Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Sunday, August 20, 2023

A quick post ~ I missed last week as I was away...


Roses for a friend...


I am writing and publishing a quick post.
I've been a wee bit busy so I missed last week's post.
I was in White Rock with the grandchildren and our son.
We stayed at the Ocean Promenade Hotel 
across from the beach with the train tracks in between.

Trains pass by frequently and the kids loved watching all the cars pass by...
We went to IKEA at Port Coquitlam, had my first Swedish Meatball lunch.
I bought napkins, candles, and some inexpensive knives.

We also shopped at Zara at Metrotown for the girls outfits for back to school.
I was surprised how FAST they shop!

We also had a day at Big Splash Water Park...lots of water and slides.
Tsawwassen Mills Mall for the Adidas shop for Henry.

Our suite was great...it had a kitchenette
I was able to make breakfasts. coffee and snacks.


My husband turned 70 on Saturday.
We were out Friday for a happy hour, Saturday we attended the annual summer gathering hosted by my husband's former architectural firm.


The dinner was held at Mary's Farm and Sanctuary out by Goldstream.
Farm animals, a disc golf course, games, a tire swing and scenic walks and trails 
on the 30 acres.
The families just loved the amenities and the food was made by my friend Julie.
Everything was delicious and had a "country theme."


There was smoke in the sky...
forest fires burning up in the interior of BC and south of us in Washington State.


I am making Mr HB a pasta dinner tonight...
Vongole

(His favourite)


I have the ingredients all chopped and prepped and ready to go...
to the left you can see my new All Clad Pasta Pot.

(I've invested in a few new pots by All Clad)

Well I must get busy cooking as it is almost 5:30...
Will be back soon!

Hope that you have a fabulous week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, August 6, 2023

Cottage Holiday ~ A few Snippets and Tidbits...


Cottage Time is so relaxing.
We find that we cocoon and relax and by the time we leave we are completely rejuvenated.

I suppose that is what holidays are all about.

We see the most beautiful boats sail by Quarterdeck Cottage.
This sailboat moors in the bay.
We watch the boat as the owner manoeuvers it out to sea and hoists the sails.

On this day there was a full crew aboard...
they were out for several hours enjoying the breezes.

We watch as the ferries pass by the cottage.
We play a game...
Ferry Yahtzee.

If there are 5 ferries all in view we call out Yathzee!

Our two weeks at the cottage seemed to fly by...

Our son and grandchildren were at the cottage for the first week.
Lots of fun activities and games.
The pool is still very much a favourite with all of us.

Meals were kept simple
desserts were served
we nibbled on snacks ~ chips and popcorn
ice cream cones were almost a daily thing!

Once they all departed it was almost TOO quiet...



My husband walked his 6 km island route in the mornings.
I puttered in the kitchen, planned our meals and shopped at the market.
Read my books, knitted on the Miriam Sweater, perused some magazines.

My walks are focused on the beaches nearby
I went to the end of the road and wandered down to the beach...
the tide was way way out!
Two fellows were fishing off the rocks but I had the beach to myself.

I took a leisurely saunter back and forth looking for sea glass.
Not much was found but I had a pleasant time walking.


The current jar is almost full...
I have quite a few jars full here in The Humble Bungalow.


Found an antique Lenox dish at the thrift shop.
The details are so pretty ands the porcelain is so luminescent.
Smooth and delicate, too dainty to leave at the cottage.


Blue label indicates that the dish is pre 1930.


We invited friends over to spend the day.
I don't think that they had ever been to Pender before. 

They arrived early on a direct ferry around 9:30
so I made The Barefoot Contessa's Apple Tart to serve with our morning coffee.

If you don't catch a direct ferry you will be on board for several hours while the ferry visits many of the Gulf Islands!

For lunch I made what we call a "Picky Plate" 
in case you are curious 
a picky plate is an assortment of foods mostly finger foods.

Cheeses, olives, breadsticks, crackers, salami, hummus, pickles, spreads...

Dinner was a strawberry spinach salad and lasagne.
Dessert was a blackberry pie with ice cream.
(my husband picked the berries)

We had a lovely day.
Drove around a wee bit, went to Hope Bay, Browning, The Driftwood Centre
 then we stopped in at Renaissance Antiques to look at the art.
Our friends Keith and Michelle,
 purchased an antique table with a marble top!


There were large full moons at night.
I love the way they sparkled on the sea...
I read that they were referring to these moons as Full Sturgeon Moons.


Can you see the moon at the top left?
This book is so good that I read late into the evening...
I highly recommend Friendship Point by Alice Elliot Dark.


I need to stay hydrated...
drinking low calorie or no calorie beverages is my goal.
Bubly water comes in many flavours and it is thirst quenching.
NO CALORIES!
I've been buying it by the case.


Found a lovely trench coat at the island Thrift Shop.
Banana Republic

I am excited to have found this classic coat 
which BTW I have been looking to add to my wardrobe for several years.
It is in perfect condition and was at a giveaway price!!



I am wearing Black!
I know it is odd to wear black in the heat of summer 
but this Cut Loose cotton dress is cool and airy.

I feel a bit like an Italian Nonna...
black capri tights, sandals and the dress.
Popped the hat atop and away I go...
met a friend for coffee at the cafe.


