tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81921880044467150452024-02-06T18:36:29.406-08:00Dianne CreatesLife. Love. Create.vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-78244181902559901382015-11-03T16:22:00.002-08:002015-11-03T16:23:16.575-08:00Why Hello World!<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a really, really, realllyyyy long time since I updated this blog. And knowing myself, I might not be able to keep this updated again soon after I hit the Publish button for this post. But anyway...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life has been good to me the past 2 years. We came back home to Manila, after our almost 3-year stint in beautiful Chicago. I went back to work, got promoted, and a few months after, finally pursued my dream of creative work. It just hit me one day - I knew exactly what I wanted to do, from all the countless ideas that were forming in my head, ever since I decided that IT is not for me. Yup, my friends, after almost 14 years, I slipped out of my comfort zone and became... an Event Stylist (do I hear some clapping? :-)).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What the heck is an Event Stylist? Every time I am asked that question, I say, I am responsible for the aesthetic aspects of an event. I.e. I design the visual part of it - the invitation, the actual event decorations, and the printed materials (we call, the "printables"). I work with my clients and/or their event coordinator (who are what I would translate to as the PM) in making sure the event looks well put together, cohesive, and really pretty and awesome! It really started with <a href="http://babyandbreakfast.ph/2014/07/16/sweet-shoppe-superbness/" target="_blank">my daughter's first birthday</a>, which by the way, was featured by a very popular local blog called Baby & Breakfast (woohoo!). Though come to think of it, browsing through my old posts from my own blog, I've started "styling" every time we threw a party for our friends in Chicago. It started with a tea party, then a 4th of July/despedida party, and a few more thereafter. Not the full-blown type, but just enough to spark an interest in this field.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It hasn't been that easy though. People always come up to me and applaud me for such a brave move. Some say I'm an inspiration (wow, really?!) and that they too want to move out of their 9 to 5 job (or more like 9 to "sawa" LOL) and pursue their passion and make a living out of it. They even think that I have more time for my family, and it's easy breezy living. Well, not to burst anyone's bubble, but hell no. Starting up my own business and removing all the pampering a corporate job gives is STRESSFUL (I can't stress that enough - pun intended). Having to deal with doubts from some people, while discouraging, is totally understandable, considering my old paycheck and set of benefits from my previous company. Well, goodbye to that. From a team of 100 to a team of 1.5 (or even less), from high-heels to muddy water drenched sneaks (thanks to Divisoria's defective drainage system), from working with professionals from different parts of the globe to haggling with street vendors (for a measly 5 peso discount), needless to say, it has been quite a challenge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How's my business doing so far? It's been doing very well, and I thank God for helping me through. I once spoke with a friend, before tendering my resignation, as I was confused if I were really doing the right thing. She said, "isn't it also a disservice to God, if you're not using your talent to its full potential"? True. I could hear God speak through that friend, and He has since guided me through. My number one supporter though, is none other than my dear husband. He had the biggest love and faith in me, that any wife-taking-the-leap-of-faith could/should ever have. My parents and siblings, while at first doubtful, has embraced my journey 100% and I am very grateful. This is not an award acceptance speech, so I'll stop right here. Heehee! You get the point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Styling not just "events", but beautiful milestones a family celebrates is a far greater and deeper achievement than what I had before. I think that's the main difference. From Dianne Creates to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DianneKhuDesigns/" target="_blank">DianneKhu Designs</a>, I hope to continue to fulfill what God has called me to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-61276454498547551292013-07-16T20:06:00.001-07:002013-07-16T20:06:08.072-07:00Chocolate Hazelnut Peanut Butter SMORES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know I'm supposed to go on a diet, but I could not resist this <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/chocolate-dipped-peanut-butter-smores-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">recipe</a> from the Pioneer Woman. I'm not trying to justify my shameful act, but being at home and breastfeeding kind of pushed me to be a couch potato... ha! And I'm only either tuned in to E!, TFC, HGTV, TLC, or Food Network. And on Food Network, my favorite shows are Pioneer Woman, Chopped, and Diners, Dive Ins, and Dives. I know, it's dangerous for a woman trying to lose the pregnancy weight! But heck, I was very pleased with Ree's latest sweet creation - it was so easy, and I had all the ingredients! Here's a photo - not the most photogenic, but heck was it good! I tried making a variation by using Speculoos, but quickly realized that there's nothing like the real peanut butter!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9lccC70UmYiYUBZ2Lus1_jXAh6Za0XNtU_fScdI5k_j0PyStC-SvV2t6W0tRM7hnRMDdP6vMRt6JjOuOSB-_9yHFTrENbPOO9TaIcLNgnIUWLNpUePoi9DB5JtDwO0pehZTiW4Fqkuk/s1600/IMG_5855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9lccC70UmYiYUBZ2Lus1_jXAh6Za0XNtU_fScdI5k_j0PyStC-SvV2t6W0tRM7hnRMDdP6vMRt6JjOuOSB-_9yHFTrENbPOO9TaIcLNgnIUWLNpUePoi9DB5JtDwO0pehZTiW4Fqkuk/s320/IMG_5855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'll be a good girl in the next few days. :-)</div>
<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-71218736289442344662013-07-11T04:11:00.002-07:002013-07-11T04:12:56.248-07:00Wednesday SlobStaying at home due to my extended leave has its perks of course (Madi at the top of the list), but sometimes I feel like such a big slob that I have to drag my whole body to do something more productive. Besides, this kind of life will not be for long - I'll be back to work in less than two months. Ugh. Help me God. Anyway, yesterday was one of those days. I have this routine of browsing this daily deals shopping site, <a href="http://www.zulily.com/" target="_blank">Zulily</a>, starting at 8AM when they refresh their stuff. The featured deal yesterday was TOMS shoes, and OMG were they cheap! Definitely cheaper than the usual retail price! So practically the whole day, if not breastfeeding, I was lying on the couch, browsing and shopping away! The thing with this site, you have to be super quick as items sell out just when you're about to add them to your basket. And since these were shoes I was eyeing, it's almost like I was playing <i>habulan</i> with other buyers as sizes come and go so I had to be extra vigilant and go back and forth to the styles I wanted. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I ended up buying six pairs of shoes and feeling so guilty as I felt so unproductive and yup, such a SLOB. I had to create something. I whipped up a baby headband in thirty minutes. Another post on that.<br />
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I also had my daily walk, and this time to the grocery store so I can buy ingredients for two dishes I've been planning to cook since a month ago? Haha. Hubby and Madi joined me. Here are products of my couch potato-ing on food network.<br />
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<b>Barefoot Contessa Lobster Salad</b></div>
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(Recipe <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lobster-and-shells-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</div>
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I used Farfalle instead of shells.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTW8o534IyJPqx_EZ-ATzvQXZ9i1rYqucMwGMGmMF4-SSy7phpVfEsXXMrvCu_IH2XXHHPfZEZ4NnmhuAmnRZ20r6OZmLOYeHRLsF9wp7JRKDY3GNB0kIkUartwZNgTfy8iKKOVZVkMc/s1600/IMG_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTW8o534IyJPqx_EZ-ATzvQXZ9i1rYqucMwGMGmMF4-SSy7phpVfEsXXMrvCu_IH2XXHHPfZEZ4NnmhuAmnRZ20r6OZmLOYeHRLsF9wp7JRKDY3GNB0kIkUartwZNgTfy8iKKOVZVkMc/s320/IMG_5746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti</b></div>
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(Recipe <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/" target="_blank">here</a>)</div>
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I used fresh red bell peppers instead of canned pimiento.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QYf19Mc0L3Mb1cXNog5mr5Ex1LOj2Cn6h_O9DjEDwohf_BVX2fNWM0D1EeSEhG24iRvp2EEnJM7_lI8Gnm3tWppXdkNUpY9iHzZSOgdz4BsfKDFcGfPBqP5SnFtS9uFTacsqfpGwFnY/s1600/IMG_5749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QYf19Mc0L3Mb1cXNog5mr5Ex1LOj2Cn6h_O9DjEDwohf_BVX2fNWM0D1EeSEhG24iRvp2EEnJM7_lI8Gnm3tWppXdkNUpY9iHzZSOgdz4BsfKDFcGfPBqP5SnFtS9uFTacsqfpGwFnY/s320/IMG_5749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I went to bed not feeling like a slob anymore. Thank you God for helping me get on my feet and turning my day around. And more importantly, having this kind of life where "turning a day around" was not really such a big deal. I feel so blessed.</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-17414324729907464152013-07-09T10:15:00.002-07:002013-07-09T10:15:37.686-07:00Our First Walk in the Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've finally gotten the confidence to walk alone with Madi around our neighborhood! Yahoo! It was just a short 25 minute walk because it was still too hot, even at ten in the morning. I thought I'd give my baby a healthy dose of vitamin D and myself an exercise (in line with my MLW goal). I almost procrastinated (again), but I thought the weather was nice and forced myself to get out of my PJs and do some walking! It took me probably 10 minutes to prepare, in my fear of laziness settling in, ha!</div>
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Here's my baby with her summer outfit. I just bought her shorts last week and I'm now thinking, I should've bought some more... ugh. Isn't it just too cute? And yup, I just had to match it with a headband which I lovingly made myself. My baby should always look fab (like mama) even during these short walks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg7dkuWeG6G8M8q4LvasRqginVXrXoyM-REtQewTanIf1m-EDviddLcGbvaezOpfYOfjz79t5_Zws11RwVnx0Mh96ujhHuhN5Dqgg8mIN2CxW2mSUsKhwxgAXj783H5eaThNrik6b8cc/s1600/IMG_5712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg7dkuWeG6G8M8q4LvasRqginVXrXoyM-REtQewTanIf1m-EDviddLcGbvaezOpfYOfjz79t5_Zws11RwVnx0Mh96ujhHuhN5Dqgg8mIN2CxW2mSUsKhwxgAXj783H5eaThNrik6b8cc/s320/IMG_5712.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We actually just went around the park and didn't sit on the benches as it was way too hot and sunny. I noticed that a lot of mothers and old ladies walked around at this time. And they had smiles on their faces - it's almost like they're welcoming me to their secret club. :-)</div>
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Madi fell asleep towards the last few minutes of our walk. She was a good girl. I'm lucky. She even held my hat as my forehead was getting so sweaty hehehe!</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-89827675051139487542013-07-02T11:59:00.000-07:002013-07-02T12:08:30.925-07:00What to Do with Leftover Ketchup Packets, etc.When I was on my third trimester of pregnancy, laziness and exhaustion ended up in food delivery and takeouts too many. Grubhub was my best friend as it was so convenient - Chinese, American, Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, Vietnamese - name it, we ordered it! And along with the food were too many condiments - ketchup, soy sauce, mustard, salt, pepper, etc. Excessive really. I never threw them away, knowing that one day I might use them, but it took me a few months to finally do so! We had a good stash I kept in a plastic container - just see below! Last weekend, I thought I'd make my own barbecue sauce out of these little packets of goodness.<br />
