On the cusp of the Hospice Teeny Tiny Garden Tour....

 Dear Readers....

I have been totally immersed in preparing our Humble Bungalow Garden for the Annual Hospice Teeny Tiny Garden Tour...that is why I have not been posting.

It is for a good cause...

My husband and I have been devoting most of our waking hours to get ready for this upcoming garden tour. This is our first experience with a Garden Tour and we are doing it in memory of my beloved mom. She spent her last days in our local Hospice and the staff were amazing...kind and considerate and so supportive of all of us.

We heard that 650 tickets were sold!!!

I plan to give away one of my "mud pie" paintings...no need to donate but if you are on the tour please feel free to pop in a toonie...and enter the draw.

Good Luck !

I am feeling rather knackered tonight so will just add some photos...

Constance Spry Rose

Climbing Rose Graham Thomas

A struggling Limelight Hydrangea planted in a pot...

fingers crossed it gets better!

Green grass and a huge Hosta!!

Candlestick Primulas...

In the "new bed" last year we dug up and planted a new bed...

10 feet by 4 feet...

I dug it up when I had my broken ankle.

Dedicated gardeners might be able to relate..

NEEDS MUST :-))

Two chairs to sit in which I think we need to sit in soon...

I'd like a cold icy Gin and Tonic...

maybe on Monday

(after the tour?)

Back patio near the basement door...lots happening here...

so much more than meets the eye!

Lewissia

Red Geraniums

the hummingbirds love these.

They have been buzzing by us each day that we have been working in the garden.

Perhaps they are cheering us on?

So many roses here in The Humble Bungalow!

We counted 30 at one time but we recently lost a few so perhaps we have 25 now?

Sunday is the day...

Big green glass Italian bottle...hidden among the plants.

Do you think people will see it?

The potting table...

my "work" area.

Roses growing above the raised beds...

Don't poke your eye out when gardening...

pop a pot on top of the bamboo stake.

Clematis atop of the pride of London ground cover...

coral bells and to the left a day lily.

If you purchased tickets for this worthy event

and are coming to The Humble Bungalow Garden

PLEASE say hello...

I would like to meet you ALL!

My MOM would be so excited if she were still here...

Thank you to all the dedicated nurses and doctors who help us everyday.

Best to all of you and thank you for stopping by to read my post.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Entering my 70's...food, flowers and dare I say the T word?

 

Well it has been quite the week of celebrating...

lots of lunches, coffees, and dinners out.

I think that 70 is a very big number but I do feel grateful to still be here.

Zambri's was our first stop in the recent birthday dinners...

it is probably our favourite restaurant and we have been going there for 25 years.

We remember fondly their teeny tiny spot where they got their start...

the food is amazing, service perfect and the atmosphere is vibrant.

I started with a Ceasar Salad...

Followed by the Fresh Fish entree...

Our favourite dessert the passion fruit Panna Cotta.

This time it came with a candle...

at least there were not 70 candles!!!

My husband surprised me with these lovely freshwater pearl earrings.

We don't usually exchange gifts anymore,

 so I was curious and wondered what was in the wrapped box.

These are fun and can be worn with almost every outfit.

A new "classic" and I have worn them almost everyday since my birthday.

I love how they glow...such a pretty nacre.

Spring is making its way to Victoria in fine fashion...

the flowers are harbingers of the season.

Hellebores are often the first to bloom...

early January we see them sometimes 

even before the snowdrops.

This chartreuse Hellebore was a very thoughtful gift from my long time friends.

Thank you

XO

New from Lululemon...

Yoga mat carry strap, Yoga pants.

From the Ajna Studio a spiky ball for "rolling" my feet.

Helps wake up the feet and gives a massage as well.

The feet are more "in tune" to stability when one rolls their feet daily!

Since going back to Yoga I have noticed my stability is much better, 

my hip pain has decreased, I am sleeping better and I feel stronger.

The fall that I had, 

with the black eye and concussion 

were the instigators in returning to this practice.

I am grateful to my instructors and feel that I am heading on the right path.

Tulips were on sale at Peppers so I grabbed 4 bunches...

they add a pop of colour on these rainy days.

I attended a workshop 

in the studio of Pender Island Jewellery designer Charlene Hall.

She guided us through the steps required to create our own necklace.

Many steps are necessary, and new skills are learned.

Pearls of course!

Stars and a heart...which, in a happy "accident" became a "beating heart!"

I made the necklace a little longer so 

that I can opt to wear this with my Akoya strand of pearls...

this is my "no make up" rainy day workshop vibe.

How are you coping with the events that are unfolding in the world?

Here in Canada we are facing the "T" word

TARIFFS

an economic war that is being set in motion by the US President.

