At Home With MrsC

Raising a family, making a home.

MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan

Mothers Who Brunch

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Fact: I love it when other people cook for me.

I think that most moms will agree that it’s so nice when someone prepares a meal for us. Most of us are the executive chefs of our households, and so being able to sit and enjoy a home cooked meal that we didn’t have to make ourselves is just awesome. Right?

I also think that I totally won the lottery when it comes to having friends who cook well. See, I have Mish and Sab in my life. Imagine, Sab once had another friend, Marge, and I over for a wala lang lunch, and she served us no less than a bagoong paella with bagnet! 

And then one time, when Mish and I were getting some work done at her house, she had a tray of truffle mac and cheese ready for us for lunch! I feel so spoiled.

I love the fact that these two brilliant cooks decided that it was time to collaborate so that they could share their amazing kitchen delights with other moms. And so Mothers Who Brunch was born.

Mothers Who Brunch
It was so much fun hanging out with this group of lovely women. Mothers Who Brunch reminded me that spending time with your girlfriends is important, too.

 

I wish I could say that the photos I’m using for this post are mine. But I can’t. Because this little genius came to the event with a camera that was super duper lowbatt! Blame it on the crazy summer we had (the event happened in May, I know, so long ago) shuttling back and forth between Alabang and Cainta while my father in law was in town.

So before anything, I wanna credit Gilbert Gutierrez for the photos. Thank goodness Sab and Mish thought to hire a photographer for the event! I think it’s a nice touch, and a great way to make sure that the moms who were there got to really relax and just enjoy without any worries.

Bonus: We all got head shots, too! Yay, I finally have a photo that I can use (that isn’t from my wedding lol) when people ask me to send one.

Mothers Who Brunch
I always feel awkward when having my photo taken. I feel even more awkward when browsing through photos of myself!

 

I arrived pretty early and said my hellos to the moms I already knew. And then the lady standing next to me turned around, and all I could do was stutter and stammer like the true fan girl that I am of Joey of 80breakfasts.com.

Her blog and her column on Yummy Magazine were some of my go-to places for help and advice when I first started learning how to cook! Now we are friends, and I still feel kilig over it.

Mothers Who Brunch
Whisking away with fabulous home cooks, Joey and Tina.

 

We started off with a quick tour of the Viking Kitchen showroom. Someday, when I get the chance to build my dream kitchen, I would love to have a Viking range. And fridge. And oven. And microwave. Even a Viking knife.

The whole place was basically every cooking mom’s dream come true, and I was as excited to try the equipment as I was about meeting Joey. Lol, fan girl overload.

Mothers Who Brunch
Ready to cook!

 

Getting into the kitchen with the Mothers Who Brunch moms was so much fun, and everything that Mish and Sab picked for that morning’s menu was amazeballs. I had a little bit of everything, twice!

Mothers Who Brunch
Tomato-Chorizo-Egg Stew – This was my favorite, hands down! Get the recipe here!
Mothers Who Brunch
Kangkong and Kesong Puti Quiche. When I grow up, I want to be able to make pie crust just like Michelle.
Mothers Who Brunch
Cottage Cheese and Mango Pancakes – I cannot wait to make this at home so the boys can try it. So fluffy, so good!
Mothers Who Brunch
Pinoy Breakfast Salad – This one has salted egg and adobo flakes. Ohmygulay! Recipe here!
Mothers Who Brunch
And for dessert, Apple Pie by Momma N Manila and Homemade Ice Cream by Sinfully Sabrina. Sweet tooth heaven.
Mothers Who Brunch
In true blogger fashion, photo muna bago kain.

 

To be honest, I’m not yet super confident when it comes to my cooking, so I rarely cook for anyone other than family. When Sab and Mish first asked me to share a recipe for the booklet that they were making as part of the giveaways, I was thisclose to backing out. True story.

Mothers Who Brunch
Brunch recipes to share! I love this idea. Pure genius.

 

I decided to woman-up anyway and share my recipe for Banana Swiss Miss Muffins. I’m glad that I did because I’ve gotten positive feedback about it, which was a huge confidence booster.

The recipe booklet (printed by Imagemax Digital Printing) was only one of the many, many, MANY goodies that we got to take home that day. Nothing can compare the the Mothers Who Brunch swag bag. It really felt like Christmas in May.

