Hello blog friends! How are you doing? I hope you’re well. Come on in so we can share a coffee or tea and our news. If we were having coffee, I’d share with you what made me feel positive and gave me five big smiles since I mentioned my Gratitude list. Heads up that there are lots of spring flowers in this post.
Smile #1 – Family and Friends
My family and friends are well. We stay in touch by phone, text, email, and the occasional virtual meetings. Most of my family members who are working are essential workers so they’re actually busier and under more stress than usual. Knowing that everyone in my circle is safe and in good health makes me smile.
Smile #2 – Health
If we were having coffee, I’d share that I was diligent about my health routine in April. I meditated every day, practiced deep breathing and yoga three times per week, and did strengthening workouts three times per week. I also walked outdoors five or six times per week, about one hour each time.
I’m mindful of keeping a safe distance from everyone else. Most of the time, it’s easy to do physical distancing because there is no one in my path when I go. My 5K walks let me see Lake Ontario, beautiful spring flowers, wildlife, and interesting murals and sculptures. They keep me in good spirits.
Smile #3 – Home
If we were having coffee, I’d share that in April, I baked my first Blueberry Coffee Cake. It would go well with our coffee or tea. I used Jean Paré’s easy-to-follow recipe from her Muffins and More book. She’s a Canadian and author of the Company’s Coming cookbook series that has sold over 30 million copies since 1981.
The cake was a success so I’d make it again in the future. The topping has cinnamon which smells very nice when I bake the cake. I included the recipe. Note that I used blueberries instead of cranberries. Raspberries work, too.
Smile #4 – Leisure
During this global pandemic, there is a huge amount of arts and entertainment available online 24/7 without extra cost. With my library card, I have access to more leisure materials than time to explore them all. In April, here’s some of what I enjoyed:
- Books: I was happy to spend time away from the screen and read over 1,000 pages from three compelling books, Dear Life by Alice Munro who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013, Angela’s Ashes, a memoir and Pulitzer Prize winner by Frank McCourt and The Sisters Brothers, finalist of several literary prizes in 2011, by Patrick deWitt.
- Films: My library card gives me access to a great collection of films and documentaries. I chose to watch three films in April: The Gold Rush, Modern Times, and Call Me by Your Name. The first two are Charlie Chaplin’s comedic masterworks. The third film won several awards in 2018 and its location reminded me of my wonderful time in Italy.
- Languages: French and Spanish lessons on Duolingo are my fun brain exercises, 30 minutes/ day. I chose two languages that have similarities to challenge myself. They also remind me of my many trips to France and Spain. The happy memories make me smile.
- Music: I listened to Andrea Bocelli: Music for Hope, One World: Together At Home, and Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble concerts, plus numerous classical concerts online at the Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall, and music played by professional DJs on the radio.
- Shows: The Cirque du Soleil Premier show on CirqueConnect and The Nutcracker ballet at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre were incredible to watch. Pre-pandemic I wouldn’t be able to watch them from front row seats. In April I could watch them in close details from home for free.
Smile #5 – Blogs
I wrote five blog posts in April and the “Oscar” goes to Life is Like A Box of Chocolates with the highest number of comments I received to date. Your comments brighten my day, thank you! Please keep them coming. I have fun reading your blogs and leaving my comments, too. Check out this page to see where I link up.
Stay Safe and Healthy
So I had many good reasons to smile and feel grateful for in April. The recipe for me to be well emotionally, mentally, and physically is to stick to my health routine and spice up my day with a variety of leisure activities.
I expect to continue staying at home most of the time in May, except to go out for exercise walks and groceries. I hope this 3-geese sign brings you a smile. Stay safe and healthy everyone!
How was your April? What makes you smile? I’d love to hear your comments.
Copyright © 2024 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
Is it me or did April fly by in a blur? It sounds like you had a nice and productive month, Natalie. Your photos are gorgeous! Lately, I’ve had a Carolina wren visit me each day. He perches on the hummingbird feeder and sings his little heart out. He makes me smile. Stay well! ❤
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Hi Jill, I felt April flew by, too. To be serenaded by a Carolina wren every day sounds beautiful. Thanks for sharing what makes you smile. I’m smiling thinking about your wren.
