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 ~

Weather, walks and letting go....

Mr. HB and I went shopping for Diptyque candles in Vancouver a few weeks ago...
We purchased our Fall and Winter "go to scent"...Ambre and then it was time to branch out and try something new...
I opted for Roses, because of course, Roses are my all time favourite flower.

Mr. HB got into the swing of things and sniffed all the testers...he liked Menthe Verte.
A fresh light fragrance...greenish, like the Mint itself.

While the house smells all fresh and minty inside we have been adding greenery to the porch.

I had to stop on my walk and take a photo of the moss on a granite wall near The Victoria Art Gallery.

There have been wind storms this past week and there are more in the forecast.

It has been difficult getting my walks in 

as the winds are ripping limbs from the trees 

small twigs are flying everywhere...

I do not want to be a target or suffer a head injury.

So I have been doing what Mother does when inclement weather strikes...

I have been walking in the Mall!

Not that I am a "mall walker" per say.

(many seniors walk in the mall before it opens then they sit and chat over coffee in the food court)

I have been getting some Christmas shopping done and while I am roaming in the shops I make sure that I cover lots of territory!

interesting interior for an elevator

 a sheet metal fantasy

Wind blown hair...

I made an appointment with my hairdresser this week

 after months of the tedious "growing out period."

It has not grown as long as I want it to yet 

but with the festive season upon us 

I can wait no longer.

If I do I might earn the nickname "Scruffy."

These cute little felted animals have my full attention...

they are adorable and so charming.

Crafters that can create such lovely things have my utmost respect.

I have tried to make these and mine looked rather odd.

So odd, 

that I disposed of them before showing them to anyone.

Sometimes we need to let go of the things that we cannot do and let those who can, lead the way!

"Letting go helps us to to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. 

It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations 

that do not belong to us. 

This frees us from unnecessary stress.

~ Melody Beattie ~

That is my deep thought for the day....

I'm currently busy 

rather pre-occupied with cooking and shopping.

I am volunteering at a Christmas luncheon for about 100 people.

It will be all hands on deck trying to get the full turkey dinner 

and all the trimmings out from the teeny tiny kitchen

to all the hungry diners.

I plan to wear my linen apron and comfy shoes...

hope I don't drop any plates

or pour coffee on anyone's lap or slip on the gravy.