Quarterdeck Cottage ~ September Snippets

 

Here at Quarterdeck Cottage we keep things simple.

I am in my casual cottage cooking gear...

Apron

White Tee

Black Yoga pants

Bare feet (with red polish)

It is a cloudy Monday morning so 

I baked the sourdough boule

and

made a Frittata

Today's Frittata Recipe

 7 large eggs beaten

1/3 cup milk (or cream)

1/3 cup chopped pitted black olives 

1 small green pepper diced 

10 cherry tomatoes cut in half 

cup of grated white cheddar cheese

salt and pepper

Place in shallow ovenproof quiche pan

Bake at 350 for approximately 35 minutes.

We brought some green tomatoes with us...

I fried them up for breakfast and served them with worchestershire sauce.

Yesterday

we invited some of the neighbours from the nearby cottages over for a Happy Hour.

It was so lovely that we sat on the deck...

chatting away and laughing

nibbling on the charcuterie offerings

sipping our beverages

time passed and before long it was getting chilly.

We packed up just after 7pm

I finally finished knitting the Miriam sweater...

it is at home and I need to block it before I can wear it.

But I never like to be without my knitting so I went shopping last week!

I started knitting a shawl "River's Wrap"

 in this gorgeous Japanese Noro Akari Yarn

from The Beehive in Victoria.

The yarn is wonderfully soft and so soothing to work with...

silk, cotton, viscose, mohair and wool.

In other shopping news...

Found a wee crystal vessel at the thrift shop in Sidney on Friday 

before we caught the ferry....

There's a bit of magic in the way the light reflects

 in the crisp cut design of a crystal piece.

I foraged some wild dried flowers...

they look so pretty in the vase.

Am smitten with the light!!

The glow is so warm, and it does feel like magic.

On my walk to day I went to Bricky Bay.

In the early 1900's a brick making crew used this area and the beach.

They shipped the bricks off island from the bay, there are remnants of the dock.

Bits of bricks cover the beach and many have worn down and are soft shapes.

Some are small round shapes like marbles...

I managed to find a couple of pieces of sea glass but not much.

I sat on a log and listened to the call of the ravens and the swish of the waves.

Watched a few boats cruise past before pulling myself away from this idyllic spot.

I spied this sunny painted rock.

People paint rocks and leave them on the beaches here...

I usually don't take the rocks, just snap a picture to share on Instagram.

Before I close 

I must share with you a totally unexpected gift from a dear reader Rosemarie, 

who resides in Vancouver.

Rosemarie and I correspond regularly via email

we've met several times for lunch and tea when she visited Victoria

Last time I was in Vancouver we met for a glass of wine and some nibbles at The Cactus Club.

Look at this beautiful kimono style wrap!

She knows me so well...

It will be a welcome addition to my wardrobe.

THANK YOU ROSEMARIE :-))

You are such a generous person.

(I am going to find something to send Rosemarie)

Well I must close for now and go outside with my knitting.

The views are stunning!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

June Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden, swimsuit shopping and a recipe for an at home Spa Day.

June in The Humble Bungalow Garden 

is all about the roses.

Constance Spry is putting on a fabulous show here on the pergola.

The side garden patio is nestled between a lush border of Lady's Mantle

 a bed with two apple trees, various roses and foxgloves.

It's a lovely spot to sit and take tea.

I snapped this photo while sitting with my tea...

you can see the tool shed through the "jungle!"

My husband and I went on the Victoria Hospice Teeny Tiny Garden Tour.

We really enjoyed our day perusing the various gardens on the tour.

I got a few ideas to add to our garden...

for example we could use a water feature, and some more planters with annuals.

I'd also like to find some bamboo wind chimes and a tall wind ornament.

We have volunteered our garden for the fundraising tour next year...

it will be up to the coordinator in charge to decide if ours is worthy.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

fragrant and a vigorous growing variety.

Jude the Obscure is blooming!

It is my favourite rose.

I actually Love So Many Roses...

it is rather difficult choosing just one favourite.

The Miraclesuit shown here is 3 or 4 years old and is losing it's shape.

The Aqua Fit classes are fabulous fun!

I didn't know how much I would enjoy them.

The class is an hour and we are moving continuously.

The movements do not aggravate my arthritis or hurt my joints.

I dislike swimsuit shopping but I NEED a NEW one.

There is a limit on the number of suits that you can take into the change room

so you can try on maybe 6 then have to get dressed and take back the 6 to the clerk at the desk.

So it makes swimsuit shopping a really frustrating challenge.

It was a surprise finding this black suit.

