Daily [Photo Hunt]

When I went to the doctor recently, he reminded me to drink more water daily. I have been trying to do it, I told the doctor, but I always forget---and I need to make it a habit. Like most people, it takes a lot of effort for me to establish daily habits like exercise, drink more water, or write a "to do" list.

It's no different with prayer. Prayer, like most things in life, needs to become a habit to work for us. It took me a long time to develop the habit of praying. I am not religious and I don't actually pray the "usual" prayer, but I do "talk" to God on a regular basis--every night before I go to sleep, every morning before I drive to work, and a few times during the day---"grappling with life in Jesus' name". It gives me daily comfort.

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

- Dorothy Bernard

Posted for Photo Hunt

Pan-roasted cod with spinach cream risotto

From last Friday's appetizer, here's the main dish I ordered at Mo'Mo Cafe in Eastwood Mall. This is a pan-roasted herb and walnut crusted Atlantic lemon cod served with spinach cream risotto, lemon anchovy hollandaise sauce, and buttered skewered corn cobs. My taste buds agreed that this was a scrumptious dish. I enjoyed the spinach cream risotto and the cod (bakalaw in Tagalog).

It was a Saturday night before V-day and the cafe was crowded. U and I were seated between two big noisy groups and we had to raise our voices to hear each other. The crew was harassed and service was a bit slow. But I'd like to come back to Mo'Mo Cafe on a regular day---their menu looks interesting. I also love the fun and quirky interior of the place.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Husay/skill [Litratong Pinoy]

Kagagaling ko lang ng Cebu at nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na ipakita ang husay at galing ng Pinoy sa aking katrabahong dayuhan. Di lang maabilidad ang Pinoy, mahusay tayo sa paglikha ng magagandang obra. Ang nasa itaas ay mesang may WOW-factor---gawa sa inlaid multi-layered shells at stainless steel top. Show-stopper, di ba? Isa lang ang pabrikang ito sa mga gumagawa para sa mga sikat at mamahaling fashion houses sa ibang bansa katulad ng Armani-Casa, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Lane Crawford at iba pa.

Magaling ang kamay ng Pinoy, malikhain, pulido ang gawa. Ang dalawang manong ay iilan lang sa mga taga-ukit ng magagarang muebles na ini-export sa Middle East, America, Europe at Asia.

Sa kantahan, di rin tayo papatalo syempre. May Pinoy ba na hindi marunong kumanta? Mahuhusay kumanta at tumugtog ng gitara ang mga taga-Cebu. Pero si manong, iba ang talent---hinarana kami sa pamamagitan ng 28-string harp habang kumakain sa SuTuKil. Lalo kaming ginanahan sa pagkain!

Ang ibig sabihin pala ng SuTuKil, sa mga di pa nakakain dito, ay tatlong paraan sa pagluto ng seafoods---SUgba (grilled), TUla (prepared with soup), KILaw (raw fish/shells, seaweed salad).

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Cuddly [Photo Hunt]

Ran into this cuddly creature at the beach in Cagbalete Island. She is a chow chow named Lizzie, quietly lounging by the gate of a resort waiting for her human family. Lizzie was charming and friendly and I wanted to hug her but because it was our first meeting, I just petted her and hang out with her. I wished Fritz would meet her.:p

Posted for Photo Hunt

Melted Crab & Spinach Cheese Dip

A delicious appetizer to keep us busy while U and I waited for the main course. This delectable appetizer was a perfect start to a great meal. Check out this Melted Crab & Spinach Cheese Dip with cheese Parmesan toast, tortillas and veggie sticks at Mo'Mo Cafe in Eastwood Mall.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Batik/Mantsa [LP]

Kanina ko lang napanood ang Sherlock Holmes at naalala ko ang mga litrato ng Tower Bridge at Tower of London sa aking archive. At tamang-tama naman, wala pa pala akong litrato sa tema ngayong Huwebes.

Niluma na ng panahon ang Tower of London---halata naman sa mga lumot at batik sa dingding na bato.

Itinayo noong 1078 ang makasaysayang Tower of London. Buhay na ba ang lolo mo n'on? Ito raw ang pinaka-haunted na lugar sa Britain---marami kasing pinahirapan, pinatay at binitay dito. Itinayo ang Tower of London bilang isang fortress, palasyo at kulungan ng mga VIP. Naging armory din ito, taguan ang pananalapi ng hari, at mula 1303, dito nakalagak ang crown jewels ng UK. Sayang at hindi ko napasok ito, kulang kasi sa oras.

Ito naman ay hindi istatwa na puno ng grasa...s'ya ay isang mime artist sa sidewalk sa Paris. Gumagalaw lang ang mime artist kapag naghulog ka ng pera sa batya n'ya. Naligo yata ito ng pintura para magmukha s'yang tansong rebulto. Sa tingin mo, kaya pa kaya ng Tide Ultra tanggalin ang mantsa sa damit n'ya?

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Lotus pond [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

From ancient times, the lotus has been a divine symbol in Asian traditions representing purity and beauty. The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again.

"I love the lotus because while growing from mud, it is unstained."

~ Zhou Dunyi

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Red season [Ruby Tuesday]

Red was all over the place last weekend. Spotted this tree adorned with red lanterns and red packets (or "ang-pau") and an over-sized heart hanging over at the Eastwood Mall. The red packets are passed out during the CNY celebrations, containing cash in even numbers.

