CHEF NASH Brunei's finest! I am inspired with this vibrant chef's thoughts that I can't get enough! Refreshing insights on latest techniques and his stories is a fresh of breath air (at least to me). He's my unofficial consultant on chef issues I face with this Batali project
DRIFTLESS APPETITE Husband and wife tandem which gave me great insights on Southwest Wisconsin cuisine, places to see and best of all great tasting, easy to follow meals. Check out their Paella - -so yummy good! This is where I hang out -- when I am bored with Italian cooking
FRANK FARIELLO Lawyer by day, chef by night! See his passion for authentic Italian cooking! Home cooked food is always the best (and I agree your honor!). He is my unofficial guru that I lean on whenever I have brain freeze from these Mario recipes
Rouxbe Online Cooking School Great resource for wishful-thinking chef like me with easy to follow procedures. I am still thinking if I should enroll in their class (maybe later after I finished a project at work).
SWEET FREAK Traveling is one of my passion and so happy to came across with this gorgeous gem who has the same interest as I do - Sweets and Paris (what's not to like?).
WHAT'S COOKIN ITALIAN STYLE CUISINE Want real italian cooking from a lovely chef who shares great memories from her childhood? I only visit a handful of websites - -and she's definitely top in my list (I'm her daily food stalker - so to speak )!
This blog is all about my attempt to experience the MOLTO ITALIANO life by following Mario Batali's book.
I promised myself that one day, I will go back to Italy and let my daughters experience the culture for themselves. There's no place like home - - but Italy just takes my breath away!
For now, let me introduce them to the flavors of Italy through Mario's recipes (with some minor twist on my end to make it more practical and user friendly ) No rules...just good food!
So, join me as teens and I ESCAPE from my reality - -have fun, cooking (improvising) and dining with the famous Batali everyday! (p.s. If things doesn't seem to work ... I BAKE LIKE MARTHA too)
I am on a roll for classic movies! Yeah..one of those days when all i want to do is "DO NOTHING"..I was out for 3 days on a business trip in Florida so this weekend is all about relaxing, rejuvenating, dreaming and lots of coffee!
The house market is at its worst here and we are closing our house in a few weeks..the sad part is that we will lose 70k on our ginormous house -- but it is what is is...so I am tearing another check to get this done and over with! I hope the stocks will go up pretty soon..pretty please! Well...i am escaping from my reality and going back to wonderland with this movie. The bizaare thing is..I bitch about losing money when I know for a fact that I can earn it easily....when Terry in this movie is in a more predicament state. Hmmm.between money and love..--Isn't it obvious? I'll give up everything to even be as close to what Terry and Nick have in a second.....
Storyline
Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by? Written by <jgp3553@excite.com> (see more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050105/)
Great date night for me -- a plate of cheese, olives, a glass of reisling, my ipod, bag of cheetos, the crabby cat, random people texting, the big moonlight and a classic movie in my big white bed...
For romantic fools like me --this is a must see movie! I wonder if this can happen in real life? I do wish...but to be patient consistently for 25 years..I dont think I have that tenacity to hold on to something that long. I wonder, do I have the generous heart to love and accept someone for who they are and everything around them or should I embrace it for its face value -- 25 wonderful dates without the dramas.
Anyway, I slept at 1am, woke up at 5am as one daughter just arrived from Miami and by the time I came back to bed, some random person is texting me at 7 am --What the heck...Starbucks at 8am! I need advil. This song will keep me dreaming the whole day ....love. love , love this....
Story line:
A man and woman meet by chance at a romantic inn over dinner. Although both are married to others, they find themselves in the same bed the next morning questioning how this could have happened. They agree to meet on the same weekend each year. Originally a stage play, the two are seen changing, years apart, always in the same room in different scenes. Each of them always appears on schedule, but as time goes on each has some personal crisis that the other helps them through, often without both of them understanding what is going on (read more: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078199/)
I am not really into singing (well..just in the shower) ...but today, my daughter placed our karaoke attempt in video (after I showered). Anyway, girls got me two old movies for "same time , next year " and "an affair to remember" so I am locking myself in the room tonight... Enjoy !
