spiCes

they say Florida is a lovely state to be in for retirement, what with it’s perfect weather all year round and the beautiful beaches that surrounds it. who wouldn’t be considering living in that, right? i have been there once but it’s going back specifically indulging in Orlando vacations is one thing that’s part of my future to do list. in fact i want this summer to end with that in mind!

…we have learned to love the quaint atmosphere of Newport, Rhode Island. kaya kung may pagkakataon, ito ang GUSTO naming balikan muli…

maraming turista ang nagpupunta dito dahil nar in siguro sa dahilang tinatawag na Ocean state ang Rhode Island. marami ang na-e-engganyong pumasyal sa may dagat. bukod doon, marami ring mga shopping-an!:)

An entry to Litratong Pinoy…GUSTO!

that was one quick July! whew! it just slipped by so fast and now it’s August and soon we will all be hurrying back to our old schedule and focusing on school once again. it just feels like we haven’t had the feel of enough summer fun as of yet. and we’re just starting now that we’ve been spending more time in the pool and Chino’s been doing swimming lessons. our huge yard has been bare still and i haven’t found the wooden swing set and wooden picnic table that i have been dreaming of putting there. this is just part of my plan to make the outdoor space that we have converted into my very own photography studio, al fresco. hmmmm… one day.

working early today was a good idea. i’m out here by the deck, laptop, iphone and planner in tow. yes, it pays to get up early while the kids are still snoozing, no distractions whatsoever…not to mention the bright and warm weather that fills this hump day morning. up until the dump truck drove by…one word—nasty! now i’m back inside and cannot seem to focus back into that work mode i had a few minutes ago. i guess it’s time to attend to chores chores chores. laundry, dirty dishes, breakfast..the works. this makes me miss my extra helpers back in the old house..the dishwasher and the Insinkerator disposals. what i would give to get them installed in this new one. soon!!!

…it has been years since i declared myself a hands on mom when we moved here in Boston. i used to work part-time back in New York and it’s not everyday that you find the perfect job in terms of schedule wherein one can actually say she has a career while taking care of her kids full-time. getting in and out of work while the kids are in school was the most ideal way to be in the work force. sometimes i wish i had that luxury again because i cannot imagine myself not attending to the needs of my kids because i need to clock in and out from 9-5. but it is an option still and it might take going back to school once again and taking up a medical assistance program or any medical related field would be the most practical one at this point. not my passion, but practical.

the other night, we had dinner at Fireflys on a whim. it was a totally unplanned decision right after we picked up M from the train station. and it was go-ood! the kids had burgers and mac n cheese with french fries while M and i shared a platter of BBQ ribs and chicken with sweet potato fries, french fries and corn muffins. add to that a complimentary bowl of pickled cucumber, which is so refreshingly delicious. plus they also had complimentary chocolate chip cookies, huge ones mind you and candies!!! all for $23! beat that! just a simple comparison would be a meal for 4 at any fast food burger place would total to around $18. and if we really wanted burgers, which might be getting more often and going through fat burner reviews is in order… Firefly’s burger is definitely a much better choice for almost the same price with extras!!! that is to conclude that we are going to be regular customers of this nearby Barbecue restaurant. and i can’t wait to try out their other yummy grubs! next week, maybe?

in a month we will be attending my niece’s wedding in Connecticut and i can’t wait! for one thing, Chino will be a ring bearer again. and more importantly, my cousin [the bride's mom] asked me to do the photos too together with another photographer. i have covered a wedding once and i want to do this one better, of course. i think i have the better camera gears now to accomplish this, so i am hoping the pictures will turn out really good. this only means one thing, i have no other option but to dress up in my semi-formal attire specifically bought for a formal event that calls for bending, climbing, twisting and crouching in my quest to take good pictures, to say the least. this attire that i have is a one piece black pantsuit ensemble. that being said, it is a stretch fit, pull-on one piece haltered top cinched at the waistline! yikes!!! if you know me well, work or play, i dress the part as best as i could. comfort really comes second hehe…this leads me to the conclusion that this calls for another round of apidexin reviews browsing!!! i need to lose a few inches here and there, ASAP!!! double yikes!!! and i don’t think simple exercise regimen will just do the trick.

…Sunday. Summer. Salad.
rolled into one. on a warm, lazy family day such as today…a refreshing SALAD is a must. ones that are particularly made of fresh and citrusy ingredients such as fruits and gourds flavored by minty and syrupy dressing, never fail to ease the unbearable heat even for just a bit.

…consider the pleasantly unique, light and fresh flavor that this MANGO and CUCUMBER SALAD is made of plus the fact that it can be easily assembled in as little as 10-15 minutes! no cooking required. just simple slicing tossing and mixing. pair it with your favorite chicken, fish or any meaty dish…and you’re golden!
recipe is now up on MOMCOOKS.DADCOOKS!

…its bright nd vibrant colors against the bright and sunny outdoor backdrop make for one delicious beat-the-heat photograph too! too bad i only had yellow onions instead of red, but as it is, i think it does the job!

Lasang Pinoy, Sundays is a bi-weekly thematic FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY meme, Pinoy style!

yes, it’s time to hit the sack. i had my hands full the whole day attending to chores…laundry, cleaning, cooking and getting the sunroof of the car fixed. well, it has been weeks since i have been multi-slacking, since school ended and it’s about time to get back to our daily routine. sleeping not as late as right now..uhmmm a little over half past midnight and waking up early-Er! than 10am! i really need to bring the kids out more often too and find more physical and intellectual activities for them instead of just spending the day in front of the tv. good thing today, they went out with friends for a swim…ok! goodnight!

…we have been dining out recently, dining al fresco that is. trying to take advantage of the barbeque season that we are blessed with. it may just be unbearably hot on some days, but warm weather will always be my kind of weather. and i’m loving our deck! i did some tossing and turning with whatever we already have there, and added a few extras like mismatched patio furniture cushions which makes it more summery with all the different colors and textures. who knows what i will be doing next, maybe i’ll do an all white theme next time we have company!:)