A little of this, a little of that...

I'm sorry that I've been so scarce lately. January is my usual time to kick back and relax after the hectic holiday season. I also use the time to regroup when it comes to creating items for my craft fairs.

I would like to thank all of my snow bunny friends, Sweetiepie, Catherine, Annemiek, Michelle, Laila, Shelley, JenniferW, Rowena, Suze, ConnieW, Kansaswx, Sandi, Red Geranium Cotage(Sharon) and Angi for your input. You gal's have been a tremendous help to me. Thank you for the invaluable information and for helping me to stay warm during my trip to Washington,DC. Hugs to all of you!

My diet is going okay. I do need to get off of my behind and get onto the treadmill to get my metabolism moving again. For me, weight loss is slow-going without it. I am also thinking of doing the Richard Simmons Deal A Meal once again. His program has helped me to lose weight in the past.

I would like to share a recipe for corn chowder with you. It is a very simple recipe to prepare. At 325 calories per serving, it is a pleasing meal for anyone watching their weight.


Corn Chowder

1 pkg. Turkey Bratwurst or Smoke Seasoned Lean Sausage
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cups half-and-half
1 15-oz can cream-style corn
1 cup kernel corn
1/3 cup red or green bell pepper, diced finely
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup seasoned croutons

Crumble sausage into pan (without casings). Add onion and cook over medium heat for approx. 10 minutes, breaking up sausage into chunks. Add cream and kernel corn, bell pepper, black pepper and hot pepper sauce. Simmer uncovered for approx. 20 minutes, stirring it occasionally. Top each serving with croutons. Makes 6 servings.


Here is a sneak peek of something that I'm currently working on. It is just one of a series that I hope to complete.



Take care, everyone!

Aloha!

CALLING ALL SNOW BUNNIES

I need your help!!! I am currently deciding whether I should take a trip to Washington D.C. sometime next month. The wishy-washyness is related to the freezing temperatures that I know that I will be faced with. From what I gather, the average high is 47 degrees and the average low is 30 degrees. Coming from balmy weather, I am quite sure that I will be unprepared.

I am looking for advice from you, my cold weather friends. In Hawaii, we barely have a need for anything more than a light sweater or jacket. As a reference point, I have been to Las Vegas in December. It was really cold to me, but bearable. I wore a sweater, scarf, layered a light jacket over that, and blue jeans, and I was still a bit cold. I have been to Mt. Titlis in Switzerland where it was snowing. It was uncomfortably cold(froze my butt off, actually), I was inappropriately dressed(the same kind of clothing that I used in Las Vegas), but because it was only for 2 hours, I tolerated it the best that I could and then couldn't wait to get back down the mountain. I'm afraid that the weather in D.C. will be much like Mt. Titlis.

I am looking for some clothing advice and where it is that I can find it. Hats? Gloves? Scarves? Jackets? Sweaters? Trousers? Thermal Undergarments? Socks? Shoes? Okay, as you can see, I HAVE NO IDEA what I need. If I decide to go, I will actually need to order this stuff right away because time is getting short.

I have visions of people in snow clothes that look like round colorful marshmallows. The one thing that I do know, is that I do not want to look like that. I am leaning toward something more fashionable, dark colors, perhaps more city smart. For casual situations, do people wear blue jeans in the winter in the city? Are items from LL Bean and Lands End appropriate? Is wool the fabric of choice? How about evening wear for going out to dinner? If you have the time, can you provide me with links to photos of appropriate clothing items. I would appreciate it so much.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Aloha!

Just Call Me Yo-Yo

Believe me when I say that my love of fabric yo-yo's has nothing to do with this post. Several days ago, while visiting Sharon at the Red Geranium Cottage, I noticed that she had issued a diet challenge to her fellow bloggers. By nature, I am not a competitive person in any way, shape, or form, but I knew that this challenge would be a good motivational tool for me. It doesn't take a genius to see that I am overweight.

I have been a yo-yo dieter since I can remember, and at the ripe old age of 53, nothing has changed. Over the last couple of years, I have gained quite a few pounds, losing a few, then gaining most of it back again. Several months ago I had my thyroid tested and it is as normal as can be so that excuse went out the window. At the moment, I have a very limited wardrobe because most of my clothes do not fit me. Somehow it brings me great comfort in knowing that I am not alone. By golly, gee whiz, just look at Oprah. She's a woman with unlimited resources and yet she cannot get it together either. I must say that she is much braver than I am because she has revealed her current weight and weight gain and I don't think that I can. Posting this onto my blog where everyone in the world can read it is humbling enough.

