Retire in Style with Lolita

I am spending this lovely weekend with my favourite author Pearl S. Buck. There are some books that one never gets tired revisiting time and again. Such is the case with me and novels written by Pearl S. Buck. And many more... No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books. ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

It was a busy Thanksgiving weekend. The kids finished picking the last of the blueberries from my patio garden. We went to Apple Barn in Abbotsford. It was sunny and warm and the kids enjoyed all the attractions of this farm. Hay Ride, Pumpkin Patch, Apple Picking, Petting zoo, Jumping Pillows, etc. This time last year we were there too. It was cold and raining. We persevered and still had a great Thanksgiving weekend at the farm last year. But this time Autumn is like an extended summer! Lots of sunshine and very warm. Customize a free picture slideshow I am thankful for my beautiful blessings... they call me Grandma.

The answer to the age appropriateness question is : No, I am not too old for leggings! I picked up some very sensible and practical advise, tips and recommendations for the older woman who wants to enjoy the comfort of leggings. - Stick to basic, dark colors—dark blue, black, brown. - Wear them under dresses that hit at least mid thigh or long cocoon type coats and avoid short, unflattering tops. Here is a fashion advice from Advanced Style (this is a fashion blog site for older men and women... Advanced referring to Advanced age :) http://advancedstyle.blogspot.ca/ Always look at yourself critically and helpfully. Check to see that everything you're wearing is in harmony. Nothing has to match--this is not the 50's--but every piece should be complementary." Leggings are fabulous with ballet flats, flat ankle boots, low-heeled boots, and boots with “sturdy” heels that could never be referred to as hooker boots, even if they reach the thigh. If you are wearing yo...

I wish to share this article from Centers for Disease Control and prevention: How much physical activity do older adults need? Physical Activity is Essential to Healthy Aging "As an older adult, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age. It also helps your muscles grow stronger so you can keep doing your day-to-day activities without becoming dependent on others. Not doing any physical activity can be bad for you, no matter your age or health condition. Keep in mind, some physical activity is better than none at all. Your health benefits will also increase with the more physical activity that you do. If you're 65 years of age or older, are generally fit, and have no limiting health conditions you can follow the guidelines listed below. 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) every week and mu...

Please click picture to enlarge. The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. National Grandparents Day began in Canada in 1995 when it was recognized by a motion in the House of Commons: "That, in the opinion of this House, the government should consider designating the second Sunday in September of each year as grandparents day in order to acknowledge their importance to the structure of the family in the nurturing, upbringing and education of children." While not a statutory holiday, we think this day set aside for grandparents is a wonderful idea. Th...

"It's never too late to have a fling For autumn is just as nice as spring And it's never too late to fall in love." --Sandy Wilson Please click pictures to enlarge. Apple picking season starts usually in September. This apple tree is in my nephew`s backyard. Loving Legends of The Apple The Apple is a symbol of ecstasy, fertility and abundance as well as love. ~ In early Greece, a newly married couple would share an Apple as a symbol of their marriage and hope for a fruitful union. ~ In China the Apple blossom represents adoration and love. ~ Gypsy legend said that if a young woman ate half of an apple before midnight and the other half after midnight, her true love would appear to her in a dream. ~ At the wedding of Zeus and Hera, apples were given to the bride-to-be to ensure their lasting love and union. ~ Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, gave baskets filled with Apples that were meant to woo Aphrodite and win her love.

Today we resumed the Fall and Winter sessions of our Hawaiian dance class. We reviewed some of our regular routines and we started learning " Sweet Leilani". I found this youtube video of a WOW performance in Olympia,Washington. WOW stands for Wrinkles of Washington . I am still a long way from dancing as gracefully as this lady but I am learning and enjoying Hawaiian dancing! Please click picture to enlarge. This picture was taken on my 69th birthday, January 18, 2012 when we performed at the Greystone Manor Retirement Residence in Maple Ridge. What a fun way to celebrate my birthday! Aloha !

Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, for you shall only live it once. Be comfortable with growing older. — Louise Hay Please click pictures to enlarge. Hot Hula Grandmas. "Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art."--Eleanor Roosevelt You're as old as you feel. Right now I feel thirty something! This digital collage generated with Smilebox

Please click to enlarge pictures. My breakfast this fine Sunday morning. Jasmine water blossom tea, "Biko" which is a Philippine rice pudding, Cranberry-cinnamon goat cheese, and red grapes. This Jasmine tea is named for its blossoming or blooming characteristic. Each Jasmine Blossom is comprised of fine quality green tea hand assembled and sewn together at one end, resembling a sphere. When the tea is steeped, the green tea leaves gradually blossom revealing a cluster of pink flowers perched atop a sphere of tea. The tea has a pale yellow hue with a pleasant and sweet floral aroma. The taste is smooth and sweet with a lightly sweet aftertaste. This is the bloom after tea has been steeped.

