29th Family Day ( August 21 )

It has been a while since the last time we went out to enjoy a lovely day. If my memory serves me right, we stopped the location shoot sometime between March and April, when the weather started getting wintery. From then on we've been stuck spending the afternoon indoor.

To break the monotony, we decided to go out to see some sights that we haven't been able to see.

First Location: Cull Park, Miramar

The whole town of Albany is generously surrounded by parks and gardens that are accessible anytime of the day. This one at Miramar is relatively small compared to the others. The man-made bridge and small pond set facing the road is an added attraction.

Second Location: Emu Point

I've never been over to the site before and was just so delighted to be there for the first time. It reminded me of Hillarys Boat Harbour where we went to the Aquarium of Western Australia and Breakwater two years ago. It was getting darker by the minute so we wasted no single moment to explore the place. 

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Project: Bible Cake

A religious person deserves a religious cake.  For a priest's/friend's birthday, I couldn't think of any other design that would symbolize his noble vocation than a bible or a cross design.  As I browsed for images, I've seen samples of bible cakes that looked easy to make and thought to myself, "I can make one myself".  

And this was what I came up with.

my version of bible cake

Bottom cake: Moist chocolate cake

Bible cake: Chocolate marble cake 

I decided not to make another cake for the bible since only a small piece of it would be needed.  Instead, I just bought a slab of chocolate marble cake from Coles; trimmed off the sides to create the perfect dimension of the book then covered it with fondant.  Voila!  My bible cake was all set to go. 

Inay Juling visits places around Albany

Date: August 19, 2011
Location: Middleton Beach and Eyre Gardens

Second "Gala Day" with Inay Juling, this time around Kumare Jeraldine was with us.

Immediately after work, I met with them at the car park. Didn't even get a chance to get changed so I ended up wearing my work clothes in the photos, which I don't normally do. Anyway, it didn't make the experience any less exciting. Our concern was mainly for Inay Juling to enjoy and explore beautiful sights that Albany has to offer.

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Asawa Ko's Birthday Dinner (August 7)

We've had three birthday celebrations within that span of one week. First was my birthday exactly seven days back, second was Doc's the following day after mine and then Hubby's.

Once again, the 7th fell perfectly on a Sunday. Just like our usual Sunday affair, each family group shared a plate of their offering. It was amazing how instantly the dining table looked so festive, with all the delectable foods. Hubby was very much overwhelmed. He didn't get as much exposure as he could though because of his eyes still infected with conjunctivitis. I could tell how he wanted so much to cherish that moment.

The guys were taking their time, one song after another over the karaoke, while for us ladies, only one thing could make us gather in one spot - the camera. Apparently, it was like our event, with the celebrant behind the lens to take photos of us. That only proved how much we ladies have become very passionate about the art.

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Inay Juling visits places Part I

This album is dedicated to Inay Juling's first visit to Albany. We are so delighted to share in her excitement and new experience as she goes to see some of the most favored tourist attractions of the town.

Date: August 12, 2011
Location: Mt. Melville Lookout and Albany Wind Farm

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28th Family Day (August 14)

The first two consecutive Sundays since coming back in Albany had been intended for birthdays, which meant that we are officially back to continue what we had started. And that is our "Every-Sunday-is-Family Day-affair".

If I am not mistaken, the last Family Day that we had before leaving for holiday was the 25th. We missed out five Sundays of pure bonding and laughter with the gang. But the fun continues now that we're all back again and ready for more memorable experiences.

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Pasta with prawns and chicken

Once again we've got left-over prawns and roasted chicken from yesterday. Instead of putting them into the bin like what we normally do with our day-old food, I used my imagination to come up with a dish where they can be used.

Thanks to Google for providing the procedure though I had to substitute some of the ingredients.  The taste was so good.  Who would even say that it's been recycled from a previously cooked dish?  Sometimes we have to be innovative and creative when it comes to food preparation.  That way we get the right nutrients the body needs, at the same time, we get value for our money.

Wanton noodle soup

29th Family Day.

