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 ~

Embracing those Silver Linings ~

 

~ Silver Linings ~

 ~ a consoling or hopeful prospect ~

 ~ a sign of hope, comfort, or a positive advantageous outcome 

that emerges from a difficult, sad or challenging situation ~

Popularized by John Milton in 1634

the phrase refers to the bright silver edge of a dark cloud.

~ Baggu ~

Silver is shiny enough that a crow might want it, bold enough so it is not boring.

I'm embracing the days as I wait for my new hip.

The days seem long and I crave distractions...

the kettle is boiling 24/7 as tea is my tasty elixir.

I have lost 20 pounds...

The new jeans are feeling roomy and I am not wanting to buy more.

There has been a resurgence of chocolate...

slow moments of bliss as the chocolate melts on my tongue.

~ Dressing Room Selfie ~

at Alexa's lovely shop in the Oak Bay Village

a la mode consignment

Can one have too many denim shirts?

(I now have 3)

The 5 year old thrifted Old Navy shirt, the pale Gap shirt new from last year

and now this Eileen denim shirt from Frank & Eileen.

The neckline is lower...the shirt is distressed...

it can be worn as a layer overtop of a camisole for a feminine flair.

Plus it is "pearl friendly!"

Accessories continue to add interest in my wardrobe.

The bird of paradise brooch thrifted from Salt Spring Island.

~ Two  new to me leather belts ~

Ralph Lauren and a British Columbia Big Buckle Belt

Chloe fragrance an relatively new accessory that I am embracing.

Look at those dirty windows!

All the street work and winter wind storms have made a mess of our windows.

Now look at that hyacinth...it's a beauty.

oh and the fragrance...

Speaking of fragrance...

I've bought incense...the same incense that I burned when I was a teenager!

Surprised they still make it after all these years.

Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Bud vase 

(gift from darling daughter)

is in use as my holder until I can find a better option.

Reading The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

it's good so far and I am reading it slowly

my mind is not as focused as it usually is so I am re-reading sections.

I think I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I am going to be having major surgery and undergoing anesthetic...

there is the unknown pain factor post op which I am a little unsettled about too.

The strong prescription drugs are foreign to me so that is another issue altogether.

Basically 

trying to avoid these niggling thoughts and using as many distractions as possible 

to pass my days without obsessing about things which are unknown

things that i have no control over.

I need to have faith.

That's all for now...

not sure when I will post again?

I might not have lots to say as I plan to cocoon in February.

Thank you for stopping by...

Hope that you are staying sane

 not stressing too much about stuff that is beyond your control.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January ~ Chit Chat Catch Up & Thrifted Wardrobe Basics

 

~ Rose ~

Pope John Paul ll

Blooming in the Humble Bungalow mid January!

There are about a dozen buds ~ the weather is incredibly wet, but temps are mild.

If we get a freeze many many plants will be hit hard and not all will survive...

Fingers crossed that we don't lose many like we did a few years ago.

In my ongoing attempt to avoid carbs...
 I made meatballs in sauce and served them with a green salad.

They were delicious and I didn't miss the pasta.

I've been watching a variety of videos on You Tube about French Fashion...

Turns out that Blazers are a "Thing" and I haven't owned one for decades!

Well, I must confess that the power of persuasion is VERY real

 So I started my search...

In second hand and thrift stores...tried on many different types.

Plaids, tweeds, denim, boiled wool, canvas, knits...

None worked until I went to the Turnabout Luxury Resale store...

I had just finished a Yoga class across the street

spent time chatting and catching up with a former colleague 

and thought I would Pop In.

The blazer is black, was marked down, I tried it on, and that was it...

Reading a lovely book set in Cornwall...

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase.

Eve wrote The Wilding Sisters which I also have in my TBR pile.

I'm enjoying the story and loving the large manor house and gardens...

can totally visualize the scenery and the dilapidation of the old house.

The author has a way with words, 

so vivid that it makes the reader feel they are right there!

One of the recent rainy afternoons I felt like baking...

I perused some old cookbooks and came across the recipe for Lazy Daisy Cake.

Have you ever made it?

All the ingredients were available in my pantry cupboard and fridge so away we go...

back to the 1970's

It was yummy

(cake = carbs)

I gained 9 ounces over a few days and a couple of pieces...

well in all honesty

it could have been the fact that I haven't walked much due to the rain.

I am trying to walk at the mall out of the weather and the floors are even...

so not many hazards except shopping!!!

Wooly Cozy Green sweater...

thrifted in Sidney

Accessorized with my thrifted vintage brooch.

Found it on Salt Spring Island last year.

