What a differance a day makes...

This past week of weather has been punctuated with rain and clouds...
and when the sun makes an appearance
we rejoice!

Today was a sunny day with clear blue skies...
a perfect day for walking along the seafront.
There were crowds of people out and about walking
obviously with the same thing in mind.
The views were spactacular...Mount Baker looked like an ice cream sundae.
The frosty white snow stood out against the deeper blue of the sky and it felt so much closer than its far off location in Washington State.

Just before we were leaving for our walk I spied some crocus blooms and had to stop and take a few pictures to share with you. Mr. HB is used to me delaying our departures when a garden flower catches my attention!

Earlier in the week I stopped to capture the Hellebore Blooms

One sunny morning 

the sunlight illuminated Our Humble Bungalow 

bathing it in a warm and cozy glow.

Our arts and crafts bungalow is dark

due to the use of wood in the interior

and the design of the roof overhang and front porch detail.

We rely on many lights and even more lamps during the Fall and Winter.

There is salt spray from the ocean on the windows in our living room

which always surprises me as we are a block away from the ocean.

The gusty winds carry the salt spray and deposit it on anything and everything. 

(I'll be calling our window washer in a few weeks.)

The Massage Therapist worked on my shoulder this week.

 While the session was uncomfortable (painful) 

it was so worth it 

because I have more range of motion and less pain.

I plan to go every week for awhile...

I am starting to feel like a "high maintenance" woman!

We went to the Belfry for the world premiere of Forget About Tomorrow.

I highly recommend this play if you ever get the chance to see it.

In other news 

our lovely DIL and I dined out one weeknight

then we headed to The VV Boutique for a peek.

(aka Value Village)

I found a silk twill scarf with hand rolled edges.

made by Vetter of Switzerland.

The scarf should go well with this top.

Hope that your weekend is ticking along nicely.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday Morning Tidbits....some better than others!

Just checking in to say good morning....

How's your week going so far?
My week is really busy...
filled with appointments.

We are thrilled with the recent acquisition of this lovely painting 

 by the artist Kathy Leeds.

I have followed Kathy on Facebook and Instagram for many years.

When I learned that she had launched her website I zipped over and purchased this gorgeous painting of roses.

Many of you know how smitten I am with roses 

so it was an easy and natural choice for me...

we have hung this in our Humble Bungalow living room adjacent to the chair where I sit every morning while I sip my cafe creme and read emails, IG and blog posts...

it will be much admired.

My eye glass prescription changed when I had my eyes examined last fall

 I have been meaning to go and buy new glasses...

it has taken me a few months 

but I finally went and ordered new glasses.

They should be ready in a couple of weeks...I chose a rather "edgy" stylish pair.

The progress on my latest scarf...

A reader on my IG post mentioned that this looked like a pizza slice.

I'd have to agree and I pointed out that it was caloire free!!!

A couple of years ago I suffered a frozen shoulder and I was miserable for several months as I endured limited movement and intense pain...

unfortunately the opposite shoulder has now started to freeze.

UGH!

Thankfully I know all the exercises that I need to do each day

and am off to massage therapy to see if we can keep it from completely freezing.

My massage therapist is amazing and I have every confidence that we will work on this together.

Wish me luck...I am going to need it!

What is on your agenda this week?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sometimes things go sideways....

The new knitting project went sideways
the finished product was not up to my standards.

Basically the "simple knitted socks" were an EPIC FAIL!

I have learned a LOT of new techniques
polished my knitting skills
but I would never wear them.

So.......
I ripped them out.

We move on...
learn from our mistakes
and I am now embarking on a lovely new project.

A pretty scarf which is a free pattern
 Lacy Baktus by Strikkelise

This project is simple...

lacy and beautiful.

I do not like waste...

Speaking of waste,

 I ruined a pair of jeans by putting them in the dryer at the cottage.

Who would have thought that 20 minutes in a dryer on low 

would shrink a pair of jeans?

I am obviously not in sync with the appliances at the cottage!

Shrank SO MUCH 

that they cling 

painfully to my thighs and calves.

Not comfy at all!

I had to go out and buy another pair...

in Sidney on my way home!

Tribal

made in Canada

 just a tad under $100

I will donate my other jeans...

I have been wearing my father rings...

my Mom gave them to me.

What to do with a mans wedding band and a diamond ring?

I asked our family jeweller Paul de Goutiere to design a pendant

 he hit it out of the ballpark...

He suggested that it should be strung on a simple black silk strand...

it looks more modern and contemporary.

I have been wearing it a lot with my black and grey wardrobe....

no idea that it would come in so handy as an accessory.

I am also trying to focus on healthy eating and drinking lots of water

 avocado's rank right up there on the healthy scale!

Mashed avocado and a cup of tea...

How is you weekend going?

I am off to a fashion show with a friend tomorrow

then serving up a roast beef dinner for the Super Bowl.

What are you up to?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cottage life...weathering the storm.

Quarter Deck Cottage

a relaxed and casual getaway

that we enjoy for a week every month 

and two consecutive weeks in the summer.

This little piece of paradise has been a much needed tonic...

a place to dream and live simply 

among the beauty of Nature

 The Salish Sea at our doorstep.

