Smallings

Postcrossing #33, #34, #35 & #36

2012-02-04T11:21:00.000Z

Day Zero Project Update #50

2012-01-20T22:30:00.000Z

22 Read a Corto Maltese Book 

Not only I read all the Corto Maltese's books available in the library, but I also read all the books written by Hugo Pratt that were there. 

Day Zero Project Update #49

2012-01-20T21:31:00.000Z

11 See 100 movies (66/100) 

Postcrossing #30, #31 & #32

2012-01-20T21:23:00.000Z

Day Zero Project Update #48

2012-01-01T19:33:00.000Z

23 Send 50 postcards via www.postcrossing.com (33/50) 

Day Zero Project Update #47

2012-01-01T17:42:00.000Z

64 Cook 5 new recipes (3/5) 

Sausage Carbonara 

Day Zero Project Update #46

2012-01-01T17:36:00.002Z

9 Tie a note to a balloon and let it go 

Day Zero Project Update #45

2012-01-01T17:29:00.002Z

52 Go to a ballet/ dance show 

Swan Lake 

Day Zero Project Update #44

2012-01-01T17:20:00.000Z

11 See 100 movies (60/100) 

Postcrossing #28 & #29

2011-12-28T22:31:00.002Z

Day Zero Project Update #43

2011-12-25T15:24:00.000Z

12 Read 50 books (18/50) 

Day Zero Project Update #42

2011-12-25T15:18:00.000Z

11 See 100 movies (56/100) 

Postcrossing #27

2011-12-09T14:20:00.000Z

Day Zero Project Update #41

2011-12-02T14:34:00.000Z

11 See 100 movies (44/100) 

Postcrossing #25 & #26

2011-12-01T12:56:00.000Z

Day Zero Project Update #40

2011-11-27T15:21:00.000Z

12 Read 50 books (15/50) 

Postcrossing #22, #23 & #24

2011-11-25T22:51:00.000Z

Day Zero Project Update #39

2011-11-19T17:29:00.000Z

23 Send 50 postcards via www.postcrossing.com (25/50) 

11 See 100 movies (41/100)  

12 Read 50 books (14/50) 

Postcrossing #21

2011-11-19T12:46:00.000Z

Day Zero Project Update #38

2011-11-06T16:39:00.000Z

11 See 100 movies (40/100) 

12 Read 50 books (13/50)

Day Zero Project Update #1 (update)

2011-11-01T18:08:00.001Z

These flowerpots were constantly running away because of the wind. tht'a why I've bought these new ones.

Day Zero Project Update #37

2011-11-01T18:02:00.000Z

76 Sew a dress for my niece 

Day Zero Project Update #36

2011-11-01T17:55:00.000Z

12 Read 50 books (12/50) 

Day Zero Project Update #35

2011-11-01T17:54:00.000Z

11 See 100 movies (39/100) 

Day Zero Project Update #34

2011-10-24T22:51:00.000+01:00

26 Digitize the notes from the training courses I did (1/6) 

Yay! Only 5 to go. 

Some of my "kids" (just one missing)

2011-10-23T16:30:00.000+01:00

Day Zero Project Update #33

2011-10-15T22:09:00.000+01:00

12 Read 50 books (11/50) 

Day Zero Project Update #32

2011-10-15T22:04:00.000+01:00

11 See 100 movies (38/100) 

Postcrossing #20

2011-10-15T21:44:00.000+01:00

Day Zero Project Update #31

2011-10-09T19:48:00.000+01:00

65 Buy my own sewing machine 

Let's hope that nice projects will come out of this cutie.

Day Zero Project Update #30

2011-10-09T19:35:00.000+01:00

43 Buy and plant more tulips 

 Can't wait to see them growing.

Day Zero Project Update #29

2011-10-05T14:00:00.001+01:00

12 Read 50 books (10/50) 

Postcrossing #19

2011-09-27T22:19:00.000+01:00

Day Zero Project Update #28

2011-09-27T22:15:00.000+01:00

12 Read 50 books (8/50) 

Day Zero Project Update #27

2011-09-24T20:55:00.000+01:00

71 Get my nails professionally done

French manicure is always classy. 

Day Zero Project Update #26

2011-09-24T20:51:00.000+01:00

23 Send 50 postcards via www.postcrossing.com (20/50) 

Day Zero Project Update #25

2011-09-24T20:44:00.000+01:00

81 Go to the beach at least 15 times (4/15) 

(pic via Viagem à volta da vida)
 
The weather was awful the 4 days we went to the beach (picture above) and no photos were taken. better luck next summer!

