September...and it Feels like Fall

Photo of The Hostess by my friend Laurette.

We had a wee dinner party last weekend at Quarterdeck Cottage.

Two couples joined us...

one couple sailed over in their boat and the other couple bunked in with us at the cottage.

On the menu:

Wontons stuffed with crab (Julie's creation)

Fresh grown heirloom tomatoes with balsamic crema.

Ina Gartens Parmesan Chicken served over a bed of arugula.

Baby new potatoes roasted 

Chocolate Mousse with fresh raspberries.

We had a sad thing happen in our family.

My SIL passed away quite suddenly.

I heard that she was not doing well and that my husband's nephew was driving up from Oregon.

I kept in touch via text and he told me they were getting her to the hospital asap.

As soon as she had a bed I picked a bunch of roses and took them out and had a visit.

We had a great chat, I held her hand and we were laughing...

I thought that she would get the help she needed and be back home soon.

That was Thursday afternoon.

We got a call Saturday night and she had passed away from

Congestive Heart Failure.

We have wonderful friends...

Found a pottery shard on the beach...

it goes with the blue and white ironstone that I have at the cottage.

~ Beach Vibes ~

We had some foggy and rainy days but the rest of the week was sunny.

The air felt cooler and there was a Feel of Fall.

A pair of "new to me" mugs from Good Things in Oak Bay.

I knit a bunch this week...

I found it very therapeutic as I was still trying to process the death.

The shawl is called Easy Goes It...I made it in pink last winter.

To lose a loved one is hard...even when they have lived a good long life.

Thank goodness I got to see her before she passed away...

I will hold that visit close to my heart.

A precious memory and a true life gift.

My Sea Glass necklace designed and made by Charlene Hall is getting lots of wear!

I never tire of searching for Sea Glass...

The sunsets were so beautiful.

The mauve shades were quite spectacular...

I enlarged this photo to see what boat this might be...

I thought at first it might be Holland America.

Turns out it is a different cruise line altogether...

I must be waiting to get some repairs or maintenance at a local shipyard.

Pender has freighters that anchor in the bays but this is a rather unusual sight.

Home today and am tackling the laundry and made Pasta Carbonara for dinner.

Very comforting...

We have a few things to tend to this week.

The painters will be here refreshing the front porch and fascia boards.

I'm going to be making soup for a friend who has cancer and is starting chemotherapy.

Hope that I will be back at the pool.

Aqua Fit classes are up and running and the pool has been refurbished.

Other than that,

 I have some dead heading to do on the roses and the apples look ready to pick. 

My husband will be bringing in a harvest of tomatoes for me to freeze.

What are you up to?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cottage week...Retail and water therapy

I have been thinking about a lot of things this week.

Spending quiet time here at Quarterdeck Cottage is conducive to reflection.

The beautiful scenery fills me with immense gratitude.

Gratitude to be alive and be a witness to this natural majestic beauty.

Beach walks and Sea Glass Collecting go hand~in~hand.

My first marble found in a gorgeous turquoise blue!

I felt quite excited by this discovery...

 a small snippet of Joy.

It's the little things in my daily round that make the most difference.

I wonder if I appreciate these so much more now that I am older?

Years ago I never would have dreamed about the feeling of Joy 

that finding a marble would bring to me.

The pool has been a godsend this week.

I've been "taking to the waters."

My achy and painful joints are responding positively to water therapy.

Moving without stress on my joints while getting exercise is wonderful!

I know now that I need to find a pool at home.

I will probably return to the Athletic Club in the hotel

where I swam when I worked in James Bay.

They have a lovely pool and a hot tub...

offer daytime Aqua Fit Classes

which I can easily add to my schedule.

My 68 year old body is far from a svelte youthful form!

The bathing suit is called a Miracle Suit...

it is comfy and keeps the jiggly bits from flapping too much!

Did you see Martha Stewart on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition?

She's 81 and looks so amazing!

I bet she had lots of fun on the photo shoot.

She's looking better and better these days.

Her skin is radiant and she looks very vibrant and healthy.

Sunshine in the morning makes me feel so happy.

Mornings would not be the same for me without a couple of tasty cups of coffee.

I do love my coffee.

Funny thing is, years ago, I drank tea in the morning...

I make time to savour the mornings.

Starting slowly

Check my socials online, play a few words games, 

perhaps read a chapter or two in my current book.

Think a bit as I gaze around the room...

When I feel ready I

do a quick tidy up in the kitchen

maybe pop a load of laundry in the wash

then I shower and get dressed for the day.

