Sweatshop Saturday - Team building projects

It was a great visit with my BFF and his wife but it was a bit short but we had accomplished a lot of things.  We managed to share stories while shooting pool.  While I did a few sewing repairs and sewing lessons and other sewing projects, we continued to talk about old times.

Even though we were home most of the time, we managed to do a bit of shopping just to show what is available in our city.  I made sure that I baked enough treats for their trip back to Victoria.  Anyway, here's some of the photos I took during their visit which includes crafts and some foods I made.

Fluffy no knead rolls

Asian dinner

Artisan bread with nuts and chocolate chips

Roast beef dinner

Pot holders using left over fabrics

Attaching velcro using the fusing ribbons

My BFF's new cell phone holder 

New drapes to help block the sunlight for the baby's room

Friendship Friday - My BFF is arriving

Spring has sprung.  Friday is friendship day.  By BFF and his wife will be arriving sometime today.  It will be a long drive from Victoria to Vernon but the weather is perfect to enjoy the beautiful scenery of British Columbia.  His wife has never been to the Okanagan so I am hoping that she will really enjoy the trip.  This is the second visit for my BFF.  He was here last year with my other BFF to spend time during my birthday month.  I have been busy getting the B&B ready and even had a chance to do some baking.  So far I have made a Banana Bread and a Sour Cream Coffee Cake.  A long time ago, I use to make this type of quick bread because the ingredients are simple and the recipe is easy to make.  Last night I started my artisan bread with cranberry and walnuts.  Today I plan to make some Texas Roadhouse rolls for them to try. While they are visiting I am sure we will check out of the tourist spot but also will just chill at home to catch up on stories.  There will also be some sewing/repairs that they had requested prior to their arrival.  Of course, we will have time to shoot some pool although I have not played for at least a couple of months.  Hopefully the weather will be warm and sunny, just in case we are going for our daily walk. LOL.  A few weeks ago, I have made a couple of items for my BFF for a belated happy birthday.  It is not a surprise because I had to ask him for the measurements.  This next few days will go so fast as we get busy and enjoy each and every moment of their visit. 

This is a pouch for his new tablet.

A travel toiletries roll up case

Sour Cream Coffee Cake 

Technical Tuesday - On becoming geeky

What happens when a non geeky woman marries a geeky man?  She becomes a geeky wife.  Before I met my hubby I was just beginning to learn about the latest technology.  After hanging out with him and his buddies, my knowledge of technology has increased.  He made sure he got me some of the latest gadgets and toys that I would enjoy.  In addition he made it a point to show me how to use and how to fix, just in case.  He had shown me so much short cuts when using my computer to make my task at work easier.  During my volunteer days at the police department, I was complimented by the supervisor as to how fast I get the updates done in the shortest time possible.  It was all due to the tips/secrets that my hubby has taught and shared.  I recently had to re design our brochure for our Bed and Breakfast using Publisher.  It was a recent version of the program and I had to re learn how to use it.  This time I thought it would just be an electronic version compared to the one we had in San Jose where I actually had my daughter take it to the printers.  Although it is a nice souvenir for our guest, so I might still get it done once the final version is ready.  Last week I had to change the ink cartridge for our printer.  Luckily the process was simple and I was able to use the printer right away.  But the next day, my computer was not connecting to our WiFi. Of course the first thing I do is re boot (that's the first advise from my hubby).  And then I did the diagnostics which was the second step.  After all that, the wireless connection works.  Most of the time, I would just call hubby to do it, but I thought I should learn how to fix things myself and I did it.  There are still many more things I need to learn, but that is what Google and You Tube are for.  Now a days there isn't a single thing that one cannot do. Right?

Sumptuous Sunday - Something new

Before I forget, Happy St. Patrick's to everyone who is reading this post because you are my loyal follower or reader or maybe you just happen to stumble upon my blog, in that case, thank you for stopping.  I decided to share some of the latest recipe that I have tried this weekend.  One is from my daughter (the artisan bread). She told me about using the "Everything but the bagel seasoning" from Trader Joe's.  I added a tablespoon in the bread and another tablespoon on top just before baking.  Check out how good looking my bread turned out.

