Dinner time for the deer and the dears....

There are a few plants in the front garden of Our Humble Bungalow....
that have delighted the resident deer population...Dinner is Served!

Sum and Substance is a large leafed Hosta...

those bite marks are huge!

This Hosta had it's flower stalks bitten down and most of the leaves removed.

I planted it this Spring...may be moving it next Fall to the fenced back yard.

Yum Yum someone had a tasty treat.

Another Hosta that was planted this Spring...

munch munch munch.

The deer have left this Giant Rudbeckia alone...

The grasses are untouched but the Orange Crocosmia flowers have been all eaten.

They love eating roses...the tender new foliage and the flowers.

David Austin Rose William Shakespeare has not been a target yet...

perhaps because it is surrounded by Hostas 

which I have decided are the snack of choice for the deer.

This is the same size as the deer that I saw walking along our side walk out front of The Humble Bungalow. I think he must need a lot of greenery to keep him feel full...don't you?

(picture from the archives)

Plump Rose Hips are forming on our neighbours rose bushes.

They are really quite beautiful...

Indulged in a wee bit of pampering...

a relaxing spa pedicure with a bright red polish.

OPI 

Give me a Lido Kiss

from

Bliss Spa.

We had the family around to celebrate Mr. HB's birthday.

I cooked up a big batch of macaroni and cheese, made a couple of salads, baked a salmon, and served cupcakes with coloured sprinkles.

Mother and Aunty Jennifer got to meet Mira Louise and we had plenty of cuddles and hugs from the children...

it was a lovely evening.

Seriously The Best!

The house feels so quiet now...

I can hear

the dishwasher swishing and the linens are in the washer spinning.

Yet

I can still hear the enthusiastic voices of the little ones...

 singing Happy Birthday to Grampa.

They will sustain and keep me happy until I see them again....

Life with Grand Children...

is as Good as it Gets!

Comfort in the routines...

In seeking comfort...

I look to the simple and quiet routines that are found so surprisingly in every day domesticity.

Home keeping.

Cooking, cleaning, baking, sweeping, washing...they all feed my spirit.

Weeding, raking, digging in the dirt...

tending the garden

softly connecting with Nature

elevate flagging spirits.

Sitting on the porch having a wee break.

 A time to reflect on all that I have to be grateful for in life.

I've just started Edith Wharton's 1905 classic House of Mirth 

I've just finished chapter One and I know I am going to LOVE this book!

Good to the last drop!

OOTD

Wearing my uniform...

Now Designs linen apron and a wrap dress by Jones Of NY.

summer flip flops...

The View from here...

Thank you for your thoughtful comments on my last post.

I appreciate them very much.

Hope you are having a lovely week...

Silver stars ~ Roses ~ Happy and Sad news

Hope to goodness that you are not tired of seeing The Humble Bungalow Roses because I am posting a couple more...if you are bored scroll down and check out some of my favourite lotions and potions.

This vintage silver BREAD tray caught my eye at the Thrift Shop...

I know it will need polishing...many people despise silver now because of the work it takes to maintain the lustre and shine.

That's why it's showing up in so many shops AND for next to nothing you can take them home!

I quite like to spend time cleaning tarnished silver pieces...for me it's rather meditative.

I bought some French Rose and sipped a few glasses

I pretended I was still visiting France...

I can close my eyes and still recall the dizzy and giddy way I felt when I was in Paris.

I'm so glad I went and would encourage you to follow your dreams if Paris is on your bucket list.

I mentioned this mask recently and am doing so again because it is saving my face.

With our hot summer weather it has been a real challenge keeping skin hydrated.

I'm test driving a new eye product by Andalou Naturals.

1000 Roses Eye Revive Gel.

The skin around my eyes is getting very crepe-like these days.

I'm guilty of not using specific eye products very faithfully over the years.

Not expecting a miracle but a little reduction in lines would be a welcome and pleasant surprise.

