The Humble Bungalow beginnings...

This is the background of how we came to live in our Humble Bungalow....the beginning.

Early in our marriage we dreamed of living in a nice area of town and of one day owning our own home.
As luck would have it, we had the good fortune to find and rent a large Edwardian 2 story house with views of the ocean in an old established area close to town. We resided within walking distance to a large city park and small village shops. The rental house had many heritage features and we quickly warmed to it's charms but not to the cold and draughts!

This was at the time my husband was very busy launching his career with an architectural firm and I stayed home to raise our two children. It was such a happy time!
I walked everywhere pushing the buggy with our Golden Retriever Rufus, at my side.
I would choose different routes and look longingly at the wonderful old homes in our neighbourhood. When I saw a For Sale sign I'd look for it in the Real Estate section of the newspaper to see how much it cost. Very few homes were in our price range, with the exception of those listed as "fixer uppers" as our realtor later advised "buy the cheapest house in the best location."

I found our future home on one of my afternoon jaunts....it was a block from the ocean, several blocks from our rental and I thought it looked like we might be able to make it into something beautiful.

This is how it appeared before we took on the restoration!

It had been a rental for many years and was in dire need of TLC.

The house was built in 1912

designed by

Milo S. Farwell architect

A California Arts and Crafts Bungalow

we knew very little about arts and crafts back in 1982

but we learned very quickly!

We visited Santa Monica in California

and purchased a book written by Dr. Robert Winter

also known as "Bungalow Bob"

titled The California Bungalow

he was a pioneer in raising the awareness of the architectural value, 

significance, and importance of Bungalows

from a heritage standpoint.

 The cover has faded from years of sunshine 

as the book sat in the Stickley Brothers bookshelf

( grandmother owned this and she gave it to us when we bought our home)

The restoration and renovations

have taken many years

of research

and work.

We really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into...

the scope was far beyond our thoughts

and taxed our budget and challenged our energy.

We tackled one room at a time

and worked on the garden in between.

Everything we did had to be in the arts and crafts style

and look as if it was original.

We are proud to be tenants here in the Bungalow

preserving it for the future having applied and received approval for heritage registry status.

It is Serendipity...

What started as a humble home purchase has turned into a lifelong journey

we have met many people along the way who are dedicated to heritage and preservation of old buildings.

We have journeyed to meet experts in the field

and have had experts come here to visit.

Our modest and tiny bungalow

 Summer 2010

What a lovely way to spend a weekend!

A lovely weekend away was just what we needed...just the right amount of travel with lots of walking, a little imbibing, food that was cooked and served by someone else and a wee bit of shopping.
Mr. HB does not adore shopping but he indulged me for awhile!

I went to Hermes!

and purchased my new scent

Voyage d'Hermes

very light 

with a touch of citrus

I saw a lovely scarf worn by the shopgirl

but for some reason I wasn't tempted

now there's a surprise!

We made the obligatory rounds of the bags and shoes

and went down to look for a jacket for Mr. HB

I fell madly for the Armani jacket that he tried on

he looked so handsome in it 

Mr. HB was not as enchanted

I believe it was the $$$$$ factor.

We did find a well made cashmere jacket in charcoal grey that looked every bit as nice

which Mr. HB happily purchased.

Are these not divine?

no shoes for me though...

I have another purchase in mind

Lovely granddaughter Isla

is growing up so fast and needs a chair of her own

and Grammy wants Isla to have what she needs

we drove to a large baby store

and picked up this modern chair

if you ever watched a cartoon show called

The Jetson's

 on TV 

this would be the chair that they would have in their home in space!

I had one martini with 3 olives...I ate one before capturing this image.

the next few images are not in order

and show some of what we dined on over the past few days...

Mushroom Bisque

Bruschetta and salad

Strongbow cider for me and a beer for Mr. HB

Spicy Thai chicken drumettes for Mr. HB

Pasta and meatballs for Mr. HB

Clams and pasta for me

The diet starts tomorrow!

