Throwback Thursday

Since I am so busy procrastinating to actually create something new I am going to join the Throwback Thursday band wagon and post something that I have already done before.

Yummy Love!! =)

A Buzzing Sneak Peek

This one is taking me a long time due to procrastination and distraction.   For now here's a sneak peak of that project using an old stamp set.

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci -- clues visible for all to see -- yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion -- an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.

In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret -- and an explosive historical truth -- will be lost forever.

Warning: SPOILERS - But really, who hasn't read this book? =D

Okay, so a lot of people have written reviews for this book.  They either loved it or bashed it to death, then the Vatican decided to put their two cents into it and ensured it became a bestseller many times over.  Whatever others say, I totally LOVED this book!!!  Which is why this is my first ever book post.

One of the things that haters of this book pointed out is the writing style.  They claim that Dan Brown can't write.  In what manner can't he write?  I really do not know since I am not a writer myself nor can I claim to have a good grasp on written or even spoken English.  What I do know is what entertains me or not.  Call me pedestrian but I will not read a book, just because people say that a book is written well, if the topic isn't to my taste.  There are great literary books out there but that's just not the genre I am into.  Besides, if he truly could not write, why did it become such a topic for discussion that even the Church wanted to ban it? 

Being a Catholic, practically from birth, I really did not see what the hype was all about that had the Vatican stepping in to stop people from buying and reading the Da Vinci Code.  The book is fiction and we all need to separate that from actual proven fact.  The author is merely presenting a possibility that Jesus may have had descendants.  I for one do not believe that would have given them divine powers because when He was on earth, it was as a HUMAN BEING!  If they were Blessed then good for them!  Most Saints became one because of their healing powers even without being related to Jesus by blood right?  Was it because of Mary Magdalene?  Is it really so bad to have Jesus fall in love and elevate that person to wife and then have children with her?  Isn't our church's motto, "Go forth and multiply?"  I am not being cheeky here, simply asking a question why her status in life could not have been different from what was implied in the Bible when in fact the prelates themselves admit that there are many ways of interpreting the Holy Book.

As for Da Vinci himself, he lived so many centuries ago and I truly doubt there is anyone out there who could lay claim to knowing what the man was really thinking when he created his artworks.  What we all have are suppositions and Dan Brown simply exploited that in order to create a wonderful conspiracy theory.  Having read this book before it became a super bestseller was kind of gratifying just because I could say I was first.   I liked how Dan Brown got my heart racing in his previous books so I thought I'd try this one to see if it was good too.  It was definitely heart pounding as well as thought stimulating.  It allowed my mind to do some mental exercises and so that I didn't get stuck in my comfort zone.  Popularity does not make him a great writer but since I am not qualified to assess his writing skills, what I will say is that he is very entertaining with the way he pens his books.

 

Dedication

Considering it's a Sunday, it was a bit hectic today so I only made it to the food part of the Dedication I was invited to in the afternoon.  And what food it was!  I was too shy to take pics of the table laden with delectable finger food, but my three trips to it should have been an indication.  My friend, a wonderful pastry chef, did the dessert while her sister prepared all the luscious food along with the perfectly paired sauces.  Too bad hubby had some photo thingie going on so he wasn't able to try this.  It truly was a fun afternoon filled with great food and even better company.  I haven't laughed so much in a long time!


I only managed to take a pic of the first plate since it was the most presentable.  Notice I already took a bite on one of the mini sandwiches before realizing I should take a picture for the blog.  I tried to place it strategically so it won't be noticed but a bite is a bite hehe =) 

Sweet Maria Cafe

Dinner tonight was at Sweet Maria Cafe.  It's a fairly recent discovery but we've eaten here a number of times because they have yummy comfort food.  Again, this is not a gourmet restaurant but a family one that you would love to come back to time after time.  Unfortunately, because of its size they have limited seating which meant that they could be full, like this night, and meant we had to wait some time for our take out.  But even though we had to eat the food at home it was still pretty good. 

My son really loves their Beef Salpicao.

I don't know why but this pasta dish, Seafood in Olive Oil, has become my favorite.  Not too heavy and the taste is just right, not fishy at all.