I had already been to the Marshall's store 4 times in search of a decent style and fit.

Well this just proves that old saying...if at first you don't succeed Try Try Again.

Simon Chang

The wrap style is flattering.

I chose the size up for added comfort.

I am short so the adjustable straps are a nice feature.

The suit was $35 and I couldn't believe what good value it was.

My physio appointments are weekly and I am getting IMS treatments.

I have had two sessions so far.

I am hopeful that these will help loosen up the taut and tight muscles 

that are causing the pain in my lower back.

My doctor recommended them so I am hoping that they will make a difference.

It will be nice not to need any pain medication and be able to walk 5km as well as attend the Aqua Fit classes.

Sleep is much better with a thick pillow propped underneath my knees.

I lie on my back which is the most comfortable position.

I am learning to relax my back and get a better sleep.

Back to the garden...

Lady Angela a fragrant David Austin Rose is blooming.

She is a pretty variety and is trained as a climber.

Lots of flowers repeat throughout the summer.

I like to have some fresh flowers above the kitchen sink.

I spend a lot of time washing dishes and gazing out the window.

Eagles often soar high above in the sky floating in the air.

We live in an area quite close to the downtown and yet we have lots of urban wildlife.

Deer, raccoons, European Wall Lizards, eagles, owls, crows and various songbirds.

There are always some animal antics or birds entertaining us in the garden.

~ Hey Jude ~ 

Buds 

Blooms Present and Past

I've been busy this week and am planning some quiet time.

My energy and enthusiasm for social events are not always in sync.

Do you schedule days where you stay at home and relax?

I find I like to be out and about so much more than recharging at home.

You would think that I might not want to miss out on something!

(Life can be so full of fun that it is a challenge to wean myself off of the excitement)

After chatting with, and reading blog posts from women my age

I have found that many are "under the weather" because 

they have been "burning the candle at both ends."

So as an observer 

I have made note and am going to enact a day of quiet.

Perhaps a Spa Day?

Spa Day Bath Salt Recipe

What do you like to do when you feel the need for some self care?

Do you book yourself into a hotel?

Reserve a pampering package of treatments at a local spa?

Stay in your pajamas all day read a good book, sip tea and munch on chocolate?

I do love a great chocolate bar...

Lindt creamy milk chocolate with hazelnuts is my current favourite.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

Take Care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are in the spotlight...these are just a few of the 30 + roses that we grow.

 

~ The Humble Bungalow Kitchen ~

The window ledge above the farmhouse sink

featuring the elegant vintage Japanese porcelain vase.

Darling Daughter found this and thought it would be perfect for our garden blooms.

The rose is Abraham Darby, a fragrant David Austin rose, grown in our garden.

It is one of my favourites!

Stay tuned.

More pictures of this gorgeous rose are coming up.

May and June are the best months for our garden roses.

~ Showy Pavement Rugosa Rose ~

Bright Fuschia Pink

hardy

fragrant

very thorny

repeat blooming habit.

A close up...

while waiting for my husband to back the car out of the driveway 

I went in for a "sniff"

was I surprised

 when as I got closer, there was a bee working, inside all the petals!

Fortunately I did not get stung, the bee was preoccupied.

~ Reine des Violettes ~

David Austin

Old Rose

Strong Fragrance

repeat blooming

almost thornless

~ Abraham Darby ~

David Austin Rose

fragrant

pinky apricot

thorny

repeat blooming

One of my favourite roses.

A beautiful cut rose, great in bouquets or floating in a shallow dish.

~ Climbing Royal Sunset ~

Orange 

rich deep fragrance

repeat blooming

vigorous growth habit

hardy and reliable

I researched the local Recreation Centres for Aqua Fit Classes...

it all looks great on paper but one must actually attend and participate in person

to decide if it is a "good fit."

So I took the plunge, and I am happy to report that the class went very well.

My arthritic joints were not sore or painful during the class.

I was able to keep up 

although I was often doing the movements opposite to the instructor!

(I looked around and I was relieved to see that I was not the only one.)

There was a large group of about 30 women in attendance 

they obviously have been doing the class for quite awhile 

as they were chatting before class started 

signing a card in the change room for the instructor.

One particular woman went out of her way to say hi 

she mentioned that foam dumbbells were used in class 

so I put a pair on the edge of the pool where other women had set them down.

The instructor made the class FUN.

She had oodles of energy and was encouraging us to smile and laugh.

The hour passed quite quickly.

The next morning I didn't have much discomfort but was "aware" that I had used muscles not normally used when I walk.

The water is much more gentle on my joints than my regular walking.

I walked today, 

only 3.2 km but my hips and low back hurt.

