Healthy habits and something new...

 

~ Lily of The Valley ~

Muguet des Bois is the name in France...

its scent is intoxicating and heady.

We have masses of these plants in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

They seem to love the clay soil and multiply very fast.

I am enjoying picking small bouquets for the bathroom...

when I walk into the room the scent envelopes me.

Pure Bliss 

I've been dealing with some health challenges 

Not surprised to discover that I am not the most "patient" of patients!

My ankle injury is still an issue...

slowing me down when I want to be free to do as I please.

This morning I went for an x-ray...my doctor thinks I might have a fracture.

In other health news I got the results of my bone density test.

I had one in 2008 which showed osteopenia...

my latest one shows osteoporosis and I have one fractured vertebrae.

My doctor wants to put me on twice a year shots.

He told me they are generally well tolerated and seem to offer good results.

Will be having a chat with him next week...

~ OOTD ~

Pale Denim vintage shirt worn over top of a white linen Tank top

black Michael Kors pants.

I posted this on Instagram and Joanne suggested it was Coastal Grandmother Style!

We live in a coastal location and I am a Grammy to 3 lovely kiddos!

Happy to be wearing casual clothing when it suits me.

In the wake of this new information....I have been doing my own research.

Only choosing reputable websites.

I need to get way more calcium into my meals.

Also the health experts research indicates that older women need more protein.

Suggesting 30g of protein at each meal.

I've already started buying Siggi plain yogurt which has 19g of protein per serving.

I bought this one by mistake...

it is Vanilla and has more sugar and only 18g of protein than the plain.

I add 5 dried prunes 20 g calcium and that is my new go to breakfast.

I am going to be very mindful and add more protein and calcium with each meal.

Will also be adding a calcium supplement.

(need to check with my doctor on type of calcium and dose)

I already take a higher dose of vitamin D 

(doctor suggested this last year)

a daily multiple vitamin and a tablet of Magnesium.

Enough of that health stuff... 

Let's move onto something NEW.

I've discovered a new tool...

Rose Quartz facial roller.

Use on a freshly washed face ~ add some serum 

gently roll from the inner to outer areas of the face.

Smaller roller is good for the eye area...

(roll from nose upwards and outwards)

Helps to reduce puffiness and encourage lymphatic drainage.

~ Very relaxing ~

My face feels like I have been to the Spa for a facial and it only takes a few minutes.

These rollers have been around for ages 

I never tried one until I read how good they were for the face.

Besides a little pampering is always a good thing :-))

My local Oak Bay Pharmasave have them in stock.

I surprised myself with this meal...

I needed something fast and when my husband was outside in the garden 

he discovered that there were some asparagus stalks ready to harvest and some radishes ready to be picked.

I had no lettuce! 

Made a salad of celery leaves, cucumber slices and thinly sliced radishes.

~ Creamy Pasta ~

Boiled up some dried pasta noodles.

Sauteed sliced asparagus

(I would have used some grated lemon rind and juice if I had a lemon)

in a couple of tablespoons of butter

added 1/2 tsp freshly grated pepper

 added 1 cup grated parmigiana reggiano

1/2 cup of pasta water

stir well to melt cheese and combine.

Then add the noodles and serve!

~ Bon Appetit ~

Auricula Primulas are blooming!

These wee plants are perhaps a CULT plant in the UK.

I discovered them a few years ago and have been growing different varieties.

They are such a sweet and cheerful flower.

Do you have any health challenges?

Osteoporosis?

Life feels very much like a balancing act as I age.

(I am only 69)

Positivity, Optimism and Gratitude are attitudes I embrace.

 They continue to prevail as I navigate 

aging as gracefully as possible.

Seeking JOY everyday is something I intentionally do.

It makes such a difference especially if one is in pain.

Hope that you are well and enjoying life as much as possible.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Rosemarie arrives...fun ensues...and then a few tidbits.

 

Meet Rosemarie!

She lives in Vancouver and we are friends.

On any given week we will email several times and catch up with what we are doing.

Rosemarie is active, has a vibrant personality, is gregarious,

an adventurous traveller, kind and giving.

We have met up in Victoria several times for lunch and teas.

 Both of us love gardens, gardening and enjoy visiting gardens.

I invited Rosemarie to tour our Humble Bungalow Garden.

Then I asked if she wanted to peek inside our home.

We drove around the waterfront and stopped in at The Oak Bay Native Plant Garden.

The garden is tended by volunteers and is an oasis of calm and beauty.

Trilliums blooming...

Several different trilliums were dotted about in the lush space.

