Tulips...here today by permission of the local deer population!

Egads! I have some tulips blooming out in front of The Humble Bungalow.
Miraculously they have not been munched by the deer...
I have it on good authority that tulips to deer is like chocolate to women.
Irresistable.

These brave tulips are leaning over onto the sidewalk...

pretty tempting and tasty treats just waiting for some hungry mouths to feed.

They are all the same variety but you can see that each tulip has some slight variations.

Mass plantings are so much more effective than spacing plants apart evenly.

It looks more natural...like Mother Nature intended.

I am counting the days until they are munched.

It's anyones guess when the deer will stop by for a bite.

Happy Friday!

I am so glad the weekend is near as I have had a busy week with very little "down time."

What are you doing this weekend?

I have a pedicure booked and am planning to get out for a couple of walks.

Read some of the novel I am into and perhaps get together with friends and family.

Thank you for popping by

I welcome your thoughts and comments 

and if you'd like to suggest a post topic please feel free to email me.

~ Enjoy your day ~

White Wednesday or April 24, 2013

A co-worker mentioned at coffee break that there were about 10 weeks left before school was out for the summer holidays...
I did a quick computation and give or take there are about 50 days left for me in my current job!
After 25 years this seems almost surreal.
I don't want to start counting down yet as it seems far too soon to get fixated on my departure.
Just let me do my job and maybe on the last week I'll focus on the days, hours, and minutes.
My preference is to just walk out the door with no fanfare or fuss...
a retirement event is planned as several of us are hanging up our hats but I really shy away from the spotlight.
But enough about me.

How are you enjoying Spring so far?
I've been noticing the wonderful light coming in through the windows.
(also noticing that the windows here in The Humble Bungalow are dirty!)

Do you follow Faded Charm Cottage?
It's another White Wednesday!

White and shades of white are lovely accents that seem to ooze relaxation....

Sea shell

Coral and a mollusc shell

My neighbour put this tin planter out on her boulevard

as it was "free for the taking" 

I scooped it up

and promptly bought some white geraniums from the nursery.

Our rhubarb has sprouted something rather fierce!

We have a bumper crop and Mr. HB went on the internet to see what this might be 

and decided that it needed to be cut off 

or the energy would be diverted to the flower rather than the plant.

I've been following Madame La Bas's journey in Paris.

You might just like to tag along too.

New Year, New Dreams...

Take some time to breathe deeply and look around your life

what makes you happy?

Bloggers, Google, Rosenthal and Linen...

I met up with Susan Greig from the blog Arts and Crafts Bungalow at the gorgeous home and garden of my BFF and her husband who own WaterGlass Studios.
Susan is a very talented artist as well as being a gifted writer.
We had a lovely visit and I hope she will come back and spend some time here and visit in our Humble Bungalow.

On my way home I swung by a garage sale and spied an unusual looking vase...
one that strangely reminds me of a woman's breast!
I'm seriously not kidding!

Is it just me or do you get the same impression?

Rosenthal Studio Line designed by Tapio Wirkkala
called the Pollo Vase and it is quite popular among mid century modern collectors.
Lovely daughter has one or maybe two of these vases.
The bottoms are rounded and once they settle in place do not rock...
I think it will be perfect for one solitary bloom but hasten to think the cats might bat them about with their paws so I will need to be mindful of where I put this...

I've been on the lookout for a linen apron ever since I saw one in Vancouver at The Gourmet Warehouse.

I didn't purchase the one I saw there as it was $120 and I thought that a bit too much at the time.

This apron was just a tad under $50 so it came home with me!

It's a bit stiff right now but after laundering it will soften up and will offer years of service

and I'll feel a bit more chic wearing linen than my cotton one...

which has seen many stains and better days!

~ ~ ~

Mr. HB and I spent quite a bit of time outdoors working in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

Mr. HB is redoing our sundeck so there is a big mess in the yard...

lumber, sawdust, and tarps.

He's redesigning the railings and rebuilding the supports

and using pressure treated wood as this was not available when we built the original 25 years ago.

