Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Sandwich Time ~ Tuesday 4
Monday, July 7, 2025
Summertime ~ Tuesday 4
Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we ask just 4 questions each week to give you something to blog about, something to think about and a reason to visit other blogs!
So how is summer going for you? Let's talk about
it.....
1. How has summer been so far? Has it been easy or hard or are things moving along as usual? Is the weather getting you down or are you enjoying it so far?
Summer is going so-so. I would say things and are a bit hard since plans small and large aren't really going smoothly but I press on. That's the only way.
I'm dealing with a lot of needs around the condo building and also in my unit. Most of the items are things that the strata management company needs to take care of but my part is paying for it or being around to permit access for the various workers that are coming. When you need to provide access typically you are captive to someone else's schedule.
There is a lot more going on right now than is the norm so it's a good thing I haven't planned a summer vacay. I don't generally leave my keys with someone else while I'm gone unless it's a family member and we don't have a resident caretaker.
Right now we're going through a bit of a warm spell. We haven't really had high temperatures to date but July is usually the hottest month of the year. I'm grateful that it hasn't been too warm and uncomfortable to date but when it is we rely on fans and open windows.
2. What have you been doing this summer? Even the little mundane things count.
I've mostly been dealing with condo stuff and also making small and slow progress on my reorganizing efforts. I'm keeping up with the cleaning, recycling and household routines. It's all rather boring but it gives me a lot of satisfaction to be able to keep up with things or to make a bit of progress on the bigger things I want to do. I've also been taking care of a lot of paperwork and medical stuff. Not just for me but also for a niece who is going through mobility issues and needs some big medical equipment purchases.
3. What are you going to do? Any plans? What interests you this summer?
I would dearly love to take a trip. But it's out of the question. There are costly renovations that need to be paid for in early 2026 and we are saving up for that even though we don't know what the anticipated bill is yet. We won't know that until February 2026.
As much as I'd really love to travel out of country all the problems around the world right now make me feel it is not safe. Anything can happen in an instant and also right now there have been so many flights being cancelled all around the world and even right here at home. I've also been looking at travels within my own country but the cost is very high. It's one of the reasons Canadians travel abroad quite often but also the timing isn't quite right with everything going on. I want to be able to travel with my dear husband and his schedule is not permitting it right now. Nor is mine with all the condo business that requires attention.
I have some relatives that are supposed to visit me this summer. One has called to delay her trip - again to the end of the summer. I hope she makes it as we like to travel around the city and see the sites while the weather is good. Two other relatives said they were visiting but they didn't say exactly when they were coming. I haven't seen them in at least 5 years so I hope they can make it. They live rather far from me. Actually all of my closer relatives live a long distance from me so it is hard to see one another very often.
I used to do a lot of things in the summer like attend festivals and exhibitions. Now that I'm older I just like to take it easy at home and avoid the crowds and the hot weather. I'll spend time relaxing through reading and hobbies, spend a bit if time catching up with a few friends and trying to keep the 2 gardens blooming.
4. It's been hot in most of the country How are you weathering the heat ? What are your ideas for staying cool in the hottest weather of summer.
We really haven't had excess heat here in Vancouver for which I'm grateful. I hope that the temperatures will continue to remain bearable. To help stay cool on very hot days, I drink a lot of water, sometimes a bit of watered down and very cold juices, use cold towels on my neck, keep the blinds drawn and the fans going. When the temperature cools a bit I open the windows to let in the fresh air.
Monday, June 30, 2025
Off To Work We Go - Tuesday 4
Welcome to Tuesday 4 started by Toni Taddeo and kept going in honor and memory of her.
This week is about work.
2. How did you learn to do your job?
3. You are now in charge of your town's public relations committee. Tell us why we need to move to your town.
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English Bay looking west to the mountains & Pacific Ocean |
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English Bay |
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Looking to the North Shore Mountains from Downtown |
Spring at False Creek |
False Creek looking north to downtown Vancouver |
False Creek with a view northeast |
Aquabus at Granville Island Public Market |
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Star Wars Movie with Live Orchestra |
My perfect sandwich is a toasted, lettuce, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. For a drink we can have home made lemonade, not too sweet. If you prefer we can have cold tea with some ice cubes and freshly squeezed lemonade and then you add your own honey. The sandwich may not be the healthiest lunch but it's tasty and eating it now and then won't hurt too much.
Monday, May 26, 2025
Summer Books ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 which is not limited to Tuesday by any means. You can join in whenever you want to!
