Constance Spry...a pink scent~sation.

The wicked wind has pummeled the Constance Spry climber on the front pergola
and her petals are scattered along the front path.
Littered sadly and a few blooms were sheared straight off...
Never being one to waste the blooms I gathered up a few.

Constance Spry

a David Austen Rose

frothy pink

masses of petals wait to wilt atop the gravel path

just looking at this rose makes me feel calm

like a mound of pink sherbert

Looks good enough to eat!

I'm surprised that these tall foxgloves didn't get blown over in the storm.

Life has amped up to a rather frenzied and hectic pace these past few days and for the next few weeks will be more of the same...

so please bear with me as I go with the flow!

Chester and Pepper 

have had close encounters of the feline kind.

They are really interested in each other

and have been sniffing each other's noses.

Chasing and racing around the Bungalow

scatter rugs and carpets flying in their wake...

Pepper is never far from Chester's side,

she's behaving like a mother cat 

which must be instinctive because she has never had a litter of her own.

Chester has made himself right at home in The Humble Bungalow!

It's been just over two weeks since we adopted him and he already feels like family.

I cannot imagine our bungalow without a pet

it would feel so empty.

~ ~ ~

Adrienne has a new addition to her family

go over and meet Miss Twiggly she's adorable.

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.

Cheap thrills...

Luxe comes with a high price and it always isn't the best bang for the buck.
Take cosmetics for example...
I feel that we might be paying for the name brand or the packaging, not necessarily the product.

I've done my own research by testing certain brands and comparing them with less expensive options.
For example...

Chanel lipstick and gloss

which cost about $32 each

(the shades are brilliant and the formula lasts a long time)

~ vs. ~

Revlon Shea Butter lipsticks

which retail for about $9 each

I found the lip butters to be much more hydrating

than the Chanel lip products

 (available in 20 great shades)

I have used Lancome Definicils mascara and Aveda's Mosscara

over the years and found both to be fabulous products.

My eyes are very sensitive so I need to be careful...

Consumers swear by Maybelline Great Lash mascara which is cheap as chips but it irritates my eyes.

I am looking to replace my mascara

and wondered about the new mascara 

 Tish Jett  at A Femme d'un certain age has recommended...

Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara

apparently it does not contribute to lash loss

and mine are thinning.

($27 available locally at The Bay)

I'll be giving this one a test drive in the next few weeks.

My go to make up is organic Sun Defense by Eminence

it has sunscreen with an SPF of 30

goes on easily

with the built in brush

can be layered for more coverage if desired...

lasts about a year and costs around $60.

French scents 

cheap thrill on the left, luxe is on the right

~ both are lovely ~

(Durance) retails for about $20 (Hermes) $115

My skincare products are Avene from France.

I use their sensitive line and am really pleased with the quality and the results.

They are readily available here and are sold in drug stores.

What brands and products are you loyal to?

Do you splurge or skimp?

Spend or save?

The Humble Egg, Saturday's roses and body image.

The Humble Bungalow stuffed eggs make the rounds.
It really mystifies me that these retro basics are requested for events and always gobbled up quickly.

They are simple, healthy and easy to prepare.
I've been making these for years and probably could make them with one hand tied behind my back.
Good thing too as I have my hands full with Chester these days.

I mix the hard boiled egg yolks with relish, mayonnaise, worchestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, curry powder, salt and pepper.
Mix well and fill the eggs, top with parsley, chill and serve.

The great thing about these stuffed eggs is that you can customize them to suit your palate.
Be creative and have some fun.

Joy is in tatters

(Ode to Joy)

Mr. HB gave this book to me when we were married

 it is a month short of 38 years old.

I wonder what the designer of this egg dish had in mind for the centre section.

I mix it up and often I place olives or cherry tomatoes in the middle.

Today it's a bed of parsley and a few thin slices of orange pepper.

A jolt of coffee has been brewed 

it's helping me to jump start this cloudy Saturday morning.

Molly Johnson is hosting the CBC radio 2 drive...

she's taking us on a trip down music memory lane.

The coffee is Drum Roaster from Cobble Hill

if you love a smooth tasty brew this is the ticket.

This mug was a gift from the student that I sponsored this year.

She shadowed me for 3 weeks and I wish her every success.

It heartens me when I see young women who are wise, capable, sensible

have patience and have realistic expectations of the special needs students.

In a few years I'll be retiring and it's good to know that our kids will be well looked after.

Saturday Roses

Climbing Royal Sunset

I'm Really Not a Waitress

OPI

I cannot believe that I need to return some Land's End clothes that I ordered...

they are too big.

I will reorder them in a smaller size.

