All I Want For Christmas. . . .

Nothing. . . yes, there's nothing on my Christmas wish list! (actually, I don't even have a list!)

I'm just happy (and thankful) with what I have and where I am right now.  

These are the gifts I've received and would like to give to everybody else:  answered prayers, personal happiness, contentment in life, peace of mind, relationships that last and good health!  (the last one though is something I have to work on!  Heehee)

From our growing family to yours, we wish each one of you a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

And to the Child Jesus, who matters most during this Christmas season. . .  

 

 Happy Birthday!!!

Miss Fortune

One thing I look forward to after having a Chinese meal . . . fortune cookies!  And this is probably my most favorite fortune!  Haha!

I'm actually keeping it in my wallet for luck, heehee.

Wishing you all a lucky day ahead! =)

Phlebo . . .what?

Look at that smile. . . .but you should have seen her before we went to the park!  

As part of her annual check-up, her pediatrician required a blood extraction for her.  So we went to the lab to see a phile. . . umm phele. . . a phlebotomist!  It's a new word I learned today!  

In the Philippines, blood extraction is done by a Medical Technologist.  But in the US, a phlebotomist does it.  As defined by the American Medical Technologist, a phlebotomist is an integral member of the medical laboratory team whose primary function is the collection of blood samples from patients by venipuncture or microtechniques.

They tried to extract blood from her . . . twice!  Once in each arm. . . both unsuccessful.  We are going back after two weeks to try again.  *heavy sigh*

It was heartbreaking to hear her in cry in pain that I couldn't help but cry too!  Plus being pregnant means being hormonal too!

So I told Zola's Dad if we can bring the Little One to the park after the lab work to take her mind off this experience . . . actually, we both need it!  Haha!

I'm glad we did. . . she enjoyed the slide most . . . and I enjoyed sitting on the swing. =)

 

Survey says . . .

That almost 40% of pregnant women crave for "something sweet" . . . .

And I'm one of them!  Haha!

Want some chocolatey buttery love? =)

A surprising find . . . Quadruple Chocolate Chunk Biscuits from Walkers, who are known for their good buttery shortbread.  So when I saw this at the store, I thought this should be good too!  Zola's Dad, who doesn't have a sweet tooth, ate 2 of them in a row (okay, 1 1/2, I ate the other half).  Yes, one of the few sweet goodies he likes!  (Hmmm, unless he was really hungry!  Haha!)  But he said yes when I asked him if he wants to bring some to the office for his snacks.  So I guess he loved them too =)

It's definitely one of the best cookies we've tasted!

 

Photo and product description from www.walkersus.com

Treat yourself to the ultimate indulgence: a variety of different Belgian chocolates in a deliciously crumbly cookie. Each cookie is generously half coated in velvety smooth milk chocolate and contains chunks of the finest milk, white and dark chocolate to enhance the unique flavor experience.

Once tried, never forgotten, these luxurious cookies are the ideal accompaniment to tea or coffee at any time of the day.

Wishing you all a sweet day ahead! =)

Beauty and the Beast

 

"Beauty and the Beast is" one of the TV series I've been following here in the US.  To give you an idea on the show's plot, I got this from Wikipedia:

Catherine Chandler, a detective, witnessed her mother being shot the same night she is saved from her mother´s murderers by a supposed beast. Nine years later, a case leads her to discover that Vincent Keller, an ex soldier, dead in act during military service is actually alive. As Catherine gets to know him, she starts finding out more about her mother´s murder and about who (and what) Vincent really is. At the same time a complicated relationship grows between them...

Tonight's episode (the Mid-Season finale) was one of the best . . . *sigh* . . . kiliggg!

Love the episode, love this scene, and looove the cover for the The Calling's song "Wherever You Will Go".

And if you loved it just like I did, here's the full version of it as sang by Charlene Soraia.

To Zola's Dad, we didn't get to dance on our Wedding Day. . . it's not too late.  I know you don't like to dance but I would love that we can dance to this song too.

I get to be Beauty and you're the . . . BEST!  (Who said anything about being the Beast?! Haha!)  

Love you Dear . . . 

Not Again!

You may have already heard the news about the school shooting which happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut where 20 children (whose age ranges from 5-10) were reported to have died.

I cried upon hearing this news and went to hug the Little One sooo tight!  I could not imagine the grief of the parents whose lives have been changed because of this tragedy.  

Found this touching poem online (http://www.ealaindraoi.com) which captures the feelings of a parent who lost a child.

