Monday, August 30, 2010

An award.....I accept!


Last evening I watched the Emmy's
this morning
I discovered
that
I have been given an award 
Thank you to



These flowers are for you Suburban princess!

With so many talented and creative bloggers out there
I feel honoured
to have been considered and mentioned.

As far as my acceptance speech or red carpet gown
I am short on words
this has taken me by surprise
I have no speech writer
and my attire is, well, totally unsuitable!

Thank You for considering me worthy...

and I am wearing
as seen here





recently pedicured toes 
wearing Peru-B-Ruby by OPI
no make up on
freshly washed face
plain
rather common
and the
hair 
(don't even go there!)

What would I wear?

1. Jeans and a white shirt with masses of pearls.
2. One of my LBD's and some Bling.
3. Dressy tweedy black trousers, black tank and Simon Chang jacket (see side bar)
4. Black knit palazzo pants, Black 3/4 sleeve top, pashmina 
5. Mother of the groom outfit...circa 2007
silk shantung patchwork skirt grey, charcoal, black, cream, silk shantung cream wrap top



I do not think I am Red Carpet material
I'd be the one tripping on my hem
nervous
red faced 
awkward
 bumbling on the podium which would be tall
and obscuring my height challenged
stature
unable to see or be seen
and the worst of all
the camera adds 30 pounds
so now
I am really in trouble!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Retro fashions...recycled and reworn today.

Lovely daughter J recently purchased a vintage retro coat from a local shop and was very excited to show me.
I had a shorter version of this in mocha shade...just seeing this coat took me back.
Oh those memories of wearing that jacket...I thought that I was pretty "Cool"
I can almost hear the music playing...that would be the late sixties!

Fashion and styles repeat and are reborn,
appearing fresh and new to the younger generation when launched...
Until they hear from a mother or grandmother...
"I wore one (of those coats) when I was young"

You may have had one of these too!














A great coat
in fabulous condition
fun to wear
and
she looks great in it!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Bathing beauty...taking the waters.

Taking the waters...
a prescription for relaxation...
women over the centuries have enjoyed this ritual.
I think of Cleopatra luxuriating in her bath
possibly nibbling peeled grapes and being fanned.

Showers are quick and convenient...
they do the job
but if I am weary 
I prefer to indulge with a soak in the tub.


Showers are the considered to be the "greener" option
from a water conservation perspective
and we all need to be mindful of our natural resources
so I opt most days to shower.


Sunflower in the Humble Bungalow



I dream of soaking in the tub 
especially after a long stint of gardening.
It's a great way to unwind 
reclining and enjoying the warmth of the water
while
soothing weary muscles


My roses love epsom salts and so do I!

Pour a few cups under running water
in a tub
mix well 
soak and detoxify.

In the evening if I have had a particularly stressful day
I will indulge in a before bed bath
infused with a few drops of lavender oil
I lie back, breathe deeply and 
I find it calming and it prepares me for slumber.


Towels are a bathtime necessity
and I choose white

Ralph Lauren Towels of Egyptian cotton
for everyday and affordable
I bought these at 50% off the regular price
they work 
but I do not LOVE them.

Abyss Egyptian cotton towels
also for everyday use
 the luxe option
see how much thicker and fluffier they are
that is why they are so coveted 
and command such a high price!
I LOVE these!



In floor heating
keeps the cast iron tub water stay warmer longer!

If you have the option of installing heated floors I would encourage you to do it
our bathroom has no heat other than the flooring
so in the winter
it's definitely a must.

After "taking the waters"
I slather on an emollient cream after soaking 
and I feel rejuvenated.

Pure Shea butter 
is the richest cream
and I am happy to report it works wonders on my dry skin.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

I'll be found toiling in the garden 
getting my patch ready for Fall,
and you can bet I'll be soaking
away those sore muscles
in salts!


Thursday, August 26, 2010

Abkhazi Gardens...the Living Legacy of a Royal couple.

Gardeners love to visit gardens. We notice details, look at plant arrangements and combinations of plantings. We study the gardens "bones"... we look at how the gardener has tackled challenging areas. We observe the ornamentation and sculptures and where they have been situated. The style of birdbaths or statues, rock placements and water features...we soak it all in, some of us write notes or draw sketches.
(I take photos!)
We gardeners love garden tours and enjoy chatting with the gardeners themselves, there's a certain level of comfort and kinship in the garden that links us all. I suppose that's why so many of us regularly attend Horticultural talks and are card carrying members of Horticultural Societies and Clubs.
We appreciate the effort and hard work it takes to create and maintain a garden.
Large or small, gardens are a Labour of Love!

New plants are exciting!
Unusual colourings and varigations are coveted and eagerly sought after.
Trends are observed...currently grasses and drought tolerant plants are what the locals here are seeking.
Having said that, I must waste no more time blatthering on and get right down to the business at hand...

Abkhazi Gardens is one of my favourite spots to visit.
I would love to attend a wedding here...or a cocktail party on a warm evening in the summer.
I feel deeply moved when I am here...enriched and alive...
I feel the love of two people who claimed the space, worked side by side over many years and created this special garden...they have left us a legacy of loveliness...It's pure BLISS!

One meanders along the curving paths that weave their way through towering rhododendrums and azaleas.

Rocky outcroppings have dictated where the lawns and beds were established as evidenced by their placement as they sit today.

The garden is smallish at 1.4 acres, but one has a sense of privacy snug under the canopy of the Garry Oak trees with southerly views to the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the mountains of the Olympic Penninsula in Washington State.
A pair of resident turtles can be seen basking on the rocks in the sunshine.



 I am very passionate about it's history and the romance that made this garden what it is today.

Abkhazi Garden

The Abkhazi Gardens is best viewed in April and May as they are the peak times for the blooming of the rhodos and azaleas.
Lunch or tea can be taken in the original home or on the Terrace in full view of the lush garden.
It's a must see!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Spa-cation Hostess Style...

I spent a well earned day at the Spa soaking in the Mineral Pool and soothing my garden weary muscles...
several 4 hour days of intense gardening had my body complaining.
I dream of a strong gardener they way some may desire a lover......

My toes touchdown on the infloor heated tile.


Peru B Ruby by OPI
(my summer go-to shade)


The SPA 
has water, teas, snacks, Bento boxed lunches,
 steam room, sauna, mineral pool, hot tub, pool,
plush terry robes, showers, and an assortment of comforts to meet every need.
I go there because I get the best treatment 
 it's not cheap
it's a luxe treat
I make it part of my routine
and I save in other areas 
to make this happen.




It's a great tonic !

I am planning some major changes in the garden and have committed them to paper
I have discussed these with Mr. HB and he says he will help me!
It involves sod, moving some established Agapanthus Alba plants, digging up 2 roses that I will be putting on the boulevard for FREE!
I want a chartreuse and white border in one area...
Lady's Mantle, White Agapanthus

I need a larger green space
for croquet and play
I chopped up too much for bedding...
what was I thinking?

I am loving my Limelight Hydrangeas
they are greedy with water 
I adore their hue
I bought 3 last year and they are divine in their grouping
nudging each other.

The Lilac Asters are a mess
but they are abuzz with honey bees
so I am keeping them until they wilt
there is a problem with bees and many hives have collapsed
(such a concern)
so I am being GREEN
keeping the bees happy
hostessing
here in the Garden.
I'll dig them out in the Fall
no matter what season
or the weather conditions
there's a job to be done
if you have the pleasure of owning a garden.
(it's a life of work)
LOVE is more like it!