I don't have a list of books to read for the summer. I have a modest reading goal of 40 books for 2025 and I think I've completed 23 of them to date. I usually read about 60 books per year but in 2025 want to make more time for crafting. I have several books on hold right now and will try to spread them out over the summer months. None of them are really 'must reads'. Just books I've heard of along the way and added to my list of books to read.
Monday, March 3, 2025
Home Sweet Home ~ Tuesday 4

Monday, December 16, 2024
Holiday Thoughts ~ Tuesday
Monday, December 9, 2024
Countdown to Christmas ~ Tuesday 4
Hello and welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where 4 questions hopefully help us to blog, meet people and think about things in general.
Sometimes the simplest questions can be a bit difficult to answer.
Today's topic is the countdown to Christmas.
1. What was the countdown to the holidays like for you as a child? Special projects at school.. at home.. with friends? Do you use an advent calendar?
The lead up to Christmas was always a special time. Every year our schools and our churches would prepare by rehearsing a play about the birth of Christ and also rehearse for the singing of Christmas carols. I was in our small church choir and always enjoyed the singing but I was never into acting. I remember having to play an angel once and I was so nervous for weeks on end and on the day of the performance. I didn't have the same issue in the choir because I didn't sing solo.
At home we kids didn't have much to do but we were so excited with the anticipation of eating all the wonderful baking our dear mom would make each year. In fact, when she wasn't home I'd sneak into the crock pots and try to help myself without it being noticed. Many years later mom and I had a good laugh about it as she admitted knowing what was going on, lol!
No one that I knew ever used an advent calendar and in fact I never even heard of one until well into adulthood. Now I usually send one to my niece in advance of Christmas. This year I didn't get a chance to send her an advent calendar due to our mail strike.
2. As a kid did your family stay home on the holidays or go visiting around ... what do you do now?
We always stayed home at the holidays. My mother was known for her wonderful cooking and every major holiday, including Christmas she would make so much food and people would drop by all day and into the night to eat and to visit. She loved being of service in this way.
These days I stay home because now I make the dinner. Sometimes I host people, either family members or friends for dinner. I'd like to host moreo often but my energy levels simply aren't there when it comes to holidays.
3. What foods did Mom and Grandma make for those days? What snacks were out? What is the food situation in your home today?
In those days the usual menu for Christmas was the traditional bread stuffed turkey and all the fixings like mashed potatoes, green beans, corn niblets, tomato and lettuce salad, coleslaw with raisins, Hawaiian salad, gravy and a variety of canapés (sausages, crackers, cheeses, pickles) and snacks (nuts, chips, dips etc. Desserts were plentiful too with jellies, cakes, puddings, dessert bars, pies and ice cream. Growing up I always felt that we prepared way too much food because there was always a lot left over though people ate a lot too.
I resolved to make far less food once I started cooking myself especially since I don't have an 'open' house. I strive to make plenty of food so people can eat their fill plus have a bit left over for later.
4. What is Christmas dinner for you and yours? Goose? Turkey? English Roast Beef?
Christmas dinner is usually stuffed turkey because I'm very traditional that way. However I will often make something different, like ham for New Year's Dinner especially if we had turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas and we are feeling 'turkied out', lol.
As the years go by, I'm wonder how long I'll be making a larger holiday meal. I keep saying, I'll make a chicken instead of turkey. But last Christmas and again for the most recent Thanksgiving, we had a smaller turkey instead. That way I got to stuff it because a turkey doesn't seem complete to me without stuffing. If I can find a small turkey for Christmas dinner we will have that again this year. We also have mashed potatoes, baked Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, various types of salads, pickles, cranberry sauce, gravy and some kind of dessert. Snacks usually consist of a variety of cheeses, crackers, pickles and crudités.
Monday, October 7, 2024
October Memories ~ Tuesday 4
Welcome to October's first Tuesday 4 kept in memory of Toni Taddeo.
1. What memories do you have of Octobers past?
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Advice: 5 c ~ Tuesday 4 Meme

1. Is there one piece of advice you were given that you feel has been very important in your life?
Yes, to stand up for what I think is right even if I have to stand alone. In my lifetime there have been occasions when I've had to implement this advice and stay strong on my own (and of course with the help of God).
In later adult, years I heard a quote by Sir Winston Churchill I also took to heart. Perhaps you've heard it.
“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” (Sir Winston Churchill).