Sway by Bic Runga
Don't stray Don't ever go away I should be much to smart for this You know it gets the better Of me sometimes When you and I collide I fall into an ocean of you Pull me out in time Don't let me drown Let me down I say its all because of you and here I go Losing my control I'm practising your name So I can say it to your face it doesn't seem right To look you in the eye And let all the things you mean to me Come tumbling out my mouth indeed its time Tell you why I say its infinately true Say you'll stay Don't come and go Like you do Sway my way Yeah I need to know All about you And there's no cure And no way to be sure Why everythings turned inside out Instilling so much doubt It makes me so tired I feel so uninspired My head is battling with my heart My logic has been torn apart And now It all turns sour Come sweeten Every afternoon Say you'll stay Don't come and go Like you do Sway my way Yeah I need to know All about you Say you'll stay Don't come and go Like you do Sway my way Yeah I need to know All about you Its all because of you Its all because of you
(Biggest moon that ever happen in 18 years --A romantic fool like me will never let this one chance slip by....Good luck to you my dear bestfriend! This post is for you and your adventures- -Keep me posted!)
Do you ever have this feeling that fate sometimes plays cruel tricks? That things happen for a reason that will lead you to another event? A friend was telling me her story earlier about how a simple change of schedule (for an event) led her to series of "unfortunate" events ...and then..at a blink..it appears that everything is changing around her. Is it a predetermined path? And if yes, what is the purpose?
Tonight, the biggest full moon in 18 years will appear (Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/18/supermoon-rises-biggest-moon-18-years-occurs-saturday-night/#ixzz1H2iwuCin).Usually a full moon is believed to cause disasters during ancient times ...but moon or no moon ...I am curious to know the rationale how one is drawn to someone in less than 10 minutes of meeting each other for the first time ( Is it the red dress or his charming personality)? How one is trying to find one person amidsts 300 strangers in a crowded ballroom? And once they found each other, how come they felt comfortable pouring out their entire life story to a complete stranger in two hours ? How come that despite the loud band playing cheesy 80s music they still had the power to block everything around them and focused on gazing at each other's eyes? Is it the power of the coming full moon that makes all the wrong seems right?
As a teen, I've heard stories about moon spells -- but have you ever heard stories of how two people with separate lives that happened to be at the same time and at the same place felt an unexpected connection and saying good bye so they can go back to their own lives is unacceptable? How can you explain that after they accepted the fact that they won't see each other again, suddenly fate plays another test ..lets say the guy's plane got delayed ..is this a sign that fate is giving them another chance? Is it the moon telling the girl to stop everything she is doing at that moment , grab a limo to the airport, praying that she'll have 15 more minutes more in her watch so she can see the guy one last time before they finally part ways? Is it the moon orchestrating the airport flight schedules and all of a sudden they have 30 minutes to spare before he finally leave to go back to his reality...
Tonight...the biggest moon in 18 years will appear....Moon or no moon ..it's only me and my lovely cat thinking that this is like something that only happens in the movies. I am not hoping for a major disaster to come my way, just a simple wish that I will have this one romantic experience to tell my grand kids down the road without the "what ifs" to haunt me!
I can't hide from the kitchen forever! There's no excuse anymore..I have to navigate my way through my new apartment kitchen...
Today, I woke up and decided enough is enough...and I will make an effort to start cooking again. It's been almost 18 months or so that I had my Batali book hidden and I owe it to the Italy gods to make this happen! So.. starting with my own version of FRENCH VANILLA CUP CAKE...this will get me pumped up for today
Anyway...this song totally describe my mood this morning! Hate to be that guy described here...
POTENTIAL BREAK UP SONG
(Aly and AJ)
It took too long, it took too long It took too long for you to call back And normally I would just forget that Except for the fact it was my birthday My stupid birthday
I played along, I played along I played along rolled right off my back But obviously my armor was cracked What kind of a boyfriend would forget that? Who would forget that?
The type of guy who doesn't see What he has until she leaves Don't let me go Cause without me you know you're lost Wise up now or pay the cost Soon you will know
You're not living 'til you're living Living with me You're not winning 'til you're winning Winning me You're not getting 'til you're getting Getting to me You're not living 'til you're living Living for me
This is the potential breakup song Our album needs just one Oh baby please Please tell me
We got along, we got along We got along until you did that Now all I want is just my stuff back Do you get that? Let me repeat that I want my stuff back
You can send it in a box I don't care just drop it off I won't be home Cause without me you know you're lost Minus you, I'm better off Soon you will know
You're not living 'til you're living Living with me You're not winning 'til you're winning Winning me You're not getting 'til you're getting Getting to me You're not living 'til you're living Living for me
You can try, you can try You know I'd know it'd be a lie Without me you're gonna die So you betta think clearly, clearly Before you nearly, nearly bust up the situation That you're gonna miss dearly, dearly Come on!
You're not livin' til you're livin' (No!) -- livin' with me You're not winning, til you're winning (No, no, no, no...) -- winning You're not getting til you're getting (til you're gettin') -- getting to me You're not livin' til you're livin' -- No, no, (living for me) no, no, no, no, no, no
This is the potential breakup song Our album needs just one Oh baby, please -- please tell me...
