Still here, just not motivated

If you noticed, I sort of stopped blogging... rather abruptly, too.  Don't take it personally, I sort of withdrew from social media for a week.  Still pregnant, still working.  Nothing any different from the last time.

After Sandy Hook and the entire blogging community shut down, and the passing of Sen. Daniel Inouye and Facebook/Local news sites blowing up, I was just tired of it.  Don't get me wrong.  I think both are tragic and have lessons to teach, but at some point: it's just too much.  I'm not saying anything about stricter gun laws, harsher punishments, preserving historical landmarks, opportunities for minorities, or anything like that.  Just that, only these things become major issues when things happen.  If they were major issues, they would be major issues, regardless of some precedent.  Ok, so yes, you may think I'm totally insensitive -- well, I'm a parent (and expecting), and yes the loss of children affected me.  But enough.  I'm also asian and live in the nation's newest state that receives a lot of government funding, thanks to the actions of the late Senator, and yes I worry how that will affect our economy.  But enough. 

Things happen.  We can't live in a perfect little bubble forever.

Design over function

In the DIY world that is blog land, I see a lot of tutorials to make gorgeous stuff that really have no function. I enjoy reading about it, but now like I'd waste time, money, or supplies to recreate it.

It's when you have to use these things in everyday life that you get frustrated. Case in point:




The concept is great. Picture menu, neat inserts with great descriptions, horrible!!
The rivets and laminating have sharp edges and you can't fully open it to figure out what to eat. It's too distracting.

Wrapping presents

I used to think that the wrapping was the gift. In fact, often times, the wrapping was more costly than the actual value of the gift!

Gifts from me were always too pretty to open, so my friends would find ways to preserve as much of the elements as possible. I loved using Kraft paper, beautiful handmade tissue papers, cellophane, gold leafing, mini ornaments, chiffon ribbons, rhinestones, etc. I could incorporate almost anything into the wrapping of a gift.

Now that the majority of my gifts go to kids, or folks that whip out sharp pocket knives to slice through all the "fluff", I just don't feel like putting in the effort. Not that I don't care about wrapping, just that unless you're turning a significant age, getting married, or having a kid, don't expect more than commercial wrapping paper or a gift bag stuffed with coordinating tissue. Also, if it's a time when everyone is receiving gifts, you can bet all your gifts will have a theme so I don't have to stop wrapping just to label it.




Can you tell which are for Ella? Yeah, and the rest of Ryan's gifts are wrapped in silver paper. Ha!

Chocolate covered honeycomb

I was introduced to Violet Crumble as it was losing its presence in the US. If you've never had it, it's light, crispy, and delicious!

For some time there was a substitute, the Canadian version, Crunchie. But those have disappeared from shelves, too.

But guess what? You can still find comparable confections to satisfy the craving... in milk AND dark chocolate versions!

Holiday shopping

I usually don't shop at malls in December, but this year a few people were SO difficult to get the right gift.

I'm surprised how *not* busy the malls are. Ella didn't have to wait too long to ride the train.




Even the food courts have empty tables.