Very Easy Cinnamon Rolls or Schneckenringe

And I didn't know they call it Schneckenringe here in Germany!

All I know is that I love cinnamon rolls. And that I have never seen something like that in the bakeries I have visited.

I have been wanting to try my hand in baking cinnamon rolls but I was not sure as it seems to be a lot of work. Plus, I am not really sure if my family would eat it with me; not fun, right?

Red Beets (Beetroots) Salad

Red beets or beetroots from our garden

They are strangers to me, these rote beete (red beets or beetroots). I have never tried them before (nor had ever had the urge to try it).

But my husband loves them. He remembers them on their family table, prepared lovingly by his mom; he wanted them on our family table, too. The main reason why those red beets ended up in our backyard garden this year? He has been longing to eat red beets for years. Yet he has never tried to introduce them to us.

DIY: From Mama's Long Skirts into My Girls' Summer Dresses

Looking for new summer dresses for your girls?

Check your closet first!

From Mama's long skirt into  my girl's summer dress

I found something in my closet: long skirts that I have yet to wear. A gray one and a striped black and white skirt. Perfect for the girls! 

The idea is to have those dresses done as fast as possible and to save money, of course.

Yellow Plum Joghurt Ring Cake

Already, our yellow plum trees are filled with fruits! I'm keeping a close eye this year.

Last year, we neglected them. They were located in the very bushy end of our backyard were we don't usually go. A visiting neighbor saw the yellow fruits and exclaimed how lucky we are. Huh? Then she started pulling the branches to get to the fruits; munching, giving us a handful to taste. Delicious, juicy, like a yellow cherry :-)


We saw that many ripe ones were already on the ground! What a waste. The fruits were a hit -- we shared them to our neighbors, I baked cakes with them, I made fruit salads, I added them to vegetable salads, I created fruits shakes, and most of them went into the freezer which lasted us through the winter season.


So this year, I am harvesting them, as soon as they turn yellow! Here's is this year's first yellow plum recipe:

yellow plum joghurt ring cake

There's a Line to Heaven

Our little baby Chris John is in heaven.

He visited earth for eight short days.
And then he earned his wings.

My sister, his mother, who had him in her womb for six months, asked the question, 'what do you call a mother who lost a child?' I guess, the answer is they are called 'very special mother.'

Special mothers who could endure all.
Special mothers who would endure all.

Special mothers chosen by God.
Special mother chosen because they can.

Special mothers who are blessed with a special strenght.
Special mothers who are gifted with special hearts, special souls, special angels.

And yes, special mothers have a special line to heaven, too.
Just like special aunts like me :-)

Dear Baby Chris John,

Chris John (July 1, 2012 - July 9, 2012)

Hey Baby,

That was a short visit.
Six months on your mom's womb,
Eight days on earth.

That was a short, wonderful visit.
Maybe you just wanted to say hello.
We did hear that wonderful hello. 

That was a short, silent visit.
Later, I have to tell your cousins MC and IC.
I have to make sure they didn't missed your gentle hello.

That was a short, sweet visit.
Only Ate Clae was able to carry you on her arms.
But your mom and dad will carry you in her heart, forever.
(As with Ate Cha, Ate Tin, Kuya Topher.)

IC's Rouladen (Stuffed or Rolled Meat)

IC preparing her Rouladen

Rolled meat is the number dish in our family. Tonight, it was IC's turn to present her own version, choosing her favorite ingredients. 'Tonight, I will cook for all of you,' she said. And she did!

More Harvests

Harvest time is here!

Mini radish is our first harvest.

Oh, and this year, my husband and I decided to have an assortment of plants our backyard. Aside from the usual fruit-bearing trees we have (cherries, yellow plums, greengage, apples, peach, etc) we have also added more vegetables, herbs and spices.

That means, we had more work in the backyard. We had to create more space for the plants. We had to water them more. We had more weeds to pull. But when it is time to harvest, we are glad for the hard work!

Pechay (or Chinese cabbage) and lettuce are ready, but the carrots need time.

We are already enjoying coriander and other herbs and spices such as parsley, dill,  basil and  mint leaves.

Zucchini