MOVIES ✰ Finally watched Knight and Day
Image via VCTV
I’ve been waiting for Knight and Day to show in theaters and my husband surprised me yesterday by making time in his hectic workweek to watch it with me, on a Monday nonetheless.
I was not disappointed. But please note I love Romcoms so I am that kinda girl. Aside from a couple of cheesy moments at the end, the Tom Cruise & Cameron Diaz action-comedy kept us laughing most of the time – which is more than I can say for the snoozy “comedy” Date Night (gotta say I expected more from Steve Carell, Tina Fey and the many other comedians in that cast).
SO cute!
I’ve to say though that for one to enjoy the movie, one has to suspend disbelief & just enjoy the roller coaster ride of hilarious impossible situations. Tom Cruise was perfect for the ever-charming, suave and deadly super secret agent. That smile will make any girl melt even if she is being shot at – so for me, yes it was believable. Cameron Diaz was the perfect person to play the cute, girl-next-door heroine – I can’t imagine any other actress pulling this off!
SPOILER ALERT: Loved that they refer to this movie on the first episode of Entourage Season 7 – about how Tom Cruise did his own stunts when the scared Vincent Chase didn’t want to do his own.
Tom Cruise is back! I don’t care what the box office says. This is so far one of my top movies of the year – if not my #1! Sorry Sex and the City 2, you are not on that list.
Okay some of you might say I am biased since I’ve had a crush on him since I was a kid (I don’t care about the Cruise-bashing post Katie Holmes). I’m not saying it’s cool or anything (because Brad Pitt is so much cooler) but it is what it is. So I guess you’ll have to watch it and see if I’m right or just blinded by my Hollywood crush. =P
Drop me a line when you do and let me know what you think!
DIPLO (MENTAL) DECLUTTER ♖ Can’t sleep!
Image: Lifehack
- Create an appliance notebook (instruction manuals, purchase receipts, maintenance and repair receipts, and warranty information) - I was inspired by unclutterer.com. I’d like to thank Jenny for suggesting this to me on FB. Divine for any OC housewife like me! Must get myself a new binder at Mujifor this! This has opened a Pandora’s box for me – imagine what other notebooks I can do!
- Important Documents Notebook (Birth, marriage, medical, certificates, original and photocopies of important documents, extra ID pictures, etc.)
- Household Notebook (important numbers, cleaning & chores instructions, washing instructions, reminders, delivery)
- Pet Notebook (vaccines, meds, grooming, food)
- Organize my recipe notebook – I have a binder & tabs already but now have a more concrete plan after seeing an entry on this in unclutterer.com. I also like the idea of printing a conversion table (i.e. cups to tablespoons)
- Breakfast
- Soups
- Salads
- Appetizers
- Chicken Entrees
- Seafood Entrees
- Pork Entrees
- Beef Entrees
- Desserts
- Drinks
- Am I forgetting anything else?
- Do weekly schedule for household work based on The Maid Manual by Good Housekeeping Philippines
- Print out & discuss napkin folding techniques with the maid
- Finalize my shopping list for sewing – gotta check all clothing items that need repair. Right now off the top of my head:
- Threads: black, white & cream
- Cloth: white (2 pillow cases), cream (2 pillow cases), printed silk (scarf & 2 house dresses)
- Zippers
- Buttons
- Measure the bedside table drawers & top closet space so I know the size of organizers I need to buy from Muji & Ace hardware
- Buy bread from the convenience store – I knew I should have bought the shortening at the grocery a while ago! I could have just made my own bread.
- Plan menu for the week based on the remaining items in the ref & cupboard. – I really have to do advance menu planning & (based on this) a more exact grocery list on Excel (just like my best friend J). Will explore Recipe Manager Excel tool too. It might help.
- Figure out how to use the new dog nail clippers and attempt cutting the dogs nails myself. Ack.
Okay time to concentrate on the World Cup Argentina – Mexico match! Then hopefully off to sleep!
