Putting the focus on Thankfulness in October

October has come and gone and during the month I re-discovered some bloggers who I had drifted away from. One in particular was Leslie from Once Upon A Time Happily Ever After. I joined Leslie and some other bloggers for a Chilli-Soup-Stew Blog Hop which was great fun. Whilst visiting Leslie’s blog I found her Thankful Thursdays link up as well as her Sentence a Day link and it reminded me that lately I’ve been dwelling too much on a personal matter that seems to have taken over our life and not appreciating the good things that I experience each day.

So I’m combining my October wrap up with a Thankful Thursday post and putting the focus on Gratitude and Thankfulness.

Time Out

Taking time out each day to just ‘breathe’. Living near the ocean brings calm whether I’m watching the waves from my balcony or walking along the Esplanade. I’m grateful to live where I do. Taking time out to relax with my husband and read is something I treasure. This month I’ve read several books which I included in my What’s On Your Bookshelf? monthly post.

Taking some time to remember my Mum’s birthday. She passed away 36 years ago but is always in my heart.

Happiness

Spending each Wednesday with my grandsons is a constant source of joy. I’m also grateful that I can see them as there are many who have been separated from their grandchildren due to lock down or distance.

Celebrating Grandparents Day with my grandson Elliot at his kindy. We made playdough cupcakes, saw a butterfly hatch and played lava and monsters – such imagination! I also ‘adopted’ several of the other children for the afternoon who didn’t have grandparents visiting.

My orchid which is flourishing and blooming brings me happiness each time I look at it as well as my new plant stand.

Active

I’m thankful that my body allows me to stay active and healthy and also young at heart. During October, I ran each Saturday with my Saturday Sister, as well as participating and also taking sessions as an instructor in the Strong Health Women Virtual Studio. I’ve also been working out with some friends twice a week so getting plenty of exercise which keeps my body healthy and strong and my mind healthy as well.

New

Trying new recipes to participate in the What’s On Your Plate Challenge? hosted by Donna from Retirement Reflections and Deb The Widow Badass. This month I was thinking of ways to use shortcrust pastry and came up with my post 3 recipes with Shortcrust Pastry. The What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge is the first Wednesday in the month so watch for my post tomorrow and then visit Donna and Deb.

Kindness

I like to think I’m a kind person but the kindness of others is always appreciated. It was lovely to receive a couple of surprises in the mail. A thoughtful gift of an individualised tea towel and book from a friend plus a ‘thinking of you card’ from another.

Fun

Playing PJ Masks with my Grandson who looks too cute as Gecko and baking cupcakes whilst his big brother is at school.

Exploring a new shop after our Saturday Run at Buy from the Bush. A shop that helps promote rural farmers and businesses. I picked up a lovely hand painted tea towel and wash cloth as a gift and also some earrings for me. They have so much to look at so I will definitely be visiting again.

Undertaking a challenge

I started my 100 day #bringmorecolourintoyourlife challenge this month. I had started to look at life in ‘grey’ tones. If you know me, you will know that I am not really someone who looks at life through a ‘grey’ lense so I decided to pull my socks up and look for colour and positives in each day. The 100 day challenge is about posting a colourful photo every day on social media. It is amazing how much colour surrounds us even in daily life and how much a pop of colour can lift your spirits. As I publish this post I’m up to Day 26/100. Here is a sample of some of the colour I’ve brought to my day during October. You can join in too and use the hashtag #bringmorecolourintoyourlife so I can see your posts as well.

Learning & Living Well

I am almost finished my Certificate IV in Fitness with only one module to go. This will give me qualifications to be a Personal Trainer to add to my qualification of Group Fitness Instructor. Learning keeps my brain healthy and there is such a sense of satisfaction when I’ve completed a course.

My book club is not only fun but a learning experience. We decided when we formed the group to study the classics I’m appreciating learning and understanding more about the author as well as the characters in the book. We have read most of the Bronte Sisters’ books with only two more to go after this.

What else did I get up to in October?

On the blog – I actually wrote more than I remembered!

• Healthy & Nourishing Slow Cooked Soups
• Indoor or Outdoor – What’s your favourite decor?
• What’s On your bookshelf during October?
• What is Physiological Superannuation and are you looking after yours?
• My 100 day project #bringmorecolourintoyourlife
• My September Highs, Lows & In Betweens
• What’s On your Plate? Blog Challenge – Nourishing Slow Cooked Vegetable Soup
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month

On the podcast

• From Crone to Creatrix – Unlocking the Power of the Midlife Woman
• Self-Care, Revaluating Friendships and bringing more colour to your life
• Ready to go to bed and wake up with less stress and more momentum in your day

What are you thankful for over the last month? Did you do anything that filled you with joy? I’d love you to share your experience or link up with other bloggers through the link below.

Wishing you all a beautiful November….