A soup to complement the tofu sticks that we made (previous post), at the same time, to make us feel warm.  

wanton noodle soup

Every time the week comes to a Saturday, Hubby and I have made it a part of our routine to do food shopping.  That's the only time we get to buy bottled water, other food stuff to feed us for the week ahead as well as the ingredients we will need for our Family Day dish.  Most of the time, what's keeping us long is deciding what to cook.  I know we should have thought about it prior coming to the supermarket, but we always end up in the same scenario every single time.  Anyway, we're working on it gradually.



For last Sunday, we picked an easy dish to make.  We wanted to create a wanton noodle soup with various add-ons to choose from - dumplings, hard-boiled eggs, flaked chicken.  It was pretty interesting doing it for the first time.  In no more than an hour, we were able to finish making two meals simultaneously.  The soup looked so inviting while it was still hot and steaming. 

The photo above shows that I forgot to put some chicken and eggs, out of so much excitement to capture the oozing vapor coming from the soup.

We really didn't expect it would taste so good when we tasted it.  The vegetable dumplings we used were also a hit and they couldn't believe it only cost us $1.84 for a box of 12.  Instead of making our own siomai/dumpling, this would make a perfect substitute.

Breaded Fried Tofu Sticks

29th Family Day.

I've tried this at Goto King on our recent holiday in the Philippines. Like most soya-based foods I know of, it didn't taste very impressive when eaten on its own. There has to be some sort of dip, either sweet chilli sauce or barbecue sauce, whatever your preference is, to enhance its flavor. But when it comes to nutritional and health benefits, it is known that, "Tofu has a low calorie count, relatively large amounts of protein, and little fat. It is high in iron and, depending on the coagulant used in manufacturing, may also be high in calcium and/or magnesium" - from Wikipedia.

Goto Kong's fried tofu

On the left is a photo of Goto King's fried tofu. While having a bite of each stick, I was carefully analyzing in my mind how would I manage to make them in our own kitchen. I supposed it won't be too complicated.

Last Sunday's family day, I tried my luck if I could create my own version.

The ingredients I used:

• Tofu
• Beaten eggs
• Oil
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper, ginisa mix

Cooking instruction:

• Cut the block of tofu into sticks then fry them until they turn light brown in color.
• Drench in seasoned beaten eggs then roll in breadcrumbs.
• Put back in the fryer until light brown color is achieved. (Once taken out of the pan, place tofu sticks on paper towels to get rid of excess oil)

Here's my version of fried tofu.

Breaded fried tofu

Do they look the same or mine is better? Haha

Crispy fish rolls

We have some left-over salmon fish from last night that I made into an entirely different dish.

Fish lumpia shanghai

There still about 5 remaining wrappers in the fridge from the packet I bought last week to wrap "sprout lumpiang shanghai".  It would be enough to roll a few pieces.   

I've never done before this.  I'm not sure if this is how it's supposed to be done.  I did try to look for recipes and I noticed that one recipe is always different from the other.  So, might as well modify my own by taking into consideration what ingredients have I got on-hand.

...Fish, wrapper, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, flour, eggs

Perfect.  I've got all the essential stuff needed.

Preparation: (Here's a simple step-by-step procedure for better guide)

*Shred the fish meat into small flakes.

*Mix in finely chopped carrots, potatoes, onion and garlic.

*Season with salt and pepper.

*To enhance flavor, add MSG and/or magic sarap.

*Add one egg and a spoon of flour to bind mixture together

*Mix together by hand 

*Roll into desired size 

It's so easy to make.  Too bad there was too little mixture.  I was able to make four rolls, though.  Best when served with tartare sauce or catsup.

Pork spring rolls with bean sprouts and tofu

For 28th Family Day.

We wanted to prepare something different but healthy.  It has been two months since the last time we had joined them for Family Day.  Now, that we are so back I'll try as much as I can to come up with a variety of foods for our every Sunday gathering.  This would help me fulfill my passion for cooking (though I'm not saying that I'm a good cook).  Let's just say that just like anybody else, I aspire to be a one, in my dreams.