Read MoreDIPLO DECLUTTER ♖ project 1 & 2
Sick and tired of all those wires, chargers, and plugs? How about the bottomless pit that is your drawer? Have no fear, Diplo Wife is here!
Read MoreMy favorite meal of the day: Brunch
And my favorite place to eat it in Jakarta is at Social House. We always get the same thing: Eggs Benedict & Old Time Favorites. Servings are massive so get ready to be REALLY FULL afterwards. Wear stretchy pants perhaps?
Read MoreBattle-the-breakout skincare routine
I must confess, I love, love, love Philosophy! It seems expensive at first glance but the massive containers take ages to finish and very little goes a long way (It takes me 1 yr. 2 mos. to finish my Purity). In the end it comes out cheaper than other drugstore products and your skin comes out beautiful. My aunt, cousin, step-mom, sister and friends are now addicted to Philosophy because it really works. It is no wonder Oprah loves em (she named Hope In a Jar one of her favorite things) and many of their products are award-winning (Allure, Sephora, etc.)!
I’ve been helping a friend out with her skin care – yes I am a beauty junkie and I confess am always looking for the best products to use (value for money of course). This list is for her. Enjoy Mrs. C!
Read MoreSorry for the silence
Yes this housewife has been quite busy this last week! I finally feel like myself: productive and perpetually attempting to organize my life! Ever since my 2-week flu (I even thought it was Dengue!) last May I’ve been lethargic and pretty down. But this week I’ve felt more energized and like my usual to-do-list-toting self again. =P
Just to update you, since my last post I’ve been occupied with…
- Battling my breakout Yes it’s that time again. It takes a lot of effort to bring back my skin it’s glow. GRRRRR! Out damned spot!
- Girlfriend brunches Harvey Nichols sale anyone? Insane 80% off branded items that got us girls all hot & bothered – we had a hard time getting everyone to quit shopping and eat =P
- Dinner with a new cool diplo couple we met
- Awesome BBQ day at the Cs
- Home reorganization projects Thanks to Muji!
- New ottomans & waterproofing upholstery Ottomans from Ideko & Muji
- Gardening I haven’t done this in a long time so it’s good to be back at it! Hope I can save the sickly Hydrangea plants =(
- The new sewing machine Best thing EVER
- And World Cup 2010! Yes life stops in our household for FIFA. Games are at 6:30pm, 9pm & 130am! And we stay up till 3am to watch important games. So my body clock’s been messed up again lately. But who cares? It’s only once every 4 yrs! VIVA ESPAÑAAAA!
The Filipiniana gown that made me feel like a wedding cake
Attended our National Independence Day reception last week with my biggest Filipiniana gown (the hubby told me to save my most “bongga” one for this occasion). I was massive – making it a feat to get in and out of the car. And this time we were sure to call for a Silver Bird cab (usually a Mercedes Benz) to take us to the venue so there was plenty of space for me and my dress. I can’t imagine fitting in a Blue Bird in this one – the Vios would be too small.
Read MoreMy new favorite nook in the flat
Since we got the first of our new custom-made teak furniture delivered, I now have a new favorite spot in the flat: the couch with my new side table.
Read MoreGoing wild for Wild Mushroom Pasta
I was so hungry I didn't even bother chopping up the cilantro =P
I was watching Jamie Oliver do a vegetarian dinner on Oliver’s Twist one night and what he was doing looks so delicious that I started typing up the recipes as he went along (I eventually found the original recipes online later on). He did a Wild Mushroom Spaghetti, Mushroom Sarnies & Pecan Vanilla Ice Cream. I tried making them all for my husband and they were a hit. The pasta & sarnie are now staples at home. I would make the dessert regularly as well if only we had an espresso machine. You can’t really take home espresso from Starbucks & use it, because espresso has to be drank a few seconds after preparation or it changes in taste & quality.
The Wild Mushroom Pasta is a favorite party recipe of mine. You can make a big batch, and it still tastes GREAT after reheating – provided you bring extra parmesan & cilantro to top it off after. Below is my adaptation of the recipe.
