Pearls amid the Picasso's

Mr. HB and I were with our friends when we stumbled upon a studio in the most surprising spot on  Pender in the Gulf Islands.
Renaissance Studio is definitely off the beaten path.
The artworks massed here are stunning...
Chagall's, Picasso's and an assortment of contemporary artists make up this collection.
Antiques, collectibles and designer jewelry.

It was in this wee shop that I spied some freshwater pearls,
almost gum ball size and very colourful.
FUN!

They called my name...
and what could I say but "Happy Anniversary Honey!"
We did have dinner out on the date to celebrate, but these are a forever reminder...
(38 years)

Pinch me...
Dear reader I think I am very lucky!

I have them on my neck and have been wearing them everyday since we bought them.

On another tack I am reading a fabulous book!
The writing is crisp and evocative, the story rich.

If you decide to read it let me know what you think.

We are cruising the salty seas in our classic Chris Craft Constellation and while I am able to produce blog posts for some reason I am having trouble commenting on all the blogs I read.
It's frustrating because there have been so many great posts in the past few days...
marina Wi Fi can be very slow.

Please know that I am keeping current with your blogs I'm just mute for now!

Crab cakes 

for lunch.

A very special visit from our son, wife and their precious daughter.

I am savouring life from the slow lane....

pondering

reflecting

resting

and 

giving gratitude for the multitude of blessings in my life.

Be well

Namaste

Savvy sales assistant gets a sale.

Perusing the local boutique in the Village is something I do frequently when on my walking route.
I never look particularly fashionable in my walking attire, it's just your simple basic black plants and a tee shirt with a fleece jacket or my ancient Lululemon hoodie. Today the weather was so mild I did not need one.

The shop is chock full of a bright array of tunics, dresses and tops...
it's actually a vast space and I find it rather challenging to find any one item to buy.

I must have looked exasperated because a clerk rapidly descended on me and asked if I could use some help.
She was very young and her outfit was quite quirky, but cute and I thought hm I wonder if she has any idea what an older gal like me might choose to wear. I must say she surprised me. She had a rather daunting group of things for me to try on which I did in rapid succession and they were all "no keepers" mostly because I am so fussy and I abhor anything that is too tight and I am so short that many things swamp me.
She did give it her best effort and was wanting to find me even more...she wasn't pushy or rude either,
I think she actually saw me as a bit of a challenge!

I thanked her for her time and she smiled.
In her hand was one top that she really wanted me to try.
"What do you think of this?"
"I saw another women try this on and it looked really great on her"...

 Hostess...
"Honestly it has absolutely no hanger appeal and the colour is rather drab."
Reader, I did buy it and it does look much better on that it does hanging here and the colour is actually quite nice a neutral backdrop to bangles, scarves and necklaces.
I need a camisole or tank top as the V is far too revealing but that's an easy fix.
It's from the Vancouver BC company Gilmour and is made of Bamboo.
I'll be wearing this with black leggings and a wide array of accessories.

Our little Chester has had a busy morning chasing his toy mice.

I love the way the light is coming in through the French door.

I'm curious, like a cat...

~ ~ ~

Do you ever listen to sales clerks suggestions or take their advice?

Do you feel that their opinions are trustworthy?

Have you ever been convinced to buy something that you later regretted?

I am curious, do you shop alone or with a friend?

Do you impulse buy or plan ahead and go with a list?

Tell me everything!

Gertrude Jekyll

looking fine

"A garden is a grand teacher. 

It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; 

above all it teaches entire trust."

~ ~ ~

Gertrude Jekyll

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