Spinster No More

I cooked Pansit Guisado for a friend’s graduation day and I have leftover chicken and pork in the fridge. I woke up this morning thinking of what to do with it. What else but a good old chicken and pork adobo.

Adobo is the name of a popular dish and cooking process in Philippine cuisine that involves meat or seafood marinated in a sauce of vinegar and garlic, browned in oil, and simmered in the marinade. 

For further information about ADOBO:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobo_(Filipino_cuisine) 

For months I have been trying different recipes for adobo which will be suited to the Hubster’s palate. February 2010, when the Hubster visited me in Dubai, my friend Amor Buenviaje, made Pork Adobo for him and he was blown away. When I moved here November 2010 I tried making Adobo for him but he did not like my recipe. I was not surprised because Adobo is something I’d rather eat than cook. 

A few weeks ago I chanced upon this recipe from Panlasang Pinoy and today I decided to try it. 

To try this amazing Adobo recipe: http://panlasangpinoy.com/2011/10/19/pork-and-chicken-adobo/  

I went with the Hubster late last year to photograph him while golfing. He was so cranky because he felt he is not playing well.

And the reason why I mentioned this is because I will let you in a little secret. I am planning of having a black and white photo on our bedroom. 

Can you guys help me to pick which one:

A.) Putt 

b.) Swing

 
c.) Backswing

I personally like the latter because it has a panoramic feel. How about you? What do you think?

This is what I wore during that chilly day at the golf course.

I am in love with boyfriend pants. It is comfortable. You can wear it with flats or kitten heels. If you are brave enough you can wear it with a skyscraper stilettos. 

I love how flexible it is. You can wear it with a buttoned shirt, t-shirt or even a nice blouse. 

In anything or everything you do, ACCESSORIZE! 

Enjoy your Saturday! 

This Ralph Lauren top is a gift from my Mom. 

The house is in shambles. I have to do a lot of laundry and clean our room. To top it all off, I need to clean and organize my office. 

Thinking about it makes me so tired. Am I lazy?

That’s an understatement. 

Remember when I posted this?

Approximately a week ago my sister, Sugar bought me a brand new ride:

I kinda like cruising on the bike path. Reminds me of my childhood in a small town in the Philippines. Of course at one point I almost got hit by a bus which led me to lay low biking and now I ride cautiously. Sometimes paranoid-ly.

I love the feeling of how the wind touches my face. Sometimes I feel like the song, “Close to You” by The Carpenters is on the background. 

So, to my sister Sugar:

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

We stayed at Fairfield Inn Marriott when we went to New York. Of course, we could not pass up a chance to swim and for the Hubster to try the jacuzzi. 

 I woke up at 3am and had a terrible pain on my right arm. I honestly thought I was having a stroke. Or mild stroke. Or a heart attack. Whatever. I just thought I’d die. And then an amazing spark of theory sort of electrocuted my brain. 

How can I die? I am immortal! Hahahaha! (The Ursula Laugh!) 

My friend Maria is getting married. Of course she was so disorganized especially with her budget. I told her to go to the textile capital of the Philippines called Divisoria. And if you are not a Filipino it goes without saying that you should not go to this place. Ever. Its infested of lazy people who would rather slit your throat or beat you up and snatch your purse rather than have the dignity of labor.

But since my friend is a Filipina and she knew the drill, she must go there and pick the cloth herself. But first, look for a good dressmaker. Then ask for how much textile is needed for a certain dress.

I previously suggested a dress which was really elaborate but because she is on a tight budget I think she can concentrate on making this wedding dress simple and classy. As she will have a wedding apparently at the Danish Embassy.

Here are few wedding dresses:

Simple cut. Make it shorter but below the knee. Above the knee will be too much as it is already a low cut dress. 

Or this dress with a longer skirt. With nicely done up-do and pearl earrings and bracelet. 

And invest on good shoes. It’s a MUST. 

This was a perfect example of “PATIENCE is a virtue.”

After a long wait, he finally had his chance on a watermelon lemonade.

