A Sweet Start

Having friends is one of the nicest things.

 Yasmin

After my training in the Hospital of the Infant Jesus, I am back driving Rafael to school again.  It is just a 2-hour toddler class so I would usually just stay in the waiting area until his class ends.  It saves me gas and gives me a little time for myself.  Since June, I already met few of the mommies and it's fun because I get to share with them my thoughts about being a mom to my son.  It's quite a relief to be able to talk to the moms of the kids same age as Rafa.  Few of my questions were answered and I learned few things as well.

 chocolate cake

 Blondie's Smores

Last week, someone approached me and  I thought she was Sean's mom (Sean is Rafa's classmate).  She introduced herself as Yasmin and found out that she was the aunt.  I was pretty amazed because I always see her drive her nephew to school .  I wish the same thing for my sister especially when I go to Canada and leave Rafa here in the Philippines for a year.

Yasmin was nice and she offered to give me a cake the next morning.  Wow, I was surprised and that was really a sweet start for us.  I think that was her way of offering her friendship and I really appreciated it.  Her cakes were so good by the way.  She gave me a slice of her chocolate cake and a box of Blondie's Smores.  Rafael can't wait but to have a taste as soon as he got hold of the cakes. 

Thanks Yas!

Rafael had the first taste

♥

Leslie's Alabang

I was 4 months pregnant when my husband and I went to Tagaytay and had a nice dinner at Leslie's.  We loved the bridge, the ambiance, their must try appetizing Bulalo, the hanging "kubo", the view of  Taal Lake and of course the serenaders that will make your evening Romantic.  That was almost 4 years ago and we considered it one of the sweetest day we had in our relationship that's why the restaurant will always be a part of me.  That's why when I learned that a gigantic Leslie's branch opened in Alabang  I was really thrilled.  Reminds me of the old days siyempre :)

Serenader in Tagaytay Leslie's

my favorite!

It was only last year, during my parent's anniversary, that I first visit the place. Then the second time wast last Friday when my cousin Carlo invited the whole family to join the surprise birthday dinner he planned for his mom.  Venue was in Leslie's Alabang and I was excited to see my relatives but not too excited with the food.  Carlo availed of the buffet for only P349 during weekends for 40 heads.  We were in a function room with air-con.  I was actually surprised because I never thought that the open air 2-storey building has a separate room at the second floor.  I actually preferred staying at the ground floor because I love the big medieval wooden tables and chairs.  Plus I really don't mind if there's no air con because the place is really cool with lots of opened windows where the breeze enters.  However, there was a birthday event and it was occupied by the guests.

Just like last year, the food was not impressive at all.  The presentation was a little dull and average.  I only enjoyed the "ginataang kuhol", "baked chiken" and "lumpiang sariwa" but the rest no satiety level.  I didn't even touch the lechon, it didn't look tasty as it should be.  The baked macaroni is so boring and the beef is hard. to chew.  Leftovers weren't allowed, but I didn't care at anymore if I didn't finish the meat. No one will actually.  It was like eating in an ordinary restaurant or should I say canteen.  It could have been better if they presented a more elegant set of food pans.  My brother's gf ordered for a strawberry shake and he got only got a strawberry ice cream from a blender. It has no ice nor chilled.  We returned it and asked to put some ice.  If not only for the indoor falls and man made brook which Rafael enjoyed so much, I would extremely dislike it and not going to return.  My son loved checking out the fishes in the water and looks liked he had fun with his cousins that night.  And that's what matters to me most.

no leftovers allowed

indoor falls  

To be fair, the price of P299 on weekdays and P249 on weekends is just reasonable.  It's the worth of the food.  It's just sayang, because the place is so grande and people would be looking forward for a satisfying  dining experience.  Apparently they don't.

Leslie's Restaurant, Alabang

Blk 13 Lot1 Westgate Dr., Filinvest, Alabang
Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila

(02) 666-2446

♥

Happy Grand Parents Day

A little too late but better late than never!

