Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Diversions ~ under smokey skies...

 Feeling restless while stuck inside under a poor air quality advisory...so much smoke and particulate in the air...ash falling from the sky.

The fires to the south of us continue to burn...devastation to homes, businesses and wildlife. It is difficult imagining losing eveything one owns. People have had to evacuate and leave behind many treasures and family heirlooms. It is heart breaking to see this in the news.

In the meantime, I am needing a diversion...there is only so much news that i can absorb without going down that rabbit hole! Let's start off with some roses, books, cooking and later some retail therapy!


Jude the Obscure on a sunnier smoke free day in The Humble Bungalow Garden.


HOORAY!
The local library has re-opened.
We are encouraged to put holds on the books that we want to read.

Several stands are placed near the self check out with assorted random books.
I returned a book and grabbed these 3 as I was leaving...
Everybody Rise was a fun read and I have started reading Montauk.

Dinner prepared and served to our son and the 3 grandchildren.


Heirloom Tomatoes


Salmon, heirloom tomatoes, red cabbage slaw, twice baked potatoes.


Rosemarie a long time reader from Vancouver sent me the seeds.
(Thank you!)

 Here is one of the sunflowers.
Standing about 12 feet tall.


Under sunnier skies...

Rudbeckia 
a giant variety 
 from the plant sale at Government House many years ago.


My neighbour is painting rocks during Covid.
She has a "take one leave one" area in her front garden.

I left a plain unpainted rock...
(what a trade)
I think I got the better deal though...


You never know what you might find on the boulevard in our neighbourhood.


Painted it black 
that is the colour of all our outdoor wicker and metal French bistro tables.


The garden is fading as the summer season comes to a close.
There is always something to see on the street.


The deer seem to be very comfortable here.
They saunter along the sidewalk
dine in our gardens.

They sometimes even sleep in our front yard! 


My husband is building a fence...he started with the front gate.
He still needs to install the latch.
Hubby had to reinforce the pergola and straighten it with beams...
he has temporary bracing on the sides as he needs to install two more hefty beams.


While hubby was busy sawing and building 
I took the grandchildren back~to~school shopping.

Grammy got a couple of tops too...
a white shirt to wear with my pearls, black pants and red ballet flats.
Red lippy of course, 
 just not when I am wearing my mask!

The striped top will pair well with my black Yoga pants.

So this short diversion has helped me get out of my afternoon funk.

Not being able to get out and walk in the "fresh" air
has been a frustration, which leads to grumpiness.
(and baking!)

I cannot wait until the smoke dissipates...
hope those wildfires are contained and extinguished.

I'll close with another image of Jude the Obscure.

How are you doing?
What are you reading?

Have you been shopping at all during Covid?
What new purchases have you bought or are considering for Fall?


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~





Thursday, July 9, 2020

Humble Bungalow July 2020

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow...

Our days continue to be quiet ones
as we seek out pleasant distractions in every nook and cranny.


Taking tea in a favourite spot in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Tending to the many potted plants on the patio gives me great pleasure.
Hand watering gives me an opportunity to spot weeds and do some advance planning when removing spent plants.


A fragrant bouquet of sweet peas are a lovely treat on a sunny day 
after working long hours in the garden.


Our garden is host to many creatures...

European Wall Lizards
Butterflies
Bees and various other pollinators
Owls
Snails
Raccoons
Deer
Squirrels
Birds


Mama Raccoon as she descends from the next door neighbour's Arbutus Tree.
She was rading the crows nest!
The crows were cawing like mad and making a big fuss.


I snapped a couple of photos but Mama was growling at me so I thought I better sneak back inside before she got any closer.


A quick and lazy dinner that was tasty is just what I needed after a busy day.

Prawns sauteed in butter and garlic with an assortment of deli salads.


Marigold and Helen sweet felted mice made by https://www.williewoolly.com/
were reunited for a fun playtime with our darling granddaughter Isla.
If you haven't yet seen Robyn's felted creations 
do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a visit.


Isla made the swing!
We savoured our tea and had some girl time.


The antique porcelain tea set was my husband's great grandmother's.


Vintage enamelware in The Hunble Bungalow laundry room.
I love the battered look of these pieces and seek them out.

I've not really been to the "shops" much...
the garden centres are outdoors so I feel very comfortable shopping.

Thrift shops have not really been on my radar 
although I dearly miss perusing the aisles for treasures.

I do venture into Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village when on my walks.
Karin is welcoming and has all the right safety protocols in place.
The wee jug on the left is from her shop...a recent Covid purchase.

Today I am on a mission to buy black mondo grass.
 I plan to plant them in big pot in our front garden.

 The deer do not fancy munching them and there is a bare patch that needs something to fill it.

As we navigate these strange times...

We must continue to be mindful of others respecting their choices
and not being judgemental.

Hope that you are well and staying safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Tuesday Tidbits and Snippets in the Humble Bungalow Garden....


We have a well established patch of Lily of the Valley out front 
of The Humble Bungalow.

Its' quite the luxury to be able to walk outside and pick a bunch.
I found these bonsai secateurs at the local garden centre.

 What drew me to them was their simple style.
They are super sharp which is great when one cuts flowers for the vase.
Crisp clean cuts make it much easier for the water to be absorbed
which helps keep the flowers happily hydrated.
They last longer!



Muguet des Bois 
scenting the Humble Bungalow bathroom...
such an intoxicating fragrance.


Raindrops on the Lewisia Cotyledon
We have several of these charming plants...
 a few shades of pink, one white and another in apricot.

They seem to like dappled shade and do well in pots.




