Hello and Happy New Year! I’m glad you’re here. I hope you had a joyful holiday season and a great start to 2022.
Today’s post is my own reflective post without hosting a link-up. I’ll resume hosting the weekly Weekend Coffee Share on Friday January 7th at 8 a.m. Toronto time.

Goodbye 2021
December 2021 was a festive and social month. The weather was mild most of the month so I enjoyed getting outside and exploring parks along the shore of Lake Ontario. I took evening walks to see delightful holiday displays and dazzling lights in the city centre.
I contacted my geographically-dispersed family and friends to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. It was wonderful to receive their updates and photos. I maintained my fitness routine at home. I met up with my neighbour for our friendly walks.
Toronto had a green Christmas Day: No snow, just light rain, high 7C (43F). Both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day were cloudy, high 6C (43F). I watched fireworks at midnight across Toronto’s waterfront to ring in 2022.
I completed my usual year-end administrative tasks: Cleaned up my blog, did a back-up, updated the About Me, Blog Links, Wellness pages at the top of my blog, and my Copyright notice and statement. I closed my files for 2021 and created a Books in 2022 page.
In the last three weeks of December, I ran my first contactless Community Food Drive to collect non-perishable food items and deliver them to a fire hall. It went very well. I’m wrapping it up this week and will share the results in my next post. The success of the food drive ended 2021 and started 2022 on a high note.
Gratitude 2021
In January 2021, I wrote that I’d continue to focus my energy on three main areas, Health, Home and Leisure, to live a healthy and enriched life.
True to my words, I spent a lot of time outdoors cycling and walking to explore and enjoy Toronto’s parks and public art. I took good care of my health in various ways. I stayed connected with my family and friends.
My creative expressions were via my blog writing, photography, and trying a dozen new recipes. I volunteered for two impromptu projects: Walking with a senior and running a food drive.
Reflecting on 2021, I’m grateful for:
My good health throughout the year
My family and friends who are my rock
Fantastic trips to Hanlan’s Point, Niagara Falls, and Ward’s Island with my family
My comfortable home and its central location
Beautiful nature that I’ve seen while canoeing, kayaking, paddling or playing disc golf
Amazing arts in Toronto such as these laneway murals
Stunning events like Fleurs de Villes Rosé or Fleurs de Villes Niagara Falls
Excellent library services and the eighty books that I read
Fun blog conversations and link-ups
Quick service at my dentist’s office, hair salon, pharmacy and grocery stores
Friendly walks and new friendship with my senior neighbour since September
Food donations for my first community food drive in December

Hello 2022
This year, I continue to focus my energy on the same three areas to live a healthy and enriched life: Health, Home, and Leisure. 2022 has just begun and I know I’ll make my 2022 a fulfilling year the best I can. No word of the year or New Year’s resolutions from me.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2022! I look forward to hosting the Weekend Coffee Share blog link-up on January 7th and seeing you then.
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