Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

January ~ Thrifting and some healthy changes...

 


Found a camisole at the Thrift Shop and I was SO pleased...
A lacy camisole had been on my "wish list" for quite a few months.

The cost of the ones that I loved were much more than I wanted to spend.
Trying to be mindful of expenditures now that Hubby is fully retired. 
Slowly coming to the reality that we are now "pensioners."
The cost was under $5 so easily justified :-))


Paired it with my faded denim shirt....added some pearls.

I am really enjoying wearing denim these days.
The denim jeans (no spandex) from MNG purchased last year.

Have a few old distressed items that I am happy to say didn't get culled.
The denim jacket from Old Navy, the Old Navy darker denim shirt, lighter one (here) and the denim jumper by Tribal and a chambray denim long tunic from Lands End.

I have on order a new denim dress...from Lands End.
I love how soft the garments feel when they have been washed many times.
~ COZY ~



Adding more fibre daily...
Bran Buds and protein rich Greek Yogurt
1/3 cup of each mixed together in the morning after my cup of coffee.

Also reducing portions for a while to see if this helps me shed a few pounds.
I have tried intermittent fasting for the past year and was not seeing much difference.


We have had a mixed bag with weather...
sunshine and clear blue skies mixed with gale force winds and rain.


Despite the inclement weather 
I need to push myself to get out in the fresh air...


Mother Nature's Pearls...
Snowberries.

There is snow in the forecast!!!


Lovely hand cream, William Morris At Home.
A gift from our son and the grandchildren.

Did a quick manicure today...Sally Hansen "Expresso" one coat dries in a minute. 


Soft faded denim and pearls with a wee bit of lace peeking out.


This image shows off the lace...

I didn't have my black velour jacket open this much at coffee!!!

I just wanted to show you the pretty lacy details that are hidden.

Lingerie is really a private item in our wardrobes...
wearing it makes us feel feminine and comfortable.

I love the Prima Donna line of bras and panties...
Lily Pad Lingerie here in Victoria carry their line.

I am due to visit them soon and purchase my annual supply.

Well I suppose that is all to share for now...
Hope your year is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Playfair Park ~ A quiet and serene walk in the Gardens ~ Arthritis Walking update

 


~ Playfair Park ~
A scenic oasis of beauty in our city.
Camas, azaleas and rhododendrons dot the landscape.
The Birdsong is heavenly.
This park is situated between two major streets and I didn't hear any traffic.
It a lovely spot to escape to and be in a lush green space.


A reader asked me to share any tips on my arthritis journey...

It's very early in my journey but I will attempt to share a few tidbits.
I am easing into this new phase taking baby steps
avoiding at all costs 
going down a rabbit hole of gloom and doom.


New beginnings...


Embracing Daily Delights
Snippets of beauty
Gorgeous Fawn Lilies.


Like the famous Nike slogan says...

Just Do It!

Walking with intention...
slowly and mindfully.

A gentle warm up helps prepare the hips.

Moving sideways and backwards first to get the hips to get ready
then moving forward, slowly at first and pace yourself in a comfortable speed.

Each day my hip feels different, some days there is more pain than other days?
I have no clue why?
All questions to ask my physiotherapist when I meet with her.

My goal is to halve my usual walk into two shorter ones.


These steps and km were accomplished by taking three shorter walks.

I am feeling weary now and have taken an Advil.
My doctor told me that I could take them during the day and the most important one
 is for nightime to help me with pain and allow for sleep.

It feels weird taking a pain pill as this is so not on my usual radar
but Needs Must...for now at least...in time who knows?
But hey let's check out the flowers...


Camas grows in large areas below the Garry Oak Trees.


Camas close up, 
the First Nations People used this as a food source.


A lovely rhododendron, one of many here in the park.


Pink, red, white, mauve and yellow dotted throughout the gardens.


Last week I walked in Playfair Park, along The Esplanade at Willows Beach
then I met up with a friend for a walk near her home in South Oak Bay.

