Ash Wednesday 2016

It's Ash Wednesday and before going to work today, I passed by Espiritu Santo Parish to be marked with ash. 

I remember when I was a kid, we would tease each other on the size of the cross on our forehead. Some of the kids would hide it with their hair especially if they have large crosses. While some would take off some of the ashes to minimize the smear on their forehead. We never really understood the significance of Ash Wednesday when we were kids. We follow what our parents tell us to do so we do it. But of course, through the education we get from our Religion classes or the homily of the priests explaining the whole tradition of placing an ash on your forehead, then we became educated Catholics and learned to venerate the practice.

Espiritu Santo Parish

Happy Birthday, Aryanna Mikaela!

Last February 4, my second daughter, Aryanna Mikaela, celebrated her 15th birthday. It was a class and working day for all of us so we get to celebrate it last Friday where I prepared Baked Penne with Bolognese and Bechamel Sauce, Turbo Chicken in Pandan, and Crispy Tadyang ng Baka.

I can't believe that she's already 15 years old. As the old adage goes, time flies very fast.

I created a slideshow below using Smilebox. Most of the photos date back five or six years ago. My motherly-hormones were acting up when I made this photo slideshow. Well, that's life. We have to accept that our children are growing up pretty fast and we have to make the most of our time together as long as they are with us.

Happy 15th Mika!

This photo slideshow customized with Smilebox ARYANNA MIKAELA A collage of wonderful experiences! Remembering how you were born, as if it was only Yesterday that We heard your first cry. Our little precious Athena, Our "Little Lady Tate." Now that you will be facing  Novel challenges, and experiences Another round of showing to the world your incredible being! More than ever, as you continue to traverse life and If We can only hold your fate, We will Keep you here in our hearts so that no one and nothing can harm you. Amidst all these,  We know that you can make it. Every now and then, your sweet smile and endearing ways Linger in Our tiring mind, taking away All our worries and burdens. Beautiful and charming MIKA, your  Enigma will surely enthrall the world. Nobody could detest you, much more Grudge you. Because you are like a SWEET ANGEL, so pure and meek.   Never forget that WE ALWAYS LOVE YOU         and will ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU...  Hope you love this post!

Let's Cook: Baked Penne with Bolognese and Bechamel Sauce

I'd love to call this the 3 B's -- Baked Penne, Bolognese and Bechamel sauce.

Disclaimer: The recipes that you are about to read and follow are all prepared, cooked and eaten by myself and my family. I did not go to a culinary class. My cooking skills are 100% genetic. I rarely measure my ingredients, but they are pretty damned close to the exact recipes I have read in cookbooks and internet sites. I use ingredients that are available to me. There is no guarantee that your cooking will come out tasting like what I made. If you make something here that you are not completely satisfied, feel free to post here and rant your complains, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

Toddler Diaries: Silence is Golden

Silence is Golden.

Unless you have a Toddler, 

then Silence is very very Suspicious.

Happiness in a Jar: Viola! Jar Cakes

It's an accepted reality that everything nowadays are executed in a fast-moving environment. But it does not mean that we can no longer experience meaningful and novel ways to make our lives more fun-filled and satisfying.

So much for an intro ayt? I'm just trying to connect the fast-paced life to this wonderful and delicious creation - jar cakes! All done in a minute.

You may have encountered (or tasted) one already. A lot of these beauties have been featured in Pinterest and has taken a spotlight as a souvenir item or simply a gift idea. I received mine as a Christmas gift from my office mate - Camille. (Thank you again, Cams!)

Viola! Old Fashioned Jar Cakes

Let's Cook: Pink Salmon's Head Sinigang Sa Miso

While doing our grocery last Sunday, I suddenly crave for fresh catch fish dishes. Well, I cannot do that here in Manila (sa Roxas City, pwede pa di ba?). Still, I tried to look for the right kind of fish for my planned sinigang dish.

I found a pink salmon's head and we bought 1 piece only since it's only the two of us that will eat it. The children prefers the soup and nothing else. (Max's favorite shout out during mealtime if "rice and sabaw!) 

My own version of Ulo sa Miso.

February Love Affair

Everybody does this every first day of the month ~ greeting it energetically and welcoming the day with a bang! I might do as well.

Hello, February!

It's already the beginning of the month of hearts and I bet most of you are already excited celebrating Valentine's Day. 

As for me, February is special because two of our lovely daughters, Gabie and Mika, are born on this love month. Gabie is turning 18 on the 26th while Mika will be 15 this coming February 4. Can you imagine that??? I can't either. They grow up so fast! We planned something to celebrate their birthdays as a family together and will be sharing our experience in my later blog posts. So, stay tuned.