Retire in Style with Lolita

Sunday, May 27, 2012, Fireworks to celebrate its 75th birthday. I was in San Francisco last June, 2008. We did the city tour and that included a visit to Golden Gate Bridge. We sat on the upper/open deck of the tour bus so I can take pictures of the bridge. It was soooo windy. I had to take my glasses off to make sure I don't lose it in that strong wind! We dined at the best restaurants including Alfred's Steak House, a dining destination in San Francisco. We also dined at the Fisherman's Grotto and Scoma's at the Fisherman's Wharf. I enjoyed the seafood dinners and the famous Sourdough bread. To complete the trip we also went shopping downtown malls and Chinatown. Aside from taking the On/Off city bus tour we also did a lot of walking. My travel partner had his pedometer and we made sure we were walking 10,000 steps a day. We dined and wined but we burned the calories too. Make a digital slideshow

Found a fabulous recipe from cdkitchen.com. The first time I baked this the recipe filled two 9 X 5 inch pans to overflowing. This time I baked in a 9 X 13 inch pan and it was just great! Instead of pecans I used raisins. This Pumpkin bread is freezable. YUMMMM ! INGREDIENTS: 3 1/2 cups flour 2 tablespoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 3 cups granulated sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 2/3 cup water 2 cups pumpkin ***Filling*** 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 egg 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup chopped pecans DIRECTIONS: Mix filling ingredients in order listed and set aside. Sift dry ingredients together. Mix pumpkin, water, oil and eggs together. Pour into dry mixture and mix well. Pour 1/2 of batter into 2 greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pans. Next pour a layer of filling in each pan (using all of the filling). Finish topping with remaining bread batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a woode...

This morning I was delighted to find this perennial plant in bloom! This is "Painted Daisy". This plant is supposed to attract butterflies. This year I planted several perennials that are supposed to attract butterflies and some are supposed to attract hummingbirds. The plant on the left is an Alpine Columbine. It is said that hummingbirds likes to sip the nectar from its lavender blooms. Miss Painted Daisy, you are very pretty.

Defining Moments is a new Thursday night feature of momstownvictoria.blogspot.ca owned by my daughter Melissa. I am pleased and proud to share with you all her Mother's day blog. I am just like my mother My mom grew up in the Philippines and was the eldest of five children. She did a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition, and her first job was as a Food Service Manager. Then she became a hospital Dietitian, then Chief Dietitian and Instructor. She immigrated to Canada in 1971 and did a year of Dietetic Internship at Montreal General Hospital. She graduated, married my dad, and they moved to Toronto where she worked as Head Dietitian of a hospital in Scarborough in 1972. Then in 1980, we moved to High Prairie, Alberta, where she became Dietitian Manager at the High Prairie Regional Health Complex. And her career went on, and up and up. I, on the other hand, am a different story. Thanks to contracts and my husband's professional career taking precedence, I think I hav...

I planted three Hosta plants last year in containers. This spring I am so happy to find them back and beautiful as ever. I look forward to their lovely blooms this summer. "Dream Weaver" "Big Daddy" "Snow Cap" is coming out !

I attended a workshop for Lectors led by our Parish Priest at St. Patrick's Church, in Maple Ridge. The workshop covered several interesting and helpful topics from the meaning and understanding of the Ministry of the Lector and the importance of being a Lector, principles of proclamation, techniques to consider in preparing to read the text, body language,and voice projection. The workshop helped me understand my role as a Lector. Being a Lector helps me become more aware of my spiritual responsibility to live what I read and prepare seriously to proclaim God's word to his people. Indeed, it is proclaiming not just reading. What is a Lector (Lay Reader)? Since ancient times, communities have chosen persons for the task of reading Scriptures at worship. Being a lector, or reader, is more than just fulfilling a task. At its best, reading is a calling, a vocation, and a spiritual discipline. Reading is a commitment to effective sharing of Scripture during our communi...