The rains have been torrential this past weekend.

We were soaked right through our raincoats after an hour walk.

On the mainland there have been floods and roads were washed out...

When we arrive on the island

the first stop 

(after we unpack and set up the cottage with our personal bits and bobs)

is the local flower shop.

I choose some flowers for our week at the cottage.

The owner and I are on a first name basis now and she tells me what we have missed while we were off island...

Power outages, wind storms, ferry cancellations, trees blown down blocking the roads...

We shop for our food at the local market and usually do this each day.

It gives us an opportunity to mingle with the locals and deciding on the spur of the moment what we will have for our dinner based on what is fresh feels right.

Living in "holiday mode" encourages a spontaneity...

where we relax over our morning coffee

stare out at the views beyond

taking in the various sights

 ferry and boats

marine life and birds.

We awoke to sunshine this morning and what a glorious sight after 4 days of rain.

The cottage is bathed in warm sunlight and there is a shift in my mood.

I feel a surge of energy...

I have vacuumed, done the laundry, run the dishwasher and am now sipping a mug of tea as I sit here at the dining table typing on my laptop.

Taking time to look out upon the rippled sea and beyond...

A beautiful day awaits...

slowly

there is no need to rush

a gentle walk

a nourishing meal

knitting

reading

gazing out to the Salish Sea

content with the simple routines

of cottage life

it is in the quiet moments 

that we are able to restore, restock, and renew.

"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift. "

~ Albert Einstein ~

"There are moments when all anxiety and stated toil are becalmed in the infinite leisure and repose of nature. "

 ~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Slow down this week and observe the beauty that surrounds you.

When I walk in Nature I always find something beautiful that surprises me...

even on the darkest of days

I may have to look a little bit farther or a wee bit longer 

 if I persevere 

I am not disappointed and for those gifts I am grateful.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday Flowers...

Friday Flowers...

I spied these pretty pink blooms on one of my walks this week.

They are just so cheerful

set against the grey cedar fence they seem to glow...

These colourful primulas are perfect for the front porch.

They are a welcome sight with just the right amount of "happy."

There are many different varieties of these plants available.

Did you know that the only ones with a scent are the deep amber yellow variety?

I always purchase some of the yellow ones as their scent is quite lovely.

I've been searching for a vintage silver champagne bucket for quite some time and this week the stars aligned and I found one in a second hand shop for a reasonable price.

I wasted no time and popped into the local flower shop and bought a new orchid where it now sits on our dining room table.

Flowers are such a tonic for the grey gloomy weather...

we have had a few patches of sunshine which raises ones spirits.

At my weekly bridge afternoon many of the women were lamenting about the weather...it seems to be a common complaint.

Some were eager to share their travel plans as they are booked on flights 

off to warmer sunnier climates.

Travel to a sunnier spot is not on my radar...

so I add colour in my daily round and seek out "pops of colour" on my walks.

a lovely blue green mix in this sumptuous yarn...

I have been learning a lot about knitting with my new sock project.

The heel flap, turning the heel and the gusset have been a wee bit challenging but thanks to You Tube knitting tutorials I have been able to work through the pattern.

 Do you challenge yourself by learning new things?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cocooning...keeping cozy during the raging storms.

Hellebore

The gale force winds have been fierce 

the ferries have been cancelled

 the stormy weather 

is rainy, grey and generally dismal.

These kinds of days are perfect for cocooning with a pot of tea 

curling up with a good book and my knitting.

The Boneyard shawl free from the Ravelry website.

Looks a wee bit like chainmail!

I am embarking on a new knitting project...

socks!

I am using a pattern from Ravelry called super simple socks

the DPN's are a wee bit hard to get used to using

so far have ripped the socks out 3 times!

I will definitely need to get some expert help if I am to be successful with this project!

A kind and thoughtful reader from Vancouver sent me these earrings 

 I think they go perfectly with my black and grey wardrobe!

Thank you Rosemarie!

 I sent you off a wee token of my appreciation...

hopefully it has already arrived on your doorstep.

 I managed to find some sunny patches in between the storms and have ventured out to seek out some of Nature's beauty.

Hope that your week has some bright spots in it and that you are healthy and able to avoid the colds and flu that have been making the rounds.

Remember to wash your hands!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Focusing on Calm

Are you aware and take note of the beauty that crosses your path every day?

Focusing on a bright spot of colour or something beautiful from Nature...
can elevate a flagging spirit and change the way we see our world.

Each morning I sit quietly sipping my cafe creme and consciously count my blessings.
I embrace the "attitude of gratitude" and it helps me set the tone for my day...

A bouquet that I gave to a special someone!

This wee yellow flower was blooming on the side of the Esplanade

at Willows Beach where I have been taking my daily walks.

The day was grey, cold and gloomy but this wee pop of yellow 

acted like a lightbulb

 radiating cheer and warmth.

The sun has been trying to come out...

three cheers for trying!

I've noticed that people who walk this route smile a lot when they pass...

generally 

much more friendly than the serious joggers and runners on my local route.

Sending you some sunny yellow cheer...

Chicken piccata

a comforting dinner on a cold blustery night.

Here is a link to a similar recipe on Epicurious.

A hot cup of tea...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Take care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~