Swimsuit shopping...

My need for a new swimsuit came as a wee bit of a shock to me...

I was in the change room at the local pool and was putting on my old swimsuit and working up a sweat trying to pull it up! I had to wriggle and ease the spandex up inch by inch and when I was finished I realized that I could hardly breathe!

What happened?

It must have shrunk!
(Wrong)

So I HAD to go swimsuit shopping...
not my favourite thing to do, but we are off to the cottage,
and they have two lovely pools and I like to swim laps,
so needs must!

Do you believe in miracles?

This is what a size 14 swimsuit looks like on the hanger...

I am not proud of the fact that I have gone up a size.

The weight gain is all in my midsection where I once had a waist!

Simon Chang swimsuit.

This one is also a size 14 but it looks smaller because it is black.

I like the mesh detail at the top and at the leg holes.

I purchased two swimsuits because I don't like putting a wet bathing suit on and I may be swimming a couple of times each day.

I walk everyday and some days I walk farther than others...

I do watch what I eat but I could always cut down on the carbs.

My husband loves pasta so I make it once a week and I adore potatoes.

My thyroid is sluggish 

(but that's no excuse)

 I have taken medication for hypothyroidism since I gave birth 

to our daughter 40 years ago.

Loving life and feeling gratitude is part of my daily routine.

Every day is a gift and it never fails to offer up something of beauty. 

So in the whole scheme of things 

is a size larger worth getting all bent out of shape over?

I am doing what I can to stay active and healthy.

Thank you for popping by and reading The Humble Bungalow Blog today.

It's sunny here at the cottage and we plan to go swimming today.

With two suits to choose from I have to make a decision which one to wear...

I hope you are having a great weekend.

Until next time

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Humble Bungalow ~ October Views

The Humble Bungalow Garden is starting to fade...

the hydrangea blooms are drying up

Jude The Obscure Rose

October has arrived with a new flush of roses...

petals fall littering the ground like confetti.

The Hostas are wilting

their leaves turning gold

The temperatures are chilly 

not conducive to sitting on the front porch.

Lovely Limelight Hydrangeas

I cannot remember the name of this climbing rose...

anyone know? 

Another peek at Jude The Obscure...

I never tire of this rose

the heady fragrance and full cups of frothy petals.

Reading has taken a front seat of late...

I absolutely LOVED this book...

the subject matter is rather serious but my goodness its a good read.

I could not put it down.

The wind is blowing the leaves around the garden today.

It will be time to get the rake out soon...

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

~ Albert Camus ~

I went to the garden centre and bought some pretty red cyclamens for the planter

and 

while I was there I purchased a green pumpkin or squash!

I have started a new book...

We will be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend...

Taking time to ponder the joys in life

feeling immense gratitude

and

 giving thanks 

for the abundance of life

our family

with thoughts of those who have passed on

and 

last but not least

our wonderful friends.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Book chat...at Quarterdeck Cottage

I devoured the book Bella Figura written by Kamin Mohammadi

It "spoke to me" on many levels and the author included Italian recipes at the end of each chapter...I am going to keep it and put it on my cookbook shelf!

I was so inspired by her descriptions of the food 

that I made the pasta dish for dinner at the cottage.

Kamin describes the Italian city of Florence and the hills and villages of Tuscany so exquisitely that I felt that I was right there with her...

I am not going to give away any of her "secrets" but I did take away some very important tips that I will be incorporating into my daily regime.

I highly recommend this book...

Look at these fresh heirloom tomatoes!

Seriously flavourful and an easy salad to prepare...

you could dress it with a smidgen of good quality olive oil or do as I did.

I used Julia Childs' basic vinaigrette that I mix in a Bonne Maman Jam jar.

'Tis the season for Farmer's Markets and fresh produce...

I love the variety and availability of these roadside stands

 my basket is stuffed full to the brim

overflowing 

with healthy tasty veggies.

The bounty of beach combing is the expanding collection of sea glass.

Fresh air and exercise are benefits of this hobby.

Clam Shells with barnacles dot the local beaches.

The twinkling light bouncing off the Salish Sea

 a million diamonds dazzling....

the melodic waves are licking the shore

the seabirds are swooping

the cacophony of songbirds is music to my ears

contentment found in the beauty of nature

to slow down

to notice

to be silent and observe

these are times that I treasure

for they present me with

opportunities

 for reflection and gratitude

Do you find solace in the beauty that surrounds you?

Are you able to be still, sit quietly and absorb the gifts of Mother Nature?

We had a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow Garden...

there is a bounty of flowers

a riot of roses blooming 

the wee hummingbird babies can be seen in the nest...

two very tiny beaks pointing skyward waiting for food from their parents.

