OOTD ~ remembering friends...

It was a glorious day outside, sunshine, warmth and a gentle breeze.

Mother asked me to accompany her shopping and suggested we pop into our favourite eatery for a light lunch.

Linen J Jill shirt

white tank

Jackpot white pants 

Lily Bleu flip flops

As creatures of habit I opted for the house salad with feta cheese and Mother chose a thin crust pizzette
two glasses of lemon infused water
(served in plastic tumblers which Mother cannot abide)
and our ritual pots of orange pekoe tea
(served in individual teapots which Mother applauds!)

Conversation wanders off tangentally as we think of things to relate to each other.

Mother recently lost a dear friend and neighbour and is grieving...
the two were widows and spent time together sipping wine, going to the theatre and keeping each other company.
Mother has very few friends left and feels with each death she is nudging closer to her own demise.

Having lost a few friends myself I know how emotional a process this can be...
it is so unsettling
like the rug has been pulled out from under.

A topsy turvy equilibrium follows.
Tears flow freely unbidden...

standing at the sink washing up the dishes
reading a book
listening to music
pulling weeds
looking out the window
driving
looking at old photos of us all together...

it doesn't take much to shake those memories loose...

simple threads dangling from a tapestry

There was a long time friend Margaret who grew up and attended school with me who died suddenly leaving two young girls and a husband in her wake.
This death stunned and shocked me to the core...

A few years later another girlfriend, also named Margaret,
one of the "original four" bridge partners lost her battle to cancer
she left a huge void.
It must have been so difficult for her as she knew she was leaving three very young girls, a husband, family, friends, and a career as a dedicated teacher...
when I visited her the last time in Hospice
she was in a coma and all I could do was weep and gently hold her hand.

It took years to come to terms with her demise and I think of her often.

Visiting with the girls

lovely women in their own right

who have become who they are without the gentle guiding and nurturing hand of their mothers

I cannot help but wonder how losing their mothers has impacted their lives...

Saying goodbye and letting go...
are we ever over the grief?
How do we come to terms with our own mortality?

Living life fully
not having regrets
forgiveness
treading gently on life's path
being kind
helping others
making a difference
taking time to honour those who have left...

Mother and I will attend a service, a "celebration of life" in a few days.
We have been advised to wear a bright scarf.

Mother mentioned that she has already decided what to wear and I have yet to decide...
I am leaning towards my black dress by Gilmour and a bright Hermes scarf.
The LBD not because of it's colour but because it fits well and is a summer weight bamboo.

“Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower.
We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.”
                                  ~ William Wordsworth ~

Bamboozle...

I've heard great things about a shop called Bamboozle in the Coombs area up island.
Women seem to gush when they talk of their purchases of clothing, jewels, shoes, accessories...
and home decor items.
They are very effusive when describing how much fun their shopping experience was and that they can hardly wait to return.

My friend was the co pilot in my old Volvo wagon plus we had a GPS to help us from getting lost...
Bamboozle is tucked away in a rural area off the beaten path.
It is an oasis of loveliness...
set under a canopy of trees.

outside on the porch of Bamboozle

inside there are fabulous finds

my friend bought some gorgeous clothes for summer

the fabrics and colours are cheery and bright

I was drawn to the style of garments and the display of the accessories in colour groupings

as were the 20 or so other women inside jostling for space

there was a line up at the change room

and everyone looked happy

Coombs is a destination 

tourists flock here to the Goats on the Roof store and restaurant.

I love delphiniums 

but they do not thrive in The Humble Bungalow Garden

so I take pictures and admire them with serious envy from afar.

Love these cool shades of blue and some soft mauve tinges that pop up in the blooms.

I have been using aquatic shades in my recent painting.

The Yoga mat usually is rolled up and stored away neatly...

I have a hobby room and keep it as I see fit.

Often it is a jumble

 the cats love keeping me company when I am dabbling in acrylics

I do not like them usuing my Yoga mat as a scratching post though...

I found a really inexpensive dress when we stopped at Ladysmith for lunch on our way back from The Kingfisher.

Ladysmith is a quaint little town

 heritage buildings

a fabulous bakery

and a few boutiques dot the high street.

This frock is cool and the weather here has been sunny and very hot

so it is a much needed purchase.

even the colours are cool

three layers of ruffles at the bottom

Hoping that you are keeping cool and remember to hydrate with fresh cool water.

I have started taking bottled water on my hourly walks...

it makes all the difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read my humble blog

and for those of you who send me emails I really appreciate getting to know you better.

Almond Joy!

I keep coming back to the amazing products made by L'Occitane in Provence France.

This almond milk moisturizes and hydrates my skin like nothing else I have ever used...
plus it smells delicious and a little goes a long way.

Thinking of almonds

I decided to expand my experience and sample the shower gel and hand lotion.

I am pleased to say that they are worth every penny...

I received a small travel size of almond milk in the pack

 which I will come in handy when I meet my girlfriend up island for a Spa treat and a getaway at The Kingfisher.

My first impression of Retirement is that it is Blissful!

I have savoured playing with our gorgeous little Miss Isla.

She is so much fun!

Grammy's in love with her big time...and I think that Grampa is a just a wee bit of envious.

