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Halfway through May: Super Moon, Crafting, Teacher Appreciation

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May started with a great Super Moon

Hello, friends. I know I say this all the time – where do the days go?! Seriously, here we are in the middle of May, and it’s been forever since I’ve blogged. Thanks for staying connected with me on Facebook and Twitter. It’s truly appreciated. Those outlets have helped me stay in touch when I’ve come up for air.

Soccer and t-ball practices, class projects, teacher appreciation week, baptism, communions, weddings… Spring is in full swing.

First T-ball practice: my son and his friends from preschool

My daughter's class project - California on a shoebox float

A shoebox float with fringed party streamer

Teacher Appreciation Gift idea: notes in a giant "pill box"

Been busy with envelope calligraphy

Daughter and I are addicted to making bows

The perfect gifts on Mother's Day: handmade with love

More Resources

Super Moon news article

Shoebox Floats

More Teacher Appreciation ideas

Paper Bows, and more Paper Bows

Forget the Chores . . . Too Nice Outside

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I want to know if there are more chore-challenged people out there besides me. Would it surprise you to know there are dishes in the sink, laundry waiting to be folded, mail piling up? It comes and goes in cycles around here. And, honestly, it kills me.



It’s the part of me I dislike the most… my procrastination. I just get exhausted picking up after everyone, and I blame myself for not teaching my kids better, for not having the picture-perfect “Better Homes & Garden” home that’s ready for guests at the drop of a pin.

Here’s the thing – there’s so much I’d rather do. Like, today. We’ve been blessed with the most ridiculous March weather in Chicago. I want to hop on my bike, I want to finish some sewing projects, start other projects, eat lunch and write outside… So, I’m trying to give myself a pass today to not feel guilty about enjoying the day. Give yourself one, too, won’t you?

Lately, I’ve been struggling a little with writing, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m trying to be someone I’m not on the website, if I’m just REALLY overextended with things, if I’m horrible at time management. It’s time again for me to reevaluate things and find my voice. Might tweak the site a little, also. (OH, Sorry if anyone has had issues with the comment box. It’s fixed now.) I’m just glad my family and friends are super supportive. 🙂

I’m looking forward to sharing some more of our February and March: birthday party ideas, rice krispie sushi and more cooking and crafting ideas. Also, if you’re interested, take a look at 30daysofbiking.com. Can’t wait to journal about my adventures.

30 Days of Creativity: Day 29 – A Favorite Feature

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Day 29: Photograph your favorite feature.

It took me a while to figure out my favorite feature, and not because there’s so much of myself I like. Complete opposite – I’ve always had a hard time with my body image. Like since I was a kid. (There was a kid in elementary school who called my “Ghandi lips”. That set me back as a second grader.) Let’s not get into body image and all that… it’s all self-acceptance and I admit, I work on that constantly.

After some thought, it came down to my eyes. Pretty sure I have my mom’s eyes.

1999: Wedding Day with my parents

I have big, dark brown eyes. So big, that if I make my eyes wide (like I’m surprised or mad), my family says it looks like my eyeballs will fall out of their sockets. It’s scary and funny – my kids cover their eyes, squirm, giggle, laugh and scream and sometimes, run away. My husband thinks it’s weird… hahaha.

As a kid, I thought my eyes were black because I couldn’t see my pupils. (If you’re Asian, you may have experienced this.) Then there’s the day when I discovered that my eyes (irises) weren’t black and I stood in front of the mirror looking and searching. (A lot of Asian kids do that too.) It’s mesmerizing seeing the brown coloration and maybe flecks of another color, if you’re lucky. I don’t know what I was hoping for – maybe gold?

Take some moments to think about your favorite features, and if you’re so inclined, stop by and comment. Love to hear from you.

 

Adobo Cook-Off, Fire Pit and a Long Bike Ride

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What a fun-filled weekend!

  • Attended a Filipino food cook-off, Adobofest 2011, in one of the many forest preserves around Chicago. It seemed pretty well attended, but I heard there were four times as many entries as there were this year. More on this event tomorrow.

    Filipino Cook-Off Event: Adobofest 2011

  • Used our fire pit for the first time. Told the kids this was a close to camping as we’ll ever get! I’ve never been camping. Ever. But I am open to the idea of putting up a tent in the backyard one nice summer night. Maybe next year?

    Roasting dinner over the fire in the backyard with the kids

  • Abby’s soccer team won their game after a harsh season opener (they lost 8-2)!
  • And I rode 50 miles in the North Shore Century Ride! Started with a lovely sunrise over Lake Michigan – but quickly turned into a rainy mess of a day. I was drenched by the end. Took me 4 hours and 25 minutes, and on somewhat spongy tires for the middle leg of 20 miles (Oops.). It was really fun, but I won’t lie – it was a lot of work in some spots. And, I’m not very athletic at all. This may be my one big athletic accomplishment to date.

    Sunrise at Lake Michigan - Dawes Park - Evanston, IL

    The eager cyclist - I'm so excited

    Morning registration

    Bike odometer reached 50 miles at Bahai Temple of Worship, Wilmette, IL

I’m ready for a relaxing week. Too bad it won’t be… always something happening around our here! *grin*

Have a great week everyone!

Back from Summer Vacation

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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?

Our House Guest: Graham the Dog

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Hello there! Our guest blogger today is Graham, the dog, owned by my husband’s sister and her husband. Graham is a Bichon mix (I think). He was our houseguest for four days. By the time this posts, he will be on his merrily way to (or newly arrived at) a new home with my sister-and-brother-in-law. My kids and I will miss him a lot.

Our buddy, Graham

Hi. I’m Graham. I love car rides. It’s especially fun when I end up visiting people I like. But, I should’ve known better when my owners brought along my food, dishes, bed and toys. P.S. I moved my food bowl by myself.

Pelt. Graham loves it.

So, I waited and waited for my owners to come back. Figured I should get comfortable, except Julie kept taking my picture. After she went to sleep I ran under the dining table to find some good eats, then ran upstairs to sleep with the kids. (Forget my regular bed – I slept by the little guy. Right on his bed, even!) They’re so fun, but I think I make them nervous. They tried to show me how to use the computer in the morning so I could talk with my owners.

Who's spying on me?

 

Learning how to Skype

I had fun staying with everyone – even Uncle Pork* – but I didn’t get any table scraps from him this time. I got to walk around, meet some other dogs, take a few car rides… the best part was tagging along for a soccer game. All the girls wanted to pet and play with me. So. Much. Attention.

After Dinner

 

Those kids wore me out

Fun as it was, I was so tired from all the activity in this house. They’re always on the move. How’s a dog supposed to get any sleep? But I did, and I loved sleeping over. I hope the family liked having me too. Thanks, guys!

*Uncle Pork a.k.a. my husband. Some time ago, he gave Graham some table food – mostly bacon and bbq pork.

 

 

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