Embracing Bold Colour....

 

~ Painted Lady Butterfly ~

This beautiful butterfly spent quite a long time exploring the Verbena Bonariensis

that we have growing in the garden. 

I grabbed my phone and followed it quietly as it flew from flower to flower.

I've since learned that butterflies are attracted to the colour purple.

Purple Buddleia bushes are also known as the Butterfly Bush.

We don't grow many purple plants but I plan on buying more purple varieties of flowers next Spring to grow in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I love the idea of having more butterflies visiting our garden.

Treated myself to Jenny Rose-Innes new book.

I brewed a big pot of tea and sat in the sunny corner of our kitchen

 read the book from cover to cover one recent afternoon.

Oh my goodness!

The photographs are fabulous, 

the interviews of the homeowners are rich in detail

there is so much of nature to bring inside the home.

I continue to be inspired by Nature...

I've been known to add natural features to our bungalow too.

Large foraged twigs, pine cones, sea shells, flowers, and stones.

They are free which make hunting for these items much more adventurous and fun.

 Why go to a store and buy a plastic or manufactured piece when you can get outdoors in the fresh air, explore and find something that you want to bring inside?

Our Boscobel Rose is putting on a spectacular show.

So many big blooms for a rose that is planted in a pot!

Speaking of colour...

I have been wearing the "hippy-dippy" vintage thrifted necklace.

Those juicy looking garnet red beads just add an extra something to basic black.

I dug out this vintage quilted bag that i have had for ages.

It seemed like a good idea to wear it with the beaded necklace.

I don't often switch up my bags mid season...but am trying to change some habits.

Like wearing more pieces of my small jewelry collection on rotation.

It definitely takes more time and effort

 but it keeps my eye fresh seeing these small changes.

Professional pedicure

 (a luxury) 

 one thing that I cannot do well myself anymore.

The pampering is so lovely too...

I used to do in home spa days and they were equally satisfying.

The physical act of bending over 

painting my toes 

which are far away from my vision 

and as a wearer of glasses it makes the job very difficult!

Do you indulge in Spa pedicures?

Seen on my walk.

Beautiful peacock

There are so many peacocks living in Beacon Hill Park 

that they have spread out and are living closer to The Humble Bungalow.

Saw a Mom and her baby foraging close by on another street.

Went to The Beehive Wool Shop and bought some new yarn...

Fall is on the way and I do love a project.

Easy Goes It pattern is on Ravelry...

have made this at least 6 times...

I chose purple as I love the pop of colour.

Do you knit?

What have you been up to these past few weeks?

Anything exciting?

Mauve Cosmos that my husband grew from seed.

We have a few in the yard and this one seems happy growing in a big pot.

One of the newest wee free libraries in our city.

Located across the street from the cruise ship terminal.

I found a hardcover copy of Frayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

That book has been on my want-to-read list since it was published...

I am honored to share that I have met Ann-Marie as she is the sister of a dear friend.

Well it's time for me to make some lunch for us.

I've got some errands to run

and once they are done I might go for a walk.

Hope you are taking time to notice all the beauty that surrounds you.

Take Care 

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Slow days ~ domestic chores, a new dress and a garden harvest.

 

Dahlia season is upon us!

 I am enjoying the many varieties that we added to the garden.

Mom had a dedicated dahlia bed when we were growing up in South Oak Bay.

She grew many dahlias and quite a few were the "dinner plate" dahlias...

aptly named because of their size!

She filled vases and we had many bouquets in the various rooms at home.

I'm taking a wee break from my jobs this morning...

the window washing with my new squeegee.

The bedding is in the wash too and I've put fresh sheets on the beds.

There is always something to do here in The Humble Bungalow.

My silver tea service needs polishing as do several of the silver trays...

I'll probably leave that job for a rainy day.

I spent 4 days on Salt Spring Island staying at the SSI Inn.

A very cozy spot located in the centre of town.

Treated myself to a buttery flaky croissant...SO GOOD!

Felt a bit like a Paris moment :-))

I had a good look around Ganges...

Walked with Brian's cousin Terry in the Fernwood area, 

met up with my friend Ali and visited her amazing garden...

sipped a limonata and grazed on a charcuterie board of nibblies.

Thank you Ali!

A basket was purchased!!

(at the thrift shop)

Looked in all the thrift shops, explored several galleries and browsed Mouats.

