Spring

view from down under

I bought some sweet potatoes some weeks back, planning to bake some healthy sweet potato fries. I packed them away in the pantry and promptly forgot about them.

Today, I found that my sweet potatoes has sprouted! Normally, I would throw them away. But this time, I took a photo first, for Jugalbandi's Click April, the theme is Spring or Autumn. I am not really a good photographer, but these budding leaves who thrived inspite of being kept in a dark place with no soil, no water, no sunlight - truly gives an inspiration for life!

Then, after I post this, I am going to plant these babies in a pot. Maybe I will not grow new sweet potatoes (I am not sure if these root crops will thrive in a pot) but I will have the leaves that will add beautiful colors to my humble abode. :)

Photography Practice: Mooncakes Again

The best tasting mooncake of all is this small one from Hong Kong. Rita is very fortunate that such yummy delicacies are available and within access. Me? I have to depend on kind, generous friends :)

I promised more mooncakes, but I could not find my picture files. I think they have been inadvertently deleted when my youngest son "played" with my one and only, point and shoot camera. So, maybe next year :)

Here's another picture of the delicious mooncake - taken by my daughter.

Photography Practice: Mooncakes International

This is actually a belated post. The Mid-Autumn festival was last week! Oh well, better late than never...

We do not really celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival - 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar here in the Philippines. It is another regular day. But we often give mooncakes to our family, friends or neighbors.

Here are some of the mooncakes we received.

The one above is from my sweet Korean neighbor. Actually, I don't think these are mooncakes. I think these are rice balls. My Korean neighbor gave us these colorful sweets to celebrate their Autumn festival. Maybe this is their version of sweets to give during this season...




This is a mooncake from Vietnam. Our beloved President of Couples@Work Fellowship just came from Vietnam and he brought us these goodies! The picture above still in the original wrapper. The picture below is without the wrapper...





Don't you just love the lotus flower shape of this mooncake?!? I do not know why there is a number 15 stamped at the center though. More mooncakes next week... :)

Photography Practice: Beijing Olympics Cups

I have never been a real sports fan. When I watch some games, I do get excited and all, but it is also alright with me if I do not get to watch. It's no big deal for me. I know for many people, sports and supporting a team or two is very important. But not for me... I suppose that is because I am too lazy to do any sports myself. :)

Of course, perspective change when your kids are big enough to join sports. Now, I know participating in sports and games is very important, a very important part of growing up... but that is another story. Before I digress, let's go back to the Beijing Olympics.

Now, this is one show I definitely did watch - on TV. The Opening Ceremony is truly a must watch, if only to understand a little bit of China's history and culture. And one cannot help but be impressed with the pomp and pageantry that the Beijing people and government prepared.

I required my kids to watched too. It is important for me that they learn to appreciate their Chinese roots. They thoroughly enjoyed the show and even if it was already late (time for bed), they insisted on finishing the show. I have turned them into sports fans!

That is why, they were so excited to receive these Beijing Olympics Souvenir cups from Ah-pe (older brother of kids' dad). Thank you, Ah-pe! Ah-pe (Uncle) and cousins came back from a trip to Hong Kong and brought back these two cute dainty cups, one for Princess and one for Optimus Prime. Guess which is whose? :)

Photography Practice 2 : Dalandan Plus a Tag

Dalandan is the Filipino name for Kahel oranges, one of the many varieties of oranges. It has a shiny bright green skin, even when ripe; and equally stunning bright orange pulp and juice. Dalandan now comes in seedless forms, so that is the kind I bought.

The kids love Dalandan juice. It is so easy to make, you do not need a juicer. Wash the whole dalandan first. Even if we are not eating the skin, I am particular about cleaning the fruits thoroughly. (I am conscious of the pesticides and other chemical sprays on the produce.) Cut the dalandan in half. Simply squeeze the dalandan with your clean hands into a pitcher. Double up the amount of juice with water. Add sugar and ice cubes. Enjoy!


Kitchen Flavors tagged me with 6 quirky things I do, so here they go. Just please do not laugh if you find my habits too wierd :)

1. The first thing I do when I wake up is to get my cel phone and text my textmates.

2. Before I go to sleep, I have to play Zuma (its an old game) on the computer. It makes me feel sleepy.

3. Like Kitchen Flavors, I also do not eat when Hubby is not home. Well, when I become too hungry, I do not cook, I just get biscuits or cookies... :)

4. I personally tutor my kids. Though they go to school, I always add my lessons. I tell their teachers not to give them assignments/homeworks anymmore because they already have lots of homework to do with me.

5. I always have to drink hot coffee (double cream, no sugar please) with my breakfast.

6. I cannot go out without powder on my face :)


I would love to tag everybody who reads my blog. Just link back here so I can read about your quirks too. :)

It is fun to play! It is also a great way for us to know more about each other!
Some tagging rules:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you - that's me.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the blogger's blogs letting them know they have been tagged.


Hmmm... I would love to tag a lot of bloggers,

Aaah! Let me go take a sip of this refreshing juice first... :)

Photography Practice: Green Tea Latte

The latest "hot" drink in town is the Green Tea Latte. Green tea, as everybody knows is good for the health. It contains anti-oxidants and according to many news articles, it helps boost metabolism and helps you burn more fat and thus lose more weight.

I love green tea. When I saw packs of green tea latte (made in Korea) being sold at the supermarket, I did not hesitate to buy some. They were a bit pricey though... The verdict? I love it! It truly has that green tea flavor. It is creamy and smooth, though you have to continue stirring to maintain the smoothness. It is not too sweet, just the way I like it.

One day, I promise to make Green Tea Latte, from scratch and not from a pre-made pack.

I paired it with a savoury cheese bun from the neighborhood bakery. The pair made a yummy snack.

I'm sorry there's no recipe since yesterday. I have (oral) Translations duty tomorrow - from Chinese to English. So, I am a bit giddy... will be back on Monday. :)


UPDATE: Aug. 27, 2008



Mikky of My Finds was asking yesterday about the brand of the Green Tea Latte. I thought everything was written in Korean so I decided to take a picture of it. (Again, for practice :) It was only then that I noticed the small white circle at the upper left corner of the box - Damizle, with the letters spread all over the small circle. If Mikky had not told me it was Damizle, I don't think I would know it was Damizle!

I bought this box at the Landmark Supermarket in Trinoma. It costs 192 pesos for a box of twelve sachets. Mikky bought it at the WOFEX (World Food Expo) for 180 pesos. Sayang, I was not able to attend the Food Expo.