"Tigara" ~ An Enchanting Garden

I would like to introduce you to a gorgeous garden.
This estate is located a stone's throw from the ocean in a tony area of Victoria.
It's location and the vast plot of land make for a stunning impression.
The arts and crafts home has been carefully restored and is imaculately maintained.

I want to focus on the garden which is constanty evolving the way most gardens do...as the owners find new and exotic plants and refine the beds and borders. This garden is on the path of a herd of deer and has a resident bunny.
Lots of plants provide food for these creatures but with lush and dense plantings the casual observer rarely notices.
(the owners do!)

I hope that you enjoy these images...
can you imagine how much work this garden takes to keep it looking so pristine?
I know the owners well and they devote hundreds of hours tending to it...
a labour of love!

The front porch

and entryway

(designed by Mr. HB)

pergola with a climbing rose

look at the wicker furniture

~ ~ ~

perfect for relaxing and reading 

or just sitting and listening to the hum of the bees

as they buzz by 

the rose provides some dappled shade

taken from the upper window looking down on the rose

lush plantings

the granite masonry makes such a grand statement

I love the bulk of the stonework

rhodo's are favoured in this garden

and there are many varieties

some are over 20 feet tall!

pots with flowers spilling forth

found in many parts of the garden

add colour and interest

deer fencing surrounds an area where some plants are protected

rose growers do not appreciate deer nibbling all the blooms!

looking toward the ocean

lush green lawns

to the left a pond 

with carp and some goldfish

hiding among the lily pads and water Iris

those are the lucky ones that have not been eaten by the Great Blue Herons!

the garage

patio beside the garage

a hot spot that retains the heat

it has a very Mediterranean feel

a clever placement of a mirror

and some pretty flowers

more potted plants perk up the grey gravel drive

edged with granite

I got my finger in this picture!

the heritage tea house

covered with the rambler Kiftsgate 

which is just about to burst into full flower

weddings and parties have been held here.

the croquet lawn

has also been the setting for Marquis tents

last year's wedding 

the lawn was entirely covered by tents!

There are lots of opportunities to sit

 and admire the different parts of the garden

with a garden this vast one does need to sit

once in awhile and think 

even if it is to grab a mug of tea and a sandwich to fuel the body

so as to tackle the next task!

Have you enjoyed this visit to Tigara?

I hope that you will take the time to comment 

as I know the owners will be reading this blog and I am sure they would welcome your thoughts

Thank you S & P!

Hermes ~ the ultimate accessory

Accessories make the basic wardrobe POP!
You can own a few basics and add a few scarves or belts and shoes and you have more than a dozen outfits.

I do love pearls...they are luxe and I own more than a few strands.
Wear then in multitudes if you have them..

The best bang for your buck is a scarf...
vintage, new, designer brand or the ultimate....

Hermes.
For my money it is THE scarf to buy.
Wear it often, change up the tie.

choose a great colour palette

 a pattern that speaks to you

one that ignites passion

look at the features and fold accordingly

point to point

repeat the fold

and again

tie a knot

wrap around your neck

knot in front

ends go through each side

pull tight

voila!

simple 

longer double knot in front

loose ends

on the side

looks so casual and uncontrived...

if it looks too fussy

it is

RELAX!

Play with your scarves and you will get comfortable

I stand in front of the mirror and look to see that the tie matches the theme of the outfit and that it feels right.

Wear your scarves often

they do nothing languishing in a drawer or an orange box!

Tie one on a tote

drape one under the collar of a jacket

wear one with a swimsuit

( take it off before diving in!)

Wear two at a time

just wear them

if they are Hermes  ~ they cost you a small fortune

(if you earn a conservative salary like me)

With the weather getting warmer

I think I 'll be wrapping my Hermes around the brim of my straw hat....

There was a retirement event this evening

Thank you to all who attended

I have so much to be grateful for...

colleagues

friends

family

I was more than humbled tonight...

tears fell

easily

I am sure there will be more in the days to follow.

~ ~ ~

Lovely Daughter's Father's Day Brunch...OOTD

Mr. HB was feted on Father's Day by our darling daughter and her significant other.
We dined in their urban loft....
I took a few snapshots to share with you.
The 400 square foot patio is through the sliding glass doors in the top right of the image.
Sunshine, teak chairs and potted plants await...

Rosenthal china 

Tapio Wirkkala glasses

Rosenthal stainless cutlery

Hans Olsen table and chairs

an inviting corner

I can imagine how pretty this would be at night

Tapio Wirkkala 

and 

fruit salad

Weight Watchers friendly!

( I ate brunch instead of breakfast AND lunch)

~ The menu ~

fruit salad

scrambled eggs

crisp bacon

roasty potatoes

coffee

 bubbly

great conversation in a richly decorated atmosphere

wonderful!

Lovely daughter is a collector of bakelite bangles.

Rabbit Ears never looked so fashionable!

My OOTD

Dalia black Capri's

Eileen Fisher top

Majestic Paris linen loose jacket

Roots cross body bag

Franco Sarto sandals

I was so excited  

(I actually did a little happy dance)

when a co worker mentioned that I was looking slimmer...

her words were "Leslie you are wasting away!"

I confessed to my new regime and said thank you.

~ ~ ~

I have tried to keep my WW to just a few near and dear 

oh besides all you lovely readers of course 

 you know with you it's all out in the open.

I must close for now...

I'm busy here this week in The Humble Bungalow.

Be Well

A Morning Rose Walk in The Humble Bungalow Garden

June is Rose month here in our Humble Bungalow Garden...
their blooms and scent fill me with JOY!

This gorgeous rose whose name escapes me is growing on a trellis beside the front door.

Joesph's Coat is by the back door

sweet and prolific bloomer

this rose does not cut well as it wilts within a day of picking...

pretty in place and the bees happily buzz about and have a picnic party...

White iceberg climber

on a trellis in the back garden.

I think every rose grower needs a reliable white rose.

I have a newly planted white rose which I am eager to see get established

because it is a David Austin rose with many many petals and a heady scent.

Graham Thomas a stalwart among roses

David Austin again and those petals are gorgeous...

not to mention the scent!

Gertrude Jekyll

another reliable David Austin...

watch out for her thorns as her stems are very prickly

wear your rose warrior gloves when trimming this specimen or you will get scratched!

Constance Spry

the rose on the front pergola as you enter our Humble Bungalow

she is putting on quite a show right now.

I hope that your week is filled with joy...

perhaps if you are feeling blue a posy of roses might be just the thing to perk you up.

I love roses...

oh and have you seen the peonies that are in bloom?

What's not to love about these frothy cups of beauty?

I have a Father's Day brunch post planned and some more scarf thoughts on the way soon

stay tuned...

OOTD weekend duds...remembering DAD.

Weekends are usually a casual affair in The Humble Bungalow.
Walking gear, a bathrobe, comfy clothes and not necessarily in that order...
this post is a mish mash of thoughts and bounces around rather hap hazardly...

We went out with our BFF's for dinner Friday...

I wore capri's from Tulipe Noire

by Lisette

my trusty and true denim jacket by Blue Willis

white tank from H and M

Franco Sarto sandals

I think the scarf was purchased at Macy's

( a trip when Mother and I shopped Seattle until we very nearly dropped!)

My hair is going grey before my very eyes...

I had a cut this week before

 my hairdresser went off to NY for a Bumble and Bumble training session...

I think she wants to add more highlights but I am holding firm.

(for now)

~ ~ ~

We bit the bullet and bought a new stove.

After months of problems with no timer or self cleaning program I decided that it was time!

Honestly I think Mr. HB was the one who pushed for the replacement...

~ ~ ~

it arrived this morning and I was up bright and early 

showered and ready to receive the delivery

It works!

and I think it looks great.

GE Cafe series

I like the commercial look of those nobs!

~ I think I will refer to this expenditure as my retirement gift! ~

it could be a string of pearls

or a diamond ring 

I prefer to keep things simple

a stove is way more my style anyway.

Mr. HB bought a new battery powered lawn mower and I can use it as it has a push button start.

Lime green by Ryobi...

oh and while he was at it he bought a weed whacker...

I will stay far away from that tool as they scare the dickens out of me.

~ ~ ~

I received quite a few emails asking to see the Swarovski flip flops...

Lucy Blue

You can buy new soles when they wear out 

which I think is so handy 

especially when one considers that appliance companies no longer want to repair the things that they build and sell.

We really do live in a throw away society.

We happened to buy a new toaster...

on sale

matches the new Krups coffee maker

Walking a bit farther this morning...

think I'll have to buy some new shoes soon as the soles are looking thin!

Happy Father's Day.

I'll be remembering my Father

with fond regard and lots of love.

Oodles of memories 

and I get a bit choked up when I think of all the sacrifices that he made for our family.

He was one of a kind

a scholar

 tomato grower

avid reader

hard worker

natty dresser

member of the BPOE

husband to Mother

Dad to my sis and I...

an unselfish man

always put others' needs before his...

Dad I LOVE and MISS YOU.