A Grateful Year-end

I'm writing this as I cringe since a neighbor just lit what sounds like a large size Judas belt. It ended with a loud bang. I never really liked firecrackers and I'd hide inside the house on new years eve. I'm just glad none of our immediate neighbors use it (well, so far). We've set up hiding places for our cats. Bailey had me stroke his back longer than usual earlier since firecrackers were going off as early as 4 in the afternoon. 

Anyway, I'm just grateful I have a nice hiding place in our basement. We turned on two air purifiers to make sure I don't have an asthma attack. We'll just have some pasta and barbecue for media noche. I also got a small basque burnt cheesecake from a neighbor, so we have something sweet. 

I'm happy I was able to complete another year of one second everyday (#1SE). I just make it a point to take a photo everyday to remember what I did for that day. Majority are probably photos of cats, my plants and us dining somewhere. Here's the video for December -

May you all have a blessed and safe new year! 

#BeKind #StaySafe

My 2025 Quilting Projects

I wasn't as productive as I wanted to be, but I still managed to finish some useful projects. I didn't make any homemade gifts this year. My theme was to make items from Mom's unfinished projects.

The biggest set I made was throw pillow covers for our couch. I made them from Mom's unfinished projects and leftover fabric. I didn't even make a dent (she has more craft stuff than me). 

From the throw pillow covers, I made a pouch for my powerbank and embarked on other scrap fabric projects. And then I made a bag out of squares Mom pieces together. I use it everytime we go out.

I wasn't able to make a lot of projects since we were very busy with other stuff. I also had an accident which prevented me from using my sewing machine for a few months. I focused my time on PT.

When my leg was a bit better, I embarked on my Christmas project. I always wanted to make new covers for my kitchen gadgets. I finished two and I'm still working on another one. I hope to finish it before the season ends!

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Undisclosed Location

When November was about to end, I looked at the December calendar to up our PT schedules. I was surprised to see a note for our anniversary. It just said, "Undisclosed location". I recognized Sweetie's handwriting and asked him where were we going?

I tried to crack the surprise the past few weeks, but he didn't give in. The day before he just told us we'll leave at 10 and don't wear shorts. I first thought we were going to Bulacan since Sweetie wants to try the Skyway. I also couldn't think of a place to visit there.  

Anyway, he mentioned we were going north. I immediately thought about Azadore. It's the only place up north that's on my bucket list. I kept quiet until we reached the restaurant and when I saw the resto name, I exclaimed, "I guessed right!"

I was so ecstatic because I've always wanted to dine at Azadore. It's been awhile also since I had Spanish cuisine, so I ordered paella and lengua*. Miggy got fish and chips and Sweetie got lasagna. We just shared a plate of churros for dessert since we were all so full already. The food was heavenly and I was happy we had some leftovers to bring home.

The other undisclosed location was the church where we tied the know. I blogger about it last Friday (check it out here). Ahh, it was a wonderful day to have good food and nourish our soul too. 

Thank you Sweetie for planning an amazing day for our family. Love you both forever!

*Last time I had lengua was when Titay made it many, many years ago.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Got a Kapecon Mystery Box

I was brewdol'd by Ros when I watched her video the other night. She was raffling off 5 mystery boxes from the Coffee Home Brewers Kapecon. I rarely wind raffles, so I just ordered one when she mentioned that there were 5 more boxes available for sale.

Sweetie said we could pick it up after our trip to an "undisclosed location". It was a rare time for us to venture out to Poblacion since traffic was minimal (we avoided EDSA since they are fixing the road).

Got the box and bag and excitedly opened it when we got home. It includes beans, a tasting cup, candle, syrup, milk and stickers! It's great value for us since we like trying out new beans and we like to learn more about making our daily cup taste better. 

We first tried the Indonesian coffee yesterday. It was really good and probably something we'll buy again when we finish all the beans we bought. Yasss! Will try the others in the coming days.

You can still buy a mystery box at www.coffeehomebrewers.com :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Harvested Bell Pepper Twice

I'm on my nth run to grow bell peppers in the past three years. I've learned a lot and now I got to harvest twice with Sweetie!

The bell peppers are a bit small for now. I haven't transferred the plants to a bigger pot, but I've been consistently adding fertilizer monthly. I guess that helps a lot. 

