I am calling in sick....

 

Love these simple white blooms with the yellow stamens.

A garden filled with all white flowers is stunning and elegant.

Do you have a colour theme in your garden?

Ours is a riot of colour.

My foray into black and white photography continues...

The Royal Oak Pharmasave is an amazing place to shop

they have some great buyers and a wide variety of gift items, clothing and travel accessories.

While perusing the aisles I spied this new cuticle lotion.

I tried the sample tube and walked around the store buying the items on my list.

When I was finished I went back to the display and grabbed a tube.

Made in Vancouver BC

Emollient, rich and it absorbs right into the skin.

using only a pea size amount I think this will be a hand and cuticle 

"game changer."

Am suffering with a nasty kidney infection that stems from those UTI's.

I ended up going to the ER as the pain in my back was so intense I could not sleep a wink.

The doctor decided that I should have a CT scan 

which showed the kidney infection

there is also a kidney stone floating inside the kidney.

First off I had never had a CT scan 

so when the nurse wheeled me off to the imaging unit

I was actually gobsmacked!

It was a huge white space age looking Seimens machine.

I am on some new antibiotics and hope that they kick the bacterial infection.

I'll be back to more tests after I finish the 10 days of pills.

The ER was a CRAZY BUSY place...

the staff was amazing.

The doctor and nurse who were helping me were so professional and calm.

The nurse Sarah was young, very sweet and had a bubbly personality.

The Dr had excellent bedside manner and was very attentive.

It felt to me that they were working under extremely challenging chaotic and stressful circumstances...

yet they both remained calm and treated me like I was the only patient in their care.

I have dropped off a small gift bag for each of them.

Tea, chocolate, and some triple milled French soaps with a card of thanks for each.

I still have a fever, am tired and so I am not doing too much as I recuperate.

Tea and reading every afternoon and perhaps a nap.

Alliums in an antique jug.

I am reading this series at top speed!

When I woke up early this morning I made a pot of coffee and got stuck in...

there are a few chapters left to read but will save them for tomorrow.

Isn't it fun when you find a series that you love to read and the author is still adding more books to the series?

Everyone seems to rave about this Thursday Murder Club Series.

My husband laughs out loud when he read the books!

~ Pink snow ~

Constance Spry 

a fragrant David Austin climbing rose in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

We can see people stop as they walk by and look up...

many remark about the fragrance and other swoon over the blooms.

All the roses are doing their best to knock our socks off right now.

I am barefoot and in awe of their extreme beauty.

Roses ARE my FAVOURITE FLOWER :-))

Perhaps you love them too?

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.

Make a cup of peppermint tea...

wash and moisturize my face 

put my nightie on and lay down

wrap myself in a cozy blanket 

and watch some TV.

Hope that you are all well...

 MY personal PSA 

(heads up)

intense pain is a signal to take action

when it comes to your urinary system don't wait

ACT!

I think I waited too long and things went sideways.

I'll be slowly on the mend 

which sounds like it could be for many weeks.

Take Care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Flowers. thoughts and ramblings from The Humble Bungalow...

Deep indigo grape hyacinths are a welcome pop of colour.

We have quite a few of these in our front garden.

Thankfully the deer do not nibble these sweet flowers.

How are you managing during the "shelter at home" order?

Are you busy or bored?

Do you get "dressed up" or have a PJ Days?

Keeping quite busy with home and gardening tasks.

Baking bread every few days...

to accompany homemade soups and stews.

We were down to a few cups of flour and we hit the jackpot yesterday 

by finding 10kg package of flour

it felt like a lottery win!

(We are not taking anything for granted.)

I'll be able to keep baking bread for the next few months with this supply.

I purchased an antibacterial spray from Nezza Naturals.

I've been wiping the counters, light switches and door handles.

We have a few lilies blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Planted these a few years ago and they pop up early each Spring.

Such a delightful dainty little flower 

which reminds me of The Flying Nun's hat

do you remember Sally Field in this television show?

Love the variegated foliage of the Trillium

When the flower is in bloom it is a dark magenta shade.

I sat on the front porch this past weekend and enjoyed the sunshine and birdsong.

Tapio Wirkkala Ultima modernist mug made in Finland.

