July Joys ~ Roses, ( a surprise recipe) books and time at Quarterdeck Cottage.

 

The Lavender is ready to harvest...

I snipped a few stems off the plant and made some fragrant sachets.

This job takes a while to do...

patience is required to remove the buds and so I brew a big pot of tea

sit myself in a comfy chair on the front porch and get stuck in.

I love the scent of lavender and the sachets are useful in the drawers...

where I store lingerie, sweaters and nightgowns.

I found these wee gauze bags at the local Dollar Store.

I reuse them from year to year.

Yellow rose at the back is Climbing Graham Thomas...

the pink one closest is Strawberry Hill.

These two are out back by the greenhouse and the work area...

both are happy and have oodles of blooms and they are both very fragrant.

Strawberry Hill has deep cups with frilly petals.

Here's a closer look at Graham Thomas...

bold yellow blooms.

I love to look at the cheerful lush display when I am out in the garden working.

It feels like these jobs are so worth it,

a reward for our efforts when we get these rather stunning displays.

This lovely iris bloom is only one of many on the plant...

it is a newer plant in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Another bright colour and the wee yellow stripe in the middle of the petals 

makes for a wonderful bold contrast.

Iced Latte...

a refreshing choice for a hot afternoon by the pool.

I loved this fun and fantastical book by Jess Kidd.

Her books are new to me, and they are a wee bit different than my usual books.

They are FUN and the mystery gets solved in the end...

a wild ride to get to the past page but ever so entertaining.

Mr HB and I play crib at the cottage...

he wins almost ALL THE TIME!

~ Beach walks and Sea Glass ~

The weather was lovely when we were at Quarterdeck Cottage...

sunny and warm, pools were open and water was perfect.

I need a new swimsuit...and I am going to go shopping these next few weeks.

My older black suit is 4 or 5 years old and is definitely needing to be retired!!

Canada Day...July 1st

Beaver Chairs at Roseland Park.

Knitting on the Miriam Sweater 

using the vintage Baycrest Aran Yarn. 

(darling daughter found at a local thrift shop)

Loved Jess Kidd's other book and saw this at the Pender Island Bookshop...

read it in 2 days...such a wild romp and lovely quirky characters.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose 

a bowlful of petals...

Made some rosewater face spray...

easy and a lovely way to use up petals.

Roses are definitely my muse...

love them in the garden, love them in bouquets.

Do you grow roses?

I've had a molar crack and half of it fell apart...

I think I actually ate it :-((

I thought my burger had a crunchy bite, then I realized that my tooth was rough!

So I am booked in to see my dentist...

a crown perhaps?

Oh well at 70 one must expect these things...

We are watching Outrageous on Britbox...

it is about the Mitford sisters.

I read the book years ago and the series is staying very close to the book.

The scenes are lush and the locations and houses are fabulous.

I adore the fashions and am eager to watch each and every episode.

Are you watching a great period drama?

The trailer for Downton Abbey is out...it's a MUST SEE for me.

How about you?

Now to this next book...

another grand story is unfolding and turns out it is a real page turner.

Well that's about it for now...

lots to do here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Playing Catch up after our time away...

Thank you for popping by and checking out my little blog...

until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Garden snippets, vintage silver and almond nuts ~ recipe included.

 

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

We have been enjoying the garden and have had a few quiet days.

We celebrated our darling grand daughter's 15th birthday and Father's Day.

Snacks on the deck with a variety of things...

cheese and crackers, 

veggies and hummus, 

homemade foccaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

raspberry tarts with coconut whipped cream

watermelon

Presents were well received :-))

(a list from the birthday girl helps)

We purchased some planters from the garden centre for the tour...

they are a great pop of colour.

Roses are in their glory...

May and June are the prime months for roses here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose 

and a riot of foxgloves dotting the perennial beds.

Josephs's Coat Rose...

a huge rose that puts on an amazing show.

Very thorny but multiple blooms on each branch.

This rose has masses of blooms...

I cannot remember the name but think it might be Mary Lester.

The bees buzz here all day long!

Darling daughter found us a fabulous silver tray...

~ arts and crafts art nouveau ~

The tray is beautiful and beside it the rose is Ambridge Rose...

it has so many blooms on it this year!

Look at the details...

morning glory?

wheat?

James F Tufts 

Boston Ma. USA

Have placed it on the plate rail in the dining room for now...

it is a stunning piece.

Thank you Jennifer.

Monday morning starts with Yoga...

Thank you Jules and Ajna Studio.

I look forward to each and every class.

I came home and made a simple lunch...

sourdough bread toasted with a salmon and celery salad topping.

Open Face sandwich for me and a regular sandwich for Mr. HB

I did some clean up in the kitchen and vacuumed the floor.

I have started a knitting project using the wool that darling daughter found at the thrift shop.

I am making another Miriam sweater...

the colour is a warm beige.

Knitted a few rows then got back to the kitchen and did a fridge clean out...

Decided to make some spiced NUTS!

I know I know...it is usually a winter project 

but that big bag of almonds called to me.

I only used almonds in this batch...

I use sealer jars to store these and often give these as hostess gifts.

They are so yummy!

I made a single batch today...

popped in a load of laundry while these were cooking.

Spoon them into jars right away so they don't get stuck on the sheet pan!

Cool completely before putting on the top.

Knit a few more rows...

Dinner was easy...

I made a "home grown lettuce" salad...

and 

baked frozen pizzas!

I've decided that I need to pace myself...

if I have a busy day.

How is your week starting off?

I recently have received some lovely emails...

from readers that I am just getting to know.

