Garden daze...and a plea for help.

This unseasonably warm weather continues to be sunny and the garden is putting on quite the splashy show.

We have several different varieties of clematis in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Incredibly lush blooms on this clematis which is only a few years old.

I think it might be Clematis Jackmanii.

Our Pink Lewisia Cotyledon grows in a pot in the garden outside the back door.

It puts on a lovely display for most of the summer and asks very little except for the occasional drink of water and a sheltered spot out of the wind.

The  McCartney rose seems happy and is incredibly fragrant...

perfect for picking and bringing inside the Humble Bungalow.

The Rothschildianum Azalea was beautiful but sadly the deer have eaten most of the flowers.

I have suggested to Mr. HB that we look into erecting some fencing out in the front yard!

I observed the doe munching happily on these flowers and thought well...

she is probably expecting fawns and needs a sweet treat.

And Today Is Mother's Day!

Joesph's Coat of Many Colours climbing rose

Madame Gregoire Staechelin climber

closer look at Madame

her flowers are drooping and heavy as she is fully laden with buds and blooms

alliums

The bees love these...

On our Instagram feed 

Darling Daughter  @thing_finder and I are putting together a silent auction to help raise funds for more than 88,000 people who live in Fort McMurray Alberta who have had to flee their homes because of a fast moving wild fire...

It is horrific to think that many of these people had to leave their homes 

and left with nothing but the clothes on their back...many driving through flames and heat to escape.

The news is very graphic and scary that I fear that many will be traumatized.

I purchased this scarf new from the Vancouver Hermes shop and have the wee booklet and original box that it came in...

it is a white with grey 

a very "painterly" scarf 

 is so neutral that I feel anyone could wear it

you could buy this scarf and help someone in need.

I am offering my 2012 Hermes silk scarf and our darling daughter is offering a Pyrrha necklace

we both hope that you will help us raise funds for the people of Fort McMurray.

The Canadian government will match all the donations received...

so let's do our bit.

Please help.

So please stay tuned for details of the auction.

Hope all the Mother's out there had a great day!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Getting my Happy On!

Spring has Sprung!

The pretty pink flowers are bursting forth from the trees that line the boulevards and streets of our city.

Their sweet subtle fragrance wafts as one saunters along 

slowly savouring the scent.

This is just another example of "getting my happy on."

I look everyday for something that makes me happy.

I rarely have to look too far...

on dark days I have to invent my own happy.

Those are days when I brew a pot of imported tea in a special cup and saucer

or soak in a tub of scented bath salts.

There are many many ways to make the most of a "not so great" day.

Change is afoot...

I got my hair cropped

it has got to be wash and wear until I can hold a blow dryer again.

There is good news!

                                                            The RMT is a miracle worker!

She worked on my upper back and shoulder for an hour this week.

There was tenderness while she was giving me my treatment and a few hours after but when I woke up the next morning I could move my arm more and I felt less pain.

Hallelujah!

I made an easy dinner that was so tasty I thought you might like to try it...

busy days beg for simple suppers

I boiled up turnips, spuds and carrots until they were soft.

Then mashed them up set aside to keep warm.

In a cast iron fry pan I sauteed onions until they were soft.

Added a bit of butter and popped in some super skinny pork chops.

Cooked until no longer pink and popped in a few tablespoons of Bonne Maman Apricot Jam.

Reduce the heat and let the flavours mingle before serving.

Hope you like the recipe.

I bought a Tribal Turquoise necklace from an Etsy shop.

I had been looking on Pinterest and pinning gorgeous examples and found a smaller scale one which I thought would look pretty peeking out from the collar of my new to me crisp white shirt.

It was sold to me unpolished and I am thinking that it will stay that way.

I also have a soft faded Gap light wash denim jacket which it would pair well with my white jeans for summer.

I prefer authentic jewelry over most costume pieces.

I have a few items that are cheap and cheerful.

One cannot always justify the expense of fine gems.

There are day to day living expenses...

and one does need to be mindful of the budget!

I do love vintage and hand crafted pieces that are interesting, unusual and make a statement.

So that is about all that is new here in The Humble Bungalow.

Thank you for popping by for a wee visit and a catch up.

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

3 days to Christmas ~ OOTD

Our weather has been a mix of sun and showers...

walking just the same as usual but wearing a warm down coat and carrying an umbrella.

I had to stop pull out my Iphone and capture this image so I could share it with you!

"HI"

The scenery has been quite varied and the evidence of the recent gale force winds is obvious on the beach...

Huge logs are lying on the beach 

making it a challenge to walk close to the waters edge.

I have never seen so many logs washed ashore.

They are stacked right to the top of the seawall in some places...making access to the beach difficult.

After the rains there are puddles...

Here you can see the sky above in the reflection...

There is a Christmas rose blooming by our front porch.

This is very unusual for this time of year.

The yellow rose bush beside the pink climber has several buds on it too!

I bought a bouquet of yellow roses to perk up the kitchen.

With the grey skies looming overhead Our Humble Bungalow just begs for a pop of cheer.

Nothing like a little splash of colour to brighten up a dreary day.

Light a candle and add some fragrance while we are in the mood.

My walking partner and I ventured out for a 5K walk and stopped for a delicious and healthy lunch when the weather became so blustery that our umbrellas were blowing inside out!

OOTD

Black Nygaard slim ponte knit pants

Grey Eileen Fisher top

Black Clark booties

(image taken with a goofy looking smile)

Three Days Left...until Christmas and yes I am counting!

Catching up on the laundry, finishing wrapping gifts, reading my favourite blogs and sneaking in a few chapters of my current novel.

