“.. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple “I must,” then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse.”

~ Excerpt from “Letters to a Young Poet” by Rainer Maria Rilke

In three months’ time, we will be welcoming the new addition to our family - our Baby boy.

In five months’ time, Amelie will turn three.
Also, it will be hubby’s second year in Sydney.

In five and a half months’ time, we will be in Manila to celebrate the holidays (sans potential travel issues).
Also, we will be celebrating our sixth year anniversary.

In six months’ time, Amelie will start pre-school.
Also, it will be my and Amelie’s second year in Sydney.

There are so many new adventures and discoveries unfolding in the coming months.
We hope those major events will not pass by in a flash.
Not as if we are on a speedy carnival ride of some sort.
We want to savor life.
Be able to live each moment.

I used to love dolls so much.  I remember feeling so happy and excited holding my very first Barbie.  Sadly, I don’t remember what happened to it when we went back to the Philippines.  I wished I had kept it to this day so I could pass it on to Amelie.

Forward to today, my little girl has been asking me to open this Barbie set that was a gift during her 2nd birthday.  She’s 2 1/2 now and I waited this long because (1) the play set is ideally for kids 3 years and up and (2) Amelie never showed interest in playing Barbie until today.  From past experience, she’d choose blocks, cars and books over dolls.

I was so pleased with her reaction when I slowly opened up the box and brought out each toy piece.  She was smiling from ear to ear!  She described each piece and waited patiently (!) for me to set things up before she started playing.

Showing off her Barbie set.

Seriously playing.

Getting cheeky!

I spent a few minutes playing with her and giving her ideas to feed her imagination.  I had a full 30 minutes of peace and quiet in the kitchen as I prepare our menu for the day.  Happy kid, happy mama!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” ~ Maria Robinson

Ingredients:

[source:  Shrimp Omelet with Chinese Chives by PinoyCook]

4 eggs
200 g. of large shelled shrimps
a bunch of Chinese chives
1 small carrot
1 small onion or two shallots
2 cloves of garlic
1 tsp. of oyster sauce
salt, pepper and sugar
2 tbsps. of cooking oil

Instructions:

1.  Slit the back of each shrimp and scrape off the black vein (its digestive system) that runs along its length.

2.  Cut each shrimp into two or three pieces. Place in a bowl, add the oyster sauce, sprinkle with salt, pepper and little sugar. Mix well.

3.  Cut the Chinese chives into one-inch lengths (the flowers are edible so don’t cut them off).

4.  Peel the carrot and onion (or shallots) and roughly chop. Finely mince the garlic. Lightly beat the eggs with some salt and pepper.

5.  Heat the cooking oil in a frying pan. Saute the carrot, onion and garlic for about 30 seconds. Add the shrimps and chives. Cook, stirring, just until the shrimps turn pink. Transfer the mixture to a plate and keep hot.

6.  Into the pan, pour in the beaten eggs. Cook over medium heat until the bottom starts to set. Top one side of the omelet with the shrimp mixture. When the eggs are sufficiently cooked (the top should still be a little wet), fold the empty half over the half topped with the shrimp filling. Slide onto a plate and serve at once.

Verdict:

Both the husband and Amelie had a fill of this quick and easy recipe. :)  I used most of the eggs that we have but if there were a few more, I would’ve prepared one more omelet for hubby’s lunchbox.

That big serving of omelet is actually for her dad.

So that Friday night, I checked out pinoycook.net and one of Pinoycook’s latest recipes is Chicken and Potatoes in Creamy Cheese Sauce.  I took a bit of a gamble when I prepared it because my 2 yr old’s palatte is not accustomed to creamy sauces yet.  I have never prepared a dish with creamy sauce until yesterday.

Anyway, this recipe is so easy to cook.  I just followed the simple instructions and voila, dinner was ready!

Ingredients:

[source: Chicken and Potatoes in Creamy Cheese Sauce by PinoyCook]

4 to 5 chicken thighs

2 potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges

2 tbsps. of butter

salt

pepper

1/2 c. of skim milk

cheese (any kind), sliced, crumbled or grated (I used Kraft Singles)

Instructions:

1.  lt the butter in a frying pan. Cook the chicken until lightly browned, turning them over to brown both sides evenly.

2.  Add the potatoes and continue cooking until the edges of the potatoes are slightly browned as well.

3.  Season with salt and pepper. Pour in a cup of water and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes after which, most of the liquid should have evaporated.

4.  Pour in the milk and add the cheese.

5.  Cook over medium heat, uncovered, until the cheese melts.

6.  Stir the melted cheese into the sauce. Simmer for two minutes longer then turn off the heat.

Verdict:

The little girl ate the chicken without the sauce.  *sob*  The husband likes it and suggested it as his packed lunch option.  And for me, I have another viand to add to my quick and easy meal choices.

