Our Town ~ Tuesday 4

Hello!  This is Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we ask just 4 questions each week in an effort to get you blogging, thinking and learning about others.

Maybe we can discuss the town  you live in.  It might be nice to find out more about where you live and why you live there. Sometimes we just fall into a place and other times we choose. 

Here's a chance to sing the praises of your town or uncover it's faults.. have at it!

Michelle Byrne painting

1. What are the good points to living in your town? Could you interest us in moving there?

The best part about living here is the scenery and the somewhat mild winter compared to other places in Canada.  It rains a lot over winter but we get a little snow.  The rain helps keep everything nice and green and that is plus. 

There are many places to visit in the area with local sites and towns and villages that are within a short commute.  The city is also very close to the border of Washington State, USA if you wish to travel across the line though Canadians haven't been travelling south much since early 2025.

2.  Are the things you need convenient to your home? (shopping, library, schools, entertainment?)

I chose my neighbourhood because it's convenient to everything. It's reasonably close to downtown if you need to go there. It's close to the train station, city transit services and also convenient to get to the airport. All the necessary amenities are in my neighbourhood like schools, libraries and various community centres. If you want to shop you can find virtually everything you need close by although you have to go further afield to downtown or one of the larger malls if you're looking for a variety in clothing choices.  The neighbourhood also has a variety of churches, public parks, one small movie theatre within walking distance and several more theatres a short commute away.

3.  Did you choose your town or did you just end up there? 

I chose to live here because there aren't too many larger cities in my province and it's really only our larger cities that have everything I want and need.

4.   Is your town known for any special foods, activities, places or people? 

My city is known for having a very diverse array of restaurants featuring foods from all around the world. I notice every few years that the trends in popular restaurants changes. When I first moved to the city it was Italian and Greek foods, then it was health foods (as in Vegetarian), then it was Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Vietnamese & Mexican in that order. More recently there is a newer trend toward Middle Eastern restaurants and a few African restaurants, mainly featuring Kenyan & Ethiopian foods though in some nearby municipalities there is Nigerian food. I love all of it.

The city is also known for its beautiful parks, particularly Queen Elizabeth Park & Stanley Park, whale watching tours, beaches and spectacular mountain views.  If you like to ski in winter or like to go hiking we've got you covered.

My city is not perfect by any means. We have lots of issues with which to contend but it is home and it's where I choose to live. I hope you get a chance to visit if you haven't already. Most people who travel here love it.

This Week on Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, a meme hosted by Annie of Cottage by the Sea, in memory of her good friend, Toni Taddeo. This meme is for Tuesdays though I usually post a day or two ahead of time.

Let's talk about your week okay?

1. Is anything interesting on TV this week?  What will you be watching?

I haven't heard of anything interesting on television. I don't really watch regular programming other than the occasional newscast, newsmagazine and Y & R, the long-running soap I've been watching since I was a teenager.

2. Any books on your horizon right now? What will you be reading?

Yes, I have several books 'on the go' right now. I've started back to reading after 2 months of hardly turning a page whilst recovering from a bout of shingles. If any of you have had shingles you know it is exhausting and also painful. It's a pity I had to deal with this because I had it on my 'to do' list to get a vaccine.  However I've read that a vaccine doesn't guarantee you won't get it and some people seem to get it several times. No one in my family has ever had it so I'm not sure why I did.

Currently reading

Currently in my reading pile

Salad with canned salmon and eggs

3. What's been on the menu lately?  

Any new recipes caught your eye?

I have no plans for new recipes this week.  I made an Asian inspired Udon noodle soup dish last night.  Unfortunately it wasn't as good as usual because I was also busy with an in home appointment and not paying quite enough attention to the soup.

Usually I don't spend that much time in the kitchen when the weather gets warmer because it's simply too hot. It's the season for more salads and fresh fruits, etc. Tonight however I plan to make rice pilaf, baked chicken breasts and a side dish of vegetables or salad. 

4. Who will you spend time with this week?

Big haul to the thrift store. More to come.