Here's why I think I've been successful with this batch:

1. Consistent watering everyday.

2. Top up fertilizer at the beginning of every month. Switching to chicken manure was very helpful.

3. Putting the pots above ground helped keep pests away.

4. Surrounding the bell pepper plants with dog fennel helped keep aphids away.

5. Trimming infected leaves helps keeps pests and fungus away.

6. Spray weekly with neem oil, baking soda and castillr soap mixture.

It's a lot of work, but bell peppers now are very expensive, even small harvests help. I'll use the two new bell peppers we got today to make papaya atsara. Woohoo!

#BeKind #StaySafe

16 Years

We are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary today. It just seems like yesterday I was walking down the aisle to the altar with my parents.

It was a memorable day with our families and friends. Sweetie surprised me today and brought me and Miggy back to where our family officially started. 

It was surreal to visit Mary the Queen church again after 16 years. There were a lot of changes in the church, but that didn't matter because I felt like we were there again on our wedding day.

The past 16 years has been filled with memorable moments. We've had highs and lows, happy and sad times, and we've weathered all the challenges with love, respect, trust and faith. 

While praying at the church, I was just grateful for Lord for providing all the love and care for our family. Thank you Papa God <3

#BeKind #StaySafe

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus

It's Christmas day! Happy birthday Baby Jesus!

We are celebrating a quiet Christmas at home this year. We are complete, healthy and blessed. Thank you Papa God for everything. 🙏

#BeKind #Stay Safe

Lunges on Bosu Ball

Me and my big mouth. I mentioned to my therapist that I still wobble when I use the stairs. 

He promptly added a bosu ball exercise to help with the issue. My current PT program isn't my first rodeo. I've had PT for my heart, tennis elbow, my back, and my lungs. I've used a number of machines and equipment, but this was the first time for me to use a bosu ball.

Doing lunges on it was pretty hair-raising since it would get wobbly. My therapist said you have to be intentional with your movements. My injury is still healing, so the way my body moves isn't normal.

Physiotherapy has been helpful. Healing has progressed faster and my bruise is breaking up too. I hope the inflammation will be gone by Valentine's?

#BeKind #StaySafe

Papaya First Harvest!

I've been gravely busy preparing for Christmas, doing PT and gardening. I haven't been able to sew at all for two weeks now. 

Last Saturday, the two papaya fruits that started from a bloom last July, showed signs of yellowing. My friend advised I should only harvest when it starts to turn yellow. 

We waited two more days and then excitedly harvested the two fruits. They're not supposed to be big because it's the solo papaya variety. I propagated it from the seeds of store bought Dizon solo papaya.

It took 20 months with inconsistent care (I was hospitalized twice during that time), but the tree was still able to bear us at least two fruits. It has other smaller ones, but TBH it's not as healthy as my other tree.

Anyway, the effort paid off and we're now thinking to let one ripen and maybe we'll pickle the other one.

Happy!

#BeKind #StaySafe

How to Encourage the Young Ones to Dream

In his homily yesterday, Fr. Tito Caluag, asked, "How can you encourage the young to dream big?"

It reminded me of Jodie, one of my physiotherapists. It was a serendipitous meeting because she was a replacement.

I always ask my PTs how long they've spent at the hospital. Then I ask if they plan to go abroad. Most of them joined during the pandemic and all have plans to go abroad.

Jodie though told me she originally dreamt of joining Google. She said she watched the movie The Internship and since then really wanted to join Google. She was discouraged from taking an IT course and that's why she ended up in the medical field. 

She said she eventually shifted her dream to join NASA and just remembered it when she met me. I told her those companies accept applicants based on experience and knowledge. I shared with her that I'm not an IT graduate, but still got a job at Google. 

By the end of the session, Jodie looked really excited. I advised her to build her skills based on where she wants to be. She told me our meeting felt like we were meant to meet. She said she was re-energized to reach for her dream.

She's not scheduled to be my PT again. I found a Lego-like spaceship at the mall after our session. I bought it and wrapped it as a Christmas gift with a note to follow her dreams.

To answer Fr. Caluag's question, I guess that's how I can help the young ones reach for their dreams. 

Happy Monday everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Advent Calendar

We were ecstatic to receive this Advent calendar from a friend. We've been curious about it, but never really got around to buying one.

