HOMEKEEPING HANDBOOK

I love Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook!!!  It is so beautifully written with beautiful pictures, it's my complete and easy reference for the proper upkeep of every part of our house, room by room.

glad to be back!!!

HOME MATTERS BOOTCAMP 3

Home Matters Bootcamp 3rd edition is ongoing with 7 young ladies and housewives participating in the %-module course.  The home matters course emphasizes the importance of excellence in household work in making happy homes. The course focuses on technical and professional management skills involved in running the household services such as housekeeping, linen and laundry, menu planning, dining & entertainment, basic home repairs and budgetting. 

Young ladies and housewives attentive and enjoying every session of our 3rd Home Matters Bootcamp for 2013.  

home matters bootcamp

Our home matters bootcamp is really getting more exciting as days go by...

We are on our 3rd class- Laundry and linen.  One of the participants came with her fiancee!! We all teased him that he is going to be in charge of the laundry after they get maried come October so she brought him.  He attended and passionately participated in my class. When we were discussing about the cost of doing laundry at home versus outsourcing it, he retorts its a third cheaper but it is twice the effort - case closed. Another participant who is also preparing to get married very soon  also wanted to bring her fiancee as well but he excused himself due to an important appointment. So we told her that he perhaps does not want to take on the Laundry challenge at home..

It is so wonderful to see these  professionally driven young ladies very seriously interested in learning house work- totally immersed in each class, taking down notes, asking questions and learning the skills.

Household Management Bootcamp!!

Young housewives' household management Bootcamp ongoing!,

BATAS KASAMBAHAY OR DOMESTIC WORKERS ACT

BATAS KASAMBAHAY OR DOMESTIC WORKERS ACT

http://www.gov.ph/2013/01/18/republic-act-no-10361/

The Kasambahay Law that protects the rights of household helpers will be implemented by the end of the month according to the Department of Labor and Employment.
The aw defines set work hours and days, requirement of contracts and pay slips, as well as the enrollment of household helpers in the respective Barangay and appropriate goverment agencies for welfare and benefits. 

To all the Kasambahays, Salut!!

BASIC COURSE ON HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT

Christmas without Indulgence Isn't Christmas

Two parties down, 3 more to go!! This week I attended two Christmas parties we organized ( with employers) for our household staff. I am so happy to see house helps really enjoyed it. In the first one, the principals contracted a caterer to prepare a lavish dinner and organized games with prizes for the staff. We also asked the staff to invite their families to join the party - it was nice meeting their spouses and children! In the party last night, it was the employers kids who played game masters and judges during the parlor games!! Funny thing is the kids coach their nannies to get the correct answers!! Ahahaha...

In both parties, the staff were so happy apart from the good food and gifts and prizes, by the affection of their employers organizing a party for them and joining them for the dinner and even being emcees and game masters for them to enjoy the night.

We in the service industry -more particularly in the private service-, are all very busy these days I know! I've got more than dozens of parties and dinners and lunch and breakfasts ( we run out of dinners days) with guests to prepare for principals families, friends, company employees, high school classmates, MBA batch mates, club mates, politicians, even bishops and seminarians! And I see the excitement ( buying new serving shoes) and the adrenalin rush (from preparing centerpieces, broiling the lechon de leches (broiled young pig) and endless cleaning and washing table linen... How do we survive Christmas!

Indulgence during this festive season is more enjoyable when it comes in the form of caring and giving affection and time.. Gifts and prizes, material rewards like gadgets and clothing and good food give color to the season, but love gives it warmth that goes through the heart and is manifested in the twinkling eyes..

And rightly deserved by the people who care for us daily!!!

Asian Center for Household Management - Journey from Home to Rome

Asian Center for Household Management offers Program of Household Excellence, a professional household management course that is oriented to caring for family well-being . Our people, systems and courses are focused to create and nurture the warm familiar environment of varied Asian and International Households.

Our Household Management Course is a personal training that enhances and combines innate talent with correct work attitude, science, art, and professional skills needed to bring the warmth of home through a silent and seamless service.

Asian Center for Household Management also offers  Private Homes Management, developing household systems to fit changing lifestyle while respecting family traditions.

On November, ACHM has organized a two week Home, Culinary and Culture course that includes immersion in the centers of Culinary Culture - Paris and Tuscany.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

To all the great women 

whose silent and often unrecognized dedication to 

caring for our well being makes the world go round..  

Happy Mother's Day !!