I have no plans with friends this week and DH is very busy for the foreseeable future.  I'm still busy trying to catch up to things left undone over the past few months, whilst I've been convalescing. I'm also in the thick of decluttering and making small upgrades. This week and next week there's lot of researching and shopping or possible shopping for light fixtures, fireplace mantle, microwave, more garden plants, fittings for the bathtubs, caulking materials and various tools needed for the different jobs.  My brother is my handyman so I'll be spending a lot of time with him this week and next week.  This week I also have an appointment with my dental hygienist who is always fun to talk to since he loves gardening, photography and travel. A friend I haven't seen in ages is also wanting to get together soon to celebrate my birthday which was last month. So we're both researching a few places to go and enjoy next week. It will be great to see her again.

Thank you for stopping by. I'd love to hear your plans for the week!

Four Seasons - Four Questions ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

1. Do you have a favorite day of the week and how about  a favorite month of the year? Why?

I don't really have a favourite day of the week though if I have to choose it's probably Friday. It's a hold over from my working years when Friday always meant a brief respite from the pressures of work and a signal to enjoy life a bit. However weekends were always too short and too busy trying to get all the shopping, errands and cleaning done. If you're a working woman there isn't much time for relaxing on weekends. I'm sure most of you women will agree though I know some women have so much energy and yet also manage to relax and do fun things all year long.

My favourite month changes depending on when you ask me, lol.  Today I'll say April because the weather improves, rains aren't as heavy and most importantly new buds and blossoms come out. I especially love the cherry blossoms making April the favourite month though May is a close 2nd because it's my birth month and the greenery is in full force. 

2. What’s the most beautiful or magical thing about each of the four seasons?

Winter - Snow can be magical, especially a gently falling snow that is backlit by pretty outdoor lights. We don't have too many days like that in winter where I live. We get more rain and the rain helps keep out grass green all year and grows our beautiful old trees. So that is lovely too.

December

Spring - The best thing about spring is seeing the new growth poke up out of the ground each year and the anticipation of warmer temperatures and beautiful flowers and gardens ahead. I also absolutely love spring because it's the time of year we also get the most beautiful and amazing cherry blossoms.

April 2026

April 2023

Summer - The light and the relaxing vibes I feel from everyone no matter where I go. I enjoy seeing other people enjoy themselves.

June 2017

June 2017

June 2017

Fall - I love the month of September because the weather is much cooler than July and August. I also absolutely love the magnificent Fall colours when the trees are turning shades of golden yellow, orange and red. 

September 2025

September 2025

September 2025

3. Summer is coming... what does this mean in your life? How will things change, stay the same, etc?

It usually means a road trip, sometimes 2 or 3 to visit family or to explore local environs. To have a change of scenery because we've not gone anywhere all winter and we are kept busy in the spring with all the outdoor cleaning and gardening work.  I love road trips in Canada. Our country is so vast and beautiful. Once you get out in nature you find a peaceful and calm sense of things.  I think most people probably feel that way whether they live in Canada or not because there are beautiful places in nature all around the world.

Other than that, I keep busy doing lots of spring cleaning while the light is better and before the heat of summer arrives. I also try to get out in nature more to enjoy what is around me locally.

4. What do you look forward to in each season?

Winter - Slowing down and wearing pullovers/sweaters, lol.

Spring -  Lots of greenery and flowers.

Summer - Visiting with loved ones from afar and a slower, relaxing pace.

Fall - A briskness in the air which I find invigorating and an anticipation in the air that new things are happening.

Your Jobs ~ Tuesday 4

Hello!  It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

This week's idea for questions came from Pamela Steiner and it's all about your occupation and work.

I think that's a great idea, so here are questions prepared for us.

1.What did/do you do for work and how long did you work in that position? 

