Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marriage. 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 ~

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Valentines Hearts...

Good morning from The Humble Bungalow.
It is Valentine's Day today so I am sharing a few hearts with you today...
and a message of love.


Chocolate hearts 
Paris

"All you need is love.
But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

~  Charles M. Schulz ~



"The most important thing in the world is family and love."

~ John Wooden ~




"Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses." 

~Ann Landers ~


I am sniffling today with a head cold so I plan on drinking loads of fluids.


Happy Valentines Day to my husband...

"in sickness and in health"
I remember our pledge on that wedding day back in 1974.

We've come a long way since that day and I love you more now than I did back then.



Happy Valentines Day

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."

~ Audrey Hepburn ~

I'll be taking a few days off while I am sick
will be back soon.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, June 3, 2016

Date night...

Date nights are still important even after almost 42 years of marriage...
Making time for each other and sharing a little treat now and again keeps things fresh and introduces a wee bit of fun.

Lunches and dinners out, or attending a play, or watching a film are traditional "dates." We like to mix things up...

Last weekend we took time out to enjoy an soft ice cream cone followed by a drive along the seafront in Mr. HB's convertible.

We recently had a date night "at home"


We lit one of our scented candles on our vintage silver tray.

Mr. HB made me my favourite cocktail...a French 75 and 
served it in one of our French Bee Flutes!

 French 75
gin
bubbly
lemon juice
simple syrup
garnished with lemon curls

Delicious mixture of bitter and sweet with just a hint of bubbles.


We harvested a few spears of fresh asparagus from The Humble Bungalow garden.

I steamed the asparagus in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.
Made a side dish of penne pasta with frozen peas and Gorgonzola cheese.

The star of the show was the Chicken Piccata!

Chicken Piccata

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves pounded thin between parchment paper
lightly seasoned with cayenne pepper, salt and ground pepper
dredged in flour and set aside.

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Place chicken in the pan and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side, remove to a plate.

Cook 1 tbsp drained capers in pan until warm, about 30 seconds.

Pour 1/2 cup white wine into the pan and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan and cook for about 2 minutes.

Stir in 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup water and 3 tablespoons cold butter into mixture to form a sauce about 2 minutes of cooking time then add 2 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley.

Add chicken back into pan and cook until heated through...serve with sauce spooned over top and garnish with lemon slices.

Enjoy!


Jude The Obscure David Austin Rose


The Humble Bungalow Garden has been getting lots of attention on these warm sunny days.
People have been stopping by taking photographs...
and two women were out front this morning literally gushing about the roses and saying that since they "discovered it" they have added it to their walking route.

My goodness...
with all the lovely and lush gardens nearby
 I cannot believe that our wee garden is getting so many compliments.
I suppose the hard work is paying off...


Our Humble Bungalow Garden
May 2016

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, February 12, 2016

Walking in Sunshine....


My car is in the shop.
Instead of taking the offer of a driver and a ride home I wore my walking shoes
and took a walk in a different area of town.

Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise.
It is simple
free
can be done almost anywhere
and the only special equipment you need is a good pair of shoes.

You might need some sunglasses
a warm coat or a rain jacket
umbrella or boots
hat
gloves
Kleenex
sunscreen

if you have a walking partner 
you are blessed.

Conversation makes the time fly and going the distance with a "buddy" is supportive.
One day you may feel tired, lazy or lethargic but your partner urges you on.
Another day it is your turn to encourage him or her.

Walking in a group is popular here in Victoria, 
beyond the seafront there are hiking trails
The Galloping Goose is popular with both cyclists and pedestrians.

We have groups of walkers if you like company:
The TC 10K race has several training groups
Widow's Walking Group
Newcomers Club Walkers
Nordic Pole Walkers
Outdoor Club of Victoria
groups that walk out of the fitness and Seniors centres.

Mr. HB and I walk together on the weekends.
We have "My route" and His route."
My route goes along the waterfront to the Gonzales area of town,
his route goes along the waterfront towards the "boat pond."


Bald Eagle perched in a tree surveying the ocean 
possibly looking for a fish dinner.


Off it flies towards the sea...



soft shades of blues and greys


the sun breaks through the clouds

there are many quiet moments when we walk
moments to enjoy the scenery
moments to observe the unexpected
moments when we share some conversation
we are walking together

as we have done since we walked down the aisle so many years ago.

