I must be crazy...

I do love a refreshing gin and tonic with a wedge of lime.
The high caloric content of regular tonic does make me think...twice.

I do not enjoy scotch and there is already one Single Malt Scotch lover here in the Humble Bungalow.
Mr.HB prefers Islay scotches above any other, although I have heard him say on numerous occasions..."there's no such thing as a bad scotch"
I do not share that same sentiment when it comes to Gin...Tanqueray and Tanqueray 10 are my brands of choice...although I have had others.

I enjoy wine...mostly whites.
I love an occasional martini...

Dorothy Parker once said "I like to have a martini  2 at the very most. After 3 I'm under the table, and four I'm under the host!"

A good old fashioned G and T ticks all the boxes for me.

I found a healthier tonic, I have sipped it before...but it's been awhile, and I have not been able to find it locally until now.

Nice packaging...

I think that Janet over at The Gardener's Cottage

would appreciate the colours here.

How charming!

....doesn't that sound healthy?

Gasping a little....

Look away Frugal Scholar!

I suppose this is a bit over the top....

am I crazy to have been wooed by the Q?

 which I now firmly believe must stand for The Queen of Tonic.

Family came, we dined and walked to the beach...

Yesterday we had family come from afar to visit and we put on a simple dinner.
Mr. HB's nephew and wife and their 7 year old son....
it's been awhile since we have had an active 7 year old here...
they arrived at 5:30...after a day of shopping, sightseeing, and playing at the park.

I had Brie and Smoked Applewood cheeses, crackers and cerignola olives for appies...
the 7year old, let's call him R...was famished and the Smoked Applewood was a hit!
I served him a glass of sparkling grapefruit which he drank in one sip...and after checking with his mom I gave him a refill.
It turns out he could drink it as fast as I could pour!

He was very active, excited, hopped a lot and chattered on a mile a minute...I was trying to stay one step ahead of him...but he was faster!
Mr. HB disappeared downstairs for the huge tub of Lego...it is one thing we have kept from when our children were young...
I spread out a large blanket on the family room floor and we dumped the entire collection of Lego out...
he made some wonderful flying contraptions which he flew past us as we sat and sipped our cocktails and enjoy a brief conversation before dinner.

As I mentioned, I kept dinner very simple...Caesar salad, Lasagne, garlic bread and cherry pie a la mode.
R love the salad..not the Lasagna, and inhaled the garlic bread! Ate only the ice cream and left the pie...no worries, I offered it and hoped for the best...
it turns out a grilled cheese sandwich would have achieved a 5 star rating.

After dinner R was still extremely energetic and surprisingly still hopping...
Does R stand for Rabbit?
Mr. HB suggested that we go for a walk to the beach...great idea!
The family live in the interior where there are rivers and lakes....no oceans.
R loved it! He was in his element.
He lead us down to the beach wielding a driftwood sword, he made Rules and shouted loudly to the rest of us who followed and had to abide,
we were a very loud and raucous lot as we made our merry way along the stoney beach.

Our group was disturbing the peace, and interrupting the calm and quiet of the people who were relaxing in the after dinner sunshine.
We were the Rabble Rousers...led by a sword wielding, elephant toting 7 year old...
who told me ...that he will be in grade 3 and learning The Times Tables next year.


It was a memorable evening, lots of laughter and smiles as broad as the day is long.
I took lots of photos...
one of my favourites is of his elephant "Stomper"

Tonight all is quiet in the Bungalow...

I've uploaded the photos and emailed them to family....

Kids help us recapture the joys, that as adults, we may have forgotten or lost.

My summer reading

I cannot believe that I have blogged 200 posts...
I hope very much that I have not become too repetative, dull or tedious...
pray do tell if my posts make you snore.

A few days ago I was lamenting about the fact that I have a book that I MUST read for an August workshop "Brain Rules"...the cover does suggest some enlightening information lies within...it sounds  very educational and our staff and local family of schools is embracing, and from what I gather, will be implementing many of the principles next term.

But now I am wearing my holiday hat...and am free to read whatever I fancy.

I have a stack of books that I am ready to dive into...

"Anonymous"
you are wanted to see my list so here it is...

My most recent discovery...

Mavis Cheek,

the Jane Austen of contemporary fiction!

I enjoyed Three Junes by Julia Glass so I am hoping that I See You Everywhere will not disappoint.

The American Au Pair sounds light and fun.

Wally Lamb adds to the mix

 and the idea of inheriting a stunning country home tickled my fancy.

Julia Glass again 

and Mr. HB recommended Loving Frank

about Frank Lloyd Wright and his dramatic life.

Katie Fforde is pure fun

Laurie Graham is a favourite author of mine

I have read all her books except this one.

(I highly recommend her)

Marcia Willett paints lovely pictures with words

I jump right into her books.

Bitter is the New Black sounds somewhat off beat and edgy,

I may not love this one but I am going to try it.

I like to stir things up once in awhile.

Water For Elephants, many book clubs have raved about it and I am rather behind.

The Outcast is set in England and the jacket description sounds a bit like Atonement.

Belonging and Chez Moi are my armchair travels to Europe!

Patti Boyd promises to deliver the goods on "the inner circle" and life with Eric Clapton and George Harrison.

The Highest Tide is set in the Pacific Northwest in and around the islands.

Maybe I will recognize some of the locations.

Tiger Lillie and Hunting and gathering were staff picks at my local used bookstore.

What is on your summer read list?

Canada Day!

I am very late getting to my computer and posting today.

I have been hostessing in the Humble Bungalow.

We had guests from out of town over for a flying visit...

(we had a visit with grandbaby Isla!)

 We walked and saw some local sights of note,

we dined out and sat on an outdoor patio

and walked some more today and took in the Canada Day festivities.

Tonight there will be fireworks!

Happy Canada Day!

Garden project reveal...don't get too excited.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on a garden project...well I am finished.

Here are all the boulevard freebies painted black.

Yes that is a bowling ball on top of the stand!

I have laid the slate down near the work area..

most gardeners need a space to sift compost, store larger tools and hide them from view.

Mr. HB erected the lattice section of fencing, I think it looks lovely!

I have planted the wooly thyme between the slate

these fill in and become a living carpet

and they have sweet mauve flowers.

The foxgloves are very nearly done, they'll look like the dogs breakfast soon.

I cut them down, save the seeds and they multiply like mad.

They are quite a traditional plant in the cottage garden but have fallen out of favour.

I adore them, and I love hollyhocks too.

I only have a couple of hollyhocks and they are very small as they are new.

Some people have better luck with them than I do

 I am not too sure if it is the soil or the salt air that keeps them from being happy and thriving here.

I'm not giving up though...

The sun came out yesterday and I am so grateful

our weather has been positively beastly.

I hope the sun is shining on your patch today.