Graphic Tees? Do you wear them?

We've been busy here in The Humble Bungalow

lots of things have kept me away from the computer.

Sunny days for long walks with friends

visits from the grandchildren

tidying up the garden

planting flowers.

There have been odd jobs, decluttering, repair projects and more...

Today the electrician was here installing some task lighting in the kitchen.

After he left I went to the mall to buy some new socks.

Why do socks wear out so fast?

I think its because I don't bulk buy socks and so they get worn a lot!

I bought new socks 

(mission accomplished!)

Came home with a new walking/yoga/workout outfit.

Graphic tees are popular...

especially for women of a certain age!

I have been relucutant to get on the bandwagon...

until today when I spied this top.

What are your opinions on graphic tees?

Leave a comment and we can chat...

Capri Yoga pants

Karl Lagerfeld Tee

I may wear this with my jeans under a sweater or jacket.

The fabric is super soft and it is weighty enough that it skims the body rather than clinging like some fabrics tend to do.

You can see that the black and whites are still the main players in my wardrobe.

It's so difficult to change my stripes...

Zebras are so stylish!

Flip Flops 

for our summer cruise.

Still looking for a bathing suit cover up...

Must close for now as I am off to the travel agent to pay the balance of our cruise.

Hope that you are well and finding small snippets of Joy in your daily round.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thanks to the bees...

We would be in serious trouble if it were not for the many hard working bees.

They work tirelessly pollinating flowers and crops.

I applaud their work and am grateful that they visit our garden every day.

Agapanthus

I grow these in the garden beds out front and in pots on the patio in the back of the Humble Bungalow Garden.

We grow white as well as the blue variety.

A multi coloured hydrangea

pink blue and mauve.

Busy bees

Purple hydrangea

Artichoke flower close up...

Bee on the Wild Chicory

Alliums

French Bee glasses

These are our everyday glasses

we also have a pitcher and two flutes for bubbly.

Bee close up on our Allium 

Deep inside the digitalis aka Foxglove

Bee on an allium

The bees in our garden buzz in large groups on the lavenders and the sea holly.

We have the local mason bees as well as the honey and bumble bees

in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Hope you have enjoyed this post...

thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Bee Well and Bee Kind ~

Tuesday Tidbits and Snippets in the Humble Bungalow Garden....

We have a well established patch of Lily of the Valley out front 

of The Humble Bungalow.

Its' quite the luxury to be able to walk outside and pick a bunch.

I found these bonsai secateurs at the local garden centre.

 What drew me to them was their simple style.

They are super sharp which is great when one cuts flowers for the vase.

Crisp clean cuts make it much easier for the water to be absorbed

which helps keep the flowers happily hydrated.

They last longer!

Muguet des Bois 

scenting the Humble Bungalow bathroom...

such an intoxicating fragrance.

Raindrops on the Lewisia Cotyledon

We have several of these charming plants...

 a few shades of pink, one white and another in apricot.

They seem to like dappled shade and do well in pots.

Montana Ruebens

a stalwart clematis in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

One of the first things that we planted years ago 

after ripping out the thorny blackberry brambles and invasive Morning Glory.

What a lot of work it was taming this garden in the early days...

I get tired now just thinking about it!

Its so rewarding now to see the fruits of our labour.

Our garden has been and is a work in progress...

as are many of the gardens of gardeners that we know.

Changing to suit our tastes and needs...'

One of the first roses to bloom 

Joesph's Coat, 

a climbing rose near our back door.

One of many Alliums standing tall above the perennials.

One of my morning routines

 at this time of year 

is to go outside and hand water the potted plants 

and anything else that looks like it needs a drink.

I can pick a few weeds and check on the condition of the plants.

See what might need dead heading and perhaps pick a few blooms.

Its quite relaxing slowly walking about in the garden listening to the birdsong.

Our garden has been home to hummingbirds for many years and this year is the first time that we have seen one of the nests.

Its been exciting watching the mom sitting on her nest.