We all love their sausages, either hungarian or kielbasa, which ever is available.

The place is also very clean and the decor, which hopefully I can take pics of and update this post with, is tasteful.  Service is quick, if the place is not full, and servers are very courteous.

Check out their facebook page for more info.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Maria-Cafe/183939611711396?fref=ts



*Disclaimer: The photos attached were taken during one time when we dined in.  We were too hungry to take pics of our take out earlier =D

Cased Mini Treat Tote Box

Today a very good friend of mine dropped by specifically to give me something!!  Lo and behold she comes bearing beautiful washi tapes (Japanese paper tapes)!!  She said she remembered me when she saw these at the kiosk they were browsing.

I was just wishing in my head for some yesterday because I saw a cute link on a friend's Facebook page on how to use them.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/56-ways-to-decorate-with-washi-tape

But best of all, the big roll is the Paris one I have wanted to buy for months now but it was always out of stock! This is a case of good things come to those who wait.  A big thank you to my friend Jamie!!! You are super sweet!! =)

A little trivia about me: I seem to be better at copying the work of others than coming up with my own idea.  Thankfully there are so many crafty bloggers out there who are very generous with sharing their talent.  From one of them I copied my project for the day. 

http://www.inkingidaho.blogspot.com/2013/07/regarding-dahlias-boxes.html

She, in turn, was kind enough to give the link to the free tutorial which saved me a ton of time trying to figure out how to make it.

http://dostamping.typepad.com/dostamping_with_dawn/2012/10/video-stampin-up-mini-treat-tote-box.html

My version.

Cased Armoire Sneak Peak

I saw this beautiful armoire from one of the crafty bloggers I subscribe to & decided to try & copy it without any tutorials. It's been 2.5 days & I'm not completely finished yet.  There are still embellishments I need to buy (if I can find the appropriate one) before I can post the final piece.  So for now here's a sneak peak.

Kamirori - Petron Katipunan

Dinner was at Kamirori in Petron Katipunan to fulfill the little boy's request of chicken mayonnaise (Japanese Fried Chicken meal).  Sorry no pics coz we dug in as soon as the food arrived.  We've been coming to this restaurant for a few years as a family but I've always loved it since it opened when I was still in high school.  It has moved to 3 or 4 locations in the Katipunan area through the years but the quality has pretty much remained the same and the service has always been great.  Another plus is that the place is clean. Mind you, the food isn't unparalleled Japanese cuisine but it is good.

Katsu Cafe

For a quick lunch, hubby and I finally got to try Katsu Cafe in Katipunan.

Hubby posited that it may be better than our favorite katsu restaurant, Yabu.  Of course I automatically answered it can't be since there wasn't a long line of people waiting.  To which he said  that it could just be that people didn't know about it yet.

Surprisingly the food was pretty good.  I ordered Beef Katsu Curry which came with soup.

Hubby ordered the Pork Katsu Set.   Yabu's edge to this dish would be the unlimited cabbage salad which I love eating instead of rice.

One of the restaurant's functional decor.

Check out the menu.

Overall I would say I still love Yabu the best but to satisfy my katsu craving this place would do the trick.  The food was yummy, price is reasonable, place was clean and the staff, although just one person, was efficient.


Katsu Cafe
329-I Katipunan Ave. cor B. Gonzales
Loyola Heights
Quezon City

Derma Day

Didn't get to play since I exchanged craft playtime with a trip to the dermatologist. 

Why blog?

First and foremost this blog is intended to inspire me to create something new everyday and post it on here.  Since eating is my first love (hence the size and weight hehe), I thought, why not post food stuff that I have come across?  Then of course there's my love of books.  Although I'm a romance novel junky, I have ventured out into the mystery/thriller genre as well.  Paper crafting (stamping, quilling, dry/heat embossing etc) was introduced to me c/o my younger sister.  Unfortunately I buy a lot more than I make so I need to do this blog and hopefully it will give me a swift kick to the butt to get working.  Of course while I type this, I am not getting any work done.  So here I am kicking myself to my work area =)

Please forgive me for the poor quality of the pictures. 

Latest work

Inside of my latest work