She painted him a picture so that he could get in on the action.

Thank you Isla Grampa loved it.

It's a warm and sunny day and I plan to sit and sip my afternoon tea outside

and browse and savour the latest Country Living magazine.

It's too hot to walk my route just yet...

will need to cool down a tad before I pound the pavement.

What a luxury to have the time to choose when to walk.

I took my time when I was in at the Avenue book sellers...

I browsed the shelves and found a new book to add to my ever growing pile of books beside my bed.

~ ~ ~

Time to do things at a relaxed pace is what I think I will enjoy the most about retirement.

But it is early days yet...

Thank you all for popping by and visiting my Humble Blog.

Be Well 

Remember Random Acts of Kindness never go out of style.

Dressing and living simply...

Living simply in retirement is my goal.

Dressing simply seems like it will reflect my new lifestyle.

Taking tea on the front porch

with time to mull over what is important

~ things I'd like to persue ~

~ things that I can let go of ~

~ enriching my life and those of others through volunteer work ~

~ taking an art class ~

~ meeting new people ~

~ re-joining the Victoria Horticultural Society ~

and

 that's just what I thought about today!

 simple bouquet of chartreuse green Lady's Mantle

This cheery red white and blue tote "spoke to me"

 every time I went back to The Bungalow in the Estevan Village I looked at it

it kept speaking..."buy me Hostess!"

I picked it up and carried it a bit

yesterday and decided that I could treat myself.

Oh and won't my red flats have fun with this great tote?

Happy Shopping and Happy Dancing.

I love this message

as it also speaks to me...

and I AM listening

listening to ALL that is my daily round

soaking up life

 embracing JOY

the powerful

attitude of gratitude

I popped into out local Hospice Thrift Shop 

and found this basic linen shirt which I will wear layered over a simple white tank top

I love the organic neutral shade and think it will look fabulous with creamy strands of pearls.

I think there will be multiples of pearls worn with this shirt

Coco would approve!

Sandwich white skinny capris

perfect for a summer day

thinking of wearing them with my blue and white striped Breton tops

red flats or sandals

perhaps paired with the new J Jill linen shirt

and an armful of bangles

or a simple silver cuff

another thrifted find

a silver disk on a strand of simple leather

casual ~ simple ~ fun

The WW program is keeping me mindful of what I eat.

Recording all the food points really helps keep me accountable.

The walking is helping me whittle the weight, build muscle and is making me feel more energetic.

The best news is that I have lost 16 pounds as of my weigh in this week!

My boyfriend jeans are looking so baggy and there are only a few pairs of pants that fit me now.

I do not want to go out and invest in a lot of new things because I want to lose another 10 pounds 

and they tell me that is usually another size down.

Happy Fourth of July!

Enjoy the festivities and fireworks.

Hostess

XO

Tigara ~ Part 2

Tigara is one of my favourite places to visit...not only is it home to my BFF but the gardens are pure magic.
Without further ado you will be able to witness more of our friends' glorious home and garden...

The weather was hot and sunny 

and fortunately a gentle breeze blew off the ocean.

The porch overlooks the garden and the ocean beyond.

Vintage wicker is the perfect furniture for this arts and crafts home.

My BFF sets a lovely table!

Fresh flowers are always in abundance and artfully arranged.

Appetizers 

The British AGA is at home here in the heart of the home.

Many delicious meals have been cooked in this kitchen.

My BFF's husband is a clever craftsman 

He designed and crafted this copper hood.

He's also the talent behind their company Waterglass Studios...

just look at all the wonderful period light fixtures in these images.

Alabaster beauty

The living room ia spacious and furnished with oak arts and crafts furnishings.

This bath serves the two bedrooms either side of the doors.

Another powder room is tucked away underneath the staircase in the front hall.

The dining room

A third guest room off the main hall.

I love this light

looks like she has serious matters on her mind besides holding the torch!

I spied this tote in the guest room and my BFF said it was a gift for me!

Thank you S.

The main entry way and stairs leading up to the vast bedroom suite above.

French 75's were the cocktail of the hour.

Delicious mix of bubbly, gin, and lemon.

The front porch which I am so passionate about...

Mr. HB did some fine design work here.

My BFF got her hands on my IPhone and snapped this one of me...

barefoot

just wish I was a barefoot contessa!

Looking west to their neighbour's home across the croquet lawn.

The heritage Tea House.

Cooper their Welsh Terrior

which my BFF refers to affectionately as the Welsh Terrorist.

He is picking up on the scent of the resident native bunny...

who apparently lives under the ground in a burrow in this perennial border.

The garage and a shed with a patio seating area in front

this is where one of the BBQ's are located!

Vintage lighting in the Tea House!

Looking toward the shed and patio.

Toward the house.

Mr. HB relaxing in the cool of the Tea House

while he and my BFF's husband took a break from BBQing the lamb.

I hope that you have enjoyed this tour....

Tigara really is a magical place to visit.

An even better place to be invited to dine or pop by for a drink!

The hospitality is amazing as is the warmth of good friends and shared experiences 

It is the kind of thing that one finds only once in a lifetime.

Rather like Tigara...

Thank you to S and P for sharing your special home.