Thursday, June 15, 2017

Rainy daze....at Quarter Deck Cottage



 The Salish Sea from Quarter Deck Cottage.

We see all kinds of boats and to get a closer look we brought our binoculars.
They come in very handy, plus we got to see the passing Orcas up close.

The small islands of North and South Pender have a few amenities.
Grocery store, library, several galleries, marinas, a pub, several restaurants and cafes, a pharmacy, book store, second hand shop and an antique store which has the most amazing artwork!


I found a small French satin glass dish made by the Verlys company.


The pine cones attracted me as soon as I set eyes on it...
It is so pretty that I do not plan to put anything in the dish I will leave it as it is.
The cones provide the "feet" for the dish.


I started this mystery book and am already halfway through it...
we can chalk that up to the wind and rainy weather here today.

It is very cozy and warm here at Quarter Deck Cottage.
We lit the gas fireplace and there is no need to go out and get soaking wet...

Mr. HB and I have waited for a break in the weather to get some fresh air but alas Mother Nature has other ideas!

Stay cozy!

Hostess
XO

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

OOTD and some things BLUE.

There are more blue garments creeping into my basic black and grey wardrobe.
I seem to be drawn to this colour...
With the grey hair multiplying the blues seem to be a flattering shade.


Stripes and patterned tops.


These will be worn with white UP pants and NYDJ jeans.
I recently discovered UP pants and they are super stretchy and very comfortable.
I found mine in a shop in the Cook Street Village area of Victoria.


OOTD 
Yoga class attire
Mom's cashmere cardigan Jones of NY
white tee Joe Fresh
yoga pants Reflex
shoes Jungla


These are not instruments of torture
they are props for my Yoga practice.

Since joining the Yoga studio I have had far less hip and knee pain.
It is noticeable...and I welcome the relief.

There is an Osteo class several times a week at the studio 
I think it might be my favourite class. 
Having been diagnosed with osteopenia years ago
I know how important it is to be mindful of the risks of breakage.
Building and maintaining bone mass and bone density is a priority.

Walking and weigh bearing exercise can help with bone building...
and now the Yoga moves using the spiky ball and the belt.
Here is an article from Harvard that you might find interesting.

Women with osteo issues are prone to fractures of the ribs and hips 
so by working on igniting the osteoblasts and building bone density we can avoid some of the pitfalls of the condition.


Have you invited some brighter colours into your wardrobe lately?

"For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower 
even from the cliffs of despair. "

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh ~

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

Friday, June 9, 2017

Flea Market Finds...

I've been spending quite a bit of time "fluffing" the house.
Getting rid of extra stuff that clutters up the tiny space
and rearranging a few pieces.

Our bungalow decor is simple which lends itself towards natural items.
 Opting for colours that look pleasant in a woody arts and crafts heritage home...
almost organic.


"A tisket a tasket"
I spy a vintage basket...
and
some old silver.


An old oar
(before)


painted and cleaned up a wee bit 
then slightly distressed
(after)

Something for the cottage.


Old ironstone compote


Enamel ware


A large vintage Tea tin...


Roses in the small silver jug.


I purchased this Imari jug awhile back
I use it for pens and pencils in the kitchen near the phone.


It's fun to peruse home decor magazines for inspiration.
 Our clever daughter reminded me that I could find many lovely home decor things to "pin" off of the boards on Pinterest.
I started one for the cottage and am having fun getting ideas online.
I sit with my tea and before you know it an hour has evaporated!

It's also fun looking through the shelves of a vintage shop...

I like to think of it as an adventure because you never know what you are going to find.

~ Take care as you go about your day 
and 
Please Be Kind ~

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Three months...and the journey continues...

Last March 3rd, on my 62nd birthday, Mother passed away.
It has been 3 months and I still miss her so much.

Everywhere I go...I am "with her" and she is "with me."

Mom was so much a part of my life,
and in retirement...a weekly friend who would join me for teas, lunches, shopping and coffee. We shared books, laughter and love.

My daily walks, which were curtailed upon her demise.
Load of work to do on the estate, but mostly because
I passed by her condo on my walking route
and I felt so sad walking by...

