December 26, 2013

Gifts + New Projects for 2014!

Christmas day is over and in a few days we are about to say goodbye to 2013. And so Daddy Allan and I decided to have a crochet break, not a complete break though. Since I am still working on new designs and items we would like to introduce in 2014. But before we have our break, Daddy finished first the gift wrapping.

Christmas gifts and giveaways

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December 19, 2013

The Final MTO for 2013!

As promised, here's the final MTO that we have just finished!

Crochet Minion Hats and Ugg Boots

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Grayscale Thursday: Imprisoned

“Unforgiveness denies the victim the possibility of parole
and leaves them stuck in the prison of what was,
incarcerating them in their trauma and
relinquishing the chance to escape beyond the pain.” 
-T.D. Jakes




Previously, I got a shot of this monkey with an eye contact.

During our visit at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Marilao, many were entertained by this monkey, not only kids but adults too. However, looking at the photo, I can see the sadness in their eyes while inside the cage trying to entertain and give joy to the audience.

Can you see the sadness too?

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December 18, 2013

Up, Up and Away Wednesday: Divine Mercy Bell Tower

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset,
or the beauty of the moon,
my soul expands in worship of the Creator."
– Mahatma Gandhi


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December 17, 2013

Chicken Kare-Kare


Experiments in the kitchen don't end.

I know how ox stripe tastes like. I already cooked pork kare-kare. Now, I used chicken as the main ingredient in this very Pinoy recipe. I haven’t tried cooking this dish from scratch since I am using the Mama Sita’s Kare-kare mix.

You will need:

½ kilo chicken
3 pieces eggplant, sliced diagonally to about 1” thick
1 medium-sized banana blossom (puso ng saging), chuncked
1 bundle pechay
1 bundle string beans, cut into 2 inches long
1 medium-sized onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pack Mama Sita’s Kare-kare powder mix dissolved in 1 cup water

Here’s how to do it:

Sauté onion, garlic. Add chicken and continue sautéing until rendered. Add the mama sita’s kare-kare mix and additional 2 cups water. Simmer and add banana blossom, eggplant and string beans. Simmer until all the veggies are cooked. Add pechay and simmer for about 2 minutes.

Serve with sautéed shrimp paste.
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December 13, 2013

Two Down, One More To Go!

After almost a month of working all night, finally done with 2 of the last three MTO batches. This is with the combine Mommy and Daddy crocheting effort!

Here's the 3rd to the last batch.

Crochet light pink doll booties with flower, light pink doll booties with ribbon bow, red ladybug doll booties and strawberry cake flower gladiator sandals.

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December 8, 2013

Family Day Sunday: Black Background

Before I used to make the background in grayscale to enhance the subject. This time, I made it all black. The task is not that easy and needs lots of patience and control of your hands especially on the edges.
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December 6, 2013

Sarciado with a Twist

Sarciado With a Twist
A recipe of Fish Sarciado was already posted here. One day Mommy recommends to put some twist out of curiosity. She suggests to use alamang or shrimp paste instead of salt or patis. To make it even healthier, I added malunggay leaves.
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December 5, 2013

Yarn Organization 101


Ooops... I am no expert with organizing and please don't expect me to list down tips on how to =)

Let me just share what the best yarn organization we have made so far. At first we bought a 5-layer storage rack like this.

But since this is open, we need to put each spool of yarns into a plastic. Also, it started to get crowded as we purchase more and more lots of yarns. So it's never organized and most of the times, the yarns fell out of the rack. That's why we decided to buy a cabinet with pull out drawers. Unfortunately, it's only good for our Red Heart, Monaco, and Familia Acrylic yarns.


And so we looked for something that's a good storage for our precious yarns. Luckily, we have found storage boxes that are on sale so we purchased 3 big storage boxes.

Multi-function Storage Boxes

And we have discovered something pa about this kind of boxes. Have you wondered why the clear boxes are more expensive than the colored ones like these? We asked the promodizer why is that so and he said that the colored boxes are made form used/recycled materials that's why they are cheaper that the clear ones. This way we can help save the environment since we all know that plastic is non-biodegradable and the only way to avoid these to contribute to pollution is to recycle them.

Going back to the boxes, since these are not clear our problem will be how can we easily tell where's the yarn colors we are looking for, without opening all the boxes. That would be too tasky right? So what I did was I put each box a label indicating what yarn colors are inside.

Yarns in a box

Actually, the three boxes are so full and I'm thinking to buy another one so our precious yarns can breathe, hehe.

More yarns inside the boxes!
I am sure you'll agree that organizing save safe. Look!


So there you go. That's how our yarns are doing right now. Like what I have said, still need to buy more boxes because our yarn stash is growing. I really can't stop shopping for more, e. I am a certified crochet and yarn  addict e.


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December 4, 2013

Up, Up and Away Wednesday: Electric Grid

"Know what yo want to do, hold the thought firmly,
and do everyday what should be done,
and every sunset will see you
that much nearer to your goal."
- Elbert Hubbard


Go on, keep moving and enjoy life. One day you will notice, you are just few steps away from your achieving your goals.


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December 2, 2013

Crafty Things at Wellmanson


If you are a regular reader of Momaye's Diary, then you might already know that we went to Divisoria a week ago. We braved the heavy traffic and rain, but all is well since I have finally gone to the Wellmanson in Tabora.

Wellmanson is located at 855 Tabora Street, Divisoria, Manila. I have gone to Tabora so many times but this was the first time I saw Wellmanson. Well, maybe because only recently that I have known there's also a Wellmanson in Tabora. I thought their store is at Quiapo only.

source

Wellmanson is selling yarns, ribbons, buttons, fabrics, hair clips, needles, beads, and other sewing and handcrafting accessories. They are selling these at wholesale and retails prices. It's way cheaper than other craft sites I know. That's why I am so happy I found them there. And if other girls palpitate when they see bags, shoes, dress and the likes, ako naman my heart beats faster than usual when I see craft things and accessories, ribbons and yarns. Haha! No kidding, that is so true.

Anyway, sa dami ng mabibili I can't choose what to buy at first. I was like looking around and kept telling Daddy, "Dad, ang daming ganun o... O ayun ang dami." Haha. I don't know if the people notice how ignorante I was that day. And when my wisyo got back, here's what I bought.

Alligator clips (100 pcs @180 pesos), clips (100 pcs @90 pesos), small pearls (7 pesos per necklace), glue stick (2 pesos each), tapestry needles (40 pesos per pack), black beads (1 pack @40 pesos), ribbons (sale at @20 & 38 pesos each roll), and Familia acrylic yarns (10 pcs per pack @70 pesos)

So tell me who would have not palpitate when you these items. These are just few as compared to what you can buy there. I also saw pala accessories for bracelet making. That's why I told Daddy we will surely go back there one of these days (maybe next year). 

For all crafty people like me, Wellmanson is a place worth visiting for. Like them on Facebook.

Have a crafty day everyone!

Read also: Where to go in Divisoria?
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November 29, 2013

Random Shots Friday: The Monkey

"If you look at the monkeys,
you can learn many things about men:
if you look at the men,
you can learn many things about madness!"
- Mehmet Murat Ildan

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November 27, 2013

Lo Han Chai ala Daddy


Lo Han Chai ala Daddy
During one of our weekly meetings, a food caterer brought sample of dishes that might be part of our Christmas Party menu. One is the Lo Han Chai.

"The dish is traditionally enjoyed by Buddhist monks who are vegetarians, but it has also grown in popularity throughout the world as a common dish available as a vegetarian option in Chinese restaurants. The dish consists of various vegetables and other vegetarian ingredients (sometimes with the addition of seafood or eggs), which are cooked in soy sauce-based liquid with other seasonings until tender. The specific ingredients used vary greatly both inside and outside Asia." (source: Wikipedia)
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November 26, 2013

Flower Power Tuesday: Luminous Flowers



“She cast her fragrance and her radiance over me.
I ought never to have run away from her...
I ought to have guessed all the affection 
that lay behind her poor little stratagems.
Flowers are so inconsistent!” 
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

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November 25, 2013

Nature's Touch Monday: The Dragonfly



“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery - 
air, mountains, trees, people.
I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.”
-Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar


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November 22, 2013

Celebrate Happiness with McDonald’s at the BABY & FAMILY EXPO 2013

For more than three decades, McDonald’s has been the Filipino family’s first choice when it comes to sharing great tasting meals and creating memorable moments with one another. A huge part of the enjoyable experience McDonald’s creates for families is because of one of its most loved icons: the Happy Meal. And this coming Baby & Family Expo Philippines 2013 on December 06-08, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, McDonald’s will bring this delightful experience to the biggest family event of the year.

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November 21, 2013

Chicken Nuggets or Chicken Loaf?

Chicken nuggets or Chicken loaf?
Thinking of ways to cook chicken that your kids will surely love? Here’s one. I don’t know what to call this, chicken nuggets or chicken loaf since it looks like both.

You will need:
½ kilo chicken breast, bones removed
1 medium sized carrot, shredded
1 cup all-purpose flour
1-2 tbsp baking powder
2 pieces eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
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November 20, 2013

Strawberry Shortcake Hat

crochet strawberry shortcake hat
I just want to share another new part of our crochet collections sold in Momaye’s Shoppe – The Strawberry Shortcake Hat. You can view more of our crochet designs at Mom and Dad Crochet.

I hope our customer will like the finished product.
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November 19, 2013

Palitaw

Palitaw means “to get float”. Ths Filipino snack is simply named from it since cooking this is simply by placing the mixture in boiling water and wait until it floats.

You will need:
½ kilo glutinous rice flour
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November 18, 2013

Nature's Touch Monday: The Golden Grain

“A simple act of kindness
is the size of a rice grain that
can weigh as heavy as a mountain.”
- Feroz Bham


I remember that one of the symbol of my Alma Mater is the palay or we referred to as "Golden Grain". Actually, our year book is named after it.

Being humble is like a grain of rice that bows towards the ground as it gain weight.

Start the week with a smile!
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November 4, 2013

Nature's Touch Monday: Water Droplet

"You must not lose faith in humanity.
Humanity is an ocean;
if a few drops of the ocean are dirty,
the ocean does not become dirty."
-Mahatma Gandhi


A water droplet about to fall from the tip of a "cogon"  used as roofing for the bahay kubo.

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October 29, 2013

LAZADA introduces premier fashion items to Southeast Asian customers

Great news to all fashionistas out there!

From the Press Release Kit: 

LAZADA is on its way to becoming Southeast Asia’s number one fashion shopping destination



·         Almost 10,000 fashion items already available
·         Features 700 well-known local and international fashion brands
online (among them Nike, Celine, Marc Jacobs, RayBan, etc.)
·         Supports local designers and smaller brands through LAZADA’s unique fashion marketplace model

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October 25, 2013

How to Break Out of a Creative Rut



Source: infographiclist.com
=)
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October 15, 2013

Pork Asado


I am craving for puto pao last week and planned to make one on weekends but I resulted in making pork asado instead of puto pao.

Asado is commonly used as filling for siopao. It is made of pork cooked slowly with some spices and herbs until meat is tender. From many versions I got in the net, I come up with my own version too.

You will need:
½ kilo pork cut into bite size
3 pieces star anise
1 medium sized onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp ground pepper
5 tbsp soy sauce
5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
½ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water
2 cups of water.
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October 7, 2013

Nature's Touch Monday: Tridax and the Fly

“A weed is but an unloved flower.” 
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox



I think I really need macro lens for better shots of this kind.
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October 6, 2013

Family Day Sunday: Mother and Child

Think for a minute, darling: 
in fairy tales it's always the children who have the fine adventures.
The mothers have to stay at home
and wait for the children to fly in the window.” 
Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife


I already posted this one in Chemist Dad but still I want to share this here.

It is really heart-warming to look photos of mother and her child/children.
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September 30, 2013

Nature's Touch Monday: Holding On

"No matter how hard things get in life,
just don't worry about it,
hold firm to your grounds and fight with your head up 
because after a heavy rain there will still be sunshine."
- Brighton Simpsons


A balete plant that grows in a crevice on the wall.

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September 28, 2013

Suman Kamoteng Kahoy (Cassava)


This is my first time to do this Pinoy dessert or snack. Most of the time I just watch Papa making this and he just gave me an instruction on how to do it.

You will need;
1 kilo kamoteng kahoy or cassava, grated.
¼ kilo white sugar
1 medium-sized coconut, grated
Banana leaves for wrapping
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September 26, 2013

Grayscale Thursday: The Ring

“Dusk is just an illusion because the sun is either above the horizon or below it.
And that means that day and night are linked in a way that few things are there cannot be one without the other yet they cannot exist at the same time. 
How would it feel I remember wondering to be always together yet forever apart?” 
-Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook


I took this shot in Tarlac just before the sun sets. I wasn't able to take a shot while the sun is still above basket to make it look like a ball of fire.
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September 23, 2013

Kamote Taps Stuffed Tofu in Adobo-Mushroom Sauce

Kamote Taps-Stuffed Tofu in Adobo Sauce
This is inspired by Max’s restaurant. I read the description in the menu and made some modification:  instead of kangkong, I replace it with kamote taps. I also removed the shitake mushrooms.

You will need;
6 pieces tokwa or tofu, fried until all sides turned golden brown
1 bunch of kamote taps, chopped to about an inch long, blanched
1 cup water
2-4 tbsp soy sauce
2-4 tbsp vinegar
2-4 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 bay (laurel) leaf, crushed
1 small can button mushroom, sliced
1 medium sized onion, minced
2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tsbp water
Roasted garlic
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September 22, 2013

Family Day Sunday: The Little Drummer Boy

“Childhood is not from birth
to a certain age and at a certain age.
The child is grown, and puts away childish things.
Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies.”
 -Edna St. Vincent Millay


Matt used to imitate Pocoyo after watching one of the episodes with drums. This is a stolen shot since he doesn't want to make a pose in front of camera.
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September 20, 2013

Random Shots Friday: Bahay Kubo

“If you look the right way, 
you can see that the whole world is a garden.” 
-Frances Hodgson Burnet, The Secret Graden


I took this in one of our visits at our hometown. This is one of the views you can see upon staying at our bahay kubo. It only proves that Nueva Ecija is still the Rice Granary of Central Luzon.

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Another Crochet Hello Kitty Set


Hi everyone! So sorry for not posting that often now. I have been busy with my work, crocheting and family. I also homeschool my son so please bear with me.

Here's what can I share with you right now. 

Crochet Amethyst Hello Kitty Set - Sandals, headband and shell hat
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September 19, 2013

Stir Fry Radish

Stir-fry Radish
This is another all veggie recipe I got. This is very simple and good for those who are always on the go.

You will need:
½ kilo radish, julienned
1 medium-sized carrot, julienned
1 medium-sized bell pepper, julienned
1 onion minced
4 cloves garlic minced
4 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp oyster sauce
Dash of pepper
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Grayscale Thrusday: Water Droplets 2

"In one drop of water
are found all the secrets
of all the oceans."
Khalil Gibran

 


I took this shots several months ago just after the rain. See how the water droplets rests on the leaves of the tamarind plant.



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September 18, 2013

Up, Up and Away Wednesday: Double Rainbow

"And when it rains on your parade,
look up rather than down.
Withour the rain,
there would be no rainbow."
-Gilbert k. Chesterton


I took this photo last month at Tarlac. It was fascinating having two rainbows at a time wherein the other one seems to be a reflection of the other.
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September 17, 2013

Flower Power Tuesday: The Onion

“In joy or sadness 
flowers are
our constant friends.” 

-Kakuzō OkakuraThe Book Of Tea


I know that most doesn't have idea on how onion flowers look like. Just stare on the photo above or you can plant your own at home and see how they grow until their flowers bloom.

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September 12, 2013

Grayscale Thursday: After Work

"The price of success is hard work,
dedication to the job at hand, and
determination that whether we win or  lose,
we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand."
-Vince Lombardi


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September 11, 2013

Up, Up and Away Wednesday: St. Joseph Chruch

Who is the happier man, 
he who has braved the storm of life and lived or 
he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?
–Hunter s. Thompson

Bell Tower of St. Joseph Church, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
Dome of St. Joseph Church, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

 I took this shot on morning of Mother's Day 2013 when we visited our hometown then returned home in the afternoon. What a tiring but fulfilling day. 


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