DIY: Felt Corner Bookmark

I completed my first DIY 2012 project! This little felt corner bookmark was simple to make, and was a good way to start my monthly arts and crafts projects. It took me 10 minutes (including chatting with my crafting pal Chante) of cutting and stitching. Now, this little bookmark sits cozily on a page of A Dance With Dragons by George R. R. Martin, breaking my terrible habit of bending page corners.

Chinese Almond Cookies

Happy Year of the Dragon!

My earliest memories of baking come from helping my mother make these Chinese almond cookies. As a young girl, my job was to help roll the dough into walnut-sized balls, flatten them with the bottom of a glass, and put the finishing touch of the little red dot on each cookie's center. These cookies were my mother's specialty, and she was once asked to bake 500 cookies for a non-profit fundraiser event.

These cookies are much like a light shortbread or pie crust. They are buttery, and almost melt in your mouth when you bite into them. The almond flavor of the extract give them a distinctly Chinese taste, making them a wonderful treat.  Set out a plate of these for Chinese New Year. Gung hay fat choy!

Chinese Almond Cookies

print this recipe

1 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening

3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

Almond slivers (optional)

Red food coloring

Sift together flour, salt and baking soda; set aside. Cream the shortening and gradually add sugar, egg, sifted dry ingredients, and almond extract. Make into balls the size of small walnuts, and flatten with a glass dipped in flour. Press a sliver of almond in the center or dot the center with red food coloring. Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes until golden brown.

31 Life Lessons Learned In 31 Years

Today is my 31st birthday.

I want to celebrate it with a few simple things this year: Chinese food with my husband, a nice martini, and tres leches cake.

As another year passes, I spent some time reflecting on some of the lessons I've learned.

Here are 31 life lessons learned in my 31 years:

1. Spend time in silence and solitude. It is where you will find peace, inspiration, and clarity that can't be experienced in the noise.
2. There is no such thing as stylish and comfortable high heel shoes.
3. A handful of great friends is worth more than a hundred mediocre ones.
4. Be a good listener. You will learn, understand, empathize, and communicate respect.
5. Time is not endless. Use it wisely, and don't waste it!
6. Inspiration and motivation come in small bursts. Act while it's hot.
7. A hug can solve a thousand problems.
8. Own your failure and mistakes.
9. Simplify. Get rid of the clutter.
10. Kindness takes you farther than intelligence. If you are ever faced with the option of either being right or being kind, choose kind.
11. Figure out the few essential things you value in life, and build everything around that.
12. You don't have to do anything - you always have a choice.
13. Most people's opinions of you don't really matter. Stop worrying about pleasing and impressing others.
14. Marry someone with a good sense of humor and a good sense of self.
15. Nobody has it all figured out. So it's okay if you don't either.
16. Exercise and eat well. Treat your body with care because it's the only one you get.
17. Things are usually better in the morning.
18. Multitasking is overrated. Do one thing at a time.
19. The measure you give is the measure you'll get.
20. Life gives and takes away. Learn the art of contentment and gratitude, and you will be free to embrace whatever you do or don't have. 
21. Find something that you love and enjoy, and make regular time for it.
22. Skip the okay dessert (Hershey's Kisses), and eat the really good dessert (Mom's rum cake). 
23. Create margin in your life. Maintain a healthy pace, and make room for interruptions.
24. Wear something that makes you feel good every day, even if it's nice underwear beneath sweatpants. 
25. This too shall pass - those awkward adolescent years, the first months of parenting, depression - none of them will last forever. 
26. Treat strangers with compassion, including the snippy clerk at the DMV.
27. Learn how to manage money wisely before you have a lot. Save, budget, spend less than you make, and don't go into debt.
28. Embrace the present moment.
29. Some things are worth paying more for. Buy the quality leather couch, wool coat, and good knives.
30. Practice gratefulness. 
31. Know yourself. Learn your weaknesses, strengths, and temperament. Self-awareness is a great gift to you and everyone around you.

Toasted Coconut Macaroons

I love coconut. Since I was born and raised in Hawaii, I suppose it is in my blood.

What about you, do you enjoy coconut? If your answer is yes, then we are instant friends. If not, well...the jury is still out on whether or not we can ever really get along.

Coconut macaroons are pure shredded coconut, baked into toasty little mounds. This cookie is basically a meringue, with a crisp exterior and chewy interior. This recipe toasts the coconut, which provides a nuttier flavor and distinguishing crunch.

They are delightful to nibble on, and pair particularly well with English Breakfast Tea. 

Toasted Coconut Macaroons (adapted from Star Advertiser's By Request 2)

print this recipe

4 egg whites

Pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (I used vanilla)

4 cups shredded sweetened coconut

Toast coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring until golden. Set aside and let cool. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Whisk egg whites and salt until foamy. Gradually add sugar, whisking rapidly until mixture is smooth and thick. Fold in vanilla, then coconut. Stir well to moisten all the coconut. Using wet hands, form the mixture into tablespoon-sized mounds and place on the cookie sheets, about an inch apart. Bake 15-20 minutes. Cookies should be firm but still yield to the touch. Slip parchment onto a rack to cool, then peel the cookies off the paper. Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

DIY 2012

I have a long list of craft projects that I mean to work on when I have the time and inspiration. The problem is, that list keeps growing, and "when I have the time and inspiration" never really happens. So in the spirit of a new year with new habits, I am starting a year-long project: DIY 2012.

