Little Bits of Sunshine

2012-02-06T06:24:00.001-05:00

My used to be new sweater

I finished making this sweater last spring and didn't get to show it off on here. So here it goes. My hubby took the pictures. It's the sweater on the cover of New England Knits by Melissa LaBarre. I love her book and I love her designs! I have to say, I really like knitting in the round and the yoke thing. I'm addicted to making myself sweaters. I'm like my biggest knit fan. I appreciate everything I've made myself so far. Right now, I'm trying to find the next pattern for my next sweater, some hats and maybe a scarf or two for myself.

2012-02-03T05:58:00.000-05:00

Home and Light

I guess one thing about working full time outside of the home is that during the winter months, you really don't see your house, and your children in daylight. So on the weekend, I go crazy over the overwhelming amount of sunlight that hits everything in the house.

Like my beautiful citronella plant and my 3 year old baby and his power ranger.

This citronella plant was just a tiny little clipping from a friend. Look at it now! It's huge and taking over my bedroom. I'm finishing up my sweater for this winter. This will be my 9th success sweater story. I can't wait to show it to you this weekend. I just have to put some finishing touches on them. Until then, Happy Friday!

2012-01-27T06:04:00.000-05:00

This Moment~Inspired by Soule Mama.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

2012-01-23T21:46:00.000-05:00

Sunday Football.

Tai is a NEW YORK CITY kid who migrated to wonderful small town of New Jersey but if you ask him where his heart belongs, he'll tell you BALTIMORE!

Oh yeah, he is a hard core Raven's fan and a very very loyal one.

It was a very exciting game on Sunday and the Ravens play so hard. I am a non-football fan but I cheered with my boys for the Ravens. But it was a disappointing ending. My Ravens fans are still recovering on the 2nd day after the loss. You win some and you lose some.

I found this sweet fan letter to the Ravens on the table after the boys had gone to bed.

I watched the Giant's game by myself with the knitting. And our home team wins. The Giants are going to the Super Bowl. I wish it was the Ravens Vs. The Giant. Maybe next year.

2012-01-21T15:24:00.003-05:00

Weekending with the family. I found this beautiful Helleborus at whole foods and I had to get it. I'm preparing the house for Chinese New Year. We are celebrating on Sunday due to the family's work schedule.

Hope you have a nice weekend too.

2012-01-17T00:14:00.000-05:00

A Treat to Magic.

Treat...last week, I treated myself to a morning off in the woods with my friend Ana. It was on a 50 degree day right after 2 days of freezing weather. We got to see the frozen waterfall at the South Mountain Reservation in South Orange.

2012-01-13T06:12:00.000-05:00

The Artis Brothers.

Although they fight over toys and other things a whole lot but it's moments like these that I cherish the most. I love the way they love one another. I hope they'll be buddies forever!

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Oh Happy 2012!!!!!

Oh I'm so sleepy! But here I am. It's been awhile since I visited this space. It was a wonderful Christmas and New year and all parties are happy!

I hope the friends who visits this blog had a very happy Christmas and New Years too!

Be back soon with more photos!

2011-12-02T06:01:00.000-05:00

This big boy of mine.

He is in the process of designing an iPhone App. Writing out 3 sample commercial pitches and licensing rights for a certain comic book character. Some days we have to remind him to slow down. Write down your ideas but have fun being a kid, go to school and build up some skills so one day, you can carry out your big plans. You are 8 years old. One is one tough cookie in so many ways and we love him.

So this weekend, we made a Snoopy Ornament.
Next weekend, Woodstock maybe or more.

Happy Wednesday every body.

2011-11-21T22:56:00.000-05:00

The Climb...

Look at my sons. They are getting so big and so strong. I'm so proud to be their mothers. It's times like this one that makes me forget the double temper tantrums on a Monday night and Tuesday morning at 6a.m. and all the other pain in the ass stuff. And I know that one day, I think back on those bad ass tantrum, I'll just laugh at them. But when I look back at these pictures, I just feel blessed in so many ways and I know I will miss them when they grow up. Oh the joy of parenthood.

2011-11-13T21:30:00.000-05:00

Weekending...

This picture of our little Miles was taken by Tony. He is a fabulous picture taker. We spend our weekend home with our chores, food shopping, naps, cooking and working out. My orchids are starting to bloom. Months and months of beauty by my bedroom window. The weekend, it was a nice one. I'm so blessed.

2011-11-10T20:58:00.001-05:00

Oh My Blog...My GOOD TIMES!

My blog is my album of Good Times! Good Times! Even when my days are not so good and times are hard at home or at work. I still try to find some time to post the bestest part of my days and moments and my sunshine in my life.

I am learning and growing as a person. I am learning to stand up and prioritize. I am learning self-preservation and I'm learning to love and let go.

I'm focusing on my sons and my husband and on work . And when I find moments on the train during my commute, I knit. Some weekends, I even find time to do that in the morning. When knitting happens, it's so GOOD! Until next time, PEACE!

2011-11-01T21:05:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween

It was a freaky Halloween of 2011.

We survived the freakish winter storm in October. The snow and the leaves on the trees did not mix well. So the Halloween Fairy gave Tai 2 days off from school. All is well. We only lost power for about 24 hours. Not too bad. And Fall continues.

2011-10-17T22:31:00.000-04:00

3rd Grade Class Picture

Oh this is his favorite one yet! Tai said, "How can anyone not want to buy this? I look so good!"
I agree. I picked this background from the photographer's website. Tai wanted the laser beams but mommy knows what looks good. He said, he was glad he didn't get the laser beams. He wish it was a night time Empire building sky though. He said, the building lights would look brighter!

Happy 3rd Grade Tai Tai!

2011-10-16T23:19:00.000-04:00

Weekending...

Weekend...my weekend has been evolved around a nap. I kid you not. Nap while Miles nap has been my priority to take care of myself. I am so sleep deprive during the week doing house work after 9 pm and really not getting to bed until way after 11. My children have been waking up anywhere between 2 am to 5:30 am. So I made some priority shifting on weekends decided I need to catch up on rest both Saturday and Sunday. And so far so good.

