Month: August 2010

So you think you can bake

Yes, I did think I CANNOT BAKE!

Not until I saw the Oven Toaster Brownie Mix at the grocery!

My cousins bake, and for that I envy them. I’ve tasted their cupcakes, cookies and cakes, and I can only dream of making those myself. When my daughter grows up, I want to teach her how to bake. Now that she’s arriving any minute, I should start practicing.

I do not have an oven! I have an oven toaster, though.

So, out of curiosity, I tried.

First steps to that yummy brownie

Tedious as it may seem, it wasn’t. The Brownie Mix has it all. Just soften one-fourth bar of butter then add one egg, a tablespoon of milk (instead of just water), and the mix. Mix everything and place the mixture in a disposable aluminum tray greased with some oil and lined with wax paper. Then cover loosely with aluminum foil. You may have to spend a little for the baking equipment but nevertheless, you can use them next time should you crave for more.

Ready to bake!

So the mixture looked like this. Just by mixing alone, my right arm got a good workout. Then it’s a ten-minute trip to the oven toaster. Turn it to the other side and add another six minutes. Check if the middle is cooked by inserting a toothpick and if it comes out clean, your brownie is done!

Thanks, oven toaster!

Let it cool at room temperature for a while and voila, you’re ready to eat your brownie!

Brownie goodness

Hubby said it was yummy. So I think I fared good in my first baking experience. I ought to try other oven toaster delights like the Banana Cake and Bibingka. So it’s off to the grocery for me!

Now I can say, I HAVE baked.

Happy Baking!

– Touringkitty

The Rainmakers are back!

Catch the Rainmakers in their Reunion Concert entitled “Like a Love Song” on September 3, 2010, 9.00PM at Teatrino, Greenhills.

If you enjoyed their hit “Binibini,” you’ll definitely enjoy their mixed repertoire of old and new love songs, English revivals, and their original compositions.

The group is composed of Joel Macanaya (my uncle), Joseph Lansang, Ramon Villanueva and Jojo Grospe.

See you there! (That is, if baby’s not yet arriving 🙂

First shopping splurge and spring cleaning

As I approached my last month of pregnancy, the Schatzi household is preparing for the arrival of our new tenant.

I told myself, I will not buy anything unless it’s only a month until I give birth. So last weekend, my husband and I finally took the courage to hit the infant section, took advantage of the sale, and bought everything we’ll be needing for our Aria Baby.

We were both overwhelmed with the stuff we saw, because being first-timers, we don’t know if we’re buying the right stuff. I have listed down the more important items, such as clothes, diapers, and toiletries. I set my eyes on that, but hubby decided on buying a playpen and tub also. So we did.

Seeing this every time I wake up makes me more excited and nervous at the same time

Not only that, I already packed my hospital bag (the black one) so I’d be ready just in case D-day comes unexpectedly.

We didn’t buy much as I expected.  This is because my family and some of my friends threw two baby showers already last month. Two baby showers mean twice the gifts, thank you. But more than the gifts I received, it is their company and thoughts about parenthood that I appreciated the most.

Just some of the gifts I received during the party. Sweet, indeed!

So we ran a total of… (do I dare mention? NOT!) for Aria’s first things when we welcome her in this world. I know it’s all worth it, especially when we get to hold our precious angel.

Now, we need space for these. That’s why this week, we started arranging/disarranging/rearranging the Schatzihaus. We’ve given away old clothes and items to charity. My husband is discarding unused books (for more of the books, visit his blog). I’ve filed papers and music sheets in neat ring binders. We’re practically dusting every nook and cranny along with my mom and our house help, which we haven’t done for quite a while. I never thought having a new tenant in the house would make us this busy!

Still a work in progress

There’s still a lot to be accomplished. We have barely a month to finish. And the dream of creating a perfect abode for my baby is slowly taking shape.

– Touringkitty