My very own "Husband Appreciation Day"

This is not one of my usual posts.

This one's not my typical blogposts. No. No recipe or whatevs. Just a plain "I appreciate my hubby" kind of post.

No. It's not our wedding anniversary. Today, I just woke up listening to Paramore's "Still Into You" and thought of making this for him... Just because.


Our story.

I have been married to my husband for more than 5 years now, and we have been together for almost 7. The marriage wasn't always butterflies and rainbows, BUT never rocks and thorns. I haven't told him how much I appreciated him for all those years though. So I thought this would be my chance. :)

You see, my husband has been in a band for almost half of his life. He has been playing the bass and guitar as far as he can remember. Surprisingly, he has never strayed, took any substance, smoked nor drank alcohol EVER. I never thought that it was possible, considering he's not even in a Christian/gospel band. Believe it or not, he's in a rock band.

I'll forever be your fan girl. 

For years, he had his own fair share of fans, groupies--even stalkers. He has always kept a distance from them. And since he never got drunk, nor have ever been under the influence, he never had any problem of making huuuuuge mistake/s of having to sleep with or do whatever crazy things anyone could possibly imagine to any of them. I am indeed one lucky girl. Well, me and my girls are soooo lucky.

I can still remember the first time that we met. He and his brother had a day job, aside from being one of those pogi-rock bands in the country back then. At that time, I was his brother's officemate. Since I had a band myself back then, he invited me to tag along at one of his band's radio tours. The rest, as they say, is history.

By the way, NO, I'm not a groupie-turned-rockstar's-wifey. No babies before the wedding and all that stuff neither. We had an old-fashioned courtship. We dated and got married a year and a half later. :)

So fast forward 7 years later, we already have two kids and he's still in a band. We're still together, without any complications. I couldn't be any happier.


Thank you, video games and comic books.


As I have told you before, he never strayed, smoked, nor took any substance or alcohol. Don't get me wrong, he's no wuss. Just because people don't do those things, doesn't mean they're wusses. In fact, I find those people way more courageous. Having the resolve to stay away from those vices is just remarkable. I have nothing against people who love alcohol and all that stuff, because I, too, smoked and drank when I was younger as well. But I never regretted the day I stopped.

I found him interesting back then, for having such profession BUT never had the urge to take those stuff. Nope, not even a sip of beer. Root beer, yes. But never THE beer. And for that I am truly thankful. I need not have to worry about nursing a hungover husband, an emphysemic one, nor have an eventful "Surprise! You have a love child." moment.

In my opinion, it was all because of the comic books and video games. When he was younger, he just loved LOVED playing video games. He always told me about his love for video games. How he's been playing them waaayyy longer than he has played any musical instruments. And that he's been collecting all these comic books and action figures for so many years now.

I figured this may have attributed to his personality. How calm he seems in dire situations, how great of a driver he is, and how much of a child-at-heart this man is. Probably the reason why he also doesn't have any other vices. I mean, have you seen Sheldon Cooper (Big Bang Theory) got drunk?

Okay, fine. Yep. Sheldon did got drunk once over a Long Island Ice Tea. Forget that I compared them then. Haha!

Anyway, he may not be a rocket scientist or a physicist, but I got me a computer geek. You see, aside from being a musician, he's also a computer guy. An IT dude whose got lots of certifications in his belt, just like a doctor with a lot of specialties (if there's one).

Yep. I married a computer-geek-slash-comic-book-nerd-slash-rockstar.

He may not have that typical "musician look" we usually see, with all the tattoos and what-nots, but he just plays the guitar and bass beautifully. He doesn't look like a nerd either. He may look like your typical Average Joe, but for me, he's just exceptional. Kinda like Clark Kent. He's my Superman. :)

Aaaand cue John Mayer's "Daughters" :)

I know our marriage isn't perfect. But I have always known that he's the best. How he has provided for me and our daughters the things we needed for all those years, while I stayed home to take care of them, after I quit my job 6 years back after almost having a miscarriage. How he nursed me when I gave birth to both daughters, and all those times that I get sick. How he has always appreciated my cooking, and even the smallest things that I do. How he never gets mad at how much I have been a Somerholic (haha!). How he suddenly became a cat person because of me. How he has always been there for me and the kids through thick and thin. How he always And how he always makes us feel loved.

He loves computer games... Now he loves cats, too!

You have a genuinely pure and gentle heart.

Thanks, Dad.

I love you. And I intend to love you even if we get waaaay too wrinkly, and too old to even walk a mile.


Lovelots,

Mom



This post is not your typical mommy blog post. No recipes. Just a plain "Thank you, husband. I appreciate and love you so much." kind of blog post.

