Nov 2022 Recap

Cyclist vs Car, que horror

Kittschen Lab Experiments

First Love

Quick Meetup with BFF J

I think I am the best bento mom

Mob Psycho 100 S2 series and play with D

Little Women

Lesser piano practice this month, boo.

Completed updating google analytics for new url, whew!

More Asana Rebel quickies

in 31 days, 2022 is so done!

Emotions on High

 

How are you feeling today?

Sad. I miss my dad. 

Lonely.  I want a hug. 

Old.  Youth, where are thou? 

Frustrated. Amp my parking and estimation skills.

Angry. Couples who are carelessly brave in hoping for another child with preferred gender, of those who barely can provide for their children rn.

Mad.  Me, thoughtless and selfish for not celebrating life milestones with family and friends.

Floating Thoughts

much like these yellow butterflies, I had a hard time getting to sleep last night which I always take as a sign that I should write my thoughts down lest I want to rob myself of proper sleep for the next coming days.

My sister is sick, covid: fever + colds.  People I know getting sick left and right.  Anxiety amped.

Bestfriend coming home next month.  Must date.

Another bestfriend not talking much.  I do wonder but will let it be.

My daughter's interest to apply for a college scholarship abroad.

Sunday sermon.  I was wondering why I haven't been authentically grateful and it did hit a mark.

Books I haven't read.  

Music I haven't played.  

Recipe's I'm dying to try.  

Pounds I've yet to shed.

Past lovesss and heartachesss.

Nothing much on my mind really :D  Maybe I should just check in with myself of any unsatisfied needs, says an IG post on self-care ^^

Q3 2022 End is Near

How about that?!  In a blink of an eye we're already pushing towards last quarter of the year.  BER months are faster than usual but not yet feeling the holiday seasons than previous years.  Couple skills I'm honing, ahem driving, baking/cooking rn.  Made a spinoff IG account for my experiments not much content yet but also i'm doing a personal recipe book offline (hardcore!), just a collection of tried and tested palatable outputs and hopefully kwentos of tips and tricks I have learned so far.  True enough, it's a scary thing to do something unfamiliar to you but one can always learn from one's failures.  Pray, I won't have much tho lest we have frequent upset stomachs ^^

Anyways, I promised O I'll finish our SKor photobook soon so despite updates I feel sharing, I just had to go.  Until next!

Good Start

A warm cup of poured over coffee black, blood orange marmalade on top of my wheat bread toast partnered with fresh button mushroom scrambled eggs and a citrus fruit to cap it all off. 

Apple Pocket Pie

Now that I've learned to conquer my fear of baking pies, I bid rotten apples goodbye!

Dessert Pie Dough

2 cups APF

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp muscovado sugar

7 tbsp cold butter in cubes

7 tbsp cold milk (adjust based on desired flakiness)

1 pc egg yolk

1 pc egg white and 1 tbsp milk for pastry wash

Filling

1 large fuji apple, cut into tidbits

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp muscovado sugar

1 tbsp white sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

2 tbsp cornstarch

Picked up a technique in youtube to use a knife (she used 2, I paired it with my spatula) to slice and mix the butter into the flour.  didn't bother to use a mixing bowl, poured the flour and mixed salt, sugar on the silicon mat.  then added the butter.  made a crater to add the yolk and milk (by the tablespoon).   did not overworked my dough and used cling wrap then stored in the ref for an hour.

Chicken Empanada

will update this post to include recipe.  no harm trying to bake pies.  on a whim, i thought i should try this savory pastry.  though my first batch has thick wrapper and dry fillings, i think muchhas improved in my next batch.  much like my first attempt in making bread, this experience has opened a lot of possibilities for yummy snacks.  next up, jamaican patties! 

for this batch i used the follwing:

2 cups APF

7 tbsp unsalted butter

1/4 tbsp salt

4 tbsp warm milk

1 egg

i mixed warm milk with egg in a bowl.  mixed apf and salt in another.  poured the liquid bowl in portions and added 1 tbsp butter in batch to slowly wet the dough.  mixed the dough a bit by hand and formed into a ball, covered with cling wrap.  stored in the ref as i cook the filling.  later based from other videos, i shouldn't have overmixed my dough and used cold milk and butter instead.  will try next time to see if i will end up with a flakier dough.  also, i used by air fryer and then the rest deep fried in oil.  honestly the air fryer is biscuit like and drier.  i should've added a tsp of sugar as well for browning color effect. i thoroughly enjoyed flattening and shaping the dough :)

44.4 Review

oreamanhae!

I am lagging behind from where I planned to be since the start of the year.  Honestly, I am not gravely disappointed but I cant say the same for those who might've higher expectations from me.  Couldn't say I've already established a productive routine since my "vacation".  One thing's for sure, I am taking it a day at a time.  Finding my flow in whatever I do whenever I can from the simplest thing like washing the dishes and making sure they are clean and dried as I tuck them away.  To watering my plants and helping them thrive, thankful for every new blossom or leaf.  Improving my culinary and (ahem) culinary skills with beginner recipes resulting to edible food.  Academics has taken a back seat.  Admittedly, I am a bit nervous whenever I check my digits.  More credits than debits.  Never a good thing when one hits negative but doesn't help to worry too much.  Healthwise, about 80% okay.

Initially planned to update from a list of some sorts but I don't really want to measure or track my life so far because it's not all there is to it.

Not so quick but easy to make brekkie

Hot Choco with Mallows and French Toast

For the hot choco mix, I used:

1pc Bag of Beans Tablea

1pc 200ml Bear Brand Full Cream Milk

1 tbsp Muscovado Sugar

a dash of cinnamon

Stir in low heat until grated choco melts and natural oils begin to appear.  Topped with mallows.

For the Toast:

3pcs Wheat bread sliced into half

2 egg yolks

2 tbsp approx of condensed milk

generous cinnamon

Melt butter in low heat, dip the bread into the mix and fry until brown.

Best with fruits and sausage or bacon.  I thought I have cayenne pepper to spice up my drink but cant find it anywhere in the kitchen 😅

What is the point of sweeping the floor

It just gets dirty again?

Sure can relate to Agnes on this (Hamnet, p218).  So, I find myself wanting to write something about finding the motivation to clean and it's relation to one's mental health.  Personally, I hate cleaning in general.  I get too wrapped up in the task and I haven't found the efficiency to do so thus taking more time and effort than most.  Stumbled upon the 20/10 method and seems practical and doable approach to cleaning.  I feel like I am doing something similar already as I attack smaller tasks but will keep in mind the shared tip on keeping the activity in short bursts and track with a timer.  Not sure about getting others involved, honestly I don't like cleaning when people are around, it makes me self-conscious and well it hinders my movement and thinking lol if that doesn't make sense maybe it's just me.

Speak plainly

So I'm barely making progress with Hamnet and the jump between two timelines took me a while to adjust.  I'm at the part when Agnes is gone missing and Will, in his attempt to find her whereabouts, went to ask his brother in law.  I find it funny how Bartholomew impatiently prompted Will for quick but simple answer to his question:  Is all well? @p128/789 ebook.

Anyway, didn't share in goodreads as I've just updated my progress a couple of pages ago :D  I feel the need to post and share here instead.

Followed up by these words: "I cannot divine" got me googling, who the heck still speaks like so nowadays.  

photo by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/felibrilu/

And so we play

I wish I can jam with my boy Stevie,

For did my dreams came true when I looked at you

The teen helped me assemble (ambait lang) and before calling it a night handed her old books to me.  Honestly, a song or two just flowed from memory naman.  But yes, I do need to practice again and learn new ones!

What's Up, Ketchup?!

I think I might have been super chill for the past few weeks that I am million or gazillion miles away from my goals.  I'm still on Phase 1: Collecting Underpants phase wherein I'm like sponge soaking up on tidbits of self-improvement tips, atomic habits whatnot.  However, please someone get here and kick my lazy arse of and move some more.  I do have baby steps for that small wins.  I haven't done yoga but hubby and I take afternoon walks.  I make sure I hydrate at least a glass of water first thing in the morning.  Trying to consume lesser food and half-hearted IF.  To weigh again must wait, I feel it's too soon to see improvements on that area :D

Oh and I'm on my third book, half-way through and I feel slightly attacked :p like the learnings by the characters are right on the bat for me.

My plants are little by little dying on me :p what drama!  I admire the resiliency of what remains from my collection.   Baking cookies, that I can almost do with my eyes closed.  Whoever have tasted them has given me, believe it or not, much praise.

The main reason I'm falling behind my targets, mobile gaming.  Ah, yes my downfall and my current escape from you and the war and the price hike and the election and all of the Happenings.  I wont tell which games but add me if you're so inclined, 

IGNs: 

4314441985

854347715

I also took a break from socmed as I think I did something stupid or at least I hope it was me, accidentally and subconsciously, my bad.  Maybe it's all for the best.  Let's see.  Yes, deliberately vaguely written just wanted to express it :D

My driver license has expired and my passport I've yet to renew.  We are now allowed to travel to more places yet sadly I'm going nowhere in the coming months or maybe for the rest of the year even.  Sadt.  

Book Review: The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think I am not in the best of moods when I read the first few chapters of the book. I felt a bit annoyed by the lead's insecurities and regrets but I'm still curious as to how her journey in the in-between end. Midway through, I had a hunch she'll still end up choosing to go back to her current life she left behind and move on from there having learned from her various experiences as a Slider. True enough even after she found The Best Life so far, she just had to return and be alive again. Loved the symbolic turn of events, quite dramatic that burning of The Book of Regrets and the whole Midnight Library.
I also loved the concept of variations of the in-between: video store (retro feels).
Overall, I like the book, the story was a bit predictable but can be a good informal source of self-help advices. It won't get a second read from me though which is normally why I give 4 stars and above.

View all my reviews

 

Stretch and Flow

Woke a bit late today but lovin' the ray of light from the morning sun on everything it touches (and may I add myself as well).

Book Review: The Door into Summer

The Door into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Found about the book when I saw a preview of the Japanese movie in Netflix. I like the Pete in the first few minutes so much that I quickly looked it up with the intent to compare both book and movie later on. I liked how the MC has clarity and was so focused on his priorities to get him through his challenges. It took a while for me to realize that the time travel worked, I wasn't aware that he would be able to successfully go back. I felt like it was too easy for him to set things straight and everything smoothly worked out for him in the end. I should be happy for him really but I think I was expecting more romance and blockers here and there in the story telling. Also I did get that feeling that he loved Pete more. I was entertained but left me craving for more.

View all my reviews

 

Ube-be Let's Roll

bowl 1: yeast mixture

1 tbsp dry active yeast

2 tbsp bread flour

1/4 cup warm milk

bowl 2: dough

1 1/2 cups bread flour

2 tbsp caster sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 large eggs

2 tbsp warm milk

1/4 cup unsalted butter

mix yeast mixture to bowl 2 add butter by the tablespoon

let the dough rise in warm spot for 30 mins

divide dough into 10 pieces dough balls

cover with a towel and let it rest for 10 mins

flatten dough balls and place filler

cover with a towel and leave to rise for 30 mins

brush top with milk

set air fryer at 160C for 10mins, flip and bake for another 3mins

Tweaked from YummyPH cheese roll recipe

In retro:  I might have to decrease the time to 7mins just to prevent the top from browning too much.  Funny thing is, instruction says divide into 10 pcs but I actually made 11 and ended with two smaller bread :D  This is a good soft bread dough, might experiment with various savory feelings as well.  I used purple yam (christmas gift from neighbor) for this batch that has been stuck in our fridge since then.

Lemon Tart

 

Original Recipe from Allrecipes

Crust:

2 tbsp melted butter

1 tbsp white sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

Lemon zest

Lemon Curd:

1/4 cup white sugar

2 tbsp muscovado sugar

1 tbsp cup flour

1 eggs

2 tbsp lemon juice

Combine Crust mix and press on a small pan.  Bake at 160C for 10mins.

Combine Lemon curd mix and pour over the still warm crust.  Bake at 160C for 10mins.

Slice desired size, dust with confectioner's sugar.  Can be topped with fruits and nuts, if available. 

In retro:  Probably needs to be cooked a little more, not quite sure.   Will also stick to white sugar or find a healthier replacement :D

Path to Innovative Educator

drizzly morning walk

tempted to take a photo of red berries but walked on (nahiya sa nasa likod) 

pet my pets 

watered my fave plants: hoyas 

coffee and mils banana bread

ttmik

healthygamer drk and yoga

signed up for the MS CIE track

good tips from find your voice

sidetracked by do chairs exists in yt

carbo loading pinoy spagh and cheese roll

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Did some review on The one wiki to rule them all

mils chix and tofu for dinner

did the dishes

peaky blinders ep3 and ep4

drank goodnight tea with thin choco chips cookies

No Pain No Gain

The usual--Pancake Sundays

Tended to my fave plants while singing along with 80s 90s Best

Goldilocks Set A for Lunch: Pansit Malabon, Pork BBQ and Lumpiang Shanghai.  Had to add Dinuguaan which I was craving with puto sana but not available for delivery.  Funny, I wanted to eat fresh lumpia but got distracted from the malabon and chose the wrong set😅

Sang some eHeads while D played and at some point her fingers needed a break signaling my turn with the strings.  Brewed a pot of peach tea paired with Purple Oven's Little Carrot Cake, delish.  Some pop-emo songs here and there and reviewed papa Shawn's Never Be Alone tab.  

30mins earlier than our sched, nudged the hubby for a chilly afternoon walk. 

Cooled down with 4min Asana Rebel drill which I hope to do again tomorrow and more of going forward.  Showered and rested before heating up lunch leftovers for dinner.  Added some greens from our small garden to the gifted macaroni salad.  

Did the dishes and watched Cobra Kai S4 while saving local copies of fave IG stories for 2020.  

Read a few pages of Witcher (PDF) and created this entry before shuteye. 

Hello, 2022!

No fireworks for us again this year.  didn't bother to cook as well and had food delivered.  Binagoongan Rice, Kare-kare and Pinaputok na Plapla.

No artsy shot for these cookies 😅meant to be munched on by my pamangkins but traffic made my brother decide to not pick it up instead 😔

Miss my fam and would really like to spend time with them today as tradition.  I miss the kids most specially and I don't like missing out. Hopefully by Feb, we'll be able to see each other na.