Holidaze at Quarterdeck Cottage

The lazy daze of summer...

Simple meals

family

pooltime

Sun

Gazing at the Bees collecting pollen from the flowers 

can hold the attention of a sweet girl.

Sunshine 

 a bright bold yellow flower.

Buzzing Busy Bees...

bees on almost every bloom.

We had the grandchildren here for a week and it has flown by so fast.

They left on the ferry on Friday...

I will miss their happy laughter and energy.

Simple daisies

blooming at the side of the road.

Love these humble beauties...

there is something so classic about these blooms.

I like to pick a few and pop them in a jam jar.

Behold the beauty of this gorgeous Dahlia!

Mom grew dahlias when we lived in Oak Bay.

Her garden was quite lovely and she spent many hours every week tending to the perennial beds.

She had a dedicated section for her beloved Dahlias.

Some of the flowers were as big a dinner plates.

When dahlia season was at its' peak 

mom would pack a variety of dahlias to bring inside the house.

There would be vases in almost every room.

Oh those were the days...

We've got my sister and her husband coming to the cottage today for a visit so I will close for now.

Hope that your summer is ticking along nicely.

Stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

 

Snippets, tidbits and good books...

Holdays are such a gift...
time to relax, cocoon and embrace the good things in life.

We sleep well here at the cottage.
There is a gentle calm pulsing throughout our days...

As we spend a lot of time outside in the fresh air...
dining al fresco, walking, swimming, reading.

These slow days contribute to our well being and we are usually in bed asleep just after 9pm...
we wake and watch the light as it brightens and moves across The Salish Sea.

The bark of the arbutus trees are peeling which reveals a limey green layer under the rich amber colour...these are a feature in our views as we have several of these lovely trees growing at the edge of the sea.

Birds flitter about, gather and sing...
they seem to be drawn to the limbs of these trees.

I read this engaging mystery novel in a day...

a real page turner set on The French Riviera.

You might enjoy it!

The old stove died a few days ago and the general manager was able to order a new one and have it delivered to our small island in a day!

This is quite remarkable and we were very happy as we have no local access to shops and the ferry service is limited.

Local Sea Star Vineyards make excellent award winning wines.

Their Encore is a rich full bodied red wine...

perfect with a BBQ steak, baked potatoes and green beans.

Things break...

My Fit Bit battery died and I went online to get a replacement and was surprised to learn they are not available!

OH NO!

You are meant to purchase a new FitBit...

well that was a shock, 

so I have decided not to replace it.

My husband says I should buy an IWatch but I am reluctant...

I am wearing one of the vintage sterling bangles that I have in my collection...

this one a sweet gift from our darling daughter Jennifer.

Campus Queen from 1968

Fresh halibut, steamed broccoli and wild rice with sauteed mushrooms.

Yummy Halibut

To cook the halibut I dip it in flour, salt and pepper

saute in a wee bit of oil and butter

cook until skin is somewhat brown and fish is white and flaky

squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon overtop and add a tablespoon of capers.

Easy and so flavourful

Enjoy!

Read this gem yesterday.

A real binge read..

could not put it down

  I am considering re-reading all of the Jane Austin classics.

Am heading to the bookstore today as I have read all the books that I brought for our holiday.

Hope that you are staying safe.

Our Covid case numbers have increased here over the past few weeks.

It is alarming and we continue to keep our "bubble" small.

We wear our masks when we are out in the shops.

Hand washing and sanitizer are used constantly.

Feeling so thankful for the fresh air and sunshine.

The ability to be out safely in nature

soaking in all of the beauty that surrounds us

is soothing during these uncertain times.

Stay Safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Holidaze...

We are on holiday at the cottage and have our boat at the marina...

son and grandchildren are up at the cottage and my husband and I are on our boat. We have great weather and the pools are open.

Lego is a favourite with the grands.

Doctoring up a patient.

Side walk chalk

Very busy days...
3 excited youngsters to entertain.

Lots of food to prepare...snacks and meals.
Their favourite pool time swims, complete with floaty toys!

I will be back blogging after they return home.
Will need to try and figure out the new blogging formats...

Wish me Luck!

Take care, stay safe...

                       ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summer Hollidays

The Humble Bungalow Garden

We have been away on the boat...and had motor trouble.
Repairs need to happen before we can go out on it again.

Midweek I drove upisland for a few days
with our son and 3 grand children.

Oodles of fun in the sun and a crazy thunder and lightning storm!
Mini Golf, bumper boats, pooltime, crafts...

Fresh veggies from The Humble Bungalow Garden and Greenhouse.

The garden is looking wonderful and we are starting to harvest vegetables.

Limelight Hydrangeas 

and

Himalayan Honeysuckle

I love the combination of colours and textures.

This wee green grasshopper hitched a ride from Victoria all the way to Parksville.

The views from our suite.

Sandy beaches and many lovely homes.

Abraham Darby

a stalwart David Austin Rose

very frilly and frothy 

a beautiful fragrance.

Second flush of sweet peas...

Monty Don said to cut ALL the flowers off and expect a flush of new ones.

I was skeptical but it works.

BTW 

I had an email from a reader 

saying that ads are popping up in the blog side bar 

that are related to the US election and the NRA.

I do not live in the US.

My blog is not political in any way, shape or form.

It is my understanding that any ads that do pop up 

are related to searches by the users of the device.

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is located in Errington, BC

near Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

The centre rehabilitates animals that are injured and then releases them back into the wild.

There are a few animals that are permanent residents. 

Their injuries were so severe

that they will not be able to fend for themselves.

The centre is clean

the cages are large 

the habitats inside are similar to the wilderness

that the animals call home.

Look at this precious owl.

Farley cannot fly, he was hit by a car in Prince George BC.

He underwent an operation but has never been able to regain the ability to fly.

We are enjoying hosting outdoor "Happy Hours" with friends and family.

It is a wonderful way to stay connected and remain safe.

How is your summer going?

The time seems to be flying by here...

I've got lots of things planned for the next few weeks.

Catching up with friends and a spa date with my baby sister who just turned 60!

Take care and stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

SW France ~ Auvillar.

Le Farat  

(where we stayed)

Le Farat offers two gites for larger groups and families 

with a B and B attached to the owners residence.

We were most comfortable in the well appointed suite.

The hallway of the owners residence

was so beautiful!

Lots of old furniture mixed with art and antiques.

Le Farat have a great website if you want to read a bit more about their holiday accommodations.

There is an outdoor pool and a games room.

We loved the luxurious touches offered by our hosts.

The area in which this residence is situated is called Bardiques

a short 7 minute drive from Auvillar.

Auvillar is a small village on the Garonne River.

Our friends John and Cheryl live there.

Market Day

The Village Church.

We used the Village as a home base and drove around to explore 

other Villages during the day.

Moissac

A UNESCO site

With the oldest Cloisters in the World.

Stained Glass Window by Marc Chagall

We visited on a Monday and Moissac was very quiet.

Sundays and Mondays in the SW of France businesses are usually closed.

Seen from the car in the middle of a farming area.

Rolling Hills and very Pastoral.

The tiny little Village of La Chapelle nestled up in the hills...

the church was open

hardly anyone was out and about.

We spent most evenings with our friends making dinner and sipping wine.

It was so fabulous seeing them and it was difficult saying goodbye as we flew off to Paris...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~