Today's bathing suit post by Lisa inspires this Hostess...

Lisa from Amid Life of Privilege posted this morning about swimsuit options for women of a certain age...
she got me thinking about my attitude towards my body and the swimsuit dilemma.

You can read her post here.

As a curvy gal with some wobbly bits I shy away from anything too scant.
Give me coverage and some support and I am happy to join in on the fun in the pool or the ocean.
My days of strutting around attention seeking were limited to my very early teen years.
Nowadays I am happy to cool off and swim before laying down and relaxing on a comfy chaise lounge...
no fuss, no fanfare, and I'd prefer if I blended in rather than sticking out!

I love Lands' End for their variety of styles and the accurate sizing makes for a happy encounter.

The good news is that you can buy a new swimsuit on sale now at Lands' End.

They have a swimsuit guide which will help you choose a style that fits and flatters.

There are many styles, shapes and colours...a suit for every shape and size.

This shape is flattering for a curvy gal and offers lots of support where needed...

looks great with a pareo wrapped at the waist too if you are modest.

These two bathing suits are comfortable to wear...
not that you'd find me parading up and down along The Esplanade at noon on a hot summer weekend.
Besides, securing a spot in the sand is like buying high end real estate in The Hamptons...
expensive and hard to come by!

A cute two piece suit and in a stunning shade of red but not enough fabric for this Hostess !

Beach, pool and boating attire all require some serious forethought.

If one is planning to swim a suit is required...

(unless under the cover of darkness!)

Shopping for a suit needn't be unpleasant and as Lisa suggests you might consider ordering a bunch 

trying them on in the privacy of your own home and returning those that are not flattering...

Lycra and Spandex fabrics offer stretch and ease of movement and I like the way they help control my mid zone.

Washing and rinsing chlorine and salt water after use help to keep the fabrics strong and the colours bright.

I launder mine by hand and use Aveda Shampure Shampoo and hang to dry.

Two suits mean that I have a fresh one to wear while the other is drying.

Have you got a swim suit that fits and flatters?

One that makes you feel good or at the very least one that feels comfortable when you put it on?

Hey Jude...we're talking about roses today.

Hey Jude

a classic song and a classic rose.

David Austin's stunning rose "Jude The Obscure."

In our Humble Bungalow Garden of roses Jude stands out head and shoulders above the rest.

It is no secret that it remains my favourite.

There are so many wonderful roses on the market and by no means am I an expert...far from it.

I'm nothing but a passionate rosarian.

Our "Peace" Rose won Best Rose in Show

at The Gordon Head Garden Club Exhibition back in the early 2000's.

 Our name was engraved on a Vintage Silver Rose Bowl and we had the extreme pleasure of having it reside in our Humble Bungalow for a year.

(I polished it regularly)

Things to consider when buying a rose...

the variety ~ shrub, rambler, climber

the growing habit ~ size at maturity

blooms ~ shape, size, colour

flower flush ~ once, twice or repeating

fragrance ~ mild, bold, myrrh, bourbon, citrus, sweet...

(you'll need a sunny spot in your garden as roses thrive on the warmth)

When you visit the garden centre go with an open mind...

don't compromise your basic preferences and get swayed by the first beautiful blooms that you see as there are many!

There are oodles of roses on the market today and a little research goes a long way.

Always buy hardy plant stock from a reputable grower.

The David Austin website is a fabulous place to start.

Once you've purchased your rose(s) 

you'll need to dig a hole and pop in some organic compost before setting the rose into the hole.

Make sure that you like the way it is oriented before filling the hole with dirt.

Stamp your foot down all around the base of the plant to press the soil in.

Make a ridge of soil in a circle around the base that helps keep the moisture near the roots and water well.

Roses are greedy guzzlers and when they are getting established they like a drink every day!

They like lots of good nutrition and if they are well fed they are more resistant to bugs.

Some gardeners like chemical fertilizers I prefer to utilize natural aids.

Banana peels and Epsom salts once a month provide great results.

(an experienced rose grower told me that she feeds her roses rabbit food!)

Dig the peels into the soil and sprinkle the base with a handful of salts before watering.

If you water in the morning you can usually keep black spot at bay.

It loves to attack and take hold when the roses go to bed wet at night because the leaves don't dry out until the following morning. 

We often water in the evening as we have water restrictions so just be prepared for it.

If the leaves are peppered with black spot pick them off and do not add them to your compost bin if you plan to use it in your beds in the future.

Aphids can be washed off with some soapy water in a spray bottle or buy some live lady bugs.

Make sure you prune your roses every year and remember the pruning rule ~ the 3 D's...

Dead, damaged and diseased.

Prune back the stem to a leaf formation of 5 leaves and cut using clean sharp secateurs.

Oh and when you prune your roses be sure to wear some decent rose warrior gloves so your arms do not fall prey to those prickly thorns!

To learn more about growing roses you can go online to the various rose societies.

Brentwood Bay Nursery is a great place to find roses and they have a helpful website with links to clubs, roses and gardens to visit when you are in Victoria.

As a rose lover I think that roses make a great gift.

What a lovely way to mark a special anniversary, wedding or a milestone birthday.

Climbing Royal Sunset is a lovely shade of apricot with a delicious rich perfume.

Ours climbs up the sundeck which faces west. 

It blooms like mad and is incredibly hardy and disease resistant.

It would make a good rose for any novice grower...

a lovely housewarming gift!

"A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust."

~ Gertrude Jekyll ~

What is your favourite rose?

