Three Thoughts for December

Happy December Lovelies!

Here are some of the things that turn my December from blah to TADA!:

1. Holiday decorations in the neighborhood

The cool temperature and the homes decked out with decorations really get me in the holiday mood. Check out this New York City brownstone with fresh wreaths, red bows, and the smell of evergreen: 

2. All kinds of Christmas Trees

I love Christmas trees and how each one is uniquely decorated by their owners. The color preference and array of ornaments are really a snapshot of somebody's passions. That's why whenever I'm invited to a home, I make sure to admire and compliment their Christmas tree.

Here is a special tree that you'll find in The White House:   

It's called The Gold Star Tree. The inscription says: The Gold Star tree honors the heroic men and women of our Nation's Military who have laid down their lives for our country, those who are Missing in Action, and the families who carry on their legacies. May God bless our troops and their families.  

Some of the names of our brave heroes are written on the star-shaped ornaments.

It's very bittersweet, but remembering in this manner all who have kept us safe, reminds us of their bravery, sacrifice, and that we should never, ever forget.

3. Adding some sparkle to your holiday look

I was going through my jewelry box and realized that I've been neglecting some of my treasured pieces. I'm using the holidays to wear them, specifically these gold earrings:

They are a mix of gifts, thrift shop finds, and travel souvenirs. Each pair tells a story or reminds me of someone I know. Jewelry doesn't have to be expensive. The value is in the sentimentality.

I know that wearing them will turn my look from blah to TADA!

Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

An Entertaining Idea from Erin French of The Lost Kitchen

Hey guys! There's a television show called The Lost Kitchen. Have you heard about it or seen it? 

via The Lost Kitchen 

The Lost Kitchen is about a self-taught chef named Erin French and the seasonal restaurant she owns also called The Lost Kitchen located in Freedom, Maine. 

Each episode is a showcase of her creativity in the kitchen, using both heirloom recipes and ones that she made on the fly and always with ingredients she grew herself or provided by the farms in Maine.

I've been watching her show since it debuted in 2021 and I dream to make it there to taste her cooking (to reserve a seat, you need to send a postcard and if luck is on your side, your postcard will be the one selected among many that arrive at their doorstep). The show is hopeful and her personal story shows how she turned her life from blah to TADA!

Aside from being a chef and TV show personality, Erin French is also an author. "The Lost Kitchen" is her first cookbook and "Finding Freedom" is her memoir (this cover is one of the most beautiful book covers I've ever seen).  

Her second cookbook, Big Heart Little Stove, offers recipes and entertaining ideas that we can easily replicate at home.  

One of the unique things she's created is the Nibble Board:

via The Lost Kitchen 

It's essentially an appetizer platter with thoughtfully selected items and presented beautifully on a white ceramic cake stand...TADA!

via The Lost Kitchen 

She welcomes her guests at the restaurant and brings each table their nibble board. 

via The Lost Kitchen 

Here's a closer look. There are some cheeses, flavored butter, crackers, veggies, olives, and nuts.

via The Lost Kitchen 

This is how Erin French describes the nibble board: "I go out of my way to incorporate classic gestures of hospitality straight out of the dinner-party playbook. One of my favorites -- and a favorite of our guests -- is the nibble board, a spread of easily munched snack bits that pair well with greetings and cocktails. There's no set prescription for what might appear on one of these boards, but one guideline I do abide by is to include one element that's homemade. It doesn't have to take more than a minute or two, but the thoughtfulness will elevate the whole situation." 

The general guidelines for a Nibble Board include:

• Something cheesy (be generous)
• Something crunchy (such as a cracker-type item)
• Something salty (like olives and other pickled things)
• Something meaty (such as cured meats)
• Something sweet (for balance, like dried or fresh fruit)

She also has this suggestion: "Or, make it really easy (like a bowl of frozen grapes, sliced cucumbers sprinkled with flaky salt, or slather sliced radishes with good butter and sprinkle them with salt; or keep a jar of jam or a pot of honey and some good cheese in the fridge so you can have an instant nibble anytime the mood or occasion strikes."  

Here's a nibble board I made...TADA!

I hope this has inspired you to add a fun spin to your parties or turn your snacking from blah to TADA!

*****

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Handmade Thank You Cards

Here in the U.S., it's Thanksgiving Day this Thursday. Whether or not you celebrate it, giving thanks is always a good habit, turning the most ordinary day from blah to TADA!

One way to show our thanks is through handmade Thank You cards. Let me show you a few that I created over the years:

All of these were made from paper remnants, collage, stickers, rubber stamps, washi tape, paint, and markers. 

Inside, we can fill it with sentiments like Thank you for the thoughtful gift; I appreciate your help during a stressful time in my life; or Thank you for being a friend all these years.

