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 ~
48 comments:
Happy Birthday Wishes -- You glow in these photos -- and what good plans for exploring! I love finding a new post from the Hostess as each is restorative in its own way. Thank you.
Belated Happy Birthday Lesley! Your new earrings are beautiful, and your plans for your 70s are very inspiring. I've been reading your blog for, wow, perhaps since 2007? Were you blogging then? You are definitely one of my inspirations for ageing well - I turn 65 this year. I'm doing Japanese with Duolings - hoping to visit Japan again in a few years' time. Enjoy all that's to come!
You look lovely with no makeup, and dare I say younger? Truly. Happy birthday week! Love the earrings.
I haven't been able to see your Instagram for a while - apparently my out-of-the-ordinary email address isn't recognized.
Jane
Happy 70th! You look younger in these photos! Love your pearl earrings and your enthusiasm for new things.
Happy Birthday!! I'll be 73 this year. No fancy earrings in my future but they do look lovely. I swim, walk almost daily and do weights weekly. I also live with cancer, myeloma, and get monthly chemo injections. None of us know the future but it sure is fun to add sparkle to this day. Your dinner looked delicious. We dont go out for dinner anymore, mostly lunches.
Thanks for the post.
What a lovely and enjoyable Birthday week you have had. New earrings and necklace are gorgeous. Thank you for the reminder to get out and do things that bring you joy and good health. Each year I try to do something special for my birthday that I wouldn't ordinarily do. That stopped during Covid and I must get back to it. Looking forward to no more snow, although we are to get 6 cm more tonight. We already have 8 ft at the end of the driveway. So your pictures of beautiful flowers made me smile . Thank you for another enjoyable blog post.
Happy Birthday! What an awesome celebration. Your earrings are just lovely and your dinner looks so delicious. You have a lot to look forward to in this new decade.
I live on the other side of the t-war. We are just mortified and I would like to apologize. We tried to stockpile a pantry and bought building supplies before he was sworn in but those things won't last forever. I am just ashamed of how we are acting with our allies.
Happy 70th Birthday!
When I see pearls in the shops I think of you .
The "T" word is not welcome here in Australia as well.... we sell some steel and aluminium to the US and the mine owners and workers are not happy! I am sure there is more but they are the ones complaining the most here at the moment.
I always enjoy your blog !!
Happy Birthday Month! Your husband picked out gorgeous earrings - so you! Love all that you are looking forward to celebrate and accomplish during this decade and beyond. I cannot pick up your instagram either. I remember reading that you were deluged with strange followers. I do not have a picture on my instagram account. Perhaps I can get one of my kids to help me with that.
What a lovely birthday celebration you've had. The new earrings are gorgeous and just your style. I like your idea of trying new things in your 70th year. That keeps you young! You look great.
Happy 70th from New Zealand! Your no makeup look is fantastic. And I love your renewed enthusiasm for making the most of our "one precious life"! From Darlene
Happy Birthday and welcome to the 70s! Your new earrings are lovely. Spring is slowly arriving here in Buffalo NY. Snowdrops are popping along with crocuses!
I can’t speak for everyone here in the States but what is happening between our 2 countries is appalling. I support Canada 100% and will buy Canadian as often as I can.
Happy that you are here...and thank you for the birthday wishes. Hope you have a good week!
Patricia...I think that 2007 was the year that I started blogging...I had been home with the flu and found other blogs online and thought that it might be a fun hobby...who knew that I would be doing it all these years later and I have met so many great people through the blog!
Jane...I have to use sunscreen everyday to keep my rosacea under control...so I often buy a tinted one. Please send me an email bungalowhostess@gmail.com and tell me what your Instagram account name is and I will see if I can find you!!
Well that is a surprise...younger at 70...the earrings are fun and trying new things seems like a good idea.
Tahoe Girl...We do lunch more often that dinners but our kids work during the day so we plan evenings out when they are available. Daily swimming and walking with a weekly session of weights sounds very healthy. Hope that you have some nice sunshine this week :-)) Take care
Carolyn, We are fortunate that Spring is on its way here...flowers are definitely looking bright and they cheer us on during the rainy weather that we are having...easier than shovelling snow but often are gloomy. Perhaps this year you will find a joyful way to add more fun to your birthday celebration...so many options...there is fun in the planning and the anticipation :-))
Miss Merry ...no need to apologize...we are all in this together and we will all be feeling the effects during these troubled times. I do wish that there was a "calm and peaceful" more "empathetic" group in the White House...I don't really understand why this is happening? But we will get through this and hopefully we will all be stronger and more resilient afterwards. Covid was a challenging time and I know I learned a lot of good lessons which have helped me as I look back...
Take care
Hello Lady Jicky! I didn't realize that Australian steel and aluminum would be subject to tariffs as well...both our countries seem to be affected...we have to hope that the economy will not collapse!!! Stay strong...
Email me with your Instagram account name bungalowhostess@gmail.com and I will see if I can follow you then you can request to follow me back! Kids are so savvy with social media platforms!!!
Lorrie...Thank you ! I think new things and fun experiences seem to be what I am craving these days...Covid put a stop to many of my explorations and I am ready for more excitement!
Greetings Darlene...our son in law is from New Zealand. Fresh new things are on my radar these days...as I am not travelling far afield I am cultivating and exploring more options closer to home. Hope you are enjoying your "precious" life too :-))
Buffalo must be lovely as it welcomes Spring...snowdrops and crocus are twoo flowers that we grow in our garden and they always look so cheerful! I am very surprised that Canada is under fire from the White House! I never ever thought we'd be targeted...we have been strong allies for so long. I simply do not understand...we have family and friends south of the border and it is a shock to them as well. Hopefully things will be resolved soon...in the meantime do take care. We need to be resilient and strong during these troubling times.
What a lovely birthday! It’s fun to celebrate! Your necklace is very nice..what a good length, perfect for tees
I absolutely lover your earrings. They are just perfect for you. I'm another American mortified that our government is threatening Canada with tariffs. We hope things will improve. We support Canada 100%.
Such a treat to read your birthday news. You certainly have a few options lined up ... It's family, friends and movement that help keep us young at heart.
Happy birthday! What wonderful celebrations and gifts. I love the gift you've given yourself and I look forward to hearing about your exploration into new things.
Laura, The necklace is long enough that I can pair it with my Akoya strand of pearls too...I may try wearing them together when I wear a V neck top.
Hi Susan, There are quite a few Americans feeling bad about the current situation...I have been getting personal emails with apologies from readers. It does seem surreal with what is happening in both our countries. I hope and pray for a positive outcome.
Colleen you have the right outlook...I agree with all those points!!
Maudie I am doing some research into classes and workshops that are not far from home...I just saw a pottery class on Salt Spring Island that looks like fun and will see if there are any classes in Victoria...the Pender Island Garden Club has an Ikebana class this week...I don't know anything about that but have many flowers in our garden so it might be a great introduction. Keeping these new and fresh ideas in mind is rather exciting.
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Leslie! Your tulips are gorgeous! I love the necklace you made - what a fun thing to do!
Happy Birthday! I turned 70 last year, though I can't quite believe it! While my health is still reasonably good I am trying all sorts of activities. I used to be an avid reader, but have been reading less than I ever have, thinking I can do that when I become more immobile.
What a wonderful surprise your husband gave you, and such a great gift - the earrings are gorgeous on you! These days, for some of us, it is an embarrassment (among other things) to be an American, but I won't apologize because I worked hard against him. And everyone is right, you do look younger! Happy Birthday again. xo
Belated birthday wishes. You have a very thoughtful husband and friends.
A belated Happy Birthday. You had such a lovely celebration and those earrings are fabulous.
Sheila the tulips are wonderful! I love how they slowly open up...they seem to last a long time in a vase. Thank you for the birthday wishes...BTW your latest post was a BIG one! Lots to see...and I love the hanger trick turning them one way so you can see what you haven't worn.
J Thank you for the birthday wishes...I mix it up...reading, cooking,walking,Yoga, aquafit, and knitting...oh and gardening and housework!! Lots to keep us busy :-))
Kathy, Brian did surprise me...and especially after I purchased that painting too!!! Maybe the 70's will inject some new exciting hobbies ...good to hear from you.
XO
I am very grateful :-)) Thank you for the birthday wishes...
Christy, it's been a fabulous week! I think the 70's might be more fun than I imagined!!
What a wonderful celebration of your birthday! You are loved and admired by many. Love the earrings. I am 81 and try to keep active with activities and exercise. I too am saddened about the events unfolding with trade wars ( and layoffs). I am in California and I see our country going through very turbulent times. Sadly, our Canadian friends are also impacted. Your blog is always a delight. ❤️
Hello, your skin looks lovely. Do the Pam Anderson products help with rosacea? I have a bit of that also and would love to find something that helps. Thank you, Km
California has been hit very hard with the latest events...fires in LA and the park rangers being let go...I hope that you are able to stay positive. You sound like a very vibrant 81 year old...keep up with those healthy habits! We are living in a very strange time...it almost feels surreal and we need to pay attention to our mental health and get out in nature.
Take care
Km,
The Sonsie products are great...they have reduced the redness of my rosacea...I highly recommend them.
If you use the link https://www.sonsieskin.com/LESLIE65651
you will get 15% off...I use the face wash, super serum and the moisture mask Let me know if you find it reduces your rosacea .
Happy # 70 from one birthday girl to another. I agree...so grateful to have arrived at this age. Looks like you had a wonderful celebration. I enjoyed my day with dinner out and then we headed on a Viking River Cruise a few days later to celebrate. Your earrings are GORGEOUS! Let's rock being in our 70's!
Thank you Ann, we have a lot to enjoy and there is fun ahead as we enter this new decade!
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