Our hotel 

The bridge we crossed to get to the baby store

a room with a view

ocean glimpse

the sun was out

looking east

looking west

Voyage d'Hermes

a litte something pour moi

Gap wool vest meet Debbie Kay

I am back in the Bungalow sipping my tea

content to be home

rested

relaxed

I hope that your weekend was fun.

Escape from reality....and what I am taking...

My minimal weekender bag contains
my skincare and make up products,
a lint roller,
lingerie
night gown,
2 artsy necklaces, statement pieces from Debbie Kay Designs
and...

these pieces

black bathing suit for lap pool and hot tub

black leggings, 

black dark denim jeans

camel tunic top

ecru loose weave scarf

black bag

black flats

gold low heeled shoes

black Tee

white Tee

print top in shades of heather and grey

beige V neck knit jacket

with ruffled fabric detail

it's a casual getaway

walking

shopping

browsing

hand holding 

time to relax 

with Mr. HB

add my black trench

an animal print scarf

and I am ready

it all fits into a "carry on" size suitcase

our hotel has robes and hair dryers so no need to pack those

Hermes is on the horizon

will be posting

more

later...

stay tuned

recipe for recovery...a tasty diversion and a family field trip

To cheer me up my Mom and sister arranged to have an outing

we drove out of town to a lovely hotel on the water

sat on the outdoor patio on a warm and sunny afternoon

dined on a delicious and healthy salad

I shared my recent troubling eldercare issues

they listened

gave me air time

and support.

We stopped in and browsed at a thrift shop

we seldom visit.

I wandered the aisles

feeling rather foggy

 my thoughts were elsewhere.

The sun was streaming in the windows and this was in a ray of sunshine.

in the light I glimpsed the details

it tickled my fancy

a

leather handbag

butter soft

and

embossed 

with chains and tags

and

long straps

in basic black

the workhorse colour 

that takes me anywhere anytime

Canadian made 

side zippers expand the bag

transforming the capacity

what a great idea.

I liked the "look"

a little more dressy

cross body

for hands free shopping

and the best part

it was

$10.00

I feel propped up

by comments left here

I am 

giving thanks in gratitude for family,

friends,

and blog buddies.

You guys rock my world.

the times they are a changing......as seen by me.

Turmoil and transition Bungalow Style....
Family responsibilities...
and eldercare, bestowed upon by a legal document that was drawn up years ago...in a time when thoughts were as far from here as could ever be imagined.

Once upon a time, long ago and far away...Young spirited parents early retired, not "stinking rich" but comfortable, and happy, embarked on many adventures hard earned by years of hard work, toil and sacrifice.
Life was good...there were local spring and summer boating trips and holidays seeking warm winters, snowbirding to a sunny California desert where a home was purchased.
Great grandchildren were born...photos were taken, albums created...family moments were sealed in the memory box for all time.
(I seek these out for comfort now)

Time passes and the little grey cottage by the sea becomes home base...the boat tethered to the dock in front, cruises are few and far between...and now beside, another boat is tied...a Classic Chris Craft.

The grey shingles pale and weather, the days grow dim...and the inhabitants grow old and frail...they press on with a stiff upper lip they go through the motions and resist any help or intervention.
Friends start to ask questions...a bit too nosy...my comfort is shaken, my eyes open wide.
I do not do worry well, so I take action when the family is stuck.
I am not a blood relation...I married their son.
I go in and take charge, I hire, I fire and I get flack.
(I will live with this guilt but it doesn't weigh me down because I have their best interests at heart)

There is a  death and we are at the helm...health and minds deteriorate...
and you must act...
and act you will
as hard an act as ever could be...you put one foot in front of the other and press on.

Act with a sound mind but with a shattered heart, a heart that has loved and remembers all the good times...a heart that wants more than can be possible...a heart that aches and breaks.

Details are not necessary...
I am clinging to the positive....
there is nothing else to be done...
accentuate the positive and minimize the negative.

We will survive...we must.
I am getting up tomorrow morning and placing one foot in front of the other and pressing on...with a stiff upper lip...life goes on...
I hope it does.....