March ~ Birthday and some other tidbits....

 

Tulip Mania has begun with a bold red and yellow bunch!

Such great mood lifters on a grey winter's day.

I love to buy these cheerful blooms...

deciding which colours to choose is always a challenge!

I had my birthday yesterday March 3rd.

I turned 69 and don't feel OLD.

My new glasses are Face a Face from Paris.

I had my former pair for 6 years and when my prescription changed I decided it was time for a new pair of glasses and sunglasses.

Vintage rhinestone brooch pinned on my wool beret.

My beret is made by The Canadian Hat Company.

Decades old Burberry scarf

Eileen Fisher Coat

Still having FUN and playing around with clothes and my personal take on style.

Been very lucky at the Thrift Shops lately...

Gold bracelet

I don't have anything like this in my jewel box and thought it might be fun.

Heavy crystal etched vase, possibly Swedish.

Perfect for wee flowers.

Snowdrops are what come to mind.

I love to hunt for sea glass on my beach walks.

On my birthday beach walk 

I found a lovely piece of aqua glass just as I stepped on the beach!

Aquamarine is the March birthstone 

so I thought it an appropriate find.

The sunset was quite remarkable the other evening...

looks like The Danish Flag hanging over Salt Spring Island.

Perhaps my ancestors waving hello?

Our family tree goes way back...

to a former Queen and King of Denmark.

So many interesting names along with that incredible detailed history.

Sabine Be sunglasses...

Mom had macular degeneration so my eye doctor advised me to wear sunglasses.

I need to remember to wear them regularly.

Treated myself to a new candle and some dark chocolate bars.

I recently read that dark chocolate is full of good polyphenols

which help with inflammation, digestion, cognitive function, and protect cardiovascular health.

Adding a couple of squares with my afternoon tea seems pretty easy!

Been eating more avocados on sourdough toast...

they are nutrient rich and high in fibre.

After my colonoscopy the doctor told me that he removed 3 polyps.

(I watched the entire procedure on the screen) 

He also mentioned to keep my diet rich in fibre as it has many benefits.

Staying on top of one's health is a priority.

Healthy habits and being mindful of stress and toxins in the environment are so important.

What is new with you?

How are you managing the aging process?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tulip mania courtesy of Butchart Gardens...

I've been busy here in The Humble Bungalow with little time spent on the computer.

So posting here on the blog has been rather spartan. 

Today 

I am sharing a lush group of tulips 

seen on my recent walk at Butchart Gardens.

I hope you will enjoy seeing the pictures.

Tulips are in full bloom at Butchart Gardens.

Pretty in pink...

Pink on Pink

Tulips and masses of pink forget-me-nots.

A striking combination of colour.

Frilly feathery fringed tulips.

Close up

A painterly mixture of tulips.

We wandered through the gardens and enjoyed the bold colourful planted beds.

Many others, like us, masked up and delighted in the beauty of the gardens.

We sat outside after our walk and had a cold drink and a wee bite of lunch.

It felt like we were on holiday.

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Ups and downs during the Pandemic...

Parrot tulips with chartreuse streaks...

Mother Nature could have painted these sweet flowers herself.

I love the modernist icy Tapio Wirkkala Finnish vases.

They cleverly camouflage the flower stems.

I cannot imagine my life without flowers.

Can You?

I suppose that is why I toil for hours in our garden.

Hopeful that seeds, tubers and bulbs will grow and flourish.

Gardening is a quiet hobby

one that offers many rewards.

Tending and creating a garden has so many benefits

fresh air

 exercise

nature

birdsong

bees 

butterflies

"My extravagance is my garden - 

it's the first thing I look at every morning when I wake up. 

It gives me so much pleasure."

~ Ina Garten ~

Flowers have the power to elevate even the humblest of vessels...

from a jam jar to a crystal vase.

We are flying a new flag here in The Humble Bungalow.

It is flown in support and gratitude for the front line workers

who are helping us all stay safe during the pandemic.

We purchased this flag at The Victoria Flag Shop on Fort Street.

Each night at 7pm we are out banging pots and pans with our neighbours

to let the workers know that we are grateful for their work.

Current read Mary Coin by Marisa Silver

an interesting book so far and I am almost halfway through the story.

Am seriously looking for some book suggestions 

as I am running out of books fast!

Hope that you are managing to stay safe and are feeling cozy in the comfort of your own home.

We are living through such unusual times...

some days are better than others.

I read that we might be modifying our way of life for the next couple of years.

Perhaps we will never go back to those carefree days?

Who knows?

We just have to take it one day at a time and do our best.

I miss so many things

family

friends

entertaining at home and being entertained at other peoples homes

our bridge games

knitting group meetings

sitting sipping coffee at the cafe

the freedom to go shopping and browse in a store

the local library and bookshops

the pool and yoga studio

lunching out with my gal friends

the spa and hair salon

dinners out with friends

going to the cottage

travel

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears."

~  Nelson Mandela ~

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

~  Desmond Tutu ~

Take care.

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tulip Mania...and a surprise!

The Spring tulips are magnificent in colour and form...
tulip mania is very real here in The Humble Bungalow!

Intricate patterns and vibrant details.

I've been gardening in these pretty grey pearls...

a gift from our darling daughter.

Love this soft worn in chambray shirt from the Gap.

Its years old and a favourite of mine.

It is so very cozy and in these troubling times I am wearing only comfy clothes.

Cashmere, chambray and yes! Yoga pants.

Keeping it real here.

My days are slow paced and provide a variety of activities...

gardening, dusting, cooking, reading, knitting and walking.

I never know exactly how my days will shape up.

Coffee and checking in with social media and the news are the first things...

Sitting still and looking out the window

while quietly reflecting

on things that I am grateful for and that practise sets the tone for the day.

I don't usually gravitate toward suspense thrillers...

 this one by Shari Lapena caught my eye and WOW!

I read it in two days and was riveted to my seat!

The ending has a real twist!

Reading is such a fabulous distraction.

I am "escaping" every day through books during this pandemic.

How are you doing?

What are you reading?

Chester napping...he makes it look effortless to fall asleep!

I envy him...

Rosemarie who resides in Vancouver sent me these sweet socks.

Cheerful and soft, perfect for these cozy comfort clothing days...

Thank you Rosemarie.

XO

I am going to start reading this book later today.

In the meantime I am going to water the garden and do some laundry.

Routines help fill the time while we are staying home so much.

Are you keeping busy?

Stay safe

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~