Checker Lily a Frittilaria 

The sound of water had us looking for the source

a  brook or a creek was nearby

such a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the natural beauty.

We met up with a couple who were visiting from Oakville Ontario.

Alix Scott and her husband...

Alix knows Ellen...

a woman who went to Oak Bay High School with me...

who I recently met up with at our 50th reunion.

(Hi Alix ~ Hi Ellen)

Apparently they both follow and read my blog!

Rosemarie and I continued on our scenic waterfront drive...

we stopped again at The Esplanade at Willows Beach.

Rosemarie collects cans and bottles and takes them to the depot

 exchanges

 them for cash 

which she sends to her cousin who has an animal shelter up island.

The shelter is called Misfit Meadow Sanctuary in Ladysmith.

You can read all about them on Facebook.

If you want to donate to them I am sure that Rosemarie would be THRILLED!

Tell them you read about it on my blog!!!

Let's see if we can help all those animals like Rosemarie does :-))

She tells me she usually sends about $100 a month.

The shelter needs the money for food to feed the rescued animals.

I bought a chicken on sale and wanted to find a new recipe...

I searched on line and found this one.

The site is Simply Delicious by Alida Ryder

Mr. HB and I love East Indian cuisine so this one caught my eye.

I had all the spices on hand and I got busy mixing up the rub and I marinated the roaster a few hours before cooking.

The results were delicious!

Jeanne on Instagram mentioned this book to me a few months ago.

It has been on my radar ever since,

so when I spied it at the thrift shop I knew I would buy it!

I read it in 2 days...loved it!

Thank you Jeanne 2707

Vintage Mustard Yellow Beret matches the yellow chrysanthemums.

I was washing dishes and gazing out at the gorgeous sea views...

when this combo caught my eye 

~ Cheap and cheerful ~

Weather Report

yesterday was super windy with rain.

This morning we awoke to glorious sunshine!

What a Gift!

Speaking of gifts...

I received this new book for my birthday from my BFF.

I am going to pop the kettle on and brew a pot of tea and start the book.

Thank you Suzanne.

XO

Hope your week is off to a great start...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday August 27...where did the week go?

 

~ Jude The Obscure Rose ~

I don't know where the week went?

Lots going on here, 

among them...

I've been busy in the kitchen roasting the tomato harvest.

I pop the chopped tomatoes in a roasting pan 

(whole cherry tomatoes in a glass dish)

sprinkle with salt, pepper and drizzle with olive oil

liberally top with crushed garlic.

400 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Cool them then pop into freezer bags.

I add them to tomato sauce in the fall and winter for an extra pop of flavour.

We purchased a Nespresso machine!

I loved the Nespresso coffee in Paris at The Hotel Belloy.

That was in 2015 on my first trip.

I loved their sweet treats and coffee in the lobby after a long day exploring Paris.

Many other guests gathered and we'd chat about what we had seen and done.

There was such an air of excitement in that lobby 

as ideas and insights were exchanged.

I recently enjoyed the coffee in the Ocean Promenade Hotel in White Rock.

My husband wasn't sure it was to his taste but we visited the store in our local mall.

The clerk made us a coffee and he liked it so much that we purchased a machine.

We've got 3 different varieties of coffee and both of us like the Stormio.

It is smooth and strong, just the way I like it!

I have been reading this fabulous book.

I borrowed it from a friend and WOW it is wonderful!

I have read most of Jennifer Robson's books and loved them and this one is a treat.

Her latest book The Coronation Year will be on my radar next.

Dinner party dessert offering...

(dessert plate a gift from darling daughter!)

One piece left... a few crumbs

I added skinny slices of fresh lemon

 made a batch of whipped cream to top the pieces.

Not sure where I found this recipe?

I have made it before and love the moist texture of the cake.

It is simple to make and easy to transport.

We took it to our friends home as we were invited for dinner.

We had appies on their private back patio

they

 served us a delicious middle eastern themed main course.

I didn't take pictures and probably should have as it was so beautifully presented...

served in rustic earthenware pots and serving dishes.

Yesterday I went to the garden centre to check out the stock.

I was looking for some more hostas for our shady front bed.

Alas there were not many hostas left...

I did buy one.

I decided on a black planter 

for the front walk just by the stairs.

Added a few perennials and voila!

I recently posted this picture on my Instagram and since then I have several enquiries on the shade of the Miss Pupa from Milan lipgloss.

It is number 305

My local Pharmasave used to carry the Miss Pupa line but have discontinued it.

Miss Pupa have a website and you can order all their items easily.