I'm retired.  In my last job I worked for the federal (national government) as a policy advisor. I was in the department that among other things had different teams negotiating agreements with the First Nations of British Columbia over land (excluding private property), resources (fish, forests, etc.) and government powers (a broad range of powers) to enable the First Nations of British Columbia to enact laws and manage the lands and resources once negotiated agreements were ratified and passed into law.  Parties to negotiations were many First Nations, but not all,  the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada. There were also many interest groups who were party to different aspects of the negotiations but who were not actual signatories to any final agreements. I worked at the job for approximately 10 years and hoped I would have continued working in the job if life didn't intervene and send me into an early retirement.

2. Of the jobs you've had throughout life, which was your favorite? If no favorite, which was the worst? Tell us why you loved/hated your job.

My last job was my favourite because it was mentally challenging, varied in duties and there was a lot of room for showcasing one's ingenuity or problem solving abilities. There were of course things I didn't like about the job.  In talking to many people over the years, and through my own, varied work experiences, I concluded that no job is perfect and though you may really enjoy yours, there is probably something or several somethings, which you would rather do without.  After many different work experiences where things were not always rosy, I finally learned to implement the teaching of the Apostle Paul in the Book of Philippians 4:11-13.  It's best to try to find contentment in whatever circumstance you find yourself in, or be prepared to find a new circumstance.  Even if you look for a new circumstance it won't end up being perfect. 

3. What did your job entail?  Did it require a special education?  

It was multi-faceted. It included analyzing, developing positions, knowing the laws of the land at the federal and provincial level, liaising with legal advisors and other policy advisors in multiple departments and ministries both at the federal and provincial levels. A big part of the daily work involved discussing government positions on subjects and issues with the negotiating teams and advising negotiating team members on the parameters and language for the agreements. Another aspect was developing policy positions with my counterparts in Ottawa. There were many more aspects to the job but this summary captures the essence of it.

The job required previous policy experience and a legal degree and experience. I did however have a colleague who joined the team before I retired. She didn't have a law degree or legal experience but had a lot of other useful experience in the department. However, I'd have to say that I don't think her level of ability to advise or develop policy was anywhere near the level of the other members of the team. She obviously had other skills which stood her in good stead when she decided she wanted a change of pace at work.

4. List all the jobs/occupations you have had.

I've had a diverse work background including jobs as a student like babysitting, waiting tables and washing dishes, research & working in the university library, & summer jobs in one of the legal departments of the Government of Canada.  After graduation from university, I had a number of policy and research related jobs mostly dealing with issues of self-governance, land claims and legal rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada (not just First Nations).  I primarily worked for the Government of Canada & for non-governmental organizations in Canada both in Ottawa, Ontario and in Vancouver, BC. 

As a young girl I was taught the value of hard work for an honest wage and to take pride in my work.  I carried this teaching with me no matter what work I was doing whether paid or voluntary.  Later I learned that the value of hard work is also a biblical concept.  In case anyone is curious, I found it was easier to implement the hard work ethic than it was to learn how to be content in all things. Thankfully I eventually succeeded in the latter and found it really added a lot of peace and satisfaction to my life overall.

Well that concludes my post for today. I hope you found it interesting and that you'll visit again soon. Take care and have a wonderful week.

Tuesday 4 - Lights

Welcome to another Tuesday 4 by Toni Taddeo. 

Let's talk about light, okay? You light up my life. shine a light in the darkness, Miller Light. All kinds of light but how about at home?

1. Are you afraid of the dark? Is night or day your favorite time? 

I'm not afraid of the dark.  However when I'm walking outside I prefer that there are a lot of lights to light the way at night.

I love both early mornings and early evenings. I guess when the sun is rising and setting. These are such beautiful times of the day. I also like late at night when when all is hush and quiet. I'm a night owl but sometimes I wish I was an early bird.

2. Do you have night lights in your home?

I don't have night lights at home. From time to time I've tried to keep a night light in the bathroom but that doesn't usually last for long.  A light shining at night tends to keep me awake and my husband as well. He's probably more sensitive to the light than I am.

