Beach Walk Treasures....

My Beach glass collection is filling a Bonne Maman jam jar.

I found these pieces on my beach walks here on Pender Island.

I'll need to find a larger jar soon...

perhaps I'll find a vintage sealer jar as that would match my shell jar collection.

I find mostly white glass...

aren't the greens and blues dreamy shades?

The blue glass floats are vintage finds

as are the icy glass Timo Sarpaneva candle sticks.

There's a beach theme going on here at Quarter Deck Cottage.

Beached sailboat...

cannot help thinking what an apt name this is for this vessel!

Crisp white Barnacles cling to the rocks.

Someone placed these shells atop a vast chunk of driftwood at Mortimer Spit.

Pender Chocolates serve a delicious Hot chocolate made from thick and rich chocolate ganache...

the chocolate shop is a treasure

so many tasty treats

deciding on which ones to choose is a challenge!

My current read is a light hearted romp

a peek into the lives of an eclectic group of people living on an English Avenue.

I am halfway through it and find its a page turner...

Hope that your week is off to a great start...

we awoke to blues skies and sunshine this morning and that's a great gift.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday Flowers...

Friday Flowers...

I spied these pretty pink blooms on one of my walks this week.

They are just so cheerful

set against the grey cedar fence they seem to glow...

These colourful primulas are perfect for the front porch.

They are a welcome sight with just the right amount of "happy."

There are many different varieties of these plants available.

Did you know that the only ones with a scent are the deep amber yellow variety?

I always purchase some of the yellow ones as their scent is quite lovely.

I've been searching for a vintage silver champagne bucket for quite some time and this week the stars aligned and I found one in a second hand shop for a reasonable price.

I wasted no time and popped into the local flower shop and bought a new orchid where it now sits on our dining room table.

Flowers are such a tonic for the grey gloomy weather...

we have had a few patches of sunshine which raises ones spirits.

At my weekly bridge afternoon many of the women were lamenting about the weather...it seems to be a common complaint.

Some were eager to share their travel plans as they are booked on flights 

off to warmer sunnier climates.

Travel to a sunnier spot is not on my radar...

so I add colour in my daily round and seek out "pops of colour" on my walks.

a lovely blue green mix in this sumptuous yarn...

I have been learning a lot about knitting with my new sock project.

The heel flap, turning the heel and the gusset have been a wee bit challenging but thanks to You Tube knitting tutorials I have been able to work through the pattern.

 Do you challenge yourself by learning new things?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

The Power of Colour....

With so much turmoil in our world one doesn't like to add to the load by being a "cranky" so I gave myself a talking to...

Mother would be the first to point this out
her "voice" a gentle reminder which I have taken to heart...

Thanks Mom.

Attitude of Gratitude.

Jude the Obscure is STILL BLOOMING!

Love the tinges of red on the petals...

they are usually all yellow so this is new and I wonder why?

Is it morphing into its former root stock?

Amazing that there are so many buds and blooms and in December!

Another thing to be grateful for...roses.

Can you see the silver Christmas balls hanging from the pergola?

Mr. HB strung up our Christmas lights and hung the baubles.

In the next image you can see the lights on the back deck strung with the climbing Royal Sunset rose.

Jamie sent me her new book...it is an advanced reading copy.

Her books are such fun to read...she is a lovely person too.

I went on her Ooh La La Paris tour a few years ago.

Jamie has that "joie de vive" and she is an inspiration...

I love her positive energy.

Will be posting on this book after reading the book.

I may decide to post an interview with Jamie on the blog.

I think that would be fun!

The weather has been moody and grey this past week.

Dallas Road looks across Juan de Fuca Strait

where we are able observe lots of interesting cloud patterns.

This view is from The Esplanade where Mom and I walked regularly...

SO

 my resolve for not buying anything new was tested

 when I spied these RED 

Josef Seibel flats at 50% off

BUT

a great way to add some much needed energy and cheer into these gloomy days.

An icy modernist Tapio Wirkkala vase from the second hand shop

smaller than the vintage Wirkkala Tree of Life vase

that I received for Christmas

a gift from Mr. HB at 17

meant for long stemmed red roses...

