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| From Left to Right: Celeste, Nina, Ermina, Niels and Vincent |
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Birthday Party in Paal
Yup, I also had my share of birthday party...and here are my enthousiastic guests...
Sunday, November 20, 2011
On my 34th...
It has been 2008 since we last had a weekend alone with each other, Nico and I. As a birthday and wedding anniversary gift, Nico had an ingenious idea of having a luxurious relaxing weekend this weekend in Luxemburg without the kids. Finally a break. For both of us, a break from the stressy work, from the household...and from the babyphones at night.
Oma and Opa were so generous to take care of Niels and Nina this weekend to allow us to enjoy the moment without worries. We both know they are in good hands.
Normally, every year Nico cooks a 4-course-meal at home which is unusual...more of special I should say ;-)...just for my birthday. But this year he thought of something better. Its not that he cant cook cause he can, but at least this time we could both relax :-)
We arrived last night in this large Mercure Kikuoka Golf Club Hotel in Luxemburg. It was late (11pm) when we arrived (after coming from work, straight to Balen to bring Niels to Oma and drove to the hotel) so we passed by McDonald to eat dinner quickly and went to hotel to sleep.
We turned the lights off...TOTAL DARKNESS...no flickering baby phones...it was silent...
But (damn it!) my body clock was alarming at 6 early in the morning!!!!! I forgot to reset to vacation mood..and to tell myself that I MAY sleep longer. I couldnt sleep anymore.
Luckily after writing this piece, I tried to close my eyes again...with the thought of my kids smiling at me and saying "Sweet dreams Mama"...I drifted back to dreamland...ALMOST!
A few minutes after my tummy started to growl for hunger!
So what did I do? While waiting for Nico to wake up...and while waiting for breakfast hour to arrive...I was making myself busy drawing a plan/idea for a walk-in dresser that I want to have...hopefully I could have one by next year. Clothes are scattered everywhere!!!!!!! I need closet!!!!
...Nico woke and we had breakfast...
After a hearty breakfast (I was very satisfied) we went for a 7km walk around the domain...which ended up quite elegantly.
Usually when we go for a walk like this we end up climbing up the mountain to look for civilization (La Roche, Halloween of 2003?) or we end up digging a hole under a barb-wire fence (Highly pregnant - De Zwin with Lolo and Lola - 2007)...but we are learning our lesson and this time we ended up quite OK. Although a little road diversion happened, it was not that bad. We ended up in the middle of the golf course but not far from the hotel, so we just followed the golf course path back to the hotel and we made it safe and sound.
Went back to the hotel, took the car and went to Luxemburg city. It was a lovely city. We had a nice tour around it.
We had a quick lunch from a small Italian-Venetian ice cream parlor and headed back to the hotel.
We were planning to go relax in the sauna or in the jacuzzi...but looks like Men and Women may only go separate rooms...there were no other people so I was alone at the jacuzzi...and Nico alone in his sauna...not what I expected of a relaxing wellness afternoon...alone, no one to talk to...so we just went back to the room, took a nap and prepared for the big dinner.
Dinner came...we went downstairs, nice cute restaurant...very delicious food...but quite a lot! I literally blown my garters open after eating. I looked at myself in the mirror and I looked like a 5-month pregnant woman. If I took picture of myself then I could really make people believe we are on for a 3rd child!
Too full...not a good feeling...bloated...I went to sleep while Nico still watching television...woke up 8.30am...my body clock finally set properly to vacation mood but its time to go home. I was one day too late. Tomorrow is monday and Im still gonna be on vacation mood. Damn it!
We ate the delicious breakfast again and headed to Bastogne...sleeping on the way...after Bastogne we drove to Balen to pick up the kids...sleeping on the way...if I will count in total, I slept 2 hrs to Bastogne and 1.5hrs to Balen...if I slept continuously I would have waken up at around...lunch time! I was so tired...but at least Nico let me sleep in the car.
Thanks Nico! and thanks for the wonderful weekend!
Neri
See our pictures below:
A diary version...
It has been 2008 since we last had a weekend alone with each other, Nico and I. As a birthday and wedding anniversary gift, Nico had an ingenious idea of having a luxurious relaxing weekend this weekend in Luxemburg without the kids. Finally a break. For both of us, a break from the stressy work, from the household...and from the babyphones at night.
Oma and Opa were so generous to take care of Niels and Nina this weekend to allow us to enjoy the moment without worries. We both know they are in good hands.
