The Humble Bungalow Roses and a teary farewell...

It's a wet Friday here in our neighbourhood and I grabbed my camera and popped outside to take a few snapshots.
Our garden has oodles of gorgeous roses and their fragrance wafts about mixing the scents of the various varieties...
Jude The Obscure, Constance Spry, Gertrude Jekyll and McCartney are a few in the front of the house...
heady and intoxicating and not at all dampened by a little moisture from above.

Gertrude Jekyll a David Austin rose

Constance Spry a heavily scented vigorous climber.

Hosta and Lady's Mantle

spattered with droplets of rain.

Rainy giant leaf of Hosta Sum and Substance.

The Calla Lilies are damp too...

My eyes have been moist with bittersweet tears this week

as we sold our beloved Chris Craft Constellation...

after almost 20 years of cruising and wonderful family holidays we decided that it was time to move on.

This picture of roses that I painted years ago used to hang in our main salon of the boat

...it now hangs downstairs adjacent to the laundry room.

Our cozy salon where we spent many happy hours.

Summer roses were invited aboard.

Our lives have been richer because of our boating experience...

although it is sad to see her go

it opens up opportunities for different kinds of holidays

travel to ports farther than she could take us...

New York

perhaps the UK 

 there's always Paris!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Breakfast ~ 3 WW Points!

Our Weight Watchers leader spoke to us about starting our day with a satisfying breakfast.
One that stays with us and keeps us fueled for the morning, is gorgeous to look at, has a variety of food groups and is quick and easy to make.

My usual breakfast has 1 point

no fat yogurt and berries.

Wilt in a small amount of boiling water a handful of spinach and cherry tomatoes...

squish the tomatoes...

whisk up an egg with a fork

add a tablespoon of bacon bits

add to wilted veggies

cook until done.

Serve

Savour

 enjoy your new 3 point breakfast!

Feed your soul as well as your tummy!

The longer walks have provided an opportunity for quiet reflection

and the sleep that I experience each night is so restorative...

the calm and peace are a bonus.

My weight was down again but less than last week.

The pattern seems to be a smaller loss one week and a more significant one the following.

The meetings continue to make me laugh

as the women who are in my group have such a wonderful sense of humour.

The weeks' successes and failures are discussed in an open and supportive manner.

I cannot believe it took me this long to join WW.

If you are interested in losing weight in a healthy way this is a great program.

Have a fabulous day!

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OOTD ~ Costco and cleaning the clutter.

Costco is about a 25 minute drive from The Humble Bungalow.
I make the trek several times a year.

I usually shop close to home but there are bargains to be found at Costco and I am keen to save money...and with retirement on the radar and a pension income I am trying to embrace thrift!
One step at a time...

You can see that I am still wearing my old clothes despite the weight loss

Mother thought my face looked thinner?

I am wearing scruffy Vera Wang Boyfriend Jeans

I love the word scruffy...

I think if I had a rag a muffin dog his name would be Scruffy!

I am barefoot in the picture 

fear not I did put on some walking shoes before I left the house.

I wore this pendant

the top and bottom diamonds are those from my 10th anniversary stud earrings

the rest of the diamonds are from an old ring.

I have very few necklaces other than pearls

of which I may be guilty of owning too many strands...

The summer gold has surfaced

these were a gift from Mr. HB years ago...

I still love wearing them.

I came home with oodles of fresh organic produce

treats for the staff at my school as I am on duty this week

some black capris in a smaller size to get me through June

and a light weight walking jacket.

I was hoping for some hanging baskets 

but sadly they were picked over and what was left looked like the dog's breakfast!

I've been cleaning and culling...

I know it's not glamourous but a necessity.

The CBC has been keeping me company.

I do this every Spring when I do a deep cleaning of The Humble Bungalow

I dust shelves and books

open and empty out drawers

look at what we have

decide if we will need or use it 

 recycle or donate to the charity shop what is in excess.

Two bags gone so far.

~ ~ ~

I realized that our every day drinking glasses were mismatched and scratched.

Rather ugly in fact, and old as the hills ~ but not in a vintage collectible kind of way...

TRASHY!

I seized the opportunity to pop over to my favourite gift shop 

The Bungalow...

You must go and see for yourself 

this shop is fabulous!

Honestly I would never steer you in the wrong direction...

tell them The Hostess sent you.

 I found a dozen lovely French glasses made by a company that has been in business for over 500 years!

