Simple, slow living....

 

~ Candle burning in a thrifted silver dish ~

Watching the flame...

the pool of wax softening

the scent of beeswax wafting in the air.

I've been overwhelmed by all your comments.

Slow living and quiet times seem to resonate with many of you.

I had been thinking of my daily routines as simple and not worthy of recording...

sharing them felt somewhat insignificant 

it even crossed my mind that they were dull.

Not dull to me, because they uplift me, but perhaps readers find them of no interest.

We are living in a fast world full of chaos and change...

my recipe for calm and peace is to embrace the small simple Joys.

Go outside and breathe in the fresh air and simply walk.

I posted these two roses floating in the birdbath on my Instagram page...

can you see the reflection of the arbutus tree limbs?

This vast tree is in our neighbour's garden and it has grown so large 

that it has turned our front yard into a shade garden.

We now grown mostly Hostas and shade loving plants in the beds.

We need to adapt and change...

Having lost weight over the past 9 months means that the bulk of my carefully curated wardrobe no longer fits me.

I lost the weight after my surgeon advised me that my intense hip pain would be reduced if I shed a few pounds.

So I took action and cut many starchy carbs, quit drinking alcohol,

avoided fried foods, chips and salty snacks.

Focused on lots of veggies and lean protein.

25 pounds lost ~ I am culling my wardrobe...

consigning many quality items and donating the rest.

I have SO MANY empty hangers!

I'm carefully buying a few new pieces...

and wearing these basics on repeat.

Reading is one of my favourite hobbies!

Book found in a wee free library...

morning coffee and my candles.

~ Garden roses ~

Gifts from the garden

soft, frilly frothy petals and oh so fragrant.

Thank you for those of you who have expressed an interest 

staying with me on this slow and simple journey.

I'm planning to continue these wee posts...

and 

will be posting when my creative spirit 

is feeling like sharing.

In the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

~ The Humble Bungalow ~

June ~ Flowers and more...

 

~ David Austin Rose ~

Climbing Graham Thomas

a fragrant and prolific repeat blooming rose.

It's a RIOT of Yellow blooms and the bees love it.

I have been busy with my new exercises and daily walks.

It's surprising how fast the days pass by...

home keeping, cooking, gardening.

My tea and book breaks several times a day

I seem to be busier than usual.

I have almost forgotten about blogging.

Today I finally answered the questions from my last post in May.

Roses are so beautiful right now...

the branches and stems are having a hard time holding up all the blooms!

I go out most days for a few minutes with my secateurs and snip off spent blooms, remove the black spotted leaves and as a wee reward pick a few roses to bring inside.

My "Work Station."

Always 

at or near the sink.

The hard working tools at the ready...

The kitchen is the heart of our home.

Most of my time is spent in the kitchen prepping meals and cleaning up.

I sit at the trestle table to write my blog posts.

Darling daughter helped facilitate a purchase this week...

she has an Etsy shop and is always out and about looking for treasures.

I mentioned at least a year ago to her 

that I was wanting a vintage or antique gold watch chain...

I had seen some in a local second hand shop that were lovely but far too expensive.

Since having my surgery, a friend suggested that I buy myself a treat,

 to "mark" the hip replacement event.

It got me thinking and well the stars aligned and Jennifer found me an antique Albert Chain in 9ct rose gold...

(rose gold is perfect for a rose grower!!)

Thank you Jen

XO

Did you watch any of the Chelsea Garden Show coverage on You Tube?

My goodness it was fun...I can only imagine being there.

Our peonies put on a great showing this year.

Lovely frothy petals...we have 2 different peony plants.

I could not bring myself to pick any as they looked so stunning in the beds.

I just finished reading Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale.

It was definitely dystopian...

the book was well written (of course) 

it felt plausible, 

perhaps even possible considering the times that we are living in...

On Sunday I purchased the sequel The Testaments.

I'll read that after I read a few other books in my book stack.

What are you reading?

