Firstly, thank you to all of our caring staff and customers for the support this year. And to our subscribers who took the time to either respond in the comment section or to me directly, sharing their inspired words.
I want to send a note of congratulations to our "Win A Trip to Prince Edward Island" winner Linda Greswell from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. We give the trip to Prince Edward Island each year to a newsletter subscriber.
As I write this post this morning sitting a hotel lobby in San Francisco, Shirley, our daughters and I are enjoying a little bit of downtime. As we make plans for the shiny new year, and I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the things that made me smile over the past twelve months.
The Preserve Company
I truly love this business that we’ve been building over the past thirty years. We continue to make changes to our offerings, to keep things fresh and to respond to the needs of our customers. One highlight for me this year was our line of sugar-free preserves.
The Gardens of Hope
We had the honour of working with a wonderful man, Hugo Chavez who happened to be visiting Prince Edward Island for a few months; his landscaping skills helped the gardens move up a few notches in style and function. Thank you, Hugo.
The respite cottage was pretty well booked solid from first of May until mid-October. We have had guests use the respite cottage since then, and bookings for January are coming in.
For those who do not know what our Gardens of Hope mission is, read more here.
What I’ve read
I’ve added many new books to my shelves this year, being mainly a non-fiction reader the one I enjoyed the most was Essentialism, by Greg McKeown. I share a few quotes from the book....
“Is this the very most important thing I should be doing with my time and resources right now?” ( I actually have this quote set up as a notification to pop up on my phone and computer every day at 10 am and 2 pm)
The basic value proposition of Essentialism: "once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter."
Another book I have started to read in 2017 is Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue
A quote that stood out for me was.....
When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness, now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with your self. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning.
What I’ve watched
Movies I remember seeing this year were Dunkirk, Wonder, Murder on the Orient Express
I am not much of a television watcher. But together Shirley and I enjoy, The Crown, This is Us, Longmire, and Designated Survivor.
What I’ve listened to
Music is a very important part of my life. The artists I listened to most this year were: Olafur Arnalds, Fabrizio Paterlini, Piotr Anderszewski, Jan Lisiecki, Ludovico Einaudi, Will Regan & United Pursuit, Brian & Jenn Johnson.
Planning ahead…
Resolutions are not a tradition for us per se', but like most, we want to and need to consider our physical health in all that we do. We have lots of things to work on at work, but as I started this blog with the notion that we are on a bit of break now, I am not going to allow my brain to kick into gear and start listing all that we want to do at work in 2018!!
Instead, I will finish today's post with a joke and good wishes to all in 2018!
I invite you to add to this list of good things by commenting on a highlight from your year! Let’s keep the joy going.
Peace, and with love from Prince Edward Island, (ok, ok, California)
Bruce
Comments
Derinda Lyall said:
Happy New Year to you and your Family. Your passion for Life and your PEI Preserve Co. is evident. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. We will be back next year.
January 07, 2018
Karen & Bryce said:
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
Have a fabulous holiday!!
January 02, 2018
Sue Lange said:
Happy new year to you and your family, Bruce. Thanks for your blog posts – it is always a highlight to see one pop up in my emails and without fail brightens my day, no matter how tired and worn down I feel.
All the best for a prosperous and happy 2018. :))
January 02, 2018
Melanie Taormina said:
A highlight of my year: A trip — a gift to my mom — of all of the women and girls in the three generations of our family to Lancaster, in our native Pennsylvania.
January 01, 2018
Brynhilde Roth said:
Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
December 31, 2017
Anne Gregoroff said:
Where’s the joke?
I’d like to add my congratulations to Linda Greswell. It will surely be a wonderful trip!
The highlight of my year was getting things sorted out with Service Canada and Canada Revenue. Not the first time they’ve made mistakes that have cost be huge amounts It’s sorted out now, though, and I’m grateful for that. :)
December 31, 2017
Lorraine Kingate said:
Have a very Happy and
Healthy New Year to a
wonderful family,
Hugs from the Kingate
Family
December 31, 2017
Kim St. Marie said:
Thank you for taking the time to write your blog each week. I enjoy reading it and always love the pictures from PEI. I visited PEI for the first time in August 2017 and I loved every minute there. I can’t wait to return and enjoy a longer visit next time. All the best to you and yours in 2018.
December 31, 2017
Joyce (MacNevin) Knight said:
Thank you for producing some sugar free products, for you comments, you suggestions on books and music. Here’s to continued business success and you and your families health and happiness. Happy New Year.
December 31, 2017
Kay said:
I always enjoy reading your blog, keep it coming in 2018. Happy travels and enjoy the trip home.
December 31, 2017
Elizabeth Pease said:
Thank you very much for your two boxes of chocolates. My family and I enjoyed them immensely.
December 31, 2017
Carol McFarlane said:
Thank you for your new sugarless products – last summer purchased for diabetic friends – samples you offer are very helpful
December 31, 2017