Waistline Wednesday - Avoid this food

How does one keep their weight gain going to the waistline?  I am guessing it really doesn't matter where it goes, a weight gain is all the same anywhere in your body.  My neighbor's always ask me how come I am not over weight and I do so much baking and make amazing meals.  I give them the same response all the time - " I give them away".  Actually not all, as I love having snacks in the freezer available specifically on those days when my blood sugar goes very low and I need a sweet snack.  For sure, everyone already knows what foods to avoid if you are trying to lose weight.  So the following photos might be too tempting, I suggest you don't click the Page Down button and just STOP here.  Oh no, you clicked.

Carrot cake

Cinnamon roll

Leche Flan

Donuts from the Ratio Cafe - every Friday is donut day

Chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (my cousin and I made)

Christmas donuts from Tim Horton's

Marketing Monday - A new sales rep

Whenever people see the stuff that I create with the sewing machine, they also say, you should sell in online, or get a table at the arts and craft show, etc.  What they don't understand is that I would have to make a lot of items in order to sell online or at the craft show.  Here's my excuse, I am retired and I don't like to start a sweat shop.  I also just make them as a hobby and whatever I make is more like my fun funds.  But lately I have been making a few items from someone ordering.  When I went to an Open House/Pop Shop, there were a couple of ladies who ordered something I didn't have, so I made them.  After my neighbor brought the items, someone else ordered a couple more.  Now my neighbor is my new sales representative.  She suggested that I make some type of sampler basket that she can take to work and at coffee break she will present them.  It was really nice of her so this week we will try it.  I will have to place a price tag on every item in the box.  Last time I was using stickers and I find them falling off or sticking to my pants, etc.  Then I can also have a price list of other things that I sell that she can take orders.  The best part is that she is doing it for free because we are good friends/neighbors.  Here are some of items she's going to try and sell.

Potato Bags

Sandwich Bags

Shopping bags

I should have taken a photo of the basket but I forgot.  So I am showing some of the items in the basket.  There are a couple of each of the items that I have made, like bandana bibs, binkie holders, fabric wallet, apron, pin cushion, pencil case and cell phone holder.  All of which I have featured on previous post.  Maybe next week I will post the result of the sale.

Smooth Saturday - Hot Beverages

Winter time is the best time to try some new hot beverages to keep your body warm.  Although I think using an electric blanket will definitely get you warm and toasty.  But sometimes after dinner you might want to just let your stomach settle and so you have a hot tea.  But have you ever tried hot tea with Sambuca?  It's very easy, you boil water, add your tea bag and add half a shot of Sambuca.  Just use regular tea, not herbal or flavored ones.  Another one that we love is the Spiced Apple Cider Drink which comes in a powder form.  The first one we tried at my friend's home and we found out they bought it at Costco, so we got a box.  Unfortunately the next time we went to buy it, it was not available.  Last but not least is the adult version of hot chocolate.  So far my favorite is the one with Peppermint Schnapps with mini marshmallows and whipped cream. Last month during our neighborhood caroling, one host offered a crock pot version and it was amazingly yummy. What is your favorite hot beverage during the winter months?  

Tension Thursday - What tension?

There are so much tension all over the world that is why sometimes you have to just turn off the TV and not watch anything.  But if you are travelling in the near future, you actually have to know what is happening, right?  Today's post was going to be about a different tension.  I decided to practice playing the guitar again and of course the tension had to be readjusted because it's still considered a very new set of strings.  Tuning constantly to get the right tension and hopefully soon, I don't have to keep doing it.  Another type of tension is the one I experience every time I am sewing.  I cannot believe that my machine just turned 9 years old.  It still runs really good but every now and again the tension gets out of whack.  The last time it was because of my bobbin that was scratch (made of plastic), for whatever reason it was not catching and therefore no bottom thread.  For those of you who are not into sewing, forget about those last few sentences.  During the Australian Tennis Open, there were so much tension when it comes to the players, the umpire, and sometimes between reporters and players.  I get a lot of tension when I am watching and I cannot stand the comments of some of the broadcasters, time to turn the TV off. Almost forgot the tension between families and friends.  Sometimes you have no control on this type of tension and all you can do is wait and hope it goes away.  For me the best way to relieve tension when I start feeling it, I get busy.  Yesterday I wrote a total of 6 letters, that's right good old snail mail.  By the end I felt so good about the whole process.  Today, I started sewing again and try making new items out of my scrap fabric in between loads of laundry.  The weekend is almost here and the month of January is almost over.  Does it mean we only have a month and half of winter?

I named this bear NANOOK.

