WW - Leaping Like A Frog

Yen's QOTW #28

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1. Are you easily influenced by other people or current trends?
Nope!

2. What makes you unique (in your own opinion)?
I'm unique coz I'm simply me! hehehe (",)

3. Name 3 of your worst quality.
bossy, moody & dominating

4. Name 3 of your best.
loyal, straightforward & nice

5. Describe the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you.
I have a friend, almost like a sister to me, named Tin. She's always there to support me and checking me out every so often if I'm doing okay or not. She knows very well that I'm a little
sickly because of Diabetes. And also, she's like my son's second mom. Always present whatever new endeavor my son takes.

6. Tell me about your dream last night.
can't remember...

7. What is the most expensive item you own?
my nokia 6300

8. How about the least expensive?
the comfy shoes I bought last month.

9. Do you ever leave little notes to your partner?
sometimes...

10. When you’re talking, do you ever use your hands in the air to do quotation marks of certain words?
Yeap, most of the time I do that... LOL!

"Bacon Linguini Carbonara"

Ingredients:

• 250 grams linguini pasta
• 2 eggs
• a good pinch of salt
• 1 bar (225 grams) cheddar cheese, grated
• 3-4 tbsps evaporated milk or cream, or combination of
• 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
• a dash each of ground oregano and ground nutmeg
• a tbsp of light olive oil
• a clove of finely minced garlic
• 200 grams of honeycured bacon, snipped
• 2 tbsps of butter
• 1/2 cup of hot pasta water (the water you cooked the pasta)
• dried oregano leaves, for topping

Procedure:

Cook linguini as directed in the package. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, break the eggs. Add salt. Beat lightly. Put the next-five ingredients. Mix well. Set aside.

In a large pan or wok, over medium-high fire. Heat moderately. Add olive oil and bacon. Saute until lightly cooked. Follow with garlic. Saute until aromatic only not brown. Put the drained but still hot cooked pasta and butter. Toss until pasta is well-coated.

Add the egg-cheese mixture and hot pasta water. Immediately remove from fire (Follow this step so that the egg wouldn't curdle). Mix until thoroughly blended and sauce thickens. Put in a serving platter. Sprinkle some dried oregano leaves on top.

Good for 2-3 persons.

WS - Grocery Shopping

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Just after the ballet & jazz classes plus the school dance practice of my lil'One last Saturday. Together with his two favorite dancemates, the two Patricias and my Kulit had their snack at Chowking, which I forgot to take pictures because I've been chatting with their moms, Maricel & Lhyn. After that, before we hit home. We passed by Topline Supermarket in RFC and did some grocery shopping.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Birthdate: August 16

You're incredibly introverted and introspective. You live inside your head. You spend a lot of alone time meditating and thinking. People see you as withdrawn, and at times they are right. You are caring and deep, but it may be difficult for you to show this side of yourself. Your strength: Your original approach to thinking Your weakness: You tend to shy away from others Your power color: Pale blue Your power symbol: Wavy line Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

almost true but not quite (",)

"Bagoong Alamang" (Fermented Tiny Shrimps)

This recipe is the one we see in wet supermarkets, also known as, Salted Tiny Shrimps. Instead of buying it. I made my own from fresh alamang. The husband wouldn't eat bagoong if it is not homemade. That's how picky he is!


Ingredients:

• a kilo of fresh alamang
• 2 tbsps iodized coarse salt
• 6 tbsps white vinegar

Procedure:

Wash the fresh alamang twice with running water. Removing any fish, seashells you see. Using a colander, drain for at least 3 hours.

In a stainless or glass bowl, put the alamang and sprinkle salt. Mix well. Cover with a colander. Stand aside for 24 hours. If possible, put in direct sunlight but make sure that flies would not penetrate the mixture.

After a day, Put the alamang in a wok or kawali. Drizzle over the vinegar. Do not mix at this point. Place over medium-high fire. Bring to boil. Keep boiling for 2 minutes or until very fragrant. Mix well. Reduce fire to low and cook for 30 minutes or until all liquid evaporates. Stirring every 10 minutes.