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<b>Barbecue Sauce Ingredients for 5 Chicken Thighs:</b></div>
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- 12 packets of ketchup (any kind)</div>
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- 2 packets of soy sauce (usually from Chinese/Thai restaurants)</div>
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- 1 packet of hot mustard (Chinese)</div>
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- 1/2 tsp cumin</div>
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- 1/2 tsp chili powder (or 1 packet of hot sauce)</div>
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- 1 tbsp of sugar</div>
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- 2 tbsp vinegar (I used cider)</div>
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- Salt and Pepper to taste</div>
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<b>Steps:</b></div>
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1. Combine all ingredients until barbecue sauce consistency.</div>
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2. Marinate 5 chicken thighs with the sauce for at least one hour.</div>
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3. Bake in 400 F oven for 45 mins to an hour. Brush with sauce every 15 to 20 mins.</div>
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4. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes. Also good with chimichuri, but good as is.</div>
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I did this also with baby back ribs - unfortunately, I was only able to take a picture when there was only 1 rib left! Husband loved it.</div>
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vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-17918901859964372562013-06-29T23:16:00.001-07:002013-07-02T12:02:39.686-07:00A Simple Good LifeI've been meaning to go out for a walk last week but the weather wasn't conducive for a nice stroll downtown with my innocent little baby (hehe). Today was an unusually cold summer day and since it's Saturday, hubby joined us for a walk and a little shopping! Michigan avenue is the place to be in Chicago downtown for some serious shopping and though we live a 15-minute-walk away, I rarely go there. So today was the day... and hopefully more days to come. Better make the most of summer before we head back home.<br />
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As we walked down the famous avenue with our decadent Ghirardelli drinks, I thought, God has been good to me. Wow. Looking at my dear little family, I felt all giddy and proud. <br />
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And just when I started thinking about what our life would be like when we move back to the Philippines, what challenges await us, blah, blah, blah... Heck, it's a great day. I chose to just soak it all in.</div>
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And Madi agreed with me. :-)</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-550272653112978302013-06-28T23:04:00.000-07:002013-06-28T23:04:58.332-07:00DIY Headbands for Madison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So really I was supposed to go out today to start my <a href="http://diannecreates.blogspot.com/2013/06/must-lose-weight.html">MLW</a> goal. But it rained. Really, it did! :-) So no walking done, but I was productive. Being the kikay mom that I am, I love dressing up my little girl! I have been browsing practically everyday for baby headbands, but I find them very expensive. What's the big deal?! Then I saw some headband materials lying around the living room shelf screaming for me to use them - they are left overs from the <a href="http://diannecreates.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-shower-for-baby-madi.html">baby shower</a> and already gathering dust, tsk, tsk. I wanted to make something that would not look like a school project, so I found myself browsing for tutorials on youtube, starting with the very basic bow. Good thing I have all the materials on hand...</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU8nDoTBhB0">This video</a> did it for me. It's really super easy - it got so addictive and I could've done a lot more if only I had no other chores, and of course, my model needed some attention too! I made three today since it's my daughter's third month birthday!</div>
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The one in the middle had ready made flowers, so I just added another bow for a more girly touch. I have yet to let Madi wear all of them, but here's a photo of her with the very first one I made. I have a feeling I'll have more posts like this.</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-28819757162755550472013-06-27T18:10:00.001-07:002013-06-27T18:10:10.935-07:00Must Lose Weight.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAuloz9n1b-gXy2Xq6IVDUGdPGC2QhvPBzxTvwCwVjmmzzvU9wDa6aNBk_dV6ugsBKMxeVp7zHhn77BW3eXyFWfgdgLzOOg0G2wDr_bgQAMR8XDkxqpyHd6-UKEFN4zKJbiuYt5vzHKw/s1600/IMG_5517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAuloz9n1b-gXy2Xq6IVDUGdPGC2QhvPBzxTvwCwVjmmzzvU9wDa6aNBk_dV6ugsBKMxeVp7zHhn77BW3eXyFWfgdgLzOOg0G2wDr_bgQAMR8XDkxqpyHd6-UKEFN4zKJbiuYt5vzHKw/s200/IMG_5517.jpg" width="150" /></a>My daughter is turning 3 months' old tomorrow and I'm happy how she turned out to be a happy, healthy baby. Really so happy with that. With all the challenges I've overcome in the last three months, I'm quite proud of myself (and my husband of course). The journey is definitely still on, but I'm in a place where I now think I need to do something about myself. I must lose weight. As I've been breastfeeding exclusively, I know I could not go into crash diet mode, which I've proven as effective several times in the past. So what I will do, is to gradually lose weight - starting with eating healthy and doing a little bit more walking. I have yet to gather the guts to go out alone with my daughter as I'm used to the security I have with my husband being beside me all the time. I think I'll start by going to the park tomorrow.vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-66675919616289044722013-06-11T12:18:00.005-07:002013-06-13T12:52:21.395-07:00I hope I get through the end of this post...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLdtm9b94235tP5EN6LSwfpdlckSaAsoSvPdn9vjavpxY87bdQhbwHQmUiQVV9GF3O1PHLUa03cQ8tmeb4VhyiFX2_fSAClCvFAsAPqEmhcgQXtz_LKYnyOqHWSOMPAh_5W02dtTajGw/s1600/dl_di_img_0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLdtm9b94235tP5EN6LSwfpdlckSaAsoSvPdn9vjavpxY87bdQhbwHQmUiQVV9GF3O1PHLUa03cQ8tmeb4VhyiFX2_fSAClCvFAsAPqEmhcgQXtz_LKYnyOqHWSOMPAh_5W02dtTajGw/s200/dl_di_img_0634.jpg" width="133" /></a>Why hello, blogger! Yes, I'm still alive and glad to be since I've never been so exhausted in my life for the past two months - and counting. If you're one of the few who've been following my posts, well... our little angel has finally arrived! Our baby was already overdue by a little more than a week, and after our final ultrasound, it was found out that she was a whopping 10-pounder baby! So... after 10 seconds of convincing by our doctor (ha!), little Madi said "hello world" on Maundy Thursday, March 28th, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. She came out 9 lbs 10 oz and oh so perfect (why, of course). Our doctor called her "Pudgy". :-) Yup, I had C-section which I thought was such a blessing for my fearful, low-pain-tolerance self, but it turned out to be even worse during recovery. I'm so glad I that's all behind me now. Alleluia! <br />
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Our baby is now on her 3rd month. And now as I type this, she started crying... I guess my post title didn't hold up. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWJoCeBMQ2GoxijIg5a5o0W0abHj0qaFBuuOLIO4OX2dRC_iDyzwyYr1vKsyjuqDRsF7_IgEf0Qz0cnzaT-Imys9HxfVBcFSSE0YLgMQiqHtA4w3J59AxplB8C1eU9hYMuq7t-Xy_OzI/s1600/IMG_4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWJoCeBMQ2GoxijIg5a5o0W0abHj0qaFBuuOLIO4OX2dRC_iDyzwyYr1vKsyjuqDRsF7_IgEf0Qz0cnzaT-Imys9HxfVBcFSSE0YLgMQiqHtA4w3J59AxplB8C1eU9hYMuq7t-Xy_OzI/s200/IMG_4497.jpg" width="150" /></a>Unicorns, rainbows, and all those cutesy stuff all day long are pure myth. Having a baby is hard work, but it's also true that it will be worth every sleepless night, headache, breastfeeding scab, and tear (lots of them) once your baby starts smiling and cooing and just being her healthy happy self. Even the thought of her being all ours already puts a smile to my face every 15 minutes or so... then she cries and my heart beats a little faster. Great, what does she want now? I just fed her 15 minutes ago. Did she get enough breast milk? Do I have enough breast milk? These are just few questions that run through my tired brain 24X7. And speaking of breast milk, breast feeding is one big battle altogether. I almost gave up the first week, especially when Madi lost a lot of weight. Thank God for friends and family who cheered me on and gave me hope that IT DOES GET BETTER. And after the third pedia visit, which by the way was always nerve-wracking for me, Madi finally gained back her birth weight -- plus more. I almost did a happy dance in front of the nurse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzts9ni4JrEM44y_X-DywzGaTttOPVzNViqbbdA8OlkstRXK3Cor2g8lkan4t3WGybT65oeudHzAdFF7OJXNpNr6mCQmi_54-RNpt1rRmA8gpFb4kVGRsy9u5XuffutnFb7PyJMQ_dlI/s1600/IMG_5048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzts9ni4JrEM44y_X-DywzGaTttOPVzNViqbbdA8OlkstRXK3Cor2g8lkan4t3WGybT65oeudHzAdFF7OJXNpNr6mCQmi_54-RNpt1rRmA8gpFb4kVGRsy9u5XuffutnFb7PyJMQ_dlI/s200/IMG_5048.JPG" width="200" /></a>Our world practically revolves around Madi - she always comes first. Gone are the days we have peaceful uninterrupted meals and spur-of-the moment movie nights. We don't have schedules now - they're never followed anyway. I don't shop 'til I drop anymore (hurray for hubby). Forever 21 was erased from my list of top sites - it was replaced by Zulily (a mother and baby shopping site). Okay, so I take back what I said about me not shopping! It's a different kind of high getting cute stuff and deals for my baby. So it's still fun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeRnZaLdIvwfFd6aThLEanY4ehLRvZcUGncOi2R3SetOCyWVRFWLuxYU1Tqo6DDf7umnEceFc8gbhg_2J-RY-Op2LGNtxY8XVdEqTvglon8_xmjNCAvhHO4pk3viZVaaBYw_sk4nxp84/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeRnZaLdIvwfFd6aThLEanY4ehLRvZcUGncOi2R3SetOCyWVRFWLuxYU1Tqo6DDf7umnEceFc8gbhg_2J-RY-Op2LGNtxY8XVdEqTvglon8_xmjNCAvhHO4pk3viZVaaBYw_sk4nxp84/s200/IMG_4768.JPG" width="150" /></a>I can go on and on about my experiences being a first time mom, but one thing's for sure... you can never be prepared for it. I knew it will be hard, but I never thought it would be this HARD. Coupled with post partum depression and recovering from surgery, I found myself sobbing every day during the first few weeks. No amount of help and encouragement from my mom or my hubby can stop the emotional toil and physical pain of taking care of a newborn. Self doubt, exhaustion, and my own innocent little baby were my nemeses. Yes, my baby. Having to deal with her limitless and sometimes inexplicable cries is SCARY. Checking if she's still breathing every few minutes during nap time is still a habit of mine - thanks to my fear of SIDS.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCDPIeNK5ZUhPO1sNB1b8DcMl8Etla5BbPu7wH0vjlRrEa8KteIK0vEGmMM-wuu6QDmNsQorBSqpHwnmEZWTv_NnCUErqgaIn4WpFr0jm0OHsq7BT7VZw48eK_fo3SM1Kz2BLovjwgno/s1600/IMG_5183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCDPIeNK5ZUhPO1sNB1b8DcMl8Etla5BbPu7wH0vjlRrEa8KteIK0vEGmMM-wuu6QDmNsQorBSqpHwnmEZWTv_NnCUErqgaIn4WpFr0jm0OHsq7BT7VZw48eK_fo3SM1Kz2BLovjwgno/s200/IMG_5183.JPG" width="200" /></a>I am very lucky though that Madi has such a wonderful father. My dear husband has exceeded all my expectations. He's hands on, and so much in love with his little girl. He's better at swaddling and putting her to sleep - I've conceded since day one. Oh, and Madi looks just like him! I've conceded as well! I can just imagine how our daughter would grow up to be a Daddy's girl, and I am totally fine with that. :-) As long as he lets me dress up Madi in whatever way I want! At least until she's old enough to impose her choice of outfit and accessories... so I got a few years...<br />
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I still have so much more to learn and go through in this new phase in my life. Motherhood brought out the worst, then the best of me. Just look at that smile - it's all worth it!</div>
