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

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’)

Books, Link Ups

What’s On Your Bookshelf This January?

Retirement Reflections

Finishing Up My Christmas Reads In our last bookshelf chat, I left you with a poll asking which Christmas book I should read next. Here are the results. Survey said -- get thee to thy nearest screen! So, rewatch The Holiday I did. As often as I've seen that film, I fall for it Every.… Continue reading What’s On Your Bookshelf This January?

Food, Link Ups

What’s On Your Plate – Battle Cranberry-Sausage Spaghetti

Retirement Reflections

Several months ago, Frank from Beach Walk Reflections left a comment suggesting I try Battle Cranberry Sausage Spaghetti. This recipe sounded intriguing. But, the more I thought about it, the more I hesitated. Cranberries combined with sausage in a pasta dish without a shred of tomato? How would I ever convince my husband to try… Continue reading What’s On Your Plate – Battle Cranberry-Sausage Spaghetti

Books, Link Ups

Top Ten Reasons to Read and Love ‘A Christmas Carol’….Plus Other Great Books

Retirement Reflections

A Christmas Carol To help nudge myself into the Christmas spirit, I recently reread Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It provided everything I could want in a holiday, fireside read and more. I was shocked to discover it had received 10,907 one-star ratings on Goodreads (out of 1,056,409...but still)! This motivated me to write top ten… Continue reading Top Ten Reasons to Read and Love ‘A Christmas Carol’….Plus Other Great Books

Link Ups

Festive Bonbon

Retirement Reflections

Friend and fellow blogger, Jo Tracey, went walking early one morning (as she does). Her mind began to fill with all things Christmas (as it does). She began to wonder what others (that would be you) thought about this time of year. She shoulder-tapped Sue, Debbie and me to cohost and the following one-off linkup… Continue reading Festive Bonbon

Food, Link Ups, Trying New Things

What’s On Your Plate: Blume

Retirement Reflections

It started with this hot drink that my friend, Deb, served me after a cold and wet hike. Blume's Rose London Fog Latte (à la maison de Widow Badass) Not only was this beverage delicious, it was also caffeine-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, organic, low in calories and high in antioxidant rich vitamins. This power packed cuppa… Continue reading What’s On Your Plate: Blume

Books, Food, Guest Posts

What’s That Book? The Little Cafe by the Lake by Joanne Tracey

Retirement Reflections

.     .    In search of a cozy, fun read (that also includes great recipes)? The Little Cafe by the Lake is all of this and much more. Discover further details about this book and find other great reads from Barb at Book Club Mom. Comments are closed here but Barb would love for you to drop by and say hi. ‘Hope to see you there!

Book Club Mom

Title: The Little Cafe by the Lake

Author: Joanne Tracey

Genre: Contemporary Romance Plus

What’s It About? I am a huge fan of Jo Tracey’s books. This has been my favourite one so far. If you are looking for a break filled with fun, friendship, food…and some sultry, fiercely independent characters, this book is for you. As a bonus, numerous mouth-watering recipes are included.

How Did You Hear About It? I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book (which was just released on November 4, 2021).

Closing Comments: As many of the main characters in this novel also appeared in ‘Happy Ever After’ and ‘Wish You Were Here,’ this reading felt like catching up with old friends. If you haven’t yet read any of Jo Tracey’s books, I highly recommend them. Although this book is part of a series, it can also easily…

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Aging Well, Books, Food, Link Ups

What’s On Your Bookshelf: The Blue Zone & Cookbook Edition

Retirement Reflections

I'm that girl who tends to fall down rabbit holes. Very. Far. Down. My current rabbit hole began with this simple National Geographic Magazine. I'd heard about Blue Zones before. Yup, those five longevity hotspots (Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California) where residents tend to live longer,… Continue reading What’s On Your Bookshelf: The Blue Zone & Cookbook Edition