Mothers Who Brunch
I loved this pinakbet basket from Holy Carabao Farms the most among all of the giveaways. I enjoyed every bite of the delicious veggies included here. Yes, even the ampalaya and okra.
Mothers Who Brunch
And here’s basket number two!

 

Inside basket number two were gorgeous coasters from Boqueria Lifestyle Market (who also styled the venue beautifully), gift certificates from Bikram Yoga Alabang, Coco Nail Studio and House of Monogram, yummy stuff for the kitchen from A Vanilla Story, The Vanilla Co and Lucky Merchant Salt, pralines and a cake from Choco La Bella, a beautiful little cactus from Sombra Verde, and Hurraw Chai Spice Lip Balm from Cutieverse. Wow.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, I feel like I won the jackpot with Mish and Sab. And no, I don’t mean that only because they feed me and make me happy.

These two are amazing women that I am proud and honored to call my friends. Through them and Mothers Who Brunch I’ve been able to meet more wonderful moms, and so I can say that they definitely make my life richer.

I can’t wait til the next one!

 

Cheers, mommas! ??@mommanmanila x @sinfullysabrina x @vikingrangeph #motherswhobrunch

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

Learning how to be a housewife

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Fact: I had absolutely no idea how truly tiring being a housewife could be, until I actually became one.

Over the last few years, after I decided that I was done working full time, I’ve been sort of a housewife. I say sort of because we were living with my parents then, meaning I wasn’t the head housewife of the household. My mom was.

As junior housewife, I had far less tasks and chores to complete. I had nothing to do with the household budget. I could afford not to cook or shop for groceries when I didn’t feel like it, since I had my mom to count on when laziness (or busy-ness) would strike.

Home is where the weirdos are. #athomewithmrsc #OhanaMeansFamily

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

Obviously, since we moved to a home of our own, I’ve started wearing a bigger crown on my pretty little head (yes, I just called myself pretty,) as I now assume the role of lead housewife. Actually, make that, the only housewife in our household.

I now understand why, when we were being difficult growing up, my mom would sometimes break down and angrily tell us that she is our mother and not our maid.

I get it because I now also notice every bit of dust on the wall, every water stain on the flatware, and every splatter of oil on the stove.

I know now how frustrating it feels to want to do so many things in a day, but not be able to because you simply lack time or energy, or both. As a former office mate of mine used to say, hindi kaya ng katawang-lupa ko! (Translation: My earthly body cannot handle it.)

Housewifing ain’t easy! The trick, I have come to realize, is to be smart about things, to find a strategy that works, and to stick with it. You also have to be adaptable, though, able to think on your feet and come up with plans B to G as fast as possible, whenever necessary.

I’m certainly no expert, but I’ve been able to find a few things that have worked for me over my first few weeks of being the queen of this (messy but happy) house. And here they are.

Mrs C’s practical tips for the newbie housewife

1. When in doubt, throw it out.

I believe that this is a very, very, very important rule. This goes for:

  • Questionable food in the fridge and in the pantry
  • Storage containers that have seen better days (meaning those that are stained or already smell funky)
  • Old toys that no longer work
  • Old bills and receipts, and other random pieces of paper you may have lying around
  • Housewarming gifts that you do not absolutely love (you can re-gift or re-purpose these)
  • Ratty underwear (I’m serious, and I am speaking from experience)

In other words, de-clutter. It can be so tempting to hold on to everything, especially if your current space is bigger than your old one. Believe me when I say that the last thing you want is to start building meaningless piles of random things. I think my husband would be truly proud of me for saying that.

2. Choose to clean a little at a time or all at once

Some people prefer to go on all-out cleaning sprees, while some find it is better to clean a little at a time. The point is to make it a point to clean. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just do it.

I am lucky that I have a husband who likes cleaning. I recently got him hooked on the wonderful smell of Pine-Sol Lavender, and this has encouraged him even more to keep our house spic and span. Since he works, he only gets to go on cleaning sprees on weekends. This means that I am responsible for our space for the rest of the week.

