Satisfied Saturday - Four months already

Can you believe that four months is already over?  I am trying to figure out what I have done and where did the time go?  When you think of the number of days and hours in that four months, you are probably wondering like me.  I know that I have spent at least five hours, twice a week golfing.  As for volunteer hours, maybe a total of 150 which includes my sewing time on projects.  Not to forget that I took as much time completing my application for US citizenship and actually mailed it last week.  Unfortunately, we are still working on Jeff's application for Canada.  I guess if we really spend an hour each day, we would have completed it by now.  We probably are at 80 percent completion but we have to make sure we don't forget anything because if its incomplete, the forms will be returned and not processed.  It is truly amazing what information they are asking even though Jeff and I have been married for almost 8 years and have known each other for 13 years.  I think they should have a different forms for people like us and a separate forms for people who are newly weds or arrange marriage or just new relationships. Oh, bother, it sounds like I am complaining.  On a good note, I am satisfied that four months did not just go by because I have completed tasks, projects and even took time to enjoy the outdoors. Life is good!

Bayonet Golf Course, Seaside, CA

Santa Teresa Golf Course, San Jose, CA

Cinnabar Hills Golf Course, San Jose, CA

 

Weleful Wednesday - Happy and Blessed

It is so nice to say that I am happy and blessed.  Life is good as the saying goes.  What makes me happy is just small things that I do for myself, for others and enjoying every moment what ever it is I am doing.  Each time I start a project of some sort, I like to finish them before starting another one.  So I would like to show you all the completed flip flops that I have done since I bought at least nine pairs.  Now I can move on to some other sewing projects. But before I start a new one, I am teaching a friend to do basic sewing so she can do the same project I did for the girls of Cameroon.  She is doing it for her niece who is currently doing volunteer work in Burkina Faso.  I might be repeating myself  because I seem to recall sharing this on my other post.  OMG is that a sign of aging!

 

Motivation Monday - Need more hours in a day

Once a month I receive notices from the Volunteer Match that I might be interested.  But lately my time is spent sewing, volunteering, studying and of course golf and housework.  Not in that order but some days it would be night to have more day time hours.  I guess if I live in Northern Canada, I will definitely have a lot of day time hours specially during the summer.  Since all my sewing needs are spread out between the living room and dining room, I wanted to do as much of the sewing projects as I can before we go on vacation.  When I put the sewing machine away, the rest of the fabrics and notions are also put away in their respective boxes or drawers.  The other important task that I need to get motivated is preparing for my US Citizenship test.  As I have mentioned before, I will be helping out next month with the Mock Interview process for applicants needing some practice and assistance with their application.  What is great about this volunteer work is that it's a win win for me.  I am able to help other applicants while I am learning what I need to practice for myself.  Next month I am helping a next door neighbor with her garage sale.  My job is like a security person because some of the items for sale are a bit more expensive than most garage sale.  Remember the volunteer that I use to do every Sunday at a golf course?  Now they are looking for more substitute and in order to help out, I pick a shift at least once a month.  This way if I ever want to golf there anytime, it's FREE.  Almost forgot, not only am I motivated about all of these, I am so motivated to get a new laptop or tablet or something to replace the one that I am using.

 

Maybe I can get one of this at the same time I get the laptop.

Or maybe even one of this.

Stitching Sunday - More sewing projects

There will be 30 girls in Cameroon who will be so thrilled when they finally received one of the items that I have been making for over two weeks.  Last night I completed the project and deliver it to the coordinator of the non profit organization.  When one of my friends saw what I have been making, she wanted me to show her how to make them because she has a niece currently working in Burkina Faso.  She sent some photos to her and she just love the idea.  Now that I am finished with the first project, I will take a break and do some of the other stuff I want to create.  I have another couple of orders for aprons.  Then I will start on my other flip flops that I will decorate and I will use it for gifts or just house slippers for guests.

I made 60 of these pads.

These are my friend Tran's set.