I feel like I have accomplished something positive...
these are the most steps that I have recorded since my initial diagnosis.

One other thing that my doctor mentioned was to take extra vitamin D.
He indicated that there is a lot of scientific research to support its use.

I am enjoying lots of salads with fresh lettuce harvested from the Humble Bungalow Garden.
My lunches are focused completely on salad.
I am getting creative by adding nuts, feta and cooked quinoa to the lettuce and veggies.
I use a simple Kraft dressing that is oil based.
One type has Italian pesto and spices and the other one has Greek Feta.
Both are 35 calories per tablespoon and they add a LOT of flavour.

That's about all for now as I need to get up and move.

BTW
Thank you for your many supportive and encouraging emails

I am excited to be taking charge of my Health and continuing to explore new options.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Seeking Solace in Nature...


Sitting...
listening to the sound of the birds and the waves as they lap against the shore.


Lighting a candle...


Gazing out the window...
breathing and feeling grateful.


Reading a good book
sipping tea.


Walking along a beach
searching for sea glass
watching the otters and the gulls.

Taking time out to be soothed by the beauty of Nature.


Inviting Natural Beauty Indoors...


Bright and cheerful flowers


Diving into a new book.


Going for a walk in the misty rain...


Looking for bright pops of colour.


Taking in the views 
admiring the details
embracing the various colours and textures.



Wet logs strewn all over the beach and this one looked like a seal.
Do you see it?

Are you seeking the calm and soothing hands of Mother Nature?

Are you taking local action?
I'm looking into more ways to help...
We've made donations of money and plan to make more.


Fresh salt air 
the moist wet mist
slippery logs and mossy rocks.

The gentle lapping of the sea...
the Raven's Song.

A gentle breeze blowing 
shells crunch at our feet.

These don't solve our problems but they do help release tension.

Wishing, Hoping and Praying for Peace.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Snippets from Quarterdeck Cottage

 


Beautiful view from Medicine Beach
the walks along this rocky beach are breathtaking...

~ A soothing scene helps to unkink the knots of anxiety ~

The seas were so quiet and calm that I could feel my body relaxing.


The views toward Vancouver Island remind me of a Tony Only painting.

The weather here has been a mix of sun and fog.
No wild winds or rain.
Feeling grateful for these gifts...


The glorious sunny afternoon was an invitation to enjoy happy hour on the deck.


Evenings are dark and lighting candles adds ambiance and warmth.
These "Ethel Wood" scented soy candles are lovely.
They are sold at a farmstand on South Otter Bay Road here on Pender.

I purchased some for our home and cottage and they have quickly become my favourite.


These wee fungi remind me of that quote from Mary Engelbreit...

"Bloom Where You are Planted"


I finished The Doocot Sweater that I started knitting before the pandemic!
The project was a steep learning curve for me...
It was quite easy knitting baby blankets, dishcloths, shawls and scarves.

Sweaters are much more complicated... 
as I found out!
I have learned many new techniques and have gained confidence.
You Tube Videos and The Vogue Knitting book 
helped me 
as in person tutorials were few and far between.

Now I am excited to get going with my next project...
a simple sweater, very much like a shrug.
It is knit mostly using garter stitch.

 When we get back I plan to go shopping for the yarn...
I am just not sure what colour to use?

Basic black always calls to me...

I discovered that knitting in a cheerful colour has been such fun! 
especially using the Brooklyn Felted Tweed yarn 
and 
their yarn colours are brights and brilliant.


Seen on my beach walk at Port Browning...
a chain of rusted iron juxtaposed against a weathered log.

Seeking out and finding something on my daily walks
helps keep me motivated to continue taking steps.

Hope that you are staying healthy and finding inspiration in your daily round.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, August 30, 2021

Quarterdeck Cottage ~ an oasis of peace.


