Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Humble Bungalow July 2020

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow...

Our days continue to be quiet ones
as we seek out pleasant distractions in every nook and cranny.


Taking tea in a favourite spot in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Tending to the many potted plants on the patio gives me great pleasure.
Hand watering gives me an opportunity to spot weeds and do some advance planning when removing spent plants.


A fragrant bouquet of sweet peas are a lovely treat on a sunny day 
after working long hours in the garden.


Our garden is host to many creatures...

European Wall Lizards
Butterflies
Bees and various other pollinators
Owls
Snails
Raccoons
Deer
Squirrels
Birds


Mama Raccoon as she descends from the next door neighbour's Arbutus Tree.
She was rading the crows nest!
The crows were cawing like mad and making a big fuss.


I snapped a couple of photos but Mama was growling at me so I thought I better sneak back inside before she got any closer.


A quick and lazy dinner that was tasty is just what I needed after a busy day.

Prawns sauteed in butter and garlic with an assortment of deli salads.


Marigold and Helen sweet felted mice made by https://www.williewoolly.com/
were reunited for a fun playtime with our darling granddaughter Isla.
If you haven't yet seen Robyn's felted creations 
do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a visit.


Isla made the swing!
We savoured our tea and had some girl time.


The antique porcelain tea set was my husband's great grandmother's.


Vintage enamelware in The Hunble Bungalow laundry room.
I love the battered look of these pieces and seek them out.

I've not really been to the "shops" much...
the garden centres are outdoors so I feel very comfortable shopping.

Thrift shops have not really been on my radar 
although I dearly miss perusing the aisles for treasures.

I do venture into Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village when on my walks.
Karin is welcoming and has all the right safety protocols in place.
The wee jug on the left is from her shop...a recent Covid purchase.

Today I am on a mission to buy black mondo grass.
 I plan to plant them in big pot in our front garden.

 The deer do not fancy munching them and there is a bare patch that needs something to fill it.

As we navigate these strange times...

We must continue to be mindful of others respecting their choices
and not being judgemental.

Hope that you are well and staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Thursday, March 19, 2020

Cocooning....


Cocooning in The Humble Bungalow

We have been listening to the daily press conferences on the Covid-19 virus.

People have been asked to take "shelter" in their homes
 work remotely from home if possible.

Schools are closed indefinitely.

Recreations centres, libraries, and shops are closed or only open a few hours.

Grocery stores and pharmacies are open but many shelves are bare.

Restaurants and coffee shops are offering "take out" only.

Who knows how long we will need to cocoon in our homes and practise social distancing?


Our cupboards, closets and drawers have never looked tidier.

I've been baking, cooking and looking through my cookbooks for new recipes.

Tackling tedious jobs that I usually put on the back burner.

Each morning I linger longer over my coffee...
while I catch up on the news and social media.


I've been reading more than usual.


Rosemarie, a dear reader from Vancouver
sent me some sunflower seeds to sow...
she has sent me a packet each year in memory of my Mom.

Rosemarie is a generous, kind and thoughtful woman.

I hope to meet up with her at some point when we get through this pandemic.


The primulas are putting on their annual cheery display.
They bloom from February until May and then I plant them out in the garden.

Geraniums will replace these pretty plants from May through until September.

I've been embracing the opportunity to get out for my daily walk.
It is a chance to enjoy fresh air, absorb some Vitamin D and get some exercise.

With sunny days and natural beauty at every turn it is not a hardship.

Wee pops of colour elevate my daily round.


Cheerful anemone
such a pretty shade of blue
almost purple.

How are you managing during this health crisis?

Are you enjoying slowing down?

Have you been cocooning and creative?

Please chime in and share how you are spending your days.

(Safari does not allow comments so please use Google Chrome.)


Stay safe.
Wash your Hands and avoid touching your face.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Getting My Happy On continues ~ Grandchildren, a kind gesture, a gift in the mail and a win ~


Our darling Henry enjoyed exploring the "spare lot" on our street.
On this site we have some driftwood benches and a table,
a tire swing, rope swing and a wee lending library.
There are trees and a grassy meadow where children love to run.


Play is serious business...
first you need a plan
then you need to execute the plan
then organize all the pieces
sit back and discuss what will happen next.

Isla and Henry played together collaborating on the building of the tower
they decided on the roles of the players
and then they worked out the scenario...
meanwhile as I looked on
Mira sat on my lap and we played with the shape sorter.


The fellow who owns and operates the excavator that is working on the site next door
noticed that Grammy and three wee ones were at the window watching the action and the steady stream of trucks.

When we all went for a walk past the site he suggested that the grandchildren might like to sit in the cab of the machine...
he didn't have to wait long before he got an enthusiastic response!

My goodness that was a kind gesture and a wonderful highlight for our wee ones.
Smiles all round!


I received a thoughtful gift in the mail this week.
Earplugs!
These will help muffle the noise...
love the shade of green too!

Thank you R!


In other "green news"...
I purchased this organic Physician's Formula mascara awhile back.
I love the formula but cannot get used to using the spiky plastic brush.
It has been a messy and frustrating experience 
so I decided that I would give up and move on...


 Dr. Hauschka mascara is back on the job 
with a bristle style brush for an easier application.