2011-10-10T00:03:00.001-04:00

My precious little Miles turned 3 in September.

Miles is the most funny, handsome, smart, self regulated, strong minded, loving and outspoken independent Tai Tai and daddy's baby anyone mama can dream of having in her life.

I LOVE YOU MY-STER! Even though you wake me up at 5:30a.m. every morning.

Happy Birthday to you!

Love,
mama.

2011-10-09T14:26:00.000-04:00

September

In the month of September, we celebrated our 12 year wedding anniversary at the Poconos. Happy Anniversary Sweetheart! May there be many more years to come! I love you forever!

2011-09-13T00:15:00.000-04:00

Nevidita from India

Our friend Nevi from India is visiting us. The last time she came, it must have been 6 years ago. This time, she's here with company. Her baby bump and it's ooooo so cute. She's been here for a couple of weeks now. She's been moving around in our friend circle so we all get an even share of her. So of us get more of her than others, SARAH!!!!! She came for a sleepover and visited me and my boys over the weekend. We ate soooo much. Good times. It was so nice to have her around. In a few days, she'll be going home again. We don't know when we'll see her again but until then, we are going to keep eating and playing and having a real good time.

BFFs Sarah, Nevi and Sonya

2011-09-08T22:21:00.000-04:00

Last Day of Summer and Fresh Veggies from Driveway Gardening

We said good-bye to summer and our town pool and we face a new school year with courage and enthusiasm . I harvested the last bit of veggies in my garden, cooked it and savor every bit of it and here we are...in the fall.

2011-08-16T21:35:00.000-04:00

Mini Getaway

We had a 3 nights getaway at Long Beach Island, New Jersey. It called for a lot of rain but the sky cleared up just a bit for us to pack in some fun. Lots of ice-cream and yummy for everyone.

2011-08-09T06:54:00.000-04:00

Summer Veggies

It's pretty and colorful and I planted them but really, that's kind of all I've got. My Spring garden by the drive way is kind of small and sorry looking to others but I'm happy with it. Live and learn. Next year, it will be different.

2011-08-05T05:33:00.001-04:00

Washington D.C. Last weekend. It was like going to a spa!

Last weekend, I went to visit my friend Vikki and her Fiance in our Capital. We went to see our government in action while they make their deal, chased after an intern for questioning. He had red hair and about age 21, he had the look of disgust and said, he wish this would just all go away. How I feel about our congress, that's another story. I wouldn't want to blog about that.

We had a whole weekend of fun, eat, and fun and oh, we managed to hit the gym twice. That's right, we ate so much Vikki and John yummy food that we had burn some of them off.
I fell in love with cats. I think I want one but 3 out of 4 of us in the house are allergic. Bummer!

This is Tippy, Vikki and John's youngest. He is so cute, he thinks he can get away with eating butter! and yes, he eats butter.

It took Vikki 3 days to make these croissants. I will never look at another croissant the same way again. It was so much work!

Vikki also made me a Icelandic Mudpit. It was the bestest chocolate creamy thing I ever had in life! She'll make some man a real good house wife.

We went to the National Gallery! Oh my, what a treat! Good times, good times.

2011-07-26T06:44:00.000-04:00

And the rain finally came, it gave just a little relieve for my plants and the squirrels.

2011-07-21T00:30:00.001-04:00

Land of Love

The hubby and I took time for ourselves. Where did you go? Where else, the Land of Love, aka, the Poconos. It was our first. We left the boys with my aunt for 26 hours and it was so wonderful. It was so simple, quiet and so fun. We are going to do this again in the fall for our 12 year wedding anniversary. We fished, we boat, we ate and just enjoyed ourselves. I highly recommend this place for busy parents.

2011-07-20T00:04:00.000-04:00

Summer...How I heart it!!!!!!

It's been a really fantastic summer. I'm appreciating every bit of it. It's mid-July and so much more fun to be have!

2011-07-15T06:02:00.000-04:00

This Moment

{this moment} - Inspired by Soule Mama. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

2011-07-12T21:36:00.000-04:00

Hello Summer

Oh woman! It's been a long long time since I blogged. Facebook is so much easier to upload and share. But I do miss my blog.

We've been very very busy. Busy having fun and working very hard as always. I turned 38 recently and am loving and taking really good care of myself. 37 was very very good to me and I've been really good to myself.

Here are the high lights of my 37th year.

1) Having more fun!
2) More treats!
3) Working out a lot more (almost daily).
4) Prioritize myself as first!
5) Discover Zumba!!!!!!! I can't tell you how addicted I am with Zumba. My favorite instructor is Hetty! I attended classes with 5 different instructors, Hetty is by far the best!
6) Discovering Harry Potter with Tai. We are reading together. We are on our 3rd book , Prisoner of Azkaban. We are going to see our second movie this weekend. I can't wait.
7) Go on a really good vacation with the family!
8) Spend more time with the husband. Love him a little more if that's possible.
9) Knit knit knit and treat myself to good good yarn!
10) Join the pool!

I am loving life! Life is so good and the fun continues on my 38th year. Praise God for all his blessings.

2011-06-12T23:00:00.001-04:00

Knits and Garden

Miles had a little bit of a fever this weekend. It's been awhile. He is doing much better. It was a nice relaxing weekend. Tai had karate and a birthday party to go to and I got my two precious work outs in. I LOVE my ZUMBA class on Sunday. It's like the highlight of the week. I danced so hard and sweat so much. It makes it okay to have 2 helpings of chocolate cake at your kids' friend's birthday party. Hmmm YUMMY!

Here is an update on my driveway garden. I love that little bit of sunshine spot. My zucchini is doing excellent. Look at that beautiful yellow flowers. The tomatoes are starting to come out. I hope no one drives by and plucks them. And my basil and dill are delicious.

