New Years ~ Three resolutions for 2025

 

~ Mount Baker ~ 

My view this week on my walk.

A crisp fresh topping of snow atop this grand mountain.

~ The new walking poles are so helpful ~ 

I can take longer strides, 

walk faster, 

feel so much more stable

~ Confident ~

If you have ever fallen, or felt a wee bit wobbly on your feet.

 these poles are a wonderful tool, I think they are a real Game Changer.

(they work the arms too)

With the last few quiet days

I've been culling stuff here in The Humble Bungalow...

tidying drawers, cupboards and closets.

Taking donations to the charity shops and having a wee peek at what is for sale!

I spied these new (with tags) waterproof gloves at the local WIN Thrift Shop.

They are lined and are SO much warmer than my old thin leather gloves.

I also scored a soft charcoal grey long cardigan.

It has two pockets and is really cozy.

It also feels brand new...

Do you shop at thrift stores?

Buying second hand is so easy on the budget.

As a retiree with a pension,

 I really appreciate the price points on the merchandise.

Prices have gone up a bit

 most shops charge at least 1/4 off regular retail prices.

Some smaller shops are at giveaway prices!

I decided to buy a second pair of jeans...

I donated the low rise Eileen Fisher jeans as they emphasized my muffin top.

The brand I prefer and fit well are MNG or MANGO.

Mom jeans with an ankle length.

The local BAY store did not have any in stock so I ordered some from Nordstroms.

Rarely do I shop online but it was absolutely necessary this time.

Good News...

they were on sale...I got the last pair in my size :-))

Faded wash...

my current jeans are a dark wash.

Am going to love wearing these...I love denim.

They will pair well with the soft pale blue flannel Frank and Eileen shirt.

White Old Navy shirt, new-to-me grey sweater, white T shirt, black long sleeve T

almost ALL my tops will work with these jeans.

(silver sequin top)

Summer time they will be great with flip flops too!

Fortunately the jeans arrived on time and more importantly they fit!

Are you making any New Year's Resolutions?

#1

Focusing on getting as much information as I can 

on the management of osteoarthritis

and reducing the pain in 

 my arthritic hip.

#2

Getting back to Yoga

After my recent fall and concussion,

 I decided that I needed to work on balance.

Have been following a You Tube balance routine and need MORE.

My local Yoga Studio "Ajna" in Oak Bay offers fabulous classes.

I have registered for a workshop on Hips.

Which will identify moves and exercises that strengthen

the muscles that support the hip.

Signed up for 8 sessions of Yoga for Osteoporosis 

at a local Rec Centre taught by one of the Yoga instructors from my studio.

#3

Continue to attend Aqua Fit Classes at the Oak Bay Pool.

My doctor highly recommends these classes and prefers them to my long walks

with my "bad" hip.

He's going to refer me to a surgeon...

(our wait list for new hips is several years long)

I mentioned to him that I did 8,000 steps last week and for the next 2 days I was in terrible pain...

he thinks that is way too many steps considering my hip issue.

Do you have arthritis?

Are you able to modify your activities so you do not feel as much pain?

Well enough about my health related resolutions...

In exciting news...

We went out for New Year's Eve!

First time in many years...

A Dinner Date :-))

~ OOTD ~

My LBD (5 years old) Eileen Fisher

Baroque Pearls from Hong Kong

Coach Loafers

(2 or 3 years old)

Aritzia Wool and Cashmere Coat

(new bought on sale)

Vintage Coach black leather bag

Vintage rhinestone bracelet

BLING...

(After All it is New Year's Eve!)

Dinner at Zambri's

The Mocktail was delicious...

(tasted like an Aperol Spritz)

I've been off alcohol for awhile

(trying to lose some weight)

slowly 

Only a few pounds down but in December I have been nibbling shortbread cookies

and eating this fabulous dinner!!!

Caesar Salad

Halibut and shoestring fries...so yummy!

Panna Cotta with lemon...

Oh my goodness!

Our dinner was so lovely...great food wonderful service.

A very nice way to start the new Year.

Thank you Honey :-))

Before I forget...

 I found a real Antique at Value Village last week...

French Porcelain

by

Clain and Perrier

Look at those pretty pink roses and gold gilt!

So sweet and feminine...

just darling.

The Company was located at 238 Boulevard St. Germain in Paris.

It was in business from 1879 - 1914

I am quite smitten with this wee treasure...

a compote for the top of my bureau.

