Tuesday, March 31, 2009

What a day....

Ever since I was little I dislike going to the dentist. I think no matter what they do it hurts my gum and teeth that's why I don't like going to the dentist because of the pain. The last time I went to the dentist was before I came to the United States for my education and that was in July/August 2002. All these years I have no problem with my teeth but I figured that I need to just get my yearly check up. I've been wanting to go to a dentist when we were living up North but I just could not find a dentist there that I trust to go.
Hubby chipped one of his filling the day we were moving down here and he hasn't gotten it fixed until two weeks ago and since he was going to a dentist that Aunt and Uncle Richie goes too I figured I should get my teeth check and clean too. I was nervous to go to the dentist because Aunt and Uncle Richie and hubby was there two weeks ago and needed a root canal so since I've not been to the dentist for so many years I was afraid I might need a root canal too. Lucky for me the dentist said that my teeth is strong and good therefore all I did was got my teeth clean (I thought that hurt too). I called hubby and Uncle Richie after I left the dentist office and told them what the dentist told me and they both said that they didn't like me :P because my teeth is good.
Anyway after my dentist appointment I decided to drop by at Target because I needed to print some pictures from the wedding out because a few months ago when I got my new camera I got some free prints from there. Initially we thought that we could print the pictures online and pick it up at the store but to find out that we had to go to the store to get that print. Since the coupon was expiring today I went to the Target that I knew had the machine. I asked the associates there if I could use the coupon before picking my pictures and she said that I could only use one couple (I have two) but any how I just went ahead and pick up my pictures and got it print. When I went to the counter to pay for my stuff another associate came over and told her that I could not use the coupon and I could only use the coupon at a Target that had a photo studio. I then asked the first associate what we are going to do now and her answer for me was I could either pay for the pictures of she could throw it away. I was pissed when she told me that because I asked her about the coupon before printing and she dare to tell me she wants to throw away my picture?NO WAY! I thought that was a bunch of RUBBISH!!I reminded her that I asked her before I printed the pictures and this is just ridiculous. The associate made a comment that I was raising my voice at her and I apologized to her and explain to her that I did not raise my voice and if I did I apologized to her and just as I finish my sentences the second associate accused me that I was there last week and she told me that I was there last week and that she told me I could not use the coupon. When I heard her say that I was FUMING mad. I said excuse me when was I there last week. I asked her to go through her security camera and see if I was there last week and if I was there I would pay for every single picture. When I asked to see the manager the first associate told me that she was the manager and I thought I was stuck. Anyway she allowed me to use ONE coupon and I had to pay for the rest which was fine but I was still fuming mad because how dare the second associate simply accused their customer and she never apologized to me!
I called Uncle Richie the moment I got out and told him what happen. He asked me why didn't I asked for a manager and I told him that I did but she said she was the manager. He said that I should have asked for the store manager and if she was the store manager get the number for the district manager. I didn't know that there was so many managers in a store that's why I didn't ask for another manager. He then told me to get the number of the Target I was at and called the store manager. I then called the store manager and told him everything and how upset I was because his associate did not apologize to me!He was very apologetic to me and he asked me to go back to the store so that he could refund me and give me more free prints.
Honestly I was not asking for any free prints or anything I was just really upset because I really hate being accused with things I didn't do or say. I get really upset if I'm accused like this and not getting any apology from them. I am anyhow a customer and I didn't think that I should be treated this way. I even told the manager if I really wanted scam for some free pictures does he think that I would go to the same store two times? I am not even going to through looking for the store number and wasting my time to file a complain. I called to complain because I was so very upset with the service I got (or didn't get).
I'm so glad that Uncle Richie thought me what to do. Hubby just said that he was glad that he was not with me. Hubby don't like to confront anyone if he didn't have to and I think if he was there he would just ask me to pay for the pictures and go but because of me being me I would not just let that slide.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Busy/Lazy/Busy/Lazy

I've been pretty busy yet lazy at the same time. Hubby's grandma and aunt came down from up North to visit for 10 days although I don't go out with them or hang out with them all day but in a way I'm still busy. I knew that they wanted to see our house so before they arrived I had to clean and clean and clean the house to make sure that it's some what presentable. We got a book case for the living room and two wardrobe from Ikea.

