Bake to de-stress
Today's total production (using the new oven TY and I recently bought for mom): over four dozens of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and walnut chocolate chip cookies, eight huge blueberry muffins and an eight-inch quick bread. Not from scratch, certainly. Call me a phony baker - I am no Martha Stewart or Ms K K Tan - but I seriously don't mind spending a bit more money and a little less time on a nice-to-taste and easy-to-make fix.
Eons ago when I saw the need to feed my fellow ushers, I bought Betty Crocker's ready mixes to bake for various occasions. Subsequent years later I still do the same, just for different people in my life...
I figured it is because I could use some simple efforts (in shopping the simple ingredients and putting them together), put in some sunshine (while thinking of the faces that are going to enjoy them), literally see my product grow into edible form (in the oven), and watch people I love eat them. Plus the cleaning up and washing, I probably flushed some of my negative energy down the sink.
I could SEE the benefits. I needed that! The business that I do takes a long time to harvest. Guess I am feeling slightly discouraged from that for the moment... It is no wonder I can bake to de-stress.
Yet I am glad I baked today because people I love are hungry for what I made.
天冷就回来
It's been awhile since I've watched theatre. Oddly enough, it was Sharon Au who sparked me initial interest in local productions and thereafter I opened my eyes to a whole new world through Forbidden Broadway, Forbidden Hollywood, Forbidden City, Miss Saigon, Singing in the Rain, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang... and tonight, 天冷就回来 If There're Seasons...
I always have good company from friends but for family, this is a first. Besides supporting Sing Chew and the local talents, a strong reason for me to be there is TY being part of the creative team and for mom to see her very first stage production. It's a birthday gift from me to her.
Awesome efforts I must say!
Scrapaholicious
I am full of remorse.
I walked into MadeWithLove and almost did not make it out... I was awed and spent. Gosh, I did online research and discovered more resources and online stores. Doomed. Scrapaholic Anonymous, please? "I don't need it, my wallet is closed..."
Yet I just can't help expressing my love for simple lines, polka dots, shapes, type, earth colors, monochromatic stuff... by way of possessing and utilizing them.
Unknowingly I have been building my private stash for a very long time - all sorts of papers, wrappers, tags, cards, ribbons, glitter, stickers, any form of print or material that will embellish a plain message and gift. I just keep and keep, and tell myself that yes, I will get down to making cards, but I am sure you gather I never did.
Jan's a hoarder, says Ivory, and true enough I am guilty of it, but that says I am an environmentalist too... Remember? Reduce, reuse, recycle. That's one of the wonders of scrap booking!
I highly suspect that I will be making more cards than albums and hopefully that will help me save a fair bit... ?! My first is completed and I am hooked!
