Sweeping Beauty....and men in kilts!

Cleaning is an ongoing job that never seems to get finished.
As soon as I complete a task there is another one that needs tending to.
My standards have relaxed somewhat and the dust bunnies are having a convention here in The Humble Bungalow!
It's not for lack of vacuuming, dusting or sweeping...I think there is a dust bunny baby boom afoot...make that underfoot!

The rays of sunshine are drawing attention to my lack of due diligence, and pointing their fingers at me as if to say "tisk tisk" Hostess. All I can say is that it is very difficult keeping a house of this vintage dust free. The forced air furnace seems to whip up the dust in whirls of frenzied spirals and they land willy nilly settling on the plate rails and dark wood fir panels.
Life is much too short to obsess about this but I recoil a bit when I spy this mayhem.
It's bad enough that I judge the dust in disgust ~ imagine what guests must think!

Meet Sweeping Beauty.

One might as well have beautiful tools when doing a rather thankless job.

They elevate my mood when I am darting about trying to capture the dirt.

Did I mention that I now wear my walking or Yoga gear so that I feel like I am getting some exercize?

The psychology of wearing stretchy fabrics and my hoodie are making me more active.

Who knew that this would happen?

I think perhaps I have turned over a new leaf.

I've often thought about trying to use a leaf blower to eradicate the dust by using brute force.

Has it ever crossed your mind?

Bring in the big Guns?

Spring is a time for renewal...

Spring Cleaning is currently Number 1 on my do list.

Windows are done by a friendly fellow who loves leaping up on ladders ad squeegeeing his way 

around the many panes. I've had him do the inside and the outside and I do admit it's a bit of a luxury but he does a far superior job than I can do!

I've heard about a new service in town that might be worth a call

but I am loyal to my fellow who has been taking care of our windows for the last 20 years...

when he retires I think I'll hire these blokes!

Deeper cleaning happens in the Spring. 

Every day I wipe and disinfect the kitchen counters

(our cats are the reason I need to be so fastidious as they jump up and drink out of the kitchen faucet!)

I keep on top of the clutter

a small home looks smaller if it's littered with stuff

besides feeling way too chaotic...

I wash dishes 24/7

 keep the stainless appliances shining

wipe off the cooktop and keep on top of the fridge and it's contents.

Laundry is probably my favourite domestic chore...

and I LOVE my new LG steam machines.

We "domestics" have an important job and one that I think offers job security!

~ ~ ~

Mr. HB is busy too...

We have quite a few major projects planned...

a new roof, 

a sun deck repair and rebuild 

and a green house at some point.

~ ~ ~

I am so disturbed by the recent events in Boston at the marathon.

I'll never really understand the use of violence...

I admit to being naive and I do live my life by the Golden Rule.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Spread Peace in your daily round this week

the world needs balance and I feel we can all do our little bit to help.

Namaste

~ ~ ~

Small pickings...bring great Joy.

In all honesty I thought the weather was going to be gloomy all weekend after the rain and hailstorms we had on Saturday...
while the weather was not favourable for playing outdoors it was a perfect time to read
it afforded me the opportunity to finish Jamie Cat Callan's book Ooh La La...
I enjoyed learning what French Femmes think is their secret to finding their ooh la la and I know you will too.
Immediately after closing the last page I emailed her and told her that I loved it.
In true Jamie style she has generously offered to send me a copy when it comes out in May for a blog giveaway! So stay tuned for the details in the near future.

I picked a wee posy to celebrate the colours that mimic the sky.
Small posies are as cheery as large bouquets especially when they pack a bright punch of colour.

Joyous brilliant blue skies and sunshine...
white and blue.

The sounds of the birds chirping
the mowers in the neighbourhood chugging along as they clipped the grass
the children gleefully chattering as they play in their yards
people outdoors pottering in ther gardens
and the multitude of people walking along the seafront
all out perambulating
enjoying Nature's Beauty...

I hope that you had a beautiful weekend...

and we must remember that we are all beautiful in our own way.

I've gleaned this morsel of truth from Jamie Cat Callan's book.

Merci beaucoup Jamie!

