An award.....I accept!

Last evening I watched the Emmy's

this morning

I discovered

that

I have been given an award 

Thank you to

 The suburban princess

These flowers are for you Suburban princess!

With so many talented and creative bloggers out there

I feel honoured

to have been considered and mentioned.

As far as my acceptance speech or red carpet gown

I am short on words

this has taken me by surprise

I have no speech writer

and my attire is, well, totally unsuitable!

Thank You for considering me worthy...

and I am wearing

as seen here

recently pedicured toes 

wearing Peru-B-Ruby by OPI

no make up on

freshly washed face

plain

rather common

and the

hair 

(don't even go there!)

What would I wear?

1. Jeans and a white shirt with masses of pearls.

2. One of my LBD's and some Bling.

3. Dressy tweedy black trousers, black tank and Simon Chang jacket (see side bar)

4. Black knit palazzo pants, Black 3/4 sleeve top, pashmina 

5. Mother of the groom outfit...circa 2007

silk shantung patchwork skirt grey, charcoal, black, cream, silk shantung cream wrap top

I do not think I am Red Carpet material

I'd be the one tripping on my hem

nervous

red faced 

awkward

 bumbling on the podium which would be tall

and obscuring my height challenged

stature

unable to see or be seen

and the worst of all

the camera adds 30 pounds

so now

I am really in trouble!

Retro fashions...recycled and reworn today.

Lovely daughter J recently purchased a vintage retro coat from a local shop and was very excited to show me.
I had a shorter version of this in mocha shade...just seeing this coat took me back.
Oh those memories of wearing that jacket...I thought that I was pretty "Cool"
I can almost hear the music playing...that would be the late sixties!

Fashion and styles repeat and are reborn,
appearing fresh and new to the younger generation when launched...
Until they hear from a mother or grandmother...
"I wore one (of those coats) when I was young"

You may have had one of these too!

A great coat

in fabulous condition

fun to wear

and

she looks great in it!

Bathing beauty...taking the waters.

Taking the waters...

a prescription for relaxation...

women over the centuries have enjoyed this ritual.

I think of Cleopatra luxuriating in her bath

possibly nibbling peeled grapes and being fanned.

Showers are quick and convenient...

they do the job

but if I am weary 

I prefer to indulge with a soak in the tub.

Showers are the considered to be the "greener" option

from a water conservation perspective

and we all need to be mindful of our natural resources

so I opt most days to shower.

Sunflower in the Humble Bungalow

I dream of soaking in the tub 

especially after a long stint of gardening.

It's a great way to unwind 

reclining and enjoying the warmth of the water

while

soothing weary muscles

My roses love epsom salts and so do I!

Pour a few cups under running water

in a tub

mix well 

soak and detoxify.

In the evening if I have had a particularly stressful day

I will indulge in a before bed bath

infused with a few drops of lavender oil

I lie back, breathe deeply and 

I find it calming and it prepares me for slumber.

Towels are a bathtime necessity

and I choose white

Ralph Lauren Towels of Egyptian cotton

for everyday and affordable

I bought these at 50% off the regular price

they work 

but I do not LOVE them.

Abyss Egyptian cotton towels

also for everyday use

 the luxe option

see how much thicker and fluffier they are

that is why they are so coveted 

and command such a high price!

I LOVE these!

In floor heating

keeps the cast iron tub water stay warmer longer!

If you have the option of installing heated floors I would encourage you to do it

our bathroom has no heat other than the flooring

so in the winter

it's definitely a must.

After "taking the waters"

I slather on an emollient cream after soaking 

and I feel rejuvenated.

Pure Shea butter 

is the richest cream

and I am happy to report it works wonders on my dry skin.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

I'll be found toiling in the garden 

getting my patch ready for Fall,

and you can bet I'll be soaking

away those sore muscles

in salts!

Abkhazi Gardens...the Living Legacy of a Royal couple.

Gardeners love to visit gardens. We notice details, look at plant arrangements and combinations of plantings. We study the gardens "bones"... we look at how the gardener has tackled challenging areas. We observe the ornamentation and sculptures and where they have been situated. The style of birdbaths or statues, rock placements and water features...we soak it all in, some of us write notes or draw sketches.
(I take photos!)
We gardeners love garden tours and enjoy chatting with the gardeners themselves, there's a certain level of comfort and kinship in the garden that links us all. I suppose that's why so many of us regularly attend Horticultural talks and are card carrying members of Horticultural Societies and Clubs.
We appreciate the effort and hard work it takes to create and maintain a garden.
Large or small, gardens are a Labour of Love!

New plants are exciting!
Unusual colourings and varigations are coveted and eagerly sought after.
Trends are observed...currently grasses and drought tolerant plants are what the locals here are seeking.
Having said that, I must waste no more time blatthering on and get right down to the business at hand...

Abkhazi Gardens is one of my favourite spots to visit.
I would love to attend a wedding here...or a cocktail party on a warm evening in the summer.
I feel deeply moved when I am here...enriched and alive...
I feel the love of two people who claimed the space, worked side by side over many years and created this special garden...they have left us a legacy of loveliness...It's pure BLISS!

