Thursday, July 17, 2025
Monday, July 14, 2025
Domestic Diva Day
Sunday is my domestic diva day and I try really hard not to go anywhere. I tackle the many cleaning projects I ignore during the week. I would also like to do my laundry but Matt is home so it has to wait until Monday.
One of the time sensitive projects was shipping a big box to Michigan. The boys arrive next week to visit an auntie, so a supply of Trader Joe's Ube pancake mix was requested. With the postal rates going up by 51% I had to bite the bullet and learn to use Pirate Ship. It's not that it's hard to use but you have to be able to print the label. I don't own a printer anymore so that's the challenge. Shipping from the post office would have costed $48.00 vs $16.00 on pirate ship. The savings was worth me finding someone who still uses a printer. Thank you Bron for saving the day! I'm going to have to check and see if my Rollo shipping label printer is still in the ZZ booth at Cottage Crafts. May have to bring it back home for the few times I want to send something. Going to the post office isn't an option anymore.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Beaded Flower Basket Project
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Pumpkin and Candy Corn Seed Bead design
This pumpkin design took hours to get right. Not because the it's hard, but finding the right beads in my stash that were the right size. The newer size 11 beads are smaller than my vintage ones. Not sure but I'm guessing my newer ones are lower in quality as I'm finding more beads with very narrow holes. I had to change the original pattern several times so it didn't look like an orange skull. Lots of trail and error. It's funny as I know my halloween cards aren't a big seller so spending this much time on them seems silly.
The candy corns are easy to make. Now I just have to find a sentiment that fits. Wondering if I should mail out Halloween cards instead of Christmas cards. I read that the mail rate is going up 51% this month. That's just crazy!
Do you mail out Halloween or holiday cards?
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Pet sitting projects - beading
This week's babysitting project is making beaded charms. I still have my ladybug and cupcake kit out from my last class at FabMo, don't judge.
It's going well and I'm actually getting things done! I even branched out and trying some new patterns. Thought this goldfish in a bag was funny. It's Obon season (Japanese festival) and every kid comes home with a gold fish. I also have the Amuse stamp (remember that company?) that says "best fishes". I thought that would make a fun card. The sea otter pattern has been on my list for a long time. The light bulb went on when I realized I could add a little shell from my vast shell collection. Not sure what sentiment I will use but at some point it will come to me. :)
Monday, July 7, 2025
Overall Jean Bag
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Chocolate mousse tarts
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Aki's Pink Guava Cake Back In Town!
I know when they sold the bakery years ago the recipe was part of the sale. It was their biggest seller. I would also guess there was a non compete clause too. The people that took over the bakery didn't follow the recipe at all and of course lost all those loyal customers. Another big guess is the non compete clause has now expired. The grandson is making the cakes again, but only once a month. It's sort of a pop up style business but you do have to pre order / pre pay for your cake 8" cake is $65.00. I'm guessing here again but I think his mom went into the wedding cake business at some point in Santa Clara and that is where he's baking everything.
One of the volunteer at the store is a great baker. Michael (yes that's her name) brings in some amazing stuff. I told her about the Aki's guava cake and she had only heard about it many years ago. Someone brought one in to work for one of the doctors. That person got really upset when one of the nurses took a slice (just one slice) to share with her department. I'm thrilled I can finally take the real cake into for her to try.
I'm planning on visiting my son for his birthday next month but the pop up doesn't happen the week of his birthday. He said it was worth celebrating his birthday whenever the cake was available. :) Now fingers crossed it makes it up there in one piece.
Friday, July 4, 2025
Morning Schedule
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Busy Month July 2025
I'm currently cat sitting and after this week head over to dog sit. Busy month for pet sitting! I don't cook much in other people's homes because I don't know where everything is. Plus trying to keep a stove that is never used clean is more work than I want to do. I either meal prep at my place or pick something at Trader Joe's.
When I was at TJ there was a sign about something being recalled for listeria contamination. I asked the very young cashier how are they getting this information when the felon did away with this department? She said it wasn't a very popular product but she really didn't know. I didn't really expect her to know the answer but hoping it will get her to thinking about our country's food safety or at least where our food is coming from.