Remove from pan. Place in a glass container. Let it cool. Cover tightly. Put inside the fridge for future use.

This condiment is used to make dishes salty like Pinakbet, Bicol Express and sometimes in fried rice. The most common cooked with this, is the ever famous Sautee'd Bagoong Alamang.

"Baked Coco Shrimp Dish"

Ingredients:

• banana leaves
• 1/2 kilo medium to large shrimps
• 1/2 tsp iodized coarse salt
• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
• 2 tbsps grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded & cut into chunks
• 2-3 pcs dried chili pepper
• 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 stalks of onion leeks
• a pandan leaf, tied in a knot
• 2 pcs matured coconut

Procedure:

Let the vendor squeeze the shredded coconut for you using a manual jack pump. This is available in wet supermarkets.

Pre-heat oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking dish with banana leaves.

Add the shrimps, salt, pepper and cheese. Mix well. Put the next-six ingredients. Pour the thick coconut cream. Cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.

Serve with steamed rice.

WS #49 - Kulit's Jazz Class

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About a month ago I enrolled my Little One in a ballet class. After several meetings he had, Teacher Eli, the artistic director, wanted him to join also the Jazz Class they offer. It would help my kid's coordination and body positioning while dancing. He's very fond of my Kulit because he said that my Little One has potentials to be a great dancer someday. Wow! nice compliment! (syempre uber ang ngiti ko hanggnang tenga, proud mommy, hehe! Buti na lang sa mga lolo at lola nagmana hindi sa aming mag-asawa!) It was only yesterday I took photos of him. It was his third time to attend the said class. He didn't had a hard time memorizing the dance steps though it's quite fast for him. Just need more practicing so that he can keep up with his fellow dancers. By the way, he is the only boy and the youngest in this class. But I guess, it doesn't bother him simply because he enjoys dancing so much and learns a lot from it. Even here in our home he practices the dance steps and can't wait for the weekend to come.... LOL!

Manic Monday #129

How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you?
Shy but easy to get along with (",)

Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
Yup, my hubby because he simply would.

If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
My Lil'One.

Kids Fear Food Factor

Another tag from my sis-in-law, Butchay. Thanks :)
~~~Start Copy~~~
1.) Name something strange that your kids love to eat. Doesn’t matter how many.
2.) Post an image of him or her enjoying ‘the’ strange food liking. If none, just a photo of him having a feast.
3.) Add your kids name in the linky love with the blog where you posted this meme.
4.) Get back to Living the Healthy Life Blog by leaving a comment so your kids’ name be added to the master list.
5.) Tag as many of your friends with kids.
Kids who joined the fear food factor: ETHAN / MARTHA / JJ / Ozzy / GABBY and NICCO / ESTONG / Kuya and Kowi/ Big Brother AL-kiddo of Mommy Yen / Ethan - kiddo of Mommy Butchay/ EU-LEH "Kulit" - Little One of C.A. "tque" / YOUR KID’s NAME with your Blog’s URL

What’s your kids fear food factor?

My Little One is sometimes picky with foods. He loves noodles, fish, seafoods, fruits and mad about chocolates One of his favorites, is Chowking's Chicken Noodles. The weird thing about it, is the way he eats it. He removes the noodles in the bowl, then, transfers it to a plate. Retaining the chicken meat and veggie. He wouldn't eat it. Then, back to the noodles, he doesn't like to cut it. He would eat the noodles like Chinese people do. You can hear the sipping and slurping sound, LOL!


~~~End Copy ~~~

I'm tagging Roselle, Mhay, Aidisan, Prily, Eds, Emz & Vhiel

Camera-Critters Weekend #18

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Been raining for couple of days. It's just today I see Mr. Sun shining down. Because of this, there are lots of frogs creeping and jumping in our backyard. In the photo above is a baby frog that is half inch in length, just the same size of a Philippine 5 centavo coin.

PH - Dark

I'm with my two boys, Kulit and H, in the photo above... we were goofing around with the camera while walking the seashore of Coco Beach at Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. A summer treat vacation from the husband! (",)

Snack Time!

