Manikako: My Doll

     I have a pathetic and sad history with doll making. Way back when my kids were smaller and I was a Waldorf mom, I tried and made a 4 inch doll. Doll making is a big part of Waldorf parenting. I thought what I did was hideous but my kids loved it like crazy. I am a firm believer that there is a certain magic that doll making has.

     Manikako's advocacy is to teach this, call it art, skill or hobby to children/ girls of less privileged backgrounds as a tool for healing and empowerment.  Manikako accepts donations of old clothes, bedding which they use to make the kits. I really love and believe in what they are doing. My daughter and I gave out doll kits to our girl friends for Christmas last year and everyone just loved them, even her school teachers. I know of some who worked on their dolls right away. Some dolls became princesses, a nurse, a nun... Again... magic!

These are sample kits. They include the doll, a few pieces of cloth, felt, yarn , needles and a set of threads

After several attempts; I tried .to sew a mermaid and a rag doll, I gave up. Needlework hates me. Two weeks ago I had to work and leave my then sick son at home, I made him this as his Mommy-Is-Sick-That- She-Is-Leaving-Too doll.  See all I needed was inspiration.

Isn't she pitiful? Oh, well Blue loved it.

     Yellow made him one too so we left him with two new friends.

     Manikako is one of my favorite advocacy. Look them up and see what you can do. 

http://manikako.multiply.com/

Ming's Passion

     This is a follow-up entry of the previous one. A friend I could not refuse was looking for photos of the 'actual' garden of our beloved former First Lady Ming Ramos. So the very next time I had the chance to drop by Ming's Garden again, I was actually thinking of her. =-) Hi, Rics!

      Yesterday was a Saturday and my Mom and I were on our way to our farm. Lately, we have been obsessing about vines. For our renovated farm house, we have constructed trellises to serve as sun screens for the part of the house that is facing west. At first we wanted to put Jade Vines on them which I find so pretty.

Taken at Eden in Davao

    But when we saw the Passion Vines at Ming's Garden, we fell in love again.

      The Passion Vine is from Switzerland. It grows more industriously than the Jade Vine and has a wonderful scent. Okay, give us a dozen of those. Only P 250 for each! I can't wait!

This is its baby bud version.

.....and here are more pics...

Pit Stop Whimsy

    Work takes me south of Manila a lot. Road trips are always a good break for me since any moving vehicle beats any sleeping pill. Road trips though also mean that somewhere along the way you have to make a pit stop. I am not easy to please when it comes to things like this. Then came Ming's Garden. The name sounds like a Chinese restaurant I know but the name speaks of simply what it is. It is owned by Ming Ramos, former First Lady of the Philippines to my fave president of all time Fidel V. Ramos. She is a plant enthusiast like my Mom and she has this beautiful garden in Silang. Cavite. Mom sometimes buys plants from her and that is how I discovered what for me is the best kept secret of Ming's Garden. Tada!!!!

I feel like I am in the Disneyland of Washrooms.

With everything you need.

A skylight opens  to a rock garden within the room.

       

     .... on to my journey, away!!!

Color Me Happy: Ribbon Art

     I got this idea from a blog. I just can't recall exactly from which one. I loved it right away because I could not wait to draw and color my own ribbons. I never weaned from coloring books as a child up to the time my own kids got tired of them. I guess I am suffering from an extended hang-over.

     These two presents will go to two very special girls....=-)

Pretty Little Things

      Days before Christmas I received this present from my good friend, Peach. It is a notepad. Aside from the fact that I adore the giver, I love it for it says a lot. I mean literally.

      Aren't they sweet? So I keep it on my night table. Thanks, Peach!

     Another pretty little thing I mean things since this came as a pair is a set of little notebooks from another favorite person who happens to my boss and our editor-in-chief at Real Living magazine, Rachelle M. I love the contrast of a sophisticated lady on its cover and the playfulness of the red balloons. I use it as a counter to my early dementia. Yes, to remind me of things.The take the trio below with me wherever I go.

    I got the red notebook on the left which I use for lists, at Fully Booked and my sister, Ava gave me the notepad for writing messages.

   These pretty, little things.... 

Real Living Magazine 

Bring It On!

     For someone like me who has a whole attic of clutter to take on today I really need this......

    It's perfect!

