Friday, April 27, 2012

A book that inspires and our native Camus blooms.

Do you love finding a great book as much as I do?
I've never been in a book club as I think I read far too slowly to join one.
Oh but I do have a great book on the go at the moment...
you might enjoy this one too....


This book takes place in India 
and tells the story of a woman who grew up in privilege 
now money is scarce
her mansion is crumbling...

"Spanning decades and told in rich rhapsodic prose that takes us from India to England, 
to high peaks of the Himalayas and deep into the Burmese jungle, 
Waiting for the Monsoon is an unforgettable tale of love, loss and the unusual bond between two people" 
(from the jacket cover)

"If her soul had been as spotless as her lawn, she would not have died that year. She was like the old Lloyds.
For years it was the only electric lawnmower for miles around: the fact that it was still functioning was thanks to the brand and not to love. The machine hummed softly as she pushed it along. In the distance she heard the bus starting up for the first run of the day. In one of the houses as the bottom of the road a light came on; the crickets had fallen silent and the birds were still in dreamland. India was slowly awakening..."
(from the jacket cover)

You can read a review here.

I have read over 200 pages and have been transported to another place and time and am enjoying every minute of this adventure!

What are you reading?
I'd love some book recommendations.


The Garry Oak Meadow at school just beyond the playing field.
Can you see those dots of blue scattered in with the yellow buttercups?



I can tell you that this is a special piece of paradise.
Easter lilies dotted this place a few weeks ago
their creamy heads bobbing in the breeze as if they were bonnets.


Camus
The First Nations People used the root for food.
I love the blue and mauve petals they truly glow amid the field.

There is a white Camus which we see rarely
known as Death Camus because it's root is poisonous.

If you drive through town you will glimpse some parks with this blue and mauve native plant.
It's quite stunning massed under the mighty oaks.
It gives me cause to pause and wonder what our land looked like when the settlers first arrived to the land.

I can't wait to see what the field looks like in a few more weeks as all the buds mature and bloom.
Perhaps you'll join me in a future post when I show it again in all it's glory.

Do have yourself a fabulous weekend.
Love that you popped by for a visit.
Until next time...
Be Well.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Humble Bungalow Garden is growing...

We are trying to keep up with our Humble Bungalow Garden.
It's size and needs have gotten away from us...
Created by an industrious Hostess over the past 30 years it is a pleasant place to sit and relax.
There are heavily planted beds and very little grass!
The point that I am getting at is that it is a LOT of work to maintain so I have hired a strong man to help me whip it into shape and I am hoping that we can keep him on for a few hours each month to keep things looking tidy.
At least until I retire and have more free time to tend it.


I picked these Euphorbia blooms as we removed one 
to make room for a dedicated asparagus bed.


Looking down from the sundeck
2 robust rhubarb plants
alliums
Euphorbia
limelight hydrangeas
garlic in the raised bed between the rhubarbs
and the new raised bed


I bought new organic soil to fill this bed
but did not buy enough 
(24 cubic feet is not the same as 49 square feet!)
so I am making two more trips in the Volvo wagon
until it is filled
and then Mr. HB will be planting the asparagus
which apparently takes a few years of growth before a decent harvest can be expected.

Keeping Mr. HB fueled I actioned some spaghetti and meatballs
Lidia Bastianich's recipe that I found online.


You make the sauce first and then brown the meatballs in oil before adding them to the sauce.


Homemade pasta 
and the Kitchen Aid Pasta attachment.


Dinner is served...
we really work up an appetite when we are outdoors in the garden.

West Coast Seed packets are scattered about the kitchen
Touchstone Gold yellow beets
Oregon Sugar peas
Bright Lights Swiss chard
Gold Rush Zucchini

I have some leftover seeds from last summer which we'll use as well.
I like the West Coast Seed Company as their seeds are fresh and reliable
they also specialize in heirloom varieties
their seeds are also untreated non GMO seeds
which is important to me.

The company is located in Richmond BC and is Canada's No.1 Seed
Are you growing food in your garden?

I love being able to walk out to my garden and pick some fresh vegetables for dinner.
I think they taste better when they are home grown and freshly harvested just before serving.
The seed planting will happen on the long weekend in May.

Many varieties are available for growing in pots too so you don't need to have a big garden to grow food
you can have a balcony with pots
or a sunny window sill.


On my walk the other day I noticed that the neighbours down the street have removed all the grass from their front lawn and are making it into an enormous vegetable patch!
They have dressed up a homemade scarecrow 
in a red plaid shirt with straw filling
and baggy pants.

