Showing posts with label attitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label attitude. Show all posts

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Sunday ~ Pops of Colour


~ OOTD ~
Dressing in some colour this morning...
I'm needing some positivity and energy and colour usually does the trick.

I've popped on this thrifted Banana Republic top with some basic black pants.
Added a wee bit of Burts Bees Cheek Blush and a slick of Miss Pupa lip gloss.

The colour on my face is subtle but does give me a lift.

Do you like dressing in bright colours?
Do you find the addition of a pop of colour perks you up?
I think colour gives me more energy.

Last week was a tough one going to the hospital daily for treatments.
It was a tiring process but I received very good care.
I am home now 
still under the care of the infectious disease doctor 
so I am not straying too far from home.

I am doing what I am told...
Staying hydrated and resting.


Chester wants to be on my lap a lot when I am sitting down :-))

If I try to knit when he is awake I don't get much knitting done.
My Miriam sweater project is getting closer to being finished.
The two sleeves are done and attached to the body of the sweater.
I am working on the raglan decreases...
It is very simple soothing work.

Reading is not to difficult with a cat on one's lap...


I read Fresh Water For Flowers by Valerie Perrin and really enjoyed it.
Three is another book by Valerie which has been translated into English.

I am not too far into the story but it has all the signs that I will be loving the book.
Her writing is great and the characters are very interesting.
She's a very insightful author...


I'm going to close this post and keep it short.

Hopefully I will have more news to share with you soon.

In the meantime take care of yourselves and have FUN!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Self care...rituals and comfort during the Pandemic.

 


Taking time for self care is not "selfish."
It is important for our mental well being.

My hands work hard
and
with all the hand washing and hand sanitizing my hands take a beating!

I recently discovered Derma E Rosehip and Almond Hand and Cuticle Cream.
The cream absorbs well into the skin and is not overly greasy.
It really helps my cuticles which have become quite dry.
Nothing ruins the look of a manicure like ragged or torn cuticles.


Pacifica
Crimson Kimono
Cruelty Free Formula
Long lasing polish.


Brew a pot of tea...

Enjoy
a relaxing soak in warm water mixed with a few spoonfuls of bath salts.
File nails with an emery board, push back cuticles and they are ready for polish.


Manicure done...
Pop on my red ballet flats and I feel a lightness of spirit.
Energized and hopeful...

I don't know about you but I find I NEED (crave) more TLC these days.

The pandemic has changed the way I look at my days.
My attitude often needs a gentle nudge...

Routines and Rituals are key players for me.

Each morning after my shower I put on my make up.
Dab on Perfume

Dressing in jeans and a Tee
 simple comfy basics
I add an accessory like my pearls, or a colourful scarf
to elevate my spirit.

I seem to have more time to "fill."
Do you feel that way too?

Frustrated that 
I am unable to resume the activities that I enjoyed before Covid.
Bridge games and weekly lessons, Mah Jong, French class, and Yoga.

Many of my friends are playing bridge online.
While others are doing Yoga and language lessons with ZOOM.

I've been keeping pretty busy here at home and in the garden.
Cooking most meals in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen since mid March.


Seeing our grandchildren always makes me feel happy.
We took them out for lunch at Fisherman"s Wharf.

We were able to eat at a picnic table outside which felt very "safe"
A totally wonderful tonic and a fun filled "outing."


Reading with a pot of tea in the afternoon has become a daily ritual.

Beware!
This book is quite provacative and deals with many sensitive subjects.


It doesn't take much effort to arrange afternoon tea on a tray.
It tastes so much better in a china cup.

I would like to open up a dialogue about self care and hear from you.

Are you finding time to elevate your daily routines?

How are you beautifying your day?

Do you practise self care?

I'm going to pop the kettle on now and brew a pot of hot tea...
I'll come back soon and read any comments that you have shared.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Thursday, December 19, 2019

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


Seasons greetings!

As I am whittling down my to do list 
getting ready for the holidays 
 finding myself extra busy
fatigue will surface.

If I am not careful I can feel the stress of trying to do it ALL.

Inner pressure to be the "perfect hostess"
 serve elaborate and tasty meals
keep up appearances
wanting
 a "picture perfect" home.

I need to remind myself not to set the bar too high.

Readjust my thought patterns...

Keep it simple
slow down
breathe
relax.


Candles are one of the things that help set a relaxed mood...
I light these festive reindeer votives in the morning when I sit and sip my coffee and 
again later in the afternoon with my tea.

Music is also a powerful mood shifter...

if I need energy I play some lively tunes from my teen years
if I am looking for calm I usually play a classical piece.

One of my favourites is Barber's Adagio for Strings
you can hear it performed by the Detroit Symphony

I feel like I could just float away when I listen to the music.

The gifts are purchased and wrapped.
The tree is up...


Soon
festive tins will be filled 
with shortbread, dried fruit dipped in chocolate, and cookies.

Our dinner menu is in the planning stage.

Leisurely mulling over cookbooks
slowly turning the pages
 looking at the pictures 
 what to cook?


The Humble Bungalow is dressed up very simply...

