Dreams and Women...

Have you travelled to France?

If not, are you dreaming of a trip?

Can you visualize yourself walking along the Seine,
or sitting outside a cafe sipping a cafe creme?

Wandering along the cobblestones streets...
lighting a candle in a church
perusing the shops.

Travelling was personal dream of mine for years.

I read numerous books on Paris and France...
they whet my appetite and I thought it may be possible
"where there is a will there is a way"
so I took French language classes,
saved money
then the year I turned 60 I went...
It was the trip of a lifetime.

Keeping the feeling of France alive...
I continue reading books set in France,
saving money and am dreaming again of French countryside and Paris.

Today on International Women's Day...we honour women.

Sharon Santoni is a great example of an industrious, creative, and energetic woman.
Sharon continues to reinvent and challenge herself,
she is an inspiration for those of us who have yet to fulfill all their dreams.

My Stylish French Box was created by Sharon...
You may be familiar with her beautiful books or the lovely blog she writes
about her life in the countryside surrounding her gorgeous home in Normandy.

Recently she also launched her online magazine...

The February box theme was The Parisian woman...

The velvet pouchette features a photo taken in Paris by Sharon.

The beret is made of soft thick wool...

the red lip gloss is ultra moisturizing and perfect for everyday wear.

I love the wee pop of red atop the beret.

Some quotes to ponder and inspire on International Women's Day. 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

        "The education and empowerment of women throughout the world 
                      cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, 
                                    just and peaceful life for all."    

                                             ~ Aung San Suu Kyi ~

              "There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish."

                                              ~ Michelle Obama ~

"I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and                 confidently themselves, who bring light into the world."

                                                  ~ Meryl Streep ~

             “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 
                                         ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Greetings from Quarter Deck Cottage!

We spent a few idyllic days here at the cottage.

 The temperature was cold, hovering around 5 degrees in the daytime,

 in the minuses at night.

Thankfully the sun has shone brightly every day!

We bundled up and took advantage of the sunny afternoons.

Someone had a birthday...

We had a tipple and a nibble on the day to celebrate the event.

We drove to Gowland Point and walked along the beach in a blustery wind.

The waves were SO BIG you could have surfed on them!

These icy branches looked so pretty juxtaposed with the red rosehips.

There is still snow on the ground where the sun has not melted it.

It is quite pretty but I have to admit that I am ready for warmer weather and Spring flowers!

We always visit the flower shop and buy a bouquet when we arrive at the cottage.

I choose yellow flowers to add a punch of colour in the winter months.

I made a batch of Lidia Bastianich's meatballs...

we serve them over noodles.

Very comforting on a cold evening.

We've read a lot and walked along the beaches in search of sea glass...

a bounty of sea glass was collected on someone's birthday!

a rare piece of cobalt blue glass

a heart shaped rock was also found on the beach.

Pretty soon we will need to find another vintage sealer jar 

for the collection is growing quite quickly.

A delightful memoir...

a lovely story of a woman of a certain age who meets an Italian man

and moves to Venice to get married.

 I am thrilled to hear that there is a sequel.

A Thousand Days in Tuscany.

Marlena and her husband live in a village quite close to the Tuscan village that  our week long Italian cooking school and vacation is situated...

Lots of plans are underway for the various stages of our holiday to Italy and Provence then the Midi Pyrenees and to top it off a couple of days in Paris.

So much fun searching online and dreaming about the trip.

It will be here before we know it!

Hope that your week is off to a great start...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Fitted jeans...

One item in my wardrobe that I love are a decent fitting pair of jeans.
I have a pair of boot cut NYDJ in the closet as the skinny pair that I owned developed a hole and I have not been able to bring myself to wear ripped jeans...

I have tried but they just don't "feel right" on me.
Do you wear ripped jeans?

I wonder if my Mother's style affects my inability to wear ripped jeans?
She taught me so many things about how we present ourselves to the world...
"her voice" and advice is still very much with me.

