January...starting slowly

Easing into the New Year...

mulling over some goals and ideas

making a few intentions

not necessarily resolutions

confirming if they are reasonable, attainable and worth considering.

Have you made any resolutions for twenty twenty?

The view on my walk earlier this week on a beautiful sunny day.

December Hollyhocks in bloom on a street near the Humble Bungalow.

The eagle has landed!

There are frequently two bald eagles perched up in the tree...

On

New Years Day 

a few people walking past the tree 

stopped to look up and admire this majestic bird.

Speaking of looking up...

A Single Star 

made out of tin 

hangs above the sink in The Humble Bungalow.

Different from the 

Stars

 that sparkle and twinkle up above 

in the night sky.

Do you remember this poem about Stars from your childhood?

The rains have started and they'll be with us for awhile.

 Cenotaph near Cattle Point in the Uplands area of Victoria.

Glimpsed as we walked by on our morning walk.

I don't know any food more comforting 

except a bowl of soup on a cold rainy day.

 Homemade Tomato Soup

I roasted several pounds of fresh tomatoes 

diced onions 

5 cloves of minced garlic 

in a shallow pan with some olive oil 

 400 degree oven for 45 minutes

 I popped them all in a pot 

added a tetra pack of veggie stock

put it on to simmer.

Then I used the immersion blender to blend it all.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Currently reading The Rocks by Peter Nichols.

Going to pop the kettle on soon and brew a pot of tasty Murchies Chestnut Tea.

Will light the candle and read for a bit.

How is your New Year looking so far?

What are you reading?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

There's a thing about the Sea...

I was in grade 5 or 6 when I was asked by my teacher to memorize and recite a poem in front of the class...I think it was Mr. Miller...at Monterey School.
We called him "Killer Miller" I have no idea why!

The pressure was on as there was a short timeline, but Father had a book of poetry and he helped me choose a few and we whittled it down to this one...
because it "spoke to me."

Sea Fever

by John Masefield,

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

 

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; 

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

 

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

How was I to know at that age that the sea would play such a large part in my life?

I spent much of my teen years cruising on the sea and met my husband as a result of boating...

We married young and raised two children and bought a boat as soon as we could...we sailed the Gulf Islands and had many adventures.

The kids are grown up and we now have a smaller boat, 

a 27 foot Sea Ray Sun Dancer that I like to refer to as "the Go Fast"...

her real name is "Waterlust" named so as we have a lust for the sea.

I wonder if the call to the sea was meant to be?
Did my early yearnings lead me to this chapter in my life

or was it destiny?

Do you believe in destiny?

I've always been drawn to the sea.

Especially in times of joy and many times of despair...

weeping salty tears.

I love to walk along the seafront and to go beach combing

hopefully seeking 

while

searching for shells and beach glass.

Sea shells, white vintage ironstone, mirrors and candles...

a vignette that calms

and 

satisfies...

Candles are such a simple thing 

yet

I would not be happy if I did not have some in the house.

They add such ambiance...

not unlike 

 staring into the beach fire

or the Guy Fawkes bonfire

it stirs something deep within...

dare I say primordial?

Walking along the seafront offers up so many different views...

 light

 weather

colour

my mood can be altered in a matter of minutes...

Mother Natures's paintbrush is ever changing...

she can be moody

dark

stormy

uplifting

we are mere observers...

speaking of observing

and watching....

I have been watching The Crown on Netflix...

such a grand production with a stellar cast

I am savouring each and every episode.

Are you watching too?

I have been knitting...

and it just so happens that I have been knitting Crowns...

Yes dear reader, 

crowns for the grand children!

 Ravelry pattern in the royal spirit and free...

fun might be in the household of the children as they play Queen and King.

I received an email from a reader in the UK saying that she cannot leave any blog comments and I have checked all my settings and can find nothing amiss...

if you have had trouble commenting on my blog please send me an email.

I hope that all will be well.

Hope you have a great week...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Poppies and Remembrance Day...

To mark Remembrance Day and honour the veterans we visited the cemetery.
We slowly walked along the rows of graves in silence and read the stones...

Poppies are the symbol that we associate with Remembrance Day.

Listen to Leonard Cohen recite the Poem by John McCrae 

In Flanders Fields 

These poppies were painted by students at Central Middle School.

The students laid the stones on the graves joined by the sounds of bagpipes and drums played by 

The Royal Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipe and Drum Band.

Lest We Forget.