Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

Episode 43: Shirley on Wellness Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, - wherever you are, thank you for listening in.  Every Wednesday, I meet up with my mother, Frances for tea and a wonderful conversation, which has, over the past few months, become our time to create a podcast discussion. We usually meet in her sewing room among the material, patterns and threads, but today we carried our mic over to see our long-time friend, Shirley, a reflexologist and aromatherapist. Lexico, power by Oxford defines reflexology as “a system of massage used to relieve tension and treat illness, based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head linked to every part of the body.” The Mayo Clinic goes into more depth, confirming that it is a way of seeking relaxation and stress relief. As in all areas of health, you should talk to your doctor whether reflexology will be a benefit for you. Put the kettle on and add to the discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com

Episode 42: Tea with E Pauline Johnson Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia Good morning, Good Afternoon Good Evening – wherever you are, thank you for listening in and joining the podcast conversation. Today, I am taking tea with a poet that has gone before us – E. Pauline Johnson. Poetry is necessary. It is an intense, emotional language that speaks to our spirit, to our deep need for understanding and belonging. We respond to the sounds, symbolism, rhythm of poetic language. Poetry gives us the confidence to explore our fast-paced dynamic world. It also gives us a glimpse of past ways that may be unfamiliar to us in our current reality. When we read poetry, we must place the words within the context of history. Poetry cannot be limited to time for it gives power to what comes next. I am learning to see a wider perspective that is not confined to the lens of our time, our values, our societal constructs. Pauline Johnson forged a personal identify, and in so doing, widened the path for others. May we do the sam

Episode 41: Thanksgiving with Frances Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, - wherever you are, thank you for listening in.  Every Wednesday, I meet up with my mother, Frances for tea and a wonderful conversation, which has, over the past few months, become our time to create a podcast discussion. We meet in her sewing room amongst the material, patterns and threads - a perfect acoustic environment for recording our voices. We set up a mic, close the door and talk.  It seems simple enough but facing a mic and wondering what to say next is rather daunting.  A huge thank you Mom, for heading into the podcasting unknown with me every Wednesday. Tomorrow, our neighbours to the South will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Frances and I will be joining the festivities as we remember Thanksgiving in the past. Put the kettle on and add to the discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank yo

Episode 40: The Trio on Time For Us. Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my sister, Sarah,and my mother, Frances, as we consider the idea of what is called a multiplier effect,  which suggests there are ways to boost our personal productivity.  If we adopt efficiency strategies, such as learning to prioritize our day, eliminate nonessential duties, or simply delegate or delay tasks, will we improve our lives? Will we achieve a higher level of effectiveness? So put the kettle on and add to the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. On last thought before we go is by Eleanor Roosevelt, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Until next time, safe travels wherever your ad

Episode 39: Liz On Finding Excellence Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. The search for excellence is intertwined in the story of humanity. Consider the Chinese philosopher, Confucius who said centuries ago, that “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” In our world, there is a plethora of books that guide us on our search. My question is – will we ever find excellence? Or will we be able to know when we have reached the exalted state of excellence? For answers, I turn to my dear blogger friend, Liz from the blog Leaping Life.  Once again, we are linking Edinburgh and Vancouver, which is 7,059 kilometers or 4,387 miles. So, Put the kettle on and join in the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia

Episode 38: Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, is World Kindness Day. Join my brother, Brian, and me as we discuss the question: What is kindness? So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  Stop by TeaToastTrivia.com and share your insights. We would love to hear from you. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Brian and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  And thank you Brian for sharing you thoughts on short notice.  I always enjoy our conversations. For more information on World Kindness Day, check out the link The World Kindness Movement.org One last thought comes from Henry James: “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” Safe travels, wherever your adventures take you!

