Sunday, July 26, 2009 0 comments
Dear ZJ,
Here’s an update to my much delayed sequence to MY FAVE SPICE: PEPPER.
POPCORN – (Unknown YET Original Recipe)
6 quarts popped popcorn
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Place popcorn in a large bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda; mix well. Pour over popcorn and stir until well-coated. Pour into two greased 13-in. x 9-in.x 2-in. baking pans. Bake, uncovered, at 250 degrees F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely. Store in airtight container or plastic bags. Yield: 22 servings

My random take: in a microwave oven, dry corn popcorn poppin’ it up galore. Add a teasepoon of pepper – red, black, white or powdery form. Enjoy and munch: TEASEPOON POPCORN FOR REESE ‘TEASPOON’ WITHERSPOON a.k.a LEGALLY BLONDE LIPSTICK (for AVON.com)
SUNFLAKES BY FRANK ASCH from the book entitled SING A SONG OF POPCORN EVERY CHILD’S BOOK OF POEMS de REGNIERS / Scholastic Hardcover
FOUR SEASONS BY UNKNOWN from the book entitled SING A SONG OF POPCORN EVERY CHILD’S BOOK OF POEMS de REGNIERS / Scholastic Hardcover
pepper mill (my fave spice maker)
PEPPER VARIETIES: buttery, salty, spicy, sweety, dry, organic, fresh, produce, red, green, yellow, chillies, jalapenos, etc.
Love,
Sam ini
Friday, June 12, 2009 0 comments

A slice of yum!

Dear Sam,
So finally, I was able to post this for you. The first phase of my consultancy work is already done, and right now, while waiting for the second phase to commence, I am enjoying the spare time through food tripping! Remember, last week I promised to keep a slice of my own version of carrot cake for you. So here it is - lovingly made from scratch! Oh, I am so proud of myself! *lol*

I used two medium-carrots, wheat flour, baking soda, a little bit of sugar, oil, vanilla and an egg. Blend them all together, place in a baking pan and chuck it in the pre-heated oven for an hour or so... et voila -



Out came this rich, moist carrot cake. I topped it with a frosting made from egg white and icing sugar. So here it is... eat it while it's warm. Perfect with a cup of coffee. Enjoy!

Love,

Z

P.S. I'll take your offer of a baking marathon when I go to Naga City sometime in the future!

Sunday, May 3, 2009 1 comments

Hi Zarah


Every summer when Tiger Lilly is in bloom,
Can't help but smile and remember that day
When you came back from Davao with a pasalubong for me
Something green, alive and needs TLC.
So I named your gift Tiger Lilly.
Kasi sabi mo, "Orchid yan, Sam".
That was in the late 1990s.
Yet the blooms never came until 2004!
The seven years of summer-in-between?
Sunshiny days with a hint of rain.
Butterflies came.
Long days. Short nights. Waiting.
And today, BFF Zarah -
These blooms are for you.
Bad weather or bed weather
We will be BestFriendsForever!

sam ini
Friday, January 9, 2009 0 comments

In search of the ideal running shoes

Dear Sam,

How are you doing?
Did you know that last year, my weight ballooned to an alarming rate? Oh yes, it did and I was horrified that I'd end up looking like a fat, brown cow! I really pushed myself to start taking steps to prevent my weight from further ballooning.

I practiced yoga, but not as diligently as I should have. I controlled my eating habits -- but most of the times, I give in to sweet temptations. My weight was like a barometer going up and down, so this year, I resolve to really put more effort to lead a healthy lifestyle. No, there won't be any radical changes, I am thinking of a simple change in my daily routine - like putting one foot in front of the other, an approximation of what is called "running" *lol*. I mean, it would give me so much favor doing that than by just lying down in the couch, eating junk foods and watching tv, doesn't it?

Anyways, the idea came about when I saw my former colleague one Saturday morning. I didn't recognize her at first because she lost a lot of weight which she attributes to her daily running. Looking at her as example (she really looked good in those branded shorts, tee tanks and running shoes) I can say that running is one of the best ways to burn up calories and ultimately lose weight. So this gave me an idea :)

Actually you don’t need much to start to start running – all you need is a good pair of running shoes - and shorts and tank top - and you’re good to go, either outside on the streets or on the treadmill. Now my next question is, how do I get a pair of kick-ass running shoes? I'm using my old pair of Nikes now, and they are alright, but I want to have something that's really intended for running with a lot of arch support. I might ask my sister to buy me a pair - that has all the specifications I mentioned - and bring them over here when she returns from her holiday. Let's see though if she still has leftover moolah to make this purchase, lol.


Cheers,
Zarah
Monday, January 5, 2009 0 comments

Look what I got for Christmas!

Dear Sam,

Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I last posted here. I'm pretty sure blogger-friends who have visited the blog thought that this is already dead. Well, we can't blame them, can we? Blogging had to take a back-seat while we both went on with real life. Anyways, I just want to show off here the stuffs I recently received, thanks to you.

goodies from samSam, my soul-sister, best friend, number one cheerleaderasin pareho kaming Oragon *lol*. Dakul na salamat. Uya, helinga na iyan. Iyan na lang ang natada sa pig-padara mong Swiss Miss ta iyo yan an pig-enot kong inumon kada aldaw :)

Christmas may not be celebrated here in Cambodia but family and friends like you never fail to remind us and share with us the holiday spirit. Thank you very much.


Love,

Zarah

 
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