Once upon a blog spot

How this blog spot came about---

My eldest daughter is a blogger. Once in a while I would take a peep at her blogs and I'm amazed at how she manages to talk---errr, write about the details of various products she would buy and use. By the way, she's a registered chemist who blogs about beauty, make-up, skin care, fashion and food, loves everything pink and girly, and claims she's the type who allegedly wants to shop a lot without spending a lot. To contact her, you may email her at codenameaya@gmail.com.

Now back to what I was saying, I get so amazed at how she would write about the nitty-gritty of what she likes or doesn't like in a particular product. The first time I read her blog, I said to myself, "She's got what I like---writing out herself into the open, into the world!"

I have a few confessions to make about this. First, I must admit I was a bit surprised at how greatly she has improved her writing skills compared to when she was in high school. Second, I also admit I like her style---very spontaneous? Third, I admit my love for writing gradually resurrected back. And so, I thought of how I would be able to create my own blog spot---one that would reflect the real me with all the things I like in life.

And so I asked my daughter to help me create this space in the Net. What is it going to be called? "Kusinadome," My Queendom in the Kitchen," "Crochet Garden," "Crochet and Cuisine in the Garden," "Jardinera, et al," "Ganchillo.com," "Escribo y ganchillo en la cusina" were titles that came to mind as I wanted one that would reflect my passion in cooking and crochet, my love for plants and writing. Why a tinge of Spanish? I thought having a Spanish title would create a traditional yet aristocratic impression and style.

Finally, I thought of "Garden Chef’s Needle and Pen" which I believe projects a perfect blend of my hobbies all in one spot. So here, I can write and share about my cooking experience, my crochet projects, gardening blues, lessons I've learned from day-to-day, including my own spiritual journey.

Thank you for the visit. Hope to see you again!

Pesto Spanish Sardines Pasta: A Remake

There's a saying that goes, "One is enough, two is too much..." Uh uhhh, not for this!!! I'm referring to the Spanish Sardines Pasta which was my welcome post this year. My daughter, Ayana Grace, bought a bottle of pesto from the grocery store last month (she usually does...we seldom run out of pesto sauce in our cupboard) and I just wasn't able to resist making another try of the Pesto Spanish Sardines Pasta so here it is... Ingredients: 2 tbsps reserved oil from bottled sardines 2 tbsps olive oil 1 tbsp minced garlic 1/4 cup diced tomato 1 cup flaked Spanish sardines 1/3 cup Pesto sauce 1/4 cup pitted black olives 1/4 cup button mushrooms 1/2 kilo pasta noodles, cooked according to package instructions salt and pepper to taste Whole pieces of Spanish sardines (1 piece as topping per serving) Parsley for garnish Steps: In a large saute pan, heat oil from sardines. Add olive oil as needed. Saute garlic until fragrant. Add diced

Ensaladang Mustasa

It's back to work today, after five days of rest, something I've been looking forward to. As if the long Christmas holiday vacation was not enough :) Well, days just seem to fly so fast! Thanks to the additional non-working holidays brought about by the Pope's visit to my country, the Philippines. I had time to relax, stay at home, bond with family and yes, sort picture files in my computer. In between social networking, of course, I cooked for my family. With my husband home, there has to be fish and vegetables on the dining table. There was a bunch of mustasa (mustard) leaves left in the vegetable bin. What could be a better and perfect partner to fried fish than Ensaladang Mustasa (Mustard Salad)? Very simple and easy, here's how I did it. Ingredients: 1 bunch of mustasa leaves Rock salt 2 medium-sized tomatoes, sliced 1 small onion, sliced thinly 3 tbsps vinegar Iodized salt, ground pepper and sugar to taste Steps: 1. Cut mus

Ensaladang Alugbati (Malabar Spinach Salad)

This post appeared in my Facebook memories today. I'm glad it did! I featured this salad in my FB page a year ago. Alugbati (Malabar Spinach) Salad (Ensaladang Alugbati). This came up when I received for the first time this bouquet of alugbati from Erik, my officemate. He shares with us fruits and veggies fresh from his garden.

Garden Chef's Needle and Pen

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