On the Hostess's Bookshelf...

Summertime reading has always been a luxurious pleasure.
One that I could hardly wait for when I was working...
When school would let out for summer I would eagerly peruse the shelf laden with books.
I'd read the book jackets and then decide which one to start reading...
you might have gathered that I collect books just for summertime reading.
I find them at thrift shops, garage sales and of course, our wonderful local book stores.

A fun light read, one that would make a good cottage or beach book.

I picked up this book mark at Chapters...

I usually use a piece of paper as I never turn down the corners of the pages...

having worked in a library for many years that habit does not sit well with me at all.

Chester thought it was a cat toy!

Here are just a few of the books that sit on the shelf waiting...

It took me a long time to read The Time Traveler's Wife because we were travelling at the time I was reading it and had so many interruptions and I could never just pick it up where I left off because of the time travel involved...I am hoping this one is easier to follow.

Mother liked this but thought it "a bit of a different book" 

On my toes today I am sporting Embarca dare you by OPI

a hot pink shade that shimmers with light.

Pedicures are a summertime luxury and one that I indulge in as sandal season is hard on the feet.

I am so grateful to have a wonderful gal who helps keep my feet in good shape.

I cannot do my toes anymore as I have poor eyesight and find it a challenge to bend over and paint with precision!

What books do you have set aside for your summertime reading?

TGIF it's Friday!

It will be a busy weekend...

a baby shower, a short boat trip and a potluck supper.

Whatever you have planned I hope you make some time to relax and put your feet up.

Hats...yes or no?

How do you feel about hats?
Are you confident that you have chosen the best style and shape for your head?

Hats are not my favourite accessory.
I need the protection from the harsh rays of the sun and the cold winter weather so I reluctantly wear them.
Straw hats make up the bulk of my hat collection and I regularly wear them on the boat and in the garden.

Chester playing with the strap on my Sloggers hat which I wear when riding in Mr. HB's convertble.

(it is made with recycled paper and polyester)

I'd love to feel more confident wearing hats.

Perhaps my awkward feelings are similar to those that some women have about wearing and tying scarves.
I have had many conversations with women who say that they love the look of scarves on other people but they get all muddled when trying to tie them and end up taking them off in frustration...
that about sums up my hat attitude.

I bought this vintage felt fedora a few years ago thinking that I would wear it.

I put it on, look in the mirror, laugh and take it off again.

This photo is a few years old, the hat still resides in my closet.

I think Adrienne looks fabulous in hats...she writes the fabulous blog Rich Life on a Budget.

This is my winter cold weather hat...

I wear it to keep my head warm.

(it looks much better on Isla than it does on me)

My gardening hat...

Mother and I ventured into the newly renovated Hospice Thrift shop on Cook Street and I spied a new hat.

I put it on and Mother said "that is lovely on you."

"You MUST buy it or I'll buy it for you."

The ladies in the shop agreed it was a great hat on me.

Hmm...was it?

well you can see it here for yourselves.

It is made of linen by the Lillie Cohoe Company which makes hats in Nelson BC.

 The hat is sitting on top of my bureau, 

I have looked at it everyday since purchasing it

I have tried it on several times

it has not been worn outside of the house.

I do love the hat but I wonder if and when I will wear it.

I'm wondering how you feel about hats...

maybe it's just me.

Where do you stand on hats?

Classic Silverware A Tea Lover's paradise...

Classic Silverware is a fabulous shop and one that I cannot pass by without stopping in for a visit.
Their collection of silver and bone china tea cups is amazing!

Peeking in the window is not as satisfying as popping inside for a lingering browse.

I'm going to take you inside with me...

You can easily see the charm of this shop.

If you are looking for a special gift or to add a new teacup to your collection this is definitely the place to be.

Mixing silver and china patterns is so popular right now...

for your table setting or a picnic set you might search their sale bins.

If you have a silver pattern and need some pieces they have a huge inventory.

We fortunately found six soup spoons in our Silvery Lace Rogers silver pattern here a few years ago.

Floral tea cups are my weakness...

how to choose just one?

I love a tea party...

taking tea in the afternoon and using a pretty cup and saucer is one of life's little luxuries.

Do you see something that you'd like to buy in this shop?

If you cannot visit in person you might like to browse their website.

I didn't buy anything on my visit but there's always next time!

I really love those candelabras.

I'm going to put the kettle on...

a hot cup of tea is calling my name.

Take care.

XO

Mother Nature's Paint Brush...

I look to Mother Nature for inspiration and appreciate her flair for colour.

I have always been attracted to white bouquets.

Arrangements that mix shapes and textures of a variety of white blooms complimented with a flush of greens...

Lady's Mantle makes a wonderful filler, Hosta leaves add interest, fern fronds, the list of greens is endless.

