Holidaze in July...

 

Sunshine and Sweet Peas

Popped this posy into a thrifted English Ironstone Meakin sugar jar.

I LOVE finding interesting vessels that I can use for flowers.

If memory serves me I think this one was 35 cents!

We celebrated our 49th anniversary on July 20th...

no fanfare or big gathering just a quiet evening for two.

We ate some champagne truffles...

a surprise gift from friends.

Our closest friends had us over for a dinner on their lovely porch a few days before our actual anniversary and we felt very spoiled...

Those same friends will be celebrating their 50th next year so

maybe we'll have to do something exciting for our 50th?

We are enjoying some time at the cottage.

Have some special guests here to share the time with us.

I made a fresh loaf of sourdough bread...

this fun adventure in bread making is so satisfying!

We had a couple of days with rain 

which should help with the drought and the forest fires here in BC.

The deer obviously do not like to nibble these plants...

I think this might be Queen Anne's Lace?

Feel free to chime in if you know the name of this flower.

I believe this is Yarrow...

the bees love this flower and are usually busy buzzing atop these blooms.

I took the photo after dinner so they may have all gone back to their hive.

~ Hosta Flowers ~

In The Humble Bungalow Garden

This huge Hosta is called Sum and Substance.

We built a deer fence 

so that we can keep this safe from being nibbled to the ground!

Here at the Cottage...

I am taking a break to relax, restore and mend...

The last round of antibiotics are almost finished.

I've been going to bed earlier than usual and sleeping soundly.

Staying hydrated with cans of flavoured Bubly Brand Water.

~ Zero calories ~

While I am having LOTS of fun with the family and the three grandchildren...

I am also "pacing myself."

Reading Three by Valerie Perrin, knitting the Miriam sweater,

gazing out at The Salish Sea

taking time to reflect on all the good things in life and counting my many blessings.

Making time to be focused and calm is good for the soul.

Walking along the beach...

breathing in the fresh salty air

listening to the calls of the gulls and the songs of the eagles.

Picking up a few pieces of sea glass...

~ LIFE IS PRECIOUS ~

it is a gift

not to be wasted.

I feel Grateful everyday.

Hope that you are well and feeling positive.

Life can be a challenge as we know

it is a journey.

When we navigate the rough patches life teaches us more...

we can be resilient or we can be weak.

It is a personal choice that we make...

we can rely on others or find strength within ourselves.

Or a little bit of both...

How do you handle adversity?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summer Snippets...

Apricot blooms of Jude the Obscure

the fragrance is citrus.

This rose is a repeat bloomer and has had its first flush and we expect more flowers.

Most of our roses have had their first flush of blooms.

Dead heading is a daily job and very worthwhile as it encourages more flowers.

Did you know that sweet peas need to be picked regularly or they set seed and stop making flowers?

I love their unique fresh fragrance.

Mr. HB has been bringing in sweet peas almost daily.

I pop them into vases and place them in the kitchen by the farmhouse sink 

and in the main bathroom atop the sink.

They last a few days and then they drop their petals,

by that time we have another couple of bunches at the ready!

~ OOTD ~

White Lands' End tee ~ Italian Linen dress

White capri tights

White Bueno Sandals

Hong Kong Pearls

Garden Shows are so much fun!

Lots of tables, many entries, ribbons galore.

The plant sale table is SO POPULAR...

plants are reasonably priced and some are VERY EXOTIC!

I had a fun day volunteering at the Summer Scentsation Garden Show.

After perusing the displays and looking at the award winning entries 

I donned my apron and served tea to the masses!!

We had 4 large tea tables set with lovely china cups, saucers and plates.

  Tea, coffee, scones, jam and clotted cream were served...

Plates of assorted home baking were circulated after the scones.

No one left hungry!

There was a silent auction and I bid on many items but only won one of them...

a large black pot which I am looking forward to potting up.

I am considering a fancy Hosta or an assortment of flowers.

Geraniums, lobelia, and dusty miller.

Our north patio area resembles a jungle right now!

The Lady's Mantle has gone wild...

we will be cutting it down soon.

