May Daze...snapshots and snippets

 

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow.

There's not too much news here...

Still in recovery from my hip replacement and have not been away.

Life is moving quite slowly

but I'm feeling positive and content to be a homebody.

There are always things to do here...

mostly home keeping jobs.

The kettle is often boiling and there's fresh tea in the pot.

Good books at the ready and a cat that loves attention.

I've been enjoying watching You Tube Videos.

So many great people out there that are sharing their homes, gardens and hobbies.

Do you have any favourite You Tube Accounts?

~ Japanese Peony ~

Seen on one of my walks...

At Government House in The Rockland area of Victoria.

Gorgeous details and a pristine white bowl of petals.

Government House Gardens are open to the public most of the year.

The gardens are a mix of Garry Oak meadows, large areas of lawn, rocky outcroppings and perennial borders.

Several ponds with ducks, a rose garden and a fountain. 

Quite a few benches are available to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

 Spectacular views of The Olympic Mountains 

across the Strait to Washington, USA.

Native plants and rock and alpine plants have there place here too...

A small museum of vintage clothing is located in the Mews where

there is a charming tea room.

Volunteers help take care of the grounds and there are plant sales during the year.

I like to visit several times each year to see what is blooming.

If you visit Victoria or live closeby this is a great spot for a walk or a picnic.

I snapped a picture of this peony just as I was leaving...

I found this antique platter at Ross Bay Villa's Saturday sale.

I was drawn to the black and white colours and the mottled age of the piece.

I popped this on our arts and crafts wooden shelf in the bathroom.

The sun has been out for a few days and we have been enjoying the warmer weather.

Warm enough for a soft ice cream cone treat!

Chester is loving this warm sunny spot.

He's been finding sunny patches to have a nap in most days...

I'd love to be able to nap like a cat.

I've been bringing out some of my summer clothes...

I love the details on the sleeves of this white linen shirt.

It's a versatile piece...can be worn as a jacket or a simple shirt.

My new denim jacket..by Angels from Marshall's.

I looked at thrift and consignment shops for several weeks but had no luck so I decided to go look at Marshall's and found one for under $40.

The silk scarf is by local artist and crafter Lise Lotte Design.

She has the scarves for sale on her website in 2 sizes...I opted for the smaller one.

It's light and lovely and has a beautiful pattern on it 

she made this using a technique called cyanotype

that harnesses the power of the sun!

Do you watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on TV?

I've seen a few and was delighted when I found a new book.

I love the details, the era that the stories are set in and the opulent fashions.

Am halfway through the book and enjoying the story...

I now can see why the books are so popular.

Have you ever tried to monitor your portions by using a smaller plate or bowl?

This is one of the tricks that I am using to help me from overeating.

My lunch 5 out of 7 days 

is high protein Greek Yogurt, fresh fruit and chopped walnuts.

I vary the fruit so that I am not bored.

I actually feel like I am eating dessert when I eat this lunch...

and it keeps me satisfied until dinner time.

~ Pasta ~

my husbands' favourite food.

To make it satisfying I usually serve it with a salad.

I have 1 cup of noodles and 1 cup of sauce.

The sauce recipe is pretty basic...

1 diced onion

1-2 cloves of garlic minced

2 stalks celery diced

several sliced mushrooms

saute in olive oil on medium heat until soft

stirring often.

Add sliced Italian sausages

(they look like meat balls)

saute until cooked.

Add 1 large large can of minced or chopped tomatoes.

(San Marzano are very flavourful)

salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and dried oregano

(all to your taste)

Simmer for an hour and serve over top of any pasta.

Native Camas is in bloom.

Many Local Victoria Parks have these plants growing...

Beacon Hill, Playfair and Uplands Parks

Lovely spots to walk and enjoy nature at its best.

Wee auricula from the plant sale table at Ross Bay Villa.

Love love love these darling flowers :-))

I am trying to get in as many steps as I can to build my muscles up.

 It is taking a longer time to get my speed back.

As a result I'm feeling stiff and have just purchased a big bag of epsom salts!!

A soak in the tub is on my radar...

Hope that things are going well for you.

Well it's your turn now...

perhaps you can share what you are up to, what you are reading 

or watching on You Tube?

Until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

June 7th ~ Lots to chat about so I have written an early blogpost

This soft Merona Tencel dress was hanging in the Thrift Shop

just waiting for me!

I couldn't buy it fast enough...

I felt like the woman in that IKEA advert that says Start The Car!!!

Target carried the brand when they had a store here in Victoria 

a few years ago, which BTW I loved.

Frankly I was VERY disappointed when they closed the store.

It reminded me of The Monoprix in France...

a little bit of everything and food too!

So I have worn this dress 6 times since purchasing it...

I pair it with white capri leggings and my blue suede sandals

or Blue Converse Sneakers.

The fabric is dreamy...SO SOFT!

It reminds me of a well worn favourite but without the wear and tear or holes.

I wore it in the garden while deadheading the roses 

(with pearls and my chartreuse green linen apron)

 my husband said "That is the perfect dress for the garden!"

It is rare that he comments on my attire, so I was both pleased AND surprised.

I LOVE getting a bargain at a thrift shop.

Of course I had to purge a few items this past week...

