Flags.....did you know?

Just wondering if you are flag savvy...
there are so many flags in our world and I wonder how many of us are familiar with them.
I know only a few...

Vintage British flag

I love to see flags waving in the breeze

it's a wonderful greeting to see our Canadian flag flown in cities in the USA and other countries.

I think it's a friendly gesture.

I never knew there were so many rules about flying a flag.

In The Humble Bungalow we fly the flag on Canada Day...

(this is not the correct way to fly a flag)

apologies...

Friends of ours who have a lovely home on the waterfront on one of the Gulf Islands 

hoist the flag when they are in the house...

rather like the Queen's staff do when she is residence!

Many cottagers do the same on their lake front properties and we boaters fly the flag when we are cruising.

An American courtesy flag is flown when we are cruising in US waters.

Signal flags are flown which spell out the name of a vessel.

Cocktail flags indicate you are welcome to pop by for a drink.

Commodore flags

Power Squadron flags

Yacht Club burgees

on the water there are many many flags flown.

Flag etiquette states one must lower the flag at sunset.

At Roche Harbour in the San Juan Islands

there is a colors ceremony where all gather to watch the lowering of the flag.

It's so patriotic that one cannot help but be moved by the power of this event.

Mr. HB and I were walking along the seafront just a day or so ago 

and we were both expressing our gratitude for our home and it's proximity to the ocean

the spectacular scenery

the gulls flying

the salty breeze

and the polite people that greet us on our way.

I recently stumbled upon The Maple Leaf Forever 

sung by none other than Micheal Buble.

I hope that you have a fabulous day!

~ ~ ~

Pretty in Pink...

Walking about in South Fairfield in April has a bonus...
there are the ocean views and there are the blooming trees.....

Look up!

Look way up.

Like pink cotton candy

frilly and frothy petals.

Closing in on the blooms...

and they are sweetly scented.

Pink petals as a snowy pavement.

Pink magnolia on the next street...

I openly wept at work.

In Music, 

an autistic student danced with joy and abandon with another student...

he smiled broadly and kept an eye on the moves that he was to follow.

We all watched and I held my breath...

The entire class applauded and I was overcome with emotion.

My glasses steamed up and I put them up on my head 

I had no tissues

so I tapped my nose with my hand and hoped that the kids did not notice.

I think that things are just going to get way more emotional as the days go by...

and I know I have 2 months left to work!

I feel that I have given my best to these students over the years.

I hope that I have paved the way for their continued success.

Saying goodbye will be bittersweet.

Thank goodness I have a few weeks to prepare.

It will be fun to see what the next chapter will bring.

Smile at a stranger today!

Hostess

OOTD or what I wore to Sunday brunch...

It's been quite awhile since I've snapped an OOTD shot.
I've been really conscious of how badly I feel about my weight and have not been feeling confident...
it is rather crippling when one gets into this frame of mind.

I really dislike feeling this way because I would just rather sweep these feelings of inadequacy under the carpet and ignore them. I think that's a big part of my issue too is that I avoid mirrors and try to stay out of photos so that  I don't have to face up to reality.

Anyways it's an on going issue that will I will be addressing...
when I can devote more time and energy to that process and have no excuse.

We had a lovely Sunday brunch and sat by the window that looked out across the Harbour.

Darling Miss Isla sat beside me and we had a delightful visit.

She is sweetness and light...

it's always such a delight being in her company.

I've got so many adorable pictures of her on my IPhone

wish that I could share them with you...

but I promised not to!

I chose two poached eggs on toast instead of my usual Eggs Benedict

the Hollandaise is too high in calories.

I did not eat any potatoes and that took serious restraint!

Small changes might add up to big results!

Lands End ponte knit pants

I cut the tag out of the neck of this top as it was irritating my neck

I think it's a Jones...

why do manufacturers use such rough tags?

a lace camisole is required because the neck is rather low!

Mee Too flats

Colour Me Minnie OPI toes

I had a fabulous pedicure at Bliss and my feet feel so much softer now.

This weekend I made a rhubarb pie for Mr. HB

Coconut and rhubarb go great together.

I bought a gift for a friend's first grand child that arrived on Friday...

and we were saddened to hear that our dear friend Cheryl's father passed away...

he was in Hospice and is now at peace.

Wish we could be there to give her support and share a pot of tea or maybe a glass of wine.

~ ~ ~

Hope that your weekend was upbeat and positive.

I'm off to pound the pavement now

walking off brunch and soaking up the glory of Nature.

Hostess

XO

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?