It’s been another busy month. Are you surprised? Let’s catch up!
Wishing you a great end to October…and a Happy Hallowe’en!
Postcards from October
Wishing you a great end to October…and a Happy Hallowe’en!
Wishing you a great end to October…and a Happy Hallowe’en!
Retirement Reflections 
Another busy month of travel and celebrating! So glad I got to see you and be a part of it, especially your special birthday celebrations, my friend!
Deb
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You are fast! I literally just pressed ‘publish’! 😀
Thank you for helping to make my October so special. And we have one more meet up before the month is over! ❤
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I’m happy you had a great month, Donna! Happy birthday! Keep the celebrations going. xo
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Thanks, Jill! I have already cashed in on my free ferry ride (and have many more to come)! ❤
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Hey Donna! Looks like you’ve had a GREAT month! And you and your family all look happy and having fun. May your November be just as spectacular! ~Kathy
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Thanks, Kathy – It’s been a good month — with more to go!
But I am planning a NOvember where I do as little as possible. Wish me luck!
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Happy 65th birthday Donna – it looks like you have had a wonderful October connecting with folks. I hadn’t realised that Canadian thanksgiving is in October – we learn something new every day!
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Hi, Janine – Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October. When we lived in Beijing, we usually celebrated both Canadian and American Thanksgivings. I always looked forward to that! <D
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I don’t blame you – any excuse for yummy food and get togethers is good!
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I agree wholeheartedly!
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Happy birthday, Donna! I love your photos and adventures. 😊
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Thanks, Gwen – I appreciate you stopping by!
That’s the great thing about this linkup. It gives me a simple record of each month’s happpenings. So much to be grateful for!
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Lovely set of postcards and happy birthday!
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Thanks, Barbara – It’s been a good month. ❤
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Happy Birthday, Donna! 🎉 🎂 And thank you for sharing your month with us. (And thanks for letting me know the correct date for Philly – have my copy & am trying to ration my reading. 😇)
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My pleasure!
I am currently reading Jo Tracey’s ‘It’s In the Stars.’ I am totally supposed to be doing other things. Again, I cannot put her writing down!
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Thanks for the tip, Donna. will check it out. Have a lovely evening!
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My pleasure!
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A wonderful time with friends and family, Donna, with more exciting and precious times to come! I hope Richard is healing well and I’m happy you get some free benefits now that you turned 65. Congratulations on this milestone of a birthday!! Xox
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Hi, Liesbet – Thank you for asking about Richard. It is a much slower healing journey than he would like – but he is doing so much better and the physiotherapy is definitely helping. Baby steps!
Thank you for the kind birthday wishes. It seems like just yesterday you and Mark were here for a previous birthday celebration!
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Hi Donna – I loved your postcards and the fun and energy they contained. Happy birthday month and enjoy catching up with the family. I’m seeing ours in a week’s time and counting the days. Life is very good isn’t it? x
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Hi, Leanne – Family catchups are good for the soul. This weekend’s family catchup has not even begun and I am already planning our family’s Christmas get-togethers. Enjoy yours! ❤
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You look like you had a wonderful October with family and friends. But how cute is the spooky coffee ghost!?
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Adorable! RIght?!
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You’ve definitely had a busy month Donna. I hadn’t realised I missed your birthday. Happy belated birthday wishes. Looks like you had a fabulous time.
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It was a good month and a great birthday.
But I am looking forward to a commitment-free November. ;D
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Jake was very happy to be part of your Retirement Reflections – he tells me that you have the best dog treats ever and that you were the best pet sitter ever!!
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Jake is an awesome dog. He was an absolute pleasure to hang out with!
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Love the format you used!! It’s awesome, and I could be tempted to “borrow” it! I am still working on a concept to use.
I am also a big fan of cranberries, but the recipe I use has some heat to it, which I LOVE!
Looks like an awesome birthday party. Belated happy 65th.
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Hi, Bernie – You are very welcome to borrow the postcard idea. I simply looked up ‘postcard templates’ on canva.com and the rest was a breeze! Although Richard likes dried cranberries and cranberry juice, he doesn’t like the taste or texture of traditional cranberry sauce. The addition of apples and a few pulses in the food processor and the problem is solved! 😀
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I saw it on Canva last night. I am working on pulling a post together. I hope I make it in time. The next few days are full to the brim!
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Hi, Bernie- I look forward to reasons that post whenever you have time to publish it!
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Hi Donna, wonderful family times. I didn’t guess cranberry sauce, I thought it was a preserve of some sort. You are 20 years younger than my mom who turned 85 on 21 October.
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Thanks, Robbie – I think that I was equally excited about turning 65 as I was about turning 18. Both came with extra privileges. My husband is 11 years older than I am so I have had many years of having to either wait longer (vaccines, etc.) or pay more (ferries, any transportation in HK, movie passes, etc. etc.) 64 only got me the song! ❤
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My mom is 11 years older than my dad. You would never know though. I’m glad there are benefits to turning 65. It certainly brightens life.
