MY HAPPIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE! WHAT ARE YOUR HAPPIEST DAYS

 My engagement- Christmas Eve 1969.

My wedding day May 15 1971.

My girls birthdays and how much being a mom changed my life.

Finding genealogy stories- the Goodwood book and the trip to Goodwood.

Rome and its magic. All three trips with Adolph.

Our trips to Cancun Mexico.

25th Anniversary trip- I could use stories from the photo album in a future post.

The girls' weddings.

Then each and every one of my grandchildren and when they were born.

My first date with Adolph- apple picking October 1966. And our first kisses after that event.

I think my life has been blessed with so many happy memories.

How about you? What are some of your happiest memories?

#happymemories#lifewithitshappiestmemories#weddingdaywassohappy#thebirthoflovedones#tripswithAdolph#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WARMER WEATHER BRINGS SUMMER BARBECUES

 I no longer have a barbecue.

So I enjoy the ones at my family's homes.

I can bring the steaks and the sons-in-law barbecue them.

Being outside for meals always pleases me. 

Even that early morning coffee can be enjoyed at the back or on my front patio area.

Picnics are also fun.

Adolph's specialty. Fried chicken with potato salad and tomato/cucumber salad on a day trip. 

So between barbecues and picnics I look forward to warmer weather outdoor eating.

Of course until the wasps arrive!!

#outdooreating#summereating#friendchicken#barbecuesteak#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ONE BOOK DOWN AND HOW MANY TO GO

 I did something special yesterday. Read a book in one day.

So only 244 pages and not the longest book ever.

But a start on a personal challenge to read at least 10 books by the end of August.

Spring read and not just a summer one.

Book- A summer in Italy by Rebecca Searle.

What was ironic was it was based in Positano. When the character was taking a boat ride it was on a boat called- wait for it- Da Adolfo!

I found it poignant and sweet to have Adolph's name in the book.

So what book adventures will I go on over the next few months.

I do have a pile in my family room needing to be read.

#bookstoread#bookchallenge#needingtoreadatleast10books#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

EARTH DAY 2023 OR SHOULD EVERY DAY BE EARTH DAY

 April 22 was earth day.

Time to reflect on what to do to help our earth.

We are all worried about climate change and the effect of plastic and toxins on the earth's environment.

So how do we keep the momentum going.

For me, not having a pristine garden. I let plants and bushes grow a little bit wild.

Attracts the birds and the bees and of course my squirrels.

I have not accomplished zero waste but I have tried to reduce my carbon footprint. 

How about you? How did you spend Earth day?

#earthday#april22wasearthday#caringabouttheearth#doingwhatwecanfortheearth#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-POST WORLD WAR TWO HOUSING AND I LIVED IN TWO

With the buzz about affordable housing in Canada, it brings a time in our history where houses were built to accommodate the Canadian population.

Post World War Two houses.

This bungalow built after the war had a ditch in the front when we lived there. 36 Langside Ave, Weston. The Park family lived there from 1955 to 1962.

I googled the current home that does not have a ditch. There seems to be a new porch and cantina under the porch. There is a garage at the back.

20 Woodward Ave.,  Thornhill. Story and ahalf homes.

Our original #20 Woodward Ave was demolished and a two story home built. This house across the street from #20 is very similar to the house where I lived.

The Adolph Di Mambro family lived there from 1978 to 1987. It was the first home we bought.

Now the talk in Canada is to build affordable housing. There are still many smaller homes around but the developers want to demolish and build bigger.

Perhaps there are lessons to learn from post war Canada in the 1940s and 1950s.

#postwarhomes#bungalows#storyandahalfhomes#woodwardaveinthornhill#bungalowinweston#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MID APRIL AND ALL ON TRACK

 Income tax returns done over a week ago.

Yard work underway. 7 bags to the curb on garbage day.

Organizing my computer area and files. Looks very neat.

Granny square projects going well. Over 100 squares are done.

Now to get back to walking, and all will be good.

How is your April going?

#aprilactivities#yardwork#organizingprojectsandcomputerarea#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#grannysquares

NANA SAYS THE GRANDCHILDREN LOVE THEIR FRIDGE PHOTOS

 My fridge door is covered with photos of my grandchildren and family events.

Their school pics.

Family dinners.

Many group shots of the six of them.

So at the Easter table I could hear them making fun of how they looked.

Their hair. Their funny faces.

So by leaving the photos that they review every time they come to my house, I get to enjoy their critiques of the photos.

Love it. Love listening to their antics.

I just sat at the table listening to them looking at their photos. 

#childrenandtheirphotos#nanalovestohearthegrandchildrentalkingabouttheirphotos#schoolpics#familygroupshots#lovelisteningtothegrandchildrencritiquetheirphoto#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

APRIL-THE MONTH BETWEEN SPRING AND SUMMER-TIME FOR OUTDOOR WORK

 As a gardener that respects the ecology of leaving a garden unattended so the pollinators can hibernate during the winter, it is now time to begin a rigorous garden cleanup.

So what I mean is I go in my garden and try to do 100 clippings a day. It is doable for a Senior. I can not do hours of yard work anymore.

So usually after I count to 100 I often do a little more.

The middle of April will have the yard waste bag collection starting every other week.

So my goal is to try to put out two bags or more on each collection.

Small simple steps. 

Needless to say, my garden will never be pristine. It is a little wild jungle in the backyard. Who cares!

No one visits the yard to see it anyway. 

With my battery operated hedge trimmer, it makes the job faster.

If I had the finances I would hire a gardening crew to help me. Maybe my grandsons could be my crew.

#aprilandyardwork#aprilisanewmonth#gettingworkdoneinapril#smallsimplestepsforyardwork#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro