Salad daze....

In the spirit of health and weight reduction I am working my way to a more healthy style of eating.
Salads and proteins are my new go to partners in crime.
Colourful meals that could come from a spa are finding their way into the Humble Bungalow
a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Salad daze

look at the colours!

Romaine and red lettuces, red onions, radishes, yellow peppers, black olives, tomatoes, and shredded carrots. 

There's lots of chewing involved so it takes longer to eat

add some lean chicken or steak

(about 3 ounces)

a small amount of dressing for added flavour

and lunch or dinner is ready.

Rebar basil vinaigrette

I made a batch and keep it in the fridge for a few days and use it sparingly...

olive oil is the base with lots of spices and basil leaves

it is delicious.

I am avoiding bread

although I did have two slices last evening with my bowl

of vegetable beef and bean soup.

No hunger pangs after dinner.

I have also been moderating the amount of wine I am consuming.

Funny that I could convince myself that a liquid could be calorie and sugar free!

Yesterday afternoon when I walked home from work the sound of dueling chainsaws could be heard before I rounded the corner and saw the chipper truck.

Our tree is gone...

the large acacia tree was felled in the garden yesterday 

so after work

we were dong some clean up

and Mr. HB stacked wood!

I did not get a long walk in but I did get a work out in the garden.

Thank you for all your emails of support 

on my recent post about the frustration of post menopausal weight loss.

They really mean a lot to me.

While life may not always be rosy

you can always grow roses!

Your Humble Hostess

XO

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?