Jewelry, Fragrance & Flowers for Valentine's Day

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Pork Recipe: Paksiw na Lechon (Pork in Liver Sauce)

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds roast pork butt (leftover pork roast may be used), cut into cubes
• 2 cups Liver Sauce
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 3 bay leaves
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar

Cooking preparations:

Mix all ingredients in a large enamel ware or non-aluminum pot. Boil and simmer
for about 2 hours.

Funny pregnant pictures posted by bloggers

Internet is very helpful to housewives like me not only in terms of information, making money, shopping but at times when I feel tired and stress. Being at home most of the times especially when kids gone for school and hubby to his work, after the chores I sit down and explore the web. One of the items I usually search is about pictures. It is very broad so my search will depend on my mood. At this moment, I just finished my laundry and really kind of tired. I opened my computer to check any email and my 2 blogs. Aside from that, I looked for some funny pics to lighten my day. I don’t know what came to my mind and I typed “funny pregnant pics.”

Below are 3 pictures of pregnant women posted by other co-bloggers. Honestly speaking, with my 2 pregnancies I was not able to take a picture of my belly. Sigh!!! Now I don’t know how it looked like then. The only thing I remember during my pregnancies was that my tummy didn’t get this big. Ouch!!!

Sarah Romer of The Romers

The-Jokes.org

I Still Hate Pickles

Sotanghon (Chicken Vermicelli)

My kids are kind of choosy when it comes to food but when I cook noodles it’s a go. At this point, I’m on the stage where I usually prepare food I’m sure my kids will eat to avoid squabble. But there are times I prepare something for them to try on so that little by little they can get accustom in eating different food. This one is great as snacks especially on rainy or cold weather.

Ingredients:

• 1 2 1/2 - to 3 -pound chicken
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 1 cup onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 3 tablespoons cookin g oil
• 1/2 cup dried Chinese mushrooms(soak in 2 cups water, drain, add liquid to chicken broth)
• 1/2 cup anatto water
• 1/2 cup carrots, cut julienne-style and then in half
• 1/2 cup leeks, cut julienne-style and then in half
• 1/4 cup celery, cut julienne-style and then in half
• 1/2 pound sotanghon noodles, also known as vermicelli (bean threads), soaked in water and, when soft, cut into 6-inch lengths
• fish sauce or salt and pepper to taste

Cooking procedures:

In a stockpot, boil chicken, bay leaves, peppercorns and 1 cup onion. Set aside and
let cool. Strain broth through a sieve. Set aside. Remove all flesh from the boiled
chicken. Discard the skin and cut chicken meat into thin strips.
In a wok or frying pan, saute garlic and 1/2 cup onion in oil until transparent.
Stir in chicken. Add anatto water and 3 cups chicken broth and bring to boil over
high heat. Stir in carrots, leeks and celery. Add sotanghon noodles. Add fish sauce or
salt and pepper to taste.

Random drug testing for students

The government will commence its random drug testing among high school and college students on February 2. I guess this action rooted on the issues of “Alabang Boys” (as how PDEA tagged this particular operation), last year’s case of a student caught selling drugs inside a renowned school and for sure on the fact that the issue on drugs is still unsolved and unfortunately even reached the schools, universities and bars in the metropolis.

As a mother to 2 kids, I feel positive about this random drug testing action by the government. Though my kids are still young, aged 8 and 4, I keep on educating them those realities about life aside from independence. At times when kids left home, I pray that they will return home safely and that nothing bad will happen to them while in school. Making friends is part of their school lives but to some kids this particular action is quite hard to deal with. At some point, kids tend to follow instructions from other kids even knowing that such thing is bad or may harm them.

This random drug testing issue is a big help to parents who are unable to know the happenings of their kids at school. The government and its agencies concerned on the other hand must protect the welfare of the kids in the performance of this testing like the issues of confidentiality, bribery, and other concerns to ensure the success of this action and for better chance of getting kids stay out of drugs.

Click here for more info.

Lengua con Champignon (Ox Tongue with Mushroom)

Among the recipes I wanted to do for the family is this Lengua, the one with mushroom. Most of the occasions I am fortunate to attend too has this dish and I do really loved the taste. Ever since I cooked, I never made one dish using ox tongue. Aside from the fact that I don’t know its recipes, my kids are kind of choosy when it comes to food. Since they like butter and mushroom maybe they will like this one. Below is the recipe from Yolly.

Ingredients:

• 1 ox tongue
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh chopped tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons peppercorns
• 1/4 cup white wine

Cooking procedures:

Boil ox tongue in large pot of water for 15 minutes. Drain. Peel off or scrape outer
skin. Trim root ends and wash thoroughly. Marinate tongue in lemon juice and
soy sauce for 1 hour. Brown in olive oil and butter. Set aside.
In the same pan, saute garlic, onions and tomatoes. Put back tongue and add
peppercorns and white wine. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours or until
tongue is tender. (A pressure cooker may be used to lessen cooking time.) Slice
tongue and arrange on a platter. Set aside sauce. Serve with mushroom-butter
sauce.