Well I had better close for now and get some dinner organized.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how you are getting along.

In the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

May Daze...snapshots and snippets

 

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow.

There's not too much news here...

Still in recovery from my hip replacement and have not been away.

Life is moving quite slowly

but I'm feeling positive and content to be a homebody.

There are always things to do here...

mostly home keeping jobs.

The kettle is often boiling and there's fresh tea in the pot.

Good books at the ready and a cat that loves attention.

I've been enjoying watching You Tube Videos.

So many great people out there that are sharing their homes, gardens and hobbies.

Do you have any favourite You Tube Accounts?

~ Japanese Peony ~

Seen on one of my walks...

At Government House in The Rockland area of Victoria.

Gorgeous details and a pristine white bowl of petals.

Government House Gardens are open to the public most of the year.

The gardens are a mix of Garry Oak meadows, large areas of lawn, rocky outcroppings and perennial borders.

Several ponds with ducks, a rose garden and a fountain. 

Quite a few benches are available to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

 Spectacular views of The Olympic Mountains 

across the Strait to Washington, USA.

Native plants and rock and alpine plants have there place here too...

A small museum of vintage clothing is located in the Mews where

there is a charming tea room.

Volunteers help take care of the grounds and there are plant sales during the year.

I like to visit several times each year to see what is blooming.

If you visit Victoria or live closeby this is a great spot for a walk or a picnic.

I snapped a picture of this peony just as I was leaving...

I found this antique platter at Ross Bay Villa's Saturday sale.

I was drawn to the black and white colours and the mottled age of the piece.

I popped this on our arts and crafts wooden shelf in the bathroom.

The sun has been out for a few days and we have been enjoying the warmer weather.

Warm enough for a soft ice cream cone treat!

Chester is loving this warm sunny spot.

He's been finding sunny patches to have a nap in most days...

I'd love to be able to nap like a cat.

I've been bringing out some of my summer clothes...

I love the details on the sleeves of this white linen shirt.

It's a versatile piece...can be worn as a jacket or a simple shirt.

My new denim jacket..by Angels from Marshall's.

I looked at thrift and consignment shops for several weeks but had no luck so I decided to go look at Marshall's and found one for under $40.

The silk scarf is by local artist and crafter Lise Lotte Design.

She has the scarves for sale on her website in 2 sizes...I opted for the smaller one.

It's light and lovely and has a beautiful pattern on it 

she made this using a technique called cyanotype

that harnesses the power of the sun!

Do you watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on TV?

I've seen a few and was delighted when I found a new book.

I love the details, the era that the stories are set in and the opulent fashions.

Am halfway through the book and enjoying the story...

I now can see why the books are so popular.

Have you ever tried to monitor your portions by using a smaller plate or bowl?

This is one of the tricks that I am using to help me from overeating.

My lunch 5 out of 7 days 

is high protein Greek Yogurt, fresh fruit and chopped walnuts.

I vary the fruit so that I am not bored.

I actually feel like I am eating dessert when I eat this lunch...

and it keeps me satisfied until dinner time.

~ Pasta ~

my husbands' favourite food.

To make it satisfying I usually serve it with a salad.

I have 1 cup of noodles and 1 cup of sauce.

The sauce recipe is pretty basic...

1 diced onion

1-2 cloves of garlic minced

2 stalks celery diced

several sliced mushrooms

saute in olive oil on medium heat until soft

stirring often.

Add sliced Italian sausages

(they look like meat balls)

saute until cooked.

Add 1 large large can of minced or chopped tomatoes.

(San Marzano are very flavourful)

salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and dried oregano

(all to your taste)

Simmer for an hour and serve over top of any pasta.

Native Camas is in bloom.

Many Local Victoria Parks have these plants growing...

Beacon Hill, Playfair and Uplands Parks

Lovely spots to walk and enjoy nature at its best.

Wee auricula from the plant sale table at Ross Bay Villa.

Love love love these darling flowers :-))

I am trying to get in as many steps as I can to build my muscles up.