For the record, I didn't NEED this, but I couldn't resist...

besides

 it feels like a French Souvenir.

It is an item that makes me smile every time I see it...

and I keep looking at it.

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the New Year...

There are many new adventures waiting to unfold

so many possibilities

dreams to be dreamt

people to meet

books to read

teas to sip

music to hear

meals to be made

new recipes to try

interesting courses to enroll in

new skills to learn

SO MANY

opportunities for discovery.

What new things will you try this year?

Will you travel?

Will you stay at home and feather your nest?

Will you keep a journal?

Write a Book?

Paint a picture?

Sew or Knit?

Or will you sit still in the moment 

breathe in the energy that will keep you grounded and sane?

Namaste

~ 2025 ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you for popping by to read my little blog...

Grateful for you choosing to be here.

Starting 2023 slowly, thoughtfully and with intention...

 

 ~ New Year ~

Thoughts of change and the steps required to take the necessary actions

easing slowly...

mulling over the multitude of possibilities.

What to do?

Stay the same or move ahead in a fresh new direction?

Take a risk or keep it safe?

Current read...

I heard so many lovely things about this book that I bought a copy.

Numerous friends told me that it was the BEST book that they had read last year.

That says a LOT!

I am not yet finished it...

reading slowly to absorb and digest the thoughts 

and 

significance of the words.

It is very beautifully written, full of emotion and poignant life experiences.

Very Sad...

the attention to detail is divine, the author writes like an artist paints.

In the spirit of not rushing...

I've signed up for a 30 day online Yoga challenge.

On day 4, I realized how much I have missed my Yoga practice.

Watching the instructor,

  (who looks effortless) 

while she moves through the poses

was quite discouraging for me.

 I was struggling on my mat!

I signed up at my former Yoga Studio 

for in person classes with the instructor whose teaching style I love.

Her calming voice, slow movements and gentle spirit are absolute BLISS!

Classes start in 2 weeks and I am very excited.

Our naughty cats were guilty of shredding my old Yoga mat...

it was time to replace it.

I bought a new one today which is 6mm thick to cushion my 67 year old achy joints.

While I was shopping I found a small bolster and a lavender scented cleaning spray.

Do you practice Yoga?

Sunday morning post on Instagram today...

Sand and Fog Candle

in a lovely soothing fragrance

~ Roses and Sandalwood ~

This scent would make a great perfume.

The painted rock above was designed and painted by my former neighbour.

It reminds me of a mandala...

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.

 We are immersed in a Netflix series called The Stranger...

oh my goodness it is so complicated!

We've watched a few good ones lately...

Treason and another one called The Bodyguard

coincidentally

 they are all British.

The Stranger is British too with an all star cast.

You might enjoy them too...

let me know.

What are you watching?

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

New Year ~ A time for Hope, Promise and a Fresh Start...

 

~ January 1, 2023 ~

Waking up on a brand new day, a brand new year, feels so full of promise.

There is a sense of optimism, thoughts of possibilities, and wonder.

How DO we start this New Year?

Are there any changes we want to make? 

Are we planning any new adventures?

Will we try something new?

A clean slate awaits...

We stayed up until Midnight on New Years Eve.

Something that we have not done for many years.

We haven't spent a New Years at the cottage before...

 there were quite a few cottages full of people who were celebrating.

We met up with friends who were on their new boat...

its maiden voyage in fact!

Lovely to be welcomed aboard for a tour and a chat.

The Salish Sea is calm 

there is a lot of debris in the water from the recent King Tides.

The logs float off the beaches and become a danger to navigation.

It did not stop me from climbing over and around the beach full of logs...

the edges of the beach were badly eroded from the pounding of the waves.

There were shells, kelp, plastic, trash, and a myriad of things strewn along the shoreline.

I managed to find a few pieces of seaglass but it was tough work.

I do not make new year's resolutions anymore...

I usually just break them :-(

I like to focus on healthier habits and continue to live with intention and gratitude.

I could definitely stand to lose some weight...

so I know what I need to do.

Move more, eat smaller healthy meals...and stop munching on potato chips!

They are a snug size 12

I bought a new pair of jeans and am going to use them as a "tool"

a tool to slim down my midsection.

I will not be "beating myself up" 

but will phase in small changes in over the next few weeks.

You know what they say..."Rome wasn't built in a day!"

~ OOTD ~

Style & co jeans

Hand knit Miriam sweater 

Akoya Pearls

Simple white Tee Lands' End

Starting 2023 with a casual look

wearing slightly snug jeans

How did you spend New Years?