California Poppies are glowing up on the Ridge.
They capture the sun and reflect their beauty.

Simple Joys 
are found in everyday life.

I seek out these marvelous surprises that are just waiting to be discovered...


When I first started collecting Sea Glass I found mostly white.
I put the pieces in a vintage sealer jar and that my friends was the beginning of 
this very addictive habit that continues to this day :-))


I love a blue sky with puffy white clouds...


This is the biggest piece of amethyst glass that I have in my collection.
My husband found it for me on Pender Island.
Amethyst, cobalt blue, deep shades of green and aqua are the most difficult to find.

We are back home now and settled into our Humble Bungalow routines.
I've been busy getting in some groceries and my husband has been tidying up the garden.

Hope that your summer is ticking along nicely.



Abraham Darby


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Men's Italian Shirt...Bellissimo


Daffodils are putting on a great showing here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

We need the cheerful flowers as the skies are a gloomy grey and the weather is cold.
I've been feeling the chill and wearing layers on my walks.


It feels colder with the gusty winds...
I wore my wool hat and gloves then pulled up my hood on my fleece lined coat.
 Should have worn my "Michelin Man" puffer down coat.

Not many people were out and about so I had the beach almost to myself.
A few gulls and crows soaring overhead and were tossed about in the wind.

As soon as I finished my walk 
I got in the car and turned the seat heater and hot air on.
Zipped off home and put the kettle on for a hot cup of tea.
Gosh what would we do without a hot cuppa?
Good for so many things.


In other news I found an Italian mens shirt at the thrift shop.
~ Bellissimo ~
The brand is Bugatchi with details that indicate quality...


Just look...
see what I mean?
I'll wear this at home with my black Yoga pants and perhaps out my white jeans.
The pearls kick it up a notch.

~ Bellissimo ~

Mom would have approved :-))


Picked and Popped a wee posy...
Into this vintage elephant vase was a thrift shop find.

Did you know that elephants' trunks on should always be in the upward position 
or your good luck runs out?
I've heard this from several "collectors" who love elephants.

(Not unlike horse shoes that should be hung with the ends facing upward.)

Do you believe in luck?

Luck might help us when we are thrift shopping.
There are so many items that one needs to weed through...
you need to keep your eyes fully open.

Often there are surprises that you weren't even looking for...
they just pop up.
Like this Italian shirt for example...

I always take a peek in the menswear section 
especially in sweaters 
as cashmere is not just found in the women's section.

I once found an argyle pattern Burberry cashmere sweater that I gave to a friend.
Not sure if he still wears it 
(I have seen him wearing it at his shop.)

Do you peruse the charity and thrift shops?
What are your best finds?

We had a Good Friday dinner here with our son and the three lovely grands.

The menu:
Salmon
Pot Roast 
Wild Rice Broccoli casserole
Cauliflower au Gratin
Brussels Sprouts

Brownies and Strawberries

Easter Eggs for the kids...the adults munched a few too!

Hope you are enjoying a pleasant weekend.
Happy Easter Sunday!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, March 12, 2023

March ~ ing onward into Spring.

 


This Andalou cream has been my "go to" night cream for the past few months...
a little goes a long way. You may be able to see that the jar is still half full.


Can you see the grey pearl stud beside the diamond stud that I wear most days?
My husband gave me a pair for my birthday the year Mom passed away. 

I haven't worn these pearls as often since Covid hit
(need to wear masks)
I almost lost an earring taking my mask off.
I already had a pearl fiasco losing that strand at the beach...
must take more care not to lose things!!


My new FUN skirt from a thrift shop.
Knife pleats in a black grey print.

I will dress this up with a black rayon sweater and a camisole.
Dress it down very casual with a tee and my denim jacket.

I am already thinking of fun things to pair it with...
it is made by Zara, the only thing I own from the company.


Finally got a copy from the library...it had been on the Holds for a LONG time.
I read it in two days...another stunning mystery from Louise Penny.


Birthday flowers and vase from a friend.

I have such lovely friends...
so thoughtful 
the range of unexpected gifts was amazing.

Soaps, tea, a beautiful hand knit dishcloth, books, an apron, 
flowers, and some sourdough starter!


Thank you for ALL those kind email messages and birthday greetings 
from the Blog and Instagram... feeling very grateful.


My first attempt at a sourdough boule.


Was delicious with the homemade chicken soup!


Dinner out at Zambri's


Dessert

Brunch and dinner out with the family rounded out the weeklong celebrations.
They spoiled me too :-))
Thank you ALL 

Murchies teas and a gift card at a favourite restaurant.
Vintage silk hand rolled scarf and a Wedgewood clam shaped white porcelain plate.


We zipped off to the garden centre to buy two flats of these cheerful tete a tete's.
On sale half price.

We planted them out in front of the deer fence 
to fill in the gaps from the ones we planted last year.
Such a pretty pop of colour and they bloom earlier than our daffodils.

The Oscars are on TV tonight...are you going to watch them?
I like to see the fashions...and the jewels.

Making a pot roast, potatoes, carrots and a lemon torte for dessert.
Comfort Food for a cold rainy Sunday.

Hope that you are keeping healthy and staying sane with all the crazy stuff that is happening in our world.


Vintage Bread tray
might come in handy?


Crocuses blooming out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~