IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

Because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks. #ifwewerehavingcoffee

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

If we were having coffee these are a few things I'd be sharing from October - we're now settling into Spring and I'm revelling in the warmer weather and sunshine. Because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks.

BIRTHDAY-ING

It's my birthday today! I can't believe another year has zipped by and if I'm being completely honest, I've probably crested that hill and I'm cruising down the other side towards a hearty lunch and a piece of birthday cake. What I'm most thankful for is how good life is - I have so many wonderful people in my world, I'm healthy, content, loved, and in a really good place - you can't ask for more than that can you? 

I'm a huge fan of Ferris Bueller's Day Off (much to the bemusement of my extended family) so I'm sharing some Ferris wisdom in honour of my birthday. The fact that life's short keeps coming to mind lately - and sometimes (particularly around my birthday) I have those moments where it feels like it's getting away from me. That's when I have to stop and look around and make sure I'm not missing anything or getting caught up in mourning what's gone instead of looking forward to what's still to come.



BLOGGING

Debbie from Deb's World let me know early in October that we were both listed in the Top 100 Midlife blogs to follow in 2019, along with Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 and several others. I had to pop over to check it out and lo and behold, Cresting the Hill came up at Number 3. All lists are subjective, but it was still an honour to be included with so many other lovely Midlife bloggers. If you're looking for new blogs to check out, there are quite a few that I'd never seen before.

Honoured to be included in this list of 100 Midlife blogs to follow in 2019 - https://blog.feedspot.com/midlife_blogs/

MORE-ING

I've almost completed my alphabet of trying new things for the year. I have a few more to go and managed to tick off "L" this month by giving into a random moment of whimsy where I bought Louise the Llama to add to my household decor. My husband rolled his eyes and asked what I was thinking, but I couldn't resist her cute little face. 

Louise the llama - my new succulent plant pot - isn't she cute?

COLOURING

This month I dug out my gel pens and my colouring in pencils and launched back into colouring in. I find it very Zen and restful, and I really enjoy all the fiddly little details. Here's my latest from Johanna Basford's book. 

My latest colouring effort in a Johanna Basford book - so much detail.

JIGSAWING

Now I have extra time on my hands, I'm finding that the occasional 1,000 piece jigsaw is a more frequent pastime these days. This was my latest and those butterflies were a killer! I actually ended up with a really sore neck from all the focus and concentration this one took. I'll be picking something a bit easier next time!

Butterfly 1000 piece jigsaw

And I squeezed this one in just before the month ended - a very restful puzzle with a few hidden images to discover afterwards.


CRAFTING

For someone who proudly calls themselves "The Anti-Craft" I thought I did quite a good job on this little craft project that I organized to do with the little girl I mentor at our local school. My neighbour had gifted me a pile of beads from her daughters and after browsing around Pinterest, I decided to tackle a little, dangly, beaded suncatcher - I think it was a success and might lead to a bigger one down the track.

beaded spiral suncatcher

WATCHING

We were desperate enough for some movie entertainment to risk heading off to see Maleficent 2 last week. It wasn't too bad - the costume design was amazing, but the plot was a little thin on the ground. Also, I'm cheating a bit and sharing what I'll be going to watch in a couple of week's time (my long suffering husband has agreed to come with me - what a guy!) I love Christmas, I love Christmas movies, and I love the lead actors in this one - bring it on! 



WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Well that's it from me during October. What have you been up to? Any exciting events, good movies, Netflix recommendations, holidays or family stuff going on in your world?


Because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks. #ifwewerehavingcoffee

To keep up to date with my posts, feel free to add your email into the spot especially for it on my sidebar and I'd love you to share this post by clicking on a share button before you go xx
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43 comments

  1. What a great round up Leanne and happy birthday again! Thanks for the mention in your post, it's funny because my October wrap up is out tomorrow and I mention the same thing plus you and Sue :) . I haven't been to the movies in a while but am looking forward to seeing what the plane has to offer on our flights to UK VERY soon, I'm still not packed for that!! All the best for November and the run down the other side of the hill :)

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    1. Hi Deb - I hope you get to watch Last Christmas on the plane (it would be the perfect chill out movie for a long flight) I'm getting excited for you going back to see you much bigger grandbaby and relaxing with her parents and just enjoying the whole baby thing now that she's doing so well. xx

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    2. Thanks Leanne, hopefully this movie will be on the plane to distract me! I've shared your post for #mlstl

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  2. Happy Birthday Leanne. It’s always lovely have a virtual coffee with you but especially so on your birthday.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer - I should have served birthday cake with the coffee shouldn't I? :)

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  3. Happy Birthday! I have missed reading your blog for awhile so it is always nice to catch up with your month end round-up. I have been doing a sweat shop sewing month for my upcoming craft shows and I am ready now and can breathe easily!!

