retired from work, not life
Sloths on the sofa, overdosing on sweet treats and watching sappy Christmas movies would accurately describe most of our time together during the holidays, but we do occasionally have a “Hallmark moment.” Christmas Dinner is one of those moments. We set a pretty table, make a wonderfully classic Beef Wellington and dress for the occasion. We pose for our annual family photo by the Christmas tree and once in a while I catch a very special moment in the lens of my camera. This year that moment was when my daughter hung the new ornament that she had purchased for me on the dinning room tree.
It is a white owl with little gold flecks.
I like to think that she saw it and thought of it as a symbol of her dear mother’s wisdom, but more than likely she thought it would look pretty with the dozen other ornaments that she has given me in past years. A mother can dream…
But the moment, the one that takes your breath away and fills your heart with joy is the sweet recognition of the little girl who became a beautiful young woman and still loves family traditions.
May simple pleasures and precious moments fill your days during 2018.
We’d like to take this time to thank you for following along during our inaugural year of “Picture Retirement.” It has been a learning experience filled with surprises that have been both challenging and rewarding. We have especially enjoyed interacting with the blogging community – people from all walks of life, living in traditional and non-traditional ways, all over the world. That experience alone is worth the effort to continue. We value your input and appreciate your encouragement as we continue our journey into the new year.
Sits down with The Two Doctors and .....
Enjoying life and the empty nest while easing into retirement,
A Life Less Ordinary
More Daddy Fool Than Daddy Cool
Travel snapshots from Toonsarah
Featured
Tales, Thoughts + Tribulations of a Free Spirit in Suburbia
“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.” ― Eudora Welty
Our Next Chapter
I'm nothing if not resilient
Having fun, while encouraging, and promoting bloggers
Keeping Life Simple, Authentic And Holistic
The Joy of Slow Travel
Adventures and Postcards from the road
Come along on an adventure with us!
Mainly through the lens of a Nikon
The Beach Girl Chronicles
envisioning & implementing life's next stage
Read this, not that!
Lifestyle, Photography and Traditional Art
Giving and Receiving Blessings
by Susanne Fletcher
...but change is certain.
Midlife traveller and scribbler (without the crisis)
capturing memories one moment at a time
Navigating retirement as an introvert
Random Ramblings and Reviews from Trent P. McDonald
People, Places, Nature, LIFE!
A Canadian Perspective on Living in the Windy City!
Little treasures discovered while exploring the back roads of life
Running and life: thoughts from a runner who has been around the block
Author, Baker, Sunrise Chaser
Creative Exploration in Words and Pictures
Encouraging women in their fifties to live in a meaningful way
Suzanne's Life and Travel Musings from New Zealand and Beyond
A man with dyslexia writing about this and that and everything else!
Serenity is an Inside Job
A Midlife Journey
Food and More
Valuing quiet and solitude in academe.
"This blog is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." - F.G.
Taking steps to live a healthy and enriched life
Writing Stories of Love, Faith and Happy Endings While Enjoying the Journey
Grateful for the present moment
Building a community of Women Living Well and embracing life after 50
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
Travel - home and away and Chronic Illness's
Living in Retirement
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to Suzanne and Family !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year Chuck! Hope all is well with you.
LikeLike
Beef Wellington – I’m impressed! I bought a ham! Happy New Year!
LikeLike
And, not just any Beef Wellington – individual, made to order Beef Wellington!! Gotta love a man who cooks! Happy New Year
LikeLike
Lovely owl and the tree is quite beautiful too.. I think it’s because you’re wise too :-). Happy New Year!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww…I always knew you were a kind person.
LikeLike
What a sweet decoration! Happy holidays and New Year to you, Suzanne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That has to be the most gorgeous Christmas tree ever. It is so elegant. I love the owl – at first glance it looked real. What a beautiful family tradition. Look forward to seeing what 2018 brings us all. wishing you a wonderful new year full of love and joy.
Peta
LikeLike
Thank you. I always look forward to her gift for my tree and cherish the time we spend together. Loved your look back on 2017, especially the visits with your boys. Much joy!
LikeLike