Another dose of Laughter

Image from www.sodahead.com

We usually have family dinners (us and my Mom's side of the family) every week.  I love family dinners because besides having an excuse to eat (heehee), it's nice to just catch up with everyone.

My sister-in-law (SIL) shared a story about Iya, our precocious 6-yr old niece.  Just like any kid these days, Iya is smart.  Well okay, she is an adult trapped in a body of a 6-yr old!  Haha!

Before I proceed, just want to give you one fact because this fits in the story I'm about to tell you.  Her Mom is an OB-GYN doctor so at a young age, she has been exposed to her mother's profession and clearly understands what it's all about.

One day, she was bitten by ants in their garden.  But since she is sort of sensitive (or allergic?) to ant bites, her foot got swollen that she can't walk properly and was crying over it.  

SIL:  Umiiyak ka sa ganyan lang, eh paano pa kung manganganak ka ng Normal delivery?

Iya (crying):  Hu-hu-hu . . . e di Caesarean na lang.

Hahaha!  (Yes, she really knows the difference between the two)

In the same dinner, a cousin of mine (let's call her Rianna) brought her boyfriend and introduced him to the family for the first time. 

Iya asked her Mom two things:

"Mama, Boyfriend ni Tita Rianna iyan?"

and the most important question of all . . .

"Alam ba ni Lola Z iyan?" (Lola Z is Rianna's mom)

Haha!  The kid has a point! 

So to my Sister-In-Law, never fear, at least you know that Iya would tell you such when her time comes!  (Let's see about that!  Heehee)

Last week, after spending a few days of vacation with her cousins (from my SIlL's side) . . .she told her parents that she likes an I-pad. . .  para makapag-Twitter daw siya with her cousins!

And I don't even use Twitter!  Haha!

I hope your day went well =)

Wishing everyone a good weekend. . . .full of hearty laughs!

Time Check!

Image Source

I saw this by chance in a Mommy blog and thought this is a nice reminder  . . .

I know it sounds cliche but . . . Time does fly so fast . . . especially when it comes to children.  They just seem to grow too fast!

Let's make each day an opportunity to create great memories.  Great memories can come from even the simple things that parents do.  One of the things I remember from my Childhood is my Mom giving me a goodnight kiss on my forehead when she came home late one night.  Actually, she thought I was sleeping.  But I still remember that moment and yes, it still gives me a warm feeling.

My precious little ones, Papa and I promise that you will have a trove of wonderful memories that you can go back to even when you are old enough to live your own lives. 

Goodnight and Sweet Dreams everyone. . . .

Word for the Day

Manhattanhenge!

Have you heard of this word?  I haven't!  Haha!  Not until I saw a friend's post in FB about missing "it".  What is "it"?

As explained in Wikipedia:

 Manhattanhenge – sometimes referred to as the Manhattan Solstice – is a circumstance which occurs twice a year, during which the setting sun aligns with the east–west streets of the main street grid in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The neologism is derived from Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with the stones on the solstices with a similarly dramatic effect. The word was popularized in 2002 by Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History. The term applies to those streets that follow the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, which are laid out in a grid offset 29.0 degrees from true east–west. (The 29.0 degrees should be added to true east and west, making the western bearing approximately 299.0 degrees.) During Manhattanhenge, an observer on one of the gridded east-west streets will see the sun setting over New Jersey directly opposite, from the street, along its centerline.

The dates of Manhattanhenge usually occur around May 28 and July 12 or July 13 – spaced evenly around the summer solstice. 

Uhhh . . . I have to say, I actually understood the explanation better. . . . in pictures!  Hahaha!!!

Image from www.myupperwest.com

Image from www.manhattansunset.com

Image from www.bloomberg.com

New York's skyscrapers usually hide the setting sun.  So this phenomenon where the sun sets on the center line of the street is something that is worth seeing and take pictures of.

Image from www.blog.timesunion.com

If you want to catch the next Manhattan sunset, the next (and last for the year) one is happening on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Just like me, I hope you learned something new today. =)

Here's to capturing a beautiful sunset (wherever we are) at least once in our lives!

My "Sort of" Homemade Cooking Series: Singapore Chicken Curry

I've mentioned in an earlier post about my love for any kind of curry and of Asian Home Gourmet's instant sauce mixes!  What's so nice about these instant mixes is they recreate the flavors of various Asian Cuisine we love so we can prepare and enjoy them at home.  

Because I miss Singapore, we had this . . . 

FOR LUNCH!

This is another fast and easy recipe to cook.  

For the ingredients, you will need the following:

Cooking oil

Garlic, chopped

Onion, chopped

1 kilo of Sliced Chicken

Potatoes

1 packet of Singapore Chicken Curry paste

2 cups of coconut milk or milk (I used coconut milk)

Cooking Directions:

The directions found at the packet of the mix actually calls for you to mix the paste and the coconut milk, let it simmer and put the rest of the ingredients.  But I thought it would make the dish more seasoned if I saute some garlic and onion first =) .

