Checkered

My daughter whom I simply adore

I always look forward to photo session day with my 13-year-old daughter. It's always important for us to have our mother-daughter bonding. In doing so, we are able to talk about her friends, school, likes and even her future plans.

What makes me truly happy is when people noticed us. Most of them say we're just like sisters. Dayne and I only have few similar facial features because she looks more like her father. So when friends say that we look alike, I just can't help but smile.

I'd like to thank my husband for nursing Lukas while I was having fun with Dayne.

When my faith is attacked, will I stand up or will I remain to be a passive bystander? - Didache, 8th June

Humba

For the reason that Lukas needs to be nursed often, I became too busy to cook that's why I selected easy and quick recipes to cover our weekly menu.

For busy mothers like me, I'm sharing one of my favorite dishes.

Ingredients:

1 lb. pork (ideally pork belly)

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 cup water

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 bay leaf
1 tsp peppercorns
potatoes (optional)
hard boiled eggs (optional)
salt to taste
other ingredient: dried banana blossoms (optional)

Procedure:

1. Simply combine the water, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, pork, garlic, bay leaf and peppercorns. Bring to boil and wait until the pork belly is tender or very soft (depends on your liking).
2. Add salt to taste.
3. Add the potatoes or the dried banana blossoms and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
4. Add the hard boiled eggs.
5. Voila! Share and enjoy!

I'm proud to be a domestic servant! Happy eating everyone!

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. - Matthew 18:5 Didache 14th August

Happy 5th Lukas!

It's pretty amazing how babies grow astonishingly fast. Today, we are celebrating Lukas' 5th month and I thank God that he's consistently displaying the normal developmental milestones. He can now grab his toes and feet and he can roll over from front to back. He also started to show his interest in colors. Likewise, it's incredible how he tries to babble and mimic sounds while watching my mouth whenever I start singing nursery songs. My little adventurer is so determined and curious to explore everything beyond his nursery.

His first photo session with yours truly. These pictures were inspired by a certain board on Pinterest. Easy to do cut-out letters.

Today, I really didn't have enough time for grocery so I just used whatever available resources we have inside our fridge. It's a significant day for us so I prepared something special for dinner. Ate Dayne willingly volunteered to look after her brother.
 I made small fruit bites and I also tried the pasta my friend Mel taught me when I was in Singapore. Oh well, I admit my cooking is nothing compared to her brilliant way of cooking. She can really imitate every single Gordon Ramsay's delicious recipe. I miss her! I miss our former housemates!

 Happy 5th month my love!

 I just love every little thing about him, from his innocent giggles at playtime to his peaceful coos at bedtime.

If you are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn your gaze from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith. - Didache 11th, August

Happy birthday Singapura!

Potato Salad with Sugar Beets

If you can't smell burning, it must be salad! I always remember this maxim whenever I make salads. This means that I don't have to worry about our very sensitive smoke detector. 

To be honest, I don't get much time for cooking these days. I mean, I study and tend to Lukas alternately for long hours most days. What makes me feel lucky is a husband who takes the burden of most household tasks. Well, actually, it is his servant's heart that makes me look like the baddie! He often sacrifices his own comfort for ours. And I think, this adds me in a small minority of women who have a husband whom they always depend on. Moreover, this particular attitude of his forces me to remain active when my tendency would be towards a moment of inertia or laziness.
This is also the reason why I always grab the opportunity to make his favorite dishes whenever it's feasible. Did I ever mention to you that he is a good cook? He absolutely is!

Potato salad is a usual fare that is always present on my Tita Mila's bounteous table and on all occasions, my husband would take the first share every time we visit them. It is a simple concoction of potatoes, sugar beets, carrots, apple, etc., and mayonnaise dressing . Well, I suppose he like salads best, but they have to carry luscious taste, of course. Remember, a good cook makes a good food critic!

Ingredients:

3-5 pieces large potatoes, (peeled if desired and cubed) or you can also use potato marbles

3 pieces sugar beets, cubed

2 pieces medium sized carrots, cubed

1 can pineapple tidbits or chunks

3 pieces medium sized apple, cubed

chicken breast (I usually don't put chicken because my husband is allergic to it.) or you can put bacon

500 ml mayonnaise (you may adjust the amount)

1/2 cup sweet pickle relish

1 cup cheddar cheese, diced - (optional)

spring onions, chopped (optional)

salt to taste

ground pepper (optional)

Procedure:

1. In a large pot, boil potaoes, carrots and sugar beets for about 20 minutes until cooked.
2. Boil the chicken breast in water with some salt. Shred the chicken meat.
3. Drain potatoes, carrots and sugar beets and let cool.
4. Drain pineapple tidbits.
5. Dice the potatoes, carrots, apple and sugar beets.
6. Combine all ingredients including pickle relish and mayonnaise.
7. Add salt to taste. You may also add freshly ground pepper if you wish.
8. You may add the optional ingredients for added flavor.
9. Additional suggestion: You may also add vinegar and a handful of raisins.
10. Refrigerate. Voila! an explosion of sour and sweet, tasty salad.

Sugar beets may cause you to defecate reddish particles but there is totally nothing worry about. Don't misinterpret it as having hematochezia. It's normal!

Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience and soon shall see them in their proper figures. J. Addison - Didache 10th August

Happy feast of St. Lawrence

Stuffed Bell Pepper

Inspired by the Manila Spoon blog, here's my own version of stuffed bell pepper (Pinoy style).

You can browse the recipe at http://www.manilaspoon.com/2012/08/stuffed-bell-peppers-pinoy-style.html

My husband had three shares of this.

Help us always remember that though it seems that Your answers to our prayers are delayed, they are never late. Strengthen our faith, Lord! - Didache, 8th August.

Thanks to my fellow Gaseno blogger, Ms. Abigail Sotto-Raines for this very delightful recipe. My family and I had a glorious dinner!

Enseladang Mangga

Another authentic Filipino favorite - Enseladang Mangga

 Ingredients

3 medium sized mangoes (green or yellow, depends on your preference), peeled and diced
2 large red tomatoes, cubed
2 pieces medium sized eggplant (grilled or sauteed in bagoong), cubed
1 large white onion, chopped
4-6 tbsp sauteed bagoong
freshly ground black pepper - optional

Procedure

Simply mix all above ingredients together and voila!
You can enjoy this Filipino salad with various grilled meat or a simple fried fish. And forget your spoon and fork, use your bare hands!

Enseladang mangga - fried fish combo served in a huge banana leaf? Why not?

Dear Jesus, enable me to overcome my weakness. Help me train myself in Your way. - Didache, 6th August.

Happy feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Happy birthday Mama. We love you.

Family and friends in Manila may be going through tough times now but fear not. Always approach life's difficulties with faith. Stay safe everyone!

Spacenet

We made considerably good progress since the time we migrated in November. We've embraced the realization that we are not in Singapore anymore where the tax is only 7% or less. From that, we've learned to simplify our lifestyle. We ate out less often. We enjoyed basking simple bonding activities like going to parks for picnics, attending Sunday regular masses to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist and by having Filipino authentic dishes to be shared once in a while at home. By doing so, our love and appreciation of each other and for our non-material blessings flourished.

Taken at  John Norquay School, Dayne's former school.

Bullying in real life is no laughing matter. This is a grave concern especially for parents with children in grade school. Bullied children bear scars all the way to adulthood. Later in life, they may even become bullies themselves. - Didache 2nd of July -

We love you Tito Reno! May you rest in peace.