Ideals ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni's Tuesday 4... all about ideal situations.

1. What's your ideal road trip/vacation? 

Travelling a long distance by car, stopping here and there at key places.   This allows me to see as much beautiful scenery as possible.  If I'm on a road trip in my own country, I like to visit family and friends along the way too. 

If I'm in another country, I want to see as much of the scenery and sites as possible. I don't tend to spend too much time inside, such as in museums.  Instead, I usually tire myself out by walking about and seeing the natural beauty of a place, and trying to figure out how the locals live. I'll also spend some time in the shops to see what is being sold and compare prices. I do actually visit museums too.  I don't like to be inside one all day long but one does need to spend adequate time in a museum to see it properly.

I've discovered I like to be on the move when I go somewhere. My husband noticed that about me many years ago when I hadn't even noticed it about myself. He observed that I want to go, go, go and not stay in one place and he was right. I am happier that way. 

Long ago when I travelled, I'd always bring back souvenirs and trinkets for myself and for others but I don't do that anymore. It usually ends up being clutter. If I'm buying anything it tends to be something practical such as an item of clothing I'll wear while on holiday and maybe some jewellery.  Usually the jewellery is earrings that are made with materials from the place I'm visiting (examples, silver earrings from Taxco, Mexico and Bohemian Garnet earrings from Prague, Czech Republic). 

Besides seeing the natural beauty of a place, I like to relax in a good coffee shop or to change the pace, I love to spend an afternoon in a spa being pampered with a facial, a massage or a pedicure. I might have all three if the price is right. It's an indulgence that I often allow myself when on vacation.

I've been fortunate enough to travel a fair bit and I would love to go back to several places (Australia, Germany and Kenya) to experience the beautiful scenery and lovely people. But since I've travelled extensively in these places already, I'd like to experience new places, possibly Egypt, China, Japan, Great Britain and/or Southeastern Europe, specifically the Balkans.  I'm at the age where travel is getting physically difficult so the trip would have to be easier yet still allow me to see a lot. I've been searching on line for all of these places at the right price and time.  So far I haven't hit on quite the right ingredients for a trip.

2. What is your ideal evening out? 

Attending a live theatre event, concert or movie with a friend and stopping for coffee/snack/meal beforehand.

3. What is your ideal way to handle criticism? Brush it off? Take it personally? Reflect on it?

Probably reflect on it. Usually for a little too long analyzing what was said, whether it was warranted and how to action anything I might need to do.  I'm also getting much better at brushing off anything that doesn't warrant attention. I think that comes with age.  To be honest, I don't usually have to deal with criticism. Perhaps it's because I tend to avoid negative people.

4. What is your ideal day off?  

My ideal day off is spent enjoying a warm, sunny or even slightly breezy day by the waterfront taking a leisurely stroll to enjoy the sights, taking photos and indulging in a few snacks. If I'm alone, I'll have a book to enjoy reading while I sip some delicious coffee.  If I'm with a friend or a family member, we like to chat and catch up as well as enjoy taking photos and having some snacks while enjoying the scenery together. 

Readiness for Christmas

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope this weekend finds you well.

In my last post I mentioned having gone to the Christmas Market. Today I'm sharing a few snippets of the market with you.

Each year I try to take in one, sometimes 2 special events that are geared to Christmas. This year I decided to go to the Christmas Market.  I also hope to participate in a Christmas Wreath Making activity tomorrow if all goes well.
 

Wishing you all a happy end to November and a great beginning to December.

If you're up to it, I'd love to hear how you are getting into the holiday spirit this year.
 

March Weather or Not!

 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. Sometimes it is the reverse.  March has a lot of happenings like March 1st the start of Mardi Gras, the 13th is Daylight Savings Time, the Ides of March on the 15th, St Patrick's Day on the 17th, the first day of  Spring on the 20th this year   March 29-31 are the "borrowing days" when weather is traditionally rough or stormy.

1.  Do you celebrate Mardi Gras or St. Patrick's Day and how do you celebrate them?

I do not celebrate Mardi Gras or St. Patrick's Day. These two days were never a part of the celebrations in the town and the region where I grew up.

2. Do you decorate for the spring in any way at all?

I do not decorate for spring. When spring arrives that is all the decoration I need.  There are beautiful cherry blossoms aplenty and many early blossoming plants all around. (Photos ~ blossoms from March 2021)

3. Daylight savings time doesn't make the day longer.  Experts say it puts kids heath at risk  as well as contribute to heart problems for adults.  Arizona and Hawaii don't change times.  It began as "war time" so war workers in WW2 could come home in the light. What about you though? Are you happy to see it return or not?   

I do not like to see the time change in spring or in fall. I have a hard time adjusting to even a small time change.  Many feel the same way such that our provincial government has passed legislation to keep the same time all year long. It hasn't been implemented yet. I guess we are waiting for our  neighbours to the south (Washington, Oregon and California) and our neighbour to the north (Yukon Territory), to do the same thing so we can all be in the same time zone. Our government enacted the change a few years ago. It looks like we could be waiting a very long time for our neighbours. I have no idea why the government needs to wait. Other Canadian provinces have already made the change permanent.

4. How has the weather been in your neck of the woods as March approaches.  What would be your ideal for weather?

The weather here has been a little of this and a little of that and a lot of rain. We had snow just a few days ago too though it's a bit late for that.  The very short video below shows how fast the snow was flying.  It looked quite pretty.

 

The last of the snow was washed away by the rain on Friday.

My ideal weather is spring weather or early summer with temperatures anywhere from 18C to 25C and the sun shining. I love moderate weather in any season but the ideal weather for me allows me to get out and enjoy a walk, enjoy the spring blossoms or early summer colour and not get too warm while outside.

I'm ending with a few sunflowers that I grew some time back.  Apparently sunflowers are associated with the Ukraine so I share them to represent solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

 

Ukrainian Flag