Mushroom-Butter Sauce preparations:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• sauce from tongue
  

Melt butter in skillet. Blend in flour. Add the mushrooms and sauce. Bring to a
boil. Water may be added if sauce is too thick. Pour over sliced meat and serve.

Pictures.. Pictures.. Pictures..

When I prepared our things for the visit to Manila last weekend for the 2009 Sto. Niño fiesta, I ensured that the digital camera will not be forgotten. The fiesta is one of the full blast celebrations in Manila where you can practically see many people walking in the streets, vendors here and there, karaoke in the streets, contests, and a lot more. Parking is really painstaking but time and again it has always been merry and colorful fiesta for the Manileños.

For those who experienced the fiesta, you have the idea already of what I am talking here but for others who don’t take a look at the pictures below which shows the happenings of the recent fiesta.

Procession is being held every Saturday afternoon and 2 on Sunday. The route is being managed by the parish organizations in collaboration with the Manila police to ensure peace and safety procession. It has always been filled with devotees carrying their own images of Sto. Niño while dancing in the music of the bands that joined the procession.

In some streets, aside from the contests they also held mini-games and dancing to give more fun and excitement. Also, some household rented or used their own karaoke or sing-along appliances and placed in front of the house and have their singing pleasure. A common practice not being minded by others even how loud it is.

Decors usually filled the street to add on the festivity. Some has what we called “pabitin” wherein the statue of Sto. Niño is being showered with flowers, perfume, ballons, and more as thanksgiving and love.

During fiesta, there are many vendors along the street selling food and stuff. Some are stationed in the front of their house or a rented place while some roams.

2009 Sto. Niño Fiesta

Last January 18 was the feast of Sto. Niño in Manila. The family usually visits the relatives in time for the annual celebration. As usual, Tondo was filled with devotees and visitors to commemorate and renew their devotion to Sto. Niño.

Below are the pictures of the original Sto. Niño crowned and dressed with expensive diamonds. I don’t know the full story when the statue was stolen but you can trace it on the markings on her face. It said that the whole statue was cut into several pieces.

During the procession, I saw the incumbent Mayor of Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim, while waiting for my sisters along the street. I noticed that he allowed taking pictures with him so I took mine.

On my next post, I will be sharing with you other photos during the fiesta so see you next time.

Boots and shoes for President Barack Obama

Although the coverage for the inauguration of the president elect and now President Barack Obama fell on a midnight here in the Philippines, I can’t help but got excited too like those millions of Americans who witnessed the big day. Thru the live coverage of FOX News, I was able to watch it and felt happy for the Americans that despite the global financial meltdown their optimism is still there. A lot of things to be done and resolve and time is of uncertainty but as he said “Begin the work of remaking America.” Like any inaugural address, his contains promises towards recovery and prosperity and I guess for the Americans those are something to look forward too.

As the new president of the most powerful country in the world, President Obama will be facing deep and tough jobs to meet all his promises. But apart from it the president must always look and dress at his best. Maybe his fashion stylist could consider Thorogood shoes for his daily office use or maybe a Boot like the Thorogood 10” Wildland Fire Boot with removable zipper for his casual wear because it is flame and cut-resisting leather perfect to protect the feet of the president.

No matter how President Obama will face the challenges of his position it is still better for him to look at his best at all times as it adds a positive outlook for those people looking up to him. Goodluck!!!

Inauguration of US President Barack Obama

While writing this post I am watching the live coverage of FOX NEWS for this big and special event in America, Inauguration 2009 President Barack Obama. With his election as the first African American president, “change really has come to America.” Racism is one issue during the election among others. But I guess right now, Americans voted for somebody they hope and pray will lead them towards prosperity again. In this kind of occasion, I believe everyone around the world should rejoice and share with the happiness of Americans and wish them all the luck for the success of their new president.

Seeing those people who took time and patiently waited for the swearing in of their 44^th president, I can’t help but get excited too and share with their sentiments that this president will lead them in the right path.

Triple Awards from EmptyStreets27

It has been a year now since I started blogging. Most of my friends way back on the first quarter of 2008 are Filipinos living here and abroad. One of them is a dear friend from Makati, Metz. He used to recognize me and my blog in several ways since then and right now for the Nth time he is giving me this Triple Awards. Thanks my dear friend for all the recognitions and for the friendship. Stay healthy and keep blogging.

In return to my other online Filipino friends, for all the support and friendship we had for over a year now, let me share you this award.

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Kiddie rides and more

In our visit to Enchanted Kingdom, hubby and I decided to go noontime so the kids will have a great time riding and exploring the park. We arrived past 12noon and we went home after the park announced the closing. We were able to watch the weekend fireworks display of the park at around 8pm and then resume with the rides until closing time at 9pm.

Below are other rides and shows the place has to offer to its local and foreign visitors. Other rides are closed like Condor and Jungle Log Jam for maintenance.