Tick Tock...Life in the moments.

Most afternoons I take a break from whatever I am doing and sit in one of our Morris chairs in our living room and sip a cup of tea.
This is a restorative time to sit in peace and ponder...

The ticking of the clock, the beating of my heart, a few cars passing by...
children's excited voices a they skip home from school are the usual sounds.

I find quiet times are very important to my well being.

One yellow lone Daisy sits in a vase in our Humble Bungalow bathroom.

One bloom spreads as much cheer as an entire bouquet.

(and it's cheaper!)

The frosty mornings have seen me bundle up in layers.

Warmth is essential to my comfort.

The windscreen on our Volvo has a thick crust of ice...

the automatic heat defrosting fan takes about 5 minutes 

so I usually speed up the process by using the scraper.

Autumn shadows grow long...

the last summer geranium is blooming.

Red Green and Silver

my favourite colours to use in Christmas Bouquets.

I must get something organized for our front porch soon and buy a wreath for the front door.

I've discovered some lovely French products...

wee glass jars of yogurt

Bonne Maman Dulce de Leche Caramel sauce.

I reuse jars...do you?

the Bonne Maman jars are sturdy

used for everything 

from homemade vinaigrette to storing small bits and bobs.

~ Waste not Want Not ~

Last week I cooked a small prime rib of beef for the two of us.

The ultimate comfort food on a cold day.

Mr. HB uses horseradish with his roast and I love Coleman's Hot mustard.

There is room enough in our home for both our tastes.

I volunteered to work at the Craft Fair last weekend

it was a busy morning selling jams, home baking and the crafts. 

These sold out in the first hour!

I had to buy one even though I cannot even think of who I could give it to...

Just so creative and kitschy.

Beautiful bright sunshine

twinkling on the ocean at McNeil Bay.

Trial Island Light House is in the distance.

We are so fortunate to live here...

Nudge Nudge

Wink Wink

I think this seal was "flirting" with me!

I posted this lovely David Austin Rose on my Instagram page this morning.

I was surprised to see it blooming in our garden as the weather is freezing outside.

Thank you for stopping by...I hope that you are enjoying your week.

Stormy weather...

Last week we experienced a positively "Beastly Day"...

~ most of the day ~

the 

wind howled

tree limbs cracked

branches fell

the rain pelted sideways at the windows 

and 

water seeped in and pooled on the sills

the buds on our climbing Royal Sunset Rose were shaken about ferociously 

but somehow they managed to cling on 

for dear life

BC Ferries were cancelled

power outages were reported

trees blew down

waves lashed the shore and spilled over the onto the streets

floods followed

While the storm raged I prepared a simple curry...

"sweating" the seasonings

chopping vegetables

sauteing 

aromas waft up 

and 

fill the kitchen with a heavenly scent

~ Vegetarian curry ~

garbanzo beans

cabbage

carrots

onions

cilantro

tomatoes

spices

simmering on the stove

and then

the sun came out and there was the most vivid of rainbows arching across the sky

a snapshot taken in summertime of our Royal Sunset Rose

What a difference a few hours make...

the forceful wind blew the clouds 

and

inclement weather 

east of Victoria

and thankfully

we were bathed in warm golden sunshine.

AND

NOW

The forecast locally is for snow flurries from Tuesday through Thursday...

I will be bundled up for my walks.

I have a Lands' End Down coat 

that Mother refers to as "the walking quilt!"

Hope your week is off to a great start.

"Weather is a great metaphor for life...

sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, 

and 

there's nothing much you can do about it 

but carry an umbrella or choose to dance in the rain!"

~ Terri Guillemets ~

One new thing...

I've been very frugal lately...
"shopping my closet"
instead of running out and buying new clothes,
wearing the basics that I already own
adding a scarf or some jewelry to create a bit of interest
so that I do not get bored.

I purchased this scarf before I went to Paris last Spring.

 I had planned to take it with me but found that it was too bulky.

It is perfect for the Fall and Winter weather here.

I love the colours in this scarf as they mesh and meld with all my black and grey staples.

The texture is soft and feels a bit like it has been "felted."

I picked this up at our local Pharmasave store in Oak Bay for about $25.00

I've worn in with this striped Lands' End tunic top and black leggings and ankle boots.

When we were in Vancouver recently 

I popped into Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.

I love Eileen Fishers designs

she sells such great basics

 in the tones that I love to wear 

and 

the fabrics and textures of her garments are splendid.

However 

I consider her prices to be a wee bit expensive now that I am retired.

But wait...

 I spied a lovely viscose charcoal top on the sale rack

in my size

the last one!

I had a $25.00 off coupon too so the price was even better.

I snapped a quick shot of the top in our hotel room.

The wool is cozy and warm and the fabric itself is soft.

The hem dips down at either side on the bottom.

The neck is a U shape so I can showcase some of my necklaces when I am not wearing a scarf.

It will get LOTS of wear...that is how I am justifying this "one new thing."

Have you been shopping your closet

Or 

shopping the shops?

Vancouver getaway...

Last weekend we hopped on a BC Ferry and visited friends in Vancouver.

Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson Street

The Marina on False Creek is where our friends moor their boat.

They served us a delicious dinner and we sat looking out facing this beautiful view.

The next morning the weather was cool and breezy, a typical Fall day.

Wind, rain and a wee bit chilly...leaves at our feet.

Perfect weather to visit The Vancouver Art Gallery

Exhibits by the Canadian Group of Seven and Lee Bul were highlights.

I was very impressed by the art installations of Lee Bul.

She worked with mirrors in Via Negativa and the effects were really interesting.

Walking through this mirrored installation I felt dizzy and slightly disoriented...

there were twists and turns before arriving at the lights.

It seemed quite popular with the people who were viewing this exhibit.

I ventured through the maze of mirrors several times!

We stopped for lunch in the cafe before going upstairs to explore more exhibits.

"Between Object and Action:

Transforming Media in the 1960's and 70's."

artists

Kate Craig, Eric Metcalfe, Gathie Falk, Carole Itter and Evelyn Roth.

We shopped a bit along South Granville...I found something on sale at Eileen Fisher!

                                        Later we met up at La Quercia for a fabulous meal.

Sunday morning Mr. HB and I went to check out the new Nordstroms and popped into Holt Renfrew before heading to the ferry.

We took our books up to the on board buffet and sat at a window table for the duration of the trip.

A beautiful setting sun

 appeared just as we were about to disembark the ferry.

All in all it was a fun weekend and the cats were happy to see us when we got home.

Hope your week is ticking along nicely.