Author Archive

Apr

We usually go out on weekends and for the first time, we went to K Village last March 24 because I found online that they are giving free Fun Arts for the Kids every Saturday from 11:00am to 5:00pm, you can come between those time at the 1st Building, 1st floor…just in front of the Gourmet Market! So, this is a good place for us to go every Saturday because I am sure kids will be happy there and will keep them busy plus it is just near our place.

art area is under that tree…

Anyway, the theme that Saturday is about “The Frog Prince.” So, CJ and Isabelle painted a stone frog and made their own Prince and Princess Crown…

getting ready…

art table…

With the D.I.Y. Princess and Prince Crown…each kids were given a white crown-shaped cardboard and there’s a lot of different stones, buttons and beads ready to put on your crown…its up to your choice!

CJ’s making his D.I.Y. Prince Crown…

While with your own Stone Frog…kids were given 2 piece of stone (Isabelle got 3 because of her charms, hehehe) then you will put eyes on it and paint it to your own style, then you will glued it to the paper cut like a leaf then glued again to the open sandwich box and they will asks you to paint the box or leave it blank then you can add some butterfly flower…and its done!

Painting her own style Frog Stone…

And here’s my two artist, showing their works… crown and the stone frog!

And the two kiddos together…our prince and princess with their crowns on!

Its their first time to go there at Fun Arts and we are now on our 3rd week (will be going again this Saturday), they always enjoy our trip to K Village because its not just Fun Arts at all, you can also go shopping and just relax, everyone can enjoy the fun…and yes, lots of restaurants too and we’re trying one at a time…or just depends to which one we like! On this week, we ate at Coco Curry House Ichibanya which I posted here already. Kids were really happy and we are happy also to see them both enjoying our Saturday afternoon and the way they are loving arts!

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Linking this post with Thursday Brownies and Happiness Is…

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Have a great week, everyone!

Category: Family Time, Fun Arts, Happiness is..., Thursday Brownies 13 Comments

Apr

Assorted Canapes…

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Last February, Bangkok had its Bangkok Sister Cities 2012…and one of the sister cities is Denmark, so we was able to taste some great Danish food and cakes, lucky we don’t need to travel there just to get a taste of it. *smile*

Anyway, lots of booths around Benjasiri Park but here’s K and kids at the Denmark Booth…they are selling organic skincare products from Urtekram, Danish Cakes from Fyn Bakery and Danish food from Admiral Hotel (I forgot the complete name, poor me!)…

I got Smorrebrod or Danish Open Sandwiches, can also be called Canape…it is small pieces of bread that are topped with savory and decoratively garnish with various ingredients. Can be served hot or cold, and it can be simple or more elaborate. Canapes are usually served as an appetizer with cocktails, or as a substantial lunch or a light dinner, or it can be part of smorgasbord buffet.

Above picture is what we got on the weekend that the family went to see around, we ate it at the park. Below picture is what I got Friday afternoon when I was out with Isabelle, I broght it home so CJ can have some too. But we never knew then that there’s an activity going on. Just lucky we went to park and saw it. I never had second thought of buying a set because I tasted it before from ScanDeli Restaurant and its delicious.

And here’s CJ enjoying his hot dog sandwich with remoulade…

All of us enjoyed our open sandwiches…we love it. And I miss having one!

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Linking with Orange Tuesdays, Wednesday Whites, Yummy Sundays and Weekend Eating…

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Have a great day, everyone!

Category: BKK Sister Cities 2012, Food and Cuisine, Orange Tuesdays, Restaurant, Wednesday Whites, Weekend Eating 6 Comments

Apr

Crispy Shrimp Fritters

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Bangkok’s known for its street foods…and I am trying it slowly but surely. And I tried having Crispy Shrimp Fritters or Ukoy in Filipino one afternoon.

Crispy shrimp fritters are deep-fried finger food. They are made with small shrimps usually with head and shell on, and are mixed in a batter and fried until crispy. It can be appetizer, a main dish or mid-afternoon snacks! I had it for mid-afternoon snacks…its yummy and I can taste that the seller added some spices and a parsley! Surprisingly, Isabelle and CJ like it too! I only bought 1 to try and it cost 20 Thai Baht. I will buy again next time…

And just a bit of update, K’s back from the field, visited one of the refugee camp between Thailand and Burma border. I am missing Holy Week in Philippines, its not holiday here in Bangkok, CJ still go to school today. And tomorrow, Friday…I will be leaving to Phnom Penh for my visa run because my Non-Immigrant visa here is expiring on Saturday. Having the trip means I will get 1 month visa upon arrival for being a Filipino! I am still waiting for my ED visa (Education visa after I enrolled to study Thai Language, my papers are still with the Ministry of Education). I will be back on same day here in Bangkok! I have 4hours waiting time and I am happy that I will be seeing some friends at the airport…makes me happy, really appreciated that you can come to see me and have coffee again. I wish I could stay longer but I can’t, I will definitely miss my kids and K. I just hope they will be just fine tomorrow, I am sure they will.