Normally, every year Nico cooks a 4-course-meal at home which is unusual...more of special I should say ;-)...just for my birthday. But this year he thought of something better. Its not that he cant cook cause he can, but at least this time we could both relax :-)
We arrived last night in this large Mercure Kikuoka Golf Club Hotel in Luxemburg. It was late (11pm) when we arrived (after coming from work, straight to Balen to bring Niels to Oma and drove to the hotel) so we passed by McDonald to eat dinner quickly and went to hotel to sleep.
We turned the lights off...TOTAL DARKNESS...no flickering baby phones...it was silent...
But (damn it!) my body clock was alarming at 6 early in the morning!!!!! I forgot to reset to vacation mood..and to tell myself that I MAY sleep longer. I couldnt sleep anymore.
Luckily after writing this piece, I tried to close my eyes again...with the thought of my kids smiling at me and saying "Sweet dreams Mama"...I drifted back to dreamland...ALMOST!
A few minutes after my tummy started to growl for hunger!
So what did I do? While waiting for Nico to wake up...and while waiting for breakfast hour to arrive...I was making myself busy drawing a plan/idea for a walk-in dresser that I want to have...hopefully I could have one by next year. Clothes are scattered everywhere!!!!!!! I need closet!!!!
...Nico woke and we had breakfast...
After a hearty breakfast (I was very satisfied) we went for a 7km walk around the domain...which ended up quite elegantly.
Usually when we go for a walk like this we end up climbing up the mountain to look for civilization (La Roche, Halloween of 2003?) or we end up digging a hole under a barb-wire fence (Highly pregnant - De Zwin with Lolo and Lola - 2007)...but we are learning our lesson and this time we ended up quite OK. Although a little road diversion happened, it was not that bad. We ended up in the middle of the golf course but not far from the hotel, so we just followed the golf course path back to the hotel and we made it safe and sound.
Went back to the hotel, took the car and went to Luxemburg city. It was a lovely city. We had a nice tour around it.
We had a quick lunch from a small Italian-Venetian ice cream parlor and headed back to the hotel.
We were planning to go relax in the sauna or in the jacuzzi...but looks like Men and Women may only go separate rooms...there were no other people so I was alone at the jacuzzi...and Nico alone in his sauna...not what I expected of a relaxing wellness afternoon...alone, no one to talk to...so we just went back to the room, took a nap and prepared for the big dinner.
Dinner came...we went downstairs, nice cute restaurant...very delicious food...but quite a lot! I literally blown my garters open after eating. I looked at myself in the mirror and I looked like a 5-month pregnant woman. If I took picture of myself then I could really make people believe we are on for a 3rd child!
Too full...not a good feeling...bloated...I went to sleep while Nico still watching television...woke up 8.30am...my body clock finally set properly to vacation mood but its time to go home. I was one day too late. Tomorrow is monday and Im still gonna be on vacation mood. Damn it!
We ate the delicious breakfast again and headed to Bastogne...sleeping on the way...after Bastogne we drove to Balen to pick up the kids...sleeping on the way...if I will count in total, I slept 2 hrs to Bastogne and 1.5hrs to Balen...if I slept continuously I would have waken up at around...lunch time! I was so tired...but at least Nico let me sleep in the car.
Thanks Nico! and thanks for the wonderful weekend!
Neri
See our pictures below:
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| By Luxemburg City |
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| Making Tatay jealous with the giant cheese! |
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| Mixture of Fresh mushroom |
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| Different Cauliflowers from the Fresh Market |
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| Walking the city lines |
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| View of the city |
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| in Bastogne |
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Teeth Nr. 6, 7 and 8!
Finally! Its about time they start showing up! My gums are getting tired from chewing naked!
Nina
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| Nina eating beans |
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| Photo during a visit to Nina & Lieke in Tienen |
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| Niels baking cupcake! |
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Halloween 2011!
The third edition...
We hope for a good weather like this again for next year!
the 4N's
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| With our fingers on stick in the pumpkin, the spiders and the witches! |
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| Niels having fun with the bonfire |
We hope for a good weather like this again for next year!
the 4N's
Friday, October 28, 2011
Pinoy Food Race
Itong mga nakaraang araw, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit takam na takam ako sa lutong pinoy. Hindi ko nga kailangang mag-isip ng malalim para malaman ano ang lulutuin ko. Alam na alam ko agad na eto ang mga gusto ko, peksman!
