Crabbing...hunting and gathering food and flowers.

Queen Anne's Lace...

I love this frothy bloom

and to some it might be regarded as a weed.

I have captured it's beauty for you to see with my camera.

ship board flowers

and a lovely vintage tray 

a thoughtful gift from my BFF

With that Black Bear on the loose 

I am walking around in circles!

I am reminded of a quote that was something like... 

everywhere I go there I am!

Which is so true...

you can walk away from many a situation but the thoughts and memories will stay with you

there is no escaping that fact

(unless you develop amnesia or dementia)

Gosh what a thought.

I am writing without direction, just typing away madly in the heat of the day.

There is a lot to see right here on the ocean

and plenty of distractions...

I stop to look outside the window and see gulls flying

flags flapping

the water shimmering

and I feel gratitude

contentment

and 

serenity.

Can you see Mr. HB sitting aft reading?

I hope that he won't mind seeing himself here when he turns on his laptop!

He devours historical fiction

and 

happily sits in the sunshine on a warm summer afternoon

doing what he loves best.

In front of one of the houseboats 

there is an elaborate garden

 a maze of coloured pots in various sizes 

driftwood

shells

buddhas

ropes

floats

flowers

haphazardly arranged with an artistic flair....

(depending on your taste it might be a nightmare)

Succulents

are such hardy drought tolerant garden plants...

they grow fast in all manner of conditions 

caring very little if they are in pots or in the soil

and are the most amazing acrobats in their growth patterns.

Fresh caught cooked crab

our simple lunch on the weekend

and

some rather wilted dahlias

(which have been tossed out and replaced with Queen Anne's Lace)

Pink Himalayan Salt in a self grinder

(which is fun to use)

Mr. HB is  great at catching crab!

He catches it

I cook and clean it...

(I am a happy galley slave)

Did I mention that the galley is small?

It has a converted ice box

two propane burners

a small sink and a minimal countertop.

Two crabs cooked and cleaned

Pearl Island Crab Cakes

Formed and ready to be chilled for a few hours

then sauteed carefully

We had a cob of fresh corn for a starter

before devouring these tasty cakes...

served with freshly grated ginger and soya infused mayonnaise

I could only eat three

so there's one for the breakfast omelette tomorrow!

Pepper hunkered down in the heat of the day.

Adrienne asked how she is doing...

she naps a lot when it's hot and sleeps on my bunk beside me at night

wakes very early for food and plays with her toy mice while waiting for us to get up!

I hope this sunshine sticks around for awhile

I am enjoying the warmth and it finally feels like summer has arrived.

Oh Oh!

the weather forecast is calling for thunder and lightning...

we better batten down the hatches.

Star gazing...

In an effort to put the recent world events in perspective I must have a heart to heart with myself.
I can so easily get overwrought with worry about the state of affairs over which I have no control.
I read Dr. Andrew Weil's book many years ago and he suggests having a no news week.
We are so connected by radio, newspapers and the internet.
Facebook, Twitter and Blogger all link us in the social media.

In an effort to relax I am putting negative events out of my mind for awhile and focusing on the NOW.
The reality that is here at this moment in time...
not thinking ahead,
nor looking back,
just being,
feeling,
savoring,
 and
focusing on what is before me.

Cowichan Bay Sweater 

hand knit by Arlene

a First Nations woman 

who spins and dies her yarns 

before knitting tribal patterns 

that have been passed down through the generations.

Cuddling with Pepper

pets help us with stress

unconditional love is what they offer.

No make up on

a

bare faced

greeting

honestly

a

humble hostess

not putting on airs

just 

sharing a simple moment in time

and 

encouraging you to be who you really are 

thank you for stopping by as I 

share my innermost thoughts and insights

here

Hostess

XO

A sign of the times...

Cruising aboard our classic Chris Craft  is a great way to enjoy the quiet life.
The ocean tides lull one to sleep and relaxation is a sure thing.
With plenty of time for reflection and book reading one does need to make the effort to move the body. Daily swimming, kayaking are weather dependent so walking is my favourite option.
I like to walk on the beach and explore the areas surrounding the marinas and marine parks.

I was not expecting to have my walks curtailed because of this...

I thought it might be safer to explore the docks and gardens of the local houseboats.

I'd be scared stiff to encounter a large black bear.

A sunny planting

I am particularly fond of this foliage

nature looks like she has been painting the leaves.

Any chance that Johnny Depp is about?

I'd love to catch a glimpse of him!

This industrious honey bee is collecting pollen on this allium alba.

I followed an interesting walkabout 

dotted with metal sculptures...

someone has been very crafty and creative recycling all this metal.

Have a Happy Friday

it's the gateway to the weekend.

What are your plans fro the weekend?

My husband and I are belatedly celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary 

(July 20th)

with dinner out 

which just happens to be at a restaurant with a water view

and while it might be onboard our boat

it's not!

