Fiesta!

 Winter Getaway

Our winter getaway in the past months had a lot of special moments worth documenting, so I thought, why not do an epic photo dump post?

Most of the days were, in a word, a fiesta. Let's start with a photo buffet of these.

All mine. There is no “we” in food.

 Left: Halo-halo Overload. Seafood City: Waipahu, Honolulu

Right: Home-baked birthday yema cake. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Today is fruit day. Beware of the durian!

 

Fresh fruit sari-sari: Silay

Our superpower? Finding room for dessert even after a full meal.

Left: Hula pie. Duke’s: Waikiki, Honolulu

Right: Guavapple pie. El Ideal Bakery: Silay City, Negros Occidental

Let the over-eating begin!

Top left: Lomi salmon, poi, Kahlua  pig, ribs. Helena’s: Honolulu

Top right: Green corn tamale, enchilada. Garcia’s: Arizona Mills

Bottom: Crispy pancit palabok, kare-kare, bagoong rice. Manam: BGC

Sipping coconut water through a straw like sophisticated toddlers

 Fresh buko: Aboy’s: Bacolod City

With seafood, any fin goes.

Lunch: Sinigang fish soup, buttered shrimp. Seaside Floating Restaurant: Silay City

Left: “The Ivy” white pizza. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria: Scottsdale Old Town

Top right: Birthday Lunch. Kapi’olani Culinary School: Diamond Head, Honolulu

 Bottom right: Ube macapuno shake. Manam: BGC

We tried to lead a healthy life, but the kitchen had other plans.

Negrense Lunch: Native chicken binakol, lechon, lumpia, lemon grass juice. Casa Gamboa: Silay, Negros Occidental

Ways to our heart – 

buy us food, make us food, be food!

(To Be Continued)

Spring Cleaning

Everything Spring

Spring cleaning never killed anyone, but why take the chance? - Unknown

It’s officially spring which means longer days, changing temperatures and, of course, spring cleaning.

Time to get rid of all the old crap you haven’t used in years, clear out the dust, dank odors, and darkness of the winter.

Yikes…

I’m not really into spring cleaning. Come to think of it, I’m not into summer, fall, or winter cleaning either.

I like having a clean house, but I also like watching Netflix.

Makes me ponder - a self-cleaning house would really be amazing. 

Such a gargantuan task but, there’s no escaping this spring ritual. So, let me offer some inventive tips.

In lieu of burning your house down, simplify your decluttering by throwing everything out the window.

I’m also thinking… what would make spring cleaning way more fun?  A MAID.

If that’s not within your budget, here’s an extreme measure and hack: don’t! 

Now, you’re done.

Open window to let the fresh air in.

Spring cleaning complete. 

Sassy Fangs Today?

Funny Things To Ask Alexa

A cat’s fangs can convey important information about its mood and intention.

When feeling threatened or agitated, this domesticated carnivore may bare its canine tooth as a warning.

By displaying sharp teeth, it may signal preparedness to defend itself from potential aggressors.

Test Alexa’s knowledge of felines. Ask her, Alexa, should I catch some prey with my sassy fangs today?

Watch out, or I’ll give you a yah and a hi-yah!

You may have big plans for tomorrow. Ask Alexa if she does, as well.

And incidentally, re your plans, ask her, Can you give me some money?

Taking this series on a philosophical note, you'd like her to clarify once and for all, Alexa, what's the true meaning of life?

Then, confirm, Is this truly The End?

Ready, Set, To-Go?

 Funny Things To Ask Alexa

The chicken or the egg dilemma is commonly stated as, Which came first: the chicken or the egg? Check how good Alexa is on this philosophical matter.

Panda Express prepares American Chinese food fresh from the wok. Ask Alexa, Should I order their orange chicken to-go?

I may act like I’m ok, but deep down inside…

I’m hungry again.

Don't you wish you could lose weight as easily as you lose your keys, cell phone, and even your temper? Tell Alexa that you’ve lost your temper. Then ask her where it could be.

On hitting the track for a run, you may ask her: Is running just a faster form of walking?

Run, there’s sauvignon blanc or a dry, red blend at the finish line. Your choice.

And peeve her by saying, Alexa, can I call you Siri instead?