I try to help out by throwing wrappers and scratch paper I see lying around, doing dishes, and sweeping the floors once in a while. At times, it really doesn’t feel like much. But I tried not sweeping for a week (yes, gross, I know), and now I know for sure that doing it every other day does make a difference, and that my small efforts are worth something.

3. Plan your meals

Fortunately for me (and for the two boys I need to feed) this is a task that I actually enjoy. I find that meal planning is so relaxing. I love knowing exactly what I need when I go to the store. I like the predictability of having a set plan for dinner. At the same time, I’m not afraid to mix things up and experiment every once in a while.

I love being in the kitchen, from conceptualizing our dinners, to preparing and serving them. Cleanup, well, I leave that to MrC. Which leads me to…

4. Work out a system with the people in your household

If you are crazy enough to brave it without house help, make sure that you enlist the participation of the people at home so that you don’t go nuts trying to do everything yourself. Like I said, MrC is in charge of keeping things clean. He is also iron man. I take care of laundry, food, shopping and driver duties.

Little MrC is slowly being encouraged to help out. He sets the table, brings used plates and utensils to the kitchen sink, puts away his laundry, and fixes his room (sometimes.)

5. Make the most out of your time

I usually organize my tasks and chores weekly. I set blocks of time for me to accomplish each, and I move things around as needed.

There are weeks when I am unable to complete all of my laundry loads. There are days when, instead of the four hours I’ve set, I end up working on an article for almost an entire day. It happens. It’s okay. You just have to learn to adjust whenever necessary.

Also, find time for yourself. Yes, it makes me feel a little guilty when I choose to sit and enjoy a glass of homemade iced tea and a TV show for 30 minutes when I know that I have a basket of laundry waiting to be washed. But I need the me-time, otherwise I will burn out.

You need the me-time to. Yes, you. So go get some.

6. Sleep

I. Cannot. Stress. This. Enough. Sleep is gold. It is so tempting to forego sleep, especially when you are a multitasking momma, but really, we all need to get enough rest if we want to stay healthy and alert.

I am so used to getting 8-9 hours of sleep a day, so now that I’ve had to cut down to 6-7 hours, I find myself on mombie mode more often. That’s where coffee comes in. I make up for it on weekends, though. On Sundays, in particular, I allow myself to sleep in as much as I can. So please don’t bother me on Sunday mornings.

And finally…

7. Make like Elsa and let it go

Of course we dream of having it all – The immaculately clean, perfectly decorated house. The almost-gourmet home cooked meals. The shiny happy family relaxing at home. The perfect hair and manicured nails. Hey, a girl can dream.

But seriously, if you wanna stay happy, you have to let go of some of these things. I’ve learned to accept the fact that our house will always be a little bit dusty. On some days, it’s a lot dusty. But we are happy here. We are building memories together in this house. So I don’t mind the dust.

I’ve also given up on getting a manicure and having my hair done. I’m saving that for a special occasion. It doesn’t matter anyway, as long as I know that my husband still thinks I’m pretty. Which I know he does. And on days when he doesn’t, I know my son still thinks I look lovely. Yes, I just called myself pretty again.

Whenever you feel like something isn’t going the way you want it to, step back, let go, and enjoy the things that are going right. You’ll feel more content, and a lot happier. Trust me.

So there you go. That’s where I’ve been these past two months, trying to figure all of this out. Now that I kind of have my groove back, I think I’m ready to start writing again. Yay! More stories soon!

What are your practical tips for surviving the housewife life?

Decoupage #Crafternoons with Heisl Paper Napkin Creations

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Fact: I’m not very good at paper crafts.

I remember receiving a paper doll when I was little. She had nice dresses, hats, bags, and even shoes. Super cute. All I had to do was tear the doll and the clothes out of a sheet of board, and I could start playing.

It was supposed to be easy, after all it was a kid’s toy. It had those tear-away sides, the ones that are punched with little holes so you can easily pull the pieces apart.

I ended up tearing off a few tabs on a few pieces, so some accessories couldn’t be secured properly onto the doll. I think I also ripped one of the bag handles. Scotch tape to the rescue!

Years later, my mom tried to get my brother and I interested in origami. While Boyong was making paper cranes in no time, all I ever made was a paper wallet and half a box. Half lang because it took me forever to finish just that. Lol!