Tiny Angels

Tiny Angels rest your wings
sit with me for awhile.
How I long to hold your hand,
And see your tender smile.
Tiny Angel, look at me,
I want this image clear....
That I will forget your precious face
Is my biggest fear.
Tiny Angel can you tell me,
Why you have gone away?
You weren't here for very long....
Why is it, you couldn't stay?
Tiny Angel shook his head,
"These things I do not know....
But I do know that you love me,
And that I love you so".

-Author Unknown 


We are praying for you dear little Angels and the families you left behind.

Rest in Peace.

Two Peas in a Pod 5

One of my favorite TV series which  premiered last October in the US is Chicago Fire.  The show tells us the challenges faced by the firemen and paramedics (both at work and in their personal lives) in one of the fire stations of the Chicago Fire Department.  This drama has a good cast of characters, riveting plots in each episode. . . and another reason to watch it. . .I'll let these photos do the talking, haha! 

Photos courtesy of:  www.justjared.com

This is one fireman (Lt. Kelly Severide played by Taylor Kinney) who doesn't put out fire. . . but starts one!  HOTNESS!!!

He actually reminds me of Grey Anatomy's McSteamy . . . what do you think?

Guess I'll call him McHottie then!  Heehee

Trivia:  Did you know (I didn't!) that our fireman has been in a relationship with Lady Gaga since September last year?

Coffee Talk

We went to McDonalds for breakfast the other day.  I like going to this particular branch near our place . . . you know why?  Because I always see a group of Filipino retirees who hang out in this happy place and seeing them just kind of brings me closer to home. 

You will see them having their coffee, playing chess, chit-chatting and there are times that they would even debate!  Haha!  They talk about a wide range of topics ranging from their families to politics, mortgage and loans to medical insurance, etc.  It's like listening to a radio's AM station!   Haha!  Not that we're eavesdropping but  one can't help but overhear what they are talking about.

And the funniest thing Zola's Dad ever heard. . . it is NOT their plans on getting a funeral lot (because this is something all of us would do at one point) but. . . what food they are going to serve AFTER their funeral!  Hahaha!  Talk about being organized and planning ahead. . . . waaayyy ahead!  Or it's just the Filipinos' penchant for getting together and having good food! =)

An Important Message to all Wives

We were strolling at at the the mall this afternoon and saw this at a store's display window. . . . and I just have to point it to Zola's Dad!

Woohoo!!!  Looove it!  (I'm sure you do too!)  Haha!

Happy Shopping ladies!!! =)

Hidden Agenda

It's another laundry day today!  It's a chore that the Little One has enjoyed doing with us.  But today, I noticed that she was really into it!  Yes, I was a proud Mama!

As soon as her Dad brought the laundry basket, she went through the pile and gave each of us a piece of the newly laundered clothes (for us to fold, she knows the drill) until she cleared the basket.  And she did so in a swift  and excited manner!  *An Awwww proud Mama moment*

And after she cleared the basked, it hit us. . . now we know why!

Her hidden agenda. . . 

Guess the laundry is getting in her way, haha!

By the way, some days, this basket becomes a car in her little world.

Hope you all had a good weekend! =)

Can't Take My Eyes Off You . . .

I just can't . . .

You know how some kids are fond of climbing up trees, fences and whatever else they can can climb on. . . well, growing up, I wasn't one of them!  Haha! 

And I think the Little One might be one of them! *heavy sigh*

This is why I can't just leave her . . .she has developed a liking for climbing.  It all started with the laundry bin

 
Guess she found that boring and thought this table looked more exciting! 

She even wanted to stand up! *Gasp!*

Sitting pretty . . .

Ohhh my . . . I do hope there's nothing next to this!

Note:  No children were harmed in making this blog post.

Camera . . . Not Allowed!

I was going through my blog's draft folder and realized I haven't published this one, haha!

I wrote this post when the Little One was 13 months (she is now 17 months).

And if you ask me if she is still camera shy. . . she has improved but we still have to work on her camera-ready smile!  Haha!   

******************************************************************************
The Little One is camera shy most of the times. . . but I think someone is not in the mood today for some picture taking.

The brows and the eyes have already given me a fair warning!

"Mama, nooo picture please"

"Hayyy Mama, you're so kulit."

Okay, got the message.

Camera Off!

Bangus Ala Poor . . .Pobre

Pobre in Spanish means "poor".  But when it comes to food, when I hear "a la pobre", that means the food has garlic in it, haha!  I don't know if it this is just a Filipino thing or if there's a food history from Spain about a la pobre dishes.  But as I prepared Bangus (milkfish) a la Pobre for dinner last night, I thought, it must have been called "a la pobre" because it is a dish which uses simple ingredients that are affordable.

I saw two recipes for Bangus ala Pobre (from Philippines' Appetite Magazine and Casa Veneracion).  I like something from each of them so I got those and here's my take on this fish recipe.

