DIY Money and Bill Organizer

Let me share with you a simple project that could help you put a little order in your budgeting chores. This actually came out as my very first article for Yahoo! She. 

Now would you believe that the idea for this project is from my husband? No, he isn't even close be being "crafty" or "artsy" but he knows a thing or two about keeping the budget in check with his kuripot ways.    

For this project all you’ll need are the following:

Several pieces of used mail envelopes

 Glue or double-sided tape
Board paper or any sturdy paper material such as magazine covers, old calendars, posters, etc.

Step 1: Cut the flaps off the envelopes

 

Step 2: Arrange envelopes over the other and glue or tape together

 

Step 3: Fold a piece of board paper in such a way that it encloses the envelopes inside

 

Step 4: Glue or tape onto the envelopes.

 

 Step 5: Make little labeling tabs by folding in half small pieces of blank paper and attaching them with glue to the individual envelopes

 

Peaches and Cream Turon

Here’s a little twist to your usual lumpia: a cross between the classic Filipino merienda, banana turon and the tried-and-tested-kiddie favorite snack, cheese sticks. This amazing combination will definitely satiate your taste buds for anything sweet, tangy, crunchy and creamy.
 

Ingredients:

Sliced peaches

Cream cheese

Lumpia wrapper

Cooking oil

Hazelnut spread (optional)

 

 Assemble turon by spreading about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese over wrapper and placing a slice or wedge of peach on top.
Fold wrapper from the three sides towards the center and roll.
Seal the “seams” by slightly dabbing with water.
Continue wrapping the rest of the turon. Fill a large pan with oil and heat over medium to high heat. Fry turon until crispy and golden on all sides. Drain off oil.

 You may also slather a generous amount of hazelnut spread over it if you prefer.

 

Enjoy!

1st Day Blues

We already expected this year to bring about some changes. Early on we planned on having Alonzo start out with day care this year before enrolling him in pre-school. Also, despite some hesitation on my part I also decided to push through with (another) post graduate course.

 

Since this summer we've been prepping Alonzo about how daycare would be a little different from the parent-child program that we have been on since he was 1 year and 4 months old.

This time, instead of having to spend 2 hours with either me or his dad at playhouse, we'll have to drop him off and come back for him after 4 hours. The rhythm and routine will essentially be the same as what he is used to but we anticipated some resistance on his part especially about the idea of not having either one of us with him.  

 

  

As I dropped him off (I really had the intention of just waiting outside for 4 hours) and said goodbye (I also had the intention of doing a quick, no fuss goodbye) Alonzo's expression undoubtedly changed. He was trying to hold back his tears but he could not hide that he was scared and worried. My heart melted. His nurturers allowed me and other first timers to stay inside. Thankfully, Alonzo adjusted quickly and smoothly. It has been a month now since his first day and we'll be meeting with his nurturers late this week for their feedback. 
 

 

Now, you might have been wondering what has kept me from blogging lately...well, as I mentioned earlier I am also back in school. It has been a month and prelims is just around the corner but unlike my little boy I still have not quite adjusted!