Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Finishing the Year Strong!

2023 was all about accomplishing three small goals each month; it was a bit of the mixed bag, but all is not lost. I had a lot of success and I definitely learned a lot. To finish this series of posts I am setting my last three goals!

  1. Brush up on my Spanish
    -I spent most of my teens learning the language and I took it in university; in fact that is my minor. I have lost my fluency. I enjoyed knowing a second language; but without using it –you lose it!
  2. No phone Friday’s
    -Rather than checking out and being a phone zombie; I’m going to relax and check out sans screen. No falling down the Instagram rabbit hole for me.
  3. End of the year purging
    -Even though I did a massive house cleanse; we seem to have accumulated more junk (stuff that doesn’t bring us joy). There are a lot of people who may need it. To de-clutter our home and ultimately our minds; we can head into the new year in a better state.
Categories
Gifts

Stuffing the Stockings: Part 2 -Men’s Edition-

Can you believe it, Christmas is only 24 days away?!?!? I literally don’t know where the time went. I feel more than a little behind on Christmas shopping! Today, I am sharing what I will be stuffing the stockings with for the marvelous men in my life…

Star Wars Ornament
Caesar Rim
Re-usable Ice Cubes
Golf Ball Holder
Hot Sauce
Mini Alcohol
Chocolate

Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Accountability Post: Mental Wellness Challenges

Instead of three small goals for the month of November; I participated in a bingo card style Mental Wellness Challenge –which had 20 tasks. I really enjoyed it; I liked the flexibility of having 20 tasks rather than 1 each day because if I got behind or life got in the way I wasn’t panicking to finish it. I did have to make some modifications to some of the tasks. This is how I did….

1Went to bed at 7:30 pm11Enjoyed WALKING AROUND in the sun in Banff
2Grateful for: feeling better, friends, a chance at TSwift tickets, got caught up, business season was successful, family, new books, got snow tires in time, no drama, having the best husband!12Unsubscribe from emails
3Walked up and down the driveway with the dog13CHECKED IN on 5 people
4Called my husband14Woke up 30 minutes earlier to REFLECT
5De-cluttered my desk at work15Planned a DINNER date with my bestie at El Corazon
6Took one day of social media16Went the entire day without complaining
7Set short terms goals to start journaling again, walking more, increase water intake and cut down on junk food 17Bought myself BOOTS WITH FLOWERS ON THEM
8Made a DILL PICKLE SALAD KIT18MADE TIME FOR breakfast
9Watched the sun set19Cleaned the bathroom; which I had been putting off for a long time
10Got rid of all the old pots & pans and living room lamp20MEDITATED; in order to be more present

How was your month?

Categories
Current Addictions

Current Addictions: November 2023

Ad·dic·tion
/əˈdikSH(ə)n/
noun

the fact or condition of being dependent or “hooked” to a particular substance, thing or activity.

Music: Sabrina Carpenter (Spotify)
TV Show: Pete Holmes: I Am Not For Everyone (Netflix)
Book: The Socialites Guide to Death & Dating (S.K. Golden)
Food: Beet & Onion Crostini (Savi)
Drink: Blue Lavender Blend (Blume)
Clothing: Muckster II Mid Boots (Muckboot)
Cosmetic: Fenty Foundation
Accessory: Pearl & Rhinestone Embellished Beanie (Talbots)

Categories
Gifts

Stuffing the Stockings: Part 1 -Ladies Edition-

Can you believe it, Christmas is only 31 days away?!?!? I literally don’t know where the time went. I feel more than a little behind on Christmas shopping! Today, I am sharing what I will be stuffing the stockings with for the lovely ladies in my life…

Festive Drink Makers
Smith’s Rosebud Salve
Compostable Sponge/Scourer Set
Sugar Cookie Shower Steamer
I’m Real Aloe Sheet Mask
Car Air Freshener
Oui Christmas Ornament

And as always; these nifties gifties come from Indigo

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

November Journal #3

What do you look for when deciding whether or not to date someone?

Are they…

-kind?
-intelligent? –>I don’t mean PhD or anything like that; basically do they keep up on current events, do they have a particular skill/expertise or competence
-understanding?
-willing to compromise with me to create a life together?
-financially responsible?
-interesting?
-the type of person who values family?
-willing to put work into a relationship?
-reliable, dependable, loyal?
-physically attractive? –>yes, this does matter to an extent.

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompt

What about you?

Categories
Food & Drink

Scrumptious Spinach

Spinach is rich in iron, vitamin C and E, potassium, and magnesium which helps support immune function and aids the digestive system. To help you increase your intake of spinach, I am sharing a few of my favourite recipes.

green leaves in white ceramic bowl
Photo by Rodolfo Quirós on Pexels.com

Spinach Smoothie
Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spinach Soup
Easy Spinach Salad
Spanakopita for Beginners

Categories
Travel

Basking in Banff

After a hectic couple months; we took an impromptu trip to the mountains. We stayed at The Rimrock Resort Hotel on Sulphur Mountain. The view from our room was incredible, we sipped coffee while watching the sunrise and read our books.

We also took full advantage of the spa! I had my first ever mud-wrap, relaxation massage and facial. The pool facility was also lovely completed with hot tub, steam room and sauna.

We enjoyed lunch at Larkspur and breakfast at Primrose and a four course culinary experience at Eden.

Banff offers a lot to see and do. No trip to Banff is complete without…

1. A leisurely drive up Tunnel Mountain with a stop to see the Hoodoos

2. Soaking in Upper Banff Hot Springs

3. Meandering through The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

4. Marvelling at the extensive taxidermy collection at The Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

5. Walking down “the main drag,” and stopping in all the shops. The Spirit of Christmas store and The Fudgery are particular favourites of mine.

6. Touring Cave and Basin

7. Hiking along Bow Falls

8. Sipping on a flight of beer at Banff Ave. Brewing Company
*I highly recommend the: Mojo Dojo Casa House Sour, Cherry Eclipse Dark Cherry Sour Ale, Hazy Glades Pale Ale, White Wit, Black Pil and Head Smashed IPA

9. Dinner at The Bison Restaurant
*I highly recommend the Bison Caesar (both the drink and the salad) and the Crispy Duck

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

November Journal #2

What do you believe happens after we die?

I am not sure I have a definite answer. I would love to believed that those who are deserving enjoy a comfortable afterlife -whether or not that is “Heaven” is another thing. I would love to believe that truly horrible people are made to feel the pain they have inflicted. I also think the ability to be reincarnated and continue living, albeit in a different form and in different circumstances would be remarkable –although you don’t actually know that is what is happening. I don’t want to believe that once you die that is just it; blackness, nothingness. It makes time here are Earth seem so much more finite which is really sad. Although it would make everyone more appreciative of our lives though.

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

What about you?

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

November Journal #1

Does religion play a role in your life? Why or why not?

Religion does not play a role in my life. It never has. I never grew up with religion and we never went to church as a family. I do have to admit that my religious knowledge is pretty slim. I thought I knew what religion my mother’s family is/was, however, the more I think about it, there are things that don’t add up but there is no one to confirm it but I do believe there is some ‘closeted faith’ aspect to the story. I think my father’s family is Baptist or Lutheran, but again I am not so sure. I took a religion class in university but I never practiced a religion. I have nothing against religion and I wouldn’t call myself an atheist. And I would never begrudge anyone their religious beliefs! Perhaps I am more ambivalent than anything else. Most people are shocked to find out that I really have zero religious affiliation; they are always like, “You have never been to church?” (Never for worship, but I have been in churches for travel/trips or weddings and funerals but never for like a Sunday service).

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

What about you?