The Humble Bungalow Garden is in bloom....

Gardening is a passion and one that offers a great deal of pleasure.
Working outside in the fresh air with birds chirping and bees buzzing calms and centres me.

Granted it can be hard work keeping the weeds at bay and digging in the dirt but still it does something for my soul that keeps me coming back...and that feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day, weary but content.

My garden attire is usually some stretchy yoga style pants and an old Tee shirt...often I wear my Ralph Lauren denim shirt over top with the sleeves rolled up and a straw hat. If you were to see me you'd notice that I have dirt on my face and that I look quite the sight! Yet passers by frequently stop to ask questions about the plants and comment on the roses. It is only later when I go inside for a bite to eat and a cool glass of water that I notice what a state that I am in!

Today I want to show you what is blooming in the front of our Humble Bungalow Garden.

looking down from the porch

not clearly visible in this shot

are

white, blue and limelight hydrangeas

agapanthus

sum and substance hosta

various roses

coreopsis and a heliotrope

purple and yellow together is one of my favourite flower combos

Dierama ~ commonly known as Fisherman's Wand

agapanthus ~ about to burst forth and flower

romneya coulteri

David Austin rose which I have forgotten the name of...

crocosmia lucifer

grasses, hostas and a variegated iris

a dry patch at the end of the gravel drive

more rose blooms

Hey Jude!

Jude the Obscure

a David Austin rose

lovely cupped petal formation

a bud

I'd show you the backyard but it is in a state of chaos...

Mr. HB is rebuilding the sundeck and the outdoor furniture is on the patio, lawn and there are wood piles and tools

which really do not look that attractive or photo worthy...

when the deck is finished that will deserve a post of it's own

until then...

 It's another glorious day full of sunshine

we are so fortunate to be enjoying such a wonderful July

one that might just be a weather record breaker.

Take care

OOTD Black and white copy cat dressing...and a word on anti~aging potions.

I couldn't resist buying this super soft and cuddly stuffed toy for Isla.

kind of squishy

looking very relaxed 

I think he has made himself at home.

He is very long in the body

great for popping under a little ones arm and carried around with ease.

I think this little fellow's face is adorable.

Isla seems to like him and that's what counts

today we played with her toys

read some books

had a snack

played some more 

ate lunch

BTW I got lots of cuddles...

she is a sweet little gal.

I am a very Happy Grammy.

OOTD 

Gilmour high low dress

hem is higher in the front and longer in the back

cool bamboo for summer heat

Lily Bleu flip flops which I have been living in

linen scarf used here as a shawl to keep my shoulders from burning

white and charcoal loosely woven scarf

love the nubbiness

I laundered this scarf in Aveda Shampure to see if it would soften

it has but I think it will take many more washings before it is super soft.

in the meantime it has body and stays tied without slipping...

Many of our linen tea towels are whisper soft

and I do love the way linen takes on age

it seems to just get better all the time...

it's rather like the patina on antique furniture

it develops over time and should rarely be refinished

the history is all part of the piece

rather like us!

While I am not personally interested in a total facial refurbishing

I do like to think that I am making the most of what Mother nature gave me...

I am thinking more on the lines of preservation and conservation!

Clay mask

night time serum

day cream

Plant Stem Cell technology

at my age I am all about the moisture

keeping my skin soothed and supple

I like the feel of it when it is hydrated and that is one reason that I drink so much water

hydrating from the inside out

with a little help topically morning and night time after a gentle cleansing

there are so many products on the market and I have tried lots

this line is my current fave

and it is seriously a budget friendly choice.

Kiss My Face Lotion

is new in the Humble Bungalow

I have yet to try this 

 lotion with aloe and olive oil.

(I use their shave cream and love it)

I bought this for Mr. HB who needs it after a day outside working on the deck 

or a long day driving in his convertible.

He is fair and has freckles

remember I mentioned that he was a red head when I met him about 43 years ago...

I'll ask him for his opinion after he's used it for a few weeks.

Take care 

remember to wear sunscreen and keep well hydrated.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

A Royal British baby and books...

The Royal Baby has been born!
It will be exciting to see pictures of little prince and watch him grow...
I am sure that he will be very handsome as he has such good looking parents.

They must have a few names in mind...nothing radical I would imagine,
something dignified as tradition would dictate that they name him after one of his ancestors.
The BBC news is completely focused on this event...there's a huge paparazzi buzz.
I am waving my own flag here and toting around my bag joining in on the fun.

I buy books all year to read in the summer when I have more time and fewer demands...

whenever I see a title or book jacket that sounds interesting I bring it home and pop it inside my bedside table.

That was until I realized that the bedside table was full so I filled up my summer straw tote.

I am currenty reading this novel and it is set just after the end of WW II. 

A Polish couple separated by the war are reunited in England

It follows their day to day lives in England and flashes back to their individual struggles during wartime.

It is well written and enjoyable,

I am far from being finished but I can recommend it.

My summer books 

Santa Montefiore's godfather is the Prince of Wales!

Her books are light reading which I prefer in the summer 

especially when there are so many distractions

 I am unable concentrate for longer periods of time...

This is an odd title but the jacket cover says that it is a funny book 

and comes with many rave reviews so I'll give it a try.

What books would you add to my list?

Now that I am officially retired I should be able to read more frequently all year long!

What name do you think Kate and William will name their little prince?

Date night or celebrating anniversary #39

We enjoyed a lovely evening out...
officially date night but this time we were celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary.

Clive's is in the Chateau Victoria Hotel

and is one of the best spots to sip a drink

as the barkeepers really know their business

and have won many awards.

we walked downtown

 as the weather was warm and there was a gentle breeze blowing

we had just finished walking the route of the Art Gallery's Moss Street Paint In

an air conditioned oasis 

with comfortable seating

a Junipero gin martini for the Hostess

a marguerita for Mr. HB

Junipero is small batch gin made in San Francisco

by Fritz Maytag

it's lovely and so smooth!

after a refreshing drink 

we proceeded to Zambri's for dinner

Salmon for the Hostess

Pasta for Mr. HB

A delightful evening all in all...

thanks for the special date night honey!

It's home cooking tonight and I have no idea what I'll prepare...

the memory of the tasty meal is still very much on my mind!

~ 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