Our countries have always been friendly and we have family and friends living there.

If the tariffs go ahead both our countries will suffer.

It is definitely a very strange and surreal time...

Canadians are being encouraged to buy local, or made in Canada products.

Which is really what I try to do everyday.

I love the Farmers Markets and local women owned businesses...

I try to support them as much as possible.

The relationship that develops over time and it feels very genuine 

it reminds me of the way people shop in France.

Not everything I use is made in Canada...like my new washer and dryer.

My skincare line by Pamela Anderson's Sonsie company.

Prescription Medications...

and so much more.

It is raining cats and dogs here this morning...daylight saving time is here.

I've been up had my cups of coffee eaten some sourdough toast with cherry jam.

Think I will make a pot of chicken soup...

lay down on my Yoga mat and enjoy a quiet practice 

listening to the the raindrops as they fall...

70 is starting off with a BANG...

I've decided to seek out and participate in new and different activities...

the pendant workshop is the first of these explorations.

A Knitting/Yoga retreat on Salt Spring Island is in the works...

Maybe I will sleep in the yurt?

There are SO many ideas and opportunities for FUN...

choosing which ones to embrace and participate in is the challenge!

What new things are you doing?

Have you started a new Hobby? Or adopted a new Habit? 

Perhaps it is trying a new recipe, learning a new language, or planning a trip.

We are never to old to try something NEW.

To wear a new style, to take a course, to redecorate a space.

Even in the simple days we have choices...

to light a candle, to add some perfume, to buy some flowers,

 to plant some seeds and watch them grow.

Life is always an adventure...

there are UPS and DOWNS and we need to be prepared for the ride.

Put your Helmet on, and Fasten your seatbelts!

But remember...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hard work and Busy days...I have a garden to tend!

 

Can you see the reflection of the Arbutus Tree limbs in the birdbath?

We relocated the bath from the side yard to the newly installed brick patio...

The weedy small patch of grass out front never got any thicker despite our efforts

Over the years...

Underneath the tall tree next door our garden has changed from sunny to shady.

Fortunately Hostas LOVE shade and I LOVE Hostas.

Three black pots...

A globe shaped Boxwood, Brunnera, and some Black Mondo Grass.

We took several weeks to complete this project...

 most of the hard work was done by my husband

digging up the sod

leveling out the space

(I found the used bricks on Market Place)

Designing the pattern, 

laying the bricks and grouting them with sand 

was all done by Mr HB.

Our Climbing Royal Sunset Rose is looking fabulous!

This fragrant repeat blooming rose is a stunner.

It must be 30 years old give or take...

Strawberry Hill is a new rose in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

WOW her fragrance is sooooo lovely.

I had no idea that she would have such a rich deep complex scent...

There is never a DULL moment (or lull) here in the Garden...

~ Another Bee in My Bonnet ~

Getting rid of more grass

new bed for tall perennial flowers is under construction :-))

Three days of hard work and I am finished the prep.

Our grass is really quite tatty...clover and buttercups mostly.

The bees seem to enjoy those so we will keep a bit of the grass.

We are off to the Nursery today so will see what they have left...

I have a list of flowering plants on my wish list.

My favourite David Austin rose Jude the Obscure.

Another view of Climbing Royal Sunset.

Boscobel 

Fragrant frothy and fabulous.

Growing in a large pot on the gravel area out front.

 ~ Imogen ~

grown in a large pot also

OODLES of roses in bloom!

Gertrude Jekyll Rose 

bright fuschia pink

fragrant 

hardy

THORNY but we can forgive her that as she is a stalwart rose.

We have over 30 roses in our small city sized garden.

I cannot believe how many we have but it is all my doing...

very much an obsession as far as plants go.

If you are a passionate gardener I am pretty sure that you will have a favourite plant.

We smile and knowingly nod at each other when we pass at the garden centres.

Our trolleys are full and our wallets are empty when we leave...

happiness CAN quite possibly be bought at the garden shops :-))

Update :

My ankle bone...has been x-rayed again

the fistula" has still not calcified.

Darn it...

 Dr. says no aquafit unless it is deep water, laps and swimming is ok.

Weight training is ongoing 20 minutes each day for the arms.

~ Aging is not for Sissies ~

Do you like Alliums?

I LOVE them!

These are pretty much done their blooming...

they were bold purple and now are fading.

Still, they bring interest and a sculptural quality to the garden.

In the Fall I will be buying MASSES of them!

More is More when it comes to these gorgeous Bulbs!

Gardening has been taking most of my energy these past few weeks.

We attended the annual Hospice Fundraising Garden Tour on Sunday.

The TEENY TINY Garden Tour.

