Salish Sea Life at the Shaw Discovery Centre...

Last weekend
we took the grandchildren to The Shaw Discovery Centre in Sidney.
I am not sure who had the most fun...the adults or the wee ones!

Aquatic life viewed from beneath the sea.

Mira loves looking into the tanks...

Silver salmon swimming...

Colourful fish and graceful anemones.

So much beauty abounds under the sea...

The centre has a "hands on" open area 

where we washed our hands and were permitted to use a baby finger to gently touch the sea life...

the children were fascinated by this opportunity and spent a large portion of our visit at this tactile area of the centre.

The Shaw Centre is a popular venue for school field trips.

The last year that I was working in the school

 we took a small group of our special needs students for a visit.

The children had a wonderful time

were visually stimulated 

with various activities 

that held their attention and they were fully engaged.

It was fun to see how happy and enthusiastic they were during the visit.

It's also a fun place to take family.

Parks, the seashore, museums, libraries, recreation and activity centres 

provide hours of fun and they are not just for kids!

This beautiful tray caught my eye and was purchased recently...

at a local gift shop on sale at half price!

It works well on the boat or at the cottage.

Here is a snapshot from the archives...

taken at Sidney Spit Marine Park on one of our summer visits.

Our family love the sea, enjoy cottage life and boating...

I met my husband many years ago while boating

 I was just 15 !

so this love of ocean and marine life has deep roots and it keeps us connected.

We feel very fortunate to live so close to the Salish Sea.

Do you love the sea?

I must close for now and get some work done here in The Humble Bungalow!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

I heart summer holidays...

Isla was given the opportunity to choose three marbles when we went to the Antique Store on Pender Island.

This large blue one, another in green and a smaller blue one which she gave to her brother Henry.

Milada Huk from Renaissance Studios on Pender Island designs and makes jewellery using Swarovsky crystals.

This necklace caught Isla's eye...

it is called Fairy Garden.

Grammy was delighted when she saw how Isla swooned when she spied this piece so we bought it!

Grampa found this stone heart on Hamilton Beach near Port Browning.

Isla took it home.

Beach treasures!

In dire need of a pedicure after a week at the cottage.

Days filled with swimming, hop scotch, beach combing, games, boating,

and other fun activities.

I posted this picture on my Instagram page...

"when your breakfast matches the book cover" 

it makes for an easy photo opportunity!

A parting gift from the family...

Two thrift shop finds from the Nu-To -You shop.

Tennesmed desigend Swedish pewter pendant 

Danish bird pin.

This Summer the weather has been fabulous...

sunny and warm

actually 

HOT!

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

We are on holidays so my blog posts may be sporadic!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Grandchildren ~ Play time and memories...

There's nothing quite as special as time with the grandchildren...
their seemingly endless energy, unbridled enthusiasm and love of spontaneity is part of what I love so much when we are together.

These precious hours never fail to put a smile on my face and time passes so quickly that I always snap a few photos to preserve these special moments.

Gyro Park Octopus

children can climb inside the head and slide down the arms of the octopus.

A glorious September afternoon for a some playtime at the park.

Henry loved the zip line!

(you can see it on the right of the image)

Cadborosaurus

The mythical sea creature that has been seen over the years

swimming in Cadboro Bay.

(like the Loch Ness Monster)

Peek a boo!

GRRRR!

Our darling Mira loves to play like the big kids.

She climbs up the steep steps of the slide and then delights in sliding down.

Henry sitting on the fin of a blue whale.

Dallas Road Beach

the waterfront staircase and turret painted by Victoria's artist in residence.

A driftwood hut

a great spot for the grandchildren to explore and use their imagination.

Pirates?

Buried Treasure?

Isla had fun playing inside the structure and after playing inside we hunkered down and got serious about digging for beach glass!

Our September weather has been mild and sunny which makes it easy to get out and have fun in the afternoons and on the weekends when Isla is not at school.

I remember start of the school years as a young student...

new pencils and fresh pink erasers

clean scribblers

pots of glue

new shoes

white socks

 new skirts and blouses

gym strip

a lunch kit

all the things that I needed to make a great start to the school year.

So many years ago...

but the memories are still fresh.

And now it's Isla's turn to experience 

the newness of her books

the fresh pencils

clean pink erasers

a new pencil box

a backpack

Time to forge memories of her own which she'll keep for years to come.

My goodness but time passes quickly...

At the age of 62

looking back...

