Super Sunday - Play off is so exciting

Although I reside in the Bay area and should be cheering for the 49ers, I have to secretly admit that I am a New England Patriots fan.  You are probably wondering why and I am sure I've mentioned it on one of my other post about NFL.  Just in case you did not read it, when I was still in Canada and working, my friends have a Superbowl party every year.  That time, I really did not have a great understanding about football, but it's fun to go to these parties because it's a fun watching it with friends who are avid fans.  Another reason why I had to pick a team was that every week there's a NFL pool and the sheet comes out early in the week and you had to pick your teams for the Sunday games.  I recall one girl from work who chose her teams by the color of their uniforms and a lot of times she would win some of the money for that week.  Why I chose the Patriots, I love to say their name, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.  That's how it all began.  Now that I am here in SJC/SFO, the friends that we hang out with are all 49ers fan.  As you know both Patriots and 49ers are in the playoff.  Almost forgot, Jeff's cousin Gracie is an avid fan of the Broncos.  She was also not an NFL fan until she started dating Kevin who is a true Denver Broncos fan.  Enough yappin'

my Patriots played an awesome game last night and now I have to watch with Jeff the 49ers game.  Good luck to all the teams playing.  The only concern I have is that if the Broncos win then that means the Patriots will be playing them next Sunday.  I better wear my Patriots scarf because it seems luck it's my good luck charm.

 

Sewing Saturday - Another request

When my daughter ask me to make something for her sister in law "D", I did not hesitate to agree because it's another sewing project.  I got so excited when I found out they were for their baby that's on the way this month.  Only weeks to go and I told myself to better get busy.  The style was a bit different from the regular bibs I made.  I am guessing this is the new generation bibs.  As I mentioned before, I am not good at following directions but I can look at a photo and figure out how to do it.  Since I have a lot of photos to share,  you can just check it out yourself.  If you think you want to get some to give as gifts to someone having a new baby, just send me a comment.

Made from all my left over materials.

Chevron bib

Penguin and dots - they are held together by very tiny magnets and not velcro.

My favorite because it's so now.

This is for my MIL's neighbor Sylvia (for her 1st great granddaughter)

These are for Dianne's baby

For a little boy who will grow up to be like the Biebs

A little scary when I'm making any fabric with skulls.

I better get busy as I still have to make Dianne a couple of swadlling blankets and a little hat with a knot on top.  I cannot believe it but I made 15 bibs in total.

Friendly Friday - Only 54 more sleeps

One would think that when someone is as old as me, this counting sleeps is not applicable anymore.  Well, you've guessed wrong.  I'm still very young at heart and very much like a kid at times specially when it comes to awaiting for my BFF's visit.  After they booked their flights my buddy PJD ask me how many more sleeps and I immediately replied 60 more.  He was quite surprised that I knew the answer.  Last week I have emailed them some travel tips as well as providing my CPBB brochure.  My other friend RFE who is retiring this month will also be visiting.  I am so honored that she picked our B&B as her first relaxing week after her retirement.  Somehow I wished that she was staying longer than one week because she is not returning to work.  But I do understand that she cannot be gone too long from her home and her puppy and her significant other.  Although I have many more weeks to plan my menu for the week, I am very excited about trying different recipes which I'm hoping they will enjoy.  Of course, I can always use all the favorites of my previous guests.  We've talked a little bit of what they would like to do while they here but agreed that it's all about just hanging out and enjoying the company.  One thing we will definitely do is see a hockey game, maybe a couple round of golf, maybe even shoot some pool and listen to some live music.  If there's time we will have to take a day trip to somewhere nice and it will all be dependent on the weather.  

This one is counting sheep but I guess I am more into counting sleeps. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Tasty Thursday - A variety of food

This is still a continuation of my sister's visit.  Before she arrived in SFO, she made a list of the different places she wanted to eat.  There's a few of the meals that I was able to take photos but most of the time I forget.  Some of the meals were home made and maybe even a couple of left overs.  We tried to take her to some of the places she really wanted to try.  Of course there's so many great restaurants in our area that she will have to come back in order to try the rest of the places on her list.

Garlic noodle with shrimp

Leftover Mac & Cheese with steak and brussels sprouts

OH Honey from LeBon (BBQ chicken and pork bell)

Turkey pot pie (home made by me)

Margarita Salad with steak from Una Mas - this portion was so big that my sister and I shared it.

 

Worthwhile Wednesday - Craft day with my sister

During my sister's visit, we were able to do a bit of craft day.  It was a team effort.  She did all the cutting and ironing while I did all the sewing (I'm fast and more experience).  Most of the stuff we made was for her and we finished it in a day.  The other crafty item was trying to make a toque (Canadian) or beenie (USA) or beret (French) and last but not least a BMH (Bob Marley Hat).  You will see what I mean when you see the photo.  While my sister if following the crocheting pattern steps by steps, I was doing my own thing (no pattern), just winging it. 

The model has a very small head but this is my new BMH

Very colorful Canadian toque

Reading glasses cases to match every color of my sister's collection

Kitchen hand towels for my sister's place

Trimming Tuesday - Not a resolution just a suggestion

It's that time of the year when everyone is trying to set too many goals for the year.  The most popular one is trying to lose weight.  Although that is one of mine, it's not really a resolution but just a suggestion.  When my daughter suggested to do some of the exercises she has been doing, I thought it would be worth trying it out.  Jeff and I started doing just one of them each night and our lower abs hurt like hell.  Two things come to mind, either I am way too old for this type of workout, or I am so out of shape it's not funny.  We were committed to continue this until it does not hurt anymore and are able to add more repeats and try two other kinds.  It's a floor workout and you don't really need any equipment.  Not sure what it's called by because it does hurt, we are assuming that it's working.  On top of this exercise, I started doing the hula hoop again and hopefully it will get me motivated to keep on going with some sort of daily routine workout.  Of course, I am still golfing three times a week and that involves a lot of walking and pushing my cart.  When the weather is not too cool, Jeff and I still tries to get a game of tennis for at least an hour.  Now that the holiday of eating is over, we will definitely have to start eating healthy again.  Do you have some new year's resolution?  Maybe you just have a goal in the different aspects of your life.

Whatever you have decided to change this year, I wish you the best and of course a year full of happy times, good food, wonderful connections, and last but not least a healthy year.

My sister and I taken at my friends home.  Doesn't the tree look awesome?

 

Missing Monday - Merry Little Christmas

When my daughter made a comment about me not blogging, it means it has been a long time since I did a post.  I know that she checks them almost daily because it's one way she can find out what her mother has been up to.  My sister left last Saturday and I miss her already. We had so much fun even though we did not do a lot of touristy stuff.  One night it was all about Skype.  We were able to do it twice with my daughter and her hubby and then one night it was just with my daughter.  Happy Three Kings to all for those who celebrate it.  One of my golf buddy calls it, LITTLE CHRISTMAS.  That was the first time I heard it so today I can also wish you a very merry little Christmas.  As this is my first post of the year, I would like to share a photo that I took this weekend.  It's like welcoming the new year so you can enter through the arch and embrace what is it that you felt.  Welcome 2014, the year of the horse.

Jeff made this arch out of the twigs from our tree in the backyard.  It's the same type of twig I use for making our lamp.