Abkhazi Gardens...the Living Legacy of a Royal couple.

Gardeners love to visit gardens. We notice details, look at plant arrangements and combinations of plantings. We study the gardens "bones"... we look at how the gardener has tackled challenging areas. We observe the ornamentation and sculptures and where they have been situated. The style of birdbaths or statues, rock placements and water features...we soak it all in, some of us write notes or draw sketches.
(I take photos!)
We gardeners love garden tours and enjoy chatting with the gardeners themselves, there's a certain level of comfort and kinship in the garden that links us all. I suppose that's why so many of us regularly attend Horticultural talks and are card carrying members of Horticultural Societies and Clubs.
We appreciate the effort and hard work it takes to create and maintain a garden.
Large or small, gardens are a Labour of Love!

New plants are exciting!
Unusual colourings and varigations are coveted and eagerly sought after.
Trends are observed...currently grasses and drought tolerant plants are what the locals here are seeking.
Having said that, I must waste no more time blatthering on and get right down to the business at hand...

Abkhazi Gardens is one of my favourite spots to visit.
I would love to attend a wedding here...or a cocktail party on a warm evening in the summer.
I feel deeply moved when I am here...enriched and alive...
I feel the love of two people who claimed the space, worked side by side over many years and created this special garden...they have left us a legacy of loveliness...It's pure BLISS!

One meanders along the curving paths that weave their way through towering rhododendrums and azaleas.

Rocky outcroppings have dictated where the lawns and beds were established as evidenced by their placement as they sit today.

The garden is smallish at 1.4 acres, but one has a sense of privacy snug under the canopy of the Garry Oak trees with southerly views to the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the mountains of the Olympic Penninsula in Washington State.

A pair of resident turtles can be seen basking on the rocks in the sunshine.

 I am very passionate about it's history and the romance that made this garden what it is today.

Abkhazi Garden

The Abkhazi Gardens is best viewed in April and May as they are the peak times for the blooming of the rhodos and azaleas.
Lunch or tea can be taken in the original home or on the Terrace in full view of the lush garden.
It's a must see!

Spa-cation Hostess Style...

I spent a well earned day at the Spa soaking in the Mineral Pool and soothing my garden weary muscles...
several 4 hour days of intense gardening had my body complaining.
I dream of a strong gardener they way some may desire a lover......

My toes touchdown on the infloor heated tile.

Peru B Ruby by OPI

(my summer go-to shade)

The SPA 

has water, teas, snacks, Bento boxed lunches,

 steam room, sauna, mineral pool, hot tub, pool,

plush terry robes, showers, and an assortment of comforts to meet every need.

I go there because I get the best treatment 

 it's not cheap

it's a luxe treat

I make it part of my routine

and I save in other areas 

to make this happen.

It's a great tonic !

I am planning some major changes in the garden and have committed them to paper

I have discussed these with Mr. HB and he says he will help me!

It involves sod, moving some established Agapanthus Alba plants, digging up 2 roses that I will be putting on the boulevard for FREE!

I want a chartreuse and white border in one area...

Lady's Mantle, White Agapanthus

I need a larger green space

for croquet and play

I chopped up too much for bedding...

what was I thinking?

I am loving my Limelight Hydrangeas

they are greedy with water 

I adore their hue

I bought 3 last year and they are divine in their grouping

nudging each other.

The Lilac Asters are a mess

but they are abuzz with honey bees

so I am keeping them until they wilt

there is a problem with bees and many hives have collapsed

(such a concern)

so I am being GREEN

keeping the bees happy

hostessing

here in the Garden.

I'll dig them out in the Fall

no matter what season

or the weather conditions

there's a job to be done

if you have the pleasure of owning a garden.

(it's a life of work)

LOVE is more like it!

Humble Bungalow Kitchen...as requested!

Yesterday I posted about my kitchen sink and the lovelyand inspiring blogger Janet, over at The Gardener's Cottage asked to see more of my kitchen.
I went back into the arcived posts from January 23rd and found a few and then decided to recapture my kitchen this morning.
(I am flitting around camera in one hand, an mug of coffee in the other!)

East wall of kitchen, glimpses of  the dining room 

 a butler's door that swings both ways

is on the far left.

My floor is soft fir and is easily marked and pitted

I throw down rugs to keep it warm and add some vintage ambiance.

A modcon amid vintage 1913 arts and crafts

silver, recently polished, above the fridge gleaming!

The phone has a deep gurgle of a ring

as it thrums, I love it!

Bins which open are to the left hold onions and spuds

It is a sunny morning so I had to close the blinds to capture these images...

even with the dark fir it is a bright space when the sun is shining

it does become gloomy in the winter and I turn on more lights.

I am not the only dishwasher here...Kitchenaid is on the job too!

Pantry cupboard where I store food...it used to have an opening to the outside with a mesh screen

I suppose it was cold storage but we have boarded that up!

