Coffee, daffodils, aprons and meatballs ~ a mish mash!

I fancy a great cup of tea but I rarely comment on a good cup of coffee.
A good night's sleep is very important to me and I am sensitive to caffeine so it is a decaf blend that I opt to buy.
The Drum Roaster Coffee Shop at Cobble Hill, BC is my favourite spot to buy coffee.
 Coffee is roasted on site and the pastries are very delicious if you have a wee bit of a sweet tooth!
Seats are often in short supply as there is a crowd of loyal regulars, they do take out so all is not lost.
It's also a great stop to stretch your legs if you are driving up or down island.

This day has found me reading blogs that I follow and am on my second cup of coffee...
It's such fun reading blogs from around the world, so many great writers out there in the blog-a-sphere.
Inspiring me to try new recipes, revamp my closet, lose weight and travel.

The daffodils are blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I'm excited!

Emma Bridgewater's pottery is such fun.

This mug brings a little bit of spring cheer all year round.

If you look closely you can see the droplets of rain on this bloom

 trying very hard to be a sunny spot in a grey day

the weight of water has almost collapsed this daffodil's petals

still it is a pretty sight 

rain drops are very photogenic don't you think?

~ ~ ~

I'm going to pop on my trusty apron and get into action 

 Lidia Bastianich's classic Italian meatballs are on the menu 

for Mr. HB's supper tonight.

What are you cooking up for supper?

I must look for a new apron as mine is looking rather tattered...

 something with a bib style as I am a very messy cook!

any suggestions?

Hope your weekend had some delights.

Mine was so relaxing...

Take care,

Hostess

My latest crushes...

Teas are probably my favourite beverage of all time...
martini's are a close second!

I wanted to share with you an unusual new tea from the UK that is dazzling my taste buds.

It sounds like it might be hot and spicy but it is extremely well balanced.

The cocoa is the top note and there is no caffeine to keep you awake at night.

I brewed a mug and went to bed early and read a few chapters in my book.

Summer at Tiffany

which I am enjoying as it is a perfect light read to ease into slumber.

In order for me to maintain my sanity I need to go to bed earlier rather than later.

I have always needed lots of sleep.

My greatest luxury is 

waking up in the morning refreshed and rested and taking my time getting out of bed

I am very very fortunate that Mr. HB brings me a cup of tea every morning before I get out of bed.

(thank you honey!)

My dear father did that for my Mother every morning too 

I often think how hard it must be for her 

since he has gone 

to have to get up all by herself and brew her own pot of tea...

she has many more important reasons to miss him 

 it is just that at the start of her day now 

everyday since he passed away 

is the sad reminder that she is a widow.

Last Friday when we went to the Marina for my birthday sushi dinner 

my BFF and I both had a Grey Goose martini

the bartenders there mix a wonderful martini

so good in fact, that we had two!

Mr. HB bought a bottle and I was more than surprised to discover it is made in France of all places!

I had no idea!!

Mr. HB mixed me one on the following Saturday evening which I sipped ever so slowly...

a girl can get into trouble if she isn't careful

do you remember that classic Dorothy Parker quote?

"I like to have a martini,

Two at the very most.

After three I’m under the table,

after four I’m under my host."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Always have some food when imbibing in a martini or they can sneak up on you!

"Men seldom make passes

At girls who wear glasses."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Have some FUN this weekend!

Thank you for stopping by my humble little blog.

I do love all your comments and I read each and every one of them.

Hostess

OOTD...

I wore my new Lands End walking togs this past weekend.
Black active wear Performance pants and Polartec jacket in glacier blue.
Mr. HB  commented that it was "a younger look"...
just how much younger is that?

(it was a compliment that I enjoyed)

Does wearing active wear = youth?

I like the fit and quality of the Polartec jacket so much that I ordered another one in chartreuse...
no one can accuse me of buying only black and grey these days...
it seems that it's all about colour.

We are planning a trip to Seattle soon...

