Summertime Snippets....from Quarter Deck Cottage

Jude the Obscure 

a David Austin Rose 

my favourite rose.

summertime beach reads

both set in Paris

Perfect for the week at the cottage

I read them both in a couple of days 

so I needed to get to the bookstore asap!

Fortunately I found a fabulous book.

I am halfway through this novel and do not want to put it down!

Friends came by for drinks on the deck...

fresh strawberries from the Farmer's Market

assorted cheeses and crackers, 

grapes

pepperoni

I like to keep it simple here at the cottage...

I give myself permission to relax by not making any meals 

that are too labour intensive.

Making more time to read, walk, swim and knit...

or just gaze out at the sea.

The pretty flower baskets hanging by the pool 

are frequented by numerous swallowtail butterflies.

The weather has been hot so the pool has been a great spot to cool off.

Jude is wilting in the heat!

It is cool on the deck after the sun sets.

A great day at the beach...

we found all this sea glass to add to our collection.

The jar is already half full!

Award winning rose from the local Sea Star winery

perfect with a summertime dinner.

grilled lamb chops

fresh carrots from Raven Rock Farms

sweet nugget potatoes with butter and mint leaves

Views of the Salish Sea and the setting sun...

I found a broken oar on the beach...

I plan to distress it a bit more and will keep it at the cottage.

You never know what you'll find on the beach.

I love to explore and keep my eyes open for things washed up on the shore.

I've got some things that I need to tend to here in the Humble Bungalow

deadheading the roses for a start!

so I will close for now.

How is your summer going?

Are you planning a holiday somewhere exotic or do prefer to spend time at a cabin or cottage? 

Perhaps camping or glamping is on your radar...

or a staycation.

Whatever you choose I hope that you will have fun.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Embracing Wabi-Sabi...

Are you familiar with the japanese art of Wabi-Sabi?

Wikipedia has this explanation...

"In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi (侘寂) is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete".

I have unknowingly followed this practice for many years...
finding beauty in the imperfect.

I just didn't know that it actually had a name.

The Globe and Mail published this article on Wabi- Sabi in April.

The following images are just a few things in The Humble Bungalow that are examples of how I embrace the art of Wabi-Sabi.

Vintage McCoy crazed bowl atop a distressed and well used quarter sawn oak arts and crafts trestle table which sits in our kitchen.

I bought this bowl years ago at a church sale...

the crazing is what attracted me to the bowl which was 50 cents!

It is one of my favourite pieces.

A wee vintage ironstone jug

also crazed 

found at a thrift sale.

Tarnished silver 

I like some of our silver polished and some of it wearing a dark cloak of tarnish.

The tarnish does not really detract from the piece.

It adds a patina that speaks to its age.

Original patina on the hand hammered copper arts and crafts tray.

a different and unexpected example of Wabi-Sabi...

soap cube from Marseille France.

Do you embrace Wabi-Sabi?

Please leave a comment to let me know what you have in your home 

that speaks of Wabi-Sabi.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Fragrance from Paris France ~ Rose

I've recently been introduced to a French fragrance by Roger and Gallet...
The company has been in business since 1862 and is located on the chic Rue Saint-Honore in Paris.

Their Rose fragrance is light, subtle and soft and is based on the Gallica Rose with notes of Rose Damascena. I feel very feminine when I wear it and it is perfect for daytime or anytime for that matter!

The gift set that I purchased consists of 50 ml shower gel, 50 ml body lotion and 100 ml of Rose "Fragrant Well being Water" was surprisingly affordable...
under $50.

Pretty pink packaging...

Do you love roses?

I am absolutely passionate about fragrant roses. 

I'd rather have one bloom that is fragrant over dozens and dozens of non scented roses. 

What scent do you wear?

Do you have a signature scent that you have worn for many years

or

do you like to mix it up and try new ones?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and have time to stop and smell the roses!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Riotous Roses in The Humble bungalow Garden...Home Sweet Home!

Fragrant mauve phlox, a volunteer plant in our garden.

Roses on the arbour...

Constance Spry and Paul's Lemon Pillar climbing Roses intertwined together

a marriage that gets better every year.

I've got loads of deadheading to do...

and I plan to pick a bouquet to bring indoors.

We have been away on a road trip to Cranbrook BC this past week 

to meet up with family for a celebration of life.

It was a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery of BC...

we rarely travel long distances by car

as we usually fire up the Sea Ray and head out on The Salish Sea...

or catch the ferry to our cottage.

We are home,

the cats are happy

they have been tended by a  house and cat sitter

and 

we are nestled into our comfy sofas.

Happy to be HOME!

Hope you have enjoyed seeing the garden roses...

they keep us busy but they do provide us with an amazing display....

and their fragrance is intoxicating.

People stop and sniff the blooms out front when they walk by our bungalow!

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Esquimalt Lagoon Walk ~ An Artist's driftwood sculptures

My sister and I met up for a beach walk at The Esquimalt Lagoon and were able to take in the wonderful sculptures that "Brother Paul" has created...

Hope that you enjoy the various beach art creatures by Paul Lewis.

Public art is free for all to enjoy 

 this beach art has brought more people to the lagoon

 many people

like myself were taking photographs.

It's wonderful to mix up the areas and vistas that one can emjoy while getting some fresh air and exercise.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~