Easy-To-Cook Creamy Carbonara and Garlic Bread

Pasta night at la mia casa. I just love eating and cooking pasta! I loooove Italian food too. I could move to Italy, if I could... But then again, I don't speaking Italian. Hahaha!

Kidding aside, the little one asked me if I could conjure up a nice pasta dish for dinner. Since my daughter would only go for pasta with white sauce (she hates HATES tomato sauce!), it is usually carbonara or alfredo that we end up making... ooooor mac and cheese. Hehe!

So for now, kitchen rockstars, I would like to share with you my Kuya's carbonara recipe... And my garlic spread recipe (for the garlic bread) as well. :)

For the carbonara, you will need the following:

200grams pasta

100grams bacon, cut to small squares

50grams ham, cut to squares

1 medium onion, cubed

8-10pcs button mushrooms, thinly sliced

2tbsp olive oil

2tbsp butter

1can Cream of Mushroom

250ml evaporated milk

250ml cream

parmesan cheese

salt, pepper and nutmeg, to taste

Procedure:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.

2. In a medium saucepan, pour olive oil and melt butter on medium heat. Make sure the olive oil goes first, to use as buffer, so the butter won't burn.
3. Brown the bacon, until it turns a bit crispy. Drain and remove from pan.
4. Throw in the ham as well using the same oil + butter. Once golden brown, place HALF of the cooked bacon, leaving the other half for garnish.
5. Sautee the onion with the meat until translucent.
6. Mix the sliced mushrooms for about a couple of minutes.
7. Pour cream of mushroom, evaporated milk and cream into the mixture. Mix thoroughly until it reaches into a boil.
8. Add nutmeg to enhance the creamy flavour, salt and pepper, to taste.
9. Serve with parmesan cheese  (I used the store-bought grated parmesan. Not as good as THE parmesan, but it'll do this stormy day,) and crispy bacon on top, as well as garlic bread on the side.

Kiddie and adult servings. Yum!

Now, for the garlic bread, you will need:

bread
4 cloves of garlic, smashed to release the flavour
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp basil, minced

Procedure:

1. Under low heat, melt butter with olive oil.
2. Sautee garlic until golden brown.
3. Mix basil. If you can't find fresh basil, use about half a teaspoon dried basil instead.
4. Spread mixture on bread. You can use any type of bread. This time, I used the left over pandesal from breakfast. :)
5. Pop it in the toaster for 3 minutes.


Happy eating... or should I say, buon appetito! :)

No-Fuss, No-Bake Pasta Dishes

It's pasta night for us here in our humble abode.

Tonight I was asked by my 4-year-old little boss to cook pasta for dinner. For most moms, that means spaghetti for the whole family. Well, in my case, everyone but my preschooler. You see, she HATES tomato-based dishes. She thinks it's gross for no reason at all. So when she asks for pasta, in our home, that means spaghetti or puttanesca for everyone, and for her most probably macaroni and cheese. She'd only agree to a one-pasta-dish night if it's carbonara or pasta Alfredo night. Yes, she obviously like pasta in white sauce.

So yes, I have decided to make her fave, macaroni and cheese, as well as her father's favorite pasta dish, meaty baked mac in spaghetti sauce. This has been a staple in our pantry since the beginning of time--well, our marriage. Haha! I've always have this thing, where I always stock up on cheese, butter, herbs, spaghetti (and tomato) sauce, and at least a couple boxes of pasta. It's always, ALWAYS, on my list. Sometimes you never know when someone shows up to visit, so it's always a good thing to have those around in case of surprise guests. :)

Anyhoos, I would like to share with you my super easy, stove-top (yep, no-bake!) macaroni and cheese, as well as my baked macaroni in spaghetti sauce recipe.


Macaroni and Cheese:

100 grams pasta
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cream cheese
1/3 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup fresh milk
salt and pepper to taste
ham (optional)

Easy peasy, mac and ch-easy!

Procedure:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Tonight, I chose--well, my daughter, chose penne. It was a tough call amongst our top three contenders: fusilli, penne and the shell macaroni. Once al dente or cooked, drain the pasta.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter under medium heat. Stir in the flour, and slowly add half of the milk. Cook and stir until it boils a bit.
3. Add the cream cheese. Mix until it's almost melted. Stir in the cheddar and parmesan.
4. Stir the other half of the milk. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Place the pasta in a serving bowl. Pour the cheese sauce. Top with cooked ham if desired.


Now, on to my baked mac!

