Fast forward to February

 

I find it hard to believe that we are already in the month of February.

January felt like it flipped by so fast...

The crocus are showing us some much needed pops of colour.

Our snowdrops are in bud but not quite ready to fully open.

Many gardens in our area have masses of them 

naturalized in gardens and they look so beautiful.

I am of the opinion that one can never have too many snowdrops or roses!

Chester, our younger cat is 10 years old.

He's been losing weight these past couple of months and we had him to the vet.

She diagnosed him with early onset renal failure.

He's on a specially formulated kibble and we tried the canned food but he's not a fan.

It's better that he eat the canned food that he wants rather than lose more weight so we press on...

I am offering him small portions of canned food at several times each day.

He doesn't seem to have an appetite for the usual portions.

This situation is turning out to be quite stressful.

He is after all a big part of our family.

He's the cat with the biggest "in your face" personality...

We fondly call him...

"Chester the Pester"

and

"The Troublemaker"

Coffee by candlelight and fairy lights...

much appreciated and needed warm twinkle lights to ease the dark early mornings

Soups are currently the "go to" lunches here in The Humble Bungalow.

They are a great way to use up leftovers...

This soup is called chicken pot pie soup!

A store bought rotisserie chicken served us well.

Two nights of chicken and salads...

then soup for two lunches.

Economical, yes, indeed!

 I saved the carcass bones to make the rich broth.

The Boat Pond along the Victoria seafront.

We saw a group of fellows playing with their boats on our walk.

I stopped quickly and snapped this shot.

My husband is waking oodles of kilometres every day...

8 km at least.

I tag along for 5 or 6 km then head back home.

10,000 steps are my current comfort zone.

When I walk much more, my body aches.

It would be wonderful to be able to walk farther and not be in pain...

perhaps I can work up to more or is it my age?

We've been fortunate with our recent weather.

Sunshine and warmer temperatures have been lovely for our walks.

So grateful that the ice and snow have gone.

Today I walked to town and met a friend for lunch.

I spied this lovely clump of crocuses on my way home.

The crocus would add to a future blog post and they were actually what prompted me to sit for a few minutes to write a quick blogpost.

My teatime and knitting await...

my reward for getting in 10,000 steps

so will close for now.

Thank you for popping by the Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

October musings...

Fall is in full flourish...

we are enjoying

 the beautiful palette of Autumnal Shades.

Berries 

Leaves 

a pop of colour

red juxtaposed against grey stones.

Mother Nature's Paintbrush is showing her talent and liberal use of colours this Fall.

Rain and a fierce wild windstorm 

knocked out our power for 17 hours

at Quarterdeck Cottage.

We had to tough it out 

we kept the gas fireplace on and hunkered down with our books.

Unfortunately we had to throw out most of the food that was in the fridge.

I read this book in a couple of days...

set in Cornwall

I enjoyed the story.

The local Pender Island ferries were able to run even during the wind.

Several of our neighbours went home early due to the power outage.

I am back working on The Doocot Sweater pattern.

It has been sitting in my knitting bag for the better part of a year.

Not sure why I left it so long before picking up my knitting needles again?

Do you put aside projects?

The yarn is Rowan Tweed and is soft and easy to work with...

I am absolutely smitten with the colour!

There are a few more inches of ribbing before I can start on the sleeves.

I have learned many new techniques while working on this pattern.

My husband gave me The Vogue Knitting Book and that has been invaluable.

Trying something new without help "in real life" can be daunting 

so books and "You Tube" Knitting Videos have been great!

We will be packing up and back home tomorrow.

Halloween is only a few days away!

We've got the candy treats ready for the Trick or Treaters on Sunday.

Our friends from France will be staying with us for a few days.

How are things going with you?

Thank you for dropping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Falling...for Fall

Sitting on the front porch of The Humble Bungalow

gazing at the garden with a mug of freshly brewed coffee on a cool morning.

Noticing the changes...

Spiders in webs hanging 

woven in between the plants

 flowers  fading

sea salty cool air

birdsong.

Gently gently moving toward Fall.

Hydrangeas will fade to a sepia shade 

will not be dead headed as they will be homes to pollinators

until next Spring.

Dewdrops decorate and cling to Jude the Obscure.

This stalwart David Austin Rose will continue to bloom well into winter.

Petals falling like snowflakes...

Fall cooking has commenced...

English Style 

Roasted Potatoes

Peel and quarter potatoes

Boil for 5-6 minutes 

drain in a colander and shake to roughen up the edges.