The weather got a bit cooler and I was able to attempt on finishing my owl sweater but I messed up on the counting twice. I had to put it down. It was such a drag! So I moved on to knitting my Purled Beret by Wendy Bernard. She used to give this pattern out for free. I was able to hold on to a copy of it. This is the second time I'm trying this pattern. I really like it a lot. I gave the last one to my grandmother. I'm now getting ready to knit some mittens for the fall. Mittens, scarves and hats are on my to do list.

2011-06-08T22:30:00.000-04:00

Brothers...

I love their togetherness. I marvel at their differences. I love that they love one another. My boys, the love of my life.

2011-06-07T23:22:00.001-04:00

Tai turns 8

Happy Birthday Tai! My world changed for the better 8 years ago. I never knew how intense love can be until I met you. You continue to shape me into a better person every single day. I love you forever!

Your mama

2011-06-01T23:00:00.000-04:00

There is no homework this week...so we play!!!!!!!

2011-05-27T07:45:00.000-04:00

This morning...

After an evening with some cranky boys...at 6:30a.m. they are playing nicely on their marble tower right before school. I welcome my long weekend ahead playing in the sprinkler with the boys. Maybe I can get in a work out or two or three in there somewhere. Maybe a nice hike... and a finish sweater? A busy mama can dream.

2011-05-23T23:03:00.000-04:00

Weekend Fun

The sun came out briefly on Saturday. The boys and I were out in the backyard. What's left behind by the rain was a whole lot of MUD!!!! OH yeah, mud play. The boys had a blast playing with that mushy stuff. Mud play continued the next day in the cool and cloudy day followed by some water color play and comic drawing.

We met up with some old friends in another part of town. Good times, good times...

2011-05-20T06:20:00.000-04:00

Reading and Writing

I think this might be his thing. I'm feeling hopeful.

2011-05-18T21:16:00.000-04:00

The Woods...on a rainy Sunday

Mommy Day out for a few hours...in the woods. My friend Ana and I took trip to the woods without out kids. Oh, how I heart rainy days in the woods. The smell and the sound. And look at those shade plants. We saw one woodpecker, 4 chipmunks and whole lot of other stuff. Good times, good times. I heart the woods!

2011-05-10T05:45:00.000-04:00

My Garden/Front Yard and Back Yard

I'm really happy with my front garden the way it is...its not perfect but I'm happy that every plant is growing happily even with the shade growing in very rapidly. My goal is to continue to make my front yard pretty after the spring flowers finishes blooming.

And here are few growing area from my backyard. A very shaded backyard. It's my 3rd growing season as a gardener and I'm learning. I still have a shaded circle in the very back of my yard. I have to figure out what to put in it after the spring flowers are done growing. There are a few hostas in the back right now. I have 3 ferns to put in it too. I'll figure it all out.

2011-05-09T06:29:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day

It was a beautiful, calm, restful and just totally chill day. I woke up late, went to the gym for Zumba class, lovely lunch in the Maplewood Village, pedicure and manicure and delicious dinner. Thanks for the hubby who managed the F.E.S (f--king early shift) in the morning, the boys, the tantrum, the nap and the meals. I just hope I'll be as good when Father's Day comes. Hope everyone had a good one too.

2011-05-03T05:45:00.000-04:00

Weekend in my yard.

I spend some time in my yard last weekend and put more shade friendly plants in my yard. I'm learning as I go. Here are some more pictures to my shade garden.

2011-04-27T20:59:00.000-04:00

Spring Flowers

I'm trying to maximize the little bit of sunshine that I have to work with before the leaves grow into the tree. I've been enjoying looking at the buttercups growing outside of the my house. Watching the new tulip bulbs I planted last fall to come up at the very back of my house and finding slugs while cleaning up the pots. I would say, this is my favorite time of the year. Just before the mosquitoes come out.

My peony plant came back out but I'm not sure if it will be blooming this year. We'll find out.
Fingers cross!

2011-04-26T22:09:00.000-04:00

Swing

He did it!

He finally figure out how to swing himself. I'm so proud of him in so many ways. There are some things that comes harder for Tai, like swinging. But some other things come so easy for him too, like reading, remembering facts and using words and sometimes really big words. Everyone has their own time line. He will get there and the rest will come into place.

2011-04-19T22:06:00.000-04:00

Knitting...

This started out as a knitting blog but then I realize I really don't knit fast enough or buy enough fancy yarn to have a real knitting blog and I do ramble on too much on other stuff such as flowers, sunshine an my kids. But yes, I do indeed knit almost every single day. But today, I want to talk about the projects on my needles.

First, I want to show off Tai's first big project. He made a scarf for his raccoon. Well, it was my raccoon but he adopted it when he was a baby. Tai did a really good job.

Next, I brought Kate Davies's Owl Sweater pattern. And it is super fun and quick to knit. I'm using Cascade Pastaza yarn. It's 50% Llama / 50% Wool.

I'm making a cowl for Tai and I to share. He loves rainbow color and so do I so we have to share. I'm doing two simple cable and seed stitch and a few simple buttons to put it together. I only got one skein of this super fancy yarn I brought on sale at my LYS which I can't find the label of at the moment. There was only 1 left in the sale bin. Oh well.

And finally, I got myself a yarn winder. Oh yes, I did. I have it! I'm having such a good time just winding. And Miles loves watching me do it. Good times...good times.

2011-04-18T22:05:00.003-04:00

Flowers and Friends

I am having such a good time admiring and touching my 3 orchid plants in the house. Two out of three have been blooming for almost 4 months and it's still blooming. I can't believe it. Talk about flower therapy.

It's almost that time of year, just almost. It's my 3rd spring having a yard, a very shaded yard but still a yard! I learned a lot of what to do and what not to do the past two growing seasons and I'm still learning. This year, I realize before the leaves come in, I can enjoy pansies for a little while. When the leaves grow in, I only get a little bits of sunshine in the front and back yard. I'm going to have lots of begonia and impatiens flowers in pots.