Maybe that's boring for you to read but it was an interesting exercise for me to think about what it is that I do in the morning that takes so long!!

I've been wearing my bangles more...

I took them out and gave them a good old polish.

Most of these are gifts...

from

mom, my husband, and my darling daughter.

A couple I found at thrift shops.

I popped into the local boutique here on the island.

I usually check out their new stock when they are open.

Well dear reader, it proved fruitful when I was there this week!

Not only did I have a pedicure but I found some comfy sandals.

I do love bows...

I have another pair of shoes by Bueno

they are unbelievably comfortable to wear.

These new "slides" are soft and cozy on my feet.

I haven't had a pair of white shoes in any form for many many years!

I always think white shoes are for car salesmen...

why I think that I haven't the foggiest?

So this casual top caught my eye 

and it wasn't until I tried it on that I knew it had to come home with me!

I have a soft linen skirt in a blue shade that I can pair this with as well as my jeans.

The white jeans have not made their debut yet this season...

they hang waiting in the closet...

now that there are white sandals and this cute top I think it's time.

What are you wearing this season?

Have you found anything new and exciting?

Fashion is fun and I am enjoying shopping more these days.

I think that Covid curtailed a lot of my creativity

especially with views of expanding my basic wardrobe.

As a minimalist, I don't tend to go crazy at the shops

if money and space were no issue who knows what I might be like in a shop?

Would I be rather keen and amass a huge pile at the checkout?

( Have you ever done that?)

I watched movies as a young teen where women need a helper to carry all the boxes and bags after shopping.

Those stores would be situated on an elegant avenue in Paris or New York.

I cannot recall the names of those films but they were rather fun to watch!

Well I have rambled on a bit long

more tidbits and thoughts than I had originally planned...

Oh and just before I close 

Have you been watching the coverage of  The Chelsea Garden Show?

I am totally smitten with the plants and show gardens.

It would be fun to attend in person and wander in The Grand Hall.

Have you ever attended the show?

Thank for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cold weather, a Thrifty Chicken Veggie Soup Recipe, and knitting at the cottage.

 

We are at the cottage and awoke to snow dusting the stairs...

It coated the ground which reminded me of icing sugar...

then I thought of cookies :-))

We purchased a wee tree for the cottage and chose small fairy lights in white.

It looks best when the lights are dimmed or turned off but we felt the need to add some festive cheer, it is December after all.

With this cold I decided to make a chicken veggie soup.

It was full of flavour and was a warm and cozy choice for the cold day.

Thrifty Chicken Soup

I used a roast chicken carcass.

Pick off the bigger chunks of meat and set them aside in the fridge.

In a soup pot I added the carcass and just covered the bones with water.

Boil then simmer for about an hour.

Take out bones and set them aside to cool.

Put the rich stock into a large container.

Pick off any more meat from the bones and add to the stock, discard the bones.

Saute one large diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery in oil until soft.

Add the meat from the fridge and the stock to the pot

2 diced carrots, some sliced greens 

(I used bok choy)

Cook about 45 minutes until carrots are soft

salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

It is very tasty and is so warming on a cold snowy day.

The sun was shining and we bundled up for a cold weather walk.

The air was crisp and so refreshing.

Little birds skitting about pecking for morsels of food...

Gulls soaring in the sky.

Soon the birds will be nibbling these red berries and rose hips...

December is a truly beautiful time to visit the cottage.

It is quite peaceful so we sleep deeply and feel relaxed when we wake up.

We are so fortunate to be able to come and do not take our time here for granted.

It is a precious gift.

We have been reading our books and I've been knitting on my vest 

which is getting very close to being finished.

I needed to buy some new locking stitch markers

 so I went to The Beehive before we left town.

 

Wouldn't you know it! I spied a lovely blue variegated yarn by Berocco.

Wool shops are rather lethal for me...chocolate, tea and book shops are trouble!

I rarely leave with empty hands.

This pattern is my next project.

Are you a knitter?

What do you love to make?

Hope that you are warm and cozy and enjoying the beginning of December.

I think it is going to get busy with baking and shopping and wrapping!

(with time set aside for knitting and reading)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

October 31st ~ Snippets and tidbits

Spider webs adorn the Humble Bungalow Garden.

They are woven throughout and one needs to be mindful when walking :-((

Our zinc planter has some new plants...

the geraniums had faded and were getting leggy 

so I zipped off to the garden centre and grabbed these foliage plants.

Black Mondo Grass and Dusty Miller.