3. How low do you set your air conditioning?  Do you adjust it through the day?

I don't have air conditioning.  I have several fans for those very hot days and they are adjusted throughout the day or night as needed.  We don't run the fans all day and night so that they don't get overly heated.

4. Do you keep any outdoor or indoor lights on all night?

No I do not.  If my entry door was located outside I would want a motion detector light. At least I think I would though it might become a nuisance if it was overly sensitive to motion. I do have solar lights in my garden. I like to see them from inside when I'm looking out my window. We also have a lot of mini flashlights which we keep in case the power goes out. But also my husband doesn't like to turn on lights at night and uses the mini-flashlights so as not to wake me. He's a sweetheart and a thoughtful person. 💗

What Will We Find ~ Tuesday 4

Hello! Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. 

1. What will we find on top of your refrigerator?

You'll find extra large boxes of dry cereal, mostly Honey Nut Cheerios and Weetabix, sometimes Bran Flakes.  I also keep a ready supply of paper towels and cleaning rags in a plastic cleaning caddy. These rags are more for shining the kitchen appliances, windows and mirrors.  The heavy duty cleaning rags are kept somewhere else.

2. What will we find on your nightstand?

I don't have a nightstand. Neither does my husband. He uses a wicker basket with a flat top cover. He doesn't keep anything there except a small flashlight in case he needs to use the washroom during the night. I use a corner of my dresser.  I keep distilled water for the CPAP machine, water for drinking, the CPAP machine & a remote control for the bed.  If I'm having difficulty sleeping I might raise the head of the bed during the night. I try not to do that because it wakes my husband.

3. What is in your purse or handbag?

In the inner pocket of my cross body bag, I have hand wipes, a wallet & change purse, small spray hand sanitizers, a notebook, pen and my passport.  In the small front pocket, I have numerous lip glosses and sometimes a small room spray. I do try to keep the latter on hand because sometimes public washrooms aren't that fresh.

4. What will we find on your coffee table or side tables? How about your kitchen or dining table?

I don't have a coffee table because we have an ottoman for resting our feet. I do keep a large tray in the centre of the sofa and keep a variety of items in it:   kleenix, clean dishtowels/paper towels, hair clips, a small flashlight, scissors and the remote control. On the side table I keep the landline telephone, a variety of stationery items, odds and ends & my daily bread (bible scripture cards).

Try as I might,  my dining table is not used much for dining these days. It holds various stages of 'in progress' items like paperwork, household tasks or creative projects or sometimes all three! Once I complete the seemingly never ending decluttering project, the dining table will be used more regularly for sit down meals. Of course when I'm expecting company, I clear everything away and the table is set.  But for now it's the largest flat surface I have for dealing with projects.

Thanks for stopping by my Tuesday 4 post!

In Like a Lion - Out Like a Lamb- Tuesday 4

Welcome back to another Tuesday 4 in honor of Toni Taddeo it's founder. They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  

March 29-31 are the "borrowing days" when weather is traditionally rough or stormy and the month was named for Mars the god of war because March was the time for the start of wars.

1.  What brings out the lion in you? What brings out the lamb? 

When I see someone being ill treated it brings out my inner lion. When I come across someone in need or distress it brings out the lamb in me. Also when I see love or kindness in action, it brings out the lamb in me.

2. What are you enjoying in terms of TV, movies or books right now?

Right now I'm enjoying books. I have a more than a few on loan and I'm a bit behind on my reading. I'm actually ahead in my reading goals for the year but I'm behind in terms of completing all the books I've borrowed before they become due.  I just completed an excellent book called The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. 

I've been trying to find something 'good' to watch on television and YT but haven't been much interested in the usual things. I did catch the 3rd season of "Night Agent" on Netflix which I enjoyed. I also finished watching the Netflix series, "Tehran". I always enjoy spy movies and sometimes a spy series and I started watching this one before the current war with Iran. I'm waiting for the newest season of "Slow Horses" on Netflix but that won't be released until the Fall.