AMAZING SUMMER GET AWAY

SILVER, SULFIDES AND HUMIDITY

Dear Lord! I was so shocked when I opened the butler pantry and found the silver items as you see below! The last time I checked it was a month ago which is our monthly cleaning of the butler pantry and they were still well "silver".  We recently renovated the caregiver room and converted it to a butler pantry where shelves were installed to contain the formal dinnerwares, silvers and the party pieces. All the glasswares, dinnerwares and silver items are on the shelves. The room is ordinarily locked and is opened when we do the cleaning and polishing. 

We've been experiencing very hot and humid days the past month with temperature reaching 37C and humidity making it feel like 41C.  But this is soooo extreme right? 

SILVERS,  SULFIDES AND MOISTURE

What causes silver to tarnish is exposure to sulfides and moisture.  It is humid in my country but where does the sulfide come from? there is naturally occuring hydrogen sulfides in the air but is our room supersaturated with it such that it resulted to extreme discoloration? Think, think, think!! google, google!! and bam!! Found out that white pigment used in paints are from lead sulfates! The room and newly installed shelves are all painted white. What more?  Butler room is located above the garage! Even if our windows are closed, it is possible that amounts of sulphates emitted by the car engines add to it. No wonder!!

CLEANING SILVER

We cleaned the silver pieces with recommended commercial silver polish and silver wash by manual rubbing.  This site gives good tips on caring, cleaning and storing silver pieces: Jeffrey Herman  (http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-silver/).

ANTI-TARNISH CLOTH BAGS

Yes, it brought back the luster but we have to protect these items by sotoring them inside the anti tarnish cloth bags that came with each item.  Never use polyvinyl plastic bags. Authentic Silvercloth contains embedded silver particles will catch the sulphur gases that would otherwise tarnish the silver articles inside, causing the brown fabric to discolor to various shades of brown. 

Sterling silver, stored properly, can be worn often and with minimal cleaning required making it very easy to care for.

Kabahayan Culture Cucina

Owning up and rockin it!!

Are you alright? Is anything the matter with you? Naaahh.. am just growin old . Change is uncomfortable, there is some anxious resistance to the new, some kind of attachment to the old. Predictability isn't me, change is my cup of tea and it comes so naturallly, at times accidentally or beware,  even impulsively.
Case in point: my recent butler training exposed me to the awesome professional butler world and I'm lovin it totally. And I came back home a changed soul - owning up to the outlook and the look of a new me who's been hiding in my bohemian skirts and gypsy tops.
Ive been in search for a defining work uniform and been unsuccessful perhaps because I couldnt't define myself too. Once I found my definition, I found the ONE, combined with the right updo and clean shoes- it's been calling all attention from the bosses, staff, friends, romans and countrymen lend me your eyes!! They all like it and I rockin like it too!!
Some resist wearing uniforms because their self expression is stifled by looking like just one more and they lose themselves while wearing it.  Outfits are like fairy wands, it transforms the princess and the ugly duckling, it effects a change in the person and in those around him. It's almost magical.  Likewise, work outfits shouldn't be fancy, it must be defining, exact responsibility, command respect, motivate and inspire awe.That must be the reason why its called uniform - it gives a vague and amorphous common one distinctive form and structure.
Yea am growin old and rockin it too!

I Got Served!!

I GOT SERVED!!  Yes folks I got served! not a subpoena but a very personal and disinterested service.. its priceless. I was on a long road trip this morning at the expressway northbound when I had to stop by the gas station for toilet break. The powder room girl opened the door for me with a huge smile on her face and a booming good morning Ma'am. She noticed that I was looking for some toilet papers, so she readily hands me a pack. She also lead me to the vacant cubicle which had enough space for my bags. While  I was inside the toilet, I could hear her greeting the other guests coming in in the same way. It felt good, she made my day, I gave her a tip when I left and will commend her to the gas service station for such good service.

         

On my way back home from the trip, I was cruising sounthbound direction in the same expressway when  I noticed the car's temperature gauge was beyond the normal range so I stopped at the nearest emergency stop to check the radiator water, It was a very hot day and my car was parked for 3 hours under the heat of the noonday sun. The highway patrol came to help soon as they saw my flashing lights, true enough, the radiator needed some water refill. They assisted me and made sure I would reach my destination without the car over heating.  The team chief also gave me their emergency number should I need help. I wanted to give them some tip but the guys politely declined saying it was their duty to assist road users. Wow, two inspiring service experiences today, priceless.

I thought they were very personal and disinterested service and that made the difference. They attended to "me", they were happy to assist me, they were talking to me and looking after my needs as if they had been waiting there for me and just for me. Great, mabuhay!!

