Celebrate!: The Sprees of September

September 1, 2015October 1, 2015Leave a comment

Good-bye to my new job, hello to my old blog!

If working with a megalomaniac has taught me one thing, it’s that honesty and openness matter. Getting the public to take notice is fine, but an inflated ego never made lasting friendships. So, I’m done with toxic hours and third-rate people – and back to what I love the most: celebrating me, my crafting and my everyday pleasures.

September is not only my freedom month, it’s a month full of very worthwhile pursuits and interests.

Chicken Month
Piano Month
Honey Month
Ethnic Foods Month
Healthy Aging Month
Baby Safety Month
Classical Music Month
College Savings Month

We haven’t had honey in the house for a very long time, so I’m jumping at the chance to research and make all the yummy honey things! With September’s dailies, my month’s looking pretty full.

Aug 03 – Welsh Rarebit Day
Aug 05 – Lazy Mom’s Day
Aug 06 – International Vulture Awareness Day
Aug 12 – Stand Up To Cancer Day
Aug 13 – Roald Dahl Day
Aug 16 – Guacamole Day
Aug 18 – Cheeseburger Birthday
Aug 19 – Butterscotch Pudding Day
Aug 21 – International Day of Peace
Aug 22 – Hobbit Day
Aug 26 – Johnny Appleseed Day
Aug 27 – International Rabbit Day

Now, I wonder where I can find a nice butterscotch pudding for the 19th…

Hooray for International Beer Day!

August 1, 2015August 22, 2015Leave a comment

I was never much for a beer on the weekends. My ‘brothers’ in chefs’ clothing taught me to drink whisky and I never saw the point in drinking beer after I’d reached the happy boozy level. I avoided it for the same reason I avoid soda; the carbonation stings my throat something awful.

Fast-forward five years and I still don’t much like beer (or soda), but in honor of International Beer Day, I’ve discovered a few delicious ways to celebrate it without having to partake of the bubbly.

Let’s kick it off with starters: These sinfully crunchy onion rings coated with beer batter, paired with some delicately steamed shellfish. How are they steamed, you ask? Why, with beer!

There’s nothing better than hot soup on a cold day, and our stormy weather here in the Philippines gives us multiple excuses to break out the soup bowls. If you prefer a more filling potato base, grab your favorite ale and boil up this version of beer cheese soup. There’s also another take on chicken soup that I’d like to try. Chicken + Cheese + Beer sounds like the sort of thing that greets the porcelain throne after a long hard night of drinking, but eeehhh why not?

And now for the ‘meat’ of this post!

Long, slow cooking isn’t really an option for us now that gas prices are high, but I like the premise of this yummy chicken chili. I wonder what kind of beer would go well with it?

Guinness seems to be the best beer for beginners to brew cooking. Check out these ribs, marinated in rich dark stout overnight and grilled to perfection.

One of my guilty pleasures is deep-fried cauliflower dipped in tahini. I’ve found a recipe that gives me a healthier alternative with half-simmered, half-baked cauliflower with some tangy flavors. Big plus: it comes in a taco shell!

I’ve saved the yummiest main course for last: Chicken in Honey Beer Sauce. I’m a sucker for honey-flavored anything, and I imagine a Guinness or another creamy rich beer would absolutely make this.

I long for an ice cream on a daily basis. Our tropical heat is to blame (or so I like to say), and the urge doesn’t lessen when I see gorgeous recipes like Beer-flavored ice cream with Chocolate-covered pretzels. I mean, come on, what’s a girl to do against temptation like that?!

And finally, if you have a sweet tooth, the perfect way to end International Beer Day is with these Guinness-flavored cupcakes. If I had a working oven, I’d bang these out without a care for my waistline.

Have I whetted your appetite? Do you think you’ll be following one of these recipes this month? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Celebrate!: The Anniversaries of August

August 1, 2015July 27, 2015Leave a comment

Oh, how I have abandoned thee!

Real life can just be so full sometimes. Houdini’s first birthday with the dress I made for her, the first time she blew a kiss, the first time she had damn persistent diarrhea (she’s fine now, thank goodness), getting my first job as a work-at-home parent and SO MANY other things that have gone on these past few months. But I have missed writing so much, and I was inspired by my new job, believe it or not. A friend and I have been planning new and exciting things and I can’t wait to get started, but for now, it’s high time that I breathe new life into this blog!

