Everything's coming up Roses...

I am spending much more time in our garden during the pandemic...

focusing on the flowers and plants.

Listening to the birdsong 

chatting with fellow gardeners on the street.

Many of us are dealing with the urban deer and their voracious appetites.

One doe visits the front yard every day and has decimated most of the Hostas.

You can see in the first picture that its looking quite big!

This is what is left of Sum and Substance a large variety of Hosta.

I watched her eat two "salads."

She's nibbled the hydrangeas and some of the rose blooms despite the thorns!

We are going to build a fence...

Constance Spry and Paul's Lemon Pillar Roses

on the pergola at the entrance to The Humble Bungalow Garden.

High enough that the deer cannot reach all of the blooms.

Constance has a very deep rich fragrance and Paul's Lemon Pillar is a more sublte citrus scent.

The Heart Flag hangs in honour of all the frontline and essential workers.

Jude The Obscure 

(my favourite David Austin Rose!)

a stunning repeat blooming apricot rose with an amazing 

and

intoxicating perfume.

The pink rose in the background is the McCartney Rose

a hybrid tea rose 

rich scent

repeat bloomer.

Sir Paul!

William Shakespeare

our only red rose in the garden.

"In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends."

~ Okakura Kakuzo ~

Roses growing at the Cottage on Pender.

"Flowers grow out of dark moments."

~ Corita Kent ~

No scent to speak of but very attractive.

"It’s ok to feel delicate sometimes. 

Real beauty is in the fragility of your petals. 

A rose that never wilts isn’t a rose at all."

~ Crystal Woods ~

Are you a gardener?

Do you have urban deer or other wildlife dining in your garden?

My current book borrowed from a friend.

What are you reading?

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

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My Stylish French Country box reveal!

What a treat to receive this beautiful My Stylish French Box.

Sharon Santoni and her team have outdone themselves yet again!
I don't know how they do it but I am very grateful that they put in the time and effort with this venture.

I want to share some of the beautiful items that were carefully wrapped up in whisper thin tissue and satin ribbons...

The theme for the May box was flowers.

I love those subtle soft shades of pink and grey.

Wee Espresso cups hand made by Sophie Masson 

 and the pretty Francoise Paviot napkins.

Rosa Damascena rose palettes by Carriere Freres

 add scent to a closet or lingerie drawer.

A recycled wine bottle by Q' de Bouteilles 

etched with "MFCH"

Will use this sweet vase for our wee garden bouquets.

I think it will be great in the green bathroom here in The Humble Bungalow.

Apica Exfoliant made with bee pollen...

I look forward to trying this gentle product to keep my skin glowing and healthy.

Look at this beautiful large floral silk scarf by Pertrusse!

It is so sumptuous!

I will wear this with my summer linen dresses...

and with my denim jacket and jeans.

I am a pearl girl and WOW check out these beautiful Gisel B earrings.

Love LOVE love the pearls...

 my two favourite items in the box can be worn together!

I also have the pearl pendant from Gisel B 

sent in a previous MSFB which will be lovely worn with these.

Such a luxurious assortment of treats to enjoy.

The timing of the delivery during this pandemic was most anticipated...

I would encourage you to try a box, they are now taking orders for August.

A little bit of French luxury delivered righ to your home.

You can visit their site to see more and read the comments left by box recipients.

Hope you are all doing well, staying healthy and sane.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My Cup Runneth Over...with thanks and gratitude.

Hey Jude!

David Austin Rose Jude the Obscure

 a favourite rose in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Those of you who follow me on Instagram 

will probably have seen the latest addition in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

It sits in the "work area" of the garden where we keep big bins of potting soil, the stakes, wheelbarrow and our bin filled with firewood.

My clever husband made this potting table.

I had shown him one I liked on Pinterest 

which was simply two sawhorses with and plank on top. 

 This deluxe table with shelves is what he designed and built!

I am VERY pleased and happy with this beautiful table!

I had fun getting things out of the shed and I made a trip to a vintage shop in The Cook Street Village called Kay's Korner.

With shop keeper Karin helping

we gathered together some charming pieces that will add ambiance.

The old broken pitchfork and shears that I have kept 

for whimsical garden accent pieces are finally getting used!

The shovel will be great for potting and repotting plants.

Karin sold me this cute chair which I spray painted black to go with the metal bistro table that I have had for several years.

It sits on the small north facing patio 

 in a "garden room" 

of hydrangeas, roses, lady's mantle, dwarf apple trees and hostas.

There was a knock on the front door as I sat reading my book 

 lo and behold it was Karin...

She brought me a gift!

Karin is a very talented artist and she makes cheerful whimsical greeting cards.

She made this sign for me to hang above my new potting table...

I knew she was one in a million and this just proved it!

