Happy Thanksgiving Day...

How did you spend your Thanksgiving day? Well... we spend the morning of our Thanksgiving day volunteering at Turkey Trot Anthem. We prepared some drinks for the runners and cheered them.

Then, in the afternoon, we went to visit our friend and have Thanksgiving dinner with her family.
She cooked Turkey and all the trimmings. I brought some veggies, fruits and appetizer.
Then we played games and eat pie, and play again, and much some more... That's the fun part.

The more serious part, I'm thankful for the family and friends, for the roof above my head, for the food, for the job, for the health, for the opportunity, for the freedom and for all the blessings.

Thank you to all the patrons of Bigib, LLC. It has been a pleasure to help you all.

Quick and dirty halloween costume

"Mommy...mommy, I want to be a leopard for Halloween...."

"Yikes..." that was my first reaction. She wants long gloves, mask and shoe cover in Leopard prints. I have no clue how to do it.... She said "please... please... puh leeezzz". I told her I will try to make it but no promise.


We went to a craft store and looked for Leopard prints she likes. We found a suede type fabric with sparkles on it and it's on sale. We bought 2 ft fabric costs around $3.50 with coupon.

I found this quick way to make glove in you tube.

So, I brave myself making a pair of gloves.... a long gloves to be exact.

Then the next one is mask. She wants leopard ear and mask.... I searched on the interenet and found how to make a hat on youtube and modify it from there,


This is how my pattern looks like. I add the cat ear on top and add 4" on the bottom for the mask.
Then, I make a cut for the nose and eyes and the mask.



Of course, I have to add a tail, just like in my previous blog on how to make cat's tail. She then wears black tops and bottom and the new leopard costume.

It took me about 3 hours total to work on it. If I could make it better, I'd make the ears stiffer.
I saw similar outfit at Walmart, that comes with ear head band, tail and gloves for $15. I could have gotten that one and safe time.

But I think that 3 hours worth spending... (so I can share my experience with you).
Just like Mastercard ads...

Fabric for Halloween costume, $3.50
Time spent searching for how to... 2 hours
Time spent making costumes... 3 hours.
The feelings... priceless...

Tadpoles...

Yes... for real. I've seen a picture, but this is the first time I see tadpoles. It's larger than I expected.

A girl at Girl Scout Chinook Center found it. It's still have a tail and hind legs...

Fun...

Pancake Breatkfast at St Anthony On The Lake Pewaukee

Mark your calendar... March 13, 2011 from 8 AM - noon. All you can eat pancake, plus sausage, milk or juice or coffee....

For only $6 for adults, $4 for children. 2 and under eat free...!

This is a fund raising activity by St. Anthony's Mens club benefiting our sister parish in Peru and Christian Formation.

So come... and join lots of us...

Congratulations Green Bay Packers, winner of NFL XLV

I have to admit that I'm not a sports fan. But with all the hype, I certainly can't miss Green Bay Packers vs Steelers game last night.

The TV was on while I was doing something. My 4th graders was watching the game.
It is amazing to see how my 4th grader knows more about the game and the players name than me.

I was in the shower when she started chanting and screaming and knocking on my door and said "Packers touched down.... we won the game..."

I'm happy and proud for Green Bay Packers... Go Pack Go...

Blizzard in SE Wisconsin

Blizzard hits SE Wisconsin and Illinois area Tuesday night till Wednesday morning Feb 2.
Here are some pictures from Waukesha area.

We were expecting up to 12" of snow. I'm not sure how much total snow we got as the wind move things around. There are areas in our driveway that is only have 1" of snow, there are areas that is about my hips... We couldn't find our stairs this morning. Here's the picture after it was dug out...



The mailman didn't make it to our house on Wednesday.... The mail boxes are almost buried with the snow. See the red box.

Even our window got covered with snow. This is a picture of a semi basement window. It's a mix of powdery snow on the top and sticky on the bottom... great for snowman but heavy for shoveling. Thank you to our neighbor, Mr. Batchelor, who helped us removing the snow. What a great neighborhood we live in.


The kids are home as it's a snow day. One started digging and found a "treasure". The next interest party came to join. They decided to make a "fort".
Are you ready for a snow fight?

St. Anthony Mostaccioli Madness

Mostaccioli Madness is a fund raising program runs by 8th graders St. Anthony on The Lake school. Dinner starts at 5-8 pm on Saturday, Jan 28, 2011, featuring hot piping mostaccioli with marinara sauce, meat ball, cash bar, dessert, music, silent auction and raffles.

