Cheese Pimiento

My Whole Wheat Crackers and Cheese Pimiento goes well together. 

For order and inquiries on how to get them, please do leave me a message here. 

To my little wildflower on your 3rd birthday.

Happy 3rd birthday to our first born! 

To the love of our lives.

To our little sunshine.

To our feisty girl.

To our dancing queen.

To the one who rocks the house.

To our little wildflower.

To my always extraordinary girl.

To the one who makes me laugh like no other.

To my partner in crime.

To my little angel.

To the one who finishes the icing on the cake only.

To the only child who prefers purple-colored icecream over chocolate.

The one whose voice stands out, literally.

To the one who can never stay put.

The only one who can make my heart jump when she goes running around barefoot.

To the only 3 year old who talks about having boyfriends and Bieber.

To my warrior and gladiator of some sort.

To the smartest little being.

You who takes up all the space there is, figuratively.

You, whom for always will be my baby and my little girl...

The one, whom I will always carry through. 

Happy birthday my dearest Julia! 

Oh how I love you so much! 

Daddy and I loves you to the moon and back! 

Dance the day away little girl! 

Love,

Mama 

To Sabel, on your first month.

Dearest Sabel,

How time takes its toll nowadays.

First, Daddy and I were surprised to know that we were expecting you earlier this year.

Carrying you inside my womb was one of the easy breezy task I could ever have done. Sometimes, I forget that you were growing inside of me. You, who were always good. You, who ultimately was so patient in all given circumstance. Never did Mama have any problem bearing you. 

Before the holidays, you came along. The best gift ever for this season I must say. 

Giving birth to you was literally one of the fastest episodes of my life. It was so smooth and quick. 

As you turn one month old today, I'd like to tell you how you've been and I know words wouldn't be enough. But because Mama has always been sentimental about monthly milestones, here goes my little letter for you...

You were just baptized yesterday. That's when I say, how time really flies...

You've grown so big already, getting heavier by the day. 

You've become a little lady that you are. Your name perfectly suits your beautiful and sweet face.

You have been the most patient baby ever. And I really want to thank you for that. You've made sleepless nights quiet easier by doing so. You've brought joy to everyone just the way you are. Your sister Julia has promised to be a great big sister to you. She will fight your battles as you get bigger each passing day. Trust me on that.

One month has passed since you've parted from my womb and was brought into the world. I can still vividly remember your first cry. The very first time I ever held you in my arms, so close, I can almost smell the taste of milk as you draw your breath in and out of your cute little mouth. Your beautiful hands, so little and so precious, as clasp them into mine. Your toes and how it reminded me of Daddy's toes. Your first smile as I carried you near the window to catch a little morning light, oh what a pretty sight to behold! And so perfect I captured it too for memory's sake. Your first feeding as I heavenly prayed for milk to nurse you for and how we failed a few times. Our first night together as we are still trying to memorize each other's personality. Your first bath, as Tita Ina and I hurriedly place you in a green tub of warm water with baby wash. Your first morning sun and how you slept at every morning sunshine. Oh how I can go on with your very firsts... 

Please always be kind. Always be the sweet baby that you are. 

Sabel, I pray to God and thank Him always for you. You, who are so good. You, who are so patient and kind. I pray He will always give you the gift of patience and understanding. I pray that you and your sister will always be God-fearing and prayerful.  I pray you both will be the best of friends. I pray you will be each other's person. You will need each other as you grown up. You will need Julia as much as she will be needing you. And for that, Mama will talk you through, someday. 

I love you, Sabel.

Love,

Mama

Thoughts on her 10th day.

First 10 days with the sweetest baby has been nothing but simply rewarding. 

Living up to her name which means "Devoted to God", she has been the sweetest baby. Sometimes, her angelic features would convince me that she as an angel has been brought to the world amidst all the negative forces happening all over. Sabel, as we all fondly call her, sleeps with all white noises here and there. Nothing scares her peaceful sleep all throughout the day. The only time she cries is when she soils her diaper, begging for it to be changed. She fusses shortly over at night time when we start putting the air conditioning on, so, I wrap her with all the latest swaddle blankets and even putting another thick sheet to keep her warm. She sleeps all by herself, and doesn't need much carrying. That's how understanding she is. From the moment she was born, until we took her home she has been nothing but simply amazing. She has his Daddy's beautiful nose, fingers and toes. And I for one would believe that maybe a tiny line on her face would be from me. 

