Saturday, October 1, 2016

Seasonal snippets...


I love how one of our neighbours has decorated the path leading up to her home.
Did you notice the half eaten apple on the left and the glove at the right?
Which leaves me with the thought that perhaps perfection is over rated...


Chestnuts are falling from the trees in our neighbourhood.
Inside this prickly pod there was a small delicate edible chestnut.
These are harvested by many locals who roast them and eat them hot with a sprinkling of salt.


These chestnuts also known as conkers are not edible.
They have a rich "chestnut" colour and a woody appearance.
Mother collects these to bring inside as she says that they keep spiders away.


A few doors down the street these raspberries are growing.
They hang out over the sidewalk and are very tempting...


A few blocks away this tall Hollyhock blooms.


The leaves are turning into their annual autumnal colours.


The sun is setting earlier
 the shadows in the afternoon seem to wane
nights are cooler
I have started wearing socks.


Cauliflowers were on special at the market for an unbelievable price.
 So naturally I bought one and made curried cauliflower soup.

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Saute a large diced onion in a wee bit of oil and cook until soft.
Add a large chopped cauliflower and 6-8 cups of vegetable broth
2 tbsp. of curry powder (or to taste) and simmer until cauliflower is soft.
Use the immersion blender and process until no lumps remain.

The bonus is that this soup is Weight watcher friendly!


I took myself out for a wee bite of brunch after strolling in Oak Bay.
 I finished this book.
Really enjoyed reading Vita Sackville-West
The Edwardians was the first of hers that I read and it was quite a few years ago.
Now I need to get my hands on a book about her lovely home and garden...
Sissinghurst.

The young royal family are leaving today...



It has been a busy time for William and Kate making appearances while touring BC.
 Prince George, Princess Charlotte and their nannies have been out and about.
They have been seen enjoying our local parks.

 The Beacon Hill Petting Zoo has oodles of goats 
George reportedly loved seeing them.
There was a children's tea party on the lawns of Government House
local military families were invited to join in for some fun.
Balloons, bubbles, bunnies and ponies were on site for the celebration.

What a fabulous opportunity to get to meet the family.


Anemone's are still out in full force as are our roses.
It has been a stellar summer for the Humble Bungalow Garden...
but I can see the hydrangeas are fading and many plants are droopy.
The leaves are gathering on the lawn and spider webs are woven in every corner
and hanging onto most of the plants.
Where have the spiders been hiding all summer and why do they suddenly come out at this time of year?

I must close for now and get some things done around The Humble Bungalow.
Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~