Smell of Spring

If I'd be given one wish that Mother nature would grant this instant, it would be have four seasons in this tropical country. Being born and lived here all my life, I've longed to experience Winter. Spring. Autumn. 

To hold out a snow ball and make snow angels. Wear a coat and put on my boots and mittens and walk down central park while hugging myself to keep me warm. I love the colors of Fall. Red, Orange, Brown and Burgundy, the dried leaves on the pathway, the sight of red leaves falling from an oak tree. the smell of musk and sandalwood.  And then there's Spring. The new beginning. The fresh, crisp sent of flowers all around you. I can imagine myself reading a book the whole day in the company of nature. That would be lovely. The sound of chirping birds. The feeling of being around nature is what I like about spring.. not too hot.. not too cold ... just right.

I know its spring time somewhere in this planet. And I want you to know that I envy you. One day. someday. I will get to experience spring time. maybe in another country. in another continent. definitely someday.

But for now, you, who gets to enjoy this four seasons... should not waste your time indoors... Go out and smell the flowers.. the Smell of Springtime.

 

My favorite city during spring time

Reading a book surrounded by nature -- I love.

Yoga at the Park -- interesting.

Company of Friends -- Precious.

xoxo,
 S




Photo Credits: Boston.com The Big Picture
Eiffel Tower :Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images
Woman: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images
Yoga: Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Friends: Dina Rudick/The Boston Globe 

Once upon a time in Paco

I was with my colleague, Keevee for a client meeting in Paco. Our taxi driver dropped us off at the gate of Paco Park (as i knew it then). We were giddy to take a peek at the gated park but first things first --meet the client who's office is just in front of the park (how convenient eh?)

I am not proud to mention on this post that in my 26 years here in Manila, i have never set foot on this historical ground. I know I know (what the F! right?) But I have now and I'm surprised to learn that this used to be a cemetery and the remains of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal were interred here for more than a decade. A historical landmark amidst a bustling city. And its great that this place is being taken cared of.

Before I just knew that this is a place where people get married and have wedding parties and cultural concerts...now I know better.


Come visit and walk down memory lane.

Historical Marker

The entrance 

the Chapel

Fountain of Youth?

 

Bricks of the past

Tombs

At the center of a busy City

Nature in History

all at once in a glance

xoxo.
S

Photos taken by HTC Desire S 5megapixel smartphone camera.

Sunken Garden Scrapbook

One Sunday morning, friends invited us for a picnic and a game of cranium ...I usually stay in bed a little bit longer during Sunday, but had to get up early and prepare the things that we need to bring ( I was assigned to bring cooked rice :)) As early as 8 am we head up to UP sunken garden.

the UP oval is full of runners and bikers, thus it is closed to motorists so we had to park beside Palma Hall and walk all the way to Sunken Garden. It's actually a great place to jog since there are many tress that makes you feel you are running with nature plus its shady even if the sun is up already and safe since you don't need to worry about incoming traffic.

lovers and joggers

Found our spot and waited for our friends to arrive. I can see my son is so excited to see the wide open field to run around and play. I wonder that goes on their head when they see this kind of places... I know I have been a kid before but I can't really recall...is it freedom? maybe it is.

oh look at that smile...excited much?

Chicken Pork Adobo made by Grace and Potato Egg Salad prepared by Liz  and my Brown Rice were enjoyed with conversations and laughter. I was just planning to watch them play Frisbee with my son... but who am I kidding? there is no such thing as "just planning to watch" because you can never make a solid plan when you are with your kid/kids... its "always go with the flow".

 

picnic time

I'm happy and comfy just watching the game

My son's energy filled the sunken garden and played Badminton and Frisbee with everyone. I too was challenged by my son on a one on one. I had so much fun but I also was dead tired after almost 3 hours of running around catching the Frisbee and hitting the shuttlecock.

Let the game begin!

Good Catch Daddy A!

Let's Go Grace!

running up the hill

And a tantrum was not far behind...

its inevitable. expect the unexpected.

Finally, I was able to rest and had some quite time when my son decided to draw a Jeepney that he saw passby. Good thing I was prepared like a Girl Scout. Brought paper and marker for drawing.

And there's a new meaning to the word... La-Z- Boy...

Our drivers... i mean Our husbands.

No Cranium game that took place this day but it was still fun to be with friends on a Sunday Morning. It was a physically tiring day instead of a mentally challenging day... to which I was not prepared at all (I didn't even had the chance to do some stretching!)... oh Well, Maybe next time I'll have the chance to experience the game too..

But before we leaving, my son enjoyed playing Frisbee so much that he does not want to return the disk... so I had to convince him that we have to give it back.... after a few minutes... Success!!

convincing a child to return something they want is a true challenge

Hubby like a school boy

  And so we bid each other our goodbyes and left Sunken Garden with a great feeling of happiness. And its all because of the bonding that took place for 3 hours but its enough to last a lifetime of memories. Come and visit UP... whatever the agenda is : jogging, biking, frisbee, badminton, football, picnic etc...I'm sure you'll have a grand time if shared with friends and family.

xoxo.
S

Photo Credits to: @mrsLBM and @shenski

Baked Chicken and Stir-Fried Veggies

Another weekend. Another dilemma. What to make for lunch, for dinner, in this case its dinner. We had brunch so didn't have to worry about Lunch. Then came dinner time. I checked the fridge and all i have are chicken wings, and pork cuts...and my vegetables tray didn't help much. I only found some carrots, a bell pepper, some tomatoes and lemons. And in my panty, there's a can of kernel corn and can of sliced mushrooms. So what do I cook?? I had to rummage through my stacks of magazines and check out some of the Yummy back issues for inspiration.  Then I remember my Good Housekeeping Collector's Edition Fast & Easy handbook of recipes. and found this....

 I got all the main ingredients, except for the stir-fried veggies so I just worked with what I currently have. And the finish product wasn't so bad at all... considering I didn't use on oven (just an oven toaster). But this is what I call, "resourcefulness" in an unlimited needs with limited resources kind of environment :) So don't make these limited resources stop you from creating something wonderful, healthy and delicious.

Baked Chicken with Stir-Fried Vegetables

Baked Chicken with White Rice
Takes 45 minutes plus 20 minutes for marinating time.
The recipe makes 4 servings.

1/2 kilo chicken thighs
salt and pepper to taste
Juice from 1 fresh lemon
1/4 cup soy sauce
5 cloves garlic
1/4 cup butter
.............................................
1. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Rub lemon all over chicken. Add soy sauce and minced garlic.
2. Marinate for about 15 to 20 minutes
3. Just before baking, dot each chicken thigh with butter.
4. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for about 30 to 45 minutes. Baste regularly.

Stir-Fried Vegetables

1/4 cup sliced red onions
1/8 cup julienned carrots
1/8 cup julienned celery
1/8 cup snow peas
1/8 cup bean sprouts
1/8 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced (save liquid)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in water
1 teaspoon sesame oil
.....................................................
1. Heat vegetable oil in pan. Add onions, then carrots, celery, snow peas, bean sprouts and mushrooms.
2. Add soy sauce. Wait until it slowly boils then add cornstarch slurry.
3. Add sesame oil just before serving.

Bon Appetit!

xoxo.

Basting a technique for moistening the surface of roasting meat, roasted chicken or other roasted items, with pan drippings, stock, butter or some other liquid. In addition to preserving moisture, basting adds flavor to the surface of the meat.

Basting is usually accomplished by using a basting spoon or basting brush to apply the liquid to the meat.

Reference: About.com Culinary Arts