Showing posts with label shells. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shells. Show all posts

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 ~


Monday, May 28, 2018

Book chat...at Quarterdeck Cottage


I devoured the book Bella Figura written by Kamin Mohammadi
It "spoke to me" on many levels and the author included Italian recipes at the end of each chapter...I am going to keep it and put it on my cookbook shelf!

I was so inspired by her descriptions of the food 
that I made the pasta dish for dinner at the cottage.

Kamin describes the Italian city of Florence and the hills and villages of Tuscany so exquisitely that I felt that I was right there with her...

I am not going to give away any of her "secrets" but I did take away some very important tips that I will be incorporating into my daily regime.

I highly recommend this book...


Look at these fresh heirloom tomatoes!
Seriously flavourful and an easy salad to prepare...
you could dress it with a smidgen of good quality olive oil or do as I did.
I used Julia Childs' basic vinaigrette that I mix in a Bonne Maman Jam jar.

'Tis the season for Farmer's Markets and fresh produce...
I love the variety and availability of these roadside stands
 my basket is stuffed full to the brim
overflowing 
with healthy tasty veggies.


The bounty of beach combing is the expanding collection of sea glass.
Fresh air and exercise are benefits of this hobby.


Clam Shells with barnacles dot the local beaches.


The twinkling light bouncing off the Salish Sea
 a million diamonds dazzling....
the melodic waves are licking the shore
the seabirds are swooping
the cacophony of songbirds is music to my ears

contentment found in the beauty of nature

to slow down
to notice
to be silent and observe

these are times that I treasure
for they present me with
opportunities
 for reflection and gratitude


Do you find solace in the beauty that surrounds you?
Are you able to be still, sit quietly and absorb the gifts of Mother Nature?

We had a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow Garden...
there is a bounty of flowers
a riot of roses blooming 
the wee hummingbird babies can be seen in the nest...
two very tiny beaks pointing skyward waiting for food from their parents.

Hope you have a lovely week.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog...


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Monday, February 26, 2018

Beach Walk Treasures....


My Beach glass collection is filling a Bonne Maman jam jar.
I found these pieces on my beach walks here on Pender Island.

I'll need to find a larger jar soon...
perhaps I'll find a vintage sealer jar as that would match my shell jar collection.


I find mostly white glass...
aren't the greens and blues dreamy shades?


The blue glass floats are vintage finds
as are the icy glass Timo Sarpaneva candle sticks.

There's a beach theme going on here at Quarter Deck Cottage.


Beached sailboat...
cannot help thinking what an apt name this is for this vessel!


Crisp white Barnacles cling to the rocks.


Someone placed these shells atop a vast chunk of driftwood at Mortimer Spit.


Pender Chocolates serve a delicious Hot chocolate made from thick and rich chocolate ganache...
the chocolate shop is a treasure
so many tasty treats
deciding on which ones to choose is a challenge!




My current read is a light hearted romp
a peek into the lives of an eclectic group of people living on an English Avenue.
I am halfway through it and find its a page turner...


Hope that your week is off to a great start...
we awoke to blues skies and sunshine this morning and that's a great gift.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Decorating ~ free, thrift shop finds and some luxurious habits.

I love using "found" or foraged things from Nature in our home and cottage decor.

Thrift shop finds also factor in when it comes to things I have added to our bungalow...often they are unusual or somewhat quirky.

I have also been known to pull the car over when I see a free pile on the boulevard.

I am not particularly talented when it comes to interior decorating.
 But I do know what styles I do like and what I feel comfortable adding to our surroundings here in The Humble Bungalow.


Sea shells in a vintage canning jar.


Big barnacle


Chunk of coral


Glass Fish floats


Large Shell


Coral and shells mixed together.


a vintage flag


vintage enamel ware


I love using basic whites...
so versatile 
vases, trays and dishes.



White vintage Ironstone


Potted orchids


Emma Bridgewater tray...I also use her bowls for my morning cafe creme


White beach glass in a Ball sealer jar.


Emma Bridgewater Black Toast Pattern


Fresh flowers in an icy modernist vase.


Simple beach stones inside a bowl to keep the soap dry.


Vintage ironstone soap dish with built in ribbing for drainage.
Lovely soap...a weakness of mine is to buy quality french scented soaps.


Silver accents are peppered throughout the house.


My all time favourite candles...a splurge I know but so worth it.


First Nations baskets.


I love this book
by Tricia Foley 

Her simple style inspires me and I like to pick this book up from time to time and get re-energized about culling and curating what we have in our home.

 Tricia's ideas help inspire me when I am out perusing the thrift shops.
I tend to look closer at the "qualities" or the "bones" of a piece and am able to evaluate whether it is something that could add interest in our home.

Do you have a certain style when it comes to your home decor?
Have you ever hired a professional interior decorator?
What style do you admire?

Hope you have a lovely weekend...
the sun is shining here this morning and the day is going to be hot!
I plan to mix up a batch of lemonade and keep hydrated.