July ~ Holidaze and a few slow living snippets

 

~ Summertime ~

Two weeks at Quarterdeck Cottage flew by in a heartbeat.

Why do holidays seem to pass by so fast?

Is it that we are savouring the moments?

 Trying to pause the clock to cherish these precious memories?

Our weather was truly magnificent, we had glorious sunshine most days.

We ate well, I even had some wine.

While not totally prepared for the effects of alcohol after 10 months of sobriety...

I did enjoy a few gin and tonics and some wine.

I wore my Taos sandals most of the time...

super comfy and yet supportive.

My last minute pedicure was a bit of a timing miracle...

I'd forgotten to make the appointment and the spa fit me in.

So grateful that I had my toes tidied up and polished.

Speaking of the spa

I've switched up my skincare regime...

gentle products to protect my complexion.

SPF is a MUST.

These products are easy to use and so effective.

I don't wear much make up.

I am currently using the Jane Iredale foundation powder.

Need to get some of her mascara soon.

~ The pearls ~

Can you see how I could be tempted by these beautiful organic baubles?

Not perfect, but glowing.

Not unlike the baubles of the sea...

my quest to find sea glass continues and the jar gets fuller.

The quiet walks along the beach...looking for treasure.

Glancing up and looking far out to sea...

listening to the songs of the gulls.

~ Sandstone ~

While at this beach we saw a humpback whale very close to shore.

It was massive...maybe 60 feet long and its tale was HUGE!

My husband and I were excited to watch this gigantic whale...

it dove and surfaced several times as it passed by the small cove.

What a treat to witness this vast creature.

Speaking of creatures

Fawns were feeding below the deck at the cottage...

they seem to grow before our very eyes.

We'd hear the crunch of the arbutus leaves and look down to watch.

Our son, his girlfriend and the 3 grands joined us for our second week.

It was a busy time for this Grammy :-))

Cooking, playing cards, games, stocking up on groceries (daily)

chatting, sidewalk chalk, bubble blowing, 

crazy gift exchange and all the antics that ensued...thrift shopping.

Thrift shop find on the day we departed...

a vintage hippy dippy necklace.

What can I say?

It spoke to me and reminded me of my teen years.

Love the juicy garnet coloured beads.

I can see this worn with a black top or black dress.

I need a LBD as I consigned my favourite LBD by Eileen Fisher.

So I am on the hunt for "the one."

Ultimately I'd like to find it before we go on our cruise...

I would wear it to dinner in the dining room.

So I am on a mission...

for

"THE ONE AND ONLY"

Little Black Dress.

Wish me Luck.

Tall ship...

one of many gorgeous sailboats we saw sailing past the cottage.

~ Gorgeous Sky ~

Next week coming up...

appointments, wash the car, a coffee morning, spa day, and the garden clean up.

Will be slowly tackling these various jobs.

Dead Heading the roses and the red geraniums on the porch.

I'm tempted to go out there in my robe with my coffee and secateurs.

But as soon as I publish this post I am going to light the candle

 and focus on a few words

of gratitude.

Thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

September...and it Feels like Fall

Photo of The Hostess by my friend Laurette.

We had a wee dinner party last weekend at Quarterdeck Cottage.

Two couples joined us...

one couple sailed over in their boat and the other couple bunked in with us at the cottage.

On the menu:

Wontons stuffed with crab (Julie's creation)

Fresh grown heirloom tomatoes with balsamic crema.

Ina Gartens Parmesan Chicken served over a bed of arugula.

Baby new potatoes roasted 

Chocolate Mousse with fresh raspberries.

We had a sad thing happen in our family.

My SIL passed away quite suddenly.

I heard that she was not doing well and that my husband's nephew was driving up from Oregon.

I kept in touch via text and he told me they were getting her to the hospital asap.

As soon as she had a bed I picked a bunch of roses and took them out and had a visit.

We had a great chat, I held her hand and we were laughing...

I thought that she would get the help she needed and be back home soon.

That was Thursday afternoon.

We got a call Saturday night and she had passed away from

Congestive Heart Failure.

We have wonderful friends...

Found a pottery shard on the beach...

it goes with the blue and white ironstone that I have at the cottage.

~ Beach Vibes ~

We had some foggy and rainy days but the rest of the week was sunny.

The air felt cooler and there was a Feel of Fall.

A pair of "new to me" mugs from Good Things in Oak Bay.

I knit a bunch this week...

I found it very therapeutic as I was still trying to process the death.

The shawl is called Easy Goes It...I made it in pink last winter.

To lose a loved one is hard...even when they have lived a good long life.

Thank goodness I got to see her before she passed away...

I will hold that visit close to my heart.

A precious memory and a true life gift.

My Sea Glass necklace designed and made by Charlene Hall is getting lots of wear!

I never tire of searching for Sea Glass...

The sunsets were so beautiful.

The mauve shades were quite spectacular...

I enlarged this photo to see what boat this might be...

I thought at first it might be Holland America.

Turns out it is a different cruise line altogether...

I must be waiting to get some repairs or maintenance at a local shipyard.

