Masks Monday - It's better than nothing

Last week I had a request for some home made fabric masks.  Of course I checked online and to see if they have patterns and exactly what they are using for linings.  Anyway, one evening, I did a prototype, then the next day, I made around 7 of them in an hour.  The next day I made one for my neighbor and her daughter.  Finally, I decided to make some for me specially now that there's way too much dust on the road when we are walking.  In another few weeks there are going to be some pollens, flowers,etc. and I am sure I will be using some

of the masks I have made.  But although I know that they are not going to protect me from

the virus, when I go out to get some groceries, I might end up using one, because it's better than nothing.  I also believe that when you are wearing a mask, people will tend to stay even further from you.  Anyway, check out what I have done while staying indoors.  One of my neighbors suggested that I should wear the OILERS, then people will definitely stay away form me.  I guess that's a joke around our area.

Spring Sunday - Does anybody care?

After our daily walk yesterday, I decided to work a little on our front yard which includes sweeping some leaves off the front porch.  When I started walking around the front yard, I noticed a few colorful flowers.  Could this be real?  Are these the sign of spring?  Of course I had to take some photos.  Although they are very small right now, I think in a few days some of the other bulbs will be coming out with some leaves and then flowers.  But with all the things happening in and around us, I wonder if anyone has really noticed that Spring has arrived.  Actually it already did, March 19th and there was nothing said on the news.  I guess no one really cares because we are ask to stay home and practice social distancing.  Sometimes when everything seems to be negative, you have to look for something positive, like the sign of spring.  A new beginning is what I think of.  A new growth that is hopefully something meaningful, like finding a cure for the latest virus.  A new way of living, social distancing to help others survive and flatten the curve.  I know these terminology is being repeated over and over.  For some, it's a good reminder and for others who are still not listening, it's a wake up call.  So what does spring means to me?  A new beginning, new growth and a new way of living.  

Tiniest Thursday - Barbie outfits

A few weeks ago, I received a request from one of my friends in Ontario.  She was wondering if I could make a cape for her granddaughter's Barbie.  Since I have a lot of time, staying indoors, I thought I would try and do something creative.  The only question I had was that how difficult it was to sew something so tiny.  So last weekend, I gathered all my remnants to see what I can create.  I thought I would start with the cape as it seemed simple.  Of course I checked Pinterest to see if they might have any free pattern.  Although I don't really need a pattern, I wanted to see the shape and of course some guidance on the measurement.  Luckily my neighbor's daughter had a Barbie that I could use as my model.  Within minutes, I was able to make the first cape, then I decided to make some outfits.  And if you know me, you know what happened after.  That's right I just kept going creating several outfits.  Some of the clothes I made were cut but with the excitement, I forgot to take photos.  I wanted to mail it right away in the hopes that it will get to the little girl who lives in Victoria shortly after her birthday.  Anyway, check out my latest Barbie clothes collection.

Sweetest Sunday - Dream Special

My favorite doughnut place, Tim Horton's has a new trio dream special.  A special flavored donuts, Strawberry confetti, chocolate truffle and dulce de leche.  They have been advertising them for a couple of weeks and I wanted to try them.  But due to the social distancing, I didn't want to go in when there's a lot of line ups and other patrons.  But luckily this morning, when we stopped by one of their store, there was no line up inside.  I quickly ran in and got these three special donuts.  After lunch we decided to try the first one. OMG the doughnut was dry and the chocolate was too brittle.  I took one bite and gave the rest to Jeff.  The confetti one, I decided to give it to my neighbor who was celebrating her birthday so it was fitting.  She tried it and was so sweet but was yummy. Now I am hoping that the one I am saving for the last taste test, dulce de leche would be something delicious that it will make up for the first one.  So disappointing, the last one is like a churro with nutella in the middle. It was edible but not incredible.  Although Tim's has other treats that are much more tasty like their timbits or apple fritter, they should maybe do some taste tasting with their own employees or others before actually selling them.  But maybe I just got a bad batch.  

Fearful Friday - How safe are we?

It's not easy to just stay indoors when you still have to get groceries, go to your health appointments and go for your daily walks.  But with all the news and the amount of information with regards to the Corona virus aka COVID 9, there is so much fear out there and we have been watching too much news, I guess.  We needed something at COSTCO and we did go in but at that time there were not panic shoppers.  A couple of days later, it was on the news that the same Costco had ran out of toilet paper and some other shelves were being emptied. In our province there is currently 19 confirmed cases and we believe there is one in our small city but that information is not on the local news.  Most of the grocery store and drugs store and even the dollar store are out of the hand sanitizer.  As for the face masks, I believe they ran out of it at least a month or so ago.  In fact the hospitals started locking up their masks as some of the staff were taking them home.  So how safe are we in our small city?  I think we are lucky in that we are retired and don't have to go to work.  We could self quarantine ourselves as much as we can and for as long as we can.  As for me I really have to be so careful as I am one of those with some underlying health issues. It doesn't mean my hubby shouldn't be careful.  On that note, we are hopeful that this hopefully will get resolved sooner and that a vaccine will be available by next month.  Now it's time to wash my hands.

Mandatory Monday - Time to get organized

There are only 59 days left before the 2019 Income Tax deadline.  For some it is easy because they just hand everything to their account and it's done.  Others will use tax companies that sometimes gives you the refund ahead if you are receiving some credits.  And then there are those like me who has done it since the beginning of time.  Except when we returned to Canada a few years ago.  We were lucky because our next door neighbors were accountants.  For the first two years they did the taxes for us.  This year my hubby decided to do ours.  Not only does he has to do Canadian Taxes, he also needs to do a US one.  Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that he is taking the time and making sure that each line, each number, each form is completed meticulously.  My only concern is that we have two different deadlines. April 15 and April 30.  Of course when you do it yourself, sometimes you might miss a section or the calculation is off.  But for some reason, the government agency responsible always makes sure your taxes are correct and if it is incorrect, it will reflect in your assessment.  For most of the time that I have done my taxes, the amount owing or credit is only a few dollars different.  But some of the years, I am just dead on to the last cent.  What is the point of today's post?  Start prepping your papers and complete the forms sooner than later.  Once it is submitted who cares when you get the refund or assessment.  You know that you have complied with the law and regulations of being a citizen of Canada.

Tinkering Thursday - Just breads

Does tinkering applies only to other things but not food? So I had to check on the exact meaning. It says an attempt to repair or improve.  Now I now I can use it for today because it's all about the one recipe I know how to make an awesome bread.  But I am not taking all the credit because I found the initial recipe on Pinterest and have used it ever since.  Even my daughter has made some amazing variety of the No Knead Artisan Bread.  As for tinkering, I had to try my very first Focaccia bread. OMG it turned out really good and our neighbors who were joining us for dinner really loved it.  Even their daughter said that it was very yummy.  Not just yummy, very yummy.  This week I delivered one olive and garlic bread to a neighbor who was returning from a 6 week vacation.  She actually gave me a big bag of flour before she left and I promised her that I will bake her a bread.  The next day I baked another bread with sundried tomatoes, olive and garlic for another neighbor whose daughter and family was visiting.  They were so appreciative and truly enjoyed it for their dinner.  Of course I can't just make them for other, I also made a jalapeno and cheddar cheese for us. I am very happy to report that each and everyone of these bread turned out perfect.  The good news is that I remembered to take photos to share for today.

My very first Focaccia bread.

My daughter's bowl bread.

Olive and garlic with everything but the bagel seasoning.

Jalapeno and Cheddar Cheese

Sundried tomatoes, garlic, olive and seasoning.