Pumpkin! Sumkin! Diddly Dumkins!

It's not everyday that a kid gets to enjoy a trip to the pumpkin patch. Although Micro didn't have time to visit the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch that everyone has been raving about, I did manage to take him to Perry's Pumpkin Patch at Ardenwood Farm in Newark. It was fitting that Lolo accompany us as his birthday falls on Halloween. So this was a well spent afternoon. A great memory for Micro to share with his Lolo--his first trip to visit a field full of orange. He was more interested in all the kids running around, pushing wheelbarrows, and parents tugging wagons of pumpkins around. Micro enjoyed being in a wagon himself and Lolo threw in the small pumpkin for good measure.

The mother of all candy feasts is only a few days away, and we're busy preparing for Micro turning the BIG "1". When I think about it, this time last year, my husband and I (along with everyone else) didn't know what we were having--girl or boy? Where has the time gone? Happy Halloween all!!!

Filipino-American History Day

Photo courtesy of:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zt_kw/ / CC BY 2.0

Today at the Pleasanton Library, there will be a two-hour presentation about the contributions of Filipinos in America. What a great opportunity for everyone to learn about how Filipinos played a role in WWII and the Delano Grape Strike. Enjoy an afternoon educating yourself, and perhaps kids who are old enough to appreciate a little oral history, while refreshments are served. There is no entrance fee. For more information, click here. For more information on how Filipinos impacted our very own community here in the East Bay, check this book out. Images of America has a series of books about the roles Filipino-Americans have played in history.

Make Way! Coming Through!

photo courtesy of:http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoonie/ / CC BY 2.0                 

Word around the Flowers household this past week is that Micro is FINALLY sprouting his first tooth!

OMG! It's true. I can confirm that.

A week and a half ago, I told Mr. Fliz that I suspected seeing a faint white spot underneath his gum on the bottom half. I wanted Mr. Fliz to confirm it because I've been "crying wolf" about Micro teething since he was 4 months old. Unfortunately Mr. Fliz forgot, and was too heartbroken about the 'Skins losing (sorry to bring it up again honey). Last Friday, I saw the white spot had broken through the gum. Imagine my surprise when I stuck my finger in Micro's mouth and felt a sharp point. At last!

(begin humming) Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston's "When You Believe"

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who know what miracle
You can achieve

Ok, enough of my antics. I can't stand being that corny. Our little Micro is growing up and his 1st Birthday is almost here. I know for sure on that day, I will acquire at the very least, one photo of his gleaming pearly white tooth. Good job Micro! Now, let's work on getting the rest of them in so Mommy and Daddy don't have to suffer too long from your crankiness, snottiness, and incessant drooling. We love you Micro!

He's an Inspiration--SO VOTE!

Though I consider many of my friends everyday heroes in their own way, Efren Penaflorida, a 28-year old Filipino, a former corn vendor from the impoverished streets of the Philippines, is every bit the hero we all aspire to be. My girlfriend JD sent me this CNN article about Penaflorida and how he is in the running to be one of the 2009 CNN Heroes. His childhood story is that which is mirrored by many young children in the Philippines--destitute, uneducated, stealing from others, begging by the roadside--images that describe those kids living in shantytowns outside Manila and in most other provinces. Penaflorida fought his way out of that lifestyle and started the DTC, Dynamic Teen Company. 

I wanted to share his success story with all of you in the hopes that at the very least, you'll cast your vote for him as a CNN Hero. I also hope that you'll read more about his story and the company he started, and perhaps donate to his cause or forward it to your friends and family the world over. Sharing his story may inspire others to follow suit in their homeland or help Penaflorida out. I know his story has touched and inspired me. I will share his (along with many other everyday heroes I know of) story with Micro one day in the hopes that it will teach my son something about pain, suffering, determination, and success. A lesson we could all benefit from.

Where the Wild Things Are

Little Micro, like Max in the book, "Where the Wild Things Are," went on his own adventure. This past weekend, while many were busy watching the President's Cup or the Blue Angels fly overhead San Francisco, Micro and friends ("Ms. Lolli") went to check out the SF Zoo. Though he didn't don a wolf costume like Max, he was bundled up for a chilly start on a Saturday morning.

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! It was Micro's first trip to the zoo and he got a great opportunity to see the animals without having to fight his way to the front of the glass viewing cases. There were very few people. He and Ms. Lolli enjoyed a train ride too!

Though Micro isn't quite into other animals like he's into dogs, he still had a great time and has Ms. Lolli's family to thank for the outing. Mr. Fliz and I enjoyed looking at the animals and learning from what parts of the world they're from. Thank you to Ms. Lolli's parents for a great way to spend a Saturday. By the end of the zoo trip, Micro was itching to give Ms. Lolli a "goodbye hug," and ever the little lady, she politely declined.

Does it have to always be kid-friendly?