I've been searching for a wardrobe high and low because I wanted to put a wardrobe in our bedroom so I can put all my handbags in the wardrobe and when we found this one we were pretty excited. When we decided to get this we were suppose to go over to Uncle and Auntie Richie's place for dinner but then hubby said that we could get it and come home but we took such a long time that I told them to go ahead with dinner first. So when we got back we quickly rushed over there for dinner because we didn't want grandma and other people to be waiting for us although we knew that they have already eaten. We ate quickly and chit chat with grandma for a little while and decided to come home to put together one of the wardrobe. One of it is already put together in our bedroom but hubby still has to add shelves for me so that I can arrange my bags the way I want. We haven't decided where to put the second one of just sell the second one. Anyway by the time we got done putting the wardrobe together and showered it was almost 1am. I've been trying to get up the same time with hubby so that he that I can help him get ready for work and I've been pretty sleepy this few days plus.
Last night grandma made homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles and hubby was suppose to go over for dinner but he worked till about 9pm he didn't go over thus I was the only one that went over there. When he came home I came home and grandma send some soup over for him. Yet again another late night last night.
It is so nice when grandma and his aunt is here because they always make us dinner and we're just treated like royalties..lol...I'm going to miss them when they leave this Monday..:(
We are going to have a surprise birthday party for Aunt Richie this Sunday and I've already marinate some pork chops and chicken breast to grill this weekend. Grandma will be making the side dishes and I've already made the cake and is waiting for it to set. I am hoping that Uncle Richie did not slip a word to Aunt *finger cross*

Friday, March 20, 2009

Doctors!Doctors!Doctors!

It all started with Milo when we had to take him for shots, then for bladder infection and then for his booster shots. He's going to be going to the doctor again to get neutered next month.
Then it was me because I have this cyst on my elbow and I went to the doctor to get it checked (I've had this cysts for about 6 years now) anyway the doctor thought that there was liquid inside and inserted a syringe in it to drain out the liquid but there was no liquid coming out of the syringe so the doctor had me see a surgeon. When to the surgeon on Thursday and let him look at it and scheduled a small surgery to take the cysts out next month.
Hubby's tooth chipped and he got that looked at Wednesday. Today he went to another dentist suggested by the first dentist to get a root canal. He's going to have to go back to the dentist again on Monday to get a crown mold and I'm assuming back to the dentist again several more times for the crowning stuff. I'm not sure what's going to go on but I know he'll have to go back to the dentist several more times before his tooth is fixed.
I have to check Stanley's medical record because I know he's due for his shots either in April or in May.
So yeah the whole family is going to the doctor like mad this couple of months. These couple of months is going to be an expensive month because of all the doctors expenses that we will have to fork out. I am hoping that the insurance covers some of it so we don't have to pay out that much but as for the dogs everything is out of pocket. Hopefully we'll be good when everything is said and done.*pray*

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Hubby's grandma is arriving sooooonn...:)

I am getting really excited today. I did a couple loads of laundry and vacuum and clean the whole house yesterday. This morning I washed and scrubbed the bath tub and the vanity area. Hubby's grandma is really cool and I like her a lot. She's reminds me of my grandma that I was very close to but not able to see her the last time she left. I really miss my own grandma and no one can replace her but it is really nice to have another grandma that showers you with lots of love :). I just love grandmothers!
Anyway grandma will be here in 5 hrs and I am getting really excited. I cannot wait for her to meet Milo and see Stanley again. She's heard so much about Milo and Sadie (SIL's dog). I can't wait to go out with her and do stuff with her. One of hubby's aunt will be coming down with her too but she's really nice and cool person so I am hoping that the next 2 weeks when they are down here will be a fun 2 weeks. I don't know what Uncle and Aunt Richie has in plan for them but then I know that they are going to be taking them to do stuff. Another thing is grandma is really good at cooking so I told Uncle Richie that I will be going over to their house to eat all the time now since grandma is here! ;) I might be able to take a break from cooking. I was thinking I might make a Chinese meal or take them out for a Chinese meal since they are down here since Chinese meals up North are so westernized and I'm sure she has not taste authentic Chinese meal before but I'm just afraid that they don't like it because they are not adapted to the different taste unlike Uncle and Aunt Richie since they live down here. I guess we'll have to see what everybody else thinks and want.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Six Layer Coconut cake with Mango Filling

I was browsing through some recipes website and I stumbled upon Kaitlyn's blog and found this interesting cake recipe. I bough some mangoes last week when I did grocery and I knew that they were sweet and fresh so I figured I could make my own mango puree and make this cake. I knew that this cake was very time consuming and tedious (I like to make easy stuff) but I wanted to try it. Since yesterday was hubby and my wedding anniversary (3 years and 11 months) I used that as a reason to slave in the kitchen.



Ingredients

Cake

  • 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 21/4 cups sugar (I used 2Cups but I think I could reduce it a little more)
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 6 egg whites

Filling

  • 3/4 cup sugar (I used 1/2cup)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup passion fruit nectar or puree (Used Mango puree)
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 vanilla bean—split, seeds scraped (Didn’t have any so omitted)
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

Topping

  • 2 cups large, unsweetened dried coconut flakes (Used sweetened shredded coconut)
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Method

  1. Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°. Line the bottom of three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt at low speed. Mix in the butter, coconut milk, water and vanilla until combined. Scrape down the bowl and beat at high speed until very smooth, 2 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, 2 minutes. Fold half of the egg whites into the batter until incorporated, then fold in the remaining whites until no streaks remain. Divide the batter among the cake pans. Bake for about 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans on a rack for 15 minutes, then invert them and let cool completely, about 2 hours.
  4. Meanwhile, make the filling: In a saucepan, whisk the sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in the passion fruit nectar, egg yolks and vanilla seeds and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until thick, 6 minutes. Remove from the heat; whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Scrape the filling into a glass bowl, press a sheet of plastic wrap on the surface and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
  5. Using a serrated knife, cut each cake in half horizontally to create 6 layers. Set one layer on a cake plate. Spread with 6 tablespoons of the filling. Repeat with the remaining 5 cake layers and filling, ending with a layer of cake. Refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.
  6. Meanwhile, make the topping: Spread the coconut on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, stirring once, until lightly toasted. Let cool. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream with the sugar until medium-firm peaks form.
  7. Frost the top and side of the cake with the whipped cream and coat with the coconut. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
* Next time I would double the filling because I did not have enough to spread it and could barely taste the mango. Uncle Richie and Hubby thinks I should not have so many layers next time because it looks like it is going to fall. It will save me a lot of time too if I didn't have so many layers.


My cake don't look as good as Kaitlyn. It was getting late and I was getting hungry. I wanted to make dinner and finish the cake so it has time to refrigerate. I hardly refrigerate it and only managed to refrigerate the cake for about an hour after I spread the icing. The cake is not the healthiest food but we all do need to indulge once in a while right? Although this took me a lot of time but it is definitely worth the work.

Pizza and noodles

Hubby wanted to have pizza for dinner on Saturday night and insisted that we bough a frozen pizza or get one from somewhere. I did not have any cravings for pizza and since it was still early I told him that I would make a pizza. So I took out my trusty Kitchen aid and started the dough.

Pizza Dough
Ingredients
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk/water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
11/2cups bread flour
1/2 cup of whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt (I substitute with garlic salt)
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
Dashes of spices (Italian seasoning, basil, thyme, oregano)

Method
1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a bowl mix the other ingredients together. Use the dough hook for the kitchen aid mixer and start mixing it after the yeast is ready.
3. Cover the bowl and let it rise. Mine took about an hour but if it's warm enough it might be quicker.
4. I used a pizza stone to make my pizza so I divided the dough into two and froze one. Preheat the pizza stone in the oven at about 400 degrees F. Take it out and roll the pizza dough on it. Prick some holes on the dough and put it back in the over for about 5 minutes to precook the dough. Take the dough out and cover it with your favorite sauce and topping.

