Meet our Family!

Thank you Great Image for these pictures. We will forever cherish these memories you have so beautifully captured.

 
        

The Magic Lives on at Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa Laguna, Philippines

I reserve weekends for family. Even when we were in Dubai this is the sacred time of my week. It’s been real fun so far. The kids and I are even more excited to our weekends because they know that we will do something enjoyable and magical.

  
  
August has been very good to us. So many holidays and long weekends. My family along with my siblings’ took our kids to have enchanting experience”, away from the day-to-day realities of life.  

 Enchanted Kingdom opened to the public on October 19, 1995. It was and still is the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines. The theme park boasts of rides and attractions unique to the country and in size and magnitude. These rides and attractions are located within seven meticulously theme zones interspersed with food and merchandise outlets and kiosks as well as various game stands.  Weekend/Holiday entrance fee is priced at php 600 but to celebrate the Ninoy Aquino Day they have a promotion of php 200 off for ride -all – you – can if you’ll wear yellow upon entering the vicinity.  

Our visit is just perfect because of the fewer visitors. We have enough time to see the place and the kids had a great time riding all the rides and trying all the games despite the rain.  

      

 

   
   
      

      

  
It was a tiring day but seeing the smile on their faces is such a reward. 

Thank you Gonzales Family for hosting the staycation at your house and thank you Nanay Celda for cooking delightful dishes. 

  
 
 

Sharjah Dining – Applebee’s at Sahara Centre

We hang out, we help one another, we tell one another our worst fears and biggest secrets, and then just like real sisters, we listen and don’t judge

   
 

If there’s one thing that I loved about Raquiza is she really knows me well. Some people are asking us if we are also fighting. To be honest yes! And that’s because of me and my big mouth.😆

Most of the time we also have differences and arguments but at the end of the day we choose to believe that like Joseph forgiveness, love and humbleness should reigns in our heart.

Raquiza is the youngest among our four siblings and she’s the sweetest. Kaya lagi niya kong nililibre pag sweldo or she’ll see that I need time out from all the mother duties. Ang chweeett😍

And today is no exemption, we had our shopping bonding and dinner date at Applebee’s Restaurant – Sahara Mall.   

       

The Applebee’s concept focuses on casual dining, with mainstream American dishes such as salads, shrimp, chicken, pasta, and “riblets” (which is considered Applebee’s signature dish)

The orders – We started with their Ultimate Trio Appetizer. We settled upon with Twisted Pretzel and Dip, Fried Calamari and Cheeseburger Sliders.

  
Then we also ordered their new Cowboy Ribeye Portobello. It’s a bone – in steak seasoned with salt and pepper and topped with sauteed Portobello mushrooms. Instead of baked potatoes we replaced it with fries.

  To satisfy our thirst we also tried their Mango Banana Smoothie. It’s a combination of banana and mango purees blended with vanilla mix, apple and orange juices, garnished with fresh apple and pineapple. I highly recommend this!   

The verdict – A great night out with my sister! Nothing beats great drinks and great food in a casual dining setting. The service here was friendly and efficient, and staff were confident to offer advice on the menu.👍 

Applebee’s Sahara Centre
Applebee’s Sahara Centre

Sahara Centre, Sharjah

East Atrium, Restaurant Area 

Phone: +9716-555-0245

Home Delivery : No

City : Sharjah

Timing: Sun – Thu: 10:00 am to 11:30 pm

Fri: 2:00 pm to 12:00 am

Sat: 10:00 am to 11:30 pm  

***Restaurant timings and services may change during the Holy month of Ramadan. Please directly confirm with the restaurant for operations during this month.

Thank you Raquiza…

Every time my sister is off she will automatically go home to Sharjah and spend her off babysitting little A. Not only she’s enjoying it but she loves to do household chores in our house. Sometimes nga naiinis na ko kasi ang sipag nia. When she learnt that I am pregnant and I am experiencing extreme morning sickness she’ll go home even if it’s not her off just to cooked for us. I am so lucky kasi she’s really a great help to our family considering how far Sharjah is. When she’s home the first thing she’ll do is to check our food stocks. Once everything is planned,the next thing I knew she already prepared food good for 3 days. With ibat-ibang putahe ha..

Today I woke up late alam mo naman pag buntis hirap bumangon so I am alarmed kasi my lunch pack is not yet ready and I don’t have enough time na to do it.To my surprise everything is ready na dadamputin ko na lang..she prepared a complete baon from breakfast, mid snack, lunch and meryenda..happy tummy na naman si mommy!

To Raquiza – thank you for taking care of us!! Promise di ko na lalaiitin manliligaw mo..hehehe. But really I really appreciate your kindness and love to us!! (umaarte..hahaha)

homemade tuna sandwich complete with vegetable!!

Fuddruckers food and The world of Pinocchio

We got to try  the deal I purchased from Groupon last Friday. The offer was Pay AED 39 for a Value Voucher worth AED 80 to spend on Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads & more at Fuddruckers’ new branch in Jumeirah 1.

