Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Christmas Decors

The tree is not up, the wreath is still in the box and some other Christmas decorations that we usually have every year. Last year, although we celebrated Christmas in Australia, we had a chance to put up our tree and few christmas bakings which my kids love to do. But this year, we will be going to the Philippines earlier than last year, so we had no chance to decorate. But nevertheless, we had few things at least to make   our house a little festive :) 
The Nativity 


At least we have a tiny christmas tree :)


A blinking capiz Star lantern in our window


Josel, my son made this for us 


He even make one for my family back home in the Philippines. The Patts Family


More ornaments. We'll use this in our tree next year.


This one is not a christmas decor, but it was given to me as a Christmas and birthday gift from a good friend. Love her. She chose the modest one too :)
A Royal Doulton Doll, her name is Kate. Isn't she beautiful?  


and of course, flowers from special people in our church. Made me feel so loved. Thanks.


We will be leaving in two days to Philippines, but I'll keep in touch! 
Got to go, I still have more packing to do.

God bless.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I Have A Purpose


I AM A MOTHER AND I HAVE A PURPOSE!
I am not anguishing I am not floundering. I am not deceived.
I have a vision. I know who I am and who God created me to be.
I know my purpose. I have direction. I know God’s mandate for my life.
I am walking in the perfect will of God.
I know it’s not easy. I know it’s hard. But I’ve counted the cost. My goal is set. How could my career be easy when I am impacting this nation for God?
Also the generations to come! And eternity!
How can it be easy when I am destroying the plans of the devil?
Such is the power of my God-ordained career,
the highest calling ever given to women—motherhood!
I have embraced my calling. I am not intimidated by antagonists.
I will not be moved. My heart is fixed.
I may be hidden in my home, but look out world! I am sharpening and polishing my arrows. I am getting them ready to shoot forth and destroy the works of the enemy. In the power and anointing of God I am advancing His kingdom!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Fragrances


It's a habit that stucked in me since I was young. I love to collect perfumes! specially the sweet and floral smelling scents. I just love things that smells good :). But It took time before I got to finally find a perfume that really suit my personality. There are so many amazing perfumes out there and it's pretty challenging to find that really suits you and amazing on you. Not all branded and signature fragrances can suit you as well although it can be fun. Do not be fooled by nice and prettiest bottles, but take time to smell it first yourself personally before buying it. 

Here's some tips that can help you find the right fragrance for you:

 1.To keep it simple, perfumes come in five general categories. 

Fresh, sweet, floral, oriental and woody. Decide on these categories you love. Or you can have all of these scents and can wear them on different occasions, depends on your likings.
Heavier scents are more appropriate for the outdoors or night time, while lighter scents are better suited for places like work or school. But if you want a signature scent, look for something that will transition well between different scenarios. It's quite pricy but you don't have to worry about having two scents on different occasions.

2. To make a good choice, you should go to the perfume store in the morning when you can smell things better. However, if you have cold or you are tired, you should put off your visit till another day.

3. Try perfume on clean, non perfumed skin. During one test you should try only up to three different fragrances because your nose will not be able to recognize more scents. Smell coffee beans in between testing to neutralize the scent before trying another one. Some stores have coffee beans ready for you during testing.

4. Do not smell the top of the bottle or it's cap because the scent you smell is not the real one. You may smell an odor of alcohol instead. You should not also try perfume on the piece of paper but on your skin.

5. When you spray perfume on your skin for the first time, wait for about thirty seconds until alcohol evaporates. Then you will be able to find out what the top notes of perfume are. The top notes are highly volatile, it evaporate quickly and  not last very long. The base notes have a profound influence on the blend. They are very long lasting ( it comes out 20 minutes to 2 hours later) :) That's why when I'm buying perfume, it took me a while to figure out the smell.

6. If you have already decides which perfume to choose, buy the smallest bottle of it. The expiring date of perfumes is usually up to three years from the manufacturing date. Even if you do not use your perfumes often, they may change. 

