~ We are celebrating ~

July 20, 1974 was a very special day...
our wedding was held on a sunny summer afternoon
nearly 200 people filled the church pews to witness our vows
an assortment of family and friends.

We were so young!

I love this image of us under the rose arbor starting our life together.

Sharing our

Dreams 

Hopes

&

Plans

a future that would take shape

with

shared experiences

life lessons

children

illness

responsibilities

disappointments

successes

challenges

homekeeping

strife

joy

adventures

all of which have contributed to make us the couple that we are today.

There are no secrets to our long marriage.
I've thought about it and can not put my finger on any one thing
although family has always been very important to both if us...

I think it is a combination of luck and respect for each other
and growing up together sharing the good and the bad which has continued to strengthen our bond.

We have made time for each other at least part of every day for the past 39 years...
we have been free to persue hobbies and have other interests which we can discuss together.

Date night, usually a lunch or dinner out once a week
working together on refurbishing our home and garden
has certainly gone a long way to keeping us connected and keen.

Life is never dull or tedious
we have so many things that we want to accomplish
and that list seems to grow longer each day!

Saying I love you

never gets old.

I look at this heart rock 

and feel it is a symbol of a solid and lasting love

one to aspire to...

Happy Anniversary Mr. HB

Looking forward to another great year as your partner in life!

XO

As requested...

This post is in response to a request from a reader...
who emailed me to ask to see more of my "paintings"
those that I refer to it as "mud paintings."

I work in acrylics and have no delusions that what I create is serious
It would be folly to think in those terms...
it is merely a creative outlet not unlike that of gardening.

as you can see they are floral in nature

reflecting my passion for roses and gardening...

~ ~ ~

Nature paints the most beautiful scenes....

of this I am so thankful.

The sunsets have been so beautiful this week...

The farmer's markets are full of gorgeous fruits and vegetables.

It is a bountiful time for Mother Nature in this part of the world.

There is so much to be grateful for...

stop for a quiet ponder and consider what wonderful gifts you have in your life.

Namaste

Merci Beaucoup mes amis...a parcel from France!

Imagine my surprise when I spied the package wrapped in brown paper stuffed in the top of our mail box...
not expecting anything in the post I was naturally excited and intrigued.

Don't you love a parcel wrapped up in brown paper?

The stamp on the front showed it was from France and the postage mark indicated Auvilar.
I knew in a heartbeat that this was from our beloved friends, John and Cheryl.

You may recall that Cheryl is an accomplished artist and John is a very talented photographer.
They reside in Auvilar a few months each year and when they return to BC they live aboard Sovereign
their Classic Mahogany Chris Craft which is moored in False Creek, Vancouver.

the wee heart appears to be made of clay and infused with the most intoxicating delicate scent

the scarf has been infused with the fragrance 

I must find out what the scent is as I would love to buy some perfume if it is available...

so soft

a whisper of viscose

 a beautiful pattern

lovely colour

so feminine

lightweight

a perfect scarf for summer

It can also be used as a wrap.

Merci beaucoup mes amis!

The Humble Bungalow Garden is putting on quite the rose show.

The shrubs and climbers are in their element in this heat.

Joesph's Coat rose

putting on a spectacular presentation.

apricot delight

our weather is hot and sunny

just what roses love

 they are a thirsty flower

greedy like no other

so we water them deeply at the roots

early in the morning so that the leaves are not prey to black spot...

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my humble little blog.

Wishing you loveliness in your day today.

Be Well and Be Kind

~ ~ ~

Expanse of beauty...and Smurfs?

This is the view that I am privileged to glimpse when I walk

 a few short blocks from The Humble Bungalow...

I love the vibrant colour.

It is definitely rugged terrain...

  exposed to the gale force winds from Juan de Fuca Strait

very little that is delicate or frail survives...

hardy plants and heather grow free

There is a lot to take in on my walking route...

some are unexpected

like the otters that were sunbathing on the concrete path the other morning.

I was distressed to see a fellow throwing rocks at them 

I presume so they would to sit up and he could snap a picture with his camera.

Fortunately someone else shouted at him to stop before I got into the act...

a few blocks farther along on the grassy boulevard...

Smurfs and "friends" 

reclining on a makeshift bench

looks like an enchanted kingdom

who has had a hand in the creation of this whimsy?

Mother Nature's work

always in fashion

and dressed appropriately for the season.

simple beauty

a feast for the eyes and soul

 I love the organic in nature

and I find that natural touches 

inside

 The Humble Bungalow

are a good mix with the arts and crafts design of our bungalow.

I found this shell at a thrift shop

it reminds me of one of my favourite books...

"A Gift From the Sea" by Ann Morrow Lindbergh

Speaking of books

 I received an email form a reader who wanted to know what I was reading...

This week it is a novel by Santa Montefiore 

"The French Gardener"

it is a well written light summer read

she writes a blog!

It is set in a vast Dorset garden and weaves a tale of plants, garden design and beauty 

the frailties of the human spirit

LOVE

~ ~ ~

 a French gardener 

 the ladies of the manor house, 

their families, 

the village

~ ~ ~

    a passion of pottering about in the dirt

has redemptive and healing power.

You can read more here...

a neighbour's cat has decided that he likes our front porch

we refer to him as "Ginger" for the lack of a better name

he's quite a handsome specimen

and loves to sleep on our Welcome mat!

Graham Thomas

a hardy David Austin rose

cheerfully blooming in the back corner of The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Until next time...

Enjoy your week!

Savouring the simple things...OOTD

As I wind down from the last school semester...
and embrace the rhythm and gentle flow of the summer hoildays I realize how much I savour the simple things...

fresh fruit is in abundance

breakfast is quick and easy

juicy ruby red plums

a sweet delight for the taste buds

one of my students gave me this peace lily plant

it is a perfect perk up for the corner of the laundry room

there is time to move slowly

no need for a frantic frenzied rush to accomplish things

I have a "do list" which I run wavy lines through when I finish a job

 the silverware has been polished

drawers have been tidied

books have been sorted

there is more

but 

tomorrow is another day

for now it is enough

Can you feel the ebb and flow of your daily round?

"laundry helper"

 Chester is on the job!

Pepper and Chester love me working downstairs

they race around chasing their toy mice and jump in the laundry basket

 often sneaking the opportunity when my back is turned to lie atop the freshly folded laundry.

I love the freshness of clean bedding

the softness of the cotton sateen as one slides between the sheets

such a simple pleasure

Mother always said to my sister and I 

"no matter how poor you are soap and water are cheap"

Never underestimate the theraputic value of doing laundry or cleaning the house.

Don't forget to stand back and admire your handiwork once you have accomplished a task.

It will sustain you in ways that you may not have thought possible.

It works for me...

but

I have a simple way of looking at things

perhaps that makes me sound like a simpleton which is not how I intend it

hopefully you get my drift!

I've been wearing activewear most days to work in the garden

action domestic chores 

walk my route...

I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be my new uniform

to get fitter one needs to wear the clothes!

I wore this OOTD when Mr. HB and I went to see the financial planner.

Lizette pants

H&M tank

Style & Co. sweater

chunky pearls

Franco Sarto sandals

It's time to book another pedicure...

one of the luxuries that I plan to keep in my retirement.

I gave up having my hair coloured...

the grey is creeping in around the temples

I quite like it.

We will be making some other financial changes

in the months to follow...

financial security is very important for peace of mind.

What's on your agenda for the weekend?