Right now, I'm enjoying the old friends coming back. My peony, my hydrangea and my bleeding hearts, all coming out strong. And I'm missing other old dear friends during gardening season as well...

I haven't made anytime to still cleaning my yard yet. Maybe in May when the semester at work is over, I'll take some days off to do just that.

2011-04-12T22:00:00.000-04:00

Husband is out of town. I patched pants, we played in the playground on a sunny day. I got me some flower therapy. I had two very difficult moments just dealing with the boys by myself.

Raising kids are hard, raising highly intelligent boy with needs is super challenging. He knows how to argue with words and reasons and it wears me down and sometimes I freak out. Some days, I don't like being a parent and wonder why no one ever warn me. I sure could have used a 1 month trial of being a mother.

Well, I went to get help, moved past the freak outs and now I have a new strategy on how to deal and not freak out.

Some days I feel like I'm getting my second masters. Raising kids and raising special need kid. And maybe by the time Tai goes to high school, I'll be like getting my PHD in Tai.

I'll make sure I'll have some fun and much flower therapy along the way.

2011-03-28T21:00:00.002-04:00

Brothers

Tai never knew it was so much work to have a little brother. He knew he wanted one but he really didn't expect that little brother he could be so much trouble. He said, since Miles is already here, he thought we should just keep him anyways. I told Tai it's the same way mommy and daddy feel about having kids sometimes. I tell them that since you guys are already here and you guys are cute, we thought we'd keep you. We know how you feel honey.

Miles is a very verbal independent little boy. He knows exactly what he wants all the time. He learns from a young age of two that it's not about his size but the intimidation. Often times Tai just gives in. Hubby and I are both at fault to ask Tai to let that baby have it because he is younger and smaller. We realize that's one thing we need to work on is to be firm with Miles and not let that little baby pick on his 7 year old brother. But they do love one another. They area always wondering where the other is. Miles's always helping Tai find his shoes and his toys.They are facinating to watch and study.

They are like a funny sitcom. They are a team and I think they know it.

2011-03-25T05:23:00.001-04:00

I got beat by a 7 year old on checkers because I was drinking wine.

2011-03-22T05:23:00.001-04:00

Happy Spring...

Hubby and I took 2 days off last week to enjoy the warm and the sunshine on our own while the kids were at school and daycare. It was time for us to reconnect and have some fun. We headed to South Mountain Reservation for a hike on the early spring trail. We took the kids later on in the weekend on short hike at another part of the reservation. I learned about new plants and was extremely intrigue with this skunk cabbage. This plant grew in the swam and it was so beautiful. Growing up in the city, I never had much exposure to nature. I LOVE THE WOODS. I can spend everyday in the woods or by the beach if I can have my way. We worked lunch and dessert into our days and spent some quality time with the kids as well. We even managed to get some work in.

It truly was the perfect 4 day weekend.

2011-03-14T10:02:00.001-04:00

Praying for our brothers and sisters in Japan.

2011-03-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Evaluating

I spent the last week re-evaluating and prioritizing my life. Lately, I say for the past year or two things happened that prompt me to start acting and stop feeling sad and angry. So I went to work on feeling better. Make everyday good. Evaluating life is very serious business. I am refocusing my energy to care for my family. My 1 man and 2 boys! I made it a priority to focus more on myself. So, here is the list that I came up with.

1. Working Out I'm making a habit now to work out every single day when I could. I want to make it part of my daily ritual, just like breakfast and coffee except for the days when I'm too sick to work out.

2. Knit More I decided to have projects on the needles at all times and knit at least once a day. The sweater is from this book

3. Don't Worry about Dishes This is no longer my priority. It's okay to not do dishes everyday. If the sink is not full, leave them there. It's okay to do them every other day. Like Tuesday night, go Belly Dancing instead.

4. Practice Assertiveness and Self Preservation This is a tough one. I'm still learning and practicing.

5. Eating Better I have stopped eating bacon egg and cheese sandwiches in the morning. Instead, I've added Oatmeal into my diet.

6. Bring Breakfast and Lunch Everyday I started bringing breakfast and lunch to work everyday. I realize, I eat much healthier that way.

7. Buy me flowers Like Green Clovers. I already have red clovers and I love them. When I feel like flowers, get flowers.

8. Read Always be reading a book. This is inspired my by 7 year old Tai who is always in the middle of reading a book. He has become quite a little reader. Reading is like dinner for my babies. They do it every single day. How I love that?!

I'm sure I can think of some more but for now. That's what I started to do to help myself feel better.

2011-02-28T05:45:00.001-05:00

The Weekend

We had a lovely weekend just spending time together. We ate and we played and we had so much fun. And I worked out at the gym like a mad woman! 7 days last week!

2011-02-22T05:37:00.000-05:00

Signs of Spring

Not sure what this is.

Crocus

Buttercups

Hot wheel that was covered by snow.

So I didn't take a day off on Friday like my hubby did and instead, I went to work so I can save up all my vacation days for Spring so I can work in my garden. We had a 63 degree day this past Friday but only to be followed by very cold and windy days after. Before the snow came, I took these pictures. They are the first signs of spring. Oh how I long for Spring to come already. I have much to plan for my very very shady garden but like I told my friend Zoya, I'm going to be realistic this year and work with all shade plants. So I say that now. Haha. We'll see.

2011-02-17T05:00:00.004-05:00

My Loves

I used to really wanted a little girl. People had always tell me girls are sweeter, calmer and a lot easier to raise then little boys. And when little girls grow up, they never move too far from their mama.

I have two amazing little boys and they are the bestest thing ever. Are they energetic? Oh yeah! Are they loud? You bet! And I've encountered many many challenges raising Tai and being the working mama of two. But along the way, they've taught me so much. I must say, they are the sweetest, smartest and most amazing human beings I've ever met. And I made them with the help of my hubby. I love them both so so much.

