Showing posts with label anniversary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anniversary. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Holidaze in July...

 


Sunshine and Sweet Peas

Popped this posy into a thrifted English Ironstone Meakin sugar jar.
I LOVE finding interesting vessels that I can use for flowers.
If memory serves me I think this one was 35 cents!


We celebrated our 49th anniversary on July 20th...
no fanfare or big gathering just a quiet evening for two.


We ate some champagne truffles...
a surprise gift from friends.

Our closest friends had us over for a dinner on their lovely porch a few days before our actual anniversary and we felt very spoiled...


Those same friends will be celebrating their 50th next year so
maybe we'll have to do something exciting for our 50th?


We are enjoying some time at the cottage.


Have some special guests here to share the time with us.


I made a fresh loaf of sourdough bread...
this fun adventure in bread making is so satisfying!


We had a couple of days with rain 
which should help with the drought and the forest fires here in BC.


The deer obviously do not like to nibble these plants...
I think this might be Queen Anne's Lace?
Feel free to chime in if you know the name of this flower.


I believe this is Yarrow...
the bees love this flower and are usually busy buzzing atop these blooms.

I took the photo after dinner so they may have all gone back to their hive.


~ Hosta Flowers ~
In The Humble Bungalow Garden

This huge Hosta is called Sum and Substance.

We built a deer fence 
so that we can keep this safe from being nibbled to the ground!

Here at the Cottage...


I am taking a break to relax, restore and mend...

The last round of antibiotics are almost finished.

I've been going to bed earlier than usual and sleeping soundly.

Staying hydrated with cans of flavoured Bubly Brand Water.
~ Zero calories ~

While I am having LOTS of fun with the family and the three grandchildren...
I am also "pacing myself."

Reading Three by Valerie Perrin, knitting the Miriam sweater,
gazing out at The Salish Sea
taking time to reflect on all the good things in life and counting my many blessings.

Making time to be focused and calm is good for the soul.

Walking along the beach...
breathing in the fresh salty air
listening to the calls of the gulls and the songs of the eagles.


Picking up a few pieces of sea glass...

~ LIFE IS PRECIOUS ~
it is a gift
not to be wasted.

I feel Grateful everyday.

Hope that you are well and feeling positive.
Life can be a challenge as we know
it is a journey.

When we navigate the rough patches life teaches us more...
we can be resilient or we can be weak.

It is a personal choice that we make...
we can rely on others or find strength within ourselves.
Or a little bit of both...

How do you handle adversity?


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, July 25, 2022

OOTD ~ Summertime ~ Linen Dress




Beach Walk a week ago in Oak Bay on a hot summer day.

Wearing an Italian linen dress with capri tights.
Thankful for my sunhat, sunglasses
 the
COOL sea breezes blowing across the sand
while I peruse the beach for treasure.

I found a smooth white rock, very much like an egg...
a simple find but it begged to be picked up!


A handful of sea glass.


Behold the 4 jars full...
Working on filling up Jar 5 and I am well on my way!


The dress is a super simple style
loose and easy to wear in the heat.

Pearls accessorize and elevate the dress and sweater.


Pearls are the ultimate gift from the Sea.


My newest project...
Knitting pattern for the Miriam Sweater is available on Ravelry.


Rowan Felted Tweed Yarn is a dream to work with on any project.
I LOVE the softness of this yarn.


The Beehive Shop in Victoria is my go to yarn and knitting spot.
The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful.


Started knitting the Miriam sweater a few days ago...
a quiet few days at Quarterdeck Cottage and I am indulging in some knit time.

PURE BLISS

The weather hasn't been overly hot and we're enjoying a slow rhythm to our days.

Having an engaging project is wonderful 
when we are not swimming in the pool
or out walking.


Took advantage of the sunshine yesterday and knit 
while watching the pleasure craft
boats and ferries as they made their way across The Salish Sea.


Holiday time is perfect for relaxing and engaging in activities that one enjoys.
I would never spend as many hours knitting if I was home...
the household and garden duties and chores would keep me busy!


Lovely beach vibe bowls from our friends...
perfect for the cottage!

