A Match Made in Heaven

Woke up late but managed to cook what I'm supposed to. Just had to take a picture before the puto disappears. Lance would probably finish all the puto by the time Mark wakes up unless I save him a piece or two. Might as well have a bite myself before it gets all devoured by my puto monster.

Tomorrow's Menu

tomorrow's menu

Another trip to the Asian Supermarket, this time to buy spring roll wrappers, sunflower crackers, longganisa, sardines and blood. Tomorrow I am going to cook Dinuguan and puto, a match made in heaven! I will never get tired of looking at those familiar items. Next on my list is the powdered ube, I still have no idea how to make halaya using that but I will figure it out before Christmas comes or I could just buy the bottled one if laziness strikes.

Christmas Menu

December '09

Three more weeks to go until Lance's Christmas vacation. One more snack day, Lance's Christmas concert, just a couple more gifts to go and we're all set for Christmas. I haven't decided yet on my Christmas menu. It won't be grand unless we decide to have visitors but it's something to look forward to, another reason for me to obsess in the kitchen again.

I'll probably cook baby back ribs or pork BBQ, roast a whole chicken or chili wings, pasta for the kids and maybe some pancit, a dish with tomato sauce (could be any of these: mechado, kaldereta or menudo), vegetable salad or any other vegetable dish, either embutido or meatloaf, seafood (baked mussels, garlic butter shrimp or our favorite Snow Crab), beef/pork nilaga, a cold salad (potato or macaroni), grilled milkfish or pompano and for dessert, I want to make fruit salad, puto, leche flan and refrigerated cake.

Thinking of what to cook makes me hungry and makes me want to rush Christmas but then, I'll have to think about my New Year's menu! And while I'm preoccupied with my Christmas menu, the kids are all about opening gifts.

New Look

my handsome boy's new look with our Christmas tree's old look

Lance got a new look and so is our Christmas tree. Lance is now sporting a very short haircut for a change and since he is a beautiful boy, be it short or long he still looks handsome. He didn't like it at first but he told me the other day that from now on he wants his hair like that. He's always looking at himself in the mirror, first thing in the morning, during the day and before he goes to sleep. I don't know if he is aware of his good looks, lucky kid!

Our tree after the makeover

Our Christmas tree on the other hand had a makeover last night. I removed all the decorations and put them back in a much more organized manner meaning, the kids we're not allowed to help. My vision of a Christmas tree is one that has so many ornaments that you couldn't see the tree anymore. Maybe next Christmas I will try that. I'm also entertaining the thought of having a white Christmas tree for a change, or a real tree perhaps?

Precious Moments

tidying up a bit while Lance is in school

I love those hours that Lance is in school, I do miss him but I know he's happy in school and that is such a huge relief for me. I just make the most out of those few hours and get busy (with unfinished chores) but before I could do any of these, I make sure first that my little girl is busy or those few hours will just pass, and I hate it when I don't get some things done.

busy playing Boowa and Kwala

It's the same thing when Lei is asleep. I get to spend some quality time with Lance, we eat together, or just cuddle up together in front of the TV.

My whole day basically revolves around these two. There maybe less quiet times or some 'Me' time but who cares? Having them around keeps me going, keeps my blood pressure up and my vocal chords exercised.

Say Macaroni and Cheese!

Lance doesn't like meat and vegetables that much so when he's eating spaghetti or baked macaroni, he ends up taking out the ground beef and bell pepper but he loves pasta as long as it has oodles of cheese on it. During gatherings with friends, he would usually eat whatever pasta dish is available with me finishing off whatever he removed. It  kind of inspired me to experiment a bit and cook something that he will like. I ended up making macaroni and cheese, a simpler version but yummy according to the kids. I love cooking this because it's so easy, I just literally throw in the cheese, ketchup (to add color), some salt and sugar to taste and that's it.

Seeing the kids enjoy what they're eating and hearing their comments make me wanna stay in the kitchen and experiment all the more and during my delusional moments I sometimes feel I'm the next Iron Chef (LOL!)

Say Macaroni!

