Mid March Musings...

 

Thank you all for the Birthday wishes...

The goal I have set for myself is welcoming with gratitude

wholeheartedly

embracing the 70's with a focus on exploring new and different experiences.

Life is full of surprises, simple JOYS

 but there is always a hint of the unknown...

Things that can derail or challenge us...

we are living in a very surreal time.

Having said that, 

there are many lovely pops of beauty in the day

one needs to be mindful and stop to look.

Yoga is teaching me many good habits...

take time to stop 

notice

slow down 

be mindful

aware

and

breathe

The house smells so good on bread baking days...

Look at that eyebrow...

I use the sourdough recipe on the Alexandra Cooks website.

I love the routine of making this bread.

A wonderful meditative habit that offers rewards.

Do you make sourdough bread?

I attended a workshop on Ikebana when we were on Pender at the cottage.

It is such an interesting discipline...

there is so much beauty in these spartan carefully arranged designs.

These Kenzan frogs are necessary to hold the twigs, branches and flowers in place.

I bought mine from Susanne Osmond's shop "Gardener's Kit" here in Victoria.

My first attempt at Ikebana...

lots of room for improvement but the process is fun!

Learning something new and fresh, feels very energizing...

have you taken a course or started a new hobby?

We have oodles of tete a tetes blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Just love these bright wee blooms...they are hard to resist.

My husband planted a few dozen in the boulevard 

where we have a wildflower "meadow" growing.

Some came inside...

popped them in the thrifted vintage elephant vase.

Bold yellow pops of colour...

It's almost like the elephant has something to trumpet about :-))

My late SIL collected elephants...

She told me to always buy an elephant with its' trunk in the upward position...

apparently it means good luck!

Chester seeks out the sunshine...

he loves to sit and snooze in the warmth of the sun.

(I can relate)

When I was making the bed I put the coverlet on the dining room table 

he jumped up and got cozy.

Both cats sleep on our bed during the day.

We had a casual dinner here on Sunday and I served some tortilla chips and hummus with our cocktails.

This delicious hummus is sold at The Root Cellar in the Cook Street Village...

dill pickle flavour and YUM it's darn good.

Beans are handy to have on hand...they are so versatile and high in fibre.

Good in soups, homemade hummus and chili and a star in healthy "bowls."

I might try making my own dill pickle hummus...

The sunshine has been so welcome...

the downside is that it shows how dirty the windows are after the storms of winter.

It also draws my attention to the dust bunnies and floors that need washing!

There is never a shortage of jobs to do here in this old house!!

Once these jobs are done, standing back and admiring the results always feels good.

Taking a break with a cup of green tea between these tasks makes it less onerous.

Lately I've been drinking a lot of green tea...

I read about the health benefits and thought I needed to get on that bandwagon.

Spring Cleaning is happening...

soon it will be time to swap out the winter clothes for the summer ones...

am looking forward to wearing linen and cotton.

Putting on a straw sunhat and sunglasses...

perhaps I am rushing things and should be living in the moment :-))

How are you keeping?

What is new?

Am feeling hungry so will close and make a salad and some avocado toast for lunch.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Entering my 70's...food, flowers and dare I say the T word?

 

Well it has been quite the week of celebrating...

lots of lunches, coffees, and dinners out.

I think that 70 is a very big number but I do feel grateful to still be here.

Zambri's was our first stop in the recent birthday dinners...

it is probably our favourite restaurant and we have been going there for 25 years.

We remember fondly their teeny tiny spot where they got their start...

the food is amazing, service perfect and the atmosphere is vibrant.

I started with a Ceasar Salad...

Followed by the Fresh Fish entree...

Our favourite dessert the passion fruit Panna Cotta.

This time it came with a candle...

at least there were not 70 candles!!!

My husband surprised me with these lovely freshwater pearl earrings.

We don't usually exchange gifts anymore,

 so I was curious and wondered what was in the wrapped box.

These are fun and can be worn with almost every outfit.

A new "classic" and I have worn them almost everyday since my birthday.

I love how they glow...such a pretty nacre.

Spring is making its way to Victoria in fine fashion...

the flowers are harbingers of the season.

Hellebores are often the first to bloom...

early January we see them sometimes 

even before the snowdrops.

This chartreuse Hellebore was a very thoughtful gift from my long time friends.

Thank you

XO

New from Lululemon...

Yoga mat carry strap, Yoga pants.

From the Ajna Studio a spiky ball for "rolling" my feet.

Helps wake up the feet and gives a massage as well.

The feet are more "in tune" to stability when one rolls their feet daily!

Since going back to Yoga I have noticed my stability is much better, 

my hip pain has decreased, I am sleeping better and I feel stronger.

The fall that I had, 

with the black eye and concussion 

were the instigators in returning to this practice.

I am grateful to my instructors and feel that I am heading on the right path.

Tulips were on sale at Peppers so I grabbed 4 bunches...

they add a pop of colour on these rainy days.

I attended a workshop 

in the studio of Pender Island Jewellery designer Charlene Hall.

She guided us through the steps required to create our own necklace.

Many steps are necessary, and new skills are learned.

Pearls of course!

Stars and a heart...which, in a happy "accident" became a "beating heart!"

I made the necklace a little longer so 

that I can opt to wear this with my Akoya strand of pearls...

this is my "no make up" rainy day workshop vibe.

How are you coping with the events that are unfolding in the world?

Here in Canada we are facing the "T" word

TARIFFS

an economic war that is being set in motion by the US President.

Our countries have always been friendly and we have family and friends living there.

If the tariffs go ahead both our countries will suffer.

It is definitely a very strange and surreal time...

Canadians are being encouraged to buy local, or made in Canada products.

Which is really what I try to do everyday.

I love the Farmers Markets and local women owned businesses...

I try to support them as much as possible.

The relationship that develops over time and it feels very genuine 

it reminds me of the way people shop in France.

Not everything I use is made in Canada...like my new washer and dryer.

My skincare line by Pamela Anderson's Sonsie company.

Prescription Medications...

and so much more.

It is raining cats and dogs here this morning...daylight saving time is here.

I've been up had my cups of coffee eaten some sourdough toast with cherry jam.

Think I will make a pot of chicken soup...

lay down on my Yoga mat and enjoy a quiet practice 

listening to the the raindrops as they fall...

70 is starting off with a BANG...

I've decided to seek out and participate in new and different activities...

the pendant workshop is the first of these explorations.

A Knitting/Yoga retreat on Salt Spring Island is in the works...

Maybe I will sleep in the yurt?

There are SO many ideas and opportunities for FUN...

choosing which ones to embrace and participate in is the challenge!

What new things are you doing?

Have you started a new Hobby? Or adopted a new Habit? 

Perhaps it is trying a new recipe, learning a new language, or planning a trip.

We are never to old to try something NEW.

To wear a new style, to take a course, to redecorate a space.

Even in the simple days we have choices...

to light a candle, to add some perfume, to buy some flowers,

 to plant some seeds and watch them grow.

Life is always an adventure...

there are UPS and DOWNS and we need to be prepared for the ride.

Put your Helmet on, and Fasten your seatbelts!

But remember...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~