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vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-40360335792158019742013-03-10T13:11:00.001-07:002013-03-10T13:11:38.323-07:00Preparing for Madi: Almost There!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Madi's Crib Mobile & Changing Pad...</div>
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(thank you to her titas and titos)</div>
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Her first playmates...</div>
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Her little wardrobe...</div>
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(Hers looks more fashionable than mine now, hmmmm)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyo_j68ZbRVtCW1z8iMtBB9QB6D6XdIuGc-5ARNkTbyn4bIa_QINSb-6wZpcZD1tHMsYVhSD5jQiRyxtR6Xw4TXtDFn1BrVHfj94gJ6xEzA9rbwIR-7Cex_ID4xvkamOaoJENVi7E4IE/s1600/IMG_4326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyo_j68ZbRVtCW1z8iMtBB9QB6D6XdIuGc-5ARNkTbyn4bIa_QINSb-6wZpcZD1tHMsYVhSD5jQiRyxtR6Xw4TXtDFn1BrVHfj94gJ6xEzA9rbwIR-7Cex_ID4xvkamOaoJENVi7E4IE/s200/IMG_4326.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ew5KLepikejaxfe5V5HOeLf4aEZLGaTQeolBN_BKATrbD34yAX2WMza-vW2_qVXCt-G5pPzBCOc96_HNfJgEuGTQHgVyNEFThNmEBTYxiFKL4_iMUNFnhZKIEXMlZnBMQ6N9bX5Ak2A/s1600/IMG_4328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ew5KLepikejaxfe5V5HOeLf4aEZLGaTQeolBN_BKATrbD34yAX2WMza-vW2_qVXCt-G5pPzBCOc96_HNfJgEuGTQHgVyNEFThNmEBTYxiFKL4_iMUNFnhZKIEXMlZnBMQ6N9bX5Ak2A/s200/IMG_4328.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Hand me down swing from Kuya Eli and girly blankets...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8Os2mIsbSgrEsQZE4z-BB8T8JgjtNCVv-d_ojP33JQJxQpqjPjubEDKMeHwa0YQQErqSq0FVi64FRsLxrNSzs3GiXbwudREvrpFOYqLH3rVl39FeQ11AhC20TouALuOonyf1KdKx8Dg/s1600/IMG_4331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8Os2mIsbSgrEsQZE4z-BB8T8JgjtNCVv-d_ojP33JQJxQpqjPjubEDKMeHwa0YQQErqSq0FVi64FRsLxrNSzs3GiXbwudREvrpFOYqLH3rVl39FeQ11AhC20TouALuOonyf1KdKx8Dg/s200/IMG_4331.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1spMwdMr1HhvEp_vepaKZi6hWwa3TG3i1RzUFFqYCHAw_hbtppsLQD51jgEfg8LsBneLHSnlLe19xMWs23_q0RcciyhZLJhkNgL3xPsIBNRD-5dOwYrR-LbZC-H8GuWzcF3fOGPM8-I/s1600/IMG_4324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1spMwdMr1HhvEp_vepaKZi6hWwa3TG3i1RzUFFqYCHAw_hbtppsLQD51jgEfg8LsBneLHSnlLe19xMWs23_q0RcciyhZLJhkNgL3xPsIBNRD-5dOwYrR-LbZC-H8GuWzcF3fOGPM8-I/s200/IMG_4324.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Her first car seat, also from Kuya Eli... "girlified"! This will be her first "ride".</div>
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At 38.5 weeks, I'm ready to pop... life can't get more exciting than that. How I love preparing our little home for our daughter. Can't wait 'til I see your face little one...</div>
<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-71937914032115276222013-03-01T19:25:00.000-08:002013-03-01T19:25:14.580-08:00A shower for Baby Madi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At last, here finally are photos from the Baby Shower held last February 16. My dear friends organized this event (with my inputs of course as I couldn't help it) and it turned out a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Not that it's my own, but I really thought this was the best shower I've been to! :-) The theme? Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice, that's what Baby Madison is made of...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwl7X7LKZhE7vX1yOwe5cr8euWYeO8SKxhmoNbmErEuGGDRVGiGmu6exOsG7w4f50Wjhn-O0Ca_eSXPA39LkNtNCD6nSxvX05ZbVxg3d7AaKLojlOGlH0s-oPeVrHbD3ZdP319h2RzXo/s1600/DSC_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwl7X7LKZhE7vX1yOwe5cr8euWYeO8SKxhmoNbmErEuGGDRVGiGmu6exOsG7w4f50Wjhn-O0Ca_eSXPA39LkNtNCD6nSxvX05ZbVxg3d7AaKLojlOGlH0s-oPeVrHbD3ZdP319h2RzXo/s320/DSC_0549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Candy Buffet courtesy of my BFF, Czar</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawDd0cNcR2aOJCCQGbzukHO7op87llucZSeM8tFYhnqWR2s2uZF8i30ccBFsOUVQ6PHy18sKGw9GcLtm8jUf89mpKKtwkGbWsk_1TIxYV_UnQdkX5u9VLRyC6I8H1aG0Px9az_oue6IA/s1600/DSC_0540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawDd0cNcR2aOJCCQGbzukHO7op87llucZSeM8tFYhnqWR2s2uZF8i30ccBFsOUVQ6PHy18sKGw9GcLtm8jUf89mpKKtwkGbWsk_1TIxYV_UnQdkX5u9VLRyC6I8H1aG0Px9az_oue6IA/s200/DSC_0540.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LIMy4-IvKdXa1mzPNDROMbfJKqC4R28Cl4riJ1U7cikIyU87EOi0lNaS5e_53op4A9DQS2U1wJJI3nKTNjUBAq4wMvKQXytPrjemhC8wMGa6IezrVu4-vn_xWukX_bCJ4kE71OSaNXM/s1600/DSC_0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LIMy4-IvKdXa1mzPNDROMbfJKqC4R28Cl4riJ1U7cikIyU87EOi0lNaS5e_53op4A9DQS2U1wJJI3nKTNjUBAq4wMvKQXytPrjemhC8wMGa6IezrVu4-vn_xWukX_bCJ4kE71OSaNXM/s200/DSC_0890.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJdbvNg6Pllr51hdpgCLV2LWE1gm9-g8xaTLYPIXFj09I1X6Kr6IfYS735Gu3RYFsX-dyzdfvtJcmJhZQm9KyPPQjm9yU_LPQ1wXQP_Jv_U1LK4VTjIOVEHaUpZS93B10WI01NfuNhn4/s1600/DSC_0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJdbvNg6Pllr51hdpgCLV2LWE1gm9-g8xaTLYPIXFj09I1X6Kr6IfYS735Gu3RYFsX-dyzdfvtJcmJhZQm9KyPPQjm9yU_LPQ1wXQP_Jv_U1LK4VTjIOVEHaUpZS93B10WI01NfuNhn4/s200/DSC_0559.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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Love, love, love the diaper carriage, courtesy of Janice and Donna</div>
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Pink and Blue Lemonade with customized mason jars as lemonade containers. You can actually write on the lid so you don't (unintentionally) share your drink!</div>
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Customized coffee and hot choco sleeves</div>
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Small table centerpiece topper</div>
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Food, food, food - the smores buffet was a hit!</div>
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My super adorable cake with matching cake pops!</div>
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Arts & Crafts section...</div>
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Games, games, and more games... we had so much fun.</div>
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My closest friends who flew, drove from different parts of the USA!</div>
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Tired, but super happy and grateful mommy and daddy. We'll never forget this day.</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-89644360480337239302013-02-23T22:04:00.001-08:002013-02-23T22:07:12.430-08:00Next Project: Madi's Baptism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I'm still waiting for the CD with all of the photos from last week's baby shower... Photos to come in the next post. It went by so quickly and I was more than pleased with the result, but it will just have to wait! Meanwhile, at 36 weeks, I'm already planning for Madi's Christening. I'm thinking, start early because I'll have my hands full when baby Madi comes out. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I got this idea from a friend who was one of the baby shower planners. Chocolate-covered oreos! It reminded me of the chocolate covered Cream-O's from Manila, and I thought... this should be pretty easy and will surely be a crowd pleaser. I researched the internet and found a good resource for making impressive looking chocolate-covered oreos, but unfortunately, her materials are not very accessible and I still have to buy them on-line. Good thing Michael's carries some of them like cookie molds and candy melts, so I had my hubby drive for me today so I can grab these and start practicing! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Like I said, I started PRACTICING. It wasn't so easy, and took me about an hour to make 6 cookies and they weren't close to perfect at all, ha! But, now I know the trick... I'll have to do better next time.</span></div>
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1. Paint</div>
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2. Fill</div>
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3. Dunk</div>
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4. Cover</div>
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5. Chill</div>
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6. Taste (yum-o!)</div>
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7. Package</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-22478697684854437132013-02-03T21:25:00.000-08:002013-02-03T21:25:12.115-08:00Preparing for Madi: Weekend Series - Chapter 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, we're going to have a baby shower soon, and as OC as my friends and I are, we had to go to the venue and do a "little" ocular inspection. It's a nice spacious room, but what's bothering me are the colors - don't get me wrong, they have a really nice cozy interior, but the colors are way too earthy for our pink and teal theme. What to do, what to do... think, think, think. Two weeks to go... I'm channeling my inner Martha Stewart / David Bromstad... Hmm... </div>
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The community room at our friends' apartment building.</div>
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This weekend, we also had our baptism preparation class at the Holy Name Cathedral Rectory. We were actually about to leave the apartment for a movie on Saturday morning, when we got a mail that the class was going to be held at the same time! Ugh. Priorities, priorities - so of course we chose the class. We did find it too early though as I haven't even given birth yet, and true enough - I was the only pregnant mom in the class, ha! The class reminded me of Christian Living class back in High School and I had to recite all 7 sacraments... I almost forgot one, good thing my hubby reminded me what it was (at the brink of humiliation) - Holy Orders! Anyway, the teacher also let the parents know what our babies names mean. Madison means "son of a valiant warrior" or "brave". Cool - we actually thought it just meant "son of Matthew," but we loved the name so much, so we just stuck with it. By the way, our Madi is a she, not a he. :-)</div>
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The chapel were Madi will be baptized - and of course I had to take a picture.</div>
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Looking for potential receptions near the church - I didn't think it would be this difficult. This one looks quaint and intimate.</div>
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An addition to our Baby Shower activities is an Arts and Crafts nook where titas can create a customized baby headband for Madi. I bought some materials at Michael's (my heaven) and tried making one for myself (well, for Madi of course). I fell in love with this ikat patterned grosgrain ribbon, that I had to get it despite being expensive - my baby will definitely stand out in this. I just know she'll be a little more edgy.</div>
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Customized Grosgrain Bows on Crocheted Headband</div>
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It's Sunday night, and I need to stop day dreaming and start resting... another long week for me. 'Til the next Madi Weekend Series...</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-6313689583028059382013-02-01T21:30:00.002-08:002013-02-01T21:30:31.243-08:00Yolk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With my 33-week pregnant belly hanging around, and superrrrrr cold weather upon us, exploring new brunch places has become so sparse (as sparse as my blogging in the last few months) that red velvet french toast is actually old news! Well, it doesn't matter, as <a href="http://www.eatyolk.com/">Yolk</a> made me a big fan of it, and I might end up ordering more sweet than savory brunch dishes moving forward! </div>
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Yolk is actually a chain of restaurants all over Chicago, and for some reason, I just tried it after more than two years in this city. It started on Christmas Eve when my sister visited, and I was too lazy and tired (in the morning, I know) to whip up some good comfort-food-ish breakfast. I've been hearing great reviews about Yolk and surprisingly they were open on Christmas Eve, and best of all -- no lines! Interior was simple, nothing earth-shattering - just bright and spacious and colorful. The menu was interesting and had so many choices, but nothing too overwhelming. </div>
