Snuggle Sunday - It's time to bring out the electric blanket

Some of you may think that it doesn't get cold in California.  For me it's a different type of winter.  It's actually very deceiving because when I wake up in the morning (late morning), it's sunny with blue skies, most of the days.  So when I look outside, to me feels warm and if there's no snow, it's not cold.  November is the month we I start feeling a bit chilly in our home.  So far we have not turned on the heat but I have taken out my fluffy and comfy blanket.  Last Friday, the day started with so much fog that it was difficult to see what's up ahead.  But by mid morning, the sun came out and the skies became blue, and it was warm. At night when we are just chilling and watching some of our favorite TV shows, we like to have our electric blanket at low.  Jeff bought two blankets last year, a blue and a red one.  In the evening, the temperature in our home is about 62 and during the day is about 69.  It's actually comfy specially when I am busy doing a bunch of things and constantly on the move. I know it's still considered Fall/Autumn but we are still getting some really nice warm days. Hopefully it doesn't get too cold yet because my friend from Canada will be arriving soon.  I cannot promise that it won't be cold, but I can promise that there won't be any snow.  What kind of blanket do you have that keeps your warm during the winter months?  Do you have one of those SNUGGIE?  Maybe you just need someone to snuggle with.  Winter is definitely a snuggle season.  Many of the people in this part of California is really hoping for lots of rain during the winter months.  I'm sure everyone here can take lots of rain instead of the white fluffy kind aka SNOW.

Super Saturday - It's huge

Have you seen a really huge pomagranate?  I cannot believe that my friend Byddie picked this fruit from their tree?  She gave me two large and one small size.  I got so excited that I had to open the really huge one.  My sister should me how to take the inside of this fruit using a wooden spoon.  A very easy way and it only too me ten minutes to get all the seeds out.  You can see how much I have collected from this one fruit.  Since my friend is the one I call the Master Gardener, this fruit is very sweet and she has a secret way with her fruit trees. 

This container was filled right to the top. I couldn't wait to taste it.

The small one is the usual size you see at the stores.

Trick Thursday - Coat rack

Trick or treat smell my feet, there's so many candies left to eat.  That's because we only had a total of 6 kids.  I can blame it all to the rainy weather.  Although some of our neighbors did get more kids, they must have just turned around as they did not want to go uphill when the roads are slippery.  The benefit of having lots of leftover treats, I won't have to make dessert for Jeff since he can just have one or two from our big bowl of assorted Halloween candies.  Now to our latest creative addition to our home.  We have been wanting an additional coat rack for our front entry way but since we were not in a hurry, we just took our time.  Last week we finally found one that we like even though it was the wrong color but had the right amount of hooks.  This one is from Target and I'll be showing you the before and after. 

 

This is after we covered the white part with fabric which blends well with our wall.

Foodie Friday - Ladies Luncheon

Finally after a few years of making all those sewing projects, the ladies in our neighborhood are getting together to have a Holiday Boutique Sale soon.  Our first meeting was held at my house around lunch time.  I'm trying some new recipe and my guests enjoyed my cooking.  We are all going to be busy for the next few weeks trying to make sure we have enough items for the sale.  Hopefully I can sell most of the items I have been creating/sewing.  Check out the food I served.  No dessert was needed since they were full after eating these foods.

Butter Chicken served with Basmati Rice

Naan pizza with fresh cherry tomatoes and basil from our garden.

Strawberry/pineapple pink sangria with Soho(lychee) liquor

Roasted cauliflower with different spices topped with pumpkin seeds

 

Multicolored Monday - Pretty soaps

Halloween last weekend, three more weeks will be USA thanksgiving, then it's the ridiculous Black Friday Sale, and we cannot forget Christmas.  On Saturday, Jeff and I attended a Holiday Boutique sale at one of the high school near our home.  My friend had a booth and we wanted to check it out.  It was a big event and lots of crafts and gift items for Christmas.  Some of the items were a bit expensive but there are some great deals that are so unique and special.  I was thinking about all the sewing items I have made.  But when I think about all the work that one has to put into it, it's like working which really defeats being retired.  I bought a few gifts for Christmas but I cannot show them in case my family checks my blog.

But these soaps that I bought are so pretty and the scents are amazing specially the Lychee one (middle soap on the second photo below). 

These soaps I bought from the Octoberfest in Campbell three weeks ago.

These are the ones I bought from this weekend Holiday Boutique Sale which were a better deal.

Softness Sunday - Your baby needs one

During my last visit with the SOLON family (my daughter's in laws), I was so excited seeing all the new additions to their family.  If you remember at the beginning of the year, I posted about making some bandana bibs for the first time for Dianne's third child.  After seeing Brantly, it occured to me that he would be needing a bigger bib since he's grown so much.  So when I returned home, I started checking out some fabrics that was left over from the set I made for him.  In addition, to making a bigger big, I promised them that it will be much softer fabric.  A combination of soft flannel and soft baby towel cloth made these new creations the softest baby bandana bibs you will ever have.  It's one of those item that I believe every baby should have.  I hope that they both like the ones I will be sending them.

Soulful Saturday - Remembering our loved ones

In some countries today is celebrated as All Souls Day.  When I was growing up this was the day to spend time with relatives at the graveyard aka cemetery.  We start early in the morning cleaning around the area where our relatives are buried.  Candles are lit for the whole day and beautiful fresh flower arrangements are laid in front of the tombstone.  This particular place that we go to is one of the largest memorial park (I prefer this name).  Since we spend the whole day there with our family and even friends, we end up having lunch and dinner there - kinda weird now when I think of it - but then everyone is doing it.  Another thing that is so different is that there are people playing music, or playing their guitar and other instrument.  It becomes a happy event but still very respectful of the dead.  There are also people who pray continuously throughout the day.  There are those who chose to have a priest or minister stop by and bless the soul of their loved ones.  When darkness comes, it is a peaceful sight to see with all the candles lighting the whole area.  Today let us pause for a moment to remember our loved ones, our friends and all those who gave up their lives for us.