THANK YOU KARIN

David Austin's Graham Thomas Rose

the former "star of the work area"

the potting table has taken that new title!!

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend activies...

There is a light rain falling here

we've been reading our books

spaghetti sauce is simmering on the stove top

birds are singing cheerfully outside the windows.

At this very moment feeling content and calm...

feelings are fleeting and temporary 

 golden moments like these are a welcome respite from the 

horrific events that continue to occur in our world.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Poppy plants...pondering during the pandemic

Our first Poppy of the season!

Yesterday afternoon we sat in the back garden with our long time friends

sipping a cider and nibbling some fresh cooked asparagus with mayonnaise dip.

They brought their own beverages and chairs and we sat safely apart.

I pointed out this tall poppy plant that had grown in an unusual spot

right beside the shed door...

This morning one of the seed pods opened up to this fabulous flower!

I plan to save the seeds when the poppy dries and sprinkle them in the garden for more plants next year.

Japanese themed Garden at Butchart Gardens.

Four friends met up and we walked along the paths of the gardens 

 absolutely beautiful

so quiet this Friday.

Love the lush green mossy patches in this shady spot.

Blue Poppies are very challenging to grow.

They are so delicate almost as light as a whisper of crepe paper.

Blue Poppy seeds are sold at the Gift Shop.

 I grew blue poppies for several years before they vanished from the garden.

This formal garden area looks perfect for an Edwardian Film...

can you envision ladies and gents in period style clothing sauntering around on the grass?

Engaged in a game of croquet?

Sipping champagne from crystal flutes 

or perhaps an afternoon tea 

with vintage wicker chairs and tables

 fine bone china 

 tasty tea sandwiches and cakes...

 A gal can dream...

I am dreaming of these pleasures rather more often in these days of confinement.

Lusting after a more "normal" way of life.

Freedom and safety that we accepted and honestly, I think we took for granted.

Who could have predicted this world pandemic?

I suppose scientists knew it would happen sometime but I had not thought it would be in my lifetime.

Did you? 

What are you missing most?

Have you expanded your "bubble" to include family and friends?

What are the first things that you want to do 

when we get the "all clear" to open up some of the shops and services?

Enjoy your week and stay safe.

 ~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Skincare, roses and books...

Pavement Series Rose

very fragrant with treacherous thorn studded stems.

While in isolation during Covid 19 

I have changed my daily make up routine.

Andalou 1000 Roses CC cream for sensitive skin. 

I like the soft dewy finish and the glow that I get while wearing this cream.

The added sunscreen protects me while I am out walking or playing in the garden.

Also new is the 1000 Roses body lotion by Andalou 

after my morning shower and love the light rose scent.

Flowers from our son's garden.

Focusing on Skin care from the inside out...

Roasting colourful vegetable for my lunches.

Upping my intake of healthy food 

by eating more vegetables and drinking lots of water.

Our heart in the window in honour of the frontline workers.

Reading during Covid has been a big part of my daily routine.

I have discovered so many new authors...

I love this book so much!

Am going to try and find Gill Paul's other books.

With our local library closed I will need to buy them. 

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

a winning rose

stunning apricot orange shade 

a deep rich fragrance

lots of blooms

 repeat blooming throughout the summer season.

How are you doing?

With the restrictions easing are you out shopping in stores?

Dining out?

Going to the hairdresser?

Do you feel safe as we step out into the "new normal?"

I have a mask which I plan to wear on occasion especially when social distancing is not possible.

I am looking forward to meeting with my stylist for a trim 

when the salon reopens next month.

Stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Join me for a tour of Beautiful Butchart Gardens...

This week three of us met up on a sunny afternoon for a lovely walk
at Victoria's iconic Butchart Gardens.

We drove in our own cars and were directed to park in the bus parking lot, then proceeded through to a dedicated entrance and were informed of the strict instructions on social distancing.

We were told of the modified safety protocols...one way walking, one bathroom building open, the coffee shop open for take out and there was a gelato stand in the Italian Garden.

Tulip mania!

Thousands of tulips were in bloom throughout the gardens.

Clever camouflage 

 beds were underplanted using filler plants. 

Forget-Me-Nots 

blue, white and pinks

accented various shades of the tulip varieties.

Wisteria

The Sunken Garden

Droopy apricot tulips

Azalea with an intoxicating and heady fragrance.

Could be the Rothschild variety.

Frilly edged tulips

Iris in a brilliant and bold blue.

Three Sturgeon Fountain with Osteospermums.

also lining the edges of the water feature in the Italian Garden.

Cheerful pansy faces in a planter.

The walk was absolutely divine!

We plan to go each week and see the garden as it changes through the summer season.

Hope that there will be other local gardens opening up soon.

I plan to share lots of garden images from our wee plot and the larger open gardens of Victoria.

Hope that you enjoyed the garden tour!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~