I'm on Etsy Treasury...

Wow... I'm on Etsy Treasury...

For those who doesn't know what is Etsy Treasury, you can learn in detail here.

Basically, Etsy user can create list of items and put it in the "Treasury".

What is so special being in the Treasury...?
First, it's so hard to grab a Treasury. It is limited up to a certain number.
Then once he or she can "grab" it, he or she choose a theme. In this case, " Hip To Be Square".

Second, other person chooses your item. It is limited to only 12 items. Out of thousands of Etsian who makes square theme items, someone think my piece is so cool and is worth listing...

Wow... thank you... I'm speechless... I'm honored to be chosen in the treasury...

Architecture Inpsired Square Earrlings With Imaginary And Real Lines

Something new for this week... Architecture inspired design earrings....
It's made of square sterling silver adorned with blue and light blue beads.

Square shape is very symmetry and has the balance point right in the middle. I usually put two lines, vertical and horizontal, to emphasize this. This designs shows that balance can still be achieved in a different way.

I emphasize on the horizontal line by putting small horizontal line. In addition to that, you can see an imaginary vertical line formed by the two blue beads. The blue beads are bigger compare to the horizontal wire which creates a "bigger" imaginary line. This helps create a balance on this design. Also available in green.

To learn more about this earrings, please visit me Etsy store.

I was in the ditch on I-94 and Pewaukee 294 exit

There is always a first time for everything....
Today, after living 10 years in Wisconsin, I had my first experience skidded of the road.

We were on our way to Marquette University for their outreach program. I was driving at around 45-50 mph. The highway was a bit snowy. It was all right until at one point I felt I was driving on a snow and the car started to skid.

I tried to handle the car calmly even though my daughter was screaming in the back. It felt like riding the snow tube... The car was out of control and it's at the mercy of the force.

Out of those possibilities that could happen to a skidding car, I got the best outcome.
There was no car or semi behind me. The car skidded to the right instead of the left that could hit the median. The car stopped in the ditch, less than a foot from a fence, with no single scratch.
I did not harm anyone, I did not break anyone's property, everyone is safe and sound.

"Thank God...!".

Still shaken, I tried to back up the car. Of course, it didn't take me any where. So, I finally called 911. The Pewaukee police came about 10 minutes later. Then he called the tow truck.
While we were waiting, I called hubby, who is stuck at home with the baby.

The tow truck came, pulled us out and I paid $ 85 plus tax for the towing. Quite expensive for a first time experience...

Now I'm at home, still shaken even though it happened about 2 hours ago...

Next time I'm out and about... I will always remember to drive very slowly in the snow...

Next time I'm out and kiss hubby good bye,... I will really mean it. It might be our last kiss...

Happy Valentine's day,...

Lovely picture for a lovely day... Happy Valentine's day...
If you wondering what to do on Valentine's day, try watching "Fireproof"movie...

Waukesha Toastmasters 1173 got a visitor from a Brownie Troop 2131

Admit it....! To some of you, public speech is a fear... Just like me, public speech was a no-no... Until I "forced" myself to join Toastmasters. Now imagine how it feels for a 7 years old do a public speech (in front of adults).

On January 22, 2009, Abigail did her very first public speech in front 20-30 Waukesha Toastmasters members.

The idea came from my past experience. As a past member of Waukesha Toastmasters, I learned one of the most important thing in my life... I gained some self confidence.

When I read Girl Scout Cookie instructions which talked about the reasons they are doing this activity, which is helping develop leadership skills and self confidence, I had an idea for Abigail to do her Girl Scout Cookie sales pitch in front of Toastmasters members... and hopefully she would develop some self confidence too.

Toastmasters members are adults. They do have youth group which is aimed for teens up to 18 years old. So I think, for a 7 years old to do a presentation in front of adults, it may be a big task to do.

I wasn't sure how she would react when I told her my idea. With my amazement, she reacted very positively and started drafting her speech. She even typed her speech draft in the computer...

With few practices and some inputs from her dad and I, she did her first public speech . The speech was well received and ended with glorious applause from the members.

From this experience, I learned something important. Don't under estimate what a child can do. Always,... always encourage our children to reach the highest star in the sky.

First Communion Bracelet Special...

Order this personalized sterling silver and pearl first communion bracelet by March 16, 2009.

GET 10% off total order, excluding shipping.

To learn more about this bracelet, please visit my Etsy store.

Dairy free chocolate cup cakes

Are you moms who has milk allergy babies and looking to bake a birthday cup cakes?
Don't worry.. there is dairy free cup cake comes to the rescue...

Last week, my daughter who has milk allergy, turned 2. I wanted to get her cup cakes from the store. Unfortunately, those are not dairy free. After searching on the internet, I found this About.com website with dairy free cup cakes.

The recipe calls for dairy free chocolate chip, soy yogurt... those are new to me. I finally found those items at Good Harvest. I was skeptical about the result.

It's actually the best cup cake I've ever baked.

I included the link to the original document. To make the life simpler, I decided to put the recipe on the blog also.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 t. baking powder
• ½ t. salt
• ½ cup soymilk
• 1 T. apple cider vinegar
• ¾ cups dark, dairy free chocolate chips
• ½ cup soy yogurt
• 2 T. egg Replacer mixed with 3 T. hot water

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another small bowl, combine the soymilk and apple cider vinegar until just combined and slightly thickened. Set aside.

3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate chips with the soy yogurt. Stirring constantly, cook until the chocolate is just melted and there are no lumps. Remove from heat.

4. Using an electric mixer on high speed, add the chocolate mixture, soymilk mixture and Egg Replacer mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Portion into prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting with dairy-free frosting of choice.

I had my daughter decorate the cup cakes with ready made icing. It turned out to be fun and yummy projects for both kids.