We saw about 12 gardens and gleaned a few ideas for our own.

It surprised me how many people had hot tubs in their gardens!

Oh how lovely it would be to soak in a hot tub

 after a long day working in the garden!

(We hope to be on the tour next year.)

I ordered some black Adirondack chairs

 to pop on the grass in the garden...

We forget to stop and sit, 

gaze out over the space that we have created and lovingly tend.

I plan to take more time to sit and appreciate our Humble Bungalow Garden.

(once my latest project is done)

I am immersed in this lovely book...

I read The Chilbury Ladies' Choir a few years ago and totally LOVED it.

This story is set in wartime when rationing is place and women are trying to be creative with the foods that area available.

Am going to reserve her other book The Spies Of Shilling Lane at the local library.

Well I suppose that I better get busy and make some lunch...

Hope you are keeping well and taking time to stop and smell the roses!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Healthy habits and something new...

 

~ Lily of The Valley ~

Muguet des Bois is the name in France...

its scent is intoxicating and heady.

We have masses of these plants in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

They seem to love the clay soil and multiply very fast.

I am enjoying picking small bouquets for the bathroom...

when I walk into the room the scent envelopes me.

Pure Bliss 

I've been dealing with some health challenges 

Not surprised to discover that I am not the most "patient" of patients!

My ankle injury is still an issue...

slowing me down when I want to be free to do as I please.

This morning I went for an x-ray...my doctor thinks I might have a fracture.

In other health news I got the results of my bone density test.

I had one in 2008 which showed osteopenia...

my latest one shows osteoporosis and I have one fractured vertebrae.

My doctor wants to put me on twice a year shots.

He told me they are generally well tolerated and seem to offer good results.

Will be having a chat with him next week...

~ OOTD ~

Pale Denim vintage shirt worn over top of a white linen Tank top

black Michael Kors pants.

I posted this on Instagram and Joanne suggested it was Coastal Grandmother Style!

We live in a coastal location and I am a Grammy to 3 lovely kiddos!

Happy to be wearing casual clothing when it suits me.

In the wake of this new information....I have been doing my own research.

Only choosing reputable websites.

I need to get way more calcium into my meals.

Also the health experts research indicates that older women need more protein.

Suggesting 30g of protein at each meal.

I've already started buying Siggi plain yogurt which has 19g of protein per serving.

I bought this one by mistake...

it is Vanilla and has more sugar and only 18g of protein than the plain.

I add 5 dried prunes 20 g calcium and that is my new go to breakfast.

I am going to be very mindful and add more protein and calcium with each meal.

Will also be adding a calcium supplement.

(need to check with my doctor on type of calcium and dose)

I already take a higher dose of vitamin D 

(doctor suggested this last year)

a daily multiple vitamin and a tablet of Magnesium.

Enough of that health stuff... 

Let's move onto something NEW.

I've discovered a new tool...

Rose Quartz facial roller.

Use on a freshly washed face ~ add some serum 

gently roll from the inner to outer areas of the face.

Smaller roller is good for the eye area...

(roll from nose upwards and outwards)

Helps to reduce puffiness and encourage lymphatic drainage.

~ Very relaxing ~

My face feels like I have been to the Spa for a facial and it only takes a few minutes.

These rollers have been around for ages 

I never tried one until I read how good they were for the face.

Besides a little pampering is always a good thing :-))

My local Oak Bay Pharmasave have them in stock.

I surprised myself with this meal...

I needed something fast and when my husband was outside in the garden 

he discovered that there were some asparagus stalks ready to harvest and some radishes ready to be picked.

I had no lettuce! 

Made a salad of celery leaves, cucumber slices and thinly sliced radishes.

~ Creamy Pasta ~

Boiled up some dried pasta noodles.

Sauteed sliced asparagus

(I would have used some grated lemon rind and juice if I had a lemon)

in a couple of tablespoons of butter

added 1/2 tsp freshly grated pepper

 added 1 cup grated parmigiana reggiano

1/2 cup of pasta water

stir well to melt cheese and combine.

Then add the noodles and serve!

~ Bon Appetit ~

Auricula Primulas are blooming!

These wee plants are perhaps a CULT plant in the UK.

I discovered them a few years ago and have been growing different varieties.

They are such a sweet and cheerful flower.

Do you have any health challenges?

Osteoporosis?

Life feels very much like a balancing act as I age.

(I am only 69)

Positivity, Optimism and Gratitude are attitudes I embrace.

 They continue to prevail as I navigate 

aging as gracefully as possible.

Seeking JOY everyday is something I intentionally do.

It makes such a difference especially if one is in pain.

Hope that you are well and enjoying life as much as possible.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~