I made a yummy prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding on Sunday 
we ate the leftovers on Monday
 Mr. HB made some beef sandwiches to take to work.
Probably the last roast for the season.

My back has been stiff and sore since Mom passed away.
(I will book a massage when the bulk of mom's estate is settled)

 Yoga is really helping limber up the muscles and the back seems to be on the mend.
Plus I am sleeping better since going back to the Yoga Studio.
(I love a decent night of sleep)

My Yoga mat is falling apart...
wee bits of the mat are left behind after my practise so I must find another one asap!

This is the mat that the cat scratched a few years ago

Swimming fish amid the lily pads...



I wonder if any of you have had a similar experience with your cats...
any thoughts on a thick good quality replacement mat?


We won a strawberry planter from the Garden Centre!
These planters are quite expensive so I have never bought one but when one gets the call that one is waiting to be picked up you waste no time and start the car!


Our neighbour across the street put this plant pot on the boulevard...
free for the taking so I grabbed it and planted a white hydrangea in it.

How is your week going so far?


Wednesday, February 8, 2017

White Wednesday ~ a fluffy blanket of Snow.

Welcome to our White Winter Wonderland!


The Christmas lights are illuminating the snow laden climbing rose.
I am so happy that those white lights are still strung on the climbing rose...
they add such a pretty touch to the back porch.


These rustic seats and table are part of the local area known as the common.
The common is a spare lot that will never be developed 
apparently a brick culvert runs beneath the surface...
(too close to the surface and vulnerable)
there was a creek that ran through the property 
the First Nations used to portage along the creek
on their way to the Inner Harbour.


A former resident, who was a gifted woodworker, scavenged the local beach for the materials and built the seats and table.

Neighbours gather here in nicer weather to chat and have picnics or coffee.
Children climb the trees, run around the site and play on the swings.
Our "wee lending library" is situated out front for anyone wanting to borrow a book.
The policy is based on the honour system.
It is suggested that you "take on and leave one."
The turnaround of books is quite amazing...

I took one for Mother yesterday...
The Lake House by Kate Morton.
I plan to read it when she is finished as it has been on my list for quite sometime.




Looking out the back door of The Humble Bungalow at dark.
Thats a lot of snow!
The fluffy white carpet of snow softens sounds
the neighbourhood feels quiet and very hushed.


The trees are laden with snow...
according to the forecast more is on the way.


Chester has found a cozy blanket of his own!
In between their usual cat naps they have been sitting at the windows
watching the snowflakes fall.


Last but not least...
this lovely white heart shaped rock.

This rock has come all the way from Hyeres France,
 a thoughtful gift from a local BC reader.

She spends each Fall season with her husband living on the Cote d'azur
they love Provence
 and 
spend many days exploring the quaint and beautiful villages...

we have met up several times and most recently we had lunch at which time 
 she shared her favourite spots to visit.

Thank you A for your kind and special gift.
XO

Hope you are cozy and warm.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Grace in action...hope you are reading this Nadya!

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow
our neighbourhood is getting dressed up for the holidays.





Our bungalow Christmas lights are all white.
The neighbours in our area like to decorate with vibrant colours...
its fun to wander around the neighbourhood at night and see the festive accents.







This is a newer home on our street.
It has grey shingles and white trim and I love the garden with the box hedging.



I had not planned to write so soon after my Friday post 
but I received the most gracious email from Carol 
who was the recipient of the Weight Watchers Slow Cooker cookbook. 

"I have not been able to get Nadya's entry out of my mind since I read it.
Perhaps I remember being so tired with a toddler (or two) to care for.
Perhaps it is because it is my son's goal to become a political science professor.
I suspect she would use the cookbook far more often than I."

~ Carol Woodard ~


Carol you are a gracious woman and your gesture is so very kind.

I hope that Nadya reads this and sends her mailing address so that I can forward the cookbook to her asap.

Nadya my email address is bungalowhostess@gmail.com

Carol please email me your mailing address as I want to send you something too!

Seasons Greetings!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Sunday, May 15, 2016

Sunday morning and giving thanks...

Darling daughter (@thing_finder on Instagram) and I recently hosted a fund raising auction to aid the victims of Fort McMurray Alberta who have been displaced by a raging wildfire.
We have notified the winners, they have graciously paid for their items and their parcels will soon be on their way...
The Red Cross will receive the donation and it will be matched by the Canadian Government.
It has made me feel better knowing that a family will benefit from this small gesture.


Sending you thanks...


Small pleasures...

Mr. HB picked me a bouquet of yellow roses from the garden.
Graham Thomas is a hardy and disease resistant David Austin climbing rose.
One of my favourite roses.
(it is really difficult to pick a favourite David Austin Rose as they are all so lovely)

Humble gestures of
 helping
performing random acts of kindness
volunteering
there are so many ways to show that you care.

They need not be grand gestures...
 the thoughts and actions of a small group can come together can make a big difference.


"I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world. Think globally, act locally I suppose. I believe that the measure of a person's life is the affect they have on others." 

~ Steve Nash ~

(NBA star Steve Nash was raised in Victoria BC and he has just been awarded the Order of Canada.)


Wishing you all a very Happy Sunday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~