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He is a happy little fella!❤️
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Congratulations, Jill, on your new book release! I’m in awe of your accomplishments.
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Aw…thank you so much, Natalie! I appreciate your encouraging words. ❤
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Such a lovely post! I too walk and exercise with my horses. I absolutely LOVE all your flower photos! So BEAUTIFUL! ❤️ I also agree with you that it I’m so grateful that my whole family is safe in their bubbles. Some, many are essential workers including myself. 😍 We and everyone is staying safe and that makes me SMILE! Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead! 😀🥰
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Hi Diana, I’m glad to hear you and your whole family is safe. It’s so wonderful that you walk and exercise with your horses. It takes some of the stresses away. The spring flowers are gorgeous at this time of the year where I live. I’m happy to share them with you through my lens. Have a beautiful weekend and week ahead!
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We love your photos. April has to be the fastest month to go by in our life time so far!
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I felt the same about the speed of April. I hope it means you had some fun. Enjoy the weekend!
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Wow. I am so impressed by your self-discipline! The geese sign did make me smile. That’s a clever way to express 6 feet!
Your post is so personable and authentic.I feel like I actually sat down with you! I’m glad your family is safe during these tough times.
What drew you to the Charlie Chaplin movies?
PS I would love to share your blueberry coffee cake recipe!
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Thank you for your visit and kind comment. I like how Chaplin silent movies show tragedy and humour together. They make me laugh with sobering thoughts. I’ll add the coffee cake recipe to this blog shortly.
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I agree with every one of these. My daughter–bless her heart–is annoyed because her employer has her working one week one and two weeks off. She loves her job! That too will soon end.
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Thank you, Jacqui, for your visit and comment. I hope your daughter’s job situation improves soon. We need people who love their jobs because their passion makes a big difference in how the job is done.
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Hi, Natalie – I love how your posts are always inspiring, and full of energy, even in this uncertain time.
And that Blueberry Coffee Cake looks absolutely divine!
Wishing you an equally happy and healthy May!
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Thank you, Donna, for your kind comment. So far one good thing that came out of this pandemic is that I moved from a no baking experience status to a beginner 🙂 Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy May as well.
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Hi Natalie. I’ve worked from home for many years now so virus has not changed much for me except for what I can do when I’m off work and that is getting old.
I think as soon as life can return to normal, you should host a part and there, demonstrate this great blueberry recipe you described above.
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Hi Gary, Working from home and then having to stay at home all the time must be hard. It’s a good thing that you have a back yard to be outside when you want to. When the lockdown is lifted, I think I’ll make the coffee cake and ask my nieces what they think 🙂 Thank you for stopping by. Have a nice weekend!
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Love the idea of watching Cirque de Soleil. I’m putting it on my to-do in May. I need to be more intentional about getting out and walking also…I am not sure why I always put it off. I usually feel better after I do walk, too. Thanks for sharing your smiles – very inspiring.
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Hi Pat, The Cirque du Soleil show is incredible. I hope you enjoy it. I savour my outdoor walks during spring and this lockdown time because the weather is still cool and the crowd is not out yet. I hope you’re doing well. Thank you for stopping by. Have a nice weekend!
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Hi Natalie, I love your heading photo with the tulips. I took a lot of tulip photos this week rain and shine. A beautiful part of Spring! I always appreciate you sharing your walks with us. They help keep all of us in good spirits.
I think I have all of the Company’s Coming cookbooks. I am a fan. I haven’t baked in a long time because I like to eat, especially home-baked treats. 🙂
The 3-geese sign did make me smile. A great post! Take care and stay well.💕
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Hi Erica/ Erika, We have at least four things in common: Walking, photo taking, tulip photos, and Jean Pare’s cookbooks. I have 2 or 3 of her books and they’re baking-related 🙂 Thank you for stopping by. Have a nice weekend!
