May Daze...snapshots and snippets

 

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow.

There's not too much news here...

Still in recovery from my hip replacement and have not been away.

Life is moving quite slowly

but I'm feeling positive and content to be a homebody.

There are always things to do here...

mostly home keeping jobs.

The kettle is often boiling and there's fresh tea in the pot.

Good books at the ready and a cat that loves attention.

I've been enjoying watching You Tube Videos.

So many great people out there that are sharing their homes, gardens and hobbies.

Do you have any favourite You Tube Accounts?

~ Japanese Peony ~

Seen on one of my walks...

At Government House in The Rockland area of Victoria.

Gorgeous details and a pristine white bowl of petals.

Government House Gardens are open to the public most of the year.

The gardens are a mix of Garry Oak meadows, large areas of lawn, rocky outcroppings and perennial borders.

Several ponds with ducks, a rose garden and a fountain. 

Quite a few benches are available to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

 Spectacular views of The Olympic Mountains 

across the Strait to Washington, USA.

Native plants and rock and alpine plants have there place here too...

A small museum of vintage clothing is located in the Mews where

there is a charming tea room.

Volunteers help take care of the grounds and there are plant sales during the year.

I like to visit several times each year to see what is blooming.

If you visit Victoria or live closeby this is a great spot for a walk or a picnic.

I snapped a picture of this peony just as I was leaving...

I found this antique platter at Ross Bay Villa's Saturday sale.

I was drawn to the black and white colours and the mottled age of the piece.

I popped this on our arts and crafts wooden shelf in the bathroom.

The sun has been out for a few days and we have been enjoying the warmer weather.

Warm enough for a soft ice cream cone treat!

Chester is loving this warm sunny spot.

He's been finding sunny patches to have a nap in most days...

I'd love to be able to nap like a cat.

I've been bringing out some of my summer clothes...

I love the details on the sleeves of this white linen shirt.

It's a versatile piece...can be worn as a jacket or a simple shirt.

My new denim jacket..by Angels from Marshall's.

I looked at thrift and consignment shops for several weeks but had no luck so I decided to go look at Marshall's and found one for under $40.

The silk scarf is by local artist and crafter Lise Lotte Design.

She has the scarves for sale on her website in 2 sizes...I opted for the smaller one.

It's light and lovely and has a beautiful pattern on it 

she made this using a technique called cyanotype

that harnesses the power of the sun!

Do you watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on TV?

I've seen a few and was delighted when I found a new book.

I love the details, the era that the stories are set in and the opulent fashions.

Am halfway through the book and enjoying the story...

I now can see why the books are so popular.

Have you ever tried to monitor your portions by using a smaller plate or bowl?

This is one of the tricks that I am using to help me from overeating.

My lunch 5 out of 7 days 

is high protein Greek Yogurt, fresh fruit and chopped walnuts.

I vary the fruit so that I am not bored.

I actually feel like I am eating dessert when I eat this lunch...

and it keeps me satisfied until dinner time.

~ Pasta ~

my husbands' favourite food.

To make it satisfying I usually serve it with a salad.

I have 1 cup of noodles and 1 cup of sauce.

The sauce recipe is pretty basic...

1 diced onion

1-2 cloves of garlic minced

2 stalks celery diced

several sliced mushrooms

saute in olive oil on medium heat until soft

stirring often.

Add sliced Italian sausages

(they look like meat balls)

saute until cooked.

Add 1 large large can of minced or chopped tomatoes.

(San Marzano are very flavourful)

salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and dried oregano

(all to your taste)

Simmer for an hour and serve over top of any pasta.

Native Camas is in bloom.

Many Local Victoria Parks have these plants growing...

Beacon Hill, Playfair and Uplands Parks

Lovely spots to walk and enjoy nature at its best.

Wee auricula from the plant sale table at Ross Bay Villa.

Love love love these darling flowers :-))

I am trying to get in as many steps as I can to build my muscles up.

 It is taking a longer time to get my speed back.

As a result I'm feeling stiff and have just purchased a big bag of epsom salts!!

A soak in the tub is on my radar...

Hope that things are going well for you.

Well it's your turn now...

perhaps you can share what you are up to, what you are reading 

or watching on You Tube?

Until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Post Op ~ Pearls, Books and Blooms

 

~ Star Magnolia ~

This beauty is out front of The Humble Bungalow and is currently in BLOOM.

The sheer elegance...of pure white flowers.

I love a crisp white flower.

I am doing well post op into week 6 now...

walking more steps but still at a slowish pace.

The hip muscles are getting a workout!

I can tell because I need to pop a Tylenol

after a day of walks....

even these frequent short ones that the physiotherapist has recommended.

I am a rule follower and I am pushing ahead trying to be mindful of my capability.

Oh but the urge to go farther is so tempting...

that being said if I overdo I am not doing myself any favours.

I drove the car to meet a friend for coffee today and it felt so amazing!

~ FREEDOM ~

I've been reading a LOT...

I've read many books in the past 5 weeks.

I've just finished Mrs. Van Gogh...very interesting and well written.

Tartufo was a fun romp set in Italy, comical, it could be made into a film.

Lady Tremaine is up next...a Reese's Book Club Pick.

A Cinderella story told by the wicked stepmother's perspective.

I've been paying attention to my hands...

they've been quite dry so I've been slathering on the hand cream.

Wearing my Akoya Pearls...

always want to add a bit of polish to my plain white Tee and grey cashmere sweater.

They positively GLOW.

Mr. HB took me for a drive to the Beacon Drive In...

I had a soft ice cream cone.

The first one in about 5 YEARS!!!!

So Yummy.

Why did I wait SO LONG to have a cone?

I guarantee I'll be going more often to enjoy this wee treat.

I pulled out my paints...

made some Mud Pie Paintings.

Easter Colours Perhaps?

I feel like a kid in kindergarten when I paint...

no judgement just let the brush flow.

Healing over these past few weeks has made me realize what a lot I have to be thankful for...and feeling so much gratitude as I wake up every day.

The return to more normal activities is wonderful.

I am not taking anything for granted.

 Tea Time is a TREAT!

So many choices...

What blend to brew?

My friend Michelle gave me a tin of Harney and Sons Earl Grey which is so GOOD!

The tea is full bodied and in wee silk gossamer bags.

I feel very posh when I sip it.

I've been using mugs because I have a cane in one hand and I daren't juggle 

a cup and saucer just yet, but can imagine how lovely it will be to sip this POSH tea out of one of my fine china cups and saucers.

(lah dee dah)

Sun is shining and I've got to go for my afternoon walk...

(doctor's orders)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Calm, Quiet, and Cozy Cocooning...

Am enjoying a very peaceful morning here in The Humble Bungalow...

Hot Coffee, read a few chapters in my new book.

Took a hot shower

 prepped the sourdough bread.

Beeswax melting slowly...pooling and coating the icy candlestick.

Oddly the other beeswax candles are not dripping like this one.

Perhaps there is a story behind this?

I did a quick search and the internet says...

The wick was too short...a tall pillar candle needs a wick that is 1/2 an inch

 ~ OR ~

the candle had not been burned long enough the first time to establish a "memory" which prevents tunnelling.

Who Knew?

(I know now)

I made a batch of my Christmas nuts...

they are a favourite among friends and family.

Very simple to make and they are a great Hostess Gift!

~ Christmas Nuts ~ 

2 cups each ~ almonds, walnuts, pecans

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. allspice

2 tsp.cinnamon

2 tsp. coriander

2 tsp. ginger

2 egg whites

3 tbsp. water

In a large bowl:

Sprinkle nuts with sugar and spices.

Beat egg whites and add water, mix into bowl of nuts.

Spread on a buttered sheet pan.

Bake at 275 degrees for an hour...turn once after 30 minutes.

Add to jars when out of oven, leave lids off until they are cool.

(if you let the nuts cool on the pan they stick!)

Enjoy

Patterns galore....

New to me...

Linen and feather pillow.

~ Above the Farmhouse Sink ~

a wide ledge for an array of "things"

my daily view.

I like to look at at variety of things when I do my dishes.

Candles, flowers, and the occasional seasonal accents frequently appear.

WOW 

what an amazing book.

Sensitive subject matter but so incredible.

A MUST READ

I dried oranges in the oven and wired them to a wreath with greenery.