Did you stay up to ring in the New Year?

Are you making any resolutions?

I'd love to have you chime in and leave a comment.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Welcoming the New Year...thoughts

A bright and shiny New Year is on the horizon.

Feeling very encouraged that we will see some significant improvements...

 the vaccines are here and are being doled out to the health care workers and the residents of long term care first and then they make their way down the ladder to those of us who wish to get the vaccine. 

Our Covid cases in BC are moving slowly downward.

I cannot help but feel optimistic...

Every year, for decades, I write in a day timer.

The Moleskine day timer for 2021 has been updated with birthdays.

I chose a new gel pen with a pretty peacock blue shade of ink.

The little things that can be mood shifters and change they way we see life

are so worth embracing...

Ideas for small Joys:

a new shade of lipstick

wearing a vintage piece of jewelry

mixing up your outfits, pairing different items

wearing a bright coloured pair of socks or tights

fresh flowers and foliage in a jug

a new blend of tea

experimenting with a new hairstyle

sampling a new fragrance

painting your nails

rearranging an area of your home

hanging your clothes in a different order, by colour or grouped by item

polish your leather shoes, boots and purses

buy a vintage accessory or piece of clothing that makes you smile

get rid of any clothes that are "ho-hum" ~ keep only what makes you feel great

invest in a new teacup and saucer or mug

read a new magazine, perhaps one from another country

sample an exotic variety of fruit

make a vinaigrette with a different type of oil and vinegar than you usually use

walk in a different area and explore

take a thermos of coffee or tea and sip it in a park or on a beach

The list of ideas could go on and on...

Maybe it is time to start a new collection?

I know people who collect smooth rocks from the beach...

some only collect pure white and others opt for dark black.

Put them in a bowl or a jar and enjoy looking at them.

“Always keep your eyes open. 

Keep watching. 

Because whatever you see can inspire you.”

~ Grace Coddington ~

 

How are you approaching 2021?

Are you feeling positive or negative?

Have you got goals or are you making New Year resolutions?

I'd love to hear your ideas of things that you do to lift your spirits.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Wishing you peace and joy in the New Year.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

January...starting slowly

Easing into the New Year...

mulling over some goals and ideas

making a few intentions

not necessarily resolutions

confirming if they are reasonable, attainable and worth considering.

Have you made any resolutions for twenty twenty?

The view on my walk earlier this week on a beautiful sunny day.

December Hollyhocks in bloom on a street near the Humble Bungalow.

The eagle has landed!

There are frequently two bald eagles perched up in the tree...

On

New Years Day 

a few people walking past the tree 

stopped to look up and admire this majestic bird.

Speaking of looking up...

A Single Star 

made out of tin 

hangs above the sink in The Humble Bungalow.

Different from the 

Stars

 that sparkle and twinkle up above 

in the night sky.

Do you remember this poem about Stars from your childhood?

The rains have started and they'll be with us for awhile.

 Cenotaph near Cattle Point in the Uplands area of Victoria.

Glimpsed as we walked by on our morning walk.

I don't know any food more comforting 

except a bowl of soup on a cold rainy day.

 Homemade Tomato Soup

I roasted several pounds of fresh tomatoes 

diced onions 

5 cloves of minced garlic 

in a shallow pan with some olive oil 

 400 degree oven for 45 minutes

 I popped them all in a pot 

added a tetra pack of veggie stock

put it on to simmer.

Then I used the immersion blender to blend it all.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Currently reading The Rocks by Peter Nichols.

Going to pop the kettle on soon and brew a pot of tasty Murchies Chestnut Tea.

Will light the candle and read for a bit.

How is your New Year looking so far?

What are you reading?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

New Year

It's the Eve of the New Year today and I am pondering...

thinking on things that I can do to improve my health.

Walking more 

perhaps going back to the Yoga studio 

or branching out 

by taking a Zumba class.

I've got a stack of books to read...

a knitting project on the needles

busy with the Strata Council as a new board member

plus the regular bridge games at the club.

My current book is a heart breaking story...

well written and very sad.

I recommend it very highly.

“New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? 

Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.”

~ Alex Morritt ~

On this Eve I am saying farewell to 2019.

Taking with me into the New Year 

 lessons learned

places I have visited

experiences and memories

that 

will enable me to welcome the days and weeks ahead 

with an open mind and heart.

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, 

waiting to be written.” 

~ Melody Beattie ~

Happy New Year to You!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~