Books and comfort food...

On a grey day last week I took my book to a local cafe and sat at a table near the window.

I ordered a pot of tea and a hearty bowl of soup.

There were scads of people lunching and chatting yet I felt quite sheltered by the noise in my little corner by the window.

Kate Morton's book "The Lake House" has so many twists and turns that I cannot figure out the mystery that she has so cleverly crafted.

I have been lunching on soup quite a bit as I find it such a comforting meal.

Simple, hot, tasty and nutritious.

I've noticed a lot of dandelions on the boulevards that line the streets nearby...

many lawns are dotted with the yellow flowers that are considered by many as noxious weeds.

We have a gadget for pulling these long rooted weeds out of the lawn.

The taproots can be 8-10 inches and if you don't get the root in its entirety it will grow back with a vengeance!

I received a lovely gift from a local author.

Thank you for the book Lise-Lotte!

Lise-Lotte Loomer

has written a book about 

her GreenHouse

the gift her Mother gave to her while she was in Hospice.

Her Mother was an avid gardener and was happy pottering about in her "glasshouse" in her garden by the sea.

The greenhouse was a gift from her husband many years ago...

Lise -Lotte, friends and family dismantled the glasshouse and moved it carefully 

before reassembling it in her back yard...and by all accounts it was a challenge!

(Lise-Lotte's Mother, like my own Mother, wore Chanel No. 5)

Greenhouse Hygge

The House of My Growing Dreams

Lise-Lotte popped in a packet of Earl Grey Tea 

 several of her beautiful art cards

and so I put the kettle on and brewed some tea while I read her book.

Lise- Lotte has used many beautiful snapshots of her garden and greenhouse

in the book...

Lise-Lotte has written a lovely tribute to her Mother

shared with us her vision for the greenhouse 

how it will play a new role in her garden.

Lise-Lotte uses it for entertaining 

as well as growing and propagating flowers 

and vegetables.

The author is able to pop out and sit in her greenhouse 

all year long

sipping a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

It is a quiet refuge, a place for reflection and contemplation.

Having recently lost my own Mother 

I can understand why Lise-Lotte likes to spend so much time in her Mother's greenhouse.

I feel that she, like me, is looking for moments 

when we can be close to,  remember and honour our Mothers.

If you are in the Victoria area you can find Lise-Lotte's book at:

 Ivy's on Oak Bay Avenue, 

Tanners in Sidney on Beacon Avenue, 

Thorn and Thistle Flower Merchants on Bowker Avenue

Russell Nursery on Wain Road

Southlands Nursery In Vancouver also carry the book.

I received this book as a gift and in no way am I being reimbursed by the author

all opinions are mine.

More lunchtime comfort soup...

this one, a creamy tomato basil bisque

with a side of salad and a baguette slice.

I am looking for some new book titles and know many of you are avid readers.

What are you currently reading or which books are on your wish list?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

XO

Yoga and Grief...

I am not at all surprised, at my age,
that there are still many things that I can learn...
or perhaps relearn
what I had thought I already knew.

In the quiet moments of reflection
sitting still

open
to absorb

adopt
new and healthy habits.

I do not hesitate or tarry
the desire to act is strong.
The rewards great...

Yoga has re-entered my life...
it has been a wonderful tool to help work through the grief.

Several women from the over 50 Yoga class have recently lost their Mothers.
I over heard them mention that have been also dealing with estate duties and grieving...it is easy to strike up conversation and compare notes and share tips.

Physical flexibility is slowly returning
stamina
stalled by recent events
is coming back.

Sleep has been deeper and more restorative.

Yoga practice
"with intention"
spills over and permeates the daily round.

The benefits are well worth the time spent at the studio.

Feeling more energy with fewer aches and pains has been a welcome change.
One that has pleasantly surprised me.

Looking at life with positivity and Joy...

fewer tears
renewed faith
comfort...

Letting go...

Maintaining peace and perspective in times of turmoil...
staying calm when all around you
life is noisy and speeding by at a rapid frenzy.

Breathing deeply and being totally aware 

living in the moment.

Being mindful of how stress can rob the body of its resilience.

You are at risk of getting sick in body, mind and spirit.

The regular practice of Yoga  

has re-energized and restored a sense of balance

in life

refreshed my lagging spirit.

Yoga

is helping me through this journey of grieving.

While grief is not predictable

when it does show up 

I am better equipped to ride the emotional waves

and 

allowing myself to feel the moments 

deeply

then move on...

The Humble Bungalow Blog

has been taking a back seat to real life.

Writing and publishing posts has been sporadic...

not much excitement to report

while life here has been routine...

some may even say dull

but that is exactly what I crave and need right now.

I hope you'll stay tuned...

 Spring is unfolding its beautiful wings

our humble bungalow garden is awakening

flowers are blooming

scents are wafting in the yard

birds are singing and building nests

the sun is shining

we sit and wait

for something to capture our attention 

something worthy of sharing.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

XO

In the Pink...

These pretty pink Gerbera Daisies were under $5 at the market 

at that price it took very little convincing

 so I brought them home.

They last about a week in our bungalow and they add so much cheer.

Flowers really do elevate my spirits and are a wonderful way to add an element of beauty to our home.

Speaking of cheer we celebrated Easter with a wee gathering.

Brunch with the 3 littles and their parents.

Easter bags filled with stickers, chocolate bunnies, eggs and a small toy.