There are so many categories of poetry: love, romance, friendship, sad, motivational, spiritual, happy, funny and some poems could even get into Anderson Cooper’s Ridiculist. Definition: Poetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response. Poetry has been known to employ meter and rhyme, but this is by no means necessary. Poetry is an ancient form that has gone through numerous and drastic reinvention over time. The very nature of poetry as an authentic and individual mode of expression makes it nearly impossible to define. My favourite poem is Sonnet 116 by Shakespeare. My BFF (Best Friend Forever) loves to write poetry. One of the poems he shared with me was The Lonely Shepherd. Our friendship dates back from 1966 when we first met at Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato, Philippines. He now lives in Fort Beaufort, South Africa. The Lonely Shepherd In this wilderness where I...

My friend Ampy shared an article by Richard Powers: Use it or Lose it – Dancing makes you smarter. One interesting information I learned from this article is that dancing may help reduce risk of dementia There are many activities to help us become physically and mentally fit as we age. And dancing provides both opportunities for physical and mental fitness ! Dancing is a high intensity aerobic activity and it brings many positive health benefits. But most people look at it only as a physical exercise. It's more than that. Recent studies showed that it's also a great mind exercise. It's all about mind workout. Because dancing requires a significant amount of brain activity, it's a perfect form of brain workout. This is especially important for senior citizens and will help them maintain the focus and clarity, and ward off certain mental diseases. I love to dance. The lack of a dancing partner did not stop me from pursuing a physical activity that I enjoy…...

Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus Linearis (or "red bush") plant, which grows only in the small Cederberg region of South Africa. It is found nowhere else in the world, rooibus is one of South Africa’s best export products. Because it is not derived from the Camillia sinensis plant (like black, white, green or oolong teas), rooibos tea is considered more of an herbal drink or tisane than a "true" tea. Rooibus tea has been my choice for afternoon and evening beverage because it is caffeine free. It is a good choice for a stress relieving elixir. Drinking rooibos tea for relaxation works best because caffeinated beverages-even those with a small amount of caffeine, like green tea-awaken the mind rather than soothe it. I am so sensitive to caffeine that I avoid caffeinated drinks after lunch. I read an article that tells of the calming effects of rooibos tea, its ability to relax the muscles and release any tension, especially ...

Ryan started walking much later than his twin brother. It is a joy to watch him able to catch up with his brother and sister.

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday service at our parish today. There were a few children at the 9 AM mass. Now and again a child’s cry, whimper, or giggle could be heard. And some of those sounds come from my own grandchildren! Soon as we got home the children got their baskets and eagerly went on an Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard. Watching all 6 running to and fro around the garden was a joyful sight this beautiful sunny Easter morning. Another picture slideshow by Smilebox An attempt for a group picture with Grandma.

The spring has come full of miracles. Easter has come full of blessing! With OUR EYES we see the beauty of Easter as the earth awakens once more... With OUR EARS we hear the birds sing sweetly to tell us Spring again is here... With OUR HANDS we pick the golden daffodils and the fragrant hyacinths... But only with OUR HEARTS can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD'S LOVE which redeems all men... And only with OUR SOUL can we make our 'pilgrimage to God' and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE. Easter reflections by Helen Steiner Rice

Mark Twain said: "Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been"; viewed this way, smiles are an indication of your overall character, which becomes more and more outwardly telling as you age! A smiling person almost always stands out. You feel drawn to the smiling person and withdraw from someone who is frowning. Smiling makes us attractive. When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smiling is contagious. Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Let’s say smiling and laughter are the best preventative medicine. Studies have shown that smiling (and laughter) releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together they make us feel good. Let us call them the feel good factors. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. No ne...

I was following several websites / blog sites of ladies and gentlemen who are enjoying life and living it to the fullest because they are 65+ years young and not in spite of being 65+ years old ! I thought I would focus this time on “dressing up” or on fashion for my age group and older. I came across a certain Lynn Dell who believes living is a party to be enjoyed and she dresses every day as if she was invited to the biggest and best of them! There are Debra Rapoport and Tziporah Salamon who say dressing is an art form and form of creativity. These sophisticated, smart 70 somethings clearly enjoy getting dressed in the morning. I guess we would never hear them lamenting “ I don’t have anything to wear.” They wake up to closets of bright, beautiful outfits and accessories. I admire these ladies who are embracing their advanced age and I am more than happy to benefit from their advanced fashion style. Lynn Dell’s credo is : "Dress for the theatre of your life". ...