The oranges are sliced thinly then dabbed with a paper towel

 to soak up some of the juices...

place slices on a parchment lined sheet pan 

Bake at 275 for about 2 hours turning every 30 minutes until dried but not browned.

~ OOTD ~

Ralph Lauren quilted barn coat

MNG jeans

Chelsea Boots by Clarks

Scarf by Petrusse

not shown...

Eileen Fisher long sleeved black top

Rainy day walk at Marshalls :-))

aisle walking and perusing...

checked out the sweaters, only wanted wool or cashmere 

found 2 to try on but neither ticked all the boxes.

Found a Christmas gift for one of the grandchildren...

New book...

Both Mr. HB and I like Richard Osman's books.

Light reading, very engaging and rather fun.

Making progress on my Alexandra's Airplane Scarf 

( a Churchmouse Pattern)

 Knitting For Olive Silk Mohair Yarn

One more skein to knit on and it is a darker shade of blue.

So soft and cozy...

will be a wonderful neck warmer for the winter weather :-))

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

I've got an exciting getaway planned for a few days.

Will tell you more in the next post...

until then

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Health, Hips, and new things on my radar and in my closet!

 

~ Glorious Fall Colour ~

I went for a walk in the cemetery with my sister and we visited the family plot.

This "avenue" of plain trees is quite magnificent and changes throughout the seasons.

The dappled sun and birdsong lifted my spirits.

We walked by these gentle creatures slowly 

as they gazed up from their meal 

Only stopped for a brief minute to observe us as we passed by...

The cemetery is located a few short blocks from The Humble Bungalow.

 It is a lovely spot for a saunter or a quiet place to sit and savour nature.

I devoured this book in a few days...

it was an entertaining book of short mysteries in the style of Miss Marple.

It left me craving a meatier mystery book.

Mr. HB and I are watching Wire in The Blood on Britbox.

Very intense and so well done.

Val McDermid's writing is well crafted.

I had several weeks of "tummy trouble" and I figured out what was amiss.

It turns out I have developed an intolerance for lactose!

My father had an issue with lactose too so I come by it honestly.

I asked my BFF who also has a lactose intolerance,

 she suggested that I try lactose free Greek yogurt.

Well I am very happy to report that it is delicious and doesn't cause any distress.

I've switched to Natrel, a milk that is lactose free, and am carefully reading labels.

It has surprised me to learn that so many people have this issue!

My surgeon has suggested that I lose a few pounds to reduce the stress on my hips.

So I have been riding my new (to me) stationary bike and modifying my diet.

I have lost 5 pounds so far...

I can't tell by looking so it must be mostly water:-))

Anyhow the battle continues...

Let's move on and away from these pesky health issues, shall we?

Eileen Fisher 

basic top with long sleeves.

Perfect for fall and winter and a great layering piece.

Purchased at a local consignment shop on Estevan.

~ Twice Is Nice ~

It fits in with my minimalist wardrobe...

You can see the colour palette...

denims, black, white and grey.

~ Striped shirts ~

Worn over tee tops, usually with the collars and cuffs up.

(AND MY PEARL NECKLACE)

Why save it only for BEST?

For some reason I have gone a bit MAD for denim!

It has happened gradually but I am totally smitten..

I love the softness of worn denim...found easily in the thrift shops.

The shirt dress is several seasons old from Lands' End, it gets a lot of wear.

Do you love denim too?

A classic white shirt from Old Navy 10 years old and still going strong.

Lipstick is always a great accessory...

a pop of colour on a grey day.

I took a risk with this colour ~ there were no testers available...

It works and the lippy was on sale so a "win win."

This soft scarf will go well with that shade of lipstick!

So cozy for my beach walks here at the cottage...

SeaSalt is a Cornish Brand.

I love their colourful prints and clothing.

Columbia Rain jacket needed for the rainy days..

soft scarf for a warm and cozy neck.

My newest accessory is a necessity to reduce the pressure on my hip.

Things are ramping up in the hip replacement department...

appointments are scheduled and tests have been completed.

Will keep you posted...

Reading this book now...

rather a different subject matter but the writing is excellent.

Dawn French is one of my favourites...

especially her role in The Vicar Of Dibley!

Have you read any of her books?

For now that's pretty much all my news.

Lot's going on and I have to keep my eyes focused on the positives.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~