri plants thriving on my drive around town.

We are pleased that the Hollyhock from Ross Bay Villa has thrived.

I have tried growing Hollyhocks for many years 

but had always planted them in the soil which is heavy with clay.

The clay soil is great for roses but not all plants like to have "wet feet!"

The BIG Hosta to the left is Sum and Substance.

In the low bowl ~

Variegated grass, Hosta, Agapanthus and the silvery Centauria Chrome Fountain.

To the left of that planter is a pot of Black Mondo Grass.

I have a crush on the Mondo Grass and have it growing all over the Humble Bungalow Garden!

David Austin Rose Jude the Obscure.

It has been flowering for months...

it is a repeat bloomer.

The roses have not been as prolific as usual and I am thinking it is the drought.

We've had lots of sunshine which they love and we have watered 

carefully by hand but I suppose it has just not been enough.

There is a bumper crop of tomatoes, both beefsteak and cherry types.

Lots of zucchini, lettuce and cucumbers.

The apple trees are loaded with fruit...

in a few weeks they will be ready for picking.

The garden keeps my husband VERY BUSY!

He's taken over a lot of the jobs and seems to be enjoying his time outdoors.

Do you have a garden?

Or do you garden with a deck or patio of Pots and planters?

We are very fortunate to live in an area where there are lots of gardens.

People are quite passionate about gardening here in Victoria.

It used to be known as The City Of Gardens.

I want to share a recipe that I got from a friend...

it is an easy and very tasty marinated pork tenderloin.

~ PORK TENDERLOIN ~

Marinate a pork tenderloin in the following:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup soya (I use Braggs)

1 clove minced garlic

3 tbsp. honey dijon mustard

salt and pepper

I mix the marinade in a ziploc bag then add the tenderloin.

Put in the fridge for about 4 hours.

Heat the BBQ and grill the tenderloin

 (baste with marinade) 

cook until it is no longer pink inside.

This cooks quite quickly so keep an eye on it!

Let it rest for a few minutes then slice on the diagonal.

I have served it with boiled baby new potatoes and a fresh green salad.

~ Bon Appetit ~

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

I'm planning a visit to Butchart Gardens soon to see what they are growing.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A quick post ~ I missed last week as I was away...

Roses for a friend...

I am writing and publishing a quick post.

I've been a wee bit busy so I missed last week's post.

I was in White Rock with the grandchildren and our son.

We stayed at the Ocean Promenade Hotel 

across from the beach with the train tracks in between.

Trains pass by frequently and the kids loved watching all the cars pass by...

We went to IKEA at Port Coquitlam, had my first Swedish Meatball lunch.

I bought napkins, candles, and some inexpensive knives.

We also shopped at Zara at Metrotown for the girls outfits for back to school.

I was surprised how FAST they shop!

We also had a day at Big Splash Water Park...lots of water and slides.

Tsawwassen Mills Mall for the Adidas shop for Henry.

Our suite was great...it had a kitchenette

I was able to make breakfasts. coffee and snacks.

My husband turned 70 on Saturday.

We were out Friday for a happy hour, Saturday we attended the annual summer gathering hosted by my husband's former architectural firm.

The dinner was held at Mary's Farm and Sanctuary out by Goldstream.

Farm animals, a disc golf course, games, a tire swing and scenic walks and trails 

on the 30 acres.

The families just loved the amenities and the food was made by my friend Julie.

Everything was delicious and had a "country theme."

There was smoke in the sky...

forest fires burning up in the interior of BC and south of us in Washington State.

I am making Mr HB a pasta dinner tonight...

Vongole

(His favourite)

I have the ingredients all chopped and prepped and ready to go...

to the left you can see my new All Clad Pasta Pot.

(I've invested in a few new pots by All Clad)

Well I must get busy cooking as it is almost 5:30...

Will be back soon!

Hope that you have a fabulous week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cottage Holiday ~ A few Snippets and Tidbits...

Cottage Time is so relaxing.

We find that we cocoon and relax and by the time we leave we are completely rejuvenated.

I suppose that is what holidays are all about.

We see the most beautiful boats sail by Quarterdeck Cottage.

This sailboat moors in the bay.

We watch the boat as the owner manoeuvers it out to sea and hoists the sails.

On this day there was a full crew aboard...

they were out for several hours enjoying the breezes.

We watch as the ferries pass by the cottage.

We play a game...

Ferry Yahtzee.

If there are 5 ferries all in view we call out Yathzee!

