Bloggers, Google, Rosenthal and Linen...

I met up with Susan Greig from the blog Arts and Crafts Bungalow at the gorgeous home and garden of my BFF and her husband who own WaterGlass Studios.
Susan is a very talented artist as well as being a gifted writer.
We had a lovely visit and I hope she will come back and spend some time here and visit in our Humble Bungalow.

On my way home I swung by a garage sale and spied an unusual looking vase...
one that strangely reminds me of a woman's breast!
I'm seriously not kidding!

Is it just me or do you get the same impression?

Rosenthal Studio Line designed by Tapio Wirkkala
called the Pollo Vase and it is quite popular among mid century modern collectors.
Lovely daughter has one or maybe two of these vases.
The bottoms are rounded and once they settle in place do not rock...
I think it will be perfect for one solitary bloom but hasten to think the cats might bat them about with their paws so I will need to be mindful of where I put this...

I've been on the lookout for a linen apron ever since I saw one in Vancouver at The Gourmet Warehouse.

I didn't purchase the one I saw there as it was $120 and I thought that a bit too much at the time.

This apron was just a tad under $50 so it came home with me!

It's a bit stiff right now but after laundering it will soften up and will offer years of service

and I'll feel a bit more chic wearing linen than my cotton one...

which has seen many stains and better days!

~ ~ ~

Mr. HB and I spent quite a bit of time outdoors working in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

Mr. HB is redoing our sundeck so there is a big mess in the yard...

lumber, sawdust, and tarps.

He's redesigning the railings and rebuilding the supports

and using pressure treated wood as this was not available when we built the original 25 years ago.

It's a big job and I am excited to see the end result...

I think we will have a BBQ and invite some friends over to help us celebrate when it's finished.

Orchids

 thrive in our bathroom

It must be the moisture from the shower

and the dappled sunlight from the window.

If I didn't love this plant's blooms so much I think I'd clip one stem and pop it in the "boob vase!"

OMG did I just type that? 

I thought it...

 now I wonder if I should delete that comment...

Tapio Wirkkala apologies to your design

and

I hope that you are not offended.

~ ~ ~

Some associations are forever...

I cannot read this phrase without thinking of Julia Child...

her parting words on her television series have stayed with me all these years.

What are you cooking for dinner tonight?

Bon Appetit!

~ ~ ~

Did you get distressed this afternoon when google went down?

I thought that's the end of my blog.

The smart folks have fixed it and we are back in action.

Thank you google geeks!

Staring out the window...

I've been so busy lately that I feel that I have been neglecting my blog.
It may be that I have been mismanaging my time or that I am trying to pack too much into each and every day.

I don't know if you read Faux Fuchsia's brilliant blog but if you do you know what an energetic and busy woman she is...
She works outside of the home at a firm that she refers to as Coalface and she has a husband, and an adorable young son. She cooks, entertains and has a gorgeous home and garden. She takes fabulous pictures and her blog never disappoints. Rush on over and meet her and tell her that I sent you!

Are you good at multi tasking?
Do you find that your time management skills are in tip top shape?

I've caught myself staring out the window meditating on life more frequently these days.
It's most likely a combination of world events and the fact that I am on the cusp of a lifestyle change.
Retirement is a big step and I want to do it well.
There are so many opportunities for renewal...
I want to explore new things, get more involved in my community and take an active role in keeping Mother moving and engaging her in some extra curricular activities.
Speaking of which...

I took my students to The Shaw Discovery Centre this week and it was such fun. There was a lot to take in and our special needs students ran from one display to another and back again! It was early and not crowded so this worked out to our advantage. The volunteers were most helpful and their knowledge and information enriched our experience. This ocean science centre has tanks of sea creatures and there is a hands on area where you can actually touch some of the creatures....star fish, sea anemones, crabs and more. If you get the opportunity to visit the centre go early and bring your young children or grandchildren.
I want to take Isla with me when I go next time!

We went to McDonalds for lunch after and the groups played in the play zone before we had a bite to eat.
It's been a long time since I've set foot in McDonalds and I was most impressed with their welcome.
Our students were so happy and their smiles were plentiful...I cannot show you the pictures as that would be a violation of their privacy rights so you'll just have to take my word for it...they loved it!

Today I am meeting up with Susan Grieg she writes the wonderful blog Arts and Crafts Bungalow.
I'll report back on our visit soon.

I think the people of Boston must be sighing with relief...
their city has been turned upside down this week.
It's all just so sad.

Be kind and gentle as you walk through life.
As John Lennon said.....Let's Give Peace a Chance.

Seeing Stripes....

It seems that Stripes have been popping up in every shop that I go into and they are very tempting...
as someone who shuns patterns I have embraced stripes.
The black and white and navy and white stripe coloured patterns seem like a safe choice for my conservative taste.

It's not as if the first Banana Republic top was lonely...
this top is all together different.

It's looser and very cool and breezy.
I need to find some new white capris to wear with this and many other things that I have from seasons past.
When I pulled out my summer season clothing I noticed that there was a stain on them that I had not noticed when I packed them away. I tried treating the stain with soaps and then hydrogen peroxide but it would not budge.
I am so careful to launder things before storing them so I am at a loss as to how or why this spot got past my inspection...perhaps I was not wearing my glasses!

So now I NEED to go shopping!
There are a few more things that I have bought which I will unveil in the next post but for now I must close
as I am running late...
I hope that your week is moving along nicely toward the weekend.

Be Well and remember to practise some Random Acts of Kindness...
I've been surprising my co workers with treats in secret and it's such fun to watch their reactions!

Hostess
XO

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