Day Zero Project Update #24

2011-09-24T20:34:00.000+01:00

51 Go to a exotic food restaurant 

(pic via travel2abroad) 

Nepalese Food Restaurant

Day Zero Project Update #23

2011-09-24T20:29:00.000+01:00

25 Release 5 books in the wild via www.bookcrossing.com (5/5)

These books were released in USA, UK and Portugal. At least one of them was found (registered in the Bookcrossing site).

Day Zero Project Update #22

2011-09-24T20:23:00.000+01:00

58 Leave a note to someone in an unexpected place

These notes were left in library books, bookcrossing books, hotel, museums, public transports,... I hope that someone finds some of them and that they make them think or make their day a bit better.

Day Zero Project Update #21

2011-09-24T20:18:00.000+01:00

36 Travel to Washington DC 

Day Zero Project Update #20

2011-09-24T20:05:00.000+01:00

35 Travel to New York 

Day Zero Project Update #19

2011-09-24T19:49:00.000+01:00

95 Make bread 

Day Zero Project Update #18

2011-09-24T19:39:00.000+01:00

74 Get a massage 

(pic via Getty Images) 

Day Zero Project Update #17

2011-09-24T19:33:00.000+01:00

11 See 100 movies (36/100) 

Day Zero Project Update #16

2011-09-24T19:23:00.000+01:00

64 Cook 5 new recipes (2/5)

Hummingbird Cookies 

Day Zero Project Update #15

2011-09-24T19:18:00.000+01:00

12 Read 50 books (6/50) 

Day Zero Project Update #14

2011-09-24T19:12:00.000+01:00

73 Visit the Butterfly Garden 

After going to the Butterfly Garden in Amsterdam this Garden wasn't that great, but it is always nice to be among butterflies. 

Day Zero Project Update #13

2011-09-24T18:56:00.000+01:00

72 Visit the Botanic Garden

One day. Two botanic gardens. I just love flowers' photos.

Postcrossing #15, #16, #17 & #18

2011-09-24T15:59:00.002+01:00

Postcrossing #12, #13 & #14

2011-08-07T11:29:00.000+01:00

Postcrossing #9, #10 & #11

2011-07-27T13:56:00.000+01:00

Paper Sculptures

2011-07-27T13:44:00.000+01:00

Take a look at these paper sculptures made by Calvin Nicholls.

Postcrossing #8

2011-07-23T19:53:00.001+01:00

Animals + Ribbons = Ribbonesia

2011-07-17T18:11:00.000+01:00

While travelling across Google Reader suggestions  I came across a project named Ribbonesia, an art project of a japanese artist named Baku Maeda.

Aren't these some of the best ribbons you have ever seen?

Day Zero Project Update #12

2011-07-17T15:41:00.000+01:00

32 Make Macarons 

Not good looking, but delicious. I really have to improve the way things look in the end. 

Day Zero Project Update #11

2011-07-17T15:27:00.000+01:00

10 Send a secret to PostSecret 

Who doesn't know PostSecret, an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard? 

Last week I mailed a secret. 

Day Zero Project Update #10

2011-07-17T15:22:00.000+01:00

87 Buy a pair of Birkenstock sandals 

I had in mind to buy this model

(pic via Stepping Stones Shoes)

But when I was in the store I didn't like it on my feet, so I chose this model 

(pic via iShoe)

Day Zero Project Update #9

2011-07-17T15:13:00.000+01:00

11 See 100 movies (22/100) 

Day Zero Project Update #8

2011-07-17T14:57:00.000+01:00

23 Send 50 postcards via www.postcrossing.com (10/50)

5 more on the way 

Back online

2011-07-17T14:51:00.000+01:00

after some time recovering from a surgery.

Day Zero Project Update #8

2011-07-03T14:25:00.000+01:00

98 Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind" 