I need to do some slight changes with the way I prepared it.  That is to chop the chicken thighs to smaller pieces and not to forget to ‘lightly brown’ them just right.  The outer part became a bit tough but the rest of the meat was nicely cooked.

I love online recipes.  They make my weekly meal and snack planning a lot easier.  I love it especially when there are pictures posted and when the recipes are continuously improved as the recipe author sees fit.

To kick off my new blog category Yummy Nook, I’ll post the recipe for Chocolate Banana Muffins, lifted from Cafe Munchkin’s site.

Ingredients:

[source: Choco Chip Banana Muffins by Munchkin Mommy]

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking sodia

1/2 teaspoon salt (We used sea salt.)

3 large bananas, mashed

3/4 cup white sugar (I use 1/2 a cup instead if bananas used are too sweet.)

1/4 cup milk (We used light soy milk.)

1 egg

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup (or more!) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray or line with paper cups.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. Combine bananas, sugar, egg, melted butter and chocolate chips in a large bowl.
4. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth.
5. Scoop into muffin pans.
6. Bake in preheated oven. Bake mini muffins for 10-15 minutes, and large muffins for 25-30 minutes. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped.

Verdict:

Finally! A softer batch of muffins!  I used to let the whole 30 mins of baking time to complete but Munchkin Mommy’s tip to lightly tap the muffins worked.  So baking time, in my experience, was about 25 minutes tops!

Few more recipes coming soon!

Then came the 3-day weekend, two weeks ago.  Many unplanned activities came up and not minding my physical limitations, I convinced the husband that I can manage to attend to them all.  That Saturday, we went to Ikea in the morning (our 3rd visit to the store in 3 weeks) bought some knick-knacks and a rug replacement.  In the evening, we joined our friends for dinner at a nearby Malaysian restaurant.  Three hours of flowing food, conversations and laughter made me forget that my lower back was struggling with a very uncomfortable chair!  I was in so much pain and was in tears that night.  My pelvic muscles were so heavy (as if my Bunso wants to come out already) and so sore that I couldn’t walk properly anymore or lie down on our bed.  I would not have survived the night if not for the husband’s massage and back rubs.

The following day, I felt better and we were able to attend church in the morning, finished our grocery shopping and as soon as we got home, I was able to cook pancit for the get together/bible study that night.  Grabe, feeling invincible talaga ako that day. Again that night, the sharp pains came back.

Then came Monday, we joined our family friends for an impromptu picnic cum basketball meet-up for the dads.  The kids played on the nearby playground while the moms readied the picnic lunch.  We brought the muffins that I baked that morning.

Ayun, the following week was nightmarish to say the least.  I couldn’t stand straight, I could only walk in small steps and with an arched back, I experienced cramping and spotting towards the end of the week.  Monday came and I was at Northshore Private for tests.  I had another ultrasound, ur1ne test and the baby’s heart rate was monitored.  Thankfully, the initial findings were good.  I was recommended to see my O&G to discuss the results and to schedule an appointment with a physiotherapist.

I came home relieved knowing the Bunso is okay.  I felt so irresponsible, pushing myself to the limits and ignoring what my body has been telling me all along.  No more strenuous activities for me from now on.  But it was all uphill since that week.  The official results were all okay, my O&G was so encouraging and assured me that the pelvic girdle pain (PGP) that I’m experiencing can be managed.  I’m looking forward to see the physiotherapist this coming week.

One of these people whom I’ve remained in contact with all these years is Marc Aviles.  We met in Singapore in 2003 through an I.T. e-group formed by another friend.  He loves photography and has focused in learning the craft, all on his own.  Years passed and he unselfishly taught others (including me) about what he has learned.  He then met his now wife, Phoebe.  She is equally talented, a really gifted portrait photographer.  Both Marc and Phoebe embarked a new life in California, USA and they now own a photography studio.  Apart from growing clients, they also continuously receive awards and news features.  What a blessing!

Best of all, these two acknowledge the work of God in their lives.  Kaya tuloy-tuloy ang blessing. Generally, you would expect people catapulted to success to be sidetracked, to forget the source of their new found popularity and fame.  I only wish for more blessings for Marc and Phoebe.

So, why don’t we all send some love their way?  Here are the links to their photography site, their blog and a few articles/awards that will make you proud to be a Pinoy.

- Marc awared 1st place in WPPI’s print competition - info here.

- Phoebe bags a National Geographic award - info here.

[photo swiped from their blogsite.]

In those days when all I could do was rest to reserve my energy for Amelie and to do very minimal housework, I was in front of my Mac, got busy tinkering with my blog templates.  If I didn’t do that, I think I would have gone crazy!  While I take another break (away from ‘Makoy’ my Imac that is), I’ll compose my thoughts and update this blog and my pregnancy journal again.

Have a good weekend!