Showing posts with label colours. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colours. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Changing Seasons...

Fall is in the Air


A close up of a bloom from Joesph's Coat Rose.

I love the curled petals and the vibrant colours.
Peeking out from deep inside are the frilly stamens.

Such a beauty.


The Arbutus Tree 
illuminated by the early morning sunshine.
You can see the heavy dew on the glass of the deck.

Fall is in the air.
Cooler mornings and early sunsets.

Time to stay in and read...


Louise Penny has done it again!

A fabulous mystery for Armand Gamache to solve.
Set in Paris 
it starts out in the Musee Rodin Garden
(I was there this past October)

Familiar shops, cafes and avenues in Paris.
The Marais and the 6th and 7th arrondissements are featured in the story.

I love the Gamache series mysteries.
I highly recommend this one.


Foggy morning at the Cottage.


Sunny afternoons.


Sitting on the deck in the fresh air watching the boats go by...
the seas twinkling in the warm sunshine.

This feels "normal" even though we are in the midst of a pandemic.

Being outdoors is such a tonic...

  I am rather concerned about the change in season.
We will be inside more often.

 I know that I will need to get outside regularly to feel healthy.
My well being and positivity depends on fresh air and nature.

It will take more effort to stay motivated and get out and about in the inclement weather.


Bundling up in a soft scarf to help keep the chill away will help.

This beautiful scarf is by the French Company Letol.

I'll be swapping out my summer clothes for fall and winter soon.
Long sleeves and cozy cashmere sweaters...
woolly socks and layers.


Gorgeous 
Dahlias in brilliant shades from the Pender Island Farmer's Market.

Flowers and foliage in autumnal colours are harbingers of Fall.


I spied a wee tree frog in the planter by the grocery store.
They have a deep croak ( ribbet ribbet) which sounds like it would come from a huge toad.

This wee little fellow was making quite the cacaphony of sound!

It entertained many of us as we waited patiently in line up outside the store.
Masked up and ready to shop in the safety of fewer numbers.

Our "new normal" continues...

It is not as if we rise each day expecting it to change.

We CAN hope and dream...

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

~ Desmond Tutu ~

I will close for now and embrace the message of this quote.

Reflecting on all that is posititve and for the many things that I have been blessed with in gratitude.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~



Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Blue and white...My Stylish French Box

When I read a few months ago that the theme of the May delivery of My Stylish French Box was going to be blue and white I did a little happy dance!

I posted pictures of our collection of blue and white porcelain before on the blog.
Our collection is small and carefully curated...will share them later in this post.


Look at how beautifully the contents are packed!
A feast for the eyes and the fragrance from the Fragonard candle is divine.


Letol scarf
Gien porcelain mug
La Pompon linen bags
Fragonard candle in a decorative reusable porcelain lidded container.


Notebooks and a lovely blue Swarovski crystal pendant.

I love receiving this elegant treat every few months.

If you are interested in ordering the August box or an annual subscription 
please click the link here 
You can also read the reviews from recipients.


Porcelain Bowls by Harumi Ota
Wee Vessel with bunnies by Robert Amos
both are local Victoria artists.







My newest dress is also in blue and white.


a cool loose linen frock


Have you read this book?
Its a classic!
one that I re-read every so often 
especially when I want some French Chic style inspiration.




What are you reading?

Where do you find inspiration for fashion and home decor?
Pinterest? Instagram? Magazines? Blogs? HGTV? You Tube?

I've just made a pot of Mariage Freres Earl Grey Tea.
 I am heading out to the front porch with my book .

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

A symphony in blue and white and the May box from My Stylish French Country Box!

Do you love the classic combination of blue and white?


I particularly love blue and white porcelain and dishes...


The bowls are made by a local potter by the name of Harumi Ota.
The wee whimsical footed vessel is by local artist Robert Amos.






Sweet tumbling bunnies 





The writing on the pot says...

"Flick as flowflakes, litters from aloft."

I have a few other pieces with blue and white...
a transfer ware patterned tray and a vase.

Sharon Santoni's Intsagram post popped up 
and
 My Stylish French Country Box
telling followers that the May delivery box theme is blue and white!

It should be a very elegant box...
now I am dreaming of a symphony of blue and white! 

To order a box click this link...
you'll be glad that you did!

Cheerio for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Autumnal Splendor....

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons...
rich in colour and texture,
this weekend we have been treated to clear blue skies and sunny warm days.

Perfect weather for walking...
and a bonus while we are at Quarter Deck Cottage on Pender Island.


Golden hues tinged with green.


We walked slowly so that I could stop and take pictures 
besides the fact that I have been recently diagnosed with shin splints...
my doctor suggested that I slow my walking pace and perhaps the distance that I travel
to make sure that I have supportive shoes 
 to replace my walking shoes at least every year if not every 6 months.
This is a painful condition and so I am heeding his advice.


The distance we covered was just a tad under 3 km
the road was perfect for our walk 
very little car traffic
quiet
homes and acreages dotted every so often along the byway
the leaves were stunning in their beauty
so picturesque.


This old home was situated at the end of the road overlooking the ocean.


I'd love to peek inside but this is as close as we could get to it.

The road curved ahead and we spied this boat...



We discovered a lovely sandy beach at the end of the road with a public beach access.
Mr. HB saw a mink run into the brush just ahead.


Kelp and maple leaves mingling together on the beach.







Walking with the leaves crunching neath our feet...
a glorious day 
with dappled sunshine peeking through the canopy of trees.




Feeling such gratitude to be able to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us.

How was your weekend ?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, October 14, 2017

A quiet weekend, focusing on our home....


Autumn brings chilly days 
and it's time to do some work inside the Humble Bungalow.
The garden will have to wait!

Mr. HB and I are "deep cleaning" the storage area and workshop downstairs where the furnace is located in our home...
it is an area that tends to be a catch all and because it is behind "closed doors" 
we do not look at it often...
 extra stuff gathers
  it mounts up 
one can be happy ignoring 
the bits of debris and recycling and cardboard only for so long!

Exhausting work but certainly satisfying...

I needed to take a break late in the day and have a cafe creme 
 now writing this blog post before starting dinner.
My tummy is grumbling!


Sharon Santoni's new book...
she lives in such a pretty home and her garden is beautiful
and how wonderful that she has shared some of her favourite recipes!

Speaking of recipes...


I took this book out of the local library and I love the recipes so much that I have placed an order with the booksellers in Oak Bay.
I have read most of Jane Green's novels and find them very entertaining.


Tonight I am making Jane Green's Maple Glazed Pork Chops 
served with my whipped potato bake
shown here ready to go into the oven...
AH COMFORT FOOD!

I recently shared the recipe...
this time I had no cottage cheese so I substituted some cream cheese.
NEEDS MUST!

Must get on with the rest of the dinner prep so I will close.
How is your weekend going?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~