Author: Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
Food, Link Ups

What’s On Your Plate this May? Wordless Thai Yellow Curry.

Retirement Reflections

See Original Recipe Here: Christin at Veggie Chick. You Will Need: Chickpeas, Bell Pepper, Yellow Onion, Potatoes, Baby Carrots, Ginger, Garlic, Lemongrass, Vegetable Broth, Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Turmeric, Coconut Cream, Peas, Sea Salt, Cornstarch.Have a question, comment or recipe/dish to share? Please let us know below.Co-Host: Widow Badass. Read about her delicious Greek Potatoes… Continue reading What’s On Your Plate this May? Wordless Thai Yellow Curry.

#peace, Hiking, Link Ups

Where Do You Find Your Inner Peace?

Retirement Reflections

Three years after our last Camino adventure, my husband and I are now booked to hike a section of the Camino de la Isla (Island Walk) on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Although the entire trail is 700 km, we plan to do a smaller (140+ km) segment as follows: Charlottetown to Mount Stewart, 32 kmMount… Continue reading Where Do You Find Your Inner Peace?

'Friendly Friday Challenge', Books, Travel, What's On Your Bookshelf?

What’s On Your Bookshelf Meets Friendly Friday Challenge: Favourite Travel Book

Retirement Reflections

My husband accuses me of having had a humour bypass. I swear that man laughs at everything. And don't get me started about his reaction to Far Side. His single glance at that Gary Larson cartoon can make someone in the other room rush to call 911. Me? I smile in my mind. Sometimes. But… Continue reading What’s On Your Bookshelf Meets Friendly Friday Challenge: Favourite Travel Book

Friendship, What's On Your Bookshelf?

Female Friendships in Life & Literature

Retirement Reflections

I've been thinking a great deal about female friendships recently -- the ebb and flow, the inexplicable ties that bind, the diversity -- and how each relationship (despite its length or size) adds to who we become -- often without us realizing it. While reflecting on friendship, I began to notice this topic explored in… Continue reading Female Friendships in Life & Literature

Food, Link Ups

Chatelaine’s 30 Days of Delicious, Dinner-in-a-Bowl Salads

Retirement Reflections

So, I ran into the store to get tomatoes, and I came out with this magazine. It's been quite a while since I bought a magazine on impulse. But dang, those salads looked amazing! And there were 30 of them, each with their own glossy, food porn, full-page photo. It was difficult deciding where to… Continue reading Chatelaine’s 30 Days of Delicious, Dinner-in-a-Bowl Salads

Link Ups, Reflection

The Travelling Book of Inner Peace

Retirement Reflections

Early last week, I packaged up three copies of The Little Book of Inner Peace (by Ashley Davies Bush) and mailed them to three different countries (including Canada). My intention was to begin a 'Travelling Ripple of Peace.' Inside each book, I affixed the following note: The Travelling Book of Inner Peace "This is the Travelling… Continue reading The Travelling Book of Inner Peace

Books, Link Ups, Reflection

“Who Even Reads Books Anymore?”

Retirement Reflections

The above question was overheard in a Vancouver Island coffee shop during a blustering snowstorm. A young female barista and a middle-aged male customer bantered how they each might spend their snowed-in weekend. This question (actually, I believe it was a statement) surprised me. I began to wonder how many others would feel the same.… Continue reading “Who Even Reads Books Anymore?”

Food, Link Ups

Friday Night Pizza (aka ‘Hello Donna’)

Retirement Reflections

I have a theory that Friday evenings are Universal Pizza Nights. At least that's been the case for me...even when I lived in Beijing. Instead of always ordering pizza (as I once did), Richard and I now include various homemade (or at least home assembled) versions. Some of our favourite pizza ingredients Richard doesn't mind… Continue reading Friday Night Pizza (aka ‘Hello Donna’)