One meanders along the curving paths that weave their way through towering rhododendrums and azaleas.

Rocky outcroppings have dictated where the lawns and beds were established as evidenced by their placement as they sit today.

The garden is smallish at 1.4 acres, but one has a sense of privacy snug under the canopy of the Garry Oak trees with southerly views to the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the mountains of the Olympic Penninsula in Washington State.

A pair of resident turtles can be seen basking on the rocks in the sunshine.

 I am very passionate about it's history and the romance that made this garden what it is today.

Abkhazi Garden

The Abkhazi Gardens is best viewed in April and May as they are the peak times for the blooming of the rhodos and azaleas.
Lunch or tea can be taken in the original home or on the Terrace in full view of the lush garden.
It's a must see!

Spa-cation Hostess Style...

I spent a well earned day at the Spa soaking in the Mineral Pool and soothing my garden weary muscles...
several 4 hour days of intense gardening had my body complaining.
I dream of a strong gardener they way some may desire a lover......

My toes touchdown on the infloor heated tile.

Peru B Ruby by OPI

(my summer go-to shade)

The SPA 

has water, teas, snacks, Bento boxed lunches,

 steam room, sauna, mineral pool, hot tub, pool,

plush terry robes, showers, and an assortment of comforts to meet every need.

I go there because I get the best treatment 

 it's not cheap

it's a luxe treat

I make it part of my routine

and I save in other areas 

to make this happen.

It's a great tonic !

I am planning some major changes in the garden and have committed them to paper

I have discussed these with Mr. HB and he says he will help me!

It involves sod, moving some established Agapanthus Alba plants, digging up 2 roses that I will be putting on the boulevard for FREE!

I want a chartreuse and white border in one area...

Lady's Mantle, White Agapanthus

I need a larger green space

for croquet and play

I chopped up too much for bedding...

what was I thinking?

I am loving my Limelight Hydrangeas

they are greedy with water 

I adore their hue

I bought 3 last year and they are divine in their grouping

nudging each other.

The Lilac Asters are a mess

but they are abuzz with honey bees

so I am keeping them until they wilt

there is a problem with bees and many hives have collapsed

(such a concern)

so I am being GREEN

keeping the bees happy

hostessing

here in the Garden.

I'll dig them out in the Fall

no matter what season

or the weather conditions

there's a job to be done

if you have the pleasure of owning a garden.

(it's a life of work)

LOVE is more like it!

Humble Bungalow Kitchen...as requested!

Yesterday I posted about my kitchen sink and the lovelyand inspiring blogger Janet, over at The Gardener's Cottage asked to see more of my kitchen.
I went back into the arcived posts from January 23rd and found a few and then decided to recapture my kitchen this morning.
(I am flitting around camera in one hand, an mug of coffee in the other!)

East wall of kitchen, glimpses of  the dining room 

 a butler's door that swings both ways

is on the far left.

My floor is soft fir and is easily marked and pitted

I throw down rugs to keep it warm and add some vintage ambiance.

A modcon amid vintage 1913 arts and crafts

silver, recently polished, above the fridge gleaming!

The phone has a deep gurgle of a ring

as it thrums, I love it!

Bins which open are to the left hold onions and spuds

It is a sunny morning so I had to close the blinds to capture these images...

even with the dark fir it is a bright space when the sun is shining

it does become gloomy in the winter and I turn on more lights.

I am not the only dishwasher here...Kitchenaid is on the job too!

Pantry cupboard where I store food...it used to have an opening to the outside with a mesh screen

I suppose it was cold storage but we have boarded that up!

My kitchen nook

I blog from this arts and crafts table and bench seat

Our border and my talented friend Cheryl Fortier's acrylic

(I have 4 pieces of her work which I cherish)

she has a website www.cherylfortier.com

go and see her work

She and her husband are in Auvilar France on exchange until the Fall.

Shelves for cookbooks

Family room to the immediate right.

The Humble Bungalow is a small scale "working man's" home built in 1913

it is very modest.

When we purchased the Bungalow it was in need of a major overhaul

it had been rented out and neglected

we took it on and painstakingly restored it

 is now on the Heritage Registry and protected from the wrecking ball!

There were times when the children were teenagers and brought many friends home 

that I deeply desired a larger space

we even looked at some

now though,

 I see that it is a perfect retirement home for the two of us as we advance in age.

Contemplating contentment...

My kitchen windowsill

This is my view 

which is above my kitchen sink

My Shaw country sink 

the company has been making sinks since 1897

I spend hours here

I tend to ponder

when I am engaged in dishwashing

 or when washing and chopping vegetables

it's a form of meditation for me

a quiet respite 

a place of great comfort

my heart feels full in the kitchen

The Bungalow kitchen is really the hub

 of my home

(some say it's the hearth)

where do you feel most at home?

Polishing up...and procrastinating less!