People might not always understand my boys or care to but that's okay. I am okay with that. I don't care what people say. Boys are just as cool as girls especially my BOYs.

2011-01-28T06:14:00.000-05:00

These Days...

We go through our busy busy weekday...working...then come the weekend, they are busy too but it's much easier to find time to do things.

Exciting things are happening. Tai learn how to knit in past week. He came home one day and told me all the "cool kids" are knitting. And he demanded to learn too. There is a knitting program at his school but he really wanted to learn from me. And learn it he did. He's made a small book mark for his Harry Potter book and now he's onto a scarf for his teddy bear. How exciting is that.

Tai is beginning to read his chapter books all on his own and on his own time.

A much knitting hair cutting session was needed for Mr. Miles and he likes his new hair cut.

2011-01-13T05:30:00.000-05:00

Moments that make me smile...

Miles preference for his dada over his mama during bedtime. Once we stop nursing, he only wants dada at bed time.

The way the play together when they are not fighting.

The way my Orchids let me know that I have a green thumb after all in the mist of winter. This orchid has bloomed for me twice in 1 year.

Miles's love for eating and trying new foods.

And the best present I've ever gotten from anybody...a love note from Tai.

Our lives are so hectic and busy but you know what... God is so good to us.

2010-12-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

Rainy, Busy, Cranky Weekend

You know how sometimes you days are just long and your weekends are just hard and you and your kids are having "most horrible, miserable, worse bad day ever". I really tried to turn that around the 2nd half of Sunday. So I got to work. They did a little building and a little cooking.

Well...it seems like, it's been like that a lot lately. So much so, my blog and everything else just not get done. So I'm going to take two days off next week right before Christmas so I can clean the bathroom and get the house ready for Christmas and that's the plan.

2010-11-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

Shalom Sweater for Sarah

I finally finished the Shalom Sweater that I so long for. One stitch at a time as I knit on the train during my commute. This design was made for this lovely lady. This pattern is such a huge hit in the virtual knitting world. I used Ella Rae Latte yarn. It's 30% baby alpaca, 30% milk fiber, 40% microfiber and it's so soft. I wanted one for myself but just couldn't figure out how to increase the stitches to fit me but that's okay. The pattern fits perfectly for Sarah and she loves it. Happy Birthday Sarah! I love you!

2010-11-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sweater

I finished this sweater a little while ago and send it off to my friend Pia's baby girl Charlotte.
I got the pattern off the Lion Brand website. I did most of my knitting on this sweater on the train. Sweaters are on my mind. One stitch at a time on the train because that's all the free time I have to work with. And I tell ya, that's quite a bit of time when it's all added up.

2010-11-12T06:34:00.000-05:00

Friday...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by Soule Mama.

2010-11-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

It's been gorgeous every morning in all kinds of fall ways. The trees are getting naked and first frost just arrived. Happy Wednesday!

2010-10-25T05:59:00.001-04:00

Love them, hold them and squeeze them tight...

For they are little for such a short time. So this weekend, that's exactly what I did. With no sleep, screaming and demanding 2 year old and a whole lot of house work, we had fun, we played and I relax. Because one day, when I look back on these pictures, I will just miss my little boys.

2010-10-21T21:00:00.000-04:00

Knitting and sewing for Sanity.

Hmmm, some days I wonder if every family with two full time working parents and two little boys live in complete chaos as well. I pretend they all do to make myself feel better. I'm just saying.

Our lives are so full and so chaotic every single day. I feel like I'm pulled in all different directions. Last night, I only gave 1 kid a bath and wiped the other one down because the little one threw a major tantrum. I guess that's party of being a 2 year old. I swear that we never went through this with my older son. He scream and cried! And have I mentioned his wake up time is getting earlier and earlier? 5:30a.m.

Some days, I don't even have time to keep up with laundry. As of now, there are 4 loads of clean clothes on my bed waiting for the laundry fairy to come along. If she doesn't come, I will be folding them sometime in the next week.

So last night after all the kids have gone to bed. I pour myself a second glass of wine and started my sewing homework (when I could have started folding the first two loads). I'm trying to empower myself and get used to my sewing machine. It's a loud and violent piece of machine. Knitting is soooo much better and gentler as long as you don't poke yourself in the eye.

So here is my progress. Oh and this is a rare moment when my 2 year old is actually sharing with my 7 year old.

2010-10-17T21:05:00.000-04:00

Finding Time to Create

It hasn't gotten easier but I'm not going to let the lack of time stop me from making things. The weather is really getting colder and my urge to make things is unbearable. So I got started. My hubby and I worked it out , so I can spend two hours every Saturday morning at a sewing class in town. You have no idea how exciting this is for me. I took two classes so far and I am really enjoying it. I went o Purl in Soho today and picked out a really nice fabric for my first project. I washed and dry this beautiful fabric at 10p.m. the night before class. Hubby ironed it out for me. I don't know how this sewing things is going to work out because I really don't iron and don't like it one bit. Just gotta learn to but until then, the hubby will do the ironing. So in class on Saturday I learned how to do a plead of a skirt and I'm on scheduled. Between now and next Saturday, I have to sew the edge of all my skirt fabric. I think I can manage that.

This week, I also cast on for a sweater. I had to redo it a couple of times and hopefully, I got it going right the second time around. This is the pattern I'm working from. I'm using this delicious yarn Ella Rae Latte. It's 30% baby alpaca, 30% milk and 40% microfiber. It's soft and delicious. I got 10 skeins of it on sale from my local yarn shop.

Gotta get rolling on the dishes and the laundry. Until next time.

2010-10-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

This Moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by Soule Mama.

2010-09-28T21:01:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Miles!

This little one turned 2. How I still remember the thrill of finding out that I was with him. And Tai's excitement in meeting his brand new little brother. We are so blessed with this little one in our lives! Happy Birthday Mi Mi! Your are so loved!

2010-09-24T07:54:00.000-04:00

2010-09-20T22:46:00.000-04:00

Change...