- 9 to 11 ounces (250 to 300 grams) wild mixed mushrooms (I would probably buy around 14 ounces (400 grams) mushrooms, as you have to trim a bit off) you can mix in a few expensive mushrooms & mix with cheaper ones
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped I use 3-4 cloves because I love garlic
- 1 to 2 small dried red chiles, pounded or very finely chopped I do without this, because it’s pretty good without
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 lemon, juiced I only use a squeeze or two because I find it too sour if I juice half a lemon
- 1 pound (455 grams) dried spaghetti I like to use angel hair pasta
- A small handful grated Parmesan
- 1 handful fresh parsley, roughly chopped I find it is much, much tastier with cilantro – even my hubby who doesn’t like cilantro, loves this
- 2 ounces (55 grams) unsalted butter
- Clean & chop up the mushrooms thinly (or tear them up)
- Place olive oil in a really hot pan
- Let them fry fast, tossing once or twice
- Place mushrooms with a dash of salt & pepper
- Crush & chop the garlic, place in the side of the pan & toss-up with the mushroom
- Start cooking pasta in a pot of hot water with salt
- Continue to fry the mushroom fast for 4 to 5 minutes, tossing regularly
- Once the mushrooms are almost done, turn off the stove
- Squeeze in the lemon juice. Toss and season to taste.
- Once the pasta is al dente, toss directly on to the pan with the shrooms, include a little bit of the pasta water to the pan to keep the pasta moist, then chopped-up stick of butter, cilantro & parmesan
- Toss gently, coating the pasta with the mushrooms and their flavor
- Serve, scraping out all of the last bits of mushroom from the pan, and sprinkle with a little extra cilantro and parmesan
- Serve hot
If you are using it for a party, skip #12 until right before serving. Place the extra chopped cilantro & parmesan in a separate container. When it’s time to eat microwave the pasta until it’s hot, then sprinkle with a lot of parmesan & cilantro on top.
I can’t forget the time we had a potluck over-night party with my foodie friends. My friend Graey said she hates cilantro, but she loves this dish. There were only 6 of us but I brought a massive container of this pasta that could feed a dozen people, by the next day it was gone! We ate it all – even had it for it at breakfast the next day!
Read MoreModes of transportation in Jogja
You'll find many BECAK (tricycles) in Jogja - and with most drivers in this position =P
I tried the ANDONG (horse-drawn carriage) once. It's not for longer distances either, like the becak, but it's a lot of fun too! I think we paid 2 USD for our ride.
This apparently is the main mode of transport in Jogja. But we don't dare try it, because we are not familiar with the routes and the language.
Just like in Jakarta, Jogja is swarming with MOTORCYCLES. If you have a license and know how to drive one, then you can rent one for cheap and get around using one.
I didn’t get a good pic of a CAB, but if you are going to several places, it is cheaper & faster to get around in a cab. You can agree on a price for whole/half-day or if you are only going to a couple of places that are not far apart, you can just let the meter run. We used one on our second day of art gallery hunting and were able to see so many places and cover a lot of ground. And the cab driver was so nice, he was even making phone calls to help us located the gallery we were looking for. After several stores, a long wait as we shopped for art & a ride back to the main street. We only ended up paying 15 USD for 5 persons. So that’s 3 USD per person. Not bad at all
Of all of them, I find the becaks the most interesting. I found all these cool becak photos in this blog. So funny. It really captures what we see all over in Jogja – the drivers sleeping with their feet all over the place! =P
More information about getting around in Jogja.