Caring for Suitcase

Love to travel?  Invest in good quality suitcase, and know how to care for them.  Suitcases come in all sizes and colors and styles! Choosing the right suitcase is a very personal one – (1)  I would give priority to weight, less than 3K would be good, I just came from a month trip to Australia and you bet how I appreciated light weight suitcases!!; (2)  quality comes next, I mean secure zips and sturdy wheels and handles; (3) then shape, I prefer rectangular ones than the duffle bag-types because packing is easier,I also do not want too many outer pockets, I don’t need them;  (4) size will then depend on how long my trip is, although I am not inclined to get the big ones, I am a travel light type.

Immediately after a trip, clean - disinfect your suitcase even before carrying them inside your room. Handling and cargo storage in the plane mean dust and dirt and bugs and pests and germs deposited onto your suitcase. Although they may not pose health danger, you do not want to bring in bugs and insects into your homes with your luggage! It is no rocket science to clean and disinfect bags- thoroughly wipe the outer surface with cloth moistened with disinfectant.

After unpacking, check all pockets to remove all your stuff and damp wipe interiors. Check for damage – zips, wheels, handles, lining. Many good quality brands have 5 years to lifetime warranty to replace worn wheels, broken handles, mend tears etc.

Then you may want to leave some freshening cloth inside your luggage to keep them smelling fresh while stored. Have a safe and fun trip always!!

Australian Butler School Experience!!

After two years of analyzing the pros and cons of the different butler schools plus other factors worth considering (acquiring a visa..), I finally decided to go to the Australian Butler School for my Household Management Certification. Inspite of several questions/doubts in mind- there is never an ideal situation- I flew to Melbourne to participate in the March 2012 batch of the ABS.
It was a worthwhile trip and value for money! Days of serious classes and nights of assessment-completion made up an intense 4-week integrated course that makes every participant capable and confident in running a household. I admit, I didn't go there "tabula rasa" (blank slate) I came equipped with formidable experience in household administration. My expectations were high. My 4-week experience gave me the refinement I most wanted in every skill I thought I knew well. I didn't expect to learn many new things (although yes I did..), I didn't expect to know the latest technology involved with household management, all I wanted was to learn the art of butler service- "silent and seamless" as the motto of the Australian Butler goes. Every class and assessment taught me the history, the science- with a smothering of common sense, the art and the joy of every skill and life of a professional butler.
I fell more in love with my work, with this service in the home, with the industry I belong to. Vale la pena.. It is worthwhile. Thanks to the Australian Butler School!!

Patron for House Work

"A lighted lamp  tells the story of Dora del Hoyo,  a woman who entered domestic service in the 1940s as a servant in a private home. She came to see that God was calling her to follow Him in her chosen profession, and she asked to join Opus Dei as a numerary assistant. She thus became the first of many women who would, by means of their work, spread the idea of the sanctification of ordinary work around the world and to every level of society." (doradelhoyo.org). The book is written by Javier Medina Bayo, based on the testimony of Dora's family and those who lived with her. 

All the testimonies about her life affirm that Dora carried out her domestic work with the competence of a first-class professional. She mastered every aspect of that work and exercised it at the highest level. Below is a favor granted through her intercession.

 I have four children who are 8, 6, 5, and 3 years old. For two months I had been looking for someone to help me with the housework and the children. Discouraged, I told my mother-in-law that the next morning I was going to call a girl without any references. She gave me the prayer card and she told me, “Ask Dora and she will help you.”  Not very convinced, I did pray to her that night. The girl turned out to be an excellent worker, educated, willing, cheerful, patience and affectionate with the children. I am very grateful.

P.S. In my city it is very difficult to find someone who can care for a home responsibly and, above all and most importantly, who is good with children. Many thanks!    L.S.F.  Argentina

Front 

Back 

I myself received a favor from Dora. I prayed through her intercession for my Visa application to be approved and be released in time for my flight. I lodged my visa application at the last minute due to completion of required documents. I was told that processing time will take a month, which meant it won't be out before my flight booking!! (I grabbed the airine Chinese new year sale and booked my flight ahead). Three days before the flight schedule, I called the Visa center and was told that my application was still being processed. I asked Dora to help expedite it since I am going to study to become a professional butler which was her profession. I also promised her that I will disseminate her prayercard. The next morning, I got a call from the embassy that my visa application has been approved;  and was delivered on the same day!! I love Dora and I believe she should be canonized as patron saint for all who work and care for the home!!

Home Renaissance Foundation International Conference: Renewing the culture of home

Fluffing Couch Cushions

Cozy sofas are so loved that at end of day they get really tired and look this way! If only they can talk, by end of day they must want to retire already.

So i always recommend that at the end of day, we allow these to rest and retire as shown below.

After a good night rest, we are assured that the cushions are alert and ready for another days' hugging and resting for kids and adults alike.. Do not forget to make sure that the zippers are not exposed when the cushions are replaced back into position..