Silk scarves ~ a pop of colour and a wander about in several gardens...

 

~ Playfair Park ~

The native Camas is in bloom...

there are shooting stars, buttercups, and chocolate lilies.

Camas 

Prolific Pink Rhododendron 

There are many other azaleas and a perennial garden in the Park.

Many families were enjoying the idyllic space...

children were playing in the playground, a birthday party was underway 

and a family were having a picnic.

My friend Michelle and I had a picnic Friday in the Government House Garden.

The sun shone, the views were spectacular and the birds serenaded us...

The gardens are vast and many flowers are native to the site 

growing in the Garry Oak Meadow.

A large group of volunteers tend these gardens.

If you live in Victoria you most likely know of this gem,

 but if you are visiting our fair city try to include this on your visit.

It is a beautiful greenspace...

Humble Bungalow Front Porch 

our fresh new red geraniums are planted in pots and planters.

Tea break mid afternoon...

grabbed my new book We All Live Here

by acclaimed author JoJo Moyes.

Such an engaging story...

SO GOOD

I read it late into the night :-))

Auriculas are blooming...

These darling plants are so prolific...

I love the varieties and am keen to grow more.

Our garden is getting a big tidy up 

in readiness for the Hospice fundraising Teeny Tiny Garden Tour this June.

Wee corner of the laundry room...

I spend a lot of time doing laundry and love that I have a view 

out to The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I have been wearing silk scarves to add a pop of colour to my basic classic black and white wardrobe...

I gently washed this vintage Hermes silk scarf in my Aveda shampoo...

Vintage Hermes Scarf from my daughter Jennifer.

This scarf was purchased from the Hermes shop in Vancouver many years ago...

I chose the black and white H pattern 

as it was a good choice with my simple black and white wardrobe.

Do you wear scarves?

Many people think that the scarves are difficult to style...

they can be be a versatile and creative accessory.

I once owned a box of scarf tying cards from Hermes...

the clerk gave the cards to me when we bought one of my scarves...

Last August I thrifted a silk scarf in White Rock...

not all scarves are expensive.

They seem to be quite easy to find in second hand

and thrift shops.

Picture from the Archives...

Last August...

(Before the Fringe Trim)

A

Simple Scarf Tie

I've got to close now as I need to prepare dinner....

a stuffed pork tenderloin, lemon orzo and steamed carrots.

Hope that you are keeping well and are embracing Simple Joys.

With so much uncertainty we all must try to keep our spirits up...

Smile, listen to music, read a good book, get out for a walk in Nature

 keep in touch with friends and family.

Do something FUN everyday!

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Entering my 70's...food, flowers and dare I say the T word?

 

Well it has been quite the week of celebrating...

lots of lunches, coffees, and dinners out.

I think that 70 is a very big number but I do feel grateful to still be here.

Zambri's was our first stop in the recent birthday dinners...

it is probably our favourite restaurant and we have been going there for 25 years.

We remember fondly their teeny tiny spot where they got their start...

the food is amazing, service perfect and the atmosphere is vibrant.

I started with a Ceasar Salad...

Followed by the Fresh Fish entree...

Our favourite dessert the passion fruit Panna Cotta.

This time it came with a candle...

at least there were not 70 candles!!!

My husband surprised me with these lovely freshwater pearl earrings.

We don't usually exchange gifts anymore,

 so I was curious and wondered what was in the wrapped box.

These are fun and can be worn with almost every outfit.

A new "classic" and I have worn them almost everyday since my birthday.

I love how they glow...such a pretty nacre.

Spring is making its way to Victoria in fine fashion...

the flowers are harbingers of the season.

Hellebores are often the first to bloom...

early January we see them sometimes 

even before the snowdrops.

This chartreuse Hellebore was a very thoughtful gift from my long time friends.

Thank you

XO

New from Lululemon...

Yoga mat carry strap, Yoga pants.

From the Ajna Studio a spiky ball for "rolling" my feet.

Helps wake up the feet and gives a massage as well.

The feet are more "in tune" to stability when one rolls their feet daily!

Since going back to Yoga I have noticed my stability is much better, 

my hip pain has decreased, I am sleeping better and I feel stronger.

The fall that I had, 

with the black eye and concussion 

were the instigators in returning to this practice.

I am grateful to my instructors and feel that I am heading on the right path.

Tulips were on sale at Peppers so I grabbed 4 bunches...

they add a pop of colour on these rainy days.

I attended a workshop 

in the studio of Pender Island Jewellery designer Charlene Hall.

She guided us through the steps required to create our own necklace.

Many steps are necessary, and new skills are learned.

Pearls of course!

Stars and a heart...which, in a happy "accident" became a "beating heart!"

I made the necklace a little longer so 

that I can opt to wear this with my Akoya strand of pearls...

this is my "no make up" rainy day workshop vibe.

How are you coping with the events that are unfolding in the world?

Here in Canada we are facing the "T" word

TARIFFS

an economic war that is being set in motion by the US President.

Our countries have always been friendly and we have family and friends living there.

If the tariffs go ahead both our countries will suffer.