I love black accents in the garden...like these vintage tables and chairs.

I found this metal rooster in a thrift shop and my husband spray painted it.

Garden accent pieces are hard to find locally...

if I wanted to spend a LOT the possibilities might be better but I love a bargain.

I usually finish my second coffee in the bathroom as I put on my makeup...

the thrifted English China mug looks like it matches the sweet peas

so I had to snap an image to share.

In other news...

my infection is now classified as "complicated."

I have had 3 or 4 rounds of antibiotics and they haven't worked.

So I am now receiving IV antibiotics at the hospital outpatient clinic.

They were selected to specifically target the different bacteria strains that I have...

Who knows how long this will take?

I had my second CT scan, this one with dye.

Haven't got the report yet.

I cannot believe how High Tech all these machines are...

The staff have been amazing and the departments are regularly short staffed.

I am drinking lots of fluids...many many cups of tea.

Knitting and reading...

taking life easy.

I've been meaning to read this book for years!

When I spied it in the local Book Nook I grabbed it.

I hope that you are enjoying your summer so far...

or the winter if you are in NZ or Australia.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

LOTS of new things here in The Humble Bungalow...

Meet the gorgeous bold yellow fragrant climber Graham Thomas.

A stalwart David Austin Rose.

This repeat bloomer grows in the "work area" of The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Every garden needs a work area...

it is a space dedicated to storage of things we use.

Bamboo stakes, empty pots, the wheelbarrow, extra soil, tools and such.

We have it cordoned off by a half lattice fence with a smallish entryway.

It is rather like a linen closet...that holds extra sheets, towels and TP.

So necessary, but not really an inviting space

well except 

that this rose beckons me in...

I regularly deadhead it to encourage more blooms 

pick a few blooms to bring inside

who could resist?

Things are moving along fast here in The Humble Bungalow.

We had an unexpected "oopsie" with the oven...

it died completely last Wednesday.

No warning...

I did some research and the life expectancy of the former stove was 13-15 years.

Ours was 15 years and 1 month...

So we scrambled off to the shop.

A locally owned one 

where we purchased a freezer during Covid.

We were pleased with their staff, service and delivery options.

Thursday morning bright and early we stepped into the showroom

5 minutes later I was paying for the stove.

With a next day delivery and they hauled away the old one.

How fabulous is that?

~ LG STOVE ~

I LOVE the blue interior.

Ceramic stovetop with expandable elements.

Convection and regular baking settings.

It has a built in air fryer, and a proofing setting for bread.

So let the baking begin...

the first order of business will be The Victoria Sponge Cake

followed by the weekly sourdough boule.

I have been trying to get out for some short walks in this glorious weather.

Need to build up some strength...

lots of idle time spent inside resting up and trying to get better.

Stopped for a cuppa at The Willows Tea Room.

Mom and I used to come here when we walked the Esplanade.

Thought of her while I gazed out to the sea.

Good news is that I am not in such terrible pain,

feeling better and sleeping soundly.

I finished the antibiotics and go for some more tests this week.

Another diagnostic CT scan, this time with dye.

Fingers crossed the specialists can figure out what is going on and how to fix it.

Sweet peas are putting on a lovely show in the garden...

picking them insures that more flowers will follow.

If you don't pick the flowers the seed pods set and no more flowers.

The new mug is a thrift shop find...

I had 30 minutes before my dentist appointment and I was close to the Sally Ann.

So I went in and made the rounds...

I got lucky!

A cute Banana Republic top that I plan to wear with my white jeans.

(and Pearls)

Silver trivet for the teapot

all it needed was a quick polish.

Some days all the stars align and the thrift GODS smile down from above...

feeling grateful.

I've been reading a LOT!

I just finished Bloomsbury Girls this morning...

I really enjoyed it.

The first book was The Jane Austen Society.

I can recommend both these novels by Natalie Jenner.

I will start The Lipstick Bureau later this afternoon...

I have read and enjoyed all of Michelle Gable's books so I am pretty confident that this one will not disappoint.

Been on a spending Spree...