The nest is so tiny and looks like it is made with dryer lint and lichen.

She gets a bit anxious if we get too close so we are trying to weed and trim things quickly and quietly so as not to make her nervous.

My garden apparel is not worthy of a picture...

Unlike

my former neighbour 

a lady

who gardened in pearls, a pretty floral print dress and a straw hat.

I wear yoga pants, a tee shirt and a linen apron with pockets in front.

I use the pockets for secateurs, my IPhone and Kleenex...

for some reason when I bend over my nose runs!

Not at all glamorous or worthy of comment.

I tend to be a messy gardener...

smeared with dirt

leaves in my hair

not even remotely 

"nymphlike"

perhaps

in my dreams.

Hope that you enjoyed this wee garden tour of The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I have a stack of books to read and am having trouble deciding which one I will read next...

the kettle is about to be boiled, 

there will be tea poured and a new chapter awaits.

Which book would you choose?

Have you read any of these books?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tea from Paris....and a new book which sounds so exciting!

Red flowering currant in our neighbours garden...

the hummingbirds love it!

Versailles Rose Tea

with

rose petals, grapefruit and sunflowers

The label is in French but I can provide you with a "rough" translation...

It is with a lot of love that I made this tea

the passion to do what I love 

and the love of a woman 

who is still waiting...

I am happy.

English Royal Chelsea cup and saucer

probably my favourite of the bunch.

A new mystery written by Jessica Fellowes...

she wrote all the companion books to the Downton Abbey series.

She is also the niece of Lord Julian Fellowes who wrote the Downton Abbey series.

I just finished reading Six, the book about the Mitford sisters

 and lo and behold this new book pops up on the shelf at the book sellers...

I grabbed the last copy!

 Also a new "can" to help me keep all the container plants well watered.

I like to have one on the front porch and one in the back so that I don't need to lug a heavy can throughout the garden and strain my back or arms.

My frozen shoulder has been slowly improving...

I am optimistic that it is in the thawing stage.

Tea time is over 

the flowers are in bloom and I am embracing the possibility of change.

Perhaps a trip?

Or maybe a new class or a course?

Feeling like I need to kick things up a notch...

What plans are you making?

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Shopping with a nod to Mom...

The damp cold rainy weather has kept me indoors more than usual...

I have gone for shorter walks and took a page out of Mother's book!
Going shopping when inclement weather prevails...
Mom was a super shopper...she could have taught lessons on how to shop!
Mother absolutely loved fashion and clothing , she found such joy wearing and accessorizing her beautiful clothes. She was well turned out until the last couple of weeks before she passed away...and then she only wore her PJ's and bathrobe.

Mom had 4 full closets when she died... many classics and some quite trendy pieces...unfortunately we were not the same size...
I have kept her grey cashmere waterfall sweater and a black wool wrap...
they are so cozy and remind me of her when I wear them.

I've brewed up numerous pots of tea

layered on the extra warm cashmere and wool sweaters and shawls.

(thanks to mom I have two of her coziest)

My hands feel the chill so its nice to warm them with a cup of something hot.

Something soothing and tasty with zero calories!

I am mindful of my WW points and the slimming is slower than last time.

My Chelsea boots are away at the cobbler getting some new heels

so I have been wearing my favourite red shoes...

the pop of red makes me feel happy.

A few red things in the Humble Bungalow kitchen...

"Walking in the shops" has been productive...

(of course mom knew this!)

AND

I found a new coat.

I'd gone into Aritzia to look at their Wilfred Free tops 

as they make a nice basic which fits and has a great shape...

with a silhouette that skims and in a knit fabric that can be casual or dressy

a U hem detail which looks good un-tucked.

I already have one in black.

They were out of my size so I ordered one in a neutral soft light grey shade that I will layer with my white jeans and pants.

While I was in the shop I noticed the Babaton line of lightweight coats...

in a light soft fabric, with almost a Tencel feel.

