Feeling Minty

I'm loving this necklace that I got from Forever21. It took me two visits to finally purchase it ('coz I'm stingy that way, he he he). I'm not much into accessories because I simply cannot put them together fashionably like most people.

The silver bangles, I've had for more than 15 years. Hubby gave them to me from a business trip in Pakistan. They have recently been unearthed from my jewelry box and I paired them with a mint bangle from Forever21 as well.

Honestly, I've worn the necklace like ten times already since I bought it weeks ago.

Anyway, just a random post.

Hubby's Birthday Grub

I've been sick for the past week. Such bad timing because Hubby celebrated his birthday and I wasn't able to cook nor bake anything nice. Fortunately though, my housekeeper is very reliable and can duplicate some of my recipes. I chose very simple and easy, family tested recipes to serve last Sunday. We had some steamed crabs, pancit molo, fried shrimps, baby back ribs. My housekeeper likes to decorate the food with "found objects" in the crisper.

I normally like to make salads and bake cakes personally but my body wasn't too keen on the idea.

Our two nieces, Jessica and Ashley, and I, did manage to bake some sugar cookies from a cookie dough that I had frozen a couple of weeks ago, so we did have some freshly baked goodies.

Belated happy birthday, Hubby! You are the love of my life. You make me happy.

Oatmeal

This morning:

Hubby: "Why are you wearing pants? Are you sick?!"

My thought balloon:

"Yes, I was vomiting last night, you were in the bathroom with me! I used up a whole roll of tissue blowing my nose this morning!"

What I said instead:

"Do I look frumpy?"

Hubby sensing my prickly mood, he said instead .....

Hubby: "What shoes are you wearing with that?"

I showed him.

"Nah, you don't look frumpy. Just so............"

I will wear really comfy oatmeal ensemble anytime I want to. Thank you very much.

Hello World

Well, hello world, dear readers, if I had any left. It's been an amazing, exciting and interesting few months since I have done some serious blogging.

I've been to some amazing places, restaurants and been practicing my mommy skills on my two adorable pamankins, Jayjay and Ashley, who have found a weekend home with Hubby and me. Our world revolves around those two punks during the weekends. I, personally, am loving it. Hubby, to my utter surprise, took the "daddy" role quite seriously and is enjoying himself immensely. We're always looking forward to spending time with those two. I feel like they came from my own womb, that's how much I love them. Instant weekend kids. Wow! Since we can't have any kids (I'm trying to be realistic here, since I'll be forty next year), I guess this is the next best thing, right? No late night feeding, no stretch marks, no changing of dirty diapers. I think I got a pretty good deal. One of 'em even looks like me! :-)

Anyway, change of topic, I'm addicted to Pinterest too, that's why I haven't blogged for quite some time. I spend whatever free time I have browsing through recipes (some I have made, the three layer brownies WERE the bomb!) and browsing through shoes, clothes and make-up. Yes, make-up. I started wearing  a little make-up recently. Now, I can't go out without my face being spackled with BB cream. Seriously, I can't face the world without it. I realized I probably scared small children with my raccoon eyes prior. Sheesh, those poor kids.

I kinda miss my kitchen too. I haven't baked as much as I used to. I have so many recipes archived in my "to bake" files and even more savory recipes on "to cook" files, for those future "fabulous parties" that we will host (I have so many ideas swimming in my head, that I want to try out).  I also have to re-train my housekeeper with new recipes to revamp our daily menu. Ok, seriously, I gotta get my culinary life back on track.

Good luck with that.

Tito Chef Restaurant

Well, hello there! I'm kinda back, not from the dead but, from some sort of "mommyhood". The two punks are always with us on weekends and I am loving the sound of laughter (and sometimes bickering) of little children at home. I've also been in a state of catatonia (errr laziness) on weekdays.

Anyway, I made a lot of food these past few months and I baked a ton. Sorry, I haven't shared them with you lately. I am so behind my food and baking posts. I'm not sure if I should even post them.

I'm just making a quick one today regarding my date night with Hubby last night. Such a rare occasion nowadays. We managed to go home at the same time last night and decided to have dinner at a newly opened restaurant in BF/Tahanan area called Tito Chef. The parking seems to be always full so I guess the food must be good.

For starters we tried the Calamari with Kimchi Mayonnaise. I must say though, despite the "exotic" sounding name, the dish is quite ordinary but not bad. I probably won't be ordering this again, the batter for the calamari was too salty and spicy.

I also tried the Spinach and Raclette Souffle. I really liked the Raclette Sauce. Very nice, well rounded and not too salty (nor smelly).

Hubby ordered the Ox Tongue Bordelaise. The ox tongue was fork tender and the sauce was quite good too. The serving was generous and presented well.

I ordered the Bleu Cheese Alfredo. It was ok, a little on the bland side. It would have been much nicer if more bleu cheese was added. The mushrooms were delicious though.

For dessert, Hubby and I shared a Macha Praline Torte. We both liked this cake. Tito Chef, as far as I have experienced, is the only one serving this type of cake. The cake also has many layers of flavor, all subtle and not overwhelming, which i think is quite important after such a heavy meal. 

Xiao Long Bao - Shi Lin Restaurant

I had a craving for Xiao Long Bao a few days ago. We normally don't order it when we eat at Chinese Restaurants, until we discovered it in Din Tai Fung in Taipei.

There's a Chinese restaurant in Alabang Town Center (ATC) called Shi Lin. Shi Lin, based on some entries that I've read online, serves one of the best Xiao Long Baos in Manila.

The gold standard when it comes to Xiao Long Bao is Din Tai Fung of course (because it got a Michelin rating, duh!). Shi Lin's version of Xiao Long Bao, surprisingly, didn't come out too bad. It was pleasantly delicious. The main difference though, in our tastebuds at least, was that Shi Lin's version doesn't "linger" in the palate, as if to say yuuuuuuuum in the longest physical way possible. If that makes sense at all (it probably doesn't, he he he). Admittedly though, Din Tai Fung's version was so delicious and memorable, most restaurants probably couldn't live up to its standards.

The Xiao Long Bao wrappers at Shi Lin were made by hand and on site, so it's guaranteed fresh, which is an added bonus.

Since we can't fly to Taipei every weekend, I would go back to Shi Lin to have some Xiao Long Bao. It's reasonably priced, prepared fresh and so near our house. No need to take a plane ride :-)

Niagara-on-the-Lake and Canada's Best Ice Cream

One of the most peaceful places that I've seen in my almost 40 years of life on this good earth is called Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's a small, quaint and very picturesque community just a few kilometers from Niagara falls in Ontario, Canada.

As we were walking around, I really felt that I was abroad, in a faraway land, like maybe Wisteria Lane from the Desperate Housewives or some movie set.  It's just so pretty! The houses and cottages are so beautiful, some even have picket fences,  most of the gardens are well kept and the community has that laid back feel.

It's also a plus that Canada's best ice cream, Cow's, is located along its main street. The ice cream flavors there are so rich and creamy, no wonder Cow's was voted Canada's best!

I love the feel of the store and it's quirky merchandise.

A certain little girl enjoyed her ice cream so much.