I love fresh and sweet and spicy scents. Fresh are refreshing in summertime while sweet and spicy are my all season favourites. My favourites right now are Carolina Herrera, Euphoria, Giorgio Armani Code and Burberry Brit and my day scent " sweet little things" from Victoria's secret. 
How about you? Do you care for perfumes and fragrances? What is your favourite scents?



Have a sweet smelling day everyone!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

What's cookin'

There are days that I enjoyed cooking a lot, like today and some days I wished I could fill my freezer with process foods, just heat and eat. No sweat. But that would really make me feel guilty, because I am convinced they're not that healthy and it doesn't come my family likes. I love cooking fresh vegetables, seafoods and meats that's why I make my own freeze ahead meals. It will take some time but it can be so comforting knowing I have those meals for those evenings I simply don't want to cook or no time to cook :)  
 There are ready to eat meals available in asian restaurants, but still no beats home cook meals :) and can save you some money too.
This is what I cooked today. Filipino foods are complicated . It takes time to do one meal. Adobo and beef stew are good toppings for steam rice.


Pork adobo 


Calderetta (beef stew)


I made wontons (uncooked). Some will go to freezer for next batch.


... and some for today :) 


Did you make freeze ahead meals? 

Have a great day!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Laughter

It was a lovely day today, so we were all able to hang out in our backyard and enjoy the weather. While kids are playing, I sat under the tree and try to read a good book when a naughty bird drop something right into my head, a smelly gooey thingie..ew! It could have dropped anywhere around me, but no, it landed on my head. I did not get upset, but instead we all laughed. I laughed at myself and imagine God is laughing along with us. I love His sense of humour.
In study of gelatology, the way laughter affects the human body, and have discovered that laughter is a natural stress reliever. It improves circulation and muscle tone, and it increases your heart rate and certain hormones and endorphins so that you feel better. Laughing usually leads to a brighter outlook on life and is good for the body and soul.
Laughter is good for us. It is a gift from God! Proverbs 13:15 says " A Merry heart doeth good like a medicine..." It changes our mood and allows us to see the world through new eyes. We also need to laugh at ourselves as we tend to take ourselves too seriously at times. We should allow the laughter to bubble up from our depths and infect others with this amazing medicine. It may be hard to laugh when things aren't going well, but in those very moments something light and humorous little things may be just what you need to pick up your spirits and help you handle your stress. Find some bright spot to lift up your day. Take time to laugh.
I thank God that we have been given this gift of laughter. I thank God for giving me a family that loves to laugh.
Our God must have laughed a lot when I came into being as I have done, and will do, so many silly things in my life. I don't encouraged someone to go around and make fun of every situation and laughing at inappropriate times. There are so many times when we are overwhelmed with what each day offers and maybe the burden in this world weighs heavily on our shoulders and we find ourselves sulking all the time. It is at those times that we need the strength and the incredible unconditional love that only our God can give us to help us through, but there are also times if we can smile or laugh the situation will be so much clearer to see.
Did you know that smile and laughter is more contagious than colds and flu?
Did you laugh today?

Monday, October 3, 2011

Tis Season to Give Thanks

This month is  a reminder to have a thankful heart, although we should give thanks to the Lord each day and all throughout the year for what He had done to us. Reminder is a good thing because sometimes  in the busyness of our life, we forget to express how blessed we are. Giving thanks not only for the blessings but to every challenges along the way , good or bad. Our God is  always our strength. 


I love these verses,
" Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; and he maketh my feet like hinds feet, and will make me to walk upon my high places..." Habakkuk 3:18-19.


As I pondered with it this morning, my heart is full of thanksgiving! His Word is full of promises that we can claim everyday. No words can express how thankful I am for the things He had done in my life. I rejoice in Him. I take joy in the God of my salvation. He is my strength and he makes me walk on the high places.
Our joy doesn't come from our blessings, our JOY is our blessing, His PROMISES is our blessings. As we enter into this season of thanksgiving and as we focus on the many blessings God has bestowed upon our lives, let us remember that even if there are things that we give thanks for were to be taken away, we still have cause and a reason to rejoice. He is the I AM and no matter what comes against us, God is able. He is our strength. 


Everyday is a season to give thanks!


Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!