1. Saute garlic and onion.  Add the paste and stir fry for a few minutes.

2. Add the chicken and potatoes.

3. Add the coconut milk and let it boil.

Then let it simmer for at least 20 minutes

Until the chicken and potatoes get tender.

Or until it looks good enough to eat!  Haha!

Here's a prettier picture, thanks to Instagram, haha!

This is so flavorful that it's hard to just have one cup of rice!  Yes, it was another Happy Tummy, Happy Mommy moment =) 

P.S.  I still want to go to Singapore for some food tripping!  Haha!  As they say, nothing beats the real thing!

Seize the moment!

Image from: www.sarahspann.com

So I am seizing the moment!!!

with a good old-fashioned chocolate cake!  Haha!

Hope you're having a sweet weekend!

Wrapsody goodness!

I'm so excited to share with you a new food find that is soooo good. . . and proudly made in the Philippines!

A cousin who came from Bicol gave us a box of these wonderful pili-nut filled pastries called Wrapsody.  

Each box contains 12 individually wrapped goodies

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways . . .haha!  Okay, in a nutshell, for me, Wrapsody reminds me of the Mediterranean's Baklava.  I actually like it better (and no, I am not biased!)  I really enjoyed eating it more . . . or probably I haven't tried a really good Baklava, haha!

It is a pastry made with chopped pili nuts and caramel syrup wrapped in a buttery phyllo dough.  It's sweet, nutty and chewy . . . it was love at first bite! (and in the following bites!) 

They're soooo addicting that I have to stop myself . . . because my Mom taught me to share!  Hahaha!

So if you're going to the Bicol region and are thinking of what to give as pasalubong (it means gift). . .I highly recommend this local treat. 

But I do hope we don't have to go to Bicol just to have a taste of this yummy goodness!  I wonder if it's available somewhere nearer.

Oh well. . . the joys and pains of being in love. . . 

Cheat Day!

Image from www.quotesandimages.com

I know weekends usually mean "cheat days" for most of you us. . . and that probably means having and enjoying sinful desserts and carbs?!  Haha!

So, what's on your eating list?  

Have a relaxing and filling (filled to the brim with happiness!) weekend!

Ironic

How can something so heartwarming  . . . be heartbreaking too?




I had (and still have) my share of this irony . . .

She was looking at the back of the monitor to see if her Papa was there *heart melts*

Hubby has been living in the US for five years now.  If you're wondering how this arrangement goes, well, we take turns visiting each other.  Actually, the Little Miss and I just visited him last year and stayed for 5 months.  It is a difficult arrangement to live with but it is good enough.  At least we get to see each other for a few months in a year.    

But still, it sucks!  Haha!  

I want him to enjoy our precious little ones.  I wish Hubby is here to see how our little girl gets naughtier each day, how she would ask for a kiss but then runs away from you!  I wish he is here to see her dance along with any kind of music, and I wish he can cook his Adobo and Ginisang sayote for her (she loves his cooking) again.    

I wish he is here so he can hold our baby boy for the first time.  I wish he is here so he can see our little big boy get . . . well, bigger each day, haha!  And for him to enjoy all the cooing and smiling he does.   

I wish he is here so we can do family stuff . . . and have more family pictures!  

I just wish we can all be together, in the same house, in the same time zone. . . and enjoy every waking moment together!

But I will take whatever I can get because I know we will all be together soooonnn! =)  (Hopefully before the year ends)

We miss you Papa!!!  Virtual hugs and kisses from us!

XOXO

Note to Self

Image from www.happytoinspire.blogspot.com

One (okay, two!) of my bad habits?  I procrastinate and I don't finish what I started.  (But they don't happen at the same time!  heehee)  But I really have to work on this.  Whenever I tell Hubby I am fixing the room or my stuff, he just gives me a good laugh. . . my sister would even say that she has heard that line for years! Haha!

So TODAY, the only thing in my To Do list, is to Finish the things I have started!  Yep, I have a few of those around . . . heehee.

I'm going to start NOW, after posting this entry. . . .oh, but let me clean and sterilize the baby's bottles first, haha!

Have a stress less day ahead!

Taco Night (Take 2!)

The last time I made tacos was over a year ago and actually blogged about it here.  Since I still have a bottle of taco sauce, I thought of putting it to good use and had tacos for dinner the other night.

I am blogging about it again because I have a better picture of my tacos! Hahaha!

My first Tacos!

These look better right?! =)  

This time, since I didn't find any Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix in the grocery, I got the McCormick brand.  I actually like it because I find it less salty compared to Old El Paso.  By the way, I saw two types of McCormick Taco Mix in the grocery, one made in the US, the other made locally.  I tried the one made in the US because I thought it might have a richer flavor.  I will probably try the locally made McCormick next time to see if they taste the same.    