The domestics just got more glamourous!

Domestics in this old bungalow are never done.
Which makes it often difficult to sit and relax
particularly when I spy
dust bunnies and cat hair gathering on the dark wood flooring...
If it were a dull grey day I would not notice but they are
illuminated by the warm afternoon sunshine...

Our cleaning gal has been on leave and I am not keeping up her standards.
I now see dirt where I have never seen it before.
I had no idea that we were so messy and I consider myself organized...

I honestly do miss her weekly visits.
The good news is that she is coming back very soon!

I decided that I needed to do a more thorough job 

that meant buying some newer 

fresher and better tools...

 Oh! look at the lover-ly prep inspired label 

 Boston Warehouse has glamourous products

the gloves have polka dot frilly edging

prints and flowers 

in a rainbow of colour

I could have bought the entire stock of gizmos

and revamped my dull utilitarian cleaning cupboard

it could stand to be made over!

Broom in black and white!

(Pepper approves)

She "helps me" sweep...

which takes much longer

I do appreciate her "being on the job"

I replaced my worn out scrubber

with this new one

it's in a happy lime green colour.

Let's dress up domestics a bit!

I wonder what Elizabeth Taylor would say about these...

do you think she ever pushed a vacuum

or 

scrubbed pots?

Remember to wear your gloves when doing heavy work

your hands will thank you for the protection.

Speaking of protection...

 it's a good time to discuss SPF

we need to save our skin from the sun's harmful rays

 chemicals cannot be good 

baked by the intense heat of the sun

so it is a safe solution 

that I seek...

and have found

Organic Mineral Sunscreen

SPF 30

recommended by a girlfriend

whose

 complexion is looking radiant these days

I think this might be part of her secret!

Break time is over...

I am off to massage the tub with a micro fiber cloth...

Weekend recap...

Summer weekends in the rain onboard the Chris Craft is a time for cocooning with a great book a mug of tea and a cozy blanket.

Vintage 1957 Constellation

 original for the most part

compact 

and 

snug.

Our weekend getaway

I like to think of it as our floating waterfront cottage!

The stresses of the city leave the minute we step aboard.

Life on the boat is easy.

Domestics are quickly finished

meals are simple and tasty

and 

slumber comes swiftly after all the fresh air.

I love the hum of this lifestyle

and could easily fall into a routine of quiet 

 days 

where the only clock is an inner timepiece

dictating meal times based on hunger

and bedtimes based on fatigue.

I am halfway through Cool Water

which is set in the prairie town of Juliet, Sask. 

Dianne weaves an interesting story of eccentric characters whose lives are intertwined

with such deft skill that you are pulled into the town life 

and feel like you are sitting amongst them watching from the front porch swing!

Pepper is at ease

she has settled in quite nicely now that the noisy motors have stopped!

Bobbing on the calm ocean she has found many spots to snooze.

She has been brave enough to come up on the back deck and explore

we need to keep our eyes on her as she is fascinated by the water

and we really do not want her to jump in and go for a swim!

Twinkling crystal encrusted Lily Blues

and a sparkling rippled sea.

A floral bouquet painted for the sole purpose to remind me of my garden

(one of my early works)

when the garden bouquet wilts 

I still have these...

The rain has stopped for now

and there has been some sunshine

there are grey clouds gathering

I plan to finish my book and start in on another.

I enjoyed Isabel's novel A Vintage Affair 

I am looking forward to this one.

My wardrobe for the boat is very minimal and practicality not fashion sets the tone.

If I were to give my nautical attire a theme it would be active wear.

It all fits into a medium size sturdy Lands End tote.

Lands End tank tops

one in in navy and one pink 

both with white polka dots

white Joe tank tops

quick dry pants for kayaking

a waterproof anorak cream with grey accents

 that folds into a pocket size 

a Lululemon hoodie in grey and cream

Buffalo grey cargo pants

shorts

a fleece jacket by Royal Robbins

a grey and white jersey dress

2 bathing suits

one black with white polka dots

one black and white print

flip flops

Sperry deck shoes

nightie and warm socks.

I need to close for now and catch up on some blog reading...

before I get back to my book!

What's all that shouting about?

This garden plaque has been hanging in The Humble Bungalow Garden for many years.
He looks very fierce and angry, loudly roaring...
yet he is silent.

"Silence is the universal refuge,
the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts,
a balm to our every chagrin,
as welcome after satiety as after disappointment."

~Henry David Thoreau

                                           He reminds me of the Lion in the Wizard of OZ.

The lion character scared me when I was young. 

His roar seemed real and he was so large

and 

I did not understand how vulnerable and meek he was under all that bravado.

I have had the occasion to meet a few people that are...

 gruff 

all huff and puff 

loud and opinionated

but sadly lacking in confidence.

