Well..before I go any further I just want to clarify that my baby/Stanley is actually my puppy..I know a lot of people were actually confused about that because they thought that he was my kid..LOL..which is funny because in a way I do treat him like my kid. I cannot believe that a love for a pet could be this deep is just really amazing to me. He has changed my life just like I'm assuming if I ever have a kid I would feel the same.
Finally settling in..Well..First I had get use to the schedule of working and dealing with Stanley then I was going to have a garage sale with L and I had to take half a day Thursday off last week because I had an appointment to go to therefore I had to work extra to make up for the time and tried to bake stuff to sell at the garage sale. It was just a crazy week. I had to rush home, get Stanley and try and make dinner after that, do some house stuff and then bake something..I baked brownies and banana muffin but never had a bake sale because I just didn't know what to bake...Thursday night I had to go over to L's place to arrange my stuff and tag the items since she was going to start it on Friday but because I had to work so she was going to do it with her mom and grandmother while I would go over on Saturday.
Friday I didn't cook therefore we went out and ate buffet. I ate so much that A was asking if I was done eating..LOL..then we went to Target after that because obviously we were too full to go home and sit around...
Saturday night we were having dinner and I had craving for some fried chicken...I wanted some at midnight and obviously there was no way we could get any so I had to wait until Sunday to get it.sob sob..
Sunday we spend a chunky of our time at A's parents house because he had to fix something with his truck and Stanely and I visited grandma and grandpa. After that we went to Chicken Unlimited to get some fried chicken which was a huge DISAPPOINTMENT. Every single person I spoke to said that this place has the best fried chicken better than KFC etc but A and I didn't enjoy our chicken at all..I still wished that I didn't insist going there instead KFC would be yummy...arghh.....but I'm sick of fried chicken at least for a while...maybe till this weekend..LOL..
We still need to get our wireless crap fixed I'm hoping that would be done SOON..oh BTW I made some homemade fries in the over last week (I had craving for fries and I was out of frozen once) it was really yummy and healthier than McD's but if you ask me to choose obviously I would still prefer my McD's fries but I like my homemade one too..When I make again I'll post some pictures and recipe. I didn't take any pictures because I didn't know if it was going to work/taste good.

This week is just insanely busy..First the wireless router was down at home for a couple of days which made it difficult to go online, then it's just been a hectic week..

Anyway just wanted to say that daddy took Stanley to work with him today. Go figure who spoils him more? He just mentioned the other day that I have to stop obsessing about him that much and now he's taking him to work. I hope that both of my male will survive each other today.

Will update more soon..probably when this weekend is here..

Dilemma

So I've not been working for about 6 months now. I finally get a seasonal job...hooray!!!.it's just for a month but I don't care because I'm getting bored to my mind staying at home..Toss up is I'm going to be leaving Stanley alone at home 8-10 hours a day 5 days a week. I leave him home here and there a couple hours here and there but that's just about a day or two a week but to think about him being by himself in his pan makes me feel so horrible. I feel so horrible doing that to him. I know this sounds so weird he's just a dog but he's my buddy and my companion ever since we got him..I called A today after I was done at the employment agency and told him that I needed to spend time with Stanley. I went shopping after leaving the employment agency but I had to make it quick so that I can rush home and spend time with him..I think I'm so crazy..I'm so obsess with him..A mentioned that he's not going to like going to his pan everyday but we will have to make up for it during the weekends that's all we can do I guess..Anyway it's just seasonal so I'll get to spend time with him after the month..calm down calm down..I'm so silly..*slap forehead*

Caramel Apple Bread

After Jakob's 1st birthday last Sunday we decided to stop by the apple orchard to get some apples. We bought a peck of normal apples and one whole box of cooking apples(I don't think they are called cooking apples but I'm going to be using it for cooking that's why). The cooking apples are much smaller and supposedly second grade. I'm going to be using it for cooking and for Stanley to it because Stanley just LOVES apples. He is weird in that way. From what I've heard dogs do not like to eat fruits and vegetables but Stanley will it almost every fruits and vegetables known to man kind. Anyway because we have a box of cooking apples I decided to use some up to bake. I've made this before but that was like two and the half years ago. A and BIL(the second one) likes it therefore since A will be seeing his brother this Saturday I decided to make some so that he can pass it to him. BIL's girlfriend doesn't cook. Supposedly she's afraid the the stove will catch on fire (we/they have electrical stove by the way) therefore I think BIL does the cooking and I think they rarely/don't bake at all.

Caramel Apple Bread

15 caramels
1 1/2 cups flour, divided
1/2 cup room temperature butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 apples, cored,peeled and finely chopped

1. Heat oven to 350° and grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
2. Unwrap caramels and with a scissors, cut each one into 8 small pieces.
3. Toss caramels with 1 tablespoon of the flour in a small bowl to keep them from sticking together; set aside.
4. Beat together butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
5. Add eggs, one at a time and beat well after each.
6. In another bowl, stir together remaining flour, cinnamon allspice and salt.
7. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and blend well.
8. By hand, stir in apples and caramel mixture.
9. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
10. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
11. Cool completely on a wire rack, then remove from pan.

Chopped Apples

Cut Caramel

Before going into the oven

Done baking/cooling down

FACEBOOK!!!

I was talking to a dear friend yesterday and he was telling me that he's playing around in face book..He insisted that I give facebook a try. I've heard tons of stories that facebook is really addicting but I was thinking what the heck I'll join and see what happens..To find that I'M CURRENTLY ADDICTED to it. I met up/found so many people that I didn't think that I would ever talk to again unless I happen to meet them on the streets sometime this life..But I did I found them..OMG it's getting so exciting..I even found some of A's cousins and talking to them. You see him and his extended families don't really hang out a lot or see each other; the last time we saw most of them/I met most of them was during our reception. He was pretty close to this one particular cousin but then they moved on and still kept in touch here and there. I know him too and he's a fun guy..So we've been messaging back and forth..I might be missing for awhile now neglecting my blogs and everything else (Stanley) lol..

Feels like Christmas

I feel like it's already Christmas for A and I..Yesterday we went to a little boy's birthday party. After the party was done we came home to see Stanley..I was about to fall asleep when A said let's go shopping..I'm like huh..we are not supposed to spend anymore money we have everything we possibly need and more!!!But I still agreed to go..who would refused a shopping trip..LOL...but then again maybe I should have said no..
My damage was a Skinny Jeans from Levis because I wanted to try one and Levis was a decent price, A pair of Hello Kitty pajamas which mind you A chose that (He was going to buy the robe too but I told him no because I just bought a Paul Frank one from Orlando, FL last year but now looking at it online I wish we got it..OMG..I'm HORRIBLE..I have 3 robes that I hardly wear actually!!*faint*)and I did not insist of buying it and the most absurd one we bought for me was a Wilton cake decorating set. I've always like decorating cakes but do not have all the adequate tools and the talent. A mentioned that I should just get this set but its pretty expensive for me to have since I don't know how to use most of the tools anyway..then he said that when I get this set I should be able to learn how since it has instructions and I can attend some of the classes offered if I wanted to..So we ended up getting these..I don't even know why I need all these but we bought it..I guess it makes me happy knowing that I have it..

A's damage wasn't so bad..He just bought 5 polo tees and his tool set that's all..But I don't know what's wrong with him yesterday he just wants me to buy everything that I like..hmp..It makes me feel like he's being up to no good. Normally when he's like that it's when he wants something so he'll let me buy anything I want and then he'll tell me what he wants by then he's already bought me so many new stuff I feel bad telling him No to what he wants..that's always his little trick..and every single time I fall into his little trap..Let's see what will he ask for this time..I can only imagine actually...*faint*

Although we had to do it really quickly because the stores was closing early I did have fun..I really love to shop and I don't need to!!!..Well I've transformed A from not shopping when he was single to loving to shop..I think that one maniac loving to shop is enough but with a buddy its always more fun..lol..*wink*

The Monster got loose!!!

I followed A to work yesterday morning and as usual we will take Stanely out feed him and take him downstairs to his pan before we leave. A was rushing me yesterday and I was responsible to put him in his pan. When I came home last night I went downstairs to take him out of his pan so that he could go outside but when I went down I saw stuff shredded everywhere..but Stanley was in his pan..I was surprised and nervous thinking some animal came in and shred my stuff. I quickly called A to come down with me to investigate. We found out that I didn't latch him in properly and he got out of his pan!! So he was roaming freely in the basement yesterday while we were gone for 12 hours!!*faint*. The damage was not that bad, he only chewed two pairs of my slippers and a pair of latex gloves *phew*..Thank god nothing bad happened to him like him chewing on the electric cable or anything poisonous. I would feel like shit if I went home and found him dead because I didn't lock him up properly. Luckily we always have the basement door shut when we leave if not I cannot imagine the damage he would have done being able to roam freely in the whole house...I have to make sure to latch him properly next time..Hopefully this will NOT happen again..that gave me a fright.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ever since I had a sample of Ikea's oat meal chocolate cookie (I'm not sure what it is called but I ate it and it taste like that) I've been wanting some oatmeal cookies. So after A left for school I decided to try to make some..

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Whisk together and set aside

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Cream wet ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

Then stir in

3 cups oats (not instant)

1 1/2 cups raisins

Preheat oven to 350°.

Whisk dry ingredients; set aside.

Combine wet ingredients with a hand mixer on low.

To cream, increase speed to high and beat until fluffy and the color lightens.

Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture until no flour is visible.

(Over mixing develops the gluten, making a tough cookie.) Now add the oats and raisins; stir to incorporate.

Fill cookie scoop with dough.

(Use a #40 cookie scoop; it measures 2 tablespoon of dough) Press against side of bowl, pulling up to level dough.

Drop 2-inches apart onto baking sheet sprayed with nonstick spray.

Bake 11-13 minutes (on center rack), until golden, but still moist beneath cracks on top.

Remove from oven; let cookies sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

p/s: I halved my dough; half of it I added raisins and the other half I caramel chocolate chips.

Dough and Chocolate Chips

Done..:)

Chicken Pot Pie & Pie Crust

I made Chicken Pot Pie for dinner tonight. I even cut my nails really short so that when I make the crust it will not stick underneath my nails. It's a little more work, it taste yummy (kind off like the store bought kind with no preservatives) but then I think next time when I'm lazy I'll just use the easier method ie, use frozen veg and can soup..LOL..I even made my own chicken broth. I would still make my crust because I like the taste of it and it's not all that difficult to make..

Delicious Chicken Pot Pie

1 cup potatoes, diced
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup chopped carrots
1/3 cup melted margarine
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 pie crusts (either store bought or your own recipe)

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Saute onion, celery, carrots and potatoes in butter for 10 minutes.

Add flour to sauteed mixture, stirring well Cook one minute stirring constantly.

Combine broth and half and half

Gradually stir into vegetable mixture

Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly.

Stir in salt and pepper; add chicken and stir well.

Pour into shallow 2 quart casserole dish and top with pie shells .

Cut slits to allow steam to escape.

Bake for 40-50 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly and cooked through.

This is how it looks when it's done cooking

Shake-A-Pie Crust

2 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup Crisco shortening
1/2 cup cold water
1 dash salt

Put flour, sugar, salt and crisco in a plastic bowl with a lid.

Seal and wink (let the air out;-) Shake until it sounds like sand.

Add water.

Seal and wink.

Shake until it sounds like a rock.

Roll out for your favorite pie or pastries.

p/s: I didn't add the sugar in because I was making this dish but if you are using this recipe to make dessert feel free to add the sugar.

The finished product...

This is some of the reason why I'm glad that I'm not living in Malaysia. Stupid people there!!!This is so DUMB! They should reflect on themselves and "their" people before making and comments about how other people dress etc..

Beyonce cancels Kuala Lumpur show
10/01/2007 4:03 PM,
AP Alicia Quarles

Beyonce Knowles has scrapped plans to stage her first concert in Malaysia and will instead perform in neighboring Indonesia, which has less stringent rules about how performers should dress and behave.

The announcement followed recent speculation that Knowles — who is famous for her sexy image and skimpy outfits — was reluctant to fulfill the Malaysian government's demand for female performers to cover up from the top of their chests to their knees, including their shoulders.

International Creative Management, her Los Angeles-based talent agency, said Knowles' Nov. 1 date in Kuala Lumpur was canceled "due to a scheduling conflict."
"It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of The Beyonce Experience World Tour in Kuala Lumpur," said the statement, which was made available Monday by Malaysian entertainment organizers Pineapple Concerts. "It was to mark the very first time the performer would bring her show to Malaysia."

Knowles, 26, will perform in Jakarta on Nov. 1.

Pineapple Concerts Chairman Razlan Ahmad Razali said his company, which has brought Western acts such as Kanye West and Earth, Wind and Fire to Malaysia, was "disappointed and frustrated."

"Though Indonesia is also a Muslim country, it doesn't have all these issues that we have," Razlan told The Associated Press. "She can perform as she likes there."
Concert promoters have said Western performers face mounting pressure in Malaysia to keep skimpy clothes and steamy dance moves off the stage amid protests by conservative Muslims who believe liberal Western performances can corrupt young people.

Gwen Stefani made what she called "a major sacrifice" in August by wearing clothes that revealed little skin at a Kuala Lumpur stadium concert after Muslim students and activists called for the performance to be canceled due to the singer's sultry reputation.