Part of Sharon's diet challenge is to post a before picture. I have thought long and hard about whether I would be able to fulfill this part of the challenge. I have decided that I am going to close my eyes and hope for the best and post my doggone photo for the world to see. It's a side view, and probably the worse possible view to show you. Darn that Sharon, she's just so convincing and inspiring that I think I probably would follow her to hell's gate...well, most likely not, but you get what I'm trying to say. So here it is.

I enlisted my son to take a few photos of me. I was amused that the first thing out of his mouth was that I should slouch over and not smile. I laughed and quickly informed him that he had been viewing too many weight-loss adds because those before and after shots are so obvious and cheesy. Anyway, it is very evident that I don't have to slouch over and not smile to get a typical before photo. ROFLMAO

Another part of this challenge is to provide diet tips, recipes, and support. Each person will post an update on their blogs each Monday(I've missed this Monday's post due to being sick). I have a link to this challenge posted in my sidebar if you'd care to follow along. Who knows, maybe you could use some motivation too.

And by the way, it seems to me that I am not the only one around here that needs to be on a diet. I'm just sayin'.



So, now that I have spilled my guts to the world, I will soon be heading out the door for dinner to celebrate my son's 21st birthday. By the way, he's a helluva young man and I love him dearly. Wish me luck that I make healthy choices. It's going to be difficult as my evening will be filled with an abundance of temptation but I know that I can do it. Most likely. Maybe. *grin*

Take care, everyone.

Aloha!

A Package of Friendship

I would like you to meet my friend, Lorraine, of Paper Vernissage. She is a passionate paper artiste and her work is truly fabulous. I have had the pleasure of her friendship through blogging. Blogging has literally placed the world at my doorstep and introduced me to many new friendships. I received a wonderful package from her right after Christmas. After reading her email, I realized just how much thought went into putting together this amazing assortment of goodies. Due to the hectic pace of the holidays, and then me being sick, I am only getting around to posting about it now.

This is a beautiful card made by Lorraine herself. I have always admired her talent in design and combining color.



This is a paperweight, topped with a beautiful rose that she made out of paper. It is currently being put to good use on my desk and I get to see it every day.


Have you ever heard of a Cape May Diamond? I hadn't until she sent me these. One is already mounted with a silver bale that I will be able to wear on a chain around my neck. I absolutely love it.



When I reached into the box and pulled out this beauty, my heart began to skip a beat. Hmmm, what was this beautiful embroidered piece in this lovely organza bag?


I guess I'll leave you hanging for just a moment. Look at the fabulous embroidery and bead work. It's so tiny and delicate and made me squeal with delight when I saw it.



It's a mirror!!! And she made it!!! There is even embroidery work all around the area that surrounds the mirror. So very beautiful!


The next item is a fused glass ornament made by a local artist to her area by the name of Peggy Karr. This ornament is less than 3-1/2-inches and look at all of the detail in one small piece. So amazing!



I have always wanted to take an East Coast trip to see the changing of the Fall leaves but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Lorraine sent me some beautiful pressed leaves, all reflecting the Fall season. These leaves are from a Sugar Maple. I have never seen a Sugar Maple tree in person. Talk about the joy I felt inside when I saw what was in the envelope. When I look at, and feel each leaf, I imagine myself surrounded by beautiful trees full of these precious creations.



Theres more. The heart shaped leaves are from Lorraine's favorite tree, the Redbud and the other's are from a Dogwood tree. We don't have these over here so it was such a treat to see them, and in their Fall glory to boot!



If you don't already know, Lorraine is an Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator. She sent me a tin full of these cute felt flowers from Stampin' Up in beautiful, vibrant colors. I think I will use these in my scrapbooking, perhaps in a flower lei design. It's just gorgeous. You all know how much I adore flowers.



Lorraine, Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank you very much) for your friendship and for these beautiful and thoughtful gifts which I will always cherish.

Aloha!

P.S. I just hopped over to her blog to add her link to my post and read her post about a random act of kindness bestowed upon her in the process of her gathering items for my package. It's a good read and tells you just how much thought and planning went into her wonderful gift.

