Warning: Hot Days Ahead!

That's according to PAG-ASA. And they say that this summer's going to one of the hottest and longest on record. Time to hit the beach to cool off and take our much needed R&R.

I remember our summers way back then. Every year, our family would never fail to visit the hot spring resorts in Calamba, Laguna. We'd start our trip on the old National Highway early in the morning then end up at around 10 a.m. in one of the resorts that dotted the place. Without being told twice, all the kids would immediately jump into the inviting pool and swim until it's time for lunch. The meal consisted mainly of the obligatory adobo with plain rice, fruits (usually ripe juicy mango or watermelon) and Coke. After that, the kids would jump right back into the pool while the adults lazed around the table to chat or catnap. The day usually ended at 4 pm. We'd pack everything up, dress up (with much protest from the kids) and hit the road back home.

To usher in this hot summer season, here's a layout I did of my DD dancing her heart out on the beach last year. I do love this series of photos I took of her. I used WeRMemoryMakers papers for this layout.

Oh, and I was able to make some thank you cards for my DS's nursery teacher. We'll give it to her on report card day at the end of the month. I can't wait.....My 2 boys are already on vacation, while DD will have hers on the 18th. Welcome to summer!!!

Please check out the gallery of Lasting Impression for the materials used in the "Dance" layout.

Cooking Up a Storm

You may have noticed that I've been really into cooking & baking lately. My constant visits to gorgeous food blogs on the net has awakened the long-dormant Martha Stewart/Ina Garten in me. And getting recipes and knowing that they look good & actually taste good makes it so much easier.

Just recently, I've edited my blog to include updates on some food blogs that I actually follow: smittenkitchen, pioneerwoman (I heart!), our very own pinoycook.net and simplyrecipes (have to add some more). Locally, I am inspired by blogs of scrappers (or relations) who also indulge in their culinary passion among them Tnapay, Sheryl Martinez (hubby's a fantastic chef/foodie), Lee Imao's food critique blog, among others.

And I got even more excited when I got this baby just this January 2009.

No, it's not a 5-digit Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer though it certainly looks like one. It's a Protech Meat Processor (well, don't ask me.....that's what it said on their mailer!) which I bought from Makro Cubao. The demo unit displayed right at the entrance immediately beckoned to me as I walked in to do my regular shopping.

"Buy me! Buy me! Haven't you been wanting to have me or something like me ever since?" "

"Bet you're expensive!"

"I'm only P3,999!"

I looked at the price and said to myself, "Hhmmmm.... P3,999 for a Kitchen Aid is not bad at all." (I didn't know yet what it actually was )

"Whoa!" That's when I did a double-take! How can a KA be so cheap!

Flashback: I HAVE been wishing to have one of these ever since. Years ago, I remember it selling for about P15k at Price Smart (now S&R). Well yes it was cheaper than the going price then at Rustan's but still much too steep for me. Besides, DH said that it was a refurbished unit, whatever that meant. Anyway, I still had my trusty hand mixer (but makes me pasmado after baking...lol!)

Mind you it wasn't an easy decision for me. What if it breaks down after a few days? What if it just looks like a KA but doesn't perform like one? Oh, but it's just too good a deal to let go so I interviewed the merchandiser and asked for a demo of a unit. He took out the bowl , the paddle, the dough hook, the wire whip... oh dear, they look exactly like a KA! A bonus is the meat grinder attachment with 2 blades. Am I dreaming?

Ok, after 10 minutes it was riding on my cart and I was walked around with a silly grin on my face as I hurried to finish my shopping.

So today I baked Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies by Smitten Kitchen and Ina Garten's Chocolate which I saw from Tnapay's blog.

The cookies turned out into giants because I was in hurry to put the dough on the pan. I used an ice cream scooper which makes it so much easier. Verdict: It is (!) crispy outside & chewy inside. Just make sure to add more chocolate chips if making giant ones. Definitely a keeper. Meanwhile, Ina Garten 's chocolate recipe is also a keeper. It's easy to follow and delicious. Just not so hot about the chocolate frosting. Maybe I'll use my old one.

Of course, DS was kind enough to "clean" the bowl & spatula for me.And for dinner, we had Pasta Puttanesca
and Chicken Pot Pie. Try this recipe I got from Smitten Kitchen! It is absolutely easy to make and really, really yummy!

I usually psych and prepare myself a few days before by looking for recipes and checking if I have the ingredients at hand. I just make one final trip to the grocery before the chosen cooking day. Hmmmm... I 'm really enjoying myself. And my family, too! Uh-oh, just a bit scared about the waist-line.

Oh well, I'm hanging up my apron for now . Now off to see what I can whip up next....

I'm a Cover Girl!!!

Er... not I but actually my photos made it to the cover of my DD's school Parent Bulletin. There was no fantastic professional fee at all but just seeing my photos on the cover is more than enough for me.

And the best kicker? My name on the Editorial Team!! Woop! Woop!

Center Time

This morning, I was parent assistant in youngest DS' Nursery Center Day where 3 parents from the batch talked about their professions. The 3 centers were: (tadah!) a zoo, a photo studio and a cartoon animation studio. One of the parents owns Avilon Zoo and their team brought in a menagerie of wonderful creatures. There was Jenny the orangutan (dressed in a pink blouse with matching pink Crocs!), an owl, a tortoise that kept peeing, a gecko, a parrot and rabbits. (Darn! I saw these animals on my way out so I have no pictures.)

Oh well, anyway I was just as excited about my assignment. Our very own class had the very talented photographer, Mr. Ken Go, who built a make-shift photo studio right in the classroom! Ehem, Mr. Go, can I have a few quick pointers, please? lol!