Cool

Heat oil to coat the bottom of a roasting pan at 400 degrees.

Add potatoes and coat in oil

Bake for an hour turning halfway.

Enjoy!

Dinner 

breaded pork cutlets, roasty spuds and carrots, garden fresh yellow beans.

Bouillion based "faux" gravy.

Nom Nom Nom

Fall food.

Fall Porch Decor

White pumpkins, hydrangeas and pine cones.

Are you embracing the change of season?

Do you add autumnal touches inside or outside your home?

Have you bought any cozy clothes to cocoon in this Fall and Winter?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Changing Seasons...

Fall is in the Air

A close up of a bloom from Joesph's Coat Rose.

I love the curled petals and the vibrant colours.

Peeking out from deep inside are the frilly stamens.

Such a beauty.

The Arbutus Tree 

illuminated by the early morning sunshine.

You can see the heavy dew on the glass of the deck.

Fall is in the air.

Cooler mornings and early sunsets.

Time to stay in and read...

Louise Penny has done it again!

A fabulous mystery for Armand Gamache to solve.

Set in Paris 

it starts out in the Musee Rodin Garden

(I was there this past October)

Familiar shops, cafes and avenues in Paris.

The Marais and the 6th and 7th arrondissements are featured in the story.

I love the Gamache series mysteries.

I highly recommend this one.

Foggy morning at the Cottage.

Sunny afternoons.

Sitting on the deck in the fresh air watching the boats go by...

the seas twinkling in the warm sunshine.

This feels "normal" even though we are in the midst of a pandemic.

Being outdoors is such a tonic...

  I am rather concerned about the change in season.

We will be inside more often.

 I know that I will need to get outside regularly to feel healthy.

My well being and positivity depends on fresh air and nature.

It will take more effort to stay motivated and get out and about in the inclement weather.

Bundling up in a soft scarf to help keep the chill away will help.

This beautiful scarf is by the French Company Letol.

I'll be swapping out my summer clothes for fall and winter soon.

Long sleeves and cozy cashmere sweaters...

woolly socks and layers.

Gorgeous 

Dahlias in brilliant shades from the Pender Island Farmer's Market.

Flowers and foliage in autumnal colours are harbingers of Fall.

I spied a wee tree frog in the planter by the grocery store.

They have a deep croak ( ribbet ribbet) which sounds like it would come from a huge toad.

This wee little fellow was making quite the cacaphony of sound!

It entertained many of us as we waited patiently in line up outside the store.

Masked up and ready to shop in the safety of fewer numbers.

Our "new normal" continues...

It is not as if we rise each day expecting it to change.

We CAN hope and dream...

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

~ Desmond Tutu ~

I will close for now and embrace the message of this quote.

Reflecting on all that is posititve and for the many things that I have been blessed with in gratitude.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Humble Bungalow ~ October Views

The Humble Bungalow Garden is starting to fade...

the hydrangea blooms are drying up

Jude The Obscure Rose

October has arrived with a new flush of roses...

petals fall littering the ground like confetti.

The Hostas are wilting

their leaves turning gold

The temperatures are chilly 

not conducive to sitting on the front porch.

Lovely Limelight Hydrangeas

I cannot remember the name of this climbing rose...

anyone know? 

Another peek at Jude The Obscure...

I never tire of this rose

the heady fragrance and full cups of frothy petals.

Reading has taken a front seat of late...

I absolutely LOVED this book...

the subject matter is rather serious but my goodness its a good read.

I could not put it down.

The wind is blowing the leaves around the garden today.

It will be time to get the rake out soon...

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

~ Albert Camus ~

I went to the garden centre and bought some pretty red cyclamens for the planter

and 

while I was there I purchased a green pumpkin or squash!

I have started a new book...

We will be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend...

Taking time to ponder the joys in life

feeling immense gratitude

and

 giving thanks 

for the abundance of life

our family

with thoughts of those who have passed on

and 

last but not least

our wonderful friends.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

September routines...

September in The Humble Bungalow Garden
loudly and clearly signals the end of summer...

the days are shorter
the flowers fade

Cooler temperatures
salty ocean breezes
foggy mists shroud the garden
petals fall
plants change colour
leaves begin to fall from the trees

Jude The Obscure has put on such an amazing show this summer!

I cannot remember a year when our roses have performed so well.

There have been many hours invested in dead heading 

which encourages repeat flushes of flowers 

the effort has definitely paid off...

We may even enjoy blooms well into the fall.

