50 Year Anniversary Getaway...

 

We celebrated our 50th Wedding  Anniversary on July 20th.

We thought about going on another cruise to Alaska but decided on Point No Point.

Point No Point Resort is a quiet place for a getaway.

They have numerous small log cabins and a couple of houses to rent.

The resort was started in 1952 and is almost completely offline...

No cell coverage and there is now wifi in the area by the office.

A former "pay phone" outside the office is FREE for local calls to Sooke.

We holidayed here every year until we purchased the quarter share in the cottage.

Many memories of relaxing getaways and amazing meals were brought back!

The restaurant serves fabulous food and is currently open Thursday through Monday.

We arrived prior to the 4:30 check in so we took advantage of the Happy Hour

 

A bowl full of baby clams in a delicious broth and a glass of wine.

Expansive and scenic ocean views from our table next to the window.

Cozy one room cabin, rustic style furnishings and a hot tub on the deck.

Wood burning fireplace, a small kitchen area, and a full bathroom.

Views to Washington State

Tide went way out in the early mornings...sandy beach waiting for beach combing!

The Beach House has a covered area with a fire pit 

perfect for roasting marshmallows or Smores.

Lovely secluded cove 

My walking stick and the Red Chairs :-))

Some of the Sea Glass that I found on the beaches.

Stellar's Jay landing on the railing of the deck...a foggy morning.

The fog was cool and so I decided to make soup for lunch.

I did not expect to be making soup and had to improvise!

~ Smoked Salmon Chowder ~

Saute: 1 large peeled and cubed carrot, 

2 diced peeled potatoes in butter

( I had no oil)

Add 2 cups of water

1 cup small pieces of candied smoked salmon

simmer until veggies are soft

then add 1 cup creamo

Salt and Pepper to taste.

It was surprisingly good!

Holiday and Beach themed books are on my radar....

Limelight Hydrangeas are in full Bloom!

A Welcome Home Surprise

Patio views in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Our daughter gave us a gift package to take with us to Point No Point.

Inside were some tasty treats and a lovely linen tea towel,

a vintage heart shaped candle holder

and

this vintage paper weight.

I had mentioned that I really liked it when she posted it on her Instagram.

She set it aside and gave it to us!

A good friend gave us wine.

another couple gave us a gift card for the local garden centre.

Our long time friends

hosted an al fresco dinner 

and 

gave us a lavender wand

and 

a small blue and white dish decorated with fish.

 

Today...

We are busy in the garden...

as we have lots to catch up on since we were away.

~ Gertrude Jekyll Rose ~

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

I'll be back here on the blog in a week or so...

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summertime ~ Snippets from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

 

Greetings...

It has been a while since I posted.

I have been busy trying to keep up with the jobs here in the garden.

The HOT weather has affected our ability to keep the plants watered and healthy.

Thankfully the Hydrangeas are Still Blooming...

despite the intense heat.

This hydrangea is planted out front

We received it from my husband's firm in 2007 when my father passed away...

It has thinned out a bit this year and I am rather concerned that it is not happy.

We had a rather harsh winter, a warm spell, then a really icy cold snap.

Lots of our plants perished.

Mostly grasses and tender perennials 

but despite our best efforts there are still blank spots scattered about the garden.

Lots of work required...and many visits to the garden centres!!

The Lavender is having a riotous growth pattern this season.

Bees buzzing on the flowers all throughout the day.

You can hear them all busily working when you stand close by the plants!

Last summer I made lavender sachets and I plan to make some more soon.

I need to dedicate several hours to remove the buds from the stems then pop them into gauze bags.

We LOVE Poppies!

My husband saves the seeds and plants them early every Spring.

Bees love them too...

The flowers are a work of art...

Thank you Mother Nature :-))

We were invited to an afternoon visit the garden of some new friends.

We "met" each other on Instagram.

Both of us are retired and are passionate gardeners!

We share a love of plants and growing things...

plus we have other people we both know in common.

I wanted to take a big bouquet of roses but the heat has wilted the many rose blooms.

Their petals are dropping as soon as I pick them.

I took a wee posy of lavender and some magazines with us.

The tour of the garden was an amazing experience...

water features gurgling, many areas to sit and enjoy the views.

Covered dining space, vegetable beds, poly tunnels, a greenhouse, a sun filled deck at the back of the home with loungers and tables.

Each space was designed beautifully with an artistic eye focusing on the details.

I found it incredibly inspiring and came away with many ideas!

We sat and chatted...

savoured the glorious space 

sipped cool beverages and nibbled on these delicious treats...

chocolate covered cherries and pistachio bites.

Look at the lovely floral presentation on the plate!

On my beach walk I collected a few shells and a piece of driftwood.

I had a project in mind for the cottage.

I decided to paint the driftwood and glue some shells to it...

Maybe I went a wee bit overboard on the shells but I did have fun!

The results are rather rustic looking and have a folk art air.

In true 

Wabi Sabi 

Style

~ Marigold Tagates ~

Seeds saved from last years flowers.

