Why Give Extra Effort To Family Together Time?

It’s given and understood that each household member has his own time-consuming must-do’s. And unquestionably, all are for the family’s welfare sake. But then, at the end of the day, beyond all material fulfillment, we want nothing more but our loved ones, solely.

Giving quality time to our loved ones must never be out of our must-do’s list. The after-effects? GREAT!

·         Happier Disposition

·         Hang-ups-and-Trust-Issues Free

·         Love Assurance

·         Tighter Bond

·         Content Spouse

·         Jovial child

·         Satisfied and Fulfilled Living

I've never been this fulfilled as a wife and mother. I know we still have a long way to go, ups and downs to tackle, but we are making through it through God’s grace and giving each other the time essential. Nobody wants a sad beloved. It pays to give time solely for your loved ones on a daily basis. Whether quick or lengthy, what matters is you enjoy each and every moment you have with each other. Actually, I usually am the assistant, the cheerleader, the photographer, the helper, and all that. So what? Being always on their aide is my greatest joy. I know they love me back and that assurance is my greatest reward. And we are all together making this family nurtured and flourishing. Cheers to Family Love!

Quality Moments

Now I know better what “Quality Time” means.  All along I thought it ONLY means designating a specific day or a few more to escape your busy schedule and spend the whole time only with your loved ones such as beach time, weekend get-away, out of town, and the like. Sure those are great family together time, but definitely need to be well-planned and budgeted. And in our case, amidst our demanding schedules, we only chance to do it occasionally, meaning only once or twice a year.

I often pull a face when the hubby just rushes things off to work. I consider lesser time as lesser love. Time has always been this time-demanding wife’s issue to her almost-always-on-the-go hubby until few days ago. We (me, the hubby, and our little guy) woke up earlier than usual. Personal devotions done, and yet still too early to drudge or even go for breakfast. The hubby then suggested us to go for a walk. We went outside at about 6 in the morning. Our dear little one excitedly went and was so happy. Honestly I was at first hesitant wanting to grab some more sleep but just consented anyway. I didn't expect the spur of the moment to really change my disposition, actually my total outlook about giving quality time to loved ones. It was just more or less 30 minutes together time and we had it great, really! We immensely enjoyed every moment plus we had the chance to view the dazzling sunrise which I have not seen for a very long time and the scenery with the sun peeping through the trees feasts our sight. Truly magnificent!

We went home with a glimmering atmosphere, impassioned and in higher spirits! Indeed it’s the best short-period family together time we ever had but definitely not the last. We are making it a daily-before-breakfast ritual and we’re on our second week. We just play hide and seek or basketball, ride a bike, watch the sunrise, sit and laugh together under a tree, or just schmoozing, just anything under the sun. During a rainy morning? Well, playing under the rain together is such a merriment; or we simply just enjoy snuggles and cuddles, or sing praises together. Each enthusing day inspires us and definitely draws us closer, chummier, dearer and tighter. And all this wife’s hang-ups vanished. Each quality moment counts and a little time is never a lesser love!

Desperate Cooking: "EGGPLANT OMELETTE"

“Prepare me an eggplant dish that I could not refuse.” – a veggie challenge from my all-meat-lover hubby. “Of course!” – I then excitingly accepted the challenge, though a bit nervous. Hihihihi =P

So happy that he’s starting to reconsider veggies. That would be an advantage in teaching my sweetie baby to eat veggies too.

Okay, the hubby doesn’t like sautéed eggplant so an omelette was the next immediate option because I don’t really know other eggplant recipes hihihihih poor me! Mr. Google, here I come!

I then inquired Mr. Google after the hubby’s gone for work. Yes, yes! Eggplant omelette is simple but I just wanna make sure. Hihihihihi =P

EGGPLANT OMELETTE  ( from wikihow.com)

      INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Asian eggplants
• 2 eggs (preferably jumbo or large, grade A)
• Salt
• Pepper

STEPS:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Bake the Asian eggplants, whole, on a baking sheet for 30-35 minutes or until the eggplants are soft. If the eggplants are still too firm and resistant, bake for another 5-10 minutes. The eggplants will need to be soft enough to mash later.
3. Remove the eggplants from the oven and allow them to cool until they are no longer too hot to touch.
4. Peel off the eggplants' skins, but make sure the stem stays attached. One simple method is to use a knife to shallowly cut the skin around the top and peel it off in long strips with a fork and your fingers. The skin should come off easily. Be careful not to burn yourself if the eggplants are still hot.
5. Mash the eggplants flat with a fork. If the flesh is still resistant and rubbery, then the eggplants were not baked long enough.
6. Dash the eggplants with salt and pepper on both sides.
7. Beat two eggs.
8. Dip the eggplants in the beaten egg mixture. Use the stem as a handle to dip the eggplants. Make sure that the vegetables are liberally coated with egg.
9. Fry the vegetables in a pan with vegetable oil, pouring the remaining portion of the egg mixture over the eggplants.
10. Serve hot and enjoy!

thanks to 'WikiHow'

It should come out like this, but mine was a bit horrible. Hahahahaha! 

