Hang in There!

     Kids are like cavemen. There's something about them and the walls of their bedrooms. The little ones just have to do something w their walls. They will either write, glue, Good God!) stick stickers or paint on them. 


     My kids never had that luxury. I wouldn't let them. My parents though can't even see themselves in the full-length mirror in ther walk- in closet. Why? My kids got to unleash their cavemen instincts there with their permission of course. What are grandparents for?


     But now that they are nearing their teens, my walls are no longer pristine as before. Look!

     I admit it looks pretty. But I'm worried about what it is doing to the paint. =-(

     I was thinking cork boards but I found a better idea.

      Now this is prettier. Don't you think so....


     Come back to me, my flawless walls.......(sneaky chuckle)

Pillow Talk

     I am really love it when I see throw pillows of other country's national flags. They even proudly display it in their homes. Look here! I was just thinking how come no one has made one of our OWN flag. Hello!

Isn't it cool?

Calling Team Manila! Heima?

If Carpets Could Kill

     As I was looking for products to pullout for my shoot for Real Living magazine last week. I came across the killer carpet. 

     I come from a generation that has had enough and I say enough of Persain carpets. The fact that fakes are in every department store, tinagge and maglalako (peddlers) does not help. But last week I fell in love.....

 Shwing! Isn't it gorgeous? Designed by Ricco Ocampo from the Agate Collection of Tai Ping Carpets

Here are its specs.....

Don't ask me how much it is.... 

 

......just look and enjoy it with me.....=-)

http://www.taipingcarpets.com/#/Home

 http://www.taipingcarpets.com

Breakfast Like You Mean It

     I cannot say it enough that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I am also blessed with a family and some friends with whom I share this meal, early birds we all are. 

     Here in Manila there is a good number of breakfast places to enjoy, all serving delicious early meals. One place I love is Cafe 1771 in El Pueblo. Food and good design go hand in hand and make it work here.( for me at least)  Last week, I had brunch with two besty mommy friends,  Cecil and Vilma which extended to lunch time....=-)

Coffee was good! A plus!

My two friends are such die-hard beef tapa people. This is what they order every single time we have breakfast together.

This was my order. Pan de Sal with Longganisa and quesong puti. Yums!

They were selling these which were kinda 'out-of-concept'-ish for the place but heck we almost ought some. hehe!

...because they were just too cute...

http://chateaugroup.com/cafecontact.html 

A Simple Reminder

 

Come on, guys we can do it!

Apat na Tulog Nalang (Four Days to Go)

     I just have to write my excitement that in four days my kids will be on summer vacation. Hey, they deserve a break. Yep, from waking up early, homework, traffic, the bullies in school, the horrible food our maid prepares for them to take to school....

     I, myself am weary of school. I have only been taking two subjects at a time per term. This term I've had extremes of professors. One is a favorite of mine, the other just crushes my spirit to the bones. The bone crusher seems to have won and I am just so beat. Hey, mommies are not invincible.

It's about school

     Anyway, I leave you with one of Yellow's artwork. I am so proud of these what do I call it comics...?.. which she patiently makes.

     FOUR DAYS TO GO!!!

Shiny, Happy Cupcake People

   One of the things that simply spell happiness for me are cupcakes. For me the happiest cupcake place is Sprinkles Cupcakes in Palo Alto.

    Why? I love how they can put together yumminess and good interiors. Huh? Okay enough of that...

     Yesterday amidst one sad news after another about the earthquake in Japan. Yellow and Blue got their hands busy baking. Lately my kids have been in the kitchen a lot. I am proud to say they are becoming very independent in the kitchen. =-) What they made was just the right sunshine to brighten my gloomy spirit- tada confetti cupckaes!

They got the recipe on-line homecookingrocks and it is a great one.

...and look inside.... 

     I had it with coffee after dinner and somehow it reminded me that at the end of the day, everything will be okay.

Watch out for my two cheflettes offering of their baked goodies for sale this summer, brownies, cookies and cupcakes. We are still thinking of a name. Any suggestions?

Going to the Chapel

     Today is Ash Wednesday and for Catholics like me it is the beginning of the Lenten Season. Here in the Philippines old Catholic practices for this season are quite observed even if Vatican has already altered several. A lot of us still abstain from meat on Fridays and fast. Recently kids, up to a certain age became exempt from some practices.

     For my family the end of Lent has always been a big deal. When we were younger my paternal grandmother who we call Lola Pacing would hold a 'Pabasa' during Holy Week. A 'Pabasa' from the Tagalog root word ' basa' meaning read is literally reading by way of chants the entire passion of Christ. My cousins and I will never forget those times. There was usually lots of food, people and staying the night at whoever's house the 'Pabasa' is held. It was actually fun.=-)

     Fast forward to present day, none of us picked up the art of doing the 'Pabasa'. My parents though in a way to continue my Grandmother's/ Lola's tradition hold a Way of the Cross/ Mini Recollection every Good Friday at their farm south of Manila. Same thing; lots of food and people. LOL! Fr. Redentor Corpuz, a very close family friend and my godfather of the Archdiocese of Cavite conducts the whole thing every year.

Fr. Reddy Corpuz

     This year will be no different except we have made improvements on the chapel. I decided to go semi-industrial (because it is cheap) in a way. I did away with the ceiling, exposing the bottom side of the roof and rafters. The weathered tiles were also replaced by poured concrete speckled with machuka tiles of different designs. All exterior walls were torn down. There is no altar but the cross hangs a bit off-center from the ceiling. The benches circle this point. That is our altar - the cross.

Look, ma no altar!

    From now until Easter, I pray for silence, to listen to the motions of the season as it leads to the Lord's greatest sacrifice. I pray for an open heart to receive again and again the giftedness of his love poured on us especially during this time....as He continuously leads us to the chapel of His heart.

....and this year's journey begins.....

..a meaningful Lent to all!

 Friends and family are most welcome to join us for the Way of the Cross come Good Friday.. Drop me a line if you are free.