A drive in the country...

Mr. HB took me out for a spin in his BMW convertible.
The weather was sunny and warm and the skies were blue...
I wore my hat so the wind wouldn't make my bob a massive tangle.

We took the "slow route"
the rural country back road that has hedge rows and farms.

the road is rather narrow 

 often we'll come upon a horse and rider or a tractor

occasionally we'll meet another vehicle

but most of the time we feel that we are alone

I love the feel of the wind rushing by as we drive

the warm sun on my skin

a competent chauffeur at the wheel

 the luxury of being able to soak in all the beauty of the surrounding scenery

Mr. HB stopped so I could capture a few images on my IPhone

I felt it would be fun to share some of these in a post.

a sheep keeping cool in the heat of the sun

a rather stately looking home in farm country

fields and a farm house on the hill

looking down over the valley below

a water tower 

looking through a gate of a kiwi farm

It was a very pleasant day to be meandering about soaking in all the sunshine 

and taking time together

a date of a different type!

I'd love to see some of the sights where you live.

Please consider a blog post of your country lanes, highways and byways.

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment. 

 ~ Jane Austen ~

Peaches please...OOTD

Oh how I love peaches.
Maybe it's the soft fuzz of the skin or the sweet nectar that is in every delicious bite.
Perhaps it's that they are only ripe and fresh for a very short time so they are a luxurious treat.

Nothing says summer like fresh fruit.

I love the variety of fruits and berries that are available in season.

                             Did you know that peaches are even better when they have been grilled?
      A simple summer dessert is to serve them grilled with a dollop of Greek coconut yogurt or ice cream.
                                                      Your guests will be begging for more!

I'm going to savour the flavour

and 

serve these with my afternoon tea.

Crabtree and Evelyn cream works wonders on my garden weary hands.

Evelyn is Mother's middle name

I like the sound of it as it rolls off the tongue.

OOTD

I wore this peachy Teenflo Silk dress and black Hue capri tights

when I met a friend for lunch at Steeples in Shawnigan Lake.

I have had this quartz necklace for several years

I purchased it from Fabrications in Duncan.

If you have never shopped there 

Run Don't Walk!

My OPI Pompeii Purple toes clash with my dress

I fear the Fashion Police will be arresting me soon!

But they may have written me off as I have been so into the home and garden lately.

Gardens Illustrated has arrived!

I can't wait to see the gardens and plantings that always inspire.

I am fascinated by espaliered trees and peaches are perfect growing against a sunny wall.

Wouldn't it be decadent to have a tree heavily laden with fruit ripe for the picking?

Is there a seasonal fruit that you delight in devouring?

Tish Jett who writes a fabulous blog makes a wish every time she takes her first bite of a fruit or berry in season.

I like that idea and think I might adopt that measure.

Just thinking of a wish fills me with hope and promise.

One does a whole painting for one peach and people think just the opposite - that particular peach is but a detail.

~ ~ ~

Pablo Picasso

Bathroom reno update and Waterglass Studios

Gracious me it's been ages and we have not had a renovation post update...
Apologies for my negligence but things are going very slowly and there has not been much to report.
The tile is in and will be finished this week then it's a call to the plumber to put in the fixtures and faucets.
Many tradesmen are on holidays so we are at their mercy!

Looking forward to a flush and a shower.
In preparation for the finished space I've been doing my part.
That means shopping for the basic necessities...

subway tiles

(over in floor heat!)

Fluffy plush towels in white

lemon verbena

refreshing shower gel

Canadian eh?

light fixture from Waterglass Studios

laundry area

still in the works

stainless steel topped utility cart

saw and drying rack

keep the old machines company

floors need to have in floor heating coils installed before the charcoal tiles are set

then it will be time to shop for a new washer and dryer

LG is on my radar

a steam dryer for sure so ironing might become a thing of the past.

Things are progressing

thanks to Mr. HB

and his creative vision and design talents.

arts and crafts style letter opener 

hand hammered

These make wonderful Hostess gifts

as they make opening letters and bills so elegant!

You can order them online and there are lovely frames as well.

Waterglass Studio is a great place to shop.