If you have never tried growing food from seed
I hope that you'll try it
or at the very least...
Please support the local organic farmers markets in your area.
Bon appetit.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Hermes and the Hostess OOTD

The sun shone down on us this past weekend.
There's nothing quite so uplifting as the sun and the spring fresh air.
Flowers and blue skies...
It prompted me to get busy and seek out some lighter clothes from the wardrobe
wash some wintery things, readying them for storage.
The weekend was not all work as Mother and I drove out to the country and perused some chic shops before settling into a very serious afternoon tea tray.
I mentioned to Mother that I was dressing casual...


Hermes scarf
makes an appearance.


I love this Olsen belt so much 
but I fear it's days are numbered 
as some stones have fallen out 
and there is some base metal showing 
where the silver has worn off.

I must find a suitable replacement before I let go of this belt.


This Hermes scarf is so summery 
it feels like a whisper.
I am so happy that I opted for subtle instead of bright and bold.

I wore my white Symplii tank top
Aerie dove grey light sweater
and Gap wide legged jeans.

The teahouse was pleasant and the voices of the tea drinkers were polite and hushed.
Good too because Mother's hearing is becoming a problem and she refuses to buy a hearing aid.
She is very firm about this and has taken a stand on it even after repeated requests from her family.
Did I tell you that I am taking her to seattle this summer for a jaunt and a shopping expedition?
We'll be staying at our home away from home, The Mayflower Park Hotel.
It's the same age as Mother, and they both look good for their ages!


Did you know that Hermes sells rocks?
They do.
Mr. HB received these with his Terre d'Hermes
the way they work is you spritz them with your scent and they retain the scent
 you can pop them in a drawer
to scent your lingerie 
or leave them out in a room as a diffuser.

Well that's about it for the weekend wrap up
 a new week is about to begin
I am keeping my fingers crossed for more sunshine.

What did you do this weekend?


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Baskets are weaving their way into my heart.

There is something about a basket that sends me all aflutter...
baskets speak to me and I have quite a few that I am passionate about.
I didn't think I needed another basket but two new ones have entered The Humble Bungalow.

Mother gave me a new basket and it reminds me of some that I have seen from Nantucket.
She is Spring cleaning her condo and getting rid of stuff.
I think that my de-cluttering binge has influenced her...
she has way too much stuff so I am really encouraged that she is paring down.



Strong sturdy and well crafted.
So pretty just on it's own
a perfect size for toting to the market.

My friend Cheryl and I did some shopping when she was here visiting and we ventured into a consignment shop in the Village and she found a lovely vintage framed picture and I found a basket!


Nut brown
 well woven and seriously commodious.
Pepper hopped inside and promptly curled up and went to sleep.
I've left it on the floor in the kitchen for now as she is enjoying it so much!


These baskets are in the front hallway
the hinged basket holds gloves scarves and hats.
The one on the left holds shopping bags
it's easy to grab a couple on my way out the door.

I try to always bring a bag or basket when I go shopping
it's one easy thing that I can do to help reduce reuse and recycle.

Earth Week has been full of "green" themed events.
We got involved in a community clean up project at school.
Our class filled 6 garbage bags with litter that we found scattered in and around the park.
It surprises me no end that people litter so much...
no excuse really as there are numerous garbage cans available
back in the day we'd call these folks litterbugs!

Take a tote, basket or some canvas bags when you go shopping
it's the right thing to do.
I don't know about you but I feel chic carrying something other than plastic.


 Be well
and many thanks for popping by and visiting.
It's a sun shiny day out there so I am off to weed the garden....
XO


Friday, April 20, 2012

My hairdresser listens to me and my OOTD

My hair has been getting me down lately...
too thick and too heavy
so I asked my talented hairdresser to thin it out and crop it into a French bob.
She, my dear readers, is a miracle worker.



All I need is to dry it with my diffuser and add some mousse and voila
I'm ready.


Slightly shorter in the back
with face framing layers at the sides.

OOTD
black Nygaard dark denim jeans
black loafers, Aerosoles
black Symplii tank top
tweedy waterfall sweater by Style & Co.
baroque opera length strand of pearls
sterling bangles


I don't have any plans for the weekend but have a play date with my granddaughter today.
That in itself is a recipe for happy.


loving tangerine these days
especially these roses

Hope that you make time to stop and smell the flowers.
Be good to yourself and others
and don't forget to smile!