Mom did not have a vase tall enough to place the dozen long stemmed roses 

that he gave me on Valentines Day

so

 we had to cut them down!!

Can you imagine his shock when he saw them cut in half?

Wise move that he gifted a taller vase which I have kept and cherish and am reminded of that snippet from the past whenever I use it!

 This shorter vase will be perfect for tulips.

Perhaps even some red flowers?

Adding some festive touches to our front porch.

Simple green boughs and red Ilex berries make a cheery display.

Red seems to be the colour of the moment here in The Humble Bungalow.

It has certainly perked me up and been a much needed mood shifter.

Thank you for stopping by...

A dear reader sent me an email asking about the sugar cookies that I baked, 

she wanted the recipe.

Here is my friend Bryce's recipe...

I use butter instead of the margarine 

 I dip the cookies into red or green sugar sprinkles gently flattening them just a wee bit before pacing them on the cookie sheet.

My oven is not as hot so I bake the cookies for about 13-15 minutes

but keep an eye on them as they are not meant to brown.

This recipe doubles well too.

Enjoy!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Decorating ~ free, thrift shop finds and some luxurious habits.

I love using "found" or foraged things from Nature in our home and cottage decor.

Thrift shop finds also factor in when it comes to things I have added to our bungalow...often they are unusual or somewhat quirky.

I have also been known to pull the car over when I see a free pile on the boulevard.

I am not particularly talented when it comes to interior decorating.

 But I do know what styles I do like and what I feel comfortable adding to our surroundings here in The Humble Bungalow.

Sea shells in a vintage canning jar.

Big barnacle

Chunk of coral

Glass Fish floats

Large Shell

Coral and shells mixed together.

a vintage flag

vintage enamel ware

I love using basic whites...

so versatile 

vases, trays and dishes.

White vintage Ironstone

Potted orchids

Emma Bridgewater tray...I also use her bowls for my morning cafe creme

White beach glass in a Ball sealer jar.

Emma Bridgewater Black Toast Pattern

Fresh flowers in an icy modernist vase.

Simple beach stones inside a bowl to keep the soap dry.

Vintage ironstone soap dish with built in ribbing for drainage.

Lovely soap...a weakness of mine is to buy quality french scented soaps.

Silver accents are peppered throughout the house.

My all time favourite candles...a splurge I know but so worth it.

First Nations baskets.

I love this book

by Tricia Foley 

Her simple style inspires me and I like to pick this book up from time to time and get re-energized about culling and curating what we have in our home.

 Tricia's ideas help inspire me when I am out perusing the thrift shops.

I tend to look closer at the "qualities" or the "bones" of a piece and am able to evaluate whether it is something that could add interest in our home.

Do you have a certain style when it comes to your home decor?

Have you ever hired a professional interior decorator?

What style do you admire?

Hope you have a lovely weekend...

the sun is shining here this morning and the day is going to be hot!

I plan to mix up a batch of lemonade and keep hydrated.

A garden visit to Point Ellice House.

Victoria has oodles of gardens worth a visit...

Butchart Gardens,  Abkhazi Gardens, Royal Roads, 

and this historic garden home Point Ellice House which is off the beaten track.

It's fun exploring local sites and seeing the parts of Victoria that the "tourists" see.

 I chose a sunny Sunday to explore before perusing "the secret vintage shoppe."

Point Ellice House also offer a tasty afternoon tea which can be savoured while sitting in the verdant garden with heritage roses and plants.

The home and garden are not open every day so please check the website for times on the link above.

Frothy Native plant Ocean Spray

Yellow Phlomis

After the tour of the gardens I wandered into the secret vintage shoppe.

There were chintz pillows, linens, scarves, housewares, silver trays,  collectibles, wicker pieces, teacups, plants and more...

I purchased this charming white candle holder which will goes nicely with my vintage ironstone pieces like this simple white tray.

Hope that you enjoyed this scenic tour of one of our local heritage sites.

Do you go on an adventure as a tourist in your own hometown?

I needed a break from all the weeding and deadheading in the garden so this was a perfect escape!

What is new with you?