 

Debbie's flipflops

Flowery Friday - Everythings coming up roses

When I saw all the roses blooming in our front yard this morning, all I can think of is that old song "everything's coming up roses".  But the good news is that it's not only the roses, inside our home, in our living is the miracle plant.  Actually it's the same orchid plant that I have been bragging about.  Yes, I am bragging because I cannot believe that there are four blooms.  If you remember last summer when I received this plant from my next door neighbor Pam, I told her that I will try my very best not to kill it because I know I am not very good at taking care of indoor plants.  But since Jeff is the one in charge of watering plants both in and out, then I have to give him most of the credit.  Of course I do all the talking to the plant and maybe that is what's keeping it alive.  While most of the roses in the neighborhood are all in full bloom, we only have a couple of rose bush, yellow and orange.  Again, Jeff planted it last spring and so far it has produced some really nice roses.  Here's my proof of all the flowers that I have been bragging about.

Fourth orchid on the left and the fifth one still not open.

There are at least three other roses on this bush.

Third orchid on the upper left.  They actually look very healthy.

I was thinking of cutting them for our dining room but they look so pretty in our front yard.

 

Secluded Sunday - Last minute get away

The forecast for the weekend was going to be really nice with no clouds or rain.  We knew we were not going to get anything cheap even on those last minute deals for accommodation.  After discussing with my MIL and Jeff, we decided to head south last Friday and spend the weekend with one of Jeff's cousin who resides in a small town but not populated by tourists.  Since I have not seen this part of California I knew that it would  be a great weekend get away because we will be staying with family.  The area was called Arroyo Grande.  It was pretty dark by the time we got to Debbie's home but I could see that they had a quaint little downtown area.  Before settling for the night, we had tea and some of the Banana Bread that I made while catching up on stories and getting the ten cent tour of her home.  We all slept in till about 900 and decided to check out one of their local Country Kitchen for breakfast.  There was touristy town called Solvang that I wanted to see.  Since it's only 45 minutes away we headed in that direction after breakfast.  We arrived at this little Denmark like place. I was surprised that there were so many tourist from other countries there. We walked around checking all the different stores, some were just very much for tourist and others were truly interesting.  For lunch we stopped by Solvang Brewing Company.  They were quite busy but we were to get seated quick and lunch arrived timely.  Food was just edible, nothing to rave about.  After lunch it was time to head back home as it was getting a little too hot and we were all getting tired.  We manage to stop at a Walmart and I found more flipflops that I can decorate and use as house slippers for my guests.  As dinner was closing in, it was time to pick another place to try.  I did a little research and found a seafood bar and grill that was a five minute from Debbie's.  We all agreed we wanted to try their fish and chips and this is what we ended up ordering.  This is called the Family Plate.  

There were at least 16 pieces of fish and we did not even finish.

Debbie's side yard.

The view for the living room window.

Part of Solvang downtown.

Temperamental Thursday - The laptop is aging

As the owner of the laptop is aging, so does the laptop.  Lately my laptop is showing some type of weakness similar to having a low blood sugar - it crashes every now and then.  After I brought this illness to my special IT guy at home, he diagnosed that it might be time to start looking for a replacement.  He immediately took out a small techie toy - portable hard drive - and instructed me to start backing up the important data that is stored in my lap top.  Last night that's all we did and I am happy to say that I feel good about not losing some documents and photos and videos that are very important to me.  But like anything else, it's hard to say goodbye to something you have been so close and attached for almost nine years.  It has brought so many memories and so many hours of just sharing things in my life.  Whether I am surfing the net, reconnecting with family and friends, blogging, creative poems and many more tasks, it will definitely be a sad day when I have to retire my laptop for a new and improve laptop or tablet or whatever it is they have now.  Not only that I have to learn the new Windows operating system which will be on most computer, I think most of them will be touch screen and seems to be smaller.  Just a few weeks ago, Jeff ask me if I wanted to use a bigger screen for my lap top and I am just starting to love it because of the size.  Anyway, I hope that my lap top hangs on for a while and it's ok to be temperamental as long as it just doesn't die on me.  Oh before I forget, that was my excuse why this post is so late but let me share more of my flip flops added glam.  This particular set is for one of my girlfriend.

 

Flipflops Friday - It's time for new ones

Spring is here and everything seems to be blooming. Around the neighborhood, several variety of roses are coming out and other types of flowers are showing their colors.   But what is more exciting is that I stumble upon a very colorful but simple and comfortable flip flops.  Of course I had to get some because I need to replace some of the old ones.  Maybe because the price is right, that's it, I can afford to get at least four pairs.  After searching on Pinterest, I decided to create my own flip flops embellishments.  I have so many left over remnants that I hate to discard because of their size that is why I have been saving them.  Now I can use them for making some smaller items like decorating my flipflops or making headband for little girls or whatever small crafty items I can find.  What do you think? 
Would you be interested in owning one of these fancy flip flops?