I also went to a fabulous consignment shop called Bohemia.

This dress is cool loose and flowing with pockets (!) and fun details.

Is this what they call a balloon hem?

Puffy pocket detail.

I will wear this dress a LOT!

Annabelle Hydrangeas are in full bloom.

So big and beautiful.

Our limelights are in full bloom too...they are truly stunning.

I have almost worn this old Gap denim shirt out!

It is SO soft from all the washing and wearing...feels like a warm hug.

Do you gravitate to old favourites in your closet?

I have another denim shirt in a darker wash from Old Navy.

It too is faded and worn...I absolutely LOVE it.

Rewearing clothes does have it's benefits...they feel softer and are so cozy.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

popped into an old thrifted vase that was a find about 20 years ago for 35 cents.

I love this wee black elephant with the vessel beside him.

His trunk is pointing up which apparently means "good luck" 

Wild rugosa rose...fragrant and frilly.

Book from the thrift shop which is surprisingly good!

I've not heard of this author but am loving the story.

I read every day so always like to have a few books waiting...

Reading is a luxury and one that I discovered fully when I retired.

Our annual tomato harvest has started...

Simple salad...

salt pepper and St. Agur cheese.

Another tomato salad...

this one made with vegan feta for a family gathering.

So flavourful and savoured slowly on these warm summer evenings.

Slow living agrees with me...more important than I ever realized.

I'm aging so my body needs to work and rest, work and rest.

My other theory is because our world is full of chaos.

It's spinning out of control...

but I am not "losing control" as having control of everything is an illusion.

We can only control how we react to any given situation.

I am focusing on small joys, simple living and doing things that "feel good."

I'm going to wrap up this post as I have a few more jobs that need doing here in The Humble Bungalow.

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying life.

Perhaps like me in the slow lane.

~ Bouquet of chive flowers ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

BEST (recent) thrift shop find!!...(roses, sunscreen, walking post op hip surgery)

 

~ Lady Angela ~

Fragrant and Frothy 

Growing up the lattice next to the front porch.

I picked a large bloom for the bathroom.

I'm enjoying the thrifted antique platter that I found at Ross Bay Villa's Sale.

My skin is very sensitive to the sun and I have rosacea so I need to use sunscreen.

Eminence have great sunscreen options...

My current favourite is their radiant mineral lotion with Bakuchiol and Niacinamide.

This straw hat is a keeper...

Eddie Bauer and it must be 30 or more years old!

Funny thing happened when I was sitting on the deck at the cottage...

a swallow landed on my hat which was on my head

I was so surprised and the bird flew off pretty quick after I moved.

So every so often I find a great item at the thrift store...

In the winter

I found some great Burberry and Barbour plaid wool and cashmere scarves.

Once I found an Hermes silk scarf which I sold at a local consignment shop.

There are oodles of items that I've picked up for the house.

Mid century Moderne pieces as gifts for our adult kids.

The most exciting and recent find was a pair of leather loafers...

Loafers have been on my wish list for about 18 months.

Well was I ever surprised to find these...

Bling wasn't on my radar...

BUT

they are my size, very comfy and they are leather.

Have you ever heard of Sandro?

When I was in Paris in 2019 I discovered Sandro.

It's definitely a LUXE brand.

They are in immaculate condition.

At a bargain price and under $20.

It was a lucky find.

I am so excited about these shoes...

will be wearing them on repeat.

(doing a happy dance too)

Perhaps I need to "Moon Walk" like Michael Jackson?

~ Mount Baker seen from the shore ~

~ Old Truck on a Pender Island Farm ~

Walking continues to improve post op hip replacement.

My recent fall in the garden has set me back a few weeks.

The cane slipped on the gravel path when I was picking lily of the valley.

Hubby had to help me up and I must say it scared me.

And wouldn't you know...the side I fell on was the operative hip side.

I was in pain for a full week and am only now slowly getting back to my walks.

We've been watching Silent Witness on BBC

and Storied Spaces on Magnolia Network.

Am reading a book about the British Upper Class 

called Hunting Unicorns by Bella Pollen.

It's very entertaining.

So that's about it for today...

the sun is shining and I've been outside.

Hubby planted a new yellow rose where an old red rose was struggling.

We've had a few roses fail lately.

Not sure why but there's no need to be upset...

just zip out to the garden centre and grab a new one...

so many great varieties.