Hope you have a lovely week.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Savouring the good things in life...

We are surrounded by beauty...
one need not look too far afield to glimpse these special gifts that cross our path.

Embracing the positive, simple things in life, keep me grounded and content.

If I get on the "I want this, I want that" tangent
I am not at ease...stress and anxiety are sure to follow.

Simple living...

getting back to nature
walking
taking time for peaceful pursuits
mindful healthy eating

valuable self care tools
that really nurture and feed my soul.

"Highlights" worth sharing from the past weekend...

Roesland Park

on

Pender Island, BC

a lovely walk with an abundance of natural beauty.

Calypso Bulbosa

aka

Lady Slipper Orchids

Lilies

A bench on which to sit and pause...

 count my blessings 

while surveying the views across The Salish Sea....

Skunk Cabbage

The Nature Sanctuary at Medicine Beach

we were there for the Earth Day beach clean up.

Fresh radishes from Raven Rock Farm stand 

at the Farmers Market

love these "red ravishing radishes"

Speaking of red...here is the Encore Red.

We went to the award winning Sea Star Vineyard for a wine tasting...

we purchased some red and white wines.

We invited our neighbours over for a drink and a nibble...

Sitting on the deck later watching the sun slip behind the mountains

taking note of the light 

the subtle changes 

of the intensity and tones.

The sunrise and sunsets are the gentle rhythms

that guide us through our days here at Quarter Deck Cottage.

Hope that your week is off to a gentle start...

Enjoy the gifts as they present themselves to you on your daily round.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cottage life...weathering the storm.

Quarter Deck Cottage

a relaxed and casual getaway

that we enjoy for a week every month 

and two consecutive weeks in the summer.

This little piece of paradise has been a much needed tonic...

a place to dream and live simply 

among the beauty of Nature

 The Salish Sea at our doorstep.

The rains have been torrential this past weekend.

We were soaked right through our raincoats after an hour walk.

On the mainland there have been floods and roads were washed out...

When we arrive on the island

the first stop 

(after we unpack and set up the cottage with our personal bits and bobs)

is the local flower shop.

I choose some flowers for our week at the cottage.

The owner and I are on a first name basis now and she tells me what we have missed while we were off island...

Power outages, wind storms, ferry cancellations, trees blown down blocking the roads...

We shop for our food at the local market and usually do this each day.

It gives us an opportunity to mingle with the locals and deciding on the spur of the moment what we will have for our dinner based on what is fresh feels right.

Living in "holiday mode" encourages a spontaneity...

where we relax over our morning coffee

stare out at the views beyond

taking in the various sights

 ferry and boats

marine life and birds.

We awoke to sunshine this morning and what a glorious sight after 4 days of rain.

The cottage is bathed in warm sunlight and there is a shift in my mood.

I feel a surge of energy...

I have vacuumed, done the laundry, run the dishwasher and am now sipping a mug of tea as I sit here at the dining table typing on my laptop.

Taking time to look out upon the rippled sea and beyond...

A beautiful day awaits...

slowly

there is no need to rush

a gentle walk

a nourishing meal

knitting

reading

gazing out to the Salish Sea

content with the simple routines

of cottage life

it is in the quiet moments 

that we are able to restore, restock, and renew.

"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift. "

~ Albert Einstein ~

"There are moments when all anxiety and stated toil are becalmed in the infinite leisure and repose of nature. "

 ~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Slow down this week and observe the beauty that surrounds you.

When I walk in Nature I always find something beautiful that surprises me...

even on the darkest of days

I may have to look a little bit farther or a wee bit longer 

 if I persevere 

I am not disappointed and for those gifts I am grateful.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Focusing on Calm

Are you aware and take note of the beauty that crosses your path every day?

Focusing on a bright spot of colour or something beautiful from Nature...
can elevate a flagging spirit and change the way we see our world.

Each morning I sit quietly sipping my cafe creme and consciously count my blessings.
I embrace the "attitude of gratitude" and it helps me set the tone for my day...

A bouquet that I gave to a special someone!

This wee yellow flower was blooming on the side of the Esplanade

at Willows Beach where I have been taking my daily walks.

The day was grey, cold and gloomy but this wee pop of yellow 

acted like a lightbulb

 radiating cheer and warmth.

The sun has been trying to come out...

three cheers for trying!

I've noticed that people who walk this route smile a lot when they pass...

generally 

much more friendly than the serious joggers and runners on my local route.

Sending you some sunny yellow cheer...

Chicken piccata

a comforting dinner on a cold blustery night.

Here is a link to a similar recipe on Epicurious.

A hot cup of tea...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Take care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~