Have you yet received any amusing answers from Alexa? Let me know.

(To be continued)

Who Let The Dawg Out?

Funny Things To Ask Alexa

Reader comments on the previous blog Am I Pretty?

From Second Daughter: I think she did that several months ago, had asked about playing dress-up in her closet!

From First Daughter: [A] looks so pretty and grown-up in your clothes, complete with accessories and a fan pa! Your shoes look like they almost fit her!

From Alexa: I'm sure you're a knockout. But take it from someone who has no physical form, beauty really does come from within.

Now, to this week's blog...

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Have a question about extraterrestrial life forces, or if aliens really exist somewhere in our vast galaxy? Alexa might try to give you a logical answer, or she might give you the synopsis of the movie Aliens.

Hey, who let the dawg out? Maybe, she knows.

My dog growls at nothing.

Want to ask Alexa out on a date? She might politely tell you that she doesn't date humans, or that she already has plans for tonight.

Curious if she eats vegetables? Ask, or be specific and say, Alexa do you like brussels sprouts?

Don’t be embarrassed to confirm whether she’s a robot or not.

Until then, have fun conversing with Alexa!

Please share what she has told you.

(To be continued)

Am I Pretty?

Funny Things To Ask Alexa

Have some fun with Alexa (or Siri), whichever automated assistant you may have.

Although not human, Alexa is pretty smart and witty. Depending on what you ask, she may respond back with some light-hearted banter of her own.

Sometimes Alexa serves up some unintentional humor, thanks to her programmed limitations and misunderstanding of the question.

Here are a few things to ask. You may be surprised. She has a pretty good sense of humor.

Alexa, am I pretty?

Favorite Granddaughter plays dress up with G’s wardrobe stuff

Wondering if she can you make you laugh? Ask her.

Or try her expertise at a good knock-knock joke.

Maybe, you just want her to sing you a song.

The Godfather series are my all-time favorite movies. Why don’t you ask Alexa what her favorite movie is? Perhaps, ask if she could share her popcorn with you.

 

Please let me know of any of Alexa’s quirky answers to you, and any other questions you suggest that we ask Alexa.

 

(To be continued)

Go Thrifting

 New Year To-Do

On last week's GUILTY PLEASURE blog, a faithful reader sent this:

Love that! I do the same thing, sometimes, with the bit cookie. The Zodiac chart about me is not right =). My favorite guilty pleasure is reading or playing on my phone in bed right after work. I call it my office =).

Now, on to this week's To-Do... 

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Good things come to those who thrift. – Unknown

Whoever said Disney is the happiest place on earth has never been to a thrift store.

Thrift stores are a treasure trove of the oddest finds that break all the limits.

Veterans of America Thrift, Columbus

Walk a mile in my shoes, you’ll end up at the thrift store. I get all my steps there in search mostly of dishes, collectibles, centerpieces, and ceramic pots.

Cacti and ceramic balls centerpiece in petal vase

One time, I found a spirit house, a shrine to the protective spirits of a place, that I had eyed in a trip to Thailand. It was on auction at Goodwill, but I deferred, as it was way too big and where would I put it?

Goodwill, Columbus

Our Christmas dinner set with traditional Williams Sonoma Christmas design was a thrift store find, and so were all the blue Ming-style vases and tea sets.

In a world full of trends, I want to remain a classic thrift.

Trinity Thrift, Honolulu | Goodwill, Columbus

As to wearables, I’ve found interesting sun hats and Milan-street wear sequined top and silk skirt. 

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out, especially in thrifted fashion?

Goodwill, Columbus

The guest room, I’m proud to say, has mostly been furnished with thrift finds.

Right: ceramic tissue box, amber-color votive holder, slender glass vase, dried ferns

Far right: upholstered easy chair, furry cushion

Trinity Thrift, Honolulu | Goodwill, Columbus

Left: translucent glass-bottom lamp

Leftmost: Horses Print, Honolulu Academy of Arts 

Good style doesn’t have a price tag; it has a thrift tag.

Yes, I shop at thrift stores. No, I am not poor. I’m just one savvy saver and a fan of smart spending.

So, if you love finding great deals or take pride in making every penny count, get ready to dive into the world of thrift.

 The thrift store is calling. May its odds be in our favor.

 Let’s go!