June is almost here and more roses will soon be blooming.

Bouquet from Mother's Day...

purchased from our local Pepper's Grocery Store.

Took the bouquet to our cottage on Pender and enjoyed a quiet week.

The Purple Martins are back and have babies in the nesting boxes at the Marina.

Saw two grey whales swim by the cottage, no orcas this time.

Met up with friends...had a pub meal out.

Found an arts and crafts pewter British candlestick at the thrift shop.

I've never had any pewter before this find.

I've got to put the kettle on and make a cup of tea and sit on the front porch with my book for a bit until it's time for me to make dinner.

Thank you for stopping by...

hope that you enjoyed this wee post.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January ~ Chit Chat Catch Up & Thrifted Wardrobe Basics

 

~ Rose ~

Pope John Paul ll

Blooming in the Humble Bungalow mid January!

There are about a dozen buds ~ the weather is incredibly wet, but temps are mild.

If we get a freeze many many plants will be hit hard and not all will survive...

Fingers crossed that we don't lose many like we did a few years ago.

In my ongoing attempt to avoid carbs...
 I made meatballs in sauce and served them with a green salad.

They were delicious and I didn't miss the pasta.

I've been watching a variety of videos on You Tube about French Fashion...

Turns out that Blazers are a "Thing" and I haven't owned one for decades!

Well, I must confess that the power of persuasion is VERY real

 So I started my search...

In second hand and thrift stores...tried on many different types.

Plaids, tweeds, denim, boiled wool, canvas, knits...

None worked until I went to the Turnabout Luxury Resale store...

I had just finished a Yoga class across the street

spent time chatting and catching up with a former colleague 

and thought I would Pop In.

The blazer is black, was marked down, I tried it on, and that was it...

Reading a lovely book set in Cornwall...

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase.

Eve wrote The Wilding Sisters which I also have in my TBR pile.

I'm enjoying the story and loving the large manor house and gardens...

can totally visualize the scenery and the dilapidation of the old house.

The author has a way with words, 

so vivid that it makes the reader feel they are right there!

One of the recent rainy afternoons I felt like baking...

I perused some old cookbooks and came across the recipe for Lazy Daisy Cake.

Have you ever made it?

All the ingredients were available in my pantry cupboard and fridge so away we go...

back to the 1970's

It was yummy

(cake = carbs)

I gained 9 ounces over a few days and a couple of pieces...

well in all honesty

it could have been the fact that I haven't walked much due to the rain.

I am trying to walk at the mall out of the weather and the floors are even...

so not many hazards except shopping!!!

Wooly Cozy Green sweater...

thrifted in Sidney

Accessorized with my thrifted vintage brooch.

Found it on Salt Spring Island last year.

Sparkles in the sunshine.

Butler Brand aka Fifth Avenue Collection

~ Bird of Paradise ~

(1988-1992)

The wool sweater is great with my black puffer vest...

wore the wool beret that I found in a James Bay thrift shop.

Surprising how cozy and warm a turtleneck is...have not had one in many years.

Treated myself to Murchie's Mint Tea!

So flavourful...this is how mint tea should taste.

Closing in on the 20 pound mark though which is very encouraging...

but it seems that I may have hit a plateau.

Hubby is working in the lower level of the bungalow...

he's building shelves and cleaning up and finishing his workspace.

There will be a new pantry/storage area for my extra household supplies.

The big bulky packages of toilet paper, paper towels, big sacks of flour

cases of tinned goods which I try to purchase 

when there is a good price at the supermarket.

All will be painted white and there will be some new wood flooring to finish it off.

I'll try to post a picture when it is all finished.

The surgery date is in late February which is not far off!

Any birthday celebrations ( March 3rd) will have to be put on the back burner

as they will only be a couple of days after my procedure.

I've been buying a few things for my post surgery recovery...

2 piece soft and roomy cozy grey top and pants outfit from the Gap

2 sports bras with front zips as it might be awkward to do up my regular bras.

(twisting is to be avoided)

Dressing will be uber casual especially the first week or so...

might just wear my nightie for a few days.

No one will see me except Mr. HB and he's not The Fashion Police!

(I suppose I could wear my pearls as they elevate any outfit)

How is your New Year shaping up?

What's new?

Have you any travel plans?

Started a new course, fitness class, read any great books?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~