The mornings in Maplewood, NJ is extra fresh these days. I really enjoy the cool air, specially when you miss the train by one minute. You can say to yourself, at least I can enjoy the fresh air for another 20 minutes before the next train comes.

My calendar year really starts in September for me. My family life jump starts in the Fall.

Life is so full and so busy and I've been told over and over again that most people's life are this full and crazy but I just go on thinking it's the norm. I wake up everyday just trying to live that day to the fullest. There really isn't enough time for extra anything else. The past year have been full of extra difficult event. We are now in September and we are all still here and okay. How wonderful is that?!

2010-09-15T21:42:00.000-04:00

Boys...photos by Anthony Artis

I was incredibly sick last week. I had a fever of 103.3, burning throat and just miserable. Hubby was away for some of it. It was also our busiest week at work. It was Tai's first day of school. I was so challenged in every way as it is.

When the hubby finally got back in time for me to have my fever in peace. He took the boys to the park. These are some of the photos he took of the boys. Tai came a long way. He is 7 years old and he is getting so boy boy and wants to be athletic. And I love watching those two together. Brothers!

2010-09-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

This Moment... A Friday ritual.

photo by Anthony Artis (the hubby)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by Soule Mama.

2010-08-27T07:51:00.000-04:00

This Moment

2010-08-25T22:04:00.002-04:00

These days...we are busy busy busy.

Hubby and I area getting ready for busy season at our full time job. And he is always busy with his own personal work. I had to pleasure of taking picture of my friend's wedding last weekend. It was so lovely. More on that on another post.

We tried to fit in as much fun time as possible. Tai and I had a day together last week. Miles started to potty train himself slowly.

I'm working hard in finishing Pia's baby sweater .

It's all so busy busy but slowly getting back to normal. I miss my blog. I miss this space. Maybe when normal becomes more normal, I can come back to this space more often.

2010-08-06T07:21:00.000-04:00

This Moment ~ Inspired by Soule Mama's Friday Ritual

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

2010-08-05T07:18:00.000-04:00

Summer Soup - Gazpacho

I made this at 11a.m. last night. I was really craving some cold soup. I've been away from this space for a bit. Our world is still upside down from losing my husband's mother and our dog Shaft. The clean-up process of her home, paper work and bills have been an extremely difficult process but we are slowly moving forward on all ends.

This weekend, second yard sale of things. We already had one giant flea market in Baltimore. We already got rid of 85 to 90 percent of the things my mother-law-owns but there was till a 15 ft truck load of stuff that came home to my small house. My dinning room is now full and so is my basement and my backyard. Here we go again this weekend, clearing house. I can't wait to have my house back.

Wish me luck in clearing house.

2010-07-16T11:11:00.003-04:00

This Moment inspired by Soule Mama's Friday Ritual

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

2010-07-09T08:43:00.003-04:00

This week's moment

Happy Friday!

2010-07-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

Born on the 4th of July

I love my birthday! I do. I was born on the 4th of July. It's the bestest day to have a birthday. I went down a list of holiday with my friend and see which day would have been better to be born on. So far, none. I was meant to be an American. I love this country and I'm so glad we share the same birthday, same fireworks and same celebration. I love you America.!

2010-07-02T08:30:00.001-04:00

Chinese Chestnut Tree

This gorgeous Chinese Chestnut tree caught my eye last fall. It lives on the side of Maplewood Memorial Park by the train station. The chestnut spiky covering that it produced was so gorgeous. Here are a few pictures of what they look like last fall.

This is what it looks like this spring. Look how beautiful and fussy the flowers are. They are so expressive. I am going to keep documenting this beautiful tree through out the summer. I have become so interested in plant life and gardening. It is so fascinating how all of a sudden I start to notice the plant life that are all around me and I just can't seem to get enough of it.

2010-07-01T22:12:00.001-04:00

Little Bits of sunshine

That lovely eggplant from the last post was from my garden success. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but I recently, meaning starting last summer when I moved to Maplewood, New Jersey, for the first time in my life, I have my own backyard. I quickly became a gardener, a real gardener but sadly a gardener with a very very very shady front yard and backyard. My back patio that gets littles bit of sunshine is less then 3 hours. Yes, friends, less than 3 hours. I only have Little Bits of Sunshine. I actually planted that eggplant outside of my yard, on the other side of my drive way, which belongs to Dehart Park. It's about 3 foot by 4 foot spot. That is my only part sunny spot. But I am happy and delighted to have found a successful sunny enough spot. I have claimed it. It's mine. I since placed a bunch of pots of different types of eggplants, planted a yellow rose bush and a circle of sun flowers.

Little bit of sunshine is the new name for my blog. I really think it is a much more appropriate name than Knit Something Mommy because really, I don't knit as much as I think I should. All the wonderfulness that life brings despite the craziness and curve balls that gets thrown at us at times. My world is still fill with little bits of sunshine.

2010-06-27T20:54:00.001-04:00

Summer Has Started

Sprinkler action and early summer harvest with my little bits of sunshine!

2010-06-24T20:34:00.001-04:00

Baby Knitting

I decided to take a break from my selfish knitting and started a project for my friend Pia's little girl. Her little girl is due to join us in August. Pia is my friend from back in the days when I was working for the Baltimore Sun newspaper website in 1998. I was the website photographer and Pia was my friend Vikki's intern from England. I knew Pia was a kindred spirit when we met. I love her! We hardly see each other in person because she is so far away but we talk online almost every other day.

I choose a Lion Brand pattern eyelet yoke caridgan. I'm using Elite Cotton. It's a very soft yarn. I hope to finished this in a week or two and then start on some pink baby booties.

2010-06-15T14:42:00.009-04:00

Shaft...our love puppy 1996-2010

Our dog Shaft who was 14.5 years old passed away in his sleep last Saturday. It was exactly 2 weeks after my husband's mother passed away. My heart is broken into pieces for our love ones. Shaft was the only dog my husband's mother loved. They are for sure in heaven together.

