Colour My World...

Double daffodils blooming at the side of the road.

New Hanni variety of Auricula Primulas

added to my collection on the porch of The Humble Bungalow.

I love the sweet flowers.

Spring Flowers elevate my mood and provide a welcome pop of colour.

Money Plant 

blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Once the flowers fade...

 the plant sets seed pods which turn to thin opaque silver discs.

These can be dried and used as a floral accent inside the home.

They also look pretty as a filler in a bouquet.

My new linen apron from Rough Linen...

I chose a bright shade of mustard yellow 

as I wear them most of the time when I am cooking or cleaning.

They offer protection from a variety of sources...

splattering tomato sauces simmering being the most dangerous to my clothes!

Love this print

it reminds me of a William Morris pattern.

The tee top is pure linen and made by the Rachel Ashwell company.

Have you read her books on home decor called Shabby Chic?

I used to watch her TV series and really enjoyed her relaxed approach to home decor.

Many of her ideas were reminiscent of wabi sabi.

I heartily embrace wabi sabi 

as our heritage home has many signs of wear and in some areas is quite distressed.

It is freeing to let go of perfection too!

Emerging from the winter are these intricate flowers which soon will be leaves.

I am not sure what type of tree this is, do you know its name?

Glorious Magnolia

Some thrift shop finds...

crazed ironstone oval dish

painted wee vessel

woven small basket which will be perfect for fresh grown cherry tomatoes

~ DIY ~

Scraped the loose paint off of the outdoor furniture 

that I bought from Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

I then spray painted the vintage iron chairs and table set black.

I love black accents in the garden...

lattice, obelisks, pots, plants, furniture.

Two coats of spray paint were needed to cover the set.

It was sunny, so the paint dried quite fast and I was done in one afternoon.

There is a sense of satisfaction when one completes a project.

Wow

This book by Elizabeth Jane Howard is delightful.

The first in a series of 5 books called The Cazalet Chronicles. 

It is set in the UK and follows a family of privilege throughout several decades.

I've ordered the set as these are re-readable and my husband might enjoy them.

I suppose I should draw this to a close and get some stuff done around the house!

Writing posts can be like falling down a rabbit hole...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wee luxuries...and remembering MOM

Willows Beach in Oak Bay

(a favourite spot of my late mom's and mine)

I took my coffee in a thermos and sat in the stillness

watched the sea, the sun and the clouds

listened to the waves as they met the shore

embraced

the sound of the gulls as they soared overhead.

A few precious moments of peace outdoors in nature to start the day

sets the tone for the hours ahead.

Unwrapped a lovely soap from Fragonard in Paris.

The porcelain soap dish accompanied the soap which was in a recent 

My French Country Home Box.

The scent is soft, subtle and sweet.

Hand washing happens many many times a day here in The Humble Bungalow.

I can still hear my mom's voice

her mantra was

"Soap and Water are Cheap."

Mom always kept a few bars of triple milled soap unwrapped in her lingerie drawer.

I think her favourite was Yardley's English Lavender Soap.

Mom was an avid gardener and worked for many hours outside 

before coming in and soaking in the tub...

a cup of restorative tea on the edge of the bath.

Lavender scents wafted throughout the house.

She'd dress up for my father's arrival home from work.

A dainty apron worn atop of her dress...

mom was a much tidier cook than I.

I remember so many lovely snippets of mom and learned so much from her.

Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.

Mom sipped her tea in a pretty cup and saucer.

She had a fondness for those decorated with flowers.

While I don't ALWAYS choose one of mine for tea.

(several inherited from mom)

I do more often than not.

My face is getting some serious TLC

the recent and ongoing IPL treatments are reducing the rosacea redness 

the broken capillaries are slowly disappearing...

My skin however is dry 

so I purchased a hardworking moisturizer to use in tandem 

with the IS Clinical Pro Health Serum.

Fingers crossed it will perform as was suggested at the clinic.

Healthy lunch at Brown's Social House

Tuna Poke Bowl

loaded with fresh veggies

delicious!

Eating mindfully 

adding lots of veggies with lean protein

 high on my radar.

Choosing healthier alternatives is becoming much easier...

although

the lure of french fries is still very strong.

If my husband orders them I ask to sample a few :-))

The interesting thing about eating tons of veggies and a small amount of protein is that I don't feel "stuffed" after I eat.

It is such a different feeling than when I order a burger and fries.

I actually prefer it and I am not hungry afterwards.

Sale item from Joe Fresh.

A simple basic which will get worn on my walks

and

paired with jeans perhaps layered overtop of a denim shirt.

Love the warm cozy feel..

great texture.

So many thoughts are swimming around in my head today 

as I sit here in The Humble Bungalow kitchen and type.

I am not sure how to wrap up this post...

writing about and remembering mom 

often skews my thought process

with

emotions tugging at my heartstrings...

Auriculas are starting to put on a show!

Perhaps it is time to find or build a theatre to display them?

They are all the rage in the UK.

How are things with you?