The reason I found it helpful is I have a tendency to drop everything to help someone else who perceives they need a listening ear. I get this from my later mother who was very giving and very self-sacrificing. It's a symptom of how she was raised as a motherless daughter and the expectations others placed on her. Over a long period of doing this, I realized that it was hampering my ability to get things done, whether large or small, because there could be so many interruptions in a day.
These days, I strive for a better balance between making myself available, especially at crucial times, and focussing on my own goals and priorities. It's a form of self-care and it's also a way to be a better steward of the time God has given me.
2. What advice do you think is important for building good personal relationships?
Understanding that every person has a story and sometimes they need someone to listen to it. It's also important to really listen to others and try not to give them too much unsolicited advice. The longer and the better I get to know someone, the more I get a sense of when to keep opinions to myself and when to offer advice. Of course, some people straight out ask for advice.
One thing I've learned in this life's journey is that there are also people who are known as energy vampires. These are people who sometimes intentionally, drain your emotional energy. They feed on your willingness to listen and care for them, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed. I have actually met several of these kinds of people especially when I was just starting out on my own. Once I recognized the situation, I had to learn to put up boundaries and sometimes even cut out certain kind of people, especially those that like to complain a lot and look to you to prop them up emotionally. We all need a bit of this kind of emotional support, however when it is constant and overwhelming, it's my belief that someone needs professional assistance.
3. Do you give advice to friends when they have problems to solve or do you refrain unless asked?When I was a young adult I often gave advice, solicited or not. These days I refrain from giving advice unless I'm asked. Even then I don't readily offer detailed advice.
4. What advice can you give us today?
Be grateful for each day because tomorrow is not promised to us. That is what I'm trying to do myself. Also, it's good to learn to be content in life and to honour what the Lord has given to us. I get inspiration from the Apostle Paul in this regard who said (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV).
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Take care everyone. Thank you for stopping by!
Monday, September 9, 2024
September Musings ~ Tuesday 4
1. As summer's heat fades do you get out and about in nature often ? Where do you go, what do you do? What would you like to do?
I get out more in the Fall and Spring than I do in other seasons. Mostly I love to go to places where I can take a walk by the waterfront. I enjoy the photo opportunities at the waterfront.
2. What has changed in your life that you miss/regret the most?
I miss my university days mostly because I had a very active social life and people were more ready to get together for any reason to have a potluck or a dance/fundraiser or to invite one another to their homes for a dinner. These days it's like pulling teeth to get together with anyone and that includes family members. Everyone is so busy and I fall into that category myself. It's sometimes even hard to make phone calls or to receive them but it's important to try and make an effort. At least, I believe it's important. Sadly, not everyone I know agrees with me except for people who are older than me. Perhaps I wouldn't be missing these 'olden' days but a lot of people I know have moved away and haven't kept in touch or they have passed from this life.
3. Money is no object, nothing stands in your way... are you going to move or stay where you are?
I would be moving within the city but I already know that it would be difficult to find a place that fits my requirements. I'd love a larger space with roof top amenities for gardening and entertaining. I'd also like a building that isn't too high in case of fire and I'd love a view with an apartment that isn't too close to everyone else and has a lot of space, preferably green between buildings. If money was no object, I would also like a cottage getaway at the lake.
4. How can you improve your life?
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Roses ~ Tuesday 4 Meme
I was trying to find a photo of such flowers for you because I know I've taken some but I can't seem to find more recent ones. The one I'm sharing is quite old and taken with a small camera in the days before the smart phones started taking good photos.
2. Do you ever buy flowers for your home?
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Rhododendrons |
3. Are there any roses in your yard or neighborhood? If not what kind of things grow around you?
No. My neighours and I only have patio balconies and I've yet to see anyone growing roses. They do grow rhododendrons and other flowering bushes though I can't say I've seen everyone's garden since we have privacy walls. In the stand alone residences in the neighbourhood some people do grow roses of various kinds though one doesn't see as many of them as one would think.
4. What do you see when you look out your front door? How about out your kitchen window or back door?
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My daily view. 🙏 |
Last Friday in July ~ Skywatch Friday
These photos are from a walk when I went to do some late night errands earlier this week. It was supposed to be a lot cooler but I'm ...

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I've been busy with a little of this and that over the past few days and still fighting a bit of cold symptoms. I've been taking my ...
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We've been having gray skies and buckets of rain all week. The news reports a lot of flooding in various parts of the city. Other tha...
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I've started a beginner's class in Kiswahili. Although there are probably a lot of Kiswahili speakers where I live, I've never c...