We are at Quarterdeck Cottage this week...
we arrived with a bucket of fresh cut flowers from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I couldn't resist bringing some of our roses.
Jude the Obscure, Julia Child and The McCartney rose fill the vase. 


Sunshine and the expansive views of the Salish Sea are such a tonic.

We went for a drive and walked along two different beaches 
beachcombing...collecting feathers and pieces of sea glass.

An artist has been busy creating some interesting carvings...





Building 
Driftwood structures are popular with many at the beach.





Our cottage time is so peaceful.

We sat out on the deck last night and gazed up at the stars... 
watched the brightly lit ferries as they passed by the cottage.

Feeling immense contentment here at the cottage.

Nature continues to amaze...

it renews our energies
inspires us
refreshes and invigorates.

The sound of the waves as they hit the rocky shore

the various bird songs
my favourite of which is the song of the purple martins

the breeze as it swishes the branches of the trees

all things that I have come to love and appreciate.

I've got a post to share with you soon...
we were fortunate to be able to host a dinner on the deck here with a fashion blogger and her husband and her lovely daughter.

We didn't take pictures of us all but I can share the menu.
If you want to get a sneak peak check out my Instagram post.

In closing, here's a picture of the other flowers that we brought to the cottage.


Sweet Peas
this summer we have enjoyed a bumper crop of these fragrant beauties.
The more we picked the blooms the faster they grew.
I cannot remember a summer when we had so many sweet peas.
They are cheap and cheerful and so worth the effort of growing them.

Hope that you are doing well and staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Snippets, tidbits and good books...

Holdays are such a gift...
time to relax, cocoon and embrace the good things in life.

We sleep well here at the cottage.
There is a gentle calm pulsing throughout our days...

As we spend a lot of time outside in the fresh air...
dining al fresco, walking, swimming, reading.

These slow days contribute to our well being and we are usually in bed asleep just after 9pm...
we wake and watch the light as it brightens and moves across The Salish Sea.

The bark of the arbutus trees are peeling which reveals a limey green layer under the rich amber colour...these are a feature in our views as we have several of these lovely trees growing at the edge of the sea.

Birds flitter about, gather and sing...
they seem to be drawn to the limbs of these trees.



I read this engaging mystery novel in a day...
a real page turner set on The French Riviera.
You might enjoy it!


The old stove died a few days ago and the general manager was able to order a new one and have it delivered to our small island in a day!
This is quite remarkable and we were very happy as we have no local access to shops and the ferry service is limited.


Local Sea Star Vineyards make excellent award winning wines.

Their Encore is a rich full bodied red wine...
perfect with a BBQ steak, baked potatoes and green beans.


Things break...

My Fit Bit battery died and I went online to get a replacement and was surprised to learn they are not available!
OH NO!

You are meant to purchase a new FitBit...
well that was a shock, 
so I have decided not to replace it.

My husband says I should buy an IWatch but I am reluctant...

I am wearing one of the vintage sterling bangles that I have in my collection...
this one a sweet gift from our darling daughter Jennifer.


Campus Queen from 1968


Fresh halibut, steamed broccoli and wild rice with sauteed mushrooms.

Yummy Halibut

To cook the halibut I dip it in flour, salt and pepper
saute in a wee bit of oil and butter
cook until skin is somewhat brown and fish is white and flaky
squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon overtop and add a tablespoon of capers.

Easy and so flavourful
Enjoy!


Read this gem yesterday.

A real binge read..
could not put it down
  I am considering re-reading all of the Jane Austin classics.


Am heading to the bookstore today as I have read all the books that I brought for our holiday.

Hope that you are staying safe.

Our Covid case numbers have increased here over the past few weeks.
It is alarming and we continue to keep our "bubble" small.
We wear our masks when we are out in the shops.
Hand washing and sanitizer are used constantly.

Feeling so thankful for the fresh air and sunshine.

The ability to be out safely in nature
soaking in all of the beauty that surrounds us
is soothing during these uncertain times.

Stay Safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~