The dough process takes a little time but then when that is done rising it is really fast to make a pizza. Hubby, Uncle and Aunt Richie loved the pizza.

While I was waiting for hubby's dough to rise I decided to make myself some friend noodles. I call it the whatever fried noodles because I basically just put what I had in it.


Whatever noodles
Ingredients
Noodles - Any kind that you have laying at home
Vegetables - I used choysum
Garlic
Onions
Pork or Chicken
Shrimp
Beansprout-I had some in the fridge

Sauce
chili paste-I used about 2 tbsp because I like it spicy
oyster sauce
pepper and salt to taste
soy sauce
a pinch of sugar
1/2c of stock

Method
1. Precook noodles.
2. Heat wok and add about 2 tablespoons of oil. Fry garlic and onions until fragrant.
3. Add pork and fry till cook. Add in vegetables and stir fry for about 5 minutes then add in noodles and shrimp and cook till shrimp turns pink.
4. Add in sauce and cook till sauce dries up stirring occasionally. Add in beansprout and stir fry until everything combined.

I managed to kill two birds in one stone because I managed to make what hubby liked and also something for myself in a short period of time since I didn't want to eat pizza.

Stimulating the economy

The economy is getting worst each day and to help boost the economy we decided to go on a shopping spree (not really :P).
Hubby has always wanted a good bike and we decided to check it out in REI.
He found a bike that he really liked. So we had a little talk and we decided to get the bike.


We actually bought this bike about 6 months ago and that was suppose to be for him but since my old bike doesn't ride as good compared to these he wanted me to have this and he wanted another one and since I like riding on this one too I reluctantly said yes to his purchase. So we both now have pretty good bikes and I think we won't need to get any new bicycle for a long time.
I've been meaning to get a sweater for Milo but haven't gotten the chance and since hubby wanted to go REI and petsmart is by the side of that store I made a deal with him that we would then go to petsmart to find a sweater for Milo because it has been cold this past couple of days. We got one for him but it was too big a little too big so we took the dogs to another petsmart and bought a sweater for him. I wanted to buy another matching sweater for both Milo and Stanley but I could not find any and hubby would not go for that.

Milo with his sweater

Stanley's sweater that we bought last year

Milo seems fine wearing a sweater and I'm not sure whether it keeps him warmer but what the heck I'll just let him wear it when is chilly out. Uncle and Aunt Richie was out and about and heard about me looking for sweaters for Milo actually bought two more tops for Milo. They could not find anything for Stanley.
Since everyone had something and I did not we decided go to the mall to find me something on Sunday. I was actually eyeing on a wallet because my coach wallet is a few years old and is getting dirty so I decided to go for another coach purse.
Since the weather was so chilly I've been telling hubby that I need a winter jacket for down here. I have a lot of winter jackets when I was living up North but then those jackets would be too thick for the winter down here so I opted to get something that is not so heavy for down here. We did make a dent in our bank account but then I guess we've already did our part in stimulating the economy so we should be done stimulating the economy for sometime.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Milo is home!!!

I was so worried about Milo yesterday after I dropped him off at the animal clinic. I wanted to call them to see how he was and to see if he has been looked at. I knew that the staff there had a meeting from 12-2pm so I knew that he wasn't going to be looked at that time and I only dropped him off at about 10:30am. Uncle Richie and Hubby said that I should wait to give them a call so I waited, and waited and waited until 4:30pm then decided to call them. Milo still hasn't been looked at and I was getting agitated because it's taking so long. The vet technician said that Milo would most probable be looked at soon. So I waited again and was about to call to see if he's been looked at by the doctor but I was stopped by Uncle Richie because he said that I'm worrying too much and I should not call them after half an hour :P. Stanley and I missed Milo so much. The house was not the same without him and every time when I saw his other leash my heart ache thinking he's all by himself that I might have abandon him. Uncle Richie said that I'm all freaked out about a sick dog and when I have kids he's not even sure what will happen to me. He thinks that I will go berserk if it was my baby! Anyway at about 5:15pm the doctor called me. He told me that he thinks Milo had a bladder infection and he did an ultra sound on his tummy area and there is a lot of blood there. He said that they are currently trying to make him go pee so that they can do another urine sample to make sure. He told me that we could just start him on antibiotic and hopefully it'll all be good. I arrived at the clinic at about 5:30pm and I saw my little guy at about 5:33pm. I am not sure why they could not take him out to see me quicker. I was so excited and happy to see my little guy. He was hesitant to walk out of the door when the nurse took him out but as soon as he saw and heard me he jumped right to me and looked so happy to see me! He was so excited running in the car on our way home. I was afraid he would pee in the car because he has a UTI infection and could not hold his urine.