Shaft had been with us since I graduated college. He was just 10 weeks old when we brought him home from the ASPCA in Baltimore. He moved to 4 different states with us. From Baltimore to LA, from LA to New York and from there on we got Shaft a backyard in New Jersey just like we have promised him. We wanted him to have all the sticks he wants to chew on in his old age.

Shaft watched us get married and have babies. He walked in the woods, climbed along side the mountain and swam in the ocean with us.

Shaft, I love you forever! I don't think I'll ever stop missing you.

2010-06-12T14:00:00.002-04:00

Remembering...

My mother-in-law Norma Elizabeth Artis passed away on May 29th 2010 at 63 years old. She was a great mother and awesome grandmother. She was battling with pancreatic cancer for the past 6 months. She was so strong and brave and fought till the end. She is at peace now and gone home to be with God. She is forever in my husband and my two little boys. We will love her miss her forever.

2010-05-27T15:46:00.006-04:00

Gardening in the moon light

It has become my thing to garden in the moonlight once my boys are in bed. I would spray myself down with mosquito repellent, sit outside in the dark mostly and admire my potted plants before I do the dishes. I would also spend 15 minutes using my watering container to water all my plants. It's a lot more fun than the hose.

I'm hoping and dreaming and hoping and dreaming that my plumeria plant will bloom this summer. I'm just hoping and dreaming.

Plumeria flower give me such comfort. It's my childhood flowers from Macau where I was born. Lately, that's all I crave, things that gives me comfort. Bombax Ceiba is another type of flower that gives me comfort. It's also known as cotton flower tree.

2010-05-24T22:30:00.003-04:00

Hair Cuts for the Boyz

We spend our Saturday in Baltimore visiting grandma at the nursing home. We got back early Sunday morning just in time to cut our grass and our boys' hair. Miles had his first hair cut. His hair was getting a little long and little messy. It was time for his first cut. The Hubby gave Tai a hair cut too. It was time to get their hair ready for the summer. Here they are friends, nice and fresh heads!

2010-05-19T21:02:00.002-04:00

Garden Talk

Gardening...I have been in the garden every spare moment I get. I work with a very very shaded garden but I learned from last year's experience that arugula is one veggie that I can make work in my shaded yard. So here they are growing very nicely in pots. I have started these back in April.

Mr. Shaft, my dog knocked over one of the pots and I harvested some early and they were delicious. I have one more servings left in another pot. I'm curious to how tall these guys can grow.

2010-05-17T22:00:00.002-04:00

Knit Something Mommy!

So, my blog is hardly about knitting at all. I've been super busy these days. Working, working working and physical therapy for my knee during my lunch hour. So in between all that, plus the house work and caring my boys. I found myself gardening in the moonlight and knitting like a mad woman on the train. Those are my free time. So here it is, I'm finally finished with my very first sweater. The Tea Leaves Cardigan. I first came across it from my favorite mommy blogger Soule Mama. With my friend's Stacy's encouragement, we got started. I substituted the yarn with Lion Brand wool ease Blue Mist. I really love this sweater. It fits well and I'm so proud of it. I have a few more cool days to wear it! I'm getting ready to start the next project. I actually have nothing on my needles right now. Will blog again soon about that. Happy Tuesday Everyone!

2010-05-14T21:43:00.005-04:00

Here is where we stand...

It's been 6 months since my husband's mother's been ill. She has been coming in and out of the hospital in the past 2 months and my husband has been traveling back Baltimore quite a bit.
Life at home gets slightly more challenging just trying to get everything done on mornings and nights when he's not around.

Mom is such a fighter. She's gone through so many different procedures, test and chemotherapy. Her mind and will is stronger than her body. And she is still fighting.

We are just glad that she is still here with us.

2010-04-20T08:10:00.001-04:00

Just a bit of spring wonderfulness.

It is a gorgeous spring morning. There was so much beauty all around me while walking up the hill to the train station on my way to work in NYC. I decided to take some of the goodness with me so I can share it with you. Have I mention that I love spring in New Jersey. I feel like such a lucky girl to be here.

2010-04-18T21:24:00.002-04:00

New Garden

My hubby has been taking care of his mother most of this month. She is doing a little better and she's out of the hospital. I wasn't afraid to ask for help this weekend. My aunt and uncle came over to help with the kids, so I grocery shop, work out a little and yes, start my big project. I turned a small part of my lawn into a vegetable garden, A shade vegetable garden to be exact. I have a very shaded front and back yard. More so in the back because of our gigantic oak tree. In the front, I also get shade from my neighbor's Oak tree and the park's oak tree.

Last summer was my first summer of learning to be a gardener and I learned a lot! I learned what not to grow which is mostly very beautiful flowers and delicious fruits and vegetables. Needless to say, I was really pushing it and so very disappointed by things not growing. I kept fantasizing about chopping off all the trees around my yard but that wouldn't be very green of me now, would it? And very expensive. So this year, I told my friends that I was going to be more realistic so I won't be disappointed again. Well, hmmm,okay...I didn't really follow my modest growing plan. Instead, I dug up my lawn in hopes to grow veggies that would do okay in shade. And there are 10 of them and I got 6 of them and I haven't planted them all yet but I definitely got started. The following herbs and veggies are in the ground. Herbs: Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Catnip (I don't have a cat, I have a dog, they are for my friend Grace's cat), cilantro, chives and parsley. Veggie: Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Georgia Collard, Asparagus and Swiss Chard. Yeah, I went crazy. There are many other crazy plans that I have up my sleeves to borrow sunshine and beautify my surroundings with edible and inedible plants.

I try to please my hubby by lining the edge with the border he brought last year, and a row of flowers. Here are a few photos of my proud work this weekend but I truly will not be able to do it without my aunt and uncle. I had a vision and I carried part of it out. I also so inspired by this Eat Your Lawn article. You know, if I didn't have the shade situation, I would be so out of control with this farming thing, I mean gardening thing. It's almost worse than knitting. Okay, it's worse than knitting.

