Shrimp, Tomato and Basil Pasta

I grow basil in a pot placed on kitchen windowsill for easy picking when cooking. It is one of my favorite herbs. Basil are a source of essential oil for use in foods, flavors, and fragrances. The green aromatic leaves are used in salads and can be used fresh or dried to add flavors or spices in stews, vegetables, poultry, meat, vinegars, pesto and pasta dishes.
Here is one of my favorite pasta with basil recipe:

Shrimp, Tomato and Basil Pasta
(source: Everyday Food)

Ingrdients:

1 1/2 lbs. med. shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails removed)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes in juice
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 lb linguine
1 1/2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces, plus extra leaves for garnish (optional)

Season shrimp with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 4 teaspoons oil over high. Add shrimp; cook until opaque throughout, turning occasionally, 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.

Make sauce: To the same skillet, add remaining 2 teaspoons oil and garlic; cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add canned tomatoes and their juice, along with 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have softened and are saucy, about 15 minutes. Remove sauce from heat; stir in cherry tomatoes.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain; return pasta to pot. Add tomato sauce, shrimp, and basil; season with salt and pepper, and toss. Serve immediately, garnished with basil leaves, if desired.

I Miss You Guys...

"In life, there are moments when you miss someone so much that you feel like you could fulfill your dreams by holding that person tight in your arms."

It is really hard living away with your family , though I already have a family of my own, there are times that I really wanted to be with my family back home. Talking and laughing with them and just being with my siblings makes me feel so good and relax. I miss them all very much. I don't know, maybe I'm just homesick. I just wish they are close so I can easily be with them. I still have to wait for few years before I can see them again. Thanks to our new technology it makes easier for us who lives abroad to talk to our family without hurting our budget. I often use prepaid Calling Cards. Normally, using landlines is expensive if you are considering them for international calls. It is so convenient to always have Phone Cards so when you feel the need to call you can always use it and enjoy the low rates. Prepaid phone cards basically offers much lower rates to international and domestic call than the traditional long distance services

Adorable Puppies

We grew up having 2 dogs in our house. Gordon, the male dog was my grandmother's and the female one, Golem was ours. We really enjoyed having dogs as our family pet. They were so lovable and energetic. I still remember when Gordon got sick and soon died, my grandmother cried a lot. Now that each of us have our own family, dogs are still the first choice pet in our household. My brothers in Manila carried the tradition of having dogs as their pet. Actually, my younger brother has 3 Mini Dachshund that keeps him busy. Every morning he has to walk the dogs and he even hired a trainer for the 2 of them. They were so cute and cuddly. My little girl enjoyed walking the dogs around the subdivision when we had our vacation last year. She asked her uncle if she can have one of them. Just recently, one of them (I forgot the name) gave birth to 5 adorable puppies.




The black one is my fave. Those are the cutest ever!

A Simple Change Can Make A Big Difference

During the warm weather, our little girl is always out playing in her swing set or in the sand box. So we decided to build a deck closer to where she plays. After the deck was finished I decided to put some stones as a deck edging. I was happy with the result. In a few weeks we're going to start staining our deck.

From Hassle...

To worry free!

We are now thinking of adding exterior vinyl shutters on our next project.

Looking Forward To See Grandpa

In a couple of months we are going to see my father in law. My little girl is already counting the days to see him. He stays in Florida in the winter and back to Albany, New York in the spring. Though he lives in another state, he always keep in touch. I really admire my father in law. He raised his four children all by himself. He sent them all to a good university and now all his children are well educated and have their own family. I always witness the love and respect his children show to him. My hat is off to him who until now is always there for his children. We didn't get a chance to visit him in Florida last winter but this summer we are going to spend some of our weekends to be with him. I am not sure if he is a member of any Senior Chat Rooms since he chats with his children often. A lot of senior adults now a days are requesting technical assistance and taking up computer classes. In a way it is really good for them so they can easily join the chat rooms and have a good conversation and get helpful information. Learning something new can always increased their interest in life.

Rich In Awards

Got this award from my friend Carlota of Dashing Smiles. Thank you for this award.




Name 7 things that you love then pass this onto 7 other bloggers.

1. My life with my DH & DD
2. My family
2. My friends
3. Gardening
4. Good food
5. Flowers
6. Playing with my DD
7. Helping kids in school

I am now passing this on to all my co-bloggers who still doesn't have this award.

Michael Jackson In Concert

I read a latest gossip that Simon Cowell is trying to convince Michael Jackson to make an appearance on American Idol. Not sure when, but I am still interested of seeing him perform. He has an upcoming concert in London this summer. If you are interested of buying Tickets to Michael Jackson's concert, it is now available on line. I love watching live shows, and buying tickets on line is so convenient. Just recently we watched live show in Boston with our 5-year old daughter and she really enjoyed it. We don't have plan of going to London this summer but it seems that Michael Jackson tickets is selling pretty well over there.

Breakfast At Parker's Maple Barn

We had a good time this morning eating our breakfast at Parker's barn restaurant. It was a little ways from us but once in a while we visit this barn for their good food. I really like the buckwheat pancake they have. I ordered the mini parker's special, DH got the parker's special (their version of american breakfast- not too greasy) and maple coffee. People wait an hour to 1 1/2 just to have an available seat. But they provide free tour to their facilities where they make maple syrup. It is very educational specially for the kids who are interested on how the maple syrup are made. I will be posting our tour experience soon.

Best Interest Rates For Your Money

Just for curiosity, I checked the CD rate in our bank where we have a certificate going to expire pretty soon. It was a surprised to find out that the on going rates is very low. So I searched on line and found one that gives 6 month cd rates a lot higher than my bank can give. This one is a good option since I have to decide pretty soon.

Lunch Date With Friends

Last time I had a lunch date with my friends, we talked about our old friends back home. We had a good time talking and laughing, then a friend asked one of us what his husband do. She replied, He is a truck driver but she is fully insured. Everybody laughed when she said jokingly, Oh well, I thought I could get a client here. Nobody wants to talk about life insurance, maybe because it is intimidating to talk about. But if you have young children or others who depend on you, you should have it. Insurance company offers a life insurance quote so you have a chance to shop around to get the best one in the market. Financial planners generally recommend buying enough insurance to replace seven to ten times your annual salary.

Maternity Fashion

When you get pregnant and you feel that your belly is growing fast, one question you have in mind is, How soon should I start wearing Maternity Clothes. Every woman is different, some wear it when they hit the fifth month mark, some later and some earlier. I wore maternity clothes when I reached my 6th month. It was my first pregnancy. Shopping maternity clothes is exciting especially if it is the first time. The type of maternity clothes you need will change . As you begin to expand, the need of a bigger clothes and real maternity clothings is necessary. It is better to shop at the maternity clothing store since they have more likely knowledgeable staff and quality maternity clothing to choose from. Also if you are a petite, a plus size, tall, you'll be more likely to find clothes in a maternity clothing store. I always go for the basic set like combining plain colored Maternity Skirts, pants, shirt together and accessorize around the basics and creat different outfits. You always have to feel comfotable whatever you want to wear. It is a good idea to have Maternity Swimwear if you love going to the beach. There are lots of selections to choose from. Now you can choose from bikini or tankini swimsuits. It is all defends on your preference and whichever you feel comfotable wearing. Be proud of your bump, a fashionable woman wears maternity clothes that fit every part of her.

Blogging Till The Wee Hours...

Usually, I don't do blogging after 7:00PM, sometimes I peek to drop ECs but most of the time it is reserved for my little girl. Since we have a reading session at night before bedtime my time is already occupied. Last night was different, I woke up at 11:30PM to turn off the light since I forgot to do it before we went to bed,I peeked at my blog and found out that google gave me a PR.(you know what happen when you get PR, right?) I took that opportunity to write as much as I can and ended up going to bed at 2:30AM. Thank you Google for giving me a good PR!

Choosing Your Health Insurance

Exercise, eating well, 8 hours sleep, those are the things that we need to do to stay healthy. But when it comes to health insurance we have to ensure ourselves that we get medical attention we need without causing us financial difficulty. Every family is a little different when it comes to medical expenses. It is advisable to shop around and choose what you think is best for the family. Health Insurance companies compete for your business by promising better coverage at lower prices. You and your family will be benefited for whatever decision you make. When researching for the best health insurance company, try to consider Kaiser Health Insurance, this company is America's largest non- profit health maintenance organization that serves 8.4 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Also, one of the thing to consider is to think local like Kaiser Permanente California they offer services through a network and are easily accessible. The California office of the patient advocate has awarded Kaiser Permanente with its highest performance rating in the state for the past six years. Take the first step by getting a fast, free quote with an immediate assessment of the cost of your group, individual or family health plan needs.

Gear It Up!

When you are walking on the street and you see a policeman in uniform, you feel so safe and secure knowing that there is somebody around to protect you. Their job can be exciting and at times difficult and challenging ,always ready to risk their lives. They are always there to help and protect us. The easiest way to support them is to show appreciation for what they are doing. Because of the risks in their job they deserve to have a quality gear they need. Lapolicegear.com offers Tactical Tailor products. They are factory authorized dealers for most of the brands they carry. Also they cater not only to police and military but to everyone.

Increasing Automobile Performance

When it comes to car, I always rely on my husband. He loves car. He is happy with his car right now but he keeps on telling me how good it is to have a turbocharger upgrade. If you are also planning to increase your automobile performance or needs replacement of turbocharger, either Audi or Volkswagen turbo there is one place worth to visit, It's the turbochargerpros.com. They are the turbocharger professionals and gives comprehensive technical information, resources and advice. Their parts are the highest quality and offers an affordable rates and full warranty. They also have a tremendous selection of quality, brand name parts and accessories for foreign and domestic cars, trucks and SUVs.

Ways To Strengthen Our Marriage

Being the best partner possible is not always easy. At times it's not fair. At times it hurts; it can be lonely. It involves choosing to love your partner whether he or she deserves it or not. It involves continuing the initial vows you made when you began your marriage.

Here are little ways you can strengthen your marriage:

Start each day with a kiss. Decide to begin the day with love.

Wear your wedding ring at all times. Let it be a visual reminder of your commitment.

Go on date with your spouse once a week. Even if it's just for coffee, dedicate time for the two of you.

Accept differences. Try to remember that once you thought your spouse's idiosyncrasies were cute. Your chances of changing them are slim, so decide to live with them.

Be polite. Are you more polite to co-workers or store clerks than you are to the one you love? Practice good manners at home.

Be gentle. Harsh words and actions have no place in your home. Choose to be kind to those you love and who love you.

Give gifts. While diamonds are a girl's best friend, a card, a single rose, a favorite candy bar can also do the trick.

Smile often. Put on a happy face and let it determine your disposition. Remember how meaningful the glances were which you once gave each other.

Touch. A pat on the back or a soft caress of the cheek can show love and connection.

Talk about dreams. Get your conversation beyond coordinating schedules and talking about the kids. Take time to talk about ideas and dreams.

Give back rubs. Another day you'll be on the receiving end.

Laugh together. Find something daily to share a laugh about. Life is complete with laughter.

Do what your spouse wants before being asked. Anticipate your spouse's needs and jump right in to help. Put his or her needs before your own comfort.

Listen. You don't have to solve problems, just be an active listener. Turn off the TV, put down the newspaper, and give your spouse your full attention.

Encourage. The best way to give support is to encourage your spouse to do his or her best, to feel confident, or accomplish great things.

Call your spouse. Check in with each other throughout the day - just to say Hi or love you.

Hold hands. Take a walk or watch TV while holding hands.

Look your best. Comfort doesn't have to be socks and a T-shirt for bed every night.

Apologize. Almost as good as I love you is I'm sorry, forgive me. Marriage isn't a game where you keep score. It's not important who's right.

Ask, What can I do to make you happier? You may be surprised at how simple it is to please your spouse.

Reminisce about your favorite times together. Talk about special times you shared, and create new times together.

Pray for your spouse daily. Don't let a day go by without praying for your marriage, your spouse, and your family.

Eat Well, Play Well

Healthy eating supports an active body. Being active encourages healthy eating. Feeling and looking your best every day is a result of eating well plus playing well. In other words, one can't exist withour the other. Many great athletes are the result of natural talent, lots of practice, and a nutritious diet. Athletes discover, and we do too, that when any part of the equation is missing, usually we feel tired, lose focus, and become a little grumpy too. Our moods, our ability to concentrate and our overall performance can often be linked to lack of sleep, too much stress, too little exercise, and eating hit-or-miss meals throughout the day. If this sounds like you, or your child, get back on track right away and stast feeling better today!

Food For Thought Of The Day

Dream whatever you desire to dream.
Go wherever you wish. Seek whatever you desire.
Because life is unique and is dependent on how you shape it.

There Is Hope In Today's Economy

In today's economic slowdown it is good to know that there are some companies that are still going strong. One of them is Cydcor the leading global provider of outsourced, face to face sales teams. In 2008 Cydcor celebrated two distinguished awards, client retention and acquisition, active philanthropic programs and a brand- new headquarters as the company prepares for continued expansion. So for everybody out there don't be despair there are companies who are still hiring just be positive always in spite of difficult times.

Unique Debt Consolidation Loan

If you are feeling overwhelmed with a high interest debt or your debt is spiraling out of control, take a deep breathe, gather all your outstanding bills together in place. Having a burden of too much debt can affect your health in many ways. Many sleepless nights with the thoughts about how you will pay your bills running through your head can cause stress and anxiety. It is a good idea to consider a Debt Consolidation Loans in order for you to concentrate on one monthly payment and pay off what you owe faster at a lower interest rate. This could also help you to get closer to financial freedom. When looking for the best company that would help you consolidate your debt try considering DebtconsolidationLoan.net. What is great about this company is that they won't try to push a consumer to one option over the other. They work directly with both Debt Settlement and Debt Management companies to ensure that they're going to match up each consumer with the financial service that will benefit them the most. Consumers need not to worry about the personal informations you provide since all of it is kept confidential and isn't sold off to multiple companies to try to make the most money possible.

Kid Size Your Meals

Children tend to eat only when they're hungry, and usually stop when they are full. However, by the time children hit kindergarten many have developed a habit of eating for the sake of eating and not out of true hunger. We loose the ability to recognize true hunger because we are presented with larger portions than necessary, we've been told to “clean your plate,” and we have developed poor habits of mindless eating in front of televisions and computers. Monitoring portions is not about “diets,” it is about teaching children how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Your stomach is only about the size of your fist, so stop and think about how much food you're trying to stuff in there. Here are a few tips that can help:
Start using child-size plates or salad plates.
Limit drinking juice and soda to 4 ounce glasses
In restaurants, split a child's meal between two children, order a side of the vegetable of the day
Do not eat snacks out of a bag. Instead portion into a small cereal size bowl.

Holodomor...

The term holodomor or Golodomor means great hunger that caused million of victims throughout the Soviet Union in 1932 to 1933. This great famine affected most major grain- producing agricultural areas of Soviet Union, including Northern Caucasus, Volga Region, South Urals, West Siberia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Millions of people were starved to death because of the Soviet policies that forced farmers into collective farms. It was estimated to about 6 – 8 millions deaths Soviet-wide due to this tragedy, some of those were children. Deaths in Central Russia was estimated to about 2 million, Kazhastan was about 1.7 million, Ukraine – 1.3 million, and North Caucasus – 1 million. The root cause of Holodomor is still a subject of debate. Some have argued that the Soviet policies that caused the famine may have been designed as an attack on the rise of Ukrainian nationalism, and therefore fall under the legal definition of genocide. Others, however, conclude that it was a consequence of the economic problems associated with radical economic changes implemented during the period of Soviet Industrialization. Whatever the caused of this tragedy , we all hope that this tragedy should become a lesson for the the whole world.