Before

Welcome Wednesday - Five buds are out

Last year for my birthday, my neighbor gave me a beautiful white orchid plant.  There were exactly seven blooms and it last for most of the summer months and into the fall.  When the last bloom fell off, it looked very sad and lonely.  For a while I thought it was going to die but thanks to Jeff, he continued watering that plant every 10 days or so.  We did not remove it from it's position near the small window in the living room.  A few weeks ago, I noticed a bud or two that was starting on the smaller branch or whatever you want to call it.  After a week there were more buds and I truly welcome my plant back.  Hopefully these buds will become the orchid flowers that I original have last May.  It's a miracle that I am not killing it and you might want to know that my geranium plant that was given to me in December 26, 2011 is still alive and it still blooms.  Maybe there's still hope for me when it comes to taking care of plants.

Five years and still going strong.

My new orchid buds - after 10 months.

Original orchid when I received it last May.

 

Taste buds Tuesday - A variety of buds

As much as I love trying new recipes or just plain baking of whatever is available, I am very lucky to have a variety of people willing to try what I have made.  Lately I have been bringing a small plate of whatever baking item to the guys at the pro shop of the the golf course I go weekly.  They are very appreciative of what I bring and gives me a very honest opinion of the treats.  Since I have been doing it for a few months, now some of the guys have a favorite.  When I use to volunteer weekly at the other golf course, I would also bring the guys the same treat.  Last Sunday, I substituted in the afternoon which was my old shift.  The guy that works the afternoon shift was so happy to see a small plate of treats and he knew right away who brought it.  He was very thankful that I was back but was disappointed to find out I was only there as a substitute.  I am not sure why I am stuck with recipes that involves PECANS.  So far I have made Pecan coconut pie, Pecan Pie bars, and this morning I made Pecan bark.  My BFF Jean loves the combination pecan coconut pie because those two ingredients are her favorite.  She loved it so much that she wants to order that specific pie for her birthday next month.  As for the Pecan pie bar, one of the guys at the golf course loved it so much he ate almost 6 pieces before the end of his shift.  The Pecan bar was not what I expected because it was a little too crispy that it's crumbling when it's cut into squares.  There's probably some sort of trick that whoever posted it did not include in the recipe.  Of course, this does not stop me from searching and trying new recipes that has Pecan as an ingredient.  Which one of these do you think your taste buds would love?

Pecan coconut pie

Pecan Bark

Pecan Chewy

 

Simplistic Sunday - Binki Burpees Bibs for Babies

There is nothing more special than home made items for your new baby.  Now a days everyone seems to be doing crafts, sewing, etc aka DIY.  It is very interesting to see a lot of the younger moms at home being creative and sharing what they have made at home.  Not only in crafts, it seems like every one is cooking, baking and decorating.  With so many variety of information online, there is nothing you cannot do if you really want to do it.  So what am I going to do with all these baby things that I have been creating.  There are still many more sets to complete but for now this here's a sample.  Since I am not opening a store or a website for selling these things I make, a friend of mine gave me an idea.  I can donate some of these sets to less fortunate families who are having a new baby.  There's a hospital that I can stop by and ask the Nursery department if they actually need some of these.

This is what a set of B4 would  be.

I would need to make burpees to match these bibs.

Binki's that needed matching.

So are these burpees.

I really need to get back to sewing and finish all these projects before I start my new flip flops DIY.

Foolish Friday - Happy April Fools

Happy April Fools to my readers and followers.  There won't be any tricks, jokes or anything foolish from me.  Today will be just welcoming April and more wonderful warm weather.  Of course a post is not complete if I don't share latest photos of treats I have made or maybe new sewing projects.  Here's a couple of new recipes that I tried for the first time that turned out to be so yummy.

Banana Chocolate pudding pie with Oreo cookies crumble.

Pecan Chewy - ingredients are so easy to remember - all in 3's.

 

More Tango Toys

I decided to donate some of these to the Animal Shelter.