My kitchen nook

I blog from this arts and crafts table and bench seat

Our border and my talented friend Cheryl Fortier's acrylic

(I have 4 pieces of her work which I cherish)

she has a website www.cherylfortier.com

go and see her work

She and her husband are in Auvilar France on exchange until the Fall.

Shelves for cookbooks

Family room to the immediate right.

The Humble Bungalow is a small scale "working man's" home built in 1913

it is very modest.

When we purchased the Bungalow it was in need of a major overhaul

it had been rented out and neglected

we took it on and painstakingly restored it

 is now on the Heritage Registry and protected from the wrecking ball!

There were times when the children were teenagers and brought many friends home 

that I deeply desired a larger space

we even looked at some

now though,

 I see that it is a perfect retirement home for the two of us as we advance in age.

Contemplating contentment...

My kitchen windowsill

This is my view 

which is above my kitchen sink

My Shaw country sink 

the company has been making sinks since 1897

I spend hours here

I tend to ponder

when I am engaged in dishwashing

 or when washing and chopping vegetables

it's a form of meditation for me

a quiet respite 

a place of great comfort

my heart feels full in the kitchen

The Bungalow kitchen is really the hub

 of my home

(some say it's the hearth)

where do you feel most at home?

Polishing up...and procrastinating less!

I have a habit of putting off tasks and chores that I would rather ignore....aka Procrastination!
I have been putting off polishing the silver for months...fellow blogger mette commented on one of my posts that she might polish silver on a rainy day and that got me thinking that I was remiss in not getting on with the job.
Today it was rather grey and foggy so I took out all the tarnished pieces and got down to business. I am happy to say that it only took a little over an hour and now it is done and gleaming ready for the next family gathering...

I do procrastinate and wonder why, when I do accomplish a task or chore that is not as pleasant as I envision, I feel very proud and smug. (I did it)
The Baby rattle is on the left! It might be in Isla's sweet little hand sometime soon.

The flatware will be polished another day

the sun came out and I went outside to the garden to deadhead my roses...

I'll try not to wait too long...maybe the fog will come out or it might rain

and that will be my cue.

Look at all the butter pats...

I use these for tea lights, they reflect the light and can be arranged to add ambiance at the buffet or dining table.

My parents were married in the 1950's and silver was a common wedding gift.

When I was married in the 1970's pottery replaced silver in it's popularity

we received 2 or 3 pieces of silver; candlesticks, goblets and a tray.

I received a fraction of Mother's silver, my sister got some too.

Mother has a cabinet full in her condo that she makes time to sit and polish her collection regularly!

I do not think Procrastination factors into her daily round.

I use Twinkle Silver Polish...

a little round sponge moistened and a bit of soft paste goes a long way

coat silver, rub gently, and rinse with warm water, dry immediately.

a word of CAUTION..

do NOT cover your silver with Saran Plastic Cling film

it looks incredibly TACKY.

I was invited for an afternoon tea at a Naval Officer's home hosted by his wife, 

a delightful, well spoken, well groomed, English lady

it was a "meet and greet" Tea.

She served us all tea using her finest silver service

and bone china cups and saucers

how lovely!

On the buffet

on display

 and in full view

covered in plastic

sat the rest of her silver!

(it was impressive and very ornate but dressed for the rain)

am I being judgemental?

The mere fact that I was included and that a blissful tea in the good company of a variety of interesting women 

should have been sufficient...

yet

20 or more years have gone by and what I remember is the cling film!

(what do you think?)

Wild life in the Bungalow Garden

Our garden is full of plants and flowers and not surprisingly wildlife.

The hard working local Mason Bee

The honey bee hard at work

Many birds come to nest in the trees and some in the downspouts and gutters...they are a constant source of entertainment and song.

Resident Flicker

we have a pair coming regularly to the suet feeder 

(the wee house with the roof, houses the suet)

 Food is abundant...flowers, berries, rose hips, not forgetting the birdbaths...we actually cater to them.
We have a suet feeder in winter
 and a hummingbird feeder year round

Anna's Hummingbirds

In the cold of winter we bring the feeder in at last light so it doesn't freeze and then set it out at first light for the morning feed. They drink for a long time and then sit nearby "on watch" as they are very territorial and chase other hummingbirds away.
A large Coopers Hawk regularly flies through the garden and swiftly swoops up a small bird, then perches in the tall Acacia tree spits out the feathers and dines...(nature can be harsh to watch sometimes) The Hawk is a large, magnificant bird...he once flew into the kitchen window with such a loud crash that  I thought that I'd be looking out to see him dead. He was shaken up and sat for a few minutes turning his head side to side before flying off....he must have had quite the headache.

