Monday 24 October 2011

Let's cook!

Lately I've been pretty bored with the meals I've been cooking. The kids like what they like and don't really like to experiment with different flavors, ie. VEGGIES! Yes, it is my fault for not exposing them to a variety of foods but when I do try something different, I get a lot of "ews" and "what does it taste like" etc., they don't even want to try the food and then I get stuck with trying to shovel down leftovers (which is not exactly great for my expanding waistline) or throwing food out (which I totally feel guilty about).

Well, I've decided that things are going to have to change around here. Watching cooking on tv or flipping through recipe books, we are really missing out on a lot of food. I have this huge recipe book with 365 main courses and I see tons of stuff I would like to eat. I've also been checking out some cooking websites and blogs, bookmarking what looks yummy but also easy to make.
Last night, I made quiche.


I quite enjoyed it! Though I think it could have used a bit more salt, it was overall pretty good. The girls liked it, but the boys didn't touch it. 2 out of 4 isn't too bad. Oh well, will keep trying.

*kids notes*:
Deon's favourite phrases at the moment :"Me sitty on you lap", "lemme be play DS", "where's Dizzy (Dare)?" -loving how he totally looks up to his big brother.
Ling lost a contact lens and it hasn't even been a week since she got them! It fell out and she didn't know it. UGH!
Jazzy simply likes candy and hanging out with me.
Dare is growing taller everyday and enjoys checking his height against mine. Yes, I think I will be the SHORTEST in the family!

Sunday 23 October 2011

Time to sew

It's time to sew. I've got a pile of fabric that needs to be sewn. I've started tackling that pile by making some reusable shopping bags. I have various shopping bags from various grocery stores and though they are functional, they are not very pretty. So I used one of them as pattern and this is what I came up with.

I used bias tape around the edges for some colour. I'm thinking of making some with piping around the edges also (ahem, pardon the loose threads. yeah, yeah whatever).
Another bag I made was out of an Ikea pillow cover. The cover was not matching my current decor anywhere in the house but I liked the pattern enough to place it in my ever growing "keep" pile - yes, it's the hoarder in me that can't always let go of stuff.

The way I've sewn the zipper was inspired by this dress from etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71992135/mixed-media-dress-custom-color-size

Ah, yes, it's always great to say you've completed something on your days off. Planning on making more and will share hopefully soon...

Thursday 20 October 2011

a little project

Just sharing a little project I did the other day. I had this decal that I picked up at the dollar store sometime last year. When I got it, it had lost it's stickiness-I suppose that's why it was only $2. I thought it would be such a waste to throw out cause I really like the print on it. So I decided to cut out the pattern and finally use it. I've been meaning to put some sort of art work above my stove because it just looks so bare.

I traced the pattern onto some contact paper, cut it out, stuck it to the wall and then voila! Instant art!


I was originally thinking of tracing and then painting the pattern on the wall but I'm actually quite pleased with results of the contact paper. If I get bored of it, all I gotta do is peel it off!

One project done, a million more to go...

Sunday 16 October 2011

Rude

The other day I was at the bank to pay my phone bill and I had an unpleasant experience with one of the tellers there. Whenever I get served by her I get this negative vibe and I'm not sure if it's me or that she is generally like that. Anyways, I went up to the counter and told her that I wanted to pay my bill.I hand over my ID and my bank card. I don't usually fill out a deposit form because I just don't, the tellers seem to have no problems filling out the forms for me when I go. Well, this teller seemed irritated that I didn't have one filled out and so she whipped one out and pretty much flung it at me. Rude! So I proceed to fill it out as much as I can and then pass it back to her. I filled out in the "incorrect spot" and so she started to correct me but then filled out the rest herself. When the transaction is over, she doesn't stamp the receipt to indicate that it's been paid (lazy?) and then throws my ID and bank card back at me, kind of like when you're dealing a set of playing cards. And I'm like thinking 'what was that?' Rude! I wanted to say something about her behaviour but me being the non-confrontational type just walked away and left it at that. But I did turn around to look at her name tag so that I could report her Rude! behaviour. I don't why I didn't say anything right away. It's always after the fact that I think of what I should have said to put someone their place. I think I need more practice. HAHAHA! I'd rather not experience those situations on a regular basis just to get the 'practice'.
I was going to call the branch manager but until now, I haven't. I probably won't. I think next time I'm at the bank waiting in line and she's serving, I will just pass and tell the person behind me that I will wait for the next teller because I don't like her and make it obvious that I refuse to be served by her.

Thursday 6 October 2011

books



My pile of unread books is slowly starting to grow and now I'm thinking "Am I even going to have time to read these?" Over the last couple months I have started I think three or four books and maybe read 50 pages in and then not finish. I guess none of them have captured my interest until now. I am currently reading The Seamstress by Frances de Pontes Peebles. It's a 656 page book (I'm on page 150) and I'm really enjoying it. I love how it's based on a different time and a different place and feels...

(quick interruption: deon has made his way onto my lap and is saying "i want ba on kul dot com (bionicle.com) I just love his baby talk and I know I must savor this time because everyday his speech becomes clearer and clearer and pretty soon I won't be hearing his "language". This reminds me that I must pick up a videotape for my old but reliable camcorder.)

...like such an escape from the real world -which I do need once in a while in my usually chaotic life.

In other news, this book is amazing!!!


I picked it up at the book signing event held at the Anthropologie store last saturday. So glad I was able to meet the author, Grace Bonney, and have a signed copy of this amazing book. After reading the Introduction and sifting through the book, I am totally inspired. Being the super shy person I am, I didn't ask to have my picture taken with her which would have been a nice keepsake of the event. Oh well, next time...