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I suspect many, many more things in common, Natalie. A positive, grateful spirit always. You, too, have a nice weekend. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing the flowers. They are beautiful.
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Thank you, Karen, for your visit and comment. I’m glad you liked the spring flowers that I shared on my blog. They’re blooming in my neighbourhood. Hope you and your family are well. Have a nice Sunday!
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Such great smiles Natalie! It is wonderful to remind oneself about all the things we have to be grateful for. I start my mornings with a 5 minute meditation about the things I appreciate a little extra; like my daughter, our good health, nature, work, education, a future, and a safe place to live. Thank you for sharing your beautiful post.
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Hi Maria, I like your meditation and gratitude practice. I do the same. It’s good for our mental health, especially during uncertain times like this global pandemic. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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Lovely list of films and books! Might track down a Munro. You are keeping busy…
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There are way too many good films and books than time for me to enjoy them all. I try to use my time wisely.
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And #MLSTL
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Thank you, Lydia. Have a great day!
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Hi Natalie, another lovely month for you and I’m loving the Spring flowers. Like you, I have kept to my regular exercise routine which I believe has helped not only physically but mentally. I’ve started a 30 day yoga challenge through Yoga with Adrienne and found some healthy ANZAC (Australian biscuit from WW1) recipe to try. Always enjoy your positive outlook on life, Natalie. Stay healthy and take care. xx #lifethisweek
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Hi Sue, The regular exercise routine and yoga help tremendously, especially in uncertain times like now. They help me maintain my positive outlook. I greatly appreciate your positivity, too. Stay healthy and have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie, I think people really underestimate the benefits both mentally and physically from maintaining a regular exercise and yoga routine. Flowers and nature are also a great pick-me-up and I love all of your floral photos in your post. I especially love Daffodils because they remind me of my Mum. Thanks for linking up at #MLSTL and take care. xx
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Hi Sue, We’re on the same page regarding regular exercise and yoga routine and being close to nature. The spring flowers are really gorgeous in my neighbourhood atm. We have a variety of daffodils, cream, yellow, orange, different sizes, and they’re all lovely. Thank you for hosting MLSTL. Have a wonderful week!
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Great positive post Natalie. Even in these troubling times there’s still reasons to smile. That cake looks yummy! I love the smell of cinnamon.
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Hi Jennifer, My regular walking, exercise, meditation and yoga routine help me stay positive. Baking a new recipe is fun. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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Lots to smile about here Natalie and particularly the 3 geese instructions 🙂 I love your positivity and the many ways you stay busy. #lifethisweek
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Hi Deb, There are lots of resources to keep us smiling. I do my best to focus on what’s good for my mind and body and they keep me in good spirits. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!
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I appreciate your efforts to focus on what’s good for you Natalie! You always make me smile #mlstl
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Thank you, Deb. I’m happy to hear I always make you smile. Now I’m smiling 🙂
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I adore that 3 geese apart instruction. As always another well-balanced month even in these weird times. With both Scotland and Wales off the destination list for the next couple of years, I’ve gone back to French on Duolingo… I listened to Andrea Bocelli on Saturday afternoon – just glorious.
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There are tons of fun things that we can do or access for free so how we make through these weird times has a lot to do with our mind set.
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Natalie, what an uplifitng post! Thank you!
SSG xxx
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Thank you, SSG, for your comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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Hi Natalie – well you’ve managed to pack in a well balanced month with lots to smile about (loved the 3 geese measurement for separation). Glad that you’re doing so well and that life seems to be going along fine – for someone who is normally so busy and going out and about, you’ve found some great ways to stay engaged and connected – even with the restrictions.
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Thank you, Leanne, for your kind comment. Yes, I’ve been able to continue most of my health and leisure activities, just changed from in-person to online and at home. The free time that I gained from not going places is put into good use, e.g. learn a new recipe.
