Month: February 2014

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Working Momma

My mom has always been a homemaker. When she and my dad got married in 1984, she stayed in the house and took care of their home and children. Yes, we had a one-income household which was quite okay for a family of six like ours back then.

My mom has had a few jobs when she was still single, though. Given that, she really knows how it feels to work and earn money. She’s in her late 50’s now but is still very active and young-looking (according to her). During the past three years, she’s been privileged to do part-time work at her friend’s flower shop every Valentine’s Day. We didn’t really force her to work there, though. It’s just that she enjoys doing it and she can’t say no to her friend. The money she earns from it goes straight to her “shopping funds.” Haha.

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Where to Go on Valentine’s Day

I’ve always been fascinated with couples who really find time and exert efforts to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the most romantic and fun way. The hubby and I are not one of them, though. From our boyfriend-girlfriend days to now that we are a married couple, we have celebrated Valentine’s Day simply and away from the hype and the noise. I remember he’d just send me flowers and chocolates and if we’re both free during or after the Valentine week, we’d have dinner together and that’s it.

For the past five years or so, I was doing part-time work on Valentine’s Day itself. I would be at this lovely ancestral home converted to a fine dining restaurant (that’s La Cocina de Tita Moning to you) attending to couples who were to enjoy the best dining experience ever. Sorry, I’m biased that way. Haha. Oh, and if you don’t have plans yet, you might wanna consider getting a reservation there and see for yourself.

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An Answered Prayer

Every day is a gift. Now, more than ever, I appreciate the married life the hubby and I share. It may not be perfect (and will never be), but it has all the components of a blessed union. Just recently, the hubby has received a blessing that’s sure to add a certain level of security to our finances — a job promotion. I’d say it’s long overdue considering the length of time he’s been doing a good job but as they say, it’s better late than never!

I love it when our prayers are answered. With this particular one, it’s like an affirmation from God that the hubby’s career is right where it is now. He’s very happy (and I’m super happy for him, too) because he had prayed for this for so long. And I think he’s long been prepared for the new role. When you are rewarded with something as delicate and significant as a job promotion, you take care of it and make sure to show everyone that you deserve it. Also, getting the reward is one thing, managing it is another. I just hope the hubby gets to live up to the expectations of his boss, his peers and his subordinates.

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Minimalism and Me

Now, more than ever, things are getting clearer to me. It seems like I now know what I really want. Just like my practice to live a simple and uncomplicated life, minimalism is a perspective/philosophy that can be done and applied to one’s life. However, it’s more serious and requires discipline and sustenance.

From de-cluttering and conserving resources to changing one’s money practices and overall lifestyle for the better, minimalism has so much to offer. It’s a growing lifestyle that has given a lot of people (they call themselves “minimalists”) greater happiness, meaning, fulfillment and control of their lives.

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Cooking with Edel: Stir-Fried Green Beans with Chinese Sausage

For me, green beans (or Baguio beans to most Pinoys) are one of those veggies that are versatile and easy to prepare. I can think of at least 10 ways to cook it. Sometimes, I use it as one of the ingredients of a dish, other times as the main ingredient. Sometimes, it’s our main viand, other times it’s our side dish. Last Friday, I whipped up Stir-fried Green Beans with Chinese Sausage to go with our chicken katsu for lunch. It’s one of those easy-to-cook dishes that require very minimal preparation and cooking time.

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Get the recipe after the jump…

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Earning Money by Selling Pre-Loved Stuff

Instead of spending money on more stuff that would just accumulate in our tiny house, I realized I could try earning money by selling pre-loved stuff. You know, those things you have used just once or twice but are still in mint condition. You could even add to these those items that you bought in the past but have never touched at all.

Last Monday, I sold my portable sewing machine online through my superfriend Nice. She took care of everything from posting an ad and finding a buyer to closing the deal with the seller and shipping the item. The hubby and I bought it in March 2012 (a few days after our wedding!) for P3,699.75 and I’ve used it only once. I attest to its perfect condition. I just found it hard to sew straight at that time (I think I need to attend sewing lessons first before I could fulfill my dream of sewing my own dress!) and also, I’ve found a new, fun hobby — baking!

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