Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

Time is full to bursting with precious memories...
of Mother.

My mother's life is far from perfect.
She has met many challenges and juggled many responsibilities.

I admire the way that she has handled adversity and the way that she sacrificed and put on hold her personal needs in order to spend time ministering to the needs of my ailing father before he died.

Flowers are how I like to celebrate this special day...


I am fortunate to live close to my Mother we see each other often, and spend time together doing things we enjoy.


Here she is on one of our walks along the Esplanade
wearing the Maui Jim sunglasses that we bought for her to wear in her convertible!
Did I ever mention that she drives a BMW?
It's her dream car...
she's way ahead of me!


Cheers to all you Moms out there...

whether you are taking care of your baby,
raising young children,
or remembering your own Mother.

Enjoy and savour your day...



I am celebrating here with a cup of freshly brewed tea...
and looking back in the vast vault of memories from my childhood.

Thanks MOM
Hostess
XO

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Garden Day in May

Today was a day for the garden...
I wore comfy faded jeans, a black tee and a hoodie...in pale pink.
Sunscreen and sunglasses
and it was so sunny in the Humble Bungalow Garden.


There is nothing like a warm sunny day to raise spirits
 neighbours were outside pottering about in their gardens
there was music coming through open windows...

some time was spent chatting over the fence
and catching up
let there be many more days like this please!

we have had a few wine and cheeses
over the years
and I think it's high time for another...


weeping pussy willow
with pansies


cheery yellow makes me smile


 delicate anenomes in mauve


such a sweet bloom


 tulips in yellow and orange


not quite fully opened
or I would have taken a picture of the interior with those dark fuzzy stamens


euphorbia fireglow

I spent the better part of the day weeding
 and 
trimming the edges until my dull edgers refused to snip another blade of grass
so half of the edges are shaggy
I'll need to buy some new ones or find a shop that sharpens tools.
I like to have the edges neat and tidy.
The cottage garden look is generally rather messy and chaotic 
so order with the edges are my one attempt to tame nature!

I dug up some overgrown twiggy bushes
and 
turned the soil in the back garden.
The raised beds are ready for seeds
which will be planted in a couple of weeks when the danger of frost has passed.

I am weary a wee bit sore but feel a sense of accomplishment.

I had the BEST surprise later this afternoon...
The lovely Miss Isla came over to visit!
Her parents were here too!
My son has just returned from a business trip in Chicago.

I made a cup of tea
put a blanket down on the floor in the living room 
and brought up all the toys
and the Tupperware
and a spoon.

I sat on the floor and played too.

Besides toys, 
she also enjoys playing with my silver bangles.

She is so adorable
her eyes are bright blue
her hair is red
and she has a smile that could melt any heart!

I am in Grammy Heaven right now basking in the after glow!


Monday, May 2, 2011

Seattle Weekend: a Mother Daughter Trip

Seattle was our destination of choice for many reasons.
It is relatively easy to get to from here and is a friendly city.


The Mayflower Park Hotel is perfectly located near to our favourite shops and has elegant and comfortable accommodations. We feel safe and secure within the hotel and all the staff are cheery and obviously love working there as they take such pride in their work.


Oliver's is the bar in the hotel and is a fun spot to stop for a light lunch or dinner and they mix a mean martini.
Mother doesn't eat very much and I shouldn't eat so much,
so we shared a salad and an entree each evening for dinner....
ditto for lunch.


Mother seated outside Oliver's

We dined there several times after we had walked and shopped for hours.
Our parcels were deposited safely in our room and we had the opportunity to freshen up and spend some quiet time before taking the elevator down to dinner.


Fresh Flowers 
are throughout the Hotel
Enormous displays adorn the Lobby.


Our room was on the 4th floor
view to the west.
The Westin Towers are beyond the building next door.


The Seattle Mariners headquarters 
are housed in this building next door.


The Mayflower Park 
is reflected in the glass.


The weather was warm and the wind was calm.
A few showers fell early but were gone by the time our room service trays were taken away.

Breakfast in our room is something that Mother enjoys.
She likes to greet the day feeling relaxed and fresh 
and she takes longer to get herself ready these days.

I quite liked the luxury of reading the paper and sipping hot coffee
wearing the white robe supplied by the Hotel.
The breakfast trays are beautifully arranged
with white linen cloths
lacy doilies
and a single orchid bloom.
The food was fresh and nourishing and wonderfully plated.

I regret that I forgot to capture an image...
a picture is worth a thousand words.

Shopping in a small radius of the Hotel was not a problem!

Macy's, Nordstrom's, Westlake Center, and Pacific Place Mall
are all a stones throw away!
Mother wore her serious walking shoes...
an ancient pair of Ecco's
apologizing several times for their appearance
(reserving her patent leather, velvet bowed Cole Haan flats for the Hotel)

Mother accompanied me to The Nordstrom Rack 
walking arms linked 
a couple of smiling and carefree gals
going about their business
1 1/2 blocks away 
on a Sunny Sunday morning

She found several things that she is delighted with...
one of which is the elusive leather wallet that she has been searching for for ages
(Thank you Kenneth Cole)

I naturally found shoes!
I am very lucky finding shoes at the Rack.


Now you might be thinking...
I've seen these before.
Yes!
I love this pattern...
so there are 3 pairs of Mee Too NY Snaffle flats in the Hostess's closet,
a Trio.

I do know what I like 
and I keep buying the same or similar styles often!


For example...

Elie Tahari 
Jersey top in Black
goes with all my clothing
so I could not pass it by
and it was half price.
(I have two now with a slight different neck detailing)

Mother and I spent a few hours Saturday in Nordstrom's.
It was a busy place!
No signs of an economic downturn here.

The shoe department was like a mob scene...
there was a fellow on a microphone 
calling out numbers!
 clerks were darting this way and that way
and shoe boxes were stacked 6 high
women were putting their painted toes into every kind of shoe imaginable
Smiles were plentiful...

Mother disapproved of this garish display
she said as much to me
in a quiet tone of course certain that no one would hear
At almost 84, I suppose you can pretty much say whatever you want...
certainly by this age, you have had time to amass a lot of opinions



I saw a fab pair of plastic Valentino flip flops with a big Red Bow
which reminded me of those shoes from the past that we called jellies
for $495

The Chanel shoes were divine in style but even more so in their construction.
I confess there was some sticker shock that registered with both Mother and myself.

We cruised through the jewelry section
where Mother made some purchases.
The varied gems and arty designers works on display were of the highest quality.
 pieces were edgy and many were of a tribal or bohemian nature.
I was introduced to the work of Alexis Bittar
and just today over at 
she shows us her lovely bangle.


I found these Sterling Silver drops
simple and understated
quite bland when compared with what filled up the cases
but very "me"

All this shopping and browsing made us both thirsty 
and Mother weary.
I was very conscious of placing sitting and sipping breaks into our days.
We had a delcious tea break in the Nordstrom Grill
a quiet respite from the crowds.


I was served a lemon wedge with my black tea
I honestly was very impressed.

Home Sweet Home
all is safe and sound.

Pepper must have missed me
as she was lounging on the bed as I unpacked my case.


I missed her too.


Look at her fat belly!


I gave her some treats and you can see just how keen she is waiting for the tasty tidbits!
She has not left my side since my arrival.


Summer sandals
by Bandolino
from Macy's

Offered as a "special buy"
for $39.98
affordable
and
oh so comfy.


The only thing black you'll see here is the label


Mother insisted I add some colour 
to my wardrobe
and I willingly did.
I just needed a gentle maternal nudge.

Mother was a nurse before she was a homemaker 
and then when my sister and I left home
she went back to work as the manager of a small boutique.
She has always loved fashion and she has always loved shopping.
I know she is much more confident putting herself together than I am.

Behold the Blue
Eileen Fisher sweater jacket in a light Italian knit.
I think it must have been winter stock

 An Echo scarf helps with the transition of
wearing a white or black top
with black pants
I felt it 
needed "something more" to accent the jacket.


Last but not least
I forgot my sunglasses
so I bought a new pair
and I quite like the larger frames.

I read an article that emphasized the need to wear polarized lenses 
to maintain eye health from the damaging UV rays
there is evidence that macular degeneration 
and cataracts 
may result if protective eye wear is not worn.
So I am making a pledge to wear mine when ever I am out in the sun or driving the car.

The Humble Bungalow is very quiet
 now that the washer and dryer have come to a full stop.

Pepper is snoozing on a pillow in the dappled sun that is streaming through the window.

Dinner tonight is going to be a simple meal
consisting of oven baked chicken pieces 
smothered in chicken chili and faux soy sauce (Braggs)
steamed and buttered green beans 
and twiced baked stuffed potatoes

I am keen to sit and have a pre dinner cocktail with my sweety 
share the details
from the past 3 days
and catch up on his news.

Mother told me she'd be putting her feet up 
and napping in her chair 
while listening to symphonic sounds...
I'll be betting that she'll sleep like a baby!

What a weekend for the memory books....
I am ever so grateful

Friday, April 29, 2011

Cheerio, I'm off for a few days...

Cheerio,

I am off for a few days with Mother
and leaving Mr. HB and Pepper in care of the Bungalow.

We will be SHOPPING
south of the border!


the writing is in the sand...


things are looking up...


Any thoughts on where I might be headed?

Mother is so keen that she has been packed and ready all week!


Mr. HB is excited about the Hockey Play Offs


I do not think as excited as
I have been excited about the Royal Wedding...
wasn't it amazing?

There was such a buzz at work about the ceremony
the attention to detail
the crowds of well wishers who camped out days in advance
the
uplifting feeling that people feel when there is something good in the news.

I cannot help but think of those devastating tornadoes
and Japan will always be in my thoughts...



Go Canucks Go!


Can you imagine dining at Buckingham Palace?
What would you wear and what would you say if you met the Royals?
What would you choose as a wedding gift?

I think I'd send something made by our BC First Nations peoples
Sterling Salad Servers perhaps...
or a pair of Cowichan Valley sweaters....
as seen here at the

More Friday Flowers...
Spring has Sprung!


Bungalow Garden 
Native Lilies


Look at these bracts...
I never planted this plant it just pops up willy nilly all over the garden.


This Euphorbia is in dire need of thinning out
I do love the lime shade of green.


Grasses are drought tolerant and we have water restrictions 
so I have been trying to plant things that are hardy
not so water dependent.
I quite like the colour of this grass.

I LOVE my roses 
and they LOVE water!


View from the Park


A sea of Blue Camas

Apologies for his post
 it is a rather hastily put together and rather a scrambled one.


I will cross the Sea to the South
and see you later...
I hope the sun is shining down on your patch.

Have a delicious weekend!

Friday flowers...roses and royal wedding images....

Hello
a very quick post wedding post.

Have a Fabulous Friday...
everythings coming up roses



Love is in the air...
I can still hear
the sound of church bells ringing and
images of the Royal Wedding will stay with me for a long time...


I thought Kate looked amazing, her dress was stunning.
Looking lovely

The hats are spectacular, love the pomp and the magnificance of it all.
Swooning from here.

I must be a romantic because I wept when I saw them exchanging their vows.

Hostess