Funny Antics

Here are what keeping us amused at home these day. The two kulitogs and their unique antics.
Sam and his 'galit na 'ko' stance and Sophie and her pick up lines.

Don't mess with the little boy, when he gets teased or doesn't get what he wants crosses his arms across his chest, give you that big frown and piercing look and tell you 'galit na 'ko, sorry ikaw sa akin (I'm mad, say sorry to me). He particularly gets off when people call him baby Sam. He always claims he's now a big boy (insists he's already 5 when he's just only 3 years old haha!).

The little girl, on the other hand, has now developed a talent for throwing pick up lines. I really don't know where she discovered pick up lines because she can never stay up to watch Bubble Gang.
Anyway, mommy always gets the best one. Here's one example:

Sophie: Mommy, flower ka ba?
Me:  Bakit?
Sophie: Kasi maganda ka eh.


Boom!LOL! :)

All Good

This is my first post for 2013 and I decided it’s gonna be all on a positive note. Para bongga ang bagong taon!

We are on day 3 of the new year and looking back at that eventful 2012, there are just so much to be thankful for.  Of course, there were bits of lows but last year was so full of highs that it upstaged the lows. Here are a few niceties I’m grateful for:

1. My family’s good health and kids’ milestones:

- Though it costed me big bucks for his Christmas present, I’m happy that Sam stood up to my challenge and can now write his name. So proud of this little boy.

- Sophie is considered by her teacher as one of the advanced readers in class and I couldn’t be happier. We are excited on her next adventure to grade school.

- Both kids are in their pink of health. God is good.

- Hubby will always be hubby, the love of my life and BFF. I pray we continue to nurture a blissful married life and family.

by now, Sam can already write his whole name :)

2. For the opportunities to go places - some were planned, some were totally spontaneous and they were all wonderful experiences. Nothing beats gaining new insights and knowledge from traveling. Kids love telling and retelling their travel  experiences to family and friends.  

I have new stars on my map. I hope I can explore more of Mindanao in the coming years. They say Samal beaches rock. 

3. Career High - the past year was such a test of my perseverance and commitment to my work. At some point it made me question if this is still the career for me. I’m glad God’s guidance is always there and my discernment got the best of me. I decided to stay on and do what I do best. When I got this present for Christmas from one of my staff and text messages of thank you from the others, it hit right on the spot and made me teary-eyed (sappy me). It just made me want to go on.

4. This blog – new friends, a lot of room for my thoughts (sorry for those random, senseless rants sometimes) – just some of the things that I love about blogging. I’m ever so thankful for blog friends old and new to whom I can exchange opinions and tips. I hope for 2013 I get to meet more kindred souls here and able to finally say yes to those blog event invites. haha!

5. Unexpected blessings - seriously, I don’t know how many balikbayan boxes and gifts from friends arrived on our doorstep this year. New bags, watches, my now fave Vera Wang jeans, designer shoes and clothes. ALL LOVE. Although it doesn’t give me any more excuse to go shopping every week, these gifts are most welcome in our household. LOL! Don’t you just love unexpected blessing?  J

I’m sure you all have something to be thankful, no matter how challenging last year was. What’s your ultimate high in 2012?

Happy 2013 everyone! We’re still in existence despite the Maryan calendar prediction J My 11-year old nephew said he doesn’t want for the end of the world to come yet because he still wants to experience being an adult… but that’s just him.

I hope the year of the snake gives us more swerte and less headache and heartache (literally and figuratively). Stay healthy, happy and connected! J

Kids Say The Darndest Things: Counting Undies

Hi folks! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas despite some sad news we have in our country.

Our family had a wonderful Christmas as we spent it with hubby's family and relatives in Baguio City. Nothing beats being in a house jampacked with love ones, enjoying countless meals, freshly brewed coffee and good conversations for days :) Everyone is on vacation mode.

More of our Baguio trip in separate post.

