~ We are celebrating ~

July 20, 1974 was a very special day...
our wedding was held on a sunny summer afternoon
nearly 200 people filled the church pews to witness our vows
an assortment of family and friends.

We were so young!

I love this image of us under the rose arbor starting our life together.

Sharing our

Dreams 

Hopes

&

Plans

a future that would take shape

with

shared experiences

life lessons

children

illness

responsibilities

disappointments

successes

challenges

homekeeping

strife

joy

adventures

all of which have contributed to make us the couple that we are today.

There are no secrets to our long marriage.
I've thought about it and can not put my finger on any one thing
although family has always been very important to both if us...

I think it is a combination of luck and respect for each other
and growing up together sharing the good and the bad which has continued to strengthen our bond.

We have made time for each other at least part of every day for the past 39 years...
we have been free to persue hobbies and have other interests which we can discuss together.

Date night, usually a lunch or dinner out once a week
working together on refurbishing our home and garden
has certainly gone a long way to keeping us connected and keen.

Life is never dull or tedious
we have so many things that we want to accomplish
and that list seems to grow longer each day!

Saying I love you

never gets old.

I look at this heart rock 

and feel it is a symbol of a solid and lasting love

one to aspire to...

Happy Anniversary Mr. HB

Looking forward to another great year as your partner in life!

XO

Happy Heart Day!

Valentine's Day!
I hope that you enjoy the day....
and that you can share your love...

Please stay tuned for an important women's heart health video later in the post.

my special heart rock

a lucky find from the beach front 

~ ~ ~

it's a simple reminder that one needn't spend lot to celebrate Valentine's Day

~ ~ ~

found or homemade gifts

given with love

speak volumes

~ ~ ~

something good to eat

breakfast, lunch or dinner

fresh and delicious

prepared with TLC

~ ~ ~

if it's a luxe treat that you are looking for

I think of jewelry

vintage is often great value

the designs unique

~ ~ ~

"Candy is dandy"

~ ~ ~

"but liquor is quicker!"

 Yes to a glass of yummy bubbly

~ ~ ~

chocolates are classic

~ ~ ~

flowers are always in fashion

a dozen roses or just one

hand picked or sent from the florist

~ ~ ~

Take care of your heart

and please watch out for symptoms of a heart attack...

in women they are so much different than those that men experience.

Have a look here.

There's a wonderful weekend getaway

fresh in my mind

always a welcome treat.

  Simple. rustic but classic comfort

Hostess approved accommodation!

~ ~ ~

walks on the beach

quiet couple time away

priceless

memorable

and very romantic.

Thanks for sharing my life Mr. HB!

~ ~ ~

I hope that you have something fun planned

 someone special to share it with

and

someone to love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Flowers for the wedding and my OOTD.

A group of friends got together to arrange flowers for the wedding of my best friend's niece.
It was a well organized assembly line for the table arrangements and corsages.
M who has done quite a few weddings showed her crew which flowers to use and how to build the bouquets.
Once created, the posies were tied and popped into vintage sealer jars of water.
I stood a little ways away getting the promised interior flowers done and was happy listening to the friendly banter and talk of weddings and grand children with a great group of friends.

I busied myself with the two vintage wicker urns and flowers for inside the house.

we worked under the Marquis tent as it was sprinkling rain

one of the corsages

Front hallway with Jude the Obscure in a Weller vase

guest room

Dining room table 

limelight hydrangeas and Lady's Mantle

guest room

new upper bathroom

(see previous post for the sneak peek)

inside the heritage designated tea house

looking out to the tent space

and lawns beyond

Weddings are such an exciting event especially when they involve people that we adore and dearly love

we're "almost family" 

and consider ourselves fortunate to be included in this celebration of love.

The sun shone for the wedding and we had a fabulous time.

It was such a memorable day

and the happy couple are spending their honeymoon in Hawaii.

I wish them many years of health and happiness.

OOTD or what I wore on date night.

It's date night here in The Humble Bungalow and this is my OOTD.