Saturday, September 24, 2011

Kitchen update

Hi, just an update for our kitchen. I don't want you to keep wondering what happen to it, lol. But here it is...

Our kitchen... how do you like an open shelvings? I might want to do open shelvings in the future, who knows? :)


Just kidding... 
We finally installed granite top, and change all cabinet door handles and hinges only. The old ones looked outdated. These are the old ones, hinges are shown outside.



And here's the new one. We matched it with our appliances to make it look more updated I guess :) and sanded, re varnished all door cabinets, no more hinges shown.




 new sink and faucet




finally done...whew!


Hope you all have a wonderful day!



Again, I am attracted to open shelving :)


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Make your House a Home



A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul. ~ Phillip Moffitt

Whether you live in a huge or small house, an apartment or a cottage style home with a white picket fences, in a city or small town, a Home is what you make it.

"A house is made of walls and beams, but a home is built with love and dreams".

Whether your walls are painted or decorated with fingerprints and crayon markings, the walls are are what would tell your story if they could talk. The walls hear the complaining and fussing as well as the laughter and giggles. The walls hear you crying out at night and   hear your rejoicing over accomplishments.

"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, a grow old wanting to get back to ." ~ John Ed Pearce

Regardless of what house you live in, it can easily be made into a home where the love of God, peace, and joy are abounding. Let your home surround with the presence of the Lord . Let this be a house prayer, meditation and playing music that uplifts Him. Make it a home of exchanging smiles and laughter, making memories, keeping neat and organized to the best of your family's ability, limiting the ability of unnecessary noise like excessively loud children, bickering, too much technology etc.

A home is learning to be content with what you have and not so demand with others. We don't need to keep up with the Jones's whoever they are, but be thankful for what the Lord has blessed you with. Don't let your circumstances, how big is your house, financial status, material things define your joy or lack thereof. But rejoice! for God has blessed you abundantly!

Houses have atmospheres and smells too :). They radiate the mood and character of the family who dwells there. You can actually tell as soon as you enter someone's house if it feels warm, open, and inviting or stiff and uncomfortable. It doesn't matter how perfect and beautiful your furnitures are or how clean you keep your house. Furnishings and belongings never make up for love.



Here are Few Tips to make your house into warm and loving home you desire.

A. Maintain an open door policy.  Make your house inviting to family and friends by letting them know you value them as a part of your life. Make your home a house full of friends. Encourage them to stop by to say hello or visit with you for a few minutes. A closed home is a lonely home :(

B. Fill it with fresh aroma. Let the aroma of compassion, kindness, gentleness, love, joy, patience, etc permeate through your walls. A place where people can feel secure to be themselves.

C.  Hold a consistent family dinner hour. Make sure your family sits together at the table for dinner each night (or at least regularly) so that you can share together, laugh, and bond. It doesn't matter what else is going on in the world if you can all connect as one family unit each day.

D. Keep your home clean, but let it be a "lived in". It's a great thing to be organized, and to take pride of your home. But it's just as important to not let that organization run your life. If a home is super clean and immaculate that everyone is afraid to relax, what good does that do anyone?  What you would do if you opened your door and find Jesus there after He'd walked for miles on a dusty road. Would you allow Him to enter in His dirty sandals?

E. Most importantly, Let God be the centre of your home. Let your home radiates the love of God all over.

I want my children to remember a home that was a refuge for them and somewhere that they  could be themselves. I want something "real" to be felt in my home.
Don't you?



Friday, September 16, 2011

Harvest Time

Don't you just love September? Changing colours of trees, kids are back to school. Cool air!  I'm loving the season! This morning I had a really nice long walk.  
This is the time also where we need to finish all outdoor projects and be ready for winter season to come.
We had a great summer. Although this year, we didn't get to go anywhere out of town as what we do every year but that doesn't bother me at all. I am enjoying myself at home with my kids and enjoyed our church family. It was so nice to be visited by our dearest friends from Washington as well. It's their turn to come :)
had a chance also to take care of my flower gardens and was able to plant lots of vegetables too which by the way I harvested a week ago.


green peas




green chillis


Tomatoes and a red pepper



more red chillis 



squash. I made soup with this.

