Keep calm and carry on and The Humble Bungalow roses

Mother's illness has brought stress into the forefront and try as I might I cannot shake this feeling.
With no time for Yoga I am trying to concentrate on my breathing.
Short shallow breaths have made me feel anxious...
closing my eyes and focusing on my breath offers some relief.

Fortunately we live close to each other so I can be at Mom's in minutes
it's a pleasant walk and one that allows me to clear my head a bit.
I've been waking earlier than usual and feeling like I haven't really had a restorative sleep.
Spending more time talking on the phone with my sister keeping her in the loop.

I'll be spending most of my day with Mother keeping watch.
She has colour in her face and has been able to keep food down
so I am guardedly optimistic that she is on the mend.

 I made lunch at 2 o'clock after I had tended to Mother and walked back home.

Part of me wanted to have something comforting like a grilled cheese sandwich

but my inner voice said don't go down that road...

bread has not passed these lips in many weeks.

The little fry pan is one of the newer additions to The Humble Bungalow kitchen.

Chartreuse green in sturdy cast iron.

I think of this dish as a hot salad...

I think it was Lisa from a mid life of privilege who suggested hot salads

thanks Lisa.

Add a free range egg for the protein portion of the meal.

Protein has been instrumental in my improved eating regime.

Colourful vegetables elevate my mood and excite my taste buds.

Aren't these cheery cherry tomatoes?

Roses can take me to a happy place...

I am nothing if not passionate about growing roses.

the glorious fragrant climbing Royal Sunset

Joseph's Coat

Abraham Darby

heavily scented

the name of this rose escapes me at the moment

Constance Spry

a hardy climber and a reliable repeat bloomer

Graham Thomas

 There are many more roses growing in our soil

tended lovingly by The Hostess.

"Hostess Rose Tips"

If you want to grow roses you must be willing to put in the time.

Dead head spent blooms

when you cut a rose make certain that you cut above the 5 leaves on the stem

feed them a handful of epsom salts once a month during flowering and water well

water during the day to avoid getting black spot

prune hard in March

buy roses that are fragrant and preferably from a reputable grower like David Austin 

opt for repeat bloomers

choose an array of colours

don't be afraid of cutting some and bringing them indoors to enjoy

and always bring a bouquet with you when visiting friends

sharing your passion with others just feels right.

Kenneth Cole Reaction

cheap sandals from Macy's

superior comfort

for easy walking

and I will close and be off to see Mother.

Hope you enjoyed the brief foray on The Humble Bungalow roses...

Thank you wonderful readers for your kind, thoughtful and supportive comments 

they have really been helping me put on my brave face and go forward with what I need to do.

~ ~ ~ 

Keep Calm and Carry On

is the mantra of the moment.

Mother.....

For those of you who have read my blog for awhile you'll know just how close a bond that Mother and I share.
How often we do things together.
Our Seattle trip had been planned for several months and eagerly anticipated by us both.

We had just checked into our suite when Mother felt very tired and she said she needed to go to bed for a nap.
She is 85 so I put this down to travel fatigue and so did Mother.
She assured me that she'd be better after a nap and she shooed me out the door to go and do some shopping.

I left her for an hour
but a second sense, a voice in my head, kept worrying about her while I was out.
I am not one to ignore that little voice...I call it intuition.

When I returned she was feeling really sick and said that she needed to go home.
A few hours later she was vomiting had trouble walking to the bathroom as her legs were weak and she felt dizzy.

I suggested that we go to the hospital as we always travel with extra medical insurance but she refused...
I informed the hotel concierge who set about making arrangements for us to leave.
The staff were so understanding and helpful.

I was terrified,
and my thoughts were that she might not last through the night.
I don't know if I was over reacting, or becoming hysterical with worry,
so I phoned Mr. HB and told him the situation...he helped to calm me down and reassured me.
(Thanks honey)

Alone and afraid and feeling very responsible I thought I should stay up all night and keep watch.
I lasted until 11:30 when fatigue overtook me.
I fell into a deep sleep and woke up at 4:30 when I decided to get up and get ready as we needed to be ready by 6:15 to depart.

We were gone less than 24 hours and went straight to our family doctor when we got back. He was booked up so we saw his partner who ordered some tests and sent us directly to the ER.
We spent an agonizing and tedious 6 hours in and out of the treatment rooms while Mom had a multitude of tests...
then surprisingly they sent her home and told us if she didn't improve in a couple of days to come back!

I have been taking care of her and am sick with worry.

She is pale and tired and if she doesn't start to improve tomorrow I am taking her back.

Mother has a tough constitution so when she is sidelined like this I am beside myself.
She keeps saying she knows her own body, that she's just tired and for me not to worry, but I do.
It's not like her...

I picked my favourite roses for her today, David Austin's Jude the Obscure.

She is resting in bed and I have fed her some scrambled eggs and tea...
Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I'm not even excited that I found some new things in Seattle.

I took this when we first arrived and I had such hopes for a wonderful holiday.

We always book the same suite 

2 beds

2 bathrooms

a living room

and a view of The Space Needle from the 10th floor.

My trip could be summed up 

"Sleepless in Seattle"

I will be hovering very close and monitoring Mother.

Feeling over tired and stressed to the max

on the verge of tears

I really need to keep my wits about me.

I cannot let Mother see me like this 

or she will start to worry about me 

instead of putting her energy into getting better.

Will keep you posted.

Entertaining grape...a new dress.

I have pushed my fashion envelope and I purchased a dress in something other than black.
Are you shocked?
The LGD has arrived on the scene...
little grape dress by Gilmour, a line made in Vancouver, BC.
The fabric is a dreamy sensuous bamboo and it drapes and skims and twirls as I spin.
Honestly it feels like I am wearing yoga gear.

I am pairing this with some black Hue capri length tights

and will wear it with sandals and perhaps the Swarovski encrusted flip flops.

Lucy Bleu

 I need to find a new OPI to wear on my toes 

maybe there's a shade of purple 

now that does sound like fun!

BLING!

It has no hanger appeal

I very nearly passed it up.

A little voice in my head said why not be adventurous and try it on?

I'm going to be wearing this in Seattle.

I gave myself a manicure and tried a faux French nail...

OPI Hearts and Tarts

 I ran a white nail pencil by Sally Hansen under the nails

bright ~ shiny

simple.

~ I think I am going to take Pondside's advice and try something new ~

Have you tried anything new lately?

OOTD or what I wore on date night.

It's date night here in The Humble Bungalow and this is my OOTD.

I took a beading course at a local shop and this necklace was the first thing I made.

Pearls and Labradorite.

I have made a few things since but I'd need a refresher course if I were to take it up again.

Land's End layering tank

Aerie wisp of a cardigan

metallic crinkle skirt in pewter by Spanner

Sofft shoes

I gave myself a home spa treatment ~ a manicure. pedicure and facial.

I surprised myself by actioning the pedicure

with

less mid section to get in the way

I was able to bend over without huffing and puffing!

Look at those eyebrows people.

There are no longer a flimsy excuse.

Gosh little things really do excite me!

~  ~  ~

We ate some delicious high calorie Thai food and then went for a walk
before going to see Bill Maher at the Royal Theatre.
Mr.HB and our friend Julie, of catering fame, are fans.
I was a tag~a~long.

I love the ornate details of this heritage theatre.

The event was SOLD OUT and the audience a mix of the elderly, boomers and the younger generation.
Bill's focus is on American politics and religion and he's irreverent and rude.
Any excuse for a date with my mate.
Gotta keep the love alive and dating is such a great way to focus on a relationship.

If you haven't taken your spouse out in awhile start planning a date...
you'll be surprised how it rekindles long lost feelings especially if you have neglected this part of your marriage.

I think a picnic on a beach or in a park is a great place to start...

What would be your dream date?

Wednesday meet up found me wearing black!

I met up with Sheila who writes the blog Ephemera and Peg from Comox for dinner.
Sheila will be posting a picture of the three of us on her blog sometime soon.
We enjoyed a glass of wine and a salad.
Three women three different wines, all chose the Tuna Tataki spinach salad!
Conversation was brisk between bites.

Peg is going through treatment for cancer and has a very positive attitude.
Wearing a pixie cut and looking radiant in her soft mauve she looked beautiful.

She's taking time to see the sights in our fair city while she stays at the local lodge,
then she goes home to her husband, home and garden on the weekends.

Sheila is a fun fashion blogger and if you have never visited her blog...run over and pay her a visit.
She has a flair for fashion and an eye for quality and shops regularly at consignment and thrift shops.

I wore a black and white patterned dress and a black unconstructed sweater...

vintage bakelite clamper bracelet

heavily carved

necklace worn as a bracelet

in place of my usual stack of sterling bangles

red velvet made the date

Earlier in the day I went with a friend to the floral wholesale market

the prices are lower than retail and the selection was impressive.

We were looking for the wedding flowers for my BFF's niece

the wedding will be held in the fabulous garden of my BFF.

There will be 5 of us arranging flowers the day before the big event.

I've done this several times over the past few years and it's so much fun.

While there I decided to treat myself to a new orchid...

Weller jardinere 

Price for this 2 stemmed orchid 

a mere $25

I'd be paying almost double for this at the Avenue flower shop.

The sun is shining and the garden is abuzz with bees as they flitter about from bloom to bloom.

It's a great day to be outside in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Take some time to pause and reflect 

and consider all that you have to be grateful for in your life.