June Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden, swimsuit shopping and a recipe for an at home Spa Day.

June in The Humble Bungalow Garden 

is all about the roses.

Constance Spry is putting on a fabulous show here on the pergola.

The side garden patio is nestled between a lush border of Lady's Mantle

 a bed with two apple trees, various roses and foxgloves.

It's a lovely spot to sit and take tea.

I snapped this photo while sitting with my tea...

you can see the tool shed through the "jungle!"

My husband and I went on the Victoria Hospice Teeny Tiny Garden Tour.

We really enjoyed our day perusing the various gardens on the tour.

I got a few ideas to add to our garden...

for example we could use a water feature, and some more planters with annuals.

I'd also like to find some bamboo wind chimes and a tall wind ornament.

We have volunteered our garden for the fundraising tour next year...

it will be up to the coordinator in charge to decide if ours is worthy.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

fragrant and a vigorous growing variety.

Jude the Obscure is blooming!

It is my favourite rose.

I actually Love So Many Roses...

it is rather difficult choosing just one favourite.

The Miraclesuit shown here is 3 or 4 years old and is losing it's shape.

The Aqua Fit classes are fabulous fun!

I didn't know how much I would enjoy them.

The class is an hour and we are moving continuously.

The movements do not aggravate my arthritis or hurt my joints.

I dislike swimsuit shopping but I NEED a NEW one.

There is a limit on the number of suits that you can take into the change room

so you can try on maybe 6 then have to get dressed and take back the 6 to the clerk at the desk.

So it makes swimsuit shopping a really frustrating challenge.

It was a surprise finding this black suit.

I had already been to the Marshall's store 4 times in search of a decent style and fit.

Well this just proves that old saying...if at first you don't succeed Try Try Again.

Simon Chang

The wrap style is flattering.

I chose the size up for added comfort.

I am short so the adjustable straps are a nice feature.

The suit was $35 and I couldn't believe what good value it was.

My physio appointments are weekly and I am getting IMS treatments.

I have had two sessions so far.

I am hopeful that these will help loosen up the taut and tight muscles 

that are causing the pain in my lower back.

My doctor recommended them so I am hoping that they will make a difference.

It will be nice not to need any pain medication and be able to walk 5km as well as attend the Aqua Fit classes.

Sleep is much better with a thick pillow propped underneath my knees.

I lie on my back which is the most comfortable position.

I am learning to relax my back and get a better sleep.

Back to the garden...

Lady Angela a fragrant David Austin Rose is blooming.

She is a pretty variety and is trained as a climber.

Lots of flowers repeat throughout the summer.

I like to have some fresh flowers above the kitchen sink.

I spend a lot of time washing dishes and gazing out the window.

Eagles often soar high above in the sky floating in the air.

We live in an area quite close to the downtown and yet we have lots of urban wildlife.

Deer, raccoons, European Wall Lizards, eagles, owls, crows and various songbirds.

There are always some animal antics or birds entertaining us in the garden.

~ Hey Jude ~ 

Buds 

Blooms Present and Past

I've been busy this week and am planning some quiet time.

My energy and enthusiasm for social events are not always in sync.

Do you schedule days where you stay at home and relax?

I find I like to be out and about so much more than recharging at home.

You would think that I might not want to miss out on something!

(Life can be so full of fun that it is a challenge to wean myself off of the excitement)

After chatting with, and reading blog posts from women my age

I have found that many are "under the weather" because 

they have been "burning the candle at both ends."

So as an observer 

I have made note and am going to enact a day of quiet.

Perhaps a Spa Day?

Spa Day Bath Salt Recipe

What do you like to do when you feel the need for some self care?

Do you book yourself into a hotel?

Reserve a pampering package of treatments at a local spa?

Stay in your pajamas all day read a good book, sip tea and munch on chocolate?

I do love a great chocolate bar...

Lindt creamy milk chocolate with hazelnuts is my current favourite.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

Take Care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

June 7th ~ Lots to chat about so I have written an early blogpost

This soft Merona Tencel dress was hanging in the Thrift Shop

just waiting for me!

I couldn't buy it fast enough...

I felt like the woman in that IKEA advert that says Start The Car!!!

Target carried the brand when they had a store here in Victoria 

a few years ago, which BTW I loved.

Frankly I was VERY disappointed when they closed the store.

It reminded me of The Monoprix in France...

a little bit of everything and food too!

So I have worn this dress 6 times since purchasing it...

I pair it with white capri leggings and my blue suede sandals

or Blue Converse Sneakers.

The fabric is dreamy...SO SOFT!

It reminds me of a well worn favourite but without the wear and tear or holes.

I wore it in the garden while deadheading the roses 

(with pearls and my chartreuse green linen apron)

 my husband said "That is the perfect dress for the garden!"

It is rare that he comments on my attire, so I was both pleased AND surprised.

I LOVE getting a bargain at a thrift shop.