August is a damn fine month,

Sandwich Month
Catfish Month
Goat Cheese Month
Onion Month
Mushroom Month
Breastfeeding Month
What Will Be Your Legacy Month

August is looking like a kick-ass month, never mind the Catfish part. I don’t believe a dish is complete without a good helping of onions, and sandwiches are the ultimate evolution of sliced bread.

I do hope to make delicious goodies to celebrate August properly, but to help me (and other August hearts) along, here are some dailies.

Aug 01 – International Beer Day
Aug 03 – Watermelon Day
Aug 06 – Wiggle Your Toes Day
Aug 08 – Odie Day
Aug 10 – S’mores Day
Aug 13 – International Lefthanders Day
Aug 15 – Julia Child’s Birthday
Aug 16 – World Honey Bee Day
Aug 21 – Hawaii Day
Aug 26 – Eat Dessert First Day
Aug 28 – Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day
Aug 29 – More Herbs, Less Salt Day
Aug 30 – International Whale Shark Day

A celebration for the butanding is more than I could ask for. Let me start planning our August!

Celebrate!: The Galas of April

April 1, 2015March 31, 20154 Comments

Can I just say that March was an awesome crafting month for me? Practice does make you faster, even when a baby is next to you, getting tangled up in the yarn (Seriously, I don’t even need a cat anymore). I mean look at all these finished projects and WIPs!

Just the thought of making more excites me. I’ve even got a few designs in the works, but I’ve got to get my stash more rounded out. That’s essentially the reason for my struggle between beauty versus fiber- I simply don’t have the cash to indulge in both!

Ah well, it’s a new month, so it’s time for new pursuits. This April brings us closer to the great outdoors… or at least that part of it that’s just outside our doorstep.

Garden Month
Straw Hat Month
Decorating Month
Car Care Month
Financial Literacy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Frog Month Month
Physical Wellness Month

There a whole month to celebrate frogs?! Heck yeah, I’ll take that action! Now all I need is a whole month to celebrate my all-consuming love for turtles…

My adoration for amphibians aside, there are some dailies I’m looking forward to this month too.

Apr 2 – World Autism Day
Apr 5 – Go For Broke Day
Apr 6 – Plan Your Epitaph Day
Apr 11 – Day of Silence
Apr 12 – Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (!)
Apr 14 – Pecan Day
Apr 18 – Animal Cracker Day (!!)
Apr 19 – Garlic Day (!!!)
Apr 22 – Jellybean Day
Apr 24 – Teach Your Children To Save Day
Apr 26 – Sense of Smell Day
Apr 30 – International Guide Dog Day

Unlike Ravioli Day, I refuse to let Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day pass by without a mention. Add to that an ode to one of my favorite herbs and I’ll be filling this blog up in no time.

How about you, do any of these dailies catch your eye? Do you love frogs as much as I do? All comments are welcome ^.^

Celebrate!: The Hilarities of March

March 2, 2015March 2, 201512 Comments

*dusts off her blog*

Well, here we are again, at the start of a new month, and nary a blog post to be seen for weeks. I wish I could blame it on the lack of a decent camera but let’s face it, no one’s coming here to see a Pulitzer-winning photograph.

I haven’t just been faffing around the house though, I’ve actually been doing a lot of crocheting. It’s tiring work, seeing as I have to do it during Houdini’s nap or after she’s gone to bed at night, but for a beginner I think I’m doing alright in terms of finished projects.

Left to Right: Paper Napkin Holder, Purple Bow Cup Cozy, Washcloth, Hook Jar Cover

Craft-wise, everything is going great. Got my new hooks in the mail a few days ago and they’re sitting pretty in their fancy jar as we speak. They came with three huge hanks of yarn from the northern city of Vigan, my mom’s hometown. The problem is that they’re hanks, which I have to wind myself. I also just talked myself into buying another load of yarn from my friend, and when they arrive, I will make sure those photos are proudly front and center on this blog.

Houdini-wise, we seem to be in a sleep-crawling phase, where she does her little zombie version of trying to look for me with her eyes closed. It’s adorable but I miss a solid eight hours like whoa. Haven’t had one of those since I got pregnant… Just call me Mistress Eyebags.

Ah well, let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of this post: the fun events that only March can bring!