A little disaster for a starter. It looks awful but tastes fine, really. Hmmmm definitely gonna give more try's! A good taste and a better presentation should be something he couldn't refuse, right?

mine really needs a lot of improvement hihihi

Hmmm... do you know some techniques and/or unique veggie recipes? Please extend a bit of kindness to this desperately-cooking-wife-and-mama. Ahehee! =P

Desperately Cooking!!!

I never thought I would strive this much for cooking. Though I love eating but cooking is never a thing for me. Thank God for giving me a man who’s palate is not that hard to please. My bad cooking was never a big issue in our two-years –and-4-months-and-definitely-counting marriage. Aye, he sometimes complains for unpleasant taste but we usually just laugh about it and just quickly go for another. He never treated me less of a wife for being the worse cook in town. Oh how grateful I am to the Almighty!

But today, as an act of gratitude to my ever-so-understanding man, I am officially starting to make extra special efforts to make my bad cooking into a good, hmmmm no, a yummy one! Plus, a one-year-old in the house adds to my inspiration. I definitely want my man and my son to come home to mama’s yummy cooking!

what's cooking? (photo not mine)

I bet my search buddy Mr. Google would do a lot of help. Do you have any suggestions for this desperately-cooking-wife-and-mama?  It would definitely be highly appreciated! =D 

NATURE Never Fails To Amaze + Proves The CREATOR's Existence

We took a family walk at about 6 in the morning. Instead of taking some ‘selfies’, we hurriedly took the chance of capturing the magnificence that feasts on our eyes. We definitely seize the spur of the moment. Nature never fails to amaze and stand out even with an old-fashion phone camera.

What a palpable evidence that a magnificent Creator undeniably exists. With all nature’s wonders, who can attest that there is no God?

Lesson Learned From My One-Year-Old

As a first-time mom, I need to learn countless things to hit-the-hook of motherhood. I get often edgy on what’s the right, the best, the most, the finest, and all that. Plus, I am over-stressed with some people on all sides coaching me to do this and that; I do appreciate them all, really. And one of the advises in particular is teaching him things appropriate for his age. Who doesn't want his own child to excel? So I give extra effort and sometimes overly which apparently stresses my poor one-year-old and me actually.

As I strive teaching him things like counting, identifying and naming things and individuals, so on and so forth, I usually end up with frustrations. Is my child a slow learner? However, he surprises me with his actions and reactions, doing things I did not teach him. Such as:

-          bowing down with hands clasped;

-          babbling while strumming his little guitar;

-          laughs oddly when hearing others laugh;

-          holding his hands together every time he sees me preparing meals on the table;

-          trying to plug-in an appliance;

-          hugging from the back;

-          putting the toothbrush in his mouth when he chances to grab one;

-          wiping his face with a tissue;

-          rubbing the floor or the table with a garment;

-          wrinkles his face and/or yells when wants are not granted;

-          and more that burst my heart with gladness, amazement, tears and sometimes even fear…

I notice how he quickly imitates things that I and the people around him are doing which prompted me and I ought to be teaching him by example, a good one must I be!

Efficient Ways to a Stress-Free Laundry

Happy with your laundry? (photo not mine)

Here are common yet efficient ways to a guaranteed good cleaning and care of your clothes. Things I finally learned after several laundry disasters.

·         Proper SORTING

-          Best done prior to washing.

-          Separate colored from white ones to prevent color transfer.

-          Sort colored ones from one shade to another especially those that give off colors. For instance: only-shades-of-blue-colored clothes in one load and so on. Spares you that aggravating risk of color integration.

-          Launder super grimy ones separately to avoid dirt transfer, causing other clothes dullness.

·         Proper PREPARATION

-          Check and clear out pockets.

-          Zip zippers well to prevent other more delicate garments from unwanted damages.

-          Invert entwines / knits / interweaves inside out to avoid pulling and tangling with rubbing surfaces.

-          Undo buttons to avoid ripping and/or detaching during the laundering process.