March 20/26

3. It's Spring now... are you happy to see it come?  Will you be going out more?

It's officially spring and the weather is finally going to be sunny for a few days. This is what I've been waiting for and 'yes' I hope to get out more.  I like going for strolls when the sun comes out but first I have to get over a bout of sickness.

4.  Create an ideal weather scenario for each season.. the perfect  weather for summer, spring, autumn and winter.

August 2025

A perfect summer is sunny but not too hot and an occasional day of rain to keep everything nice, green and refreshed. This type of weather allows a person to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities. Too much heat is not comfortable and can result in wildflowers.

A perfect spring starts the season with more rain and tapers off as the season progresses with more sunny days. It also features blossoming trees and early flowers like daffodils.  Too much rain ruins the cherry blossoms.

October 2025

A perfect autumn is warm with a small chill in the air as the season progresses. It also features many beautifully coloured leaves on the trees. If we're fortunate there won't be a lot of rain because rain causes too many leaves to fall too early.

A perfect winter where I live is no snow in the city but lots on the mountains.  Hopefully there are not so many days of torrential rain or temperatures that dip too low.

January 2026

As you can see, it rains a lot here. I really don't mind rain at all. I just mind it when it is very heavy and sometimes when it rains for 2 weeks without sun.  Growing older has made me less tolerant of our weather because I also get cold easier these days. Our weather is milder in winter months than it is in much of North America so I don't complain too loudly.

St. Patrick's Day - Tuesday 4

It is St. Patty's Day here at Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

1.  Do you celebrate in any significant way?   

No I don't.

2.  Is it religious to you or secular?

Secular. Where I lived as a child, it was always synonymous with wearing green and little leprechauns.  I don't think we had many Irish people living in my town.  Later in the city, the day had more to do with wearing green, going to pubs and drinking green beer.  There are more Irish people in the city, in fact quite a few but I've never heard from them as to whether and how they celebrate.

3.  Is there any green in your wardrobe ? Your home? Is it a good color for you?

I've never had much green in my wardrobe even though I like the colour. I once owned a beautiful, emerald green dress.  For some reason I never wore it even though I took the trouble to get a seamstress to line it so I wouldn't have to wear a slip with it.

I'm currently expanding the colours of my wardrobe and moving away from the jewel tones and black I love and wear so often. I'm trying to incorporate more neutral colours and colours in nature's palette: gold, brown, beige and now green. I have 2 clothing items in green. One is like the winter, crew neck sweater you see in the photo. The other is a lightweight summer top in white with green and navy dots.

I really don't have green in my home either except for plants which I love.

The colour green does suit me but for whatever reason I have never developed the practice of wearing it.  I love green in nature and in my home, when it comes to plants, both artificial and real.

4.  March has a lot of things associated with it... The Ides of March on the 15th, St. Patrick's Day and the old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

How is your March going thus far? Is it quiet? Is the weather good, bad or ugly? Is it a lion or a lamb?

It's been good but busy and also quiet.  I thought it was going to be an early spring with garden and patio work to do because we had some beautiful,  sunny days and some blossoming trees.  Instead it has been raining so much and it's still too cold for me to put away my winter jacket and winter bedding.

I bought a cotton-linen bedspread to use once the weather gets warmer. In summer here, it can be too hot to use covers but this one is very light for those nights when a light blanket is needed. I was just trying it on the bed to make sure it fit so the pillow cases you see are the winter, warmer ones.

Thank you for visiting today. Have a wonderful rest of your week.

How? ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Let's jump right in.

1. How did you end up  in the place where you are living? 

I'm not sure if this question relates to my city or to my actual home in the city.  I first came to Vancouver many years ago to attend university. I loved it but had to move away for varying lengths of time for work opportunities. When my longer term work prospects didn't work out in eastern Canada, I returned to British Columbia and decided I'd settle in Vancouver once again. It brought me geographically closer to my family, the city I loved and the ocean which beckoned me.  I wasn't married yet so I was free to move wherever the opportunity arose but I was tired of moving and criss crossing the country.  I purchased my home so that I would have even more reasons to stay in one place.  The idea worked well because it made it harder, though not impossible, to consider work opportunities elsewhere. 