They seem to command quite an audience

and it would appear that they enjoy the attention

yet

I wonder...

if they truly feel genuine

or

in tune to their body

It's a clever smokescreen, 

the tactic to conceal

their true self from the world.

I do not think we are fooled

are you?

"Our greatest pretenses are built up not to hide the evil and the ugly in us, but our emptiness.  

The hardest thing to hide is something that is not there."  ~

Eric Hoffer, Passionate State of Mind, 1955

Next time I am face to face with someone loud and obnoxious

I plan to whisper

just to see if they will lower their voice

and become less agitated

and 

perhaps become more empathetic and sympathetic

 to those within shouting range!

Lastly,

a picture of a posy of Royal Sunset Roses

whose heady fragrance is wafting 

apricot goodness

in 

The Humble Bungalow 

Bathroom!

Shedding tears...

I cried when I heard the news...

I have been going to the same hairdresser for many many years...
Her name is Christine
she takes care of my hair, but more than that we chat and share
it's a relationship that involves a lot of trust
it's rather symbiotic.

I sit in her chair every 6 weeks, give or take
and she has the power to change, rearrange and transform
she does so with skill and a remarkable talent
wearing a smile and an energetic spirit
and never lacks of interesting tidbits which she relates with great animation

I went to see her last Monday
a vase of freshly picked garden flowers in hand
expecting my usual color, cut and friendly chit chat

she was not there...
and a teary eyed receptionist greeted me

Christine had been at her doctor's that morning and she had been diagnosed with Cancer.
She spoke with me on the phone.

She had called into the salon to give another stylist who would be doing my hair
the colour details and products that she uses on my hair
I could not imagine how she had the strength of mind to remember those details

she sounded distraught and rightly so
the harsh news so fresh and raw
it's overwhelming
what could I say?

It was just a few weeks back she ran the relay for life, a cancer fundraiser in our area
her clients stepped up to sponsor her team
(they raised several thousand dollars)
she ran on an unseasonably cold and rainy day
her dedication strong
and completed the race

her skill and determination will serve her well

surgery is scheduled soon
and depending on the pathology results
there may be radiation or chemo
or maybe both

my thoughts go out to her
and I will do what I can to help

she must think of herself on this journey

gathering around her those that love support and care

focusing now exclusively on healing

listening to the medical practitioners and scientists that will be guiding her

having faith when faith seems illusive

there is always hope

even if it is a dim light in the dark night

The skies have opened up and torrential rain is falling

rain is forecast for the entire week

it's as if

the sky is weeping

tears...

A Close Encounter...

We live in the city fairly close to the town center and even closer to the ocean.
There are several large parks and a historic cemetery nearby with acres of trees.

Tree lined boulevards were planted years ago by a city arborist with a vision and a passion for flowering plums and chestnuts. These large heritage trees stand today and create a leafy canopy overhead.

In a city that has so many green spaces and trees we also have wildlife.
Deer have taken to munching the plants in our gardens and raccoons have been upending our garbage cans and raiding our berries and fruit trees.

These animals have no predators in the city other than man, so a healthy population survives and thrives.
Occasionally a cougar will show up looking for a meal of venison but when sighted, officers are quick to sedate the cat and take it to a remote forested area miles away.

We often find raccoons in our yard as they seem to like our garden quite a lot!
One year I had a mother raccoon and 4 babies living under the sundeck.
They are adorable to look at but can be very aggressive and you would not want to tangle with one.

Pepper had a close encounter with one the other evening...
fortunately she was inside separated by a pane of glass.

An unexpected visitor...

a captive audience!

Look at her back...

the hair is standing on end and her tail was swollen like a bottle brush!

She chirruped and meowed

at the little raccoon 

who stayed around for 15 minutes or so trying to raid the birds' nest under the eaves.

A mess of straw 

 was left on the window ledge

in the morning

and the birds have been back

so I do not know if any were taken or not.

Speaking of wild life

I am taking a walk on the wild side...

Black Flip Flops studded with sparkly crystals!

Peru-B-Ruby

OPI

lacquered toes

I love dense rose petal formations

David Austen

The Rose Grower of Choice 

 in

The Humble Bungalow Garden

Rose bouquet

Jude the Obscure

Paul McCartney

Charles Rennie MacIntosh

and 

the faithful frothy filler

Lady's Mantle

a lime lady indeed!

the perfume of these all blended and wafting together 

is heady and intoxicating

reminding me 

weeding watering fertilizing and dead heading is all worth it!

This weekend try something new

be adventurous

kick it up a notch...

try a new recipe

eat at an ethnic cafe

browse in a thrift shop

stroll through a designer boutique

read something not normally on your radar

try a new shade of lipstick

sample a new scent

walk somewhere different and new

and above all

smile!

push that comfortable envelope 

just a wee bit farther

growth

is a very good thing!