Lance enjoying Mac and Cheese after school

garlic bacon mushroom macaroni topped with parsley and parmesan for Mommy and Daddy

Winter Challenge #3: Driving and Walking Safely

Winter '09

Mark had the car tires changed to winter tires yesterday, expensive but all worth it. The car kept sliding the other day and my heart literally stopped on our way home because of this, I would rather stay home than go out. It is so dangerous out there in this weather, whether you are driving or walking. I should know because I slipped on my way home from school. I now have an ugly bruise on the left knee but thank God, nothing worse happened as I was carrying Lei at that time. Beautiful as it maybe, snow has its ugly side too.

Winter Challenge #2: Staying Warm

Layers of clothing, winter jackets, boots and gloves plus ample time to get prepared before heading out are just some of the hassles during winter but necessary to keep oneself warm, especially when you have kids who are so eager to go and play in the snow. The hassle doesn't stop there though, it also comes the moment they go inside the house.

Snack Time!

lettuce and ranch dressing for Lei

In between chores and meal preparations, I also have to think of easy and fast to prepare snacks for the kids. Lance loves bread making it easy for me to make him either a cheese or peanut butter sandwich while Lei is at a stage wherein she still eats anything. Yogurt, cheese, cookies, fruits, frozen pizza, nuggets and loaves of bread are among the mainstays on our grocery list.

apple slices and yogurt for Lei, pizza for Lance

they love cream cheese!

Snow Crab Dinner

Dinner was superb last night because we had snow crab legs!!! This is our latest addiction and Lance's new favorite. I have been missing all the seafoods back home. I'm used to eating crabs, shrimps, squid, mussels, clams, etc. bought fresh from the market. Here, most seafoods are on the freezer. They don't taste as good as the fresh ones but this snow crab is delicious enough to satisfy my seafood cravings. I want you on my grocery cart on a regular basis!

Winter Fun

The kids have been dying to go sledding, one reason why they've been waiting for snow but we couldn't go yesterday because our car was going through some winter makeover. Since the kids won't accept any excuses, Mark improvised. Armed with their new sleds, they went sledding on our very own front yard!

Repost: A Mother's Love

Lance

Leila

Children are gifts sent from above.
They bring not only joy but a sense of innocence and truthfulness.
Seeing them for the first time is the best experience a mother could ever have.
It will be forever planted in my memory.
My children...my life...
I could never imagine myself without them.
When problems arise, you know you couldn't give up because of them.
They make you rise when your down...
They make you fight when you're losing...
They give you hope when everything else seems hopeless...
They are the reason why I get up each morning and why I'm forever thankful to Him.
If only they would stay as babies...
Forever needing me...
& loving me...
But I know, they will always love me
because from the moment they were born...
every second, every minute...
my love
has given them life...
has nourished them...
It will never end...
because, a Mother's love...
is one of God's greatest creations.

Lance with Mommy

Leila with Mommy

Journey from the Past

from the album Slim and Slender days

at my slimmest

While putting the kids to sleep, I thought of eating lettuce dipped in vinegar and bagoong na alamang (shrimp paste) but I fell asleep.
I've always been skinny when I was younger until I discovered snacking on leftover rice topped with bagoong and calamansi after school when I was in Grade 3. By the time we moved to Manila when I was in Grade 4, I started packing on the pounds. That's when every food became my favorite.
It didn't help that my mom's a great cook. She let me help in the kitchen by mincing the garlic, cutting onions and tomatoes. For years that was my role and believe me or not, I wasn't really paying attention then. The very first meal I cooked was sauteed corned beef with cabbage and bell pepper until I progressed to cooking adobo, nilaga, sinigang and the rest I should say was history.

Lei helping Mommy to cook

Lance cooking

back at being heavy :-)

Beef Mami

yummy!

I cooked beef mami last weekend unfortunately, the picture got erased so I wasn't able to post it. According to my husband, my beef mami tasted like the ones sold on the street, which is a compliment by the way.

I made another batch today, beef mami on a snowy day!

My Growing Babies!

my babies then (winter of last year)

I will never get enough of my kids' hugs and kisses. I may lose my patience sometimes (or is it most of the time?) but at the end of the day, I know that without them our lives will never be the same again.
Last night during dinner, Mark asked Lei, "Why are you looking at me?" Lei replied, "Coz I like you Daddy." What she said just tugged my heart. Years from now, she's going to say that to another boy.

and now (taken during our walk to school)

Getting Ready for Christmas

a real Christmas tree in front of our house

Days go by so fast I didn't want to wait for December before we start decorating the house. I have fond memories of Christmas as a child. Aside from my Mom's great cooking abilities, she also has a good eye and good taste when it comes to decorating the house, unfortunately, I didn't get that decorating talent, on the brighter side though, my husband is kinda artistic and I want my kids to have a fun experience.