2. How did you end up with the job you have/had?

The last job I had was one I enjoyed very much and I was good at it.  It was a very unique job working for the federal government in a policy development and advisory capacity. The jobs in my unit were supposed to be temporary but I did that job for several years.  I would have continued with it, or at least with the federal public service, for many more years if I didn't get sick and have to retire early for medical reasons.  I fully expected I'd get better and return to full time work but things didn't work out that way.

3. How do you end up with your life partner?

We met shortly after I started medical leave in 2006. I had always wanted to do missions in Africa and since I was on leave I was looking for ways to purposefully fill my time.  I couldn't do anything very demanding or long term.  I was searching for small ways to contribute to some good works in Africa as it had been a childhood dream of mine and now I had time on my hands.  

I made a connection with an American woman pastor who had a small missionary outreach in several African countries including Kenya. She knew my now husband who lived in Kenya.  Eventually I ended up working on some projects with him, meeting in person and ultimately marrying though the marriage part took quite some time due to various challenges and responsibilities we both had in our respective countries.  Looking back, both my husband and I see our meeting and the way everything happened as God's design.  It fulfilled 2 special desires of of my heart.  First, that I could be involved in missionary work in Kenya.  Second, that I would find a Godly man to marry. It also answered some of my husband's desires.  

I never did return to my job though initially I thought I would. I still have the same medical maladies I had when I first went on leave and the job was too demanding in various ways for me to be able to fulfill my duties.  My husband ultimately joined me in Canada where there are more opportunities for him.

4. How did your weekend go and how is the week ahead looking?

The weekend has been busy. I did what is called the Weekly Home Blessing (WHB) in the FlyLady cleaning system.   Here is a link to an interview with the FlyLady, Marla about the FlyLady cleaning system.  Usually people do the WHB on a Monday to start the week but I like to do mine on a Friday to start the weekend. I do another one early in the week.  I also did a bit of reading and talked with loved ones long distance. I felt tired all weekend so I didn't over extend myself. 

The week ahead looks busy. I have parcels being delivered, library books to return and pick up, a dinner to attend, computer work to do, shopping and an appointment. That's just Monday and Tuesday, lol.  I'm sure I can easily fill Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with banking and other business, grocery shopping, cleaning etc.  A woman's work is never done, is it?

Thank you if you made it this far. I appreciate you! Have a wonderful week ahead.

Simple Questions ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   I hope you are enjoying these questions.  Let me know if they can be improved and if you have any ideas for subjects!

Here are just 4 simple questions for you this week...

1.  Do you have any superstitious beliefs?

No I don't but from time to time I think of things I heard a lot as a child from neighbours, children and so on.

For example, when we used to walk on the sidewalks there were sayings like "step on a crack, break your mother's back". Then there were things like it's bad luck to walk under a ladder or to have a black cat cross your path. I'm sure the ladder saying had to do with common sense so that you didn't have a ladder falling on you as you walked under it for example. As for the black cat belief I read that it originated in Medieval times and was rooted in fears of witchcraft and heresy.  Last, but not least, I used to hear that 'bad luck comes in threes". I guess this last belief comes from ancient superstition about the spiritual significance of the number 3 both in Christian belief and Greek/Roman traditions.

2.   How often do you check the weather? Where do you get your weather reports?

I check the weather at least once a day and a lot more often if bad weather is expected here at home or further abroad. I have family and friends spread out near and far so I like to see what the weather is like elsewhere. Also, if weather is bad here at home, I want to know when it will improve.

I check the weather in a variety of ways: on my phone, on the television's weather channel, on the local news weather report and on line through the weather channel or on Bing. If I'm watching You Tube on the television I also watch the weather updates on a variety of American news channels.