This is the potential make-up song Please just admit you're wrong
My youngest just turned 17 ....wow! Amazing how time flies when you're having fun!
(G3's room with the twins and the birthday girl)
I'm so blessed growing up literally with my girls ..they keep me young as we practically are in the same page as far as fashion, movies and music nowadays. Speaking of music...how would I know that apartment walls are thin as paper...Duh!!I am so used to waking up surrounded by full blast speakers in our previous ginormous house with my music ...so being a creature of habit...loud music at 5 am it is! Yeah - -it didn't last ...as this sleppy random guy banged at our door (like he will break it down) - -Oh no!!!! What a great day to start the birthday morning!
(our obligatory mom and daughter pics)
Anyway, 15 dinner guests ...
(Girls and their BFFs)
....Lovely conversation with a fabulous friend....
(Me and Gabbie's mom Myra catching up)
...followed by dessert at a cool hip asian hang out place
(G3 and her lovely teen friend Anna)
...and finally a midnight chick flick movie for the lovely group..Happy Birthday pretty daughter!
Today, I woke up and realized that I am looking for something...not sure what it is...not sure if i will find it...when and how ..a place, an event, a person, a hobby , another challenge....I dont even want to know....probably a feeling that will assure me that everything is okay ...this song says it all....
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
Oh her eyes, her eyes Make the stars look like they're not shining Her hair, her hair Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful And I tell her every day
Yeah I know, I know When I compliment her She wont believe me And its so, its so Sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay I say
When I see your face There's not a thing that I would change Cause you're amazing Just the way you are And when you smile, The whole world stops and stares for awhile Cause girl you're amazing Just the way you are
Her nails, her nails I could kiss them all day if she'd let me Her laugh, her laugh She hates but I think its so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Oh you know, you know, you know Id never ask you to change If perfect is what you're searching for Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking If you look okay You know I say
When I see your face There's not a thing that I would change Cause you're amazing Just the way you are And when you smile, The whole world stops and stares for awhile Cause girl you're amazing Just the way you are
The way you are The way you are Girl you're amazing Just the way you are
When I see your face There's not a thing that I would change Cause you're amazing Just the way you are And when you smile, The whole world stops and stares for awhile Cause girl you're amazing Just the way you are
A week has passed ....and yes..I have happily settled in my new apartment. Not the 4,000 sq that I used to have but a place I can call my own space (for now). Girls and I settled perfectly --it's my cat who has not!. He must be feeling homesick...but sorry B, this is it!
The positive thing about this move, is that I get to learn a new skill! Yup - -my first tool box (if i can figure out what to do with it)
Oh well...2 glasses of merlot, black and blue bruises and cuts in my hand later.. I finally figured out how to hang my paintings and even placed a bolt in the door (how i did that..i have no clue)
Funny thing ... now that I can figure out how to use a screwdriver ..there's no justification why I need a guy in my life?
oh..amidst the boxes,look what my sous chef did to cheer us all up and posted in her facebook page!(and we're asians by the way)
There is a saying that when a door closes...a window will open...
As this song quoted " Maybe you're the reason why all the doors are closed ...So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road" . . .
FIREWORK
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?
Do you ever feel already buried deep? Six feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a spark in you?
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, oh As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors burst Make 'em go, oh You're gonna leave 'em falling down
You don't have to feel like a waste of space You're original, cannot be replaced If you only knew what the future holds After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow And when it's time, you'll know
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause baby you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, oh As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors burst Make 'em go, oh You're gonna leave 'em falling down
Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon It's always been inside of you, you, you And now it's time to let it through
'Cause baby you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, oh As you shoot across the sky
Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors burst Make 'em go, oh You're gonna leave 'em falling down
Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Welcome to the south - -where three inches of snow and everything shuts down! Happy Friday party people! No dirty martinis with the ladies tonight (though thanks for making me lose the bet last time!)- - - just relaxing with my ebook.
I was hoping to be home before noon but three conference calls and one emergency meeting later, I realized it's 3 pm and I havent had lunch yet? Anyway, I am so excited to get a headstart on packing for our big move and not sure where to start. We have donated more than 20 bags of clothing a few weeks ago so this should be easy (fingers crossed). Oh well..just counting the days and I can start cooking again.
(Good thing the snow melted before I left)
SInce I took a break from my Batali madness, I have not reprogrammed myself to go back into banging our pans...so today, late lunch with the soon-to-be college teens --and yes..sushi !