In making this spring roll, I used:

•  Pampa's spring roll wrapper
• Minced pork
• Bean sprouts
• Tofu (fried and cubed)
• Carrots (diced)
• Garlic and onion
• Butter
• Salt and pepper 

Procedure:

• Saute garlic and onion
• Add minced pork until brown
• Add in the rest of the ingredients
• Put salt and pepper to taste
• Toss over low fire
• Drain and let cool
• Wrap 

This was my first try and I wasn't expecting it to be perfect.  Somehow, it wasn't too bad.  A little bit of vinegar with onion and chillis for a dip was enough to compliment its goodness.

A Long Day Trip: Batangas-Quezon-Laguna (July 17)

This trip had been planned even before we arrived Manila, though originally, we just wanted to visit the Grotto and have lunch at Palaisdaan, with the whole family. When our housemates came to know about it, they were excited to go too. And that Sunday morning, while we were still getting ready to leave, I got a call from them informing they were on their way to Quezon.

First stop: Grotto-Lucban, Quezon.
It was around mid-noon when we arrived at the well-known sanctuary of Kamay ni Hesus. We were greeted by our housemates who had just descended from the top of the Grotto. Soon it was time for us to start going up the steps, my knees kept shaking the whole time and I was always reminding myself not to look down. When we reached the peak, that was the only time I felt relieved. Going down was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Second stop: Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Tayabas, Quezon
http://www.kamayansapalaisdaan.com.ph/
It took us less than an hour from Lucban to Tayabas, where the popular Palaisdaan restaurant can be found. The place was very relaxing, very rustic and it has the serenity of nature that not many restaurants in the city can offer. We had such a wonderful time exploring almost every place around while waiting for our meals to be served. We had to wait for our turn, quite understandably, but as soon as they were served, every dish was worth every single minute that elapsed - truly satisfying and delectable dining experience.

Third stop: Exotik Restaurant, Kalayaan, Laguna
I didn't really think we could still get on time to our third stop after traveling a long and literally winding road, from Quezon to Laguna. For a second, I thought we were somewhere in Baguio seeing those inclined cliff and sharp curved roads that we passed through. But we were only in Laguna to check out the huge python snake named "Samantha". After a long drive, we reached the place, Exotik Restaurant. In all fairness, the whole of it was fantastic. A nice restaurant in a garden setting nestled on the slopes of the Sierra Madre mountain range. It has quaint Filipiniana-themed huts and wooden ornaments that are works of Paete town. We didn't try dining in, apparently because we were running out of time and secondly, pretty sure none of us would want to eat exotic dishes such as bayawak (monitor lizard), baboy damo (wild boar), sawa (python) or frog. In spite of their not-so-appetizing menu, (I can only speak for some of us), the place has a world-class appeal and I must say, I'm proud to have had visited such unique venue showcasing Filipino's ingenuity.

Fourth stop: Benoks Lomi House, Marawoy, Lipa City
It was nearly 10 in the evening when we got back to Lipa. We haven't had any light meals in between, after lunch, which made us all starving. So, instead of going straight home with empty stomachs, we decided to have dinner at Benoks. Hubby and I had been there once before with our housemates Winnie and Bunso, pardon me for saying this, but I didn't like the food. And for the second time, I wanted to give it a try. We finished our meals, only because we all had to eat but if asked about the quality of food and service, I will never come back again.

Overall it was one of the longest days I've ever had. More than 12 hours of fun, beautiful sights and places, experiences, great food, memories, practically all the good stuff rolled in one. A day worth remembering for a lifetime.

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Weekday getaway with housemates (July 19)

This was our third time going out with the housemates.

It took us almost 6 infuriating hours, by public transportation bus, from Caloocan to get to Lipa. Can you imagine that? I nearly lost my hope that we could still push through with what had been planned. Apparently, our companions have been patiently waiting for us for hours already. And it just made the agony even more dramatic cause I know how irritating it could get to be waiting in what seems like forever.

Finally, we reached home few minutes before 12 high noon. Hurriedly packed my bag, hoping I didn't miss out anything necessary. In not more than 30 minutes, we were off the highway to Balayan.

