Living the Dream in Retirement
My love affair with puzzles continues though I haven’t posted updates in awhile. 2022 was an incredibly eventful year and as I searched out these photos of completed puzzles I’m surprised I had done this many. It goes to prove regardless of how busy and overwhelmed I get by life, I still seek out the solace and focus of putting on a playlist and doing puzzles.
During the pandemic with endless days of solitude, I’m increasingly grateful that I discovered a passion for painting. I immerse myself in the vibrant colors and create art that continues to surprise me. Hours melt away….
Clearly I’ve been obsessed with the tiles I’ve been painting with alcohol ink, as evidenced by recent posts. I wanted to share a few of my favorite artistic endeavors in this post; all are alcohol ink on Yupo paper.
Recently I did a post about my first 24 alcohol ink painted ceramic tiles. I love the process and results. It provides me a creative outlet that’s both therapeutic and soothing.
Last week I launched an Instagram account called laurasprettytiles if you’d like to check it out. I’ve already connected with artists across the globe. I feel a kinship with them and am inspired with the beauty they’re creating. Here are my latest tiles:
I’ve been sharing my tile art through various social media accounts and garnering lots of positive feedback. One question (likely due to the number of posts) is “what’s the plan for these”? That’s a great question….for now I’ve been enjoying them displayed like this!
Creating beauty and focusing on art rather than the sadness, uncertainty and stress of 2020.
I pop in my AirPods, select my favorite playlist and start painting, like a spa day for my mind.
On our October 2015 trip to Aruba, the spa at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts was undergoing renovation. As we prepared for our trip in May, I perused the menu of services offered by their new Purun Spa.
At check-in, we were given a welcome packet including a discount on spa service. I reached out to Nicole in Guest Services/Concierge and set an appointment for a Purun Happy Island Massage.
Purun Happy Island Massage (Swedish w/ Hot stone):
A gentle stream of warm oil escapes the marble of Purun and reaches the center of energy of the body, followed by a hand and feet massage ending up in neck and face. This truly unique experience calms the nervous system by uniting mind and body.
I was ready for some pampering after a long day dragging around our carry-on luggage and being crammed into always-too-small seats on the plane.
After my arrival and check-in I was offered fruit-infused water or ginger tea; I opted for ginger tea – my personal favorite.
My massage therapist was Margarita who was just lovely and her Purun Happy Island Massage left me completely relaxed.
As I was checking out, I was given another discount on services if used before the end of our trip. Not that I needed any incentive but I booked a facial for the following week on my birthday!
Purun Sensation Facial:
Experience a pleasant feeling with our facial of essences that will give you a fresh face that is smooth and toxin-free. This treatment helps to protect the skin from the elements of the environment such as stress and dehydration giving you purification, softness, and anti-aging hydration.
Once again, I had Margarita who gave me a relaxing and amazing facial. My skin was so soft and hydrated that I think I left looking a few years younger than when I went in.
Needless to say, I would highly recommend the services at Purun Spa and plan to go back on our next trip (God willing) to Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort.
In Michigan, we’ve had summer like temps but little to no rain. As a result, the garden is growing quickly, everyday yielding new blooms. This morning I was thrilled to see even more blooms in the garden, including my Dwarf Korean Lilac.
Much to my surprise, under the lilac bush, I found two of the feral kittens born about seven weeks ago on our porch. I imagine that the fragrance of the lilacs is relaxing for them.
Lots of shades of purple and yellow abound.
As I strolled around this morning, I found several “volunteers” that I didn’t plant but am happy to see all the same. My rule is, if it’s growing in a crack but it’s a flower, vegetable or herb – leave it be!
As I finish up the final two entries in this series, I’d like to thank those of you who’ve followed along. Your interest and comments on 59 Candles, 59 Things has been so appreciated and it’s made me happy to share it with you. It’s reminded me that there are many things to be grateful for every day and that life provides moments large and small that offer happiness.
Fifty eighth thing: The next thing that makes me happy will come as no surprise – retirement! A few months ago, I passed the two year mark of my retirement and it has gone fast. I knew I’d enjoy it but never would have expected to have accomplished so many things that I’d wanted to do nor would I have guessed how busy I would be. The biggest bonus is getting to hang out with Spence every day. That time together is a gift and something I longed for when I was working full-time. I’ve picked up new hobbies, traveled, read tons of books, tended my garden and cooked my way through these last two years. There is still much more to come (God willing) and I look forward to embracing every moment and smelling all the roses!
Fifty ninth thing: For the final entry in this series, I’m choosing to be happy about getting older – and here’s 10 reasons why:
Okay, I’m sure you were expecting something more profound in that list or for the final post for this series. But truly, getting older does make me happy. I’m wiser now but still feel like a kid most days. Yeah, there are aches and pains, surgical scars and a pacemaker that I’ve picked up along the way but I’m still here.
Thank you for following this series, I’ve had a blast blogging about these things that make me happy!
Let me start by saying I’ve never been particularly crafty. My creative outlets have been cooking, gardening and photography.
Retired and with an addiction to Pinterest, I’ve started to look for “recipes” in which I could make things using my essential oils.
For this project, I made these amazing shower disks. These can be placed on the bottom of the tub while showering, releasing the scent of the oils in the steam.
I plan to also drop them into baths. I love a good soak in the tub while reading, meditating or enjoying a glass or wine – or sipping a shot of liqueur.
Homemade Shower Disks – makes 6
1 cup baking soda
1/3 cup water to start, be prepared to add more
essential oils – I choose eucalyptus, lavender and wintergreen
Mix baking soda and water until it’s thick like a paste. I used a silicone muffin pan (spritzed with olive oil) Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Turn the oven off. Remove and add your essential oils to each disk; I chose 3 drops eucalyptus, 2-3 drops lavender, 1-2 drops wintergreen onto each disk – it absorbs quickly. Put the pan back in the oven to let them “cure” or dry a bit longer from the residual heat.
Store in a glass jar or in a ziplock bag.
The Michigan winter and forced air heat is drying and hard on our skin. I started using coconut oil on my skin and recently to condition my hair but always wished it smelled a bit better. I’d been given solid lotion bars as gifts before – solid until they melt against your skin. I’ve always wondered about making my own.
Fast forward to Pinterest where I discovered this “recipe”(courtesy of Thank Your Body). It’s bitterly cold in Michigan so today’s the day. I’d purchased organic beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil and sweet orange essential oil as well as a silicone mold recently. Today, I dug out my trusty double boiler and am ready to roll – or melt.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Tablespoons of raw honey
2 ounces organic beeswax
2 ounces organic shea butter
2 ounces organic coconut oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 drops of organic sweet orange essential oil
Directions:
1. In a double boiler, melt together the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil until they become liquid.
2. Turn the heat off and add the olive oil, honey, and essential oil drops. I warmed my honey first – make sure that it’s fully melted into the mix as it is the thickest component.
3. Pour liquified mixture into the molds.
4. Allow to set in a cool place for 7 to 8 hours, or pop in the fridge to speed up the process.
Not feeling 100% confident as to how these will turn out, I cut the recipe in half except I did use the full amount of essential oil. It made 4 bars in the mold shown above, though I didn’t fill the molds to the very top. The orange fragrance is very subtle even though I used the amount for a full – not half recipe. Want a more scented bar? Simply increase the amount of essential oil.
To store these, keep them in little plastic containers in a cool place. When you’re ready to use, rub a bar between your palms to soften with body heat then massage into your skin.
