Simply White, a Wednesday in March...

White Wednesdays have all but disappeared, have you noticed?
Bloggers seems to have moved on to other themes.

I do so love white stoneware, plates and the soft glow of all white rooms.

Filtered light cast shadows on this simple jug.

Atlanta Bartlett's lovely book

At Home With White has some seriously beautiful images

I keep opening this book and dreaming in white.

I never tire of white rooms

they ooze with elegance

 a breath of calm relaxation.

I love when whites are massed together

the effect is amplified

especially when there are variations of shapes and texture.

Oh be still my beating heart,

 look at this all white kitchen!

Simple, elegant and stunning in it's beauty.

Our heritage Bungalow has dark Douglas Fir wood panelling and wainscoting and beams.

We would not dream of changing this element as that would be tampering with the original architects' design.

Milo S. Farwell worked in Victoria, Seattle and San Francisco.

I wonder how many of his homes still exist.

We are stewards of this home and do our best to keep it as original as possible.

Loving white as I do

 I add it where I can...

~ dishes and crockery ~

~ towels ~

The Meissen platter is a favourite of mine.

I love the grand scale of it and the gentle scalloped edge.

Maxwell Williams china is widely available and is quite reasonably priced.

Open stock makes it easy to pick up more pieces.

When you choose white china it is easy to mix and match different styles and designs 

it all works

trust me!

Say you are hosting a dinner party or a buffet for 20 and you own a set of 12 

you can borrow white china from your friends

and put it all together so it looks fabulous.

Apples even look prettier against the white bowl

this bowl was found at a local thrift shop

I think it was originally a wash basin.

For some inspiration pop on over to Country Living and have a browse...

I'll be back in a few days with some highlights from our Seattle and Vancouver trip.

There was lots of sightseeing and shopping...

and yes there were shoes!

Cleaning house and our beloved Chris Craft.

My heart rejoices when I see a blue sky and the sun shining.
The rays of sunshine streaming through the windows shine a different light on things inside.
For one they show up all the dust that has settled on the dark wood which is not so exciting because it shows my lack of domestic ability and is a reminder that I need to dust more frequently.

A sweep of the areas that are dusty is remedied quite quickly with the long handled wooly duster.
Then next are the windows clouded and splattered with salt spray from gale force winds...
simple solutions are water, a micro fiber cloth, and a squeegee.

No one would ever dare say that I led a glamourous life.
It's honestly a very humble and ordinary life.


When I sit and chat with friends over coffee I realize how different my life is from theirs
the grass often looks greener from the other side...

I'm not a complainer and am a better listener than a speaker.

We all have our crosses to bear and mine are held close to my heart.
Mother frowns upon airing ones "dirty laundry" in public and this lesson I learned at a very early age.

No one has a perfect life.
Don't waste precious energy and time thinking otherwise.

My friends are seasoned travellers and Mr. HB and I are content to stay close to home.
Neither of us have the urge to venture too far afield.

I think it is our years of boating that have kept us soothed and content.
Our summers living on the ocean and moving with it's tides may be a thing of the past as we have our classic Chris Craft Constellation for sale.

Classic boats require a lot of maintenance and Mr. HB has been kept very busy for the past 20 years tending her. It is time for us to move in a different direction and hopefully our beloved boat will find a new owner to keep her looking sharp.

My BFF and her husband recently sold their classic Monk as a live aboard and it has already been moved to a permanent slip in the inner harbour. 

We drove by to see her safely nestled in her new spot 

it's great to know that she has passed into capable hands  that the new owner is as passionate and excited about her as my BFF and her husband were when they took her on.

There is a whole new chapter of life unfolding ahead of us...

while we have not sold the boat just yet

I am thinking that I will miss our summers afloat

though most certainly I will keep those many wonderful boating memories close to my heart.

1957 Chris Craft Constellation

Driftwood II

She's been a big part of our lives 

let's just hope that she finds an owner with an eye for the beauty of a vintage classic.

She is a beauty and gets lots of attention when we are at the dock

 but she is a high maintenance gal

and not one for the faint of heart.

I wonder if there will be a brave soul out there who will take her on.

She'd make a great floating B&B...

~ ~ ~

The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea.

~ Isak Dinesen ~

A lick and a polish....

My nails have never been a top priority for me...
gardeners are a no nonsense breed and other than wearing garden gloves and slathering our hands with emollient lotions and creams we rarely wear polish as it chips so quickly when we are weeding and pruning.

