September 27, 2015

5 Things to Consider in Choosing A Bathtub for Your Home


One of the things I want to be included in our dream house is a bathtub. I know a pool won't that be realistic so a bathtub will do, hehe. Anyway, I know every woman dreams of a bathtub too. That is a place where you can soak in to relax and de-stress after a long day of working outside or doing house chores. But before you buy one, you may want to look at these 5 things to consider in buying a bathtub for your home.

1. Your bathroom space

If your buying a bathtub for your home, the very first thing to consider is the bathroom space. Don't buy a built-in pool-like tub if you have a limited space in your bathroom. That would cause a big headache right? Instead, why not look for corner baths? Corner bathtubs will definitely help you save space.


2. Bathroom design

Another thing to consider is your current bathroom design. Unless you want a bathroom remodeling, you must consider your current bathroom design before buying a bath tub. Bathtubs always look good on display at store, but it won't necessarily have the same good look on your own bathroom.

3. Bathtub quality

Quality must always be considered in buying a bathtub. Always go for good quality bathtubs because replacing bathtub too often is very expensive right?

4. Safety

Aside from quality, you must also consider safety at home. If you have kids at home, they will possibly use the tub too. Choose a bathtub that will be safe with the kids. But remember not to allow your kids alone in the tub.


5. Your budget

Hmm, I think this is the most important thing to consider. Our budget will always limit what we can buy and do right? If you already consider all the four things above and you finally decide to go for freestanding bathtubs, it will be very frustrating to know you are short of budget. So consider first your budget before anything else.


Those are the 5 things to consider in buying a bathtub for your home. Are planning to buy a bathtub soon?
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September 26, 2015

My Dragon Fruit Bears Fruit

Few weeks after sharing the photos of my dragon fruit flower, here is the progress on the fruit it bears.

The day after the flower has in full bloom, here it looks like:

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The wilted Dragon Fruit flower (September 11, 2015)

The Dragon Fruit flower wits and after few more days, it dried with the base of keeps on clinging on the stem. By looking at its appearance, it is difficult to figure how the fruit will develop.

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The dried Dragon Fruit flower (Spetember 15, 2015)
After few days, the remaining base of the Dragon Fruit  flower starts to swell.

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The base started to swell (September 19, 2015)

 Just like how fast the flower develops, the fruit is developing almost the same rate.

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The Dragon Fruit fruit is already visible (Spetember 22, 2015)
This morning, here is looks like. It seems that the fruit is already fully developed and I will just wait until it ripens and ready to eat.

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The fully developed Dragon Fruit fruit (Spetember 16, 2015)

I will keep to document the development of the fruit and will make an update soon.
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September 18, 2015

Christmas Countdown: 9 Things to Look Forward to Christmas

Last night, while watching the news on TV, our son heard the anchors saying it's 99 days to go before Christmas. He immediately went to me and said, "Mommy, it's Christmas already! There will be no classes." 

He's excited but I am not sure if it's because Christmas is here or he will have a class break. Haha! Then his Dad told him Christmas will be near if it's only 15 days to go. Our ever inquisitive little boy told me what his Dad told him. 

Anyway, we usually feel the Christmas season once the ber month comes. Then we will start the Christmas countdown when it's only 100 days to go. 
photo source
Now, what are the things or events people look forward to Christmas, here's my list.

Christmas Sale. I think this is always on top of the list. Who doesn’t love to shop? I do but of course we need to have a separate budget for that and stick to it as much as you can control yourself. Some people are doing the Christmas shopping once the sale begins, while others do it days before the Christmas day.

Heavy Traffic Jam. Oh this has been the problem in the metro and the near provinces. Traffic jam will even get worst once Christmas Mall sale begins. I heard that the Government is already planning for the worst traffic scenario. Crossing my fingers they will have an effective plan to at least loosen up the now already heavy traffic jam.

New Clothes. I bet your parents bought you new clothes every Christmas. I don't know exactly why but I think it's because Christmas is a special day, and parties are everywhere.

Christmas Bonus and 13th Month Pay. We need this for our Christmas shopping, haha! For some generous company, aside from the mandatory 13th Month Pay, they also give their employees a Christmas bonus. 13th Month Pay like what I said is mandatory so all employees must receive this. Some company give it as early as June, usually half of it then the rest on October or November.

Christmas Songs and Carols. Expect that radio stations will play Christmas songs often. I love hearing Christmas songs. I don’t know why but just hearing the bells and the lyrics makes me feel Christmas. Also, expect carolers singing and knocking on the gates of your house. 

