Here's some easy peasy comfort food originally from Hawaii. And since my toothache came back, generous servings of gravy helped a lot!
DONE. I guess I will consider it truly a “milestone” if the COMMENT function is finally fixed. And the most convenient sacrificial lamb? Word Verification! I axed it. It did seem like (based on feedback from the kind and concerned souls), the culprit to unsuccessful commenting in my blog the past weeks, er, months. So never mind the spam. I have to open the window and let the bad air in, because I want to let the good air in as well.
Anyhoozens, I hope this works. It’s been a pesky lil problem that I seriously don’t have the luxury of time to sit on and figure out anymore.
If it still doesn’t work out, I will most likely get my ever reliable e-friend to come to the rescue. But I’ll wait. I don’t want to bother someone who is working on a larger-scaled project for me. (You know who you are!) Wink wink
WILL DO. If you noticed (at all!), my blogroll disappeared (together with other links and widgets and thingamabobs). Yeah, don’t ask, it hurts! I did something terrible following a “senior moment” while I was tweaking my template. Again. Don’t ask. It hurts! But on the thingamabobs – I guess it’s a blessing in disguise. It de-cluttered the site, somehow.
I will slowly build these up again soon though.
And you will be on the roll!
It's been a heavenly experimentation on food the past few days in my kitchen. I had guests come over recently (a group of smarty pants copywriters who are the most smarty pants and quick-witted yet the most caring friends in the world). One of them I worked with in the past during my geek days. Yes, worked, and went-through-hell-because-of-a-bad boss with. The Devil Wears Prada at its best. These horrible experiences, I believe, created the strong unbreakable bond that our friendship was built on. At least something good came out of those stressful all-nighters at work, while we were beating deadlines, eating chinese in a box, resting our foreheads on our desks when we couldn't hang on anymore, with light coffee-colored drool staining the papers we were supposed to finalize and subject to the scrutiny of Mama Hitler. Which made us perpetually wonder, because weren't we supposed to work on our own schedules and pick our own time? She was an exemption to the case.
Oh, a wave of nostalgia is sweeping me off to those days of promotions, advertising, marketing plans....and....
I have to stop now, before I start remembering my ex who also worked with us that time. I'm just glad that I've retained the good friendships born from these past experiences, no matter how horrible some of these have been.
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In my art,
my heart....
In everything that I do.
Another thing why I'm always joyous and proud when I talk about art is because this craft is what connects me to my father who, to me, is the better artist. I am not very confident with my skill (and talent?) yet but I do know that I have something to offer. And what I have to offer roots from the genes I inherited from my dad. Like I always say, our art is like the invisible thread that ties our hearts together. Forever!
So what do I want to give him to honor him this coming Father's Day? Why am I so excited about it? I plan to send him a work of art, just like what I did for my mom on Mother's Day. But aside from that, I will make sure to give him another token that he can surely use-- one of those really cool Military Watches! My dad is a watch collector....name brand, vintage, fashion pieces, you name it. To him, it's not just about the price, but the fashion statement as well. Omega and Oakleys are two of his favorites, but he doesn't stop there. As long as it matches his entire outfit, he'll go for it. Yeah, he's vain that way. He was a commercial model in the past, and is certainly conscious of looking put together when he goes out. Well, that's my dad. Not irritatingly vain, but respectably well-groomed. And I support it. Especially since he's 74 and still looks 50. Teehee!
I love my dad.
And I'm going back to work now. Posting some Amazon Affiliate links for my bro-in-law:
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Addition:
05.13.13 Happy Friday the 13th! It's a lucky day!
And yeah, I'm back to tell you how I made this dish. So in a past post I shared a recipe for Teriyaki Salmon Pasta. But truth be told, I'm always stubborn to follow recipes especially if I have existing ingredients (mostly leftovers) that I don't want to go to waste.
The original recipe called for stuff, which I am crossing out to replace what exactly transpired in my kitch:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup
1 package
1 Tbsp flour
To cut to the chase...
