Maybe Monday - Maybe for SW

I am still doing a happy dance for Miss Stosur for winning the Ladies Singles at the US Open last night.  What a great match and she played very well and I am not feeling sorry for SW.  For those who did not watch the finals yesterday, I am sure you can google it or read about it as SW lost a point because she screamed before Miss Stosur hit her shot.  She was very upset at the Umpire for the call.  Shortly after, she started to argue and when she sat in between set, she still made more comments to the umpire.  At the end of the match, because she lost and due to the prior call made by the Umpire, she did not shake the Umpire's hand.  What a sore loser! ! ! Anyway, I think for the next few weeks before she plays at the next match , she has to do the following:

• Maybe she should enroll in Sportsmanship 101
• Maybe she should read the Tennis Rules and Code of Conduct
• Maybe she should learn to zip it and be a gracious loser

BTW, I think she just finished her probation from the previous code violation at the US Open.  I guess a sore loser is going to always be a sore loser.
 

Soulful Sunday - A moment to remember

Today we pause for a moment to remember those who gave up their lives to save others

Today we pray for the children that never had a chance to meet their fathers

Today we salute all the heroes who were able to come home to their daughters

Today we give thanks for all the survivors and their sisters and brothers.

Simply Saturday - Semi Finals Saturday - US Open

Imagine if Jeff did not have a DVR, it will mean that I couldn't leave the house because I will be glued to the TV for 8 hours or less depending on how long the matches take.  Today, both Men's semi-finals will be on CBS and in 3D.  Wow, I will get to put on our 3D glasses to watch both matches.  So who am I cheering for, you might wonder!  

Nadal VS Murray - definitely Nadal - he has so much charisma and very humble and just a great player who accepts defeat graciously.  A great athlete and an awesome tennis player.

Federer VS Djokovic - of course Federer - like Nadal he is so professional, recognizes the opponents strength and so politically correct during interviews.  I would vote for him if he was running for President.

On the women's side,  it really does not matter who wins the finals, as long as it's not SW.  Ooops, I think I already posted that.  I would still watch it while I am sewing - just for company.

That's all for today because I have a lot of tennis matches to watch.  Good luck to all, except SW.

Free Friday - Shoe bags, etc.

It's Friday again which means the weekend begins.  Actually for me every day seems like a long weekend because I am retired.  But even though everyday is a Saturday for me, I do look forward to the weekend because I get to spend two days with Jeff doing whatever we feel like doing.  So far no plans this weekend except attending Gamble's 5th birthday party.  Nothing exciting on this post except more of my sewing for the week.

Another shoe bag for my daughter.

A patriotic shoe bag with stars and lined with stripes fabric.

Practice apron for a little girl.

Reverse side of the above apron.

While checking for some fabrics in my sewing drawer, I found a bunch of leftover materials.  I guess I will be making some more aprons for little girls, some more shoe bag or lingerie bag and of course the other projects that I have listed a couple of weeks ago.

Just in case you are craving for something sweet, the other day, I found a box of Sugar Babies (something similar to jelly beans but just caramel). When opened the box the candies were all stuck together.  I thought I would try something to revive them.  I place them all in a small non stick pot and melted it slowly.  Once it was all syrup, I placed a bunch of mixed nuts in my new NON STICK FOIL which I wanted to try out.  So this is the finished project.

Sugar Babies Nut Brittle aka SBNB

Truthful Thursaday - Wig, Plates and TV

Those who don't have to cover their grey roots are very lucky.  Those who still have lots of hair at my age are also very lucky.  Those who have to wear a wig due to cancer are strong and brave and happy to be alive.  Those who wear wig just to have a variety of hairstyle are just cool.  A couple of weekends ago when my niece was visiting, we stopped by a hair store that sells wig.  I tried at least 5 styles and end up buying one that is long with lots of curls at the end.  It was inexpensive and very comfortable to wear.  I wore it last weekend when we went for dinner and it sat in my head for the whole night.  It was not hot nor tight, it felt like my own.  Funny, right.  Anyway, I decided that I will wear it every now and again when I am out and my grey roots have grown out. Here's how it looks by itself.  It might take me a few more weeks to try it out before I get a photo taken with it on my head.