Stanley was so happy to see Milo when he walked in to the house. They were playing like lost friends for some time when they saw each other :). Milo was still peeing blood (the doctor to clear out the blood in his bladder area) yesterday. This morning he was peeing normal urine. I think because he has the infection he can't hold his urine for a long time. This morning when I took him out of his crate he started to pee and I quick grab the towel from his crate so it won't be everywhere. He pee so much on the crate even after I wore his leash. I think he could not wait anymore. Hubby and I think that he needs to go out more often until the infection is gone and train him again. What a long day for me yesterday!!!I'm just glad that nothing major happened to my little guy. The vet bill...I'm not even going to say it...Ultrasound, test after test, doctor's visit fee...Milo is free but he's already cost more than Stanley including Stanley's adoption fee. His visit like this to the clinic cost more than my medical bill already *faint*. Anyhow we are just happy to have Milo back with us. :)

I really do wonder how would I be if I have kids. Are the worries worst than this??

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Homemade Dog Biscuits II

I've been wanting to make the dogs some homemade treats for quite sometime now so after my Wilton cookie cutter arrived the other day I decided to make them some treats last night.



Oatmeal carrots cookies
Ingredients
3Cups of whole wheat flour
3Cups of Old fashioned Oatmeal
11/4cups of water
1/4 of carrots
2-3tablespoons of cinnamon
1tablespoon of oil
3 tablespoon of apple sauce
1tablespoon of ground cloves *optional*

Method
1. Heat oven to 325 degree F.
2. Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until combined to form dough.
3. Roll out dough on floured surface to about 1/4inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut into shapes. Combine dough scraps; continue to roll out and cut into shapes until all dough has been used.
4. Place cookies on ungreased foil lined baking sheet and bake for 30-35minutes.

You can use different vegetables or apples in this recipe but I used carrots because that's what I have. Hubby, Uncle Richie and Aunt actually took a bit of the cookies and said that if I add some sugar is actually pretty good *slap head*. I wanted to make the dog treats as healthy as possible hoping that it would actually be better than the once at the store but Stanley and Milo is not real picky with their treats so they have been eating quite a bit of it.

Coca Cola Chicken, Szechuan Eggplant and Stir fry vegetables

I've not been cooking much ever since PIL came and visit because FIL will do most of the cooking and I just need to clean up. Last week I barely cooked anything because I have not been to the grocery store and didn't bother to go by myself. So last weekend hubby and I went to the grocery store and did our groceries.
I've been wanting to try this coca cola chicken for a long time. One of my BFF that was studying in Australia at that time told me about this dish and said that it taste pretty good so when I found the recipe at Sinner's site and is even approved by her western hubby I was ready to try it too. I am not sure why but the color of my chicken is lighter than hers but hubby said it taste yummy so I guess I just have to play with it a little bit more.

L-R: Eggplant, Chicken and Greens

Coca Cola Chicken

Ingredients
1.5kg chicken pieces
1 can 355ml coke
2 Tbsp lemon juice
5 thin slices of ginger
2 clove garlic, chopped
4 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp dark soya sauce
1 red chilli deseeded
1 Tbsp cooking oil
sprinkling of salt to taste

Method
1. Marinate chicken with coke and lemon juice for at least 30 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a wok and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant.

3. Pour the coke from the chicken into a small pot. Heat to boil and set aside.

4. Add chicken to the wok and stir fry for 5 minutes.

4. Pour the boiled coke and the rest of the ingredients to the chicken.

5. Mix well, cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. If there is still a lot of liquid, turn the heat up and boil to reduce and thicken the gravy. Season with salt to taste.