Marinate salmon pieces on Yoshida sauce.
Grill salmon (I use my George Foreman)
Boil water with a drizzle olive oil and salt.
Cook pasta as directed.
Save about 2 cups of pasta water (you won't use it all but..y'know)
Separately,
Warm pan.
Drizzle olive oil (three O's on the pan)
Melt butter in olive oil.
Add the peas and carrots.
Add the teriyaki sauce.
Add pasta water.
Mix.
Add the flour.
Stir.
Drizzle a little more teriyaki - pasta water *eyeball it*
Set aside a cup of it.
Mix the pasta on the pan with the sauce.
Serve on a plate.
Top pasta with the Salmon.
Drizzle spare sauce (the one I asked you to set aside) on top of salmon and pasta.
ENJOY!
Bonus tips:
Teriyaki sauce marries pasta well. This asian fusion concoction is a winner!
And grilled shrimps. (too bad the hubs is allergic to it)
It's about an old flame (I debated if I should use "fling" instead...but figured he's really not in that category, and well, I've never been the "fling" kind of person anyway). Well, he showed up in my dream and it was really weird. It just evoked the same emotions (not love or anything) surrounding the circumstances in the past why we were never were despite the strong and screaming potential of us being a couple. Suffice it to say, I decided to be wise about the whole thing and distance myself before it became even a step closer to being "possibly serious". Call me a party pooper, or a kill joy (get the drift of the story?) but I held my stand about being proper and moral (perhaps that's not even the word to put it), I chose to stay away even if you know, back then, if I was going to have things my way and follow my heart...and my heart alone, I could have fallen. And buried myself deep into a horrible, and perhaps heartbreaking situation anyway.
Don't get me wrong, he wasn't the only "one", there were several options that came and went, but he and I, I guess, had great conversations and genuine caring friendship. I was scared that those weren't enough. Truthfully, looking back, I guess it really wasn't going to be enough. So I know I made the right decision. When I got married, he was really happy for me but couldn't come because he was just getting over a failed marriage (not because of me okay). I'm not even a factor. We were friends before he even met his ex-spouse. We were friends when he decided to get married. We were friends while he was trying to save his marriage. But sadly, things went awry. It's a long convoluted complicated story.
When I moved away, I couldn't say goodbye, he was undergoing.treatment of drug addiction
that weighed him down all throughout his adult life. I just sent a card and recently we have reconnected on Facebook. He's found his second chance. I'm just so happy.
With the past month being alcohol awareness month, I just thought it was okay to post a little part of me that I never said anything about. Especially with the weird dream I just had. I should really say, he lost his chances with me because of his addiction for the most part (and well, among other sad things), but I am still his friend. I still keep in touch and offer the friendship, not only so I will have peace of mind knowing that he remains rehabilitated, but so I will have the chance to be happy for him and his second chances (not me).
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Making this for dinner tonight!
Ingredients
1 package of smoked salmon
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup lite soy sauce
1/3 cup water
1 package rainbow rotini
1 Tbsp flour
2 cups snap peas
Directions
Cook pasta as directed. Add snap peas for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, saute smoked salmon for about 30 seconds on each side. or regular salmon (until cooked through) if you prefer...
In a small saucepan combine oil, brown sugar, water, soy sauce and flour and simmer over low heat until slightly thickened.
Toss salmon into the pasta and snap pea mixture and top individual servings with sauce with sauce.
Makes 4 servings.
Number of Servings: 4
Courtesy of: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=438769
I think I’m gonna throw in a little butter somewhere there! And broccoli instead of snap peas. Let’s see what happens…
Well, back to the cake. Everyone has been requesting for this healthy option so they can indulge without worrying about cholesterol levels and the like. You might think how a cake can go eggless, or if that is even possible but trust me, it is! You don't need eggs for a cake to rise, or any baked goods for that matter. I'm actually thinking of replacing the sugar with something like Splenda for baking sugar substitute so even those watching their glycemic levels won't have to care as well. (I'm talking as if we didn't have Tres Leches on Thursday night too)...Haha.