Tagged by Yen. Thanks girl!

{START}

I want all mommies to share their kid’s favorite snacks. When you are done with the tag link me up here so I can add your blog(s) to the master list.

1. I Am Mommy 2. All About The Memories 3. Enchanted Play 4. Just My Scrap 5. My Happy Place 6. Iam Dzoi 7. 8. Suburban Sass 9. To the Moon and Back 10. Raising Sandy 11. Mommy Talks 12. Aggie Shoots. Aggie Scraps 13. All Kinds of Me Stuff 14. The Salad Caper 15. Winding Creek Circle 16. InkBabyStudios 17 Belly, Baby and Beyond 18. Celebrating LIfe 19. My Life is Peachy 20. My Precious Niche 21. Just Me.. Eds 22.. Eds Mommy Life23. Me and Mine 24. Little Peanut 25. Pea in a Pod 26. Creative in Me 27. Notable Bistro 28. Sugarmagnolias 29. Around the World 30. D' Cooking Mudra 31. ISL Family 32. Filipino Merienda Classics ATBP. 33 Your Blog here!

(Credits: Doodled snacks by Kate Hadfield)

Here are my Kulit's faves...

1. all time favorite -- Lucky Me instant pancit canton!
2. Steamed crabs with tons of steamed rice
3. Egg: sunny-side up, lightly cooked scrambled eggs & soft-boiled.
4. Fruits; orange, pear, apple, atis, mangosteen, lansones, santol, mangga; indian at hinog at marami pa!
5. Chicken Adobo, Porkchop Bistek, Sinigang na Hipon, Liempo & Bangus and Fried Tilapia
6. Istappegi (My homecooked spag!)
7. Maling, Purefoods TJ jumbo hotdog & Bacon
8. Fries, popcorn, nuts & seeds
9. Red Ribbon's choco mousse, fudgy brownies, choco muffins & choc-nut
10. Chamyto-orange, Tropicana & Mountain Dew

..... at marami pang iba!

{End Copy Here}

Tagging all Mommy bloggers out there!

Have fun Mommies!

Beijing 2008 Olympics

The most awaited sports competition, held every four years. I'm now watching its opening ceremony, really nice and unique! To see more about this event, here is the official website. Good luck to all the Filipino athletes and around the world who are going to perform in this much-awaited event.

"Chicken Pochero"

Good for 7 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 pcs (1/2 kilo) chicken soup bones, each cut into two
• 1 pc (300 grams) chicken leg quarter, cut into three
• 5 cups water
• 1 large red onion, quartered
• 2 tsps iodized coarse salt
• 1 pc chicken cube
• 1 pc (200 grams) sweet potato, quartered
• 1 small (100 grams) potato, cut into two
• 3 medium pcs plantain bananas, peeled (saging na saba)
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp packed brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp whole peppercorns
• 1/2 pc chorizo de bilbao, sliced
• 200 grams cabbage, large chunks
• 100 grams bok choy, cut at 2" length
• 3 stalks of onion leeks

Procedure:
In a casserole, put chicken and water. Cover. Bring to boil. Remove as foam appears on top of the broth.

Add the onion, salt and chicken cube. Lid on. Bring to boil again. Then, reduce fire to low for 10 minutes.

Adjust fire to medium-low, put the sweet potato and potato. Cover back on. Cook for another 8-10 minutes. Follow with the next-five ingredients. Mix. Lid on. Continue cooking for 6 more minutes.

Dump all the veggies. Cook until half-done.

Serve hot with steamed rice.

Sydney's First Bath

Happy & smiling but clueless...

Yummy shampoo...

Looking cool...

Clueless, of what will the husband do to her. Sydney had her first bath yesterday. She's very cool about it. I did not even saw her hesitated of what was going to happen, not even a single cry for help! Seemingly, she enjoys the experience so much. Just look at the pictures.

