Skincare, roses and books...

Pavement Series Rose

very fragrant with treacherous thorn studded stems.

While in isolation during Covid 19 

I have changed my daily make up routine.

Andalou 1000 Roses CC cream for sensitive skin. 

I like the soft dewy finish and the glow that I get while wearing this cream.

The added sunscreen protects me while I am out walking or playing in the garden.

Also new is the 1000 Roses body lotion by Andalou 

after my morning shower and love the light rose scent.

Flowers from our son's garden.

Focusing on Skin care from the inside out...

Roasting colourful vegetable for my lunches.

Upping my intake of healthy food 

by eating more vegetables and drinking lots of water.

Our heart in the window in honour of the frontline workers.

Reading during Covid has been a big part of my daily routine.

I have discovered so many new authors...

I love this book so much!

Am going to try and find Gill Paul's other books.

With our local library closed I will need to buy them. 

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

a winning rose

stunning apricot orange shade 

a deep rich fragrance

lots of blooms

 repeat blooming throughout the summer season.

How are you doing?

With the restrictions easing are you out shopping in stores?

Dining out?

Going to the hairdresser?

Do you feel safe as we step out into the "new normal?"

I have a mask which I plan to wear on occasion especially when social distancing is not possible.

I am looking forward to meeting with my stylist for a trim 

when the salon reopens next month.

Stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Join me for a tour of Beautiful Butchart Gardens...

This week three of us met up on a sunny afternoon for a lovely walk
at Victoria's iconic Butchart Gardens.

We drove in our own cars and were directed to park in the bus parking lot, then proceeded through to a dedicated entrance and were informed of the strict instructions on social distancing.

We were told of the modified safety protocols...one way walking, one bathroom building open, the coffee shop open for take out and there was a gelato stand in the Italian Garden.

Tulip mania!

Thousands of tulips were in bloom throughout the gardens.

Clever camouflage 

 beds were underplanted using filler plants. 

Forget-Me-Nots 

blue, white and pinks

accented various shades of the tulip varieties.

Wisteria

The Sunken Garden

Droopy apricot tulips

Azalea with an intoxicating and heady fragrance.

Could be the Rothschild variety.

Frilly edged tulips

Iris in a brilliant and bold blue.

Three Sturgeon Fountain with Osteospermums.

also lining the edges of the water feature in the Italian Garden.

Cheerful pansy faces in a planter.

The walk was absolutely divine!

We plan to go each week and see the garden as it changes through the summer season.

Hope that there will be other local gardens opening up soon.

I plan to share lots of garden images from our wee plot and the larger open gardens of Victoria.

Hope that you enjoyed the garden tour!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Love...

Feeling love...
possibly more intense in these precarious times that we are living in.

a brightly painted heart rock on my beach walk last week

Intense Blue Skies at McNeill Bay in Oak Bay.

This is the beach where I spent my childhood..

we lived 2 blocks from the beach and we loved exploring the seashore.

I found some pretty sea glass on my walk.

Feeling so grateful for the smallest of things each day...

 European Wall Lizard

one of many living in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

 ~ Muguet des Bois ~

Intoxicating...

a heavy heady fragrance

pure white elegance.

Mother's Day

Remembering my dear Mom today  

I think of her everyday

but miss her more on these "special" days.

Mother's Day garden visit

with gifts from darling daughter and her sweet husband.

Tokens of love.

Garden visit with our son.

Flowers...a handmade card made with love.

Warm weather over the weekend...

we broke two weather records for high temperatures!

Cats are content snoozing on our bed.

Yummy dinner of chicken baked potatoes 

with

freshly harvested asparagus which is growing in our garden.

Mount Baker as seen from Island View Beach.

A wee bit blurry...

 a magnificent sight to see.

So many things to see

to appreciate 

to love.

Hope that you are finding some bright spots in your daily round.

Our eyes can embrace the beauty that surrounds us all...

take a few moments breathe in the fresh air

in awe of Mother Nature and all her glory

stay calm

be well.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Snippets of life here in The Humble Bungalow...and a couple of my favourite recipes

Wee little hydrangea leaves that over wintered in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Lacy and delicate and as light as a whisper...

 tiny leaves...

Wee treasures found while weeding the beds.

Mother Nature's handiwork.

Mr. HB has been busy constructing raised beds.

We are on a long list at the Landscaping Supply Company.

Waiting for the soil to be delivered...

Apparently oodles of people locally are turning to their gardens

planting trees, flowers and veggies.

I ordered books from my favourite book seller Ivy's books on Oak Bay Avenue.

I am currently reading The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris.

It is the 4th book in her Chocolat series...

set in a small village in SW France 

near where our good friends live in Auvillar.

She mentions several of the places that I have visited, 

which I am remembering fondly.

Books can be a lovely way to "travel."

Dinner

of

Garden fresh asparagus

ribs

half a baked potato

I use Chef John's BBQ rib recipe from his blog Food Wishes.

It's a winner!

Made a big batch of oatmeal raisin cookies.

I've been keeping myself extra busy (happily distracted) in the kitchen.

Mr HB loves cookies...

Euphorbia bracts

photo bombed by a fly.

Brilliant blues...

a pop of colour under sunny skies.

The May skies are such a crisp blue...

have you noticed how clear the air is where you live?

Simple dinner 

Shake and Bake chicken thighs

"Booth Bay" broccoli salad

Hope you enjoy this tasty salad 

it is one of my summertime favourites.

Some of the restrictions here in BC are being eased this week. 

The authorities have devised a plan 

to gradually increase our return to the "new normal."

I look forward to resuming a wider "bubble" of people that we can interact with...

self distancing while being social should be easier with the better weather.

Picnics, outdoor cafes and bistros 

will be very popular in these coming weeks and months.

Hope all is well with you.

Stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~