Though the restaurant was jam-packed by people they managed to attend all the needs of the customers with a smile on their face.

The staffs were very friendly and very attentive. From spacious area to a cosy decors, Fuddruckers is a treat to entice your taste buds. We sampled Shrimp and Steak (with steamed vegetables and sweet corn) 1/2 lb of The Works Burgers which you can dressed in tomato,lettuce,onions,jalapeno and etc. The Cajun Chicken was my favorite. The chicken was cooked perfect for my taste.

Fuddruckers’ also offers a wide variety of sweets that are sure to suit all tastes and budget. Little A devoured with Chocolate chip cookie while Raquiza and I shared with Chocolate chips with Pecan nuts cookie.

If you want to eat delish food without damaging your pocket put Fuddruckers on your hit list,it’s certainly on ours.

After a sumptuous dinner we went straight to Dubai Mall to see the magical world of Pinocchio.

 

The Star Atrium, huge hall inside the shopping center itself, is dedicated to “The world of Pinocchio by Bartolucci” exposition, where Bartolucci’s famous craftsman born in Belvedere Fogliense, are the unique protagonist with his special creations.

Inside a 25 meters diameter space, 2 wood cars and 3 wood motorbikes in real size, some colossal shapes of characters of Collodi tale and a copy of bicycle designed by Bartolucci, and based on drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci will be shown.

And more, you can find a lot of different types of Pinocchio, typical of Bartolucci® productions, and 2 crank organs. The two organs are playing the most famous Italian melodies and the sound track known for Pinocchio tale in the Arabian world. I guess the major attraction for all visitors is for sure the “Bottega (workshop) of Geppetto”, where three times a day, Francesco Bartolucci is carving live his famous wood puppet.

We took the chance to grabbed our favorite snack from Garrets – Pecan Caramel Popcorn .

I swear, I can eat all up in just one seating. Raquiza help me to stop,please!! hahaha..

Pastillas ala Raquiza

There was always that favorite dessert in our house. But there is something with these Pastillas that makes it special. I guess we will all agree when I say that these milk candy are the most common pasalubong or dessert of us filipinos. Aminin!!

It is usually made of three main ingredients only condensed milk,powdered milk and sugar for coating.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered milk
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk – 300 ml
• sugar for coating

Directions:

• Pour the condensed milk in the bowl
• Sift in the powdered milk.
• Mix well.
• Using your hands, form mixture into round balls or into 2-inch long rectangular-shaped pieces.
• Roll each piece in sugar to coat.
• Your pastillas is done!  It’s as easy as that.  Then wrap each pastillas with cellophane or colored tissue paper.

Let’s Celebrate – Roasted Pork with Mushroom Sauce

To savour the success of my sissy (passing the DHA exam) daddy A cooked his special cuisine.

A dinner experience that combines great food with a creative twist. No one does it perfect!

Daddy’s Roasted Pork with Mushroom sauce..

Best paired with Yang Chow Fried Rice and Buttered Corn.

Congratulations sissy! So proud of your achievement!!

Chicken and Pork Adobo

An easy and yummy treat for Mothers Day my sister cooked her signature dish. A simple blend of garlic, vinegar, laurel,peppercorn and soy sauce to give chicken or pork a tangy boost.

Chicken Adobo is very popular gourmet meal for most of the Filipinos and considered as a national dish of the Philippines.

Thank you Raquiza for an early treat. Your adobo rocks!

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 kilo of chicken
1/2 kilo of pork belly
3 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf

Heat oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes, then turn over and cook an additional 5 minutes.
Add garlic and sauté until soft, about 1 minute.
Add the vinegar and cover the pan for 10 minutes. Do not stir let the vinegar be cooked.
Add remaining ingredients and stir to incorporate..
Uncover, increase heat to medium-low and cook 15 to 20 minutes more, occasionally spooning sauce over chicken, until sauce thickens a bit and chicken is tender and nicely glazed with sauce

Chocolate Chip Cookies

For the past few days that I am blogging you knew already that my sister is actually here with us. For some reason she’s interested in cooking and baking now a days.Most of the time she’s slaving herself in the kitchen preparing food. Recently she prepared tuna fried rice,hotdog,bacon and sunny side up eggs for brunch.

Then last night after dinner she decided to baked Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert..

She tweaked the recipe and added cashew polvoron for a change. She said sometimes you don’t need to follow the instruction. Play with the recipe to create your own signature..

Hmmm..may katwiran!!

Anyhow, I can say that her version of Chocolate Chip Cookies is superb!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
• 3/4 cup (160 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups (295 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups (270 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
• Goldilocks Cashew polvoron (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the white and brown sugars and beat until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated, adding the chocolate chips and polvoron (if using) about half way through mixing. If you find the dough very soft, cover and refrigerate until firm (from 30 minutes to two hours).
• For large cookies, use about a 2 tablespoon ice cream scoop or with two spoons, drop about 2 tablespoons of dough (35 grams) onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake about 10 – 14 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Cool completely on wire rack.