Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Funky Farm Stand...Wee Island style.

A short walk from the Marina I found this...
















No one was about...lots of things to choose from
and all island grown goodness.


Monday, July 19, 2010

Flea Market Finds...on a wee island.

I went for a walk to stretch my sea legs and discovered an Island Flea Market...
I had my bottled water, camera, cellphone, wallet and carrier bag...





They are in very rough shape but have a certain age...on the back they are old wood
  HLS 1834 is written in pencil...
I will research them when we get back to port.



Swedish pottery
with sterling inlay.


A fish!
I am a Pisces and so it feels right to have scooped this vase.


I wonder if this is Swedish Air Lines?



Signed Cuyler
I like the organic feel and loose hand of this sketch.


This glass vase is very heavy and I was attracted to the pine cones and leaves.
I think it might fit well in the Bungalow decor.
As a gardener I feel that a variety of vases are a necessity
 I bring in fresh flowers and create bouquets 
on a regular basis.

It surprises me to find such interesting items in the most unexpected of places.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sunny skies and marine life...

Hi there! I am up in the Pavilion plugged into power as Mr. HB's laptop has a dodgy battery.
Just a quick post to let you know that I am still here...bobbing on the ocean!


We have had a busy weekend with boaty friends and BBQ's. The weather has been warm and sunny and I got a little too pink yesterday even wearing 30 sunscreen so I am going to try and stay out of the sun today.

I went for a walk on the island and went to a Flea Market and found a few treasures. There is a Funky Farm Stand here with lots of fresh veggies and home baked breads and fresh berry pies... they look amazing!
They have a tin box for the money and prices are posted on the sign,
(items for sale are on the honour system)

There is not much noise here save for the ravens and the sound of arbutus leaves falling from the trees...there's a hum of heat to the day and a few boats have their motors running.
Surrounded by pristine beauty, one can hear themselves think.

We have been boating most of our lives...I was a teenager when my BFF invited me to cruise with her family in the summertime. It was such fun, so exciting and the salt air was invigorating and fresh...we played hard and when we went to our bunks at night, we slept like babies.
I met my husband through her. Mr. HB's father was the Commodore of the Yacht Club and all the teens got together to swim and raced around in speed boats. Mr. HB had his own speed boat and was a very clever water skier...I was most impressed!

Here we are...the way were...
I am on the left, Mr.HB in the middle and my BFF next to him.
(Check out my outrageous hair!)

We will be celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary on the 20th. I have known Mr. HB since I was 15...such a long time ago...and yet it feels like yesterday.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Bungalow Hostess is now a Boat Hostess!

I have traded the Bungalow for a Boat for a few days of rest and relaxation....


View from starboard...

aft...

Port...


We are putting some nautical miles between home and where we are going.
It feels energizing and there's a sense of optimism that comes with the freedom of our relaxed boat pace.

I pack light..
after all it's a small boat....
35 feet and when they built her in 1957 she was meant to be a day boat.
In the marina there are many US boats
  one as far away as Santa Barbara, California
We are the only Classic Wooden vessel at this time,
most are what we call Gin Palaces...
large Fiberglass yachts with flying bridges and all the bells and whistles...
and frequently a distinguished gentleman with a very attractive
 "trophy wife"

Our V berth has bunks...we sleep side by side, it's very cozy.
There's a hatch above with screening for fresh air
or star watching at night.

Without all the ambient city light you can really see the Milky Way and thousands of twinkling stars.

My chair...I am the Admiral...doesn't that sound important?
my duties are..
 hands on galley slave, chief cook and bottle washer
my job is to keep the boat ship shape!
I married the Captain and he does the navigating...
I took the Power Squadron Course
 so I now have a license to be...
 the NAG-A-VATOR!

My teensy weensy galley...
it's very retro...mostly original
 with the exception of safety upgrades and a few modcons.
(I adore a hot shower so we installed a water heater!)
2 burner stove top, marine fridge below.
BBQ on deck and I have managed to turn out dinners for up to 10.
I keep everything very simple.
fresh in season food
with an alfresco theme.



I acquired this interesting piece of pottery several years ago at one of the Island markets
it was made by a local island artist
I love the ocean feel...
I bring boat plants and flowers to keep my green thumb happy.
The basil elevated fresh heirloom tomatoes, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar.
The lavender smells fresh and keeps for a long time.


I must be off...my book is calling to me.
The American Au Pair by Marjorie Leet Ford
I do not want to put it down.

Hope that you have a good book on the go...
it's a holiday through words.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU...

These flowers are for you.
The McCartney Rose and Lady's Mantle

I just have to say how grateful I am for all your kind and thoughtful comments these past few days after the death of my beloved cat.

I have been blog hopping and I cannot believe how many great blogs are out there.
The talented writing and beautiful photographic images astound me.

It's a great place to be.

I did some garden clean up and my poppies had fallen over in a gale yesterday...
boats were blown ashore and the Coast Guard was kept busy with pan pans and maydays.
Today it was calm...
I felt calm within my self as well.
I am regaining perspective.

I do not like waste, I recycle
and so I made something out of what could have been compost.


I think this "Poppie Bouquet" works
especially when married in a Sklo vase of pink glass.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy