June and July: An Update

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

We’re back from our big family trip to the Philippines and Seattle. We even added a few days in Vancouver, British Columbia. Summer heat, native eats, lots and lots of family time.

We visited my husband’s family’s pineapple farm. Oh my, the juiciest, freshest pineapple I’ve ever tasted. So tender and ripe, you could eat the center core.

We stopped for a little afternoon snack at a local resort one day. Super warm and sunny, but once in a while a breeze came by. Bummer that my son and husband broke out with heat rash…

While much of the Philippines is tropical, Manila is very metropolitan, very big city… and in the middle of the city is a Chinese temple where we visited my husband’s grandparent’s resting place.

We checked out the Oceanarium in Manila. So cool seeing different and diverse ocean life! And the fish were so active in their tanks. OMG, they have a fish spa… amazing. Crazy little nibble fish nipped at our feet.

Bellevue WA at Sundown

We found ourselves back in the U.S. sooner than expected after a food allergy incident involving our son. (It’s still rough for me to talk or think about – The worst 24-hours for our family.) An emergency run to the hospital in a foreign country wasn’t how we wanted to end the trip, but know that it ended well, we all came home in one piece. And even though we weren’t home-home, it felt reassuring to be back in our home country.

I’d really like to return to the Philippines, sooner than later. So much has changed after (gulp) 24 years. Yeah, my husband was there more recently… 17 years. Yikes.

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We made the most of our time in the Pacific Northwest with a side trip to Vancouver. My two aunts were thrilled to have us visit them. I crossed the Capilano Suspension Bridge this time… I tried about 30 years ago. (The bridge is 460 feet long and 230 feet above the Capilano River. Talk about nerve-wracking!)

Things were a little weird after being away from home for 28 days. Routines were out the window (summer vacation, oy), and it was a major victory when we all woke up before 10 am. Luckily that only lasted a few days.

We’re back on central time. I’m back in the kitchen, helping out with our parish’s vacation bible school. And I can’t wait to get back to the craft table!

If you’d like to see some Mugshot Mondays from the trip, you can head to my Instagram page, and the official Monday Mugshots community page, too. I hope you do. 🙂

Mugshot Monday: It’s May

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

Springtime means allergies or a cold, or both.

But at least it’s (finally) getting warmer and plants are growing!

And, it’s always a nice treat to get flowers on Mother’s Day.

Mugshot Monday: April in Review

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

I felt like Spring was finally in the air…

… until it snowed like this on April 14. I was so stunned that I forgot my mug in the shot.

Tax Day came and went. Then I got down (literally, on the floor) to work on some projects, like One Little Word.

Here’s the finished Vision Board.

And, I found an old artist trading card series I made in 2008 for an “Encouragement” swap… It finally has a home in my One Little Word binder.

Mugshot Monday: It’s Finally Spring

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

This week’s Mugshot Monday is full of pics from last week – Spring Break. It goes by so quickly, doesn’t it? My family and I didn’t go anywhere too far since there’s a big trip in the works this summer. We didn’t want to bust our vacation budget, nonetheless we filled our week with kid-friendly activities at Goldberry Woods.

It’s so fun just hanging out, eating, drinking and laughing with friends! All our kids ran around the woods and only came in when they were hungry, or they wanted screen time. Imagine eight kids huddled around one computer screen! It’s the new fireside chat by the radio – and if you get that reference, kudos to you.

At Goldberry Woods

I had a good weather day which meant… bicycle maintenance checks!

Bicycles all cleaned up at Goldberry Woods

My hubby and our friend held a science lab for the kids… DIY calorimeter. Awesome.

Somehow I got the kids to doodle and draw with me. Hehehe.

We even had some time to walk around the property… checking out the seedlings in the hoop house (greenhouse)!

Seedlings at Goldberry Woods

… walking on one of the trails.

Now we’re back home. Everyone’s at work and school. Today, I’m finishing our taxes (crossing fingers!). My head was spinning from papers, so I took a small break outside with a cuppa.

I thought, “What a cool reflection in my mug! Oh, look, my grass is actually turning green!”

The Spring miracle.

This week, stay tuned for a “vintage” recipe redo and some Easter artwork!

Mugshot Monday: March Madness (at home)

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

I’m writing in bits and pieces this morning, because my head is filled with choppy ideas. Sometimes “choppy” is all I have. Life right now feels like it’s disjointed, but all are good chunks of time. If you’re a reader out there, hope you’re flowing along better than me. 🙂

Hosted an “open craft table” night at home with a few pals. Definitely want to do more!

Watching March Madness and playing our annual family bracket pool. Winner picks dinner out.

Stitched a postcard for the Great Stitched Postcard swap.

Preparing to teach a paper flower workshop at TeaLula this week!

Working on another Subway Art piece for a lovely lady who won it in an auction for Kalo Foundation of Park Ridge.

Participating in the #showusyalists journal challenge. Five lists in five days, and lots of fun.

Getting ready to visit friends over Spring Break at Goldberry Woods.

Helped out a friend join Pinterest and the Twittersphere. Won’t you welcome her?

Mugshot Monday: Waiting for Spring

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

Another two-fer mugshot post…

Our days continue to be busy with activities, so I’m looking forward to a little break. Now whether or not it’ll feel like spring, that’s to be determined. It seems we can’t get past this warm sun-snow-freeze cycle. (Curse you, Polar Vortex!)

Snow finally melting, except more snow on the way (March 10, 2014)

So, while I’ve been juggling the day-to-day life happenings, I’ve also been trying to sneak in some creative time when I can. I just finished my One Little Word activities for February. Got a thumbs up from Ali Edwards, herself! Eeeee.

In case you missed out on some baked goods yesterday (like I did), feel free to check out my Irish Soda Bread and Irish Stout Coffee Cake recipes!

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