Darling daughter has a large collection of Ultima

which I covet!

Timo Sarpeneva Finnish Festivo icy candlesticks.

Baked banana bread and pasta were delivered to our son and the grandchildren.

We waved at each other through the windows and they came out on the front porch while we stood at the bottom of the stairs.

Later we Face-Timed with them

the kids were in fine spirits when they

demonstrated a dance routine that they were working on!

Thank goodness for the internet to help us stay connected.

Loving this Lemongrass Tea Tree soap

the scent is divine and the sudsy soap makes it easy to keep up with the necessary hand washing.

With all this hand washing I need to moisturize my hands.

This cream absorbs quickly and protects my hands in between washes.

I apply and small amount at tea time when I sit to read my book.

Hooray!

Hellebore blooms are not deer food.

 ~ Vintage Enamel ~

Bread tin and colander just part of the small collection in our laundry room.

All is calm...

the ironing has been done

(such a soothing task.)

Clothes are washed and hung to dry.

Counters washed ~ floor swept.

Feeling in control of my own home 

is just one part of how I am keeping my focus positive.

It's time for lunch and I'm making a simple sandwich.

Will pop the kettle on and brew a pot of tea.

Hope you are finding ways to amuse yourself while you cocoon at home.

~ Stay Home and Stay Safe ~

Mid~week greetings....Hearts and Hands.

Have you ever observed cats at play?
Ours love it when we have a cardboard box in the house.
It's exponentially better when it's open on the floor!

Chester is inside the box and Pepper is about to jump on top of him.

They have been in and out of this box all day.

The box will stay out for awhile to allow them to enjoy themselves.

We purchased a small carpet cleaner...

it's good for pet stains and we plan to use it on our boat carpet.

It's a small machine but it seems to do a good job.

It removed a few spots on the rugs in no time flat.

I am not easily impressed ~ but this tool is a great one.

Never having owned a carpet cleaner before now I can appreciate why people buy them.

Henry's little hands are so adorable.

Soft ~ kissable.

What a sweet boy he is...

Isla gave me some glitter hearts...she loves to share.

Little girls love sparkles...

(big girls too!)

My hands are over 60 years old and have seen a lot of use.

(they need constant attention)

Hand lotion is essential.

Shea Butter seems to do a great job and is not greasy.

I am a fan of L'Occitane hand lotions.

I've heard that coconut oil is wonderful.

Have you tried it?

Hands are always busy doing things...

I do not think they are ever idle.

Except when we sleep...

They might rest a bit when they hold a cup of tea.

 Gardening, baking, cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, making beds, ironing, knitting, turning pages in books and magazines, hugging grand children, colouring, stacking blocks, painting.

Ah yes painting...

I continue to be in a dry spell.

I read Louise Penny's novel The Long Way Home and loved it!

I read it in two sittings.

The story focuses on a painter and Louise has many wise and insightful observations about what artists need to paint.

A Muse is important...

(mine are roses)

They also must feel intense emotion...one that spurs them on to create.

She refers to it as "a lump in the throat."

This lumps precedes most creative endeavours...

If you love a mystery and have not read Louise Penny's books you are in for a treat!

Start with her first and work your way up to her latest...

The Nature of the Beast 

which was released a couple of weeks ago.

I woke up the other morning to a cool and grey day.

It felt like rain.

 My apron beckoned...

Made some retro cheese scones.

 With cooler Fall weather in the offing I am looking forward to getting back into making soups.

I think these scones would pair really well with a hearty tomato soup.

Retro Cheese Scones

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. butter

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2/3 c. milk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1Tbsp. sugar

Combine all the dry ingredients.

Cut in the butter.

Add wet ingredients and stir until all flour is moistened.

Knead on floured board.

Pat into a 9 inch circle, cut into wedges.

Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes.

(Check after 12 minutes to make sure they do not brown up too much)

Yummy Soups.

They're like a warm hug.

A soup pot simmering on the stove makes me feel all cozy and warm.

They are a great offering for friends and family.

Nutritious and delicious...there's a tasty recipe out there for everyone.

Do you have a favourite soup recipe?

I made a killer pasta dish last night and will share it with you soon.

Stay tuned...