Missus Bounty Basket

Second day of 2018 and I am struggling to come up with something interesting to write. This is merely to keep my mind busy and working. I have recently concluded that it needed more stimulation. It's not being productive and words are slowly slipping by. I am getting old and it's scary how time passes by quickly. My brain has to work more. I read. Knit. But there are times that words do not come fluidly as before. Maybe writing will help. Keeping a journal.Typing every words that come out  of my mind. My precious mind. Besides, I like typing. I remember when I have started learning that skill in Sight and Sound. How sleepy I was during the first few week-end mornings. Thinking I should be sleeping late instead of looking at that big screen and learning to type. Looking back, that is one of the best gifts I was offered. Thanks to my Tita Elsa. I guess this will do for now.  Spanish Assimil is next and the night is short.

  Growing up, I was fascinated how effortlessly she put her art together.  I called it art not as a painting or sculpture but her skill made it as such. She stitched her yarn with grace and facility that left me in awe. Seeing her work spread on the table like a trophy when I went to her home, not asking how she did it, I praised the intricate design she was making.   I was and still is a silent fan. Then this week, I received a gift from her. One would think I overreacted but I cried. She didn’t know how from afar I wished to be as good as her, maybe she was the reason why I learned knitting. It was an easier path for me. The desire to learn is still inside me. I imagine my table adorn with this immaculate and delicately stitched white cloth but there's a thousand things to do this year. So for now, I have this gift. Moving from my sofa to our dining table every day, a reminder of my Aunt’s artistry and a precious gift to cherish.

There are times that words are hard to come by. Stubbornly locking themselves up in my brain. Coaxing them to come out is really a struggle. So, I stop. Try again. Sometimes give up and let them come out by their own free will. They may,eventually but most of the time, they stay where they are. Oblivious to my inner battle. Resisting the plea of their empress.This sounds so dramatic, one might say... For someone who prefers to express herself in writing,to that person who feels lost in the sea of unfamiliar faces, to the introvert one who wants to express herself and  come out of her shell.  FOR ME, it is.  This is why I am here again.  Lovingly recreating my field so that those words which I can still seize will eventually pull their "cousins" like a magnet. Indeed, I am patiently waiting.

Internet might offer me something, I've told myself. So I googled thank you songs. Listen to the top 25 Thank You songs, suggested. They are good to listen to but how can I show everyone my gratitude with all these songs. So I give up. Here I am now writing my heart out. Our vacation started a year ago--I planned in my head everything. From the letter to the principal to the things and places my children should and ought to do. Every minute counts so nothing should be wasted. It's not everyday that we got this chance to spend Christmas with the whole family. I have my agenda filled with everything and at last we paid our tickets. Our suitcases filled to the brim with things I thought my family would love. Excited. Anxious. I was to travel alone with two girls with the energy of two young elephants. Finally, home with family and friends. 27 days of memorable moments. 27 days of laughter. 27 days of being with the people we love. and we thank you for these moments. Shared t...

30 Day Snapshots # 21 I will never ever get tired of exploring every nook and cranny of this wonderful world.

30 Day snapshots # 18 It's like meditating...you tend to forget the time. The only focus is the stitch you are doing. Knitting came to me few years ago when I thought how cute knitted baby boots were. Then quickly  realized that it was not for a beginner and so I stopped on those or any knitting project for that matter. Then last year I have started again, this time with scarf for my hubby. It was a bit short but then he didn't have any choice but to use it. ;) besides it was my Christmas gift. Having learned how to knit and the different stitches made me somewhat addicted to this new hobby. I would go to thrift stores to buy different sizes of needles, scour knitting stores and  stare at an array of colorful yarns.  I dream of going into a knitting fair and lose myself into the labyrinth of yarn booths and knitting display.  Well, for now,  there are more scarves to finish and fingerless gloves to knit.

30 Day Snapshots # 15 Lisbon, Portugal Me & I conversation Should I wait and let the universe hand me my destiny? But I don't want to just sit and watch nor listen to the ticking of the clock. Be busy...Be active...Time doesn't wait. So get up and be proactive.

  30 Day Snapshots # 7 Erin busy doing her sticker project After a night of performance, dancing to Monster high theme song what better way to spend Christmas morning than take care of the desert and the Arctic.

the garden view It was late afternoon and the heat has cooled down. Still damp grass greeted me as I walk barefoot in her garden. Cicadas were slowly making their presence felt. I stopped for a while to marvel every olive and fruit trees. The grapes in the overhead trellis by the kitchen are turning violet. Herbs are everywhere. The two dogs were quiet,perhaps enjoying their afternoon nap.  I wanted to take a peek of the orchard once more where the oranges and veggies are because I was so excited on eating an orange straight from the tree the other day but didn't want to intrude instead smile. Bunso and her la dolce vita This is what I dream of and she's living it. I'm not jealous but happy for what has become of her. I can't imagine how she prepares everything with ease. She, who used to served us tacos, is now preparing her own digestivo and cooks for 20 + persons, serving them with anti-pasti, primi piatti and secondi piatti. And boy, she is good!! pre...

Very soon, this will all be a thing of the past...but for now-- toil, labor, persevere.

Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art. -Miguel Angel Ruiz- This was supposed to be a heart--see that blue contour in the middle? Then I changed my mind and painted flowers instead. This is the result of spending my afternoon with my daughter who likes to draw and paint. I really don't draw so it's frustrating when your daughter ask you to draw a horse and see that questioning look. That bewilderment...a horse? So I stick to trees, mountains and flowers and the long line of rivers. I don't get that "look" but praises...and that's something coming from my 4 year old daughter. Yes, my first fan ever!! You might also like: Liwaliw/Going out and having fun My postcard-like view Moi the lioness Sunset in rue Lombard! Howzat

It's one of those things that I wished to have the knack for not only because there are so many women in our family who are so talented in doing this but creating something on my own gives me real pleasure. Having Home Economics back in high school didn't really help. I remember asking my aunt for help on a particular project or I would hurdle to finish one on time. Eventually the grades would show how my skill or the lack of it needed a lot of improvement. I guess my desire to learn to sew resurface when I became a mother. There was a need for me to cut cost on things for my daughters. I'm not talking about their wardrobe but small things like high chair or duvet cover. Anything that doesn't need fancy work. Only straight sewing! There were so many projects that didn't see the day, others were so-so but I persevere, if that's the best word to describe my never-ending trials on sewing. I know that it would take me a long time to be like Adin but I might ge...