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That’s cool about your parents. You would also never know that my husband is 11 years older than me. He does not remotely look his age. 😀
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Sounds like a busy month Donna and happy birthday! Great photos! October has flown by, hard to believe November is almost here. You’ve got a fabulous family weekend lined up to round up October in true glorious fashion.
I was away mid sept to mid oct with older son mike in Europe. Wonderful to be home after a month plus of wonderful travels. How is Richard’s ankle by the way? I hope healing well.
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Hi, Susan – I look forward to hearing more about your travels with your son in Europe. No matter how awesome our travel experiences are, I can totally relate to the contentment of being home. After three different casts, and surgery, Richard’s arm is improving day by day. Not as quickly as he would like (i.e. he still can’t golf) but significantly better! ❤
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Hi Donna – great to see that Richard is recovering – albeit slower than wanted, but at least getting better. October – sounds lots of fun and congratulations on your special birthday – it’s not bad hitting these landmarks. Loved the way you’ve presented October to us!! Cheers and all the best as November comes along …Hilary
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Hi, HIlary – It is incredible how quickly October has speed by. I found this past September to be painstakingly slow. It is funny how the things we love slide by quickly and the things that we want done and over with seem to go on forever. Try as I may, I still do not get notifications of your posts. I am on my way to your site now to check out what I have missed. See you there!
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Thanks Donna – things be / been happening and I never get round to organising things – eg the link up … I must make a note to email a couple of people who keep mentioning the lack of notifications – well not my fault per se – but my fault that I haven’t got round to sorting things out. I will now make a note for the Diaghilev post on Tuesday – and let you know/remind you! Cheers and enjoy the weekend … Hilary
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Hi, Hilary – When I go into your site it does recognize me as a follower. It just doesn’t send me notifications like it did previously. I tried unsubscribing and then subscribing again but sadly that did not work. 😦
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An original way of presenting the month. Belated happy birthday. I didn’t guess what you brought to the dinner, but looked it up 🙂 Your good wishes reciprocated
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Hi, Derrick – Thank you for the birthday wishes. I have one more celebration to go with three of our sons, our DILS and our grandchildren. It begins today! ❤
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Family, friends, celebrations with food and furry pets – can’t think of a better way to spend time! Looks like you had a fun month.
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Hi, Deb – It was a good month and a nice balm to September. Still, I am greatly looking forward to a quiet NOvember! Thanks so much for stopping by! 😀
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Wishing you a merry birthday, sorry its belated! I love how you presented all your adventures in a post card form – very creative!!!!
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Thank you for the kind birthday wishes and the feedback on my post format. For monthly wrap up posts I find pictures really do speak 1000 words. I simply need to remember to take them! 😀
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65 looks good on you! I forget my age sometimes & have to remind myself to cash in on the 65+ perks. Like you, I’m looking forward to a NOvember. There’s ~1 cord of wood left to stack of the 8 cords hauled in. I look forward to some good reads in front of the fire. The yard is put to bed for the winter. The last of the tomatoes were made into sauce the other day. 3 of 4 w/e saw me away from home – a ringuette tournament with my oldest granddaughter; a family wedding; tonight a concert with my cousin. I will return home to host the first of the Home Routes concerts. October has been full with fun & family & food.
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Reading books by the fireplace is exactly my plan for this coming month. I am so glad you’ll be joining me for NOvember. We can compare notes!
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Isn’t it wonderful to be able to do thing again? Be with people. I don’t think I’ll ever take that for granted.
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Dorothy – this is so true in so many different ways. I am grateful for every single moment of freedom!
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It is a wonderful October! Your food pictures always look so interesting!
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Thanks, Kate. I’m definitely that annoying spouse/friend/relative who stops to take a photo before eating anything that begs to be photographed! 😀
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Wish I did that but I’m not sure mine would come out as tempting as your food does.
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Happy belated birthday, Donna. That’s a wonderful October! You’ve got the right kind of ‘busy” (family, friends, including furry ones and food). Thank you for sharing your month with us and hosting #WBOYC. I added my post to the linkup.
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Hi, Natalie – Thank you for linking up with us. I greatly look forward to reading your post. They are always very inspiring!
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What a wonderful life. You live the meaning of retirement. I often think I’d never be able to do [fill in the blank] if I still had to go to work.
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Hi, Jacqui – I totally get it. I loved my job and it was my passion. But honestly, if I suddenly had to jump in where I left off I don’t think I would have the energy!
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Hi Donna, Family, friends and food…the best kind of month. 💕 You look amazing for your special birthday, and all birthdays are special. I am happy to hear how Son #4 is coming home for Christmas IRL…the best present! I love how you captured the eventful month with postcards. Very creative! 💕 Erica
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Hi, Erica – We missed you and Chuck not being there. Richard and I continue to send warm thoughts to you and your family. We look forward to catching up with you again soon.
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Oh, those pictures made me smile. Food, family, and friends. Doesn’t get better than that. Again, a very happy birthday to you. Enjoy those free ferry rides.
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Thanks, Laurie – Sending warm hugs your way!
