July 2, 2018

Our First Potluck At Home

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We did it. We pulled it off.

Our very first time to entertain at home. 🙂

Technically, it’s not the first time. The hubby has had friends over for drinks, but they only ever really spend time at the back and its only for drinks. On Saturday night, we hosted our first potluck dinner party to celebrate the hubby‘s birthday with his side of the family.

This is the first time his family is coming over for a visit. We have been dreading this day for two months – since about the time the cousins agreed that the June inuman session was going to happen here.

Why have we been dreading this day?

Our entire living area is such a mess. It looks like we just moved in, or a tornado just blasted through. That’s why I don’t invite friends over, and why one of my goals this year was to finally be able to entertain friends and family at home – to motivate us to really clean house!

Initially, we wanted to do the cleaning all by ourselves. But we’ve postponed the dinner date because that didn’t happen. And just a week left before the last day of June, we were desperate for help. We finally booked the help of Busy Bees Housekeeping Services to get the house in shape.

They really saved the day.

They helped us declutter and let go of a lot of things. They cleaned up our couch, our bathroom and our kitchen and back area. There’s still a lot of stuff we held on to, but it’s a start towards breaking free of ‘stuff.’ Next time, we intend to enlist their help again but for the bedrooms and the upstairs bath.

Sorry, no before and after photos here but trust me – they did wonders to our home! My parents will attest, specially my Dad! 🙂

Too bad we didn’t get to take photos of everyone who made it to our small shindig, specially since it was the first time since the wedding three and a half years ago that my parents got any face time with my in-laws. By the time I remembered to snap this photo of our remaining guests, the ‘oldies’ had already left 🙂

On a side note, the Big Winner of this gathering was really our nephew/inaanak Grey who got to pick three items from his Ninong Dodong’s Lego collection:

Honestly though, we are wondering how many days we’re actually going to be able to maintain order and cleanliness around here. Haha!

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If you need cleaning services, chat up Busy Bees Housekeeping Cleaning Services on Facebook, they are very responsive and will provide you with a free estimate.

June 27, 2018

The Book Thief

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How many times have I found myself transported to another place, and another time? How many times have I imagined living in a different world, a different era? But I would never wish to exist in the time of The Book Thief.

Specially not on Himmel Street.

The Book Thief is my book #14 for 2018. I took my time with this one, reading just a few pages a day. Towards the end, I wanted to keep reading. All the while knowing…

That I may not have the courage to live in that harsh reality of wartime Germany. I don’t know that I have the heart to survive it.

Liesel Meminger had to say so many goodbyes at a tender young age. All because of words. Words. Words. Words that planted seeds of fear and hate. Words that started and fueled a war. Words that ripped families apart. Words that sent home thousands of souls earlier than they had to.

Is it coincidence that I read Markus Zusak’s masterpiece at this very season? There is a lot happening in our country, and in the world today. And once again, words are at the center. Words that are once again being shaken and used to distract, confuse, instill fear, and instigate hate. Words that are rewriting history, and shaping a new reality.

But it is also Words that helped Liesel cope. Words kept her alive. Zusak weaved for us a beautiful tale of humans that existed in that time. He forces us to remember that where there is ugliness, there is also beauty. And that kindness continues to persist in a world full of hate.

No, I would not wish to have lived in that time, in that place, but I would have been fortunate to have known the likes of Liesel, her family and her friends.

They are a reminder that there are Hans and Rosa Hubermanns out there who are willing to care for the lost and forgotten. That no matter the danger, it is right to repay kindness with kindness. There are Rudys, who are true friends, and this one shows us that boys can grow up to be decent young men who will give their all. And there is Max, who held on to hope even when it seemed that all is lost, and who never failed to show gratitude in every way he could.

So I also know that now we have a choice – do we allow the words of modern-day Fuhrers to shape our world, or will we use our words to spark hope, spread kindness, bring joy, and inspire change?

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June 22, 2018

Clean Oven

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Our Elba, the oven I happily featured in this post from 2009, has served us really well. Recently, it’s always grimy, and all pots and pans you use while cooking would end up with soooo much soot I hated washing because soot just ended up on everything else that’s on the sink.

One knob was broken and has gone missing. The burners weren’t working 100%.