Hope to see you there...

Waukesha Janboree today...

Despite the bitter cold, we decided to go to Waukesha Janboree...

In the morning, we started with pancake breakfast at Schuetze building.
Then, we saw the First Lego League that hubby really happy to volunteer to. The next stop is Penguin egg hunt at Cutler's park. It's fun to see small kids run around try to find eggs...

Downtown Waukesha is decorated with ice sculpture. As we drove by, we saw artist in action.
Our next stop is Lowell park. Since today is Janboree, the toboggan is free. It was our first time riding toboggan. Our 4 years old changed her mind at the last minute.

We originally plan to be at Lowell park for an hour and ended up spending 2.5 hours. We were cold and decided to fill our tummy with a bowl of chili at Chili's.

What a fun way to spend the Saturday. Look forward to next year Waukesha Janboree...

Opening reception at The Best in Contemporary Craft

"How was the reception...", my friend Diane asked.
"It was great...!" It was my first time going there and everything is a new experience.

I got to see beautiful pieces made by fellow artists. Each has it's own characters and detail. You will be wowed with some of the piece intricate details.

I got to meet my old friends from MATC, Jon Hughett and Shelly Culea. Of course, not too miss Mary, Kimberly and Mark Huber.

I got to meet new friends, Barb Chappell and Sister Rosemarita Huebner, ssnd.
And, I got to explore the museum.

Few of my favorites including the living room size doll house, robo girl, the hidden face in a painting, pewter teapot... and some more I can't recall. Did I say a few?

It's amazing to see so many collections done by Wisconsin artists. I'm glad that somewhat I contribute a little in Wisconsin Art.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 2010.

Arthicoke Spinach Melt

Looking for quick sandwich? I found this sandwich very easy and tasty.

I started with half french roll, spread Nom-nom mayo (I called it Nom-nom mayo as I learned it from Food Truck Race. It's mayo mixed with Sriracha sauce) add artichoke, spinach, onion and fresh mozzarela cheese. Then I toast it until the cheese are melt.

It's a quick, simple and tasty sandwich...

I think you should try it too...:)

Glacial Drumlin Trail in October

I love riding during Fall as the weather gets a bit cooler and the view are...awesome...
Definitely no mosquitoes around but there are sure some lady bugs...

The leaves are mostly on the ground... you can see the spectacular view otherwise blocked by the tree.

It's a great time to ride...A short report from Glacial Drumlin Trail...

Oobleck Recipe For A Fun Summer Activity

During Meadowbrook Science week, teachers showed children some simple science.
My daughter came home and told me about "Oobleck". Oobleck I remember was a story from Dr. Seuss, "Bartholomew and the Oobleck".

She told me the teacher made one and she got the recipe.
With my curiosity, we decided to make oolbeck. This is one great activity for summer too...

Here is the recipe:
1 1/2 to 2 cups corn starch
1 cup water
food coloring (optional)

It looks and feels liquid but if you give a pressure, it turns solid. Of course, the baby wants to play with it. Well.... I have to admit I played with it too... I think I played it when I was little, but I think it was called something different.

I recommend playing it the deck as you can hose it down when it gets messy.
Sounds like you're ready to be a scientist...

Fox River Trail Waukesha

Looking for biking trail in Waukesha? Other than Glacial Drumlin, there is a Fox River Trail.

You can catch it on the corner of W College and Sentry Drive, where Glacial Drumlin and Fox River trail meets. (About 300 yards or so west of EB Shurts)

Fox River trail will take you down to Fox River Parkway. It's a nice, flat, paved trail. There is a place, close to the new Target in Sunset, where you can stop and see a board walk scenery. When we were there, the boardwalk was closed due to flood damage. So, I could only take a picture...


If you have small children with you, it will also pass Fox River Parkway Park. It has a nice play set.

So, next time you're biking through Waukesha, don't forget Fox River Trail...:)

Meadowbrook Spring Blast 2010

Yes.... it's about the time for Meadowbrook Spring blast May 16, 2010 at Western Lakes Golf Club.