They were far too long on me and I did not want to pay extra to take one to the seamstress to have it drastically shortened.

I found a similar coat at The Bay by Vero Moda

a deconstructed trench coat in a very light and soft fabric.

It was marked down and I got it for a great price.

Have you noticed how many straw and wicker bags are showing up in the magazines this Spring?

I've got a straw tote bag but it is too large for everyday use...

it's more of a market tote 

one that I use when going to the farmers market or to the beach.

Never fear...

Etsy has oodles of vintage straw and wicker bags...

I spent about an hour looking online and then this one popped up 

I could not resist!

The bag is by Ann Taylor

look at that pop of red!

It will work with my denim skirt and jeans

my red ballet flats

 it has just that little extra oomph which I think will perk up my basics quite nicely.

I am eager to see this and hope that the delivery is speedy.

I found this distressed looking Tee at The Bay this week too...

it looks like nothing (well maybe like a dish rag) on the hanger

 it is much better on!

I will wear this with my white jeans

 layered with my denim shirt

underneath a long white and grey linen top

Maybe even pair it with my black ponte knit pants.

Its going to get a LOT of wear.

Last evening we met up with darling daughter and her husband 

to see their new place.

I found a vintage mint orange Catherine Holm kettle and an icy modernist piece of art glass as their housewarming gifts which were well received!

We took them out to dinner after at our favourite local eatery...Zambri's.

I ordered this succulent fish feature and I had a "Julia Child moment!"

Do you remember the movie Julie and Julia?

It is the scene where Julia is in Paris 

dining in a small cafe 

and tastes 

for the first time 

fish cooked in beurre blanc...

Oh my this dish was a little slice of heaven on earth.

I must try to make it at home.

I have kept this vintage avocado green Catherine Holm bowl in our kitchen cupboard for quite some time and I casually mentioned it to darling daughter and it seems that she would use it so it is off to a good home soon...

Before I close 

I want to share some of our very tall snowdrops...

Drenched with precipitation...

things are definitely greening up in the Humble Bungalow Garden!

Hope you are having a fabulous week...

and hey its already Friday!

I've got to get in some groceries and stock up on some cleaning supplies.

Maybe I will do some research on the beurre blanc recipe too.

Whats on your agenda for the weekend?

Have you been shopping for some Spring things?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Spring Fling ~ a gossamer floral scarf and The Humble Bungalow Garden

It is officially Springtime in Victoria!

Ah...a long awaited breath of fresh air...
and there are beautiful flowers in our midst.

I went to the Avenue to run some errands today and I spied this gorgeous gossamer soft floral scarf and knew immediately that it was just the thing I needed to inject a wee bit of Spring into my wardrobe.

When I wear this scarf 

I will feel the energy that Spring Flowers can impart...

The sunny shades of yellow and orange cannot help but cheer us...

Such delicate and intricate details in this Hellebore

I do love Hellebores in the Humble Bungalow Garden 

 (there is always room for more)

Over the past weekend my husband dug up and reworked 

an area near our asparagus bed.

The ideas for the design were mine but he made it happen.

He dug up our rhubarb and garlic bed and lay exposed aggregate pavers.

We went to the garden center and chose some new pots and found three healthy hellebores to plant inside them.

We have ordered a few Mondo Grass plants...

Now we need to buy a few smaller black pots in which to plant them.

Here is the view from above...

rains are forecast for the next few days so the new plants will get plenty of water.

I was laid up in bed for a few days with Vertigo and have a middle ear infection.

The doctor prescribed antibiotics and I am currently staying away from the pool.

(I think that the germs must have come from the Recreation Center.)

The cats have been marvelous and keeping me company.

I've sipped many many cups of tea

and 

dined on healthy salads and soups.

The Woman in Cabin 10 was a true page turner...

I read it in one day.

I can highly recommend it...

hope that you like it too.

Thank you for all your comments on the previous post...

I enjoyed reading them and there were quite a few good ideas.

Take care and Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~