It is definitely a very strange and surreal time...

Canadians are being encouraged to buy local, or made in Canada products.

Which is really what I try to do everyday.

I love the Farmers Markets and local women owned businesses...

I try to support them as much as possible.

The relationship that develops over time and it feels very genuine 

it reminds me of the way people shop in France.

Not everything I use is made in Canada...like my new washer and dryer.

My skincare line by Pamela Anderson's Sonsie company.

Prescription Medications...

and so much more.

It is raining cats and dogs here this morning...daylight saving time is here.

I've been up had my cups of coffee eaten some sourdough toast with cherry jam.

Think I will make a pot of chicken soup...

lay down on my Yoga mat and enjoy a quiet practice 

listening to the the raindrops as they fall...

70 is starting off with a BANG...

I've decided to seek out and participate in new and different activities...

the pendant workshop is the first of these explorations.

A Knitting/Yoga retreat on Salt Spring Island is in the works...

Maybe I will sleep in the yurt?

There are SO many ideas and opportunities for FUN...

choosing which ones to embrace and participate in is the challenge!

What new things are you doing?

Have you started a new Hobby? Or adopted a new Habit? 

Perhaps it is trying a new recipe, learning a new language, or planning a trip.

We are never to old to try something NEW.

To wear a new style, to take a course, to redecorate a space.

Even in the simple days we have choices...

to light a candle, to add some perfume, to buy some flowers,

 to plant some seeds and watch them grow.

Life is always an adventure...

there are UPS and DOWNS and we need to be prepared for the ride.

Put your Helmet on, and Fasten your seatbelts!

But remember...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thanksgiving...and catch up from The Humble Bungalow.

 

It has taken me a few weeks to get back to blogging...

Not sure why?

 I am here now and am sharing lots of pictures and snippets.

Make yourself a cuppa and join me.

As you can see...

the Hydrangeas are getting crispy!

Time to make a wreath for the front door.

I have a grapevine wreath that I keep for seasonal use.

I just popped a few hydrangeas into the vine and hung it on the door.

It is simple and I quite like the effect.

No fussing required!

I've been busy lately!

Am back at aqua fit classes now that the pool has re-opened.

My arthritis in my hip flared up last week...

I think it was all the tomatoes that I have been eating...

apparently they are high in uric acid and that is a trigger for arthritic pain.

I took a day off and rested.

Fortunately I had a great book to read and the cats kept me company!

I found this Pulitzer Prize winner a difficult book to read 

 I am so glad that I persevered...

it really is an exceptional book, so well written.

I picked some of the Money Plant from the garden

saved the seeds, them popped them into the mosaic vase.

My mom grew these plants and used to do the same thing.

They are paper thin and I like how they glow in the sunlight.

We are enjoying the sunny Fall Days...

I have swapped out my summer wardrobe for the Fall and Winter clothes.

I found this cozy grey sweater dress at the thrift shop.

It doesn't have much "hanger" appeal here, it is much better on!

It is going to be my "go to" dress to wear on a cold day.

I have black capri tights and will wear them under the dress for added warmth 

paired with my Black Chelsea Boots.

My friend Wendie is loaning me her Ruth Galloway series of mystery books.

I am on book number 4 and am loving the stories.

Like Louise Penny, she has many of the same characters, and they develop over time.

 So you should start at the first book and read them in order.

Elly Griffiths has another series that I am planning to read after I finish this series.

What are you reading? 

Do you like mystery novels?

Iphone photo capturing the intense light at sunset a couple of nights ago.

Many people posted similar pictures on their Instagram Pages.

It felt surreal seeing this bold light...

The roses are fading in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Margaret Merrill is a new rose here in the garden.

I found her at the Demitasse Garden Centre in Oak Bay.

She looks healthy and her subtle fragrance is lovely.

I love comfort food in the Fall and Winter.

I searched on google for cottage pie recipes and found this one 

on the BBC Good Food site.

Was very delicious and made enough for a hungry family.

Lots of ferry and boat traffic at the cottage...

Feeling grateful...

for

Sunshine this Thanksgiving weekend.

Cooking a small turkey with stuffing and oodles of seasonal root veggies.

Gravy and cranberry sauce.

Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream.

Looking forward to turkey sandwiches on soft White Bread :-))

Perhaps I will make soup?

Pasta dinner

I sauteed leftover diced Ham, fresh asparagus, and mushrooms.

Then added a jar of Alfredo sauce.

Served on top of spaghetti with grated parmigana reggiano cheese.

My (new to me) textured charcoal grey tunic top is getting lots of wear.

I am really enjoying the cooler Fall weather and am keeping busy.

What are you up to these days?

Jude The Obscure

Late into the rose season the petals fall when picked...

the fragrance is rich and heady.

The  $2 vintage silver jug looks so much better now that I have polished it!

Seriously colourful sky...

great views over The Salish Sea.

A wee treasure found at the recycle store...

for our darling daughter who collects these Nagel stackable mid century candle holders.

Well I must close for now and get started on the Thanksgiving Feast!

Thank you for your kind messages on the passing of my SIL.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~