~ ~ ~

The Victoria Orchid Society Show is on this weekend and I'll be working at the admissions table.
I plan to take my knitting with me just in case there is a quiet moment during the day.

Looking forward to perusing the show and sales table after I finish my shift.
When it comes to orchids I have a weak spot for them and a new one might just accompany me home!

"Walking is man's best medicine."
~ Hippocrates ~

Have a fun weekend!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Flowers for the wedding and my OOTD.

A group of friends got together to arrange flowers for the wedding of my best friend's niece.
It was a well organized assembly line for the table arrangements and corsages.
M who has done quite a few weddings showed her crew which flowers to use and how to build the bouquets.
Once created, the posies were tied and popped into vintage sealer jars of water.
I stood a little ways away getting the promised interior flowers done and was happy listening to the friendly banter and talk of weddings and grand children with a great group of friends.

I busied myself with the two vintage wicker urns and flowers for inside the house.


we worked under the Marquis tent as it was sprinkling rain


one of the corsages


Front hallway with Jude the Obscure in a Weller vase


guest room


Dining room table 
limelight hydrangeas and Lady's Mantle


guest room


new upper bathroom
(see previous post for the sneak peek)


inside the heritage designated tea house
looking out to the tent space
and lawns beyond

Weddings are such an exciting event especially when they involve people that we adore and dearly love
we're "almost family" 
and consider ourselves fortunate to be included in this celebration of love.



The sun shone for the wedding and we had a fabulous time.






It was such a memorable day
and the happy couple are spending their honeymoon in Hawaii.
I wish them many years of health and happiness.




Sunday, July 22, 2012

Date night our 38th anniversary and thoughts on marriage...

Our 38th anniversary was Friday July the 20th.
We kept it simple and went out for an early dinner as we had both had very busy days...
(I was arranging flowers for the wedding and Mr/ HB was working on the renovation downstairs)
we sipped a cocktail and dined on some some delicious food in one of our favourite local eateries.


Zambri's used to be a tiny hole in the wall in an out of the way spot with almost a cult following of dedicated diners.
Local foodies and chefs were known to frequent the place on their days off and some strayed in after hours to see what was left after the crowds had departed.
It has moved and is now located in the upscale architectural gem, The Atrium building.
The food tastes as good as it did when we sat on mismatched chairs and distressed wooden tables that invariably needed to be leveled with coasters to keep them from wobbling!
Their new decor is state of the art,
crisp linen table cloths,
twinkling lights above a bar
an open concept inside the restaurant and then Atrium space where we sat, which feels airy and bright.



a Tanqueray martini
~ ~ ~
 bread and olives
( I ate one wee slice of bread ~ the olives were a sweet bite of salty heaven)


we shared a Caesar salad


pasta for our main course
mine was penne with gorgonzola and green peas
I've had this many times and I cannot tell you how much I love it.

Mr. HB had pasta with Dungeness Crab Ragu
deliciously
satisfied 
we took ourselves home 
for a cozy evening watching our new fave show Newsroom by the brilliant Aaron Sorkin.

38 years is a long time plus we knew each other for several years before getting married

We have no secret as to why we have managed to stay married so long
but we ALWAYS celebrate our anniversary
cards always 
gifts optional.

Mr. HB has been very generous over the years 
I have some special pieces of jewelry that he has given me to mark the occasion of our 10th, 25th, and 30th dates.

In earlier times when the children were young and money was tight we'd have our parents take the kids overnight so that we could go out and enjoy a bite of food together. 
Dinner out once or twice a year back then was a real treat.

Things change, 
kids grow up and move out 
and we are fortunate enough that we still enjoy each other's company.
Every evening when Mr. HB comes home from work 
we take the time to sit and chat and catch up on each other's days doings.

I think communication is huge in a marriage.
Sharing dreams and having goals
planning ahead
working side by side
in the house and in the garden 
never taking the other for granted
compliments go a long way ~ they must be genuine and heartfelt
apologizing when you know you are wrong
sharing laughter
are all things that we have worked on to keep our marriage strong
I do think there is luck involved
we were fortunate enough to meet in our teens
 still surrounded by friends that we grew up with 
who are also long time married folks
probably helps a lot...


I highly recommend this restaurant
it has won many awards
and we have never been disappointed by the service or the food.

Do you have a special place that you like to go?

If a young bride were to ask you for tips on the longevity of marriage what would you say?