I don't like to have the closet too crowded.

Our Bungalow is so very short on storage 

so I am mindful of accumulating too much STUFF.

I really dislike CLUTTER but I do love to collect...

it is a fine line that I walk.

This week I picked up a plant pot and a lone floral china teacup 

left for free at the side of the road...

I have a wee bit of a problem passing up FREE stuff!

Himalayan Blue Poppies blooming at Government House.

These are very difficult to grow, you can buy seeds at Butchart Gardens.

This grouping of poppies look very happy and healthy.

Walking at Government House is even nicer now that their tearoom is open.

The exotic plants make for an educational saunter and there are plant sales as well.

I recently met up with a long time reader Sue K Blaney, 

I brought her back to The Humble Bungalow Garden for a quick peek

then up to Government House for a walkabout.

She and her husband were on a tour visiting Victoria and Vancouver.

We had a few hours to walk, admire the gardens, and enjoy the spectacular views across to the Olympic Peninsula and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Afterwards

 We went to the Demitasse Garden Center and Cafe for a coffee 

because the tearoom was closed.

Peonies are in their heyday right now at the Gardens.

The bees just love these flowers.

We had some former clients of my husband's here for a garden tour and a happy hour.

I picked a few of our fragrant David Austin Roses 

placed them on the table in the sunshine then brought them inside where they promptly wilted but they still look gorgeous.

Fragrant Climbing Royal Sunset Roses

popped into my wee vintage Elephant and Urn Vase.

I've had this small vessel for about 20 years...I paid 35 cents for it.

I've shared it here before and we talked about how it is good luck for the elephant trunk to be raised upwards.

Sourdough Starter is coming in handy for other baking projects these days.

I regularly bake the boule, but now I am baking scones and biscuits.

I found two great recipes online and they have been well received 

so now I can add them to my regular repertoire!

Ignore this tidbit of news if you want but I've got a UTI...

am on antibiotics and it's the second one in weeks.

Perhaps the first one didn't get completely cleared up?

I am trying to increase my daily quotient of water.

I have friends who are plagued with these infections and suffer a LOT!

Truly, I haven't had anything like this, in many many years.

My sympathies to those of you who struggle with them...

I hope this is not the start of a new health issue.

The Aquafit classes continue to be a source of pure JOY.

I do miss my long walks but I am getting used to getting wet in the pool!

This week a woman complimented me on my bathing suit...

another one of my bargain finds at the local Marshalls Store.

Miraclesuit.

We are constantly in motion in the pool and the lively music helps me keep the beat.

My arms are getting a great workout too using the foam dumbbells in the pool.

I must look very serious as I have to focus so much on the instructor.

Other women in the class know what to expect and I am sure 

that in time I will as well.

Current Book Stack...

I started reading Richard Osman's The Man Who Died Twice...

told my husband about the book and he's keen to read the series too...

He zipped out to the bookshop and bought the two other books.

He's reading the first one now, The Thursday Murder Club.

The third is The Bullet That Missed and there is another one due out very soon!

When I was on Pender at Talisman Books 

the owner asked if she could help me find anything...

we got chatting and exchanged our tastes in books.

She recommended The Outlander and Ridgerunner by Gil Adamson

her book club read them and she (they) loved them so much.

I chose The Mayfair Bookshop on a whim.

What are you reading?

Golden Celebration Rose

Well I have rambled on about enough stuff for now...

don't want to bore you.

Please let me know how things are going with you.

I am enjoying the refreshing dialogue that we are having on the blog.

It keeps things interesting.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Strolling in a Victoria Rose Garden...

Glorious white Iceberg climbing Roses in the garden of Government House.

The roses look so elegant against the white stone wall.

One of the many Rose Gardens located within The Government House grounds.

The sound of running water adds such a calming sound to the space...

fountains are such a beautiful addition to a garden.

This gargoyle statue that has seen better days...

I wonder if someone took a hammer to his nose and ear 

or perhaps he once teetered and toppled over.

A visitor left a rose offering...

There are benches throughout the garden to sit and relax.

 The lush grounds of Government House is a lovely place for a walk.

There is a tea room located at stable and working area of the garden.

Hens and chicks are clucking away in a pen 

and last year there was a lamb onsite grazing on the grass.

The Tea room serves light lunches and teas and it is open Tuesdays through Saturdays in the high season.

Staffed by an army of dedicated volunteers Government House grounds are well tended and beautiful.

There is a small Costume and Government House Historic museum on the site with admission by donation.

If you find yourself in Victoria BC on a holiday you might want to include this garden while you are visiting.

I borrowed this book from the library and spent a few hours sipping tea 

while perusing the many gorgeous gardens featured inside...

looking at gardens is one of my favourite things to do.

Our Humble Bungalow looks best when the roses are all in bloom...

her paint is peeling and the painters will return shortly to give her a much needed makeover.

We are having some problems with the ancient plumbing. 

(which is not much fun...)

I am expecting a plumber with a snake and a camera attached to delve deeper and tell us what we need to do to remedy the situation...

I hope it will not mean that we need to dig up the garden and install a new sewer pipe...fingers crossed it is an easy fix that does not cost the earth!

Thank you for stopping by my humble blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~