Cottage life...weathering the storm.

Quarter Deck Cottage

a relaxed and casual getaway

that we enjoy for a week every month 

and two consecutive weeks in the summer.

This little piece of paradise has been a much needed tonic...

a place to dream and live simply 

among the beauty of Nature

 The Salish Sea at our doorstep.

The rains have been torrential this past weekend.

We were soaked right through our raincoats after an hour walk.

On the mainland there have been floods and roads were washed out...

When we arrive on the island

the first stop 

(after we unpack and set up the cottage with our personal bits and bobs)

is the local flower shop.

I choose some flowers for our week at the cottage.

The owner and I are on a first name basis now and she tells me what we have missed while we were off island...

Power outages, wind storms, ferry cancellations, trees blown down blocking the roads...

We shop for our food at the local market and usually do this each day.

It gives us an opportunity to mingle with the locals and deciding on the spur of the moment what we will have for our dinner based on what is fresh feels right.

Living in "holiday mode" encourages a spontaneity...

where we relax over our morning coffee

stare out at the views beyond

taking in the various sights

 ferry and boats

marine life and birds.

We awoke to sunshine this morning and what a glorious sight after 4 days of rain.

The cottage is bathed in warm sunlight and there is a shift in my mood.

I feel a surge of energy...

I have vacuumed, done the laundry, run the dishwasher and am now sipping a mug of tea as I sit here at the dining table typing on my laptop.

Taking time to look out upon the rippled sea and beyond...

A beautiful day awaits...

slowly

there is no need to rush

a gentle walk

a nourishing meal

knitting

reading

gazing out to the Salish Sea

content with the simple routines

of cottage life

it is in the quiet moments 

that we are able to restore, restock, and renew.

"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift. "

~ Albert Einstein ~

"There are moments when all anxiety and stated toil are becalmed in the infinite leisure and repose of nature. "

 ~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Slow down this week and observe the beauty that surrounds you.

When I walk in Nature I always find something beautiful that surprises me...

even on the darkest of days

I may have to look a little bit farther or a wee bit longer 

 if I persevere 

I am not disappointed and for those gifts I am grateful.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday Flowers...

Friday Flowers...

I spied these pretty pink blooms on one of my walks this week.

They are just so cheerful

set against the grey cedar fence they seem to glow...

These colourful primulas are perfect for the front porch.

They are a welcome sight with just the right amount of "happy."

There are many different varieties of these plants available.

Did you know that the only ones with a scent are the deep amber yellow variety?

I always purchase some of the yellow ones as their scent is quite lovely.

I've been searching for a vintage silver champagne bucket for quite some time and this week the stars aligned and I found one in a second hand shop for a reasonable price.

I wasted no time and popped into the local flower shop and bought a new orchid where it now sits on our dining room table.

Flowers are such a tonic for the grey gloomy weather...

we have had a few patches of sunshine which raises ones spirits.

At my weekly bridge afternoon many of the women were lamenting about the weather...it seems to be a common complaint.

Some were eager to share their travel plans as they are booked on flights 

off to warmer sunnier climates.

Travel to a sunnier spot is not on my radar...

so I add colour in my daily round and seek out "pops of colour" on my walks.

a lovely blue green mix in this sumptuous yarn...

I have been learning a lot about knitting with my new sock project.

The heel flap, turning the heel and the gusset have been a wee bit challenging but thanks to You Tube knitting tutorials I have been able to work through the pattern.

 Do you challenge yourself by learning new things?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cocooning...keeping cozy during the raging storms.

Hellebore

The gale force winds have been fierce 

the ferries have been cancelled

 the stormy weather 

is rainy, grey and generally dismal.

These kinds of days are perfect for cocooning with a pot of tea 

curling up with a good book and my knitting.

The Boneyard shawl free from the Ravelry website.

Looks a wee bit like chainmail!

I am embarking on a new knitting project...

socks!

