Should We Stay or Should We Go

For years, we saw retirement as the destination. We counted down the days until we no longer had to set an alarm or plan our lives around work, family schedules, and other commitments. We talked about all the things we'd finally have time to do. Travel. Hobbies. Spending more time with family and friends. Sleeping in. The list seemed endless. It is easy to imagine retirement as the finish line. It is the place we've been working toward for decades. For much of our lives, we have been running the race. But after retiring, I've come to see it differently. Retirement isn't a destination. It's a season. Like every season of life, it changes over time. When we first retired, there was a wonderful sense of freedom. There was no schedule to follow unless we wanted one. Mornings were slower. The days stretched out in front of us, full of possibilities. It almost felt like being on a very long vacation. In fact, that's exactly how our retirement began, or at least how we...

  One of the things I was looking forward to on my drive to this week's crafting retreat was making a small detour to the West Montrose Covered Bridge - also known as the Kissing Bridge. The bridge is only a short distance away from where we're staying. It is in Woolwich Township, right in the heart of Ontario's Mennonite country. Unfortunately, this wasn't meant to be the visit I had planned. The West Montrose Covered Bridge has stood over the Grand River since 1881 . Designed by local bridge builder John Bear and constructed by John and Benjamin Bear, it is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario . The bridge was enclosed for a practical reason rather than a romantic one. The roof and wooden siding protected the heavy timber structure from rain, snow, and sun, allowing it to survive for well over a century while most uncovered wooden bridges disappeared long ago.

Welcome to the very first Tea & Chat! Once a month, I thought it would be fun to take a break from my usual posts, pour a cup of tea (or coffee!), and simply catch up on what's been happening. So settle in, grab your favourite drink, and let's chat. Looking Back Over the Last Few Weeks Last month was a busy one on the blog as I participated in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, writing 31 posts in 31 days. I settled into a good writing routine, so it feels a little strange not to be racing to publish another post every day. Life suddenly seems much quieter, and I'm enjoying the slower pace. While it was rewarding to push myself to write daily, it also took a lot of mental energy . The challenge reminded me why I started this blog in the first place. I love sharing the places we've explored, and capturing the little moments that might otherwise be forgotten. More than anything, it helped me rediscover the habit of writing, and that's something I don't want to lose....

Photo by Amelia Bartlett on Unsplash Well, that's a wrap on another Ultimate Blog Challenge! Thirty-one days ago, I challenged myself to write 31 posts in 31 days,  and I'm happy to say I made it. More than anything, this challenge got me back into the habit of writing consistently. It reminded me how much I enjoy writing and sharing our travels, life in retirement, and the everyday moments in between. I also have a much clearer idea of where I want this blog to go. One of the best parts of the month was connecting with so many fellow bloggers. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, left a comment, or offered encouragement along the way. A special thank you to Paul  for hosting another Ultimate Blog Challenge and bringing us all together. So, what's next? My goal is simple: keep the momentum going. I'll continue writing about life in retirement, family, and travel - and this fall I'll be lucky enough to combine all three as we head off on another family advent...

When we started planning our trip to Newfoundland, we knew we were in for incredible scenery. We hoped to see icebergs, maybe some whales, and explore a part of Canada that only I had visited before. Over two weeks, we drove from the Avalon Peninsula to the Northern Peninsula and back again, spending time in many colourful coastal villages along the way.  We saw dramatic coastlines, fascinating history, incredible wildlife, and more beautiful views than I could count. Over the past several weeks, I've shared each stop of our journey in its own blog post. This page brings them all together in one place. If you're planning your own Newfoundland road trip - or if you've just discovered this series - consider this your starting point. I hope it inspires you to add Newfoundland to your travel list.

One of the things we wanted to do while we were in Newfoundland was get screeched in. We'd heard about it before our trip, and it sounded like one of those experiences you just have to do at least once. Our chance came while we were staying in Rocky Harbour. After an evening filled with music, laughter, and Newfoundland storytelling at the kitchen party, the entertainment wasn't quite over. At the end of the night, anyone who wanted to become an honorary Newfoundlander was invited to take part in the Screech-In ceremony. If you've never heard of it, getting screeched in is a Newfoundland tradition that welcomes visitors as honorary Newfoundlanders. It's all done with a healthy dose of humour, and no one takes it too seriously - which is exactly what makes it so much fun. The ceremony follows a few time-honoured steps.  First, the Screech Master asked the group   “Is ye a Screecher?”  We replied “Deed I is, me old cock, and long may your big jib draw!” (Meaning “Ind...

People often ask how I keep track of flights, accommodations, expenses, photos, and all the little details that come with travelling. The truth is, I'm not someone who downloads every new travel app that comes along. I've tried plenty over the years, but these are the ones that have earned a permanent spot on my phone—or in my bookmarks—because they genuinely make travelling easier. Some help before the trip, some help while I'm away, and a few help me remember the trip long after I get home. Here are the travel apps and websites I use over and over again. Finding Flights: Skyscanner Skyscanner is usually where I start when I'm dreaming about a trip. I like that I can search flexible dates and compare prices across different airlines without visiting a dozen websites. The "whole month" view is especially useful when we have flexibility and want to see which days are the least expensive. I don't always book through Skyscanner, but I almost always us...