Showing posts with label quarterdeckcottage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quarterdeckcottage. Show all posts

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Thanksgiving...and catch up from The Humble Bungalow.

 


It has taken me a few weeks to get back to blogging...
Not sure why?

 I am here now and am sharing lots of pictures and snippets.
Make yourself a cuppa and join me.

As you can see...
the Hydrangeas are getting crispy!
Time to make a wreath for the front door.


I have a grapevine wreath that I keep for seasonal use.
I just popped a few hydrangeas into the vine and hung it on the door.
It is simple and I quite like the effect.
No fussing required!

I've been busy lately!
Am back at aqua fit classes now that the pool has re-opened.

My arthritis in my hip flared up last week...
I think it was all the tomatoes that I have been eating...
apparently they are high in uric acid and that is a trigger for arthritic pain.

I took a day off and rested.


Fortunately I had a great book to read and the cats kept me company!
I found this Pulitzer Prize winner a difficult book to read 
 I am so glad that I persevered...
it really is an exceptional book, so well written.


I picked some of the Money Plant from the garden
saved the seeds, them popped them into the mosaic vase.
My mom grew these plants and used to do the same thing.


They are paper thin and I like how they glow in the sunlight.


We are enjoying the sunny Fall Days...
I have swapped out my summer wardrobe for the Fall and Winter clothes.


I found this cozy grey sweater dress at the thrift shop.
It doesn't have much "hanger" appeal here, it is much better on!
It is going to be my "go to" dress to wear on a cold day.

I have black capri tights and will wear them under the dress for added warmth 
paired with my Black Chelsea Boots.


My friend Wendie is loaning me her Ruth Galloway series of mystery books.
I am on book number 4 and am loving the stories.

Like Louise Penny, she has many of the same characters, and they develop over time.
 So you should start at the first book and read them in order.

Elly Griffiths has another series that I am planning to read after I finish this series.

What are you reading? 
Do you like mystery novels?


Iphone photo capturing the intense light at sunset a couple of nights ago.
Many people posted similar pictures on their Instagram Pages.
It felt surreal seeing this bold light...


The roses are fading in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
Margaret Merrill is a new rose here in the garden.
I found her at the Demitasse Garden Centre in Oak Bay.
She looks healthy and her subtle fragrance is lovely.


I love comfort food in the Fall and Winter.
I searched on google for cottage pie recipes and found this one 
on the BBC Good Food site.

Was very delicious and made enough for a hungry family.


Lots of ferry and boat traffic at the cottage...


Feeling grateful...
for
Sunshine this Thanksgiving weekend.

Cooking a small turkey with stuffing and oodles of seasonal root veggies.
Gravy and cranberry sauce.
Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream.

Looking forward to turkey sandwiches on soft White Bread :-))

Perhaps I will make soup?


Pasta dinner

I sauteed leftover diced Ham, fresh asparagus, and mushrooms.
Then added a jar of Alfredo sauce.
Served on top of spaghetti with grated parmigana reggiano cheese.


My (new to me) textured charcoal grey tunic top is getting lots of wear.

I am really enjoying the cooler Fall weather and am keeping busy.
What are you up to these days?


Jude The Obscure


Late into the rose season the petals fall when picked...
the fragrance is rich and heady.
The  $2 vintage silver jug looks so much better now that I have polished it!


Seriously colourful sky...
great views over The Salish Sea.


A wee treasure found at the recycle store...
for our darling daughter who collects these Nagel stackable mid century candle holders.

Well I must close for now and get started on the Thanksgiving Feast!
Thank you for your kind messages on the passing of my SIL.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Sunday, June 2, 2024

Hello June !

 


Welcome June...
We spent the past week at the cottage.

Beautiful scenery...a surprising mix of weather...Sun, Rain and HAIL !


Our favourite sailboat went out for a brisk sail...
quite a few sailboats took advantage of the gusty winds.

There was a sailpast ceremony for a recently passed member of the Pipe Band.
A bag piper was on the point and all sailors dipped their flags as they passed...
I love the sound of bagpipes.

We went to the Legion for the Saturday night meat draw...
met some nice people and won some snapper!
(not meat but FISH! and a $100 gift card at the local grocery store)


We sat on the deck when the weather was nice...


watched the ferries as they cruised past the cottage.


Observed the cloud formations...

Swam in the refurbished pool. 
It is now a "salt water" pool but it isn't "sea water."
Much more eco friendly and we felt much more boyant!


I am embracing the colours of blue and white at the cottage.
Vintage blue and white ironstone and yellow flowers are a great pairing.


I found this crinkle shirt at the thrift shop...
$3.00
I seriously cannot believe the prices!


I found 2 pound weights!!
$2.00
So excited as my recent diagnosis with osteoporosis recommends weight training...
Found a seated chair routine with Lauren ~ Senior Fitness on YouTube.

The session is 10 minutes so I do it twice.

Hopefully I will have more toned arms for summer sleeveless tops and dresses.
But most important I will be building BONE.