Of course I had to purge a few items this past week...

I don't like to have the closet too crowded.

Our Bungalow is so very short on storage 

so I am mindful of accumulating too much STUFF.

I really dislike CLUTTER but I do love to collect...

it is a fine line that I walk.

This week I picked up a plant pot and a lone floral china teacup 

left for free at the side of the road...

I have a wee bit of a problem passing up FREE stuff!

Himalayan Blue Poppies blooming at Government House.

These are very difficult to grow, you can buy seeds at Butchart Gardens.

This grouping of poppies look very happy and healthy.

Walking at Government House is even nicer now that their tearoom is open.

The exotic plants make for an educational saunter and there are plant sales as well.

I recently met up with a long time reader Sue K Blaney, 

I brought her back to The Humble Bungalow Garden for a quick peek

then up to Government House for a walkabout.

She and her husband were on a tour visiting Victoria and Vancouver.

We had a few hours to walk, admire the gardens, and enjoy the spectacular views across to the Olympic Peninsula and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Afterwards

 We went to the Demitasse Garden Center and Cafe for a coffee 

because the tearoom was closed.

Peonies are in their heyday right now at the Gardens.

The bees just love these flowers.

We had some former clients of my husband's here for a garden tour and a happy hour.

I picked a few of our fragrant David Austin Roses 

placed them on the table in the sunshine then brought them inside where they promptly wilted but they still look gorgeous.

Fragrant Climbing Royal Sunset Roses

popped into my wee vintage Elephant and Urn Vase.

I've had this small vessel for about 20 years...I paid 35 cents for it.

I've shared it here before and we talked about how it is good luck for the elephant trunk to be raised upwards.

Sourdough Starter is coming in handy for other baking projects these days.

I regularly bake the boule, but now I am baking scones and biscuits.

I found two great recipes online and they have been well received 

so now I can add them to my regular repertoire!

Ignore this tidbit of news if you want but I've got a UTI...

am on antibiotics and it's the second one in weeks.

Perhaps the first one didn't get completely cleared up?

I am trying to increase my daily quotient of water.

I have friends who are plagued with these infections and suffer a LOT!

Truly, I haven't had anything like this, in many many years.

My sympathies to those of you who struggle with them...

I hope this is not the start of a new health issue.

The Aquafit classes continue to be a source of pure JOY.

I do miss my long walks but I am getting used to getting wet in the pool!

This week a woman complimented me on my bathing suit...

another one of my bargain finds at the local Marshalls Store.

Miraclesuit.

We are constantly in motion in the pool and the lively music helps me keep the beat.

My arms are getting a great workout too using the foam dumbbells in the pool.

I must look very serious as I have to focus so much on the instructor.

Other women in the class know what to expect and I am sure 

that in time I will as well.

Current Book Stack...

I started reading Richard Osman's The Man Who Died Twice...

told my husband about the book and he's keen to read the series too...

He zipped out to the bookshop and bought the two other books.

He's reading the first one now, The Thursday Murder Club.

The third is The Bullet That Missed and there is another one due out very soon!

When I was on Pender at Talisman Books 

the owner asked if she could help me find anything...

we got chatting and exchanged our tastes in books.

She recommended The Outlander and Ridgerunner by Gil Adamson

her book club read them and she (they) loved them so much.

I chose The Mayfair Bookshop on a whim.

What are you reading?

Golden Celebration Rose

Well I have rambled on about enough stuff for now...

don't want to bore you.

Please let me know how things are going with you.

I am enjoying the refreshing dialogue that we are having on the blog.

It keeps things interesting.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are in the spotlight...these are just a few of the 30 + roses that we grow.

 

~ The Humble Bungalow Kitchen ~

The window ledge above the farmhouse sink

featuring the elegant vintage Japanese porcelain vase.

Darling Daughter found this and thought it would be perfect for our garden blooms.

The rose is Abraham Darby, a fragrant David Austin rose, grown in our garden.

It is one of my favourites!

Stay tuned.

More pictures of this gorgeous rose are coming up.

May and June are the best months for our garden roses.

~ Showy Pavement Rugosa Rose ~

Bright Fuschia Pink

hardy

fragrant

very thorny

repeat blooming habit.

A close up...

while waiting for my husband to back the car out of the driveway 

I went in for a "sniff"

was I surprised

 when as I got closer, there was a bee working, inside all the petals!

Fortunately I did not get stung, the bee was preoccupied.

~ Reine des Violettes ~

David Austin

Old Rose

Strong Fragrance

repeat blooming

almost thornless

~ Abraham Darby ~

David Austin Rose

fragrant

pinky apricot

thorny

repeat blooming

One of my favourite roses.

A beautiful cut rose, great in bouquets or floating in a shallow dish.

~ Climbing Royal Sunset ~

Orange 

rich deep fragrance

repeat blooming

vigorous growth habit

hardy and reliable

I researched the local Recreation Centres for Aqua Fit Classes...

it all looks great on paper but one must actually attend and participate in person

to decide if it is a "good fit."