We celebrated our 48th anniversary on July 20th.


I made a simple penne pasta dish with a gorgonzola cream sauce and freshly shucked English Peas from the Humble Bungalow Garden.

Penne Pasta with Gorgonzola and Peas 

Melt several tablespoons of butter in a shallow pan 
add a couple of cloves of chopped garlic and some red pepper flakes
cook gently.
Whisk in a few tablespoons of flour add a 1/3 cup of cream.
Keep whisking then add crumbled gorgonzola and simmer until melted
then keep warm on low.
Meanwhile...
Put a large pot on to boil
When the water is boiling add the penne pasta and cook until al dente.
Drain
add sauce to pasta and stir to coat.

Grate some fresh pepper on top and serve.


I've had an extraordinary amount of SPAM here on the blog.
Really it has come out of the blue and I cannot for the life of me figure out why?

Comments have been streamlined to not allow Unknown accounts to respond.
Anyone with a legitimate google account can leave a comment.
Hopefully this will stop the crazed spam artists and robots 
who seem to have nothing better to do than to invade a rather calm and gentle place.

If you are unable to leave a comment and want to connect with me 
please send me an email, the address is on the blog at the left hand side.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Hope that you are making the most of the season wherever you are.

Be Back Soon!


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Anniversary of our wedding day from July 20, 1974


July 20, 1974
47 years ago...


We were so young 
but we knew that we were in love 
and
ready to spend our lives together
as husband and wife.


I have kept my wedding dress, veil and blue garter.
Maybe Isla will want to play "dress up" and wear it someday?

We went out for dinner with our friends on Sunday evening to celebrate.
We went to the Snug at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and we were waited on by Mom's favourite server.
I had a glass of the wine that Mom always ordered.

Tonight
If it is not too hot we will sit on the deck and have a cocktail.
I will make my husband his favourite spaghetti dinner and a simple salad.



The sun is shining down on The Humble Bungalow Garden.

on the north side of the bungalow we have a slate patio
that is surrounded by a riot of hydrangeas, 
Limelight and Angelina mixed in with hostas and lady's mantle.

We spent the better part of the weekend in the garden getting caught up on the weeding and the deadheading of the roses.

It feels a little bit cooler today as there is a breeze...
an exterminator is coming by this afternoon to deal with a large wasp nest.

We are planning to buy a new TV and get an upgrade on our viewing subscriptions.

There are so many options and channels that it feels quite daunting trying to decide what to order...

Do you have any suggestions on particularly good channels?


Will close with this pretty sunflower grown from the seeds that dear reader Rosemarie sent to me in memory of my mom.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

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 ~


Monday, March 2, 2020

Something new, a milestone birthday...and cheerful pops of colour.


Good news!
 We have daffodils blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
These cheerful yellow flowers elevate our flagging spirits 
as we crave colour on these dreary rainy days.

It may come as a surprise to you but until recently I did not own 
a totally waterproof coat...
I relied on water resistant coats and jackets and always carried an umbrella.

Perhaps a little bit strange
 as we live on the WET coast!

Years ago, 
when the children were young,
I wore a waterproof Gortex coat 
it was bright red and I loved the bright colour on the rainy days.


I discovered a wonderful wee shop on Government Street
and
found a 100% waterproof coat perfect for our rainy days.


A
Simple
Waterproof
 Breathable 
Coat


I plan to wear some of my bright coloured scarves with this coat.


This wee orchid was a gift from dear friends when mom passed away...

Tomorrow March 3rd will be the anniversary of my mom's demise.
(it will also be my 65th birthday)

For these past few years I find my emotions are mixed on March 3rd...

I don't feel like I am 65, although I know that I am no longer a "Spring Chicken"
I am Grateful to be alive.






I am 3/4 the way through this book and am really enjoying it.
Have you read it?

Did you read her previous book The Post Mistress?


Yellow Hellebore


Sunshine filtering through the door in our front hall...
love the warmth and sunlight so much.
Simple Joys.

Hope that your week is off to a great start and that you are finding pops of cheerful colour in your daily round.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~