I've noticed many spider webs in the garden 

which also signal that Fall is coming soon.

My energy and enthusiasm in the garden is waning...

the

new

season 

changes our focus 

moving hobbies indoors 

instead of outside.

A general tidy up is happening...

in the garden and soon the closet!

The wardrobe swap out was accomplished this weekend.

It didn't take long

(there are not many clothes)

the bed gets covered with spring and summer clothes

 waiting to go downstairs to the guest room closet.

Many garments are worn all year long...

denim, jeans, dresses

 quite a few tops span the seasons 

with the addition of a vest or cardigan. 

The fall and winter wear is brought upstairs 

then I scrutinize the condition of the items 

donating the pieces are tired or lack lustre.

(I filled a bag!)

Noting items that I need to replace...

I've already purchased Eileen Fisher black pants

a pair of Ralph Lauren tweedy skinny pants.

Last month new lingerie was purchased.

I like to put my sandals away 

bring out my boots and loafers.

I always give them a polish before wearing them

and 

clean and polish the summer shoes 

ready for storage until another season.

The handbags get a treatment too...

This neutral polish works with all of my leather accessories.

The strap on my watch is looking quite worn so I may have to replace it soon.

It is going on 4 or 5 years old so that is not a surprise.

This ESQ watch is so old I cannot remember what year I purchased it...

I do know that my parents gave me some money one Christmas when the children were small.

 I shopped the sales after the holidays and bought it for half price.

It has kept good time all these years...

the style is classic 

which makes it so versatile.

The limelight hydrangeas are the current stars of the Humble Bungalow Garden.

They have been so happy in the warm summer sunshine...

I must remember to pick some to bring inside to dry.

Soon they will crisp up, fade and dry to the colour of straw.

Their shape will hold up through most of the fall and winter 

giving the garden some interest

until they will be cut down in the early Spring.

How is your garden shaping up?

Have you swapped out your clothes for a new season yet?

Have you perused the September issues of Vogue,  Elle or Bazaar?

Do you want to buy some new pieces for Fall?

Have you seen anything in the shops that might tempt you?

I'd love to hear from you!

Well I must close for now and get some chores done around here.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Garden.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

September is a great time to curate one's closet.

September is a time of change...

the summer season is slipping away
fall is in the air
fresh starts, new beginnings
and a burst of colour in the foliage of the trees.

A great time to start some projects,
take a class,
shop for accessories,
clean out the closet
declutter the pantry
get rid of expired medications
polish boots, shoes and handbags.

Take stock of what is hanging in the closet...
what clothes get worn, what clothes do not feel right when worn.
Time to "observe trends" that may be in the magazines, on blogs, in the shops.
Can you rework what you have in your closet?
How about pairing separates in a fresh new way?

Perhaps it is time for re-evaluating one's personal style
how our current lifestyle might affect the clothes that we keep
those that we may donate, consign or hand down...

What new things could thrill or inject energy to what we have and love?
Vintage pieces?
Classics?
Boho?
What "speaks" to your inner muse?

Can you kick it up a notch?
Is it a genuine representation of your personal style?
Does it feel real or do you feel like you are wearing a "costume."

Shop at the charity and consignment shops for a splash of colour,
find something a bit unusual...a scarf, a belt, a bag are great pieces that don't have to break the budget and are ways to add a punch of colour or texture or style.
Have fun!

The least expensive accessory that I purchased so far this season is a lipstick.

L'Oreal trio...

The new kid on the block is #315 True Red

It is the first red that I have purchased since I was in Paris.

It will be fun wearing this shade with my crisp white shirt and jeans.

I have a lot of black and grey garments and this pop of colour will brighten up my pale complexion.

I've received numerous compliments on the Rose 31 scent by Le Labo.

Layering products makes a fragrance last longer so I phoned Nordstrom and ordered the Rose 31 lotion yesterday.

Wearing a new scent and a red lipstick is giving me a psychological boost.

Have you found anything new and exciting for the new season?

Une Femme has some new lipstick shades 

coincidentally I was working on this post when I read her blog post!

Great minds think alike!

The WW regime is really paying off...

almost 10 pounds down.

I am not hungry and have been pleased with how my clothes are fitting.

More energy and better sleep patterns have been wonderful side effects.

My skin has started to glow...

I think it must be all the water that I am drinking 

plus the variety of colourful vegetables and fruits on the menu...

less red meat 

a bit of fish, lean free range chicken and organic eggs.

What are you reading right now?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~