So I took the plunge, and I am happy to report that the class went very well.

My arthritic joints were not sore or painful during the class.

I was able to keep up 

although I was often doing the movements opposite to the instructor!

(I looked around and I was relieved to see that I was not the only one.)

There was a large group of about 30 women in attendance 

they obviously have been doing the class for quite awhile 

as they were chatting before class started 

signing a card in the change room for the instructor.

One particular woman went out of her way to say hi 

she mentioned that foam dumbbells were used in class 

so I put a pair on the edge of the pool where other women had set them down.

The instructor made the class FUN.

She had oodles of energy and was encouraging us to smile and laugh.

The hour passed quite quickly.

The next morning I didn't have much discomfort but was "aware" that I had used muscles not normally used when I walk.

The water is much more gentle on my joints than my regular walking.

I walked today, 

only 3.2 km but my hips and low back hurt.

So I will be returning to Aqua Fit and aim to attend 2-3 times a week.

I am very pleased with the pool and the class.

Feeling very optimistic, excited, and hopeful after only one class.

~ Grateful ~

My first Beach Read of the season ticked all the boxes...

While reading this book

my afternoon teatime and reading became longer and longer

(extending well into my dinner prep time) 

as I made my way through the chapters.

I enjoyed Erin's colourful characters and interesting story

set in Nantucket.

Nantucket sounds idyllic...

If you are looking for a Beach read this is a good one!

We've got lots going on here socially...

so I thought that I had better get this written and published before I forgot.

Do you love to garden?

What do you grow?

We watched the last season of Ted Lasso...

Loved the series so much.

The writing was rich and deep

the characters were spot on

very funny, yet poignant

 quality entertainment.

Will now need to find another great series...

any suggestions perhaps?

"Still" the newly released documentary film with Michael J Fox 

was brilliant.

It raised my awareness of Parkinson's disease...

I have a whole new respect for the disease Michael has,

how he is dealing with it, and the many challenges that he is facing.

He's a very brave fellow...

I wonder how he manages to be so stoic?

Obviously

a good support system and ample funds help with

the numerous medications, doctors and therapy.

Very little is known about what causes the disease.

There is a genetic connection in some cases...

Michael J Fox has set up a foundation and to date 

the foundation has raised more than 2 billion dollars.

Speaking about raising money...

My husband and I are thinking about offering our garden for next year's tour.

The Hospice Fundraiser ~  Teeny Tiny Garden Tour

Mom was in Hospice the last few days of her life.

The staff were incredible and the facility, although old, was very cozy.

There was a family area, a small kitchen, and a beautiful rooftop garden oasis.

It would be a very worthwhile cause...

Well that's about it for now...

I appreciate all your comments.

You may have noticed that I respond with your name 

but cannot link directly to your account.

It is a glitch with Blogger.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a FUN weekend!

~ 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 ~

Smokin' Sunday ~ I bagged a couple of bargains....

 

I planned to go for a long scenic walk on the waterfront...

but when I walked out the front door I was overcome with the smoke.

Forest fires are burning in the province and in Washington State south of Victoria.

I decided to go to the local Value Village store instead of my outdoor walk.

I perused the aisles for treasure...

many others were looking too!

I focused on housewares, clothing, boots and bags.

There were some used rain boots but seriously overpriced :-((

Some so worn out they were laughable...

I think I need to buy some decent new ones.

My last pair of rain boots lasted at least 10 years 

so even if I spend $100+

with any luck

the Cost Per Wearing will be amortized over many years.

I didn't spy any vintage pieces in the houseware section, it was pretty picked over.

I found a "funky denim" printed shirt which I just pulled out of the washer.

The tag inside says Reba Denim ??

I am going to wear it for my home keeping chore days

with my pearls!

The hydrangeas have been hanging to dry and are now ready for display.

I've been looking for a backpack for my walks.

Marshalls had several lovely Italian leather backpacks for $275 and $350 

but I didn't want to spend quite that much.

~ $11.49 ~

Leather backpack style purse.

Broken inside zipper, ripped leather toggle and lining, scuffed exterior.

~ DIY ~

Repairs are completed

I'm all set for hands free walking 

Not bad for the price...

the leather is very soft and the size is perfect for my needs.

(room for my wallet, extra glasses, IPhone, kleenex and stuff)

Am making progress on the Vest project...

After a busy day of laundry, baking bread and standing in line to cast my ballot for the local municipal election I popped the kettle on for a cuppa and knit for a bit.

Love the Rowan Felted Tweed Yarn 

part merino and part alpaca...

made in Italy.

Pope John Paul II

fragrant 

and

blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

What's new with you?

Have you scored any bargains?

Please share your thoughts in the comments

I do appreciate them and it opens up dialogue which enriches our experiences.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~