Another hour or so had passed before we got to our destination stop. A feast of heavenly appetizing seafood range was waiting for us on the table. What a welcome surprise? Each dish tasted so good that we just couldn't resist. "It's ok to indulge once in a while", that line was stuck in my head while peeling off prawns on my plate. Lunch had never been so tasteful.

After the sumptuous lunch, the couple took us to a tour at Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas. I fell in awe of great admiration looking around such beautiful haven. It was truly relaxing. The vast sea and the clear blue swimming pool were both inviting us to take a plunge, but none of us had the desire to do so. But it was still worth the experience. Merely being able to enjoy recreation, breathe some fresh air and spend time with friends, which we don't normally do quite often, made it all the more fulfilling and memorable.

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Buffet lunch with family (July 21)

What: Lunch
Who: Family
Where: Kamay Kainan, Trinoma
When: July 21, 2011

This was by far the very first time that the whole family got to go out on a lunch date. I mean, we do go out, like when we went to Tagaytay last month and to Lipa last year, but the fact that we are a big family, in number, makes it so hard to do. I always get excited every time something I planned and organized just work out perfectly smooth.

Kamay Kainan is the right place to be when you want to treat the whole family for an eat-all-you-can experience. They have a wide variety of Filipino dish choices, from simple adobo to kare-kare to tempura. The taste is not bad at all. I bet no one could really eat all those dishes even the most starving person I know. Value for money is one thing why people bring along friends and family here. At a reasonable price of 300/head, one gets to come back over and over again to the buffet table for more.

No doubt everyone in the family had a great time, even the kids. It was a nice feeling seeing the smile on their faces. The echoes of laughter and giggles were far beyond compare. I wish I have all the time in the world to share happy moments such as this with them more often.

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Family Fun at Grotto Vista Resort (July 24)

Why do all good things have to come to an end? Five weeks have gone so fast...

I've never been happier spending precious moments with my family, but I needed to pull away from those thoughts and get myself back into reality. At least, I could proudly say that I've spent every single day of my holiday to the fullest since we weren't able to do the same as much as we wanted to last year, apparently because of the wedding preps.

On the last weekend of our stay, we decided to go swimming at Grotto Vista Resort. My sister and her family who were in Buhi that time, were also enjoying the pool at Balirete Resort in Igbac. It would have been a lot more happier if all of us were present, but I understand.

We arrived in the resort around noon time, had lunch right after, then off to some cam whoring sessions with my nieces and would you believe, Amay also joined us later on. We didn't get to swim until 3PM; the sun was scorching hot that day and I wouldn't want to risk my skin getting burned. Despite having a late start in the water, Hubby and I enjoyed the relaxing benefit of hydrotherapy, without having to pay extra cost or going to any spa parlor. They've got water jets pounding down on specific body parts that is helpful in the blood circulation and rids toxins causing joint pains. I've never experienced any form of massage before and I definitely loved it.

More than the feel-good effect that those massages had given us, it brought our family closer to each other. Somehow, there was a deeper meaning of what completeness is all about. I've realized that happiness doesn't have to be in the form of material or expensive things that only money can buy, but more importantly, it should flow freely from the heart and shared with people who we value more than anything else in this world.

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My 31st (July 31)

And so I just turned 31 and I'm proud of it. That doesn't bother me at any rate, after all, age is just a number, there is more to life than counting down the years.

We just got back from our well-spent holiday a few days before my birthday, but the plans had been actually made and finalized even before we went away. I honestly didn't want to have any celebration. It was my friends generous efforts that made me agree, plus the fact that my birthday fell on a Sunday, our usual gathering.

The warm birthday wishes I got from work and on my Facebook wall really brightened my day. And when it was about time for the dinner, my guests started coming in with their own labor of love and generosity, the dining table was suddenly full. I never thought I would have that much food to serve. Seeing them enjoying the food at the same time having fun with the small circle of friends I've invited somehow fulfilled my personal wish.

This would surely be one of the most memorable birthdays I've ever had and I wish to thank those people who have been a part of it. 

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