The next recipe is from my sister.  I was asking her for some ideas for dessert that I need to bring over to the dinner my neighbor was hosting last night.  My sister is great at trying different recipes and tweaking it until it's just perfect and easy to make.  So this is called

Tibok Tibok.  I know it's weird to pronounce but it is definitely smooth and yummy.  If you like coconut, this is perfect for your taste buds. It is not so sweet and yet so much flavor.  One tip my sister added, make sure you don't leave the pot, stirring with a whisk and being patience is the key. 

Favorite Friday - Craft night

Our neighborhood is definitely the best place for retire couple.  We have great people who loves getting together and doing things specially when winter months are keeping us indoors.  Now that the weather is getting a bit warm we are planning all our upcoming events.  For the month of March, two of our ladies are hosting craft night.  We are so fortunate to have some really creative guys.  The hubby of the host has made a wooden star in two different shade.  Each of the ladies will decorate these stars with whatever they wish but the theme is Memory Star.  If someone had collected some jewelry from their mother or sister, they can decorate the star with it.  Since I did not have anything that I have collected from the loved ones we lost, I am doing a Memory Star by placing their names on a shape and adding a key.  The key symbolizes the key that will open the new door to whatever place they have gone after their life on earth.  Check out how I gathered the items and how my star turned out.  The two ladies hosting this event are providing appetizers and everyone attending will BYOB and all their items to decorate their own star.  It's going to be a fun evening of stories, friendship and imaginations.

Way to go Wednesday - Daylight saving time

Yesterday morning while watching the Today show, I saw a short clip of Penny (Kaley Cuoco) of the Big Bang Theory starting a campaign to get rid of the the DST.  I am on board with her and any other person in the world.  If you are like me, that has a few watches and lots of clocks at home, time change is not fun at all.  I have listened to some of the arguments and how it all began but I am not sure if anyone really loves this twice a year exercise.  Can you imagine how many people all over the world miss their flights every time this happens?  How about those who miss their train, bus and even going to church?  I can understand the time difference between cities and countries.  But that's another whole issue and I am glad I don't have to deal with it anymore.  When I was still working and travelling, we had to pay attention to that.  I had to because of my insulin and it was not easy but I did it.  Now that I am retired and not have to worry if I will be late for work, it shouldn't really matter, right.  So hopefully they can figure out something and totally get rid of it.  I bet if they took a vote all over the world, the YES get rid of it team will win.  Now that I have said my two cents on this topic, it is time to figure out what I will do for our upcoming craft night. Good luck Penny, you go get your followers to join in your campaign.

B.C. Premier John Horgan has sent a letter to governors in the states of Washington, Oregon and California asking to be kept in the loop on no longer changing the clocks twice a year. The jurisdictions are looking at ways to stay on either Daylight Saving Time or Pacific Standard Time year-round.

Meditation Monday - Something new to learn

Meditation.  The only story I can tell you is my one experience while I was living in San Jose. After my family doctor referred me to a psychologist about something I thought was an issue.  She recommended that I attended this meditation class at Kaiser.  She made the appointment and provided the time, date and location where I needed to be.  On that day, I actually did not know what to expect.  First you had to see the front office, had to pay the $20 co-pay, then I was told to go into a particular room.  By the time I got there, there were at least 15 people sitting around in a circle.  Then the teacher/instructor arrived.  It seems like some of the participants have been on this class for a few times.  Everyone shared their stories and each and everyone had a story to share but from what I gathered, they were all experiencing some type of depression.  Anyway, the instructor began talking and one participant turn down the lights and it appeared that everyone closed their eyes and soon after, the instructor was done with talking (which did not include what were we suppose to be doing). I really didn't know what to do because I have done any type of meditation.  After a few minutes, I decided to open my eyes just to check out what was happening with everyone as the room was so quiet.  To my surprise, the instructor's head was nodding down (he is taking a nap).  I wasn't sure if I was suppose to nap as well, so I closed my eyes but was quite aware of the surrounding.  This continued for almost half an hour and then all of a sudden, he started asking one of the participant to turn the lights back on.  He asked again everyone to share what they had experience during that half an hour.  When it came my turn, I stood up, took my purse and responded "This is not for me" and walked out.  I emailed the psychologist about my experience and told her I am fine and do not need any additional appoint.  You are probably wondering why I'm sharing this story.  It is because every time I hear the work meditation, this story always seems to come back.  During my weekly chat with my daughter, she had suggested that I try doing meditation in order to help me with some issues that we discussed.  Now I will have to search for an APP in the hopes that I can learn how to meditate and hopefully this time, it is something I can learn how to do and it is not all about taking a nap.  My hubby calls me PON (Princess of Nap) so I don't believe I need help in that category. Do you know how to meditate? What app do you use?  Did you learn it by reading a book or attending a class?