I try to eat an apple a day

I've been raised on the notion that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Apples

 by local artist 

Bryony  Boutilier

I've been sitting around too long and must get something done around here!

until next time...

Be Well

Hunter boots and Bensimons the "French Girl's Converse"

I had a wonderful time at the park with my DIL and grand daughter Isla!
We played on the swings and the slides for about an hour before going to the Village for a bite of lunch.
Afterwards we stopped in at Rainbird to peruse their rainy weather gear.
Fortunately we have been enjoying the sunny skies and warm days but we do know and fully expect  that rain will be in the forecast sometime soon...

Don't you think that red is about as cheerful a colour that one can wear?

 Aren't these just the bee's knee's?

These wee Hunters are modeled by our darling Miss Isla.

She will need some thick socks to keep her sweet toes warm in the winter but her feet will be dry!

"Grammy" got herself some colourful shoes.

I've heard a lot about this brand of shoe but never tried them on before...

as Joanna Goddard from A Cup of Jo says 

they are a French girl's Converse.

Introducing the Bensimon sneakers

Tennis Lacet Femme Basique

I'm going to wear these with my white capri's

a white tank and my Hermes scarf

the very first one that Mr. HB purchased for me in San Francisco.

I like to think of it as the best souvenir this girl could ever receive while on holiday.

Colour has been creeping into my comfort zone

I still love black and white clothing

I've been embracing bright pops of colour 

they bring with them an energy that is uplifting and fresh.

I particularly appreciate this when I have had a night with broken sleep...

choosing uplifting shades is a kick start to my morning.

I need a good night's sleep

8 hours is my preference

I am currently sleep deprived 

Chester our kitten is an early riser!

His wee tummy must be grumbling and he wants his food.

He jumps up on the bed and gently nuzzles me and starts his"motor boat purring" which is impossible to ignore.

So it's food for him and coffee for me

he can then curl up and go back to sleep 

but not me...

I am up for the day.

Chester is a lovely kitten

so affectionate and a great companion for Pepper.

BTW 

I have been wearing the arty bangle with the usual suspects...

at first I thought it was too much and now I feel they are very friendly...

what do you think?

Love it or Hate it?

Speak up and be heard!

(this post is causing quite a stir!)

P.S. Here is Angelica Huston and her bangles...

from The French Style 

 book

Roses on canvas...

I dabble in acrylics and enjoy the freedom of expression at the easel.
By no means do I consider myself an artist, I feel it's rather like making mud pies.
The mud pies that I made when I was a young girl imagining that I was really cooking.
Here now I feel like I am "an artist in training."
Art is so subjective and personal
really it's all over the map when it comes to form, style and expression.

I let the brush flow and keep it loose trying not to control or analyze it too much.
As you can see the forms are representations of roses...
Mr. HB says that roses are my muse.

I've been on a bit of a painting jag.
Staying up late at night painting at the easel in The Humble Bungalow kitchen.
The light is so much better in the kitchen than in my hobby room downstairs
 and with aging eyes I can see the details better.

I like these shades as they work in The Humble Bungalow interior with the dark wood walls and beams.

inspired by Jude the Obscure roses

I rarely use blues but a friend asked me to try some and see if they would work for her.

I have sold a few paintings

and had one commission to do a poppy painting for a friend.

if you squint your eyes you might "see" the poppies

I gave this to a lovely woman Lynn who runs a clothing consignment shop in the plaza

I think it's still hanging in her store.

This one is perched on the plate rail in The Humble Bungalow kitchen.

This one is in The Humble Bungalow living room.

I have a dozen or so more kicking around

gathering dust 

waiting to be overpainted if they fail to amuse.

this canvas has been over painted many times and has a build up of old acrylics 

which give it texture

I'm happy with the way this one turned out.

The petals feel frilly and frothy just the way I like my roses to be in a bouquet.

~ ~ ~

 A friend of mine has asked for one to donate to their annual island fundraiser

I'm very happy to oblige.

I'll be meeting her for lunch next week

and she has chosen a painting for her home and one for the event.

Jude The Obscure

“There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, 

because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.”

~ ~ ~

 Henri Matisse 

Thank you for stopping by

I hope that you will come by again...

I do appreciate your comments so please feel free to share your thoughts.

~ ~ ~

Hostess