If you're at a loss for words, I stumbled upon this tip on how to start a thank you note (apologies, I don't remember the author's name):

I hope this was helpful for all the future thank you cards that you are going to write, an exercise that's good for both the giver and the recipient.

And because we are on the subject, I want to say THANK YOU to all of you, my new and regular blog visitors. I'm delighted that you are here to read, listen, and have always been supportive of my wild ideas. Please continue to join me as I turn blah to TADA! 

*****

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Sketchbook Practice: Sketching Soda Cans

I have a weakness for packaging design. Time and again, my decision-making is based on how cute the package looks.

Take these Italian sodas for example. Don't they instantly whisk you to the back roads of Italy? I mean, even if I just had an Italian sandwich and this drink for lunch, I felt that I was in Italy even if I wasn't.

I wanted to preserve the packaging so I turned to my sketchbook. 

With watercolors and colored pencils, I tried to capture the package as best I could (but trying to avoid perfection). 

I likewise added some journaling to capture feelings and memories of that moment. 

It's a nice addition to a travel journal if you keep one, especially if you can't take the packaging home with you.

Here's another sparkling drink that I tried out of curiosity. I did a quick sketch and a short review in my sketchbook. 

These are some flavors that remind me of Philippines where I was born and raised. I live in the U.S. now and when I'm feeling a little homesick, this drink and this drink (not a sponsored post) perk me up and bring me back to tropical living. 

This is another fun drawing exercise. I included the Philippine mango, calamansi (similar to a lemon) and dalandan (like a tangerine), too.   

If you're at the supermarket, liquor store (the craft beers/IPAs have some of the best designs) or dining out, take notice of the packaging. It might inspire you to add something new to your sketchbook practice.

And that is how I turned a blank page of my sketchbook form blah to TADA!

*****

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Hand-lettered Menus

Hello everyone! In a previous blog post, I wrote about illustrated and hand-lettered menus. Here's a sample:

It's a list of items we served during Thanksgiving 2023. It's a quick reference for guests and becomes a souvenir afterwards...TADA!

Celebrations after the pandemic have become so precious to me -- grateful that I survived those worrisome years and blessed to be back in the company of family and friends.

So I'm making it a tradition to create these menus for every gathering I attend.

This was a from a Christmas Party where our hosts prepared the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian-American tradition. Here are a few photos from the buffet:

The spread was abundant and left us very, very stuffed! 

This menu was for a Lunar New Year Party and the selection of dishes are key in ringing in good luck and prosperity, such as dim sum, seafood, roast pork, and noodles:

This buffet lasted from lunch to dinner, with some games played in between...TADA!

This menu was for a family potluck. I chose the background colors of the menu to look like the Aurora Borealis since it was visible in some areas that weekend. Here are a few food shots:

Even after all the food is gone, an illustrated or hand-lettered menu allows the meal to last for a very long time. Maybe you can do something similar for the reunions and parties that you'll be attending.

And that is how I turned a blank page from blah to TADA!

*****

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Three Thoughts for November

We're almost nearing the end of the year. What are your feelings about that?

It's autumn here in the U.S. and the cooler temperature, cozy outfits, and changing colors of the leaves only emphasize the passage of time. I feel a slight panic (have I achieved my plans for the year?) and a bit of nostalgia because we'll never get this time back again. 

I'll make sure to go on an autumn drive, have my fill of warm apple cider and apple cider doughnuts, and some crafting inspired by the autumn leaves. 

November is also when we usher in the holidays. I have a few blog posts about entertaining coming up, whether you are the host or the guest.

We're also celebrating Thanksgiving at the end of the month, a time for family and food, and of course, giving thanks for all the we have.

Wishing you a very memorable November!

From Yogurt Container to Halloween Treat Basket

Halloween is coming up and let's use this as an excuse for some crafty recycling.

Yogurt is a staple in our fridge and we like to sweeten it with honey, top it with fresh fruit and granola. But once all the yogurt is consumed, this empty tub is all that we have. Time to turn it from blah to TADA!

Several years ago, I made this Trick or Treat Bucket using a yogurt container, felt and a glue gun...TADA!

Here's another version of a Halloween basket also using the same materials...TADA! 

Earlier this year, I made an Easter Bunny basket using paint and ribbon to disguise the yogurt container...TADA! I thought, "Why not use the same basket but this time for Halloween?" That way, we can use it more than once.

Several coats of gray paint will erase the bunny face. Once dry, paint it with Halloween themes like ghosts, pumpkins or bats. Or decorate the basket with stickers. Or with simple brush lettering, the Easter basket is now a Halloween treat basket...TADA!

And that is how I turned an empty yogurt container from blah to TADA!

Have a Happy Halloween!

*****

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