Alongside her big sister, I make her wait for feeding as her sister demands to be served first. My little giant (Julia) is so funny in many ways, the first few days was the hardest for her. She meant the world to us and we gave her the world, she had trouble accepting how the world is meant to be shared with her sister. I thought to myself that the struggle is undeniably real when rearing two children, a toddler and a baby, particularly at night time. When Sabel cries, Julia would cry too. Julia wants to be cuddled all the time while Sabel truthfully understands her sister, waiting for her turn most of the time.

Yes, the struggle is so real when the big sister wants to do what exactly the baby sister is doing. Here she is taking and owning the tub after her sisters first bath.

On the 10th day, my body is sore, I don't feel comfortable at all. I sleep with 4 pillows on my back making sure I don't fall into a deep sleep as Sabel needs attention the most. But gazing upon my first born holding on to her pillow and sleeping like a princess and on the other side, my second one, always, for always, sleeping peacefully like an angel breaks all those blues away. I feel recharged and fulfilled. My two precious gems, are so oh-so-beautiful even with the tiniest spark of light that lit up our tiny room at bedtime. 

So yes, here's to sleepless nights (literally saying) and cluttered corners. Here's to all the Mama's who have made it through the years. To all Dads who shamelessly admit that they take part in all of these. Here's to us and to our beautiful gems, the sweetest children the Lord has bestowed us with. 

Mornings and sunshine with this sweet one. 

For you, Sabel.

As I make this note, I can feel your not-so-gentle kicks any longer. Your movement has become stronger each passing day. Makes me want to believe that you would want to help me as I fill in this space in honor of you. Oh Sabel, in 5 weeks, we will meet you and hold you in our very arms. Daddy and Mama can't wait to see you, your darling and sweet sister, Julia can't wait to see you either. She is always enthusiastic after every doctor's appointment in questioning me if I've given birth to you. 

Your kicks and somersaults are making me feel you are ready for the world. 

In tribute of Mama's wonderful pregnancy experience with you, I've decided to ask someone to take snippets of myself carrying you, along with Daddy and your sister Julia. 

One day, you will look back at these beautiful photographs and probably smile. For once, you were just a tiny growing bud in Mama's tummy. And by the time you will learn to browse upon Mama's little curve, you will be a fine lady, the least. 

This is for you Sabel, from all of us who loves you so...

 Happiness is on the way...

 You're first breath will take ours away, Sabel.

"The most precious jewels you'll ever have around your neck are the arms of your children."

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."

Soon, there will be four of us. 

"Its the little memories that will last a lifetime."

"My little girl yesterday, my best friend today and my daughter forever."

"To be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today."

 I am because you are...

I love you in the morning and in the afternoon, I love you in the evening and underneath the moon...

See you real soon our dearest Sabel. 

We love you, to the moon and back!

Love,

Daddy, Mama and Julia

DIY Curtain Holder

 Random acts of boredom would definitely result to something wonderful. This time it was a DIY project. I have a pleasant-looking bedskirt that was too short for my queen-sized bed. I thought of making table runners as giveaways for the Holidays which is coming real soon. But my curtain bothered all the time most especially when it gets windy and crazy. I only had snips of ribbons to tie my curtains with. So, one day, I decided to just cut it long and wide and make some curtain holders. 

Not bad right?

My trusty friend. A very cheap and affordable find from Lazada. Ill be posting some DIY projects soon which I made with Ming Hui. 

Close-up look at the finished product. 

Herb and Nut Spread.

 

This was an accidental experiment turned out great and excellent in all ways I can possibly think about. I was just looking for something to do with my walnuts stored in my refrigerator from the recent months of baking. I really didn't think it would turn out awesome. There was leftover butter sitting still behind my refrigerator door waiting to be picked up and there was an abundance of basil in all parts of our garden. I couldn't make pesto because there wasn't pine nuts that came in handy. So, I carefully mixed the washed basil, softened butter, lots of garlic and some toasted walnuts using my ancient food processor all the way back from Culinary School. I finished it off with a drizzle of Olive Oil just because I know it would taste better. 

I smothered it into a leftover bread and toasted it for awhile and the result was just oh-so-right. It was love at first bite. 

I tried making Pumpkin Soup once and just before serving, I drop a dollop of the spread into the simmering pot and it tasted so nutty and full of life. The flavour was spectacular in the palate that now I am salivating with just the thought of it. I should make it again! Soon. 

You can also serve it with Pasta alongside your favourite Pasta dish.

I tried making a simple Spaghetti in Olive Oil Pasta and drop a dollop or two before serving and it somehow tasted beautifully. Light and fresh. 

Here it is in its Temporary Label but Permanent bottle and Packaging. Will try to post the final one the soonest I get my final label.