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Linking with Food Trip Friday and Food Friday…

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Have a blessed Maundy Thursday, everyone!

Category: Food and Cuisine, Food Friday, Food Trip Friday, Meme on Friday, Snacks, Street Foods, Thailand 14 Comments

Apr

Building Beakers…

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Everytime I go out, I always have something for the kids…it doesn’t mean big and expensive all the time, they always appreciate small things such as toys or art stuff, books, foods or even flowers that I can pick along the way! Yes, as long as I have something to give, they will be happy!

Anyway, in my few trips to IKEA, I always get something for Isabelle and one of those is the Building Beaker design by K and M Hagberg and from MULA series of toys for children. It is comprises of 7 beakers with different patterns and designs, made polypropylene plastic and synthetic rubber.

Makes play easy to vary; build, do a puzzle, scoop water or bake sand cakes. It develops fine motor skills and logical thinking. Its 34 cm in height with a diameter of 9cm. Also it is durable plastic and easy to clean with water. Recommended for 6months up. Most of all it only cost THB 60.00!

And here’s the little owner of the building beaker, meet my little princess…Isabelle!

I think she’s holding my IKEA Family Card here…

so lovely…

I am just so happy, lucky and blessed to have beautiful kids that appreciates even the smallest and cheapest thing I gave/made/did for them…and they always makes me happy with those hugs and kisses plus some sweet words. With this building beaker, Isabelle says this as she always does to whatever stuff I get for her: “Thank you Mommy for buying me this. I love you.” that comes with lots of hugs and kisses. So, I have all this reason to be happy having them…thanks God for these two lovely kids!

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Linking with Happiness is…, Red Hot Thursday and Thursday Brownies…

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Happy Holy Wednesday, everyone!

Category: Children Toys, Happiness is..., IKEA, Isabelle, Red Hot Thursdays, Thursday Brownies 9 Comments

Apr

Last Easter…

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Yes, its been a year since I prepared Simple Easter Celebration at Home and Egg Hunting for the kids…so, if you’ve been here then, you’ve probably saw how I did it. But for new ones, just like to share how few things look like then. And I originally posted this at Easter at Home wherein you can also see links of those talented bloggers whom I got the idea and free printables…that might help you with your preparation!

To start with, here’s the sweet table, our dining table and at the console table…

I also baked this cake, just a simple carrot cake topped with smarties…

And the kids during and after the egg hunt just around our house…

And last but not the least, Mommy and Daddy rabbits plus the little bunnies…

Our Easter morning and lunch then was a great one, then our Easter Day wasn’t over yet, we went to Great Aussie BBQ that was held at Hotel Cambodiana that I posted here…were CJ and Isabelle enjoyed the swim we had, egg hunting, holding real rabbits and chicks, playing around, balloon twisting, face painting and just getting wet…and we all had great time having BBQs.

All this happened last year when we are still living in Phnom Penh, I kept all those printables so I can used it again but sadly, I can’t this time…it is still in container. Its a busy week for us, K’s in the field having some seminars at the Thai-Burma Border then on Friday I will be doing my visa run!

But I am sure Saturday will be fun for kids because we will be going again to Fun Arts in K Village wherein they will do egg painting.

I havn’t done anything yet, might do last minute preparation on Saturday. Still I wish I can do this again…will see! Of course, I will let you know! Promise!

Well, I am wishing all of you a blessed Easter…*smile*

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Linking with Pink Fridays, Mellow Yellow Monday, Green Monday, Orange Tuesday and Wednesday Whites…

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Category: Easter, Family Time, Green Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Orange Tuesdays, Pink Friday, Wednesday Whites 12 Comments

Apr

Creamy Pasta Florentine…

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April Fool’s Day today…start of another month, second quarter just started, time flies so fast. Well, my visa here in Thailand is expiring tomorrow but stamped on my arrival date that it will end on the 7th. And a month ago, I enrolled to study Thai language for two purpose: to learn for we are now living here, at least 2 years…although K speaks good Thai; and to get a student visa which they called ED Visa. Anyway, I’ve been waiting for my papers from the Ministry of Education to come out but since I am afraid it will not come out just in time. So, yesterday I booked my flight to Phnom Penh, round trip in one day for me to get a 1 month tourist vsa, I am happy to see PP again for 4 hours—I find it too short but we can’t afford for me to stay longer, just thinking about the kids and expenses! Plus I need to be out of Thailand again to get my ED visa by June. Anyway, I hope I can still see some friends…*crossed fingers*

Anyway, back to cooking…aside from the regular Filipino food that I cooked, pasta is also always in our weekly meal, lets say at least once a week! One of those pasta day, cooked Cream Pasta Florentine! Well, thanks to San Remo La Pasta Creamy Cheese Flavour pack because that’s how I was able to make a lovely meal…

Here’s how to prepare Creamy Pasta Florentine:

Cook San Remo La Pasta Creamy Cheese Flavour according to stovetop or microwave directions. I used stovetop cooking. In a medium saucepan I added 1-1/4 cups of water, 1/2 cup of milk (said low fat milk but we don’t have so i just put fresh milk) and about a teaspoon of butter…I let it boiled and added contents of packet. I stir it continuously whilst returning to boil and simmer for 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2tsp. oil i a pan and brow 125gram thinly sliced breasts fillets. Add 1/2 diced red capsicum and cook for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in the cooked pasta and sauce. Add 1 cup shredded spinach and stir until the spinach has wilted. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup walnut pieces to serve but I don’t have walnut so, I used almonds! Its so easy to do, right…best for busy mum, it will be cooked in less then 10 minutes or maximum 15, its really fast and easy cooking. Something for you to try! Pasta pack is made with durum wheat semolina and no added msg.

We all love it, the almonds adds more to its lovely taste already. I hope you can try it too!

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Linking with Yummy Sunday and Weekend Eating…

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Have a great day, everyone!

Category: Food and Cuisine, Home Cooking, Recipe, Weekend Eating, Yummy Sunday 8 Comments

Mar

CoCo Curry House ICHIBANYA…

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Few weeks ago, we went to one of the nearest mall in our place…so, we went to K Village. It is a Neighborhood Lifestyle Mall which occupies a big area with two buildings that hosts a supermarket, gourmet market, healthy and beauty spas, hair salons, clothe shops and restaurants.

There are really great restaurants in the area but we decided to try CoCo Curry House Ichibanya out of the nine Japanese restaurants around.

Their menu is written in Japanese, Thai and in English..they are serving Japanese curry dishes at affordable prices and what nice is that you can customized your meal by choosing the amount of rice, extra toppings, and most important for me, you can choose up to seven different level of spiciness or you can upgrade it into a set menu.

How to order? First, select the curry that you want…they have lots of choices. Second, select the quantity of rice you like…the standard rice portion is 250 gram, you can choose from 150, 350, 450 up to 550! Third, choose how spicy you want your curry is from mild to crazy hot. Fourth, you can select more topping to add on your curry such as chicken chunks, pork katsu, melted cheese and more…in our case, we didn’t add any! Lastly, you can upgrade your meal into a set menu that can include a drink, mini salad and dessert which we did. All of this at extra cost, of course! Anyway, I find the process really good, its listed also in the menu how to do it…so, expect the food that you really want!

We ordered Kids Curry for CJ and Isabelle and it comes with an orange juice and jelly…

Kids Curry…

Kent and I ordered the same, one of the recommended meal in their menu—Pork Cutlet Curry, we just have different level of spiciness, he got Level 2 with 4 chilis and I got the standard with one chili. Plus we upgrade our order for added mini-salad, drinks and dessert.

Pork Cutlet Curry…

Mini Salad…

Dessert…

Well, we all love what we got…really delicious plus the service was quick and staff ar friendly, most of all budget-friendly. And if you’re true curry lover, you will love the succulent curry dishes that they are serving.

Daddy and CJ…

Mommy and Isabelle…

Lastly, before I forgot…Isabelle also ordered for Watermelon Shake, she’s been telling it as soon as we entered the place, that’s the first order, hehehe! But its not yummy because Isabelle don’t like it…I tasted it and CJ too, which we both agree it taste different. All-in-all its a great lunch!

This is how our unforgettable first curry experience was and yes, from that time…we knew we will be back again soon.

CoCo Curry House Ichibanya

K Village Unit No. B203, 2nd Floor

93, 95 Sukhumvit 26 Klongton Klongtoey Bangkok 10110

(close to Rama 4 behind Big C Rama 4)

Open from 10 am to 10 pm Daily

http://www.kvillagebangkok.com/

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Linking with Food Trip Friday and Food Friday…

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Have a great week, everyone!

Category: Dine-in, Food and Cuisine, Food Friday, Food Trip Friday, Meme on Friday, Restaurant, Thailand 19 Comments

Mar

CJ as Wally in “Where’s Wally?”…

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AISB Dress-up Parade happened last March 23, were kids asks to dress up as their favourite literary character and come along to the parade to show off their great costumes and they will talk about the book they have come from.