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    1. Hi Haralee - yes, I haven't been on the Midlife page for quite a while and have been just tonking along in my own little world. Lovely to catch up and good luck for big sales at the craft shows - I love how you have this whole creative thing going for you x

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  4. Huge Happy Birthday Hugs, Leanne! Every birthday is special. Congratulations on being on the top blogging list. Well-deserved to you, Sue, and Deb. You are all an inspiration as women and bloggers! You remind me how I should look into a family jigsaw puzzle. For us it is Winter Cocooning. I gather this new Christmas movie is not out yet. I also like the lead actors. Fun and interesting post, Leanne:)

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    1. Hi Erica - thanks for the lovely birthday wishes and yes, you definitely need to dust off a jigsaw for Winter. I love having one on the go, but have to discipline myself to not be doing it for too long or I end up with a sore head and neck! The new Christmas movie starts today - so we'll be off to see it in the next week or so - can't wait!

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  5. Hi, Leanne - Your October sounded wonderful -- and very well-deserved. I love your gratitude and your enjoyment of all things big and small. Thank you for including the preview for Last Christmas. This looks like something that I would enjoy watching this holiday season.
    I hope that your birthday was a very happy one!

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    1. Hi Donna - I think Last Christmas will be lovely (although my husband is going under sufferance - that's true love!) and my months are full of little things - nothing big most of the time and I really love that.

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  6. Happy birthday!! And wow - congratulations on being number 3!! That's fabulous!!

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    1. Thanks Lydia - I'm not sure how they chose the order - but I'm more than happy to be #3 on the list and surrounded by so many other great Midlife blogs.

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  7. Happy Birthday Leanne. What a busy month. Its funny isn't it once we retire we actually are busier. Congratulations on being third on the list, Im not surprised at all as your blog is brilliant. no post to share on #MLSTL as 3sistersabroad.

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    1. Hi Bree - glad you popped over to MLSTL to read and share (even without a post to link up) that shows how generous you are in spirit! And yes, retirement just seems full of lovely little activities - not full on and not over committed - just right!

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  8. HI, Leanne - I'm dropping by again for #MLSTL. I've shared this post on my Social Media.
    I forgot to mention earlier that I love your beaded suncatcher!
    #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks for both the sharing and the compliment on my craft effort Donna xx

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  9. Happy birthday, Leanne, and congrats on being on the top of the blogging list! You did a great job with the colouring, the puzzles, and the sun catcher. #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks for the birthday wishes Natalie - and yes I've been feeling quite creative since I left the working world behind!

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  10. How did I miss your birthday?! Happy belated birthday Leanne! I hope it was a fabulous day. Congratulations on coming 3rd with the blogging award! I love your colouring and jigsaws. I love stuff like that. Great sun catcher too! I enjoyed our coffee catch up! ;-)

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    1. Hi Min - I don't have my birthday on Facebook any more (although I did mention it on my Cresting the Hill FB page) so it's easy for it to slip by. Thanks for the lovely compliments on my creative endeavours - I love how they zen me out a bit these days.

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  11. Happy belated birthday, Leanne. I hope it was marvelous! It sounds as if you had a lovely October. Those jigsaw puzzles are beautiful. I'm still working on one I started about two years ago. Of course, I put it away for awhile, but still... #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks for the kind wishes Christie. I think you're either a jigsaw doer or you're not. I like having one as an alternative to filling in an hour or so - then I'm not online all the time!

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  12. Happy birthday Leanne! I am so glad that you are in such a good place in your life now. It is such a satisfying feeling to be content and yet not bored. Congrats also on the Blog shoutout! You've done well for yourself in this little corner of the world!

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    1. Hi Michele - thank you for the your birthday shout out and yes, it's a really good feeling to be be content and not chafing over any aspect of my life atm. I may have a change of heart down the track, but atm I feel very centred and that I'm in the right place for me. The blogging thing is icing on the cake - and something I think we're all doing well in.

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  13. Happy Blessed Birthday to you. It sounds like you are in a great space in life. Very nice. #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks so much Patrick - I am indeed in a good place in life - it's so nice to not be stressed or burdened by anything (a lovely change after the last few years in particular!)

