I have a lot of ideas for my school boy’s bento, only to find out that he prefers to eat the usual snack. To prevent from having last minute requests to change what I’ve prepared, he get’s to taste new snack options after school. That way I don’t have to guess whether he’ll like the food or not.
Sunday:Â Apple slices, Nutella sandwich, Chicken nuggets, and Yakult
Sheila of AB & Me asked if I could help her make cookies and fondant cake for her Little B’s 3rd birthday. Â She has been doing DIY birthday party for Little B since she turned 1 year old. Amazing Mama!
The last big fondant cake I made was my friend’s wedding cake, before I gave birth to LittleMiss C. We worked on the cake & cookies for 1 week.
We are on the last week of September. I can finally say that we are all getting back to our routine after two long months of vacation back home.
Honestly, mornings have been difficult this start of school month. I overslept and so did the boys, who needs to be out of the house by 6:30 am. I was grumpy most mornings – I had to prepare breakfast, school lunch and hush a LittleMiss who needs nanan because our loud voices woke her up.
Instead of sharing a weekly round-up, here’s our September bentos – well those that I’ve managed to snap photos of.
LittleMan V now plans his school lunch with me. I suggested that since he’s turning 7 years old maybe he can start eating fresh/steamed vegetables, he agreed but requested that he get to choose which veggie. Read More
We were invited at the re-launch of Millennium Plaza Hotel’s Themed Nights in their Metro Cuisine Restaurant. Themed nights will feature array of food from Southeast Asia and Indian cuisines.
Although Indian cuisine is widely available in Dubai and one of my closest friends is from Kerala – we always stick to the familiar food when dining out. My idea of Indian food is limited to papadams, buttered chicken, naan, dosa and Kerala style veggie stew.
We were spoilt with choices from appetizers to desserts – the buffet had live pakora and chaat stations. We browsed through the food choices and to my surprise no sight of buttered chicken! I asked our pleasant waiter Shajeev if there was indeed no buttered chicken in the menu and he said there was none. He suggested that I try the lamb and chicken curry instead.
I’m so excited to share my space with a good friend Maria who resides in Italy with her family.
A little background- My Mama is best friends with Maria’s Nanay Lyn but we didn’t get to spend time (Maria and I) together growing up in Davao. They move to Australia. I got to spend time with Nay’ Lyn’s family for a few days when they stop-over at Manila before heading to Davao for their vacation.
Maria and I both love baking and this topic started our friendship. We chatted about daily life and exchange tips and recipes on baking.
We are planning to open our own cafe – which will happen once we are on the same timezone and country.
Finally, after almost 2 years of convincing her to write a blog post here she is with her Puto Rice (Steamed Rice Cake) Recipe.Â
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Hi, I’m Maria, your guest writer for today. Like my friend Gail, I’m an expat, married and a mother of 2 – An energetic and headstrong girl, Aurora and a velcro baby boy Lorenzo.
Now, living overseas is great! Wonderful especially if you end up in beautiful places like Australia and Italy, like I did.
But, you know, aside from being nostalgic of your family and friends… you can get food nostalgia too… It’s great being able to afford apples, grapes, McDonalds, potato chips, apple juice, meat etc….But there will come a point when you’ll miss all the food you’ve taken for granted. Like the puto and kutchinta that they peddle, the Bibingka, pan de sal and Ensaymada from the bakery next door… the hopia and sio pao when money’s not too tight.
There will be a day in your life overseas that you’ll be forced to pay 7 dollars for 10 crappy pieces of Pan de Sal, or Dry crumby Ensaimada. You’ll complain, of coirse, but only after you ate every crumb of it… swear you’ll never buy it again… then  the next month, you’ll be paying same ridiculous money and eating same ridiculously old bread…
LittleMan V has been planning a fishing trip with his cousin Ate Sophia even before we left for our annual vacation. Â His fascination with fishing began last year when his Lolo Nonong told him stories of them fishing in the sea when Lolo was still working overseas at Marshall Islands.
LittleMan V had his first fishing experience last year at Carmen, Davao del Norte. It took 45 minutes before he caught his first Tilapia and he was hooked to fishing. This activity was something that he can’t stop talking about and on the top of the list of things he must do back in the Philippines.
We went to Disneyland Hong Kong last year, sadly we didn’t get a chance to meet all the Princesses – a reason that we have to go back.
Dad and I had a long discussion on what show to watch that weekend (Hi-5 or Disney) – we finally decided on Disney on Ice. I watched Disney on Ice as a kid with my siblings and cousins in Manila way back 1990 at Araneta Coliseum – I’m asking Mama to look for photos.
We bought tickets for the kids and I to watch Disney on Ice Rockin Ever After. I also joined several giveaways to win tickets to both shows.
We won family tickets to watch Disney On Ice from Etisalat!
Cuddles and Crumbs 