Summer snippets 2020...

My neighbour's garden has some rare and unusual plants.

Artistic touches are evident throughout her garden. 

Her choice of colourful flowers make a bold statement and are often dramatic.

Our poppies are still putting on a spectacular show.

I am saving the seeds for next years blooms.

My neighbour across the street and I were out chatting and watched a doe

as she grabbed one of the seed pods and swallowed it right before our eyes!

The urban deer are a hot topic of conversation among the gardeneres at this end of the block...

(5 deer reside in the back yard of a home nearby)

Mom and her fawns are enjoying our front garden "salad bar" so much this year!

No amount of Bobex is stopping their munching.

A dear friend and I went out to an antique store last week.

We wore our masks and perused the shop

before we decided on purchasing these Canadian vintage sap buckets.

We both thought of creative ways that we could use them...

ice buckets, flower vases, planters, 

My friend is planning to use them to collect sap from her Elm tree.

John Paul II Rose

reblooming after getting planted in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

He shares the bed with Crocosmia Lucifer...

I wonder how they are getting along?

Dierama aka Angel's Fishing Wand

 in my neighbour's garden...ours has not yet bloomed.

Bought some new buckets and shovels for the sandy beach at Sidney Spit.

Hope we have some sunny days when we are there with the grandchildren.

We plan to build some sandcastles...

A friend dropped off some books the other evening.

I had run out of books to read.

To me that is a very dire situation...

I purchased The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

it is a delightful book ~ a perfect beach read.

Am excited to read these other titles. 

They should keep me entertained for the next month or so.

Jude the Obscure with Lady's Mantle

Love the form and fragrance of this beautiful David Austin Rose.

Hubby and I are celebrating our 46th anniversary.

We were married young and were high school sweethearts.

So we have actually been together as a couple for 50 years!

Our friends treated us to a lovely dinner on their porch the other evening.

Look at the rhubarb pie!

Hope that you are staying safe, 

are wearing your mask when you cannot self distance...

our active Covid cases on Vancouver Island 

have increased since Phase 3 has been enacted.

It is quite unsettling hearing the double digit daily cases in BC.

We need to keep our bubbles "small"

and as Dr. Bonnie Henry reminds us

"more faces in bigger spaces."

Fresh air, blue skies, sunshine, birdsong and buzzing bees

just some of the 

JOYS 

of Summer.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Calm and Soothing...

Serenity ~ peace ~ calm

Soothing thoughts 

 I cultivate on a regular basis.

Self care is not selfish it is vital to our well being.

First thing each morning I savour a cup of coffee.

Then I have a shower.

After drying off using a Belgian linen towel 

I apply an emollient lotion which soothes and softens my skin.

These may seem like simple rituals...

 and they are!

They are essential for my mental well being and health.

(especially during this pandemic when we are all living with stress)

Most days are spent in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

There is a lot of weeding, dead heading of the roses and general tidying up.

Sweeping inside the downstairs of the Humble Bungalow is a daily habit.

I used to despise this job but now I embrace it as an opportunity to meditate.

The repetative motion of the broom as it sweeps away dust is very soothing...

Home keeping is necessary and I have learned to enjoy most of the tasks.

It feels so satisfying looking at what has been accomplished after tidying up.

My reward is a cup of tea and a couple of chapters in the book that I am currently reading...

White flowers are so elegant..

they feel calm and peaceful

Serene.

Sharing these thoughts with you this morning has reinforced 

my daily habits of cultivating what I seek.

Hope that you enjoy your week.

Thank you for stopping by...

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Humble Bungalow July 2020

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow...

Our days continue to be quiet ones
as we seek out pleasant distractions in every nook and cranny.

Taking tea in a favourite spot in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Tending to the many potted plants on the patio gives me great pleasure.

Hand watering gives me an opportunity to spot weeds and do some advance planning when removing spent plants.

A fragrant bouquet of sweet peas are a lovely treat on a sunny day 

after working long hours in the garden.

Our garden is host to many creatures...

European Wall Lizards

Butterflies

Bees and various other pollinators

Owls

Snails

Raccoons

Deer

Squirrels

Birds

Mama Raccoon as she descends from the next door neighbour's Arbutus Tree.

She was rading the crows nest!

The crows were cawing like mad and making a big fuss.

I snapped a couple of photos but Mama was growling at me so I thought I better sneak back inside before she got any closer.

A quick and lazy dinner that was tasty is just what I needed after a busy day.

Prawns sauteed in butter and garlic with an assortment of deli salads.

Marigold and Helen sweet felted mice made by https://www.williewoolly.com/

were reunited for a fun playtime with our darling granddaughter Isla.

If you haven't yet seen Robyn's felted creations 

do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a visit.

Isla made the swing!

We savoured our tea and had some girl time.

The antique porcelain tea set was my husband's great grandmother's.

Vintage enamelware in The Hunble Bungalow laundry room.

I love the battered look of these pieces and seek them out.

I've not really been to the "shops" much...

the garden centres are outdoors so I feel very comfortable shopping.

Thrift shops have not really been on my radar 

although I dearly miss perusing the aisles for treasures.

I do venture into Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village when on my walks.

Karin is welcoming and has all the right safety protocols in place.

The wee jug on the left is from her shop...a recent Covid purchase.

Today I am on a mission to buy black mondo grass.

 I plan to plant them in big pot in our front garden.

 The deer do not fancy munching them and there is a bare patch that needs something to fill it.

As we navigate these strange times...

We must continue to be mindful of others respecting their choices

and not being judgemental.

Hope that you are well and staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Escape to the Cottage...

Dr. Bonnie Henry our official medical officer for Covid has informed us that we are in "Phase 3" which permits us to travel within our province of BC.

Mr. HB and I are enjoying a much needed week of respite at Quarter Deck Cottage on Pender Isalnd. The change of scenery is such a tonic and the fresh air walks are invigorating. We are feeling immense gratitude for this getaway.

Cottage life is relaxing and we get into the rhythm almost as soon as we drive off the ferry!

We brought some Graham Thomas roses from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

We eat quite simple meals here at the cottage.

Fresh French Radishes from our greenhouse for our salads.

Fresh from the Farm 

Strawberries, sweet tasting and delicious!

As a dessert or with my morning fruit and yogurt breakfast.

Fresh eggs from the Saturday morning Farmer's Market here on Pender.

The yolks are a dark orange colour and the flavour is outstanding.

My current book...

a page turner and a very interesting topic.

I have not read any of Jodi Picoult's books before and I am enjoying her writing.

Spaghetti and a glass of red wine from the local vineyard.

I make pasta once a week as it is my husband's favourite meal.

I make a batch of sauce that will last for two meals.

It's a very simple recipe.

Spaghetti Sauce

Pour a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large dutch oven.

add

1 medium diced onion saute until soft

then add:

 a cup of sliced mushrooms

 2 or 3 cloves of minced garlic

1 pound of lean ground beef or spicy Italian sausage

sprinkle with a teaspoon of red pepper flakes

(or to taste)

salt, pepper, dried oregano, a splash of worchestershire sauce

add a jar of good quality tomato sauce

small can of tomato paste

Simmer for about an hour.

Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.

Top with the sauce and grate some fresh Parmesan cheese on top.

Enjoy!

The roses are wilting in the summer sunshine...

Staycations and local travel are the New Normal for residents of BC.

We must be vigilant and stay safe to avoid an upswing in Covid cases.

We have to make our own fun 

at home, at the cottage, at a resort, a marina, a hotel or campsite.

How are you doing?

What are your holiday plans?

Please share any tips you have for coping during the pandemic.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Wishing you a lovely week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Roses on repeat...

I am finding it a challenge to write my blog during Covid.
There's not a lot of excitement here in The Humble Bungalow.

We are maintaining our small bubble of people to stay safe and not entertaining much...we have our closest couple over for social distancing happy hours in the garden but that is about it. We have not been "out" for a meal but have done take out about 4 times since early March.

I managed to get an appointment with my hairdresser...
the first one since mid December!

It feels so much better!

Voyage d' Hermes Arlesienne by L'Occitane and Figue Amour by Bastide.

I've been wearing perfume every day and pearls most days 

even if I am wearing jeans and a simple Tee shirt.

These "little things" help to keep me focused on the "positive."

Dressing up occasionally 

but mostly wearing casual walking and gardening attire.

I've tried harder to keep my FitBit steps up.

My weight is up 7 pounds.

 My doctor reduced my daily Thyroid medication last Fall.

He said that I would really have to amp up my activity 

and/or 

drastically cut calories...to avoid gaining weight!

I am not happy about the number on the scale

but I will not perserverate on it right now...

I need comfort and less stress during the pandemic.

As we are constantly bombarded with grim news I turn off the TV and radio...

self preservation is a must.

I turn to the garden...

so inspired by the beauty of our glorious roses.

Graham Thomas

Claire Austin

Constance Spry

Jude the Obscure

Paul's Lemon Pillar

Taking Tea 

a daily ritual ~ so soothing.

Have you read this wonderful publication by Sharon Santoni and her team?

My French Country Home magazine is filled with beautiful homes, gardens, recipes from France. You can use this link to the website.

I also enjoy the subscription boxes

they are such a luxury.

Go here to order the August box.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~