Oatmeal Cookies

Another slow day yesterday. I can't complain.

Since I wasn't bombarded by phone calls, I went ahead and made some oatmeal cookies.

Yes, this too was Amado's request.

Ms Galaxy 2011

Our friend Sidney competed again in a pageant, Ms. Galaxy 2011.

This one was a bit more serious than the last competition that she won.

I have to be honest, I was not satisfied with the judges decision.

I definitely think they had their top 5 mixed up.

My picks were Greece, Puerto Rico, Spain, Great Britain and Kenya, who I think won the pageant

based solely on her performance for the talent portion.

               PSA and Ms. Greece                                Ms. Greece's National Costume

She danced to Beyonce's Ego which she completely pulled off.

       

      Ms. Brazil (Definitely Ms. Personality, love her!)                             Ms. Peru

Ms. Japan                                                      Ms. Sri Lanka

  Ms. Spain (Loved her walk and dance performance)                     Ms. Great Britain

Ms. Guam                                                            Ms. China

            Ms. Puerto Rico                                  Ms. Philippines (aka Hot Mess)

   Ms. India                                                                Ms. Belgium

Ms. Kenya

Old Dog Learns New Trick

Ever since I was a kid, I never liked apples.

The gritty texture, bland taste and waxy peel never appealed to me.

But for some unknown reason I decided to buy a bunch at

our local organic market a few weeks ago and I've been addicted.

It's taken me 20 plus years to appreciate this treat.

I still don't think I can eat it cooked or baked. For now I'll enjoy it as it is.

Next in line, pears. 

Well, may be next year.

Last Minute Shoot

Still in my PJs walking around Target trying to get stuff for tonight's dinner,

I got a call from my friend Mark asking if I can take photos of his friend (Jordan) for a gig he was trying to get.

I didn't really take the time to think about saying yes this time.

Idle time makes me nervous so I just jumped in and today turned out to be a good one.

I was rushing a bit since its been really cloudy here in Manhattan Beach and I wanted to get good light.

We raced to the strand and I was finally able to use the spot I've been eyeing.

Could Have Been Better Muffins

First batch, either I need a new oven or white chocolate chips and I will never get a long. EVER.

I've been having a hard time working with white chocolate chips.

The muffins are very moist though.

Played a little with the girls while we waited for the muffins.

Juku buried herself under her toys. Something she does very often.

Kami waiting patiently on her post. Shes always hanging around this spot on the couch

where she can see everything happening outside.

Fitness Shots

A friend of mine asked me to take a few photos of him but with some kind of a fitness theme.

I have no clue about fitness or anything healthy for that matter.

 I have never stepped foot in a gym unless by gym it meant Barneys or Bloomingdales.

Until they start serving Grey Goose Gimlets at the gym, you will never see me in there.

I scoured the internet for some sample shots but the ones I found looks a bit off and uncomfortable,

so we just decided to wing it.

He mainly wanted to focus on showing the improvements he achieved from working out.

I have to admit I was a bit lost trying to come up with ideas but I think we pulled it off.

His and His Kitchen

I love how the difference between me and Amado's cooking is so distinct.

I've always loved chicken pot pies. I used to buy dozens of the frozen ones.

If its on the menu, I'm ordering it.

But since Amado got me my mixer, I'm forced (yes, forced!) to find ways to use it often.

I will copy and paste his description for this dish. I don't want to butcher what he worked very hard on.

Beef Donburi, Agedashi (fried tofu) and Panko Tempura with pickles.

This is the result of me letting him run around a japanese market while I sit back and relax.

He tends to go all out most of the time so I step in once in a while to chime in "Do we really need that?"

Great dinner nonetheless.