Ryan and Amy’s Space

As our business expands, so does our need to find better sources of better fabric.  Last month, our search took us to the heart of the Batik industry in Malaysia, the east coast.  Jackson and Ethan are ready to ride the plane:

After landing, we found this factory near the ocean:

And inside… fabric from the morning production hanging out to dry.

The next day, in the morning, we found men hard at working stamping and dyeing fabric at another factory:

And we found their stamps hanging on the wall, some of which we bought if they no longer used them…

We stopped for an early lunch to have nasi dagang.  It was good, spicy, and blue:

We talked to many store owners and wholesalers:

and Jackson relaxed with a real guitar for the first time ever…

And the last day, I found an enchanting mermaid on a sailboat, holding Ethan:

It was a fun, productive trip that will help us launch our products at Dallas Market Center in June.  Come see us!

~Ryan

Filed under: Uncategorized on April 19th, 2012 | No Comments »

Our month began with celebrating Ryan’s 35th birthday on the 10th.  We took him to breakfast with our friends Rick and Lu, and also celebrated Lu’s birthday together.  Happy Birthday Ryan!

Then, we ran into our good friend, Alan, who lives in another city.  He was here for a Jiu-Jitsu tournament.  We had no idea he would be at the same location as the restaurant we went to.  It was a great surprise and gift for Ryan to see him compete.  He ended up placing bronze and advanced to the next level.  Go Alan!

We also attending a friend’s daughter’s birthday party complete with a clown.  The kids loved it and he entertained them for 2 solid hours. Definitely worth whatever he cost!

And no month would be complete without attending at least one wedding.  This one was a friend’s sister’s wedding.  Their father is a instructor of Silat, a form of martial arts with a spiritual element.  Students from his center attended to perform for the new bride and groom as a sort of blessing on their marriage and to ward off evil spirits.

And, to top off the month, Ryan sent me roses…for no reason!  See the two sticking up?  One says “Beloved Wife” and the other says “Thank you.”  I love that man.

Filed under: Uncategorized on March 24th, 2012 | No Comments »

Be it birthday parties or play groups or bored housewives, I’m friends with a lot of people who like to try western foods.  Well, actually, I’ve never met a Malaysian who didn’t like to talk about food and eat yummy delicacies.  It’s impossible to diet around here.

That said, I thought I’d show you a few of the things I’ve been up to this month in the kitchen.

And afterwards, I’ll do 100 sit ups.

Apple pie with Crumble Topping (homemade ice cream a la Ryan not pictured)

Cinnamon rolls compliments of Pioneer Woman for a friend's son's birthday party...all the parents can thank me later when their kids are high on sugar

Espresso Brownies from Laura in the Kitchen.  Next time I’ll add more espresso as I couldn’t taste it.

And often I have little helpers! Fun memories.

Filed under: Uncategorized on March 24th, 2012 | No Comments »

Jackson loved time with Uncle Butch...especially when he carried him around the mall on his shoulders

No trip to Malaysia is complete without sampling the KING of fruit - our beloved DURIAN!

What a trooper! Ethan greeted the Smiths with a case of chickenpox. Even though he looks pathetic, I've never seen such a laid back baby, even when he's in pain.

We loved our visit from Butch and Michele. What a refreshing time to process, relax, and look forward to our future here!

Filed under: Uncategorized on February 22nd, 2012 | No Comments »

It’s been one year since I updated this blog.  Thankfully, super hubby fixed all my blog problems, and I’m back!  I feel a little pressure to make this a good entry since it’s been so long since I’ve written.

What’s really on my mind is the idea of REST.  2011 was a whirlwind year for me.  Between the addition of little Ethan and his ever active older brother, and a growing business that I’m so excited about, I was one busy lady.  And while I consider myself to be energetic and able to handle a lot of activity, I found myself at the end of 2011 desperate for a quiet moment.  Anxious for peace.

Gone are the days of reading magazines by the pool.  Here are the days of baby floaties and SPF 45.  Gone are the days of leisurely window shopping at the mall.  Here are the days of 15 minute grocery runs and trying to keep us stocked with wipes and diapers.  Gone are the days of experimenting with fancy recipes.  Here are the days of just making sure we eat 3 meals a day and cover all the food groups.

Don’t get me wrong, I love this season of life.  And it’s already passing by too quickly.  I find myself hugging my babies tight and kissing their slobbery checks and cherishing in my heart that they still love their mama’s affection.

But as every woman who has traveled down this road called motherhood with tell me, it is hard to find time for yourself during this season of life.  Times of rest and rebalancing.  Times to filter what to take to heart and what to let go of.

At the end of 2011, I found myself tired, stressed, and without peace.  I read a book about a guy who hit burnout.  And it wasn’t pretty.  He went to a monestary for 1 week.  Obviously he wasn’t a mother of small children.  :)  Biggest lesson he learned was to incorporate times of rest into his life.  So that’s my main goal for 2012: to learn what it means as a busy mommy, who thinks she can also grow an international business, while learning to love her neighbor, and find what it means to REST in the midst of this demanding season of life.

For me, I’m discovering times of rest come with a cup of coffee (and it’s bonus if there is a cookie involved), in a quiet place with good ambiance.  And I definitely need a paper and pen to dump out all the things floating in my head.

In those times, I remember the words of Jesus and I am encouraged: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~Mt 11:28-29

How do you find rest?

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 22nd, 2012 | 1 Comment »

During Ramadan, we broke fast at a hotel downtown with our neighbors, Hilmi and Iza, along with their family and staff members.  It was one of the nicest buffets I’ve ever eaten at (but maybe that has something to do with how hungry we were.)    We really enjoyed the evening and said on the way home it was one of our favorite memories in Malaysia.  Everyone enjoyed the food and time with friends, followed by a great live band.  Jackson in particular loved the band, and at one point, one of the singers decided he should join them.  So for about half an hour, Jackson traveled from table to table with the band to serenade people as we watched from a distance.

Enjoy our night in pictures…

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 31st, 2011 | 1 Comment »

If you know me, you know I love Starbucks coffee.  I used to drink caramel macchiatos several times a week.  That was until I realized how many calories were in one of those things and how much money I was spending.  So most days, I stick to making my own coffee with a splash of milk with a coffee press at my house, or an occasional Americano from Starbucks.

However, when Fall rolls around, (not that we actually have Fall here, but you know – the months from September t0 December when all my friends in the States wear cute sweaters and talk about how great the weather is) I always wish I could drink a pumpkin spice latte.  Now don’t get me wrong, I feel privileged enough that we have Starbucks here.  But they carry different drinks than the US stores.  No white chocolate mocha and no pumpkin spice latte.

But now, now my friends, life has just gotten better in Southeast Asia.  I saw this recipe for pumpkin spice lattes on my friend’s page on Facebook.  And I tried it out with the pumpkin spice powder someone sent me in a care package last year.  And let’s just say,  if I turn the aircon on really cold snuggle up with a blanket I just might be able to convince myself it’s Fall.

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 3 cups hot whole milk
• 4 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 6 ounces double-strength brewed coffee
• 3 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream
• 3 pinches pumpkin pie spice 

Directions:

Combine the hot milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a blender; blend until frothy (I used one of those froth maker things I got for Christmas last year). Pour the mixture into 3 coffee mugs to about 2/3 full. Pour 2 ounces coffee into each mug. Garnish each mug with whipped topping and pumpkin pie spice. 

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 31st, 2011 | No Comments »