My latest crushes...

Teas are probably my favourite beverage of all time...
martini's are a close second!

I wanted to share with you an unusual new tea from the UK that is dazzling my taste buds.

It sounds like it might be hot and spicy but it is extremely well balanced.

The cocoa is the top note and there is no caffeine to keep you awake at night.

I brewed a mug and went to bed early and read a few chapters in my book.

Summer at Tiffany

which I am enjoying as it is a perfect light read to ease into slumber.

In order for me to maintain my sanity I need to go to bed earlier rather than later.

I have always needed lots of sleep.

My greatest luxury is 

waking up in the morning refreshed and rested and taking my time getting out of bed

I am very very fortunate that Mr. HB brings me a cup of tea every morning before I get out of bed.

(thank you honey!)

My dear father did that for my Mother every morning too 

I often think how hard it must be for her 

since he has gone 

to have to get up all by herself and brew her own pot of tea...

she has many more important reasons to miss him 

 it is just that at the start of her day now 

everyday since he passed away 

is the sad reminder that she is a widow.

Last Friday when we went to the Marina for my birthday sushi dinner 

my BFF and I both had a Grey Goose martini

the bartenders there mix a wonderful martini

so good in fact, that we had two!

Mr. HB bought a bottle and I was more than surprised to discover it is made in France of all places!

I had no idea!!

Mr. HB mixed me one on the following Saturday evening which I sipped ever so slowly...

a girl can get into trouble if she isn't careful

do you remember that classic Dorothy Parker quote?

"I like to have a martini,

Two at the very most.

After three I’m under the table,

after four I’m under my host."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Always have some food when imbibing in a martini or they can sneak up on you!

"Men seldom make passes

At girls who wear glasses."

~ Dorothy Parker ~

Have some FUN this weekend!

Thank you for stopping by my humble little blog.

I do love all your comments and I read each and every one of them.

Hostess

OOTD...

I wore my new Lands End walking togs this past weekend.
Black active wear Performance pants and Polartec jacket in glacier blue.
Mr. HB  commented that it was "a younger look"...
just how much younger is that?

(it was a compliment that I enjoyed)

Does wearing active wear = youth?

I like the fit and quality of the Polartec jacket so much that I ordered another one in chartreuse...
no one can accuse me of buying only black and grey these days...
it seems that it's all about colour.

We are planning a trip to Seattle soon...

Thank you Mr. HB!
all of the above!
SERIOUSLY?
you do know how to spoil a gal.

I walked 

after breakfast

in the warm sunshine.

~ yogurt  ~  berries  ~  nuts ~

probiotic of course.....

I have introduced a Greens + shake by Sam Gracie into my mornings

it's an award winning product that has given me a much needed boost in energy after that boring bout with pneumonia.

there were some gorgeous blooms

they look vibrant against the blue skies

\

the view from the beach

Lots of folks had the same idea and I met quite a few smiling happy people on my walk.

I usually travel on the same familiar walking route...

 Along the ocean front and then along a curving road of waterfront homes before snaking back and looping up to the seafront again.

Walking is so meditative...a sublime time to be mindful.

I do not walk with an IPod

 I think it is important to make time to just listen to the steady beat of the heart 

 allow thoughts to bubble up and be recognized. 

Ideas and solutions to problems flow freely in the silence.

Decisions can be made when one is tuned in and focused and this time is perfect to mull things over.

Besides there is gorgeous scenery to soak in and savour.

Watching the Real Housewives of Vancouver is quite an eye opener.

The ladies have embraced youth and are having fillers injected into their faces 

seriously some of their lips look a bit too puffy for my taste.

Do any of you watch the Real Housewives?

I think it's trash TV but I watch it anyway...

perhaps it's so far from my reality that it fascinates me.

“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

 For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. 

 People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

 As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” 

~ Sam Levenson ~

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” 

~ Sophia Loren ~

It's almost the weekend how has your week been so far?

Take care and Be Well

Hostess

Saturday shopping finds...

Lovely daughter and I hopped in the car bright and early Saturday morning to head out for a day of thrift shopping.
We were hoping to hit all our favourites before mid afternoon...

I have lots of "stuff" so I am very particular what I bring home.

These blue suede shoes were in such great shape with very little wear that I opted to take them home.