Most days, before Mom died, I would stop in for tea and a chat after my walk.
so naturally,
walking past was just too emotional for me.

Many times I would start to walk only to turn around and return home.
Then I took to driving to other areas of town for my walk but this felt too weird and why drive the car and use the gas?

Three months in...
the bulk of the estate has been seen to...
mom's condo has sold and her personal things have been dispersed among the family and those not wanted, were donated.

It has been a big challenge and I have dug deep for strength.
With support from my husband and friends... I am grateful.

I returned to Yoga
to increase my flexibility and for stress relief...
The deep breathing and calming poses help.


I have gained a few pounds.



Recently a call came in from Hospice offering me some counselling...

I cried while I was on the phone and said 
"Thank you,  I am OK"


I have been eating "comfort food"
too many salty crunchy chips!
(my weakness)

They call it comfort food for a reason!


I gave myself a stern lecture.
It is time to get back on track.

The roses are blooming, the sun is shining and my walking route awaits...
Mom would not want me to be sad.

So I have been walking along my favourite route and am looking at the building where she lived and remembering...
with a few tears mixed in with the salt air and sunshine.
Behind my sunglasses no one can see them.

 My week is ticking along...
watching the scale slowly reflecting the results of my efforts.


Pepper is looking longingly out at the birds.


She would leap out the window and try and catch one of the birds if she only could...


Lunch after my walk.


Tea with a 2 egg omelette and a small salad.

The daily 5km walks are not quite happening yet
4kms each day is my current goal...


The roses blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden 
are helping to brighten up my days. 

It is going to take me some time to get totally "back on track"
to my desired weight.
In the meantime we plod along and try to make the best of things.


Grief is not predictable.
Frankly it frequently startles and surprises me.


Thank you for stopping by...

Hostess

Saturday, June 3, 2017

The bathing suit...

I recognized a lovely young woman pushing her child in a stroller at our local Marshall's store in the mall.
Smiling, vibrant and gorgeous...her name is Leah.

We see each other frequently on Oak Bay Avenue...
she is a fabulous teacher that I worked with at a local Middle School and I think that I can safely say that she is "adorable"...the daughter of an acquaintance.

Leah is one of those energetic and enthusiastic teachers that can inspire and engage students...these are the teachers that we love for so many reasons.
Young and impressionable students' minds need more teachers like Leah.

We exchanged news...
I told her that we were investing in a quarter share of a waterfront cottage on Pender Island. The resort has two pools, a children's play area and there is a marina for our boat.

We are hoping to get the children and grand children over to the cottage for the 2 week summer holidays and we will use it in the off season on our week each month.
Leah mentioned how much she appreciated having a cottage for their family holidays when she was growing up and now that she has two children of her own they are spending time with her parents at the cottage...
making many happy memories.

Leah asked if I had any luck finding anything in the store.
I did!
and I proceeded to swing a garment in my hands high over my head and said with a smile on my face that I had found a swimsuit!

Swimsuit shopping is quite an event...and when it is successful its a win win!

In my experience swimsuit shopping has never been easy...
one needs to try on quite a few to find the best option.



This is the first suit in more than a decade that has not been black. 
I have 2 suits in patterns of black and white...both have seen "better days."


~ Maxine of Hollywood ~
(sounds rather glamorous)

I have never seen this brand of swimwear.
Understandable as there has been a drought of swimwear shopping...
do not even bother to ask why!


How telling...

Obviously other shoppers have similar thoughts
otherwise why would they print a label that speaks to so many of us?

It must be a challenge for the designers of swim wear.
The suits need to fit, cover the "wobbly bits" and make us feel comfortable while wearing them.


I'll be dipping my toes in this pool soon.
I love swimming laps and I find it very relaxing.

It feels so good to tick a big item off the "to do list"
The swimsuit was my least favourite on my list, 
but fortunately it was not that daunting after all.

Summer is just around the corner and I am gathering up some summer reads.


I am almost finished The Madwoman Upstairs and it is an interesting story.

What is on your summer reading list?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
XO