I took a beading course at a local shop and this necklace was the first thing I made.

Pearls and Labradorite.

I have made a few things since but I'd need a refresher course if I were to take it up again.

Land's End layering tank

Aerie wisp of a cardigan

metallic crinkle skirt in pewter by Spanner

Sofft shoes

I gave myself a home spa treatment ~ a manicure. pedicure and facial.

I surprised myself by actioning the pedicure

with

less mid section to get in the way

I was able to bend over without huffing and puffing!

Look at those eyebrows people.

There are no longer a flimsy excuse.

Gosh little things really do excite me!

~  ~  ~

We ate some delicious high calorie Thai food and then went for a walk
before going to see Bill Maher at the Royal Theatre.
Mr.HB and our friend Julie, of catering fame, are fans.
I was a tag~a~long.

I love the ornate details of this heritage theatre.

The event was SOLD OUT and the audience a mix of the elderly, boomers and the younger generation.
Bill's focus is on American politics and religion and he's irreverent and rude.
Any excuse for a date with my mate.
Gotta keep the love alive and dating is such a great way to focus on a relationship.

If you haven't taken your spouse out in awhile start planning a date...
you'll be surprised how it rekindles long lost feelings especially if you have neglected this part of your marriage.

I think a picnic on a beach or in a park is a great place to start...

What would be your dream date?

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's Valentine's Day
February 14th, 2011

It's a day for
Hearts
and
Flowers...
Hugs
and Kisses

Hearts of gold and sprinkled with diamonds

They dangle and jangle from my wrist

on a bracelet of hearts

a circle of

tokens

gifts of love

from my sweetheart

Mr. HB

Today might include a movie date...

Valentine's Day

is a sweet 

romantic comedy

 a feel good

light hearted

escape

as are these...

DVD's for TV 

or the laptop 

perfect for when we are away on the boat

or snug in a cabin by the ocean

away from it all

We'll be celebrating while holidaying 

in a rustic cabin by the sea

soon

and I can hardly wait!

On Valentine's Day

whatever you do 

however you celebrate

I hope that there is someone that you love

someone you can hug

or snuggle up with

someone who enjoys spending time in your company

someone to savour 

 everyday simple moments 

with....

if you do not tell them everyday

how much they mean to you

make a point of

reminding them today...

just how special they are!

Roses

 image from  2010

Our plans involve a stay at home evening here in The Humble Bungalow

I'll be preparing a home made dinner

serving it with some wine or bubbly

Bubbly

image from New Years 2011

lovely daughter will be here too

it's her laundry night 

and our routine is to

watch 

The Batchelor on TV

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hugs from the Hostess

XO

Burts Bees...baths and grandbabies.

My hands get much abuse on a daily basis...
washing the dishes, shelving books in the school library,
gardening, painting, and all things domestic.

Over the years I have employed many a hand cream that promised to deliver but disappointed.
I seek out the most natural additive free products to minimize the toxic load
good news...I have finally found a winner!

It has transformed my dry chapped hands...

and the winner is...

I want my hands to be soft and gentle when I cuddle Isla...

As you may know lovely grandaughter Isla has entered our lives and she is divine.
She is 6 weeks old and I spent the morning with her...
it was pure bliss....
my heart feels full.

When I was there she had a bath and it turns out she LOVES the water!
she took immense delight in the warmth of the water,
her face took on a look of peace and serenity
(grammy likes to soak in the tub too)
She smiled and cooed and kicked her feet...
she's totally cuddleicious.

I love everything about her...
I tickled her fingers and toes...
rocked her gently,
told her how beautiful she is...
and how lucky she is to have such great parents

Her skin is absolute perfection...
pale soft and blemish free...
that fabulous fresh new skin.

I am so happy that lovely DIL invited me on this fabulous playdate.
It's hard for me to find the right words to describe the feelings of joy...
it's humbling, it's wonderful, it's the best ever.
I am over the moon and cannot get enough Isla Time.

Just thinking of her makes me smile.