Read MoreThe perfect scrambled eggs
For years I ate whatever scrambled egg was served to me. They were either too runny (I don’t like them looking like someone regurgitated them) or overcooked/dry (the cook would serve them to me looking like a brown pancake). And I realized that the only scrambled eggs I loved were the ones I would have back home in the province – the ones my step-mom cooked. So I made sure to ask her how she did it last time I was there and now I can have them whenever I like – which is most mornings. (Yes I am the type of person who can eat the same thing for days on end until I get sick of it)
Scrambled eggs on toasted black sesame bread
My version of my step-mom’s egg scramble:
- 1-2 teaspoons of butter
- 2 eggs beaten
- half a handful of diced onions
- half a handful of diced tomatoes
- salt & pepper to taste *you can also used a pinch of bullion cubes like Maggi chicken cubes or Magic Sarap powder
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat
- Once it’s hot enough, drop the butter onto the pan, lift and move the butter around until it melts
- Toss in the onion & tomatoes, cook until they are slightly colored or tender
- Pour the beaten eggs into the pan
- Season with salt & pepper, let it set for a few seconds (around 3 seconds)
- Move it around with a wooden spatula or spoon
- Let it set again for a few seconds then scramble it again
- Repeat this process until the egg is almost done (not too wet and not too dry), then take it out of the pan immediately (it shouldn’t look like a pancake, nor should it look like regurgitated food/baby food, but rather moist-not-runny yellow chunks with bits of red)
- Serve on toast (or eat with rice & whatever sinful breakfast fare you like i.e. bacon, tocino, etc YUM!)
- Eat immediately or else it will cook some more (in it’s own heat) and will be overdone
It’s so simple I know, but I just had to put it out there because I never ever get perfect scrambled eggs elsewhere!
This is a more fabulous version of my recipe: Smitten Kitchen’s scrambled egg toast. Maybe I’ll try it tomorrow but I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be yummy!
Read MoreMy first time to cook (torture) a crab
It wasn’t pretty. This post is not for the faint-hearted.
One night I came home from the grocery with a 1 Kilogram crab. They were on special price at Grand Lucky and this fella was waving it’s legs at me (the claws were tied down of course). And I took that as a sign. It costed me about Rp 60,000 (or 6 USD). Not bad. And I figured for sure it was fresh, because it was still alive. Isn’t that how to tell??
I love my crab simply boiled and I eat them with white fluffy rice, salt & vinegar. This is THE BEST. Especially if you have Suka Pinakurat (a spicy fermented vinegar produced in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines). You take out your crab meat, dip it in vinegar, then a little bit of rock salt. The combination of sweet and salty is heaven. Note, this is NOT the same as putting the salt in the vinegar. It has to be separate, so the salt does not dissolve into the vinegar. Trust me, this is good stuff. The hubby has come to love eating it this way too.
The massive claw of our 1 Kg crab! It was pretty yummy.
I asked the maid if she knew how to boil a crab? And she said yes so I left her to it. How simple can it be? Boil the water, add salt, pepper & a little vinegar (so meat doesn’t stick to the shell), then throw in the crab, right? Thank God I came out to check on her! There she was with the poor crab on our biggest wok (which was still not big enough by the way) getting fried!!! I was shocked. I felt so bad for the crab because only half of it was cooked, and as she was turning it over to cook the other half some of the legs came off. WAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! The poor thing should have just been dunked in boiling water so at least it could die immediately. Why oh why did I entrust the poor crab to her? And didn’t I say boil?!? So I guess she doesn’t know how to cook crab after all.
I had to show it to her (from memories of the women in my family cooking it since I was little). So out came the crab from the wok, while she placed water on to boil. I could barely look at it. It was half-cooked but half-alive, attached legs still moving in the counter. Arg. I was feeling like Julie, from Julie & Julia by then. I didn’t think I would feel this bad (we’ve been cooking and eating crabs since I was little), but we were torturing the poor thing!
Finally the water was boiling! The crab’s reprieve was near.
What's that WHITE STUFF? Is that normal???
It came out really good, with the meat so juicy & not sticking to the shell, BUT…
My hubby had a bum tummy after dinner, and I the next day. Could the crab have been sick? Or could the agony of its slow death, have produced toxic chemicals in its body that caused us to get sick? If I were half-cooked, half-alive and in pure pain/agony, I’m sure by body would produce all sorts of toxins, acids, etc. that would make me less palatable too!
Moral of the story, cook it fast and let it die a glorious & quick death in boiling salted water. Oh and apparently soaking it in ice water beforehand helps in keeping the legs on while cooking.
If any of you have tips for cooking crab, your comments would be welcome!
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