You will need the following:

200 grams pasta
1/8 kilogram ground pork (or beef)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium-sized onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup button mushrooms, sliced
1 small bell pepper, diced
200g tomato sauce
400g spaghetti sauce
salt and pepper
grated cheese for topping OR if available, leftover mac and cheese sauce

Pop it in the oven for about 4-6 mins and
you'll get that yummy baked mac look.

Procedure:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
2. Sauté onions, garlic and ground meat in olive oil under medium heat. I usually sauté the onions before the garlic to keep them from burning.
3. Once the meat is golden brown, stir in the mushrooms and the bell pepper.
4. Pour tomato and spaghetti sauce, add some of the pasta water (or just plain drinking water if you have already drained the pasta) and let it simmer.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, you can also add a tablespoon or two of sugar.
6. Once done, pour sauce onto cooked pasta. Top with grated cheese or leftover mac and cheese sauce.

7. Bake in a pre-heated oven (350 degrees) for 15-20 minutes.

No oven?
***If you wish to have that "baked" pasta feel on your dish, pop it on the toaster for about 4-6 minutes, or until the on top starts to melt and become golden brown.

Super easy, right?

Happy eating! :)

Toaster-baked Sugar Cookies

It's a gloomy Friday on this side of the world, and the kids and I have nothing to do. We were suppose to take a nice walk outside, when it rained. I'm not a sunny-weather-type-of-person, but I was pretty disappointed about not being able to take that walk with the kiddies.

Since we have nothing to do but to stay indoors, I thought of something that could brighten up my now-bummed preschooler. She loves watching me bake, so I made these simple sugar cookies with her.

Totally hate pink. Haha!

This one's super easy. You can make this using either an oven or a toaster. Here's my recipe:


You will need the following:


Cookies:

3/4 cup sugar (granulated OR confectioners)
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 3/4 cup flour
Cookie cutter; or if not available, a puto/cupcake mold (Individual cup, of course. Not the tray. Haha!)


Sugar icing:

1 cup sugar (confectioners)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp milk

*Optional:

Sprinkles for topping


Procedure:

To make the cookies, mix all ingredients IN THE ORDER THEY APPEAR. Using a mixer with paddle attachment or by hand, carefully combine them together until they form into a dough.

Roll them on lightly-floured surface to about 1/8" thick and cut them into shapes. Since I don't bake cookies frequently, I don't have cookie cutter/s. Instead, I used a puto mold to cut my cookies.

Bake at 350 degrees in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. OR bake in the toaster for 4-6 minutes on one side, and another 4-6 minutes on the other side, or until golden brown.

Set them aside to cool.

Mix. Cut. Bake. Decorate. Oh and EAT! :-)

For the icing, mix the sugar, vanilla and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture slightly thickens. Add a couple of drops of food color (if desired). Stir thoroughly to avoid streaks of color in the mixture.

Obviously, the people in this household loves rainbow sprinkles
waaaaay more than chocolate sprinkles!

Once the cookies have been cooled, dip one side of the cookie on the icing mixture. Lay it on the cookie tray or rack, and add sprinkles. Add sprinkles if desired. It is important that you add the sprinkles as soon as you place it on the tray or rack, or it won't stick to the icing once it sets.

Place cookies in the fridge for 5-10 minutes or until the icing sets.


Enjoy! :)

The Clean Up: Immigrant Version

Hi Mommies!

I just turned 28 a few weeks back and I have been having some serious thoughts about the future. You see, my family and I are in the process of migrating to another country--hubby, kids and I. Now that we are done with our medicals, me and my husband are just waiting for the embassy's decision on our visa. That in mind, we have been in an endless process of cleaning up our stuff.

The husband and I have been cleaning up our closets almost weekly, deciding on which clothes and shoes should stay and which ones should go. It's easier for our kids, as they have only accumulated stuff just recently--Renee, 4 years and Allie, 14 months. Their clothes have already been passed on to cousins and the toys have already been planned as well--which ones will end up with cousins, which ones will be donated, and which ones will be sent back to their grandparents (my old toys, that has been in the family since I was a child).

Why do I have a feeling that these things will be
shipped to us once we get settled there???

That said, the hubby has also been cleaning up his toys as well. Now this one's pretty hard as he has NEVER opened any of his toys and comic books. Well, those are collector's item, so yea, it's gonna take a LOT of resolve to NOT open any of his Transformers, Masters of the Universe, and Marvel/DC stuff.

Since last month, I have been collecting old clothes and shoes, and have been storing them inside old bags and donation boxes, to be given away. But still, it feels like our closet is still stuffed! I have already collected Renee and Allie's old baby clothes, that I was suppose to be saving for the next baby, in case we have another girl. But come to think of it, if we ARE leaving, why should I still hang on to them, when I know that I can't bring all our things when we leave? Extra luggage fees, DUH?! Besides, if I bring all our clothes there, I don't think they'd all have use anyway. Who wears a Hawaiian shirt in the middle of dead winter anyway?!