~ Jude the Obscure ~

These may quite possibly be the last roses of the season that we bring inside.

The garden is settling into a long winter slumber...

I have candles at the ready...

they add fragrance and much needed warmth and a cozy ambiance.

I have looked at many many shops for boots...

thought that I was destined to have wet feet

until 

I spied these serious rain boots at Mouats on Salt Spring Island.

~ Tretorn ~

I bought some thick socks to wear with them and they are so comfy!

I have been wearing them this past weekend on Pender.

The thrifted (repaired) backpack made its first voyage on the ferry to the cottage!

This is an excellent book...

it centres around an interesting character and flashes back to the Japanese internment.

Set in BC and Ontario

written by a very talented author.

I read her book Deafening years ago and enjoyed it,

 so when I saw this title and read the jacket cover I knew I needed to read it.

I also went to the bookstore and found several books!

I am amassing another small book stack 

after "almost" catching up on all my reading :-))

There was an atmospheric river weather warning for the weekend...

I was prepared for a power outage but I think we must have been spared.

The views from the cottage this morning.

The activities here this week are centred around relaxation, 

punctuated with scenic walks, reading and knitting.

When we arrived on Friday I popped into the Thrift Shop.

It is only open on Fridays now...

I bought this wee sugar bowl (missing the lid) for $1

I decided to pick some rosemary and add it to our tablescape.

Blue and White are a classic pairing and seem to mingle nicely with the cottage decor.

We walked along the Home Farm Trail and saw the Halloween Display...

lots of scary scenes

goblins, ghouls, ghosts, skeletons, witches...

will put together a wee post for my Instagram.

Have a safe and Fun Halloween.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ Summertime ~ Linen Dress

Beach Walk a week ago in Oak Bay on a hot summer day.

Wearing an Italian linen dress with capri tights.

Thankful for my sunhat, sunglasses

 the

COOL sea breezes blowing across the sand

while I peruse the beach for treasure.

I found a smooth white rock, very much like an egg...

a simple find but it begged to be picked up!

A handful of sea glass.

Behold the 4 jars full...

Working on filling up Jar 5 and I am well on my way!

The dress is a super simple style

loose and easy to wear in the heat.

Pearls accessorize and elevate the dress and sweater.

Pearls are the ultimate gift from the Sea.

My newest project...

Knitting pattern for the Miriam Sweater is available on Ravelry.

Rowan Felted Tweed Yarn is a dream to work with on any project.

I LOVE the softness of this yarn.

The Beehive Shop in Victoria is my go to yarn and knitting spot.

The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful.

Started knitting the Miriam sweater a few days ago...

a quiet few days at Quarterdeck Cottage and I am indulging in some knit time.

PURE BLISS

The weather hasn't been overly hot and we're enjoying a slow rhythm to our days.

Having an engaging project is wonderful 

when we are not swimming in the pool

or out walking.

Took advantage of the sunshine yesterday and knit 

while watching the pleasure craft

boats and ferries as they made their way across The Salish Sea.

Holiday time is perfect for relaxing and engaging in activities that one enjoys.

I would never spend as many hours knitting if I was home...

the household and garden duties and chores would keep me busy!

Lovely beach vibe bowls from our friends...

perfect for the cottage!

We celebrated our 48th anniversary on July 20th.

I made a simple penne pasta dish with a gorgonzola cream sauce and freshly shucked English Peas from the Humble Bungalow Garden.

Penne Pasta with Gorgonzola and Peas 

Melt several tablespoons of butter in a shallow pan 

add a couple of cloves of chopped garlic and some red pepper flakes

cook gently.

Whisk in a few tablespoons of flour add a 1/3 cup of cream.

Keep whisking then add crumbled gorgonzola and simmer until melted

then keep warm on low.

Meanwhile...

Put a large pot on to boil

When the water is boiling add the penne pasta and cook until al dente.

Drain

add sauce to pasta and stir to coat.

Grate some fresh pepper on top and serve.

I've had an extraordinary amount of SPAM here on the blog.

Really it has come out of the blue and I cannot for the life of me figure out why?

Comments have been streamlined to not allow Unknown accounts to respond.

Anyone with a legitimate google account can leave a comment.

Hopefully this will stop the crazed spam artists and robots 

who seem to have nothing better to do than to invade a rather calm and gentle place.

If you are unable to leave a comment and want to connect with me 

please send me an email, the address is on the blog at the left hand side.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you are making the most of the season wherever you are.

Be Back Soon!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~