3. What time of your life was the happiest and why do you think that was?  How could life improve for you now?

I've been blessed to have many 'happiest" times in my life. I guess they aren't actually the 'happiest' times because there were so many. They are just 'happy' times and for a variety of reasons,  usually when I've celebrated a personal or family milestone, gone travelling to an especially nice place, spent good times with friends, heard an especially good worship service or, talk, the list goes on. But I would say that probably the personal or family milestones achieved over the years are the main things that makes me happy.  It's a given that salvation is also one of the happiest things.  It gives a sense of peace to know or believe that you know you are going to be with the Creator in eternity and so many other people that you know and love.

Life could improve for me and others, if I could know that suffering would end now for everyone. That sounds very Polly-anish and I know it won't be happening until the Lord returns. Even then suffering will only really end for those that are in the faith family.  If you are reading this and you don't believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit that is okay.  It's your choice but that is how I believe.  While I and many others wait for Jesus to return, I choose to do my part in feeding the hungry and bringing a bit of hope and good news to those I meet, many in Kenya and other places as I'm able.  Even very small efforts are huge to those that are in desperate need.  

I haven't written about the missions in Kenya for a very long time but my husband and I are still doing some small things here and there.   At the moment, we are not doing it full-time or with the same emphasis as when he lived in Kenya. The season in our lives is a bit different right now but we do what we are able because the needs are still there. In some cases, the needs are even greater than ever because of global inflation which has increased hardships even here at home.

4. What things would you ordain to make everyday life happier, kinder, more prosperous, for everyone?

I think I answered that in question 3 but if there is any doubt, I just wish that people would choose to be kind and choose to be nice and also helpful to others they come across daily.

Grocery Shopping ~ Tuesday 4

Hello friends and welcome to Tuesday 4 in honor of Toni Taddeo.

Here are some questions for you on the topic of shopping.

1. Where do you like to buy your groceries and do you buy by the day, week or month?

 I do not drive to the supermarket so my shopping is done locally and within walking distance. I use a shopping trolley to carry my groceries home and I will take the bus if I go a little further afield but usually still in my part of the city. Generally I shop every few days for fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products. I try to buy other things like dried goods (beans, pulses, rice, flour etc.) in bulk so I don't have to shop for those very often. Meat, fish and chicken are purchased 2, sometimes 3x per month.

2. What foods would we always find in your kitchen?

In my kitchen you will always find bananas, oranges, apples and strawberries or other berries though sometimes I buy frozen berries rather than fresh. To a lesser extent you'll find pears, grapes and gooseberries, otherwise it's whatever fruits are in season. It also depends on the prices each week. Bananas are usually the best buy. I don't eat many bananas but my husband eats quite a lot of them as well as all the other fruits. I mainly use the berries in fruit smoothies but also love to eat strawberries plain. You'll also always find eggs, bread and milk/cream in the refrigerator and potatoes and rice in the pantry and a variety of canned goods, especially tomatoes, crushed or diced and canned fish. You'll always be able to make an easy meal at my house even if it's nothing fancy.  As for all other foods, those will vary depending on costs.  I'd like to make more varieties of dishes but it usually means I'd have to buy more ingredients and condiments than I already have on hand. I simply don't have room to keep it all.  Sometimes I experiment with the cooking but within reason given the limitations.

3. Do you buy anything online and if so what kinds of things are you most likely to buy there?

I do shop on line but never for food.  I prefer to inspect and choose food myself.

4. Do you shop with a list on paper, on your phone or do you just shop without a list and maybe come home with things you never planned to buy?

I often shop with a list on paper especially if I'm buying more than the basic items or I have to go a little further afield for food items. I've tried keeping lists on the phone too but that doesn't work as well for me. Sometimes I take screenshots of the flyer items so I can look at those when I shop. I've found it useful to have the photos and dates if there is an issue with getting the advertised price and that issue does come up once in awhile. I often shop without a list and I always come home with things I never planned to buy. I can't seem to pass up a good offer; especially if the item is something that will keep over a longer period. I buy far too much and have tried different ways to limit myself. I get the habit from my mother.  She didn't over buy though.  She had a smaller selection of items she bought and she had a larger family to feed.  She always purchased in bulk.

