Victoria Day Weekend activities...they are all over the map.

Abraham Darby by David Austin

grown in the Bungalow Garden.

The fragrance is intoxicating and heavy with perfume.

It is a repeat bloomer and one of my favorite roses.

 Victoria Day is a holiday so we have an extra day to play.

I have been busy in the garden weeding and watering.

Mr. HB and I sourced out and purchased new deck furniture...

teak table, chairs, bench and an umbrella...

 arriving next weekend.

Mr. HB and I have been cleaning the boat getting ready for the cruising season.

I am grateful for the boathouse as it helps keep the boat protected and surprisingly clean inside.

It's considered very bad form to have a dirty boat!

Here I am aft, taking a photo of our long time cruising buddies and lo and behold they are snapping one of us!

We sometimes need to get very fussy about the attention to details....

especially when we are on show!

The first harvesting of rhubarb

Simply wash and chop...

measure

follow directions...bake in oven.

Put the kettle on and brew a pot...

sit for a bit and travel to the Countryside

via Country Living UK....

I don't regret this armchair vacation!

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic is in this issue!!!

My new favorite salsa...courtesy of Whitewater Cooks.

My newest cookbook is chockfull of healthy and tasty recipes.

I am experimenting with more vegetarian dishes as I will be making some meals for my son and his wife when she has the baby in a few weeks.

I made this salsa and I believe it is the best salsa I have ever made!

It is a recipe that takes some time but it does make 4 cups,

 so I was not daunted by the task.

The ingredients are not exotic or hard to find.

They are full of wonderful colour.

Cilantro and red onion chopped.

Frozen niblet corn 2 cups

 with a large seeded red pepper, 

a wee bit of olive oil and brown sugar 

stir to coat

roast 20 minutes at 350 degrees in a roasting pan.

Dice the red pepper = 1 cup.

Zest and juice from 2 limes

a teaspoon of cumin and a teaspoon of chili powder and mix.

Homemade Bungalow salsa meet the Whitewater Cooks Salsa!

Shall we dance?

The power of suggestion...the internet...a long distance telephone call...a volcano...and air mail.

Something arrived in the mail...from Finland...look at the cute stamps!

metscan blogged about her donuts...

 (known as scrunchies here in Canada)

I am growing my hair and like to keep it out of my face when gardening, cooking, baking and boating.

I called mette's friend Tua in Helsinki and she arranged to have these sent to me...

there was a slight delay due to the eruptions of the Icelandic volcano,

 and here they are!

one green and one blue!

As an internet shy shopper this was a foray into murky waters for me.

I am pleased at the ease of the transaction. (so far)

I have obtained a money order from the banking institution and have popped it into the post.

Fingers crossed that Tua gets it...

after which I shall breathe a little easier.

Hermes scarves a luxe treat...and bittersweet.

I have been drawn to Hermes scarves like a moth to a flame...

I think it hearkens back to when my aunt was alive.

She donned only the finest in clothing, jewels and scarves.

I need to give you a bit of background here.

She was born into a wealthy family who were privileged and established...Old Money.

After her formal education she was sent to a finishing school abroad.

 She later returned and married my uncle, an officer in the Canadian navy.

 (I was the flower girl) 

High mass in an Anglican church and a catered garden reception...at their home.

I vividly remember that I very nearly fell into the pond trying to pat the ducks!

 (I was all of 5 years old)

My uncle retired from the forces and went back to college getting a teaching degree so he could spend more time at home with his growing family.

She kept most of her her money in the bank and lived humbly on his salary.

It interests me that my uncle managed to save money every year in order to give her expensive jewelry  at Christmas.

 She only bought the very best of clothes and scarves were worn tucked into the neck of her fur jackets.

She was very quiet, polite and proper.

Never over did things, showed restraint and class.

Unfortunately she developed lung cancer and died much too young.

When she passed away my uncle called me up and suggested I come over and look through her collection of scarves and choose one or two.

I felt too emotional to even consider the possiblity and I do regret that I was not brave enough to do this.

 I suppose my love of scarves runs very deep.

Hermes and the signature orange colour.

My first Hermes...

It happened in SanFrancisco!

I'll never forget...

my aunt.

I've been very naughty....

Sometimes....once in a blue moon, I want to eat something really naughty.
No, it's not chocolate, fries or chips....

Take some Rice Krispies....

some marshmallows...

some butter...

follow the directions...

and chill.

My mother never made these...

but as a teenager I did...

it's like a nostalgic trip back in time.

I'm taking them to school for treat day.

It's "May Munch" for the staff in the Library today!