Episode 37: Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Russian literature has captured my heart ever since I read the opening paragraphs of Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak. A funeral and a mother’s grave – profound, moving, unforgettable.  I was 15 years old. Boris Pasternak may have opened the door to Russian literature. Complex, dramatic, haunting – the roots of Russian literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages.  But it was my dear blogger friend, Elisabeth van der Meer  from the blog A Russian Affair who has been my unfailing guide in the exploration of Russian literature. Elizabeth has joined me in a huge leap into the podcasting unknown, from the far distance of 7,514 km or 4,669 miles. We are connecting Finland and Canada via Russian Literature. So, put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joi

Episode 36: Stephanie on Bold Moves In Exercise Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thanks for listening in... It is time to check in with my wellness and workout coach, Stephanie who reminds me daily, that being bold moves mountains.  Today we are heading into the gym, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare to be amazed by how much fun exercise can be. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is now identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Physical inactivity levels are rising in many countries with major implications for the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the general health of the population worldwide. Stephanie and I would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Stephanie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And thank you Stephanie for joining me from a distance – a distance of almost 1200 kilometers. One last thought comes f

Episode 35. Remembering My Father. Welcome to a special edition of Tea Toast & Trivia – remembering my Father. Thank you for listening in…A special thanks to Brian, my brother who added music to the podcast. In the third chapter of Ecclesiastes (King James Version)it is written “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;” We celebrate the first time even as we grieve at the second. And yet, in grieving there is much to celebrate. We have memories to sustain us as we continue our journey. May we create vibrant and joyful memories that build hope and resilience for those who follow after us. My Father passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Autumn was Dad’s favourite season. He looked forward to the golden red foliage, the gentle chill against his cheek, and the brilliant sun against a light blue sky.  For him, it was a time of rebirth. When he was a young man, my Father was a cowboy in Wyoming and Montana. He took his last ri

Episode 34: Frances on Two Sisters Look Back Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening!  Wherever you are, thank you for listening in. In one of my last conversations with my Father before he passed several years ago, he asked me to tell the stories.  I gave my promise, without having a full understanding of what telling the stories meant.  Since that time, I have come to know that Dad meant a broader definition of narrative.  There are many stories held in the folds of history that must be heard.  This thought became the genesis of the podcast, Tea Toast & Trivia Today, I am joined by my mother, Frances, as we look back to farming in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The United Nations designated the year 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF).  This year, on May 29, 2019, the United Nations launched  the Decade of Family Farming from 2019 – 2028.  My mother was a farmer’s daughter.  She knows first-hand the importance

Episode 33:  Stephanie on Bold Moves & Portion Control Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in on Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Family and friends across the country gathered today to celebrate gratitude and share a festive meal, laughter and great conversations.  At times like this, there is a temptation to eat more than usual and then worry that we have overindulged. What better time than now to check in my wellness and workout coach, Stephanie for a conversation on portion control. Stephanie has a refreshing way of looking at meal planning. She says food is awesome – that we should enjoy eating without any guilty sensation.   Food sustains us. Being bold in our relationship with food, will move the mountain of regret and guilt. So put the kettle on join our discussion on portion control.  Stephanie and I would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for jo

Episode 32:  Brian on The Greater Journey Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Brian, my brother, came back to continue the discussion on embracing our creativity. Today, we are looking at the greater journey by celebrating the past and giving relevance to where we are here, right now. Brian talks about our father’s love of music and how it continues to influence our lives, long after his passing. So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  Stop by TeaToastTrivia.com and share your insights. We would love to hear from you. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 31: The Trio on Meditation Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother Frances as we consider the idea of meditation. Is meditation simply a popular trend, a fad?  Or will it help us to achieve a sense of well-being?  How do we practice meditation, especially when many priorities compete for our time? So put the kettle on. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. Until next time, may we remember Sarah’s words: “May I be well. May I be happy. May I be loved.” Safe travels wherever your adventures take you today.

