Treasure Jar

Last minute shopping. This is what can be said of the malls and stalls in bargain places (like Divisoria) nowawadays. People are on the hunt for school supplies, uniforms, school shoes and thingamajigs for school opening on Tuesday.

We plan to go look for kitchen appliances but we have to hold it off to avoid the crowds. Who knows what virus or worse, pickpockets are up to during these times. I still want to watch a movie with the kids though, before the school starts, LOL.

Nowadays, even the brother-in-law who works to design furniture does not frequent the malls where he looks for inspiration. I think I should do get the things I need for my grocery list today to avoid Monday’s crowd since Monday is a holiday.

And yeah, now I need to wake up before the rooster crows to cook packed lunch for the children.

Tags: children, June school opening, last minute shopping, Purse Strings, school opening

Stacking cups, only these are not stacked on top of one another, my entry for Photo Hunt spiral.

I was cleaning the closets and preparing the baby toys  my children played with when they were younger when I decided to take photos of the toys, including this set of stacking cups.

These were given to my brother’s young daughter.

Sigh, they don’t need these toys anymore, how time flies.

Tags: baby toys, children, colors, family, Photo Hunter, Photography, Purse Strings, stacking cups, thoughts, toys

There have been a lot of gifts given and received that are great and practical like things that can be used for daily activities (like food containers and kitchen gadgets, wholesale insurance, gift certificates) such as there are those that are not practical.

I would not want to enumerate what the not-practical gifts are but you probably know what these are.

There is really no need to give lavish gifts like some people do. This year like last year, we gave small baskets of goodies with fruits and home-baked muffins. We even gave away candies to the children who come a-knocking on the gates for some Christmas tokens.

Gifts for the kids were wishes came true: they were asked what they needed and these were given to them. Yes, they knew what they were getting for Christmas 🙂 Corny but then again, at least they like what they get, right?

Tags: Christmas, family, gifting, gifts, Purse Strings

Halloween was just a few weeks ago and with the Christmas season in full swing, sweets abound. By sweets I mean cake, pastries, candy canes, candies and sweet memories. Ok, scrap the last part because I am really talking about those with sweet tooth and unlimited stomach space.

I am sure a lot of health-related issues after the Christmas season would center on two or three or even four concerns:

• high blood pressure due to excessive consumption of food high in cholesterol and animal fats,
• high blood-sugar level due to consumption of food that are not even supposed to be within two feet of the sufferer,
• cavities especially with children who are in dire need of a visit to Plano dentist clinics
• stomach-related problems like dyspepsia, indigestion and just plain eating a little bit too much.

The key to not getting sick in to do things in moderation and that includes eating, drinking, shopping, having fun, and partying.

Sure, one can always say it is the time to be happy and enjoy the company of  family and friends but then again, knowing one’s limits is the best way to go so spend your holidays wisely 🙂

Tags: Christmas, dining, family, food, Purse Strings, thoughts

Or should those Christmas cards been mailed a few weeks ago?

I think the art of sending handwritten Christmas cards and letters is now lost because of the new technology that keeps people connected in more ways than one.

I love receiving Christmas photo cards. I told myself that the kids will do these handwritten cards but the truth is, we haven’t started yet.

Last year’s Christmas craft projects like photo ornaments and gift cards went underway early. I know I am to blame because I have been too busy with not so important things and have neglected this aspect of our routine.

I hope it is not too late to start these projects.

Tags: Christmas, family, Frugal Christmas, Purse Strings, technology

Home cooking is not only inexpensive but it sure guarantees safe handling of food. Home cooking is also a way to be creative in preparing healthier choices as compared to food prepared elsewhere.

If only most of our meals are prepared at home then I know we are eating better than the alternative.

Being creative in the kitchen enables one to experiment with different tastes, textures, flavors and adaptation to what is readily available in the kitchen.

Here is one alternative food preparation we did recently, introducing our homemade chicken shawarma:

Thinly sliced chicken strips (from chicken breast fillet) with oyster sauce, a bit of light soy sauce, and a little muscovado sugar, were cooked in olive oil.

I seasoned with salt and pepper.

For the vegetables, I sliced green bell peppers and cucumber (I removed the seeds). Lettuce is still very expensive so I skipped that.

For the dressing I used light mayonnaise.

I then topped these with grated cheese and voila, a homemade chicken shawarma for us.

The wrap consisted of store bought wheat soft tortilla wrap.

Yes, it was ‘sawrap”!

Tags: cheese, chicken, cooking, dining, food, food and dining, food photo, healthy eating, home, Photography, Purse Strings, shawarma