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless bangus

7 pcs of calamansi

1/4 cup of soy sauce

1/2 cup of water

1 head of garlic, chopped

1 onion, cut into rings

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp water

garlic powder

salt and pepper

 * you may adjust measurements to your liking

Cooking Directions:

 

1. Season the fish with garlic powder, salt and pepper and fry it.  Set it aside.

2. Brown the chopped garlic and set it aside as well. (It will be used as toppings for the dish)

3. In the same pan, sauté the onions until transluscent.

4. Mix the juice of the calamansi, soy sauce and water and let it simmer for 5-10 minute onions.

5. Mix the cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce.  Then put the fried fish and let it simmer with the sauce for a few minutes. 

6. Serve it hot and top it with the brown garlic bits.  Don't forget the rice! LOTS of it!  Haha! =)

If you like fish and garlic, this is your dish! =)

Hope you like it the same way we did =)

The Perfect Brownie. . . Mix!

I like Ghirardelli Chocolates so when I saw a Ghirardelli Brownie Mix during a trip to LA a couple of years back, I just had to try it!  And this brownie mix didn't disappoint at all!  

Now that we're back, I got a box and some nuts when we were at the grocery a few weeks ago and just kept everything at the pantry . . . for emergency . . . just in case cravings for a chewy brownie set in!  Heehee

Image from www.target.com

I know that baking from scratch is the best way to go. . . I'm not a good baker so I'm just being ummm . . . realistic, haha!  But I would love to try baking brownies from scratch one of these days.

Baking brownies from this box is so easy. . . I just needed eggs, oil and water to go with the brownie mix and added some walnuts for texture (I can't decide between macadamia and walnuts so Zola's Dad just decided for me, haha!  Walnuts then!  Note to self. . . look for a recipe where Macadamias would be great.)

And after some waiting (20-30 minutes). . . we got some nice looking brownies!

Chocolatey and ooohhh so chewy . . . .

They are good to eat as they are . . . and for a more special treat, I'm thinking of a brownie ala mode!

 

So if you're looking for the perfect brownie. . . okay, I mean the perfect brownie mix, try Ghirardelli. =)

Happy Baking!

Geeks and their Ride

We went to Best Buy (one of Zola's Dad's happy places) to check out some deals they have for Black Friday . . .  and saw the cutest service transport I've ever seen!

Just in case you're wondering, The Geek Squad is Best Buy's Tech Support Team.  They offer a wide range of services (that are not only computer and gadget-related).  To know more about Geek Squad, please click on this link. 

Who says "Geeks" can't have cool rides? =)

Of Thanksgiving and Good News

I grew up in Philippines where Christmas is the most anticipated and most celebrated Holiday.  But thanks to Auntie S, our American family friend (and neighbor), we also had a "taste" of what Thanksgiving is like.  During Thanksgiving, she would send over some of her Roasted Turkey with stuffing, cranberry and gravy sauce and for dessert, her awesome baked sweet potato topped with marshmallows.  Because of her, I grew to love eating Turkey!

It is my second time to spend Thanksgiving here in the US . . . but the funny part is, I haven't had turkey, Haha!  (We usually have a Filipino fare for Thanksgiving. . . Oh this year, we had roasted turkey ham!).  I was telling Zola's Dad that I hope we can get some Roasted Turkey and the works. . . somewhere. . . even after Thanksgiving, Haha!  

But more than this Turkey story, I would like to share with you some good news for this Thanksgiving. . . .

 

Yes, we are having a BOYYYY!!!!

I had an ultra sound a few weeks ago and everything looked good for our baby boy!  I cried when they told me he was a boy.  Well, besides being hormonal (Haha!), I cried because I just feel so blessed in my life.  I was overwhelmed with God's love and grateful that He answered my prayers. . . AGAIN!

I will be the first one to tell you that I am not the most prayerful person you will meet (but I would like to believe that I've developed a personal relationship with God).  I forget to say my prayers, there are times I fall asleep when I pray the rosary, and I know, there are times that I take Him for granted.  But in spite of my shortcomings, it amazes me how He makes His presence felt in my life. 

In my life experiences, I learned and witnessed that God answers our prayers. . . and if you ask me why He doesn't answer some, I don't have an answer to that question.  But I do know that He loves us so much, that He has a reason for letting things happen . . .and that He gives us what is best for us . . . in His perfect time.

Happy Thanksgiving!  There are so many things to be thankful for!

I wish you beautiful days ahead filled with good news! =)

Warm as Toast

We went to COSTCO (love this place!) yesterday and saw something new (at least for somebody like me who comes from a tropical country, haha!) . . . an "electric fan" (well, it looks like one) that doesn't emit cool air but actually radiates heat!  Cool!!!