The Powerful Potato

Potatoes have been, and continue to be , an important part of diets for people all over the world. They are full of nutrition. a single medium-sized (5 1/2oz) potato, with the skin on, is :

* Fat & Cholesterol free
* Rich in Vitamin C
* A good source of potassium
* Only 110 calories
* An excellent source of Vitamin B6

Potatoes are best stored in a dark, dry area.

Custom T- shirt Printing

During warm days I prefer to wear T shirts and since summer is just around the corner I would love to have T-shirts with unique designs. I prefer screen printing technique because I have large designs in mind.

Search, Compare And Decide...

Having credit cards for most of us are already a part of our everyday lives. Shopping around for a good one can save you money on interest and fees. It is always good to have a credit card comparison before you decide which one would you like to get. I have one that gives me Cash Back every time I shop. Many credit cards offer incentives, rewards and other perks but we still have our choice of what we really want. The best thing to do is Search, Compare and Decide which one suits your needs before you apply for one. Dealsforcreditcards.com helps consumers like us find the best credit card offer.

Choosing Flatware And Cutlery

Setting a dinner table can be tricky at times especially if you only do it once in a while. We always have to consider setting it up for the sake of convenience. If you are planning a not completely formal dinner party there are some guidelines we have to consider for placing luxury flatware and cutlery Forks to the left, knives to the right and dessert flatware above the plate. Salad and appetizer forks and knives should go on the outside. The cutlery for the main meal is placed closest to the plate. Glassware goes in the top right of your setting. Traditionally, you'll start with the water glass, wine glass and finish with a dessert glass. But I prefer not to put all those glasses since it would only create a lot of clutter at the dinner table. Napkins can also bring in some color and pattern, choose the one that you think works for you and your personal style. Dessert plates and coffee cups will be set out after dinner. You want your table setting to compliment the meal while visually engaging your friends and family. Adding a beautiful centerpiece like candles or fresh flower arrangement adds the beauty of the table. I also like to use a couple of pairs of salt and pepper shakers. It avoid your guests having to interrupt conversation to ask for them.
But how do you choose flatware and cutlery for the perfect occasion? We always have to consider quality, how your cutlery feels in your hand. Finding the weight and grip that is right for you is all-important. Arthurprice.com have all the choices you could imagine. They have it from contemporary to classic design. Stainless steel, Silver plate and sterling silver. You're sure to find a style that really suits you and the occasions that you want it for. Have a great time!

Mommy...isms

When we're with our kids all the time, we all have expressions we commonly say to our children. Here are some of them:

* Don't put your elbows on the table.

* Eat your vegetables, It's good for you.

* Don't sit too close to the television, It will ruin your eyes.

* Dont pick your nose in public.

* Look at me, I'm talking to you!

What about you moms, what are your favorite expressions?

Roxanne of Roxanne Green said:

Sit down, close your mouth and tell me why you....

My kids always burst out laughing at that one. "But MMOOOMMMM...how can I close my mouth and tell you anything."
And the good old standby:

If God wanted (insert name here)'s mom to be your mom He would have given you to her. But He didn't. He gave you to me and you will do as I say.

DarthCalenwasMom of Crazy Mom's Homeschooling Blog said:

My mom's favorite: Your face is gonna freeze that way.

Babette of Definitely Maybe said:

"Eat your food. Kids in Africa are starving. You don't know how lucky you are!"

A Simple Meme

Thanks to my friends, Carlota and Mira for this interesting tag. Simple meme, but it took me a while to answer everything. Thanks again friends you made me think hard on this one. :)

The Rules:

Copy the questions below. Simply use the first letter of your name/nickname as your answer for each questions. You can't use any answer twice and don't use your own name for questions and answers 4. After you're done, tag 10 people.