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Hi Natalie – just back for #MLSTL and to say that I’ve shared this on my SM x
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Thank you, Leanne. Have a wonderful week!
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I’m visiting from #SeniorSalon. I love the three geese sign! I meant to watch the Andrea Bocelli special and forgot. I hope I can find it online somewhere. My son loves blueberry muffins, so I am sue he’d love that cake. I enjoyed reading a number of books in April, too.
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Thank you, Barbara, for your visit and comment. The Andrea Bocelli: Music for Hope is available on YouTube. If you make the blueberry coffee cake, I’d love to know what you and your son think. Have a great week!
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I like that sign measuring distance by three swans (or geese).
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It’s a cute sign, isn’t it? Thanks, Frank, for stopping by. Have a nice day!
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Your post is an uplifting dose of positivity. Finding things to be grateful for in these times of uncertainty is a necessity for health. The sign utilizing geese to demonstrate social distancing brought a big grin to my face.
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Thank you, Sue, for your visit and comment. Whoever designed the geese sign has a nice sense of humour. I agree with you gratitude is a necessity for our mental health. I’m an optimistic person in general and always try to find something positive in a challenging situation. Hope you and your family are doing well out west.
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I’ve not seen the ‘three geese’ rule before – what a fun sign!
I’m learning Spanish on Duolingo too, and am managing to do it every day. Maybe by the time we can travel again I’ll be able to hold a conversation rather than just book a table in a restaurant, order some drinks and ask for the bill!
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It’s a fun and unique sign from Toronto. We have a lot of geese by the lake. Good for you to learn Spanish every day. It’s a useful language to know plus language lessons are good for our memory and focus. Thank you, Deb, for stopping by. Hope you’re doing well in the UK.
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It looks like you had a great April in spite of it all. I’ve made that Blueberry Coffee Cake from Jean Paré’s Muffins and More cookbook many times and it is always a hit. It is just as good with cranberries, raspberries, or even strawberries. It is my favorite recipe book for muffins, loaves and coffee cake. I had the pleasure of meeting Jean Paré at a celebration of her selling her one-millionth cookbook. She’s sold many more since then. I was invited as I sold her books in my kitchen stores at the time. She has a very interesting personal story too. #SeniSal
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Thanks, Darlene, for sharing your personal connection with Jean Paré. I read her story online and thought she’s a very resourceful and capable person. I’m glad to know the recipe works with strawberries, too. The Muffins and More cookbook is excellent, especially for beginners like me.
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Great Post. Your April was very busy that cake sounds like it would be delicious. #MLSTL
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The cake recipe is easy to follow and the cake tastes very good. April was a good stay-at-home month. Thanks, Bree, for stopping by.
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Hi Natalie just thought I’d say hello again, from #MLSTL this time. I hope May brings as many smiles for you as April
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Thank you very much, Jennifer. Wishing you many smiles in May, too.
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Flowers and blueberry cake sounds like heaven to me and would make me smile too. Have a good one, Natalie.
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I agree with you, Suzanne. Flowers and blueberry cake lift our spirits. Have a great day!
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Love your smiles and pics. So very lovely. They put a smile on face. Thanks. #MLSTL
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Thank you, Patrick, for your kind comment. It makes me smile. Have a wonderful week!
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Sometimes, we just have to decide to smile and be happy. I love your photos, those flowers are such a sight for sore eyes as mine are mostly gone.
It’s great to see you at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
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I’m glad you liked my photos Betty. The spring flowers in my neighbourhood are fresh and pretty atm. Thank you for stopping by.
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Love your positive post and those orange tulips certainly help to lift the spirits!
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Thank you, Gail, for your kind comment. I’m glad you liked my photo of the orange tulips. I thought they looked so fresh after overnight rain and they went well with the daffodils.
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Love your positive and uplifting post, Natalie. Yayyyy for April smiles!
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Thank you, Veronica, for your kind comment. How are you doing in Malaysia? Have a great week!