Lots of these plants popping up around The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Each afternoon we stop work around 3:00 and sip some cool lemonade.

The front porch is a shady spot to sit and read our books.

Fabulous Book!!!

I read it in two days...

Could not put it down...love Paris and this story did not disappoint.

I am going to go and find some of her other books.

Can you see The Annabelle Hydrangeas just starting to bloom in the top left?

These Big Mop Head Blooms make quite a BOLD statement.

The Limelight hydrangeas are almost ready to pop...

Well I must close for now and hope that you are enjoying your day...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summer Snippets...gardening and some new clothes!

 

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Blog!

Everyday life has been getting in the way of me sitting down at the computer...

I am still here!

Gosh where does the time go?

Roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are BLOOMING.

I LOVE when the roses are in full flush of flower...

Picking roses for a bouquet is a perk 

especially when one grows and tends 30 of these fabulous plants.

Fragrance is a MUST for me when I grow a rose.

I've tried to find a rose perfume that is similar to the heady scents 

that the David Austin varieties are famous for...

I enjoy the intoxicating fragrances as they waft about in the garden.

How has your June been?

Ours has been very busy and flew by so fast...

we were actively working in the garden and created a big new perennial bed.

We shopped for the right plants and then planted them...and shopped again!!

Two new black Adirondack chairs are a welcome addition to the back yard...

a place to sit with a cup of tea or a refreshing cold beverage.

We headed over to the cottage for a week of rest...

I read three books!

Ann Patchett has written another delightful book...Tom Lake.

I loved her book The Dutch House and this one was lovely too.

I stayed up late way past my usual bedtime to finish the book...

that is what I do when a book is exceptional :-))

I mentioned on Instagram that I prefer to wear dresses over shorts...

this new dress from Pokoloko is a wonderful warm weather option.

Woven waffle weave cotton, the slit up the front is another cooling affect!

It is a loose style which allows the air to move.

The black hat is by an Australian company called Kooringal.

I recently consigned 7 garments...most were dresses.

I don't like to have too many things in my tiny closet...

I actually find the decision making process stressful if I have too many choices.

So in an effort to reduce any unwanted stress I keep it simple.

I bought this new linen jacket in about 15 minutes...

it's true.

Hubby and I were on our way to lunch and I stopped in at Glam and Fame 

on Government Street to look at their European Linens...

Apparently it is the largest linen clothing shop in Canada?

Love the pocket detail...

abalone buttons.

Perfect with the Hong Kong Pearls.

I was offered a free scarf in exchange for an online Google rating...

how easy was that?

I want to got back and peruse leisurely...

think it could be my new go to linen location.

~ Thrifted Belt ~

Leather and chrome

Sparkly beads

Dressy and stretchy...

not bad for a thrifted find.

Do you shop in Thrift Stores?

My daily weight training sessions on YouTube are paying off...

my hands feel stronger.

I am able to open jars and grip things better.

20 minutes every morning is really easy to add to my routine.

I am also noticing that my upper arms are not as jiggly :-))

there is more definition...and it has only been 5 weeks since I started.

Hopefully it will help build bone with my recent diagnosis of osteoporosis.

In other news I am not aware of any negative side effects from the Prolia injection.

Fingers crossed this will continue is a positive way...

two shots a year.

The costs are quite high but my doctor says it is the easiest way to get stronger bones.

Do you have osteoporosis?

What are you doing to help improve your bone health?

I almost forgot to mention the vest...

50% off sale 

I've been eyeing these men's wear vests for a few months.

Thinking of Diane Keaton's wardrobe in Annie Hall...

a great layering piece.

Versatile too.

Pink Dogwood in bloom at the cottage.

Such a vibrant shade of pink.

Loads of blooms on the small tree.

Makes such a BOLD statement.

Am so glad that I bought this blue and white transferware platter.

It was a find at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

I have had it about 6 months now...

I hadn't realized that the cottage was already showcasing BLUES...

we don't have any blue pieces in The Humble Bungalow.

So this blue and white colour pallette 

fills me with gladness and I am truly happy that I have a few 

BLUE and WHITE things 

in the cottage that are vintage.

Little things that elevate the way we feel about our space is pure JOY.

~ Sea Glass ~ 

My ankle continues to improve...

I take my walking stick when I go to the beach as the shore is uneven

Am very comfortable walking with it...think it has a beachy vibe!

It also has become a conversation starter!!!

~ Sweet Peas ~

We grow them and the best thing is...

their fragrance

plus

they produce more flowers IF you pick them regularly!

Most recent Thrift Shop Find...

it may just look like an old piece of wood and it is just that!!

I have plans for this board...

it will be a great base for cheese and crackers

appetizers

bread.

I saw many antique French boards when I was in the quaint French villages...

Aix en Provence had a huge variety of these boards.

I loved the brocantes...

Wanted to buy some things when we were there but I was travelling with a carry on

 so I could not really justify the added weight!

Was very excited to find this gem...

old and distressed with genuine wood worm holes.

Well I think that is all the news I have for now...

More gardening is on the horizon...

Hope that you are enjoying your summer.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~