 It is taking a longer time to get my speed back.

As a result I'm feeling stiff and have just purchased a big bag of epsom salts!!

A soak in the tub is on my radar...

Hope that things are going well for you.

Well it's your turn now...

perhaps you can share what you are up to, what you are reading 

or watching on You Tube?

Until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January ~ Chit Chat Catch Up & Thrifted Wardrobe Basics

 

~ Rose ~

Pope John Paul ll

Blooming in the Humble Bungalow mid January!

There are about a dozen buds ~ the weather is incredibly wet, but temps are mild.

If we get a freeze many many plants will be hit hard and not all will survive...

Fingers crossed that we don't lose many like we did a few years ago.

In my ongoing attempt to avoid carbs...
 I made meatballs in sauce and served them with a green salad.

They were delicious and I didn't miss the pasta.

I've been watching a variety of videos on You Tube about French Fashion...

Turns out that Blazers are a "Thing" and I haven't owned one for decades!

Well, I must confess that the power of persuasion is VERY real

 So I started my search...

In second hand and thrift stores...tried on many different types.

Plaids, tweeds, denim, boiled wool, canvas, knits...

None worked until I went to the Turnabout Luxury Resale store...

I had just finished a Yoga class across the street

spent time chatting and catching up with a former colleague 

and thought I would Pop In.

The blazer is black, was marked down, I tried it on, and that was it...

Reading a lovely book set in Cornwall...

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase.

Eve wrote The Wilding Sisters which I also have in my TBR pile.

I'm enjoying the story and loving the large manor house and gardens...

can totally visualize the scenery and the dilapidation of the old house.

The author has a way with words, 

so vivid that it makes the reader feel they are right there!

One of the recent rainy afternoons I felt like baking...

I perused some old cookbooks and came across the recipe for Lazy Daisy Cake.

Have you ever made it?

All the ingredients were available in my pantry cupboard and fridge so away we go...

back to the 1970's

It was yummy

(cake = carbs)

I gained 9 ounces over a few days and a couple of pieces...

well in all honesty

it could have been the fact that I haven't walked much due to the rain.

I am trying to walk at the mall out of the weather and the floors are even...

so not many hazards except shopping!!!

Wooly Cozy Green sweater...

thrifted in Sidney

Accessorized with my thrifted vintage brooch.

Found it on Salt Spring Island last year.

Sparkles in the sunshine.

Butler Brand aka Fifth Avenue Collection

~ Bird of Paradise ~

(1988-1992)

The wool sweater is great with my black puffer vest...

wore the wool beret that I found in a James Bay thrift shop.

Surprising how cozy and warm a turtleneck is...have not had one in many years.

Treated myself to Murchie's Mint Tea!

So flavourful...this is how mint tea should taste.

Closing in on the 20 pound mark though which is very encouraging...

but it seems that I may have hit a plateau.

Hubby is working in the lower level of the bungalow...

he's building shelves and cleaning up and finishing his workspace.

There will be a new pantry/storage area for my extra household supplies.

The big bulky packages of toilet paper, paper towels, big sacks of flour

cases of tinned goods which I try to purchase 

when there is a good price at the supermarket.

All will be painted white and there will be some new wood flooring to finish it off.

I'll try to post a picture when it is all finished.

The surgery date is in late February which is not far off!

Any birthday celebrations ( March 3rd) will have to be put on the back burner

as they will only be a couple of days after my procedure.

I've been buying a few things for my post surgery recovery...

2 piece soft and roomy cozy grey top and pants outfit from the Gap

2 sports bras with front zips as it might be awkward to do up my regular bras.

(twisting is to be avoided)

Dressing will be uber casual especially the first week or so...

might just wear my nightie for a few days.

No one will see me except Mr. HB and he's not The Fashion Police!

(I suppose I could wear my pearls as they elevate any outfit)

How is your New Year shaping up?

What's new?

Have you any travel plans?

Started a new course, fitness class, read any great books?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~