Paddling pool playtime...

The weather has been conducive for dining and playing outdoors...
this is not usual as we live so close to Juan de Fuca Strait and the winds blow more often than not.

Clover Point is the perfect kite flying area...

there are few overhead wires to get the kite strings snarled.

Gale force winds are not uncommon even in the height of summer so when a gentle breeze or no wind blows we are delighted to get outside and splash about in the paddling pool play on the slide...

Lounging and sipping a glass of something cool and refreshing...

soaking up the warmth of the sun.

Enjoying an al fresco meal overlooking the Humble Bungalow Garden.

Grammy's got a vintage watering can and Isla has a new pink one.

She has almost outgrown this slide...

hope that Henry will have some fun with this soon.

I scrubbed the pool clean earlier in the day and filled it with tap water that was warmed by the sun and it was like bathwater by the time we were ready to splash...and splash we did!

Grammy was prepared and dressed for the occasion...wearing a casual cotton skirt and top with flip flops.

There were big jumps..."the biggest jumps EVER Grammy."

Swimming and splashing until the pool was shaded by the trees and then it was time to towel off and get changed for dinner.

We served BBQ'd salmon, stuffed eggs, tomatoes with mint, coleslaw, Greek and green salad with buns.

Dessert was angel food cake, strawberries and whipped cream.

The house is quiet now...

The sounds of family ~ chatter and children really contribute to make a home feel full.

Our house guest has arrived and I will be kept busy as I take my Hostess role seriously!

I have some adventures planned and there will be conversations over a glass of wine later in the evening.

See you in a few days...

"The family is one of nature's masterpieces."

~ George Santayana ~

Cultivating beauty...

Look at this wee plant blooming while living in a crevice of concrete.

I thought a bit about how we live brightly despite our circumstances.

If you look around you'll see evidence to back this theory up...

I spied a rusty balcony set high above the street downtown with a riot of colourful blooms.

They were planted in a mixture of recycled metal olive oil cans and large tomato tins.

The tins must have been cast offs from a local eatery as they are far too big to buy them in a grocery store. 

Someone had made this oasis of cheer and beauty for just pennies and a few packets of seeds.

One needn't be rich to cultivate beauty.

There's a bag lady who collects cans and bottles wears the same outfit every time I see her 

She accessorizes it by wearing a bright silk scarf tied around her neck.

Her hair is neatly arranged in a bun.

I wonder what event or events have occurred that placed her on the street.

There is another woman who collects recycling in our area and she has a fabulous English bike with a custom made commodious carrier.

I am a wee bit curious why she is doing this as she appears to be affluent but I cannot bring myself to ask.

I have a tendency to want to know everything and scare people off.

Besides it is none of my business.

I take our water and wine bottles back to the store for the refunds.

On recycling day the blue bins that have bottles and cans are easy picking for the collectors and I am always amazed by their methods of carrying them.

Some have huge plastic bags and others have carriers and one fellow even drove a van!

I think it is important to surround ourselves with things that we find beautiful...

they needn't cost a lot...

you might collect some of Nature's gifts...

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness."

~ John Keats ~

Have a lovely weekend...

I may be off line a bit as I have a birthday dinner party to prepare for and a house guest will be staying with us for a few days.

I cannot let my Hostessing go to the dogs, as I have a name to live up to.

Hostess

Birds of a feather...

My sister and I took Mother out to cheer her flagging spirits.
She loves visiting the petting zoo at Beacon Hill Park where they have farm animals, birds, pigs and baby goats.
It is a great place to take children and in my years at school many field trips were spent there. We'd walk to the park, visit the zoo area and afterwards we'd have a picnic.

With this in mind my sister and I packed a picnic...
we enjoyed salad, hard boiled eggs, raw vegetables, cantaloupe, chocolate and tea.

Last summer I purchased a basket and some cheerful china and that was the beginning of my picnic collection.

The plates are so pretty that I cannot help but smile when I use them.

I found silver plated forks, knives and spoons in thrift shops and have decided that I like a mixed bunch.

We used cloth napkins and laid the table with a pretty April Cornell cotton cloth.

People passing by stopped and commented on how wonderful it was to see us dining in style.

Mother was in her element...she must have thanked us at least 3 times for the picnic supper and the outing.

It feels good to see her so happy...

I just cannot imagine what it would be like to be a senior, alone without family nearby.

With the post title "birds of a feather" you probably are trying to figure out where the birds are...

I took a few pictures when we were out and they are all images of birds.

Nary a pig, or goat in the whole lot!

Gobble gobble

 I think turkeys are quite peculiar looking birds and they are so big!

Lovely bright feathers on this rooster.

Contemplating taking a dip duck?

The majestic peacocks in the park never fail to entertain the visitors.

They are the focus of many photographers especially when they strut their stuff!

This must be a juvenile peacock as the plumage has not matured.

Pure snow white ducks were busy pecking around in the dirt.

This fellow was snoozing right beside the fence at my feet and at first I didn't see him.

It must have been that ray of sunshine that kept him warm to sit so close to the path.

These two birds were wandering about in the grassy area and seemed totally at ease with all the people about.

All in all it was a fun afternoon.

 My sister and I are on the hunt for another adventure for Mother with a spot for a picnic.

"The things that make me happiest in the whole world are going on the occasional picnic, either with my children or with my partner; big family gatherings; and being able to go to the grocery store - if I can get those things in, I'm doing good."

~ Kate Winslet ~