Scenery and a recipe for salsa...

This morning fog rolled in and blanketed the seafront with a cool damp mist.

The scenery took on an ethereal look...

pretty fuchsia flowers growing along the rugged cliffs stood out in the haze.

There was a distinct chill in the air 

until the sunshine came out and burnt off the fog.

It feels like Summer might be fading and Fall is on the way...

The roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are very happy.

They thrive in the heat and sunshine, provided they get plenty of water.

This vintage chair planted up with flowers at the garden centre stopped me in my tracks. 

I love how it was repurposed as a planter.

A very clever way of recycling an old piece of furniture.

We purchased some drought tolerant grasses for some of our planters in the front garden on the weekend.

Many new and interesting grasses are on the market.

They are often reasonably priced and they are an easy way to add texture, interest, and colour.

Usually the deer do not eat them...

time will tell.

If you are counting your calories or WW points you will like the low calorie and point count of this delicious salsa.

It is quick to make and adds a punch of flavour.

Chef John's recipe is found online at All Recipe's.com

I like to pair this with white fish for dinner.

I have also used it in a fish taco...

I opt for the small corn tortillas as they have higher fibre than the flour tortillas.

If you are following along with me on my journey to shed a few pounds...

I wonder how are you doing.

The brisker walking is really making a big difference in how I feel.

I must admit that my muscles are a wee bit sore but my feet are fine.

Decent walking shoes make a huge difference to my comfort.

I also put moisturizer on my feet before popping on bamboo sox.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Good news...a quick update on the battle of the bulge.

Good news!
It has been a couple of weeks and I have visible proof of my efforts.

Weight Watcher point counting and walking have started to whittle away some of my wobbly bits.
I am toning up, the muscles on my calves are strong and my clothes have a bit more wiggle room.

Approximately 2 pounds gone...8 more to go.

Sunny yellow rudbeckia's are blooming in the front garden.

We also have the giant variety of rudbeckia plant out front.

The wind blew over a few stems...they are about 10 feet tall!

I clipped off a few blooms and brought them inside.

~ Waste not want not ~

I keep a variety of fresh fruit handy for snacks 

with my cottage cheese at breakfast.

When the weather gets colder 

I will be eating Roger's brand ancient grains hot porridge 

at my breakfast with fruit.

It has been fun these past few weeks getting more creative with salads.

The main ingredients...

 arugula

head lettuces

spinach leaves

kale

brussel sprouts

beets, garbanzo beans, radishes, celery cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, peppers

topped with a small drizzle of a light dressing

Fill a big bowl with salad

a small sprinkling of feta cheese 

or a hard boiled egg 

which I find is very filling and totally satisfying.

All that chewing takes time and it relays the message to the brain 

indicating that you are full.

Are you following along?

Have you noticed that you have more energy?

Are your clothes feeling a bit looser?

Has the scale shifted or are you still waiting to see results?

Keep going and try not to get discouraged.

Persistence pays off.

Oh an don't do what I did one day.

I weighed myself wearing 16 sterling silver bangles and wondered why I had gained a pound.

(the bangles actually weigh a pound)

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Rewards...spa pedicure, a purchase and a patio meal.

How is your week going?

Are you having a good one?

Mine is ticking along nicely...

lots of walks

a good book on the go

the sun has been shining

BUT wouldn't you know it...

the scale is stuck at 141

Pink McCartney roses

and my latest OPI painted toes...

"A Rose at Dawn, Broke by Noon"

Spring and summer pedicures are a must for me during sandal season.

They are a wonderful experience and I feel very pampered when I have one.

~ Pure luxury ~

  

This shade of pink is so pretty and fresh.

 I am tempted to buy a bottle and do my fingernails too.

While staying within my WW daily point count I try to find some non food rewards that help me stay on track.

Little things (rewards) that keep me on the straight and narrow.

Meeting up with my daughter for a day of fun.

