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 ~

Seeking Solace in Nature...

Sitting...

listening to the sound of the birds and the waves as they lap against the shore.

Lighting a candle...

Gazing out the window...

breathing and feeling grateful.

Reading a good book

sipping tea.

Walking along a beach

searching for sea glass

watching the otters and the gulls.

Taking time out to be soothed by the beauty of Nature.

Inviting Natural Beauty Indoors...

Bright and cheerful flowers

Diving into a new book.

Going for a walk in the misty rain...

Looking for bright pops of colour.

Taking in the views 

admiring the details

embracing the various colours and textures.

Wet logs strewn all over the beach and this one looked like a seal.

Do you see it?

Are you seeking the calm and soothing hands of Mother Nature?

Are you taking local action?

I'm looking into more ways to help...

We've made donations of money and plan to make more.

Fresh salt air 

the moist wet mist

slippery logs and mossy rocks.

The gentle lapping of the sea...

the Raven's Song.

A gentle breeze blowing 

shells crunch at our feet.

These don't solve our problems but they do help release tension.

Wishing, Hoping and Praying for Peace.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Joy...

What is JOY?

In a google search the first definition that popped up was 
"a feeling of great pleasure and happiness."

Joy is finding a heart shaped rock on the beach.

Personally, I find Joy in many things...

maybe its easier because I am content with life's little pleasures.

Things that are mostly free...

"Attitude of gratitude" 

is my mantra.

Joy is sunshine and scenery.

Maybe it's a smile from a stranger that was unexpected.

A random kind gesture 

a surprise letter or card in the mail

when your grandchildren tell you they love you

if you are stuck in traffic and another driver lets you merge

finding a handful of sea glass on the beach

a beautiful moonlit evening

fresh salty sea air

a rose blooming in winter

there are so many places to look for JOY

it might be a pop of colour on a gloomy day

a phone call from a friend you haven't heard from in ages

a rainbow after the storm

It might even be a whimsical indulgence that makes you smile...

this festive wee tree lights up in many colours

while it might border on "tacky" I knew I had to have it.

It brings me Joy.

Sometimes you just need to take a chance...

Joy in the sunset

Joy is found in giving...

like these Lions international volunteers

who bring Mr. and Mrs. Claus to the Gulf Islands.

There was Joy on the faces of the children and parents in the crowd.

There were elves...

a choir

and pirates wielding balloon swords 

with a few local pirates ready for a battle.

These dedicated volunteers give 800 gifts to children on the various islands.

Each child leaves with a bag of treats and gifts.

Bringing JOY to these children and their families

 Hope Bay on Pender Island...

a generous gift 

that will be remembered for years to come.

“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.” 

~ Khalil Gibran ~

“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” 

~ Ben Carson ~

Wishing you Peace, Joy and Contentment.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Labour Day Long Weekend...

We have been out on our boat for the past few days enjoying a relaxing time with friends and family.

Port Browning on Pender Island

Many boats drop the hook and anchor in the bay.

We tie up at the marina as we do not have a generator on board.

There is a lovely beach just over this rocky outcropping.

Beach combing while walking along the shoreline is an activity that I quite enjoy.

I heard that Ellie passed away...

so sad 

she fought long and hard battling ALS.

I hope that she is at rest and that her family will be supported and surrounded with friends and family to help them cope with their grief.

I read her blog and bought her book and hope that she will now be at peace.

I thought about writing a tribute to her here on the blog but after reading 

The Vintage Contessa 

Stephen Andrew Jones 

 Heather from Lost in Arles 

 I felt that they said it best.

I thought of Ellie on my beach walk.

Clam shells were scattered along the stretch of beach...

A driftwood shelter

Rock with a heart on it...

Heart shaped rocks...

might be a strange thing to collect but I do!

Mr. HB found the last two heart rocks.

Queen Anne's Lace and Chicory line the paths...

such a pretty combination Mother Nature has painted for us to enjoy.

I have been savouring every word of Louise Penny's newest mystery novel.

She is a brilliant writer and I absolutely LOVE her books.

I have several chapters left to finish and so I will close for now...

Hope that you have had a lovely weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~