I've had the pleasure of arranging flowers for several weddings for friends and have enjoyed the experience immensely...not being on the payroll or having design constraints made it fun.

Do you love weddings?

I do and I cry at every one that I attend...

not out of sadness

It's the over whelming emotions welling up when I see two people commit to a lifetime together. 

Traditional brides tend to wear white gowns and many carry white floral wedding bouquets.

I find them terribly romantic...

 Pinterest is more than I could ever have imagined and I am drawn to the wedding Pins...

like a moth to a flame.

White blooms evoke purity and serenity...

Mother carried white calla lilies with a white leather bible down the aisle when she got married in the early 1950's.

I love looking at the wedding photos ~ they show a very young couple with "stars in their eyes."

They went on to spend many years together separated by the death of my father in 2007.

Mother has never completely come to terms with his demise...

she talks of him often as if he might be in the next room.

the contrast of the green foliage makes the white glow brighter

BC dogwood flowers

Pure and White

Hosta in the center and at top and right Lady's Mantle.

Mother picked a pink peony in the garden at the back of her condominium.

The flower is stunning in this gorgeous shade of pink.

She floated it in a crystal footed bowl and placed it on the Duncan Phyfe table beside her chair. 

That table has an amusing story...

if only it could talk.

It is the same table that Father had to refinish.

One morning early, before my parents were up, I got into a wee bit of mischief.

(not something I did often or so I am told!)

I was about 3 or 4 years old when I discovered Mother's red nail varnish left on the table...

I wanted to paint my toes like Mother.

 Unfortunately I was not too skilled with the brush and so more red was on the table than I put on my toes!

I don't remember getting into trouble...

maybe because there were late night cocktail party remnants littering the room...

Mom tells me that I had a few sips from the martini glasses that they neglected to put away before they went to bed!

These lovely roses climb up the wall by the front porch of The Humble Bungalow.

Mr. HB has tied them to the pillars so the bloom laden branches don't snap with the weight of the flowers.

Their scent lingers and is carried on the breeze.

Hydrangeas in white vessels

 (images from last summer)

I love this shade of green!

I wore this coin necklace to my appointment with my doctor...

where I recently got some great news.

No more high blood pressure medications needed at this time.

Obviously walking, weight loss and lifestyle changes have had a positive impact...

I've slipped a bit in the walking (reading too much) and need to rev up my regime...

another 3 pounds!

I have ordered some new trainers from Lands' End and plan to hit the pavement big time this week.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads young and old and those who we have lost and are holding close to our hearts.

Hostess

Just desserts...

Dessert is not a course that we eat every day here in The Humble Bungalow...
however, when we have company for dinner, it is a given.

Our house guest is not on Weight Watchers but she ate and enjoyed a low point count dessert.

Whether she knew it was a WW friendly choice or not I am not sure.

 I try not to inundate our guests with my eating regime rules or point counts!

Angel food cake and fresh fruit was served with a choice of whipped cream or yogurt.

It was a refreshing seasonal option especially with all the fresh fruits currently available in the grocery shops.

We discussed desserts and dinner party menus and L shared her easy peasy dessert recipe with me.

I think it is a keeper so I am sharing it with you.

Beat 3 egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar until blended and set aside.

Whip 1 cup of whipping cream and add 1/4 cup of any liqueur

Fold the egg mixture and the cream together and put into serving size ramekins.

Freeze until just before serving.

I picked some flowers and snuck them inside The Humble Bungalow when the cats were snoozing...

arranged and placed in the main bathroom and guest suite downstairs.

Flowers, Perrier, scents and light reading are stocked and ready for our guests.

The bed is comfy and the room quiet.

The downstairs bathroom has shampoo, cream rinse, razors, Q-Tips, cotton balls, toothpaste, toothbrushes, fresh white towels and a spare bathrobe.

My friend L and I walked each day and chatted while sipping wine before dinner.

We went for massage at Silk Road Spa and followed up the pampering with a healthy lunch at Rebar.

Bliss!

She helped me choose some new frames for prescription sunglasses.

They are Maui Jim sunnies, not the Ray Ban Wayfarer's that I had been considering.

Jacob's Coat rose growing by the back door...

the vintage Parisian table and chair where I sit with a mug of tea or a bottle of water when it is 

 time to relax a bit and soak in the beauty and sounds of the birds and the bees as they go about their business in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I've been busy catching up on domestics.

I washed the wood floor in the kitchen on my hands and knees as that's the only way to really get the job done.

The floor is over 100 years old ~ it's dull, scratched and dented ~ it looks so much better when it's clean!

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has a clean floor and she shares her recipe so you might want to pop over and check it out, she's lovely.

Hope that you are taking care of you and yours...

until next time when we meet up again here on this blog.

Hostess