To read more French secrets I implore you to read the book!

Hostess

XO

Ooh La La! every woman can feel beautiful...

I am savouring Jamie Cat Callan's most recent, soon to be published novel "Ooh La La."
Each chapter is delicious and I am indulging like I would eat a chocolate,
slowly letting it melt in my mouth.
Jamie takes us on a journey where she shares the secrets of French women and their secrets to feeling beautiful everyday...
she has interviewed many women while doing her research and I love to hear their "voices" on many topics. I am halfway through the book and look forward to the next chapters...
but like any good book when you reach the end, you are left craving for more.
With this in mind I am pacing myself because I do not want it to end!

Pretty pink native lilies are in bloom in a field nearby our Humble Bungalow.

My orchid is re-blooming...

these plants are really a bargain

  they bloom several times a year for many years 

all they need is water once a week and some filtered light

I'm tempted to pick up another one as they are on sale at the flower shop.

Our garden has many hellebores

this one is a mass of blooms and shows no signs of stopping.

I've seen the black variety of this plant in the gardens at Van Dusen in Vancouver 

I have yet to track it down locally but it is very definitely on my wish list!

Our asparagus patch is in it's second year and we must not harvest any until the third season.

It does make my mouth water just thinking of how delicious it will be when we can pick some.

It's raining cats and dogs outside this morning and I am hunkered down under the down duvet...

indulging in a little rest and relaxation.

It's been a long work week that found me very tired by Friday.

Mr. HB suggested we go out for dinner last evening but I was too tired to get dressed up 

so we ordered in some delicious Chinese food and I read more of Jamie's book.

In her book she stresses that all women should feel beautiful 

regardless of their physical size or their financial state.

I am loving her tips and the insights into the French Femmes

which focuses on "la femme d'un certain age."

Au revoir

 from this femme d'un certain age!

~ ~ ~

(there's a book on the bedside table calling my name!)

I'll be back soon and in the meantime I hope that you are well and in good spirits

have a beautiful weekend!

XO

I am going to bed with a good book.....

Hello people...
whoo hoo
the mail brought gifts this week!

Look at this packaging!

Look at the title!

Pinch me please I am not dreaming!

Jamie Cat Callan sent me her advanced readers copy BEFORE it hits the press...
loving all things FRENCH I am swooning as I read the chapters.
I want to meet Jamie someday....
I love her "voice."
I think I might just take a bloggy break while I devour her book...

Mr. HB came home tonight to find me on the couch sipping a cup of tea and very quiet
while I had great difficulty prying my eyes from the pages of Jamie's newest...
to welcome him home.
I was so immersed I hardly noticed...

I do not want to stop reading until I have finished...

It never rains but it pours
Cheryl Fortier, a dear friend who first introduced me to Jamie Cat Callan when she met her in Auvilar France sent me Barbara Kingsolver's latest...
she met up with her at The Virginia Centre of The Arts when she was an artist in residence this past month.

I am keen to get stuck in...

Please send some positive thoughts for Cheryl and her family as her father is in hospital

and not doing well...

My BFF's mother has been in hospital and now is back home with 24 hour care and I am reminded of how precious and precarious life can be...

HUG your loved ones and tell them you care.

Everyday!

Thank you for visiting my Humble Blog.

OOTD...my new uniform.

After years of fussing when getting dressed I am happy to report that getting dressed has taken on a casual twist.
Staying close to home has brought new meaning in wearing "the uniform."
It needs to be comfortable, neat and tidy...
easy to wear and fast to assemble.

OOTD

It's simply me

the retired version

(I have a few months left to work before it's official)

I am practising for my future role!

Gap boyfriend jeans

white tank from H and M

grey cashmere from Lands End

Olsen belt

red Nine West ballet flats

Hermes scarf

I plan to invest in a few more cashmere cardigans when they go on sale

and I have oodles of scarves to pair with them.

It's my new comfort zone.

Not too sloppy...

but let's keep things simple.

Life is too short to spend everyday standing in front of the closet searching for clothes to put on.

I love the quick pick speedy way of dressing.

How about you?

Do you have a basic uniform?

I hope that your week is off to a great start.