Greek style yogurt...high protein and rich in calcium no added sugar.
Read Mireille's book French Women Don't Get Fat again...
I have gained weight since I broke my ankle.
Inactivity is the culprit and maybe some naughty mood lifting eating :-))


There was a French Theme in my book choices this week...

Read this book written by David Lebovitz...
I have read several of his books.

He documents his Paris apartment purchase and the extensive renovations...
definitely not an easy thing for an Anglophile!


Found this one in a wee library kiosk...
read one of Janine Marsh's books before and enjoyed it...
am not quite finished but her stories of village life are very vivid and funny!


One of our feasts...

Marinated Pork tenderloin on the BBQ
roasted zucchini, peppers and carrots
half a baked potato with sour cream and bacon bits.

Marinate a pork tenderloin in a glass bowl

~ Marinade ~
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soya sauce (I use Braggs)
1 clove chopped garlic
3 tbsp. honey Dijon mustard
salt and pepper

Marinate for at least 2 hours.
Heat grill on BBQ
cook until no longer pink
slice on the diagonal

Enjoy!

When we got home...


We were surprised to see my husband's latest project in full bloom!
He dug up all the grass on the boulevard...
planted a lawn alternative and VOILA!

The pollinators LOVE IT!!


OUR 
Climbing Royal Sunset Rose is in bloom.
This rose is so fragrant and repeat blooms all through the summer.

I love the orange shade...

We had a really rainy day today...
we stayed pretty close to home as our elder cat Pepper is unwell.


She has been diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis.
She is on pain medication and staying pretty quiet.

Her appetite is great so that is very encouraging.
Poor Girl...

Quite stressful for us adults...
if you are a pet owner you will know this feeling.


Baked my sourdough boule today...
such a rewarding and healthy habit.

Easy too...it sounds daunting 
once you have made one boule you will be a PRO!

Do you bake sourdough?
Do you know that it is lower in gluten, 
is easier to digest and has amazing probiotics?

Well that about wraps up our news...


Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

I will close for now...
we are going to watch some Acorn TV Mystery shows.

Stress can make us want to seek solace and escape...
English Murder Mysteries are just what we need tonight!!!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Monday, April 29, 2024

Rosemarie arrives...fun ensues...and then a few tidbits.

 


Meet Rosemarie!
She lives in Vancouver and we are friends.
On any given week we will email several times and catch up with what we are doing.
Rosemarie is active, has a vibrant personality, is gregarious,
an adventurous traveller, kind and giving.

We have met up in Victoria several times for lunch and teas.
 Both of us love gardens, gardening and enjoy visiting gardens.

I invited Rosemarie to tour our Humble Bungalow Garden.
Then I asked if she wanted to peek inside our home.


We drove around the waterfront and stopped in at The Oak Bay Native Plant Garden.
The garden is tended by volunteers and is an oasis of calm and beauty.


Trilliums blooming...


Several different trilliums were dotted about in the lush space.


Checker Lily a Frittilaria 


The sound of water had us looking for the source
a  brook or a creek was nearby
such a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the natural beauty.

We met up with a couple who were visiting from Oakville Ontario.
Alix Scott and her husband...
Alix knows Ellen...
a woman who went to Oak Bay High School with me...
who I recently met up with at our 50th reunion.
(Hi Alix ~ Hi Ellen)
Apparently they both follow and read my blog!

Rosemarie and I continued on our scenic waterfront drive...
we stopped again at The Esplanade at Willows Beach.


Rosemarie collects cans and bottles and takes them to the depot
 exchanges
 them for cash 
which she sends to her cousin who has an animal shelter up island.
The shelter is called Misfit Meadow Sanctuary in Ladysmith.
You can read all about them on Facebook.

If you want to donate to them I am sure that Rosemarie would be THRILLED!
Tell them you read about it on my blog!!!
Let's see if we can help all those animals like Rosemarie does :-))


She tells me she usually sends about $100 a month.
The shelter needs the money for food to feed the rescued animals.


I bought a chicken on sale and wanted to find a new recipe...
I searched on line and found this one.
The site is Simply Delicious by Alida Ryder


Mr. HB and I love East Indian cuisine so this one caught my eye.
I had all the spices on hand and I got busy mixing up the rub and I marinated the roaster a few hours before cooking.

The results were delicious!


Jeanne on Instagram mentioned this book to me a few months ago.
It has been on my radar ever since,
so when I spied it at the thrift shop I knew I would buy it!

I read it in 2 days...loved it!
Thank you Jeanne 2707


Vintage Mustard Yellow Beret matches the yellow chrysanthemums.

I was washing dishes and gazing out at the gorgeous sea views...
when this combo caught my eye 


~ Cheap and cheerful ~


Weather Report
yesterday was super windy with rain.
This morning we awoke to glorious sunshine!
What a Gift!


Speaking of gifts...
I received this new book for my birthday from my BFF.
I am going to pop the kettle on and brew a pot of tea and start the book.
Thank you Suzanne.
XO


Hope your week is off to a great start...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~