It's once a year event to celebrate spring, do fund raising while having fun...
New this year... fun and game wrist band

Here a sampling of auction items...
Are Sports Your Thing?
Badger tickets, Wave tickets, Admiral tickets, Brewers attire,
Passes to Waukesha County Ice Rinks, Archery Time for six,
Revolutions Twirling Club Gift basket, 2 week pass to a Peak Performance Boot Camp,
Stamped Autographed Packers Football, 09/10

Rainy Day Excursion?
Passes to the Museum of Science and Industry, Cave of the Mounds, Waukesha County Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, Gymboree Play and Music

Music Anyone?
8 sets of 4 seats to the concert of your choice at Meadowbrook next year!
One months free guitar lessons with Ben Janzow, the guitarist for “Dirty Boogie”
One months free drumming lessons with Tom Hagen, the drummer for “Dirty Boogie”
An Electric Archer Guitar, Milwaukee Symphony Tickets, Waukesha Symphony Tickets

Need an Evening Away?
Waukesha Civic Theater tickets, Pewaukee Lake Pontoon Package

Tired of Cooking?
Gift certificates to Casa Del Rio, The Gasthaus, Catering Package from Chris Wright (he is the head chef at Western Lakes), Olive Garden, Panera Bread, Stir Crazy, Applebees, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Charro’s, Carrabba’s, Dinner for Two from Neeta Desai and many others

Have a Special “American Girl”
in your Life?
An American Girl bunk bed and bedding.
An American Girl bed, with bedding and pajamas for both the doll and the daughter!

Something Incredible?
Mary Kay Basket Art work
Homemade Birthday Cake Silpada Jewelry
Creative Memories basket Lia Sophia Jewelry
Laser Tag Party Package Reiki Massage
Passes to the Big Backyard Parlux Fragances
Handmade Jewelry Family Fun Basket
Soccer Surprise Party Spice Basket
Gold Canyon Candles Noodles Basket
Hydro Massage Gourmet Basket
Touch of Glaze Basket Baking Basket
2 – ½ cords of fire wood Salon Products
Family Pack of Hair Cuts Allo’ Chocolate
Buffalo Wild Wings Basket Starbucks Basket
Cross-Stitch Pieces Hair Products
Gold Canyon Cleaning Products
Land’s End Umbrella and Travel Bag
3 Hand drawn Georgia O’Keefe Flowers
Char-Broil Heatwave Infrared Gas Grill with a meat
package from Richards Fine Meats
A vintage bottle of Pinot Noir called “46 diamonds”

More items to come... Please check back for more updates.

Snow storm in April

Something is not quite right in this picture. The grass is green, the outdoor furniture is out but there is snow on he ground. Yupe...April snow storm in Wisconsin.

It's during Spring break... We stayed put... just enjoying the view.

Hanko stamp, an East Asia seal

I had a pen friend in Japan. When she wrote to me, she would put a red circle stamp in the letter.

In 2009, when I had a chance to stop in Japan, I asked my friend Cynthia about the red circle and she told me that it is called "Hanko"

Generally, Japanese would put their last name in the Hanko. It works like a signature, where you could pretty much sign a legal document with a Hanko.

I don't think it applicable in the US. So, I decided to ordered two for me. One in each name.

Since I have an English name, she would order it in Katakana. My name is Conny, in Katakana it would be "ko-ni". Same thing with my last name. Here is a picture of a Katakana.

It cost me no more than ordering a stamp in the US, but it is so beautiful and artistically well done.

I decided to use it for my magnetic bookmark that is made from Japanese paper.

So, when you order my magnetic bookmark, it is not only is hand made, but it is personally signed by me, in Japanese...

To learn more about my pieces, please visit http://bigib.etsy.com

Yes... I watched Avatar....

After several try, I finally watched Avatar...
I don't think I need to write a synopsis on it... I think it's a good Hollywood movie. I could guess how the movie will end... The use of 3D, gives an impression that you are part of the movie. Pandora reminds me the deep end of Amazon... (not that I've been there... I saw Amazon from Nat Geo)

Few days after watching Avatar, I kept thinking how beautiful Pandora is... And wondering if we should all move there...hm...

What do you think?

Guess what picture this is?

Just for fun... guess what picture is this by Jan 28, 2010....you could win one of these cute wire bookmark from Bigib...


PS: If there are more than 1 persons with the right answer, I will draw a name. Have fun...

Congratulations Archbishop Listecki

Today at the Cathedral Milwaukee, we witness the Archbishop Listecki installation mass. Not only that,... we were in the ceremony and was televised. We brought offertory gift from our culture for the Archbishop. There are represents from Africa, Hmong, India, Indonesia, Irish, Korea, Mexico to mention a few...



After the mass, we gather for a group picture.

It's been a wonderful, unforgettable experience for me... I thought I ought to share it...Congratulations Archbishop Listecki... Shall we dance?