Grapevine wreath wound with fairy lights in our family room.

Hope that you are savouring the wee moments
that make up your days.

We can start by
inviting
Peace and Quiet 
into our hearts and our homes.

I like this quote it sums up  what I am thinking.

“No person, no place, and no thing has any power over us, 
for 'we' are the only thinkers in our mind. 
When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, 
we will find it in our lives.”

~ Louise L. Hay ~

Wishing you a calm and meaningful holiday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Sleep Patterns...


I've been wearing several loose tunic tops with black capri length leggings
to keep cool these past few weeks.

The leggings provide a wee bit of coverage for my legs.

My legs are muscular and strong from walking.

I feel self conscious about the various scars
veins 
and
blotchy marks
that I have accumulated over 64 years of being on this Earth.

Living in an aging body
 is
something that I have not accepted...

I think of myself as a much younger person
with ample energy to perform many tasks each day.

So when I do feel tired...
I am kind of surprised and taken aback.

Limiting my "To do list" might be of some help.
Lowering my expectations of what I am reasonably capable of accomplishing on any given day might be something to work on.

Perhaps my level of energy has waned 
because my sleep has not been that restful since we moved into the guest room double bed?

I've started going to bed before 10 usually around 9:30
and I wake around 6 something in the morning.

I wear my FITBIT to bed so I can check on my sleep patterns.
 I wake several times each night.
My sleep is mostly "light" with limited REM and Deep sleep.

We will soon be back in our Queen bed as the renovations are almost finished...
This is something I am so looking forward to!

It's taken quite a while to get this project completed...
due to our holidays and a long delay getting started.

The trades here in Victoria are so busy!
There is a building boom on and there are not enough people to do all the jobs.

We are so fortunate to have a reliable contractor and skilled trades people.

I will be posting a few photos as soon as the furniture is back in place.


What are your sleep patterns like?

Do you feel that your sleep could be improved?

Have you any sleep tricks up your sleeve that you care to share?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

I am 64...


Wearing all black...
a bamboo tunic top
with black capri leggings.

Longer hair which is straighter than before
the silver is now more than just tinsel...

It surprises me when I walk past a mirror
I see my mother, 
the resemblance is uncanny.

A few pounds have crept on this past year and am trying to come to terms with it.

Do I accept it and move on or return to the disciplined point counting regime of WW?

The battle of the bulge is a real challenge.

The desire or the energy to go to the gym is not there.
Sweating reminds me of those uncomfortable hot flashes and is so annoying...

Walking is enjoyable and the Fit Bit is a great motivator.

But enough about me already...

How are you doing?

What is new?


This ceramic Buddha head was in a garden basket 
we won at the grand children's year end school fundraiser.

I don't think its meant for the garden.
Too fragile and thin...

I'm considering putting it out on the boulevard for free.
I can't quite find the right spot for it here in The Humble Bungalow.

Perhaps someone else will love it and give it a special place in their home.


The book I am currently reading is quite interesting.

It was in the wee little free library across the street.
I'll be passing it on to a friend after I finish it.

How is your summer going?
What are you reading?

~ Be Kind and Be Well ~

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Swimsuit shopping...

My need for a new swimsuit came as a wee bit of a shock to me...

I was in the change room at the local pool and was putting on my old swimsuit and working up a sweat trying to pull it up! I had to wriggle and ease the spandex up inch by inch and when I was finished I realized that I could hardly breathe!

What happened?

It must have shrunk!
(Wrong)

So I HAD to go swimsuit shopping...
not my favourite thing to do, but we are off to the cottage,
and they have two lovely pools and I like to swim laps,
so needs must!


Do you believe in miracles?



This is what a size 14 swimsuit looks like on the hanger...

I am not proud of the fact that I have gone up a size.
The weight gain is all in my midsection where I once had a waist!


Simon Chang swimsuit.
This one is also a size 14 but it looks smaller because it is black.
I like the mesh detail at the top and at the leg holes.

I purchased two swimsuits because I don't like putting a wet bathing suit on and I may be swimming a couple of times each day.




I walk everyday and some days I walk farther than others...
I do watch what I eat but I could always cut down on the carbs.
My husband loves pasta so I make it once a week and I adore potatoes.

My thyroid is sluggish 
(but that's no excuse)

 I have taken medication for hypothyroidism since I gave birth 
to our daughter 40 years ago.


Loving life and feeling gratitude is part of my daily routine.
Every day is a gift and it never fails to offer up something of beauty. 

So in the whole scheme of things 
is a size larger worth getting all bent out of shape over?

I am doing what I can to stay active and healthy.


Thank you for popping by and reading The Humble Bungalow Blog today.

It's sunny here at the cottage and we plan to go swimming today.
With two suits to choose from I have to make a decision which one to wear...

I hope you are having a great weekend.

Until next time

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Love the "little things" ~ a recipe for contentment.


Reading home decor books, Instagram and magazines inspire me.
I often get frustrated and wonder how I can make our little bungalow look better.

  I actioned a quick and inexpensive DIY fix.