1. What is your name? Dhoy
2. A four letter word: Dawn
3. A boy's name : David
4. A girl's name : Denisse
5. An occupation : Dentist
6. A color : Dark blue
7. Something you wear : Dress
8. A type of food : Doughnut
9. Something found in the bathroom : Dental Floss
10. A place : Denmark
11. A reason for being late : Didn't set the alarm
12. Something you shout : Darn!
13. A movie title : Die Another Day
14. Something you drink : Dr pepper
15. A musical group : Duran Duran
16. A street name : Denver rd.
17. A type of car : Dodge Durango
18. A song title : Dream on
19. A verb : Discover
I want to pass this on to : Shy, Liza and to all my co-bloggers. Please feel free to grab this meme.

Keeping Our Children Safe

As a parent, It is our duty to teach our kids about personal safety. We also need to talk to our children about protecting ourselves. Here are some tips that might be helpful:

* Teach the buddy system.Children should learn when it is safer to be with a friend or trusted adult than to be alone.

* Teach the children to check with the adult in charge before changing plans or going anywhere even if they're going with the familiar adult.

* Children should know how to use the telephone. All school-age children should learn to dial "0" and "911" for help and how to use the pay phone.

* Role - play with children. Kids learn by doing, not just talking. Kids should exprience what it feels to say "no" in difficult situations.

- Use the "what if" game to help children think of how they would respond to situations such as:"What if the school bus doesn't arrive on time?" "What if the after-school baby sitter isn't there to meet you?" "What if the stanger asks you to help him find his lost puppy.
- Describe real-life situations
- Have children practice to threatening situations.
- Show children how to stay at least an arm's length away
from strangers who approach them.

Headaches, Part Of The Business...

I talked to a friend a week ago, she then told me that they are constantly worried about their rental properties. One of the tenants is taking advantage of them maybe because they only visit once in a while. They live in the same city where their properties are located, but it is still difficult for them to monitor their roperties effectively since they both have a busy schedule. Now that they are having problems with their tenants, they are thinking of getting the service of a Real Property Management company to make their property more profitable and less headache. Since they are still in the process of buying another property, hiring somebody who knows the business well would be a great idea.

My Chika For The Day...

Sorry friends, this handbag is already sold. This Hermis Birkin bag is now in Sharon Cuneta's collection. She didn't mention the price of it but according to the news report it costs 3M pesos ($60,000+). Her daughter said she works really hard. She's been in showbiz for 30 years now and she deserves it. I do agree with KC. She wants it, she has the money, so go for it. When money is no object, will you spend this much for a handbag? That's my chika for the day. Happy Thursday everyone!!

Best Mommy In the House

Gin of e-pamilya gave me this award. It's a great feeling to receive a Mommy award like this one. Thank you Gin.
The rules are pretty simple:
1. Show the award logo in your post.
2. Pick a picture you have with your kiddo/s.
3. Post should include your best experience as a Mom.
4. Nominate other blogger moms out there that you consider the best mom, like yourself.

It is so much fun being with my little girl and seeing her grow. Being home with her all the time gives me the extra opportunity to enjoy her and witness her everyday accomplishments. Thanks to Daddy for working so hard and being able to let Mom stays home to take care of our littlegirl. I consider MOTHERHOOD is really the BEST job ever.
To all blogger MOMS this award is for you. We all deserve it!

Are you already tired of snow?

Snow is beautiful no doubt about it. That beautiful crisp, blankets our yard makes it like a fairyland. But yesterday, I just heard the robins singing and I woke up this morning with a foot of snow on the ground again... Uggh... I'm sorry I really can't get used to it.
Welcome to New England where the weather changes every five minutes!

Anyway, I would like to thank all my co- bloggers who keeps on visiting my blog. Thank you everyone! My Top Ten Droppers are already displayed on my sidebar. Thanks again...