.jpg "Looking back at December, January and February 2024 - summer in Australia and highlights of what I've been doing during that time.")
LOOKING BACK AT THE SUMMER THAT'S BEEN
Summer here in Western Australia comprises December, January, and February. It's full of hot, dry days that are so much easier to navigate now that I'm happily retired. I really enjoy being able to choose when to be out in the heat, and when to be indoors in the cool.
CHRISTMAS
It all seems so long ago now, but I love how Christmas brings with it the opportunity to gather the family together in the same place at the same time. We had to wait until Boxing Day to achieve it, but to have both our 'kids' and their spouses, and our grandgirls, and both our mothers all under the same roof with time to laugh, and chat, and eat, and sleep, for a couple of days was just lovely. My heart was full.....and they even agreed to a photo for me.
FAMILY
January was school holidays and that always means a few days with the grandgirls staying at our place. We have our little traditions and activities, and it's always a fun time of little girl chatter, outings, food, snacks, toys, kids' tv shows....and so much more.
BLOGGING
At the beginning of the year I thought I'd run out of things to write about and I'd only be posting fortnightly during 2024, but a few things popped into my head, and before I knew it I was back to weekly blogging on Mondays. That may change to less frequently if there's not much happening in my world - we'll see.... I had to laugh because this Zits comic showed up in our newspaper and his shortlived 'break from social media' felt like mine from weekly blogging!
The rest of January and February has been a mix of highs and lows, thoughts, and experiences. If you missed any of my posts, here's a few of my favourites:
PAINTING
Back in November my husband bought me a paint-by-numbers picture of some peonies. I'd tackled a different p-b-n project a couple of years ago, so I knew it'd be quite do-able. What I didn't take into consideration was the poor quality of the paint (it resembled wet chewing gum) and of the brushes (they were not up to the task at all!) Still, I persevered and plastered the paint on as deftly as I could.....and was pleasantly surpised by the result. It's now hanging in a frame on the wall in my "office" and my husband did up a little progress gif for me to share.
DABBLINGS
Retirement has given me the time to dabble in lot of things (including paint by numbers). I read numerous novels, read other blogs, listen to podcasts, youtube talks, go down rabbit holes of information, and I still wander around Pinterest and Tumblr regularly. On top of those there's my colouring and jigsaws (and collaging - but I haven't done much of that lately). Here's a couple of 1000 piece jigsaws that kept me busy, and a few pages from my favourite colouring book (by Johanna Basford) that's been a joy to spend time in.
A SUMMER EQUANIMITY QUOTE TO FINISH WITH
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| via: https://inspiringandpositivequotes.com/ |
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What a lovely summer you've had Leanne, lots of things to do in your own time and in your own way and just the perfect way to pursue happiness by the sounds of things. Love the family photo with everyone and it's great when they all agree to get a family shot isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - the whole family in one photo is like a unicorn in my house. I feel like I'm trying to herd cats when it comes time to take a photo. We're definitely not an instagram family! It's been a lovely summer - especially seeing Ross retired in December and got to enjoy it with me too.
DeleteIt’s so good to read this and view the pictures because I felt it added to my relaxation I needed now too! Thank you, summer times with the grandkids are the best!
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - Summer times with the grandgirls is definitely a joy. I love that I have the time now to focus on what really matters to me, rather than just "doing life".... :)
DeleteIt sounds like you've had a wonderful summer! Your paint by number turned out beautifully and I'm really impressed with those puzzles.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good few months Jo - I have very small needs these days and life is very sweet. Having visits from the family is just the icing on the cake.
DeleteLeanne, I cherish our annual Christmas photo, even when I have to fight/bribe/cajole for it and imagine how special this one is for you. It is beyond special that you have both your moms in the photo. Your artwork is very beautiful and looks like a soul soothing pastime. Love the ending quote. Have a wonderful week and blog on!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - it was definitely a triumph when our SIL said he had his camera in and it had a timer and he was happy to set it up. I nearly wept with joy! I loved that everyone looked happy and relaxed (because we were) and to include the mums was lovely too.
DeleteSummertime and the living is easy. Christmas down under during your summer months would suit me just fine vs the challenges of Canada's winter weather. Gatherings are always at the mercy of weather & road conditions.
ReplyDeleteHi Mona - from down here in 35+ degree heat we see the clean white piles of snow and it all looks very pretty - we don't think of the logistics! It definitely makes for an easier get together and air-conditioning is a godsend.
DeleteJust a delightful listing of summer things! I'm actually looking forward to some hot summer days. I love that p-b-n gif.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - I'm looking forward to the cooler days starting again, it's been a VERY long hot summer here - many, many days of 35/100+ degree days and I'm ready for a break. It's funny how we love the seasons at their start and then we're ready for them to move on after a few months.
DeleteIt sounds like you had a lovely summer, Leanne. I love the family photos. How clever of your husband to make the paint-by-number progress gif. That was cool.
ReplyDeleteHi Christie - I was most impressed with his gif making skills and it was a great reminder of the progress from beginning to end. Our daughter asked for regular updates, so he had the photos to sync together (something I wouldn't have bothered with otherwise).
DeleteHi Leanne, Getting the family together for the larger family photo is priceless. Everyone looks great! I love watching all of your creativity…like you say, dabbling in a lot of things. When I was working, my husband and I used to call this our “C” list. I don’t know if you are familiar with the Franklin Planner system - basically a Stephen Covey philosophy when organizing our life - A: have to, such as appointments, B: important and should do, which leaves C: for a lot of the fun stuff - when working, not much time for “C.” The photos of you, your husband, the girls, and ‘the chippies’ makes me smile. Thank you for sharing your lovely summer. xx Erica
ReplyDeleteHi Erica - I like the "C" List concept and the fact that retirement for me is all about the "C" stuff every day! I SO love not scheduling my life around working all week and only having snatches of free time on the weekends. And thanks for the lovely comments about the family - and I'm pleased to say that my son married a girl with my love of chippies and has passed it on to the grandgirls - it's now one of our little traditions that they look forward too (we are a family of simple pleasures!) xx
DeleteHi, Leanne - I am jealous of your warm/hot weather and am anxious for our turn to come on this side of the world. Your peonies painting is especially appealing. The gif that your husband did showing your progress is super cool!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - it has been REALLY hot here for the last few months - one of the most consistently hot summers of my memories. We've finally had a few days under 30 degrees and it's been so lovely to have a cool breeze again. So.... I'm looking forward to needing long sleeves again while you're looking forward to packing them away for a while - lucky we have seasons that change isn't it? And yes, that gif makes me smile every time I watch it - it certainly speeds up the process!
DeleteThat sounds like such a lovely, relaxed summer for you! Generally your life seems so relaxed and good - you've achieved that goal of yours to do things on your terms and not be caught up in the "busy retirement" trend.
ReplyDeleteI smiled about that social media graphic - I'm like that all the time!
Hi Susanne - I really am happy with my life - it's not busy in the sense that I'm juggling a million balls at once and fitting my life in around a demanding job. It's full, and balanced, and contains all the people and things I love. I never expected to have this lovely space that's come my way and I'm grateful for it every day. x
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