My OOTD

Black UP pants and Tilley top

Verve Ami knitted vest

Clark Chelsea boots

The fit is great and I love the ankle length with the slit detail at the bottom.

Can just imagine these with my red ballet flats!

The best part, besides the fit, was the cost, they were SO inexpensive!

Less than $40

A quick bite at Starbucks before heading to the club to play bridge.

We had a new player come and join us yesterday.

Its a fun group of people with varied levels of bridge skills.

We enjoy each others company and are a very congenial group.

We break for tea mid afternoon

the topic of conversation ranges from 

art, travel, current events and local politics.

Besides reading and walking, 

playing bridge and taking classes at the community centre 

are wonderful perks of retirement.

We have grape hyacinths blooming in the garden!

Spring cannot be too far off...

there is snow falling in the higher elevations today.

Its raining here which makes it much easier to get out and about.

A snowy snapshot from the archives.

Daffodils are just so cheerful.

Sunny yellow blooms always put a smile on my face!

Raindrops do not dampen my spirit when there are flowers in the garden.

Hope that you are well and in good spirits.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

I must close for now as I am meeting a friend for a rainy walk and a light lunch.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Checking in...

My time on the computer has dwindled of late...
there are more things keeping me busy that require my attention.

In advance of our trip to Italy 

I enrolled in a class at the local community centre.

Italian for travellers.

The language is beautiful...

it has a very melodic sound

and

spoken with such passion.

Learning a new language at my age is proving to be a challenge!

The teacher, 

who is from Rome,

gives us lots of homework and much of it requires memorization.

I am really enjoying the sessions

 have met many wonderful people 

who are also planning a trip to Italy.

The snow kept me indoors more than I would have liked...

I love to walk every day.

The fresh air clears out any cobwebs and energizes.

I discovered that noticing and savouring the beauty of nature has a positive effect on my mental well being.

So I suffered a bit with cabin fever...

which prompted me to clean out cupboards and drawers.

Many bags are heading off to the charity shop,

The snow is melting!

The roads are clear and only a few patches of snow linger in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Walking has resumed!

I'm reading a great book...

have you read it?

What are you reading?

Do you have any favourite books to share?

My hair is greyer these days...

its longer and some days is curlier than others.

I've stopped washing it every day as grey hair tends to be dry.

My skin has been extra dry...

think it must be the cold weather.

I have been slathering on serums, moisturizers, body lotion and hand cream.

Are you on Instagram?

Have you seen Linda V Wright's account?

She lives in Paris and has an amazing shop called Crimson.

She is a style icon.

I plan to visit her shop when I go to Paris.

Many mature women are reinventing themselves...

the confidence, joy and passion that they share 

is positively invigorating...

Times up! 

Must close the laptop 

 I am meeting friend for a walk.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Snowmageddon!

Our snow event has become known as
"Snow~ mageddon!

The Humble Bungalow Garden

is covered in snow!

Looks like a Winter wonderland.

Iced tea anyone?

That's my husbands' car under that blanket of white!

Our red chairs look quite comfy with their thick white cushions.

I've been spending most of these snow days indoors.

Knitting, reading, sipping tea, and making hot soups and curries.

The front steps are swept clear of snow

 the sidewalk gets shovelled...

we have been keeping the fire in our fireplace going 

as it really takes the chill off.

Our single paned windows let in so much cold air...

sitting next to a window one can feel a chilly draught!

My husband has been busy.

He's kept up with the supply of kindling and wood.

Walking back and forth to and from his office downtown.

Many of the staff are unable to get into town to work.

Schools, UVIC, Camosun College and the Naval base at Esquimalt are all closed.

Buses are delayed or not running...

roads are icy and covered with snow

its pretty to look at but is proving difficult "getting around."

It is still snowing 

we are expected to get another 5 inches today...

more predicted for the rest of the week and into the next one.

Stay safe and cozy.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~