Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Wee luxuries...and remembering MOM


Willows Beach in Oak Bay

(a favourite spot of my late mom's and mine)

I took my coffee in a thermos and sat in the stillness
watched the sea, the sun and the clouds
listened to the waves as they met the shore
embraced
the sound of the gulls as they soared overhead.

A few precious moments of peace outdoors in nature to start the day
sets the tone for the hours ahead.


Unwrapped a lovely soap from Fragonard in Paris.
The porcelain soap dish accompanied the soap which was in a recent 
My French Country Home Box.

The scent is soft, subtle and sweet.

Hand washing happens many many times a day here in The Humble Bungalow.

I can still hear my mom's voice
her mantra was
"Soap and Water are Cheap."

Mom always kept a few bars of triple milled soap unwrapped in her lingerie drawer.
I think her favourite was Yardley's English Lavender Soap.

Mom was an avid gardener and worked for many hours outside 
before coming in and soaking in the tub...
a cup of restorative tea on the edge of the bath.

Lavender scents wafted throughout the house.

She'd dress up for my father's arrival home from work.

A dainty apron worn atop of her dress...
mom was a much tidier cook than I.

I remember so many lovely snippets of mom and learned so much from her.
Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.


Mom sipped her tea in a pretty cup and saucer.
She had a fondness for those decorated with flowers.

While I don't ALWAYS choose one of mine for tea.
(several inherited from mom)

I do more often than not.


My face is getting some serious TLC
the recent and ongoing IPL treatments are reducing the rosacea redness 
the broken capillaries are slowly disappearing...

My skin however is dry 
so I purchased a hardworking moisturizer to use in tandem 
with the IS Clinical Pro Health Serum.

Fingers crossed it will perform as was suggested at the clinic.


Healthy lunch at Brown's Social House
Tuna Poke Bowl

loaded with fresh veggies
delicious!

Eating mindfully 
adding lots of veggies with lean protein
 high on my radar.

Choosing healthier alternatives is becoming much easier...
although
the lure of french fries is still very strong.

If my husband orders them I ask to sample a few :-))

The interesting thing about eating tons of veggies and a small amount of protein is that I don't feel "stuffed" after I eat.

It is such a different feeling than when I order a burger and fries.
I actually prefer it and I am not hungry afterwards.


Sale item from Joe Fresh.
A simple basic which will get worn on my walks
and
paired with jeans perhaps layered overtop of a denim shirt.


Love the warm cozy feel..
great texture.

So many thoughts are swimming around in my head today 
as I sit here in The Humble Bungalow kitchen and type.

I am not sure how to wrap up this post...

writing about and remembering mom 
often skews my thought process
with
emotions tugging at my heartstrings...


Auriculas are starting to put on a show!
Perhaps it is time to find or build a theatre to display them?
They are all the rage in the UK.

How are things with you?

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the week.
Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, May 11, 2020

Love...

Feeling love...
possibly more intense in these precarious times that we are living in.


a brightly painted heart rock on my beach walk last week


Intense Blue Skies at McNeill Bay in Oak Bay.

This is the beach where I spent my childhood..
we lived 2 blocks from the beach and we loved exploring the seashore.


I found some pretty sea glass on my walk.


Feeling so grateful for the smallest of things each day...


 European Wall Lizard
one of many living in The Humble Bungalow Garden.


 ~ Muguet des Bois ~

Intoxicating...
a heavy heady fragrance
pure white elegance.

Mother's Day

Remembering my dear Mom today  
I think of her everyday
but miss her more on these "special" days.


Mother's Day garden visit
with gifts from darling daughter and her sweet husband.
Tokens of love.




Garden visit with our son.

Flowers...a handmade card made with love.


Warm weather over the weekend...
we broke two weather records for high temperatures!

Cats are content snoozing on our bed.


Yummy dinner of chicken baked potatoes 
with
freshly harvested asparagus which is growing in our garden.


Mount Baker as seen from Island View Beach.
A wee bit blurry...
 a magnificent sight to see.

So many things to see
to appreciate 
to love.

Hope that you are finding some bright spots in your daily round.


Our eyes can embrace the beauty that surrounds us all...

take a few moments breathe in the fresh air
in awe of Mother Nature and all her glory
stay calm
be well.


~ 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 ~

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Todays tidbits...right here in black and white!

Later I will share a few new things here in The Humble Bungalow...


first things first...

my creative juices have been waning for awhile

writing has taken a back seat for now

my energy is otherwise engaged in reading and knitting

There have been some moody moments, thinking about and remembering mom.

Yesterday I bought a latte and sat on the beach
where my sister and I spread mom's ashes.

It was a beautiful afternoon,
the seas gently rippled
and
glistening in the bright sunshine.

Waters ebb and flow...
moods alter

a white lab comes by for a pat
its owner follows ~ apolgizes for the intrusion
not bothered at all by the dog
I continue to sit and savour the latte
thinking how close I feel to mom

calmed by the lapping of the waves
restored
peace follows
a positive energy has returned.


A pretty pink
 pop of colour 
 lewisia blooms.


I have been indulging in a wee bit of retail therapy...
nothing outrageous
but a few things that caught my eye.