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I had the popular french toast and I was more than pleased - so this is what the fuss is all about! Didn't need no syrup. Didn't need no whipped cream. Didn't need no nothing! It was good by itself. My sister had some Italian omelette and boy it was magnifico - it's like pasta sauce with loads of meat wrapped in eggs! Hubby had a skillet which had the best Andouille sausage I've ever tasted. If I were to describe their food in 2 words - fresh and tasty.</div>
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We left the place with big smiles on our faces... we thought, we're definitely coming back.</div>
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Christmas Eve Brunch with my sister, Apple</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif34m3vk8raq943jZIb6T1Wukntf0Ju3XdjouLTVk4jletTTlqV0wFrnCVzx0iSoTG5YdmKKQP_jjSeZSDhquYZ1b7oat8O_aDhf1UYUAjItJlSOmfkHPdYqpwRj09Z98rMusjqyo1QsA/s1600/IMG_4008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif34m3vk8raq943jZIb6T1Wukntf0Ju3XdjouLTVk4jletTTlqV0wFrnCVzx0iSoTG5YdmKKQP_jjSeZSDhquYZ1b7oat8O_aDhf1UYUAjItJlSOmfkHPdYqpwRj09Z98rMusjqyo1QsA/s200/IMG_4008.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rDdCAhtA35FpNHZu9mqmRo3eN1T1g3WXAOVU-s4xQ28-TUPCb7VuYO_bG38J1Gd8kieIh13O5isfFDX7mkEGoKU46N22tjkagFXV7SxMMucqClU_2n2_XisJf7g-a7Veg4oJ3-px3_w/s1600/IMG_4007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rDdCAhtA35FpNHZu9mqmRo3eN1T1g3WXAOVU-s4xQ28-TUPCb7VuYO_bG38J1Gd8kieIh13O5isfFDX7mkEGoKU46N22tjkagFXV7SxMMucqClU_2n2_XisJf7g-a7Veg4oJ3-px3_w/s200/IMG_4007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Big Easy Skillet & When In Rome Omelette</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJ9g3wn9NAg83sSWO9Nx334SDlxOXxROj_KdfcG6mv55G9ZWWA4f3kHTTkECuy7GyymNhaZF97SmfAQD0a05yUsl1xfujsQa-tZElxkS5AhKDTQEMAhX-a3IpMxkuaizwnVJn94DSZbc/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJ9g3wn9NAg83sSWO9Nx334SDlxOXxROj_KdfcG6mv55G9ZWWA4f3kHTTkECuy7GyymNhaZF97SmfAQD0a05yUsl1xfujsQa-tZElxkS5AhKDTQEMAhX-a3IpMxkuaizwnVJn94DSZbc/s320/IMG_4005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Red Velvet Cheesecake</div>
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Our second time at Yolk... the place still didn't fail our expectations. My skillet had very tender steak bites that it seemed rare (which is not good for me), but it was actually well done. Hubby had a trio of french toasts - banana nut, sweet orange, and lemon poppy seed, all topped with super fresh fruits.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDNebeygLiSROYyOGVOXyuL0ikWe-XIkB7dSQvSjP5oXxGGONi1tZBdiij0IcxVYBdjyVNDEWXwitUWVxDfqmb1IgzAX4pQCX_BB2ThpfVoxSlN0hUSkkmluCTjLZlD9XFq5-R4N9CQc/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDNebeygLiSROYyOGVOXyuL0ikWe-XIkB7dSQvSjP5oXxGGONi1tZBdiij0IcxVYBdjyVNDEWXwitUWVxDfqmb1IgzAX4pQCX_BB2ThpfVoxSlN0hUSkkmluCTjLZlD9XFq5-R4N9CQc/s200/IMG_4099.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J5-j-nJuPwXBqPiz7sx4m1ghVJgyD6Vw5ZmPGgNAWvIfDdmjBfcKr2XePjKH54gc7ro42FGwyLHLMByos_rquEhLujxqUGpbb3b-Jg-0s46uEaKxc3vqKhg2w_JaWOUCbdtumm6kSX8/s1600/IMG_4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J5-j-nJuPwXBqPiz7sx4m1ghVJgyD6Vw5ZmPGgNAWvIfDdmjBfcKr2XePjKH54gc7ro42FGwyLHLMByos_rquEhLujxqUGpbb3b-Jg-0s46uEaKxc3vqKhg2w_JaWOUCbdtumm6kSX8/s200/IMG_4101.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Steak Skillet & Tour de France French Toast</div>
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My brunch buddy, hubby</div>
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vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-22621038623653041452013-01-20T17:50:00.000-08:002013-01-20T17:50:40.663-08:00Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
... because Madi is the apple of Mommy and Daddy's eyes!</div>
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I've been to countless baby showers, baptisms, children's birthday parties... And to this day, I still could not believe that I finally get to have my turn. I (with dearest hubby) am being celebrated for the coming of our first baby, Madison. Sigh... we are just so happy!</div>
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Baby showers are typically planned by friends and family. Two of my best friends had offered to organize this event and I love them to the moon and back for doing this for me! BUT, I can't help it. As I am a frustrated events stylist (which all started in our wedding three years ago), I had to inject some of my ideas - color motif, theme, and of course, the invite. For the past two weeks, I've been browsing, researching, shopping, prototyping baby shower stuff... definitely a great means to relieve stress. I'll never get tired of this (if only... we'll see about that).</div>
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So here's a sneak peak of what I'm up to - I volunteered to create the invite, decorate, and prepare the beverages and souvenirs. I'll post more as I progress - and include more photos and the links where I got the DIY ideas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTINduBKQBnjTM4S8-uSzLEgECh33V2GX1NS4gphe4nsDSEdm1P0sIWOZCBvcoeXDkjvohPT_Ebw9zOzp3d-GqPIVR9zeFsf_dh6ONImJ8lxxYqNhpmUEo1fjVYWAcOGcv28_qcmJidak/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTINduBKQBnjTM4S8-uSzLEgECh33V2GX1NS4gphe4nsDSEdm1P0sIWOZCBvcoeXDkjvohPT_Ebw9zOzp3d-GqPIVR9zeFsf_dh6ONImJ8lxxYqNhpmUEo1fjVYWAcOGcv28_qcmJidak/s320/IMG_4174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The kind of chaos where I'm in my element.</div>
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Mason jars for the beverage - the top part of the lid is covered in </div>
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paper, so guests can write their names. And of course, there's </div>
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always coffee, so here's a paper cup adorned with a customized </div>
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sleeve and sticker with satin ribbon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p-l6jPTso1IrSL6rhE2T-9VUdJvR7CwMRbCCGne7YIkQKgKU8Hxbn_jEFnu2vckyY9eP9WnRHr0UtVlOx5nbQizjIt19a_LpmHyXSYYK37nj9TgLPMh5Ys94CkDN0WuivXRSoy_j1uw/s1600/IMG_4146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p-l6jPTso1IrSL6rhE2T-9VUdJvR7CwMRbCCGne7YIkQKgKU8Hxbn_jEFnu2vckyY9eP9WnRHr0UtVlOx5nbQizjIt19a_LpmHyXSYYK37nj9TgLPMh5Ys94CkDN0WuivXRSoy_j1uw/s200/IMG_4146.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYBz3nup3IVeFwenKKQ80joOwgNbu66dT1RXaE8zt39ZPUNsAcQvWmZLjWkSP8OjqBfWs45Swl9QNQNBOFjAJwvLPvfrwDJPiCiPB77S9sptn_8gDfpLDgOU13hP9Wz3qAey4UrX0gxA/s1600/IMG_4166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYBz3nup3IVeFwenKKQ80joOwgNbu66dT1RXaE8zt39ZPUNsAcQvWmZLjWkSP8OjqBfWs45Swl9QNQNBOFjAJwvLPvfrwDJPiCiPB77S9sptn_8gDfpLDgOU13hP9Wz3qAey4UrX0gxA/s200/IMG_4166.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Spice Jars - obviously the "spice" part of the theme.</div>
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Baby bottles for the kids as the mason jars are too</div>
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heavy for them to carry around.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg7Xp3jTidihHbPFzfMIdcQHVxtJcRAfTsjk_XWdRXqaoD6zaIp-5SG_CYo4YB5CWH673O973nVCD3YISCHs0wJzm6-R5Ah8S6fiBANpdDX6SSrriDAwmgFexVqBeLUWaRqVuEYZh0Kk/s1600/IMG_4173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg7Xp3jTidihHbPFzfMIdcQHVxtJcRAfTsjk_XWdRXqaoD6zaIp-5SG_CYo4YB5CWH673O973nVCD3YISCHs0wJzm6-R5Ah8S6fiBANpdDX6SSrriDAwmgFexVqBeLUWaRqVuEYZh0Kk/s200/IMG_4173.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5bXwzJs2xbUt-BnUzSwWO8aGnpqC5VdrbXC50ooG8Ep5SkQdHidMb4Byb6tbV3LFNn4U4KX_7i9AUUSuvATnf8Q-DY1ACr0e8tLbwqPIKsshCJUGaMVo6wLiUhDhiJdyNBG_J1sfPug/s1600/IMG_4172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5bXwzJs2xbUt-BnUzSwWO8aGnpqC5VdrbXC50ooG8Ep5SkQdHidMb4Byb6tbV3LFNn4U4KX_7i9AUUSuvATnf8Q-DY1ACr0e8tLbwqPIKsshCJUGaMVo6wLiUhDhiJdyNBG_J1sfPug/s200/IMG_4172.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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What are about to be the table centerpieces. These are </div>
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mason jar mugs filled with sweets. I haven't completed </div>
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these yet as I'm still thinking about what to put as the </div>
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topper.</div>
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More to come...vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-18286821341464581512013-01-01T10:17:00.000-08:002013-01-01T10:17:11.542-08:00Thank you God, looking forward to 2013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Couldn't pass on the opportunity to do a reflection of the year that was... I've been seeing a lot of those on Facebook from my family and friends, so... in keeping with my "Dianne Creates" theme, I made mine a collage. As in the past years, not everything turned out the way I hoped it would be. But the flaws were all overturned by the most wonderful events that God generously blessed us with... and this new year, I know will even be better. Especially with the best gift of all coming our way (in about 10 weeks :-).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2GtMSlC3_QEF2Fqd8ZSUWJO75e-YpUlqsNrnrOdxJvGfxPPLrOk2VV6doMoFedok6p-82Ni-uGCoTTZ1cgZnvA4N7ZdSnkxAvNzSuxeSZPDQ_QdERt4LJ4V-yo-EWpgA-k5cdPezdxw/s1600/2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2GtMSlC3_QEF2Fqd8ZSUWJO75e-YpUlqsNrnrOdxJvGfxPPLrOk2VV6doMoFedok6p-82Ni-uGCoTTZ1cgZnvA4N7ZdSnkxAvNzSuxeSZPDQ_QdERt4LJ4V-yo-EWpgA-k5cdPezdxw/s640/2013.jpg" width="531" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year!!!</div>
<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-62690564469929384382012-12-27T17:42:00.002-08:002012-12-27T17:42:15.779-08:00Adobo Flakes Hash Recipe, at last!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I started making this dish earlier this year to give the staple adobo a twist. It has become one of hubby's favorite dishes and I got so many recipe requests from friends - yup, I'm one of those people who post photos of my cooking (and other people's cooking), in Facebook, ha! I never really measure my ingredients for adobo, but today I did, so I can finally post the recipe in this blog. So here goes...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOxrNtxPA5ajV0ZAaukb4oU8moopIlXYLSVuJG_D3YEmVZWUXY9a_c8UEeJxnHlpnBpjScPCFzBNA2xstVhktxBTh6HaQ-r139a3nOwf40o7l023gxzGCMvSqxRYeF5DomnpQuSZwYrg/s1600/IMG_4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOxrNtxPA5ajV0ZAaukb4oU8moopIlXYLSVuJG_D3YEmVZWUXY9a_c8UEeJxnHlpnBpjScPCFzBNA2xstVhktxBTh6HaQ-r139a3nOwf40o7l023gxzGCMvSqxRYeF5DomnpQuSZwYrg/s320/IMG_4066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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3 skinless boneless chicken thighs</div>
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4 cloves of garlic minced</div>
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2 bay leaves</div>
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1 tbsp sugar</div>
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1/2 cup soy sauce</div>
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1/4 cup white vinegar</div>
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2 &1/2 cups water</div>
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1 medium potato diced</div>
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Vegetable oil for frying</div>
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Salt & pepper</div>
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<b>Steps</b></div>
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1. Boil the chicken, garlic, bay leaves, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, and water in a sauce pan.</div>
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2. Simmer until the liquid dries out and the chicken is cooked.</div>
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3. Flake the chicken.</div>
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4. In another pan, fry the potatoes. Add some salt and pepper.</div>
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5. When the potatoes are cooked, add the chicken adobo flakes.</div>
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6. Fry the potatoes and chicken until crispy (will probably take another 15-20 mins).</div>
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Serve with fried eggs and tomatoes and garlic rice. This recipe can serve 3-4 people. This is sure to be a hit - breakfast, lunch, or dinner. :-)</div>
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vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-59719206162391664182012-12-16T19:04:00.002-08:002012-12-16T19:04:14.260-08:00Meatless Craving: "Breadsagna"Sunday at 6AM, deployment completed. Check! (deep inside, ecstatic) Time for Sunday morning TV and Rachael Ray's on Food Network - perfect. Lasagna made of stale bread? Genius! So I'm not really taking credit for this fine recipe, rather - I'm promoting it as an alternative to the usual lasagna pasta dish. It took me 30 minutes to make it, and I only had to buy the spinach, but every other ingredient is available in our pantry. Also, it's vegetarian, so just about anybody would love it. I did - I contained myself from finishing the whole dish, and shared with dearest hubby. I was sooo happy it turned out the way it did - just see the pictures below!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-snk18luWKD8BmiftGRT7i2lUtwUmY3EPylUC9uKQkuR4M2oCLR1EMIOSd1hUrYsibLhH0WEY0b1FDeYXZXULY4PGTEfv-K5R8F98HD4iqSuRQu_qVz-wSc6NYPvdvyT7J4ypza1ask0/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-snk18luWKD8BmiftGRT7i2lUtwUmY3EPylUC9uKQkuR4M2oCLR1EMIOSd1hUrYsibLhH0WEY0b1FDeYXZXULY4PGTEfv-K5R8F98HD4iqSuRQu_qVz-wSc6NYPvdvyT7J4ypza1ask0/s320/IMG_3929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Ingredients for One Serving of Mushroom & Spinach Breadsagna</b></div>
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2 slices of stale (or old frozen) french bread cut 5" long, 1/2" thick</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1/3 cup of half-and-half</div>
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1/4 tsp nutmeg</div>
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6 pcs of baby bella mushrooms, sliced</div>
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A handful of baby spinach</div>
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1/4 cup moscato (or any white wine)</div>
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1/3 cup chicken stock</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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1 tbsp butter</div>
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A pinch of dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary</div>
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Salt & pepper</div>
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Triple cheddar cheese</div>
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Mozzarella cheese</div>
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<b>Directions</b></div>
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Preheat oven at 350F.</div>
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Soak the bread in beaten egg, half-and-half, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.</div>
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Saute the onions, garlic, and mushrooms in olive oil until tender. Deglaze with wine and chicken stock. Add all your herbs and salt and pepper. Add the spinach and cook only until the leaves are wilted.</div>
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Grease your baking dish (I used a single-serve 5" x 5" stoneware) with butter. Line with the bread first, then mushroom and spinach mixture, then cheese. Add your second layer of bread, then top with cheese and butter.</div>
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Bake in the oven for about 15-20 mins or until the cheese is melted and slightly crusty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLIEluA8Canl0PIy-9bdRhwXF-I9ghBpv9LpRI3hXhxXFjMq9NZyHgWkO78o0eUAytBnK1iDKVfFLTtobaTQZUJdoHr_M9oyT9iLO_3yTBqloipJFzPxObV2EwmUUWZyz7BlRpIt1iS8/s1600/IMG_3934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLIEluA8Canl0PIy-9bdRhwXF-I9ghBpv9LpRI3hXhxXFjMq9NZyHgWkO78o0eUAytBnK1iDKVfFLTtobaTQZUJdoHr_M9oyT9iLO_3yTBqloipJFzPxObV2EwmUUWZyz7BlRpIt1iS8/s320/IMG_3934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I must say, I was nervous making this dish - stale bread for lasagna?! But the result definitely made me an even bigger fan of Rachael Ray. Next time I'll try it with sausage (but this one's perfect as it is), just so hubby can get his meat fix. :-)</div>
<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-14313606624938235122012-12-01T18:27:00.000-08:002012-12-01T18:27:14.230-08:00Accessory Making Revived<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been such a long time since I've made costume jewelry, but it has always been a fantasy of mine (along with other friends) to make it big in this business. It really all started about eight years ago when we called ourselves KLAD (Kristine, Love, Anna, Dianne) and sold accessories to our officemates and friends. Yes, those accessories were made by our "untrained" but very passionate bare hands... and we selected and bought all materials ourselves - from beads to strings to chains and charms, all the way from Divisoria. We just had an initial outlay of 1,000 pesos each and ran the business for about two months, around Christmas time. It was a success, but we're all so busy with our day jobs, so we had to stop after the holidays. </div>
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Five years after, we decided to revive the business, but the "K" left for Singapore so we obviously had to change our name as LAD didn't exactly sound fab haha! We called ourselves "IF", short for Insanely Fab, because it speaks for our designs. Definitely insane, but still fabulous! Those were really (insanely) happy times as we were practically doing a countdown to 5 o'clock (at work) so we can rush home and create our "day-dreamed" designs. And "coffee tayo" means let's discuss our business strategy. Here are some cherished photos with my business partners...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x317WyPwZrwKy8tOGfgM8J8i0hgajHZRFlnqKW1_uNQxHBH-gqC5auObFzyQ9hw1jeELp2yRgp-c0egjDI-nhMJZUKZEPYm9OwW-aGv05mJNxZQFJVk4nFFGgaiCshPfm6kVVWCWOoM/s1600/StarbuckswithIFGirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Me, Love, and Anna" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x317WyPwZrwKy8tOGfgM8J8i0hgajHZRFlnqKW1_uNQxHBH-gqC5auObFzyQ9hw1jeELp2yRgp-c0egjDI-nhMJZUKZEPYm9OwW-aGv05mJNxZQFJVk4nFFGgaiCshPfm6kVVWCWOoM/s200/StarbuckswithIFGirls.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC5RxAeNKq9EYt2OU3ZZJyIUhSz7Q9iCNd7SwhwWk5_7LNd-JFff3WYhoIB_Wcl7dXkjtG6RAUeWmt-lfk5K2iTPvtTyOGvqiUrrACSe1IL5tMs-JaqAnKqN9MQL5d3mSMYYAey-2_wI/s1600/TegsCondowithAnnaLove01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Love and Anna" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC5RxAeNKq9EYt2OU3ZZJyIUhSz7Q9iCNd7SwhwWk5_7LNd-JFff3WYhoIB_Wcl7dXkjtG6RAUeWmt-lfk5K2iTPvtTyOGvqiUrrACSe1IL5tMs-JaqAnKqN9MQL5d3mSMYYAey-2_wI/s200/TegsCondowithAnnaLove01.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></div>
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Our style had definitely evolved in 2009 as we had started making "bibs" which wasn't popular back then (we'd like to think we're one of the firsts hehehe) and did more sewing than the usual stringing or wiring. We used more fabric (some recycled), lace, appliques, and ribbons. And our trademark? Look below and you'll notice. We love floral touches. They're also our best sellers. And, we not only did direct selling but joined bazaars - from Ayala Alabang to World Trade Center - we soared!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-BfG0AtCabggPRPyX0mtV_Evj9kwAq-YwMhQZbnVehOKZSmQW6RIc0mHaCQNwgGMvcNgF9W8iEy4ybcSUL3jbLRT_R90x-mrEfcjkdH9bxAIWxtoV0NJAznwNKh6VY6ufDH-cycDywQ/s1600/if002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-BfG0AtCabggPRPyX0mtV_Evj9kwAq-YwMhQZbnVehOKZSmQW6RIc0mHaCQNwgGMvcNgF9W8iEy4ybcSUL3jbLRT_R90x-mrEfcjkdH9bxAIWxtoV0NJAznwNKh6VY6ufDH-cycDywQ/s200/if002.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UT7jA4RyrvDnK-87HsP1HUE4TtpEVXU6IKSAHWS9rYNjU0ZMmimGluAYYswwtn5nDDqQQ8vVj35U7KlXndsg2B-uhlTg8RDJKoF9OyKMAzN5CUZFLb4tRWm468l9Y1aEyuJ7Ewpvwto/s1600/if014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UT7jA4RyrvDnK-87HsP1HUE4TtpEVXU6IKSAHWS9rYNjU0ZMmimGluAYYswwtn5nDDqQQ8vVj35U7KlXndsg2B-uhlTg8RDJKoF9OyKMAzN5CUZFLb4tRWm468l9Y1aEyuJ7Ewpvwto/s200/if014.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWcQ22k2eGFt1Db3ObnO3TIoe-7EgGR0c5CyFxclroiHdYc3IPZ9cqA8b8vqtqaJeY961Ns5GvN6_rAtMCxW1tcbIZlfLVyTvSMq7q8_TuDvoKCPv48D6HKkVBELWir1-0wVPU0sSFxY/s1600/if073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWcQ22k2eGFt1Db3ObnO3TIoe-7EgGR0c5CyFxclroiHdYc3IPZ9cqA8b8vqtqaJeY961Ns5GvN6_rAtMCxW1tcbIZlfLVyTvSMq7q8_TuDvoKCPv48D6HKkVBELWir1-0wVPU0sSFxY/s200/if073.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIq7nKmCTTGaMThzTXtx8n_NJvhgNFidcJvbaZYVW92IT3MnlzX1BBHUm1vkMNqZS6dX-v3fadyINYLIXUwqPRnS3lwRuMisjOayA7sCnvch0sVMIynCIMTbTteiiDf1ITeXlQdU7gE4/s1600/if003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIq7nKmCTTGaMThzTXtx8n_NJvhgNFidcJvbaZYVW92IT3MnlzX1BBHUm1vkMNqZS6dX-v3fadyINYLIXUwqPRnS3lwRuMisjOayA7sCnvch0sVMIynCIMTbTteiiDf1ITeXlQdU7gE4/s200/if003.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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We had a goal, and in less than 3 months, we exceeded it. But starting in January the following year, our day jobs got the best of us and we weren't able to spend any more time continuing the business (sigh). To this day we still receive some inquiries and requests, but our hands are tied. Ahhh... IF only... </div>
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A week ago, I was feeling so <a href="http://diannecreates.blogspot.com/2012/11/decors-up-gifts-wrapped-more-to-go.html">creative</a> that I started planning for home made gifts - after all, they are inexpensive, unique, and honestly, therapeutic. Being in the US obviously did not give me many options for buying materials for my accessories - I definitely miss Quiapo, Divisoria, and Carolina's! But I do have a special happy place here - Michael's. Never mind the $$$ conversion, so I bought a few materials and recycled some of my old necklaces so I could come up with pretty stuff such as the one in the photo below. I realized, I still have the "IF" in me with the bib-like design and of course, the flower! I made this for a friend for her birthday. This is made in the USA, baby! Haha! :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MVmQoai3Mh1bqozqoHLLIr8JSRM7-tGH_VrV5j1mqH3Dc773hie0kixcYfXyURxRrJS868EJKhiTr59vD5HHdx4G0l8tSqIwHbsYPYgqRAkjbKNYozivSuslCpwSAJ3L-cI7G8skBCg/s1600/IMG_3855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MVmQoai3Mh1bqozqoHLLIr8JSRM7-tGH_VrV5j1mqH3Dc773hie0kixcYfXyURxRrJS868EJKhiTr59vD5HHdx4G0l8tSqIwHbsYPYgqRAkjbKNYozivSuslCpwSAJ3L-cI7G8skBCg/s320/IMG_3855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I still have a few more projects in progress, but I could not post them yet as they are all gifts - I'll upload them after Christmas. I'm getting more and more excited each day. Let's see how it goes.vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-39270238020113762142012-11-25T09:19:00.001-08:002012-11-25T09:19:33.646-08:00Decors Up, Gifts Wrapped, More to go...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the last two days of our long Thanksgiving holiday, I was so inspired to "Christmasify" our tiny apartment... While on it, I tried making my red velvet cupcakes which I haven't done in a year or so... I wanted to make sure it's still good enough for gifting. Here are a few pictures...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53kJ2NcyGwOXySW9WJAMPlKhETzTQTQvkPGSRVv3Tu_FtAr7KPrUuD7qYh6LSdjgqG5PdjqYG_BQbjdahkAAYJcV0cvLp4jrK-HihVrhspuHLpEwQn1KyoK16JyeDPIDVSlZFIurCICw/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53kJ2NcyGwOXySW9WJAMPlKhETzTQTQvkPGSRVv3Tu_FtAr7KPrUuD7qYh6LSdjgqG5PdjqYG_BQbjdahkAAYJcV0cvLp4jrK-HihVrhspuHLpEwQn1KyoK16JyeDPIDVSlZFIurCICw/s320/IMG_3825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our theme... Snowflakes and earthy elements. I love twigs and branches.</div>
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We went for a slim Christmas Tree - I thought it looked more elegant (and practical for a smaller space).</div>