Adventures in decoupage with my friends, Michelle, Ingrid, Pam and Helene! (Photo belongs to Helene Santos)

 

So, there, paper isn’t really my friend. So truthfully, I wasn’t all that interested in decoupage at the beginning when my partner in Crafternooning, Michelle, first asked if I wanted to try it out.

Then I figured I should give it a shot. I did my research and eventually got excited about it. It’s a good thing that I did because I actually made something nice during our intimate session with Ingrid of Heisl Paper Napkin Creations.

 

Isn’t it so pretty? It’s the perfect going away gift, too, for my sister who is off to NYC in just a few days. I gave this to her a few days after the class, and she loved it!

There are three fantastic things I learned about decoupage from my experience that day. 

First, decoupage is so relaxing. There were several moments during our afternoon session when the room became completely quiet. It was completely serene. I think that the rhythmic brush movements and seeing the project come together under my fingertips was what did it for me.

See how “in the zone” Helene and I look in the background? Lol! (Photo belongs to Michelle Aventajado)

 

Second, with decoupage, there’s room for mistakes. Thank goodness for that. First step pa lang, I made a mistake already. I cut my napkin wrong! Told you I’m no good with paper. Fortunately, Ingrid showed me how I could still save my napkin, and my project. The finish product will tell you that it was a success.

Third, it’s hard not to make something pretty with decoupage. Really. This means that it’s good for the crafting-challenged, like me! The possibilities are endless. I’ve even seen some advanced decoupage projects on Pinterest where people make collages out of the paper that they use. So nice!

This is what you get in your decoupage kit. (Photo belongs to Michelle Aventajado)

 

The nice thing about working with Ingrid is that she has these amazing napkin designs, so you have so much to choose from for your project. It actually took us quite a while to decide on our final napkin designs before getting started.

Mish and I enjoyed the class and working with her so much that we’ve decided to put together another class. This time it will be open to anyone who wants to join us. 

Our next Decoupage Crafternoon with Heisl is scheduled on August 26, 11AM at Draft in Molito, Alabang. Fill out to form below to sign up, and then wait for us to email you the payment instructions so you can secure your slot. Workshop fee is PHP2,000, and includes a workshop kit and lunch.

Hope I see you guys there!

Oh, and if you would like to stay updated on the different classes we are putting together for Crafternoons, please like us on Facebook and follow on Instagram!

Check out the Heisl Facebook and the Heisl Instagram pages, too, while you’re at it! 

#MuncheriaMNL at the BF Saturday Market

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I haven’t opened my blog’s back end in over a month! Wahhhhhh! Anyway, hello, I am finally posting something.

Fact: There are so many things to see and do in BF!

I’ve lived close to BF all my life, but I don’t think that I’ve really explored this place enough until now.

BF Saturday Market
You guys know I don’t like crowds, so obviously we went to the market during non-peak hours. So serene! 🙂

 

Last weekend the boys and I visited the BF Saturday Market to show our support to my cousin, Dani, and (of course) to indulge in the yummy things that her latest venture, Mucheria MNL, had to offer. This cousin of mine was born to a mother who cooks well, so I already knew that the food on their menu would be excellent.

Muncheria MNL is a partnership between Dani and her good friend, Michi, and together these ladies aim to serve good quality comfort food to people who love to eat. Like me. And eat was exactly what we all did.

BF Saturday Market
So many yummy choices! It took this guy a while before he finally decided on his sandwich.

 

I let Dani choose a sandwich for me, then left to explore the other stalls while she prepared. We came close to closing time, so some of the vendors were already packing up. I missed the seafood, which was a shame, but at least I know I have something to come back for.

I bought some fruits while waiting for my food, and oh my gulay they were all so nice and sweet. Especially the atis! I’ve already decided to come back for more next weekend. I think I want to get some cauliflower and broccoli, too, coz those looked good.

 

Happy haul from today’s @thebfsaturdaymarket 😁 #freshfruitsinseason #philippinemango #atis #avocado

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

 

MrC, on the other hand, grabbed some nachos as an appetizer. It was nearly gone by the time I got to him, so no photo. I caught up with the kiddo at the Muncheria MNL stall, and he had apparently already been munching on these yummy maple glazed bacon donuts while I was away. I took some home and had them the next day at home.