Anyway, we've been opening one window everyday and it's fun to see what chocolate we get, hehe. It feels like we're kids again.

Baby Jesus' birthday is coming up in a few days. We're just planning to stay home and have a quiet celebration. We'll also try to get a headway re-potting Mom's plants. They need a lot of TLC.

Happy Sunday everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Thought It was a Ladybug

While watering plants, Sweetie asked me about a cute black insect he saw on a leaf. I looked at it and thought it was a ladybug. A black ladybug!

I've seen ladybugs around my garden, but it was my first time to see a black spotted one. I took a photo to identify it using Google Lens.

It's an orange spotted/Asian lady beetle and it's supposedly native in the US. It's not identified as an invasive species here. I just left it on the leaf and hope it helps eat aphids or what-not.

I thought I've already seen all the insects I'm supposed to encounter since I've been doing gardening. It just shows there's still a lot to learn!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Inheritance

I got the rest of my "inheritance" today.

Mom's plants and old pots.

My parents told me when I was growing up that the only inheritance they could give us is our education. All of us finished our studies and we all managed on our own to go to grad school too. 

We weren't Nepo baby rich. We got by through Dad and Mom's hardwork. Mom retired when I was born, but she helped manage Dad's law office and did some trading (buy and sell of office supplies). We had a comfortable life and that's enough when you live simply.

Dad didn't keep a lot of earthly items. I only found his neckties and a couple of tie clips. His clothes and shoes were gone when I cleared the childhood home. His treasure? His law books and documents. I sent useful law books to his Alma Mater and just kept a few key ones. Old law documents have been shredded. I asked a lawyer what I should do with it and he said we can just shred it since the courts and notarized docs are also kept by the justice system.

Mom's treasure. Her garden and craft materials. I finished sorting the craft materials last October and have been working to rescue her plants for two years now. It's a lot of work, but I know Mom loved her garden (sometimes more than me, haha). She had been passing potter plants to me since we got home and I know she wanted me to continue her work. 

I know Mom has been watching me. I've only so far been unsuccessful with all her orchids, but most of her ornamental plants have recovered from neglect. The boys got some more plants and empty pots today and I'm happy I have more gardening work to do. I'll do my best to save the plants Mom left. The huge, huge flowering tree beside my childhood home is definitely one remembrance of Mom's epic green thumb.

#BeKind #StaySafe

15 Years

Google Photos made this then and now photo of me. It's a family photo from where we started in a small, rented home. We moved there because it was nearer my childhood home.

Our now photo is not in our current home, but in one place where we usually done at. We're creatures of habit, so we always visit a place when it provides comfort.

It's unbelievable how much we've been through in the last 15+ years. We are now in our 7th home! I really to my sister's advise when she told me our first home won't be our last since our needs would change. 

It's true, needs change as you age. My wonky body needs something else at this point, but we are where God plants us. I wonder how things will go in the next 15 years!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Almost Done with Physiotherapy!

I have been heads down and focusing on physiotherapy for my knee and ankle. Movement of my right ankle has improved. I'm able to use it to lift the foot rest of my wheelchair without pain.

My knee has improved a lot. I still experience some pain. One of my therapists said it's normal since there is still some inflammation. Same for my knee. The bruise around it is still visible.

My leg exercises are also still light. My lungs and heart prevent me from having strenuous exercises. I noticed though I'm able to do more now than when I started 

When I finish my sessions, the pulmo rehab team will take over. I'll be able to do whole body exercises and that should help increase my stamina and prepare me for surgery.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Made a Snowman Food Processor Quilt Cover

I'm so stoked! I finished another cover for my kitchen appliances. The design of inspired from a post on Pinterest. I just embellished it a bit more. 

I always add pockets to my kitchen covers. It's where I put the accessories of the gadget. I hate looking for them in drawers, so I prefer to keep them close.

It took me a few weeks to make it. I made a pattern first since I had to match it with the size of the food processor. One thing different I did for this batch of covers is I added fusible interfacing to make it sturdier.

I love how it turned out! Here's how I made it :)

https://youtu.be/d5lt7nNjGjc?si=raLaQZLwtvjTGYKl

#BeKind #StaySafe

Christmas Shopping

I meant to start my Christmas shopping early this year. I have a spreadsheet with my list. I also list down what I give annually and just easily cross out those who aren't in my current active sphere.