I love to eat eggplant and I love it since I was a little kid however I try not to eat too much because I know it takes a lot of oil to cook them and they absorb almost all of it too however I've not eaten eggplant in a long time and I came across My Kitchen Snippet's site and saw the yummy eggplant recipe and decided to buy one and cook it. I regret not buying more but then sometimes when I'm lazy I end up not cooking them hence wasting it but this time it did not have a chance to go to the garbage. The only thing I did different was omitting the chicken because I already had coca cola chicken.

Szechuan Eggplant
Ingredients
2 Japanese eggplant - cut into 1" length
2 spring onions - cut into 1" length
2 cloves of garlic - chopped
1 " of ginger - finely chopped
1 tablespoon hot bean paste
2 tsp of chili paste

Sauce:
1 cup Chicken Broth
2 tbsp of light soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoons cornstarch

Method
1. In a small bowl combine all the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the eggplant. Stir-fry the eggplant until it is softened (about 5 minutes). Remove and drain on paper towels.
3. Add 1 tablespoons oil to the wok. When the oil is hot, add garlic,ginger, chili paste and hot bean sauce.
4. Stir-fry until aromatic.
5. Add in the sauce and bring to a boil, stirring quickly to thicken.
6. Add the eggplant and cook for a few more minutes. Check seasoning and lastly add in spring onions. Serve warm.

Lastly I just chopped some vegetables and fried it with lots of garlic and a pinch of salt. The eggplant and stir fry vegetables only lasted me for two meals whereas I freeze half of the left over chicken too. When I get to the grocery store again I will sure buy more eggplant to cook this again because I love eggplant!!

Milo is not feeling well

Milo puked two night ago at about 2am. We didn't think anything of it because we know that dogs tend to puke when they have an upset stomach and that was the first time he actually puked so just cleaned the little guy up and went to bed. He was fine, eating and playing the whole of yesterday.
This morning I heard him whining a little and then he started peeing in his crate. Not thinking anything I took him and the crate to the tub. I washed the pee from the crate and noticed a few small drops of blood on the floor so I just took him outside. When we went outside, I didn't think that he had to pee again since he already pee in the crate but he did and I saw dark liquid coming out. I freaked out but tried to find the number for the vet. I could not find the number so I had to call Uncle Richie. I called the clinic but the doctors did not have any available appointment. It will have to be either a walk in or I will have to drop Milo there until a doctor has time to see him today. I didn't know what to do and called Uncle Richie again to make sure that it is normal to drop them off because I feel pretty bad dropping him off and just letting the doctor examine him there since I'm not there. I didn't want Milo to feel that I neglected him in his time of need. Anyway Aunt said that is alright to just drop him off while he is waiting for a doctor to see him and that also gives the nurse a chance to collect some urine sample etc. We were at the clinic and I had to fill in a bunch of forms so I put him down because he was fussing to get down as soon as I put him down he pee blood on the floor. I freaked out and almost cried because I was so scared. The nurses there then told me that is alright and that they think it might just be a bladder infection. I am hoping that it is just a bladder infection and hopefully my poor guy will be alright soon. I am just waiting for them to call me to ask me to collect him or tell me what's going on with him.
Stanley seems so lost without Milo. He's just sitting at their favorite spot looking out the window. I think he is hoping that Milo comes home soon. He does not even want to come to me and cuddle or sleep on me when I call him (He normally will do that when he is taking a nap) he's just there by himself now.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Wilton Cookie Cutter


From the time I learned about Wilton's product, what they sell and what they offer I fell in love with their product. I love to buy baking things from Wilton and I trust their brand.

I've looking to buy a bone shape cookie cutter so I can make treats for Stanley and Milo. While browsing through Wilton's website I saw a set of 101 cookie cutter set for a really good deal and they even have bone shape plus MORE!