Right now, I am trying to pack up clothes that we are still shortlisting to the following boxes: KEEP, JUNK and DONATE. I sure wish I have done this waaaay back when I haven't accumulated all those things from years of impulsive shopping. Buying tops that I find cute, but I never wore anyway, knee-high boots that I got from two Christmases ago, which I only wore twice. Seriously, who wears those kinds of boots in the Philippines anyway? Though, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have those boots to stay (since we will be moving to the Great White North), I feel pretty stupid now, thinking of all those things I bought back then, that I will never use in the future anymore.

Lesson learned: think hard before purchasing things. Do you reaaaaally need it? Will you really use it? Or will it just sit there and bathe on years of dust?

I have mixed emotions on sending some of our stuff away too.

Right now, we still have a loooong way to go in categorizing and cleaning. I kinda feel like I'm in a scene of Toy Story right now, when Andy's mom has been telling him to clean up! I just hope those things we are to give away will be put to good use by the families who will be getting our donations.

Flu Season is Here

It's that time of the year again... Time when the sniffies, coughing and the dreaded flu come to visit you. We have nothing to do but keep ourselves protected.

My pain tolerance is pretty high.
I endured labor twice, for Pete's sake!
This is just for the drama of it all. Haha!

The kids have regular pedia visits and they had their shot before we had ours. It's our job, as the parents, to keep the household protected by having ours as well. You can never be so sure, what with the mutated strains of viruses roaming around, right? Health is wealth, as they say. How the hell can you save up when you've got nothing to do with your money but buy meds and go back-and-forth to the docs, yea?

Just this morning, I had my annual flu shot. The hubby had his a couple of weeks back and it's my turn now. Since we're hands-on parents, we can't have our shots the same time, knowing that flu shots equate to arm pain!

The glam shot after the flu shot.

To those who just had their vaccine, by the way, you should know that the arm pains and flu-like symptoms are normal. Most people experience the pain hours after the shot and could last even up to a week (yikes!). So brace yourselves. Warm compress and mild pain relievers can be your best buds at these times. I suggest you skip the pain meds, though, if you can bear the pain. Oh and just keep moving! Keeping your sore arm idle can make things worse. And try lying on the opposite side when you sleep so your arm won't hurt so much. :)

Oh and by the way, thank you Energy Development Corporation, my hubby's workplace for accommodating us. Their company employees have the option to have their dependent/s get their annual flu vaccine as well for a fraction of the price. Two thumbs up, you guys!

And for the rest of you guys, I suggest you have your flu shot as soon as possible. It's hard to get sick especially when you have little ones who depend on you, and a family to take care of.

Stay healthy y'all! :)

xo

Response to Angelina Jolie's Double Mastectomy

I read an article just recently, about Angelina Jolie's brave move of having a double mastectomy. A mastectomy is a medical procedure where the breast--or breasts (since it's a double mastectomy) are being removed due to a tumor or a strain of BRCA1 gene--a cancer gene.

You can read her story here. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html?hp&_r=0

Angelina Jolie has always been known to be a badass movie actress, philantrophist, mother, and now, a film director. Her mother, actress and producer Marcheline Bertrand, succumbed to breast cancer back in 2007 at the age of 56. Having that breast cancer gene is the reason why Angie had the procedure done on her, knowing that she has an estimated 87% chance of getting cancer too, due to the BRCA1 gene.

It suddenly hit home. Back in 2007, as I have told you guys before, I had a surgery--a minor operation to take off a cyst on my right breast. I know I may not have the BRCA1 gene, since my mother doesn't have one. However, it still scares me, knowing that she had a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral saphingo-oophorectomy a couple of years back after having multiple ovarian cysts and myoma. I had ovarian cysts before and I wouldn't be surprised if someday it would come back again.

Just like Ms. Jolie, my main reason to stay healthy is my family. I want to see my daughters grow up, graduate, get married and have kids of their own. See my grandchildren. Grow old and have old folks' talk with my husband. And I would not be able to do that if I get sick.

When our plans of moving falls into place, I am planning to save up money and get tested someday. To get better. Knowing that there's a history of cancer in my family, I can never be so sure. That I have to fight it--or prevent it, way before it finds me.

So to all those who can read this, please take the necessary precautions to stay healthy. With all the advanced technology that we have right now in the field of medicine, almost everything is possible to get cured.

Best of luck to you all.


xo
Aryanne