When I was young, I remember a group of carolers, usually from Church, will knock on our door. They will leave an empty envelope for any amount of money we can give. Then they will come to our house the next night and sing Christmas songs. They have musical instruments to accompany their cool voices and at their back are the instrument cases like musiciansfriend.com trombone cases. Their voice can fill our soul and after they sing, you be shy to give them just a small amount. Haha. But now even a very small child can do solo and knock on your gate to sing a Christmas jingle.

Simbang Gabi or Night Mass. Many people look forward to attending simbang gabi. Again, when I was young, I always tried my best to complete the 9 simbang gabi and make a wish. That's according to the old wives tale, haha!

Puto Bumbong and Bibingka. People attending simbang gabi, will definitely not missed puto bumbong and bibingka. 

Christmas Party. Parties are here and there. Everyone give their time to attend their company Christmas parties, or with their friends. Family reunions are everywhere too. It's a time to meet again our old friends, and bond with our families and relatives.

Gift Giving and Exchange Gift. When there are parties, exchange gift will not be forgotten. It has been a tradition to give gifts on Christmas. This is what children are excited for. They will visit their godmother or godfather. Godparents have their gifts wrapped and happily distribute to their godchildren. Children are the happiest on Christmas days, agree?

So that's the things or events people usually look forward to Christmas. Anything I missed?
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September 16, 2015

My Dragon Fruit has Bloomed


For about two years, the cuttings of pitaya or Dragon fruit I planted in a pail has grown and recently started its first bloom.

I tried to document the process of developing its flower thru series of photos. However, I haven’t framed the first few days of it.

At first, I thought it was just another dragon fruit bud for a new branch but after five days, it is different from the usual. The bud is rounded and about 2-3 inches.

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Dragon Fruit  Flower Bud

After 6 days, the the dragon fruit flower bud became longer and started to get slender.

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Dragon Fruit  Flower Bud

The flower grows rapidly and after another 4 days, the flower is already visible.

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Dragon Fruit Flower Bud

Two days more, here it is.

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Dragon Fruit  Flower

After another two days, I was surprised how it looked when I came home from work. Matthew told me that it was a corn. Does it really look like one?

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Dragon Fruit  Flower about to Bloom

The dragon fruit flower might be full bloom that night so I patiently waited and took a photo of it.  Isn’t it lovely?

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Full Bloom Dragon Fruit  Flower at night
The following day, the dragon fruit flower started to wilt.

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Full Bloom Dragon Fruit  Flower the next morning

Isn’t it lovely? You can see other photos of dragon fruit flower on my Captured Moments.

Now, I am waiting for its fruit. I am going to share another series of photos of its fruit development.


Have you grown your Dragon Fruit at your place?


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September 3, 2015

Work Space Ideas for Work-at-Home Mom


Working at home is what I am aiming since the day I became a mother. It's been 5 years yet, I'm still working full time outside home. But I trust God that this is His better plan for me now and I will patiently wait for the right time.

Anyway, I'm continuously searching for an online work just in case the right time comes. So aside from blogging and online selling, I can have another source of income. Also, I'm considering having my own work space at home. All these in preparation for the right time.

Speaking of work space at home, you can find many inspirations in the web. Let me share my top picks.


 I can make a work space at our living room. Or this corner, inside our bedroom.

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Or this clean looking corner minus the hand because my son might get scared of it.

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 Hmm... I think I like it near the windows too.

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 How about this space saver home work space under the stairs.

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And this is my favorite. I can do both blogging and crafting or crocheting in one desk.

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I wish Daddy knows how to make furniture too so he can make a working desk like that for me.

But if space is really a problem, how about this portable laptop desk and cabinet.

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If you need to use additional keyboard for easy typing then you just need to install a Fulterer keyboard slides. You can just put it in a corner after working, just like that.

Oh there are so many home work space ideas over the net. I should start deciding what work space I need at home, or I should check more, haha!
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September 1, 2015

Pizza Pandesal Recipe


I already posted on Chemist Dad on how to enjoy pandesal aside from the usual way to eat it - pizza pandesal. Yesterday, I made an "upgraded" version. I added more toppings and used quick-melt cheese instead of cheddar cheese.

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Pizza Pandesal

Before, I do it using oven toaster, this time I used the convection oven.

Here is a very simple way to make Pizza Pandesal. This can be also placed in your kid's lunch box and surely they will enjoy having this as snacks in their school.

Pizza Pandesal

PIZZA PANDESAL VERSION 2.0

Ingredients:
Pandesal, as crust
Del Monte Italian-style Pizza Sauce
Toppings: pineapple tidbits, sliced mushrooms, sliced ham, green bell pepper, quick-melt cheese

Direction:
Slice pandesal horizontally.
Spread Del Monte Italian-style Pizza Sauce.
Place the toppings making the quick-melt cheese the last to be added.
Cook in oven until cheese melts.
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