In behalf of my son Rafael, we would like to greet my parents a Happy Grandparent's Day!!!  You are one hell of a spoiler.  Thanks for loving Rafa so much and trying to give him everything.  Thanks for  all the support you both are giving to my family, for the love and guidance as well.

Mamoo getting a kiss from apo

Apo kissing Dada

And of course thank you too to my in-laws in Canada for loving me and Rafael.  Greeting you Happy Grandparents Day!

my in-laws having dinner at my parents house during their vacation here in Pinas

♥

Spread the Sweetness of Gratitude Photo Contest

I really felt the thank you fever in Toblerone's Spread the Sweetness of Gratitude Photo Contest.  After seeing the post from blogger Miss Fran , I searched right away for my son's photos that I just edited few weeks ago.  I wanted to be more creative but as much as I want to, I can only think of my family especially my adorable Rafael when I think of the work Thank You.  He was given to me 3 years ago and that was the happiest moment I have.  He is the reason of all the things I am doing right now.  He will always be my husband's and my inspiration.  He consistently gives meaning to our lives.  We want to thank him for coming into our lives with the sweetest smile.

 

Inspiration
You never failed to make us happy and proud. 

Your bright face and innocent smile keeps me and daddy going. 

Thank you for being our inspiration.

check out Tobelerone's Thank You Day website 

♥

Fisher Price Go Diego Go! Talking Animal Rescue Center

September 2, 2009


Rafael was in his Mamoo's bedroom when I found him playing with his Fisher-Price Go Diego Go - Talking Rescue Center.  Luis got this for him last December when he had his vacation here in the Philippines.  Rafael truly love this gift that he even asked for a Diego party in Jollibee for his birthday last April.  Rafael gets to explore with his imagination with this play set.  Very creative and full of adventure I should say.  Complete with lights, sounds and songs featured in Diego shows plus a lot more pieces to fill the scenario.  The tree house which includes the helicopter that swings around and elevator that allows Diego and the 5 animal friends (cheetah, monkey, cat, parrot and snake)  to climb the top of the rescue center helps the kids like Rafael connect with the natural world of Diego giving them an idea how a hero feels like in rescuing the animals. However, I noticed that this toy has some flaws that comes with.  Fisher-Price toys are known to have good quality and we've been a consistent fan. But the rescue center for me was poorly constructed.  I just don't get why it keeps falling off especially the platform.  It's not stable and the posts don't fit very well to the base.  I heard that the original price for this is $40.00 and I don't think it's worth it.  Good thing Luis just got it for a discounted price, or else we would have regretted it.  And if not for the concept,  I would have hated this toy... but I think they really deserve some credits for the concept which will really entertain the toddlers.

click here for more picture

Baked Pork Chops with Mustard and Yogurt

My friend AC from UK gave me this site http://www.pinoycook.net and it is such a big help for a desperate cook like me. The recipes really suit us Filpinos (pinoycook nga eh) and ingredients are not very hard to find. This is the second recipe I got from Pinoy Cook and I am happy because my family liked it :)

 Baked Porkchops with Mustard and Yogurt

with baked potatoes

Ingredients:

8 pork chops
4 tbsp of butter
about 1-1/2 tbsp. of salt
ground pepper
1 tsp. of dried thyme
1 kilo of pearl potatoes
1/4 cup of prepared mustard
2 cup of yogurt
1 cup of cream cheese onion and chive flavor (Philadelphia spread)
onion leeaves for garnishing




                                                                                                                                                         Instructions (from the site)

Preheat the oven to 350oF.

Melt 2 tbsps. of butter in a non-stick pan. Over medium-high heat, pan fry the pork chops in batches. You are NOT cooking them through at this point. You just want to brown them a bit. Flip the chops over to brown the other side. I pan fried four chops per batch and added the rest of the butter to the pan before frying the last four chops.

Arrange the browned pork chops in two rows in a rectangular baking dish. Meat juices will ooze out because these are half-cooked chops but don’t worry. Leave the juices alone in the baking pan, they’ll serve their good purpose later.

Wash the pearl potatoes thoroughly.

I left some space between the two rows of pork chops for the potatoes and that’s where they went.