Needless to say all the boys had a blast listening to Ken as he showed the boys what he does for a living. He showed but a few of his works: menus, billboards, ads, parties and events. Gee, won't it be great to be doing what you really love? And earning a living from it?

As a bonus, Ken took shots of ALL the kids in groups of 5. The kids, and the teachers too, were so thrilled to see their images immediately on the TV monitor. Boy, you'll surely see which boys will grow up to be ham actors. lol!

Was too tired to peek into the cartoon animation studio but guess what? DS said that it was his favorite! Why am not surprised?

p.s. In case you're interested, Ken Go uses Nikon!

Summer's Here....

So I better post my Valentine (or sweety-sweety) layouts right away. If you've noticed, I don't really use pink in my layouts. Much as I would really like to I just don't do pink. Too sacharine-sweet-that-gives-a-toothache kinda feeling for me. So what do I do when I get an all pink Making Memories Love Notes Collection kit from Lasting Impression? Well of course dig deep (really deep! like 5 years ago...lol!) and look for baby pictures! Good thing I found this...

It's so pink and sweet all overI think I got a sugar rush while doing this!

And this weekend is kinda special because DH and I will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary, W! Thank you for all these wonderful years we've shared together! I really, really feel lucky and blessed to be in such a caring and supportive relationship with you. Here's to more years ahead of us! Please out the gallery of Lasting Impression for the materials used in the Pure Love layout.

My Happy Place

Ooooops... I forgot to post this layout I made for Lasting Impression.

Do you sometimes match the colors on the picture (eg. clothes, pillow (!), background) with the paper you use? I got the Cosmo Cricket Jack's World line from Lasting Impression and was thrilled when I saw that it perfectly matched DS' clothes, including the pillow! (Did I just repeat myself? lol!) I just love these colors. Reminds me of happy times & happy places.

Oh and many thanks to all you readers out there. A few asked for pictures of the Oreo cheesecake I made last Sunday so here it is.... Not sure if it's just me but I thought my Oreo cheesecake tasted much better after sitting overnight in the ref.

Please check out Lasting Impression's gallery for more ideas!

Another Baking Attempt....and Some Pictures

My DS was around again to help me make Oreo Cheesecake. I dumped some Oreos into the blender and gave DS specific instructions.

Ready....

Set.....
Go!!!!

DS jumped up & down and made like he was shaking inside the blender hence the blurred image. I was laughing awfully hard and tried to keep my hands as steady as possible while I took these shots.

Oh and I took some pictures of these lovely flowers outside.... Just makes me wants to sing...
You are my sunshine...
My only sunshine...
You make me happy....

Now back to my cheesecake...

We Made These Today.....

For this brand new year, I told myself I'd spend more time in the kitchen. Aside from scrapbooking blogs, I also regularly visit food blogs and have been inspired by all the baking & cooking these talented people have been doing. I've actually been baking since I was a child. Learned mostly by reading recipe books and watching & helping my mom & aunt bake. There are a few tested recipes I've kept for years and going over them sure brought back good memories.

Today, I tried a peanut butter cookie recipe I found at smittenkitchen.com. We always have chocolate chip oatmeal cookies at home so I decided to try out this one. My youngest DS was my able assistant and made the whole process even more enjoyable. His job was to roll the cookies into small balls & put chocolate chips on top. And his reward for all the hard work? Of course, he got to lick the bowl and spatula!

The verdict? I found them quite delicious, DD & youngest DS gave the thumbs up & eldest DS found them just "ok" because he says he didn't like peanut butter in his cookies (lol)! Try it! Of course, I had to take pictures of these lovelies.

Mix and Match

Another promise I made myself is to use up (really!!) my stash. I got to thinking that I should try to squeeze in as much products from different manufacturers in a layout as I can without making it too cluttered. So far, am doing it and I hope I'll stick to it.

For this Xmas layout, I used "old" papers from the Scenic Route Rockland Collection together with Teresa Collins' 'Tis the Season line. I also used Maya Road journaling cards and thickers for the title.

This next one I was esp. happy with. I finally (!) used my Rhonna Farrer French Twist paper & chipboard journaling panels (I still have too much!), mixed it with papers from Collage Press & Scenic Route Sonoma Collection. I also used another favorite of mine: Cosmo Cricket's Blackboard Fleuriste.

Happy New Year!

I am just amazed at the endless stream of parties and the non-stop eating that we did over the holidays! Oh, I wonder how much pounds I've gained again? Hah! But truly, this last Christmas was truly a good one!!! DH especially enjoyed the almost 2 week holiday. He said that this is the longest that he's been on a holiday for a very, very long time.

Happily, I was able to make a few layouts and a mini to mark this "most joyous season of all". I tried to mix "old" and new releases from Rusty Pickle, Scenic Route, Sandylion and Teresa Collins. Made me feel good to go through my stash (again!...lol!).

For the mini, I tried to capture all the significant events during the month of December which included my DS' confirmation, the parties, and of course Xmas Day itself. Thanks for the idea, Ali Edwards!

The next LO I completed in about 10 minutes. I was staring at the pictures when the idea for the title came to me. ha-ha...Precious little rascals! Putting on the alphabet stickers was the hardest part for me. My journaling reads: "Sige...If you don't behave (or do as you're told), you won't get any gifts from Santa" And so goes the mild threat I make to get the kids to toe the line. Most of the time it works but once in a while, I get a blank stare and a snicker.

Of course I had to make an LO for my DS! I really, really love the precious expression I captured on my DS' face! Truly, Christmas is for children. And finally, this is one of the Christmas layouts I made for Lasting Impression. I used Rusty Pickles Snowflakes & Mittens line which was truly yummy! Materials are available at Lasting Impression. Please check out it out here.