Montana Ruebens
a stalwart clematis in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
One of the first things that we planted years ago 
after ripping out the thorny blackberry brambles and invasive Morning Glory.

What a lot of work it was taming this garden in the early days...
I get tired now just thinking about it!
Its so rewarding now to see the fruits of our labour.

Our garden has been and is a work in progress...
as are many of the gardens of gardeners that we know.

Changing to suit our tastes and needs...'


One of the first roses to bloom 
Joesph's Coat, 
a climbing rose near our back door.


One of many Alliums standing tall above the perennials.

One of my morning routines
 at this time of year 
is to go outside and hand water the potted plants 
and anything else that looks like it needs a drink.

I can pick a few weeds and check on the condition of the plants.
See what might need dead heading and perhaps pick a few blooms.

Its quite relaxing slowly walking about in the garden listening to the birdsong.

Our garden has been home to hummingbirds for many years and this year is the first time that we have seen one of the nests.
Its been exciting watching the mom sitting on her nest.

The nest is so tiny and looks like it is made with dryer lint and lichen.



She gets a bit anxious if we get too close so we are trying to weed and trim things quickly and quietly so as not to make her nervous.

My garden apparel is not worthy of a picture...

Unlike
my former neighbour 
a lady
who gardened in pearls, a pretty floral print dress and a straw hat.

I wear yoga pants, a tee shirt and a linen apron with pockets in front.
I use the pockets for secateurs, my IPhone and Kleenex...
for some reason when I bend over my nose runs!
Not at all glamorous or worthy of comment.

I tend to be a messy gardener...
smeared with dirt
leaves in my hair
not even remotely 
"nymphlike"
perhaps
in my dreams.

Hope that you enjoyed this wee garden tour of The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I have a stack of books to read and am having trouble deciding which one I will read next...

the kettle is about to be boiled, 
there will be tea poured and a new chapter awaits.


Which book would you choose?
Have you read any of these books?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Vegetable Extravaganza....


Good morning!

It is really really early...I am wide awake.

Thank goodness the coffee is hot 
as I stand by the window watching the sky.
The morning light is just peeking over the horizon.

All is quiet.
I am conscious of my breathing.

  I will sit here in peace 
looking out and looking inward.
Preparing as I do for the day to unfold.

I cherish the slow morning time 
pondering life and counting my many blessings
since retiring...

There is a sense of calm and order when one has time to gather their thoughts...
knitting them together 
making them strong
determined.


A blurry snapshot of one of the many bald eagles that perch nearby...
this week I stood among several other cottagers as we watched as a bald eagle spread its vast wings and preened itself.

Such magnificent creatures and they are far bigger up close than one might imagine!



A bountiful haul of beach glass after combing the beach for treasure.


The views are stunning!
Just look at those puffy white clouds punctuating the blue sky


I could sit here for hours 
watching 
as the clouds meander across the expansive sky.

This beach would be a fun place to bring the grandchildren...
they could play on the beach before we sit and nibble a picnic lunch.

Perhaps even have a dip in the salt chuck?


Veggies... 
Prepare for the peeling and chopping.
You are going to be roasted!


Just a smattering of olive oil and a grinding of peppercorns 
then you'll be tossed in a super hot oven to caramelize.


You will be left to cool on the counter 
before being sprinkled with balsamic vinegar 
then topped with crumbled feta cheese
tossed together and devoured by a hungry Hostess!

Roasted veggie salad is a tasty treat and low in WW points!


Vegetable Extravaganza

Roast a variety of root vegetables...
I added mushrooms and zucchini to the pan.
Toss a wee bit of olive oil and mix to coat.
Grind a bit of fresh pepper over top.
Roast at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes.
Turn the veggies halfway.

Cool then sprinkle with some balsamic vinegar, 
add a few crumbles of feta cheese.

IF 
there are leftovers 
simply pop them on top of some lettuce for a healthy and colourful salad.


The charming book that I just read...
Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale
it's definitely worth reading.

Hope that you are having a lovely week...and its almost the weekend!
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Thursday, November 2, 2017

Goodbye October, Hello November

Hello November!


Our October passed in a heartbeat...
how is it possible that it can rush by so fast?

Time feels like it slows down when we are at the cottage.
Perhaps we are too busy at home?

A simple floral bouquet elevates our modest and humble IKEA tray.
It is a wee but blurry but the vintage enamel dish 
is where I put my rings 
when I wash dishes...

the silver star holding down the napkins was a birthday gift from a dear friend.


I found this interesting paperweight at the thrift shop.
I have no idea if it is new or from the mid century moderne era.


All the sides are different... 


Reminds me of the style of jewelry created by Robert Larin or Guy Vidal.


Anyone recognize the artist or the era?


Ferries ply the water out front of Quarter Deck Cottage on The Salish Sea.

The views have a hypnotic effect...
the waves lull one
the sun warms
the fresh salty air refreshes.

Two deer lie in the sunshine below the deck.
Its absolutely still
so quiet
that we can hear ourselves breathing!



The Lilias Spalding Heritage Park on South Pender Island
 we explored this area after walking up a rather steep hill.
The views to the valley below were quite spectacular.
I regret not taking a picture now.


Crockery and old bottles


Mossy rocks


Comfort Food for dinner.

mashed potatoes and a bean salad.


Those sleepy deer woke up and munched a bunch of foliage
 then the one with antlers starting pushing the other one around...
they sauntered off along the cliff.
I am wondering if one of them is responsible for eating all my lovely chrysanthemums that were on the front porch!


Have you got plans for the weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~