We try whenever we can to go healthy by cooking, choosing and replacing ingredients with healthier options. But I guess that is to balance the sinful dishes we treat ourselves too, especially on a lazy Saturday morning. Upon waking up, I made a big breakfast of bacon, two eggs each, turkey breakfast sausages, biscuits and gravy. I know, an eggless cake recipe seems defenseless in this battle of calories. But I vow to keep the hub-hub's tummy happy at least once a week.
Because a happy tummy means a happy hubby.
I wish I can throw in the "healthy" into the picture soon. I will!
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What does your weekend plan look like? Mine is probably gonna be LESS busy than usual but I don't want to speak to soon and jinx it. I see a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond to pick up the bathroom shelf cabinet that I've been eyeing and which I believe have mentioned a few days back. But before that, I've got to get over some hurdles first....like fold the laundry which is starting to mimic Mt. Everest again, and of course, straighten up piles of household paperwork including business thingamabobs.
I have just finished some serious article deadlines (not the blogging kind) and so now I'm transitioning to a relaxed mode. Later when the hubs comes home, I am plotting to twist his arm to take me out for some sushi. We both worked so hard this week, and yes, with two parties on a weeknight that we had to deal with, so I guess we both deserve the treat.
I will also check online for nice kitchen sinks (initially really just for us and our future reno plans, but my sister is also asking because their kitchen sink is about to disintegrate right before their eyes, well, their house is older than ours, so go figure). I know it's too early for us to pick one but my sister's case is more of like an emergency. So I want to help her with it. My own "window shopping" is really for entertainment purposes for now though I have already have the concept figured out in my head.
I'll concentrate on the bathroom first.
And then backyard...
And then yes, kitchen! Maybe 2012?
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We will be here to support them anytime they need it. After all, that's what friends are for. If it is going to be beyond our control again, then we will not think twice about persuading him to submit himself to another round of Alcohol Treatment Programs until the problem is nipped in the bud.
But it looks very promising now. We still have to set a date to see the couple (no children) and spend time with them. I think it is important for them to be surrounded by strength and love until they are back on their feet and confident that they will conquer all trials if they come again.
But of course, we hope that the worst is over.
We will probably invite them over, I will cook and we will serve....soda and water.
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But I guess I really appreciate that my opinion ifsvalued even if it's just as simple as "Yeah, I think they're good based on what the website says."
Oh I get it now, I'm not really Mrs. 411. I'm everyone's ever-loyal secretary who is willing to do all the research and paperwork when people need it. Push-over much?
I like it though. I always pick up and learn something while at it anyway. So, why not?
I hope to be able to pick that up in the weekend and use the 20% coupon. I'm gonna be a happy camper again.
My home projects are slowly coming into fruition. My sister suggested the Undermount Kitchen Sink for our kitchen and I've been checking a wide variety of Undermount Kitchen Sinks as well. I'm sure I will come across "THE ONE" as I've finally found the bathroom shelf cabinet I have always wanted.
Decorating the home can really be likened to getting into a relationship. Most of the time, you don't have to force things and settle with what is right there. Sometimes, if we wait, we will find THE ONE. And so the feeling of happiness and contentment will be beyond compare.
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These "sensation" memories are playing tricks on me. For instance, I hop into my car and feel the rising hot whiff of air on my arms -- reminiscent of hot summer days where I also struggle with my leather seats, and thoughts of coming home to a backyard that smells of hubby's barbecue start rolling in. Plus the scorching and blinding hot sun as I drive home....all in the thick of spring. What gives?
Last night, the hubs was in deep slumber completely on top of the comforter. I smell AC repair coming right up since our condenser had pretty much conked out last year. We have two months to get ready.
But with the way things are happening though, who knows? We might be shivering in the middle of summer.