Sleep Patterns...

I've been wearing several loose tunic tops with black capri length leggings

to keep cool these past few weeks.

The leggings provide a wee bit of coverage for my legs.

My legs are muscular and strong from walking.

I feel self conscious about the various scars

veins 

and

blotchy marks

that I have accumulated over 64 years of being on this Earth.

Living in an aging body

 is

something that I have not accepted...

I think of myself as a much younger person

with ample energy to perform many tasks each day.

So when I do feel tired...

I am kind of surprised and taken aback.

Limiting my "To do list" might be of some help.

Lowering my expectations of what I am reasonably capable of accomplishing on any given day might be something to work on.

Perhaps my level of energy has waned 

because my sleep has not been that restful since we moved into the guest room double bed?

I've started going to bed before 10 usually around 9:30

and I wake around 6 something in the morning.

I wear my FITBIT to bed so I can check on my sleep patterns.

 I wake several times each night.

My sleep is mostly "light" with limited REM and Deep sleep.

We will soon be back in our Queen bed as the renovations are almost finished...

This is something I am so looking forward to!

It's taken quite a while to get this project completed...

due to our holidays and a long delay getting started.

The trades here in Victoria are so busy!

There is a building boom on and there are not enough people to do all the jobs.

We are so fortunate to have a reliable contractor and skilled trades people.

I will be posting a few photos as soon as the furniture is back in place.

What are your sleep patterns like?

Do you feel that your sleep could be improved?

Have you any sleep tricks up your sleeve that you care to share?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

September snippets...

Jude the Obscure 

still putting on a marvelous show ~ blooming non-stop since May.

Gosh I so love a hardy and reliable rose that encourages me to keep dead heading long after my early spring enthusiasm and energy has waned.

Hand watering is a daily job here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

We don't have an automatic system so we use old fashioned watering cans, nozzles and sprinklers.

People walk by when I am gardening out front and they always stop to comment on the roses.

Some I invite in for an impromptu garden tour 

 they occasionally leave with a wee bouquet.

The Climbing Royal Sunset Rose is a challenge to dead head 

as it grows up the side of the deck so ladders are required.

I am not a fan of climbing up high on ladders 

so I dead head what I can reach from the ground below and from the deck itself.

Gertrude Jekyll

Prickly thorns can be a hazard when dead heading this rose.

Such a beautiful shade of pink with a seriously heady fragrance.

She blooms all summer long.

School starts this week which traditionally has signalled the end of summer.

I love the warm sunshine and hope it continues through towards Autumn.

The bedroom renovations are almost complete.

I have purchased a bed skirt, new sheets, and velvet slim hangers.

Am excited to get the closet organized and the rest of our bungalow 

"back to normal."

I am tired of sleeping in the double bed in our guest room.

It's a comfy mattress and very quiet downstairs 

but its too small a bed for the two of us to get a restful night of sleep.

Last night I actually fell out of bed.

I was sound asleep and it woke me up with a start!

Today 

Feeling achy and stiff, glad I didn't break any bones.

So I am slowly moving about my day...

doing only what really needs doing.

Am totally immersed in Louise Penny's newest book 

A Better Man.

I try not to read her books too fast.

It is difficult slowing down once you are gripped by the plot

they are such wonderful mysteries.

Must go pop the kettle on and make a cuppa

then open my book for an hour or so...

Hope your September is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Style statements...

Do experiment with bright colours and bold shapes when it comes to your clothes or accessories?

Or do you play it safe and steer clear of anything "off the beaten path?"

I see women in my city wearing "edgy" clothes...
in brilliant colours that really make a statement.

Some sport neon hair colours in bold stripes.

Often it's jewelry...large ethnic pieces that are museum worthy.

Vintage items are a fabulous way of adding interest...
I love searching for those pieces in the thrift shops and local antique mall.

Personal style choices can show off a creative and artistic nature.
I admire women confidently putting together unique looks and having fun with their clothes and accessories.

Maybe I am playing it too safe adhering to mostly conservative fashions...
but if I am to be honest, that style choice is what reflects my personality.

I want to stay on the fringes of fashion
blending in
rather than standing out or
pushing the style envelope.

Garments in sturdy fabrics that skim the body and flatter my curves work best.

I did buy something this week...
an accessory,
what do you think?

NO they are NOT bracelets!

They are velvet scrunchies.

Black, grey and purple.

I've been letting my hair grow...

and it's getting longer.

I plan to grow it even longer.

Keeping the stray strands out of my face has become an issue.

SO

I wear a scrunchie when walking, doing housework and gardening.

I've heard

Scrunchies divide the masses.

What would the Fashion Police say?

What do YOU say?

How do you approach style?

Do you go for bright bold and artsy clothes?

Or do you dress conservatively?

Please leave a comment below.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Have a fabulous weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A beautiful and Bountiful Harvest ~ Recipe included

Mr HB has a greenhouse where he grows tomatoes and cucumbers.

When there is a bountiful harvest

we eat many bunches of small cherry tomatoes fresh as "candy"

I roast a tray of sliced tomatoes seasoned with fresh ground salt and pepper

several chopped garlic cloves

a small sprinkling of red pepper flakes

drizzle with a glug of good quality olive oil 

Roast at 425 until they are soft and squishy.

The Bungalow smells wonderful

very "Italian" in my opinion.

Roasting brings out the intense sweet flavour of the tomatoes.

The pasta and cheese were gifts for Mr. HB 

on his recent birthday...

Pasta

with the roasted tomatoes

topped with a 

 grating of sharp Pecorino.

Served with a bowl of freshly sliced cucumbers 

seasoned with fresh ground pepper

 a little drizzle of olive oil.

Perhaps accompanied by a glass of Italian red wine.

Dinner is ready!

Bon Appetit

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pretty in Pink ~ rosacea and skincare.

The Pink McCartney Rose

Long time readers will know that I suffer from a skin condition called rosacea...
there is no "cure" one needs to be proactive to manage the condition and deal with the occasional flare ups.

Some of the triggers for Rosacea are stress, sunshine, hot and cold temperatures, wind, red wine, spicy foods, and certain chemicals in skincare products.

One never knows when a bout of rosacea may occur.
I try my best to manage the condition.

I use the Avene line of products for sensitive skin.

My routine:

I wash my skin in the morning 

using Anti redness lotion

warm water

with a very a light touch 

then I gently pat my skin dry.

I apply 3 drops of IS Clinical serum 

followed by Avene Hydrance Intense.

I wait a few minutes to allow the products to be absorbed

before applying Bella Donna mineral powder.

It has an SPF of 50 which I use everyday all year long.

The powder covers most of the redness.

In the evening 

I remove all the powder with a cotton pad soaked in Micellar Water.

Then I wash my face with the Avene lotion, add the 3 drops of serum and apply  Fresh Rose Deep Hydration moisturizer.

( It smells wonderful!)

I occasionally go to a medical based Spa in Oak Bay Derma Spa 

 for laser treatments which target the broken capillaries and redness.

They are super knowledgable and provide many services 

to patients like myself who have skin conditions.

They also sell IS Clinical serums and Bella Donna mineral make up.

I have read a lot about Rocasea and there are many great sites online where you can find out more about the condition.

I hope that you have found this information helpful.

To those of you who have this condition I hope that you have found some ways to cope with the redness and the inevitable flare ups.

I welcome your thoughts and ideas on what works for you...

Jude the Obscure and McCartney roses.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~