They are durable and nice to hold

I like the wee bees that adorn these simple vessels.

La Rochere makes a variety of designs

all sturdy and attractive and very French!

This is on my bedside waiting...

The sun is shining here in our neighbourhood

 I can already hear the hum of a lawnmower...

Hope that you enjoy your week.

Weekend and white lace....

The skies are blue and the clouds look like white cotton balls...
it's a gorgeous day for a brisk walk around the seafront.

Weekends are so precious.
If you work hard all week you might agree!

Before I started on this weight loss journey I was exhausted and slept in late on Saturdays and Sundays
lazed around in my robe...often until almost noon!
One change that I have noticed since joining Weight Watchers is that I have oodles of energy.
(it might be all the fresh fruits and veggies I am eating)

Last week at my weigh in I was down another 3 pounds.
I am seriously excited about the program.
It really does work if you don't cheat!
I thought my weigh in might be like the previous week where I had a half pound down as I really had not eaten much different than I did the prior week...if anything I had eaten a bit more. Still within my points allowance but I needed a wee afternoon snack around 4 pm with my cup of tea most days.

So I am encouraged and feel motivated to keep going...

Do you love blue and white?
There is something so crisp and clean about that colour combination.
I never tire of it.

My brain needs exercise too!

The Harumi Ota porcelain bowl is one of three that I own

this one is the smallest...

A long rectangular serving tray is at the Gallery in Oak Bay 

I have thought about it for several weeks now

 perhaps my next non food treat.

I love this almond milk cream...

it smells lovely and hydrates even the driest skin.

I use it after shaving my legs and slather it on my feet before putting my walking socks on...

my feet get a little pampering while they do the walking.

Our clematis is putting on quite a show in the garden.

The bees love it.

With so many blooms I am tempted to pick one and float it in a silver bowl.

It might be just too tempting for the cats though...they play with and rearrange all my bouquets.

This week I treated myself to a non food reward for my 10 pound loss.

It's a wee bit of lace and white...

a pretty little top that I will enjoy wearing for the summer season.

sheer sleeves

looks a bit retro

reminiscent of the "London Look" when Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton were modeling.

You know what they say...

everything comes around again.

There is a pair of tan capris' hanging in my closet that I will pair with this top.

and the new sandals from last weekend will complete the look.

Next time I get my toes painted I think I'll choose a bronze or gold shade of polish 

and bring out some of my gold jewelery which has been in hiding for the winter.

Gold looks so much better when one has a bit of colour...

silver seems to go better with my pale winter skin.

Do you have different jewelry for winter and summer?

Do you opt for fun faux, vintage or ethnic, or classic designer pieces?

~ ~ ~

This sapphire and diamond deco ring has been getting some wear this week.

Vintage pieces are often a great value.

I think you get more bling for your buck.

It's such fun shopping in antique shops for different and unusual gems.

Often they have layaway.

If you are fortunate you may have an elderly friend or family member who has left you a treasure...

make sure that the stones are secure and have it appraised...

before you start wearing it

you might be surprised how valuable it is.

Have some fun this weekend

and don't forget to be kind to others.

The book goes to....

I apologize but it's been a busy week and I am behind on my posting.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog,
I hope you know how much your feedback and emails mean to me...
it's often your voices that inspire my blog topics.

The selection committee of two...the Mother Daughter team have struggled with our decision.
What makes one feel beautiful is very personal.
Beauty is as one writer said..."in the eye of the beholder."

It would be wonderful if we all found our reflections those of beauty.
Being comfortable in one's skin
accepting ourselves for who we are
and confident enough to be content.
It may seem illusive and yet there are many aspects that radiate love and loveliness.

Now if only we could award all of the participants a book our job would be easy.
Jamie Cat Callan will autograph her new book and send it in the post.

We narrowed it down but we chose two of the commenters...A Well Styled Life and Little Sister.
Please email me at bungalowhostess@gmail.com with your mailing addresses and I will forward them to Jamie Cat Callan as soon as I receive them.

I hope that you both will enjoy Jamie's book.
If you did not win a copy her book is available online and at a local book store soon.

I brewed a pot of tea when I received the Advanced Reading Copy of her book and found myself transported to Paris...
through the voices of the fabulous French Femmes who were profiled and interviewed in
Ooh La La! French Women's Secrets to Feeling Beautiful Everyday.

Look for beauty today...
it might be in the eyes of a child, the smile from a stranger, a weed blooming in the garden.