I am using a pattern from Ravelry called super simple socks

the DPN's are a wee bit hard to get used to using

so far have ripped the socks out 3 times!

I will definitely need to get some expert help if I am to be successful with this project!

A kind and thoughtful reader from Vancouver sent me these earrings 

 I think they go perfectly with my black and grey wardrobe!

Thank you Rosemarie!

 I sent you off a wee token of my appreciation...

hopefully it has already arrived on your doorstep.

 I managed to find some sunny patches in between the storms and have ventured out to seek out some of Nature's beauty.

Hope that your week has some bright spots in it and that you are healthy and able to avoid the colds and flu that have been making the rounds.

Remember to wash your hands!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Focusing on Calm

Are you aware and take note of the beauty that crosses your path every day?

Focusing on a bright spot of colour or something beautiful from Nature...
can elevate a flagging spirit and change the way we see our world.

Each morning I sit quietly sipping my cafe creme and consciously count my blessings.
I embrace the "attitude of gratitude" and it helps me set the tone for my day...

A bouquet that I gave to a special someone!

This wee yellow flower was blooming on the side of the Esplanade

at Willows Beach where I have been taking my daily walks.

The day was grey, cold and gloomy but this wee pop of yellow 

acted like a lightbulb

 radiating cheer and warmth.

The sun has been trying to come out...

three cheers for trying!

I've noticed that people who walk this route smile a lot when they pass...

generally 

much more friendly than the serious joggers and runners on my local route.

Sending you some sunny yellow cheer...

Chicken piccata

a comforting dinner on a cold blustery night.

Here is a link to a similar recipe on Epicurious.

A hot cup of tea...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Take care

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Renewal: refreshed, recharged, re-energized and "retail-ed!"

The past weekend was full to the brim with simple joys and bright moments which have left me feeling energized.
I have come out of a dark mood and into the light...

My morning cafe creme routine starts with counting my blessings,
I sit quietly reflecting on all the good things in life embracing and adopting the attitude of gratitude to set the tone for the day. I have found this to be very powerful and it changes the way that I see and interpret life events.

Mr HB and I walked in Chinatown...through Fan Tan Alley.

Victoria's Fan Tan Alley

My husband took me out for lunch at The Fan Tan Cafe, a popular Chinese food restaurant in our city's historic chinatown. It was busy, the service was great and we sipped our tea and chatted while we waited for our food. The food was not "totally WW friendly" (noodles were involved!) but the seafood chow mien was chock full of veggies which were so lightly cooked that they were still rich in colour, crisp and delicious.

Here's my fortune cookie and the fortune inside...

I did a wee bit of shopping at the Fan Tan Home Decor and Style shop.

A black dress by Angela Mara made in Italy.

Soft, cozy and the fabric is heavy enough that it does not cling but skims the body which is just the way I like a dress to fit.

It feels like a warm hug.

It was 50% off so I pounced on it and I said YES to the dress!

I plan to keep my eye on this shop as they have quite a few styles that I like.

I wore it out to dinner on Saturday evening when we dined with friends.

This lovely bouquet was a thoughtful gift from my nearest and dearest friend.

She bought it from those darling gals who run Thorn and Thistle Flowers.

They carry such pretty flowers and their plants are amazing...

our Christmas Amaryllis is an indication of their high quality plants.

They sell other things too and now offer coffee and treats

and they now located are in my old neighbourhood.

Sunday I cleaned house and went for my walk.

I opened a new bar of fragrant Verbena soap 

 it is currently scenting our main bathroom.

This soap was from my Mom's condo...

she loved the Verbena scent but she never used it as she loved her Pears soap.

While on the topic of fragrance and scents...

It was time to open a new scented candle.

This one was in the box from 

My Stylish French Box.

I am busy trying to finish my latest knitting project so that I can start my new one!

Have you got a project on the go?

Hope that your week ahead is positive

and filled with 

 lightness and cheer.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~