I miss buying gifts for my nephews and nieces. All of them have grown up already and live across the globe. My friends though recently brought their kids in our house, so I found a good excuse to find toys for chikitings.

A fairly new store opened nearby. It's called KKV and I was so happy with this discovery. I was happy to find stuff that can keep your hands busy. They have paint by numbers, crochet kids, wood model kits etc. They also have stickers and stuff for journaling. The other half of the store was full of beauty products which I didn't bother to explore, haha (all my make up has expired and I have no need for it).

Anyway, if you're visiting it, better to go early. The line to the cashier is very long. We also checked out National Bookstore. They have less books now, sad. If you must know, Booksale SM Bicutan gets their supplies on Mondays. It's better to go on a Tuesday since by then they have re-stockedntg the shelves 

Almost done with our list. Yay!

#BeKind #StaySafe

My Tenacious Grandfather

Today is my Papa Lolo's 120th birth anniversary. I found his civil registry document certifying his birth. It said the records were completely damaged or lost during the battle of liberation. 

Aside from the war, Papa Lolo lived through the pandemic and built a family. His branch of the family now has representatives all over the world and is scattered across the Philippines. 

I also found some of Papa Lolo's letters to Mama Lola and a small date book. He was truly tenacious at keeping records of what he did, where he went and always had a list of bilins for Mama Lola. He also wrote down expenses and made budgets. I got that from him.

The world back then was crazy. I cannot imagine how Papa Lolo got through the war. He was part of the Bataan Death March. He walked and even helped up a comrade from being bayoneted when he fell (Mom's recount -- his son eventually became PNB president who produced a well-known telco chairman). Anyway, Papa Lolo survived and his legacy lives on with my nephews and nieces now working on bearing and growing the next generation.

What Happens When You Ignore Your Cacti

I got very busy with other plants and it's been almost a year since I properly tended to my cacti. It started with just a few pieces Ate Rose gave me back in July 2022. They looked like this by August 2023 -

And how they looked in November 2024 -

I re-pot them once a year. I moved them to a sunnier spot almost a year ago and water them once a week. One thing about cacti and succulents is they're very low maintenance. They're best left alone. Just top it up with some perlite once a quarter and they'll be fine. 

I was so busy re-potting Mom's other plants, so this is what happened in a year -

Looks like this will be my year-end project!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Tried the Taco Bell Mix

We chanced upon a pack of Taco Bell taco mix at a grocery store and just had to try it. The nearest Taco Bell store is at least 45 minutes away, so this was a good opportunity to have it at home. 

It was very easy to make. Just saute some beef with minced onion and then add the Taco Bell mix. I let the boys do the slicing and grating of the other ingredients. To be honest, we found it easier to use the taco cups than the regular taco shells. Either way, you can just break it and eat it as a salad. 

Here's how we made it at home:

One thing we added to the taco is homemade pickled onions. My friend makes it, but she lives far from us and rarely delivers in our area, so we just made some. I even got some powdered red beets to complete the pickles. 

Now I want to have this again, soon!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Mom's Last Birthday with Dad

We celebrated Mom's birthday the other day. We did her favorite things to do: go to the bank, eat comfort food and did groceries. I took a look back at how she celebrated it 15 years ago. I realized it was the last time she celebrated when Dad was still around. Little did we know, we'd lose him a month after. 

Mom always loved having friends around. She had a gazillion friends from our neighborhood. I was looking at our photos and realized we also lost some of her friends the past few years. It's sad to also lose the extended titos and titas you grew up with. 

It was also the last Christmas we were complete. Both Ate and Kuya came home to celebrate Christmas together. We were never complete after that and had fragmented Christmas celebrations. Kuya and I would even have Mom celebrate Christmas with me in Singapore and she'd do New Year in Jakarta. Mom always complained she didn't want to leave her plants alone, haha. 

Mom wouldn't want us to mope around especially for celebrations, so we made it a point to celebrate. Aside from eating a good meal, we also did her favorite things. We went to the bank and did groceries. Mom took care of the plants for the day and it rained enough to hydrate the plants properly. Ahh, she would have been pleased. 

Happy birthday Mom! We miss you! Today we'll also celebrate Sweetie's Mom's birthday! We have another excuse to celebrate!

#BeKind #StaySafe