They are great paired with Boom’s Cold Brew Coffee! Boom is MrC’s college friend, and it’s nice that we are able to try his products and, of course, support his business, too. I’m glad I finally got to try this! They ran out during the last Block Party, and I was sad that I didn’t get to have any.

 

If you wanna go check them out, now is the time! In case you can’t decide on what to eat, I recommend everything that we had.

BF Saturday Market
For me: Beef Tongue Sammich (PHP 250)

 

Mine was the Beef Tongue Sammich – Tender and juicy beef tongue sandwich on freshly baked ciabatta bread with a thick gravy, kesong puti, and slices of onions. So good. I was glad that Dani picked this sandwich for me to try because it is literally a combination of a few of my favorite things.

BF Saturday Market
For the kiddo: Porchetta Sandwich (PHP 200)

 

Little MrC had the Porchetta Sandwich – Classic Tuscan-style roasted pork loin and belly served on freshly baked ciabatta bread with salsa verde. As much as I loved my food, this is the one that I’m gonna be coming back for. The pork was tender and juicy, with super crispy skin. You get just the right amount of grease on your lips with every bite. So bad for you, but oh so good.

 

MrC’s food was a winner, too. He ordered the Pulled Brisket – Slow cooked beef brisket with pineapple onion whiskey relish and freshly baked brioche. This meat was juicy with a hint of spice, and the relish matched it perfectly! I had more than a spoonful of this, to be honest. Yes, I tried (and loved) everyone’s food!

For more homemade goodness, follow @MuncheriaMNL on Instagram.

So, shall I be seeing you at the market this Saturday? 🙂

Kitchen wishlist, plus a look back at #AfternoonBites

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Fact: When we were house hunting, the very first thing that I would look at was the kitchen space. I knew that, because I am the one in charge of feeding my family, this would most likely be the room I would spend the most time in at home. So far, I’ve been right.

Truth is, though, that when we first looked at the house we ended up choosing, I was skeptical about the kitchen. I already knew what I wanted – ample space to move around, adequate storage and pantry space, and lots of natural light.

The kitchen that I have now is small, with only a few cupboards, but lots of natural light. I didn’t think I would at first, but I did end up loving it as soon as we started to fill it up with the furnishings and pieces that we had.

This kitchen has taught me that perfect spaces aren’t actually ones that you would come across. Rather, these are spaces that you create. And, with just the right pieces, you can totally get what you want out of something you never thought would be enough.

 

Hello, hello from my little kitchen (that needs to be mopped.) Don’t you just love all the sunlight that comes in through my window? I do, for sure. So excited about all the yummy, made with love dishes that we will be preparing in this place. Super blessed coz we didn’t need to buy anything major to complete our kitchen arsenal, just a microwave. That gas range came from my mom’s house, and is the same one I’ve been practicing on over the last decade. Our refrigerator came from my sister in law’s old condo. Pots and pans are all from mom, along with my trusty chef’s knife, and our toaster oven. Cooking utensils arrived via balikbayan box from my in-laws, together with MrC’s Aeropress coffee gadget. Sobrang swerte. Thank you family. We love you guys! ❤❤❤ #lipatbahaychronicles #NoFilter #makeitblissful

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

 

So, for a week now I have been hanging out in my bright little kitchen, with its tiny sink and sparse storage and counter space. Oh the fun I’ve been having in there! There are still a few things missing that I feel would make the space better and more functional, but these are really wants more than needs.

Mine are useful wants, though, so I think they can be justified? And I’m sure (as in SURE) that they are handy and useful because I’ve seen them in action.

Braun Severin Afternoon BItes
All of our #AfternoonBites treats were made using Braun and Severin appliances. Proof enough?

 

(More than) a few weeks ago, Michelle and I had the pleasure of putting together an event for Colombo Merchant Philippines, the company responsible for bringing trusted German brands, Braun and Severin, to the Philippine market. Our little #Afternoonbites was brought together a few good blogger friends, a celebrity chef, and the Colombo team headed by their Managing Partner, Beverly Campos.