Our two weeks at the cottage seemed to fly by...

Our son and grandchildren were at the cottage for the first week.

Lots of fun activities and games.

The pool is still very much a favourite with all of us.

Meals were kept simple

desserts were served

we nibbled on snacks ~ chips and popcorn

ice cream cones were almost a daily thing!

Once they all departed it was almost TOO quiet...

My husband walked his 6 km island route in the mornings.

I puttered in the kitchen, planned our meals and shopped at the market.

Read my books, knitted on the Miriam Sweater, perused some magazines.

My walks are focused on the beaches nearby

I went to the end of the road and wandered down to the beach...

the tide was way way out!

Two fellows were fishing off the rocks but I had the beach to myself.

I took a leisurely saunter back and forth looking for sea glass.

Not much was found but I had a pleasant time walking.

The current jar is almost full...

I have quite a few jars full here in The Humble Bungalow.

Found an antique Lenox dish at the thrift shop.

The details are so pretty ands the porcelain is so luminescent.

Smooth and delicate, too dainty to leave at the cottage.

Blue label indicates that the dish is pre 1930.

We invited friends over to spend the day.

I don't think that they had ever been to Pender before. 

They arrived early on a direct ferry around 9:30

so I made The Barefoot Contessa's Apple Tart to serve with our morning coffee.

If you don't catch a direct ferry you will be on board for several hours while the ferry visits many of the Gulf Islands!

For lunch I made what we call a "Picky Plate" 

in case you are curious 

a picky plate is an assortment of foods mostly finger foods.

Cheeses, olives, breadsticks, crackers, salami, hummus, pickles, spreads...

Dinner was a strawberry spinach salad and lasagne.

Dessert was a blackberry pie with ice cream.

(my husband picked the berries)

We had a lovely day.

Drove around a wee bit, went to Hope Bay, Browning, The Driftwood Centre

 then we stopped in at Renaissance Antiques to look at the art.

Our friends Keith and Michelle,

 purchased an antique table with a marble top!

There were large full moons at night.

I love the way they sparkled on the sea...

I read that they were referring to these moons as Full Sturgeon Moons.

Can you see the moon at the top left?

This book is so good that I read late into the evening...

I highly recommend Friendship Point by Alice Elliot Dark.

I need to stay hydrated...

drinking low calorie or no calorie beverages is my goal.

Bubly water comes in many flavours and it is thirst quenching.

NO CALORIES!

I've been buying it by the case.

Found a lovely trench coat at the island Thrift Shop.

Banana Republic

I am excited to have found this classic coat 

which BTW I have been looking to add to my wardrobe for several years.

It is in perfect condition and was at a giveaway price!!

I am wearing Black!

I know it is odd to wear black in the heat of summer 

but this Cut Loose cotton dress is cool and airy.

I feel a bit like an Italian Nonna...

black capri tights, sandals and the dress.

Popped the hat atop and away I go...

met a friend for coffee at the cafe.

California Poppies are glowing up on the Ridge.

They capture the sun and reflect their beauty.

Simple Joys 

are found in everyday life.

I seek out these marvelous surprises that are just waiting to be discovered...

When I first started collecting Sea Glass I found mostly white.

I put the pieces in a vintage sealer jar and that my friends was the beginning of 

this very addictive habit that continues to this day :-))

I love a blue sky with puffy white clouds...

This is the biggest piece of amethyst glass that I have in my collection.

My husband found it for me on Pender Island.

Amethyst, cobalt blue, deep shades of green and aqua are the most difficult to find.

We are back home now and settled into our Humble Bungalow routines.

I've been busy getting in some groceries and my husband has been tidying up the garden.

Hope that your summer is ticking along nicely.

Abraham Darby

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Holidaze in July...

 

Sunshine and Sweet Peas

Popped this posy into a thrifted English Ironstone Meakin sugar jar.

I LOVE finding interesting vessels that I can use for flowers.

If memory serves me I think this one was 35 cents!

We celebrated our 49th anniversary on July 20th...

no fanfare or big gathering just a quiet evening for two.

We ate some champagne truffles...

a surprise gift from friends.

Our closest friends had us over for a dinner on their lovely porch a few days before our actual anniversary and we felt very spoiled...

Those same friends will be celebrating their 50th next year so

maybe we'll have to do something exciting for our 50th?

We are enjoying some time at the cottage.

Have some special guests here to share the time with us.

I made a fresh loaf of sourdough bread...

this fun adventure in bread making is so satisfying!

