Munchies Monday - Sweet treats

Now that I have given up all my volunteer work in preparation for things that are changing,  I find myself with more time to bake and try new recipes.  Although I always go back to some of the favorites, it's a nice surprise for Jeff to try new sweet treats.  This weekend I made two different kind of cookies.  Almond Joy Cookie - remember, this is the 4 ingredient cookie, so easy but so yummy. The second one is an experiment because I am using a butter pecan cake mix to make the cookies.  Instead of following the instruction on the box, I used 2 eggs and 1/3 cup of oil.  I added some chopped walnuts since I ran out of pecan.  To make it interesting I put a splash of rum chatta liquor.  The result was another yummy cookie with a nice crisp outer and soft chewy in the middle.  Since I was in a baking mode, I made a French Tourtiere Pie for our dinner using a ready to use pie crust but the meat filling was from scratch.  We enjoyed the pie with a side dish of my own version of coleslaw.  

Almond Joy Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies from a box cake mix.

A slice of the French Tourtiere and my own version of coleslaw with Jicama.

 

Springy Saturday - Spring is almost here

Is it really here or am I just imagining it?  A week ago while golfing with my x-golf course volunteer, I couldn't help but admire all the cherry blossoms from the trees surrounding the course.  There's an assortment of pinks and whites.  Surprisingly, while doing this post, I notice that one of fruit trees (Jeff calls it fruit salad as it is grafted with peach, nectarine, apricot and plum) is filled with blossoms.  Jeff was worried for a few days as we were experiencing some cold spell.  Last summer we were able to taste a couple of plum, one apricot and one peace or nectarine was picked by a bird.  Along the roads in our area, they have a lot of these cherry blossom trees that are in bloom now.  Another flowering tree are the magnolias.  These have beautiful big flowers and they are also in bloom.  Not just outside, I notice that my orchid plant that will be almost two years old have about five buds.

So with all the facts, one would think that spring is definitely around the corner.  Although technically according to the calendar, the first day of spring is March 21.  Check out my spring collections.

If you look really close you can see those white flowers on that small tree.

This one is located near the 18th hole tee box at Deep Cliff Golf Course.

My white orchid plant - see if you can count five buds.  Hopefully it will bloom by May.

 

Toxic Thursday - Spring cleaning

Whether it is friends or relatives, this type of relationship is something you should definitely try to avoid as much as you.  You are probably wondering why I am going to the dark side.  Sometimes it a result of recent events that happens indirectly or maybe a topic triggered an experience.  A long time ago one of my BFF suggested that I stay away or give myself a break from a particular friend that was draining my positive attitude.  I'm glad I followed her advice.  It's a little different from relatives but if you find that they are either consistently asking for your help or dumping on their problems, it might be best to take a break politely and let them get back to normal.  Another one that is definitely at the top of my list is seeing friends in a toxic relationship and they can't seem to get away from it.  Sometimes it is easier for other friends to say what they should do.  Most of the time, the people in the relationship tries to break it off only to find new relationship that is similar to the one they left. The difficult part as a friend or a relative is trying to help someone who does not want to listen to you suggest even though they actually ask for your advice.  We are not expert on this but life's experience gives you enough knowledge to know the difference and be able to read early signs.  Life is too short to have people around you who are full of negativity and issues.

Spring is around the corner and it's time to clean up not just closets, sheds and pantry.  

 

 

Travel Tuesday - Toothbrush holder

A new sewing challenge - travel toothbrush holder.  So I said yes, I can do it.  Since I am using scrap fabrics, it was easy to do a trial run but I need a small piece of plastic material for the brush to touch in case it is not dry when you slip it in.  This is not a tutorial but just a little explanation of how I did it.  First, I made the case which is very similar to making the fabric wallet or eye glass case.  Once I have that, I made what I call the insert,  I measured the length of the toothbrush and the width of the case, to make sure it will slide easily.  Then I cut the fabric together and add the plastic piece last. I almost forgot that I glued the plastic to the fabric before sewing it, just an extra step to have the plastic stick to the fabric flat.  Here's a couple of photo so you will get the idea.  If you like new simple and easy project, this is one of those that you can finish within half an hour.  Try it.

 

Sing-a-long Sunday - Song stuck in your head

Do you have those moments when a particular song just get stuck in your head?  It could sometimes stay there for days and then you forget about it.  Then there are songs that it won't matter how long you spend time trying to remember that particular song, and it just too hard for the brain to recall.  So lately I have the Justin Timberlake song stuck in my head and our Alexa has this song on repeat.  Lucky for me, Jeff is pretty easy going with the type of songs I play, just don't play hip hop, rap and too rap.  I am actually not too bad trying to recall songs from the past even knowing the lyrics, the artist and what year the song was release.  I am sure some of you remember that game show "Name that tune".  Before my son passed away, he use to take me with him to a particular bar that has this game.  People play in groups against each other and whoever has the most points win something.  His particular team comprised of different age groups that covers almost all the decades.  I remember all the great times we've had, just hanging out with his buddies.  That is what so nice about my son, he was cool with having his mom hang out with him and his buddies.  Anyway I am sure if he was alive today, he would love some of the songs I have listed.

• Can't stop the feeling - Justin Timberlake
• All of me - John Legend
• Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars
• Happy - Pharrell Williams
• Hypnotised - Cold Play
• 7 Years - Lucas Graham
• That's what I like - Bruno Mars
• See you again - Charlie Puth

"can't stop the feeling" is from this movie.  My son would have loved this movie too.

Throwback Thursday - Deep Cliff Group

Almost two years have passed since I quit my volunteer work at the Deep Cliff golf course.  I miss playing with my friends who were volunteers as well but like me, have quit also.  One of them actually still works there as a paid employees.  So I am trying to arrange a Thursday morning golf day so we can play like old times.  Deep Cliff is a beautiful short course with 18 holes with six par 4's and the rest are par 3's.  It is a great exercise as it's very flat and no hill to worry about.  Most of the players walk the course but some seniors prefer to use the cart so they don't delay the pace of play.  They have renovated the restaurant and now they even serve their own beer.  Anyway, I am looking forward to playing with my buddies Mo, Mark and Ethan.  When we use to play every Thursday, we always have a lot of fun and stories to share.  Sometimes we stay for one beer or stop by at the local dive bar because they have free pool before 6 pm.  Hopefully we can play a few more rounds when the weather gets really warm and drier.  

This is hole # 18 and above is the pro shop and the restaurant.

Washable Wednesday - Produce bags

When someone ask if I can do some sewing items for them, I usually get excited because it might be a challenging project.  My BFF's daughter who lives in Vancouver ask me if I could make her a few reusable produce bags (five in total) and travel toothbrush holder (only 3).

She sent me the link of what exactly she was describing so I could see them.  I looked it up and decided, that's easy since I have made other type of bags before.  She was not picky with fabric so I just use some of my leftover material and started measuring what I needed.  I stopped by the fabric store to buy half a yard of the netting fabric for my insert so you could see the produce inside the bag.  Since I had a few more extra fabric, I added a couple of washable snack/sandwich bag which she can use when she returns to work next month.  As for the toothbrush holder, I would have to just be creative as I only have a photo and I have never made them before.  Since I have made a lot of different holders, I thought this too would be a breeze.  The only thing I have to remember is to do an insert made of plastic for the brush part.  I haven't started this last item so you will have to wait until next post.

The first try and it was perfect.

  

Celery bag.

Perfect for three romaine lettuce hearts.

Leftover fabric is great for making snack/sandwich bags.

Lemons, Limes or onions bag.

Maybe some vine or roma or cherry tomatoes.