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 ~

Summertime ~ Snippets from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

 

Greetings...

It has been a while since I posted.

I have been busy trying to keep up with the jobs here in the garden.

The HOT weather has affected our ability to keep the plants watered and healthy.

Thankfully the Hydrangeas are Still Blooming...

despite the intense heat.

This hydrangea is planted out front

We received it from my husband's firm in 2007 when my father passed away...

It has thinned out a bit this year and I am rather concerned that it is not happy.

We had a rather harsh winter, a warm spell, then a really icy cold snap.

Lots of our plants perished.

Mostly grasses and tender perennials 

but despite our best efforts there are still blank spots scattered about the garden.

Lots of work required...and many visits to the garden centres!!

The Lavender is having a riotous growth pattern this season.

Bees buzzing on the flowers all throughout the day.

You can hear them all busily working when you stand close by the plants!

Last summer I made lavender sachets and I plan to make some more soon.

I need to dedicate several hours to remove the buds from the stems then pop them into gauze bags.

We LOVE Poppies!

My husband saves the seeds and plants them early every Spring.

Bees love them too...

The flowers are a work of art...

Thank you Mother Nature :-))

We were invited to an afternoon visit the garden of some new friends.

We "met" each other on Instagram.

Both of us are retired and are passionate gardeners!

We share a love of plants and growing things...

plus we have other people we both know in common.

I wanted to take a big bouquet of roses but the heat has wilted the many rose blooms.

Their petals are dropping as soon as I pick them.

I took a wee posy of lavender and some magazines with us.

The tour of the garden was an amazing experience...

water features gurgling, many areas to sit and enjoy the views.

Covered dining space, vegetable beds, poly tunnels, a greenhouse, a sun filled deck at the back of the home with loungers and tables.

Each space was designed beautifully with an artistic eye focusing on the details.

I found it incredibly inspiring and came away with many ideas!

We sat and chatted...

savoured the glorious space 

sipped cool beverages and nibbled on these delicious treats...

chocolate covered cherries and pistachio bites.

Look at the lovely floral presentation on the plate!

On my beach walk I collected a few shells and a piece of driftwood.

I had a project in mind for the cottage.

I decided to paint the driftwood and glue some shells to it...

Maybe I went a wee bit overboard on the shells but I did have fun!

The results are rather rustic looking and have a folk art air.

In true 

Wabi Sabi 

Style

~ Marigold Tagates ~

Seeds saved from last years flowers.

Lots of these plants popping up around The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Each afternoon we stop work around 3:00 and sip some cool lemonade.

The front porch is a shady spot to sit and read our books.

Fabulous Book!!!

I read it in two days...

Could not put it down...love Paris and this story did not disappoint.

I am going to go and find some of her other books.

Can you see The Annabelle Hydrangeas just starting to bloom in the top left?

These Big Mop Head Blooms make quite a BOLD statement.

The Limelight hydrangeas are almost ready to pop...

Well I must close for now and hope that you are enjoying your day...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summer Snippets...gardening and some new clothes!

 

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Blog!

Everyday life has been getting in the way of me sitting down at the computer...

I am still here!

Gosh where does the time go?

Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are BLOOMING.

I LOVE when the roses are in full flush of flower...

Picking roses for a bouquet is a perk 

especially when one grows and tends 30 of these fabulous plants.

Fragrance is a MUST for me when I grow a rose.

I've tried to find a rose perfume that is similar to the heady scents 

that the David Austin varieties are famous for...

I enjoy the intoxicating fragrances as they waft about in the garden.

How has your June been?

Ours has been very busy and flew by so fast...

we were actively working in the garden and created a big new perennial bed.

We shopped for the right plants and then planted them...and shopped again!!

Two new black Adirondack chairs are a welcome addition to the back yard...

a place to sit with a cup of tea or a refreshing cold beverage.

We headed over to the cottage for a week of rest...

I read three books!

Ann Patchett has written another delightful book...Tom Lake.

I loved her book The Dutch House and this one was lovely too.

I stayed up late way past my usual bedtime to finish the book...

that is what I do when a book is exceptional :-))

I mentioned on Instagram that I prefer to wear dresses over shorts...

this new dress from Pokoloko is a wonderful warm weather option.

Woven waffle weave cotton, the slit up the front is another cooling affect!

It is a loose style which allows the air to move.

The black hat is by an Australian company called Kooringal.

I recently consigned 7 garments...most were dresses.

I don't like to have too many things in my tiny closet...

I actually find the decision making process stressful if I have too many choices.

So in an effort to reduce any unwanted stress I keep it simple.

I bought this new linen jacket in about 15 minutes...

it's true.

Hubby and I were on our way to lunch and I stopped in at Glam and Fame 

on Government Street to look at their European Linens...

Apparently it is the largest linen clothing shop in Canada?

Love the pocket detail...

abalone buttons.

Perfect with the Hong Kong Pearls.

I was offered a free scarf in exchange for an online Google rating...

how easy was that?

I want to got back and peruse leisurely...

think it could be my new go to linen location.

~ Thrifted Belt ~

Leather and chrome

Sparkly beads

Dressy and stretchy...

not bad for a thrifted find.

Do you shop in Thrift Stores?

My daily weight training sessions on YouTube are paying off...

my hands feel stronger.

I am able to open jars and grip things better.

20 minutes every morning is really easy to add to my routine.

I am also noticing that my upper arms are not as jiggly :-))

there is more definition...and it has only been 5 weeks since I started.

Hopefully it will help build bone with my recent diagnosis of osteoporosis.

In other news I am not aware of any negative side effects from the Prolia injection.

Fingers crossed this will continue is a positive way...

two shots a year.

The costs are quite high but my doctor says it is the easiest way to get stronger bones.

Do you have osteoporosis?

What are you doing to help improve your bone health?

I almost forgot to mention the vest...

50% off sale 

I've been eyeing these men's wear vests for a few months.

Thinking of Diane Keaton's wardrobe in Annie Hall...

a great layering piece.

Versatile too.

Pink Dogwood in bloom at the cottage.

Such a vibrant shade of pink.

Loads of blooms on the small tree.

Makes such a BOLD statement.

Am so glad that I bought this blue and white transferware platter.

It was a find at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

I have had it about 6 months now...

I hadn't realized that the cottage was already showcasing BLUES...

we don't have any blue pieces in The Humble Bungalow.

So this blue and white colour pallette 

fills me with gladness and I am truly happy that I have a few 

BLUE and WHITE things 

in the cottage that are vintage.

Little things that elevate the way we feel about our space is pure JOY.

~ Sea Glass ~ 

My ankle continues to improve...

I take my walking stick when I go to the beach as the shore is uneven

Am very comfortable walking with it...think it has a beachy vibe!

It also has become a conversation starter!!!

~ Sweet Peas ~

We grow them and the best thing is...

their fragrance

plus

they produce more flowers IF you pick them regularly!

Most recent Thrift Shop Find...

it may just look like an old piece of wood and it is just that!!

I have plans for this board...

it will be a great base for cheese and crackers

appetizers

bread.

I saw many antique French boards when I was in the quaint French villages...

Aix en Provence had a huge variety of these boards.

I loved the brocantes...

Wanted to buy some things when we were there but I was travelling with a carry on

 so I could not really justify the added weight!

Was very excited to find this gem...

old and distressed with genuine wood worm holes.

Well I think that is all the news I have for now...

More gardening is on the horizon...

Hope that you are enjoying your summer.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~