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And of course, an angel on top for our little angel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EZn3oBIRl_sPb2ctJr-bqr4iQp9_t59hhBQt2RuSRW6Cf_mgB9jKvdY_SEPwn0_ji39RJ72keLorYGnwYF3moTAoz7hZnIRsxPsLCRJTObTyLYRP8bkQosWWuDRPv-p8xw6PgZxmkQ4/s1600/IMG_3826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EZn3oBIRl_sPb2ctJr-bqr4iQp9_t59hhBQt2RuSRW6Cf_mgB9jKvdY_SEPwn0_ji39RJ72keLorYGnwYF3moTAoz7hZnIRsxPsLCRJTObTyLYRP8bkQosWWuDRPv-p8xw6PgZxmkQ4/s200/IMG_3826.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEniDOusiWuL3_mlSlVN6cR6EPxaqoGbCvQJot3SlzBRaxsWtqYoygpqPsG_KDtrw7ULr7oR1GYV3yVAu7aIFcREpQR3it_EErxJbv9DbSaAEMwYrqAkidqqgmN7hNZZCGa1-v8WLV6Dk/s1600/IMG_3835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEniDOusiWuL3_mlSlVN6cR6EPxaqoGbCvQJot3SlzBRaxsWtqYoygpqPsG_KDtrw7ULr7oR1GYV3yVAu7aIFcREpQR3it_EErxJbv9DbSaAEMwYrqAkidqqgmN7hNZZCGa1-v8WLV6Dk/s200/IMG_3835.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Pink and Gold color motif, including the wreath. The bow on the wreath was supposedly for our tree but it was too big for our "sexy" tree, so I put it on our door wreath instead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXJfSX_zlxyEx6KOVop512n9Ynq9ke0omaVG8FVN7vI8Cy4YOoMOUzocrl8pcYoagqtBK18ObyPfpDyYV4cgdn_canEHlYvi4TEeZiVat5rzf1lxSTgm-TfNHjb_3Mu2lahIRw0Gu-AU/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXJfSX_zlxyEx6KOVop512n9Ynq9ke0omaVG8FVN7vI8Cy4YOoMOUzocrl8pcYoagqtBK18ObyPfpDyYV4cgdn_canEHlYvi4TEeZiVat5rzf1lxSTgm-TfNHjb_3Mu2lahIRw0Gu-AU/s320/IMG_3824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you choose wise, you don't have to spend a fortune for Christmas decors, especially here in the US. A pack of two of this sparkly snowflake is $1.99 at Target.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXJfSX_zlxyEx6KOVop512n9Ynq9ke0omaVG8FVN7vI8Cy4YOoMOUzocrl8pcYoagqtBK18ObyPfpDyYV4cgdn_canEHlYvi4TEeZiVat5rzf1lxSTgm-TfNHjb_3Mu2lahIRw0Gu-AU/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzdeUeolFNyKeCglS73j-zMdHA7MeD9SsJXf7wRPfWWxg8aKi7d3fndmPdTmiXVpdH_v4dBZfsR-9EXWPXSjk7cZCRrEYmQbMssq55017KuBNEESXsD1luY7r-ddtpASCq-wO4oeZXiw/s1600/IMG_3850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzdeUeolFNyKeCglS73j-zMdHA7MeD9SsJXf7wRPfWWxg8aKi7d3fndmPdTmiXVpdH_v4dBZfsR-9EXWPXSjk7cZCRrEYmQbMssq55017KuBNEESXsD1luY7r-ddtpASCq-wO4oeZXiw/s400/IMG_3850.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Ribbons and tissues and gift boxes from Michael's, my happy place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8u59TNXBUYgUFxNrzoPj7Kv9BKBWHuxCws_unwZLmstgDGfLDwnkACHNbaAy9o3AxZEwwPRhn3t_CgBkz5x3cYuhZL35Pzd0MHGzmT-2HEePkFZlQenmRIGxVYpk9qd8IkiKNJhyphenhyphen0Yk/s1600/IMG_3840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8u59TNXBUYgUFxNrzoPj7Kv9BKBWHuxCws_unwZLmstgDGfLDwnkACHNbaAy9o3AxZEwwPRhn3t_CgBkz5x3cYuhZL35Pzd0MHGzmT-2HEePkFZlQenmRIGxVYpk9qd8IkiKNJhyphenhyphen0Yk/s200/IMG_3840.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4LNxlyLNqHcTvgvratHv6gRJBbJuEWNt1HqkCRZXtl8eWIwOCbiCcBtZFV-jGdarbRrF1ps2yLFAldBCTBPrVIdNokjKINNSCyT79R5PMkPvO_icq_KcL6mmhIJOCzup6ZIXHqgT_FY/s1600/IMG_3844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4LNxlyLNqHcTvgvratHv6gRJBbJuEWNt1HqkCRZXtl8eWIwOCbiCcBtZFV-jGdarbRrF1ps2yLFAldBCTBPrVIdNokjKINNSCyT79R5PMkPvO_icq_KcL6mmhIJOCzup6ZIXHqgT_FY/s200/IMG_3844.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I plan to give out red velvet cupcakes for some of my office mates, so I practiced half a batch. I gave it a little twist by stuffing it with butter cream cheese frosting and topping with cream cheese whipped cream and a small candy cane. :-)</div>
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They looked pretty nice in this cupcake box. So cute.</div>
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These gift boxes from Michael's are so convenient. Great for sweaters and shirts. We have a few all-wrapped up and under the tree.</div>
vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-39715420774182341352012-11-23T08:03:00.000-08:002012-11-23T08:03:14.440-08:00Thankful Feast!It's been more than a month since I posted anything on my blog so I apologize to my regular readers (as if haha)! Anyway, I can't miss this opportunity to share our Thanksgiving get together last night as we had a fun potluck dinner and of course, our usual Settlers of Catan session. We're able to recruit a couple who had fun playing (and winning) the game - boohoo, beginners luck hehehe! :-)<br />
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It was my first time to make Thanksgiving staples - no turkey this time around, but we had stuffed cornish hens instead. I used the no-fail lemon-butter-garlic-rosemary recipe and put some stuffing I learned from the Food Network show, Pioneer Woman. I'm not really a fan of stuffing, but this recipe caught my eye because it had Italian Sausage and mushrooms - yummy. For dessert, I took the risk of making Sweet Potato Cheesecake, and added my own spin at the topping - cream cheese whipped cream. It's not the type of cake that everyone will love, but I think it was pretty good, considering it has "kamote" haha. So of course, I had a backup dessert - again a no-fail recipe - Ice Box Cake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iNkIanHA7C_eFDALZ9lt_BfK9S6Dt-yFsvygQfvAgnIg4dUuaVisdZVT-IyIYoalbY1lJqhNApgTBnD-lXb4YGZBMYqjt3y8CtzcYmzXRPyhkcajph-wMRggb36xD2YrsWwcoaPB8jM/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iNkIanHA7C_eFDALZ9lt_BfK9S6Dt-yFsvygQfvAgnIg4dUuaVisdZVT-IyIYoalbY1lJqhNApgTBnD-lXb4YGZBMYqjt3y8CtzcYmzXRPyhkcajph-wMRggb36xD2YrsWwcoaPB8jM/s200/IMG_3794.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLugNRia1SeeVcjrKuT_xXIKoFs5hyd2SS2knaoIZ7FKCRO0GentyymWk4fms_K5WvrzRKXXYF9tLs2Ga0UOlJFbHV2tbqNiTpIEbdEdxQN2ei6gKPNr7tToW79cjV1YonLpaFv0ztU0/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLugNRia1SeeVcjrKuT_xXIKoFs5hyd2SS2knaoIZ7FKCRO0GentyymWk4fms_K5WvrzRKXXYF9tLs2Ga0UOlJFbHV2tbqNiTpIEbdEdxQN2ei6gKPNr7tToW79cjV1YonLpaFv0ztU0/s200/IMG_3796.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My Sweet Potato Cheesecake and Stuffed Cornish Hens</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Apols' Baby Back Ribs and Haidee & John's Bacon-wrapped Asparagus</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58uLflHHM0z3F7l7kdrS6lcUW52xTcnHw-w-1ZxbBmRMjkXf1cB9jDMb4vu3JyMNUK0i-gkA096euhEfor7unVU5qN32y1SJ5OfTNqwIgEsXmVNyt-V4VtNq9qrvbIxLaleclsriAR0/s1600/IMG_3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58uLflHHM0z3F7l7kdrS6lcUW52xTcnHw-w-1ZxbBmRMjkXf1cB9jDMb4vu3JyMNUK0i-gkA096euhEfor7unVU5qN32y1SJ5OfTNqwIgEsXmVNyt-V4VtNq9qrvbIxLaleclsriAR0/s200/IMG_3800.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzOmgfzVyZxttV7peWWtUFqAxPsHWV1SPdOIbAHx9f47-FNrms1u6xIyrCNWl00eDWKP7FYybZTnx83cnbp_1YX58f2Doq2ulTF3Jy8jWzzXc67JHb5rNo0V-t1tR6neDFAJAV03T7xM/s1600/IMG_3801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzOmgfzVyZxttV7peWWtUFqAxPsHWV1SPdOIbAHx9f47-FNrms1u6xIyrCNWl00eDWKP7FYybZTnx83cnbp_1YX58f2Doq2ulTF3Jy8jWzzXc67JHb5rNo0V-t1tR6neDFAJAV03T7xM/s200/IMG_3801.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ela's Puttanesca Sauce and Haidee's Mashed Potatoes with Dill & Cream Cheese</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT8kR3CRIzCiuMchrMtP-_knrtNmnWSYNNSz7CPq2dL0aD7Tp47PKO8_dDqrfA2USJyLM-MYyVAN1lpwnzpYtzmGSENzoaj4unYFYSTRkTvQZceOGrwOXdSEFbvWrjxkj-0-fU5c6C4o/s1600/IMG_3802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT8kR3CRIzCiuMchrMtP-_knrtNmnWSYNNSz7CPq2dL0aD7Tp47PKO8_dDqrfA2USJyLM-MYyVAN1lpwnzpYtzmGSENzoaj4unYFYSTRkTvQZceOGrwOXdSEFbvWrjxkj-0-fU5c6C4o/s200/IMG_3802.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wyhceGSyIgLkv1HchAF4fEZB60ynNecGETiBsQDTny9anhE7muT5ARGp2jhP3rmAP_8Gdb0Fe78iEGs2-utJq9FB-kcEjA23IICjNmKR8cJPntk3y5nqmLKxQrAJSeMfNHVES1ce-Ek/s1600/IMG_3803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wyhceGSyIgLkv1HchAF4fEZB60ynNecGETiBsQDTny9anhE7muT5ARGp2jhP3rmAP_8Gdb0Fe78iEGs2-utJq9FB-kcEjA23IICjNmKR8cJPntk3y5nqmLKxQrAJSeMfNHVES1ce-Ek/s200/IMG_3803.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tin & Jeff's Chicken Wings and Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our Thanksgiving Spread and Dessert Table</span></div>
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Last year, we had a fall-themed housewarming party so I had some paraphernalia to use... It was a great investment in a way, well, at least until this year. I realized I had so much potpourri and empty vases... so, voila - see photos below! And the house smelled so good too - cinnamon and spice and everything nice (with a hint of roasting cornish hen ;-)).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDDZY6Ft31tv0oY2DZpA2AR0A2dXMWC1D9I4XNgdEN_3TJ9MLrgZMR-hbti2WyQ495a7wl1tTl-JyGfXwRyjbXiCiggVfjqCwCtC_QFcwZvlupPJp7qXtVpdKfCZxuvwHJbCIVm7kpJg/s1600/IMG_3813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDDZY6Ft31tv0oY2DZpA2AR0A2dXMWC1D9I4XNgdEN_3TJ9MLrgZMR-hbti2WyQ495a7wl1tTl-JyGfXwRyjbXiCiggVfjqCwCtC_QFcwZvlupPJp7qXtVpdKfCZxuvwHJbCIVm7kpJg/s200/IMG_3813.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e0f03xSfA9j-2e0Iqay1_PLAT_bea4St7lTmWZNV-fiAz7KHTQmIhP0BEvxd5W62cHY4e3kdwF03Qn6j_H_pNkpuDo8s-LC8Gh7CIi1F5LfpmtXFz8i7M49FNIpF5jmmiI8FSQVPsGY/s1600/IMG_3815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e0f03xSfA9j-2e0Iqay1_PLAT_bea4St7lTmWZNV-fiAz7KHTQmIhP0BEvxd5W62cHY4e3kdwF03Qn6j_H_pNkpuDo8s-LC8Gh7CIi1F5LfpmtXFz8i7M49FNIpF5jmmiI8FSQVPsGY/s200/IMG_3815.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My attempt at a fall-ish Thanksgiving theme...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF6uj1yTKOM_oh6VUjT0nEOm33_HIsMKhlV8rUVdqEBcvazsjbMXxc5VeA2HcGXyEbSzny5CzTEfS4po7g4JjociHvEtWY0OgY7kpTptF1GVOQ_ZhORiXyv1ey1KMNudTdVI4-PEOlRY/s1600/IMG_3809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF6uj1yTKOM_oh6VUjT0nEOm33_HIsMKhlV8rUVdqEBcvazsjbMXxc5VeA2HcGXyEbSzny5CzTEfS4po7g4JjociHvEtWY0OgY7kpTptF1GVOQ_ZhORiXyv1ey1KMNudTdVI4-PEOlRY/s200/IMG_3809.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1-tZq0xgnHsPD0dUjVnFgFsmGJjY7Bya-N_e-yMROCcawyNaBcp7fB1nktBWtkuMlC1O1eYvxk_jdGkrpNON2wdum_3oLtSKBmhtAknKj7mwLj_I0y8qPCCM-dV9hnYGZ56XvciOFKo/s1600/IMG_3816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1-tZq0xgnHsPD0dUjVnFgFsmGJjY7Bya-N_e-yMROCcawyNaBcp7fB1nktBWtkuMlC1O1eYvxk_jdGkrpNON2wdum_3oLtSKBmhtAknKj7mwLj_I0y8qPCCM-dV9hnYGZ56XvciOFKo/s200/IMG_3816.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Friends and of course, Game Night!</span></div>
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<span id="goog_1252797375"></span><span id="goog_1252797376"></span>Hosting parties are really fun, but also exhausting. I only cooked three dishes, but I think with my growing belly at six months, getting tired so quickly is no surprise. BUT, I am thankful that I get tired. Because I get to invite friends over, have a great time, get to make lambing to my hubby so he does things for me (and I feel his love so much more), and knowing the fact that a new life is forming inside of me. vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-46465658777697773902012-10-13T10:53:00.000-07:002012-10-13T10:53:00.958-07:00Apples, apples, apples!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Autumn is here, it's time for Apple-Picking! And so we did. :-) </div>
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Last weekend, we went to Apple Holler in Wisconsin, which was about 1.5 hours drive from Chicago downtown. We had such a great time last year due to its bountiful harvest and of so many varieties that we decided to go back again this year. However, due to the drought, some of the apples we had to pick from a bin, not from a tree! Fortunately, for some varieties, like the Jonathans, there were still a lot we picked from the actual trees (see picture below). And for me, it's much more fun, because my baby sister (whose name is "Apple" :-)) was visiting so she came with us!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The "Jonathan"</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzyBDhyphenhypheneVYzaD73Pp0zM9YXJG0Hs8uqw2WDhNGe9z10lK4gEE5MYG0DTwA3FPewnl8kE5z9R92-J2fOJJ_y07mqCYtdP5NVay8i9fkjQPw509KN6tqTKR53TW-rE3r8fgOxftsBcut2U/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xJt9W1utE04xBRFpJ16Ew1EoFqMxAYpCf8vqrkFQtdLZZF-MPHtwzZ0vXwZzEZclS90dDx5hu8-JtdeQA84iLKWyuzDkTZUNzulUEO7rd1qTjkJFjRX-0EDubr2sKnA7-SPeg0QiAVI/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xJt9W1utE04xBRFpJ16Ew1EoFqMxAYpCf8vqrkFQtdLZZF-MPHtwzZ0vXwZzEZclS90dDx5hu8-JtdeQA84iLKWyuzDkTZUNzulUEO7rd1qTjkJFjRX-0EDubr2sKnA7-SPeg0QiAVI/s200/IMG_3492.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMg6LA24vKHJd5SZ1ZA5epGfiBnkQk4RKE_kEvNDAMe0fYKXnZmN2wLNCeFYm503LUEtjPMfi-ujSkAx0892Kuxg4GeC8xWMR-4jhhtXrHYfEo9GBjENHbPOqCFyOS-hfkq5mcfrIE4Q/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMg6LA24vKHJd5SZ1ZA5epGfiBnkQk4RKE_kEvNDAMe0fYKXnZmN2wLNCeFYm503LUEtjPMfi-ujSkAx0892Kuxg4GeC8xWMR-4jhhtXrHYfEo9GBjENHbPOqCFyOS-hfkq5mcfrIE4Q/s200/IMG_3482.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2_aIakumleIre2wi2FSZRFfHXetkEk7lBizTp-8t3zIUwPCJM-PFwsU7ZqAKLIanRJXdFfFGizyYeD8vv4mDBNMx2uMdafkS8EW1p-v8dM0IEEqL4eD2tpnFQsMGZqo-VK_QmnKksW4/s1600/IMG_3487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2_aIakumleIre2wi2FSZRFfHXetkEk7lBizTp-8t3zIUwPCJM-PFwsU7ZqAKLIanRJXdFfFGizyYeD8vv4mDBNMx2uMdafkS8EW1p-v8dM0IEEqL4eD2tpnFQsMGZqo-VK_QmnKksW4/s200/IMG_3487.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzyBDhyphenhypheneVYzaD73Pp0zM9YXJG0Hs8uqw2WDhNGe9z10lK4gEE5MYG0DTwA3FPewnl8kE5z9R92-J2fOJJ_y07mqCYtdP5NVay8i9fkjQPw509KN6tqTKR53TW-rE3r8fgOxftsBcut2U/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzyBDhyphenhypheneVYzaD73Pp0zM9YXJG0Hs8uqw2WDhNGe9z10lK4gEE5MYG0DTwA3FPewnl8kE5z9R92-J2fOJJ_y07mqCYtdP5NVay8i9fkjQPw509KN6tqTKR53TW-rE3r8fgOxftsBcut2U/s200/IMG_3486.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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With three bags full of apples - what do you do with them? Bake apple pie of course! </div>