We had a couple of days with rain 

which should help with the drought and the forest fires here in BC.

The deer obviously do not like to nibble these plants...

I think this might be Queen Anne's Lace?

Feel free to chime in if you know the name of this flower.

I believe this is Yarrow...

the bees love this flower and are usually busy buzzing atop these blooms.

I took the photo after dinner so they may have all gone back to their hive.

~ Hosta Flowers ~

In The Humble Bungalow Garden

This huge Hosta is called Sum and Substance.

We built a deer fence 

so that we can keep this safe from being nibbled to the ground!

Here at the Cottage...

I am taking a break to relax, restore and mend...

The last round of antibiotics are almost finished.

I've been going to bed earlier than usual and sleeping soundly.

Staying hydrated with cans of flavoured Bubly Brand Water.

~ Zero calories ~

While I am having LOTS of fun with the family and the three grandchildren...

I am also "pacing myself."

Reading Three by Valerie Perrin, knitting the Miriam sweater,

gazing out at The Salish Sea

taking time to reflect on all the good things in life and counting my many blessings.

Making time to be focused and calm is good for the soul.

Walking along the beach...

breathing in the fresh salty air

listening to the calls of the gulls and the songs of the eagles.

Picking up a few pieces of sea glass...

~ LIFE IS PRECIOUS ~

it is a gift

not to be wasted.

I feel Grateful everyday.

Hope that you are well and feeling positive.

Life can be a challenge as we know

it is a journey.

When we navigate the rough patches life teaches us more...

we can be resilient or we can be weak.

It is a personal choice that we make...

we can rely on others or find strength within ourselves.

Or a little bit of both...

How do you handle adversity?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summer Snippets...

Apricot blooms of Jude the Obscure

the fragrance is citrus.

This rose is a repeat bloomer and has had its first flush and we expect more flowers.

Most of our roses have had their first flush of blooms.

Dead heading is a daily job and very worthwhile as it encourages more flowers.

Did you know that sweet peas need to be picked regularly or they set seed and stop making flowers?

I love their unique fresh fragrance.

Mr. HB has been bringing in sweet peas almost daily.

I pop them into vases and place them in the kitchen by the farmhouse sink 

and in the main bathroom atop the sink.

They last a few days and then they drop their petals,

by that time we have another couple of bunches at the ready!

~ OOTD ~

White Lands' End tee ~ Italian Linen dress

White capri tights

White Bueno Sandals

Hong Kong Pearls

Garden Shows are so much fun!

Lots of tables, many entries, ribbons galore.

The plant sale table is SO POPULAR...

plants are reasonably priced and some are VERY EXOTIC!

I had a fun day volunteering at the Summer Scentsation Garden Show.

After perusing the displays and looking at the award winning entries 

I donned my apron and served tea to the masses!!

We had 4 large tea tables set with lovely china cups, saucers and plates.

  Tea, coffee, scones, jam and clotted cream were served...

Plates of assorted home baking were circulated after the scones.

No one left hungry!

There was a silent auction and I bid on many items but only won one of them...

a large black pot which I am looking forward to potting up.

I am considering a fancy Hosta or an assortment of flowers.

Geraniums, lobelia, and dusty miller.

Our north patio area resembles a jungle right now!

The Lady's Mantle has gone wild...

we will be cutting it down soon.

I love black accents in the garden...like these vintage tables and chairs.

I found this metal rooster in a thrift shop and my husband spray painted it.

Garden accent pieces are hard to find locally...

if I wanted to spend a LOT the possibilities might be better but I love a bargain.

I usually finish my second coffee in the bathroom as I put on my makeup...

the thrifted English China mug looks like it matches the sweet peas

so I had to snap an image to share.

In other news...

my infection is now classified as "complicated."

I have had 3 or 4 rounds of antibiotics and they haven't worked.

So I am now receiving IV antibiotics at the hospital outpatient clinic.

They were selected to specifically target the different bacteria strains that I have...

Who knows how long this will take?

I had my second CT scan, this one with dye.

Haven't got the report yet.

I cannot believe how High Tech all these machines are...

The staff have been amazing and the departments are regularly short staffed.

I am drinking lots of fluids...many many cups of tea.

Knitting and reading...

taking life easy.

I've been meaning to read this book for years!

When I spied it in the local Book Nook I grabbed it.

I hope that you are enjoying your summer so far...

or the winter if you are in NZ or Australia.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~