Fading beauty...and my personal thoughts on aging

This beautiful rose was once a stunning bloom

but she is fading in her beauty

but still worth a look...

This rose got me thinking about aging...

aging gracefully

naturally 

perhaps with some elegance.

How does one age well?

And I do not mean Botox or plastic surgery...

its not for me.

How do I

ease into my advancing senior years

with the face that I was born with 

embracing the lines and wrinkles 

that are the result of years of laughter?

There are certain things that we can all do to help us look more "radiant."

Ali McGraw looks the picture of health and she glows.

I was impressed by this article.

She is such a radiant beauty both inside and out...

a fabulous role model.

Thoughts that may help navigate the road ahead are basics like...

Exercise 

eating healthy 

getting a decent night's rest

alleviating as much stress as possible

experiencing joy and happiness whenever the opportunity arises

listening to our "hearts" 

expanding our horizons which may be travel or going to local cultural events

learning something new to keep us fresh

helping others

staying in touch with friends and family

finding and making time for creativity

"First impressions"

  tell those who meet us about ourselves 

(whether we like it or not) 

how we dress and what we say conveys a lot...

good manners and kindness

go a long way.

At 62 and not the freshest rose in the bouquet...

I try to focus on

wearing neat, comfortable and (hopefully) flattering outfits

paying attention to style

dressing in clothing that is honest and genuine 

a reflection of my personality...

some days it may be a classic LBD

or 

jeans and a Tee with a cashmere sweater and Chelsea boots

which just happens to be my "uniform."

I try always to look put together...

some days it is more difficult than others!

The word "Frumpy" scares me.

My Mother managed to look well dressed well into her 80's and I never thought that she looked frumpy or dowdy.

Skincare...

 has always been important to me.

People look at our faces when we meet and greet each other.

From the time that I went to The Hudson Bay's Saturday charm school 

where among other things

we were instructed on how to wash and care for our skin.

(in that era it was Yardley's oatmeal soap and Noxema or Nivea)

I have been preoccupied with taking care of my complexion.

Today

we have thousands of options...

and how does one choose?

I have been testing a new moisturizer.

It is super emollient, which my dry skin needs, but is not greasy.

The results are a dewy rosy glow which I quite like.

I think that my skin looks healthier...

but maybe I am just hopeful

seeking a fresher rose

one that is petal soft and blush pink!

Two rose scented hard working products from a previous delivery of

  My Stylish French Box

they are almost gone

 are truly quite amazing...

 I have been using them on my hands and feet with really great results.

I'll have to see if I can buy them online.

In the whole scheme of things our inner beauty traits 

are far more important 

than how we look on the outside...

Kindness

compassion

a giving nature...

They are the real super stars when we really think about it.

While I like to buy new things 

I plan to cultivate and focus on some inner improvements this month...

What are your thoughts on aging gracefully?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Popping in to say Hello...and please enjoy the roses.

November Roses....

Sharing a few roses from The Humble Bungalow Garden...
It's been a crazy busy week with lots happening
unfortunately not all "good things."
We have had a death in my husband's family
a dear friend has been diagnosed with cancer has undergone major surgery.
I have been preoccupied with other "more pressing things" and I have not been able to find much time to sit at my computer.

I'll be brief with this post and share some pictures instead of a lot of text.

McCartney Rose

Jude the Obscure

Jude The Obscure

I picked one to cheer up the bathroom.

I grabbed my brush and acrylic paints the other evening when I was suffering a bout of sadness.

I was thinking of Mom and I played some of my favourite music and let the feelings flow through to the canvas...

I think Jude The Obscure is with me here!

Not a masterpiece 

I know, but "I own it"

 it felt good to push the paintbrush around on the canvas...

that's probably why they call it Art Therapy!

Cheap and cheerful chrysanthemums

in a simple terra cotta pop dress up our front porch.

Dressing up myself...

in a uniform of sorts 

for the recent chilly days.

A long sleeved top

skinny jeans rolled up

Chelsea boots

a puffy vest

my cashmere scarf

Vintage Coach Court bag...

Relaxing and reflecting in a quiet chair...

The Humble Bungalow Garden is getting a face lift in the back area...

this patio area will not be touched but we have big plans and the top stars will be:

 magnolia trees

ferns

camellias

hydrangeas

black mondo grass

and stay tuned for more.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

What a difference a day makes...