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  14. Another lovely month for you Leanne and your creativity with the colouring, jigsaws and craft project are beautiful. It was exciting to be included in the list of Best Midlife Blogs and like you, Deb actually let me know I'd made the list. I"m looking forward to seeing Last Christmas and I can add it to Love Actually which I watch every year with a box of tissues. Have a great November and Happy Birthday again BBB. xxx Thanks for being a great cohost with me at #MLSTL and we have almost completed another year! x

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    1. Hi BBB - thanks for the lovely compliments and yes, we're both doing well to be on that top Midlife bloggers list - I think we've put in the hard yards and now we see some of the blessings coming from it. Last Christmas will be a fun movie and I'm glad Ross is being brave enough to come along and put up with it for me (true love!)
      And yes, 2 years of MLSTL have zoomed past - do you realize how many comments we've done in that time???!!

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  15. Happy belated Birthday Leanne. Clever you for finishing a jigsaw, I never had the patience for them. They do seem to relax many folk that I know who enjoy the challenge of a colourful jigsaw.

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    1. Hi Suzanne - I find that jigsaws give my brain a rest. I tend to zone out a bit while I'm doing them and often have a podcast playing so that I'm learning something while I'm idling away an hour or so here and there.

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  16. Happy birthday a bit late Leanne. I like your llama and your coloring and jigsawing choices. I wonder when you write midlife, do you mean ages 30s to 50s? I am thinking birth to 30 could be considered youth, 30 to 60 midlife, and 60 and beyond senior. Just estimates of course.

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    1. Hi Terra - I think Midlife starts around 50 because most 30 year olds still think like teenagers! 30 - 45 is the parenting stage, 50 - 65 is the empty nest, re-thinking who you are, changing direction, moving on stage and that is what Midlife is to me (but it's different for everyone I guess).

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  17. Happy Belated Birthday to you. I loved doing little bead projects with children and for one of my granddaughter's birthdays the kids got to make a 'name' bracelet using letter beads as well. Congrats of the blogging list and where you landed. Well-done. I love Johanna's colouring style but did not know she had out out a book on 'how to' draw and already I have picked up some great hints and have drawn birds, fish and some flowers. She is a lovely person from what I read and hear of her within her Facebook group. Lovely catch up. Denyse #mlstl

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    1. I didn't know Johanna did a how to draw book either Denyse - I imagine you'd really enjoy it. I just love the detailed quality of her books and have an underwater one to move onto if I ever finish her garden one.

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  18. Love all your "-ings."
    And I just listened to a review of Last Christmas this morning and it sounds like a winner.

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    1. I loved it Michele - light and fluffy and Christmassy - I'm sure the plot was full of holes and the whole premise was a bit lame, but it was still a feel-good movie and you can't ask for more than that can you?

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  19. Happy Birthday and congrats on making the blog list. Love your coloring! It's amazing. I have a coloring Bible and I find it very relaxing too.

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    1. Thanks for the good wishes Amy - I find colouring very soothing - you don't have to be overly creative, but it still seems to give you the benefits that artiness provides :)

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  20. I'm having fun following your journey into 'minimizing busyness' during retirement. This was not the path I took when I retired, but I love the approach. I spent several months working on 'The Artist's Way', a program of writing 'morning pages' every day, and reflecting on the insights I discovered. I am a minimalist in my physical life, but spend a great deal of time writing. So I guess I could call myself busy! The important thing for me is to enjoy retirement, and live in the moment as much as I can. Thanks for a great post!

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    1. Hi Diane - I think I was so burnt out from my horrible job that I needed to take a step back and give myself time to heal from it. Once I had my headspace back I realized that I'd been trying all my life to earn my way - through working, people pleasing, perfectionism etc - so it was time to give myself permission to just "be" for a while and see how that works for me. So far it's been an absolute joy.
      I totally "get" people who want a productive retirement - I'm just not there (yet) xx

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  21. This post was popular with our readers and we will be featuring it on the next Blogger's Pit Stop.
    It can't be 12 months since I wished you happy birthday?? I guess it must be! So I am thankful to be able to again wish you a happy new year ahead. Congrats on the good rating of your blog, well done and many readers encouraged as well.

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    1. Hi Kathleen - thanks so much for the feature - I always enjoy the PitStop and reading the variety of blogs linked up there already. And yes, time is just flying by and I'm certainly noticing it more with each birthday!

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