Wee poinsettia perfect size for the powder room.

A pop of red and green... a classic festive flower.

Things are looking very Christmassy here in The Humble Bungalow.

Our tree is up and decorated with white fairy lights.

The beamed ceilings are all dolled up with strings of white fairy lights and there is a warm and cozy glow here in our home.

It is freezing cold outside 

the Stellar Jays are chattering with each other

we have suet hung for the birds and the hummingbird feeder is a busy place these days.

Hope all is Merry and Bright in your home.

Weather, walks and letting go....

Mr. HB and I went shopping for Diptyque candles in Vancouver a few weeks ago...
We purchased our Fall and Winter "go to scent"...Ambre and then it was time to branch out and try something new...
I opted for Roses, because of course, Roses are my all time favourite flower.

Mr. HB got into the swing of things and sniffed all the testers...he liked Menthe Verte.
A fresh light fragrance...greenish, like the Mint itself.

While the house smells all fresh and minty inside we have been adding greenery to the porch.

I had to stop on my walk and take a photo of the moss on a granite wall near The Victoria Art Gallery.

There have been wind storms this past week and there are more in the forecast.

It has been difficult getting my walks in 

as the winds are ripping limbs from the trees 

small twigs are flying everywhere...

I do not want to be a target or suffer a head injury.

So I have been doing what Mother does when inclement weather strikes...

I have been walking in the Mall!

Not that I am a "mall walker" per say.

(many seniors walk in the mall before it opens then they sit and chat over coffee in the food court)

I have been getting some Christmas shopping done and while I am roaming in the shops I make sure that I cover lots of territory!

interesting interior for an elevator

 a sheet metal fantasy

Wind blown hair...

I made an appointment with my hairdresser this week

 after months of the tedious "growing out period."

It has not grown as long as I want it to yet 

but with the festive season upon us 

I can wait no longer.

If I do I might earn the nickname "Scruffy."

These cute little felted animals have my full attention...

they are adorable and so charming.

Crafters that can create such lovely things have my utmost respect.

I have tried to make these and mine looked rather odd.

So odd, 

that I disposed of them before showing them to anyone.

Sometimes we need to let go of the things that we cannot do and let those who can, lead the way!

"Letting go helps us to to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. 

It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations 

that do not belong to us. 

This frees us from unnecessary stress.

~ Melody Beattie ~

That is my deep thought for the day....

I'm currently busy 

rather pre-occupied with cooking and shopping.

I am volunteering at a Christmas luncheon for about 100 people.

It will be all hands on deck trying to get the full turkey dinner 

and all the trimmings out from the teeny tiny kitchen

to all the hungry diners.

I plan to wear my linen apron and comfy shoes...

hope I don't drop any plates

or pour coffee on anyone's lap or slip on the gravy.

Activities ~ Senior Style ~ OOTD

Life is busy... and I'm finding it a bit of a challenge to sit down and blog.
Instagram is quick and easy and I am falling under it's spell.
Time is ticking along quickly...my days are full.
It could be the dental work, Mah Jongg, Bridge lessons and games, the walking, domestics, gardening and lunches out with friends. I am really enjoying meeting new people and exercising my brain cells!
I've joined Goward House, a seniors centre ( 50 years +) that is housed in a heritage home with several acres of woodland walking trails. A wide variety of classes and courses are offered and special interest clubs meet on site.
There is a small tea room set in a lovely room with vast windows overlooking the gardens...
soup, sandwiches, tea, coffee and sweets are reasonably priced, and the tea room is open to the public.
There are wide expansive decks that have tables and chairs which are used in the warmer weather...
weddings are frequently held here in the summer. It's a quiet and peaceful location for a celebration.

I think it is just lovely, such a relaxed atmosphere, antique and comfy furniture, beautiful artwork hangs on the walls, fresh flowers in vases, it feels like you are in the home of a good friend.

We purchased a beauty berry bush last weekend and planted several dozen purple allium bulbs around it's base...we plan to add a bunch of black mondo grass in the same bed.

Purple and Black sound like a interesting pairing.

I spied this super hero on my walk in our neighbourhood.

I wondered if it was making a statement and if so what was the message?

It's probably some one's idea of "garden art."

Moss covered rocks seen on Moss Street!

Creepy spiders are lurking in the trees....

Ghosts

Yikes!

Halloween decorations are more popular than they have been in the past.

We live in an area with good schools that offer French Immersion and so there are a lot of families with young children.

I'm reading this book right now and it's an easy and entertaining story.

If you liked The 100 year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared,

 I think you'll enjoy this one too.

I've used up all my old lotions and potions and have switched up my skincare regime.

Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses for Sensitive skin.

An organic and cruelty free line.

I love the rose scent of all the products.

It's scent lingers long after you put it on...

(some people would not like to smell like a rose)

I'm new to eye gel and find this product has helped plump up and fills in the fine lines.

The exfoliator is gentle and does it's job without causing irritation or redness.

The oil is great for cuticles, hair and after shaving.

The Heavenly Night Time Moisturizer is so rich and soothing...I use it for daytime as my skin is super dry.

I'm going to invest in their serum for winter as my skin usually gets drier and needs more moisture.

I draped this Hermes scarf around my neck...

for the afternoon of Bridge.

Blue top  ~ Style My Way

Black denim jeans  ~ g21

Black loafers  ~ Coach

Sitting playing Mah Jongg or Bridge there are lulls in the game where you notice what the other players are wearing...

rings, necklaces, bracelets and scarves.

"Any opportunity to adorn oneself is human, and accessories are an easy way to do it."

~ Marc Jacobs ~