Episode 30:  Living our Creativity Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my brother, Brian,  to discuss integrating creativity within our busy routines that compete for our time and energy. Do we celebrate or minimize the creativity within ourselves?  Brian has a marvelous understanding of the creative process and welcomes you to share your experience with us on TeaToastTrivia.com Put the kettle on and join in the conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Brian and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. Creativity, at its foundation, is all about connecting. When we value our creative efforts, we accept an adventure that transcends time and location. We are all creators with a capacity to share our personal stories within the greater journey. One last thought comes from Henri Matisse: Creativity takes courage. ” May we embrace this call to action and celebrate our creative endeavours. So

Episode 29: Edinburgh to Vancouver with Liz Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. My dear blogger friend, Liz, from the blog Leaping Life suggested a fabulous book written by her friend Maggy Pigott,  “How to Age Joyfully: Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life.”  Liz, an intrepid writer, artist and community builder joined me in a huge leap into the podcasting unknown.  We created a podcast from a distance.  How distant is the distance you may ask? It is a very good question. We are linking Edinburgh and Vancouver, which is 7,059 kilometers or 4,387 miles. So, put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  How to Age Joyfully: Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life is a profound reflection on what it means to embrace every moment of our journey. This is

Episode 28: Should We Complain? Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah, to discuss the question – Should we complain? According to many sources – and you know that there are many sources found in a google search –  complaining is detrimental. One article noted that research clearly indicates that listening to complaints of any kind, including venting our personal grievances, will produce a downward trend in our emotional outlook.  Another article warned that complaining could alter our brain.  YIKES!    Why then, do we indulge in complaining? Should we put on our “happy face” and ignore problems, avoid them, dismiss them?    Put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Episode 27: Stephanie on Bold Moves Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my workout coach, Stephanie, for a conversation about embracing an active and healthy lifestyle. Mark Twain once wrote, “The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.” This was said in jest, with Mark Twain’s famous tongue-in-cheek style. But how many of us believe there may be an inkling of truth in his words. Stephanie has a refreshing way of looking at her day-to-day routine. A working mother of two beautiful children, she structures her day for planning nutritious meals and physical activity. Well-being is a life-long journey, she says. And it is worth the effort. Everyone is unique and must be guided by individual preferences, depending upon where you are right now. Her motto is “being bold moves mountains.”   For many, including me, that boldness may take the form of baby steps. So put the kettle on and liste

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia, Episode 26 Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my mother Frances for a conversation about the aging process. I have never really understood the phrase: you are as young as you feel.  Birthdays come and go, and I feel the same. It’s only when I look back at photos that show a young woman of 18 ready to take on the world that I realize the passage of time.  She recognized the possibilities, while I have lived the possibilities, the marvelous adventures that have come through the years.   And yet, we are the same for we live in the moment, with expectation and anticipation. So put the kettle on and let’s talk about aging.  Better yet, the art of aging. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Embracing and celebrating aging is a choice and acceptance of  who we are in the moment. My dear blogger friend, Liz from Leaping Life sugge

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia, Episode 25. Thank you for listening in. Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “You think those dogs will not be in heaven! I tell you they will be there long before any of us.” I believe this is true because of Daisy, a gentle, beautiful husky that has become an invaluable addition to our family. Today I am joined by Alisha, Daisy’s mother who, along with her fiancé, Ben has given Daisy a welcoming home. So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We love to hear from you on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. A special thank you to Alisha.  Check out Daisy’s personal Instagram account, Lazy Husky Daisy.  In September, she will move to Calgary with her parents.  She is going to love the Alberta winters. I can see her playing in the snow. One last thought comes from Milan Kundara: “Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a h

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia, Episode 24! Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother Frances for a lively discussion on personal growth.  Should we have an intentional plan for personal growth, or do we just let life happen and respond as we go along?  How do we know whether we have made progress?  According to experts, personal growth and development is essential if we are ever to realize our full potential.   Personal Growth, Intentional Growth, Full Potential – these are powerful words, but words that hold many meanings and ambiguities So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We love to hear from you on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you  ****** Thank you for listening in and sharing this moment with Sarah, Frances and me. Reaching our full potential is a choice and acceptance of the possibilities awaiting our arrival, around the next bend in the road. As Henr