Shine or tarnish what camp are you in?

Vintage Silverware has been frequently cropping up in the thrift shops in our area which makes me wonder if it has fallen out of flavour.
I am rather like a crow when it comes to shiny things so it's no surprise when I am lured by something that sparkles.
Mother has already given me the lion's share of the family silver as my sister dislikes polishing what Mother gave her and poor Mother shudders every time she sees the tarnished items!

Polishing days occur twice a year here in The Humble Bungalow
with the exception of the everyday silver teapot which needs monthly attention with Twinkle.

I purchased this wee drinks tray recently for under $20.

Perfumes, toiletries and jewelry would look attractive massed on top.

Dainty tea sandwiches, wee cakes...

there is no shortage of uses for this newbie.

Made in England and artfully carved.

Where do you stand on silver?

If you inherited a box of it would you use it and keep it gleaming or hide it away?

Or would you sell or donate it?

Just wondering if I am old fashioned!

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely...

Flowers, friends, and an avocado top...

The Humble Bungalow Garden is starting to bloom...
May is truly a great month for flowers.

Columbine

Lilacs in mauve and white

(same tree!)

 poppies...

Pure white lilacs

showy pavement series rose

Pacific Iris dwarf variety

 my current read

I did buy this book because of the cover!

alliums

Lily of the valley

I have masses and masses of this plant.

I could probably set up a stand and sell it to people as they wander by...

love the scent 

of

"muguet de bois"

If the weather holds I'll take my tea down to this wee table 

sit in the sunshine and soak in some vitamin D

after I've done my weeding.

Later perhaps I'll soak in the tub with some restorative epsom salts

and  I might pop on this new top with white capri's.

Green is my favourite colour and this avocado shade called my name.

It's from the Joe Fresh line

perfect for summertime

light and rather gauzy.

I realized that I "need" to go sandal shopping

I only have one pair of decent sandals and they are going into their 4th year of service.

Flip flops are OK for casual wear 

(and I have two pairs)

but with a dress or a skirt I like to have something a little more stylish.

I looked at lots of shoes but nothing really spoke to me.

I don't want anything too heavy or verging on frumpy

and a bright colour would be fun.

And why are decent shoes so darned expensive?

My BFF got a fabulous dress for the wedding

and we found an unconstructed cover

rather like a sweater alternative 

soft light cotton

with great details that add a chic effect.

She also bought a new Roots cross body bag

and we lunched at Rebar and both enjoyed a delicious quinoa and wild rice salad with beans and avocado.

If you are looking for a fabulous vegetarian spot to lunch do not miss this diner.

Nothing like a fun day with my BFF and some successful shopping 

to put a contented happy smile on my face.

Hope that your weekend is ticking along nicely.

Someone is sending me a message....

Oh dear....
someone is sending me a message.

I remember that when I got on the phone when the children were young that they would go to great lengths to get my attention...
those were the days before cordless phones.
I had a 20 foot cord and a box of "telephone toys" these toys were only used when Mommy was chatting on the phone.
I can still hear " Mommy I have to pee"
"Mommy Stewart is drawing on the wall"
"Mommy I 'm hungry"
or worse a loud crash and a scream.

Well my children have grown and moved out of the nest...
but
we do have a cat who will do anything to get our attention...

if you don't hear from me for awhile

it's Pepper's fault!

Hope that your weekend has some time for relaxation.

maybe you'll chat on the phone to a friend

go shopping or enjoy lunch out

That's what I have planned for tomorrow

then later in the weekend

plant some vegetable seeds and work in the garden.

Weather permitting.

The Humble Bungalow May 2012

It's a sunny warm morning and I took my camera and walked about in the garden.
Preserving images of the garden in all it's glory keeps me motivated to maintain the weeding and pruning.
We watered for the first time last evening as there has been no rain and things were looking rather parched.

The peach coloured Rothschild variety azalea 

is putting on quite the show 

it's sweet, almost tropical, fragrance is heady.

The wee chartreuse euphorbia has filled in the front bed

(it's invasive so beware!)

The box wood has grown since I put it in last year and is looking rather sharp.

The azalea was purchased many years ago

we were inspired by Veronica Milner's estate and garden near Qualicum Beach.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana stayed there when they visited many moons ago.

The garden is now open to the public and I must get back up there sometime soon.

Perhaps this summer for a tour and some tea

you might like to visit...

Chairs at the ready 

tea on the porch 

sitting and watching

listening to birdsong

chatting with the passers by...

Gardening requires stamina and I find now that I can only toil for a few hours before resting.

When I was in my 40's I could work for 8 hours in a day

now that I am nearing 60 I am more comfortable working 3 or 4 and then taking a break.

Gardening is particularly hard on the hands and though I wear gloves I need some extra help.

Lotion is often applied before putting on my gloves and there is a warming effect that takes place when working

and the lotion is absorbed at the same time. 

( a mini spa treatment! )

Here's a helper

I rub it into my cuticles and let it soak in.

I keep it by my lap top so it's handy

and then I remember to use it.

There's a long weekend coming up and I plan to plant seeds in the vegetable garden

and go shopping with my BFF for a dress suitable for a summer garden wedding.

What have you planned to do this weekend?

Reeling from rudeness and soaking up gratitude or post # 622

Do you ever say something without thinking?
I try very hard to filter my thoughts and not blurt out everything that comes to mind.

I had a rather awkward moment with a co-worker who blurted something very unkind and embarrassing to me.
It was said in front of 5 other colleagues and I was so embarrassed that I looked around the room from face to face to see if anyone would come to my aid.
No one did and a couple of people laughed....
perhaps nervously?

I wanted to bolt out the door and run.
My legs would not move,
I was gobsmacked,
and stuck at a loss for words...
Struck Dumb!

The event re-played in my mind throughout the day and into the evening.
Only silenced by watching TV,
The Batchelorette season opener with lovely daughter.

This morning a couple of my colleagues who had overheard the comment approached me and asked how I was feeling about it and apologized for not supporting me at the time.
They felt badly.
Now that I have thought things through and discussed the rude event with others I feel a better sense of clarity and have some time and much needed perspective.

The speaker of the unkind words has a checkered past history of doing this with almost everyone on staff.
I am relieved that I am not the only target of these nasty barbs.
(security in numbers!)

"Hootie" 

made by darling daughter

to add to the box of toys here for the lovely Miss Isla.

Who by the way brought sunshine and light with her on Mother's Day visit. 

Patterns are few and far between in my wardrobe.

I have several dresses in patterns which I wear to work, for errands, shopping and dining out.

this dress has a wrap feature built in

chris cross over the bust

I am knackered tonight

 my day has been fraught with autistic uncertainty

some days are like that.

I have been full on

so I am putting my feet up 

breathing deep Yogic breaths

making mental notes about all the things that I am grateful for...

Mr. HB drove up island today to see a lucrative client

he had the top down on his BMW 

and after clocking many kilometers is home safe.

Hi Honey!

Pepper was in a cuddly mood when I got home so I have had lots of kitty cat love

I have leftover roast beef and am making beef dip tonight with a salad

easy peasy...

The sun is still shining and it's light outside

I have a great book at my bedside

(The Post Mistress)

we have fresh running water

the house has a roof

it's warm

I am alive

and 

aware.

I work with some pretty amazing people 

we have fabulous kids at school

and

I love my job.

How was your day?