Fundraising for the TLC an indulgent post...

Please indulge me
I am passionate about the TLC.
The Land Conservancy here in town is having some serious financial woes.
Mr. HB and I are keen and loyal members of this organization and we both applaud their acquisitions of land and preservation of heritage sites. There is no longer government funding to help support this agency so funds are tight.
The Abkhazi Gardens was saved and is run by the TLC and it's one of my favourite spots for a stroll, a cup of tea, or a bite of lunch. Wandering about in the garden provides me with inspiration for my hobbies of gardening and painting. It's a place of peace where one can sit, be quiet, and meditate, soaking in all the surrounding natural beauty.

It seems fitting that I donate to the cause and hope that others will as well.
They desperately need our help.
I decided to part with one of my paintings and the director thought that this was a good idea.
He chose the painting of the Abkhazi gardens.

It will be hung for sale in the tearoom and I must say I hope that someone loves it enough to purchase it and help the cause.

I hope that this post might inspire you to send a cheque to the TLC and if you have not yet visited the Abkhazi Gardens please run don't walk and come back and tell me all about your experience! Tell them I sent you!        
                                                                     
                                                                      ~  ~  ~

OOTD the Island Mavins Show

Sunday morning bright and early saw me dressed and ready to be first in line at The Island Mavins Show.
Held in the lovely historic gardens of Point Ellice House
the sale was a riot of vendors selling handmade and vintage wares.
The weather was grey spotted with patches of summer rain and gloomy.

Burberry jacket

grey tank top by bobi

Jules and James skinny jeans, cuffed of course

Mee Too flats 

with the nod to the equestrian via the snaffle

usus Labradorite earrings

I had a fun weaving my way through the vendors outdoor "shops"

I knew a few of the gals as I frequent their retail shops on a regular basis.

Other vintage fairs are planned for late in August up island

I am hoping to drive up and spend the day exploring the wares and have lunch in one of these lovely spots.

new whites have arrived 

and will be competing for shelf space 

here in The Humble Bungalow

a book for some inspiration...

I can see both these vessels filled with flowers.

Bringing some joy just by being there.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

~ Hostess ~

A stormy Date Night

Mr. HB and I left our Humble Bungalow under sunny skies with plans to eat outdoors on the Inner Harbour.
Red Fish, Blue Fish serves up fresh seafood,
it's a local food kiosk that is so popular that people stand in line to be served
and often the wait will be 45 minutes.

I had the tempura cod tacone

it was a little bit of heaven on earth

I ordered two, thinking for $9 they'd be small

but they were very filling so next time I'll be wiser and order one.

this is where we sat

yummy

and then the clouds rolled in...

Thunder and Lightning and Torrential Rain

we had to run for cover

along with all the other diners!

We walked along the harbour after the rain let up.

Did some window shopping in The Empress Hotel

Souvenirs anyone?

The lobby was full of people enjoying High Tea Empress style

3 cruise ships were in town and the town was hopping.

Drinks were ordered in The Bengal Lounge

we watched outside the window

thunderous booms and flashes of white

the storm had become electric

look at that rain!

After sipping our drinks we made a run for it...

fortunately we timed it right and dodged the heavy rain and made it to the car just before it started up again.

The storm continued well into the night 

long after we were safely tucked into bed.

Thanks for another adventure honey!

Something new...

These are handmade locally by a clever young woman and her partner.
Loving Labradorite the way I do I could not resist these simple earrings.

longer than my usual styles

usus

a team of two young women

created these lovelies

they are more visible with my messy bob

Grey, black and white are "my colours"

the wardrobe basics

easy peasy

plus they work with all my pearls.

I bought 2 new dresses

both are patterned and are not black white or grey!

One is for the garden wedding

it's at the tailor's getting shortened

the other is a navy and white number

I haven't had navy in years.

I'll show you both of them in a future post.

The brand is Precise Petite

both were on sale for 50% off...

so it made them more affordable and I was able to buy two!

How's that for rationalizing a purchase?

Good news on the renovation front...

our tile person is returning this week to work on the ceramic tile in the bathroom!

That means when the tile is finished the plumber can return and then I'll be adding a few touches

and then we'll be able to flush and shower downstairs!

We had quite the thunder and lightning storm and it was date night so I'll pull up my sox and get working on that post soon.

Hope that your weekend will be grand

perhaps you'll find time to steal a few moments of bliss.

