Esquimalt Lagoon Walk ~ An Artist's driftwood sculptures

My sister and I met up for a beach walk at The Esquimalt Lagoon and were able to take in the wonderful sculptures that "Brother Paul" has created...

Hope that you enjoy the various beach art creatures by Paul Lewis.

Public art is free for all to enjoy 

 this beach art has brought more people to the lagoon

 many people

like myself were taking photographs.

It's wonderful to mix up the areas and vistas that one can emjoy while getting some fresh air and exercise.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

White Wednesday...published on Tuesday!

Do you remember when bloggers posted White themed posts on Wednesdays?
There were bloggers who also posted Wordless Wednesdays...

I have not been aware of either of these Wednesday themed posts of late...
have you? I know its only Tuesday but I am publishing this early as I have it ready ahead of time!

I was recently driving by on my way to get groceries

when I spied a few tables out on a lawn 

there was a garage sale in full swing...

a parking spot was open out front 

so I stopped to browse.

It's been ages since I've stopped at a garage sale.

The usual bits and bobs were on offer 

books, jewelry, kitchen and household stuff and clothes.

These matte white pottery elephants caught my eye.

I think they are quite sweet.

I do love how they look like a happy family...

a trunk show of sorts.

Have you heard that it is good luck 

if the elephant ornaments have their trunks pointed up in the air?

I was told that years ago...who knows?

I wasn't sure where I would find room for them 

but I knew that I had to buy them and fortunately I had a toonie in my wallet!

The McCoy matte white basket weave jardiniere's that hold our kitchen utensils and wooden spoons have been serving us well over the years.

Alliums in the Humble Bungalow Garden

 my post would not be complete unless I shared a few more of our roses...

in keeping with the theme

these ones are white.

Climbing Iceberg Rose

Close up...

pure white, pretty and elegant.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD...

I've been wearing white jeans and white linen pants these past few weeks and mixing them with denim shirts, chambray tops and here with a thrifted denim jean jacket.

NYDJ white jeans

Marks Work Warehouse white top

Guess silver sneakers

No Name denim jacket

(the tag was cut out)

I am at Marshall's looking for a new top to wear with my dressy white UP pants.

You can see my messy hair...

it's growing 

but not as fast as I would like it to!

I have to persevere and be patient until the short layers are longer.

I found a top and some birthday gifts for our darling granddaughter Isla 

who is turning 8 in June!

Where does the time go?

She is growing up just so fast!

The top is striped in blue and white

the silhouette is flattering as it camouflages some of my wobbly bits!

The garden is keeping me quite busy these days...

watering all the potted plants

 dead heading the roses

weeding.

I just get "caught up" in one section and then I have to start all over again!

I love being able to pop outside and pick our roses 

 bring them inside and arrange a bouquet

or as in this case give them to a friend

who hosted a celebration of life for a former colleague 

who died unexpectedly

at the age of 70.

Which reminds us all that we need to live each day to the fullest.

Carpe Diem ~ seize the day!

We paid tribute to our dear friend and colleague Ray 

in a beautiful garden 

where we used to have our year end staff parties.

His wife attended and there were lots of hugs, tears, a toast and many stories were told.

She was very fragile 

but was so glad that she was there 

as she realized how much he meant to all of us 

 we were able to tell her about the kind things that he did for so many 

 students and the staff.

Here are two David Austin Graham Thomas roses.

They are heavily scented large sunny yellow blooms.

If you grow many roses as I do you'll come to realize

That they require attention and TLC

like offspring

if they are to thrive and grow.

I only choose varieties that are fragrant, hardy and are repeat bloomers.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope your weekend has some fun packed into it.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Book chat...at Quarterdeck Cottage

I devoured the book Bella Figura written by Kamin Mohammadi

It "spoke to me" on many levels and the author included Italian recipes at the end of each chapter...I am going to keep it and put it on my cookbook shelf!

I was so inspired by her descriptions of the food 

that I made the pasta dish for dinner at the cottage.

Kamin describes the Italian city of Florence and the hills and villages of Tuscany so exquisitely that I felt that I was right there with her...

I am not going to give away any of her "secrets" but I did take away some very important tips that I will be incorporating into my daily regime.

I highly recommend this book...

Look at these fresh heirloom tomatoes!

Seriously flavourful and an easy salad to prepare...

you could dress it with a smidgen of good quality olive oil or do as I did.

I used Julia Childs' basic vinaigrette that I mix in a Bonne Maman Jam jar.

'Tis the season for Farmer's Markets and fresh produce...

I love the variety and availability of these roadside stands

 my basket is stuffed full to the brim

overflowing 

with healthy tasty veggies.

The bounty of beach combing is the expanding collection of sea glass.

Fresh air and exercise are benefits of this hobby.

Clam Shells with barnacles dot the local beaches.

The twinkling light bouncing off the Salish Sea

 a million diamonds dazzling....

the melodic waves are licking the shore

the seabirds are swooping

the cacophony of songbirds is music to my ears

contentment found in the beauty of nature

to slow down

to notice

to be silent and observe

these are times that I treasure

for they present me with

opportunities

 for reflection and gratitude

Do you find solace in the beauty that surrounds you?

Are you able to be still, sit quietly and absorb the gifts of Mother Nature?

We had a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow Garden...

there is a bounty of flowers

a riot of roses blooming 

the wee hummingbird babies can be seen in the nest...

two very tiny beaks pointing skyward waiting for food from their parents.

Hope you have a lovely week.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Quarter Deck Cottage in May

We are enjoying the gorgeous sunshine and warm days

here at Quarter Deck Cottage.

It's a wonderful respite and relaxing is what we do best here at the cottage.

Swimming laps each day in the pool has made my muscles ache...

I don't swim fast but I have been out of the habit of late.

The outdoor pool is so much nicer that the recreation centre and there appears to be less chlorine which is kinder to my swimsuit and skin.

There is a small garden center here where I go mostly to browse.

But any serious gardener will tell you that it is hard to resist buying plants!

I have been watching the BBC coverage of The Chelsea Garden Show 

wouldn't it be grand to visit in person?

In the spirit of gardens and gardening

I've been adding a few things near the cottage.

Deer resistant and drought tolerant plants are essential.

Lavender

Rock Roses

Carex grass, an Icelandic poppy plant and variegated lavender

Variegated lavender

Poppies and a Euphorbia

Bowles mauve wallflowers

Shells

Hope that these plants will survive and flourish.

I purchased a new book which sounds interesting...

 the clerk mentioned that it was similar to Eat Pray Love.

I have not started the book but I may set aside Life After Life by Kate Atkinson for a wee bit and pick this one up.

Sitting with a mug of coffee watching ferries ply the waters of The Salish Sea early in the morning has become part of our routine.

Overnight oats with banana for breakfast.

Loved this issue of Victoria magazine

I read it cover to cover in one sitting.

Dinner after a busy day...quick and easy.

Salad made with fresh produce from Raven Rock Farm on Pender.

Julia Childs' vinaigrette made in a Bonne Maman jam jar.

Fresh halibut topped with mint and lemon slices served with roasted carrots.

These mauve rhododendrons were just buds when we arrived on Friday and now they are in full bloom.

Can you see the bee?

Close up and working hard at 6:30am...

spied when I wandered out to take a picture

Lovely

I am going to close for now as the day awaits...

many opportunities for activities...where to start?

A beach combing walk, a swim in the pool, some time to read and water the new plants, shop for veggies at the farm stand and decide what to make tonight for our dinner.

Thank you for dropping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~