Last-minute Christmas Tree

This is our X’mas tree number two for the season. I made a chocolate dipped strawberry tree earlier this month, which lasted only for a day because of its popularity. I thought that was it for this year since we’d be spending most of the holidays at Yosemite Park. It turned out we would have some friends and family over right after our Yosemite trip. In order to greet our guests with some holiday festivities, I made this last-minute tree by cutting the plum branch from the backyard, stuffing the jar with holly berries from the trees and hanging some ornaments and X'mas wish notes. Viola- it’s an instant booster for holiday ambiance.

Given the time constraints, I’m quite pleased with the way it turned out. Perhaps we should keep this as our holiday tradition since it’s easy to assemble and environmentally friendly. There is no more fuss of transporting the tree from the shop and tons of waste after the holidays.

Robert le Heros

I’ve been in love with Robert le Heros, a fabric/design house, ever since I came across its home furnishing line at Lotus Bleu a few years ago. Their unique take on refreshing color combinations and modern patterns totally makes me smitten. But I sometimes find similarities between Robert le Heros and Amy Butler’s work either in color selection, the graphic patterns or the application of the fabrics. Robert le Heros might have a little bit more of European flair to it. Well, I guess great minds think alike.

On a recent visit to the Robert Le Heros website, I found out that it launched a vacation rental project – Casa Amarelo in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Like its website suggested, it is a place with beautiful ancient charms and contemporary fixture and aesthetics at the same time. Mixing old with new is definitely right up my alley. If I ever make a trip down there, this would be the place to stay. In the mean time, I can only drool over these delicious images.

Original images from Robert le Heros and Casa Amarelo

What is this???

What is this thing??? This is often asked by my coworkers when seeing it quietly sitting on my desk. It is --a tea infuser made by Tavolo, my recent score at Sur La Table. At first glance, I didn’t have any idea of its use either. I was simply attracted to its beautiful form and an elegant angle when it's placed on the table. When I realized that it’s a tea infuser, I knew I had to get one. It’s visually pleasing and also comes in handy at the office. You no longer need to be equipped with the entire tea set just for a good cup of tea to keep you from dozing off in the afternoon...

Christmas Tree

We decided not to get a living Christmas tree this year because we would be spending most of the Christmas week at Yosemite Park. But in order to surround ourselves with holiday spirit this season, I decided to make a miniature tree for the tabletop. As it turned out this tree was obviously more appreciated by everyone than those we had in the past, it didn’t even last long enough for the weekend……..

Preschool

Who, the lucky boys and girls get to go to this roof top kindergarten, designed by a renowned Japanese architect Tezuka Takaharu. I cannot help but wonder how competitive the admission process must be for this school. It also reminds me of our painstaking search process for Ryan’s preschool.

We started Ryan’s preschool search about a year ago, when Ryan was only one year and four months old. I initially felt hesitant and embarrassed to call for any school tour; worrying schools might think I’m one of those paranoid moms who are already planning for kids’ college while they are still in diapers… But like everything else, I like to have an early action plan to feel prepared. I called a number of schools anyway. To my shocking surprise, I found the waitlist could range from a year to three years! I was even told by a school that some parents signed up to the waitlist on the way home from the hospital after the birth of their child. What??!! I panicked and wondered how I can get so behind on such a serious matter. Guilt of a mother and the competitiveness in me all geared up and ready to catch up on the game.

First, I consulted Ryan’s teacher at his weekend co-op school, searched the database of the city’s mother club, met with 4C’s (community child care council) counselor for school recommendation. After getting a comprehensive recommendation list of schools in our area, I started my conscientious touring and getting onto the numerous waitlists. However, this did not make me feel more at ease but more confused and anxious toward the process. Gradually it daunted on me since when I’ve fallen into the trap of turning every minute decision about the child into his lifelong choices. What is the ultimate purpose of going to a preschool? Should it be simply for Ryan to have fun, learn to enjoy socialization, and be confidant while away from home and us? If so, why are we madly eager to get into the program with swimming facility, weekly cooking, yoga class or even PE class led by professionally trained coach?

The ball is not in our court. We now patiently wait to find out what school Ryan gets into next year. But I believe we will be happy with any of them.

Here are spreadsheets of Ryan's preschool assessment. Yes, I have to admit I'm obessesed with spreadsheets...


Images#1-#3 from Takaharu Yui Tezuka Architect

Gobble, gobble....

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I'll be off to Washington state tomorrow morning to join my family for the holidays. The past few days has been a great mini break for me because the boys were gone to my in-laws since last Saturday. Due to my work schedule, I'm not able to join them until tomorrow. But sorry, boys, I have to say I will miss the precious moments of quiet, I've been experiencing this week....


Original bird images from Kristian Vedel

An Afternoon of Shopping with the Ladies

Grandma had been visiting for the past three weeks and it was time for her to leave. So I took few days off from work early this week to accompany her for some last-minute shopping. We brought the boys, Ryan and his eight-year-old cousin Tony, along with us for an afternoon of shopping at Berkeley. It was funny to see how quickly them spotted empty seats in each of the stores and lounged just like the grown up men, patiently waiting, while the ladies browsed. They didn’t complain or whine a bit as I had feared. These two boys definitely have potential.....

One of a Kind Nursery

We visited Flora Grubb Garden in SF this week. To get to this oasis in the industrial section of the city, you have to drive through the wholesale fresh produce district . It's definitely one of a kind nursery in my opinion. Not only will you encounter some unique species of plants, but you will find great selections of garden wares, garden design books, and outdoor furnitures. I especially love the multiple rows of bright colored outdoor chairs, displayed tidily on the wall. It creates such a dramatic impact for the setting. Ever since it moved to its current location early this year, we found ourselves hanging out here quite a bit, sometimes for a cup of good coffee, sometimes to simply enjoy its refreshing ambiance.