How old would you be if you didn’t know how old      you are?
  Too old for the age I really am.
  Which is worse, failing or never trying?
  I believe that we should always try even if we fail. It’s better that be unsure of what could have been if we have tried.
  If life is so short, why do we do so many things      we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
  There’s no time to enjoy all the things we like. We make things that we don’t like because we need money or approval or society and people expects us to do so.
  When it’s all said and done, will you have said      more than you’ve done?
  Usually no. 
  What is the one thing you’d most like to change      about the world?
  The way people interact with each others. Relationships are deteriorating.  
  If happiness was the national currency, what kind      of work would make you rich?
  Helping other people would make me happy and rich.
  Are you doing what you believe in, or are you      settling for what you are doing?
  Both. This is not the life I chose, but with patience things will get in the right way.
  If the average human life span was 40 years, how      would you live your life differently?
  Oh God, most of people I’m related with would be dead or dying soon. My relationship with people with probably be different, I would live more passionately and wouldn’t be so mad with so many things.
  To what degree have you actually controlled the      course your life has taken?
  50%. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t think I would be here. I had other plans, but many things were controlled by me.
  Are you more worried about doing things right, or      doing the right things?
  Doing the right things right. I try, but it’s not always possible.
  You’re having lunch with three people you respect      and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not      knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and      unjustified.  What do you do?
  I get sad and try to show them the person I know and that they obviously don’t.
  If you could offer a newborn child only one piece      of advice, what would it be?
  Enjoy the small things in life and you will be in the good way for happiness.
  Would you break the law to save a loved one?
   Yes, I would.
  Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw      creativity?
  Yes. Many times creativity has the insanity label, because creativity is not always understood. That may have happened to me as well.
  What’s something you know you do differently than      most people?
  Smile when talking on the phone. That makes it totally different for the people on the other side.
  How come the things that make you happy don’t      make everyone happy?
  The things we like aren’t the same for everyone and that’s the same about happiness. You can’t be happy with a puppy if you don’t like dogs or animals. A puppy would make me happy.
  What one thing have you not done that you really      want to do?  What’s holding you back?
  Move to a different house. I really can’t afford it right now, but I hope I’ll be able to do it any time soon.
  Are you holding onto something you need to let go      of?
  Yes, people from the past.
  If you had to move to a state or country besides      the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
  I would like to live in Northern Europe. People are polite, there are good conditions of life, good jobs and the weather isn’t too warm.
  Do you push the elevator button more than      once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
  Sometimes. I know it doesn’t, but when in stress I can’t remember that. At least I’m doing something, right?
  Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful      simpleton?
  A joyful simpleton. Genius people don’t live happily. They worry too much about everything.
  Why are you, you?
  That’s the way I’ve chose to walk. 
  Have you been the kind of friend you want as a      friend?
  I think so. I would like to try having a friend the way I am in order to know exactly.
  Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or      losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
  Losing touch with a good friend who lives right near me. Friendship doesn’t end because one of the friends is away.
  What are you most grateful for?
  For being capable of making my choices.
  Would you rather lose all of your old memories,      or never be able to make new ones?
  I would prefer to keep all my old memories. There are a few I wouldn’t mind to lose, but there are also so many that I would regret to lose. At least I had something, even if I couldn’t make new ones.
  Is is possible to know the truth without      challenging it first?
  I really don’t know how to answer that.
  Has your greatest fear ever come true?
  My greatest fear is losing my health and therefore my capacity to live by my own, not requiring anyone’s permanent help. Gladly it hasn’t come true.
  Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you      were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?
  Not really. Sometimes 5 minutes, sometimes 5 hours after it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s just silly.
  What is your happiest childhood memory?       What makes it so special?
  I can’t explain why I don’t have many memories of my childhood. I remember the first sneakers I bought, because I was about 7 or 8 years old. They were pink and white and I was really proud to go to school that day.
  At what time in your recent past have you felt      most passionate and alive?
  When planning my next vacation. I really enjoy travelling.
  If not now, then when? 
  When I started dating my ex-boyfriend. He was really special.
  If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have      to lose?
  The fear of letting go the past.
  Have you ever been with someone, said nothing,      and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
  Yes. Sometimes it’s just important to know that the other person is right beside.
  Why do religions that support love cause so many      wars?
  Because people can’t understand their real meaning.
  Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is      good and what is evil?
  Some things don’t cause us any doubt, but others make it hard to find out what they really are.
  If you just won a million dollars, would you quit      your job?
  I always say I wouldn’t, but if I had money I would like to travel around the world and couldn’t keep the job, right? Maybe I would create my own business. It’s important to have a job and be active and useful. I couldn’t live without a project.
  Would you rather have less work to do, or more      work you actually enjoy doing?
  More work definitely, but it must be something I really love.
  Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred      times before?
  Not today. Other days, yes.
  When was the last time you marched into the dark      with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
  Not recently or I would remember it.
  If you knew that everyone you know was going to      die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
  My closest family and my dearest friends to tell them how important they have been to me.
  Would you be willing to reduce your life      expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
  No way.
  What is the difference between being alive and      truly living?
  Being alive is catching the same bus everyday to go to work to do the same thing and feel like we have lived this day a hundred times before. Truly living is enjoying every minute of live with a feeling like butterflies in the stomach and a smile in the face.
  When is it time to stop calculating risk and      rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
  When I have no fear of failing.
  If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always      so afraid to make a mistake?
  Discovering that we made a mistake can teach us to grow and be better, but in a first stage always makes us suffer and people usually avoid suffering.
  What would you do differently if you knew nobody      would judge you?
  I would leave all behind.
  When was the last time you noticed the sound of      your own breathing?
  Today in the afternoon. My heart was beating and I was breathing. It was nice to feel I’m alive.
  What do you love?  Have any of your recent      actions openly expressed this love?
  I love life. I’ve been doing things that make me happy and make my life more beautiful.
  In 5 years from now, will you remember what you      did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?
  No, unless it was something big and important.
  Decisions are being made right now.  The      question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting      others make them for you?
  I am. Most of them.