My new scraps/thread catch all.

Finger pot holders (small and medium hand)

My new carry on luggage and the tag I made with my favorite fabric.

Tournament Tuesday - Australian Open

It is truly amazing how much tennis one can watch, I guess if you are a true tennis fan, which I am.  So this is the last week of the AO tournament and unfortunately some of my favorites have been out a little too early for my liking.  There are still a few that I am cheering for but the one player I get very sad when he does not go forward is RF aka Roger Federer.  Sometimes I think some of the sports caster are jink to him when they do this forecast, statements, etc before his game.  I wish they just stick to what their job is and not be fortune tellers.  Truly, I don't want to get started on some of these sports commentator.  Some of them are so annoying as they always talk about when they were great, etc.  It's many moons ago, some of these new players weren't even born and they don't know about you.  Others are way too much on their playing favorites and usually they are cheering for the USA players.  I understand you want to cheer for your own, but don't make it too obvious even when the non USA player are doing very well and playing their best, they are still obviously cheering for their team.  Anyway, without complaining too much and sharing what my mind is thinking, I just want to share some of my favorite moments.

• During a press conference after a game, Rafa noticed one of the reporters with his eyes close, possibly taking a nap.  You have got to see Rafa's expression.  I kept watching it over and over and each time I just kept laughing.  Then when the reporter finally woke up, Rafa said "I guess it's not an interesting day".
• After an amazing match and Alexander Zverev was being asked regarding maybe switching to the sleeves shirt like RAFA, he says, "when Rafa wears it, it is intimidating" and "if I wear it, Rafa will be laughing", look at me, I have been given a nickname of "asparagus".
• As for the most inspiring and emotional win was for TIAFOE.  He won his match against Dimitrov (my other favorite) on his 20th birthday.  So young and already so good.
• On the women's side, I am very hopeful that OSAKA goes forward to the finals.  I really don't care who she plays against, I just want her to win.
• Let us not forget one player who thinks she's very fashionable and wears something totally different, when in fact she looks like she is going to a wrestling match, or maybe it's a cut off onesie??

Savory Sunday - Viva Mexicana

After a year and a half we finally found a Mexican Restaurant that we like.  Ever since we arrived in Vernon, we had been trying different restaurants to see if we can find one that is acceptable to us.  Coming from San Jose, CA we were a bit spoiled when it comes to authentic Mexican food.  We have one special restaurant that is truly our favorite.  Everywhere we go we would always compare it to Casa Teresa.  Now that we are not in that area we really miss it.  So now we found a place we can go every time we are craving for some Mexican food.  Introducing VIVA MEXICANA.  It is located along Hwy 97 in the Lake Country, BC.  The place is small and cozy and the service is amazing.  When we sat down, the man behind the counter came and sat down with us and took our order.  He introduced himself as Rabbit.  That's right, that is his name.  Anyway, after a few minutes our food arrived.  Of course I took a photo of our meal so I can share.  The first mouthful was so good.

I knew right away that I will be enjoying my dinner.  At first I thought 3 enchiladas would be too much, not this dish, I ate everything.  So if you are craving for some good Mexican food, stop by and see Rabbit.  Their menu is not very big but it has the go to dishes like tacos, enchiladas and burritos as well as nachos and quesadillas.  Almost forgot, their margaritas is great with the meal.  By the way, I just added a couple of snacks we had at the Bowling Alley

in Kelowna which was our lunch. 

Garlic Fries

Pork Cracklins aka Chicharones but with maple bacon flavor.

Fresh Friday - Reusable items

The snow came back this week and you know what that means, I am staying indoors.  It's not like we cannot go out, but for me, unless we really need to go, we usually wait until the roads are clear and when it is not snowing.  The good part of this is that I get to be very productive.  That's right, I am back creating new sewing projects.  As you saw on my last blog, I have added new items and yesterday I made a reusable/washable shopping bag.  I met this lady at the Open House last Friday and she requested a light weight shopping bag.  Of course I have to get the special fabric from the store in order to accommodate her request.  My only concern is that she might not even want it, but it's no big deal for me because I can always add it to my collection of items that someday I will sell at my own garage/craft sale.  I also made a prototype of a reusable sandwich bag.  My first one was made with all fabric and then I realize that I will need something that will protect the fabric from leakage or stain.  Now I will make another one and try to use the clear thin plastic for the inside of the bag.  This was also another order from another lady from that Open House.

Sandwich bag

Snack bag - this one is for my daughter for her to try.

More microwave potato/corn bag for inventory.

Light weight shopping bag 10" x 17"