OOTD ~ May 12

My OOTD has been seen here recently and I like the pairing so I have worn it again.
Like that French girl I am accessorizing it differently but the core garments are the same.

Jones NY top

RW ponte knit leggings

Adriana lace camisole

Pepper is not camera shy!

 lacy details that say "peek a boo!"

salt and pepper 

tinsel

the grey is here to stay

this is my natural colour now

all the dyed locks have been shorn

I find this charm a bit funny

if lost return to Tiffany and Co.

(as if!)

The closest Tiffany is in Vancouver 

 if someone found me lost ~ suffering with amnesia 

I doubt very much they would take me there!

My wardrobe is very small which is good in so many ways

I can get dressed very quickly and most things work together.

Mix and Match makes it look like more than it really is

and 

WHEN I lose some of this weight 

(note the positive slant)

replacing a few staples will not be an onerous task.

~ ~ ~

My sister, Mother, and I enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at darling daughter's new loft.

We visited The Silk Road Tea Company sampled some teas

then ventured down the street to The Fantan Gallery in Chinatown 

we patted the two sleepy resident cats...

peered into the postage stamp sized garden in back 

Mother bought a house warming gift for darling daughter and I picked up some new placemats and napkins.

Chester checked them out...

Pepper was not too interested...

I went for my walk even though it was foggy and rainy...

plus I cooked a WW points friendly dinner.

I did indulge in a glass of white wine

after all it's Mother's Day.

How was your Mother's Day?

OOTD ~ Walking ~ Weight Watchers...

The Weight Watcher's meeting was informative and fun.
The Wednesday evening group are all women and quite funny and at times it bordered on hysterical.
Having a sense of humour is so imortant. Wouldn't you agree?
particularly when facing a new challenge...

There was a lot of information to assimilate and there is still a lot I need to learn about the program.
Day One found me tracking everything that have eaten and am wearing a pedometer to count my steps.

This is all so new (foreign) to me but a gal can change...
and it feel like the right time to embark on something new.

Some of you suggested that I wait for retirement to start this regime but I feel keen so why wait?

Vera Wang boyfriend jeans

Born shoes

Royal Robbins fleece jacket

My route is along the seafront

the views are never dull.

It's a brisk walk which takes me about 50 minutes.

Falling into bed after a brisk walk and sleeping soundly is a bonus 

and one that I approve and appreciate.

 While on WW 

exercise is encouraged if not expected

to maximize one's success.

So it's great that I love to walk.

I am eating mostly fruits and vegetables with portions of lean protein.

Modest snacks between meals and lots of water.

My tummy has been rumbling today but I have not felt like I am starving or that I am being deprived.

Not a lot of fats are encouraged but there are no real restrictions 

except one is to meant to keep within a set number of points each day.

Points that are established by your age, height and current weight 

with an eye to losing 10% of your current weight to start.

Each week we meet and weigh in...

there is a lecture and dialogue is encouraged

support comes from the participants as well as the leader.

So enough about WW...

our vintage wicker chair just got more comfortable

it's a chair that gives me pins and needles in my legs if I sit in it for more than a few minutes

IKEA chair cushion

a perfect pairing

comfort at last!

Have you had a good week?

What is on the calendar for your upcomng weekend?

Are you celebrating Mother's Day or are you being celebrated?

Best wishes to all you Moms out there!

Have a fabulous weekend.

Out and about among the plants...

The Humble Bungalow Garden is coming to life again after it's winter slumber...
glancing around at the blooms in the Spring sunshine is such an uplifting experience.

Growing things feeds my soul...
there's something so cheerful about a window box filled with colour
or a smattering of colour in an otherwise plain bed.

Drought tolerant grasses have their place in the garden too.

They add variations of colours and texture

many smaller grasses are very reasonably priced.

My favourite is the Black Mondo grass which is still quite expensive...

frugal gardener's love a free snip here or there.

When it comes to something new and rather unusual we keep these plants until they are well established before dividing them and popping them into other areas in our own garden...

and then we can share them.

Mondo grass is one of these plants

 as is the newest black hellebore!

I love the shade of this euphorbia

 I put up with it's habit to procreate willy nilly

 because it is so pretty.

The sap can burn your skin so do be cautious when you are cutting the stalks.

It makes a lovely filler in a bouquet but the water can be milky from the sap so you may want to use a coloured vase instead of a vase of clear crystal.

Lady's Mantle is another great plant to grow as a filler for bouquets.

It is hardy and re-seeds everywhere so beware...

don't say that I did not warn you!

if you are diligent you can pull the babies up and give them away or toss them on the compost pile.

The flowers are frothy and a heavenly shade of chartreuse green!

a variegated euphorbia 

this was a gallon size only two years ago and it is thriving

I am pulling up lots of seedlings and have given lots to my sister

who has a home in the Highlands area.

I don't think the deer like these plants.

For her sake I hope that's true as she has a regular crew of deer cruising through her acreage!

A beast of a euphorbia

bulky and vast

fills in nicely...