Another fave ingredient of mine (a staple!) which I adds a layer of flavor to the tacos. . .

Image from www.grocery.thepig.net

I really think this sauce makes a difference!

And one thing I'm most happy about this time is we found THE taco shells!  Haha!  We used hard taco shells before but we prefer (and love!) the taco shells of the Bambi brand.  They are thinner and crispier.  (I hope you can see the difference in the pictures above.)

*Sigh* Blogging about the tacos at 3AM is not a good idea. . . it's making me hungry!  Haha!  Guess I'll just sleep over it and later in the day. . . it's time to do THIS . . .

AGAIN!

Have a nice day ahead! =)

  

Love in Gift Giving

I take gift giving seriously. . . I really do!  Because it gives me a warm feeling when I know that I made someone happy because they had a good laugh or was jumping for joy when they opened the gift.  Gifts don't have to be expensive, they just have to be well thought-out.  And to me, that is where the magic of gift giving is . . .you let the person know that they are important to you and you let them feel that they are loved.

I know that the hardest part in gift giving is choosing a gift.  It helps a lot if you know the person's lifestyle, likes/dislikes or what they need!  You know what also works?  (Well, this one depends on how close and comfortable you are with the person.)  You can just ask outright what gift they want!  Haha!  Me and my really, really good friends (friends for life type of closeness!) have been doing this for quite some time.  What good does it do?  For the giver, less headaches, haha!  For the receiver, you receive something that you really like!  (To my friends for life who are reading this blog. . . I think I need a new . . . hahaha!)  

And then there's one more tip I learned from a friend.  She told me that she gives gifts that the receiver won't buy for himself/herself.  This actually makes sense!  Can you imagine receiving something that you really want but you won't buy for yourself for some reason?!  Pure joy!!!

So last Mother's Day, I don't know what else to give my Mom (she has everything!  She has more than enough shoes, bags, clothes, etc) . . . I got her a good supply of

MAGNUM Ice cream bars!
(This is what's left of it!)

Since she won't buy any ice cream EVERRRR (or any junk food for that matter) to be eaten at home (because read: we must all diet!), it's nice to see her munching down her fave ice cream bar . . .  any time of the day (while watching TV or after a meal) . . . everyday! =)

Goes without saying. . . her days have been refreshingly sweet!

When her supply runs out. . . I can go and get her some more!  Her ice cream bars. . . and my favorite coffee ice cream!  Heehee

I love you Mom!

The Tale of the Yellow Tape

I went to the grocery yesterday and after the machine printed out my bill, it printed a stub which said I have a prize to claim. . . I guess I am one "lucky" shopper then!  So I went to the booth to claim the "prize" and this is what I "won". . . . 

So I put it in one of the grocery bags and forgot about it.

This morning, Ate F (she has been with the family for almost 50 years!  She has become a member of the family) told me a funny story.  

F, our house angel (we are blessed to have good people working in our home) was clearing the groceries and saw the measuring tapes (Oooh, I forgot to tell you, I got 2!).  She asked Ate F why I had to buy them (she assumed I did since she found them in the grocery bag).  Then she answered her own question and said. . . . "ah, baka mag-diet na si Ate Ana" (Ate Ana might go on a diet already)

Hahaha!

But when I was about to have breakfast, she asked me if I want to eat rice!   

And I told her . . . Nah, I will just have toasted bread. . . .and corned beef!  Haha!

Have a nice day ahead! =)

Little Miss Independent

After Little Miss Shopaholic, here comes . . .

Little Miss Independent!

One day, I was feeding Bunso when suddenly our dear Ate . . .

opened her milk dispenser

and grabbed her bottle!  Haha!

She usually tells me when she wants milk but I guess she saw that my hands were full and thought of doing it herself.  This kid will not go hungry!  Haha!  

My heart went out to her. . . she's not even two, but I think she tries to do her part in helping me adjust with  having a second baby.  She never demanded time and attention from me . . .well not in a bratty way.  There are times she wants some but she was never difficult to deal with. . . she sort of "grew up" (in my eyes) when Bunso came home.                

Ate enjoying her milk (after I made her bottle)

 My dear Ate, I am so proud of how independent you have become.  I know that you understand in your own little way that I am spending more time taking care of your little brother because he is still a baby.  Thank you for always understanding when Mama is busy, when Mama has to put you down so I can carry your brother.  I miss sleeping beside you.  The next time I do, it will be more warm and comfortable because your brother (and hopefully your Papa too!) will join us too. . . and that means there are more hugs and kisses to go around!  I love you Sweetheart. =)

Ceelin's Pamana ni Nanay Video

I'm following several Mommy blogs (like Mommy Fleur and My Mom-Friday to name a few) and one thing they recently blogged about was Ceelin's Pamana ni Nanay.  ("Pamana" means legacy)  It's a Mother's Day Surprise where five 5 people were given the chance to thank their moms by surprising them with their heartfelt messages.  

