Bungalow Hostess is now a Boat Hostess!

I have traded the Bungalow for a Boat for a few days of rest and relaxation....

View from starboard...

aft...

Port...

We are putting some nautical miles between home and where we are going.

It feels energizing and there's a sense of optimism that comes with the freedom of our relaxed boat pace.

I pack light..

after all it's a small boat....

35 feet and when they built her in 1957 she was meant to be a day boat.

In the marina there are many US boats

  one as far away as Santa Barbara, California

We are the only Classic Wooden vessel at this time,

most are what we call Gin Palaces...

large Fiberglass yachts with flying bridges and all the bells and whistles...

and frequently a distinguished gentleman with a very attractive

 "trophy wife"

Our V berth has bunks...we sleep side by side, it's very cozy.

There's a hatch above with screening for fresh air

or star watching at night.

Without all the ambient city light you can really see the Milky Way and thousands of twinkling stars.

My chair...I am the Admiral...doesn't that sound important?

my duties are..

 hands on galley slave, chief cook and bottle washer

my job is to keep the boat ship shape!

I married the Captain and he does the navigating...

I took the Power Squadron Course

 so I now have a license to be...

 the NAG-A-VATOR!

My teensy weensy galley...

it's very retro...mostly original

 with the exception of safety upgrades and a few modcons.

(I adore a hot shower so we installed a water heater!)

2 burner stove top, marine fridge below.

BBQ on deck and I have managed to turn out dinners for up to 10.

I keep everything very simple.

fresh in season food

with an alfresco theme.

I acquired this interesting piece of pottery several years ago at one of the Island markets

it was made by a local island artist

I love the ocean feel...

I bring boat plants and flowers to keep my green thumb happy.

The basil elevated fresh heirloom tomatoes, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar.

The lavender smells fresh and keeps for a long time.

I must be off...my book is calling to me.

The American Au Pair by Marjorie Leet Ford

I do not want to put it down.

Hope that you have a good book on the go...

it's a holiday through words.

I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU...

These flowers are for you.

The McCartney Rose and Lady's Mantle

I just have to say how grateful I am for all your kind and thoughtful comments these past few days after the death of my beloved cat.

I have been blog hopping and I cannot believe how many great blogs are out there.

The talented writing and beautiful photographic images astound me.

It's a great place to be.

I did some garden clean up and my poppies had fallen over in a gale yesterday...

boats were blown ashore and the Coast Guard was kept busy with pan pans and maydays.

Today it was calm...

I felt calm within my self as well.

I am regaining perspective.

I do not like waste, I recycle

and so I made something out of what could have been compost.

I think this "Poppie Bouquet" works

especially when married in a Sklo vase of pink glass.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thinking outside the Big Box Store...and a little retail therapy.

I spent a few hours browsing in one of those Big Box stores.
You know the ones that are bigger than a barn with harsh flourescent lighting and enormous carts which you have to pay a deposit to use...and people with vacant looks on their faces.

These stores are situated far from where I live, at least a 30 minute drive if you do not go in rush hour...which I did not, as I do not do traffic well.

I am challenged right at the get go...after reading and trying to figure out the cart release system I give up and go looking for help.

I need to get an assistant to show me where to put my loonie in the keyed contraption that allows the locked carts to be unlocked...it looked easy when she did it...will I manage to remember how to do it next time?

If there ever is a next time...(remember I still do not pump my own gas...full service is my friend)

The place inside is very quiet which is odd because the parking lot is full.
I suppose it felt quiet because there is a vast expanse of space...it's easy for people to disappear in the aisles.

I find the carts are large and unwieldy...I crash into the displays because the lower rack juts out farther than the top part. I persevere...and I am fortunate that I do not hit and injure any people.

It is amazing to me the variety of wares these stores offer...groceries, household stuff, cosmetics, clothing, plants, it's all here...one stop shopping.

I look for quite awhile before I find a few items to try on...I am focusing on inexpensive boaty clothes.
There is a margin of error within the same size items...they should all fit but they do not...what's that about? Some are too big, some too small, and a few just right.

I end up with a couple of tops, some knickers, a nightie...

Loose and cool

Hem detail

Sleeve detail

and just $19

I bought 2 of these cotton tops, simple, light and packable.

$10 each

These purple knickers made me smile...

when I wear them I think I'll feel very daring!

The 2 grey pair are decidedly more conservative.

I usually wear lacy Hanky Panky thongs but these wooed me by their price point...3 pair for $12.

One pair of HP cost $26...so this is an experiment in frugality.

I managed to lock the cart and retrieved my loonie without attracting any attention.

Who knows maybe I can pump my own gas...but not just yet, 

one embarrassing mishap is enough for one day.

Good grief...is there such a thing?

Good grief...is there such a thing?
I suppose it does make us grateful, and we come to treasure the memories and moments of better days.

 Stickley...

surveying the view from the back deck of our boat...

She didn't love boating but she made the best of it.

She would hunker down and sleep in the V-berth when we cruised

and after we'd dock or anchor she would venture out on deck.

She had her quirks too...

she liked to drink from a watering can on our sundeck...

she'd dip her paw in and then lick the water from her paw.

She loved a back rub and would run to the bedroom and "assume the position" and await the pats.

I am muddling through a bit of a fog here in the Bungalow.

I am forcing myself to go through the motions of domesticity.

 "Keep Calm and Carry On" 

On a brighter note...

Isla and her parents came over for a surprise visit and I got some quality snuggle time.

Dear Isla is such a sweetheart and she smiles now!

How clever is that?  ( a month old... I think she's brilliant)

She really doesn't need to do much to enthrall and entertain us...her presence is enough.

All four of us sat mesmerized, watching her snuffle and coo as she slept.

Mr. HB bought a movie camera a few months back to record grandbaby moments

and he has taken his first, in what will be many, short films.

Oscar worthy, probably not...but award winners for us here in the Bungalow.

Memories, moments, pictures and films conspire to remind us how precious life is...

A very sad day here in the Bungalow....

I weep as I type, tears that cannot be stemmed...
our most cherished cat Stickley has gone to kitty cat heaven.

Born May 28, 1993- Died July 10, 2010

She came to us as a kitten from the local SPCA.
She was part mainecoon, with a  tortoiseshell coat and she had a spot of orange on top of her head.

A furry and fluffy long haired bundle of love and sweetness.

She gave us many years of love and affection.

Here she is in the doorway this morning, Mr. HB took these...

Farewell my feline friend, I'll never forget you.

I may not be up to blogging for a few days...
I'll be checking in on your blogs to see what is happening in your neck of the woods.