Sunny daze

last week

found us sitting outside on the deck 

at Quarter Deck Cottage...

before the rains came

followed quickly by an Arctic Front 

bringing with it some SNOW!

"Snow Day Soup" 

I added more water as some of it evaporated while it was simmering

probably about 2 cups

 you could use vegetable broth instead but I did not have any on hand.

My lunch

warmed me up.

After the soup making I decided to bake a chocolate banana cake and found a wonderful recipe in my newest cookbook Good Taste by author Jane Green.

The kitchen looked like a bomb had gone off after the busy day in the kitchen so I put the dishwasher on and popped the kettle on for tea...

time for a bit of a rest.

At least that's what I thought....

until my dishwasher started spewing copious amounts of water onto the floor!

Quickly grabbing towels and turning off the appliance I mopped up the mess

then laboriously emptied the water inside the dishwasher using a ladle and a bowl.

Still faced with all the dirty dishes 

 I proceeded to hand wash the entire load...

UGH!

By the time I had finished 

the tea was cold 

so I brewed another pot and started researching new dishwashers.

I've decide on a Bosch 800 series 

the quietest machine on the market and it has a great rating.

We ordered it and will have to wait about 10 days until it arrives and we will have it installed and the old one carted away...

it gave us at least 10 years of good service maybe 13 we cannot remember

I hope the new one will perform better and last longer.

Hope you are keeping cozy.

It's chilly here but the snow has melted

our furnace is on and working hard

I am wearing a down vest.

Single paned windows and minimal insulation does not keep us toasty warm

unless we dress in layers.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Goodbye October, Hello November

Hello November!

Our October passed in a heartbeat...

how is it possible that it can rush by so fast?

Time feels like it slows down when we are at the cottage.

Perhaps we are too busy at home?

A simple floral bouquet elevates our modest and humble IKEA tray.

It is a wee but blurry but the vintage enamel dish 

is where I put my rings 

when I wash dishes...

the silver star holding down the napkins was a birthday gift from a dear friend.

I found this interesting paperweight at the thrift shop.

I have no idea if it is new or from the mid century moderne era.

All the sides are different... 

Reminds me of the style of jewelry created by Robert Larin or Guy Vidal.

Anyone recognize the artist or the era?

Ferries ply the water out front of Quarter Deck Cottage on The Salish Sea.

The views have a hypnotic effect...

the waves lull one

the sun warms

the fresh salty air refreshes.

Two deer lie in the sunshine below the deck.

Its absolutely still

so quiet

that we can hear ourselves breathing!

The Lilias Spalding Heritage Park on South Pender Island

 we explored this area after walking up a rather steep hill.

The views to the valley below were quite spectacular.

I regret not taking a picture now.

Crockery and old bottles

Mossy rocks

Comfort Food for dinner.

Best of Bridge Family Meat Loaf 

mashed potatoes and a bean salad.

Those sleepy deer woke up and munched a bunch of foliage

 then the one with antlers starting pushing the other one around...

they sauntered off along the cliff.

I am wondering if one of them is responsible for eating all my lovely chrysanthemums that were on the front porch!

Have you got plans for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Autumnal Splendor....

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons...
rich in colour and texture,
this weekend we have been treated to clear blue skies and sunny warm days.

Perfect weather for walking...
and a bonus while we are at Quarter Deck Cottage on Pender Island.

Golden hues tinged with green.

We walked slowly so that I could stop and take pictures 

besides the fact that I have been recently diagnosed with shin splints...

my doctor suggested that I slow my walking pace and perhaps the distance that I travel

to make sure that I have supportive shoes 

 to replace my walking shoes at least every year if not every 6 months.

This is a painful condition and so I am heeding his advice.

The distance we covered was just a tad under 3 km

the road was perfect for our walk 

very little car traffic

quiet

homes and acreages dotted every so often along the byway

the leaves were stunning in their beauty

so picturesque.

This old home was situated at the end of the road overlooking the ocean.

I'd love to peek inside but this is as close as we could get to it.

The road curved ahead and we spied this boat...

We discovered a lovely sandy beach at the end of the road with a public beach access.

Mr. HB saw a mink run into the brush just ahead.

Kelp and maple leaves mingling together on the beach.

Walking with the leaves crunching neath our feet...

a glorious day 

with dappled sunshine peeking through the canopy of trees.

Feeling such gratitude to be able to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us.

How was your weekend ?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~