It’s always nice getting together over food, and for this event, our guest chef, Chef Redg Baron, demonstrated how he prepared and assembled some of the snacks served using Braun and Severin appliances. That afternoon, I realized precisely what I wanted to add to my own kitchen.

Braun Severin Afternoon Bites
As you can see, it was one of those events where everyone went home happy.

 

First, I want a Severin Multi-Sandwich Toaster with Grill Plates. We have something similar in my mom’s house, but I wasn’t allowed to take it to my own kitchen, so there. I need one for myself. I love grilled sandwiches, and am obsessed with sandwich makers!

While I know I would enjoy having a simple Panini press, I like the idea that this one gadget from Severin can be used in several different ways – as a sandwich maker, a grill and a waffle machine. It is definitely something that would suit my kitchen, given my lack of counter space.

 

Braun Severin Afternoon Bites
I could do so much with these three attachments!!!

Next on my list is the Braun TributeCollection Food Processor. Again, my mom would never let me take her trusty food processor, so I need to go and find one for myself. I love how having a food processor can make mincing, shredding, slicing and grinding so much easier.

Chef Redg actually said that this could be your best friend in the kitchen, and I so agree. I definitely need this for my burong mangga, embotido, and even to make tiny carrot bits to hide in sauces, soups and macaroni salad. Yum!

Braun Severin Afternoon Bites
There it is in the middle! My super lucky friend, Millie, went home with this amazing food processor that day.

 

Last on my list is the Braun Multiquick 3 hand blender. My husband loves soup, and I love the idea of making creamy pumpkin or tomato soup for him for dinner using this blender. I can make salsa, too, another of his favorites. Judging by what it can help me make, I have a feeling this is my one wish list item that MrC is most likely to say yes to. Lol.

I love how sleek this thing is. Easy to put away, whether or not you have a lot of space to spare. (Photo borrowed from mommanmanila.com)

 

Those are my top three, but I would just as happily take home a raclette grill, a mixer, a bread maker, or even a juicer from Braun and Severin. Such great brands with such amazing products!

For now, I guess I just have to dream on and make do with what I already have. Which is a lot. Definitely more than enough. We’ve really been so blessed.

Curious question: Are there any kitchen appliances that you absolutely cannot live without?

***

Find out more about Colombo Merchant Philippines, and the Braun and Severin products that they carry here:

http://www.colombophils.com.ph/

#/Colombophils

https://www.instagram.com/colombophils/

#LipatBahayChronicles

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Fact: I’m running on pocket wifi, 80% of our things are still in boxes, we’re surrounded by dust, and Pine Sol is my new best friend. Still, nothing beats that happy feeling of waking up in your new home, even though waking up must now happen between 4:30 and 5:00 am.

Yep, yep, yep, it has finally happened. We have moved! Casa Cuyugan is now ready to accept visitors (who are not sensitive about dust and grime, will not judge us for living in a still-dirty house, and come bearing food)! *Happy dance*

My IG and Facebook posts as of late have been all about our #LipatBahayChronicles, often with bad image quality because we packed away my camera, and I’m not sure which bin it went to. Lol. Should’ve just put it in my purse.

Over the next few weeks, I know I’ll be writing about the house – How we are lucky to have hardly spent for anything that we have right now because our families are so generous (and just happened to have two of everything), who’s come over and the goodies they’ve shared, and my ever-so-useful survival checklist for our first week in this new home.

 

Off the top of my head, I can tell you that you will need a microwave, a coffee maker, a refrigerator, a bed, soap, toilet paper, water dispenser, instant ulam (our day one lifesaver was Deep Dips by Chef Arnold), and zip-top bags in all shapes and sizes (I have Glad Philippines to thank for all of mine.)

Dust and excitement aside, I’m happy to report that we are settling in nicely. Last night, the boys and I had our first home cooked meal for dinner. Of course it was sinigang because that’s my family’s idea of happy food. I’m so excited about all the wonderful meals I will now get to prepare in my very own kitchen. And of course, I can’t wait to share all the kwento here.

mrspcuyugan
If I look dirty in this photo it’s because I AM dirty in this photo!

 

For now, it’s back to regular programming for me in my new space. Time to catch up on my writing backlog. Smart Bro, don’t fail me now!

Curious question: What are your best tips to survive the first week in a new home?