Beep Beep the Small Jeep

Jeepneys are the most convenient way to get around in the Philippines as far as public transportation is concerned.  I consider jeepneys as a big part of Filipino culture and heritage, and a big part of my childhood.  When I was little, I loved going to places with my mother and being able to go on these colorful and loud rides.  Each jeepney usually has its own personality decorated with paint, fringe, and mirrors.  The inside of jeepneys are often decorated as well.  I remeber being on a jeepney that was covered with the band Kiss all over the roof!  Just thought I would share some photos from when I was "home" a few months ago. 

Inarizushi

Last week I decided that it was time to go visit my new favorite Korean restaurant Midori again.  I am a creature of habit, and tend to order the same thing all the time at all the restaurants or take out spots.  Some places know me by name because of my orders.  I did order the bi bim bap again, BUT I did order something totally different and new! Wanted an appetizer that I've never had before.  I looked up and down the menu and noticed "Inari - sushi rice in tofu".  Hmmm.  It sounded very interesting.  To my surprise it was delicious!  It was packaged with the usual sushi condiments such as wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce.  It's pretty much a fried tofu pocket filled with seasoned sushi rice and sprinkled with sesame seeds.  If you're watching your carb intake, this wouldn't be a dish for you.  However, if you're daring but not so daring (you know what I mean) as far as sushi is concerned, Inari is a great place to start.  This stuff is pretty tame compared to other sushi or sashimi varieties.  If you've had it before, or just tried it
for the first time feel free to post a comment!

Fun Fact: Inarizushi is known as brown bag sushi; 

the name of a Shinto spirit; 

a mountain in Japan where it has the main Shinto site of Inari, 

Until next time..
Go try something new!
C

I Heart CT!

I saw a post on Pinterest and thought it was a perfect project for me to create.  Instead I wanted to make one with the state of Connecticut with the heart in the New Haven area.  I then saw an easy tutorial on I'm a Mom not a Professional which pretty much was a piece of cake, plus I had all of the materials handy already.

This was a very easy project, and it wasn't so costly.  A perfect decoration in a home or even a gift! Try it with YOUR state, or even a country.  I plan on making one of the Philippines and Korea.  Will post them when I do!

Go make something!

C

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf..and frog?

My cousin and her family were in the east coast, and it's always nice to spend time with them.  Her two children are growing up so fast.  Seems like yesterday they were little toddlers running around, now they are seven and nine year olds who pretty much can carry a well versed conversation with any adult.  When I first saw them, the youngest remembered that I had made her a monkey hat this past Christmas.  She requested that I make her a wolf hat because it's her favorite animal.  How could I say no?  So knowing that I would see them again days later, I told her that I would make it by the time I see her again.  She even designed her very own hat.  If I was going to make one a hat, of course I had to make the other a hat also! The nine year old requested a frog hat.  I managed to make them in time before they left for California.  Phew!

Wolf hat design

Someone's being silly with her new hat.

Frog hat

Even with the warm summer weather, they were both so happy with their hats that they wore them for most of the time we saw them during our family dinner!  This is why I love making things for people.  The happiness that it brings them is what makes me do it over and over again.

Until next time, go make something!

Canvas Photo Project

I love photos on canvas!! I saw a great post on Dollar Store Crafts.  I'm a sucker for a great D.I.Y. project so I HAD to make one.  The tutorial came from Living Up, and it's really easy to follow.   I decided to make my own with just tissue paper, an ink jet printer, framed canvas, and some good 'ol mod podge.  I printed out a colored photo, but I think I might try it in black and white next time for a more dramatic effect.  Either way I was pretty impressed with the end result.   It's definitely worth a try if you have all of the materials, and the recipient will love it!  Wish I had more pictures, but next time I make one I will post them up.

Go make something for someone!

C

Mashi-e-sseo-yo (delicious in Korean)

When I was growing up, the only Korean food I've had was airplane food from Korean Airlines.  As you can imagine airplane food more than twenty years ago wasn't that great, so my impression of Korean food was bland meat, rice, and a side of chili paste at nine years old.  Little did I know that years later, I would be married to someone who is half Korean and whose mother makes the best Korean food.  She has introduced me to a whole new cuisine that I've grown to love.  However, where I live doesn't really have an abundance of Korean restaurants.  Thank goodness for the Internet I've searched high and low for places where my husband and I can have our favorite Korean dishes.  I like to be adventurous when it comes to going out to eat.  It may be too much Travel Channel.  When I found a restaurant that was only fifteen minutes away from my house, and serves traditional Korean food, I was so excited to take my husband.  We were both pleased with what we ordered; Duk boki - Korean rice cakes in hot pepper sauce, cucumber and oshinko (pickled radish) rolls, bi bim bap, and bulgogi.  Everything was delicious! This small restaurant, with less than ten tables, located in a small shopping center that can be easily missed was a hidden gem.  If you're in Hamden, Connecticut Midori is definitely a place to visit, and it satisfied my craving for some yummy, spicy and flavorful Korean food! (pardon the blurry iPhone photos)

I've never had duk boki before, but I was definitely game to try it.  I was channeling my inner Anthony Bourdain.  This yummy duk boki was cooked with Korean rice cakes, napa cabbage, fish cakes (odem, omook, or what my husband calls fish bologna), and udon noodles simmered in spicy chili sauce.  I could eat this again and again.

This is my favorite Korean dish called bimbimbap.  This yummy and beautifully presented rice dish is actually very healthy, with the different vegetables and very small amount of beef and egg on top of white rice.  All of the ingredients are served in a hot stone pot where it makes the rice extra crispy.  Usually I like my bimbimbap with a runny sunny side up egg on top.  Whereas this one has chopped scrambled eggs.  The spicy sauce on top of the bimbimbap is sweet and spicy depending on the recipe.  A bottle of this yummy concoction is also given on the side just in case if you wanted to add more yummy goodness, which I do almost every bite.

This is my husband's favorite Korean dish, bulgogi.  Of course he prefers his Mom's cooking, however, he did say he really liked his order.  This beef dish is usually marinated with ingredients such as soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and a type of meat tenderizer like a fruit juice.  It is most often grilled, but it tastes just as good when pan fried.  Definitely even better with a side of kimchi!

Summertime, and livin' is...

HOT! I really can't complain because it has been a nice summer so far.  Besides the frigid, cold, dreary, and snowy winter season a few months ago I do miss cuddling up in my snuggly comforter or sitting on my couch with some yarn.  I could do that now really, but with the AC blasting! hah!

I do love the sunset, which is mostly around 8:30 PM.  It's amazing, especially by the beach.  I'm lucky enough to live ten minutes away, so I can see this spectacular view.  We're already into August, so enjoy the warm weather.  Go to the beach and put your feet in the ocean water, and make sandcastles.  Before you know it, autumn is right around the corner...another beautiful season.

In the meantime, stay crafty and stay true to yourself.

C