Day Zero Project Update #7

2011-07-03T14:21:00.001+01:00

91 Make cupcakes 

Cinnamon cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

They would look better if the piping bad hadn't explode while making the first one. 

Day Zero Project Update #6

2011-07-03T14:03:00.002+01:00

68 Write a letter to myself to be read in 10 years in www.futureme.org 

[private]

Do you want to write a letter to yourself as well? Just check FutureMe.org site.

Day Zero Project Update #5

2011-07-03T14:00:00.000+01:00

64 Cook 5 new recipes (1/5) 

Cheeseham Cannelloni 

Day Zero Project Update #4

2011-07-03T13:24:00.000+01:00

12 Read 50 books (1/50)

Day Zero Project Update #3

2011-07-03T13:20:00.000+01:00

11 See 100 movies (9/100) 

Postcrossing #4, #5, #6 & #7

2011-07-03T12:58:00.000+01:00

Wishlist #1

2011-07-02T22:15:00.000+01:00

Visit this exhibition.

I wish...

Postcrossing #3

2011-06-22T13:51:00.000+01:00

Weekend Report

2011-06-21T22:21:00.000+01:00

The diference in the growth of the sunflowers is evident every day. I'm really glad about that! (pic 1)

What an excellent idea I had! Something like Up (the movie) but in a small way. Unfortunately it didn't work out! (pics 2, 3 & 4)

The end of the weekend spent in an empty beach, playing in the water and watching the sun set. (pics 5, 6 & 7)

Day Zero Project Update #2

2011-06-21T21:51:00.000+01:00

3 Send a message in a bottle 

I know that this is not the most ecological thing to do, so I hope that the bottle and the message will reach someone.
What's writen in the red note? This lovely poem from Eugénio de Andrade.

It is urgent to love.
It is urgent a boat at the sea.

It is urgent to destroy certain words,
hatred, loneliness and cruelty,
some complaints,
many swords.

It is urgent to come up with joy,
multiply the kisses, the cornfields,
it is urgent to discover rivers and roses
and clear mornings.

Silence falls on the shoulders and the light
impure, until it hurts.
Love is urgent, it is urgent 
to remain.

11 See 100 movies (5/100)  

29 Make a word cloud in www.wordle.net and frame it 

Take some of your time to play with word clouds in Wordle. I made several tries, but in the end this was the chosen one.

30 Frame my Booni 

I just love the Booni version of me!

34 Buy an iPod to replace the broken one 

It has just arrived today. I can't wait to fill it with tons of musics and podcasts.

99 Make Brownies 

Although they don't look so good and they had a  little oven related problem (meaning they were a bit black in the  bottom, cof cof), they were delicious. Not bad for a first try. I was  inspired by the recipe of the Hummingbird Bakery.

Day Zero Project Update #1

Postcrossing #1 & #2

2011-06-18T20:50:00.000+01:00

The new books...

2011-06-18T16:18:00.001+01:00

Here they are! How lovely are these?

Today we'll have

2011-06-14T13:35:00.003+01:00

New books by Amazon.

Weekend Report

2011-06-13T13:39:00.002+01:00

Look at my sunflowers! Only a week after being planted. Oh, happiness!

This weekend was my niece's second birthday! I can hardly believe that she's already 2!

This is our favorite cake. My son is always asking me to bake it. It's never wrong and we just love it! It's cinnamon with sugar coating by the way.

Day Zero Project Update #1

2011-06-12T18:04:00.001+01:00

11 See 100 movies (3/100)

23 Send 50 postcards via www.postcrossing.com (5/50)

I picked up such cute postcards, but unfortunately mailed them before taking a picture

44 Create my own inspiring blog 

Here we are! 

55 Grow a mini herb garden 

With a little help from my furry friend, I planted some herbs and also some carrots. I'm looking forward to see them grow. Hopefully!

84 Paint the dog's house  

The dog's day house was miserable, partly because of a hard Winter, but I had some paint left from a project I made in the kitchen last year. For this task I had the help of my son. Let's look for the Before and After Pictures.

 Before

After

89 Get rid of the flowerpots of the entry 

I was a bit tired of these blue flowerpots someone gave me a while back and I was also sad with these lovely pink daisies that have already bloomed. 

90 Get new flowerpots for the entry 

When I went to buy the herbs for the herb garden I also bought some new flowerpots, soil and sunflowers' seeds.

Weekend Report (pics only this time!)

2011-06-06T21:20:00.003+01:00

Get set! Go!

2011-06-06T20:22:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Smallings! A place to share all the little things I come across every day. 

Want to know more about me? Click here.

Get set! Go! This is the beginning.