As explained in COSTCO's website:

The Presto® HeatDish® Plus parabolic electric heater uses a computer-designed parabolic reflector to focus heat, like a satellite dish concentrates TV signals, so it feels three times warmer than 1,500 watt heaters, yet uses a third less energy. Because it warms you directly, you feel the heat almost instantly without first heating the entire room.

Autumn is here and the weather is getting cooler now . . .  but I'm perfectly fine.  I have Zola's Dad and our Little One to keep me warm . . . and toasty =)  

Christmas Medley

I can't believe it's only 34 days to go before Christmas!  (Where has the year gone?!)

One of the thing I love about Christmas is hearing Christmas songs.  Some songs bring back fond memories of my Childhood.  I remember waking up every December morning to Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting in an open fire. . . ) because my Dad loves playing music every morning.  Those were the days of vinyl long playing records!

The song "Donde Este Santa Claus?" (I actually call it the Mamacita song, haha!) brings me back to that day when I was in Grade 2, and we had to dance to that song for a school program.  My partner's name was Peter, and I remember we even had maracas as props! 

One of the songs I learned earlier on in school was "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer".  I'm sure it was for a school program too!  Haha!

 

Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?  

The song "Christmas in Our Hearts" (sang by Jose Mari Chan, a Chinese-Filipino singer) makes me miss my sister because this is one song which we sing (does not necessarily mean we sing it well, haha!) when we're lying on our beds, doing nothing.  (I miss you sis!!!)

 

I am going to miss spending the Christmas Holidays in Philippines (we have the longest Christmas season!) but I am glad we are spending it with Zola's Dad here in LA . . . it is definitely something we are all happy about and something we look forward too!

 

Gotcha!

I was writing a blog post and when I looked up to check on the Little One (who has become a little bit too quiet. . . Hmmmm)

Guess whose hand is in the "cookie jar" (literally)!

Uuuuuy, pa-simple!  Haha!

  

And before the love affair between the Little One and this chocolate chip cookie can even begin, I was able to get the cookie from her.  (No chocolates for you Sweetheart . . . not yet).

Have a nice week ahead!

Oh. . . and don't let your hand get caught in the cookie jar too. . . this time I mean it figuratively, heehee

The Hot Seat

One of the challenges the Little One had to face upon arriving in LA. . . was using her car seat!  (We didn't use one when we were in Philippines)  We couldn't leave the parking area at the airport, all because the Little One won't let us put her on the car seat, she was clinging on me (for life), she was crying out loud. . . and so hard that it was really heartbreaking for me to see her that way.  But we have to do what we got to do.  She was still crying when we buckled her up until she fell asleep on our way home. (I'm sure she got tired from all the crying and from the long flight).

It took her just a couple of days to get used to the car seat (and I think she did an excellent job!).  It's true what they say, kids are like sponges.  They learn and absorb everything quickly. 

Happy to say that the Little One is enjoying her car seat and has even learned the importance of using a seat belt.

Have a nice weekend!  

And don't forget to buckle up! =)

Comfort Cravings

I had a sudden craving for dimsum the other day.  If I were in Philippines, I know where to go to satisfy my craving.  In LA, I have to thank Yelp for helping me find a restaurant (a 15 minute drive from the house) in our area which serves good dimsum.  So we went to Sea Empress in Gardena for my dimsum fix.

DIMSUM!!!  I can eat this everyday!

Filipinos are used to dipping their dimsum in a sauce made of calamansi (our local lime), soy sauce and chili garlic oil.  In Sea Empress, they gave us this dipping sauce. . .

Chili and . . . hot mustard!

I know that chili goes well with dimsum but I wasn't sure with the mustard.  But you know what, surprise, surprise, it actually worked for me!  It's like eating your dimsum with wasabi, haha! 

For the Little One, we got her Congee.

I still prefer the Filipino lugaw (our version of Congee). . . because it is more flavorful.  But this is one Congee I can eat because it is tasty enough for me.

And the best deal we got during lunch was ordered by Zola's Dad.  He ordered a Set Lunch (Salt and Pepper Fried Porkchop) which included a cup of rice and soup.  . . which I thought was good for one person since it was a set lunch.  When the order came, we were surprised to see this!

I had to ask Zola's Dad if he was sure that he ordered a set lunch and NOT the standard order, haha!  The portion was good enough for 2-3 persons.  The pork chop was so tender, with a touch of spice and love the garlic bits!  This set lunch was definitely value for money!

It was another food trip that made our tummies happy!
 

Wherever I am, whatever part of the world I'm in. . .the time zone may change but one thing would remains the same, my comfort food will always be dimsum.

What is your comfort food?