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a beautiful post. Exactly what we need these days. We have the same kind of flowers in our parks and gardens right now, I live in Sweden. I like the “stay apart” sign. Do you live in Toronto. I was there once long ago. 🙂
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Thank you for your kind comment. Yes, I live in Toronto. How was your visit to Toronto? I visited Stockholm long ago, too and enjoyed the city very much.
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Thank you for brightening my day! I loved those spring flowers. Take care!
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Thank you, Cheryl, for your visit and comment. Hope you’re doing well in Seoul. Take care.
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How cool is three geese sign! What a pretty walk with smiles this was. Love the spring coming in too. The cake looks lovely. I too enjoy my blogging community.
Thank you so much for being part of Life This Week by linking up and leaving a comment on my post. It is a great way to share the connection on-line. Next week the optional prompt is 19/51 Special Anniversaries 11.5.2020. I look forward to seeing you there too. Stay safe and well. Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse, for your kind comment. I’m glad you liked a few things in my post. Congrats on the long and successful run of Life This Week! Look forward to your next installment.
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I love your flowers and your geese sign. We had the sunniest April on record so I was able to spend a lot of time outdoors. Luckily we have lovely parks within walking distance.
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Hi Anne, It’s wonderful that you have lovely parks nearby. I feel fortunate to have the lakefront within walking distance. I walk outdoors rain or shine to get fresh air and enjoy nature. I’m glad you liked my flower and geese sign photos. Have a great week!
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Thanks Natalie for this update of things you did in April. Love the flowers and am visiting you at #MLSTL. Be well and safe.
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Thank you, Nancy, for dropping by. I hope all’s well with you. Have a great May!
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You have a lot to smile about, Natalie. That blueberry coffee cake looks delicious! I love the blueberry/cinnamon combination. I wish I had checked out the Cirque du Soleil show. I love that and would have definitely watched it.
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Hi Laurie, The Cirque du Soleil show is available on YouTube. It looks like they’re making shows available weekly for free during the pandemic. I just watched another one last night. Thank you for dropping by. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie – Oh I love the flowers, particularly the first photo. I’m so glad you can still get out for walks. You’re making good use of this time which is great to see. I made a carrot cake with cream cheese icing for the first time the other day – for Mum on her birthday. It turned out fabulous! Love the geese image. Funny how you’re told 6ft/2metres over there and we’re being told 1.5 metres over there. Stay safe & healthy and best wishes for a fabulous May! xo
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Hi Min, Carrot cake with cream cheese sounds divine. Glad you could celebrate with your Mom on her birthday. I’m thankful that I can go out for walks. The spring flowers are blooming all over here. I read somewhere that people are told 1 meter apart so it looks like the physical distance varies in different jurisdictions. Thank you for stopping by. Stay safe and healthy!
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Natalie, I think I have read all of Alice Munro’s books. Fabulous writer. I’m currently reading “Suzanne” by Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, in translation, and really enjoying it. It was a Canada Reads finalist last year.
Jude
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Hi Jude, I really enjoyed Alice Munro’s short stories and how they unfold. I made a note of “Suzanne”. Thank you for mentioning it. I love getting book recommendations.
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Sounds like you had lots to smile about. Sometimes it’s an attitude too I think – finding all the things worth smiling for.
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I think attitude plays a big role. It changes how we view what’s on. Thank you, Christine, for stopping by. Hope you’re doing well in Australia.
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Hi Natalie, You strike me as a very cheerful person and it’s a pleasure to read your post. good for you for staying healthy, and active. It makes us feel less cooped up during this lockdown. Love your photos and will pin.
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Thank you, Christina, for your visit and comment. My walks, exercises, meditation, and yoga help me a lot to stay positive. I try to use my time for something light and fun during this lockdown. It’s too easy to feel anxious and depressed if we just read the news all the time. Hope you stay safe and healthy, and your home renovations go well.
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Sorry, sharing to Fb instead.
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Thank you, Christina. Have a good weekend!
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I love those spring flowers!!! Divine
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Hi Leanne, The spring flowers are gorgeous this month. Glad you liked them.
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