Showing posts with label scenery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scenery. 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, 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 ~

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 ~

Friday, March 24, 2023

OOTD and I may have solved the problem with comments...

 


 ~ Walking ~
I love walking along the waterfront.
Fortunately we live close to the seafront but I frequently walk in Oak Bay.
The Esplanade near Willows Beach is a scenic spot for a stroll.


I spied this beaded bracelet on the arm of the blue Adirondack chair...


I stopped to take a closer look and noticed the card inside.
Oak Bay Trinket Fairy

I now follow this Instagram account and have learned 
that this bead artist makes and leaves them for people to find!
What a lovely idea...
similar to those painted rocks that were once popping up in our neighbourhood.

Friday ~ post published today 
as I am going to busy this Sunday...
I have been trying to keep the posts regular but a wee bit of a BLIP is fine.

On the heels of my denim jumper purchase I found a coat!


New Eileen Fisher blue coat...
a simple and classic choice for Spring and Summer.
Turns out that I really like Eileen Fisher coats as I now have 3 of them.


~ OOTD ~

Wore my big pearls from Hong Kong to tea at a friends home.
We sip tea ~ chat and knit together.
I paired it with a crisp white Old Navy shirt and a wool Lord and Taylor skirt.
Layered over Hue capri tights and my Josef Seibel Chelsea Boots.


Rather an "edgy" look but very comfortable :-))

Do you wear "edgy" fashion choices?
It is a wee bit of a stretch for me but after wearing this combo several times 
it feels honest and natural.

Let's have a quick chat about hair...
it is supposed to be our crowning glory.

Sadly
my hair has been thinning this past year...
which has been a worry but I do have a thyroid condition and that is one of the issues.
I take medication for my thyroid but hair loss is a concern.
My hair used to be SO THICK!

Has your hair thinned?

On my last visit to my stylist I mentioned this to her she cut in more layers 
now it looks fuller and has more body
so I am happy with the results.

In other news...

I have been researching the blogger problem with comments.
Your emails have not gone unnoticed...
May have found an answer...
fingers crossed 
so please try now and see if it works.

Leave a comment and we'll see if it works.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Cold weather, a Thrifty Chicken Veggie Soup Recipe, and knitting at the cottage.

 


We are at the cottage and awoke to snow dusting the stairs...


It coated the ground which reminded me of icing sugar...
then I thought of cookies :-))


We purchased a wee tree for the cottage and chose small fairy lights in white.
It looks best when the lights are dimmed or turned off but we felt the need to add some festive cheer, it is December after all.


With this cold I decided to make a chicken veggie soup.
It was full of flavour and was a warm and cozy choice for the cold day.

Thrifty Chicken Soup

I used a roast chicken carcass.
Pick off the bigger chunks of meat and set them aside in the fridge.

In a soup pot I added the carcass and just covered the bones with water.
Boil then simmer for about an hour.
Take out bones and set them aside to cool.
Put the rich stock into a large container.
Pick off any more meat from the bones and add to the stock, discard the bones.

Saute one large diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery in oil until soft.
Add the meat from the fridge and the stock to the pot
2 diced carrots, some sliced greens 
(I used bok choy)
Cook about 45 minutes until carrots are soft
salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

It is very tasty and is so warming on a cold snowy day.


The sun was shining and we bundled up for a cold weather walk.
The air was crisp and so refreshing.
Little birds skitting about pecking for morsels of food...
Gulls soaring in the sky.


Soon the birds will be nibbling these red berries and rose hips...

December is a truly beautiful time to visit the cottage.
It is quite peaceful so we sleep deeply and feel relaxed when we wake up.
We are so fortunate to be able to come and do not take our time here for granted.
It is a precious gift.

We have been reading our books and I've been knitting on my vest 
which is getting very close to being finished.
I needed to buy some new locking stitch markers
 so I went to The Beehive before we left town.
 
Wouldn't you know it! I spied a lovely blue variegated yarn by Berocco.
Wool shops are rather lethal for me...chocolate, tea and book shops are trouble!
I rarely leave with empty hands.



This pattern is my next project.
Are you a knitter?
What do you love to make?

Hope that you are warm and cozy and enjoying the beginning of December.
I think it is going to get busy with baking and shopping and wrapping!
(with time set aside for knitting and reading)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~