Hello and Goodbye

I’m down to my last tablespoon of a fantastic spice blend I picked up in Edmonton. ‘Beira’ by Zulu Zone. The number on the jar to reorder is not in service. Perhaps a victim of the global recession? Thankfully they’ve included the ingredients so with luck I hope to be able to recreate it before my sample is gone.
But just in case you read the word ‘Beira’ and see these ingredients and it jogs a distant memory that you might already know the ratio…I’ve printed it here. In order as it appears on the jar: Chives, mint, paprika, cinnamon, coriander, seasoning, garlic.
What the heck is seasoning?? The secret ingredient I assume. The possibilities are endless, I was tempted to ask a mathematician but that was just a bit discouraging.

Beira Spice Blend

I think it’s fair enough to say that I am one tablespoon away from goodbye favourite spice blend.

And hellloooo perfume! Today I was gifted with a bottle of perfume. I had to stop and think when was the last time I owned perfume? You see I’ve lived with roommates for years who were ‘sensitive’ to perfume so I didn’t have any and didn’t use any. Then when I finally did move to a small cubby of my own I was so out of the habit I didn’t think to buy any. I haven’t really had a boyfriend either so….*shrug* meh!
My reaction was completely unexpected. I always say I don’t want gifts (which is true) but sometimes I really like them – especially when they are unexpected and not bought out of a sense of obligation. Well this elegant bag of butter yellow and classy black ribbon undid a geyser of girliness I didn’t know I had.
The fragrance was sublime. Citrus, light, fresh – perfectly me! I forced my co-workers to smell my new perfume and I couldn’t help but sniff my wrist all day. It even held up under the sweat of my Yoga class at lunch. I did finally wash it off before my doctor’s appointment but as I arrived home and placed this treasured box upon my dresser I couldn’t help but spray myself again. Not for a boy or because I was going out but just for my pure sensory pleasure.
I know, you may think, ‘geez, it’s just perfume’ but to me this is a sign of new things to come.

I always think about hellos and goodbyes this time of year, because my birthday is coming up. For me it’s a more powerful time to make changes in my life.  Here are a few more hellos and goodbyes:

1. Goodbye travel tales – I feel too restricted. I’m letting you go and this blog will be whatever unfocused rambling it needs to be.

2. Hello yoga! I’ve taken the plunge and joined a yoga studio. I love it. I signed up 11 days ago and I’ve taken 7 classes in that time so if you take my annual membership cost and divide by the number of classes I’ve taken my class today cost $186.86 if I never go again. I’ll keep you posted. I know it’s not about the money but its fun to track. 😀

3. Goodbye clutter! I can’t stand it! And my girlfriends are going to help me let go of my books and reorganize my cupboards.  Four pretty boxes from Ikea have already made a huge difference.

4. Hello seedling!  I am patiently watching some lavender seedling grow on my windowsill that I planted too late and may not transfer but this is a practice round.  One day I’ll have a field of lavender – just you watch!

Lavendar Seedlings

5. Goodbye Uncle Al.  You were a force to be reckoned with and an example of what hard work and determination could achieve. We will miss your travel tales and the ever generous texas mickey.

6. Hello backyard!  Landscaping should be done by the end of the month and I should have a little patch to putter around in.

If you have a Hello or Goodbye you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it.

Happy Monday!