I have a habit of putting off tasks and chores that I would rather ignore....aka Procrastination!
I have been putting off polishing the silver for months...fellow blogger mette commented on one of my posts that she might polish silver on a rainy day and that got me thinking that I was remiss in not getting on with the job.
Today it was rather grey and foggy so I took out all the tarnished pieces and got down to business. I am happy to say that it only took a little over an hour and now it is done and gleaming ready for the next family gathering...

I do procrastinate and wonder why, when I do accomplish a task or chore that is not as pleasant as I envision, I feel very proud and smug. (I did it)
The Baby rattle is on the left! It might be in Isla's sweet little hand sometime soon.

The flatware will be polished another day

the sun came out and I went outside to the garden to deadhead my roses...

I'll try not to wait too long...maybe the fog will come out or it might rain

and that will be my cue.

Look at all the butter pats...

I use these for tea lights, they reflect the light and can be arranged to add ambiance at the buffet or dining table.

My parents were married in the 1950's and silver was a common wedding gift.

When I was married in the 1970's pottery replaced silver in it's popularity

we received 2 or 3 pieces of silver; candlesticks, goblets and a tray.

I received a fraction of Mother's silver, my sister got some too.

Mother has a cabinet full in her condo that she makes time to sit and polish her collection regularly!

I do not think Procrastination factors into her daily round.

I use Twinkle Silver Polish...

a little round sponge moistened and a bit of soft paste goes a long way

coat silver, rub gently, and rinse with warm water, dry immediately.

a word of CAUTION..

do NOT cover your silver with Saran Plastic Cling film

it looks incredibly TACKY.

I was invited for an afternoon tea at a Naval Officer's home hosted by his wife, 

a delightful, well spoken, well groomed, English lady

it was a "meet and greet" Tea.

She served us all tea using her finest silver service

and bone china cups and saucers

how lovely!

On the buffet

on display

 and in full view

covered in plastic

sat the rest of her silver!

(it was impressive and very ornate but dressed for the rain)

am I being judgemental?

The mere fact that I was included and that a blissful tea in the good company of a variety of interesting women 

should have been sufficient...

yet

20 or more years have gone by and what I remember is the cling film!

(what do you think?)

Wild life in the Bungalow Garden

Our garden is full of plants and flowers and not surprisingly wildlife.

The hard working local Mason Bee

The honey bee hard at work

Many birds come to nest in the trees and some in the downspouts and gutters...they are a constant source of entertainment and song.

Resident Flicker

we have a pair coming regularly to the suet feeder 

(the wee house with the roof, houses the suet)

 Food is abundant...flowers, berries, rose hips, not forgetting the birdbaths...we actually cater to them.
We have a suet feeder in winter
 and a hummingbird feeder year round

Anna's Hummingbirds

In the cold of winter we bring the feeder in at last light so it doesn't freeze and then set it out at first light for the morning feed. They drink for a long time and then sit nearby "on watch" as they are very territorial and chase other hummingbirds away.
A large Coopers Hawk regularly flies through the garden and swiftly swoops up a small bird, then perches in the tall Acacia tree spits out the feathers and dines...(nature can be harsh to watch sometimes) The Hawk is a large, magnificant bird...he once flew into the kitchen window with such a loud crash that  I thought that I'd be looking out to see him dead. He was shaken up and sat for a few minutes turning his head side to side before flying off....he must have had quite the headache.

The feather collection which gets larger as time goes by

We have had a family of raccoons living in the area for as long as I have lived here...over 28 years.
They wander through the garden and eat grubs from the grass...play with planters, upend plants, dig up bulbs,  roll the garden balls around and engage in play in the various water features.
We had a pond on the deck for a few years but gave up after the nightly raids on the lilies...they'd eat one chunk out of each and leave them for us to find the next morning...we knew we were beat.

 I heard yesterday that they have recently been going into our neighbours' home through the cat door. They have discovered where the cat food is stored and opened up the cupboard and helped themselves...all while the neighbours' 2 cats and the homeowners slept upstairs completely oblivious!
The cabinet closure was modified to make it "raccoon proof" but the next night they just pried the door off it's hinges! I have it on good authority that there is a new plan in the works to "raccoon proof" the cupboard which involves reinforcing the hinges, rebuilding the door and involves a drop in magnetic closure! (whew, I am tired just thinking about it!)
I would have sealed up the cat door if it was my home...

I managed to get my camera when the family came by this morning but the first 2 had already gone over the fence...into the neighbours blackberry patch.

We also have a growing population of deer which are working their way into the city. I have seen 2 at the corner near our home and a large antlered buck 3 blocks away standing tall and proud on a rocky outcropping...my roses and plants will be a virtual salad bar when they saunter down the street looking for food. I'll need to move some of my prized roses into the back fenced garden or say goodbye to their blooms.
As the natural habitiat is destroyed the wildlife have no choice but to adapt and move into urban areas and share it with us...I have planted a feast, (for the eyes and the beasts)...I suppose I'll need to adapt and adopt new plantings...and live harmoniously with the wildlife.