I am going to go and finish reading The Gown so I will close for now.

Thank you for taking the time to pop by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ 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 ~

LOTS of new things here in The Humble Bungalow...

Meet the gorgeous bold yellow fragrant climber Graham Thomas.

A stalwart David Austin Rose.

This repeat bloomer grows in the "work area" of The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Every garden needs a work area...

it is a space dedicated to storage of things we use.

Bamboo stakes, empty pots, the wheelbarrow, extra soil, tools and such.

We have it cordoned off by a half lattice fence with a smallish entryway.

It is rather like a linen closet...that holds extra sheets, towels and TP.

So necessary, but not really an inviting space

well except 

that this rose beckons me in...

I regularly deadhead it to encourage more blooms 

pick a few blooms to bring inside

who could resist?

Things are moving along fast here in The Humble Bungalow.

We had an unexpected "oopsie" with the oven...

it died completely last Wednesday.

No warning...

I did some research and the life expectancy of the former stove was 13-15 years.

Ours was 15 years and 1 month...

So we scrambled off to the shop.

A locally owned one 

where we purchased a freezer during Covid.

We were pleased with their staff, service and delivery options.

Thursday morning bright and early we stepped into the showroom

5 minutes later I was paying for the stove.

With a next day delivery and they hauled away the old one.

How fabulous is that?

~ LG STOVE ~

I LOVE the blue interior.

Ceramic stovetop with expandable elements.

Convection and regular baking settings.

It has a built in air fryer, and a proofing setting for bread.

So let the baking begin...

the first order of business will be The Victoria Sponge Cake

followed by the weekly sourdough boule.

I have been trying to get out for some short walks in this glorious weather.

Need to build up some strength...

lots of idle time spent inside resting up and trying to get better.

Stopped for a cuppa at The Willows Tea Room.

Mom and I used to come here when we walked the Esplanade.

Thought of her while I gazed out to the sea.

Good news is that I am not in such terrible pain,

feeling better and sleeping soundly.

I finished the antibiotics and go for some more tests this week.

Another diagnostic CT scan, this time with dye.

Fingers crossed the specialists can figure out what is going on and how to fix it.

Sweet peas are putting on a lovely show in the garden...

picking them insures that more flowers will follow.

If you don't pick the flowers the seed pods set and no more flowers.

The new mug is a thrift shop find...

I had 30 minutes before my dentist appointment and I was close to the Sally Ann.

So I went in and made the rounds...

I got lucky!

A cute Banana Republic top that I plan to wear with my white jeans.

(and Pearls)

Silver trivet for the teapot

all it needed was a quick polish.

Some days all the stars align and the thrift GODS smile down from above...

feeling grateful.

I've been reading a LOT!

I just finished Bloomsbury Girls this morning...

I really enjoyed it.

The first book was The Jane Austen Society.

I can recommend both these novels by Natalie Jenner.

I will start The Lipstick Bureau later this afternoon...

I have read and enjoyed all of Michelle Gable's books so I am pretty confident that this one will not disappoint.

Been on a spending Spree...

Bought this vase at a yard sale...

not sure that it has any age to speak of but it spoke to me!

I also upgraded our toaster as the old one was not working very well.

Bought a Zwilling long slice toaster in matte black.

It will accommodate the longer sourdough slices.

Also I bought a new All Clad pot and ordered a new All Clad Pasta pot.

Put all the old pots on the boulevard and they went to new homes lickety split!!!

With the stove on the fritz

Hubby took me out to lunch last week...

we went to Faro in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel for pizza.

The oven fired Italian thin crust pizza was delicious.

We ordered an arugula pear salad to go with it and couldn't eat it all!

On our way back to the car we stopped by the Hen House...

I had to stop and say hello to the darling girls.

There were quite a few in the yard and they are very friendly.

I love free range eggs...those amber coloured yolks have so much flavour.

We had to order in a few meals with no cooking facilities available

but that was fun because we seldom order in, it is so easy to make a meal.

Now that I have a new oven there will be no excuse not to cook!!

Since my UTI and kidney infection I have been mindful of drinking more fluids.

A LOT of water with MANY MANY cups of tea have passed through my system.

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen this post in my stories.

Fortnum and Mason Tea 

a gift from Christine who asked her son to pop into the shop in London and buy some tea for her friends...

fortunately I was one of the lucky friends who were given a tin of tea.

This blend is so amazing! I may need to order some more...

or else I could pop over to London and shop in person?

(HAHA)

That's about all the news I have to share for now.

Will pop in again soon for an update.

Take Care.

XO

In the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~