I bought this wee engraved silver jug at the thrift shop 

when darling daughter and I went to Sidney earlier in the week.

It is tarnished but I plan to keep it in this state as I like how it looks.

Most of my silver gets regular polishing but this little antique jug just looks so pretty with this patina.

We opted to have lunch at The Brentwood Bay Pub on the sun filled patio.

Kale, quinoa and chicken salad with orange segments 

with orange juice dressing.

Beautiful presentation

tasty

satisfying

 it kept me fuelled until dinnertime.

We purchased an arts and crafts quarter sawn oak table to sit between two of our chairs in The Humble Bungalow living room.

We never seem to have enough space for our guests to put their drinks.

"Someone" is giving it a once over...

Chester looks like he approves!

Anyone on Blogger having issues with their posts being delayed getting to the blog feed?

I have not figured out what is happening to my blog and it has been going on for over a month.

I hit publish it in the morning but it does not appear on the feed until late afternoon.

I am tech challenged and wondering if I need to hire someone to help me sort out the glitches.

Also the blogger spell check is not working either...

If anyone knows what i need to do I would appreciate you letting me know.

Thank you!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

On a sunny Sunday we gathered...

I picked Jude the Obscure roses from our Humble Bungalow Garden

for the party.

Popped them in an icy modernist vase from Finland.

Picked some limelight hydrangeas for the centrepiece in a heritage tea house

set them on the table in a vintage enamel jug

placed the photograph in front

waited for the guests to arrive.

Sunday was memorable

as it was a celebration for the newlyweds.

a lovely venue 

in the garden of dear friends 

a vast green lawn

magnificent perennial borders

vintage lamps and lighting

with views to the garden beyond...

wicker chairs

plump cushions

colourful bunting strung from the rafters

food 

family

friends

boccee ball

children running about

blowing bubbles

laughter

conversation

The lovely couple...

Darling daughter and our son in law...

welcome to the family!

Feeling such gratitude and joy...

spending time with family 

there is no better way that I know of to feel the beauty of love.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Week #2...and it is slow going.

Dining out this week and counting WW points has been a bit of a challenge.
I am not expecting the scale to budge at all, I just hope it will not go up!

Bistro lunches, a pub dinner, a garden party and a BBQ...
and wine!
( to burn off the points from one glass of wine I need to walk briskly for 5km!)

The view from The Oak Bay Beach Hotel where we celebrated Mr. HB's birthday.

The sun was setting in the west and this eastern exposure turned a soft pink shade.

The hot tubs were obviously "too hot" to use in this weather.

We drove home via the scenic route and stopped at King George Terrace lookout to take a picture of the golden sunset.

My walking route 

warm and bathed in sunlight about 8:30 in the morning.

The heat was increasing as I walked and I am so glad that I opted to do the 5km early rather than later...

Quite a few walkers and joggers were out and about...

the sea was calm and the air still.

This is part of the route that the Tour de Victoria cyclists peddled their bikes along...

I don't own a bike but have been looking longingly in the window of the Fairfield Bicycle Shop

The Pashley bikes from the UK are on display in their window

British Racing Green and Fire Engine Red

what would I choose?

And it absolutely MUST have a wicker basket!

The Humble Bungalow Garden is chock full of blooms.
A riot of of roses and loads of mop head limelight hydrangeas...

We are having a heat wave and the intense heat affects my energy level.

Despite drinking lots of lemonade and iced tea I feel rather sluggish.

We are not used to high temperatures and there has been very little in the way of cooling ocean breezes... 

We have kept the blinds closed and opened most of the windows a crack... 

(so that the cats do not escape)

I am totally absorbed with this new novel.

Sitting in a Morris Chair in The Humble Bungalow living room keeping cool

is not a bad way to spend a hot afternoon.

A dip in a pool would be nice...

but I will make due with a refreshing shower.

How was your weekend?

Have you got a good book that you can recommend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~