• 18 things for 2018
  • 2015 Challenge – 52 in 52
  • 2016 challenge – 52 new things
  • 2017 Challenge – 17 things
  • Bucket List – Done and dusted
  • Bucket List – Still to do
  • This is Me – May 2015
  • This was Me – August 2014

RuthsArc

~ Looking forward, looking back & enjoying now.

RuthsArc

Category Archives: 52 challenge

Changing Seasons – February

26 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, remembering / musing

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

seasons

February has continued to be a month of leisure. We’ve enjoyed drives to remote beaches, bush walks, just being in touch with nature.

IMG_1150
IMG_E1839
IMG_1728
IMG_E1711

But also, the joyful experience of live music in the city, jazz evenings, Symphony Orchestra concerts, marching bands.IMG_1441

The Botanical Gardens were less colourful in these late weeks of summer. Still a delight to explore, to appreciate the paper daisies, the Japanese Garden. Flowering gum trees have been beautiful but there are now hints of autumn in the city parks.IMG_1522IMG_1576

IMG_1529
IMG_1562
IMG_1299
IMG_1599
IMG_1597
IMG_1627

IMG_2193IMG_2192

It has been a busy month for cruise ship visits. Some days it seemed that these huge floating hotels were jostling for a “parking space” alongside navy and Antarctic ice breaker ships on our waterfront, even though I know it was all carefully choreographed.

IMG_1434
IMG_1262
IMG_1857

The Urban Art Festival has ended. The variety of new art, the vibrant colours and designs have brightened up this back lane.IMG_1933

IMG_2165
IMG_2166
IMG_1943

This is my contribution to the “changing seasons” theme, hosted by Su.

Changing Seasons – January

29 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, photography, remembering / musing

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

seasons

Summer in Hobart is glorious. Temperatures generally in the mid-twenties, lots of sunshine but not the extreme heat or humidity of mainland Australia.

January feels like a holiday month, running over from Christmas and the New Year, “The Taste” food festival, MONA FOMA music and art festival, through to Australia Day. The kids on summer break, some businesses close for extended holidays.

IMG_9575
IMG_9574
IMG_0509

For me, it has definitely been a holiday month. My work contract finished at the end of December and I am taking a slow approach to finding a new job. So I have had TIME during January.

Time to walk every day, along coastal paths, on the beach.IMG_0891IMG_0278

Time to stop and smell the roses, admire the structure of passion flowers, the delicate gum nuts in the eucalyptus trees.

IMG_0342
IMG_9921
IMG_0617
IMG_0696

Time to be calm, to be still, to balance stones on a grate. I blogged earlier about a community challenge to add to the stone stacks. Strong winds knocked them flat but several people seem to stop and build anew. My skills have improved no end, balancing nine stones on a few occasions.

IMG_0358
IMG_0691
IMG_0692
IMG_0693

Time to move photos to a hard drive. What a job that has turned into, but a joy to revisit holidays and favourite times and places as I attempt to reduce my photo archive.IMG_E0190

Time to meet friends for coffee, a smoothie, or lunch. Time to chat, to relax. Time to enjoy a good book. Time to waste time.

IMG_0395
IMG_0317
IMG_0879-2

IMG_6409

I’m joining the “changing seasons” project, now hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch,
where you can get a glimpse of January through the eyes of other bloggers across the world.

18 things for 2018

10 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, all about me

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

me

My focus this year is about heath, wellbeing and happiness.

I began with “7 things” idea from dayzeroproject.com
Learn to … a new skill or hobby?
Start … develop a habit
Stop … break a habit
Take a holiday to … where you’d most like to go
Find … what are you looking for?
Try … one new thing you want to try
Be more … a personal characteristic to improve

However, I struggled to choose just one for each task so I have selected 18 things.

Learn to …
~ relax
~ take charge of my own happiness
~ become ambidextrous
Start …
~ moving, being more active
~ eating smaller portion sizes
~ eating mindfully
Stop …
~ making excuses about my health and weight
~ making unhealthy food and drink choices
~ overthinking
Take a holiday to …
~ New Zealand
~ Tasmania’s Maria Island
Find …
~ A job that I enjoy which has good work/life balance
~ Inspiring and positive things to read, blogs, books, articles
Try …
~ something new each month to improve my wellbeing
~ floatation tank
Be more …
~ health conscious
~ creative
~ accepting of myself and others

I also want to continue 18 things …
~ connecting with nature each week
~ maintaining strong relationships with family and friends, near and far
~ being the best NanR that I can be
~ taking photos
~ blogging
~ sentence a day
~ photo a day and other weekly photo challenges
~ exploring Tasmania
~ developing new friendships
~ challenging myself
~ paying it forward
~ decorating our driftwood tree
~ trying new things
~ supporting local events
~ enjoying Hobart life
~ walking on the beach regularly
~ knitting and crochet
~ being happy with my life and my choices

Connecting with Tasmania

06 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, all about me, days out

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

me, photos

Although we have lived here for two and a half years, we continue to explore new places in Tasmania.