Traditional Luau Foods

We made our annual New Years Day trek to my mom's house for our Hawaiian "Luau" dinner. Mom's been making Hawaiian food to usher in the New Year since I can remember.

I thought that you might like to see what Hawaiian food actually looks like.

This picture includes kalua pig, chicken long rice, lau lau (pork and steamed taro leaves), poi(the root of the taro plant, pounded into a paste),sweet potato (this year mom made purple Okinawan sweet potato instead of the common variety), squid luau (squid cooked in the steamed leaves of the taro plant, similar in texture to cooked and finely chopped spinach),fish(this is Weke, or what you may know as Goatfish), lomi lomi salmon(salt cured salmon with chunks of tomato and round and green onions), and macaroni salad(not Hawaiian but a local favorite).



Here's a close-up of the poi(taro root, pounded into a paste). Finger lickin' good, although some liken it to wall paper paste. I have to wonder of they've actually tasted wall paper paste. rofl



Fish, Okinawan sweet potato, chicken long rice, lau lau (pork steamed in taro leaves).


Pineapple chunks and haupia (coconut pudding) for dessert.


I hope you enjoyed seeing what Hawaiian food looks like. These are the main dishes that you will see at any traditional Luau. Of course, there are other items such as opihi, raw salted crab, raw innards, and several more.

If you have a moment to enter a fabulous giveaway, hop on over to the Crafty Janie blog and leave a message for Janie and she will enter you in her giveaway. She's giving away some really great stuff, fabric included. I have my eye on those Moda fabrics and I'm sure you will too once you see them. Good luck to all.

I'm down with a bit of a cold. I hate being sick. I am really exhausted from holiday overload. I can't wait to get back to my usual routine. At this point, I really miss it.

Take care, everybody.

Aloha!

Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Strings and strings of firecrackers...



Popping with reckless abandon...



Lighting up the midnight sky...



Air quality and visibility from the fireworks, extremely poor. This picture was taken at midnight, at a time where everyone sets off their best and loudest fireworks to usher in the New Year and to chase away the evil spirits. Look closely in the upper left corner for a white rectangle. That is my neighbors garage door. We are separated by a street that is less than 10 yards wide and you can barely tell that there is a house there. It is tradition in Hawaii to set off fireworks, despite the awful air pollution caused by it. There is a growing concern and movement to ban it completely and you can see why.



There are many New Year's rituals that take place here in the islands due it our extreme cultural mixes. Bamboo and pine at the entrance of our home welcome the spirits of our ancestors(one of hubbie's Japanese traditions).


Kagami Mochi, another one of hubbies traditions, is an offering consisting of 2 sweet glutinous rice patties topped with a tangerine.



The holiday's bring on a slew of emotion for me. My Chinese grandfather passed away over 30 years ago, right before the holidays. He celebrated New Years like no other and I truly believe it was his favorite holiday. As children, no matter where we were in the house, the loud burst of firecrackers would have each grandchild racing to the front of the house to greet Grandpa. You see, the popping of firecrackers was my Grandpa's sign to his family that he had arrived at the party. In true form, he'd have armfuls of fireworks to hand out to each of his grandchildren. The holiday's following his death were difficult and we had a period of no celebration simply because it was too hard without him. To this day, on New Years Eve, the first sound of firecrackers still make me believe, in my heart, that Grandpa has arrived. It never fails to bring a smile to my face.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!


Aloha!

Happy Holidays!

These bags are a quick and easy way to package homemade baked goods. Gather a few brown paper lunch bags, assorted paints, a sponge, scissor, and a sharpie. With your sharpie, draw several shapes onto a sponge. Using a scissor, cut out the shapes. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect as we are going for the rustic look. Dip the sponge shapes into the paint(I used acrylics)and stamp to your hearts content. Once the paint has dried(you can speed it up with a blow dryer if you wish), take your sharpie and do a quick outline on some of the shapes, adding squiggles and other dibs and dabs for interest. Place your baked goods into the bag, fold the top over once, punch a couple of holes, thread some ribbon or twine through the holes, add a tag and voila, you're done! Easy peasy. Homemade goodies in a rustic, homemade bag. Perfect!

I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. As we say here in the islands, Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou, or Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Aloha!