Lately my nails have felt weaker and softer more prone to breakage and I do take a multi vitamin and several supplements daily so I thought I'd better do some research and see what I could do to improve the strength of my nails.

Hangnails are beastly and I am prone to them.

I have been faithfully applying the Badger Cuticle Cream daily and it has helped.

Complete Care from Sally Hansen claims to be the answer to weak nails.

Having recently tested this out I can endorse it and am happy to say that it does work.

It can be used as a base and a top coat with coloured polish in between too if you prefer wearing colour.

I like the shine too.

Look who helped me with my manicure!

Chester is such a curious kitten that he follows me everywhere and insists on being in on the action.

He wakes me up very early every morning with his purring and a few licks just to make sure that I notice him!

He's great company...

Pepper our other cat was snoozing on the bed.

She gets tuckered out after Chester chases her around the house.

They play well together with the occasional cat spat when Pepper shows him whose the boss!

He does have some annoying habits like jumping on Pepper when she is drinking water

or grabbing her by her neck when she is looking out the window.

But they do look so cozy when they are snuggled up together on the bed or the sofa.

 Pepper looking out the window

the house across the street reflected in the glass.

Spring is just around the corner and it cannot come too soon.

I have noticed that there are many more birds in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

We have lots of trees and greenery so there are lots of spots for them to perch

and hide from the hungry hawks.

The closet has had a thorough going over with an eye to edit the tired, ugly and unbecoming.

There is room now for a couple of new purchases...

I am thinking of some new pants and shoes.

A colourful scarf might be fun...

Our Seattle trip should provide an opportunity to find some new pieces.

Do you have any thoughts on dressing for Spring?

Janet at the Gardener's Cottage inspired me with her Spring Fever post.

What kind of weather are you having where you live?

I'm going to go out and jump in a few puddles!

Oh and Mother sounds so much better.

Thank goodness for medicine that works!

I can breathe a little easier now.

Hope your weekend is filled good things...

Hostess

Make up and Mother.

Lisa Eldridge is a well known talented make up artist from the UK.
She has a blog and a newsletter which I subscribe to and enjoy.
You might know and like her too...

This week she showed us a make up tutorial for women over 50.
Step~by~step details and information and links to the products and colours she used.

It's worth watching and runs about 12 minutes so sit back and relax...
Lisa's tutorial here.

A trip to Sephora is on my radar so I can check out some of the shades and products that she suggests.
I am particularly curious about the Bobbi Brown moisturizing balm and the Max Factor blush. I do not use blush but think it might be something worth experimenting with...

I have been wearing my pearls how about you?

Have you noticed how many beautiful scarves the retailers are showing for Spring?

I am smitten with so many of them...

I took Mother a bouquet of yellow roses

and dinner...

she has bronchitis and is on antibiotics.

When she is ill I cannot help but worry.

Normally she is a healthy vibrant 85 year old 

so when she is ill it is very disconcerting.

She was dressed up despite feeling poorly.

That's just what Mother does...

and who she is

she dresses up all the time.

Pearls, a cream silk blouse and a sensible A line navy skirt.

I hope that she gets over this bug quickly.

I hope the cheery roses help her feel better soon.

Mother wears no make up

just a great moisturizer, some lipstick and blush.

It works and suits her.

I like the sound of simple...

what about you?

Beauty upon closer inspection...

Flowers are quite delightful and often we may merely glance at their beauty.
They are flowers so isn't that their job?
To be beautiful and to be admired.
We may take them for granted.

Upon reflection I think that
beauty goes much deeper...

I am thinking of a few of the older women that I know who are, in my opinion and in a word, fabulous.
They know how to dress to make the most of their figures and they have perfected the art of applying make up.
They smile often, have oodles of energy and are a positive influence on those who have the good fortune to be around them. They have something magnetic about their demeanour.

On a recent visit to an Avenue Shop that I regularly patronize I spoke with the owner/manager who told me that she was turning 65!
I would have never guessed! I though perhaps that she was closer to my age.
She dresses casually, pays attention to her grooming,  focusing on a flattering hairstyle and she keeps her figure in check by walking daily.
I looked closely at her face as we chatted and for the first time I noticed that she had quite a few wrinkles...
I never really saw them before.
They did not diminish her good looks and obvious well cared for and healthy skin, in fact, they looked natural and quite friendly.
We got into a discussion about bathing suits of all things, as she is off to Maui for 2 weeks.
She is traveling with a long time girlfriend...
who has apparently gained quite a bit of weight.
Who by all accounts says that she is happy with her body and has just invested in a couple of splashy new bathing suits...one of which is a two piece.
Isn't that wonderful?

How refreshing and delightful...
Women who accept themselves and are comfortable in their own skin.
Women who don't take themselves too seriously and have a great sense of humour.
Women who are not afraid of adventure and set an shining example of what we can look forward to as we advance in age.

After our conversation I realized how long it takes some women to come to terms with aging...myself included.
We are not hardwired for acceptance, nor do we dwell on it for long as we generally have far too much going on in our lives to be able to spend hours "gazing at our navels."

Do you listen to and appreciate the wisdom that older women have to offer?
I savour time spent with these remarkable ladies and feel that I breathe easier and have a sense of calm
not unlike that felt after an hour of restorative Yoga.
I am walking behind them trying to catch up
wanting to absorb the lessons that they have learned and are willing to share.


The sun danced in The Humble Bungalow as I was sitting down to type this post a few days ago ~
it is raining cats and dogs here today!
I grabbed my camera and captured some images of the lovely tulip bouquet that I was given by a lovely friend.

Looking though the lens I discovered an intricate beauty that deserved closer inspection...

My hands are as dry as can be despite the lotion that I slather on them.

I blame it on all the domestics that I do without the protection of gloves.

The gloves are handy I just keep forgetting to put them on...

The best lotion I have found is Pure Shea Butter from L'Occitane which is made in France

what do you use to keep your hands in top form?

My hands are those of an older woman, my neck too.

Here's the thing

I am that older woman!

Are you willing to walk with me on my journey to wisdom and acceptance?

One wrinkle at a time...

Coffee, daffodils, aprons and meatballs ~ a mish mash!

I fancy a great cup of tea but I rarely comment on a good cup of coffee.
A good night's sleep is very important to me and I am sensitive to caffeine so it is a decaf blend that I opt to buy.
The Drum Roaster Coffee Shop at Cobble Hill, BC is my favourite spot to buy coffee.
 Coffee is roasted on site and the pastries are very delicious if you have a wee bit of a sweet tooth!
Seats are often in short supply as there is a crowd of loyal regulars, they do take out so all is not lost.
It's also a great stop to stretch your legs if you are driving up or down island.

This day has found me reading blogs that I follow and am on my second cup of coffee...
It's such fun reading blogs from around the world, so many great writers out there in the blog-a-sphere.
Inspiring me to try new recipes, revamp my closet, lose weight and travel.

The daffodils are blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I'm excited!

Emma Bridgewater's pottery is such fun.

This mug brings a little bit of spring cheer all year round.

If you look closely you can see the droplets of rain on this bloom

 trying very hard to be a sunny spot in a grey day

the weight of water has almost collapsed this daffodil's petals

still it is a pretty sight 

rain drops are very photogenic don't you think?

~ ~ ~

I'm going to pop on my trusty apron and get into action 

 Lidia Bastianich's classic Italian meatballs are on the menu 

for Mr. HB's supper tonight.

What are you cooking up for supper?

I must look for a new apron as mine is looking rather tattered...

 something with a bib style as I am a very messy cook!

any suggestions?

Hope your weekend had some delights.

Mine was so relaxing...

Take care,

Hostess

My latest crushes...

Teas are probably my favourite beverage of all time...
martini's are a close second!

I wanted to share with you an unusual new tea from the UK that is dazzling my taste buds.

It sounds like it might be hot and spicy but it is extremely well balanced.

The cocoa is the top note and there is no caffeine to keep you awake at night.

I brewed a mug and went to bed early and read a few chapters in my book.

Summer at Tiffany

which I am enjoying as it is a perfect light read to ease into slumber.

In order for me to maintain my sanity I need to go to bed earlier rather than later.

I have always needed lots of sleep.

My greatest luxury is 

waking up in the morning refreshed and rested and taking my time getting out of bed

I am very very fortunate that Mr. HB brings me a cup of tea every morning before I get out of bed.

(thank you honey!)

My dear father did that for my Mother every morning too 

I often think how hard it must be for her 

since he has gone 

to have to get up all by herself and brew her own pot of tea...

she has many more important reasons to miss him 

 it is just that at the start of her day now 

everyday since he passed away 

is the sad reminder that she is a widow.

Last Friday when we went to the Marina for my birthday sushi dinner 

my BFF and I both had a Grey Goose martini

the bartenders there mix a wonderful martini

so good in fact, that we had two!

Mr. HB bought a bottle and I was more than surprised to discover it is made in France of all places!

I had no idea!!

Mr. HB mixed me one on the following Saturday evening which I sipped ever so slowly...

a girl can get into trouble if she isn't careful

do you remember that classic Dorothy Parker quote?

"I like to have a martini,

Two at the very most.

After three I’m under the table,

after four I’m under my host."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Always have some food when imbibing in a martini or they can sneak up on you!

"Men seldom make passes

At girls who wear glasses."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Have some FUN this weekend!

Thank you for stopping by my humble little blog.

I do love all your comments and I read each and every one of them.

Hostess

OOTD...

I wore my new Lands End walking togs this past weekend.
Black active wear Performance pants and Polartec jacket in glacier blue.
Mr. HB  commented that it was "a younger look"...
just how much younger is that?

(it was a compliment that I enjoyed)

Does wearing active wear = youth?

I like the fit and quality of the Polartec jacket so much that I ordered another one in chartreuse...
no one can accuse me of buying only black and grey these days...
it seems that it's all about colour.

We are planning a trip to Seattle soon...

Thank you Mr. HB!
all of the above!
SERIOUSLY?
you do know how to spoil a gal.

I walked 

after breakfast

in the warm sunshine.

~ yogurt  ~  berries  ~  nuts ~

probiotic of course.....

I have introduced a Greens + shake by Sam Gracie into my mornings

it's an award winning product that has given me a much needed boost in energy after that boring bout with pneumonia.

there were some gorgeous blooms

they look vibrant against the blue skies

\

the view from the beach

Lots of folks had the same idea and I met quite a few smiling happy people on my walk.

I usually travel on the same familiar walking route...

 Along the ocean front and then along a curving road of waterfront homes before snaking back and looping up to the seafront again.

Walking is so meditative...a sublime time to be mindful.

I do not walk with an IPod

 I think it is important to make time to just listen to the steady beat of the heart 

 allow thoughts to bubble up and be recognized. 

Ideas and solutions to problems flow freely in the silence.

Decisions can be made when one is tuned in and focused and this time is perfect to mull things over.

Besides there is gorgeous scenery to soak in and savour.

Watching the Real Housewives of Vancouver is quite an eye opener.

The ladies have embraced youth and are having fillers injected into their faces 

seriously some of their lips look a bit too puffy for my taste.

Do any of you watch the Real Housewives?

I think it's trash TV but I watch it anyway...

perhaps it's so far from my reality that it fascinates me.

“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

 For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. 

 People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

 As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” 

~ Sam Levenson ~

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” 

~ Sophia Loren ~

It's almost the weekend how has your week been so far?

Take care and Be Well

Hostess

Saturday shopping finds...

Lovely daughter and I hopped in the car bright and early Saturday morning to head out for a day of thrift shopping.
We were hoping to hit all our favourites before mid afternoon...

I have lots of "stuff" so I am very particular what I bring home.

These blue suede shoes were in such great shape with very little wear that I opted to take them home.

I think they'll be a nice change from ballet flats with my boyfriend jeans.

Cole Haan is a reputable maker of quality leather goods so there is very little risk involved...

besides the fact that the price was about the same as a grande latte from Starbucks!

I realized that I have a Dior mens shirt in the exact same shade of blue which is tunic length 

add a strand or two of pearls and some leggings and I'm good to go.

~ ~ ~

Lovely daughter found all kinds of mid century moderne treasures...

she is contemplating starting up an etsy shoppe.

She and my BFF's daughter are friends and they rented a stall at a local vintage market to test the market.

There seems to be quite the demand for Danish teak, West German pottery, Finnish and Swedish glassware

among the younger generation.

Several shops focusing exclusively on this era have popped up and seem to be doing a healthy business.

~ ~ ~

I did find a book to keep here in The Humble Bungalow for our grand daughter Isla to read when she visits.

These "beginner books" are a great way to introduce reading and colour concepts.

Isla knows her colours and is happy to count out loud

build tall towers with blocks 

(before knocking them down and giggling!)

and loves to sit and have a story read to her.

Grammy decided that it is prudent to always have a stash of juice, goldfish crackers and fruit leather on hand.

You never know when that sweet red head will pop by for a visit.

~ ~ ~

Chester has been quite well behaved and patient with her despite just being a kitten himself.

Which of course is a huge relief as one never knows how animals will behave around busy little children.

Pepper on the other hand just finds a place to hunker down and go to sleep.

I wonder if there is a Go Cat Go book...

I'll post more about the birthday weekend next time.

Do you have any favourite children's books?

I would love to hear from you

Isla will be turning 3 in June and her Grammy does love books.

~ ~ ~

Hostess