Eggshells, A Garden Staple

I have been using eggshells for my plants for a few years now. I think it's one of the "ingredients" that helped make my bell pepper plants produce a lot of fruit. 

I read in several sources that you should boil it before using it in the garden. I have a regular supply because we normally use at least 2 dozen eggs every month. After cracking the egg open, we normally wash off the sticky residue and set it aside. When the container of egg shells gets filled that's when I boil it.

After boiling, I set aside the shells to dry for a day or two. I also transfer the water to a bottle to be used when I water the plants. Once the egg shells are dry, I then grind it to make it smaller. Then I put one to two tablespoons per pot.

I read that it takes time for the nutrients to be absorbed in the soil. That's fine, I treat it as a "slow release" fertilizer with the plants. It also helps ward off pests because they don't like the sharp edges of the egg shell. I also use the crushed eggshells when preparing soil for planting seeds and for re-potting growing plants. I basically put it on everything since different kinds of plants need calcium anyway. 

For the more adventurous, you can also brown the shells on a pan or bake it after you boil it. Grind the eggshells and then place them in a bottle. Then add vinegar (sukang paombong) at 1:10 ratio (egg shells:vinegar). Cover the bottle only when it stops bubbling. Let it ferment for a few weeks and then use 1 to 2 tablespoons for every liter of water. You're plant will go crazy over the nutrients, haha.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Made Salmon Lemon Cream Pasta at Home

One of my favorite resto dishes is Nono's salmon lemon cream pasta. It's expensive, so I only enjoy it once in a while. Unfortunately, they removed it from the menu, so I've been experimenting on making it at home. Of course, cost-wise, it's much cheaper since I can share what I cook with the boys. 

I've made it twice and the second attempt was much better. I put a lot of spinach and it kinda freaked out Miggy (haha). I'll probably reduce that next time, but taste-wise, this attempt was much closer to what I usually have at Nono's.

Here's how I made it:

Full recipe: https://recipesformyson.blogspot.com/2026/10/recipes-for-my-son-salmon-lemon-cream.html

Any tips or suggestions are welcome!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Wake Up! September has Ended!

The song "Wake me up when September ends" by Green Day never gets old. It's a song about the grief Billie Joe Armstrong felt when his father passed away. I guess all of us have gone through similar journeys. 

September has ended and what I remember about the past month is the rain was replaced by haze. We were also busy trying to reach our health goals. That keeps us going every week. In between those appointments we were home doing a myriad of things. Tending to the garden, playing with cats, decluttering, and we were able to cook some good food too. 

Here's the one second everyday for the month of September:

I can say it was a pretty mundane month. Boring is good since it was already a struggle to combat the haze and breathe clean air. I hope October will be a better month. We have started to think about how best to survive the super El Nino which is supposed to hit us starting this month. 

Have a great week everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Bad Air Quality (It's Really Bad!)

On our way home yesterday my nose started dripping while we were in the middle of EDSA. I immediately checked the IQ Air app and saw the reading was at 228 violet alert. That means the air quality is very unhealthy for everyone. I immediately wore my mask again even though we were in the car and I had a portable air purifier running. Better to be safe than to get sick.

With no rain, the air quality was worse today. My tonsils have been hurting a bit, so I've been drinking more water. I remember my pulmo told me before that bad air can affect your breathing and your tonsils. Stay hydrated he said and stay in a room with your windows closed and use your air purifier. 

As much as I want to do some gardening, I've just been watering the plants. I also wear a mask to be sure I don't have an asthma attack. There's nothing much you can do when there is haze, just protect yourself by wearing a mask, staying indoors, hydrating and using an air purifier.

Time to wake up tomorrow!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Work in Progress: Baby Yoda Project

I'm still working on my Baby Yoda grid quilt project. Hand quilting is taking longer than I expected since I can't overdo using my wrist. 

I'm planning to frame it when I'm done and I'll also have the Pikachu one framed too.

Happy crafting everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Details that Need Input for Your House Construction

To be honest, we all got cross-eyed when we were presented with the planned details. They were made by our architect together with engineers. There were pages upon pages of drawings showing the structure, elevation, ceiling, electrical, windows, tile count etc. Printed on huge blue paper, they were overwhelming. 

We started a shared document with our architect to note down our requests. It started with comments on the layout and after that followed details on the following:

• 
  Electrical needs
• List of appliances per room 
• Where we wanted outlets
• Placement of airconditioners
• Additional lights
• Outdoor electrical needs
• Plumbing
• Installation of water heater for bathrooms (if any)
• Outdoor needs for plumbing
• Plan for water tank
• Plan for rainwater collection
• Internet/phone
• Point the location for your Telco wirings for internet and phone
• Extenders where needed
• CCTV
• Pinpoint where you intend to put CCTV since that requires wirings too
• Solar
• Get your solar provider to do an inspection for solar installation. There are requirements they need to follow from Meralco
• Pest control
• This is important especially if you're in an area where there are a lot of termites. Pest control companies can install pipes around your house to make it easier to do treatment.

Including details to the plan will help the construction team a lot. We were able to avoid doing corrections which can get expensive especially with plumbing and electrical requirements. 

Or I'm just probably a bit OCD, haha.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Last Sunday of September

I woke up a bit late today. My forehead is still smarting after I bumped it on a table yesterday. I had a goose egg lump, but the swelling has gone down after icing it several times.

Anyway, I didn't let it get in the way on what I wanted to do today. I had to water the plants generously today because we won't have water tomorrow according to Maynilad. I gave the plants some bone meal too before I watered them. They're going to have a nutrition boost. 

After a bit of rest, Sweetie and I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. We baked salmon in garlic cream cheese, made fried brown rice, and prepped red onion pickles for tomorrow's food. The food disappeared in a jiffy, haha.

And now my energy is depleted. Good thing I squeezed in some sewing time after lunch.

Happy new week!

#BeKind #StaySafe