~ ~ ~

OOTD...what I wore running errands for Mother.

The sun is shining and Mother is feeling much better
my stress is starting to ebb.
Mother gave me a list of things to do for her as she is not quite ready to step out of her condo and pop herself into her BMW convertible just yet.

I finally got to wear my newest grape drape bamboo dress by Gilmour.

I paired it with my newest Hermes silk scarf.

donned some artsy earrings

these are as old as the hills

made by a creative girlfriend 

I have never tired of them and they have survived every jewelry purge.

I took myself out for a bite of lunch before returning to Mother's condo.

Beet, orange, feta and kale salad

I sat outside among the plants on a French iron chair and a matching table

in the nursery/cafe that is known as The Demitasse.

I met and had coffee with Pondside at this cozy little spot.

I took deep breaths and savoured the tastes of the delicious ingredients and sipped a tall cool glass of water.

Kale is so delicious and nutritious

it was just what I needed.

I had my hair cut and tinted today

and 

I feel refreshed.

I bought this in Seattle on my hour at Nordstrom's.

baby soft linen

unconstructed with a relaxed summer

vibe.

off white on the outside pure white inside

this will be going out with Hermes peinture fraiche at some point

Did you see what clever ideas Janice from the Vivienne files came up with for my scarf?

Let me refresh your memory.

I bought two new tanks for layering

women in mid life know all about the advantages of layering

it's not a secret that

we can keep our cool with grace.

can you see the theme going on here?

Peinture fraiche

is inspiring me no end

~ ~ ~

since having discovered bamboo clothing 

I think I could live in yoga pants and tanks all day long

and be very happy inside my wee Bungalow.

The kind of happy that says a freshly brewed cup of tea, 

take one magazine

a sunny spot

 a comfy chair

and 

in view of some gorgeous roses...

Mother's on the mend and I am feeling so relieved

immense gratitude is filling me up.

I've booked myself into the spa for a manicure/pedicure next week

so I am taking care of myself

and thank you all for your kind comments. 

If anyone knows where I can find another bread tin like this vintage one please let me know.

Peg from Comox covets mine and I'd like to help her find one.

Today

give yourself permission to be lovely and beautiful.

Hostess

XO

Keep calm and carry on and The Humble Bungalow roses

Mother's illness has brought stress into the forefront and try as I might I cannot shake this feeling.
With no time for Yoga I am trying to concentrate on my breathing.
Short shallow breaths have made me feel anxious...
closing my eyes and focusing on my breath offers some relief.

Fortunately we live close to each other so I can be at Mom's in minutes
it's a pleasant walk and one that allows me to clear my head a bit.
I've been waking earlier than usual and feeling like I haven't really had a restorative sleep.
Spending more time talking on the phone with my sister keeping her in the loop.

I'll be spending most of my day with Mother keeping watch.
She has colour in her face and has been able to keep food down
so I am guardedly optimistic that she is on the mend.

 I made lunch at 2 o'clock after I had tended to Mother and walked back home.

Part of me wanted to have something comforting like a grilled cheese sandwich

but my inner voice said don't go down that road...

bread has not passed these lips in many weeks.

The little fry pan is one of the newer additions to The Humble Bungalow kitchen.

Chartreuse green in sturdy cast iron.

I think of this dish as a hot salad...

I think it was Lisa from a mid life of privilege who suggested hot salads

thanks Lisa.

Add a free range egg for the protein portion of the meal.

Protein has been instrumental in my improved eating regime.

Colourful vegetables elevate my mood and excite my taste buds.

Aren't these cheery cherry tomatoes?

Roses can take me to a happy place...

I am nothing if not passionate about growing roses.

the glorious fragrant climbing Royal Sunset

Joseph's Coat

Abraham Darby

heavily scented

the name of this rose escapes me at the moment

Constance Spry

a hardy climber and a reliable repeat bloomer

Graham Thomas

 There are many more roses growing in our soil

tended lovingly by The Hostess.

"Hostess Rose Tips"

If you want to grow roses you must be willing to put in the time.

Dead head spent blooms

when you cut a rose make certain that you cut above the 5 leaves on the stem

feed them a handful of epsom salts once a month during flowering and water well

water during the day to avoid getting black spot

prune hard in March

buy roses that are fragrant and preferably from a reputable grower like David Austin 

opt for repeat bloomers

choose an array of colours

don't be afraid of cutting some and bringing them indoors to enjoy

and always bring a bouquet with you when visiting friends

sharing your passion with others just feels right.

