A Gulf Island Garden Tour ~ Tuesday's bits and bobs...

What a wonderful coincidence and joy to find out that a gorgeous garden was open for visitors the very same weekend that we were on Thetis Island.

A couple of women who live on the island year round joined me on the tour and we spent a lovely hour walking about the acreage sniffing roses and taking pictures.
It is no small feat keeping manicured lawns and perennial borders on an island rife with deer and the annual summer water shortage. The owners went to great expense erecting deer proof fencing and installing a watering system and you can see that it has paid off.

The waterfront estate looks out onto Clam Bay and has an expansive view from the patio of the architecturally designed residence.

The couple who have built the home and garden have sold and are moving off island due to health concerns.

One of the drawbacks of living on these smaller islands is that there are very few services so one needs to leave to see a doctor, buy supplies, groceries or do any banking.

This picture looks over the herb garden which is conveniently located adjacent to the kitchen door.

Love the riot of poppies.

The weather was sunny and warm, perfect for a stroll in the garden.

I liked this wee vignette of sea shells and coral on the granite counter top by the BBQ that sits centrally located in the outdoor kitchen space which I think must be great for entertaining.

I'd wished that the poppy seed pods were ready for picking as I'd love to sprinkle some of them in our garden.

There were lots of flowers but it seems that I focused primarily on the poppies and of course the roses!

All the roses were fragrant and I stopped to sniff each one.

Lilies looked lovely and stood tall under the canopy of trees as if to greet the sun.

Lily pads and flowers floating on the pond...

such a tranquil place to sit and ponder life.

It reminded me of Monet's painting.

Leaving a place of such beauty and a home with so many memories would be difficult.

I understand the couple have purchased a waterfront lot not far from Thetis on Vancouver Island and will be building a new home and designing and planting a new garden on a much smaller scale.

Their estate necessitated a full time gardener who coincidentally lived in the gardener's cottage on the property.

Our Graham Thomas rose is blooming in the back garden of our small but cozy Humble Bungalow.

I cannot imagine living in a mansion, can you?

Perhaps you live in one now or possibly you did when you were younger.

Just the thought of cleaning all those rooms and keeping everything tickety boo is daunting.

I polished the candle stick on the left and left the right one so you can see the difference...

please ignore that chunk of cat food in the strainer my "assistant" had the day off!

Just keeping my modest silver collection polished is an ongoing chore.

I wonder how I would handle being the lady of such a house.

I'm reading a fascinating book about the life of Huguette Clark.

"The Phantom of Fifth Avenue" by Meryl Gordon

Huguette was born in 1906 and grew up in a 121 room Beaux Arts mansion in Manhattan.

Her father William Andrews Clark was a copper magnate, the second richest man in America.

When Huguette died in 2011 at 104 the heiress left behind three sprawling apartments on New York's Fifth Avenue, a 23 acre oceanfront compound in Santa Barbara, and a battle ensued between her caregivers and long lost relatives over her 300 million dollar estate.

Curiously she lived as a recluse for the last 20 years of her life in a hospital even though she was in good health.

Money doesn't buy you happiness, nor health, nor friends.

Our hydrangea plant out front is so full of blooms that I am expecting to see the branches snap anytime soon.

This plant was a gift in 2007 when either my father or Mr. HB's father passed away.

When it was finished blooming indoors I popped it in the ground with my fingers crossed that it would take and it has flourished...

a lovely gift that keeps on giving.

Walking along the seafront has been wonderful in all this glorious sunshine.

I wear my hat to keep the sun off my face and pack along a bottle of Perrier as I am surprised how thirsty I get.

I'm so glad that I discovered this amazing almond milk.

I slather it on my arms, legs and feet before I put my socks on for my walks...

it has a subtle fragrance and delivers lots of soothing moisture.

I love all the L'Occitane almond line.

It's a little bit of luxury that is worth cultivating.

A rose posy always cheers me up.

To keep cool I have been wearing dresses.

This cotton one is in it's second season and evaded the clothing cull.

A little bit large and loose is cool when the temperature soars.

I don't know about you but I am really enjoying the fresh seasonal fruit that is available locally.

Topped with a dab of yogurt and it makes a delicious breakfast or dessert. 

Well I must close for now as I need to get outside and water the garden and the planters.

I planted a new jasmine whose fragrance is sweet and exotic and I will hope to train it up our back deck so that we can savour it's scent when we are sitting outside.