Nutrition Month
Spiritual Wellness Month
Cheerleading Safety Month
International Listening Awareness Month
Women’s History Month
Craft Month (Huzzah!)
Caffeine Awareness Month
Credit Education Month
Sing With Your Child Month

And now for those all-important dailies:

Mar 1 – World Compliment Day
Mar 6 – Holi, the Festival of Colors
Mar 7 – Cereal Day
Mar 8 – Women’s Day
Mar 9 – Crabmeat Day
Mar 10 – Pack Your Lunch Day
Mar 11 – Organize Your Home Office
Mar 15 – Pears Helene Day
Mar 18 – Biodiesel Day
Mar 20 – Ravioli Day
Mar 22 – Start of Peanut Month
Mar 23 – Near Miss Day
Mar 29 – Niagra Falls Run Dry Day
Mar 31 – World Backup Day

Any excuse to buy a box of cereal and eat some ravioli is good enough for me. Putting these in my journal so I can be reminded. If anyone plans to celebrate any of these awesome activities, please please please leave me a little note below so I can celebrate with you!

Celebrate!: The Fetes of February

February 7, 2015February 7, 20155 Comments

Still riding on my posting high from yesterday, I thought I’d bang out the fourth installment of Celebrate!

February is shaping up to be a productive month. I’ve already received two packages from BDJ, which sends my inner fangirl into gleeful fits. I’ve also finished crocheting Houdini’s first hat, which I’ll be able to submit as my first HPKCHC assignment because I’ve also finally bought an SD card reader for the computer. Last but not least, I’ve halfway through the second season of Elementary! How could I have put it off for so long? The relationship between Sherlock and Watson is as epic as ever.

February is actually my favorite month of the year. It’s still a time for new beginnings, but it doesn’t feel as hectic and demanding as January. It also has only 28 days: short, sweet and fun.

Love The Bus Month
International Hoof Care Month
International Self-Esteem Month
Bake For Family Fun Month
Hot Breakfast Month
Library Lovers Month
Cherry Month
Potato Lovers Month
Relationship Wellness Month

There are also some pretty unusual daily celebrations this month:

Feb 2 – Groundhog Day
Feb 4 – Stuffed Mushrooms Day
Feb 9 – World Marriage Day
Feb 11 – Satisfied Staying Single Day
Feb 14 – Quirky Alone Day
Feb 19 – International Tug-of-War Day
Feb 25 – Chocolate-covered Peanuts Day
Feb 26 – Personal Chef Day
Feb 27 – Kahlua Day

If you’re stuck and don’t know what to write about, why not pick one of these dailies, or challenge yourself with a month-long observance? Either way, send me a link so I can read all about it!

Celebrate!: The Jovialities of January

January 10, 2015February 6, 20154 Comments

‘Tis the new year! Has anyone started procrastinating yet?

*turns off the huge neon side above her head*

Alright, I’ll admit it. Nine days into 2015 and this is the first day that I’ve actually sat down with the intention of actually banging out a post from beginning to end. Similarly, my TED Talk Challenge and Easy Squat Challenge are faring just as well as an elderly gentleman at a urinal. If how a year started was an indication of how it would be all throughout, then… well, have a look at this video:

Yep, spot on, Drake.

Anyway, as much as I would like to point to my Houdini-girl as the culprit leading to my procrastination, I really can’t because then that would be totally ignoring the fact that I’ve been bitten by the crochet bug!

My lone crochet hook taking a breather. Don’t worry, I’ll be getting you some friends soon!

Since the year started, I’ve made a pair of baby booties, headbands for me and my daughter, a developmental ball, and a phone casing. Huh, now that I’ve actually written them down, I kind of feel vindicated. Why no, I haven’t washed my hair in three days, but I’ve crocheted up a storm! I’m so deep into Ravelry that I’ve got an entire wardrobe all set up for Houdini till she’s ready to move out of the house and, if I’m to believe my more seasoned groupmates, the insanity is just beginning.

Hookcraft aside, there are other things I want to achieve this year, but more on that in a later post. For now, it’s time to Celebrate!

January is typically a time for new beginnings, so it’s no wonder that it’s also the month to officially Get Organized. Aside from that fun activity, here’s a list of other observances for the month:

Be Kind to Food Servers Month
Hot Tea Month
Eye Care Month
Bath Safety Month
International Brain Teaser Month
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Wealth Mentality Month

I like to have little daily celebrations as well, just because, and it turns out the January is chock-full of interesting little hurrahs.