I stir fry green peas with fried tofu, shitake mushroom with ginger  and it was so good!


Here's the recipe if you want to try it in your home.

 

  • Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon oriental sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
  • 12-ounce package extra-firm tofu drained, cut into 3/4-inch cubes, patted dry with paper towels (can buy it in any asian store)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  •  vegetable oil, divided
  • 6 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps quartered
  • 8 ounces green peas , trimmed
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 4 green onions, sliced on diagonal


Whisk first 5 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Add tofu and stir to coat. Let marinate 30 minutes. 

  • Drain. Whisk 1/4 cup water and cornstarch into marinade.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. 
    Add tofu and sauté until golden, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer tofu to plate. 
    Add remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to skillet. Add mushrooms and stir-fry until tender, about 3 minutes. 
    Add green peas, stir-fry 2 minutes. 
    Add garlic and ginger, stir-fry 30 seconds. 
    Return tofu to skillet, drizzle reserved marinade mixture over. Stir-fry until marinade thickens slightly, about 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with green onions and serve then enjoy!




Hope you all had a great summer! 

Monday, September 5, 2011

God's Protection

This is one thing our family used to do every time we ride on our vehicles, we ask God to protect us each day as we go about in our daily business, either going to stores, schools or how far and long we could go.
Yesterday, after church, I drove all kids home and had lunch. Jessica, my 12 yo daughter wanted to get some stuff for school in superstore and  sweet lady from our church gave me a gift card and thought it is a time to get some things that we needed at home, for the next day will be labor day and stores will be close.
As we usually do, say a prayer of protection as my daughter and I left home that day. On our way there, not far from our place, I saw that prayer answered in a very real way. As I'm about to turn right on a busy street, I pressed the brake but no resistant, our vehicle speed up and our steering wheel become loose. Instead of turning it right our van passed straight two busy lanes  and hit the tree.  Both airbags inflated and smoke coming out from somewhere. God must have clear the way for us because that time there are no coming cars both ways and If I turn right in a busy street I might collide other cars, no doubt we would have ended up in the hospital or other people get seriously injured or might cause death.
Kind hearted bystanders rushed and helped us. My husband came, there were firetrucks and police came and the lane was closed momentarily.
I was so thankful that God had spared me and my daughter from a serious accident. This morning as I woke up I would think of what could have happened, and my heart is full of thanksgiving that God's protection and mercy follows us each day. 
Thank you Lord for sparing our lives! what a privilege it is to serve a God who looks after us each day and delivers us from dangers that we may not even know about.
This verse means more to me today. I had no idea of the danger that would  confront us that day, but God knew well in advance and He protected us in our time of need. What peace there is in knowing that God is always looking after us! If He sees the dangers that we are not aware of, then surely He also sees the ones that concerns us, and He will help with those too. 
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalm 34:7" 
This verse is a promise that brings rest and assurance to the hearts of God-fearing people.God notices the little sparrow’s fall, and He says in His Word, “Ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).

God not only notices us, but He watches over us each day and delivers us from harm and danger. Trust in His promise and remember to thank Him for the protection we may not always see!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

DIY Kitchen Cafe Curtain with Grommets

 I'm in a sewing mood lately! I discovered that I am not that bad when it comes to sewing lol. I made fancy pillow cases for Jessica's room and  window treatments for both babies and foster boys room, but I'll post that next time :)
I also made a curtain for my kitchen window, just kind of exploring  a little bit and see what kind of style that fits in there. I want something that is not totally covered but gives a little privacy as well. I hardly find something that I like in the store, so why not try to do it on my own :). 
  

I found this fabric @ Mitchells Fabrics, it's on sale, it's $ 15 per meter but I got it half price $ 22 for 3 meters and  12 pieces grommets which is a little bit pricy. One grommet cost $2. So, a total of $44 dollars.  


I think it will look nice on my Sahara Brown granite countertop when it's done :)


This is my kitchen window looked like before. No more blinds for me.

I might try the roman shades as well, something like this:





How about you? what kind of window treatment you like the best in your kitchen?  


Have a great day!