OOTD...spa time and lunch out.

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Blogger has introduced a new interface which is proving to be quite quirky.
If it continues to be problematic I will give up and post only on Instagram.

Vintage Coach bag and Maui Jim prescription sunglasses

Summertime Basics

Chaus of New York Polka dot top.

I found this at Marshalls and it is a comfy loose longer length top that I can wear with my casual black Yoga pants or dressy Eileen Fisher skinny black pants.

I have done very little shopping since Covid arrived.
When I do shop I wear a mask.

Except for a new pair of black Yoga pants and a blue pair of linen trousers by Ellen Tracey both sourced at Marshalls. I have only ventured into Toys R Us to buy birthday gifts for the grandchildren.

Our cases of Covid are up a bit more here in BC and both my husband and I remain very vigilant in our efforts to stay safe. Our ages put us at a higher risk and I have had pneumonia 3 times, the last bout kept me bedridden for 6 weeks so I daren't take any chances.

                       Pepper, our elder cat,
                       loves to find a ray of sunshine and have a nap.

My sister and I went to the Spa last week at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

We were celebrating her 60th birthday.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we really enjoyed soaking in the mineral pool.

We enjoyed lunch at Faro the new pizza spot in the hotel.

Sized for sharing

I met a long time reader Rosemarie for lunch last week.

She and I exchanged gifts.

Rosemarie is a vivacious and kind woman who sends me cheery emails.

She sends me sunflower seeds at the anniversary of my Mom's passing...

she has also sent me tea, earrings, and more recently some polka dot socks!

My current book stack...

Just finished The Guest List by Lisa Foley, an Agatha Christie type of mystery.

I never guessed who the murderer was, with so many twists and turns.

Well that about wraps up this post...

I hope Blogger can give us a tutorial on the new format.

It is difficult trying to figure it out withour much help!

Stay Safe

and 

Please 

Wear your Mask

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summer Hollidays

The Humble Bungalow Garden

We have been away on the boat...and had motor trouble.
Repairs need to happen before we can go out on it again.

Midweek I drove upisland for a few days
with our son and 3 grand children.

Oodles of fun in the sun and a crazy thunder and lightning storm!
Mini Golf, bumper boats, pooltime, crafts...

Fresh veggies from The Humble Bungalow Garden and Greenhouse.

The garden is looking wonderful and we are starting to harvest vegetables.

Limelight Hydrangeas 

and

Himalayan Honeysuckle

I love the combination of colours and textures.

This wee green grasshopper hitched a ride from Victoria all the way to Parksville.

The views from our suite.

Sandy beaches and many lovely homes.

Abraham Darby

a stalwart David Austin Rose

very frilly and frothy 

a beautiful fragrance.

Second flush of sweet peas...

Monty Don said to cut ALL the flowers off and expect a flush of new ones.

I was skeptical but it works.

BTW 

I had an email from a reader 

saying that ads are popping up in the blog side bar 

that are related to the US election and the NRA.

I do not live in the US.

My blog is not political in any way, shape or form.

It is my understanding that any ads that do pop up 

are related to searches by the users of the device.

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is located in Errington, BC

near Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

The centre rehabilitates animals that are injured and then releases them back into the wild.

There are a few animals that are permanent residents. 

Their injuries were so severe

that they will not be able to fend for themselves.

The centre is clean

the cages are large 

the habitats inside are similar to the wilderness

that the animals call home.

Look at this precious owl.

Farley cannot fly, he was hit by a car in Prince George BC.

He underwent an operation but has never been able to regain the ability to fly.

We are enjoying hosting outdoor "Happy Hours" with friends and family.

It is a wonderful way to stay connected and remain safe.

How is your summer going?

The time seems to be flying by here...

I've got lots of things planned for the next few weeks.

Catching up with friends and a spa date with my baby sister who just turned 60!

Take care and stay safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summer snippets 2020...

My neighbour's garden has some rare and unusual plants.

Artistic touches are evident throughout her garden. 

Her choice of colourful flowers make a bold statement and are often dramatic.

Our poppies are still putting on a spectacular show.

I am saving the seeds for next years blooms.

My neighbour across the street and I were out chatting and watched a doe

as she grabbed one of the seed pods and swallowed it right before our eyes!

The urban deer are a hot topic of conversation among the gardeneres at this end of the block...

(5 deer reside in the back yard of a home nearby)

Mom and her fawns are enjoying our front garden "salad bar" so much this year!

No amount of Bobex is stopping their munching.

A dear friend and I went out to an antique store last week.

We wore our masks and perused the shop

before we decided on purchasing these Canadian vintage sap buckets.

We both thought of creative ways that we could use them...

ice buckets, flower vases, planters, 

My friend is planning to use them to collect sap from her Elm tree.