Don't think that I am wasting away because I am a size 10-12

still register as overweight by the online BMI calculator.

I'm just whittling away at the middle section

which was making my clothes feel snug and uncomfortable.

Weight and body image are a mine field for many women...

perceptions, reflections

impressions, misconceptions

acceptance

denial

comfort, confidence

reality 

Life is such an interesting journey

it startles me often when I stop and reflect.

How we women never stop growing

how we are constantly reinventing ourselves

learning to love and be joyful in the now

the everyday simple things that keep ticking along 

whether we are fat or thin

tall or short 

pretty or plain

introverted or extroverted

 weak ~ strong

who will you choose to be?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Embrace the beauty that is within

you are an original....

Hostess

XO

Walkabout...and the California Cat connection...

I thought you might like to tag along on one of my walks...
the weather was a wee bit wet

misty and sprinkling
not wet enough to wear a hood or put up an umbrella...

fear not you won't get damp.

street tiles are disappearing

some quicker than others!

arts and crafts bungalows are frequent in our neighbourhood

gardeners are passionate around here

and the gardens are a feast for the eyes

granite pillars and stonework 

are popular

lovely flowers line the streets

some homes are larger

some smaller

some have been made into suites and condos

the evening was quiet

 I only met a handful of walkers and most had their dogs on a leash

this poppy stopped me in my tracks...

pretty and pink.

The Humble Bungalow is softly quiet

life is ticking along in time with the tick tock of the clock

night is drawing nigh and the street lights are aglow...

it's time to crawl under the warm duvet 

settle in for some luxurious slumber

sweet dreams

tomorrow is another day...

and Chester is an early riser

5:30 - 6:00

I found out that Chester is from sunny California...

he and his mom and his 7 or 8 siblings along with another mom and her large litter were 

rescued from 30 degree temperatures

near a freeway 

close to a cat shelter

they have hopped over the border and are looking for homes.

No Passports

are needed!

I am so happy that Chester has landed on his feet

so close to mine...

Chester drinks from the tap like Pepper does!

Don't get me started about not being responsible pet owners...

SPAY and NEUTER your animals.

Just in case you are wondering how the transition is going...

they were face to face tonight

a low growl from Pepper

a submissive hunker down from Chester.

They have their own spaces...

they are sneaking around.

Pepper has eaten most of Chester's dry food

(naughty!)

Chester has tried to eat Pepper's food but the kibble is far too big!

Pepper has eaten gobs of Chester's wet food

(naughty!)

They are co- mingle ing

all looks good so far....

if I get more than 6 hours sleep tonight I will consider myself lucky!

(as I type...Chester is on my lap and Pepper is a stones throw away)

wish me luck

I am very tired.....

I am seriously close to calling in sick...

Meet Chester The Humble Bungalow Kitten

Wow life is so different when you adopt a kitten!
It's like having a newborn again.

We are transitioning the introduction carefully so as not to upset Pepper too much.
They both have separate litter boxes, dishes, beds and scratching posts.
I have set up a safe room for our new little bundle, and he is wee at 1.8 pounds!

It's fun having a kitten in the house but the place is a mess and I have my arms full.
Just getting a meal on the table has it's challenges with a little one underfoot.
Stepping slowly and carefully as Chester darts after balls and toys that litter the carpet.
Chester is fond of being held and must feel safe snuggled up close listening to our heartbeats
and gazing into our eyes.
He's precious and loves to nuzzle up under my chin
 and he has taken to giving me a few sandpapery kisses with his tongue.

I read that the ticking of an alarm clock wrapped up in their bed helps as does a hot water bottle.
The clock is on the job but I have not yet tested the water bottle.

Chester at 9 weeks

playtime...

I may be posting shorter posts and less often for awhile,

hope you'll stick around while I am busy elsewhere.

I typed this post with one hand while Chester slept on my chest purring contentedly!

Look how lovely Constance Spry is looking today.

Until next time...

take care.

Saturday's roses.....

The winds have blown in full and forceful,
the seas are cresting with white caps and waves....
it's a blustery warm wind that howls
and we have 4 cruise ships in our port today...

I've been shopping for a super special little Miss.
Isla is her name and her hair is that glorious shade of red of her Scottish ancestors.
She is turning 2 soon and there is a party planned, food, festivities, family and friends.

I had a very helpful Mummy,
a "Yummy Mummy" in fact that steered me in the right direction.

size 4

wee shoes

who does not love to buy when someone else gets a new pair of shoes at the same time?

WIN WIN!

love the glam and glitter!

Oh and we found some great stuff at the toy shop on The Avenue.

Hope she has fun with what we chose.