Jan 4 – Spaghetti Day
Jan 8 – Bubble Bath Day
Jan 10 – Houseplant Appreciation Day
Jan 14 – Dress Up Your Pet Day
Jan 15 – Hat Day
Jan 17 – Cable Car Day
Jan 22 – Blonde Brownie Day
Jan 24 – Peanut Butter Day
Jan 27 – Chocolate Cake Day
Jan 30 – Croissant Day

Peanut butter rules! I’ll see what I can come up for that one. Until then, ’tis time to get back to figuring out what I’ll be making for my daughter’s birthday this June.

Somehow, I get the feeling there’ll be a yarn-related meltdown in the near future.

Celebrate!: The Frolics of December

December 1, 2014January 9, 2015Leave a comment

Merry Meet, friends and travelers! Welcome to the second edition of Celebrate: The Frolics of December!

‘Tis the season once again. How time flies past…but not fast enough, if you believe the people on TV. Here in the Philippines, the nationwide countdown starts by late September. Shopping malls start unearthing their decorations and mothers everywhere follow suit. I think we’re compensating for the lack of snow.

Personally, I’m ambivalent about the whole thing, and my dislike of crowds makes me want to avoid celebrating altogether. I nearly even forgot my birthday this month! But no matter because good ol’ December marks the end of a very exciting year for me, and 2014 deserves a nice big send off.

So, to get myself into a more jubilatory mood, I figured I’d see what else was being celebrated. Here’s what I found:

World Aids Month
Spiritual Literacy Month
Safe Toys and Gift Month
Tie Month
Exotic Fruits Month
Tropical Fruits Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Bingo Month
Write-A-Friend Month
National Write-A-Business Plan Month

Check these fun dailies out too!

Dec. 03 – Make-A-Gift Day
Dec. 05 – Comfort Food Day
Dec. 07 – Letter-Writing Day
Dec. 08 – Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day
Dec. 11 – International Mountain Day
Dec. 13 – Violin Day
Dec. 16 – Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
Dec. 18 – Roast Suckling Pig Day
Dec. 21 – International Dalek Remembrance Day
Dec. 22 – Date Nut Bread Day
Dec. 24 – Eggnog Day
Dec. 27 – Fruitcake Day
Dec. 29 – Get On The Scales Day
Dec. 31 – Make Up Your Mind Day

So there you have it. Now, regardless of what you choose to celebrate this month, go out and enjoy yourself! Let’s end 2014 with a bang!

Celebrate!: The Revelries of November

November 8, 2014November 27, 20142 Comments

As everybody and their mom bloggers know, November is known as NaNoWriMo (try typing that 5 times in a row) or National Novel-Writing Month. It’s that time of year when struggling writers can connect with other struggling writers, bonding over too much coffee and not enough time to re-write the damn draft. It’s when people start sounding a bit mad if you don’t know where they’re coming from:

‘I need to know what he drinks in the morning, it’s vital.’

‘She has got to die, it’s so sad but it’s has to be done.’

‘I’m just about ready to throw a dragon in there, it’s so boring.’

‘I am going to remake the werewolf!’

Madness. Sheer madness.

But, as I’ve recently discovered, there’s something else in that word-caped horizon and it’s name is NaBloPoMo. Perhaps November should also be called NaConAbbMo as well (full points to whomever gets that). NaBloPoMo, or National Blog Posting Month, hopes to inspire one post a day for the entire month of November. It’s a worthy event, perhaps even an essential to the blogger out to make a name and brand out of their little domain. In WordPress, people who took Blogging 101 and Blogging 201 can segue seamlessly into this new write-a-thon.

Let’s admit it though, writing a post a day isn’t hard. Writing a good, readable post though, now that’s a toughie. Some of us don’t have enough time for that, and even if we did, what the heck would we write about? Over at BlogHer, they do give you little prompts to help you along, but sometimes it’s not just the kind of inspiration you’re looking for. Even us non-NaBloPoMo writers struggle with finding something to post weekly.

So, during one of my seemingly fruitless searches for inspiration online, I finally decided to look for my writer’s spark in the month of November itself. Lo and behold, my search turned up dozens of nuggets, leading me to run off to PicMonkey and come back with a commemorative button.