Showing posts with label sadness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sadness. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

December ~ love, loss and memories.


Are you ready for the Festive Season?
No matter how hard we try to make Christmas special 
we cannot be prepared or predict what might happen.

Christmas has always been one of my favourite holidays.

Family, friends, giving to others, baking, bright lights and song.
It's never been a picture postcard storybook Christmas 
but that is what makes it special
we try 
but
because we are human things can go sideways...


This past weekend we went over to the cottage and rode on the Salish Orca.
(our regular ferry is out for annual maintenance)

While we were driving onto the ferry my husband's cellphone rang
it was the nurse from the care home.

 Mr. HB's mom, who is 100, took a turn. 
The next morning
my husband boarded an early ferry and returned to town...
his mother passed away within a few minutes after he arrived.

We have lost our beloved matriarch
the last of the long lived Scottish family.
It is the end of an era...

Elaine lead a long and rich life 
she was a spunky woman, 
"a force to be reckoned with"
her gifts and talents were many
she will be missed by all of us.

I feel blessed to have met her when I was fifteen 
 she taught me so much...
she was generous with her time, fiercely loyal to her family,
 she shared so many wonderful things with all of us
her tried and true recipes
boat skills, crocheting, card games,
how to live within a budget
everything from hostessing tips to the full on turkey feast.

She will be missed...

Fortunately we all have many years of great memories to recall.
I am confident that they will help comfort and sustain us 
in the days and weeks ahead.


I made a pasta dinner for my husbands' return to the island.
I knew that he would need a warm hug and a hot meal.
We rely on comfort food to help soothe us in times of distress.


We hunkered down in the cottage as the skies grew dark and ominous...


The weekend weather was very stormy...
rain pelting sideways with powerful gusty winds
the seas churned up with choppy waves covered in white caps.

I started reading this new book by Beatrice Colin...
it is set in Paris around the time that the Eiffel Tower was under construction.



We spent most days quietly thinking of her
 reminding each other of our favourite memories.
Laughing and weeping.

We were cozy and warmed by the fire
while outside the storms raged on...


We ventured out when there was a break in the rain...
for a welcome breath of fresh salty air.


We went to the Chocolate Shop where Mr. HB enjoyed a rich hot chocolate 
I opted for a salted caramel mocha...
I've never tasted one before today!
(it was so tasty!)
I purchsed some of their delicious chocolates for a few people on our Christmas list.


Dessert in a mug.


Looking to the light...

Holding fast to the memories of Christmases past
when all our loved ones were gathered...
several generations at the tables
wearing our paper hats from the Xmas crackers
an older family member saying grace
before
 we dined on turkey and all the trimmings.

This year there are many empty chairs...
we will gather around
in their memory
and 
toast to them.

Wishing you a Very Happy Holiday Season.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Goodbye 2017...

We've just said farewell to our friends after spending a few days at Quarter Deck Cottage.
We shared a few idyllic days 
walking, laughing, dining, and chatting...

Good friends are such a gift and I am so grateful to have them in our lives.


It has been a difficult year for us and I am not sad to say goodbye to 2017.

Many things have contributed to the current sadness in our family.

A sadness so deep that it has rocked us to the core.
Shock, disappointment and grief 
emotions so strong that at times it has crippled me.


There is very little that I can do 
to change the situation that affects our family.
It is beyond my control.

 I will help and support our family to the best of my ability.


Craving a space that is calm
peaceful

I find it in simple routines...


The repetitive motion of knitting 
walking along the seafront
ironing linens
chopping vegetables
sipping tea
reading with the cat slumbering on my lap

I am conscious of inviting gentle rhythms 
of everyday living
into my daily round.

Not sure how things will turn out...

it is a situation
which can, 
if I allow it,
 to rob me of sleep
make me weep
prevent me from feeling contentment and happiness.


My wish is for a Peaceful
resolution for our family.

Happiness in the New Year might be awhile coming but I am hopeful.

Best wishes to you all for 2018.

Thank you for stopping by...

Hostess
XO

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Roses and the quest for the perfect scent...remembering Mom.


Humble Bungalow Garden Roses


Pepper seems to enjoy their fragrance.


Samples of rose fragrances sent from the Vancouver Nordstrom store.


The list of rose scented samples that I am testing and there are more suggested by readers of the blog.


Chester enjoying the box that held the samples.


William Shakespeare and Jude the Obscure 
David Austin roses from the Humble Bungalow Garden.

If I could bottle these scents I would.


I had a weepy day yesterday.
It was a combination of things...
the noise from the construction next door.
Power tools and the jack hammering of the road out in front of our bungalow 
I was thinking a lot about MOM and how much I miss having her around.

I have been frequenting some of our favourite spots:
The Willows tea room
W&J Wilson
The Esplanade
Nar bistro
Matticks Farm
Adrienne's Tea Garden
Barbara's Boutique in Sidney

This just brings it closer to home that she's gone and so I had a wee bit of a meltdown.

Fortunately my husband understood and he listened while I talked and wept.
There will be more days like this of that I am sure...
 I'll let the feelings flow along with the tears.

How's your week going?

Thanks for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.