CJ wanted to dress up as Harry Potter but I can’t find its costume here, maybe I just don’t know where to buy one…although I’ve checked some malls including Toys R’us store but I am not lucky to find one. Anyway, I emailed CJ teacher and asks if she has any idea where to get costumes in town, and she answered me saying: “Don’t worry about getting a costume from the store – I know, they are all for younger children and they are quite expensive. I found this website about Book Character Dress up Suggestions which has some great ideas, most of it you can get at home, or cheaply at the shop.” I really find it big help, thanks Ms. Jackie. So, CJ and I agreed to some of the characters listed hoping I will find what’s needed in any one of our choices, with 1 more day left…

(Thanks Zhongyao for letting us borrow your book!)

First on our list is Waldo or Wally in Where’s Wally?…a friend went to MBK to look for his daughters costume and I asks her if she can look for CJ, sh said yes! Lucky. After class, Ingrid message me that he got CJ a sleeveless shirt with red and white striped, yipee, at least he can wear a white long sleeve and put it on top. So, I went to Terminal 21 to look for white long sleeve shirt but luckily I found the exact top that Wally’s wearing in the book, striped red and white long sleeve shirt…I bought it right away even it is big. From there I know its done, and CJ will be happy!

And here’s he is as Wally of Where’s Wally?…just perfect because he is wearing a specs already and the hat I just made it out of Isabelle’s hat and ponytail…covered with white and red electrical tape…and his own jeans! Meet my own Wally…

The book is a series of children’s book created by British illustrator Martin Handford was first published in 1987 and consists of series of detailed double-page spread illustrations depicting dozens or more people doing a variety of amusing things at a given location. Readers are challenged to find the character named Wally hidden in the group. Wally’s distinctive red-and-white striped shirt, bobble hat, and glasses make him slightly easier to recognise, but many illustrations contain “red herrings” involving deceptive use of red-and-white striped objects. Later entries in the long-running book series added other targets for readers to find in each illustration. (Source: Wikipedia)

At the end, CJ’s so happy with his costume…Ms. Jackie told me that CJ looked fantastic and they were all very impressed with his costume. I am happy that it went well…I will be sharing more pictures once I got it.

So, what you think of CJ’s costume? Does he look great, I bet! Of course, I’m his mum.

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Linking with Red Hot Thursday, Ruby Tuesday 2 and Mellow Yellow Monday…

And joining Happiness is…for the first time, thanks KM for hosting!

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Have a great week, everyone!

Category: CJ, Happiness is..., Mellow Yellow Monday, Red Hot Thursday, School Related 12 Comments

Mar

Boiled Salted Duck Egg…

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…or known for Filipino as “itlog na maalat” o “itlog na pula” for its dyed red to distinguish it from other fresh duck eggs. The process might be long but it is a Chinese preserved food product made by soaking eggs in brine or packing each egg in damp, salted charcoal.

I sometimes ignore this when I was in Philippines but when we still live in Phnom Penh finding it makes me happy. But when we moved here in Bangkok, I wasn’t able to find one, maybe I am not searching that seriously. So, when we went to Philippines for holiday last December, I even requested to my mum to buy some. Well, its been long time since I last ate a boiled salted duck egg, so when I spotted it at the grocery last Sunday, I am like a happy little girl with a big smile…

Just perfect, the way I like it…it is normally boiled or steamed before peeled and eaten. The egg white has a sharp salty taste while the orange red yolk is rich, fatty and less salty. Sometimes it is served as condiment in a congee, or cooked with other foods as flavoring. I want it mixed with small slices of tomato and its ready…I had it for lunch yesterday! Oh, just yummy…

How about you, are you eating it? If yes, do you also mixed it with tomato? Let me know, and thanks for coming!

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Linking with Orange Tuesdays and White Wednesdays…

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Have a great week, everyone!

Category: Orange Tuesdays, Random Things, Wednesday Whites 5 Comments

Mar

Tonkatsu…

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Weekend is sometimes, home cooked, delivered, take-away or eating-out…and one of our meal last weekend was take-away Tonkatsu from Took Lae Dee which is 5 minutes walk from our place.

All of us got Tonkatsu…and here our meal then:

served with mashed potatoes and salad for K…

served with rice and salad for CJ…

served with rice and salad for me, too…

If you’re wondering what’s for Isabelle, she got Macaroni Chicken Cream Soup that I cooked for her because that’s what she like, macaroni is her current favorite now but penne pasta will always be her first love…

Their tonkatsu’s taste good, crunchy and the sauce is yummy, yes, it comes with a sauce but sorry its not included in the picture…salad is great too specially the dressing, I love it but both rice and mashed potato serving’s so little, maybe just 1/2-cup for both, of course, it doesn’t made us happy especially for mashed potato and rice eater like us!

Well, even though the rice and mashed potato servings is way too small, we will be back eating and ordering from them, they have more choices and we all just love it plus very convenient for us, walking distance and open 24-hours everyday…

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Linking with Yummy Sunday and Weekend Eating…