Bought this vase at a yard sale...

not sure that it has any age to speak of but it spoke to me!

I also upgraded our toaster as the old one was not working very well.

Bought a Zwilling long slice toaster in matte black.

It will accommodate the longer sourdough slices.

Also I bought a new All Clad pot and ordered a new All Clad Pasta pot.

Put all the old pots on the boulevard and they went to new homes lickety split!!!

With the stove on the fritz

Hubby took me out to lunch last week...

we went to Faro in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel for pizza.

The oven fired Italian thin crust pizza was delicious.

We ordered an arugula pear salad to go with it and couldn't eat it all!

On our way back to the car we stopped by the Hen House...

I had to stop and say hello to the darling girls.

There were quite a few in the yard and they are very friendly.

I love free range eggs...those amber coloured yolks have so much flavour.

We had to order in a few meals with no cooking facilities available

but that was fun because we seldom order in, it is so easy to make a meal.

Now that I have a new oven there will be no excuse not to cook!!

Since my UTI and kidney infection I have been mindful of drinking more fluids.

A LOT of water with MANY MANY cups of tea have passed through my system.

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen this post in my stories.

Fortnum and Mason Tea 

a gift from Christine who asked her son to pop into the shop in London and buy some tea for her friends...

fortunately I was one of the lucky friends who were given a tin of tea.

This blend is so amazing! I may need to order some more...

or else I could pop over to London and shop in person?

(HAHA)

That's about all the news I have to share for now.

Will pop in again soon for an update.

Take Care.

XO

In the meantime...

~ 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 ~

Last Week ~ in a wink of an eye...

 

Gorgeous flowers

a surprise cottage welcome bouquet from a friend.

Springtime seems to have finally arrived at the Cottage...

warmer days and sunny skies.

Such a tonic after all the grey gloom and rain.

~ Thrift Shop Finds ~

Adams English ironstone jug and a well used wood board

A soft wool sweater...

it is lovely but is a wee bit too small.

I have a friend who stretched a lovely wool sweater by washing it in conditioner and manually stretching it back into a larger size!

I hope the conditioner trick works!

Read this book and loved it...

set in a charming picturesque area of Cornwall

involves a woman who has a daughter

is recently separated

and

with her mother buys a rambling old house on a cove by the sea.

This book appealed to me on so many levels...

I would LOVE to buy an old rambling home by the sea and redecorate!!

If one cannot have a rambling old home by the sea...

how about a week at the cottage once a month?

(I cannot nor dare not complain, I am immensely grateful)

My husband brought a few lettuce plants with us so we could harvest it fresh.

He really has discovered his "green thumb" upon his retirement.

The expansive sea views feed my soul.

They never "get old" and there is always something to see.

Boats, otters, whales, birds...

I baked a sourdough boule and two kinds of cookies.

Found a "flat oyster" shell on the beach...

they are a European variety.

I walk the local beaches daily in search of sea glass and the occasional shell.

I am surprised by the amount of glass I find.

There must be 8 or 9 jars full downstairs here in The Humble Bungalow.

What to do with it?

I suppose if I felt creative I could make mosaics...

for now I just keep it on the window ledge in the vintage sealer jars.

Have you read Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book Gift From The Sea?

I love the gentle story that she weaves of her time spent alone in a small rustic cabin on the beach.

She went there to rest, restore and recharge...

we all need a place to find solace and peace.

Years ago when life was really busy and hectic I went to the Spa for relaxation.

It was not a frugal option, but I was working and could justify the expense.

As a retiree, now living on a pension, I chose to find relaxation in Nature.

~ Things I find soothing ~

puttering in the garden

 reading a good book

knitting

sipping a cup of tea from a pretty vintage cup

baking bread

walking

beach combing

soaking in the tub

looking in thrift shops

ironing linens 

What do you find soothing?

Our week at the cottage passed so fast...

in the blink of an eye and here we are back home in The Humble Bungalow.

Well I have a busy week ahead...

lots of social things planned and will be catching up with friends.

How about You?

What does your week ahead have in store?

Hope its a good one.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~