Gaga for Candle Holders

I don't know what is up with my obsession with candle holders. I like how skinny black candle holders give a subtle contrast to a neutral decorated space.

This set of three candle holders fills up a space without feeling cluttered.

These items are available in my Etsy store. Come by and check them out! 

Beauty in Inconsistency

 Surely the fun part of having twins are making them look the same. I know. It's cute! I dress my girls identical outfits most of the time, but sometimes its also fun when there's inconsistency in dressing them according to their own personalities.

Eversince I had mt fraternal twins, my perspective on two-of-a-kind had a little twist! I found these couple candle holders and I fell in love with them. Normally I want symmetry when I decorate home. I observed too much symmetry in decorating loses some of the desired character of personalizing a space. 

When I saw these candle holders, I knew they are meant to be together. Clearly it was someone's DIY project. It's imperfect. It's beautiful. They are different but made to look the same. Their differences entertains my eyes.

Oblivion Through a Scope

"Time flies so fast" is the common expression you would hear from a parent. Eventhough this is the case, I still can't learn my lessons on good parenting. 

I feel the pursuit of perfect parenting is elusive. Most of the time, I find myself getting angrier and more stressed everyday. Clutter that needed to be picked up seems endless and catering for my children's needs are changing rapidly. As soon as I gotten used to a routine, it changes again after a month, especially with the twins.They are two babies with the same needs but different in different style for their different personalities. 

There was not a day goes by without me flipping out. I would say my parenting is 20%cuddle and 80% guilt. My mother-in-law who stands as my mom reassures me that all mothers go through all the frustrations I had. Sometimes worst.

There were times I wished I could get a break from being a parent, for a day or two. But, the funny thing was, even on my breaks like going on a date with my hubby, my kids were always in my mind. I had to accept there's no break from being a parent. 

I don't want to be that kind of parent who will tell all the reasons why not to have kids. I love my kids very much. I would drop everything I am doing for them. The joy they bring me outweighs my selfish pursuits.

Sometimes, I see mothers who makes bad decisions. It is very easy to judge a mom based on seen behavior, but its hard see the reasons how that behavior came about. It is hard to see them as moms who are trying their best

Stay-home-mom is not an easy job. Maybe, it is easy in a sense that I don't have to commute to do my work and I can do all my tasks in my pj's and robe. But even in the comfort of my home, I find myself unable to accomplished all my tasks. I seemed to be always busy but not finishing anything.

Chores and responsibilities are neverending. Sometimes, I want to get in touch with myself again chore free. I pick up a camera and start taking random photos of my kids in their simple state. I think spontaneous photo taking are the best. It tells a story. It captures a real memory. No staging and no set-up. I love taking beauty in simplicity. Minor imperfections gives character to make a masterpiece. Like my kids are not perfect in the eyes of many but they are perfect just the way they are.

Photo taking gives me a sense of focus. Very rare for someone like me. As soon as I peak on that scope, nothing else matters but my subject. I don't see chores or clutters around me, instead, I focus on the love in front of me, looking at me. Then, I am reminded the work I am doing wasn't in vain.

sincerely yours,
Castle Lemon

Dresser Mirror becomes a Shelving with Character

Do you have a dresser mirror like this just laying around unused? I did. 

This mirror used to be attached to an old dresser. It used to be my mother-in-law's. I certainly don't need a big bulky furniture but I had a different vision for it. I made it as a frame with shelves that would give character and dimension on our boring  wall space! 

My Baby Turned 3

 Where did my baby go? I see is a little girl with gentleness in her heart with a nurturing character towards two little sisters. I see a girl who is quick to learn even without the help of her mommy. It was a bitter sweet occasion that my baby is growing into a smart beautiful girl. She has no accomplishment yet, but oh how proud I am of her. It is hard to think that this little piece of beauty came out of me or came from me.

It was a small intimate bday celebration this year. No big number of guests and pinterest-y cake and decors. Just regular and simple party with the family.

This is us having fun at Mira's birthday photoshoot. A photo shoot that wasn't planned.

Extra Crunchy Fried Chicken Recipe

I have a little bit of confession here. This picture is a product of my own mix of recipes. I did not follow the exact recipe as below. I steamed my chicken drumsticks first to pre-cook and followed the batter recipe. The batter was spot on, and I used deep fryer. I never had a fried chicken that looked like this before.

Extra Crunchy Fried Chicken Full recipe as told by the book called Cooks Illustrated The Science of Good Cooking

1 cup plus 6 tablespoons buttermilk

1 tbsp salt

1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 lbs) cut into 8 pcs
   (discarded wings and back reserved for stock)

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

4-5 cups frying oil

1. Whisk together 1 cup of buttermilk and salt in large bowl until salt is dissolved. Add chicken pieces to bowl and stir to coat; cover bowl overnight.

2. Whisk flour, baking powder, thyme, pepper and garlic powder together in large bowl. Add remaining 6 tbsp of buttermilk; with your fingers, rub flour and buttermilk together until buttermilk is evenly incorporated into flour mixture and resembles coarse wet sand.

3. Working in batches of 2, drop chicken pieces into flour mixture and turn to thoroughly coat , gently pressing flour mixture onto chicken. Shake excess flour from each piece of chicken and transfer to a wire rack set over rimmed baking sheet.

4. Heat Oil (it should measure 4/4 inch deep) in a Dutch oven  over medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees. Place chicken pieces skin down in oil, cover and fry until deep golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove lid after 4 minutes  and lift chicken for even browning; rearrange if some pieces are browning faster than the others. (At this point, oil should be about 300 degrees) Adjust burner if necessary to regulate the temperature of the oil). Turn chicken pieces over and continue to fry uncovered until chicken pieces are deep brown on second side, 6 to 8 minutes longer. (At this point, keep the chicken from browning too quickly, adjust burner to maintain oil temp about 315 degrees.) Using tongs, transfer chicken to paper towel-lined plate;let stand doe 15 minutes to drain.

How My Kids Scare Me

I had just tucked my baby to the swing for an afternoon nap. I successfully snicked  out and came flying downstairs to quickly wash the feeding bottles when I suddenly missed a step. The next thing I found myself was, I was laying on the floor calling my husband for help.

Here's the unthinkable part. While I was on the floor screaming from pain down my foot, all I could think of was "oh no! How do I get back upstairs to prompted my baby's bottle back? She needs me." I wasn't thinking if I broke a bone or anything that concerns my painful foot. I was more concerned, I had to put my baby her bottle back? HOW SILLY IS THAT!?

4 years ago, I never thought I would be more concerned more about milk bottle over a foot accident. I find it fascinating how motherhood  can change my way of thinking. 

Its funny and alarming to think that I would care so much about someone new, someone so selfish and someone barely I knew more than my life.

There are many things that scares me. My children scares me in a different way. "They grow up so fast", is not just an expression. I had this sudden fear when my children look up to me as if asking me a question " I just turned two .So what's next in life?", knowing I am still figuring life myself. Responsibility is not what frightens me. To see them get hurt is like experiencing death while living. 

I do not recognize the old me anymore. I guess that's healthy? Motherhood opened my eyes to see a whole different level of love. It changes me.There's a peculiar strength motherhood brings.

Strength in forgiveness

Strength to sacrifice
Strength to deny myself

Strength to execute selflessness.