Sprinkle the pork and potatoes with salt (liberally, because potatoes absorb a lot of salt) and freshly ground pepper.

Scatter fresh thyme on top of the pork chops and potatoes.

To the drippings in the frying pan, pour in the mustard and a cup of yogurt. Stir until smooth.

Pour the mustard-yogurt mixture over the chops and potatoes.

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake in a preheated 350oF oven for an hour and a half.

The pork chops and potatoes are good enough to eat when they come out of the oven. The meat juices have mixed with the yogurt and mustard with a hint of thyme but the dish isn’t complete yet.

Take the tub of cream cheese. Scrape the contents into a bowl. Whip until light and smooth. Pour in the remaining cup of yogurt. Mix until smooth and no lumps remain.

Pour the yogurt-cream cheese mixture over the pork chops and potatoes. Bake, uncovered, for another 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly and the yogurt-cream cheese mixture thins and spreads a bit.

Take the baking dish out of the oven and sprinkle the baked pork chops and potatoes with snipped onion leaves and serve.

Hokey Pokey

Flicker Find For Today

 

Hokey Pokey Snack Stand

Since I was talking about  ice cream awhile ago, I would like to post this photo I found in flicker.  I like this vintage shot taken last 1957 because that stand is in Vancouver.

Stupid

 

I feel very stupid right now.  I just found out that my URL is actually MycreativeSapace.blogspot.com!  Wrong speeling for the space! Grrrrrr.... How could I missed that during my sign up here.  Well... I already changed it to Tins Creative Space.  But still, I feel very stupid right now.

We Heart You Berry Strawberry

I was craving for Selecta's Gold Series Berry Strawberry Ice Cream by Chef J. Gamboa yesterday even though it was raining and cold for the past few days.   My mom bought us one and Rafael and I had it for snack yesterday and really enjoyed it! Can you blame me for wanting the Selecta ice cream on a cold weather day, Berry Strawberry is sinfully delicious!  I don't think anyone could ever resist it.  It's very creamy yet not too sweet.  Never tasted any strawberry flavored foods like that before.  The way chef made it is just perfect.   The smell is really tempting and the color looks really natural.  Plus I like the fact that I can see big chunks of real strawberry.  Yummy!  The taste is just perfect.  Even my 3 year old son Rafael enjoys it so much.  Guaranteed to make any ice cream lovers be amazed just like me (as well as the lovers).  Definitely worth to be my favorite even it will cause me to weigh few pounds.

I ♥ U Berry Strawberry

 Rafael enjoying his ice cream
(he used it as a spread for his bread!Lol!)


Other Selecta Gold Series flavors are Hazelnut Brownieby Chef Sau del Rosario
and Chocolate Truffles by Chef Rolando Laudico

Feeling Better Now

Rafael started not feeling well last Monday.  It was 2 struggling days & nights for me especially to my little boy.  He has asthma so whenever he gets attacks even  the lite ones, it's still difficult for him to breath.  Not to mention the secretions that irritates him and caused his vomiting episodes.  Thank God I was home and I got to be with him all the time.  Made sure he took his medicine on time, change the towel at the back every now and then,   encouraged him to eat more and made sure he had enough rest.  I also carried him all the time when he slept because his frequent coughs were very uncomfortable  for him and disturbed his sleeps.  But even if it was sleepless nights for me I am still thankful because today Rafael is feeling better now.  Unlike the past two days wherein he was really weak and had no appetite. Today, he was able to finish a plateful of his favorites.  Scrambled egg, cheese, hot dog and fruit plus chocolate drink.  My worries are starting to fade.  I don't want to see him again suffering. If I need to be sick for him to be well everyday, I will. 

 Rafael having a comfortable nap this afternoon

  

he finished that plate

 
 

with his favorite drink

It's good to know that your kid will always be safe and well protected.  Seeing him having a hard time really breaks my heart.  Im really so thankful.

 

 

I Saw This Man In My Brother's Room

What a great idea my brother had.
I once saw this wall graphic outside our house and it looks really cool.
I better think of a great design that I can have him paint in my room.

I am totally loving it and I am sure a lot of you guys will love it too :)