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.