Thoughts on Turning 54

I guess it's a day for reflection, isn't it?!  I never dreamed that my life would be so full and so rich at this time - I am so, so blessed!  I enjoy good health (I know that's a huge blessing, Linds!), have so much family so close by (and the further away ones come to visit often!), am able to work part-time, enjoy the friendship of dear friends and have a ton of interests and hobbies to keep me active and engaged. 

On my drive home from school today, I thought of a little list idea to celebrate turning 54.

5 places I've travelled to in the last year:

- Calgary

- Jasper

- Canmore

- California

- Oregon

4 places I want to travel to soon:

- Victoria

- New York City

- Manitoba

- Montana

5 foods I've enjoyed this year:

- spicy lentil chili

- flatbread pizza (at Brewster's)

- trout with herbs and lemon

- homemade granola (thanks, Jill!)

- nacho appetizer dip (recipe tweaking for the cooking class)

4 foods I want to make and try:

- Sausage Stuffed Shells

- Chocolate Waffles

- Sushi (never tried this before!)

- Wor Wonton Soup

5 books I've read recently:

- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rawling

- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

- At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols

- The Book Thief by Markus Zarkus

4 books on my to-read list:

- October by Richard Wagner

- The Quilter's Kitchen by Jennifer Chiaverini

- Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

- Harry Potter #4, 5, and 6  (I guess that makes 6 books!)

5 things I've loved doing this year:

- camping and quadding

- scrapbooking

- substitute teaching

- Bible study and reading God's word

- playing with our grandchildren

4 things I'm looking forward to:

- 2 new grandbabies arriving safely

- growing tomatoes for the first time

- filling my clay pots with beautiful flowers

- going to the zoo with the little ones

5 + 4 things I have to be thankful for:

- few aches and pains = good health

- lots of food in the fridge, cupboards and freezer

- the joy of sponsorship with Compassion International

- music on the radio, in church, in the vehicle, from our granddaughters

- a new daughter-in-law!!!

- a roof over our heads

- wide open spaces around our home and in our country

- the gift of words in books and magazines

- an online group of friends who make me laugh, cry and cheer!

And a little picture of me enjoying life these days - rolling on the floor and laughing with these 2 precious little girls(who both sang Happy Birthday to me today)!!

Thank you for popping in to my online celebration!  Lemon Lime Cupcakes and Tuscany Pear Rooibos Tea have been served in your honour :))

Book review day will be tomorrow.