I hope and I pray that I would be able to do a good job in being a Mom and to teach my children good values and important lessons in life that would help and guide them to become the best person they can be.

Here is the touching video . . . get ready with your hankies!

I love my Brother!

K, a good friend of mine, told me about Regression in older siblings.  When there is a new baby in the family, older kids regress and act more like a baby.  They do so because there are changes in the family and it's their way of adjusting to these changes.

I guess it's true what they say then . . .

Here is *Ate wearing **Bunso's mittens

*"Ate" means elder sister

**"Bunso" means - youngest sibling

Here she is, in Bunso's Playmat

I've read that this is something common and temporary.  I'm not bothered by it at all!  She has actually become a doting sister.  We didn't have to deal with any jealousy (major ones) or sibling rivalry issues (and I hope it stays that way!) when we brought Bunso home.  If there is a feeling of jealousy in her, I think she has overcome it as she gets to spend time with her little brother everyday.  She likes kissing, hugging and holding him (with our supervision of course).  She gets his bottle when he is crying and even hummed a tune for him just the other day. 

I can't wait for the two of them to play together and to get to know each other better.  They have a long way to go . . . but I'm glad they have each other!

Running High

My emotions are!  And no, this is not Postpartum (which I've blogged here) . . .

I know I haven't blogged and I should be blogging about something light and happy and "motherly" since it was just Mother's Day last Sunday.

But I didn't have a good day today.  I feel sad and hurt, I feel like crying. . . I feel bleh!  I wish Hubby is here to give me a hug which I badly need right now.  I wish he is here to calm me (his mere presence does) and to talk some sense into me (he's good at that!)

But it's okay. . . our precious ones are here.

I see them and I'm starting to feel better.  I'm starting to calm down.

I think of Hubby, I have these two little angels. . . I have all of them in my life.  They are all that matters.

Hope your day was better than mine. . .

As they say, "Tomorrow is another day."  

And I say it's going to be a better day!

Morning Surprise

It is actually more of a SHOCKER!

I walked into my parents' room . . . and saw this!

The Little One knew from the tone of my voice that I didn't like what she did.  She kept on saying "Cong-Cong" (her grandpa) and was pointing at him . . . which can only mean two things:  

First, she was blaming him or 

Second, she wants him to clean it up!  Heehee

Yes, we managed to clean it up (thanks to Armor All!) . . .before my mother came home!  Haha!

Wishing all of you a week full of good surprises! =)

Sweet Facts

Facts ---

I have a sweet tooth. . . I love desserts!  I always make room for it, haha!

I prefer cakes and pastries over ice cream.  I can't tell you which is a fave because I just love cakes.  Period.     Well, okaayyy, to name a few . . .Chocolate cake, Carrot Cake and Red Velvet. Oh and I love Blueberry Cheesecake!

But I would pick ice cream over Halo-Halo --- a Filipino dessert that consists of shaved ice and a whole lot of colorful ingredients like sweetened fruits and beans (to name a few) that are then mixed together ("Halo" means mix in English) with evaporated milk.

I like Chocolates. . .I don't like plain Milk Chocolates, I want them with Roasted Almonds or with Fruits and Nuts.  But I like my Dark Chocolates plain.  I don't like Chocolates with Mint, Coconut or any fruit!  I'm not a fan of White Chocolate.  I only eat White Chocolate IF it's a Hershey's Cookies and Cream bar, haha!  

Here's a fact about chocolate:

The smell of Chocolate increases theta brain waves, which trigger RELAXATION!

So, yes, I can say I am having a relaxing weekend!

Hope you are too!  Have a Chocolate-y weekend!

Another fact:  I actually prefer these cake balls from Lailen's Pastries (a local bakeshop) over Krispy Kreme's Truffle Cream which I blogged about here.

Handle With Care

One of the Christmas gifts I've received from Santa Claus was a Walking doll.  It had a long, straight, brown hair, creamy skin and pink lips.  She was wearing a teal, shift dress and red shoes.  I played with it A LOT!  I cut her hair, wrote on her and more than a few times, dismantled her. . . an eye fell out,  arms, legs and the upper body torn apart. . . my poor Walking Doll!

I remembered my doll (I don't remember giving her a name) when I saw this. . . Little Miss' own Walking Doll.

Keeping this in mind . . . 

Should I be scaaarreed???!!!

Just Kidding!  Haha!

Little Miss actually wanted to do a "High Five" with her baby brother.  And just to be clear, no minors were harmed when these photos were taken. =)

Have a great day!  

*High Five!*