Crisp and warm red tortillas at Agave-Mexican Cantina, our appetizer on Sunday dinner. They won't let you forget it's Valentine's Day.:p

Red is the ultimate cure for sadness. ~ Bill Blass

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Broken [Photo Hunt]

Who said that crushed windshields and glass are useless and belong to the junk pile? Naturally, we want to get rid of those sharp and dangerous fragments. But before throwing away a broken glass, think of the tons of glass bottles and jars buried into our landfills each day. Recycling glass is an excellent way to reduce waste, save construction costs and help the environment.

I know somebody who transforms broken pieces of tempered glass into beautiful functional home accessories. A hobby that turned into a business. These candle holders are hand-crafted from broken windshields---these pieces are colorful and rough; they're perfectly imperfect, and there in lies the charm.

Posted for Photo-Hunt

Summer sky [SWF]

To see the Summer Sky

Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie - True Poems flee. ~ Emily Dickinson

Summer is not officially here yet but the warm breezes are singing. My room is drenched with early morning sunshine and like a flower, I turned my face to the sun. Eyes squinting, I basked in the warm sunshine before getting up this morning. I am so looking forward to spend time at the beach---warm sand, cold beer...heaven! Then my daydream was shattered by the news on the radio: El Nino is here again!

It was a splendid summer morning and it seemed as if nothing could go wrong. -- John Cheever

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Grilled Smoked Salmon

Imagine streams, waterfalls and a swimming pond frame the gardens. Glancing up, you might catch a glimpse of a parrot breezing by the tall ceiling of palms. You are surrounded by the scents and the misty air of a tropical forest. The wind rustles the bamboo, water trickles in the stream, and a ray of sun cuts through the trees and shines on a table set for two nestled in a gazebo overlooking a pond. Before you is this sumptuous dish of smoked salmon grilled to perfection on a bed of creamy mashed potato and green salad, and across the table is the man/woman of your dreams who looks good enough to eat.:p

Indulge your senses this Valentine's Day and everyday!

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Para sa 'yo [Litratong Pinoy]

sana’y paggising mo sa umaga
ay tulad ka ng bagong bulaklak
namumukadkad sa liwayway
at ako’y iyo,
iyong hinihintay...

ang aking mga saloobin
ay sa iyo
ngayong araw ng mga puso,
hindi kita makakalimutan.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Ships [Watery and Outdoor Wednesday]

I said, love's easier when it's far away
We sat and watched a distant light
We're two ships that pass in the night
We both smile and we say it's alright
We're still here...
It's just that we're out of sight
Like those ships
That pass in the night...

~ Ships, by Barry Manilow

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Keepsakes [Ruby Tuesday]

It's funny that I found these keepsakes again after almost a decade. Moving forced me to sift through each piece of stuff I have collected all these years. These are the remnants of my Hallmark days when I kept a sample of the most problematic designs we worked on to remind myself of small victories. I also collected some of the funniest and the cutest designs.

This porcupine-in-love-with-a-cactus was my favorite, and I was thrilled when I found it at the bottom of a box. I love the text etched on the pot, "Ours is a strange and wonderful relationship".

Happy V-Day to you!

"If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old."

~ James Garfield

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Hearty Pinoy meal [LaPiS]

A hearty meal for most Pinoys is virtually anything as long as there is bottomless rice.

I started cutting down my rice intake 2 years ago in an effort to fit into my old jeans again. It was difficult at the beginning but I eventually got used to a half cup of rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With some exercise, I lost 12 lbs. in over a year and was able to maintain the 122 lbs. weight. But by late last year, I relapsed into eating more rice and meat again. Look at this sampler of Hickory smoked chicken, beef ribs and pork ribs with a plate of garlic rice---certainly not for someone who would want to lose weight! This sampler from Racks was served with baked beans, corn bread, atchara and coleslaw. Good thing I have some friends to share this meal with.

Posted for Lasang Pinoy-Sundays

Jurassic Roll

Why this special sushi dish is named after an American movie was not clear to me. At least it's not some unpronounceable assortment of raw fish, and yes, it tastes good. This Jurassic Roll is from Sushi-Ya, a sushi roll made of crunchy shrimp, cream cheese, avocado and raw eel. It's rolled in rice and nori (a sheet of pressed, dried seaweed), and topped with masago (smelt fish roe). The green paste is wasabi, a Japanese horseradish paste that is mixed into the soy sauce where you dip your sushi.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Akin [mine] - Litratong Pinoy

Huli na pala ako ngayong Hwebes---hindi ko namalayan, hapon na pala! Medyo masama kasi ang lagay ng panahon, hirap ng tumatanda.:p Pero kahit late na, sali pa rin ako.

Kilala mo na si Fritz, siya ang star sa LP ko ngayon. Very possessive si Fritz pagdating sa kanyang mga laruan. Hindi mo mahipo ang mga laruan nya at kahit pabiro mong kukunin, agad nakahawak ang kanyang mga "kamay". Tingnan mo ang hitsura nya---parang sinasabi nya, "Akin 'to, bakit mo inaagaw?"

Wala pa naman s'yang nakagat.:p

Posted for Litratong Pinoy