During our first Christmas here last year, we just put up a Christmas tree and that was it. This year, we wanted to create a more 'Christmasy' feeling around the house by decorating more and really getting on with the Christmas spirit. Maybe next year we'll get the big inflatable ones! I really want those.

Lance posing by the tree

Our tree after we added a few more decorations

Navity scene set

my favorite, 1st time I got this part of the house organized, love the figurines and pictures

Christmas candles and center pieces

changed the welcome sign and placed a wreath on the door

OC-ness

kids wearing winter clothes and some photo op before going to school

When you are a mom and it's winter, your priority is to keep your kids warm especially when they are outside. What's my OC-ness got to do with it? Well, I'm the type of person who wants everything in order, ready and I'm always on time. I hate being late, I'd rather wait because I'm too early. Since Lance's class starts at 12:20pm and the walk to school is about 10-15mins, we usually leave the house at exactly 12noon reaching school anywhere between 12:10-12:15pm. I start to prepare him at exactly 11:20am, and we're all dressed up and ready to go at quarter to 12.

Winter's changed this however. Early in the morning, I already prepare their snow suits, gloves, bonnets, and jackets. When you are OC, you'd hate to grab things at the last minute, especially these winter clothes and other stuff. It would be such a waste of time and I know from a fact that when you don't prepare things ahead of time, you are bound to forget something. This is what I've been telling my husband about, I just hope the kids will take after me when it comes to being prepared, organized and punctual.

Winter Challenge #1: Walking to School

I couldn't sleep last night as I anticipate for the snow, not because I'm excited this time but I want to know how high it would be and would it be possible to walk to school. True enough when we woke up in the morning, it was still snowing plus it was windy. I wanted to call a cab but the kids want to walk and out of curiosity too, I wanted to try and see if it's possible to walk 5 blocks on a snowy day. Well, we did it, we just have to leave a bit early because of Lei's frequent stops along the way. She was too excited and wanted to play, at least she didn't get tired except on our way home. I was breathless by the time we arrived home, I was perspiring too on a cold, snowy day not because of the long walk but because I had a hard time pulling the wagon. I brought it just in case Lei got tired from walking and I wouldn't want to carry her but I guess it will be easier for me to carry her instead. So tomorrow, either I call a cab or the three of us will just have to walk again (note: leave the wagon at home).

Snackin' Pinoy Style

Finally made the puto and turon. Lance as usual feasted on the puto and before the day has ended, no trace of it was left. I made 18 pcs, 6 were minis and had bigger slices of cheese on top. I promised Lance I'll make colored ones the next time like the ones he used to eat in the Philippines. I could also try making puto pao, with asado pork inside and salted egg on top...yumyum!

Yesterday, I made turon for the first time and decided to bring some to Lance's school. I let the other parents and the teachers taste it and they all liked it. They said I could bring it on snack day because the kids might like it. They all said it's yummy and even asked for the recipe.

Hmmm, what should I bring next time?

Snack Day

Lance enjoying his favorite snack (cheese sandwich, yogurt drink and water)

Once a month I bring snacks for Lance's Kindergarten class. It's what they refer to as their Special Day wherein the kid gets to be the teacher's assistant, leader of the whole class for that day, he also gets to bring something (a toy, picture, etc.) for Show and Tell and the parent as the Snack Mom/Dad.

Weeks before I was scheduled to bring snacks in school, I was really clueless and getting anxious on what to bring. They stressed the importance of bringing healthy snacks only, honestly I wasn't that familiar with what kids here are eating for snacks. I must admit, not everything I'm feeding my children are healthy and coming from a country whose snacks are basically sweet and heavy, I kind of doubted myself and got stressed a little. I even searched the internet for examples of healthy snacks such as: veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, fruit and yogurt.

My first time to bring snacks, I brought grilled cheese sandwich and apple juice. A month later, I brought cheese sticks, raisin cinnamon bread and fruit juice. On my third time, which was Leila's birthday, I brought vanilla cupcakes, beef hotdogs on stick with marshmallows and some cubed cheese. Not exactly as healthy but they do bring cupcakes when it's somebody's birthday.