Bonus question:  What will you be cooking in the coming week?

I didn't prepare a meal plan for the week ahead though I often do. I do have some salad greens and tomatoes that I need to use up soon.  I was thinking of making beef patties and salad for Monday night.  Meals we had last week included home made and take away meals:  stir fried vegetables and noodles with Tiger Prawns, KFC (take out), Salmon & Tuna Onigiri and Gyoza (take out), Curried Coconut Lentils and Chicken with steamed rice, cabbage and ground beef soup and spaghetti with meat and lentil sauce.

Curried Coconut Lentils & Chicken

Cabbage and ground beef soup

Spaghetti with ground beef & lentil sauce

It can sometimes be a challenge to figure out what to make. If it isn't a hearty meal, my body cannot stay warm and I'm always hungry. I also like to incorporate a lot of vegetables into the dishes otherwise it's hard to eat enough vegetables.

Love Those Sports! ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 friends!  I am always happy to take part.  The Olympics are taking place and  we just had the Super Bowl for American football so perhaps we can talk about sports a bit.  Thank you to Diana of  Doodles and Daydreams for suggesting sports as a subject for this week! So, let's think about sports this week...........

1. Do you enjoy any of the sports from the Olympics either Summer or Winter? Would you tell us about it?  

Yes, I enjoy watching the sports from both the summer and Winter Olympics though I confess to not being a truly, avid fan. In summer I like watching swimming and we have a few wonderful medallists in Canada like Penny Oleksiak and Summer McIntosh.  I also enjoy watching Figure Skating and Skiing in the Winter Olympics.

2. What sports have you taken part in and what good did you get out of participating? If not, was there one you wish you had taken part in?Did sports help you in life?

I played all the sports throughout school, including junior and senior high school as part of the mandatory Physical Education (Ph. D.) program.  I don't think that PE is mandatory anymore but I'm not completely sure.  

When I was in high school I played on the girl's school basketball team.  We were really a rag tag team and weren't much good.  I'm still surprised I did it because there were some terrific girl's basketball athletes in the different schools around the area that we had to play against.  In my off-time, I played women's softball and was in the women's soft ball league.  I was always so nervous that I would flub things up for the rest of my team mates. I probably have what you'd call performance anxiety.

In university,  I played casual volleyball on Friday nights with my classmates and friends.  It was just whoever showed up in from the program I was in and we had a lot of fun getting together each Friday. I wish I had been a swimmer and would have liked to be on a swim team but I have a life long fear of deep water.  Try as I might, I've never gotten over it.

I can't say that sports helped me in life. I never was very good at any sport. I really don't like competition or more specifically competing against others. I don't mind competing against myself to try and meet goals.  I enjoyed sports more when playing baseball and track and field with the local neighbourhood kids and my siblings. I also enjoyed the casual volleyball gets togethers at university for the socializing aspect.

3.  Is there a sport you still engage in  or one you enjoy watching a lot?

I no longer play any sports.  I do like to watch some events now and then on television, especially figure skating. I find it so beautiful especially when combined with classical or dramatic music.

4. Have you any favorite teams you cheer on? Or perhaps a favorite sports figure? How about both??

Of course I cheer on any one from Canada who is participating in various sporting activities around the world. I also cheer for the Kenyan long distance runners.  My DH is from Kenya and they have world class runners from near where he lives.  Everyone needs a cheerleader.  

I'm not so familiar with the athletes in the various Olympic competitions but recently I was rooting for Canadian Mikaël Kingsbury who lost out on a gold medal to Australian, Cooper Woods.  After he lost that race, it was wonderful to see him win dual moguls gold medal on Sunday.  What a way to finish his career.

What's the most memorable comeback or turnaround you've ever seen in a sports game, and what made it so special?

I've seen some on television but I really cannot recall too many specifics at this moment.