I purchased 3 black metal hooks 
(Mr. HB installed them for me)

I hung up my French Market basket
 gardening hat 
and
  watering can. 

As conscientious stewards 
of a Heritage home
we are required to honour the historic significance 
we do not stray too far from their original architectural design.

With one exception...
The laundry area is painted white 
the basement is dark with very little light 
with only a few small windows.

The bright white walls 
make it much more enjoyable to work in and it feels far less oppressive!


I like to do my ironing while gazing out to the garden.



Looking out and beyond at the foliage and flowers 
while ironing 
feels like a form of meditation.


A handy rolling cart in the space is used for towels.


I fold the laundry on the top of the counter
and
I have a small ironing board that I use for small jobs 
like our linen tea towels and napkins.

Domestic jobs are a necessity.
To make them a wee bit more enjoyable
I have "fluffed" my downstairs "workplace" adding a few accent pieces.
Vintage enamel tins, ceramics, bird sculptures, and trophies...

Work and chores need not be looked upon as "drudgery."

Attitude is key to making these everyday tasks pleasant.
Taking joy in the results of one's labour and effort is so important.

The feeling of accomplishment is felt...
as I stand back
admiring a stack of freshly laundered 
(scented with lavender soap)
neat and tidy crisply ironed tea towels.

It's the "little things" that make our days richer.

How do you add Joy in your daily duties?
Do you have a secret to share that you use to make your daily round feel richer?

On that note, 
I will close this post...

Thank you for taking the time to stop and visit The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

April snippets from Quarterdeck cottage


Love these pretty pink blossoms on the tree out front of the cottage.


I am tempted to pick a sprig and pop them into a vase.
They are so delicate and frilly, almost frothy in their form.
A subtle scent gently fills the air when you are standing beneath the branches.


A yellow primula and a variegated iris for the garden.
I planted the iris out front of the cottage and hope that the deer will ignore it!
The primula will come home with me to be planted in The Humble Bungalow Garden.


The Pender Island Garden Club had a sale at the community centre.
I purchased the plants from the garden centre and the shell was from their sale.
I quite like shells and have a few that I have collected over the years.
They reside on the window ledge of the guest room.
This one will be headed there soon.



I found this arts and crafts Ruskin pewter brooch at the Nu To Yu thrift shop.
I purchased it for a friend who collects these pins.
It amazes me what treasures can be found in this tiny little shop.

Speaking of treasures look at this sweet little toadstool!


We walked 3 km along a road under a magnificent canopy of trees.
Our destination was Gather a new cafe at Hope Bay.
They serve tea, coffee, beer, wine, baked goods and light meals.

There are musical events held here on occasion in the evening. 
It's been open for 3 weeks and already has a loyal following.

The local Pender Island knitting ladies were there for their meeting.
I could not help but to eavesdrop and sneak a peek at what knitting projects they were sharing.
It is very similar to the knitting group that I attend at a local Victoria cafe.


We both had a cold beer...
mine was a light IPA and Mr. HB chose a dark stout.


I opted for the curry vegetarian bowl served on brown rice.
It was incredibly tasty but I could not eat it all!

After lunch we walked back through the woods to the cottage.
We did a lot of walking so we felt little guilt 
relaxing and reading our books on the sunny deck.

April has been a blur...
so many things have kept us busy.

The cottage makes us slow our pace and we really relax and sleep soundly.
We go to bed earlier and get up before 7 most days.

The fresh air, 
peace and quiet, 
long walks in nature
 put us into this zen zone.

It's a beautiful sunny morning here at the cottage.
Hope wherever you are, that your week is off to a great start!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, April 23, 2018

Savouring the good things in life...

We are surrounded by beauty...
one need not look too far afield to glimpse these special gifts that cross our path.

Embracing the positive, simple things in life, keep me grounded and content.

If I get on the "I want this, I want that" tangent
I am not at ease...stress and anxiety are sure to follow.

Simple living...

getting back to nature
walking
taking time for peaceful pursuits
mindful healthy eating

valuable self care tools
that really nurture and feed my soul.

"Highlights" worth sharing from the past weekend...


Roesland Park
on
Pender Island, BC
a lovely walk with an abundance of natural beauty.


Calypso Bulbosa


aka
Lady Slipper Orchids


Lilies


A bench on which to sit and pause...
 count my blessings 
while surveying the views across The Salish Sea....


Skunk Cabbage


The Nature Sanctuary at Medicine Beach
we were there for the Earth Day beach clean up.


Fresh radishes from Raven Rock Farm stand 
at the Farmers Market
love these "red ravishing radishes"


Speaking of red...here is the Encore Red.
We went to the award winning Sea Star Vineyard for a wine tasting...
we purchased some red and white wines.


We invited our neighbours over for a drink and a nibble...


Sitting on the deck later watching the sun slip behind the mountains
taking note of the light 
the subtle changes 
of the intensity and tones.

The sunrise and sunsets are the gentle rhythms
that guide us through our days here at Quarter Deck Cottage.

Hope that your week is off to a gentle start...
Enjoy the gifts as they present themselves to you on your daily round.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~