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I'm not really much of a baker and this was actually my first attempt at making apple pie. My older sister has always been the designated apple pie maker (and baker for the most part) in the family, so I was content with just being the consumer hehehe. Thank God for easy apple pie recipes and ready made pie crusts, I was successful in making my first pie. I got the recipe from Pillsbury and it's called - "<a href="http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/brown-butter-creamy-apple-pie/431221eb-5179-42d1-bbe1-c25257611094">Brown Butter Creamy Apple Pie</a>". I followed the recipe practically to the letter, but instead of making my own whipped cream, I used Vanilla Bean ice cream (heavenly!)... Took me about 45 minutes to prepare.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQMjoKUMhmH9tXHGOLsFSG_ttdT7-MTxLRMmHHPKXmYRLnEH-2k_x-ds9zu21TzUa3XSxM_4W72qoNB_kmxtJ8P9Z6De6e2_pufpt_q4wqWJAbvl6_MBMJlUp7rbzp656D9rz0AKWc00/s1600/IMG_3627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQMjoKUMhmH9tXHGOLsFSG_ttdT7-MTxLRMmHHPKXmYRLnEH-2k_x-ds9zu21TzUa3XSxM_4W72qoNB_kmxtJ8P9Z6De6e2_pufpt_q4wqWJAbvl6_MBMJlUp7rbzp656D9rz0AKWc00/s320/IMG_3627.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing beats Apple Pie ala Mode!</td></tr>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-7926128418683958532012-09-29T22:30:00.001-07:002012-09-29T22:30:35.605-07:00A Day Like This<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After uhmm, maybe two to three months of no weekend brunch, we finally had nothing planned on a Saturday, that we decided to try out this Swedish restaurant featured last night in the Food Network show, "$24 in 24". <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/jeff-mauro/index.html">Jeff Mauro</a> is actually a Chicago local guy so he knew good (and cheap) eats around town, and for breakfast, he went to <a href="http://www.annsather.com/">Ann Sather</a>. This place is actually famous for their cinnamon rolls and french toast, which apparently <a href="http://www.rachaelray.com/">Rachael Ray</a> also featured in one of her shows. So at around 8:15 AM, we took the Red Line to Belmont where the restaurant was just a few steps from the station. The place was cozy, Swedish traditional looking. And the staff were all so attentive and friendly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uo21p7G0BSIxGHCf_NNYBxWXaXj9D3sX9fYKehKJ2Y4HqkTi3NHSD5J-ioyS3uPjx8WU_ejTN2G0JkOwtpELOrtV2EPNJT9lu44A4CZEXb9A9KAEKiJbkuFnep5etkalRLAPFClLSR0/s1600/IMG_3351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uo21p7G0BSIxGHCf_NNYBxWXaXj9D3sX9fYKehKJ2Y4HqkTi3NHSD5J-ioyS3uPjx8WU_ejTN2G0JkOwtpELOrtV2EPNJT9lu44A4CZEXb9A9KAEKiJbkuFnep5etkalRLAPFClLSR0/s400/IMG_3351.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's hubby and his french toast - thick cinnamon bread filled with mascarpone cheese and topped with strawberries and blueberries. Good size, creamy, not overly sweet, perfect breakfast for a sweet tooth.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn8Lo5B3ZAJVajvfhTkdgikKNlGhXmtzS7nJyuoOAJHwXq3llvbLJBHdlV6iQ66HkRgjS3GSrdpaGvVwT7bP848oVBOlAPBK9n5szKf1x0E3RzuAayTEGxG5BLllyvXm3Mj_3b32j0G4/s1600/IMG_3343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn8Lo5B3ZAJVajvfhTkdgikKNlGhXmtzS7nJyuoOAJHwXq3llvbLJBHdlV6iQ66HkRgjS3GSrdpaGvVwT7bP848oVBOlAPBK9n5szKf1x0E3RzuAayTEGxG5BLllyvXm3Mj_3b32j0G4/s200/IMG_3343.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPYRSOBP5zZDxCGgh-UHWhg3iTxQBv-zSVSQQ26hfEyzsYnuCF8U6L-IzZ9P9Kc4se3FVSHQytO6QfJKJ0gHQXRjkBCg7BZIWlVKNv1HQrOwPmlTne87Tm0TAimCTaSHVQvo8lBOTnc/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPYRSOBP5zZDxCGgh-UHWhg3iTxQBv-zSVSQQ26hfEyzsYnuCF8U6L-IzZ9P9Kc4se3FVSHQytO6QfJKJ0gHQXRjkBCg7BZIWlVKNv1HQrOwPmlTne87Tm0TAimCTaSHVQvo8lBOTnc/s200/IMG_3346.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAk0AP2IU4TnB1N2pWjRMRKmDdhP8sMuYRtKBlnDReRwUZAPt2QPiq3BDB7GLJDJnoRF0gnk2INL5aaYAK38HkxSZYeR6cBJAM_UXRGOw3IhlqqBVG3cF4u83q0mn2VhaciQ37zi2LcI/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAk0AP2IU4TnB1N2pWjRMRKmDdhP8sMuYRtKBlnDReRwUZAPt2QPiq3BDB7GLJDJnoRF0gnk2INL5aaYAK38HkxSZYeR6cBJAM_UXRGOw3IhlqqBVG3cF4u83q0mn2VhaciQ37zi2LcI/s200/IMG_3347.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUDg3OjK94evL7j_S3t00X8OKC5BnXMXOAuZW1AyvbwqSJ8Cmn1fDf-40sjXhM-cUPTdgtVS762W5jd1txwiPDNfQU3vkdl3l6gw57rq3w_7MGMOyZBAJgNh_tqlZWXgQDbVoMabvtZ0/s1600/IMG_3348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUDg3OjK94evL7j_S3t00X8OKC5BnXMXOAuZW1AyvbwqSJ8Cmn1fDf-40sjXhM-cUPTdgtVS762W5jd1txwiPDNfQU3vkdl3l6gw57rq3w_7MGMOyZBAJgNh_tqlZWXgQDbVoMabvtZ0/s200/IMG_3348.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I had the Swedish Sampler which was composed of a Swedish Pancake, Potato Sausage, Meatball with Gravy, Lingonberry sauce, fried egg, and yup, the potatoes and (smothered) cinnamon rolls you see in the photos are the sides! I was happy to see the main dish in a modestly sized portion, because the cinnamon rolls were humongous! Oh, and the potatoes were heavenly - I loved the smokey, rosemary flavor.</span></div>
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After breakfast, it was still too early to go anywhere (e.g. mall or theater), so we passed by the weekend fresh market at Division street. It was a gorgeous day - I could not help but take a picture. Love the cirrus clouds, hehehe!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5Rv_8gBoJt87eQa6_nllvspTRpnC0j5bXdbXlleD4tzkdv5rze6OUb135LxW5Yy-O2-4ZQ7vglmHWRBIWAVhyphenhyphenkDYKTR9cc6f3jqlZMPQnAnMjft4D0-Dd1yDVb1Kbc0bUoj6vyZHZAw/s1600/IMG_3352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5Rv_8gBoJt87eQa6_nllvspTRpnC0j5bXdbXlleD4tzkdv5rze6OUb135LxW5Yy-O2-4ZQ7vglmHWRBIWAVhyphenhyphenkDYKTR9cc6f3jqlZMPQnAnMjft4D0-Dd1yDVb1Kbc0bUoj6vyZHZAw/s320/IMG_3352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hubby with our purchased produce - organic bell peppers and basil.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Vo68gwt67kMomqyqA9L3TNSg098yQlubIUIIJ2nPKhTKWV2ou77XRj8Ld1c_S_kIfOh3DN6EOHkehOyd7Nf9n6MtDriafM5UP7YoErV9FxerV1JAe0T1q_puiX1mocGPtaxXqrFvXsc/s1600/IMG_3354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Vo68gwt67kMomqyqA9L3TNSg098yQlubIUIIJ2nPKhTKWV2ou77XRj8Ld1c_S_kIfOh3DN6EOHkehOyd7Nf9n6MtDriafM5UP7YoErV9FxerV1JAe0T1q_puiX1mocGPtaxXqrFvXsc/s320/IMG_3354.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yup, fall is here... and so I wore a scarf and a jacket today.</span></div>
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Division Street is just a block from our place so we went home for a while to take a nap and dropped our Ann Sather baggie and vegetables. What a lovely, lovely morning, no stress, no fuss, great weather - I wish everyday is just like today. This is just what I needed after a very long week. </div>
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At around 11, we're on our way to Macy's for a little shopping. Then, we had lunch at our favorite Noodles by Takashi... ahhh... after a long time! We ordered the usual ramen and Chicken Tatsuta-age. This place is really a must-try - aside from the obvious that it's super delicious, it's also relatively cheap and food is freshly cooked right in front of you (almost). And just our luck, we had our Macy's frequent diner card filled out, so the ramen was free! Lunch for two at $11 - not bad at all! Just look at the pictures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkTbFjJ3csrpByMoU2gSueg_kJVcrl-oQDUiuzSNReyAARQFlHAftAOyCehlrUnC1ptkuSm9jkJV8-IqbQx09_o3KTuFnqrCRBQapGxmxmgWYcKsfYvFu8S0iueh0WnqaYJA5fWCIpbY/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkTbFjJ3csrpByMoU2gSueg_kJVcrl-oQDUiuzSNReyAARQFlHAftAOyCehlrUnC1ptkuSm9jkJV8-IqbQx09_o3KTuFnqrCRBQapGxmxmgWYcKsfYvFu8S0iueh0WnqaYJA5fWCIpbY/s200/IMG_3356.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-TIb_nmueTKUeYRBQnFR1bO_w23FB4q48IR6wlTp_OmfurqXe-zouQqxXCTnNuvuR6l2Om2167LPMZXIm89UrIe9AOu5rxoKvn7Eu-TwfY1WAxa-9ATdcIJXwP6hEphpa5QcH5u7B9U/s1600/IMG_3358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-TIb_nmueTKUeYRBQnFR1bO_w23FB4q48IR6wlTp_OmfurqXe-zouQqxXCTnNuvuR6l2Om2167LPMZXIm89UrIe9AOu5rxoKvn7Eu-TwfY1WAxa-9ATdcIJXwP6hEphpa5QcH5u7B9U/s200/IMG_3358.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Miso Ramen and Chicken Tatsuta-age (of course, we had white rice as side!)</span></div>
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We capped our day with a Reese Witherspoon movie, and this homemade Chicken Parmigiana. Thought I'd make something Italian, as inspired by my fresh basil and bell peppers from the Division Street Market. It was a hit with hubby, as I got a kiss on the cheek and a "thank you wifey for always cooking restaurant-quality food". :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSM9VQ5Hq1MxUgjYR8UbplVElxO6plyAs7XGijlk-VRgMEhyphenhyphenRG1SAx32vZamfsXpzrE_lDjrGkbCu6iS_aNd1rpLjduJMyEituiubOrYzYcF0m3lgSaUBzrSdqOi8ENQ8dLlOrMpGsfw/s1600/IMG_3362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSM9VQ5Hq1MxUgjYR8UbplVElxO6plyAs7XGijlk-VRgMEhyphenhyphenRG1SAx32vZamfsXpzrE_lDjrGkbCu6iS_aNd1rpLjduJMyEituiubOrYzYcF0m3lgSaUBzrSdqOi8ENQ8dLlOrMpGsfw/s320/IMG_3362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chicken Parmigiana which I paired with Angel Hair Pasta with creamy tomato sauce (not in picture)</span></div>
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I guess you don't really have to plan your activities each time to make sure your day turns out the way you want it to be. And I've had enough of planning in the last few weeks! Haha! </div>
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Thank you God for a day like this.</div>
vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-58267799962726174552012-09-23T14:50:00.002-07:002012-09-23T19:50:38.338-07:00Janice and Bianca's DishesOh wow, I'm finally posting something on my poor feeling-abandoned blog... wooohooo and pat on the back for me! Being extremely busy at work (this is probably my most challenging yet) and being (sighhh with a smile :-)) pregnant, kept me from blogging. Again, no complaints, but looking at my diminishing blog roll at the right (yup, look at the right of this page), I felt kinda sad! Today, I decided to at least enjoy what's left of my weekend by sharing some wonderful recipes I found in (drum roll)... <a href="http://www.abs-cbn.com/Weekdays/article/9907/kristv/Kris-TV.aspx">Kris TV</a>! Yup, apart from the Food Network, there's actually a lot of really easy recipes you can learn from this show. Last week, <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=janice%20de%20belen&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FJanice_de_Belen&ei=Nm9fUJWVHefLyQHz6oHYCw&usg=AFQjCNFWEQRlxc4dR3u6AmQEGoZ6DhGqoA&sig2=3cTwK3VZF0YwEu9UqhCsWw">Janice de Belen</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bianca_Gonzalez">Bianca Gonzales</a> shared their own recipes and I was instantly hooked. I actually have a little bit of trivia about these two celebrities...<br />