For today, I want to share another hilarious remark from our little girl. It was just so funny how it came out so unexpected. Lately, we call her issues 'sossy problems.' I tell you, as she nears her 6th birthday, it's just really more of kikay problems it starts to get into me (how my mom handled my sister and I, I wouldn't know)

On our way to Baguio, as we were traversing Kennon road:

Sophie:    Daddy, ilang beses ba tayo sa Baguio?
Hubby:    What baby? (he concentrate on Sophie's spur-of-the moment question because he was tackling Kennon rd.)
Sophie:    How many days ba tayo sa Baguio?
Hubby:    Ah, What do you mean?
Sophie:   (now impatient) hindi mo pa alam ilang days tayo, eh 9 lang ang panty ko! (you don't know how many days we're staying in Baguio? I only have 9 panties for this trip!)
Hubby:    (totally clueless...)

This is an example of her 'sossy problem': panties! I explained to husband that when I was helping Sophie pack her stuff for the Baguio trip, I told her to count her panties so she'll know if she has enough for the trip. Before I could finish explaining, hubby was already laughing so hard! I laughed so hard I almost cried.
I also told husband: ' wag ka, pinili pa namin ang panty na walang sira.' (mind you, we chose the panties that are still okay). That made hubby crack up even more! LOL! :)

Baking Partners Challenge #5: Plum Cake

This post is late (again) but with a purpose so I hope my excuse is acceptable :) I delayed doing Baking Partners challenge to today to coincide with hubby's birthday. No better way to appreciate a homemade cake than in a special occasion such as birthday.

Yep, this month's baking challenge is CAKE. Honestly, I haven't done cakes this kind and I'm glad I did. I must say that every time I do one recipe from Baking Partners, I learn not only recipes but also techniques along the way. For this recipe I learned how to make caramel syrup the right way (never stir with spoon) and I got to experiment with lime since I ran out of lemon.

The recipe I chose is Plum Cake since I'm a personal fan of this cake and my hubby enjoyed as well (with that touch of rum and all :) ) 

Let's get started with ingredients.

Ingredients: 

1 cup Raisins                      

1 cup Dates, chopped
1/4 c. Candied Orange/Lemon Peel   ( I used lime instead)     
1/4 c Brandy or Rum                                       
1 cup Unsalted Cashew Pieces                        
Few drops of Lemon Juice          (used lime juice as substitute)                
1/2 c Boiling Water                                         
2 sticks (8 oz) Unsalted Butter at room temperature 
2 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar                                      
3 large or 4 medium Eggs (separated)
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract     
2 cups All-Purpose Flour                                     
1 tsp Baking Powder
6 tbsp Sugar
3 tbsp Water                                     
1/2 tsp Cinnamon Powder                             
1/4 tsp. Ginger Powder                                  
 /4 tsp. Clove Powder                                              
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg Powder                                         
Brandy _optional for soaking

Method:
1. In a medium pan, add Brandy/Rum, Dates, Raisins and Orange Peel. Cook for 1 minute on medium heat.
2. Add Cashews and continue to cook for 1 minutes until heated through. Keep aside.

3. In a small pot, add 6 Tbsp Sugar and 3 Tbsp water and few drops of lemon juice. Swirl pan to mix – do not use spoon.
4. Heat until sugar changes color and becomes caramelized. (approx 7-8 minutes).
5. Add 1/2 cup boiling water and swirl pan again to mix well. Keep aside.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter and powdered sugar and beat with hand blender.
7. Add one egg yolk at a time to the mix and blend well.
8. Add Vanilla Extract and blend.

9. Combine all dry spices, baking powder and flour and sift it into the bowl, adding little at a time and blending.
10. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Lightly coat baking pans with spray cooking oil or regular oil.
12. Add caramelized sugar syrup a little at a time into mixing bowl and blend.
13. Add fruit/nut mixture into mixing bowl and mix with a spoon.
14. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until they are fluffy and soft peaks form.

15. Fold beaten egg whites into the cake batter.

I say the egg whites did a lot of transformation on the texture of the batter.

16. Pour batter into greased baking pans and bake for approx 1 hour at 325 degrees F. For smaller pans, baking time may vary.
17. Remove cake from oven and allow it to cool for few minutes

Our Plum cake, dressed simply. I had no time to garnish or decorate since I still did 3 more dishes for my husband's birthday.

First slice goes to the celebrant of course, he loved it! t's a celebration of flavors in one cake, very festive indeed :)