The feather collection which gets larger as time goes by

We have had a family of raccoons living in the area for as long as I have lived here...over 28 years.
They wander through the garden and eat grubs from the grass...play with planters, upend plants, dig up bulbs,  roll the garden balls around and engage in play in the various water features.
We had a pond on the deck for a few years but gave up after the nightly raids on the lilies...they'd eat one chunk out of each and leave them for us to find the next morning...we knew we were beat.

 I heard yesterday that they have recently been going into our neighbours' home through the cat door. They have discovered where the cat food is stored and opened up the cupboard and helped themselves...all while the neighbours' 2 cats and the homeowners slept upstairs completely oblivious!
The cabinet closure was modified to make it "raccoon proof" but the next night they just pried the door off it's hinges! I have it on good authority that there is a new plan in the works to "raccoon proof" the cupboard which involves reinforcing the hinges, rebuilding the door and involves a drop in magnetic closure! (whew, I am tired just thinking about it!)
I would have sealed up the cat door if it was my home...

I managed to get my camera when the family came by this morning but the first 2 had already gone over the fence...into the neighbours blackberry patch.

We also have a growing population of deer which are working their way into the city. I have seen 2 at the corner near our home and a large antlered buck 3 blocks away standing tall and proud on a rocky outcropping...my roses and plants will be a virtual salad bar when they saunter down the street looking for food. I'll need to move some of my prized roses into the back fenced garden or say goodbye to their blooms.
As the natural habitiat is destroyed the wildlife have no choice but to adapt and move into urban areas and share it with us...I have planted a feast, (for the eyes and the beasts)...I suppose I'll need to adapt and adopt new plantings...and live harmoniously with the wildlife.

Affordable Classics...(is there such a thing?) time will tell....

I recently went out shopping for some Alfred Sung white towels for the Bungalow bathroom and came home with a pair of Dark Denim skinny jeans by Canadian designer Alfred Sung.
He also has a Euro cut in the Fall Collection which I may go back and try on...I am surprised at how well made these jeans are and the fit is great. They were incredibly affordable...translation CHEAP.

I like to buy pieces that suit me and are classics in multiples

I like this rule of multiples because it is a timesaver and seems a sensible approach to the bare bones of wardrobing.

Have you ever gone shopping and fallen in love with a garment and didn't buy it only to return to the store and find that it has been sold?

Or maybe you've seen two items in different colours and only chosen one and then decide it would be wise to have it in the other colour...and when you return to the store...SOLD OUT!

I found myself at the local mall for an hour this afternoon...
I am still looking for white towels (none came home with me)

I found a new line of Classics from Alfred Sung called MOON...
they are carried at The Bay here in Canada.

There were a large group of well dressed "bigwigs"  walking around the store and making notes on clipboards, blackberries and some were taking photos with their IPhones. The staff were all on their toes, interacting with customers and going the distance to help us find garments...
A very cheerful salesgal recommended the MOON line to me and I had never heard of it before today.
I was carrying a Jones of New York 2 ply cashmere black and grey sweater at $300 and an INC grey cardigan for $175 one of which I thought might be my back to work basic to pair with my white tanks, shirts and Tees.
(they were not flattering on me)

I thought I'd at least try some of the MOON pieces on on....they are all in very classic basic colours and styles that are wardrobe basics. I noticed some of the stitching on the dresses was uneven and wavy so I put those back....too bad because for school they'd really work.
Most of the outer wear was exceptionally well made...I do not need outer wear as I have enough already. I perused the sweaters and found a cardigan in charcoal and one in black. The line reminds me of Club Monaco in it's approach to colour and form but the price point is significantly less....
I got both of these for under $100...they may not outlast my cashmere and only time will tell how they perform...it's an experiment...I am attempting to be frugal.
I've been having a little fun with my camera and my accessories as you will see...a cuppa tea is restoring me as I sit here and bang away on the laptop keyboard.

Basic Black

Elita cotton tank top

(I bought 2!)

I have forgotten the designers name who made this necklace, which I was fortunate enough to win.

I have the earrings as well.

(I never wear them both at the same time...too matchy matchy)

My lovely daughter worked at a local jewelry shop when she was at University and the shop had a fundraiser for The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

I had the winning ticket.

Introducing Charcoal

With Pearls

I also have several strands of natural baroque and freshwater pearls that I could layer on.

with my long scarf

with the necklace I made of pearls and Labradorite

the vintage eelskin clutch

Artisan Debra Kay necklace

Guy Vidal modernist necklace

side one

Guy Vidal modernist necklace

flip side

Modernist Swedish R. Tennesmed designed pin

Tiffany Heart

These two staples are going to be my go to classics for Fall

I can see them with dressy trousers, my black skirt,

black denim jeans, tweed pants and the list goes on...

I haven't even brought out the Hermes scarf collection...they'll work with those as well.

I think the secret to making a less expensive basic look better is to up the ante when it comes to accessorizing...

My new favourite scent

I'll be making a trip to Hermes sometime very soon

I hope they haven't sold out!