I liked the plastic cookie cutter instead of the stainless steels one because I find that the stainless steels one will eventually rust a little (maybe because mine is not that expensive) whereas I have some heart shape plastic cookie cutter from Wilton that works great. I love it !I am just hoping it works as great as the once I already have but I trust Wilton products so it should be alright. :)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Eco Friendly

I've been asking hubby to make me a decomposing bin for a long time even when we were still living up North but he refuses to let me have a decomposing bin because he's afraid that it will stink up the yard. I've heard of the benefit of having a decomposing bin for a long time and I know that loads of people have a decomposing bin and if it's done right it should not stink up the yard. When the stuff are done decomposing the soil makes a really good organic fertilizer for the plants and since I like to grow some vegetables and chili padi in summer I've been wanting to decompose so that I can use the decompose soil on my garden.
Well hubby finally built me a bin yesterday. I just need to wait for him to set the bin where I want it and I can finally decompose my kitchen scrap that I saved up yesterday. I know it takes a long time for the scraps to get decompose but I'm still excited getting my own decompose bin. My only concern is that I don't have the right ratio and the stuff is not decomposing well hence stinking up the whole yard and making a big mess at that time I know for sure hubby will make me get ride of the bin.
My second eco friendly thing I did was actually making my own enzyme. I know enzyme making is the current trend among people back home. When I went back I was complaining to my aunt that my chili padi plants dies in the house because of the aphids. The aphids will attack my plant hence killing them and my aunt's friend mentioned to me about making my own enzyme and using them to prevent the aphids. At that time I didn't know what she was talking about because I've honestly never heard of making enzymes and I didn't even know what or how is done. I came home and googled it and I found ways to make my own garbage enzymes. I am in the process of making two bottles (about 1liter bottle) of my garbage enzymes. I want to try making a small batch because I don't have a lot of kitchen scrap collected since I hardly cook this week and I am using my kitchen scrap for my decomposing bin as well. I will start with the two little bottles and see whether it is successful before attempting to make more. If it is successful I can always make more because the garbage enzymes sounds like it has a ton of benefits and it doesn't take a lot of work to make it.
My life sounds pretty sad when having my own decomposing bin and trying to make garbage enzymes is the high light of my weekend but oh well I guess I'm living in a country where I have limited friends and family and doing stuff around the house is the only thing that can keep me occupied and also helps with the environment I guess I should have no complains.

Must watch!!!



I love both movies..It took me two nights to watch Australia because it was longer but we managed to catch Taken in the cinema and it was awesome.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Meatloaf

Uncle Richie and I have been going out almost everyday walking around and the proceed to have a nice and heavy lunch before heading home. I would still be full from lunch every evening and not knowing what to make for dinner. The other night aunt had a company function so I told Uncle Richie that he should come over for dinner since it was just him alone. I was so full I didn't start preparing dinner until 7pm and by the time I finish cooking dinner aunt was already home but hubby hasn't thus we went ahead to eat without waiting for him anymore.
It was a cold night and I had no idea what so ever what to make since I was still full when I was preparing it and came up with an idea of making meatloaf because its fairly simple, I have all the ingredients in the house and it will actually warm the house up on that chilly evening.

Saute the chopped vegetables

Mix all the ingredients together

Ready to go into the oven.

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs ground meat
1/2 cup of bread crumbs or crackers crumbs or oats
1 egg
1 small vidalia onion or type sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 green or red or orange pepper(some country call it capsicum)(optional)
3 cloves of garlic finely chopped(optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce
1/2-2/3 cup whole milk or half-and-half or evaporated milk

Sauce

4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (reduce if you don't like the tangy taste)
2-4 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed firm (go with 1-2 tablespoons if you don't like your food too sweet)
1/4 cup of ketchup
1/4 cup of barbecue sauce

Method
1. Saute finely chopped garlic, pepper and onions
2. Combine meat loaf ingredients and place into a loaf baking dish and smooth out top.
3. Bake the meatloaf at 350°F for about 15-30minutes to make sure that your ground meat does not produce oil if it does take it out and dump the oil out.
4. Mix the sauce ingredients together and pour over meatloaf after dumping the oil out.
5. Bake for 1-1.5 hours or until done depending on the size of baking pan you are using.