2010-04-15T12:40:00.010-04:00

Garden

Life is still very busy and unsettling but when the kid go to bed at night. I'm able to do some gardening in then moon light. I'm new to this gardening thing. I learned a lot about what not to have in a shade garden when I first moved to Maplewood, NJ last March. Here are some pictures of my progress this year.

I purchased a Japanese Dwarf Maple tree this week. I wanted one of these for a whole year. I removed two rhododendron so I can plant this tree and then some other plants. I'd love suggestions on what I can do with a very shaded backyard and a shady front yard.

2010-04-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

Home Front

My mother-in-law has been sick for awhile now. She's been extremely brave and courageous in the past months with her treatment.

It's been kind of hectic here on the home front and full of uncertainty at times. We are all just praying and focusing on her getting her strength back.

I'll be back in this space when I get some time.

2010-03-31T22:31:00.001-04:00

Evening Light

There is something beautiful happening with the light in my small but all purposed dinning room during this time of the year. On a clear day, the sun sets right to the left of my backyard and it cast beautiful light onto my table and onto my wall. Even my baby looks amazing. I took these pictures right after dinner. Just wanted to share these images with you all.

2010-03-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

Riding...Thinking...Listening and making.

Riding the NJ transit into work in Manhattan.

Thinking about my next career move.

Listening to This American Streaming...oh so nice. It's about love!

Making a sweater for myself and following a pattern. Loving myself!

None of these things are really related but I just want to blog!

2010-03-22T21:12:00.004-04:00

Happy March!

It's been almost a month since I stepped into my space. Life has been awfully hectic. My mother in law has been sick and my hubby has been spending some time down in Baltimore. She is a fighter I tell you!!!!! She is doing a little bit better and back home. We took the boys down to visit her this past weekend.

It's been one whole year since we moved to Maplewood, New Jersey. I tell you, I'm still high on Jersey! I still find myself saying it out loud about 3 times a day, I LOVE OUR NEW LIFE HERE! Spring has finally arrived and Spring is oh so nice in the suburbs. We did have a crazy rain storm a week ago but we are very lucky not to be flooded. The bulbs I have planted are taking turns to come out. We seeded our backyard and have our fingers crossed. And the boys spent much time at the playground this past weekend. Making smoothies and smoothie pops. Good times all around.

I'm working on a new sweater for myself. I hope to finish this sometime in April. I'm following a pattern this time. Yes, me following a pattern!

2010-02-28T22:09:00.001-05:00

Unexpected 3 Day Weekend.

It was really awesome. Nothing exciting happened. Just really nice to be home.

2010-02-22T08:15:00.003-05:00

Ready For Winter...FINALLY!!!!!!

I finally finished these green mittens. They are warm and perfect for my commute. I can hold my coffee with one hand and my iPhone on the other. Since, it's got a flip up top. I can even work the touch screen. Tai wanted some of these too. He wants these to be attached to his sweater. This boy loses his hats, mittens an scarves everyday. I would surely would have to attached it to somewhere. Now the trick is to find a pattern for little boy's mittens. I actually started a new project and it's on my needles. Will tell more about it tomorrow.

2010-02-21T12:30:00.007-05:00

Single parenting this weekend.

It wasn't so bad. I managed to do the laundry, take the kids to Brooklyn to my sister's kids birthday party and cook.

I even tried dropping the kids off at the gym daycare while I get my cardio on. That was plan A but it really didn't work out so well. 10mins into it, Miles wanted out. We had to leave. So plan B was go home and make pizza and stromboli (Stromboli was inspired by this great lady).

Yummy yummy.

2010-02-17T23:11:00.002-05:00

Missing the boys...

Lately, I miss these two pumpkins are whole lot. This weekend, I'm going solo with them while the hubby visits his mom down in Baltimore.

I attempted to go...

2010-02-14T20:46:00.007-05:00

Chinese New Year + Valentine's Day + Sunday + 3 Day Weekend! <---- How perfect is that!

We started our day headed down to NYC Chinatown for brunch and follow by dragon dance. We then headed out to Queens to my grandma's house to gather the family and eat some more. It was a perfect day.

Poor little Miles came down with a fever at the end of the day. Maybe it was a fun fever.

2010-02-10T16:52:00.006-05:00

Snow Day!

It's our first family snow day. My anti-snow dance did not work. Snow has arrived in the NJ, NYC area. School closed for Tai and my work closed at 1p.m. which I'm still in shock. The NYC School closing might have inspired my job to close early. Or was it our mayor that convinced everyone to stay home. Our previous mayors never gave a damn about too much snow. Mike Bloomberg on the other hand thinks it's best to be safe then sorry. I like that guy! The Hubby and I are so super glad we stayed home. NJ Transit has cancelled our trains home. If we went into the city, we could have gotten stuck and wouldn't know how to get to Miles at daycare.

We worked from home. We played and eat and we all had a good old time. Lovely snow day after all.

2010-02-03T22:38:00.003-05:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. A lot of thinking about how I spend my life.

2010-02-01T15:08:00.004-05:00

All Done!

Oh that green sweater...I think I might have started this project in October. So much have happened since October. This sweater are full of memories of the past few months. The times haven't been easy and I had this project with me all the time. I even left it in our hotel room in Baltimore during Christmas and later on retrieved by my brother and then my husband. I am very relieved that it's finally finished and have all the ends sewn in.

It's a little too long on the sleeves and the shoudler but I am overall happy with it but most importantly, Tai likes it. He'll be wearing it until the 10th grade.
When I started it, I had in mind what I want it to look like. I learned a lot on what I should do next time and how I would do to make it better. My favorite part is the cables and the way it carries up to the hoodie. My friend Ina got me started on Ravelry. I will take some time to write out the simple patterns for the last 4 sweaters and bears that I made for the boys.