So happy to see my Echeveria Runyonii a.k.a. Topsy Turvy in bloom. So pretty. Please click pictures to enlarge. Blooming season is Summer-Autumn. I am pleasantly surprised that I did not have to wait too long for Ms. Topsy Turvy to bloom:) "The Amen of nature is always a flower" .... Oliver Wendell Holmes

My grandchildren and I walked to a nearby park to pick blackberries. We picked enough to make Blackberry Crumble. Please click pictures to enlarge. Fresh pick of the day! The Perfect Blackberry Crumble 6 cups fresh or frozen blackberries (if frozen, thaw slightly) 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or sweeten to taste, use less sugar if the berries are very sweet) 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes 1/4 cup white flour 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup uncooked, old fashioned rolled oats 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder (optional) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the blackberries in a large mixing bowl. In a small mixing bowl combine the sugar and cornstarch. Blend thoroughly. Sprinkle the sugar and cornstarch mixture over the berries and gently combine with a rubber spatula. Spray an 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray and pour the berry mixture into the pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 minute...

Most people are introduced to orchids through phalaenopsis orchids or Moth orchids. Please click picture to enlarge. The Vanda sanderiana, commonly called the Waling-waling, is one of the most beautiful and popular orchid species from the Philippines. It is a strap-leaf orchid species. It’s large in size and is very colorful. Because of its beauty, the Vanda sanderiana, is described as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids.” Please click picture to enlarge. This photo brings back memories of my visit to an orchid farm in Davao City, Philippines several years ago.

I was pleasantly surprised to find my "Black Prince" starting to bloom. When I bought this last June I nicknamed it "Sitting pretty". While the hens and chicks around were busy producing rosettes, this one seems to just sit there quite elegantly watching the scenery. Then last week when I got back from a two week visit in Toronto I noticed some activity. A rosette had formed and had started to come out followed by another one this week. Please click picture to enlarge.

I have so many teapots collected through the years. I love them. I like using a different teapot and teacup for different teas and to match table setting as well as to suit a guest's preference. Some of my teapots were gifts, some bought brand new, and some bought from thrift shops. I don't entertain as much as before anymore. And I don't want my teapots just sitting in the cupboard or display shelves. So those that I do not use anymore for brewing tea have been recycled as planters, fresh flower containers, and for silk floral arrangements. These silk floral arrangements were used as table centerpieces during my granddaughter's recent baptismal party. Please click pictures to enlarge. Currently these are my teapots that are being used regularly for brewing tea.

Blooming and Flowering Teas are truly a unique experience. You can create a beautiful magical, moment, a moment to savor, simply by brewing tea. Please click pictures to enlarge. There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. ~Bernard-Paul Heroux

I am so happy to finally succeed in nurturing and propagating Jade plant. My Jade garden is on my bedroom window sill. It is a south-west facing window. It gets a lot of sun from around 2:00 PM till sundown. Please click picture to enlarge. Last May I bought the "Mother plant" and a month later I felt there were enough healthy leaves and branches to start propagating. I blogged about this in one of my June posts. Please click picture to enlarge. These Jade plants were started from cuttings and some from leaves. Please click picture to enlarge This Jade Pillow is from Beijing, China. Jade signifies power and wealth. My bedroom window sill is my Wealth Corner as per Feng Shui. Jade plant is also called Money plant. Please click picture to enlarge.

There are several snails and tiny green worms that are eating the leaves of my plants! I decided to severely prune and trim the leaves and rearranged my containers and moved them to the cemented patio. Away from what I believe is the source of those snails. I have not seen any slugs yet but I am sure they are there somewhere. This is the first time I have seen those small green wormy things that seem to love the leaves of my Alpine Columbine. I noticed the snails did not touch my succulents and the citrosa geranium or mosquito repellant plant . I feel bad that I have to trim off all the leaves of my hostas. Unfortunately the snails (and slugs) love them. There really is no such thing as slug or snail resistant hostas. Citrosa Geranium or mosquito repellant plant or Citronella plant. Please click pictures to enlarge. Some call it scented geranium. Not too crazy about its scent but they seem to ward off flying bugs including mosquitoes. And slugs and snails do not like them! I w...

The first Monday of August is known as British Columbia Day, BC Day or B.C. Day, in the province of British Columbia. It is a statutory holiday and gives Canadians in the province the chance to celebrate their achievements or relax with friends and family members. In British Columbia many people use the long weekend to make short trips out of town and into one of the areas of beautiful scenery in this province. Some go camping, while others walk, hike or plan canoe trips. Many families go for a day's outing and picnic to favourite parks. My family went on a picnic at Queen's Park, New Westminster. After our picnic lunch the kids went to play in the nearby water park and playground with their parents. The rest of us went for a stroll through the lovely wooded area to the delightful rose garden. This garden is a very popular destination for wedding entourages during the months of June and July when the roses are in full bloom. There were still many roses in bloom and we th...

Yesterday we went to a blueberry farm to pick blueberries. The nice thing about blueberries is that they are low enough for my granchildren to reach and pick ! We picked two 5 lb flats of blueberries. And from my little garden, I picked some blueberries this morning. Blueberries are considered a "superfruit". Very rich in anti-oxidants.