Pender has freighters that anchor in the bays but this is a rather unusual sight.

Home today and am tackling the laundry and made Pasta Carbonara for dinner.

Very comforting...

We have a few things to tend to this week.

The painters will be here refreshing the front porch and fascia boards.

I'm going to be making soup for a friend who has cancer and is starting chemotherapy.

Hope that I will be back at the pool.

Aqua Fit classes are up and running and the pool has been refurbished.

Other than that,

 I have some dead heading to do on the roses and the apples look ready to pick. 

My husband will be bringing in a harvest of tomatoes for me to freeze.

What are you up to?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Oh My Goodness!! it is already September...

 

Summer is slowly slipping away...

Feet up...

Sipping Green Tea on the porch most afternoons...

My old sneakers fell apart so I purchased a new pair.

These are GBG from Los Angeles 

I have never heard of this brand before?

Snapped a dressing room selfie...

This Lands' End denim dress has been a wonderful weekday workhorse

in my wardrobe.

I will be wearing it this Fall too :-))

The custom sea glass pendant by Charlene Hall of Pender Island 

has been getting oodles of compliments.

Thrifted measuring scoop...

  a new jar for flour are taking up valuable space on my counter.

Weekly sourdough bread making...

Much easier using the flour from the jar 

than grabbing and opening the big heavy and awkward bag from the cupboard.

Cucumbers are growing like weeds!

I am inundated with fresh produce from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Daily pickings are so rewarding and the flavours are so amazing.

Made fried green tomatoes when a branch broke off...

sauteed in a bit of olive oil

sea salt and topped with Worchestershire Sauce.

Limelight Hydrangeas

are

putting on a spectacular show.

I am going to dry some for the house for the Fall and Winter.

Mr HB planted the vintage garden cart with yellow Dahlias.

I love the whimsy and the pop of colours.

Julia Child Rose

Sunflowers 

grown from seed.

My Friend Rosemarie, from Vancouver, sent me the seeds last Spring.

She sends me unexpected random surprise gifts in the mail!

Thank you dear friend.

XO

August was a VERY busy month with the family.

Birthdays and Cottage time.

On the long weekend I went to White Rock with our son and the three grands...

for the annual back to school shopping trip.

Read a lovely article about Pamela Anderson in BH and G.

She has totally come back to her roots and completely reinvented herself.

Renovated her family home

(which was made into a series)

Produced a documentary

wrote a book "Love Pamela"

Planted a rose garden

is

 growing masses of vegetables.

She bakes sourdough breads, pickles veggies, and makes jam.

She also has a new cookbook coming out in October.

Talk about BUSY!

I am keen to get my hands on it when it comes out!

We explored some of the thrift shops in the White Rock area...

I found some nice things.

A soft wool turtleneck Vera Moda poncho which will be cozy for Fall.

A handmade leather belt made in America.

Silk scarf with hand rolled edges.

All three items cost about $20

We went to IKEA 

Our son bought a few storage boxes and baskets, sheets and duvet covers.

I found basic paper napkins, a dish drying mat and some tea towels.

The highlight was lunch!

Only my second time enjoying their Swedish Meatballs.

Busy place to eat and it is obviously because the food is good!

(and the prices are low)

~ Home Sweet Home ~

Back home...

Quiet day today catching up on laundry and rest.

Made soup for our lunch with the food left in the fridge.

Slim Pickins though...

Have to pop out and get some groceries.

Need to answer some emails...

My first priority was to write and publish a post here 

as it has been a couple of weeks.

Life is Full to the Brim.

~ Jude The Obscure Rose ~

How has your summer been?

Are you ready for Fall?

What is new?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~  Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summertime and wee snippets of our family vacation...

 

We are on vacation at Quarterdeck cottage...

These are the lazy days of summer that I look forward to every year.

Time for simple card games 

family meals, hopscotch, bubble blowing, 

sidewalk chalk art

beach ball volleyball in front of the cottage

swimming in the pool

 the laughter and fun that we have while making precious memories.

Crib games were mostly won by Mr. HB

Towels and bathing suits...hanging when not in use.

The cottage takes on a rather more casual vibe when the family is here.

We tidy up a wee bit but mostly it just fills up with stuff!

I actually enjoy the chaos as it feels more genuine than a picture perfect image.

A special girl celebrated her 9th birthday!

The party was casual and had a beachy theme...

This inflatable beach ball was a big hit!

The Volleyball Games began and so far have been quite popular.

Sunshine and a seaview...great combination for a holiday.

 ~ Vintage fish sculpture ~ 

It was the first thing I purchased when we bought our share in the cottage...

it is originally from the Grand Cayman Islands.

I have been busy preparing and serving meals to the crew...

it is one of the things I most enjoy.

Watching people happily eating at the table.

IF 

they score a seat at the table!

Our table seats 6 and the kids have had extra friends visiting...

so it is a wee bit of a race to grab a seat. 

Those of us who are served last 

sit on the deck overlooking the Salish Sea 

which is actually the best seat in the cottage :-))

Well I must close for now as I have people to feed and things to do!

Hope your summer is ticking along nicely.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~