Tinapa, Miswa at Sarsiado:
Kahit hindi eksaktong eksakto ang mga panahog, nagawan pa din ng paraang maging kasing lasa ang pinakatatakam kong miswa, tinapa at sarsiado.
And sinubstitute ko sa tinapa ay yung "smoked mackarel/gerookte makreel." Pra shang boneless na tinapang bangus. Pati amoy parehong pareho. Yummy!
Sa miswa naman ang sinubstiture ko sa patola ay yung "zuchini/courgette". Small version sha ng patola. Super sarap! Khit si Niels, Nina at Nico naubos yung bowl nila. Una si Niels ayaw kumain, tapos nung natikman, isang higupan lang ubos na nya agad yung portion nya.
At sarsiado? Sino kaya ang may alam nito? Si nanay super sarap mag-luto ng sarsiado eh. Naaalala ko pa nung tinanong ko kay Nanay dati paanong magluto nun. Hanggang ngayon yun pa din ang scene na tinatandaan ko tuwing magluluto ako ng sarsiado...Nanay's way :-)
Chinese Mami with Asado flavor:
Yup, meron akong stock lagi sa bahay ng chinese egg noodles in case gusto kong magluto ng Tatay's famous Chinese Mami and Asado (as seen on TV Wok with Yan). At meron din kaming tanim na pechay so easy to make ang Chinese mami whenever I want...and I want it now! Mmm...naka-tatlong tasa ata ako eh, si Niels, Nico and Nina eh kain din ng kain :-)
Tinolang manok at Munggo:
Nung sabado naman, bumisita kami kila Ninang Chell. At shempre, alam nyo naman, every visit kila Chell eh for sure may Pinoy food na nakaserve. And this time, Tinolang manok at Munggo ang handa nya. Buntis pa naman si Chell, so ayun, naglilihi sa Pinoy food...nakikisaling pusa ako...SARAP eh!
Sinigang na ribs...adobong ribs:
Ay! Nakakita ako ng magaganda, malalaman at matatabang ribs sa supermarket...naisip ko agad SINIGANG! Pag uwi na pag uwi ko sa bahay hinagilap ko agad kung nasaan yung Mama Sita Pangsigang ko...oh noh! Wala! So yung sinigang na ribs ko eh adobong ribs ang hinantungan! Masarap din naman, tuyong adobo ang ginawa ko...tinatandaan ko yung favorite ni Tatay na tuyong adobo so talagang malasang malasha sha dahil naka-on ang stove until maubos yung sauce ng adobo, naprito sha ng konti kaya crispy ang labas and chewy on the inside. Super sarap din naman ang kinalabasan..of course Datu Puti ang gamit kong suka and hindi ko binuksan ang takip habang pinapakuluan para hindi mahilaw ang suka ;-) Oh diba Nanay and Tatay, natuto din ako! And hindi sha maalat, nilagyan ko din ng konting brown sugar kung hindi magrereklamo si Nico na maalat yung adobo hahaha.
Pinakbet:
Ang original plan ko eh magluto ng chicken curry...kso nung nasa supermarket ako namimili ng ingredients pra sa chicken curry...eh mukhang ang mga ingredients na napupunta sa basket ko (unconsiously) eh pang pinakbet (Talong, sitaw, kamatis). Nung nasa kahera na ako, napaisip ako tuloy...Hmmmm..Yeah! Mag pipinakbet ako! At buti nalang meron pa ako sa freezer na kalabasa (sariling tanim to mga mare at pare ko!)
Ayun, pati si Niels nagustuhan yung pinakbet...and of course may bagoong shang kahalo. Buti nalang meron pa akong isang bote ng bagoong na nakastock. Ayan, bukas alam ko na ano ang baon ko sa trabaho (hehehe)...pinakbet!
And by the way, habang naglalagay ako ng mga bago kong stock sa racks, accidentally nakita ko na may isang pack pa ako ng Mama Sita Sinigang sa bayabas! Waaaah! BAKIT GANYAN ANG BUHAY???
Mami:
Kaninang umaga naman, kasabay ko si Niels mag almusal...MAMI! hahaha
So far, wala pang bagong recipe na pumapasok sa utak ko...but you never know, baka may mapanaginipan akong masarap na ulam!
Sha matutulong na ako para makapagsimula ng managinip ;-)
Neri-takaw
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