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<a href="webkit-fake-url://ECA7D34F-C51C-4626-A480-B089EC120DC9/image.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="webkit-fake-url://ECA7D34F-C51C-4626-A480-B089EC120DC9/image.tiff" /></a>Janice de Belen, as most Pinoys know, is one of the best dramatic actors in Philippine television and cinema. I also think she has one of the most beautiful and recognizable faces in Showbiz and I really do love her not only because of these facts, but I actually have a cousin, who looks just like her! I hope she doesn't kill me when she reads this blog, but I'm really proud being her cousin - mind you, she's an accomplished MD and mother of two adorable little boys. See the picture on the right? That's her! Ok, so before the topic goes off somewhere else, in the Kris TV show, I learned that Janice is also a very good cook and even took formal training a few years ago. So the dish she demonstrated was actually just her own invention - <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Lemon Butter Prawns with Garlic Pasta</span></b>. I did a little variation here, because I did not have "black prawns" and regular spaghetti noodles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGf7HS8cF1BBfNNi1maPD9d2yd8WAjyYTcx1N1bsy4n9WKvP96pKdjNTJeWwHIRH7UIZWoKkJZnfFDyStPKm27FqzdlztlksVxT1LyL9UgA5sPLnHuS5fqGDHQvah7mG1chxwRsoeq54/s1600/IMG_3242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGf7HS8cF1BBfNNi1maPD9d2yd8WAjyYTcx1N1bsy4n9WKvP96pKdjNTJeWwHIRH7UIZWoKkJZnfFDyStPKm27FqzdlztlksVxT1LyL9UgA5sPLnHuS5fqGDHQvah7mG1chxwRsoeq54/s200/IMG_3242.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNtDj0bBmtJO-ngR-Vrqn-Ep3R8YNUs9M6mir8sH6WQjuW7eEykszZem1AgNQWVc6hmYouTc_HfqvgnKp0RAtIi1geLz5L99nZ3k2DQ-v-Cdt-NUOa7Fp8e-fyDmovnPhDOl9Hly1ci0/s1600/IMG_3245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNtDj0bBmtJO-ngR-Vrqn-Ep3R8YNUs9M6mir8sH6WQjuW7eEykszZem1AgNQWVc6hmYouTc_HfqvgnKp0RAtIi1geLz5L99nZ3k2DQ-v-Cdt-NUOa7Fp8e-fyDmovnPhDOl9Hly1ci0/s200/IMG_3245.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Garlic Infused Olive Oil and the finished dish, Lemon Butter Prawns with Garlic Whole Wheat Spaghettini</span></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b>:</div>
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Garlic Infused Olive Oil </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Heat 1 Head Minced Fresh Garlic in 1/3 cup Olive Oil for 15 mins)</span></div>
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Jumbo Shrimps (about 10 pieces)</div>
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1 Package Whole Wheat Spaghettini Cooked</div>
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1 Tbsp Butter</div>
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1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil</div>
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1 Tbsp Garlic Minced</div>
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1 Tbsp Lemon Rind</div>
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Juice of 1/2 Lemon</div>
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Salt & Pepper</div>
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Parsley Flakes</div>
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<b>Directions</b>:</div>
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Heat the butter and olive oil in a shallow pan. Add the shrimps and cook each side for about 30 secs (or until it turns orange). Add the lemon rind and juice. Set aside. </div>
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In the same pan, add the cooked pasta and garlic oil. Season with Salt and Pepper. Turn of the heat.</div>
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In a plate, add the pasta and top with the cooked shrimps. Garnish with Parsley flakes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWc2tdjbpz2jQkeEDBFQPDKeHU2ljvXrVzp1zYJ0fdmPjfZjvE0ETz9lK7EdpIStNTU5bMJcQggbZN59YtyvStEQ0LbPOuBfd0XkbOnpqNb4lZ4Bv3LYAQN3Kj_cPg27Q-guD5rz2ohY/s1600/liza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWc2tdjbpz2jQkeEDBFQPDKeHU2ljvXrVzp1zYJ0fdmPjfZjvE0ETz9lK7EdpIStNTU5bMJcQggbZN59YtyvStEQ0LbPOuBfd0XkbOnpqNb4lZ4Bv3LYAQN3Kj_cPg27Q-guD5rz2ohY/s200/liza.jpg" width="133" /></a>The next dish I made, thanks to Kris TV, was cooked by Bianca Gonzales. So here are some trivia about Bianca. Back in grade school, she was actually my bus mate in La Salle Zobel! I don't think she'd remember me, because she was about five years younger and we never really talked, except if she had to say "excuse me" to get through our crowded bus or when she had to sit next to me. Never thought she'd be in showbiz, but at least she's one of the classier ones! Oh and my trivia doesn't end there - similar to my Janice story above, she's also a look-alike of one of my best friends. See picture in left - and apart from the obviously good looks, they have the same demeanor too! Funny because after watching the show, my friend sent me an e-mail just to check in and I was just thinking about her... So back to the recipe... Bianca cooked her own version of <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Pininyahang Manok</span></b>. The way she did it looked so effortless and the ingredients were simple but interesting. I again put a little variation by adding some milk, potatoes, chili pepper flakes, and patis (instead of salt). This one's too easy and will take only about 30 minutes - anybody can do it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimiE4DcxcJ-3il_lZR57nsC4FCeCIJv1o7KkW6_ddX5M22vey5bo9T6D1QoByCeqTQnEfTUyiA9XW2Y-lk_asY0X2H3iVAIIr57kVPMzjnOPPPcc57eklX9eGuozDoeRUPDwYS0u1Apc/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimiE4DcxcJ-3il_lZR57nsC4FCeCIJv1o7KkW6_ddX5M22vey5bo9T6D1QoByCeqTQnEfTUyiA9XW2Y-lk_asY0X2H3iVAIIr57kVPMzjnOPPPcc57eklX9eGuozDoeRUPDwYS0u1Apc/s320/IMG_3306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pininyahang Manok</span></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b>:</div>
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6-8 Pieces Chicken (adobo-cut)</div>
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1 Can of Pineapple Chunks (including the juice)</div>
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1 Small Can of Liver Spread</div>
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1/3 Cup Milk</div>
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1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese Grated</div>
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1 Large Potato Diced (about1/2 inch)</div>
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3 Cloves Garlic Minced</div>
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1 Small Yellow Onion Minced</div>
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Patis to taste</div>
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Chili Pepper Flakes</div>
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Vegetable Oil</div>
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<b>Directions</b>:</div>
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Saute the garlic and onion in vegetable oil. Mix in the chicken and cover for about 5 minutes. Add the liver spread, pineapples, pineapple juice, milk, cheese. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.</div>
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Add the potatoes, dash of patis, and a pinch chili pepper flakes. When the potatoes are tender, your Pininyahang Manok is ready! Serve with steamed white rice. </div>
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I was nervous making this, because it's my first time and we've never had this in our household. We had this for lunch today and hubby loved it. So did I! Definitely a nice break from the usual Chicken Curry.</div>
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<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192188004446715045.post-10834014647320070092012-09-09T16:39:00.000-07:002012-09-09T16:40:02.969-07:00What do you know, homemade longganisa!Ever since I found out that I'm pregnant, I became way too conscious about what I eat and betchabygollywow it's not the easiest thing in the world for a foodie like me! Apart from the fact that I miss sashimi (and other yummy raw food), ham (and all those deli meats), and coffee (the third menu link on this blog's header!!!), I also can't gain too much weight - and I thought I already had the license to eat whatever's preggers-friendly to my heart's content. I never thought it would be this limiting. In our recent trip to Manila, my Mom told me that all these were nonsense! Ha! When she was pregnant, she ate everything - even the biggest fish with the highest mercury content - and we sisters turned out just fine, I think (hmmm, if she were more cautious then, I would've been a genius hehehe).<br />
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One of my cravings lately is longganisa. Actually, tapa, tocino, and all those connected to the "silogs". Unfortunately, these wonderful stuff contain sodium nitrite, which is a kind of preservative apparently dangerous for pregnant women and <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/344031-sodium-nitrite-pregnancy/">this article</a> will tell you why. <br />
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After years of trying, and having a pregger's worst nightmare happen in the last year, I will do everything in my power to take all precautions and make these limitations work for me. <b>I am bigger than you, longganisa, and I can easily take you down. </b> Hehehe. So... in my nauseated moments in bed, I found myself browsing through you-tube instructional videos of all-natural, skinless longganisa! And it's actually easy (calling <a href="http://spanishpinaynanay.blogspot.com/">Spanish Pinay</a>).<br />
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Ingredients:</div>
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- 1.5 lbs ground pork (I used the lean kind in my goal to be healthier)</div>
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- 2 tbsp brown sugar</div>
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- 1 tsp salt</div>
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- 1 tsp freshly-cracked black pepper</div>
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- 1 head of garlic minced</div>
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- 2 tbsp vinegar</div>
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- 1/3 cup annatto (atsuete) seeds juice (soak the seeds in water)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2H_gF5oBad_dp7sk-Nvl-WRd69YmUrL6dKdZ3avxlfF3YODKxy1KZY1qb-4jhQPYWRkHyR1MFC3JK6W_QyXjg6Q5yEgrRjAAnymobsXpIw3OCQ44FxBZeNJfoRu2-ZQ6TcemjSCnGBk/s1600/IMG_3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2H_gF5oBad_dp7sk-Nvl-WRd69YmUrL6dKdZ3avxlfF3YODKxy1KZY1qb-4jhQPYWRkHyR1MFC3JK6W_QyXjg6Q5yEgrRjAAnymobsXpIw3OCQ44FxBZeNJfoRu2-ZQ6TcemjSCnGBk/s200/IMG_3185.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5oMfNJaeBXY4gTHc1yEUTyvBMCmcngz0IBrSIWdR-lYOTQiIKTTimAesN0jP7V6BRIt9byQcqoxJJ2l4ae090GtuLxoS0x44jel__2WXgNXiyJfhegRbPzaliKsurv4bErKfTp7QD0I/s1600/IMG_3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5oMfNJaeBXY4gTHc1yEUTyvBMCmcngz0IBrSIWdR-lYOTQiIKTTimAesN0jP7V6BRIt9byQcqoxJJ2l4ae090GtuLxoS0x44jel__2WXgNXiyJfhegRbPzaliKsurv4bErKfTp7QD0I/s200/IMG_3187.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Just mix all ingredients together and roll them in cling-wrap, about 1 inch thick and 7-8 inches long. Let it cure in the fridge overnight. In the morning, cut into three pieces, and remove the cling-wrap. Fry in vegetable oil (or olive oil) until it caramelizes and becomes golden reddish brown. Serve with garlic rice, fried egg and tomatoes. Even better, dip in seasoned vinegar, like my favorite <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=pinakurat&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sukapinakurat.com%2F&ei=lSZNUJTNBuno2QX_5YGABQ&usg=AFQjCNFUEBgJO5Ty-exAK20_38aQDkbDew&sig2=13ayd5rpZFnr89poJOc7IA">Pinakurat</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNqMq950SVg7NaIuS7kzN1mb6AztpaoTi7MnFOfteTzwSzlSIJdNQA148hWtDqElroBvatuJCX2NGAGYGrv7bxxldveYZkARKBvDygr5z9ABba4xXw-3ftNwRcqNC3XjGwCZssHlb8Y8/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNqMq950SVg7NaIuS7kzN1mb6AztpaoTi7MnFOfteTzwSzlSIJdNQA148hWtDqElroBvatuJCX2NGAGYGrv7bxxldveYZkARKBvDygr5z9ABba4xXw-3ftNwRcqNC3XjGwCZssHlb8Y8/s200/IMG_3192.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvN6gnSYnEaWdgRfVxDlpsVYfvvOVvMtuvqxKqR2v3YlCqnIi6P8Lv3ckdiSLhD10slOBtDKm60hY0mjZzztSMpy1YcYhbXGYyKIp6Nbp44mghVh-krlekDUTPcWPNxNg1-SNkpGloeA/s1600/IMG_3196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvN6gnSYnEaWdgRfVxDlpsVYfvvOVvMtuvqxKqR2v3YlCqnIi6P8Lv3ckdiSLhD10slOBtDKm60hY0mjZzztSMpy1YcYhbXGYyKIp6Nbp44mghVh-krlekDUTPcWPNxNg1-SNkpGloeA/s200/IMG_3196.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Yup, I couldn't believe I just made my own longganisa. It was actually good - comparable to McDonald's skinless longganisa, but more garlicky, like a skinless Vigan longganisa.</div>
<br />vALLEYgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165590025226817780noreply@blogger.com9