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the week.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

April Showers ~ flowers and an OOTD

 

Star Magnolia Blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Sprinkled with raindrops

The daffodils are nodding their heads weighed down by the raindrops.

We ventured out to Butchart Gardens on a sunny morning...

the flowers were exquisite...

Masses of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.

The grandchildren rode the carousel which was a highlight!

Summer Snowflake Snowdrops

these are much taller than the usual varieties and they bloom later.

I want to buy a bunch more of these as they are so precious.

I am definitely a greedy gardener.

Yesterday I walked to the Cook Street Village on a mission 

to buy some veggies at the Root Cellar.

These daffs caught my eye and I just had to stop and take a picture.

When I walk, I look around...and the gardens always offer up something beautiful.

I make it a priority to stop and smell the flowers!

My current book...

just started this one yesterday and already I am eager to read more.

Love it when a book hooks you and holds your interest right from the start!

Readers have emailed me to say that my book suggestions are inspiring you to read.

It is a pleasure to share the love of reading, when I worked in the school libraries I tried very hard to get students matched up with great books.

What are you reading?

Today

My OOTD is a very casual one today...

~ OOTD ~ 

Rough Linen black linen apron 

Old Navy Denim shirt 

(an oldie but a goodie ~ it is a workhorse in my minimal wardrobe)

pearls

what you cannot see are my black Yoga pants.

I told you it was casual :-))

I am cooking a big roast beef Sunday dinner...

Yorkshire Puddings

Roast Beef

Mashed turnips

Roasted parsnips and sweet potatoes with cherry tomatoes

a potato casserole 

from "The Best of The Best of Bridge" cookbook

(page 176)

~ Schwarties Hash Browns ~

carrots

peas

Dessert 

strawberries and ice cream

I've had two IPL laser treatments in the past few months to help with my rosacea.

Another is scheduled for the end of the month.

The broken capillaries were quite noticeable and my cheeks red.

 I had not been for a treatment since early 2019

Covid kept me away from the clinic.

The only red I like on my face is this Italian lipstick!

Do you wear red lipstick?

Since I keep my make-up very subtle I like the pop of colour it provides.

Windowsill Orchids are in bloom.

Phalaenopsis

We have several orchids on the sill above the farmhouse sink...

they love the humidity and the north exposure.

These gems bloom several times a year and their flowers last for months.

Great value for the price...

this one was purchased at Home Depot.

Well I must get back to my cooking...

take care and thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Seeking Solace in Nature...

Sitting...

listening to the sound of the birds and the waves as they lap against the shore.

Lighting a candle...

Gazing out the window...

breathing and feeling grateful.

Reading a good book

sipping tea.

Walking along a beach

searching for sea glass

watching the otters and the gulls.

Taking time out to be soothed by the beauty of Nature.

Inviting Natural Beauty Indoors...

Bright and cheerful flowers

Diving into a new book.

Going for a walk in the misty rain...

Looking for bright pops of colour.

Taking in the views 

admiring the details

embracing the various colours and textures.

Wet logs strewn all over the beach and this one looked like a seal.

Do you see it?

Are you seeking the calm and soothing hands of Mother Nature?

Are you taking local action?

I'm looking into more ways to help...

We've made donations of money and plan to make more.

Fresh salt air 

the moist wet mist

slippery logs and mossy rocks.

The gentle lapping of the sea...

the Raven's Song.

A gentle breeze blowing 

shells crunch at our feet.

These don't solve our problems but they do help release tension.

Wishing, Hoping and Praying for Peace.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Mellow Yellow...

 

Pops of Colour

Yellow

With all that is going on globally...

I am seeking cheer in my daily round.

As hard as the news is to hear we need to be informed.

I don't consider myself a "news junkie."

Limiting the amount of negative news is something I consciously do.

Being sensitive, I need to be mindful of the amount I can process.

While at the garden centre I purchased 10 pots of tete a tete daffodils.

These wee plants will brighten up the border out front of the Humble Bungalow.

At the cashier there was a donation notice...

I added an amount to be sent to Ukraine.

These small acts of kindness 

where we all participate 

can help to make a difference.

Chester seems to be feeling better...

he's gained a few more ounces and is more energetic.

He loves a warm spot of sunshine to lie in and enjoys a nap on a lap.

I've got a very tall stack of books to be read.

Daisy Jones and The Six is my next book.

I've not been reading as much as I usually do...

walking and domestic chores and de-cluttering are keeping me busy!

Seen on my walk...

My new Columbia coat (which I shared on a recent post) is really warm and so cozy.

The pile lining in the hood helps keep my neck warm.

The silver mesh "Omni Tech" lining reflects the heat and keeps me from being cold.

Walking quietly in Nature helps to keep me calm and grounded...

there are small surprises that pop up on my radar when I walk.

A former co-worker who walked regularly

focusing on thoughts that "bubbled up"

 called it "mindful meditation."

The "first" 5 pounds are lost...

now working on the next 5.

Little by little...one day at a time.

Hope that you are finding some peace and solace in everyday simple Joys.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~