It's a big job and I am excited to see the end result...

I think we will have a BBQ and invite some friends over to help us celebrate when it's finished.

Orchids

 thrive in our bathroom

It must be the moisture from the shower

and the dappled sunlight from the window.

If I didn't love this plant's blooms so much I think I'd clip one stem and pop it in the "boob vase!"

OMG did I just type that? 

I thought it...

 now I wonder if I should delete that comment...

Tapio Wirkkala apologies to your design

and

I hope that you are not offended.

~ ~ ~

Some associations are forever...

I cannot read this phrase without thinking of Julia Child...

her parting words on her television series have stayed with me all these years.

What are you cooking for dinner tonight?

Bon Appetit!

~ ~ ~

Did you get distressed this afternoon when google went down?

I thought that's the end of my blog.

The smart folks have fixed it and we are back in action.

Thank you google geeks!

Staring out the window...

I've been so busy lately that I feel that I have been neglecting my blog.
It may be that I have been mismanaging my time or that I am trying to pack too much into each and every day.

I don't know if you read Faux Fuchsia's brilliant blog but if you do you know what an energetic and busy woman she is...
She works outside of the home at a firm that she refers to as Coalface and she has a husband, and an adorable young son. She cooks, entertains and has a gorgeous home and garden. She takes fabulous pictures and her blog never disappoints. Rush on over and meet her and tell her that I sent you!

Are you good at multi tasking?
Do you find that your time management skills are in tip top shape?

I've caught myself staring out the window meditating on life more frequently these days.
It's most likely a combination of world events and the fact that I am on the cusp of a lifestyle change.
Retirement is a big step and I want to do it well.
There are so many opportunities for renewal...
I want to explore new things, get more involved in my community and take an active role in keeping Mother moving and engaging her in some extra curricular activities.
Speaking of which...

I took my students to The Shaw Discovery Centre this week and it was such fun. There was a lot to take in and our special needs students ran from one display to another and back again! It was early and not crowded so this worked out to our advantage. The volunteers were most helpful and their knowledge and information enriched our experience. This ocean science centre has tanks of sea creatures and there is a hands on area where you can actually touch some of the creatures....star fish, sea anemones, crabs and more. If you get the opportunity to visit the centre go early and bring your young children or grandchildren.
I want to take Isla with me when I go next time!

We went to McDonalds for lunch after and the groups played in the play zone before we had a bite to eat.
It's been a long time since I've set foot in McDonalds and I was most impressed with their welcome.
Our students were so happy and their smiles were plentiful...I cannot show you the pictures as that would be a violation of their privacy rights so you'll just have to take my word for it...they loved it!

Today I am meeting up with Susan Grieg she writes the wonderful blog Arts and Crafts Bungalow.
I'll report back on our visit soon.

I think the people of Boston must be sighing with relief...
their city has been turned upside down this week.
It's all just so sad.

Be kind and gentle as you walk through life.
As John Lennon said.....Let's Give Peace a Chance.

Seeing Stripes....

It seems that Stripes have been popping up in every shop that I go into and they are very tempting...
as someone who shuns patterns I have embraced stripes.
The black and white and navy and white stripe coloured patterns seem like a safe choice for my conservative taste.

It's not as if the first Banana Republic top was lonely...
this top is all together different.

It's looser and very cool and breezy.
I need to find some new white capris to wear with this and many other things that I have from seasons past.
When I pulled out my summer season clothing I noticed that there was a stain on them that I had not noticed when I packed them away. I tried treating the stain with soaps and then hydrogen peroxide but it would not budge.
I am so careful to launder things before storing them so I am at a loss as to how or why this spot got past my inspection...perhaps I was not wearing my glasses!

So now I NEED to go shopping!
There are a few more things that I have bought which I will unveil in the next post but for now I must close
as I am running late...
I hope that your week is moving along nicely toward the weekend.

Be Well and remember to practise some Random Acts of Kindness...
I've been surprising my co workers with treats in secret and it's such fun to watch their reactions!

Hostess
XO