8-8-08

Many say today is a lucky day because of the series of 8's in the date. According to Feng Shui, eight is a lucky number because of how you write it. It's always going upward. Yeah, whatever! By the way, Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing the built-environment with spiritual forces. Personally, I don't believe in that stuff. I strongly believe that God created everything beautiful and equal. It's how we perceive and see things that makes them unlucky or lucky to begin with. So, whatever number or day it is... It's a new day. A new life. It's up to us how will we make the day to be lucky or not. Have a great day ahead to all!!! (",)

Hancock & Sunflower Seeds

Hancock is not the typical superhero story that's action packed. It's more about the character and his life with superhuman powers. Though, it had poor to average reviews. I kinda like the story because there's a twist that is different from the superhero movies I've watched before. Maybe it will have a sequel. The effects of the movie are great. Like always, Will Smith who plays John Hancock, is a hunk and co-star Charlize Theron who is one of my favorite actresses, is a knock-out! If you want to read the plot of the movie, just click here. By the way, as we are watching... my two boys munched happily with this sunflower seeds you see in the photo above. They both love seeds and nuts, that we call "kutkutin". This is what Wikipedia says about this yummy sunflower seeds.

Arte y Pico Award

I’ve been awarded with this by Meg, a fellow blogger. This made me feel so good.

The rules for passing this honor on:

1) Pick 5 blogs that you would like to award this honor to.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

The award goes to the following bloggers, Merlyn, Enday, Carol, Joy & Ericka

Dating 101

Tagged by Eds. Thanks girl!

Players: Ozzy’s Mom | Me,Myself + 2 | Kidd Designs | Fun.Fierce.Fabulous | Me and Mine | Little Peanut | Pea in a Pod | Creative in Me | Notable Bistro | Sugarmagnolias |Around the World | Eds Mommy Life | My Precious Niche | Just Me.. Eds | D' Cooking Mudra | ISL Family | Pinoy Merienda Classics ATBP | YOUR BLOGS

1. When was your first kiss and where?
..::.. way back 1992.

2. When was your first real relationship and how long did it last?
..::.. I had only one and now he's my hubby. We dated for 7 years then got married.

3. What age were you allowed to date?
..::.. My Mom is liberated about having relationships with the opposite sex, no age in particular.

4. What’s the craziest thing you did (for love) when you were a teenager?
..::.. Everyday, I wrote him a letter. I compiled it. Send it weekly to him. And vice versa. We did that for about three years tapos nagsawa na rin paminsan-minsan na lang :)

5. How long was your longest relationship and what’s the secret?
..::.. Like I said, I had only one boyfriend. He's my husband now. Hmmm, secret... I guess, accepting the good & bad side of each other, learning to compromise, respect & love, of course!

6. How long did you date before you decided to settle down?
..::.. 7 years

7. How did you know he was the ONE?
..::.. I just know!

8. Now, at what age will you allow your kids(s) to date?
..::.. Like my Mom, no age in particular. Just as long he's mature enough to handle relationships.

9. When it comes to your kids dating, will you be a cool parent or a strict parent?
..::.. A little of both.

10. What piece of advice can you give to your child when they start dating?
..::.. You are only young once, so enjoy your youth, never rush things.

Tagging: Everyone in my blogroll!

"Ginisang Upo Sa Giniling" (Bottlegourd Saute With Ground Pork)

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 3 cloves of finely minced garlic
• 1 large red onion, halved & sliced thinly
• 1/3 cup (50 grams) of lean ground pork
• 1/2 tsp of cracked peppercorns
• 1-1/2 tbsp fish sauce (patis)
• 1 pc (1.15 kilo) bottlegourd (upo), slice at 1" x 1/8" cubes
• 1 sachet (8 grams) all-in-one seasoning granules
• 3/4 cup water

Procedure:

In a wok, heat over medium-high fire. Put oil and garlic. Saute until garlic is golden brown. Follow with onion. Cook until limp. Add ground pork, cracked peppercorns and fish sauce. Stir-fry until aromatic. Put the rest of the ingredients. Mix well. Lid on. Cook until veggie is done but not overcook.

Serve with any fried meat or fish and steamed rice.