How to meditate: Simple meditation for beginners

Sit or lie comfortably. You may even want to invest in a meditation chair or cushion.
Close your eyes. ...Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally.
Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation.

Flavorful Friday - Arizona's best culinary stops

Although it was difficult not to eat out during our vacations, we did not complain because the places we had breakfast, lunch and dinner were all amazing.  Our friend took us to some of the truly different restaurants in and around Phoenix and the communities of Mesa and Gilbert. Instead of trying to describe all the meals we had, I am just going to share all the photos that we took.  

Tres Leches Cake

Warm pretzel mini bites

Pulled pork tacos

Perogies and roasted brussel sprouts, mushroom and panchetta

Glazed beets with gorgonzola 

Crab and Shrimp Ceviche

Pulled pork quesadilla

Tripple chocolate cake

Wheat Wednesday - Bread making team

Once upon a time, I refuse to try and make anything that involves yeast.  Until one day I saw a recipe on Pinterest about a NO KNEAD artisan bread with only four ingredients. I knew I had to try it.  It was very easy and almost a no fail.  The important part is owning a dutch oven.  After my first one had a crack, I decided to get two identical when good old Canadian Tire had a sale.  Last year I showed my daughter how to make it and now she is trying different types of bread and is very successful with it.  So between my daughter and I we have done several different types of bread. Whenever we feel like eating bread, we just make it. I have not bought bread at the store. Here are some photos to show what we have accomplished when it comes to bread making.   They are all so yummy with no preservatives and always fresh.  

No knead artisan bread

Popovers

Cinnamon rolls

Cranberry walnut with three seeds bread

Bannock (native fry bread)

 

Texas Roadhouse Rolls 

Japanese Milk Bread

Mastering Monday - Health Issues

At a certain time of our life as we age there are definitely different health issues for each and everyone of us.  The only difference is that some of us get it earlier in life and others get lucky and don't get it until retirement age or not get anything at all.  Those are the luckiest people on earth.  But when you do get those health issues, you need to truly take care of it.  You are probably wondering why that is the topic of my blog today.  After losing my brother less than a month ago, it really hits home.  Taking care of your health issues is the biggest part of getting old.  I am the youngest in our family and I was the first one to get diagnosed with Diabetes at 35.  But I was very determined that I would take care of me because having Diabetes in our family, I was well informed by the time I became one.  The first 10 years I only controlled it with diet/meal plan and exercise.  As I get older, I had to take some pills and at the age of 50 I started insulin. If only I knew how well insulin suits my type of diabetes, I would have started it sooner.  What are the complications of diabetes that you should be afraid of.  Blindness, amputation, kidneys, pancreas, heart diseases and more.  The benefit of the great health care of Canada is that I see my Diabetes Nurse every three months and we discuss my numbers (result of blood tests and blood pressure), diet, and activities.  On my recent visit, she was very happy with all the results and encourage me to do more exercise to keep the weight down.  I am trying very hard to do what is required to manage diabetes and other health issues and as a result of that, I feel very good for my age. What is difficult in the winter time is getting the exercise I need.  Walking outdoors with sidewalks sometimes icy, I'm petrified of slipping so my back up is my elliptical but still not enough as I get winded easily.  Spring is around the corner and I am hoping that the golf course will be open early this year.  As soon as the driving range opens, I will be there practicing and definitely be golfing the first day the course opens.  So whatever health issues you have now or later in your years, take in charge of it and manage it as if it's your wealth.