The Humble Bungalow is under seige.

A roofing crew are on site and there's a vast bin in the drive almost full of cedar shakes...

the house was shaking and it felt like the men were walking on the ceiling

then at 4 o'clock when they quit for the day 

I sighed and put the kettle on.

 I do love peace and quiet.

(and so do the cats)

How is your week going so far?

OOTD a black and white Wednesday....

My OOTD is cool and relaxed, perfect for working in a hot classroom.
Our weather has been fabulous!
Who cannot appreciate the sunshine and warmth after our long grey winter?

The birds are chirping happily outside the window and the flowers are abloom.
a bounce in my step
joy and gratitude in my heart.

Black unconstructed skirt

Clark sandals (new)

OPI toes from the Minnie collection

H and M tank top

I added a third layer to go to work

a black thin knit cardigan

was smitten when I spied this trio of tins on the weekend at IKEA

great for tea and lots of other things too...

(bought some for lovely daughter)

I like the artsy patterns.

we finally found a coffee maker that we like

our old one was giving us grief every time we tried to pour from the carafe it would spill all over the counter 

strangely we put up with this issue for over a year!

This one is made by Krups.

After our visit with friends this past weekend

hours of walking

lots of talking

I've decided to join Weight Watchers.

Our hostess and her husband have been on it and they look amazing.

They both admit it's easy and to get started it's good to go to the meetings and listen to the success stories and be in a room with a group of like minded people...

so 

I am putting My Fitness Pal on hold while I explore this plan.

Won't you join me and make time to stop and smell the flowers today?

Be Well.

Lovely daughter ~ mid century modern ~ heritage urban loft.

Our lovely daughter is moving into a heritage urban loft!
It's right smack dab in the middle of our downtown core.

She is still packing and unpacking but I was so excited to share this that I could not wait a day longer.

Teak

Art Pottery

Metal Art

look at home with the 

Bamboo floors 

Exposed Brick walls

12 foot high ceilings

I found the vintage Kaj Bojesen monkey at a local consignment shop

a few years ago.

Hans Olsen table

the chairs fit right undernreath the top for a slim line and easy storage.

Timo Sarpaneva candle holders

I love how she has arranged her collection.

She has an outdoor deck too!

This is just the first instalment of her new place.

She needs to unpack and set up her kitchen

so stay tuned.

The weather has been gorgeous, hot and sunny

 it feels so good to feel the warmth of the sun...

Darling daughter has been enjoying her outdoor space...

The deck is going to open up an opportunity for her to BBQ and entertain under the blue skies or on a starry night.

Did you have a great weekend?

We were busy and had a fabulous time while away.

More on that to come...

Share some kindness today won't you?

Muguet de Bois....it's MAY!

Greetings from our Humble Bungalow Garden!

I picked a posy of flowers.

they are fragrant and pretty

Our darling daughter is moving into a fabulous condo with an urban vibe

it's a downtown heritage restoration

brick walls

high ceilings

it's going to be a stellar place to live...

I'll be doing a post on her home when she gets unpacked.

~ ~ ~

I will be away from my blog for a few days...

We will be attending

a 60th birthday

 sneaking a peek at a new grandchild (my friend's first)

ther will be a ferry ride and some fun!

~ ~ ~

OOTD...am I pushing the envelope?

My OOTD might be considered rather young for me.
I like the casual vibe and the comfort that this offers.

Some may be shaking their heads and others may well you tell me what you think!

Bear in mind I work with a fairly young staff and a variation of this look is quite common.
My job requires me to be on the floor, at the painting easels, in the sandbox, at the play dough centre, so the dress code is very relaxed.
Hence my OOTD...
please chime in and say what you will!

Vera Wang boyfriend jeans

white H and M tank top

Ralph Lauren denim shirt

red Nine West leather ballet flats

Pearls yes!

 almost everyday!

I had a lovely email from a fellow Canadian blogger

Duchesse

she related to me her recent success story and told me about My Fitness Pal a free website that offers a calorie counter, daily menu planner and a community of people who are all looking to lose weight.

 MyFitnessPal.Com

~ ~ ~

 I signed up and will start my weight loss exploration and journey here.

I like the idea of amping up my walking too and think that tracking my exercise as well as my food intake might be the thing that will motivate me to get out more often and to walk longer.

~ ~ ~

Thank you Duchesse!

Don't you just love this great community of women that blog and take the time to read and respond to each other?

I am feeling so supported and grateful today.

I'm smiling as I type this post!

Flags.....did you know?

Just wondering if you are flag savvy...
there are so many flags in our world and I wonder how many of us are familiar with them.
I know only a few...

Vintage British flag

I love to see flags waving in the breeze

it's a wonderful greeting to see our Canadian flag flown in cities in the USA and other countries.

I think it's a friendly gesture.

I never knew there were so many rules about flying a flag.

In The Humble Bungalow we fly the flag on Canada Day...

(this is not the correct way to fly a flag)

apologies...

Friends of ours who have a lovely home on the waterfront on one of the Gulf Islands 

hoist the flag when they are in the house...

rather like the Queen's staff do when she is residence!

Many cottagers do the same on their lake front properties and we boaters fly the flag when we are cruising.

An American courtesy flag is flown when we are cruising in US waters.

Signal flags are flown which spell out the name of a vessel.

Cocktail flags indicate you are welcome to pop by for a drink.

Commodore flags

Power Squadron flags

Yacht Club burgees

on the water there are many many flags flown.

Flag etiquette states one must lower the flag at sunset.

At Roche Harbour in the San Juan Islands

there is a colors ceremony where all gather to watch the lowering of the flag.

It's so patriotic that one cannot help but be moved by the power of this event.

Mr. HB and I were walking along the seafront just a day or so ago 

and we were both expressing our gratitude for our home and it's proximity to the ocean

the spectacular scenery

the gulls flying

the salty breeze

and the polite people that greet us on our way.

I recently stumbled upon The Maple Leaf Forever 

sung by none other than Micheal Buble.

I hope that you have a fabulous day!

~ ~ ~

Pretty in Pink...

Walking about in South Fairfield in April has a bonus...
there are the ocean views and there are the blooming trees.....

Look up!

Look way up.

Like pink cotton candy

frilly and frothy petals.

Closing in on the blooms...

and they are sweetly scented.

Pink petals as a snowy pavement.

Pink magnolia on the next street...

I openly wept at work.

In Music, 

an autistic student danced with joy and abandon with another student...

he smiled broadly and kept an eye on the moves that he was to follow.

We all watched and I held my breath...

The entire class applauded and I was overcome with emotion.

My glasses steamed up and I put them up on my head 

I had no tissues

so I tapped my nose with my hand and hoped that the kids did not notice.

I think that things are just going to get way more emotional as the days go by...

and I know I have 2 months left to work!

I feel that I have given my best to these students over the years.

I hope that I have paved the way for their continued success.

Saying goodbye will be bittersweet.

Thank goodness I have a few weeks to prepare.

It will be fun to see what the next chapter will bring.

Smile at a stranger today!

Hostess

OOTD or what I wore to Sunday brunch...

It's been quite awhile since I've snapped an OOTD shot.
I've been really conscious of how badly I feel about my weight and have not been feeling confident...
it is rather crippling when one gets into this frame of mind.

I really dislike feeling this way because I would just rather sweep these feelings of inadequacy under the carpet and ignore them. I think that's a big part of my issue too is that I avoid mirrors and try to stay out of photos so that  I don't have to face up to reality.

Anyways it's an on going issue that will I will be addressing...
when I can devote more time and energy to that process and have no excuse.

We had a lovely Sunday brunch and sat by the window that looked out across the Harbour.

Darling Miss Isla sat beside me and we had a delightful visit.

She is sweetness and light...

it's always such a delight being in her company.

I've got so many adorable pictures of her on my IPhone

wish that I could share them with you...

but I promised not to!

I chose two poached eggs on toast instead of my usual Eggs Benedict

the Hollandaise is too high in calories.

I did not eat any potatoes and that took serious restraint!

Small changes might add up to big results!

Lands End ponte knit pants

I cut the tag out of the neck of this top as it was irritating my neck

I think it's a Jones...

why do manufacturers use such rough tags?

a lace camisole is required because the neck is rather low!

Mee Too flats

Colour Me Minnie OPI toes

I had a fabulous pedicure at Bliss and my feet feel so much softer now.

This weekend I made a rhubarb pie for Mr. HB

Coconut and rhubarb go great together.

I bought a gift for a friend's first grand child that arrived on Friday...

and we were saddened to hear that our dear friend Cheryl's father passed away...

he was in Hospice and is now at peace.

Wish we could be there to give her support and share a pot of tea or maybe a glass of wine.

~ ~ ~

Hope that your weekend was upbeat and positive.

I'm off to pound the pavement now

walking off brunch and soaking up the glory of Nature.

Hostess

XO

Tulips...here today by permission of the local deer population!

Egads! I have some tulips blooming out in front of The Humble Bungalow.
Miraculously they have not been munched by the deer...
I have it on good authority that tulips to deer is like chocolate to women.
Irresistable.

These brave tulips are leaning over onto the sidewalk...

pretty tempting and tasty treats just waiting for some hungry mouths to feed.

They are all the same variety but you can see that each tulip has some slight variations.

Mass plantings are so much more effective than spacing plants apart evenly.

It looks more natural...like Mother Nature intended.

I am counting the days until they are munched.

It's anyones guess when the deer will stop by for a bite.

Happy Friday!

I am so glad the weekend is near as I have had a busy week with very little "down time."

What are you doing this weekend?

I have a pedicure booked and am planning to get out for a couple of walks.

Read some of the novel I am into and perhaps get together with friends and family.

Thank you for popping by

I welcome your thoughts and comments 

and if you'd like to suggest a post topic please feel free to email me.

~ Enjoy your day ~