So I will be returning to Aqua Fit and aim to attend 2-3 times a week.

I am very pleased with the pool and the class.

Feeling very optimistic, excited, and hopeful after only one class.

~ Grateful ~

My first Beach Read of the season ticked all the boxes...

While reading this book

my afternoon teatime and reading became longer and longer

(extending well into my dinner prep time) 

as I made my way through the chapters.

I enjoyed Erin's colourful characters and interesting story

set in Nantucket.

Nantucket sounds idyllic...

If you are looking for a Beach read this is a good one!

We've got lots going on here socially...

so I thought that I had better get this written and published before I forgot.

Do you love to garden?

What do you grow?

We watched the last season of Ted Lasso...

Loved the series so much.

The writing was rich and deep

the characters were spot on

very funny, yet poignant

 quality entertainment.

Will now need to find another great series...

any suggestions perhaps?

"Still" the newly released documentary film with Michael J Fox 

was brilliant.

It raised my awareness of Parkinson's disease...

I have a whole new respect for the disease Michael has,

how he is dealing with it, and the many challenges that he is facing.

He's a very brave fellow...

I wonder how he manages to be so stoic?

Obviously

a good support system and ample funds help with

the numerous medications, doctors and therapy.

Very little is known about what causes the disease.

There is a genetic connection in some cases...

Michael J Fox has set up a foundation and to date 

the foundation has raised more than 2 billion dollars.

Speaking about raising money...

My husband and I are thinking about offering our garden for next year's tour.

The Hospice Fundraiser ~  Teeny Tiny Garden Tour

Mom was in Hospice the last few days of her life.

The staff were incredible and the facility, although old, was very cozy.

There was a family area, a small kitchen, and a beautiful rooftop garden oasis.

It would be a very worthwhile cause...

Well that's about it for now...

I appreciate all your comments.

You may have noticed that I respond with your name 

but cannot link directly to your account.

It is a glitch with Blogger.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a FUN weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Playfair Park ~ A quiet and serene walk in the Gardens ~ Arthritis Walking update

 

~ Playfair Park ~

A scenic oasis of beauty in our city.

Camas, azaleas and rhododendrons dot the landscape.

The Birdsong is heavenly.

This park is situated between two major streets and I didn't hear any traffic.

It a lovely spot to escape to and be in a lush green space.

A reader asked me to share any tips on my arthritis journey...

It's very early in my journey but I will attempt to share a few tidbits.

I am easing into this new phase taking baby steps

avoiding at all costs 

going down a rabbit hole of gloom and doom.

New beginnings...

Embracing Daily Delights

Snippets of beauty

Gorgeous Fawn Lilies.

Like the famous Nike slogan says...

Just Do It!

Walking with intention...

slowly and mindfully.

A gentle warm up helps prepare the hips.

Moving sideways and backwards first to get the hips to get ready

then moving forward, slowly at first and pace yourself in a comfortable speed.

Each day my hip feels different, some days there is more pain than other days?

I have no clue why?

All questions to ask my physiotherapist when I meet with her.

My goal is to halve my usual walk into two shorter ones.

These steps and km were accomplished by taking three shorter walks.

I am feeling weary now and have taken an Advil.

My doctor told me that I could take them during the day and the most important one

 is for nightime to help me with pain and allow for sleep.

It feels weird taking a pain pill as this is so not on my usual radar

but Needs Must...for now at least...in time who knows?

But hey let's check out the flowers...

Camas grows in large areas below the Garry Oak Trees.

Camas close up, 

the First Nations People used this as a food source.

A lovely rhododendron, one of many here in the park.

Pink, red, white, mauve and yellow dotted throughout the gardens.

Last week I walked in Playfair Park, along The Esplanade at Willows Beach

then I met up with a friend for a walk near her home in South Oak Bay.

I feel like I have accomplished something positive...

these are the most steps that I have recorded since my initial diagnosis.

One other thing that my doctor mentioned was to take extra vitamin D.

He indicated that there is a lot of scientific research to support its use.

I am enjoying lots of salads with fresh lettuce harvested from the Humble Bungalow Garden.

My lunches are focused completely on salad.

I am getting creative by adding nuts, feta and cooked quinoa to the lettuce and veggies.

I use a simple Kraft dressing that is oil based.

One type has Italian pesto and spices and the other one has Greek Feta.

Both are 35 calories per tablespoon and they add a LOT of flavour.

That's about all for now as I need to get up and move.

BTW

Thank you for your many supportive and encouraging emails

I am excited to be taking charge of my Health and continuing to explore new options.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~