So nice to know that after all these years there are new readers who enjoy the blog!

Love hearing from you and what you are up to...

A lovely reader shared her "comfort book" suggestion:

 Pilgrim's Inn by Elizabeth Goudge.

She reads it every year.

A Gift From The Sea by Ann Morrow Lindbergh 

is one of my favourite "comfort books"

Have you read it?

I have ordered Pilgrim's Inn from my favourite local bookseller 

Ivy's Books in Oak Bay.

Do you have a good book suggestion?

How is your week going so far?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

On the cusp of the Hospice Teeny Tiny Garden Tour....

 Dear Readers....

I have been totally immersed in preparing our Humble Bungalow Garden for the Annual Hospice Teeny Tiny Garden Tour...that is why I have not been posting.

It is for a good cause...

My husband and I have been devoting most of our waking hours to get ready for this upcoming garden tour. This is our first experience with a Garden Tour and we are doing it in memory of my beloved mom. She spent her last days in our local Hospice and the staff were amazing...kind and considerate and so supportive of all of us.

We heard that 650 tickets were sold!!!

I plan to give away one of my "mud pie" paintings...no need to donate but if you are on the tour please feel free to pop in a toonie...and enter the draw.

Good Luck !

I am feeling rather knackered tonight so will just add some photos...

Constance Spry Rose

Climbing Rose Graham Thomas

A struggling Limelight Hydrangea planted in a pot...

fingers crossed it gets better!

Green grass and a huge Hosta!!

Candlestick Primulas...

In the "new bed" last year we dug up and planted a new bed...

10 feet by 4 feet...

I dug it up when I had my broken ankle.

Dedicated gardeners might be able to relate..

NEEDS MUST :-))

Two chairs to sit in which I think we need to sit in soon...

I'd like a cold icy Gin and Tonic...

maybe on Monday

(after the tour?)

Back patio near the basement door...lots happening here...

so much more than meets the eye!

Lewissia

Red Geraniums

the hummingbirds love these.

They have been buzzing by us each day that we have been working in the garden.

Perhaps they are cheering us on?

So many roses here in The Humble Bungalow!

We counted 30 at one time but we recently lost a few so perhaps we have 25 now?

Sunday is the day...

Big green glass Italian bottle...hidden among the plants.

Do you think people will see it?

The potting table...

my "work" area.

Roses growing above the raised beds...

Don't poke your eye out when gardening...

pop a pot on top of the bamboo stake.

Clematis atop of the pride of London ground cover...

coral bells and to the left a day lily.

If you purchased tickets for this worthy event

and are coming to The Humble Bungalow Garden

PLEASE say hello...

I would like to meet you ALL!

My MOM would be so excited if she were still here...

Thank you to all the dedicated nurses and doctors who help us everyday.

Best to all of you and thank you for stopping by to read my post.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess Gift Recipe and some random snippets...

 

 ~ HOSTESS GIFT ~

I've been making these tasty spiced nuts for several years now...

they are quick and delicious and get rave reviews!

I am not sure if I have shared the recipe before?

I buy the big bags of nuts from Costco.

Did I mention how delicious these nuts taste?

These are from a cookbook that our local school put together many years ago.

SO YUMMY 

I hope you enjoy them :-))

Am really surprised by the quality of Sonsie Skincare!

My rosacea has calmed and the redness has diminished.

The skin drinks up the serum and moisturizing cream.

Not greasy at all as it is absorbed right into the skin.

 

Sonsie reached out and sent me an email with a link that offers a discount with the code.

https://www.sonsieskin.com/LESLIE65651

I don't usually do these things but I am over the moon with the products,

 so thought it might be fun to share the 15% discount 

to those readers who might be interested.

Please let me know if you try the products.

Wore the thrifted Butler bird brooch on my handknit sweater...

it makes quite a bold statement...it is bigger than most of my brooches.

I also wore in on a black boiled wool tunic top with black pants.

Such fun to add a wee bit of vintage BLING :-))

Some of the last garden roses...

the blooms are lovely but the usual fragrance is missing.

They will be sweet smelling again come Spring.

Went to the Church Hall for the Friday Sale...

found a VERY tarnished tea strainer.

(I thought it might even be pewter)

After some silver polish and a few minutes later...

Shiny silver 

Surprise!!!

It is

Sterling Silver 

The sale was well attended and it was a challenge to move about!

I found some nice ribbon for wrapping gifts.

My ribbon supply has almost been used up.

I love to use gross grain and satin ribbons...

but I don't always want to pay high prices for ribbon.

I do love a Bargain :-))

Revlon's Iced Amethyst 625 lipstick

bought to wear with my thrifted Eileen Fisher Velvet top.

I wore it to a dinner party last weekend.

I am still in shock that I found it in a thrift shop!!

~ SALE SHOPPING ~

40% off

Black quilted long vest

Our Humble Bungalow is quite drafty...

single paned windows and limited insulation from 1912

make for cool indoors during the Fall and Winter season.

This vest is warm and will allow for movement...

cooking, cleaning, bread making etc.

In other news ~ the concussion is still with me.

I have some woozy moments and have a mild headache.

Am doing online balancing exercises to see if I can improve my stability.

Walking with the Urban Poling Poles.

Attending Webinars put on by Vancouver Coastal Health

on osteoarthritis and learning a lot about what I can do to reduce pain 

strengthen the muscles that support the hip.

~ Education is Power ~

Beautiful Mount Baker in Washington State seen from our coast.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you have a lovely Festive Holiday Season.

Best wishes

Hostess

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~