Emma Bridgewater Black Toast pattern is a favourite of mine...
I found these wee picnic pieces at The Bungalow on Estevan Avenue.
Too cute to pass up on and fit perfectly in my small insulated picnic tote.


Lands' End packable down jacket 
it will keep the chill away on my winter walks.


New black napkins
white mini pumpkins 
for the table
We are hosting a dinner party
I'll post on the menu and the table settings in a future post.


Our neighbours' cat napping in our garden in a patch of sunshine.
There are two cats, each look identical, so I can never tell them apart.


I didn't mean to disturb its slumber

the ragdoll cats that live across the street are so friendly.


Time for a stretch on the gravel drive...

Time for me to get back to my dinner party prep...

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

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Remembering Mom and the trinket box...

Remembering Mom...


My sister and I get together regularly and we frequently go for a walk,
followed by a bite to eat and then we do some thrift shopping.

Mom told us, before she passed away,
that she wanted us to make time for each other...
it was her wish
that we both see each other weekly
just as we had done when Mom was alive.

We would all get together for an "outing."

Shop, then go for lunch, tea, or dinner...
it may have been a pot luck at mom's condo or a light meal out in one of Mom's favourite spots...
The Oak Bay Marina or The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

Mom loved her jewelry and she had a large citrine ring that was designed by local jeweller Tony deGoutiere. Mom wore this ring a lot...it was a "signature piece" not unlike her opera length baroque pearl necklace that Dad had given her one Christmas.

My sister was given the ring by mom...my sister had it made into a pendant as she felt the stone was "too big" for her hands.

I cannot remember if I wrote,
that Mother,
before she went into Hospice,
asked us to go to her bedroom and get her jewel box?

She had us sit close to her chair in her living room and she alternately handed us an item from her jewellery collection until only costume pieces remained...
she said we could do "whatever we wanted" with them.
Some we kept, some we gave to family, and others we donated to charity.

My sister and I cried throughout the entire process...
we weren't really "ready" for this...and today as I look back,
I cannot help but think how much strength it must have taken Mom to do this...
she did not cry.

Mom was a very determined woman, a no nonsense kind of gal,
whose years of nursing had helped her come to terms with her cancer diagnosis and prepare her for death.

I miss mom,
I think of her fondly...everyday....many times in a day.

So when this wee trinket box caught my eye...
I knew at once I had to buy it.
The stone reminds me of the ring...





 Mother's Day 
is going to come and go
the second one without Mom.

Memories will keep me company.

 I will wear some of Mom's jewels
on Sunday in her honour.

Hope that you have a lovely Mother's Day!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Birthday #63, the anniversary of Mother's demise...same day as it happens...


I had a rocky start to my birthday on March the 3rd...
coffee and cats were involved.
One of the cats knocked over the cactus in the bathroom and ripped all the leaves off of the plant...
it was Mom's cactus.
It is now in the compost.

The other cat "messed" 
on the carpet downstairs 
so I had to haul out the cleaner and wash the rug.

By that time I was REALLY ready for my morning coffee...
the espresso machine had other ideas!
It was not working.
My husband kindly offered to go out and buy me a latte...
bless his heart.
But after three tries, and a few cuss words
(I do not usually swear)
 I was able to make a cup.


I sat in my chair in the living room and thought about Mom.
I recalled the events of her last day with great detail...
I relived the feelings that I felt on that day.
A few salty tears rolled down my cheeks
 I spoke with friends on the telephone.
I wasn't sure 
if I would be able to go out of the house...
But I managed to pull myself together.
 leisurely showered 
got dressed.
On the agenda
shopping and lunch with my husband.

After lunch 
we went to Black Goat Cashmere on Government Street 
where I tried on a few sweaters...


In the dressing room...stripes are the theme.

OOTD
Saint James Top
Black Calvin Klein skinny ponte knit pants.

(see the black goats on the curtain)

My husband bought me the most luxurious cashmere sweater
it is really a jacket...
the cost of which,
 was, well, a wee bit more than I thought
let's just say that it is an investment piece and will be a workhorse in my wardrobe...
like so many other classics it will never date.

I am so happy with it and I know I will wear it often.


Flowers wired from our dear friends in France.


Here's the sweater...
thick cashmere and oh SO SO SOFT!


The silhouette is loose and the coat has a "swing style."

I wore it to the grocery store when the temperature was 6 degrees and was so very cozy and warm!


You can button up the collar or leave it open...its like a built in scarf!


This is going to be my "go to" sweater for the foreseeable future...
I have mom's grey cashmere waterfall sweater and the black V neck cashmere that I received from my husband for Christmas...
I do not own any other sweaters.


Chester likes playing in the bag.

Fast forward...

Besides writing this post 
I managed to wash the love seat slipcovers
 the bathroom towels
iron the linen
meet a friend for lunch
take mom's income tax stuff to the accountant 
(for the last time)
buy a roller ball of lavender essential oil for better sleep
(I swear by this stuff now...)
buy a big ball of Bernat cotton yarn that I will knit into dishcloths
run and empty the dishwasher
make a salad to go with our dinner
read a few chapters in my current book.

So enough about my day...
how are you doing and what is new?


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~