I was browsing around Urban Barn when I spotted this cushion. Actually the quote is what held my attention. The cushion is now an accent and a conversation piece in my home. I found the info on the author and the greeting card with this quote. Show me a day when the world wasn't new "The quote is from Sister Barbara Hance (1928-1993) Sister Barbara spent the last years of her life working for H.O.M.E. Inc., a cooperative in Orland, Maine dedicated to helping poor people work, sell crafts and vegetables and build their own homes. She headed efforts to establish a homeless shelter in a nearby town, when most of the town's government and business establishment were against it, with one local businessman-councillor (Mr. **) particularly opposed. The odds against the shelter were long, but in the idea's darkest moments Sister Barbara had one piece of advice to her colleagues: "After we win, we must make Mr. ** a supporter." They did. He was." The i...

I came across an interesting article about the two “basic requirements” of graceful aging: 1. Accepting the things we cannot change 2. and having the courage to change the things that we can. Actually these were “borrowed” from the “Serenity Prayer”. I mentioned in an earlier Blog that since aging cannot be stopped, I might as well enjoy it! And truly I find that this attitude towards aging is helping me enjoy my current lifestyle. One thing we absolutely cannot change is the fact that every day brings us closer to death. I have drawn on my spiritual resources to help me come to terms with this. My healthy lifestyle now includes “spiritual health”. Experts say that along with accepting changes successful aging includes finding meaningful activities. I am now amongst happy retirees involved in activities that we enjoy. Traveling, hobbies, spiritual pursuits, new social groups, learning new things or recapturing time with family. Every day is leisure day for me! Here is t...

The pride and joy of my life. A Grandmother's Prayer Oh Lord, I do not ask for much, Eternal beauty, or youth, or such. Just give me a little hand to hold, And I'll forget that I'm growing old. I do not ask for cloudless skies, A life that's free from tears and sighs. Just give me a little face to kiss, And anxious moments will turn to bliss. For what is there, really, that means so much As little hands that reach and touch, As little eyes that search and see Only the best in fragile me? So let me grow more loving and wise By looking at life through their wide eyes. For through these little ones, you have given This grateful grandmother a glimpse of Heaven. (Author: Barbara Burrows)

February is love and romance awareness month. And the special day of love and romance is of course February 14th. Valentine’s Day. Love and romance played a major part in my life experiences. I learned to care, to give, to receive, to grow, to mature, and become who I am today. There were moments of joy and laughter. And there were tears and heart break. I have learned to accept, to forgive and move on. No grudges, no regrets. There are so many greetings and quotes and poems on this subject. My favourite is from Alfred Tennyson: “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”. Memories of love and romance will keep me warm in the Autumn and Winter of my life. Love and blessings on Valentine's Day and always. From Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam:27, 1850: I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.

I came across this poem many years ago. I was amused and shared it with several friends. Recently I was cruising the web when I came across it again and found out who the author is. What Every Woman Should Have By Pamela Redmond Satran and was published in Glamour, May 1997 • One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to (even if you wouldn't) and one who reminds you of how far you've come. • Enough money within your control to move out and rent a place on your own, even if you never want or need to. • Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour. • A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying. • A youth you're content to move beyond. • A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age. • A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra. • One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. • A good piece of furniture not ...

During the past eight years I have traveled three times to China. My first trip was in 2004 with a group of Tai Chi’ers . Seventeen days Glimpses of China tour. In 2010 I met with friends in Hongkong and Guangzhuo. It was a whirlwind visit and I wish to return someday. Last year I went back for the third time and joined the physically challenging of all my trips to China : The Silk Road Tour. I cannot remember when my curiosity and fascination with China started. I enjoyed each trip. The Tour Guides and drivers were all knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. I learned more about their culture, marveled at the scenery and of course the shopping ! And speaking of shopping, I am very good now with negotiating prices. Even my Chinese friends would come to me and ask for help for negotiating prices with merchants. I don’t even speak Chinese! With gentle persuasion and my own calculator in hand, I usually ask the merchants to give me a better price than Canada. I shop regularl...