-          Safety delicate garments with embroidery, laces, beads, sequins, buttons and the like inside a laundry bag and tie securely.

·         Proper LOADING

-          Do not overload to avoid possible results of detergent spots, poor cleaning, and fast wear out.

-          Dry laundry must not go beyond the inner-tub level.

-          Reduce load of super grimy garments for better cleaning.

In the medical world they say, “Prevention is better than cure!” Nothing to do with the laundry? Well, somehow applicable. You don’t need to spend a lot of energy to spare yourself from a disastrous laundry and costly alternatives. Have a happy laundry day!

NATURAL COUGH RELIEVERS

Cough, as common as it is, never makes this first time mom relaxed. I also don't want my little one or any one in the family get used to antibiotics, so besides prescribed and/or over-the-counter cough medications, I embrace reasonable home remedies and save some bucks.

thyme tea (photo not mine)

©      Brew some ‘thyme’ and stop hooting! Dried or fresh, calms bronchial spasm and loosens phlegm.

black pepper seeds (photo not mine)

©      Gnaw it away with ‘Black Pepper Seeds’! Two to five seeds will do. Add dried grapes or sugar candy for pleasanter chewing.

almonds & wallnuts (photo not mine)

©      Give a grind to ‘Almonds and Walnuts’! Naturally warming and sweet-flavored. Reduces aching and inflammation. Roast some and kick off coughing.

calamansi (photo not mine)

©      Juice up ‘Calamondin aka Calamansi’! Bursting with antibiotic and antiviral components. An expectorant for respiratory troubles.

eucalyptus (photo not mine)

©      Breathe in some Eucalyptus! An herbal remedy for respiratory illnesses, cough particularly. Inhale deeply for few minutes and your good to go.

honey (photo not mine)

©      Go ‘honey’ go! A proven cough suppressant and has that great soothing effect. Mildly acts as antibiotic. Honey alone is beneficial but add-ons are great too. Such with lemon; hot water; warm milk; apple cider vinegar; and what is more.

As of experience, honey works best for me especially when i was preggy and Calamondin aka Calamansi for my one-year-old son. Grab what suits you best and give your pockets some rest!

Desperate Cooking: GINATAANG PAKSIW NA GALUNGGONG

In my own dialect (Cebuano) I call it “TINUNUAN NGA INUN-UNANG BODBORON.”

All right! I’m not a cook, just a wife who’s desperate to please my Significant Other’s tummy. I don’t even know the right cooking terms so please overlook my slip-ups and extend patience on apprehending what I want to explicate. I am sharing this because I just love how the hubby begs his wifey to prepare this on the table. Here we go!

Ingredients:

1 kg Galunggong
1 cup Gata
¾ cup Vinegar
 2 tbsp. cooking oil
 2 pcs Eggplant slantways sliced
 3 pcs Okra slantways sliced
 few slices of siling haba / finger chilis
onion chopped
garlic chopped
 salt to taste

Procedure is very simple. Put together ALL ingredients in the cooking pot with seasonings at your preferred amount, and the main ingredient (Galunggong) at the bottom. Then simmer until liquid considerably reduce. That’s it!

That’s my way of cooking it. Anyways, do forgive my poor presentation. Bizarre and unappetizing it may seem yet my husband loves it and that’s all that matters to me. Mind you, I got a reward today for preparing this food which prompted me to blog on this! So love it! Whoopee!

Suggestions for improvement are very much welcome! Gracias!

About CATS and Their Home Benifits

ate Jijie's awesome capture (Jijie Forsythe Photography)

I’m never a cat aficionado. Even so, absolutely not a hater. Every residence has its own pet(s) of choice. In our region, I found cats the usual, very usual that I guess every household own one; some even have a feline clan which seems like a valuable possession that passes through generations, like my own kinfolks for instance. However, I never feel the like. I don’t know! I don’t hate them though. I just can’t stand that freaky feeling of that furry body rubbing at my skin; I hate them messing up my table and settee with paw-prints and furs; and especially that disgusting malodorous discharge!

Anyways, please allow me to share a few reasons why some find cats dearests.

v  Pests Control. Cats love those annoying creepy creatures for grub.

v  Build Up Sense of Responsibility and Thoughtfulness. Cats, like babies, hinge on their owner for their needs.

v  Long-term Companion. Cats subsist for decades. They say, “Cats have nine (9) lives!), though unproven, but yes they can last a lifetime.

v  Health Beneficial. Positive interactions with cats help pull through emotional conditions such as bereavement, downheartedness, and other enfeebling situations.

v  Impartial Ear. They lavishly provide attention without grouchiness to air mawkishness.

v  Stress Reliever. I agree that cats are actually amiable, sweet and playful. And they have that patent charm that can turn ire to awe.

