Retire in Style with Lolita

“Will you love me in December as you do in May, Will you love me in the good old fashioned way? When my hair has all turned gray, Will you kiss me then and say, That you love me in December as you do in May?” James Walker quotes

It was a beautiful sunny Spring day in Maple Ridge. Mr. Sai Her and his team arrived early and gave our garden a thorough clean-up and some simple landscaping that did wonders to the garden. Please click pictures to enlarge. The next few days I will be planting, re-potting perennials including succulents. I look forward to trips to local nurseries for flowering annuals. I also have plans for a vegetable garden.

We had a mild winter and early Spring. The dandelions are growing vigorously already! I pull the weeds manually and will use newspapers under mulch in larger areas. No chemicals will be used because the children plays in the garden. This year we will engage my grandchildren to learn and enjoy gardening. Please click pictures to enlarge.

“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” ― Ruth Stout

I have moved a lot in my life. The change of residence is usually prompted by personal, family or financial reasons. Some were long distance moves, from Quebec to Ontario, to Alberta and finally to British Columbia. And some moves were just a few miles away. Through changes in environment it came naturally to me to make each house a comfortable, welcoming home for myself and my family. Where you feel loved, you are at home.

Who can ever forget the movie Love Story way back 1970. I have seen it several times more and as time went by I began to wonder about the meaning of the famous line : Love Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry I look back into my life`s experiences and finally in the Autumn of my life I find the true meaning of Love means never having to say you`re sorry. "True love is unconditional. It is transparent, where we can accept, understand, and allow the other person to make every mistake, falter, stumble, and give genuine heartfelt compassion when they are trying their best, even if their best is can be “better.” "Love carries no judgment or manipulation. Love carries no ego, or the need for ego gratification. True love is pure. It is deep, eternal, and it never dies." Then I realized this explanation runs parallel to the meaning of my favourite sonnet by Shakespeare. Sonnet 116 Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments Let me not to the marria...

On Christmas day I announced to my family that I have a very big decision to make in the New Year. Everyone looked at me and waited for whatever it was that I was going to announce. I said: "I have to decide between buying next size clothes or losing ten pounds !" My Body Mass Index has climbed to an all time high of 25.6 The overweight BMI range is 25 - 29.9 My usual BMI has always been 23.8 which is well within the normal range. To get back to this BMI I need to lose 10 lbs. Actually just losing 5 lbs will get me back in the normal/healthy BMI range. Going back to my decision dilemma. I have made up my mind to go for the less expensive, healthier choice. I will try to lose 5 lbs and if I move around more I can shake off another 5 lbs. Can`t wait for our Zumba Gold classes and Hawaiian dance classes to start. I am also going to join a Seniors walking club. I will not give up my favourite foods including pasta, bread, rice and desserts. I will just have to disc...

Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given. When Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.....Joan Winmill Brown quotes Please click pictures to enlarge:)

Snow quietly fell overnight. Just a thin layer and as of this posting it is slowly melting. I left my succulents out and will see how well they do through the winter months. Please click to enlarge pictures.

The pineapple has been a universal symbol of hospitality and welcome for many centuries all over the world. How very fitting to have it around as family and friends gather at Christmas time. Fresh pineapples no less. Exotic and delicious! Please click pictures to enlarge. For the dining table. Welcome topiary and wreath. For Christmas or New Year's day dinner buffet. Hostess gift. Fantastic ideas for Christmas decorating and entertaining... and for the next Luau !

I cannot remember any Christmas when I did not have Poinsettias around the house. Here is a story as to how Poinsettias were associated with Christmas. It came from a Mexican legend. "The story goes that a child, with no means for a grander gift, gathered humble weeds from the side of the road to place at the church altar on Christmas Eve. The congregation witnessed a Christmas miracle: the weeds turned into brilliant red flowers." The Poinsettia first came to the US in 1825. Brought by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US ambassador to Mexico. The plant was named after him. Poinsettias symbolize good cheer and success. They bring joy and festivity to the Christmas season. Here is a Christmas Poinsettia centrepiece on my dining table. Please click pictures to enlarge. Are Poinsettias poisonous? For years poinsettias had the bad reputation of being poisonous. While they are not meant to be eaten by humans, pets or livestock, ingesting poinsettias would probably...

I enjoy browsing and shopping at Christmas Craft fairs. I admire the creativity and patience of crafters young and old. They are amazing. Craft fairs started the first weekend of November and some will continue till the weekend before Christmas. The biggest craft fair that I have been to this season is the Circle Craft Fair at Vancouver Convention Centre. Top of the line food and crafts. Two shops attracted our attention and wallet: Please click pictures to enlarge. Wildhagen hats. Precocious Boutique. The cowl neck sweaters were unique and stylish. At popular craft fairs here in Maple Ridge I bought christmas cakes and pickled favourites (carrots, green beans, asparagus, etc.). Bought a Christmas apron and the popular crocheted ruffled or boa scarves. I also bought beautiful hats. Warm handmade stylish hats. Please click pictures to enlarge. Christmas shopping at craft fairs is a great affair !

Hair brings one's self-image into focus; it is vanity's proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices. ~Shana Alexander Please click pictures to enlarge. It has been almost 6 months since I stopped coloring my hair. More of my gray is visible. My hairdresser calls it platinum silver. Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like. ~Author Unknown