Harvest

Autumn is the harvest season for our neighbor’s apple tree. Ryan has been busy like a bumblebee hovering over the apples in our neighbor’s yard, an old lady’s front yard few houses up the street. Despite the apples’ blemished appearance, they are the tastiest I had this year. To thank the old lady's generosity, I had Ryan deliver a cake and properly introduce himself to her and her cat this week.

New Banner

Old banner is out, new banner is in: hours of cross-eyed work with Photoshop, finally it’s done…

I really feel I lost quite a bit of brain cells with the placenta. That is the only reasonable explanation for my ridiculous forgetfulness and my frustrating struggle with any learning for the past two years. The banner was my first attempt with Photoshop. I couldn’t even follow the simple instructions on the book. It’s sad to see my learning ability, which served me so well up until Ryan was born, beyond my reach now. But after numerous evenings of persistence and lastly Warren’s help, I finally got the new banner….

PS: Thanks to Two Straight Lines for the paper doll idea. The doll garland is now secretly sandwiched in the book on the high shelf. Because I still have a few more ideas to experiment with it, I’m not ready to share it with Ryan. Hopefully it will not end up in his toy/garbage box anytime soon. He always seems to have a good sense of where I hide my "treasures".

Happy Halloween 2007!!!

Ryan had been looking forward to trick-or-treating for days. He’s been practicing saying trick-or-treat ever since he was told it is the secrete code for getting the candies. However, it took quite some convincing for him to put on the kangaroo costume before leaving for the evening. As always, he is very opinionated about his clothing choices....Despite some delay, we still had a blast. It was especially fun this year with Grandma and Shannon with us.

PS: The spider sunglasses was a last-minute Halloween craft. It only requires some black pipe cleaners and a pair of sunglasses to finish the look.

Pumpkin Patch

Although three of us are in different recovery phases from our recent battles with the cold, we still made the trip to Half Moon Bay for our annual pumpkin patch outing last week. Sometimes, I’m amazed at how much energy resides in a little person’s body. Despite Ryan’s cough, he was running around and “collecting” pumpkins. Other kids might collect dolls, toy trucks, stickers and etc., but our little Ryan collects fruits. Our house is currently stocked with park-found pine cones, blemished apples fallen from the neighborhood trees and all sorts of unrecognized berries picked up from the streets. So you can imagine how excited Ryan became when seeing tons of pumpkins on the field waiting to be collected.….

Wow! What a mini corn! May I eat it now?


A river of pumpkins is winding through corn bushes

Spiderweb Eggs

I’m in a super crafty mood lately. I couldn’t resist the urge to make these spiderweb eggs when seeing the recipe from Martha Stewart living. Plus, it’s also a good way for Ryan to show off his significantly improved dexterity by helping peeling the eggs.

For those who are interested, here is the instruction. Enjoy!!
1 dozen large eggs
8 cups water
2 cups frozen blueberries
Freshly ground black pepper, for serving

1. Place eggs in single layer in large saucepan, and cover with water and blueberries. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 10 mins.
2. Remove eggs and place on a folded kitchen towel. Lightly crack shells on side with the handle of a whisk or a wooden spoon. Transfer eggs to a bowl; cover with cooking water. Let eggs cool completely in water in refrigerator.
3. Carefully peel shells from eggs. Serve with salt and pepper.

The eggs are soaked in blueberry water.

Ryan is helping peeling the eggs

Busy helping setting up the shots.

Got BOOed !!!

October is full of Halloween celebration and decorations. For us, the holiday is officially kicked off by me being “Booed” at work. It’s our office tradition. Each year, one of us will start the BOO game by secretly delivering nifty treats to two coworkers and the recipients have less than 48 hours to spread the tricks on. Otherwise, they are warned that “ZAP will strike the tail”…. I found the game to be a cute way to spread the holiday spirits. This year, I made several goodie boxes by using Chinese take-out boxes, florist tapes/wires, and construction papers. My only remaining challenge is to find off-hours to secretly deliver my sweet gifts…..

This one goes to Janjan!!

Hurray!! I think I just found my very first gift for my soon-to-born niece-Janjan!

I happily came across this cutie apple bunny the other night on Le Train Fantome. It is so adorable that I cannot get if off my mind. The vintage print, the fabric and handmade quality just hit my sweet spot. All of the creatures available at this UK based on-line store are designed and handmade by a French artist Fanja Ralison. These handmade dolls are too cute to resist...





Images from Le Train Fantome

Grape Jello

This is Ryan's new love - Grape Jello. I didn't introduce him to Jello for a long time, thinking it's empty calories loaded with artificial colorings. But after he tasted the Jello at Satura Cake weeks ago, he is hooked. So I'm trying to do a more healthy version by using fresh fruit, juice and less sugar. Jello is by far the easiest dessert to make. If you know how to boil water, you can make it. Here is the recipe:

1 cup of apple juice
1 tablespoon of sugar
1.5 teaspoons of gelatin
A dozens of peeled grapes

Combine juice and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Sprinkle gelatin powder over the water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Whisk gelatin into juice. Place peeled grapes into the molds and pour the juice mixture. Keep in the refrigerator until firm, about three hours or overnight.

The Blue Angel

Thanks to Tracy and Kenny for inviting us to United’s annual Blue Angels event. Not only did we get into the usually restricted hangers to see where the plane maintenance often takes place, but we were also able to see the legendary good-looking Blue Angels pilots up close and their handsome takeoff for the air show. If you ask me whether they’re as good-looking as rumor says, in my opinion, they look just like any of the ground crew in the pictue below. You be the judge…..