This year I will complete one craft project per month. As with My 2012 Habits, I invite any of you to create your own list of DIY projects for the year. Pinterest is a great (and frighteningly addicting) way to collect, organize and share your own craft ideas.

Here are my 12 projects:

Wrap Turned Scarf

Heart-Shaped Rainbow Crayons

Paint Aaron's Bedroom

Citrus Salt Scrub

Coffee Table

Etched Glass

T-Shirt Bags

Coasters

Antilles Tank

Felt Corner Bookmark

Homemade Finger Paint

Monogrammed Mugs

My 2012 Habits

Instead of creating a list of new resolutions this year, I am creating new habits.

Leo Babuta, writer of Zen Habits, wrote about the power of habits in his Compact Guide to Creating the Fitness Habit recently, inspiring me to think differently about this new year.

Whenever I set goals or make resolutions, they rarely last. But when I develop a habit, that leads to long-term results.

Several years ago, I created a few simple health and fitness habits. I started eating a nutritious breakfast. I started exercising three or four times a week. I banned most junk food from our house, and began buying healthier foods. I started eating from smaller plates. Now I am at a healthy weight, have physical endurance and strength, and eat better than I have in my entire life. That's what results when I change a few habits.

This year, I am creating 12 new habits. Every month, I will practice one new habit. By doing this, I hope to make some lasting changes. Each habit is something that fits with my personal mission statement, and fits with the values that I want to develop in my life. Many of them fall into the categories of spiritual health, physical health, and simplicity. Each habit is also something that I can do daily.

Here are my 2012 Habits:

1. Wake up at 6:30am, and start the day with prayer, silence & solitude. 
2. Eat only real food. 
3. Start the day by creating a list of "Three Important Tasks." Complete the tasks. 
4. End the day with the Daily Examen (a prayer created by St. Ignatius Loyola).
5. Exercise every day.
6. Manage email one time a day, for no more than 30 minutes. 
7. Pray for another person every day.
8. Eat fruit, vegetables and nuts for snacks.
9. Write for 15 minutes every day.
10. Connect with one person every day, either by phone or in person.
11. Practice Lectio Divina prayer every day.
12. De-clutter and simplify one area (closet, shelf, drawer) per day.

By posting this list of habits, I am making my commitment a public one. I will give some updates on my progress here at The Larissa Monologues. Also, I invite you to ask me more about these habits, or create your own. I would love to have friends who want to join me in creating new habits this year!

Reflections on 2011

As I think back over 2011, I am grateful for many things. Namely, I am thankful for the people in my life - my family, friends, church community, ministry partners, readers - who have willingly invested their lives into mine. Thank you. This year has been joyful, challenging, and difficult. In the midst of it all, I am thankful that I am not an isolated individual, but am surrounded by some incredible people. 

I wish you a wonderful new year!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Turned 30.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Here are my 2011 resolutions. I stuck with most of them, except for writing a book. For this coming year, I am tossing out my typical list of goals/resolutions. Instead, I want to forge a few new habits. I'll share that in another post soon.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law welcomed their second child in mid-December.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Sadly, we had a miscarriage (our second within a year). Steve's grandmother also passed away. Here are some thoughts on her that I wrote after her passing. That event had reverberating effects on me, mostly serving as a reminder and inspiration to live a life that is invested in lasting and worthwhile things.

5. What countries did you visit?
We took a cruise in the Caribbean, and visited Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, and Barbados.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More time and energy to create.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The day we found out that our unborn child had miscarried; I can vividly remember our doctor's exact words to us as she shared the news.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Working on making our 100-year-old house into a home; it included projects like painting several rooms, and lots of decluttering.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think I would call this a failure, but I didn't complete a book like I had hoped.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing notable.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My black spiral artist sketchbook, where all my reflections, hopes, creative ideas, and musings are recorded. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mother, who left a great job for an opportunity to work for the Governor of Hawaii. Her new role is incredibly challenging, and she is a model of courage and vision to me. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one's.

14. Where did most of your money go?
House payments. Honda CRV.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Hosting our family Thanksgiving. The midnight showing of Harry Potter 7.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
"Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
Happier, neither thinner nor fatter, richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? 
Internet browsing.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We visited family in Lodi, CA. Lots of wine tasting, lots of presents, and lots of dessert.

21. How did you spend New Year's?
We're going to host a few friends at our place. Although, I predict that by 11pm I will be ready to hop into bed.

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
No.

23. How many one night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Top Chef & Jeopardy.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

26. What was the best book you read?
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, and A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That Fleetwood Mac is still one of the greatest bands in history.

28. What did you want and get?
A great 5-year anniversary with my husband. An annual pass to Disneyland. 

29. What did you want and not get?
Another child.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30. My friends and family indulged in another themed birthday party. This year, we turned our house into a 1920's Speakeasy. It was open-mic night, so people recited poetry, sang songs, and did other creative performances while we sipped on Old Fashions. It was one of my favorite birthdays ever.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Living closer to more of our family.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Creative and simplified. For most of the year, I was committed to not buying new clothes, which led to reworking and re-imagining my current wardrobe. Pinterest was a big help.

34. What kept you sane?
Steve. Exercise. Weekly time with friends. Prayer retreats.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Steve Jobs, for his vision, drive, and innovation.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
American greed and consumerism.

37. Who did you miss?
Steve's grandmother.

38. Who was the best new person you met? 
Our new nephew, Logan.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. 
There is power in the ability to hope.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

"Every day's a new day." (from "100 Years" by Five for Fighting)