On the menu:

Strawberry and spinach salad

fruit salad

bacon

scrambled eggs

yogurt

cottage cheese

smoked salmon cream cheese spread

cheese scones

orange juice 

coffee

Then it was off to the park and the spare lot for some running around

 time to ride on the merry go round  

(we all got dizzy)

slide and swings.

I had to empty my shoes of all the sand when I got home!

I purchased some new walking shoes recently...

Jungla and Merrell Vibram

Two different styles...

one casual and one slightly dressier.

Both were half price and my old walking shoes were in a sad and sorry state.

The Magnolias are blooming in our neighbourhood.

We have a white one but many of the neighbours have Magnolias in pink.

Ours is young and only a few feet tall but is putting on a lovely display.

I do so love a pure white flower...

Pink is the colour that has been standing out for me this Easter weekend.

Pink Lewisia plant new from the garden centre.

Mr. HB purchased tomato plants and cucumbers and they were planted.

We enjoyed our first harvest of asparagus from the Humble Bungalow Garden and it was tasty and oh so tender.

Love these pretty sweet blooms.

Started this fabulous book on the weekend...

almost 600 pages and I have read about 200 pages so far.

It is calling my name and the tea has steeped so I will close for now.

Thank you for stopping by the Humble Bungalow.

Hope your week is off to a great start...

XO

OOTD ~ What I wore and will soon will be wearing.

I tied one of Mother's scarves on to perk up this plain V neck top.

The scarf is a large lightweight square by Fraas.

The top is Wilfred from Aritzia.

Boyfriend jeans by NYDJ

Sad I know but no great lighting downstairs where the full length mirror is located.

I do plan to buy a free standing mirror if I ever find one that is not too expensive.

You can see my sterling bangles collection on display atop of the cabinet.

Darling daughter and I went shopping for her birthday gift and we were successful in finding her some super cute Citizen's of Humanity jeans at Aritzia.

After she shopped we cruised through the Bay looking at various items...

shoes, tops and tees and she found me something that has been on my "bucket list" for quite some time...

The classic tweed jacket that I can dress up or dress down.

Perfect colour too to go with my small curated wardrobe!

Ferragamo flats that darling daughter gave me for my birthday this year!

I am so happy with these shoes and they are so comfortable to wear!

Bangles

The jacket was on sale and deeply discounted...

it felt so wonderful to find something long wished for at a bargain price.

I had money left to go out for lunch the next day.

Hearty mushroom soup and a small slice of a baguette served with a simple salad.

I found this quote on Pinterest and feel it so very inspiring and appropriate for those who are dealing with dark days.

I received a lovely email from a reader recently 

she is feeling low

so I would like to dedicate these words to her.

Life is full to the brim right now in The Humble Bungalow and this Easter Weekend we have oodles of plans...

I am carving out some "me time" with my favourite magazine

before the arrival of the house guests and the family brunch.

Hope your weekend has some fun packed into it...

thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

XO

Getting My Happy On continues ~ Grandchildren, a kind gesture, a gift in the mail and a win ~

Our darling Henry enjoyed exploring the "spare lot" on our street.

On this site we have some driftwood benches and a table,

a tire swing, rope swing and a wee lending library.

There are trees and a grassy meadow where children love to run.

Play is serious business...

first you need a plan

then you need to execute the plan

then organize all the pieces

sit back and discuss what will happen next.

Isla and Henry played together collaborating on the building of the tower

they decided on the roles of the players

and then they worked out the scenario...

meanwhile as I looked on

Mira sat on my lap and we played with the shape sorter.

The fellow who owns and operates the excavator that is working on the site next door

noticed that Grammy and three wee ones were at the window watching the action and the steady stream of trucks.

When we all went for a walk past the site he suggested that the grandchildren might like to sit in the cab of the machine...

he didn't have to wait long before he got an enthusiastic response!

My goodness that was a kind gesture and a wonderful highlight for our wee ones.

Smiles all round!

I received a thoughtful gift in the mail this week.

Earplugs!

These will help muffle the noise...

love the shade of green too!

Thank you R!

In other "green news"...

I purchased this organic Physician's Formula mascara awhile back.

I love the formula but cannot get used to using the spiky plastic brush.

It has been a messy and frustrating experience 

so I decided that I would give up and move on...

 Dr. Hauschka mascara is back on the job 

with a bristle style brush for an easier application.

I made a yummy prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding on Sunday 

we ate the leftovers on Monday

 Mr. HB made some beef sandwiches to take to work.

Probably the last roast for the season.

My back has been stiff and sore since Mom passed away.

(I will book a massage when the bulk of mom's estate is settled)

 Yoga is really helping limber up the muscles and the back seems to be on the mend.

Plus I am sleeping better since going back to the Yoga Studio.

(I love a decent night of sleep)

My Yoga mat is falling apart...

wee bits of the mat are left behind after my practise so I must find another one asap!

This is the mat that the cat scratched a few years ago

Swimming fish amid the lily pads...

I wonder if any of you have had a similar experience with your cats...

any thoughts on a thick good quality replacement mat?

We won a strawberry planter from the Garden Centre!

These planters are quite expensive so I have never bought one but when one gets the call that one is waiting to be picked up you waste no time and start the car!

Our neighbour across the street put this plant pot on the boulevard...

free for the taking so I grabbed it and planted a white hydrangea in it.

How is your week going so far?