Friday ~ Food, fragrance, and fiction....

Wednesday afternoon...

2 squares of Belgium chocolate 

Lapsang Souchong tea

a delightful magazine Victoria with a favourite French focus.

Mother's Paragon cup and saucer, now mine, and her sweet wee sterling basket.

A bittersweet day

 as we handed the keys to mom's former condo over to the new owners...

the end of an era.

I took the afternoon "off" and cocooned at home.

It was wise to stay home as there were a few moments when I teared up.

Mom was a strong believer in stoicism and she bore all her trials with grace and dignity.

She never "aired her dirty laundry" in public and advised us to do the same.

I am doing quite well under the circumstances...

am taking one day at a time

taking life slow

going to Yoga 

appreciating beauty where it pops up

giving thanks...

Home grown asparagus 

harvested from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Steamed lightly and served with a dollop of mayonnaise.

Sweet and tasty.

It is two years since I was in Paris

nibbling fresh white asparagus dipped in mayonnaise.

Its hard to believe that it has been so long since that dream trip.

Chartreuse green Euphorbia putting on a stellar show in the garden.

I like to think of these as flowers but I believe they are considered bracts.

A pretty little mix of perennials stand out against a weathered tree trunk.

The Demitasse Garden Centre has a wide assortment of plants.

They are located not too far from the home where I grew up and I love to pop by and wander along the aisles 

perusing their stock for something new and different.

Many of our Humble Bungalow plants were purchased from this special nursery.

Soup for lunch after plant shopping...

this is a popular spot for local landscapers and trades people to grab a bite of lunch.

Cleaned out my closet and pared down my wardrobe even more...

who knew it was possible that I could find more things to consign?

I am making room for a few new things that I have on my wish list.

Bought a pink ball for the grandchildren to play with in the garden 

and on the boat.

Have you heard of the Big Love Balls?

They have quite a following on Instagram.

New fragrance from France.

I ordered the reasonably priced sample pack of testers from Sylvaine Delacourte awhile back 

and after wearing them for a few weeks I finally decided which one I like best.

Dovana

a beautiful atomizer

with a spray bottle inside and a spare one to use after the original is empty.

Current read...

picked up from the wee library 

outside author Laura Bradbury's home in Oak Bay.

"Beach Combers Library"

when I am finished the book I will return it and drop of another one to share with the readers in that neighbourhood.

Public art on Oak Bay Avenue...

Time for me to close for now and get our dinner.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

XO

Springtime ~ In the Pink

Pink Spring blossoms are found along many streets and boulevards in Victoria.

They lift the spirits even on the greyest of days.

Moms' robe now hangs in the guest room.

She wore this frequently...and it is silky satin.

One might want a pair of pink marabou slippers to go with it!

Did you notice that the hanger is in the same pattern and fabric as the robe?

I've been keeping the flowers fresh at Mom's condo for the showings...

we think it has sold and are just waiting for the buyers to secure their financing.

There were multiple offers all well above our asking price...

the real estate market here is brisk!

Mr. HB and I went to Fan Tan on Fisgard Street

in the heart of Victoria's Chinatown
 for a date night dinner this week.

Our meal was delicious and my tea arrived in a sweet little cast iron teapot.

It was really heavy especially when you consider the size.

 Pouring tea and a bit of "weight training!"

Spring cleaning, decluttering and rearranging things have been in the works.

Two bags of donations are waiting to be dropped off at the charity shops.

I culled quite a few books from this cupboard before I rearranged the shelves.

The French Market Basket was purchased years ago.

I planned to walk to the shops and wheel my groceries home...

that has happened exactly once!

I must fix that stat by going shopping in the Cook Street Village more often  pulling it behind me!

The wire heart was meant for postcards and photos.

I like it just the way it is...unadorned.

I'm going to pull these pieces together and add a few more.

My plan is to make a candle vignette of sorts...

I love how mirrors and candles can be best friends!

I took this wee painting from Mom's condo yesterday when I rearranged the flowers...

I am not sure that I will keep it forever 

but I could not part with it...

not just yet

and I did not want to regret giving it away...

it is a small street scene in Paris.

I also plan to take one of her French style chairs to add to the one that I have slip covered in linen beside the table in the hobby room.

It could be for one of the grandchildren to sit on as we read stories

or play with the toys...

another thing that is "speaking to me" 

one that I never thought would tug at my heart strings 

but one that is saying loudly...

don't let me go!

The journey is far from over...

saying goodbye

dealing with the details

is totally keeping us busy.

This emotional process is not easy

I have my ups and downs and find myself crying while standing at the kitchen sink.

I have had vivid dreams of Mom, so vivid, that when I wake I think she is still here...

My friends have been so amazing and strangers have been kind.

Every phone call that I make to advise them of moms demise 

is met with gentle soft spoken condolences...

the agency representatives in person are more than sweet

understanding 

patient

death of a loved one is obviously something that we all share in 

 it feels like it brings out the most empathetic responses 

the "best" from most...

Thank you all again for your lovely emails...

they keep coming

and 

I must say they are a delight.

XO

Week three...being proactive by getting back into healthy routines.

What I kept...

Going through Mom's things took time as we did not want to rush the process...
there were a few surprises, but for the most part, it was what we might have expected from an organized woman
whose attention to detail was evident in everything she touched.

My sister and I donated most of her clothes...
I saved a grey cashmere sweater and have been wearing it most days.
It feels like a cozy warm hug...
it is as if mom has her arms firmly wrapped around me.

I also brought home some small red spatulas...the kind that one uses when scraping out the last of the mayonnaise or mustard out of a small jar. I don't know what moved me to keep them but they are a practical tool that I will use regularly and take up very little room in our small bungalow.

I kept her recipes in the vintage recipe box.

One afternoon in the coming week I will make a pot of tea and peruse her collection.

It could be like a trip back in time...

she had a large repertoire 

that ran the gamut 

from jello whips to apple pie and meat loaf.

                             Mom had oodles and oodles of knick knacks!
     She wrote a note that specified she was leaving me her antique Maling bowl...

                a blue and white porcelain plant pot finds a new home here
                                   

Mom's condo is listed on the market.

I'll miss sitting on the deck with mom sharing a chat and a cup of tea.

There will be so many things that I will miss...

our telephone calls

walks

shopping trips

laughter

these memories will help to comfort me

 The Humble Bungalow is scented with the heady fragrance of lilies.

(I remove the stamens as they stain everything)

On the horizon...

I plan to return to the practise of Yoga

 am looking at local studios and their schedules.

It really helps with relaxation and I feel energized after the sessions.

Walking is back in my daily routine but having been away from it for almost a month my muscles were reminding me of that saying...

"use it or lose it!"

Thankfully bath salts and soaking in the tub have been helping.

I've got the urge to buy something bright and colourful.

My wardrobe of greys and black feels like it could use a punch of colour.

I haven't felt like shopping in quite some time and this might just well be what they call "retail therapy!"

The days are getting lighter

there is birdsong outside the window

spring flowers are emerging

 simple joys

one delights in

that can temper the sadness

 enfold one in a firm embrace

almost as cozy 

as Mom's cashmere sweater...

There is a sense of relief after these busy few weeks.

The pace has slowed and I was able to indulge in a few quiet days

that were spent at home

getting domestics under control

teas and cafe cremes were sipped 

while gazing out the windows

and

flipping through several French magazines

Cote Sud and Campagne Decoration.

Speaking of France...

I have been wearing the samples that I ordered from the new musc collection

by 

 Sylvaine Delacoutre

The Dovana scent is lovely and may be the fragrance that I order

it has notes of iris, neroli, vanilla, and ambrette.

You might like them too.

I am not affiliated with Sylvaine and have received no remuneration for this mention.

Her website is here.

Hope that your weekend is ticking along nicely.

Thank you for stopping by...

XO

Week two...

Life has been moving at a fast pace here in The Humble Bungalow.
I prefer to take my time accomplishing tasks
"needs must"
feels like the right phrase
to explain why we are living at this high level of activity.

The bungalow is scented with floral bouquets.

Chrysanthemums, lilies, hydrangeas, roses...

Flowers and food from friends offer up such care and comfort.

They are my go-to gifts when friends and family experience turmoil and loss.

We are on the receiving end this time and it does help...

Coffee has been a key player for me these past few weeks...

sleep and early mornings and a foggy brain have needed a little extra boost!

I've taken myself out for coffee in between meetings with the lawyer, the bank and various agencies.

It has been a full roster of appointments with little time to cook or prepare decent meals.

I have relied on the kindness of friends

and indulged in some easy meals.

The staple BBQ chicken and deli salads are becoming a fast favourite of mine.

Tea and an apple with cheese 

at Mom's 

after I staged the condo for the Real Estate Photographer.

Sitting in the quiet 

listening to the ticking of the clock

surrounded by mom's things

offered up a wee bit of respite.

Mother Nature has been busy tending her garden.

Spring flowers are emerging from their winter slumber.

Parrot tulips for a wonderful friend who kindly made us a meal and has stood by us through thick and thin...

Thank you

XO

Today for the first time in many weeks I slept in...

the bed felt warm and cozy and I slowly got up

easing into a quiet morning

with no appointments until after lunch

I put the laundry in the washing machine

made a coffee

and opened up my dusty laptop to write this post.

It feels good to be alive

I feel such gratitude

and 

although my heart aches for my Mom

I know that she would not want me to be maudlin for too long...

she was a sensible woman

resilient

strong

stylish

with a no nonsense approach to life.

So, in her honour, I am going to try to do my best...

moving ahead

 I will cherish her and keep her memory alive in my heart.

Thanks MOM

XO

Week one....

It's been a week since Mom passed away.

Lots of things to do and little time for the blog

or for commenting 

on all your wonderful stories 

that you have so kindly shared

 about your experiences with death of loved ones...

mostly our Mothers.

Mother 

a picture taken at Christmas 

on our annual visit to Laurel Point

to view the decorated gingerbread houses.

We are using this for her obituary 

which will be published in the newspaper this weekend.

Beautiful bouquets in The Humble Bungalow.

This one, is from our dear friends in France.

It brought tears to my eyes when I read the card.

XO

Beauty abounds...

I adore green and white flowers.

I was home when these arrived and was able to sit and chat for a few minutes

with the special couple who brought them.

XO

Tulips from the bridge ladies.

XO

Members of our "adopted family" brought these!

XO

The grandchildren...

XO

The days are full and busy.

So many details to attend to and lots of phone calls to make.

Lawyers appointments

family to call

sorting

cleaning

Trying to keep things simple means not stressing about the "little things"

like cooking and eating WW friendly foods right now!

Something has to go out the window...

time for some comfort food.

Croissant for breakfast...

flaky and buttery

eaten slowly...

the flakes fluttering down onto the plate moistened by tears.

A skinny latte

with a little heart to start the day...

I will post your comments as they come in and please know that I appreciate and read each and every one.

At this demanding time 

I am unable tor respond individually to your comments.

I humbly apologize

but I think you'll understand.

Hope that you have a lovely weekend.

XO

Grieving ~ slowly putting one foot in front of the other...

Taking things slow...
from minute to minute
as the clock ticks and they turn into hours

Losing Mom, has so far, been the most painful thing I have ever experienced.
It has only a few days since she passed,
but I can already tell that this is a major life altering event,
so significant,
that it is difficult to put into words.

Tears fall freely
there's a lump in my throat that does not seem to go away...

I've been eating comfort food, drinking gin and tonics

and have stopped counting WW points.

I have considered not getting dressed and staying my pj's all day...

But instead, I get up have a cafe creme

hop in the shower

put on my make up

and

head over to Mom's condo to sort through her things.

there is some comfort in action and busyness

to be in Mom's condo 

surrounded by her things 

feels like home

but when I look toward her chair 

she is not there...

my heart aches

deeply

I notice that the garden is awakening from its winter slumber

right on cue as it does every year at this time.

The snowdrops are blooming.

Sunny yellow daffodils

Moistened by the rain

Nature reminds me of the cycles of life

beginnings

endings

Life goes on...

as surely as the spring bulbs open

the 

flowers appear

taking each day

each minute

to pause

reflect

thinking of Mom

and all she has done

to make our lives so special

her strength, wisdom, kindness and grace

will help guide me

as I walk along this painful path of grief

in her honour

I will put one foot in front of the other

move forward

slowly

one step at a time.

I found this card in mothers desk drawer...

She kept this card

 there were no others...

I wept when I opened the card

with tears rolling down my cheeks

 a moment in the silence

grieving

alone

this card is one of the treasures that I will keep 

the message so close to my heart 

in memory 

of my wonderful mom

Thank you for all your comments on the previous post.

I am overwhelmed by your kind and supportive thoughts

they mean a lot 

especially at a time like this...