Donut Day

Jay and I got out of bed kind of late today. We're usually up at 7:30-ish to 8 in the morning. With that, the mister still has time to prepare a café latte for both of us. 

But not today. When that happens, I make a pour-over coffee. That's the only kind of Java I know how to brew.

I also prepared him a sandwich for his lunch. Usually, he'll have leftovers from the previous night, but I only prepared hotdog buns last night. 

He's all ready to go, but I didn't realize he checked his bag on his way out.

"Asa man ang sausage bun?" (Where's the sausage bun?)

On Fridays, there's free donuts for all of the employees at the mister's workplace. At the other location about 30 minutes away, on top of that, they also serve muffins and bagels. 

Good thing there were 2 left. I gave him 1.

I guess I need to bake more of these. My regular diners have been feasting and inhaling this. 

This bun rose to the most favorite ranking among all of the breads that I make at home. It used to be ensaymada at number 1.

Really, really, really, like her

I was on my way to the basement from the dining room when my phone rang. It's my daughter. The last time we talked was maybe early last week. She was on a video call with my son, and I joined them.

I totally forgot to greet her and Larry for the Chinese New Year. My son-in-law is Chinese, and they always celebrate it with his side of the family in New Jersey.

"Kumusta man? Daghan ka ug gipanghatag nga kwarta sa mga cousins ni Larry?" (How was it? Did you give so much money to Larry's cousins?) I asked.

Before they got married almost 2 years ago, Larry's grandparents, aunties and uncles, and his parents gave red envelopes to Yna too, and not just to Larry.

I also learned from them that when you're married, you won't get red envelopes anymore, but instead you'll be the one to give them.

photo credit: Michaels.com

"Ma, guess what? Ang grandparents ni Larry sa side sa iyang Papa gave me $1000 for Chinese New Year!" (Larry's fraternal grandparents gave me $1000 for Chinese New Year.)

"They also gave me money last year," she added.

So, I told our son about it when he came down for tea.

"But Kuya Larry and Ate are married already!"

I thought that too.

"Ma, I guess they really like Ate."

2/19/2026 at 1:57 p.m.

I am heating my lunch, just a leftover baked chicken lying in carrots, potatoes, garlic, onion, and mushrooms.

"There are not many vegetables left anymore, 'Ma," I heard the boy complaining from the kitchen.

They loved the food I prepared for dinner last night, especially the vegetables I added in it.

This made me think of the varieties of vegetables I'd like to grow starting this spring.

So far, I have all the seeds ready for planting, except for one—a pack or two of seeds of runner beans.

I also like to grow garbanzos but I have no idea yet on how to grow it, and if there are seeds available for me. 

We'll see. 

The mister doesn't buy me flowers, and I don't really like that too. 

He buys me seeds that I get to enjoy for years. 

Tea Break Chika

For the past few days, I switched my listening choice while at work to Frank Sinatra from the classical piano pieces of Beethoven.

Most of his songs are familiar, and some I can sing along to. There are also a few songs that are new to my ears.

Here are a few of my favorite songs popularized by the Old Blue Eyes: I Couldn't Sleep A Wink At Night, Bewitched, Young At Heart, Someone To Watch Over Me, and so many more.

For my afternoon tea break today, I wanted to know more about him.

Photo from: People.com

 
Aside from Frank being a womanizer, I read about his son's kidnapping.

Susmaryosep!

His son from his first wife, Nancy, Francis Jr., was kidnapped for ransom at 19 years old on December 8, 1963 (I wasn't born at that time yet).

Initially, Frank Sinatra offered the amateur kidnappers $1 million, but they declined. They only demanded a quarter of that. 

The ransom they asked was $240,000.

Francis Jr. was released two days later, and his kidnappers were also caught. More about it here.