Here are some of the places that we’ve discovered in the past twelve months….
Roaches Beach
Tasmanian Transport Museum
Rosny Farm
Improved Hobart airport, including cute sculptures of Tasmanian Devils.
Wooden Boat Museum
Circular rock formation beyond Taroona Beach
Meadowbank Lake
Lake Dobson, Mount Field National Park
Art Farm at Birchs Bay
Fingal Valley
Scamander on East Coast
Regular vintage car gathering
Hastings Caves
Narryna House built in 1830’s
Cornelian Bay Cemetery
City murals
New MACQ01 Hotel, restaurant, bar and tours of 114 Doors
Zoodoo
New Town Rivulet Track
Lady Franklin Gallery
Inverawe Native Gardens
Government House

Some of these places were days out on public holidays, which helped complete 2 challenges on my 2017 list.

✔9 – Do something memorable on nine public holidays.
✔17 – Discover seventeen new places in Tasmania that we haven’t yet visited or explored.

2-img_5561
img_5875
img_6253-1
img_6329
pflx8206
IMG_9174 (1)
MENF3345
XCLL9200
RMSD4161
IMG_5888
IMG_6506
IMG_6825
IMG_6915
IMG_7296
IMG_5947A
IJYH1481A
IMG_4144A
IMG_6689B
IMG_7260A
EVGT6331A
IMG_1833A

 

New things in 2017

04 Thursday Jan 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, all about me

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

books, me

Several of last year’s challenges involved new things. Things that intrigued, sustained, entertained, informed, delighted and stretched me……

…attending a baby shower, comfortable driving an electric car, going to a house auction, using Uber, sitting exams for the first time in a decade, identifying flowers and trees, attending Fire Warden training, seeing Elton John in concert, seeing “Kinky Boots” theatre show, new foods, new recipes, trying different artisan breads, making iced teas, new restaurants, going to comedy shows, visiting museum exhibitions, learning about Tasmanian bush fires, completing a Cert IV Accounting course, learning new technology, going to the movies, becoming a NanR.

“Never stop learning because life never stops teaching.”

I’ve read books that were gifts on special occasions, or passed on by other avid readers. Books that I have searched out, some that were recommended, others that just grabbed my attention in a charity shop.

I’ve read literature and memoires, play and poetry, travel journals and kids books. Some stories have stayed with me, others I enjoyed in that instant, but couldn’t recall the names of characters now, a few weeks or months on. I have escaped into other people’s lives, in different decades, centuries, both historical and fiction.

Here are some of my favourites of the past year.

IMG_6922
IMG_9442
IMG_7767
IMG_0050
IMG_9440
IMG_9447
IMG_9443
IMG_5990
IMG_4397
IMG_9441
IMG_9445

 

Ticks for another 5 challenges.
✔4 – Times 3 – Try to do something new each month, something out of my comfort zone.
✔5 – Learn to identify five different types of gum trees by their bark, leaves and size.
✔8 – Introduce eight new things into our diet, not all alcohol based!
✔11 – Read eleven books this year, paper books, interesting, thought provoking books.
✔16 – Go to sixteen events, art exhibitions, festivals, movies or shows.

And I ticked off a couple of bucket list items too
✔Go to a rooftop cinema
✔Skinny dip in the ocean

Connecting with people

03 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, all about me, making changes

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

me

Here is another update on last years challenges – 17 things for 2017

It has been a pleasure to talk to strangers, help find an address for a couple going to a house open day, help a child who couldn’t see her parents on a busy waterfront, to just chat to someone queuing for a coffee. At work I organised “dress down Friday” charity collections, we also donated to local food bank. I follow “action for happiness” on twitter who post inspiring ideas.

The arrival of our first grandchild has made “giving unexpected gifts” a joy, yet its own challenge, not to over indulge. He enjoyed his first posted gift.IMG_8498

We had a fabulous trip back to the UK in March. We spent treasured time with family and friends and found time to be tourists on a few days.

IMG_8172
IMG_7735
IMG_8266
IMG_8583

I cherish the relationships that have thrived despite the physical miles that separate us. Thank you Skype and Facetime!!

I’ve enjoyed sending hand written letters to friends and family. However, I soon realised that I forgot what news and views I had shared in previous letters, so now I take a photo of the letter before I post it. I love receiving letters and cards so guess other people do to.

IMG_3383
IMG_9858

I’ve continued to enjoy blogging and post regularly whilst working full time. Twelve months ago, I wasn’t sure how that would work out as my blog originated as “a gap year” pastime. But I’ve found a balance of online time that suits me. I continue to enjoy writing and sharing photos and reading other varied and interesting blogs.