This is such a easy to prepare meal and I didn't even have to go out to the store for anything. I try and have some of the basics in the house so that I don't have to constantly go to the store to buy something if I have to make a meal. I so happen had half and half at home because I was initially planning to make Alfredo sauce but have not done it yet so I decided that I could use it to make something else before it goes bad. I love tangy or sour food therefore I love the sauce for the meatloaf too.

Sunshine Shelter

Once again I have a stray in my house!This time round hubby didn't find her it was SIL that found her. She is a little pit bull and we think she's about 10-12 weeks old. She is such a sweet heart and she loves to cuddle I fell in love with her the moment I picked her up. SIL can't keep her in the apartment and her apartment complex do not allow pit bulls so we are keeping her hopefully till tonight because I think SIL found her a home. I named her Sydney!!I love her so much but having THREE dogs is way too much for me and since she's still a puppy she needs to be trained and I just don't have the patient and the energy to train her.

She hates to go into the crate and because she is a puppy she wants constant attention. We left her to sleep in the crate last night and she pee in there. This morning I had to get up early so I took all three dogs out to do their business and I crated them up after feeding them etc. When I came back I came back to a night mare. Sydney pooped in her crate and is stunk up my whole kitchen. I could not have enough time to open the windows and air the whole house out. Thank god is nice and warm out so I can actually open the windows and the door. I had to spray a ton of air refreshner in the kitchen too. I love her so much but then I don't want to go through the ordeal to train her. Is bad enough having to watch Milo (he's still in the process of training although he's much better) I cannot imagine watching a little puppy like Sydney anymore. I hope that SIL found her a really good loving home. I am sure she will as she has so much love for all these dogs too. We might have though of keeping her if we didn't already have two dogs but THREE is just too much of a hassel at this moment! *faint* I just wished that she was going to be living closer and I'm able to see her more..sigh...


She honestly looks much cuter in person!:)

Now I have her chained out in the yard because she needs to go to the bathroom all the time and I don't want to be watching her all day long but poor Sydney she's just whining because she wants someone to play with her. Never the less after all the pooping and peeing I still think she's cute!

So yeah we have another stray in the house I am not sure when has my house actually became animal shelter place :). We have strays so often ever since we moved down here to Houston. Uncle Richie's friend was like "what's up with your family? You guys are always finding stays left and right" LOL. Uncle and Aunt Richie has found a ton of stray too before this so this is not anything new to them!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Crocsmania

Uncle Richie is not able to go to work for about 4-6 weeks after his surgery because I think he's not allow to strain any of his tummy area therefore we've been hanging out a lot together. Last week after he got out of the hospital he didn't really do anything because he was still not feeling that well but today Uncle Richie asked if I wanted to go shopping together and of course I said yes because I've not been shopping for like a month now (the last I went was the day before CNY). We left the house and stopped by at one of his friends place and chat for a little while then we headed to the mall. I was walking around not intending to buy anything that I don't need (since times are pretty bad now). I was walking and I saw the crocs store and asked Uncle Richie if he would mind going in and he said no. So off we went and they were having a sale and we both got really excited.

Damaged done by me..

I bought two pairs for hubby (yellow and orange+pink), one pair for my dad (light blue), one pair for my mom (green) and one pair (dark blue) for me.

Uncle Richie bough two pairs each for him and aunt. When I was walking out the store I wanted to roam around and see if I missed any more but Uncle Richie told me to continue my way so I would not be tempted to buy anymore. I started looking some for hubby so he could wear around the house but then when I found more and could not resist myself. Hubby is not a crocs fan but then Uncle Richie said that since is on sale he could just wear it around the house.

After a few hours of walking we were both tired and hungry so we made our way home but stopped by at Chilis to fill our tummy up first. It was so funny because when we go to the gym just both of us together there are people that is thinking Uncle Richie is cheating on his wife with me (I think some actually told Aunt) and so when we were walking out the door Uncle Richie said (loud but not yelling) "I should get home before my wife gets home and see us"..LMAO..some that heard was just looking at us!!I told hubby that when we got home and he just thought that we are mean..

We are planning on going to the Galleria tomorrow let's hope that I won't be tempted to buy anymore.

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