Gretchen's Realm




Since month of april has begun, ripe yellow mangoes from mexico are just everywhere! Lots and lots of local grocery store near to me are now carrying these kind of mangoes. Which made me happy! I don't have to drive that far to buy ripe mangoes for me and for my family. The grocery store nearby has it! These mangoes are cheap, too. I always got them for 3 for $2.00, which is really cheap! Plus, they come in bigger sizes.
I love mangoes! I grew up eating mangoes almost every meal. My boys also love eating these yummy mangoes. I learned that mangoes are actually, good for your eyes. I will for sure going to miss eating mangoes once summer is over. They are only available on the grocery store on spring and summer time. These are the kind of mangoes that I really like. There are different kinds of mangoes. Want some mangoes? Check your local kroger, giant eagle and even walmart, they do carry these delicious fruit!
Gretch
I love Kelly Clarkson! I think she is one of the greatest singer in this country. Her songs are to be love! This is just one of her most popular songs that I really like. I first heard this when I was driving around town. It's my kind of beat! I love it sooo much! Kelly Clarkson can really sing!
Do watch the video and see it for yourself... what a beautiful, powerful voice this young lad got! aawwee! Another hits for, Kelly!![]()

I feel fortunate living in an area where asian vegetables are abundant. Even, non-asian stores carry my favorite vegetables such as bittermelon, whole fresh okra, sitaw, kalabasa, talong to name a few. I loveee bittermelon! It has a bitter taste in it, thats why they named it "bittermelon". You can cook it in a different way. I like mine stir-fry with shrimp paste. This is my all-time favorite meal with white cook rice, of course.
This was my lunch earlier today. Bittermelon with shrimp paste, rice and ripe mangoes. This is absolutely, my kind of meal! When spring is approaching, ripe mangoes started to show-up in any local grocery stores in my area. My oldest son is a huge fan of ripe mangoes. He can eat ripe mangoes like no other, LOL! He had these mangoes together with the sandwich I made for his lunch and as always, he loved it!
I am a happy mama when I see my kiddos eat fruits! They are picky eaters, so watching them eat fruits just delighted me! It felt like, I just won a lottery.. LOL! ![]()

I have been looking for these colorful puto molds, everywhere! Well, excluding Philippines. These puto molds are super hard to find, indeed. It is only available in the Philippines. Anyway, I was really happy when ate Mely sent these colorful puto molds to me. Sooo sweet of her! I am such a lucky woman! ![]()
My kids love and enjoy making colorful puto cheese. It's actually, one of their favorite! They like adding different color to the batter, while I like adding different flavorings to my puto cheese.
FYI, Puto is a kind of steamed rice cake in Philippine cuisine. It is eaten as is or with butter and/or grated fresh coconut or as accompaniment to a number of savory dishes for breakfast. Properly prepared puto is soft, moist, has fine uniform grain and imparts the slightly yeasty aroma of fermented rice batter.
Photo below are colorful puto cheese. As you can see, these puto molds play a big role in making the perfect looking puto cheese. 
I love puto cheese!!!!!!!! I can finally make my own puto cheese using the right molds. Looking forward on making this yummy snack this weekend... awwee!
Gretch ![]()
I am going grocery shopping this weekend and I am hoping my local grocery store has fresh mussels available. When I went there last time, they don't have it. I was a little dissapointed when I left the store, for I have been craving for sauted mussels. I just love mussels!
I saute it with garlic, onion, ginger, scallions and olive oil. I sometime add a red pepper flakes to give it a kick. Add a little salt and black pepper, and you will have a delicious meal. I pair this with cook white rice. Sooo yummy!
I bought 2 lbs of fresh mussels last time and I had it all by myself... LOL! I can't stop eating ![]()
It was so good! The broth that came from the mussels is very satisfying. I savour every drip of it, haha!
I can't wait for weekend to come and enjoy this meal again. Looking at the picture makes me drool... tsk..tsk!
Gretch ![]()

I felt really happy seeing my youngest child walk on his own for the first time. Its another accomplishment for him. But, I felt a little sad because it only means my baby is not so baby, anymore. It wasn't that long time ago when I gave birth to him! And now he is officially, walking. Why does babies grow-up too fast? I still want him to stay baby!
I will for sure miss those moments when my kids were just sleepy heads all the time. Watching my youngest son taking steps and smiling from ear to ear, melts my heart away.
At least, I was able to enjoy when they were newborn. I was also, able to take lots of great photos of them three. Each passing day is a wonderful moments for me. I learn alot of things eversince I became a mom, for the first time. I will treasure all the memories I got when they were just babies. I am a proud mom of three beautiful boys!
Below is a montage that I made for my son. Please feel free to watch. Thanks to all of you who keep visiting my blog. I appreciate it. Have a wonderful tuesday night!!!
I have been feeling sooo lousy for almost 3 weeks now... yikes! This cold brought so much drama in my body. I wanted to feel like human again... you know, back to being myself. I feel restless everday sinced I had cold. I want to feel 100% better, before new year gets here! sigh...
I am so done with getting sick! This is the second time I got really sick since fall season started and its no fun, anymore. With little ones to attend 24/7, being sick is the last thing I wanted to happen. Thinking about doing some easy cardio tomorrow and see if it will give me my energy back. I really need it!!!!!!!!! ughh...
Gretch ![]()