Wintery mode

 {photo taken by S.J.H}

{photo taken by S.J.H}

 {photo taken by S.J.H.}

 {photo taken by S.J.H}

 {photo take by S.J.H.}

December 25th, 6a.m., there was a sound from the other side of the room then all went to slight again. The next thing I know was a whispered sound, " Mommy, HE was here! Can you get up now?" I replied in the most sleepy sound, " Can I sleep in? just another 10 minutes?" Then she whispered again, " but I really want to go downstair and check, can you come with me?"  Time for me to wake up and go downstair!

The last few days were quiet around here! The most excitement was open presents that have been collected under the tree. Each day, we have few packages arrived from friends and families all we did was placed them under the tree! I didn't take guess on any packages!  I am just all smitten by all the brown packages and the greeting cards that arrived from day to day!

Oh yes! I did manage made Lucky's cape and mailed out! S' robe finished just in time before the last day of school and the stocking was done, but I had made a huge mistake in the rush sewing period of time! I didn't reverse the pattern for the backing stocking, so ended up have two stockings! The robe for S fits perfectly, only the sleeves are longer, but it will allow her another few years to grow into.

Each year, we always try to have simple meals on the 24th, brunch is always a popular pick here! This year, I made French Toasts and lots fresh fruits; mini bites crackers and swiss cheese for the snacks then I had to brew myself a pot of coffee and warm S a cup of milk. It was homey and of course, we had to turn the Christmas tune up before we headed to the grocery store.

We have a cozy time here! Taking the time extra slow and take relax pause extra longer! Our book shelves are heavier after this holiday season! S has been devouring her new books ever since she open the packages.  I, on the other hand is being spoiled by many kind and sweet friends allover the world. Thank you So much for all the handmade goods!

Then the road trip that planned weeks ago was taken right after all the celebration! We miss it, lots! I miss the view of the corn and bean fields. I miss hearing all the observations S has while passing through little towns. I miss driving without hitting much breaks. We missed the corn field being harvest this year, we missed the sunset view during the harvest season, we missed friends that we used to see daily!  However, we were able to catch up a bit during the trip! The corn and bean fields are asleep now! It is so pretty with partly cover with snow now! We let the car windows down and let the cool air in! The smell of the field and cold air was fresh! Oh, the car break didn't get use much throughout the time! It was a smooth and fun drive even it started with foggy outlook. We had great time with our friends; over dose the coffee and over consumed the homemade treats. We watched the sunset on the way home! It was warm and fuzzy! The orange sunset was perfect to end the trip! Slowly we pulled in the city freeway, we knew we are home! We are quiet happy to be home again!

The sewing machine is on again and books are being check out from the local library and downstair library this morning! We are into Wintery mode again! See you soon!

xxc

Warming up! /update!

Fabrics/ Apple Cake/ New plant

We are warming up here! I am back to finish up this post in the morning! It has been awhile to stay up late and trying to finish up writings. My brain wants a break before 10p.m. now! If I try to push it hard, then I always end up erase all the writing and wanted to rewrite again, but chances are I deleted them again.

This week has been busy for us! A new schedule, a new job, and trying to set up a new routine! Did I tell you that I am comfortable on Freeway now? I do drive slower than other vehicles and try to keep bubble space between cars in front of us! The new challenge driving on Freeway lately has been driving in dark and get into the crowd traffic on our way home from downtown.  It feels like venturing in the dark forest and S often comment from the back of the seat; Mommy, the cars are flashing by so fast! Are you slowing down? I replied, Yes.. I am only going on 45 now! Ok! take your time, mom! ....

As you see we have added a little more holiday into the house. S' little tree was up over last weekending, my tin collections and a little bit of this and that. The next sewing for the holiday is the new stockings. S has her color picked out and I am still between blue and brown; maybe one of each? Then new garlands would be nice to add to the house and new ornaments sewing would be great! All the holiday bits do bring some warmth into the house and some coziness! Oh, the tree will be up this weekending and we both are excited!

The oven has been utilized more than just baking pizza lately! Yesterday morning, I pulled out flour, sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar, eggs, and used up the last two Gala apples for the apple cake! The house smelled so great with all the cinnamon and sugar, but I waited for my little companion to return home from school! We both had two slices before dinner time and it is so great!  We ended up having a late dinner and wrapped up our day late as well. Oh, the cake making has just started, the next one is banana bread pudding.  It calls for day-old french bread or sourdough bread which is unlike the regular cake batter. Oh, yes! I'll be sharing this soon!

Lately I have damaged a few more plants here! It seems like they don't like the way I placed them. Some are doing fine and others just turned brown and looked so sad! I have always though I'd grow an indoor herb garden, but never have great success on that!  I am giving it another try this winter again! Hope they will do better till next spring/summer comes! Do you grow any herb indoor? I love to hear what you do to keep them happy and healthy!

{Thank You so much} for Stella's quilt! She was tickled with many belated birthday wishes! She does love all that kind and generous mention on the comments and emails you send. She often feel special from that and so do I!

Have a great weekending that's coming ahead of you! We'll be cozy up here and making lists for our holiday baking soon!

xxc

Random: are you ready?

 { done and ready for photograph}

 {S' little friends were here for tea party}

 { the title of this from the book is outrageous oatmeal cookies}

 {keep healthy and unhealthy}

 { 6 were gone when they were cooling off}

 {sorting}

{S, the messenger}

It is 2013 in Taiwan! The 14 hour difference puts us on hold to forward the calendar. My sister and I had a great conversation in her last 2012 international phone call and mine as well.  I named a long list of food that I was craving for and asked if she can send them over. She told me, it is coming.. 

S and I plan to celebrate simple because we are saving the celebration fun till we visit our family next summer.  We made some oatmeal cookies for later tonight and tomorrow to keep us sweet and happy. S invited her little friends over to have some tea with her. They took over half of the sewing table and left me a small corner to work.  Those girls are really chatty...

A little organization is needed in the sewing room. The sewing corner is not in singular form, but plural. Piles of fabric everywhere..  

We are thankful that we could spend the last day of 2012 with loved ones, loved things, and yummy cookies. 

I am ready for 2013 to arrive! As many of you know, I will completed my MFA study, have thesis exhibition sometime in March, moving to our next destination, visiting families, keep celebrate weekending with lovely S at {1/4" mark house}. It seems so overwhelmed to write all the events that will take in 2013. As my dear friend Jean always tells me, take one step a day~  


Happy New Year~
Keep sew much creative bugs in you..

xxC

Random: captures

 { negative nights ; moon is brighter and clear}

 {only if you built it, you get to eat it, too}

 { hot coco making, just the right kind of drink }

 { S, shifts}

 { First time we made classical gingerbread cookies}

 { best card of the year}

 { last minutes treat baking}

 {second scarf in action:  knit 3; purl 3.. repeat.}

 {pillow cases making for friends; 

did you know they received 4,000 pillow cases for Sandy Hook Elementary school}

 { last recital of the year; she did great!}

 { S, dish helper}

 { Jack Frost was indoor.. brrr}

 { best French Toast}

 { oven toasty }

 { from smitten kitchen book; I claimed myself # 1 fan}

 { packages arrived crazy within last two weeks}

 { S, the baker}

 { C, the photographer}

 { run, run, run, as fast as you can..they are the gingerbread men}

 { next year, we plan to make a gingerbread house}

 {

 { new books to read}

 { resting Christmas morning; healthy and unhealthy morning booster}

 { New toys to play}

 { shortbread cake for dinner}

 { pinnie for S}

 { S, the new sewer}

 { took months to decided on purchase. waited weeks to find the right price. Hid it weeks away from S and mission has accomplished}

 { the quilt that I received when graduated from college}

 { only cutting}

 {test drive; good}

{roasted potatoes}

still holiday season at {1/4" mark house}........  to be continue 

xxC