The same day (Thursday last week) I had the best gift ever! Here’s a preview:
 

Make a wild guess!

I am a little offended by how people who knew me well doubt my capacity and capabilities. Some people just cant help themselves to rejoice on my demise to fill their own personal void. I understand that some of you expect a lot from me. The only question is, WHY?

Did I promise you anything?

Approximately 10 years ago when I just got back from Cyprus, I sort of slacked a bit and took my time to think of what I wanted to do with my life. One of my close friends visited me and brought her sister with her. Her sister was like 5 years our junior and when she saw me she just cant help herself to blurt: “When I was a kid, you were my idol.” 

Say WHAT???

What does that mean? I honestly did not know what to say. I did not even knew what to feel. Somehow I felt offended.

A lot of people I knew expected a lot from me. I don’t know why. I have no idea what made them think that I will be at the pinnacle of success.

And today I just felt a little down and thought about it. Success is something which is a state of mind. If you think you are, then YOU ARE. If you think you are beaten, then you probably are.

It is not the end of the world. Unless you are about to be engulfed by a giant wave  or your house is on fire and there is no way out or you are hanging on to your rheumatoid hands on a cliff, then you have every chance to be who you want to be.

We are the product of the choices we make. Wherever I am right now is where I want to be. I have no one to blame but myself and I expect nothing from any of you but live your lives without meddling on mine.

I know what I am doing. If I am slacking, its because I want to.

BITE ME! 

One day I went to the Post Office to mail some cards and drag the Little Man with me. As he was a negotiator at a young age, he asked for Lemonade on our way home.

Unfortunately, it was closed!  

Last Monday as Sugar, Fatboy and I were on a roadtrip, my sister decided to stop at McDonalds (highway) where they have a Subway and a pizza store as well. I told my sister I’d rather have the pepperoni than Mcdonalds. As we are about to pay on the counter, something caught my attention. It was displayed at the pizza store:

Cramberry? Is this a newly discovered berry?

Macorony? A fusion cuisine perhaps? 

Turky Sandwich? No thank you. I’d rather have the regular turkey.

And for the piece de resistance:
 

Sisar Salad? No thank you. Pepperoni pizza slice por favor!

I remember growing up in a small town in the Philippines where my Mother’s menu consists of 2 things. Take it. Or Leave it.

There was a time where we only had canned sardines for 3 days straight but cooked 3 different ways. Until now my High School friends love the noodles (Pansit Bato) with canned sardines. I sauteed garlic, onion and sardines sans the sauce and add water and soy sauce to boil. After which I add the noodles until cooked. Then I add the sauce. It was de-li-cious!

I love to cook. I dont necessarily know if what I cook suit everyone’s palate but this is what i know.

My close friends love my Tenderloin tips.

My brother, Nino love my version of Spaghetti. He does. I cook a mean Spaghetti with hotdogs, mushrooms, spam, ground beef and chunks of cheese.

The Hubster loves my Bistek Pinoy, Macaroni Salad and Beef Caldereta.  

The little man in the house told me I cook better food than his Mom. Beat that!

Here’s my favorite recipe of Beef Caldereta: http://panlasangpinoy.com/2009/03/01/beef-kaldereta/

Super Yummy! 

It’s a party in my Tummy! 

My house in the near future is a “Country House” and I am obsessed with white paint and white hardwood and white (but edgy) tiles and marbles and backsplash.

And because of that “focus” and obsession I am really looking forward to collecting items for my household as of the moment to be “country-ish”.

I have been looking at a blank wall infront of our couch. Looking at the TV infront where the light green paint background seem pale and bland. One day I thought to myself, a big CLOCK will suffice.

And here it is:

A gift from my sister, Sugar with thanks. 
 

Here’s another clothes rack which is inspiring me for the moment.

I used to have 2 in the Philippines. Its actually very easy to have it done in there. You just need to look for a welder and tell them (or draw) your vision and they will make sure that after a set date, you can get the end product.

This is what my sister, Sugar and I were talking about last week.

I am so excited with the Bazaar where we will be participating. So excited. And I just cant hide it.