When I awoke on Tuesday morning I was so hoping for a sunny day so that I could get out in the garden and tackle the weeds and mow the lawn...the garden has gotten away from me in the time while we were away.
It was chilly and there was torrential rain...and the not so usual thunder and lightning!
A day to cocoon for some perhaps,
but I have decided to get busy inside and do some tidying and cleaning before, fingers crossed, a 10K walk.
When I feel a bit unsettled or disappointed I need to be active and be attending to some job or task that requires concentration. Distraction is a great mood changer.
On a cold stormy day like Tuesday after months of hot weather I was drawn to thoughts of sunshine...
those lazy days of summer, walking, pottering in the garden, summertime picnics...
Willows Beach has lovely white sandy shore and a long Esplanade to walk along.
The picnic tables in the park are a perfect spot to enjoy an al fresco dinner.
Tea is transported in several stainless steel thermoses and the food in simple plastic containers and zip loc bags.
Mother, my sister and I had several dinner picnics over the course of the season and Mother was especially keen. Our Father never cared for dining outdoors or eating off a TV table, he liked to be seated comfortably at the dining table with a proper place setting with linens so Mother deferred to his wishes...
Mom always respected Father's preferences and put her own on the back burner.
I think many women did in those days.
(you have to pick your battles)
I often wonder how different things might have been if she had insisted that they compromise on things.
Perhaps they would have parted their ways...who knows?
My sister and I were allowed to dine on Swanson TV dinners on the nights when Mom and Dad went out!
(we loved sitting in front of the TV eating)
Mom often packed us up wee hampers of sandwiches and juice so that we could toddle off to the local park and sit at a table and have a picnic of our own...
such an adventure and excitement for two sisters on their own a block away from home!
(Mom could go upstairs and look out the window and see us if she so desired!)
When Mother took us to the lake to swim while Father was at work we always enjoyed a picnic lunch on our towels amid the sun and sand...
(I recall gritty sandy sandwiches on occasion!)
she would remind us, like all the Mothers would,
that we needed to wait an hour before going back in the lake to swim.
That hour was the longest hour EVER.
Nothing in my picnic set matches...
I actually prefer to use a variety of patterns and pieces.
Call it whimsy or bad taste, whatever it is, I subscribe to it.
Cheap and cheerful silver plated flatware.
Lately I've been digging deep into the cupboards and storage areas of our basement
I've been busy stocking our shelf at Vanity Fair Antique Mall...
Darling daughter and I are selling some of our modernist pieces.
Modernist Teak, Jewelry, Danish and Finnish Glass, a variety of bits and bobs await.
The Robert Larin Cubist Smash brutalist bracelet in it's original box was the first item to sell...
perhaps the matching necklace will be next!
Guy Vidal a Canadian modernist jewelery designer crafted this pewter double shadow box pendant.
It's a statement piece that would look fabulous on a simple black dress or top.
The Tennesmed modernist pewter "alien" pin is for sale in the case.
I am keeping the baroque pearl and ebony one as I love it so very much.
If you visit Victoria and like antiques and collectibles, Vanity Fair is the largest Mall in town and is situated on Fort Street near Cook and they open at 10:00.
My messy make up tin has been wiped out and organized.
I do love order.
I keep my make up hidden from view.
I plan to slough on this polish...
then I'll wrap myself up in my cozy robe..
after a sugary scrub and a hot shower...
I've even shampooed my brushes...
It turned out to be a very productive day.
The post arrived while we were away...and in it was a parcel!
Jennifer L. Scott author of Lessons from Madame Chic and blogger at The Daily Connoisseur has sent me her advanced reading copy of her newest book and I am so honoured to be able to read it and tell you all about it in an upcoming post.
Thank you Jennifer.
What a lovely surprise!
Now it's time to put the kettle on for a delicious cup of tea and get my nose in a new book!
Thank you for stopping by our Humble Bungalow.
Be Well and Be Kind.
XO
