With nine DIY miniature sets waiting in line, I thought I’d be fine and not buy anymore for a while. Well, I thought wrong! I bought another two micro-miniature sets recently, which I have to admit, were too cute to resist. They just arrived.
My latest purchases to add to my stash!
How can an ardent miniature builder resist these two? They are the latest release from the same manufacturer, and I just had to have them in my collection.
Never mind the big stash that I have. I might jump the queue and work on these ahead of the others. I may even bypass the current DIY number 17 and work on one of these irresistible sets!
The latest gardening project is coming along slowly. The okra plants have settled well in the planter’s box. Out of the nine seeds, one didn’t make it at the start, and one didn’t survive after the transfer.
Growing well these babies!
And the mini brinjals in the little nursery have started to show some progress as well. Nine out of nine seeds survived! When they are more stable, we will transfer them into the other planter’s box.
Coming along albeit slowly
However, the remaining herbs and plants in the nursery have not shown any progress. These are the long okra, blue pea shoots, thyme, and bitter gourd. Oh well. Two out of six species made it, so I cannot complain.
Separately, the chilis are thriving in abundance. We have been giving them to our neighbors because it’s too much for us to eat. And finally, the second papaya tree has some fruits to show; we harvested several fruits last week. The first papaya tree is still settling down after being cut down in size.
Now, if only we have some chickens to have fresh eggs to complete our little farm! Hahaha.
I seem to be fickle-minded. At one point, I concluded that it was not good to alternate between carving and building miniatures, and the next thing I know, I was doing it. Now, I find myself at this juncture again.
Working on two projects at the same time
DIY project number 17 has started in tandem with carving another Gnome Trio. What am I thinking? As if managing the vegetable patch is not enough, alternating on two projects again? I must be very restless.
The lockdown this time is endless! So much so, we have decided to do sustainable things, like recycling used items and growing our food. Besides having hobbies to keep busy, we have embarked on a new gardening project to complement our baking and cooking endeavors.
The pandan leaves, chili, and curry leaves are not sufficient to make a meal, for they only complement the flavors. Only the bean sprouts can make a meal or two. The new papaya tree has just started fruiting, while the pineapple patch still has a long way to go. So we decided to grow some vegetables that can make a meal.
Recent harvest of chili and papaya
The planter boxes, seeds, and garden soil were purchased, and we started a mini nursery to get started. A few days later, the okra sprouted. How exciting! Eight out of the nine seeds made it. The next thing we have to do is ensure enough nutrients and sunlight, and proper care to deter the snails from coming at them. So far, it is rather rewarding to see some results.
The latest gardening project
The other seedlings are taking slower to sprout. We will have to monitor to ensure success with them. And when that happens, the sense of reward will be even greater. I can’t wait!
Today is a public holiday, and it makes no difference. Frankly, I don’t remember when was the last time we looked forward to having a break with a public holiday.
This lockdown since May has been one long extended public holiday for us. The only difference being, we cannot go anywhere, unlike all previous public holidays. The furthest I have ventured out is the front lawn to sweep the leaves. Sigh.
It has come to a point whereby the daily garden visitors expect food laid out for them. The doves, sparrows, squirrels, or rather, tree shrews wait on us to provide for them. So hubby bought birdseed from the online shopping site since we try not to go out so often. The birds love it.
Sometimes when we are slow to have the seeds out on time, we find the two regular doves wandering into the garden porch to remind us. There have been occasions when they would even saunter cooly into the house!
Sometimes they sunbathe and of course, eat.
The shrews are more fortunate as they have more choices. With the various fruits that we eat, they get to eat them too. We set the tray in one spot, and every morning I can see one or two bouncing over to check the offering.
Enjoying a sweet offering
We do not mind the animal demands as they have to eat as well. And when we keep them satisfied outside, they won’t venture inside to create problems for us.
I decided to focus on the last Gnome after completing DIY project number 16. The remaining section did not take long to shape and finish, and I’m glad I got this out of the way. With all three Gnomes now complete, I can revert my energy to building miniatures.
The big Gnome Trio now joins their mini version being displayed here and there in the house. Or I could prepare them to stand guard outside. We shall see, for I have to find the perfect spot for them.
With the continuous lockdown and strict restrictions imposed, we find ourselves doing a lot more online shopping. And we also discover a whole slew of things available. Things we take for granted when, in our previous life, we could walk into a store to choose or just run out to purchase when the need arises. No such behavior now, though.
Anyway, we recently bought durian online! Who would have thought that this thorny fruit is now available online? Durian is not something we must eat when the annual season kicks in. It is more whimsical or craving on the spur of the moment.
The delivered sealed bag to contain the smell
But when one is under lockdown for so long now, one can do something out of the norm. And so, we bought durian from an online site. Twice, mind you. And I must say, both times were equally good, and we were not disappointed.
It took me almost two weeks to complete DIY project number 16. The set was a nice change from what I have done so far. But there were occasions I was very exasperated because the parts and pieces are so micro-small. It’s hard to put them together. So I was using the tweezer a lot to hold things, and I was getting a lot of glue on my fingers as well!
Lots of micro details
Despite the grouses, I enjoyed the build very much. Will I attempt another one? Well, there’s the micro kit-in-a-box waiting for me. I will take a breather from building miniatures for a day or two before starting the next set.
Amid this pandemic and trying lockdown, there is good news to share. M1, our firstborn, passed her Masters Thesis Defense yesterday (our time), which is equivalent to the day before for her in the US. It is indeed a blessing to be proud parents again, and we are most thankful this arduous journey is now complete.
This time around, the achievement is more meaningful because she had to endure the lockdowns and work around the disruptions because of the pandemic. And she prevailed. Words pale to describe the relief and joy for all of us. Well done, for lack of a better word; we couldn’t be more proud of your accomplishment.
Angieneering 
Remarks