John Paul II Rose

reblooming after getting planted in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

He shares the bed with Crocosmia Lucifer...

I wonder how they are getting along?

Dierama aka Angel's Fishing Wand

 in my neighbour's garden...ours has not yet bloomed.

Bought some new buckets and shovels for the sandy beach at Sidney Spit.

Hope we have some sunny days when we are there with the grandchildren.

We plan to build some sandcastles...

A friend dropped off some books the other evening.

I had run out of books to read.

To me that is a very dire situation...

I purchased The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

it is a delightful book ~ a perfect beach read.

Am excited to read these other titles. 

They should keep me entertained for the next month or so.

Jude the Obscure with Lady's Mantle

Love the form and fragrance of this beautiful David Austin Rose.

Hubby and I are celebrating our 46th anniversary.

We were married young and were high school sweethearts.

So we have actually been together as a couple for 50 years!

Our friends treated us to a lovely dinner on their porch the other evening.

Look at the rhubarb pie!

Hope that you are staying safe, 

are wearing your mask when you cannot self distance...

our active Covid cases on Vancouver Island 

have increased since Phase 3 has been enacted.

It is quite unsettling hearing the double digit daily cases in BC.

We need to keep our bubbles "small"

and as Dr. Bonnie Henry reminds us

"more faces in bigger spaces."

Fresh air, blue skies, sunshine, birdsong and buzzing bees

just some of the 

JOYS 

of Summer.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Calm and Soothing...

Serenity ~ peace ~ calm

Soothing thoughts 

 I cultivate on a regular basis.

Self care is not selfish it is vital to our well being.

First thing each morning I savour a cup of coffee.

Then I have a shower.

After drying off using a Belgian linen towel 

I apply an emollient lotion which soothes and softens my skin.

These may seem like simple rituals...

 and they are!

They are essential for my mental well being and health.

(especially during this pandemic when we are all living with stress)

Most days are spent in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

There is a lot of weeding, dead heading of the roses and general tidying up.

Sweeping inside the downstairs of the Humble Bungalow is a daily habit.

I used to despise this job but now I embrace it as an opportunity to meditate.

The repetative motion of the broom as it sweeps away dust is very soothing...

Home keeping is necessary and I have learned to enjoy most of the tasks.

It feels so satisfying looking at what has been accomplished after tidying up.

My reward is a cup of tea and a couple of chapters in the book that I am currently reading...

White flowers are so elegant..

they feel calm and peaceful

Serene.

Sharing these thoughts with you this morning has reinforced 

my daily habits of cultivating what I seek.

Hope that you enjoy your week.

Thank you for stopping by...

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Humble Bungalow July 2020

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow...

Our days continue to be quiet ones
as we seek out pleasant distractions in every nook and cranny.

Taking tea in a favourite spot in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Tending to the many potted plants on the patio gives me great pleasure.

Hand watering gives me an opportunity to spot weeds and do some advance planning when removing spent plants.

A fragrant bouquet of sweet peas are a lovely treat on a sunny day 

after working long hours in the garden.

Our garden is host to many creatures...

European Wall Lizards

Butterflies

Bees and various other pollinators

Owls

Snails

Raccoons

Deer

Squirrels

Birds

Mama Raccoon as she descends from the next door neighbour's Arbutus Tree.

She was rading the crows nest!

The crows were cawing like mad and making a big fuss.

I snapped a couple of photos but Mama was growling at me so I thought I better sneak back inside before she got any closer.

A quick and lazy dinner that was tasty is just what I needed after a busy day.

Prawns sauteed in butter and garlic with an assortment of deli salads.

Marigold and Helen sweet felted mice made by https://www.williewoolly.com/

were reunited for a fun playtime with our darling granddaughter Isla.

If you haven't yet seen Robyn's felted creations 

do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a visit.

Isla made the swing!

We savoured our tea and had some girl time.

The antique porcelain tea set was my husband's great grandmother's.

Vintage enamelware in The Hunble Bungalow laundry room.

I love the battered look of these pieces and seek them out.

I've not really been to the "shops" much...

the garden centres are outdoors so I feel very comfortable shopping.

Thrift shops have not really been on my radar 

although I dearly miss perusing the aisles for treasures.

I do venture into Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village when on my walks.

Karin is welcoming and has all the right safety protocols in place.

The wee jug on the left is from her shop...a recent Covid purchase.

Today I am on a mission to buy black mondo grass.

 I plan to plant them in big pot in our front garden.

 The deer do not fancy munching them and there is a bare patch that needs something to fill it.

As we navigate these strange times...

We must continue to be mindful of others respecting their choices

and not being judgemental.

Hope that you are well and staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~