Bless you to everyone I have connected with in the past year x.

Ticks for another 4 challenges.
✔2 – Post on blog at least twice a week and keep up with blog reading.
✔6 – “Pay it forward” on at least six occasions or give an unexpected gift.
✔7 – Times 3 – 21 days in the UK in March, catching up with family and friends.
✔13 – Send a hand written letter each month, more at Christmas.

Photos, creativity and happy days

02 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, all about me, creativity, photography

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

me, photos

I thoroughly enjoyed an online photography course mid year. I learnt a lot about my camera and about different techniques. I participated in interesting weekly assignments, encouraged fellow students, saw some lovely photographs and ideas. I still need to practice and there’s always more to learn.

Experimenting with camera shutter speed was fun.MLSA3228A

I’ve also enjoyed using my new “olloclip” macro lens that takes amazing images with my iphone. Seeing a new level of detail in everyday objects is intriguing.IMG_9333

As well as our driftwood tree that evolved over the months, I have worked on several crochet and knitting projects, also created a terrarium.

IMG_7460
IMG_9522
IMG_3403

IMG_4790

I completed the challenge to submit a picture for one hundred consecutive days, of what made me happy. Check out the website 100happydays.com and my post here.

“We live in times when super-busy schedules have become something to boast about. While the speed of life increases, there is less and less time to enjoy the moment that you are in. The ability to appreciate the moment, the environment and yourself in it, is the base for the bridge towards long term happiness of any human being.”

Ticks for another 3 challenges on the list.
✔ 1 – Take a photography course and learn to use my camera to its full capability.
✔ 10 – Times 10 – Complete #100 Happy Days
✔12 – Experiment with twelve new creative ideas this year.

Connect with nature

01 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, all about me, one with nature

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

me, photos

My first few posts of this year will review the challenges that I set for 2017. Here is the list.

I’m fortunate that I live is such a lovely place, close to nature. Just stepping out on our balcony to capture sunrise or sunset, rainbows or stormy clouds, connects me with nature. Most weeks we walked on a beach or in the bush and got away from city streets and traffic. Sometimes my connection with nature has simply been the appreciation of a flower in bloom.

So, No 3 on my list is ticked off
✔ Connect with nature at least three times a week.
IMG_E9372IMG_9240IMG_5968IMG_9153IMG_9746IMG_8113

12 months of our driftwood tree

23 Saturday Dec 2017

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, creativity

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

art, trees

I didn’t dismantle our driftwood tree, last Christmas. With a family birthday in early January, I changed it into a birthday tree. Then a friend set a challenge, could I keep the tree going all year, with a different theme each month?

Here is a summary of our year and our tree…..
Birthday
Australia Day
Beach Life
Easter
Autumn
Mother’s Day
Mid Winter
Anniversary
Baby Shower
Welcome Grandson
Spring Boats
Summer
Remembrance Day
Back at the beach
Christmas

1-img_5545img_613646 IMG_6451105 IMG_9012IMG_9501IMG_0202

 

IMG_2232
NTPH4474 (1)

Version 2IMG_3794AIMG_6335AIMG_7107IMG_7239AAIMG_8067IMG_9142 (1)
The photo challenge this week is 2017 Favorites. Which is your favourite tree?

5 minutes …

10 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, creativity, photography

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

5 minutes

… with wooden fruit.

I’ve joined an online photography course and the first topic is composition. So I’m joining fellow blogger, Desleyjane in her challenge # regular random.

The rules are … Choose an object or a scene and spend just five minute shooting it from as many angles as you can. Look at the way the light interacts with the object, or look at what comes into or moves out of the frame.

So here’s a few snaps of our wooden fruit bowl.Collage 11Collage 13RNFJ6365-2

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Archives

  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
award-free-blog-2

Categories

  • 100 word challenge
  • 52 challenge
  • all about me
  • back in 1985
  • creativity
  • days out
  • fifty something
  • making changes
  • midlife
  • more to life
  • my place
  • one with nature
  • photography
  • remembering / musing
  • Uncategorized
  • weekly photo challenge

Tags

5 minutes 100 words A2Z Challenge Amsterdam animals architecture art astronomy Australia beach bench series birds boats books Cadiz Cambridge Cars challenge curiosity day out doors Ely emotography family flowers Giant's Causeway Gibraltar Greenwich Hastings history Hobart holiday home in 1985 India insomnia Ireland London Maastricht macro Margate me Melbourne music Netherlands New Zealand our garden people photos quotes Rediscover Tasmania Scotland seasons Seville Spain still life Sydney Tasmania time Titanic trees walks Whitstable work WW Remembrance
Follow RuthsArc on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 605 other followers

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel