July ~ Holidaze and a few slow living snippets

 

~ Summertime ~

Two weeks at Quarterdeck Cottage flew by in a heartbeat.

Why do holidays seem to pass by so fast?

Is it that we are savouring the moments?

 Trying to pause the clock to cherish these precious memories?

Our weather was truly magnificent, we had glorious sunshine most days.

We ate well, I even had some wine.

While not totally prepared for the effects of alcohol after 10 months of sobriety...

I did enjoy a few gin and tonics and some wine.

I wore my Taos sandals most of the time...

super comfy and yet supportive.

My last minute pedicure was a bit of a timing miracle...

I'd forgotten to make the appointment and the spa fit me in.

So grateful that I had my toes tidied up and polished.

Speaking of the spa

I've switched up my skincare regime...

gentle products to protect my complexion.

SPF is a MUST.

These products are easy to use and so effective.

I don't wear much make up.

I am currently using the Jane Iredale foundation powder.

Need to get some of her mascara soon.

~ The pearls ~

Can you see how I could be tempted by these beautiful organic baubles?

Not perfect, but glowing.

Not unlike the baubles of the sea...

my quest to find sea glass continues and the jar gets fuller.

The quiet walks along the beach...looking for treasure.

Glancing up and looking far out to sea...

listening to the songs of the gulls.

~ Sandstone ~

While at this beach we saw a humpback whale very close to shore.

It was massive...maybe 60 feet long and its tale was HUGE!

My husband and I were excited to watch this gigantic whale...

it dove and surfaced several times as it passed by the small cove.

What a treat to witness this vast creature.

Speaking of creatures

Fawns were feeding below the deck at the cottage...

they seem to grow before our very eyes.

We'd hear the crunch of the arbutus leaves and look down to watch.

Our son, his girlfriend and the 3 grands joined us for our second week.

It was a busy time for this Grammy :-))

Cooking, playing cards, games, stocking up on groceries (daily)

chatting, sidewalk chalk, bubble blowing, 

crazy gift exchange and all the antics that ensued...thrift shopping.

Thrift shop find on the day we departed...

a vintage hippy dippy necklace.

What can I say?

It spoke to me and reminded me of my teen years.

Love the juicy garnet coloured beads.

I can see this worn with a black top or black dress.

I need a LBD as I consigned my favourite LBD by Eileen Fisher.

So I am on the hunt for "the one."

Ultimately I'd like to find it before we go on our cruise...

I would wear it to dinner in the dining room.

So I am on a mission...

for

"THE ONE AND ONLY"

Little Black Dress.

Wish me Luck.

Tall ship...

one of many gorgeous sailboats we saw sailing past the cottage.

~ Gorgeous Sky ~

Next week coming up...

appointments, wash the car, a coffee morning, spa day, and the garden clean up.

Will be slowly tackling these various jobs.

Dead Heading the roses and the red geraniums on the porch.

I'm tempted to go out there in my robe with my coffee and secateurs.

But as soon as I publish this post I am going to light the candle

 and focus on a few words

of gratitude.

Thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Mid June Snippets ~ Gardens, Roses and Pearls ~

I must be busy if I am not posting more frequently...

(that is true)

The Humble Bungalow Garden is a riot of blooms

 so we are "full on" with the maintenance.

Add that to the home keeping jobs, grocery shopping, and cooking.

Exercises from the physio and walking.

Reading, and all the "new" appointments since we acquired a nurse practitioner.

HOORAY!

Our long time doctor retired and we cut loose...

so we are very happy to have been assigned a new practitioner.

She's amazing and VERY thorough.

Snippets from my favourite garden on the recent Teeny Tiny Garden Tour.

This delightful garden is on a street off Oak Bay Avenue.

It is an OASIS of beauty...

lush green plantings...

Hostas, Boxwoods, Trees, Roses and many cozy seating spots.

I peeked in the windows of the charming home and was so smitten...

white ironstone, shiny silver, art and a kitchen that looks so gorgeous.

I am sharing some of our roses so if you are tired of seeing them LOOK AWAY!

Gertrude Jekyll Rose

We moved her last year...she's finally put down roots and is blooming.

  ~ VERY FRAGRANT ~

Graham Thomas

 a David Austin Climber...

We actually need to rake up the rose petals!

Deadheading roses and managing black spot are ongoing tasks.

Sunshine and Roses...

a lovely combo.

Hubby and I have been outside in the garden most of the day.

Lots of things require our attention.

If we stopped doing these jobs the garden would be a TOTAL jungle.

While we are outside the hummingbirds flit about, 

we can hear the house finches chattering, 

the boat horns from the Inner Harbour.

Some car traffic, occasional buses and the neighbour children laughing.

(sometimes fighting and screaming)

Volunteer Poppies in the gravel drive.

I wore my mom's pearls this week with my denim jacket.

These baroque pearls were a very special gift to mom from my father...

who was not a very demonstrative fellow.

This gift was a cherished one for mom

  she wore them several times every week.

I feel very honoured to have been given them...mom knew I loved pearls.

They GLOW...and RADIATE LOVE.

My view from the laundry room...

Joseph's Coat Rose.

~ Strawberry Hill Rose ~

A David Austin Climber...one of our newest roses.

it is a STAR performer.

Loads of blooms and a carpet of pink petals that YES need to be raked up.

I'm repeating myself...and often...

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has stopped posting

 saying that she has said everything.

I am wondering if it is time for me to close the door on The Humble Bungalow?

