Monday, October 4, 2010

What a lovely way to spend a weekend!

A lovely weekend away was just what we needed...just the right amount of travel with lots of walking, a little imbibing, food that was cooked and served by someone else and a wee bit of shopping.
Mr. HB does not adore shopping but he indulged me for awhile!

I went to Hermes!


and purchased my new scent
Voyage d'Hermes
very light 
with a touch of citrus
I saw a lovely scarf worn by the shopgirl
but for some reason I wasn't tempted
now there's a surprise!


We made the obligatory rounds of the bags and shoes
and went down to look for a jacket for Mr. HB
I fell madly for the Armani jacket that he tried on
he looked so handsome in it 
Mr. HB was not as enchanted
I believe it was the $$$$$ factor.
We did find a well made cashmere jacket in charcoal grey that looked every bit as nice
which Mr. HB happily purchased.


Are these not divine?
no shoes for me though...
I have another purchase in mind


Lovely granddaughter Isla
is growing up so fast and needs a chair of her own
and Grammy wants Isla to have what she needs
we drove to a large baby store
and picked up this modern chair

if you ever watched a cartoon show called
The Jetson's
 on TV 
this would be the chair that they would have in their home in space!



I had one martini with 3 olives...I ate one before capturing this image.
the next few images are not in order
and show some of what we dined on over the past few days...


Mushroom Bisque


Bruschetta and salad



Strongbow cider for me and a beer for Mr. HB


Spicy Thai chicken drumettes for Mr. HB


Pasta and meatballs for Mr. HB


Clams and pasta for me
The diet starts tomorrow!


Our hotel 


The bridge we crossed to get to the baby store


a room with a view


ocean glimpse


the sun was out


looking east


looking west


Voyage d'Hermes


a litte something pour moi


Gap wool vest meet Debbie Kay

I am back in the Bungalow sipping my tea
content to be home
rested
relaxed

I hope that your weekend was fun.







Sunday, October 3, 2010

Escape from reality....and what I am taking...

My minimal weekender bag contains
my skincare and make up products,
a lint roller,
lingerie
night gown,
2 artsy necklaces, statement pieces from Debbie Kay Designs
and...
these pieces


black bathing suit for lap pool and hot tub
black leggings, 
black dark denim jeans
camel tunic top
ecru loose weave scarf
black bag
black flats
gold low heeled shoes
black Tee
white Tee
print top in shades of heather and grey
beige V neck knit jacket
with ruffled fabric detail

it's a casual getaway
walking
shopping
browsing
hand holding 
time to relax 
with Mr. HB
add my black trench
an animal print scarf
and I am ready
it all fits into a "carry on" size suitcase

our hotel has robes and hair dryers so no need to pack those

Hermes is on the horizon
will be posting
more
later...
stay tuned





Saturday, October 2, 2010

recipe for recovery...a tasty diversion and a family field trip

To cheer me up my Mom and sister arranged to have an outing
we drove out of town to a lovely hotel on the water
sat on the outdoor patio on a warm and sunny afternoon
dined on a delicious and healthy salad
I shared my recent troubling eldercare issues
they listened
gave me air time
and support.


We stopped in and browsed at a thrift shop
we seldom visit.
I wandered the aisles
feeling rather foggy
 my thoughts were elsewhere.
The sun was streaming in the windows and this was in a ray of sunshine.
in the light I glimpsed the details
it tickled my fancy
a
leather handbag
butter soft
and
embossed 
with chains and tags
and
long straps
in basic black
the workhorse colour 
that takes me anywhere anytime


Canadian made 


side zippers expand the bag
transforming the capacity
what a great idea.

I liked the "look"
a little more dressy
cross body
for hands free shopping

and the best part
it was
$10.00

I feel propped up
by comments left here
I am 
giving thanks in gratitude for family,
friends,
and blog buddies.

You guys rock my world.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

the times they are a changing......as seen by me.

Turmoil and transition Bungalow Style....
Family responsibilities...
and eldercare, bestowed upon by a legal document that was drawn up years ago...in a time when thoughts were as far from here as could ever be imagined.


Once upon a time, long ago and far away...Young spirited parents early retired, not "stinking rich" but comfortable, and happy, embarked on many adventures hard earned by years of hard work, toil and sacrifice.
Life was good...there were local spring and summer boating trips and holidays seeking warm winters, snowbirding to a sunny California desert where a home was purchased.
Great grandchildren were born...photos were taken, albums created...family moments were sealed in the memory box for all time.
(I seek these out for comfort now)

Time passes and the little grey cottage by the sea becomes home base...the boat tethered to the dock in front, cruises are few and far between...and now beside, another boat is tied...a Classic Chris Craft.

The grey shingles pale and weather, the days grow dim...and the inhabitants grow old and frail...they press on with a stiff upper lip they go through the motions and resist any help or intervention.
Friends start to ask questions...a bit too nosy...my comfort is shaken, my eyes open wide.
I do not do worry well, so I take action when the family is stuck.
I am not a blood relation...I married their son.
I go in and take charge, I hire, I fire and I get flack.
(I will live with this guilt but it doesn't weigh me down because I have their best interests at heart)

There is a  death and we are at the helm...health and minds deteriorate...
and you must act...
and act you will
as hard an act as ever could be...you put one foot in front of the other and press on.