Yen's QOTW #26

1. How is the weather like outside?
Gloomy & wet.

2. If you’re given an hour to raid a closet of a blogger friend who would you choose? And what would you get?
It would be you, Yen... LOL! A LV bag :) hehe!

3. Do any of you know why we sneeze? Where did “God Bless You” originate?
A little, its a way of expelling foreign substance in the air passage or nose. That one, the God bless you part... no idea whatsoever!

4. Which is worse? Finding a bug in your sandwich or a very curly hair in your soup?
Curly hair in my soup... gross!

5. What is the color in your room you are in right now?
pink & lavender

6. If I asked every person that you’ve kissed, they’d say that your kisses are tentative, wild, intense, or sweet?
Intense but sweet.

7. Which do you prefer, Not eat for lunch or not eat for supper? Why?
Not eat supper. To have a long peaceful sleep.

8. It’s August already, which month so far was the best month ever? Why?
April. When we had our summer vacation at Puerto Galera.

9. If you could write a book that was guaranteed to be published, what would it be about?
Food, of course!

10. If there was an extra hour in the day, what would you spend it doing?
Go to a spa and have a full body massage.

WW - Blue, Red & Yellow Flowers

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Pillsbury Fried Chicken

It's not a recipe from Pillsbury but one ingredient from them. I have a Pillsbury coating mix sitting in my pantry for sometime now. It was free from the Pillsbury pancake flour I bought. I was curious how it tasted but I did not want to follow the instructions how to use it. As for my experience in the past, breading mix usually has a high content of sodium. If you use it like the instructions say. The chicken is very salty on the outside but bland inside. And I don't like that. What I did, is to marinate 3 chicken leg quarters, weighing about 800-900 grams, each cut into three & pierced for several times with a fork, with a teaspoon each of iodized coarse salt & finely ground black pepper, a good dash of garlic powder and half a tablespoon of liquid seasoning or you can also use light soy sauce, whatever you prefer. Set aside for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile heat the pan with lots of cooking oil, about two cups. In a paper bag, put 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of paprika and 3 tablespoons of Pillsbury coating mix. Mix well until blended. Put the chicken, shake and tumble until chicken is fairly coated. Deep-fry in medium heat until golden brown. Drain in paper towels. Serve with catsup.

Pandan Plant

Lots of Pandan plants in our backyard.

New sprouts of baby Pandan plants showing its roots.

My Pandan-flavored steamed rice.

Pandan or Screwpine is well-known in Southeast Asian Cuisine. It is commonly used to add aroma to rice and curry dishes. Personally, every time, I cook steamed rice. I made sure to put some leaves tied in a knot just after boiling. It renders a sweet-herby smell that lingers all through-out the house which is a very nice and comforting fragrance for me. Pandan is also a medicinal plant. You can use its leaves for healing wounds, headache, athiritis and stomach spasms. As for its roots, it is believed to have aphrodisiac properties. An herbal alternative for viagra. Just boil its roots with some water and drink like a tea. That's what my Uncle said... LOL! I also read that Pandan leaves are also used to make baskets and bags. I have several Pandan plants in my backyard that was planted by my Mom. But I'm the one now caring for them because my mother is living with my bro in Davao. Shown above are some of the photos of my Pandan plants.

WS - Tempura, Shrimp Flavored Snack Chips

Last Saturday, after several hours of waiting for my kiddo to finish his school dance practice & ballet class. We went home straight. Had a late lunch. I took a nap for an hour. Then, the husband loaded the Pirates Of The Carribean At World's End for us to watch. While doing so, we munched on this shrimp flavored snack named Tempura. Which by the way is yummy and not that salty like the other chips I tasted.

Manic Monday #128

Using no more than 10 nouns, and ONLY nouns, describe yourself.
Mother, Wife, Sister, Daughter, Friend, Cook, Homemaker & Photographer Wannabe

If you owned your own store, what would you sell?
Of course, Food!

If you were to name the most comforting thing for you to hold in your hands, what would it be?
My little boy's hands.