Before having Micro, most of my writing consisted of food and travel (this is still my passion). I consider 'food and travel' the perfect pairing. So when we had Micro, I feared that we would have to forsake eating out at good restaurants, at least ones that were not kid-friendly. Since we've had him, we have had to forgo the well-reviewed, eye-pleasing interior, with the out-of-this world desserts restaurants. Ok, not all of them, but most of them. Unless we leave Micro at home, that means those restaurants I long to eat at, will have to wait (and if we have lola or lolo babysitting, it's hard to narrow down which place to try). I don't like waiting that long. I don't want to be one of those parents that only brings their kids to "kid-friendly" places. I think we should redefine that term 'kid-friendly' anyway. I think as long as it's a loud place and has room to fit in a high chair (or a portable one), it qualifies. I want to expose Micro to a variety of foods and atmospheres. (Yes, I say this now when he can't speak or run around like a squealing piglet)


I'm not saying bring your child to a jazz-inspired restaurant with live music and 'fahncee' food (meaning, anything but baby food), like we did with Micro to Miss Pearl's Jam House. Big mistake, or was it? We may have used poor judgement at the time to bring a newborn on a Friday night to a restaurant where live music was blaring from the front doors and there were candle lit tables with couples all over the place. But we hadn't been out for over a month, and we longed to reconnect with the outside world. Though we made it through the dinner with some minor scrapes and bruises, it was a learning experience. (I'm sure we scared a few couples that night that would make them cringe at the thought of having a baby) An experience that taught us that we can't shy away from challenges just because you have a child. 

Of course, it's important to know when to call it quits at a restaurant when your child has a breakdown, and be courteous to others eating. As adults, we shouldn't feel like we are also relegated to just chain restaurants or those places that advertise, "kids eat free" (but hey, we're in a recession and nothing wrong with those places). It may be another matter if you happen to have an "angel of a child", who is well-behaved and listens to you. We don't. Instead, we brave it (at least a good 89.7% of the time) and go out to eat at places that are not so kid-friendly. (I think its best to do these outings during lunch--when it's not too busy and prices are more affordable) Sometimes we get "funny" looks from patrons and the host or hostess, but we put on our "yeah, so we got a baby" face and sit down for a decent meal. Besides, can restaurants afford to turn away customers these days? Any business is good business, right?

In doing this, Micro has opened his palette to a variety of foods. He loves eating salads with vinaigrette dressing, hummus, couscous, braised short ribs, and a host of other foods. I have not ordered anything from the kid's menu because, well, Micro still has no teeth, and he has no interest unless it comes from my plate or Daddy's. My point to this post is to encourage other parents to do the same (mainly, so me and Mr. Fliz don't look like idiotic parents). Go out to that nice, fancy, schmancy place and bring junior. Order from the adult's menu (of course be sensitive to allergies for your little ones) and enjoy. 

Calling all Chocoholics

I clearly remember the first time I fell for dark chocolate. It was in a small Monterey cheese shop about five years ago. A red-haired guy was breaking off a piece of 70% dark Scharffen Berger chocolate for me to sample after eating a piece of cheese. Chocolate after cheese? Seems an unlikely pairing. But I tell you, it was delicious. I don't remember what type of cheese I had, but it was certainly overshadowed by the bittersweet taste lingering in my mouth. Since then, I've fallen hard for dark chocolate.
This started me on a path to explore quality-tasting chocolates, artisanal chocolates to be specific. Long gone are the days when I used to remove the "Special Dark" from the Hershey's chocolate variety bags. Nowadays, I find any excuse to buy myself a good piece of Valrhona, Guittard, or Christopher Elbow chocolates. This past weekend, Mr. Fliz and I went on a free chocolate tour at Charles Chocolates. It's a great family activity, or do it with friends. They produce amazing confections and their dark chocolates are decadent. But truly my favorites were the Pate du Fruit and Fleur del Sel Caramels. Please check out my examiner article for more info.

**Also, just a reminder if any of you have information (especially from loved ones abroad) about where to send goods and money to victims of Ondoy, please let me know so I can post the information. I'm currently gathering more information on organizations and local "door to door" businesses that are offering to send balikbayan boxes of donations for free. Again, I'd like to reiterate that we send to local grass roots organizations that are trustworthy. We want to ensure that those who need it most, get it. My good friend from the Philippines just emailed me an update today and they are still in dire need of the following items: anti-fungal cream, blankets, underwear (for men, women, and children), non-perishable food (canned goods, granola/cereal bars, chips), clothes (gently-worn and in good condition is ok), medicines, and much more. I'll be writing an article for the Examiner on where to send these things, so it's important that you give me current, reliable, and accurate information.

A Hodge Podge Friday

October is here and that means only one thing. Holiday season is right around the corner and  because today is a beautiful Friday (this translates to, I'll be spending most of my day outside), I'm doing a "lazy post". 


I'll share with you a few cool things happening around the blogosphere, and the web for that matter. 


Over at Delicious Baby, there's a great post about Disney giving away 1 million passes to their parks next year. The catch? Volunteer with your family (kids must be at least 6 and up--if I understand her post right). Check it out.


For all my creative masterminds out there, if you haven't heard of Etsy.com, you have to check it out. It's a great place to sell and buy handmade items. I found this cute idea for a handmade holiday bib. If you are planning to sell any items on there, please let me know and I'll post your stuff on this blog too. If however, you've bought something there that's just too cool to keep to yourself, share with me too!


Here's an insane photo of a Virgin airplane flying right over the rooftops of some homes in London. 


How about making pad thai at home. Chez Pim provides a great recipe (and photos) for beginners. 


Feel free to visit my articles at the Oakland Examiner. I'll be posting soon about taking the Charles Chocolate Factory tour!


Yes, today's post is a mish-mash of all the things I love...food & travel. Those two things are never far from my mind, neither is Micro.