Embrace beauty everyday...

Hostess

OOTD a domestic post that rambles on willy nilly...

Many days are spent in The Humble Bungalow flitting about actioning simple domestics.
Now that I am retired I am quite content wearing comfy clothes and padding about barefoot!
The bar has been set very low as there are only the cats to impress...

Skinny jeans, a simple tee top in white are my "in house uniform."

The linen apron is a necessity as I am a messy messy cook.

Love this one by Now Designs.

The flooring in the kicthen is fir and has been patched and repaired and is cool underfoot.

I have an antique rug on the floor by the farmhouse sink as I spend hours doing the washing up.

I love gazing out the window above the sink...

it makes for a lovely opportunity to contemplate all that is good in life.

Trying out new recipes is great fun.

I do so love to cook for company and Mr. HB.

If I lived alone I think I'd dine on salads and eggs exclusively.

I used the Lemon Souffle recipe from the Best of Bridge.

It requires lots of whisking and stirring and that pairs perfectly with a CBC talk show on the radio to keep me company.

I used the trifle crystal bowl as the yellow lemony concoction is so pretty.

I'll be serving this with some chocolate brownies and fresh raspberries for dessert.

We have a small dinner party planned...

Time to wander about and pick some flowers for the house.

Jude the Obscure, my favourite David Austin rose is putting on a good show and there are many blooms to pick.

I love the chartreuse of the Lady's Mantle with the soft peachy yellow roses.

I usually have fresh flowers in the bathroom.

The cats can be quite pesky when it comes to deconstructing the bouquets.

 but they usually avoid those installed in the powder room.

Thank goodness for small mercies.

I picked some fern fronds to pop in this antique claret jug.

No one I know seems to drink claret anymore...

sherry, port and wine seem to be more in favour.

If you look closely at our Humble Bungalow you'll notice that with age comes many imperfections.

 Some parts of our home are looking very tired...scratches, dents, and blemishes and I often cringe when I see them but must accept that they are honest reflections of a 100+ year old home.

If I were to gaze at a 100+ old woman would I focus on her lines and wrinkles or would I see the sparkle in her eyes and the determination and sturdiness with which she carries herself despite the passage of time?

I've been toying with the idea of painting these chairs black.

I love black set against greenery and garden plantings.

These chairs are very worn and have quite a few years left in them so I think a coat of paint might be exactly what they need to see them through the next decade should they survive that long.

What colour would you choose to paint them?

Chester is up to his usual tricks...

a box or a bag left unattended quickly becomes a place to hide!

French classes are finished for the summer and I am reconsidering whether I'll be taking them again in the Fall.

I have discovered that there are classes in conversational French specifically for the traveller in Oak Bay.

I might investigate those and see if they are more to my liking as I have found the other classes a bit daunting.

Wore my pearls the other day with my Chanel "wanna be" jacket when I took Mother out last week.

I do dress up to go out and especially when I take Mother out...

I love this vintage pin with a genuine baroque pearl in the center.

It was a gift from my daughter and it seems to go well with this tweedy fabric.

Whenever I wear it I think of her...

Abkhazi Gardens and a vibrant orange azalea,

 an image from the archives...

Abraham Darby has me thinking orange thoughts...

Hermes signature shade for their boxes.

Alas it's been too warm to wear my Hermes scarves...

or any scarf for that matter.

It's been too hot for Pepper too and she has a fur coat!

It's certainly gin and tonic weather....

a cool refreshing summer drink will find it's way into my hands later this evening.

 after all the domestic chores have been completed...it's thirsty work.

Hostess

Cruising...

We recently took out boat out for an extended weekend and I captured some snapshots that I wanted to share.

We are headed north of Maple Bay and have been under way just over an hour when I took this shot.

I am quite pleased with my new Tommy Hilfiger watch which is water resistant.

Mr. HB got water in his "good" watch and we had to have it rebuilt which turned out to be pricey so...

we both have new watches as we didn't want to risk it.

We decided to go up to Thetis Island as we have numerous friends and acquaintances there which we like to visit.

The Marina has been in business for a long time and Mr. HB remembers going there as a youngster.
He found a picture of himself on the dock wearing a captains hat when he was sorting out his parents photos...

Telegraph is a favourite spot for us too as we have spent many a week tied up to the dock relaxing, reading and walking on beautiful and pristine country roads.

There is a Farm Stand quite close to the Marina where fresh produce and frozen island grown lamb is sold.

Howling Wolf Farm 

We eat very simply onboard...

salads and meat or fish make up the bulk of our dinners.

Our cockpit area is cozy and snug.

Keeping everything ship shape is important.

We are having Berber carpet installed on the deck as it is easy to snap into place.

You can see two of the snaps near the right side of the door.

It is much cooler underfoot than the fiberglass and will be easy to vacuum to keep it tidy.

The weather was good for the most part but we experienced several squalls bringing warm showers.

I chose one of these periods of downpour to take my walk!

The Pot of Gold Coffee Company has been a Thetis Island institution...

we used to buy our coffee from them and they shipped it to us.

Memories of chocolate covered coffee beans and roasted peanuts still hold us...

The cheery entrance beckons...

you can visit here.

I was surprised and delighted to see a heart shaped puddle on my walk...

a beautiful reminder of the rain.

Next the waterfront Thetis Island garden estate that I was fortunate enough to tour with a friend...

~ Finding beauty in the ordinary makes life much richer. ~

Hostess

Do you say TOM-EH-TOE or TOM-AH-TOE?

Whether you pronounce TOM-EH-TOE or TOM-AH-TOE matters little it's all about the taste.
Summertime brings with it the best tasting produce and tomatoes fresh from the vine are one of my favourites.

Cherry tomatoes make a delicious snack and when I am outside gardening I cannot pass by the tomato plants without having a wee nibble...perhaps that is why we never get a huge harvest from the plants!

Tomatoes looking gorgeous and juicy.

They'd make a great painting if one were clever enough to capture the light.

I made a quick and easy salad with some of these...

~ Tomato Salad ~

Cut the tomatoes in thick slices, sprinkle them with a fresh grating of sea salt, then drizzle on a bit of balsamic vinegar and top it all with a bit of grated mozzarella.

The taste is fresh, it's fast and fabulous.

Enjoy!

I recently went to a baby shower of a dear friend and her daughter is expecting her first baby.

Such an exciting time for all, and it will be so exciting.

 I took along my signature appie...

 "easy peasy stuffed eggs."

~ Hostess of The Humble Bungalow's Stuffed Eggs ~

Bring a dozen free range eggs to a rolling boil and cook for 12 minutes.

Drain pot and fill with cold water.

Change water several times until eggs are cool to the touch.

Peel and halve.

Remove yolks to a large bowl and mash.

Add 1 heaping tablespoon curry powder, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons green pickle relish and about 1/3 cup of calorie reduced mayonnaise.

Mix all together and place mixture into each egg cavity.

Top with sliced chives and chill.

Serve and watch how fast they get eaten!

Bon Appetit!

We have been away for a few days on our boat and today is Canada Day so I am occupied elsewhere,

I promise that I will get my act together and write a post soon...

thank you for your patience!

For those of you who are reading from the US...in case I am slow at posting

(I have lots of laundry and gardening to catch up on!)

Happy 4th of July !

Hostess

Pretty in Pink...plants and plantings.

These pretty pink geraniums are putting on quite the show.

These were the same plants that I bought thinking they were white...

don't always trust the tags.

Geraniums are seriously economical, colourful and hardy too.

They look even better close up.

Look who has been sleeping on our front porch!

The neighbourhood cat that we have nicknamed Ginger.

He hangs around our garden and porch every day while his owner is at work.

Our cats carry on a conversation through the front window.

He's got a real "voice" and meows a lot.

The Sum and Substance Hosta is threatening to take over the front garden.

If you want a huge Hosta this is your best bet.

Under the eaves on the northern side of our bungalow we have planted a wetland garden...

it gets very little sun so we have chosen astilbes, day lilies, hostas, solomon's seal, ferns, and a wonderfully fragrant pink blooming rogersia.

This spot is a bit unkempt as it is a dry patch under the eaves that is home to one of our rain barrels.

The alstromeria has run riot and taken over and I distinctly remember the gardener who gave the seedlings to me saying "it is not the invasive variety" thankfully the flowers redeem their messy habit.

I am grateful for all the plants that I have been given over the years.

Gardeners generally possess a very giving nature.

They are keen to share their knowledge and plants.

I know that when we have a surplus of plants I put them out on the boulevard free for the taking.

Mr. HB made me a sign and it goes out about once a week with dormant orchids and garden perennials.

"The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. 

To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul."

~ Alfred Austin ~

Until next time...take care and look for beauty in your daily round.

Hostess