Thank you Mr. HB!
all of the above!
SERIOUSLY?
you do know how to spoil a gal.

I walked 

after breakfast

in the warm sunshine.

~ yogurt  ~  berries  ~  nuts ~

probiotic of course.....

I have introduced a Greens + shake by Sam Gracie into my mornings

it's an award winning product that has given me a much needed boost in energy after that boring bout with pneumonia.

there were some gorgeous blooms

they look vibrant against the blue skies

\

the view from the beach

Lots of folks had the same idea and I met quite a few smiling happy people on my walk.

I usually travel on the same familiar walking route...

 Along the ocean front and then along a curving road of waterfront homes before snaking back and looping up to the seafront again.

Walking is so meditative...a sublime time to be mindful.

I do not walk with an IPod

 I think it is important to make time to just listen to the steady beat of the heart 

 allow thoughts to bubble up and be recognized. 

Ideas and solutions to problems flow freely in the silence.

Decisions can be made when one is tuned in and focused and this time is perfect to mull things over.

Besides there is gorgeous scenery to soak in and savour.

Watching the Real Housewives of Vancouver is quite an eye opener.

The ladies have embraced youth and are having fillers injected into their faces 

seriously some of their lips look a bit too puffy for my taste.

Do any of you watch the Real Housewives?

I think it's trash TV but I watch it anyway...

perhaps it's so far from my reality that it fascinates me.

“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

 For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. 

 People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

 As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” 

~ Sam Levenson ~

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” 

~ Sophia Loren ~

It's almost the weekend how has your week been so far?

Take care and Be Well

Hostess

Saturday shopping finds...

Lovely daughter and I hopped in the car bright and early Saturday morning to head out for a day of thrift shopping.
We were hoping to hit all our favourites before mid afternoon...

I have lots of "stuff" so I am very particular what I bring home.

These blue suede shoes were in such great shape with very little wear that I opted to take them home.

I think they'll be a nice change from ballet flats with my boyfriend jeans.

Cole Haan is a reputable maker of quality leather goods so there is very little risk involved...

besides the fact that the price was about the same as a grande latte from Starbucks!

I realized that I have a Dior mens shirt in the exact same shade of blue which is tunic length 

add a strand or two of pearls and some leggings and I'm good to go.

~ ~ ~

Lovely daughter found all kinds of mid century moderne treasures...

she is contemplating starting up an etsy shoppe.

She and my BFF's daughter are friends and they rented a stall at a local vintage market to test the market.

There seems to be quite the demand for Danish teak, West German pottery, Finnish and Swedish glassware

among the younger generation.

Several shops focusing exclusively on this era have popped up and seem to be doing a healthy business.

~ ~ ~

I did find a book to keep here in The Humble Bungalow for our grand daughter Isla to read when she visits.

These "beginner books" are a great way to introduce reading and colour concepts.

Isla knows her colours and is happy to count out loud

build tall towers with blocks 

(before knocking them down and giggling!)

and loves to sit and have a story read to her.

Grammy decided that it is prudent to always have a stash of juice, goldfish crackers and fruit leather on hand.

You never know when that sweet red head will pop by for a visit.

~ ~ ~

Chester has been quite well behaved and patient with her despite just being a kitten himself.

Which of course is a huge relief as one never knows how animals will behave around busy little children.

Pepper on the other hand just finds a place to hunker down and go to sleep.

I wonder if there is a Go Cat Go book...

I'll post more about the birthday weekend next time.

Do you have any favourite children's books?

I would love to hear from you

Isla will be turning 3 in June and her Grammy does love books.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

Birthday snippets!

Birthdays have changed over the years...
but the sentiments remain the same.

It was a wonderful weekend from Friday until Sunday.
Lots to share and a wee peek at a few of the highlights...

Dessert on Friday

shared with friends at the Marina Sushi Bar.

gorgeous tulips

and a new cook book...

and that's just Friday's celebrations

stay tuned as there is more to come in my next post.

Hostess