It's a good thing though, made me aware of what is healthy and what's not because sometimes as a mother you get frustrated when they your kids don't eat what's in front of them or they gear towards sweets or the wrong group of food and you tend to ignore that because you just want your kids to eat whatever that food is.

Every afternoon I would ask Lance what he ate in school, he would tell me what food it was, if it's good or not. Yes, those kids can be tough, little food critics in the making. Verdict would either be delicious or not, as simple as that.

What's your favorite chore?

sorting the night before

Mine is doing the laundry minus the folding and the ironing which is another chore by the way, much like saying cooking without washing the pots and pans. It's so easy to do the laundry here compared in the Philippines unless you bring it to the Laundromat or you pay someone to do it for you. What used to be a hard chore back then seems so easy here, I could even do it everyday without complaining. I sort the clothes the night before so when it's my laundry day I don't waste too much time sorting and I could put them all in the washer the moment I wake up. The folding part is where I struggle. Looking at the mountain of clothes to be folded makes me lazy but determined to finish off the chore as well and put them on their respective drawers and cabinets. Sundays, I reserve for ironing. One chore after the other, from the least favorite to my most favorite, it doesn't matter though because I'm solely responsible for all the household chores. What's important is that you love what you are doing, the same way when you're working in an office or a big company. Be it a household chore or a paperwork, it takes dedication, determination and a positive attitude. Even clothes deserve that.

Keeping It Clean

There are days when I'm super lazy. Last year, I would vacuum the house almost everyday, put everything back in order and keep the house as tidy as possible. I could still be a neat freak, in fact I'm the type of person who gets stressed with the mess around me but with two kids, sometimes it's impossible to keep track of everything. I could fill out the house with drawers and plastic boxes and designate a place for each and every toy, documents and other stuff but then again, with my two kiddos running around and messing up the place, I just had to condition myself and get used to the mess around me. Well, at least Lance now picks up his toys and arrange them in a neat manner especially his Lego Star Wars. It's my youngest who's like a tornado around the house much like her Dad.

I don't know what I ate the other day but I felt the need to not only clean but also rearrange our bedroom. If only my kids would sleep on their own beds/bedroom, I'd be happy to clean it for them EVERYDAY! Even if it would mean no more lazy days for Mommy.

Pinoy Food Cravings

Yesterday at Costco I treated myself to a bag of dried mangoes approximately 800g. I've been wanting to try other dried fruits in the supermarket mainly because I want to bring some when it's Lance's special day in school. There's a huge selection at Superstore but I haven't been brave enough to try other dried fruits since I have high expectations, I want them to taste as good as our dried mangoes back home and I'm afraid that they are not going to taste like that and that it would be such a waste of money.

Anyway, I have been munching those dried mangoes since yesterday, kind of satisfying my mango cravings for awhile. Oh how I miss the ripe mangoes back home, among other Pinoy food, who doesn't? Especially when you are living abroad. Thank God for Asian supermarkets, seeing familiar brands and some of our food brings back memories and makes you feel that you are in the Philippines even for just a minute. I would be happier though if there were some Purefoods hotdog on the freezers!

After the dried mango cravings, I decided to make Embutido which in my opinion is more delicious than it's abroad version which is meatloaf. You just pop it in the refrigerator when it has cooled down and just heat it up or fry before serving. They say it gets more delicious as days go by unless you eat them all up in one sitting. I made 5 rolls and would reserve them for days when I'm too lazy to cook.

Last week a friend of mine made Taho and posted a picture on Facebook. According to her just buy extra soft tofu and make arnibal. She made it sound so simple I actually didn't believe her so I searched the internet and yeah, it's that simple. So yesterday we bought smooth tofu and around late in the afternoon I made Taho.  Lance consumed 2 cups and 1 more cup before sleeping. It was delicious just like I remembered, better than the chilled ones back home, almost as good as the one being sold on the street.


Eating sweet taho made me crave for something salty, so we munched on some Fritos Hoops afterwards which tasted a whole lot like our red Chippy! What's next on my menu? Puto and Turon...and yes, we have some Yakult in the refrigerator, different brand though but tastes just the same.