I have countless memories and experiences

enough to fill up many many books!

Feeling so grateful that I am able to share such lovely days with my family.

September is fresh with newness and I am starting a few new projects of my own.

How about you?

Have you got something new on your radar?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

In the Pink...

These pretty pink Gerbera Daisies were under $5 at the market 

at that price it took very little convincing

 so I brought them home.

They last about a week in our bungalow and they add so much cheer.

Flowers really do elevate my spirits and are a wonderful way to add an element of beauty to our home.

Speaking of cheer we celebrated Easter with a wee gathering.

Brunch with the 3 littles and their parents.

Easter bags filled with stickers, chocolate bunnies, eggs and a small toy.

On the menu:

Strawberry and spinach salad

fruit salad

bacon

scrambled eggs

yogurt

cottage cheese

smoked salmon cream cheese spread

cheese scones

orange juice 

coffee

Then it was off to the park and the spare lot for some running around

 time to ride on the merry go round  

(we all got dizzy)

slide and swings.

I had to empty my shoes of all the sand when I got home!

I purchased some new walking shoes recently...

Jungla and Merrell Vibram

Two different styles...

one casual and one slightly dressier.

Both were half price and my old walking shoes were in a sad and sorry state.

The Magnolias are blooming in our neighbourhood.

We have a white one but many of the neighbours have Magnolias in pink.

Ours is young and only a few feet tall but is putting on a lovely display.

I do so love a pure white flower...

Pink is the colour that has been standing out for me this Easter weekend.

Pink Lewisia plant new from the garden centre.

Mr. HB purchased tomato plants and cucumbers and they were planted.

We enjoyed our first harvest of asparagus from the Humble Bungalow Garden and it was tasty and oh so tender.

Love these pretty sweet blooms.

Started this fabulous book on the weekend...

almost 600 pages and I have read about 200 pages so far.

It is calling my name and the tea has steeped so I will close for now.

Thank you for stopping by the Humble Bungalow.

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

XO

Getting My Happy On continues ~ Grandchildren, a kind gesture, a gift in the mail and a win ~

Our darling Henry enjoyed exploring the "spare lot" on our street.

On this site we have some driftwood benches and a table,

a tire swing, rope swing and a wee lending library.

There are trees and a grassy meadow where children love to run.

Play is serious business...

first you need a plan

then you need to execute the plan

then organize all the pieces

sit back and discuss what will happen next.

Isla and Henry played together collaborating on the building of the tower

they decided on the roles of the players

and then they worked out the scenario...

meanwhile as I looked on

Mira sat on my lap and we played with the shape sorter.

The fellow who owns and operates the excavator that is working on the site next door

noticed that Grammy and three wee ones were at the window watching the action and the steady stream of trucks.

When we all went for a walk past the site he suggested that the grandchildren might like to sit in the cab of the machine...

he didn't have to wait long before he got an enthusiastic response!

My goodness that was a kind gesture and a wonderful highlight for our wee ones.

Smiles all round!

I received a thoughtful gift in the mail this week.

Earplugs!

These will help muffle the noise...

love the shade of green too!

Thank you R!

In other "green news"...

I purchased this organic Physician's Formula mascara awhile back.

I love the formula but cannot get used to using the spiky plastic brush.

It has been a messy and frustrating experience 

so I decided that I would give up and move on...

 Dr. Hauschka mascara is back on the job 

with a bristle style brush for an easier application.

I made a yummy prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding on Sunday 

we ate the leftovers on Monday

 Mr. HB made some beef sandwiches to take to work.

Probably the last roast for the season.

My back has been stiff and sore since Mom passed away.

(I will book a massage when the bulk of mom's estate is settled)

 Yoga is really helping limber up the muscles and the back seems to be on the mend.

Plus I am sleeping better since going back to the Yoga Studio.

(I love a decent night of sleep)

My Yoga mat is falling apart...

wee bits of the mat are left behind after my practise so I must find another one asap!

This is the mat that the cat scratched a few years ago

Swimming fish amid the lily pads...

I wonder if any of you have had a similar experience with your cats...

any thoughts on a thick good quality replacement mat?

We won a strawberry planter from the Garden Centre!

These planters are quite expensive so I have never bought one but when one gets the call that one is waiting to be picked up you waste no time and start the car!

Our neighbour across the street put this plant pot on the boulevard...

free for the taking so I grabbed it and planted a white hydrangea in it.

How is your week going so far?