Southern Comforts

Blooms & Greens Plant Kiosk South Supermarket Alabang

     At least once a week, H, who usually tags along, and I head to South Supermarket in Alabang. (Alabang is around 40 minutes South of Manila.) to check on my Mom's small plant store there. We are usually early having come from dropping off the kids in school. I look forward to this for several reasons. If I have to do my groceries, South Supermarket in Alabang is for me  the best supermarket in Manila. The reason primarily is since we are there early, there is no crowd. I hate crowds. This is besides the fact that it is huge, stocks are almost always complete and it is bright and clean. Okay, enough of sucking up to its owners. (whoever the are)

     BUT before I do my groceries and spend more than what our plants store earns here, (haha!) H, and I relish a little 'we' time which starts with ...coffee! While all is quiet in the whole supermarket building people at the French Baker, a resto/ bakery shop are are already busy and open to serve early shoppers. They serve good coffee, if you ask me. It also comes with a free sweet treat. Hmm....it was brownies this time but I prefer the vanilla cookie. I usually throw in an extra order of their ube hopia =-) BUT it's a new year so no. (muna)

     We have our coffee, the paper and a cozy magazine stand to browse through and always end up buying from, our weekly reading stash.... 

 

     Before we know it the supermarket is open, our storekeeper is here and it is time to get going.

     There are so many instances in our every day that we need to wait. Why? Because there is nothing we can do about it. For my weekly trips to Alabang H and I have found (though I am sure I am the only one aware of it. talking yes, he is dense) ways to enjoy the wait.

      Do you have a few minutes to spare? Or are you waiting or praying for something that just won't happen yet? Grab the time, wait and enjoy it...

Oh, Christmas Tree, Green Christmas Tree

     For my family the holidays end on the 6th of January which used to be the Feast of the Three Kings and is my mom's birthday. After tomorrow, we will be keeping and cleaning the holiday decors till next year.

     As part of the Christmas celebration we had a Christmas Tree Making Contest at work. (When I am not a struggling architect, I do building administration work for an industrial clinic.) The employees' creativity was something else. Rule was to use all recycled materials. We saw plastic, cups, medicine packaging, bottles. etc. They also had to do all the work while clinic operations were at its busiest month. I helped judged the activity and it was fun and difficult at the same time. 

From the people in the X-Ray, Ophta/ Audio Departments (3rd Floor)

From our doctors and nurses from the PE Department

From our clerks and accountants from the Admin Department

From the reception/ info people

      
     The following were the big winners.

For 3rd Place

They used recycled plastic cup.

From the Psychology and Dental departments

Pretty starts from recycled paper.

2nd Place

     The Records and Releasing Departments made it to 2nd. I love this tree. Look at the Gerber baby food bottles.

This tree reminds me of the old foil Christmas trees of yore.

First Place 

But the laboratory departments wowed us all with their tree made of syringes.

 

.....and to all a good night.....

http://sppmci.com/Manila/home.html

Why I Love Living Where I Live

 

     I love living where i live. I grew up in an old neighborhood in Manila that has gotten way too crowded through the years. As much as I loved growing up there and having enjoyed the happiest traditional Filipino childhood, I am happy too with my new home city. It is not as busy and the traffic is not as bad as Manila or Makati. In most areas the development is still pretty horizontal. I believe it is very laid-back compared to its neighboring cities.

     H and I moved here after we were married. H was a Quezon City dweller since he moved to Manila for college.  A few nights ago, H, Yellow, Blue and I:

• Had A Yummy Burger Dinner 

     During our last Tagaytay trip, we discovered Army Navy Burger and we were thrilled to know there is one branch near us.

A promising mission statement Yes!

Yumminess comes with a higher price than McDo or Jollibee of course.

The team awaits for demolition.

Ahhh...come to mama!!!!

half-eaten

Blue ordered a vanilla milkshake oddly served in a coffee take-out mug. Guess they ran out.

• Discovered a delicious dessert place.

 Wow! I did not even know this has been there six years. Where were we?

Fleur De Lys was just beside Army Navy in Mother Ignacia Avenue. We just moved next door.

I got these dark chocolate Florentines. Good with coffee or tea.

Had to say no to this, ouch!!!!

Brought home a slice of this cake called The Best Kept C - way too good that I hate it! haha!

Their carrot cake was yummy too.

Love their packaging

Team Demolition still in high spirits.

We heart this place!

• Made a last minute trip to bookstore before it closed.

All these...

WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO A GIANT MALL 


or 


go through monster traffic


...just a simple, relaxed time with the family. =-)

   (I live in Quezon City, part of the capital province of the Philippines)

Army Navy Burger