I think they'll be a nice change from ballet flats with my boyfriend jeans.

Cole Haan is a reputable maker of quality leather goods so there is very little risk involved...

besides the fact that the price was about the same as a grande latte from Starbucks!

I realized that I have a Dior mens shirt in the exact same shade of blue which is tunic length 

add a strand or two of pearls and some leggings and I'm good to go.

~ ~ ~

Lovely daughter found all kinds of mid century moderne treasures...

she is contemplating starting up an etsy shoppe.

She and my BFF's daughter are friends and they rented a stall at a local vintage market to test the market.

There seems to be quite the demand for Danish teak, West German pottery, Finnish and Swedish glassware

among the younger generation.

Several shops focusing exclusively on this era have popped up and seem to be doing a healthy business.

~ ~ ~

I did find a book to keep here in The Humble Bungalow for our grand daughter Isla to read when she visits.

These "beginner books" are a great way to introduce reading and colour concepts.

Isla knows her colours and is happy to count out loud

build tall towers with blocks 

(before knocking them down and giggling!)

and loves to sit and have a story read to her.

Grammy decided that it is prudent to always have a stash of juice, goldfish crackers and fruit leather on hand.

You never know when that sweet red head will pop by for a visit.

~ ~ ~

Chester has been quite well behaved and patient with her despite just being a kitten himself.

Which of course is a huge relief as one never knows how animals will behave around busy little children.

Pepper on the other hand just finds a place to hunker down and go to sleep.

I wonder if there is a Go Cat Go book...

I'll post more about the birthday weekend next time.

Do you have any favourite children's books?

I would love to hear from you

Isla will be turning 3 in June and her Grammy does love books.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

Birthday snippets!

Birthdays have changed over the years...
but the sentiments remain the same.

It was a wonderful weekend from Friday until Sunday.
Lots to share and a wee peek at a few of the highlights...

Dessert on Friday

shared with friends at the Marina Sushi Bar.

gorgeous tulips

and a new cook book...

and that's just Friday's celebrations

stay tuned as there is more to come in my next post.

Hostess

~ Shoulda ~ woulda~ coulda ~ Post 786

Do you ever replay events over in your mind and they get a little stuck?
Like a loop....
to illustrate my point the movie Groundhog Day comes to mind.
Things at work are making me a little crazy.
I know in my head and heart that I need to let it go
and I will...

~ Shoulda ~ Coulda ~ Woulda ~

“As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost.
And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going.”

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw
Sex and The City TV series
circa 2001

Looking at the signposts of life

those proverbial forks in the road 

 pondering which path to follow next...

Where will it lead?

Will I pack the right clothes?

What will be around the next corner?

Will I be prepared?

When do I leave?

Who will I meet?

~ ~ ~

~ Food for thought ~

I am loving eating salads...

and then ordering this dessert with 4 forks for sharing...

I treated myself to an early birthday present.

I'll be out walking

(clad in this wonderful shade ~ Glacier Blue )

Please wave if you see me!

Hoofin' it in my Hood

wearing this stellar Lands End Polartec

Hoodie

I love this longer sleeve arrangement

with a thumb hole

my down coat has these built in and they are such a great idea

my hands are warmer

Oh so cozy

no more toothy zippers biting into our necks.

The Lands End hoodie

is a star performer.

it stretches

wicks away moisture

is wind proof and warm

 light weight

comes in bright cheery shades

what's not to love?

Thank you to whoever designed this garment.

~ ~ ~

Who designed this home?

It was on a garden tour a few years ago and I still dream about it.

This garden room is one of my favourites.

It belongs to a creative and talented gardener who lives in Oak Bay.

I'd pay money to sit here and have tea and a chat.

the cats are snuggled up contentedly snoozing on the couch

I can hear 

 the kettle whistle

with the promise 

of a restorative moment to sit

taking time to ponder the good things in life

whispering hushed grateful thoughts....

 I'll be celebrating 58 years of life on this planet on Sunday

 I feel so blessed to be alive 

to see the blooms of spring

 to listen to the birds sing

be a part a lovely family 

and honored to have such dear friends.

Namaste

Have some fun this weekend...

and take some time to stop and smell the flowers.

Hostess