I'm not one to give up and give in...

L'Occitane's Almond Milk is still a star player 

my arms and legs would be as dry as the Sahara 

without a daily dose of this wonderful silky lotion.

~ Happy News ~

Our grand daughter's name is Mira Louise Austin

she weighed in at 6 pounds 15 ounces and was born on August 10th.

We think she's a red head like her big sister Isla!

She's a precious little bundle.

It's no surprise that hearts just explode with JOY when we cuddle newborns...

they are such a gift.

Babies are just so darned wonderful aren't they?

Can you feel the excitement?

~ ~ ~

We've also had some very sad news...

there has been a death in the family 

out of respect for those involved 

I will not go into any details 

but suffice to say it was very tragic, and although expected, came all too suddenly...

~ ~ ~

And just yesterday we got the call...

dear friends lost their adult daughter to cancer.

Our hearts go out to them in love and support.

"Grief can be the garden of compassion. 

If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom."

~ Rumi ~

It's a bookish post today...

Our lending library had it's official opening last night...
it was a team effort getting this project off the ground but one that is well worth the effort.

I was asked to cut the ribbon...

and when the doors opened we stuffed the shelves with books.

It's going to be a fun spot to browse for books.

(I think I'll bring my mug of tea over and regularly peruse the titles.)

We celebrated with some appetizers in The Common.

The Common is a spare lot on our street.

There are benches, a table and some swings for the children to play on.

Dinner was served in our Humble Bungalow for the planning group.

Hydrangeas were picked for the table.

We served dinner buffet style and people sat wherever they wanted...

~ The menu ~

Dolmades

Assorted Cheeses and grapes on a platter

Stuffed devilled eggs

Salad

Lasagna

Buns

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Coconut and Chocolate Ice Cream

~ ~ ~

On my reading list are the following books...

I'm taking them on our boat when we go cruising later in the week.

I read Tigers in Red Weather and enjoyed it so I thought I'd take a chance and read her new book.

Ivy's Books on Oak Bay Avenue have a French themed book display...

Heidi was responsible for me buying these two books!

This book was suggested by Madame La-Bas.

My walking partner recommended this book.

Sharon Santoni's new book.

You may know her blog My French Country Home.

I brewed a pot of tea and spent an entire afternoon savouring and reading.

Sharon's friends are a wonderful and very accomplished group of women.

I felt like I was transported back to France...

The pictures are amazing...

and the French chateaus and apartments are enchanting and lavishly decorated.

So much style and creativity is found within this lush book...

If you like to read about French Chic Femmes and their lifestyles

 I think you'd love it.

Anyways that's about it for now...

I'm off for a big walk in the rain now.

I hope this moisture will douse some of the wildfires burning in our province.

a little bit of this n' that

The previous post generated many comments and emails.
Thank you, so much!
I am very grateful for your support and am most appreciative of your thoughts on this issue...
I've had time to reflect and put things in perspective and although this is "behind me" I will take greater care driving and especially when encountering and passing cyclists.

The roses are still showing off their floral finery...

soft pinks tips meld with a creamy white.

I love this masque...

the gentle fragrance is soothing and it really delivers a lot of hydration.

I dug out my gold hoops aka "creoles" and paired them with my diamond studs.

I took photos not realizing that I have a spot on my chin...

oh well welcome to reality blogging!

I'm letting my hair grow...

we'll see if I can stand this growing out stage 

or maybe I'll rush off to the hairdresser and have it all lopped off again.

I've been a wee bit busy these past few days...

taking care of our darling grandchildren.

Non stop Grammy!

Lots of games and activities...

and

 there's a new addition to our family!

It's a girl...

I'll share more later but I'm keeping it "hush hush" until they tell make an announcement.

Look what arrived in the post!

I'm excited to read Sharon's new book.

But first I'm off to the baby shops!

Hope your week is ticking along nicely.

Cheerio for now...