Stitching Sunday - Leftover from last year

Rain, rain and more rain.  No golf, no walking outside and definitely no tennis.  So what can I do. Hmmm.  Lucky for me I can do indoor stuff like cleaning, chores and baking.  Although this weekend I decided to finish the last towel embroidery left over from last year.  Then once it was completed, I decided to work on more towels that I had but has not been finished.  Since I have all kinds of left over fabrics from all the different projects, I just mix and match the colors and added some extras.  This is what I have completed.  Let me know if you like to have one of this.  You might have to pay for shipping, ha ha just kidding.

 
 

This is the last towel to be embroidered, I call this the Ontario Fall.

 

Foodie Friday - Food firsts

During my daughter and SIL visit, we have tried new dishes that we have not experienced before.  We also went back to one of their favorite restaurant and this time we ordered what they are famous for.  I am glad I went back and now I know what to order.  Although Dim Sum is nothing new for us, we decided to take them to a place where we use to go.  We have not been there for a long time and was surprised to see that most of the stores are gone except for this Chinese restaurant that serves Dim Sum everyday.  Of course their trip would not be complete without stopping by In and Out.  In fact that was the first one we stopped by after picking them up at the SFO.  So here are some of the photos of the food we tried during the holidays.

My dessert at Olive Garden when I met Katrina for lunch.

 

Our own version of the famous Seafood boil - we ate this on Christmas eve.

Bon Chon chicken wings - so yummy - definitely worth going back.

My new drink for 2017 - Moscow Mule - even have my own copper mug.

As for other dinners which I forgot to take photos, we had Roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding on Christmas Day.  On Boxing Day Jeff served Ham with a bunch of side dishes includes Jiffy cornbread casserole.  We took them to our favorite Mexican restaurant (Casa Teresa) for their first night.   Of course we served home made breakfast everyday.  Almost forgot, they requested one Filipino dish except I had to cook it separately as my daughter likes it with shrimp and my SIL loves the pork version.  Not a problem since the recipe was so easy. 

What's new Wednesday - My own forecast

Every year during the first three months of the year, people start something new.  Like a new diet, a new fitness regiment, a new hobby, maybe even a new job and sometimes a new relationship.  Whatever it is that you might be starting, give it a little more time than just a few weeks or a few months.  It takes time like everything in life.  So what is my new thing for 2017.  Here's my list in no particular order, just random list that I want to try, do, or change.

• Maybe I'll try to look for a part-time job. I know, maybe it's not realistic.
• A new hobby that does not involve sewing or crafts.
• A change in volunteer organization, give up one in order to keep weekly schedule.
• Join a golf monthly tournament - I already paid my membership.  This one is called Junipar Golf which is from Jeff's work.  They schedule a Sunday tournament each month at one of the great course in the Bay area.  Now I can try and win some of the contest during each tournament.
• Diabetes Management - this year I truly want to concentrate on getting almost perfect blood glucose numbers.  Possibly take another class or just do more research on things that are new in the Diabetes world.
• Return to weekly bowling and try very hard to get higher score in order to get my own bowling ball.
• Start organizing household stuff including clothes, shoes, etc. and start paring down to be prepared just in case we have to move to Canada this year.

There are seven items for 2017 that I have written.  It does not seem difficult but as you know like any diet, exercise, etc.  sometimes after a few weeks the excitement wears off.  The good part is that I have something to work on and will definitely report to you my readers as to where I am at with these seven new year TO DO's.  By the way, this is the year of the rooster. According to the article that I read first, this is the UNLUCKY year for the Roosters. That was not nice at all.  I am sure there's other good things you can read about that is if you are into this type of predictions.  Good luck and let's all hope for a peaceful and rewarding 2017.

 

 

Satisfying Sunday - Six years of blogging

It is hard to believe that I have been blogging for six years.  I have to thank my daughter for this because she was the one who got me started.  She suggested that I start one so that my friends and family can follow what I have been up too after moving to Cali.  Although my followers are not in the hundreds, I know that those who are still following this are enjoying each post and actually look forward to the next one.  As for my 6th year anniversary, I am sharing some new things for 2017.  This first one was freshly made yesterday as I needed a new flag for January.  It feels like this will be a great year for everyone.  Happy New Year!

January theme - Winter equals Frozen equals OLAF.

The following photos are new things for welcoming 2017.  As you can see I have a couple of really warm hoodie to keep me comfy for the cold winters we have in the Bay area.

Black flats from COACH, Patriot watch and key chain, new CD, Minion ear buds.

My daughter got this for me from the Bay store (aka Hudson's Bay Co) downtown Toronto. 

My BFF Lorna (from Ottawa) sent this via Canada Post and it arrived on Christmas eve.  So perfect.

Sincerely Sunday - What is Christmas without you

This Christmas we are extremely overjoyed because my daughter and my favorite SIL are spending the holidays with us.  Since the time of our last Skype when they told us this news, I have been counting sleeps and trying to prepare the B&B for their arrival.  Doing all the things that needed to get done before their arrival was the perfect solution to getting the days go by so quickly.  But even with all the excitement in our B&B, I cannot say that it's complete because we are missing one special family that is so dear to us.  Today I would like to share the Christmas card I wrote for my son.  

My son would have loved to see my special Minion nativity.

May this incredible time of giving and spending time with family bring you happiness to last throughout the year.  From our house to yours , Happy Holidays and thank you for stopping by.  I look forward to many more exciting posts next year.

 

Mournful Monday - Remembering a friend

How can anyone get through this very special time of the year when they lose someone they love?  There's only six days before Christmas and while everyone is getting all excited, there's a family out there going through some very tough times.  I was going to post today about how I cannot remember the last Christmas I spent with my son.  Why is that?  My mind is blank and some nights I stay awake trying to go through my memories and there's nothing. But today is not about me.  "Our dear friend Michelin passed away yesterday after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer". That was the message I received.  So today, I just want to dedicate this post to her.  

Scattered Saturday - Yellow leaves everywhere

It's another sunny day in our neck of the woods.  There's no snow on the ground, instead in our back yard, yellow leave everywhere.  Yes, I know it's only a few days and it's the beginning of winter but around here it seems like the fall season continues for another month.  It was a perfect day for Jeff to rake all the leaves and do some yard clean up.  Just a heads up, it's not like the Fall in Ontario.  Before he started his raking, I took some photos to share with you.  This is what our backyard looks in the middle of December.  By the way, last night I got a text from my cousin who lives in Yellowknife.  It was -36C and it feels like -50C.

My aunt who is around 83 yrs of age is currently staying with my cousin and yesterday she went out and about at least twice.  Really, are you kidding me?  I still remember those days when I live there.  Looking back, I spent 15 years in the North and 23 years in the East Coast of Canada.  A lot of winters, right.  Well now I am so blessed to be in San Jose where I can still wear my flip flop almost all year round.