We haven’t used the oven in a long time.

Now, thanks to these young men, Louie and JC, we have a clean and fully functioning oven!

They checked everything and cleaned it inside and out. They say it was in pretty good condition, and just needed a good cleaning to get back to tip-top shape. It did take about 5 or 6 hours for them to complete the job though on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

The service is husband-approved! He’s the primary cook and kitchen manager in this household and is very happy that he can now use multiple burners again. He is also looking forward to using the rotisserie function!

For your oven cleaning and repairs

These guys came all the way from Binangonan, Rizal, and had braved through Metro Manila traffic on their way to our place. That evening, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much time they spend on a single job that day – 6 hours on the job and maybe 4 hours on the commute?

So I would really love to help drive more business to these hardworking, small business folk. For your oven repair and Service needs, here’s how to reach them:

Facebook: Bertiz Louie

Mobile: 09073116053

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June 18, 2018

My 3 Best Dads

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Reposting this photo of my 3 best Dads ?

Yesterday was really family day for my husband and me. First up was a big lunch with the Ocampos in Fairview. And then it was dinner with the Apitanas all the way in far Pasay. Hehe ?

I have truly been blessed to have grown up with fine examples of Dads. Papa and Daddy showed me that ‘good provider’ was not just about bringing food to the table but being a real presence. That love for family came first, but so did serving the bigger community.

My husband has always had big shoes to fill because these guys, my Kuya included, set a very high standard. Hindi naman din sya nagpapahuli.

Tho we are still working on that baby project, Pawrents naman kami to our four-legged babies. And sya ang primary caregiver. I just know he’ll make a fine Dad himself, given the chance.

To all Dads – a belated Happy Father’s Day! Know that you are loved and appreciated, every single day of the year ?

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June 14, 2018

Where to Get Fresh Produce Online: Homegrown Organics

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Ratings and feedback on products and sellers influence my shopping behavior, so when I find companies or online sellers that make me a happy customer, I try to spread to word.

Today let’s feature my latest source of fresh produce:

Homegrown Organics

@myhomegrownorganic on Instagram | Shop

I just love how you can get fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables delivered to your door! The price and quality is way better compared to what you’d find in the big grocery chains.

Where to Get Fresh Produce Online: Homegrown Organics | Stitches & Words http://verabear.net

This is already my second order. I was so happy with the first batch of mixed greens that I just had to go and order more before I ran out. The greens stayed fresh longer, and also tasted so good.

Carrots came with our first order, and I grabbed one pack of their free tomatoes.

We got avocado too. They are not yet ripe upon delivery but they include a tip sheet so you don’t accidentally cut through the fruit before it’s ready (but I still did, Ha! Excited much?).

On this second order we’re also trying their Sweet mangoes (still waiting for those to ripen), and Indian mangoes (sarap!).

Although there’s a bit of plastic packaging included, I think they are trying to minimize that as best they could and that is truly appreciated. For my next order I’ll have to remember to tell them to go paperless – I have no use for the printed invoice, and though I appreciate the tip sheet and their message to customers, I can just view those online.

Ordering Experience

They have a shopping cart system on their website. They’ve got good pictures, FAQs, and detailed description for each product. Delivery date (tentative) is clearly displayed on the site, and they also send you an SMS to confirm. I received my text confirmation a day before scheduled delivery, and they ask you to respond. Since I know I’m talking to a live person, I also let them know my time preference.

If you would like to place an order, be sure to check their FAQs.

Mode of Payment

Cash on Delivery. As mentioned above, you already know the tentative delivery date even before you order so it’s very easy to plan to have someone available to receive the produce, and pay. Sweet!

They offer free shipping for orders above PHP 450 otherwise, shipping costs PHP 75.

They don’t deliver everywhere, but have a specific delivery coverage which covers most of Metro Manila. I understand this is to ensure the quality and freshness of their products.

Happy Customer

Let me be clear, this is not a sponsored post. I have not received any compensation in exchange for this – I am just a happy customer spreading the word.

In this social media-driven world, where customer service horror stories abound, I try to share something positive every once in a while. 🙂

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Stitches & Words

The 100 Day Project

Our First Potluck At Home

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The Book Thief

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