Wow! Indeed a lot of good stuffs. I always marvel at each and every God-created being along with each distinctiveness and significance. But please oh please don’t take it against me if I still prefer to dwell away with such.

'SWEAT-HEARTS' Galore!

Oh my! These darlings constantly stun me with their overwhelming cuteness! Can’t help but marvel!

They’re all dear to me, especially the one in the midst. Please forgive my partiality, obviously he’s my own. (And also, I’m really sorry Frank John for the failure of finding a better picture.)

Oh no! I never meant to compare them, not at all! Honestly, just wanna show off a little, hmmmm Okay! Okay! I wanna blow my own trumpet loudly!

They are family! Well, not the biological kind, but God has richly blessed me with them around. OH MY SWEAT-HEARTS!!! I am so attached with these adorable sweeties. Seeing them, especially having them makes the world such a much better place. They've superbly turned these blessed mamas’ lives upside down. I bet their moms totally agree! They mean the world to us! Yup, they made our lives tougher, yet a lot happier. Ah, wait! Heavenly says it best, indeed, only a mother can imagine. Cheers moms!

Oh no! CATS in my Closet?!

I have been wondering where this certain sound is coming from. Well, I know for certain that they’re cats. And I heard from my brother that their cat just gave birth so I just ignored. But yesterday, they seem to be in my vicinity. It alarmed me a bit but still tried to ignore. But when I woke up this morning, I heard that alarming sound just behind my ears, oh-oh! I hastily seek where it’s coming from. Atop our bed? Nope, not even underneath. Around the corner? Not even. Behind the closet? Not at all. Where oh where is that sound coming from? Oh no!!!!!!! Cats in my closet?!!!!!! I was so disgusted the moment I found them! Argh! I was sure they weren’t there when I closed my eyes to sleep. The mother cat must have sneaked his kittens in while I was snoring hihihi oh well, time to find a better place for them to be and do some immediate clean-up. But before I could even start doing that, a scene paused me for some time.

Yes, I know it’s not a good capture as they were taken inside the closet but please take a close look. These made my ire to awe. Awww! Such cuties!

Then, I took them out to have a better shot. Hihihi better but still not that good, well at least. Yes, they are four cutie kittens. Good job cat-mama! Who want some?

I then remember what my mom told me about cats. Once a cat-mama senses that a stranger or even its master touches her little ones, she would then search for elsewhere to safe-keep them.

Okay then, cat-mama, time to evacuate, but allow my little assistance. And by the way, you’re forgiven for messing up with my closet. I don’t hate you and your clan mama cat; in fact I know you and your babies especially are cute, quick-witted and helpful. Helpful in a way, that you guys do me a lot of favor in ridding of hideous pests such as house rats, creepy cockroaches and the like which really freaks me out. And thank you!

"My SWEET-TOOTH Fantasy"

How could have Hansel and Gretel felt being in that candy house? That ecstatic feeling that makes you completely forget all life’s quandaries. It has always been a fantasy that I want to come to reality.

A chamber jam-packed with chocolates, cakes, ice creams, toffees, cupcakes, bonbons and everything sweet and nice haaaaaaay…. “a Confectionery!” – An atelier and paradise for every certified-sweet-tooth pal. Who’s with me? hihihi!

Anyways, it has been a life-long goal to own a personal profitable enterprise, and one of the immediate top options is a food business. But I fear of just being my own business’ only costumer hahahaha!

Today, I still have it as a dream. But sooner or later, the heavens surely have its ways of making such fantasy a reality! Hubby’s dream business had already been granted last year, THANK GOD! And I’m praying and waiting for mine. Hmmmmm… with my long list, which one would I have at hand soon? Hihihi sooo excited! Godspeed! =D

A YELLOW Watermelon?!

As a certified food lover, I gained too much unnecessary calories, so, I decided to eat healthy! I know for a fact that I can never stop myself from loving food and eating them. But one way of keeping illnesses at bay is giving my God-given, awesome, natural 'food-processor' a good care (to be able to eat more food!). =P hihihihihi Okay, let’s get back on tract without further hoo-hahs.

I would never miss chocolates, soda, chips and the like every time I’d go for the grocery, but lately due to health reasons, I try my best not to look at them and go to fruits section instead. And there I am with bunch of fruits. And one of such is my one-of-the-ever-so-favorites, the oh-so-yummy-and-juicy watermelon. I rushed a slice to grab a big bite, but to my astonishment, the inside is YELLOWish?! Is it unripe? Am I being deceived?! Is this a watermelon?! I was so disappointed but because I wanted to eat and save some bucks, I tried a little bite to see if it’s eatable. Whoah! It’s sweet, and tastes like a watermelon, and even better because it has lesser seeds, lesser hassle. Wow! So delightful!

But then, a yellow watermelon? All my life, I know watermelons are reddish or pinkish inside. This must be another kind, so after munching to my satisfaction, I hurried to inquire Mr. Google. Now I know a little better. Thanks Mr. Google! Here’s what I got.

now i know better (photo not mine)

Our Rightful Duty as Children

respecting is also loving (photo not mine)

“Honor your father and mother”,

the Scripture says in Ephesians 6:2. The Word of God did not require any distinctive condition for us to do so. Whether our parents are the best in the world or perhaps the contrary, we ought to honor them, show them some respect regardless of our personal circumstances. The Bible did not say that if they are good, then honor, if bad, then don’t. Thus, making it our rightful duty, as children, to honor our parents.

“that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” – Matthew 5:45-47

And if you do, whatever it takes, the Lord promised…

“ that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:3

Yes, the Lord knows, that at some point, for some of us (like I for one), has all the reasons to wrangle over, and believe me, He truly understands, He feels for us. But true love and obedience to God comes when we still choose to adhere even at the hardest, at the most painful points of our lives.

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

Obedience to His Word is a must! Is God unjust? Absolutely NOT! Remember, HE chose to save you instead of sparing His only begotten Son from the cross. It wasn't easy, never easy! He loves us above all and saved us despite our sinfulness!

Is it too much to ask to honor your own father and mother the way God wants u to? 

In my case, it took me a lot of hardships and tears. It wasn't easy. But God’s perfect and unconditional love mended my broken bitter heart.

Boyishness Fever to Graduation Disaster

cry baby hihihi =P (photo not mine)

Born i a family with 7 guy siblings and a gal, i turned out to be a little boyish. Preferring pants over skirts, plain shirts over girly tops, disliking cosmetics and dolls, having a guy best-friend; being always one of the boys and stuffs like such. It was no big deal until my grade-school graduation.

Mom excitedly set things ready. From my graduation dress to every little detail needed. But as we are preparing, she got sooo mad with me who was desperately crying. “I don’t like wearing dress!”, I begged but nothing else to choose from. “Make up?! Please oh! Please mom, not this one.”, pleading with tears for mom to tell the artist to absolutely stop. But to my dismay, they were both annoyed and left me with no choice but to submit. T_T Even my coiffure made me feel worse which I ruined little by little while heading the venue.

Argh! I even forgot the joy of receiving an award because of so much disappointment! =(

RELATIONSHIPS!?!

(photo not mine)

Let me start with the definition of

“RELATIONSHIP”  =  “the state of being connected”

Synonyms: Connection; Bond; Liaison; Relation; Affiliation

So what does ‘Relationship’ got to do with my blog title?

As of creating this post, I am 26 years old. And as I evaluate my life, I learned that the most important thing

that a person can’t live without is ‘Relationship’. Why? Let me put it this way…

©      Obviously, I was born because of a certain relationship (Mom & Dad)

©      When my heart started beating at my mother’s womb (me & Mom)

©      When I came out to this world (me with Mom & Dad, & all else in the family, & the nanny)

Are you well connected? (photo not mine)

©      When I was at least 2 years old and onwards (social relationships: neighbors, friends, playmates, even enemies)

©      When I started going to school (with the teachers & the classmates & classmates’ parents)

©      When I was hired for a job (with the boss & the co-workers & clients)

©      When love life status became ‘in-a-relationship’ (with the fiancé)

©      When I made a marriage vow 2 years ago (with the husband & the in-laws)

©      Then two months later, i bore a tiny wonderful creature inside me (me & my baby)

©      And of course, the utmost, my relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ whom I met when I was 17. (me & my Creator/Savior/Lord, & the church mates)

Did I miss anything?

All our lives, we are to deal with a relationship with each and every aspect of our lives.

As the famous saying goes, “No man is an island.” Undeniably, we need relationships to live on!

And now I am about to establish new relationships in the cyber world. Do help me please in this new endeavor for I can’t get through this by myself.

Make it Worthwhile! (photo not mine)

Let’s all make good, worthwhile & prosperous relationships!

For life can only be lived once, and too short to be squandered on the wrong ones.

How about you, how are your relationships going?