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Fabulous month – especially the big birthday. Many happy returns!
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Thanks, Anabel – This weekend is my third birthday celebration. A little excessive…but who am I to argue when the family has planned it?
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Happy birthday! It looks like you had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
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Thanksgiving with a fellow friend (& bloggers home) was fabulous. I have my fingers crossed that I get invited back at Christmas! ❤
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What a fun and clever way to share your month with us Donna. Birthdays, friends, family and food what could be better?? Enjoy your coming weekend and great news about Christmas news! Love hearing about all you get up to, you’re certainly living life to the full 🙂
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Hi, Debbie- I always love reading your kind, uplifting comments. Our weekend away has already begun. So far it is perfect!
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You do have a fun-filled and busy October from dog-sitting, lunch at the theater, birthday, and Thanksgiving. Retirement is a wonderful time to be busy with fun things. Thank you for sharing, Donna.
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Hi, Miriam- Thank you so much for dropping by. I loved (and was very grateful for) my career in education. Still, I retired early and have never looked back (and have never ever been bored). ❤
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I know, Donna. Many retired people are busier than when they were working. I’m glad you have so much fun. 💖
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It’s definitely been busy but in my own terms. And anytime I like I can usually stop what I am doing and do something else. You gotta love that! ❤
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Looks like a terrific month. Happy 65th Birthday. I moved to Spain soon after I turned 65 so I barely got to use my free ferry ticket.
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Hi. Darlene – That sounds like more than a fair trade off on your side. Spain is stunning!
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Birthday, thanksgiving, family time – so much to love. And you have your son home for Christmas – that’s great news! Happy ferrying.
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Thanks, Jo – You nailed it in your comment. Richard and I are immensely grateful for all that you have mentioned above!
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Such a great month for you Donna. Congrats again on turning 65. Free ferry travel, gotta love it. I am no longer linking up…now no blog..but just wanted to come and say HI because I am still a supporter!! Denyse
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Hi, Denyse – That is so kind of you to drop by and to continue to support other blogs. Your posts are already very much missed!
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Hi Donna, Happy Birthday! The biggest birthday present I received that year was becoming eligible for Medicare!! Enjoy your freebies. Your month looks full and happy. I’ll be linking up tomorrow.
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Hi, Suzanne – That is a huge benefit and a very wonderful gift! ❤
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Happy belated birthday. Most of my family have or had birthdays in October. It was always a special month. Celebrate as long as you can, my friend. Mine is next month. I love birthdays. Your mom looks fabulous – well so do you. Your postcards are so cute!
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Thanks, Marsha – It’s been a fun month filled with very touching birthday celebrations. Wishing you an awesome birthday coming up.
In my last post (WOYBS) I included Yvette’s new book that you collaborated with. I greatly enjoyed it! Your piece was outstanding. ❤
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Thank you so much, Donna. She does an excellent job, not only writing, but editing. I enjoyed it, too. 🙂
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October was such a fun and full month for you! After all that activity, I can understand why NOvember may be in the cards… but something tells me that you will find fun ways to fill that month up too. Funny how we used to be carded to make sure we were old enough to drink… now it’s to make sure we qualify for the perks of getting a “bit” older.
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So true, Janis. Although I think that I was much more impatient in waiting to turn 65 than I was waiting to turn 18. 😀 What can I say? Having to wait as Richard got all the freebies, and the significantly earlier vaccines, began to wear me down. ❤
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October was a busy month for you, Donna! Our birthday months always seem to bring on the busyness. Plus you celebrated Thanksgiving–love the shot of the charcuterie board and wine! Hubby and I are two months apart in age–we both hit 65 in 2024. Enjoy the freebies and benefits–you deserve it! Has Richard recovered well from the fall?
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Hi, Terri – Thank you for asking about Richard. He is doing much better but it is still baby steps each day. His physiotherapy is going well and he is now driving again. He is anxious to get back to golf but that is still a bit away. ❤
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Looks like you had another fun month doing the things, having the smiles. I enjoy seeing what you’re up to. Not much going on here at the moment, just waiting to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.
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Hi, Ally – I absolutely LOVE handing out Hallowe’en candy! I can’t wait!!
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A wonderful October, Donna and I love how you have presented your month as postcards. Such a great idea. So much to be grateful for – family and friends catching up and enjoying life. xx
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Hi, Sue – We do have so much to be grateful for. These monthly linkups are an excellent reminder of this. Your weekend away looked awesome. I look forward to hearing more about it!
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I think your idea of WBOYC? was brilliant and great way to appreciate what we’ve done and to reflect on life. I had a lovely time in Sydney and can’t believe we are off again in under two weeks. x
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It was definitely your idea. I just did the graphic. ❤
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Looks like you had a fabulous month! A belated happy birthday–enjoy those over-65 benefits!
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Thanks, Janet – It was a wonderful month. I am now ready for a quiet, low key NOvember! 🙂
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lovely month for you
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Hi, Tania – Thank you for dropping by. It was a good month, but another very busy one. I am now trying for a very SLOW November! 😀
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