Kenneth Cole Reaction

cheap sandals from Macy's

superior comfort

for easy walking

and I will close and be off to see Mother.

Hope you enjoyed the brief foray on The Humble Bungalow roses...

Thank you wonderful readers for your kind, thoughtful and supportive comments 

they have really been helping me put on my brave face and go forward with what I need to do.

~ ~ ~ 

Keep Calm and Carry On

is the mantra of the moment.

Mother.....

For those of you who have read my blog for awhile you'll know just how close a bond that Mother and I share.
How often we do things together.
Our Seattle trip had been planned for several months and eagerly anticipated by us both.

We had just checked into our suite when Mother felt very tired and she said she needed to go to bed for a nap.
She is 85 so I put this down to travel fatigue and so did Mother.
She assured me that she'd be better after a nap and she shooed me out the door to go and do some shopping.

I left her for an hour
but a second sense, a voice in my head, kept worrying about her while I was out.
I am not one to ignore that little voice...I call it intuition.

When I returned she was feeling really sick and said that she needed to go home.
A few hours later she was vomiting had trouble walking to the bathroom as her legs were weak and she felt dizzy.

I suggested that we go to the hospital as we always travel with extra medical insurance but she refused...
I informed the hotel concierge who set about making arrangements for us to leave.
The staff were so understanding and helpful.

I was terrified,
and my thoughts were that she might not last through the night.
I don't know if I was over reacting, or becoming hysterical with worry,
so I phoned Mr. HB and told him the situation...he helped to calm me down and reassured me.
(Thanks honey)

Alone and afraid and feeling very responsible I thought I should stay up all night and keep watch.
I lasted until 11:30 when fatigue overtook me.
I fell into a deep sleep and woke up at 4:30 when I decided to get up and get ready as we needed to be ready by 6:15 to depart.

We were gone less than 24 hours and went straight to our family doctor when we got back. He was booked up so we saw his partner who ordered some tests and sent us directly to the ER.
We spent an agonizing and tedious 6 hours in and out of the treatment rooms while Mom had a multitude of tests...
then surprisingly they sent her home and told us if she didn't improve in a couple of days to come back!

I have been taking care of her and am sick with worry.

She is pale and tired and if she doesn't start to improve tomorrow I am taking her back.

Mother has a tough constitution so when she is sidelined like this I am beside myself.
She keeps saying she knows her own body, that she's just tired and for me not to worry, but I do.
It's not like her...

I picked my favourite roses for her today, David Austin's Jude the Obscure.

She is resting in bed and I have fed her some scrambled eggs and tea...
Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I'm not even excited that I found some new things in Seattle.

I took this when we first arrived and I had such hopes for a wonderful holiday.

We always book the same suite 

2 beds

2 bathrooms

a living room

and a view of The Space Needle from the 10th floor.

My trip could be summed up 

"Sleepless in Seattle"

I will be hovering very close and monitoring Mother.

Feeling over tired and stressed to the max

on the verge of tears

I really need to keep my wits about me.

I cannot let Mother see me like this 

or she will start to worry about me 

instead of putting her energy into getting better.

Will keep you posted.

Entertaining grape...a new dress.

I have pushed my fashion envelope and I purchased a dress in something other than black.
Are you shocked?
The LGD has arrived on the scene...
little grape dress by Gilmour, a line made in Vancouver, BC.
The fabric is a dreamy sensuous bamboo and it drapes and skims and twirls as I spin.
Honestly it feels like I am wearing yoga gear.

I am pairing this with some black Hue capri length tights

and will wear it with sandals and perhaps the Swarovski encrusted flip flops.

Lucy Bleu

 I need to find a new OPI to wear on my toes 

maybe there's a shade of purple 

now that does sound like fun!

BLING!

It has no hanger appeal

I very nearly passed it up.

A little voice in my head said why not be adventurous and try it on?

I'm going to be wearing this in Seattle.

I gave myself a manicure and tried a faux French nail...

OPI Hearts and Tarts

 I ran a white nail pencil by Sally Hansen under the nails

bright ~ shiny

simple.

~ I think I am going to take Pondside's advice and try something new ~

Have you tried anything new lately?