Rhapsody in colour, a prescription for Happy!

Let the sun shine today please...
in the absence of full sun today I am protesting
and engaging colour
by posting a myriad of images that shout happy.

the simple tomato

sunny T shirt and scarf

semi precious sunny drops

window display 

South Granville

snowdrops

a rhapsody in white

lush green lawn

acacia limbs

soon to be firewood

Any thoughts on a great apple tree to plant in it's place?

Pepper's slurping up her morning H2O

she only drinks from the tap

loves her water cold and fresh.

(We do indulge her)

Could that be sunshine peeking through the clouds?

small but charming

Soon the roses will start to bloom 

 in The Humble Bungalow Garden

and I can't wait!

whatever the weather brings

have yourself a very happy weekend 

we've got house guests

one functioning bathroom

and the reno is still in an unfinished state

I've cleaned up the mess

dusted

vacuumed

and 

good friends are on the way!

You know they are good friends when they'll line up for the loo

and have to navigate a worksite to get to their room!

Think sunny thoughts...

I know I am:-)

XO

A quickie with a few tidbits and snippets of our trip.

I've been busy getting back in action here in The Humble Bungalow and late getting to my blog.

Weekend wrap up
highlights...
we wined and dined and visited friends aboard their boat in False Creek
we walked in Stanley Park
meandering
leisurely
poking in shops
window shopping
serious shopping
reading
sleeping late in the most comfortable beds...
PURE BLISS!

19th floor

digs for the weekend

Wetizman "party shoes"

snapped just 

before we tripped the light fantastic...

Black Symplii dress

 jersey knit

rolled in a ball in my suitcase

unrolled and crinkle free

travel friendly

Debra Kay necklace

OOTE

 Italian dinner 

 before sipping a nightcap high above the clouds

42nd floor

(if memory serves)

looking at the city lights

and there were fireworks below!

When we got together with our friends

I wore a LBD sheath style with little room to lift a leg

and getting into the minivan model taxi was less than lady like!

Boarding the boat was virtually the same 

thank heavens no one was following behind me!

We had bubbly and some nibbles before we went to the

French bistro

The food was amazing and the atmosphere subtle

every table was in use

and most people were enjoying themselves...

except for one unfortunate couple who were engaged in a very heated discussion within earshot 

my friend Cheryl and I were treated to a list of expletives that made us turn around.

A couple in their late 50's to mid 60's were having a full on domestic dispute!

I've never been in a situation quite like this one.

The waiter came over and told them to take it outside!

They left promptly leaving us wondering what could have gone wrong in such a romantic establishment.

New handbag

made in Canada

by ROOTS

cross body saddle leather

in black

the tangerine cellphone case was a gift with purchase

now in the hands of lovely daughter

an everyday basic

simple

hands free

with pockets and compartments inside

easy peasy 

I'd call this bag a work horse.

Next stop was Hermes...

busy place on the day we chose to pop in

Birkins on the wrists of most of the well heeled customers

(Mr. HB whispers "what recession!")

Terre d'Hermes for Mr. HB

Voyage d'Hermes for my sister

(we wear the same scent!)

It took about 30 minutes to choose my new scarf

this was my first choice and I kept trying others with more splash and colour

but I kept coming back to this painterly pattern.

Hermes scarf

Peinture Fraiche

by Dimitri Rybaltchenko

White background

grey design

conservative

Hostess style

(it looks great with pearls!)

Belated Happy Birthday Hostess!

There's more shopping adventures to follow when I have more time

so please stay tuned...

In the meantime we have to eat so

 I made a curry for our lovely daughter and her friend in appreciation

as they house and cat sat.

We lunched at Rangoli in the Tony South Granville neighbourhood.

it's Vij's casual eatery.

The food is amazing Indian fusion

the food and flavours are complex 

my taste buds did a happy dance!

I made the chicken curry

served it over rice...

Prosecco for the ladies

beer for the gents.

I'll close with this image of a lone native plant 

which is bravely blooming in the rocky area of the school grounds.

It reminds me of my favourite Mary Engelbreit quote

"Bloom where you are planted"

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!

Hostess

Bliss and now back to reality...

It's been a whirlwind long weekend
a treat for us not to do chores or prepare meals and do the dishes.
Pure luxe
and total relaxation....

The city of Vancouver was in the midst of the Cherry Blossom Festival

The streets were pure magic

there was a scent of sweetness in the air.

We were upgraded to the 19th floor and had a fabulous view.

We dined, wined and shopped......

Yes!

We did go to Hermes.....

lots to tell

 but it's rather late and I need to unpack and do some laundry.

Hope that your weekend was fun.

Mine exceeded my expectations.

Talk soon!

The Humble Bungalow garden tour and weekend plans...

Mr. HB and I are leaving The Humble Bungalow in search of some fun and excitement
and dare I say it...
shopping!
I'll be stopping in at Tiffany's, Hermes, Eileen Fisher and Holt Renfrew.

A four day "weekend" is a wonderful opportunity for a getaway
we have been so immersed in work and renovating
we've decided to take a break.

We'll be meeting friends for dinner at a French bistro....
and I plan to swim in the hotel pool...
(ever so gently so as not to injure my back which has been on the mend)
walking and exploring
we will be spontaneous and relaxed.
The King beds are luxurious, roomy, comfy
sleep is easy.
The views are amazing
from the snow capped mountains on the north shore
to the wide ocean expanse of Kits beach and points beyond Point Grey...
our hotel is simple, clean and convenient...
centrally located with parking and we are in the hub of the city,
the shopping mecca on Robson Street.

Lovely daughter and her friends will be staying here taking care of things
so Pepper will not be lonely.

As I peer out the window I see sunshine blue skies and a few cotton ball clouds dancing slowly high above our bungalow. I am filled with hope, optimism and the promise of better weather.
It's been quite some time since we have had a patch of blue stay around this long and I have missed the sunshine.
Feels like a perfect time to take you all along on a garden tour!

Yellow has been on my mind

I've been craving sunshine 

and thankfully it's here!

Yellow popped in last weekend for Sunday Roast Beef dinner with the family.

Lemons floated in our water goblets

daffodils cheered us on...

aren't these sweet?

I cannot remember their name but they grow like weeds for me.

daffodils naturalized in the lawn

with a large euphorbia in the background

grape hyacinths

hellebore

Japanese anemones

the mighty acacia tree

(whose days are numbered)

we are having it chopped down and replaced by an apple tree

as the cost of maintaining this tree has reached a staggering sum of $500 per annum.

looking north towards the garden shed

pink hellebore putting on quite a show

rhubarb looks healthy

won't be long before I make some crumble

the garlic is obviously happy to see the sunshine

the onions I planted last fall are up

spring onions indeed!

clematis montana rubens will be a riot of blooms in a few weeks.

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!"

Sitting Bull

my packing list awaits

I've got to get busy now

 I 'll close and send my heartfelt wishes.

I hope that you have a Happy Easter Weekend!

Stay tuned

 glimpses and snippets of fun, food and frivolity

if I am lucky!

You' ve got mail....

Look what came in the post today.

I love receiving letters and parcels and today there were two surprises!

Both from ladies who have connected with me through The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Blogging has offered many opportunities to "meet" up with other women.

I have met up with two local bloggers.

I got the chance to shop with the savvy fashion blogger Sheila at Value Village and had coffee with Pondside another local blogger after randomly being spotted and identified at my favourite houseware consignment shop.

Emails, cards, letters and gifts both locally and internationally have been such an umexpected bonus.

Friendships fostered through the internet reminds me how we all share a commonality.

Expanding our horizons offers opportunities for better understanding of customs, cultures and personal tastes.

Tea 

a generous and thoughtful gift from a follower

these are her favourite teas.

I am keen to brew a pot and savour the flavour.

Thank you Peg!

A postcard from Jeanne

Collage of Life.

The caption says

"Mars and Venus mow the lawn"

I received a postcard from Jeanne from the UK about a year ago.

This wire heart rack holds very special cards

it sits on the plate rail in the family room which is just off the Humble Bungalow kitchen...

Thank you so much for sharing yourselves with me

I appreciate getting to know you all better.

I love to hear your "voices" as they join me in my daily round.

I'm off to put the kettle on...

please join me for a cup of tea.