Summer Scrapbook: Part 1

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Hello, friends. We loved every minute of our two week adventure in the Pacific Northwest… except for my week of pink eye. Grrr. But all is well. Consider this just a portion of our memories. I hope one day my kids appreciate the pictures I take – not just of them, but these little landscapes and close-ups. I just think that there’s just so much world to admire and enjoy.

Sitting down to look at my father-in-law’s architectural sketches

Used to be able to see Mount Rainier from my brother-in-law’s backyard. Trees grow, I guess.

The flowers always seem so vibrant here…

…and so do the fruit.

See what I mean, vibrant fruit.

Let’s not forget to snack while we walk Pike Place Market. These were amazing.

Gratuitous bike shot, sorry.

Quiet time in the mountains.

Where we stayed. This pic is like an ad for Acura (which we all drive).

The stores and food, just too much deliciousness.

And you can’t beat the views.

We did hit up some cool educational spots, like the Museum of Flight.

Scrumptiouness everywhere in this Cakery!

Are you enjoying your summer?

Taking a Trip: 5 Favorite Bring-a-longs

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

I’m heading out of town with my family… and ready to bring snippets of beautiful scenery, cool shops, and awesome food pics straight to you. Here are a few shots from last year.

See what I mean, gorgeous, just gorgeous. We love the Pacific Northwest.

So, while you so patiently hang around, this is what I like to bring with me when I travel. Aside from the “mom purse” full of fruit snacks, crayons and markers, and medicine:

Travel art kit: Fancy pens, crayon, and a mini-note pad. Why the crayon? So I can do rubbings if I find a cool texture or plaque.
A magazine to read, and then afterwards do paper folding art and leave it on the plane.
A little bottle of body spray. Nothing crazy perfum-y, just something to refresh myself after a long plane trip, or to refresh in the middle of the trip. Like Cotton Blossom from Bath & Body Works.
Postcard stamps. They’re 33 cents now!
And I like to wear comfortable clothing. That doesn’t mean it’s all yoga pants and t-shirts. What about a swishy dress and a cardigan like this?

Summer Blur :: Almost Wordless Wednesday

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Juliet Tiu

Who knew that it’s been over a month since the last post? No one but my family and a few close friends read this blog anyway… so, it’s okay, right? No, no. I know friends out there are reading. I’m sorry I’ve been away. I always seem to let too much time pass between posts in the summer months. With the kids and husband home, every day is an adventure – except when outside feels like a sauna and we hunker down in our basement and play video games and ping pong. (Not very into the pool scene. I don’t buy pool passes. No chance to break even.)

Forgive me for the lack of posting? Facebook and Twitter have been easier to update on the road and on the fly.

Since I last posted…

For neighbor kids and friends, we hosted a week long art camp in our garage.

Made some great projects during art camp.

Ssampled Brazilian Brigadeiro – chocolate truffle with sea salt and lime zest

Made cake again to make sure the recipe wasn’t faulty.. happy to report that it was not.

Managed to sew some burp cloths for expecting mom friends

Found this little guy on a garden walk which inspired me to get back into my own garden.

Made some Model Magic baked goods with the kids on a “too-hot” day

Checked out the Lego Kids Club

Celebrated 4th of July with family :: cakepops by my cousin

Tasted roasted purple cauliflower at a friend’s home

Worked on a Subway Art sign for a friend

Survived my first t-ball season

Visited an awesome bed and breakfast

Got to hang out a little at the beach, too

… and turned 39.

First Visit to a Bed and Breakfast

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Juliet Tiu

Our friend turned innkeeper - perusing a cookbook

What would you say if your friends called and said, “Hey! We bought a bed and breakfast! Who wants to come for a working weekend to help us get ready?”

We said, “Of course!” We had never been to a bed and breakfast before, but mostly because of accessibility issues. Luckily, there was a ramped entrance and we had a ground floor room. Perfect.

So two weekends ago, we packed up our bags, brought an air mattress, blankets and headed two hours out of Chicago to their bed and breakfast in Michigan. A possible snow advisory didn’t stop us either.

Doors and walls in the innkeepers home needed painting, furniture had to be moved, kitchen cabinets and appliances were waiting to be cleaned… and there were over ten adults (along with at least fifteen children – I lost count) willing and able to do jobs. Talk about a great greeting – having friends come out to your car with big hugs.

I stayed in the B&B where all the kids were. (Couldn’t leave them to their own devices.) Spent most of my time in the B&B kitchen catching up with other friends who had come to help. Oh, and I contributed – scrubbing out cabinets, finding miscellaneous kitchen gadgets and glassware left behind by the previous owners. Not your typical weekend activity but I loved it. The evening ended with wine, guitar playing, kids in the basement complete with pillow fights, and prepping for the next morning’s breakfast… awesome.

What a truly exciting adventure ahead – so proud of our friends, Julie and Eric.

Back from Summer Vacation

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Juliet Tiu

We’re back from a week in hot, humid, beautiful Orlando, Florida. Yes, we took a family trip to Walt Disney World. I’ve missed writing this summer (so hard with the family schedules), but I’m looking forward to sharing crafts and recipes again… especially some dishes inspired from Disney’s Dessert cookbook. I totally had to pick this up while we were there.

Just glad we’re home, even though it’s just as hot, if not hotter than Florida – and just as humid. Our plants didn’t die while we were gone *whew*, and our basement didn’t flood with the epic storm that happened while we were away. So, so thankful. How’s everyone been lately?