Sparkles in the sunshine.

Butler Brand aka Fifth Avenue Collection

~ Bird of Paradise ~

(1988-1992)

The wool sweater is great with my black puffer vest...

wore the wool beret that I found in a James Bay thrift shop.

Surprising how cozy and warm a turtleneck is...have not had one in many years.

Treated myself to Murchie's Mint Tea!

So flavourful...this is how mint tea should taste.

Closing in on the 20 pound mark though which is very encouraging...

but it seems that I may have hit a plateau.

Hubby is working in the lower level of the bungalow...

he's building shelves and cleaning up and finishing his workspace.

There will be a new pantry/storage area for my extra household supplies.

The big bulky packages of toilet paper, paper towels, big sacks of flour

cases of tinned goods which I try to purchase 

when there is a good price at the supermarket.

All will be painted white and there will be some new wood flooring to finish it off.

I'll try to post a picture when it is all finished.

The surgery date is in late February which is not far off!

Any birthday celebrations ( March 3rd) will have to be put on the back burner

as they will only be a couple of days after my procedure.

I've been buying a few things for my post surgery recovery...

2 piece soft and roomy cozy grey top and pants outfit from the Gap

2 sports bras with front zips as it might be awkward to do up my regular bras.

(twisting is to be avoided)

Dressing will be uber casual especially the first week or so...

might just wear my nightie for a few days.

No one will see me except Mr. HB and he's not The Fashion Police!

(I suppose I could wear my pearls as they elevate any outfit)

How is your New Year shaping up?

What's new?

Have you any travel plans?

Started a new course, fitness class, read any great books?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Shopping ~ a mix of items....some surprisingly good quality and much more economical than expected.

 

Crisp George brand Cotton Shirt 

White Athletic Works Tee

(Walmart)

Baroque Pearls from Hong Kong

(a mix of high and low)

Athletic Works Black Shorts

(Walmart)

First pair of shorts in at least a decade.

Will be worn on hot days at the cottage...

Comfy Vessi Sneakers

waterproof

(Nicholas Randall)

~ Casual Chic ~

Shirt is longer so will be a good pairing with the shorts and the Tee.

Canadian Marcelle Mascara

My favourite kind of mascara wand...

basic black and the formula is free of clumps.

~ Little Black Dress ~

I spied this dress on the sale rack at our local Marshall's Shop.

It looked loose fitting, easy to wear and cool for this heat wave that we are having...

I wore it twice this past week and it was a winner!

The Debra K handmade necklace has been in my jewellry collection for about 17 or 18 years...it is a black plastic "FIMO" type base with vintage clear crystals.

Very versatile and a fun piece that makes a statement.

It was an "investment" piece at the time of purchase but if you factor in the CPW

(Cost per wearing) 

it has been a real bargain.

Cupid's Dart 

happily blooming on the patio

growing and thriving in a big terra cotta pot.

I love the colour.

More lavender sachets...

these ones are smaller as the Dollar Store had sold all the larger gauzy bags.

Great for gifts and perfect to pop into a lingerie or sweater drawer.

Our lavender is having a fabulous year!

The bees are abuzz and so busy collecting pollen.

At any given time there are about 3 different types of bees hard at work.

I tried to get pictures of all the different bees but they were too fast!!

New backpack bag...

great for picnics, beach combing, walks, shopping and holiday time at the cottage.

Lots of compartments, zippered sections.

 Ample room for all my basics, a book, water, snack, and some treasures...

hands free shopping!

As I was leaving to go to my Yoga Class....

I spied some hungry visitors.

Twins that were busy munching the Alstromeria and some Hostas!

Too cute to scare away...

as soon as they get bigger they won't fit through the openings in the front gate.

Went to my hairdresser today for a CHOP!

I haven't seen her for several months and my hair was a MESS!

She cut the back up shorter in a wedge (as per my request)

then left the sides a bit shorter 

but long enough for the hair to fall in waves and curls.

I look so much like MOM.

( I miss her so much)

Would love to walk along the Esplanade, then go to the Willows Tea Room with her.

We used to do that so often on a sunny afternoon.

XO

Hope that your summer is ticking along nicely...

what are you up to?

Travel, picnics, garden parties, teas, lunches out with friends and family?

Cottage time, boating, camping, day trips, adventures, staycations?

Take care and thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ BE WELL AND BE KIND ~

~ Sweet Peas ~

Matucana Heritage Sweet Peas 

(1680's UK variety)

from Westcoast Seeds.

Mr. HB is so clever...he keeps me supplied with these fragrant flowers.

Thank you darling..

XO