Let me vent for a few lines regarding our new set of dishes.  Since we bought it, I have chipped a total of 4 plates (2 small and 2 large).  The problem is that we have a granite counter top.  I have been trying to be very cautious when I do dishes, making sure I do an exaggerated motion to miss the counter before putting them in the dishwasher to dry.   But sometimes I just have to think it in my head and soon enough, I hear the clink and oops another chipped plate.   Sometime this week I will have to go back to Walmart and get another set just to make sure I can have the same pattern when I get tired of looking at those chipped plates.  I should buy some Corelle or those unbreakable dishes that you use for your backyard or patio!!  OK so that was a little over a few lines.


A new TV and we are still having issues.  Jeff thinks its now the DVR which I have taken at least 3 times at Comcast to get a better one which includes 3D capacity.  Our new TV is great as far as having bigger screen, clearer picture, and all the other bells and whistles.  But even if you have all of those extras, if there's still problems the occurs almost every day, then I guess it's not really great.  I don't understand a lot about the connections, etc.  All I was is to be able to watch without having issues every time I turn it on.  The most annoying part is that the US open is this week and I don't like to miss the important matches which is this weekend. 


All of the above is considered as a complain, whining or even hissy-fitting.  It really doesn't matter what you call it since today is Truthful Thursday and that's how I feel.
 

What Wednesday - Labour day weekend

A little late with my post about the past weekend but as they say, it's better late than never.  I couldn't think of anything to post for today so bear with me.  OK, maybe I'll just do a list of things I (we) did during our long weekend.

1. Watch a lot of the US open tennis matches that we have recorded.
2. Played tennis after Gamble left.  It was a very hot day so we only played for 1.5 hrs.  Jeff won the match.
3. Went to dinner on Saturday night at Jeff's friends house in Pleasanton, CA.  Had a wonderful visit and sumptuous dinner.  Steve (his long time friend) served smoked tri-tip, mashed potatoes, salad, stirfried veggies (mostly from their garden) and cheese cake for dessert (see photo located on What's cooking).  He has won 3rd, 2nd, and first prize for his version of cheesecake.
4. Gamble sleepover from Friday night to Saturday around 1100 am.  We played Wii and angry bird. He turned 5 yesterday - Belated Happy birthday Gamble Thomas.
5. Sunday was just an easy day.  We had a light breakfast at Jack in the Box, travelled to San Mateo to meet the outlaws and friends.  They are in town for some fraternity reunion and we had a chance to meet some of the Brods and they were very hospitable and let us join in the luncheon being served.  The girls managed to do a little shopping at Ross.  It was great to see them again.  My daughter is very lucky to have such wonderful in laws.  I know that they take care of her since I am not in Canada.
6. I manage to do a bit of sewing and here's what I finished - a shoe bag for my daughter and a case for my Kindle.

Lined shoe bag for my daughter.

My new Kindle case

My mother in law made me a couple of handkerchief similar to the ones she made for my daughter and my niece.

It was not a tiring long weekend, in fact it was just relaxing even after all of the above and I almost forgot the housekeeping chores I did plus the regular day to day chores.  All in all it was still a very nice long weekend.

Timely Tuesday - Portmeirion Botanic Garden Collections

While doing some shopping with my MIL, we stop by at Macy's to check if they have the Platinum Keurig Coffee maker. Unfortunately they didn't have it in stock and my MIL ended up buying it at Target for the same price.  When I saw this collection of plates and other pieces from the Portmeirion collections, all I can think of is my sister.  I don't really know how many pieces she has but I know she has a lot.  So I took a couple of photos to send to her and of course she was very excited.  When I talk to her, she said that she will definitely buy a few pieces as a gift to herself for her upcoming birthday.  I don't think I will be buying any of this item for her as they are very expensive.  For those of you who know my shopping style, these prices are way over my head.  Anyway you can check out what I am talking about.  They are very pretty.

All of these pieces are available at Macy's.

Teacups set at top and 3 different shaped container for sauces, jewellery or whatever you want to hide.

Measuring spoon set - $29.99 - on sale.

Do you have a favorite collections?  Do you have two different sets of dinnerware - day to day and special?  If you have the funds what collection would you like to have at your dinner table?