Things change...

I'm not the same person I was when I started this blog.

I've matured and my tastes have changed...

not even sure if there is an audience out there that wants to read my posts.

And that is OK.

We are living in a new era.

I am slowing down and not buying a lot of things.

I'm wearing clothes on repeat.

Going for walks, reading books and eating simple meals.

Feeling gratitude for everyday life.

Embracing simple JOYS.

It might be rather DULL.

SO

I'll mull it over and see what I decide.

In the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Post Op ~ Pearls, Books and Blooms

 

~ Star Magnolia ~

This beauty is out front of The Humble Bungalow and is currently in BLOOM.

The sheer elegance...of pure white flowers.

I love a crisp white flower.

I am doing well post op into week 6 now...

walking more steps but still at a slowish pace.

The hip muscles are getting a workout!

I can tell because I need to pop a Tylenol

after a day of walks....

even these frequent short ones that the physiotherapist has recommended.

I am a rule follower and I am pushing ahead trying to be mindful of my capability.

Oh but the urge to go farther is so tempting...

that being said if I overdo I am not doing myself any favours.

I drove the car to meet a friend for coffee today and it felt so amazing!

~ FREEDOM ~

I've been reading a LOT...

I've read many books in the past 5 weeks.

I've just finished Mrs. Van Gogh...very interesting and well written.

Tartufo was a fun romp set in Italy, comical, it could be made into a film.

Lady Tremaine is up next...a Reese's Book Club Pick.

A Cinderella story told by the wicked stepmother's perspective.

I've been paying attention to my hands...

they've been quite dry so I've been slathering on the hand cream.

Wearing my Akoya Pearls...

always want to add a bit of polish to my plain white Tee and grey cashmere sweater.

They positively GLOW.

Mr. HB took me for a drive to the Beacon Drive In...

I had a soft ice cream cone.

The first one in about 5 YEARS!!!!

So Yummy.

Why did I wait SO LONG to have a cone?

I guarantee I'll be going more often to enjoy this wee treat.

I pulled out my paints...

made some Mud Pie Paintings.

Easter Colours Perhaps?

I feel like a kid in kindergarten when I paint...

no judgement just let the brush flow.

Healing over these past few weeks has made me realize what a lot I have to be thankful for...and feeling so much gratitude as I wake up every day.

The return to more normal activities is wonderful.

I am not taking anything for granted.

 Tea Time is a TREAT!

So many choices...

What blend to brew?

My friend Michelle gave me a tin of Harney and Sons Earl Grey which is so GOOD!

The tea is full bodied and in wee silk gossamer bags.

I feel very posh when I sip it.

I've been using mugs because I have a cane in one hand and I daren't juggle 

a cup and saucer just yet, but can imagine how lovely it will be to sip this POSH tea out of one of my fine china cups and saucers.

(lah dee dah)

Sun is shining and I've got to go for my afternoon walk...

(doctor's orders)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing those Silver Linings ~

 

~ Silver Linings ~

 ~ a consoling or hopeful prospect ~

 ~ a sign of hope, comfort, or a positive advantageous outcome 

that emerges from a difficult, sad or challenging situation ~

Popularized by John Milton in 1634

the phrase refers to the bright silver edge of a dark cloud.

~ Baggu ~

Silver is shiny enough that a crow might want it, bold enough so it is not boring.

I'm embracing the days as I wait for my new hip.

The days seem long and I crave distractions...

the kettle is boiling 24/7 as tea is my tasty elixir.

I have lost 20 pounds...

The new jeans are feeling roomy and I am not wanting to buy more.

There has been a resurgence of chocolate...

slow moments of bliss as the chocolate melts on my tongue.

~ Dressing Room Selfie ~

at Alexa's lovely shop in the Oak Bay Village

a la mode consignment

Can one have too many denim shirts?

(I now have 3)

The 5 year old thrifted Old Navy shirt, the pale Gap shirt new from last year

and now this Eileen denim shirt from Frank & Eileen.

The neckline is lower...the shirt is distressed...

it can be worn as a layer overtop of a camisole for a feminine flair.

Plus it is "pearl friendly!"

Accessories continue to add interest in my wardrobe.

The bird of paradise brooch thrifted from Salt Spring Island.

~ Two  new to me leather belts ~

Ralph Lauren and a British Columbia Big Buckle Belt

Chloe fragrance an relatively new accessory that I am embracing.

Look at those dirty windows!

All the street work and winter wind storms have made a mess of our windows.

Now look at that hyacinth...it's a beauty.

oh and the fragrance...

Speaking of fragrance...

I've bought incense...the same incense that I burned when I was a teenager!

Surprised they still make it after all these years.

Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Bud vase 

(gift from darling daughter)

is in use as my holder until I can find a better option.

Reading The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

it's good so far and I am reading it slowly

my mind is not as focused as it usually is so I am re-reading sections.

I think I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I am going to be having major surgery and undergoing anesthetic...

there is the unknown pain factor post op which I am a little unsettled about too.

The strong prescription drugs are foreign to me so that is another issue altogether.

Basically 

trying to avoid these niggling thoughts and using as many distractions as possible 

to pass my days without obsessing about things which are unknown

things that i have no control over.

I need to have faith.

That's all for now...

not sure when I will post again?

I might not have lots to say as I plan to cocoon in February.

Thank you for stopping by...

Hope that you are staying sane

 not stressing too much about stuff that is beyond your control.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~