Gosh it's a busy day here in The Humble Bungalow...

laundry

shopping

and 

weeding the garden.

I had to prune an errant branch that was dangling low and threatening to break off.

apricot and a fruity scent

can we agree on frothy?

she has a very sweet intoxicating nectar.

(if only I could remember her name!)

I am going to meet a new kitten tomorrow

a companion for Pepper

we like to rescue kittens.

This kitten is 9 weeks old and sounds like a sweet fellow.

Fingers crossed he is a keeper.

We've already chosen a name.....

stay tuned 

I may be introducing a new feline soon!

Hope that the sun is shining down on your patch!

Bring on the tradesmen and Happy Birthday Mom!

When you plan a renovation you think that there will be lots of willing and experienced trades people waiting in the wings...
if you hire them they will come
not so...
our basement renovation has hit the skids
and not for the want of money or planning
there seems to be a lack of skilled artisans about
and those who excel are in huge demand, booked months in advance.

My advice to young people is get yourself a trade, apprentice, work for a high profile firm and then start your own company.
If you do a good job you'll have a secure future.

So we wait.....
Mr. HB is a patient man
I am in the camp of I want my reno finished and I want it done now!
(yesterday)

There's nothing that I can do to help so I have been keeping myself busy in other areas.
I try and occupy myself and put the situation in the back of my mind...

I am replacing some very tired linens

and it's been long overdue.

It's simple linen tea towels 

 I find this rather exciting.

I LOVE linen.

It took me about 15 minutes to choose these towels over all the others in the store...

Irish, Belgium, French, American

all the linens lined up

all loverly...

being a tactile woman I had to touch each and every one in the store...

a new shop by the way 

and one that has such wonderful and tempting stock

that I am already planning what I might purchase next time I visit!

I evaluated the colours, the patterns, and the fabrics.

Price did enter the equation....

would you spend $ 50 for a a tea towel made in Belgium?

I think these are made in the USA

and at $20 each more affordable

they'll last and get softer with use.

The colour is natural looking and will work with any decor

they even look good by candlelight!

Evening and lighting a candle 

can make the ordinary something a bit more special

they elevate the mood

and scent the space

I have a few scented ones and the rest are beeswax.

I love the soft scent of beeswax as it melts

plus it has no toxins to worry about.

Speaking of candles...

I am taking Mother out for her birthday dinner

she'd need to have 85 candles on her cake.

(I already know that she wants creme brulee)

Perhaps we'll have one candle!

I am taking Mother a posy of roses for her birthday.

meet

Abraham Darby

a David Austin Rose

many petals do make me happy.

My letter to the local deer might say...

dear deer

please do not munch all the rose petals

I'll be ever so grateful

spare me...

leave me something to pop in a vase

something to dead head

and something to photograph and blog about!

I hope that all my rose photos are not boring you to tears...

it's just that I am so infatuated with them 

and I can't help myself!

A beautiful woman inspires...

I saw a stunning looking older woman in the grocery store.
She had fabulous style and her hair was a shock of silver and her skin was radiant and beautiful.
It looked almost opaque.
She wore a rich shade of red on her lips and her skin was quite wrinkled and I noticed when she spoke to the clerk that her eyes twinkled...

I could not help but stare and I did want to know more about her...
she was wearing a pair of jeans and a white shirt with a red cardigan draped over her shoulders
if I had to guess her age I'd be thinking she'd be around 80.

She had a simple gold bangle on one wrist and a large pair of Tahitian grey pearl studs in her ears.
Her handbag was black and had no visible signs of the brand or maker.

She had a large straw tote for her groceries...
I noticed that she had a few pieces of fruit, some vegetables and a small piece of salmon in her cart.
I assume she lives alone.

She had a lovely manner about her...
someone that you would not easily forget
perhaps she was a model or someone who performed on stage
she was so poised and relaxed, comfortable in her own skin.

This woman unknowingly inspired me to take a good long look at how I looked.

It was windy and my hair was a mess, my coat was undone
my lips were bare and I think I looked rather frazzled...
I was frazzled inside so I am pretty sure that it showed!

I could have made the effort to smarten up even if it meant putting some lipstick on in the car and smoothing my hair, doing up my coat and putting a smile on my face...even though I felt weary.

The McCartney Rose

the perfume is unbeatable

these petals hold the scent for days

often I'll pop them in a pretty dish and enjoy them for until they wilt

speaking of enjoyment

my newest and most favourite magazine 

has arrived...

I'm going to put my feet up and sip a cup of tea...

and dream a bit.

 Perhaps I'll meet that seriously chic lady at the market sometime soon...

and I'm going to tell her how beautiful she is next time.

I compliment strangers often

do you?