Act with a sound mind but with a shattered heart, a heart that has loved and remembers all the good times...a heart that wants more than can be possible...a heart that aches and breaks.

Details are not necessary...
I am clinging to the positive....
there is nothing else to be done...
accentuate the positive and minimize the negative.

We will survive...we must.
I am getting up tomorrow morning and placing one foot in front of the other and pressing on...with a stiff upper lip...life goes on...
I hope it does.....

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Toadstools, mushrooms, funghi alert!

If you go out in the woods today
you're sure of a big surprise...

I couldn't resist this!


Yikes!


look at these toadstools


bright orange


these mushrooms are poisonous...

I was able to determine their name by googling images
these are amanita muscaria



flat topped and spotty


looks
like a space station 
beneath the shrubbery!

these images were captured a few blocks from the Bungalow
not in the woods or the forest
Never eat mushrooms from the wild unless you know for a fact that they are not toxic
every year people die from eating poisonous mushrooms.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Hydrangeas...


My neighbour Diana has an orchid house
and she grows a wide variety of orchids year round.
A recently retired university professor,
 she has embraced orchid growing with an academic and scientific perspective.
Gauges, thermostats, heaters, fans, fertilizers
potting mediums, shade cloth, and on it goes.
She possesses a firm grasp on the Latin nomenclature
 of all things orchid.

The rest of her postage stamp garden is comprised of a few woody shrubs
and 
some climbing clematis
and 
her prolific and robust hydrangea bush

She lopped off numerous blooms as they were large and heavy
 bending the branches to the ground
 I just happened to be about
and gratefully accepted this bounty of blooms.


We are very fortunate to know our neighbours
we socialize on occasion
and keep watch when someone is away.

I have passed quite a few zucchinis over the fence between us this summer
it's so comfortable
sharing natures' bounty
with each other.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

What's in the box?

 What's in the Box?

 open the latch...

read  the directions...

shells in a jar


a reed diffuser
a bit of a splurge
what an interesting bit of background India!

Crabtree and Evelyn
India Hicks
has a variety of scented candles
perfumes, lotions
and soaps

The Bungalow Bathroom 
is delicately scented with a light tropical air
floral and fruity

as for the box...
what should I use this for?
it's too nice to discard..

(I don't have a pistol!)

I could use some ideas.

Friday, September 24, 2010

yellow blooms, a hasty planting...


a little burry image of my pudding bowl 
I planted these in a hurry
lots of things happening here
we have
a house guest
family obligations
and
we are dealing with a dysfunctional relative
there's one in every family!




         I thought that these were pansies
I do know
     they are sunny yellow
    and they add light to the grey rainy days
and I love blooming things




cheap and cheerful




they'll have a spot on the porch
on the black wicker table






I have taken all the cushions off and stored them for the winter

Fall is upon us...
summer is over

I feel like
pulling the covers up 
sipping hot tea

look what my houseguest brought for me!
from England


reading a good book



and 
cocooning in my nightgown

I'm off to the serenity of my bedroom
sweet dreams to all...
Hugs



Thursday, September 23, 2010

Closet clean out and Recipe cards!

My closet is now ready for Fall and my work wardrobe is easily visible.
I have hung things in basic colour groupings...black, white, grey, navy...
with a few prints and coloured garments to the side.

I had some items to donate to charity and a few that I felt might be candidates for the consignment shop.
The consignment shop is on a busy street and parking can be difficult but I found a spot with ease and while they looked over my garments I perused their stock. 
The staff are very well turned out and fashionably accessorized...the stock is neat, clean and attractively displayed. 
Most items are name brand designers and are in current styles...some are new with tags still attached...
I did not find anything to purchase and was not really engaged in looking, having just pared down and added a few new recently purchased pieces.

Nextdoor to the consignment shop is a vintage decor shop which has great stock.
I browse here often and need to steel myself from making purchases as there is ALWAYS at least one thing that calls my name...
It might be the artfully arranged groupings of items which are so sumptuous that I swoon!
The owner has a keen eye and she finds unique time worn pieces...some very country, others very fine.

I saw weathered oars, concrete garden urns, antique inlaid wood dressers, country jelly cupboards, painted French trays, silver bowls, ironstone crocks, biscuit tins, costume jewlery, hat stands, crystal chandeliers, floral printed china, rugs, mirrors of all shapes and sizes, oil paintings, and a large collection of garden gnomes!

I found these...and they spoke to me!
circa 1969


French Recipe Cards!


 a complete deck...


recipes in the French style of eating
circa 1969
not low fat
high flavour


French women don't get fat!
there is a book available
with that title...
after reading these cards
I would like to believe that
but
I have my doubts!

Duchesse at Passage des perles
recently commented on my blogpost 
referencing a book "French Women" by Marguerite 
where a 3 bite rule
is suggested

thank you
great advice Duchesse!

one dessert and forks for all diners at the table
equals French chic!

and now...
Bridge anyone?