Inihaw

It's good na meron kaming kapit-bahay na nagtitinda ng BBQ tuwing hapon. Magmula ng magtinda siya ay madalas na ang pag-uulam namin ng mga inihaw. Mapa-bangus, tilapia, liempo at chicken wings basta nag-request ang mga bata ay madali na sa akin dahil ipinapaihaw ko na lamang ang mga ito at nagbabayad na lang ako ng ample amount money para sa kanyang effort. Okay na okay dahil hindi na ako bibili ng uling, hindi na ako magpapabaga at hindi na ako mag-aamoy usok, nakatipid ako sa tingin ko ng oras dahil nga pag ganyang hapon ay madami ng tao sa shop at tulong kami ni hubby sa pagbabantay dito.

Minsan nataong ako lang ang natira dito sa bahay, wala si hubby at si Yeye, si kuya naman at ang kanyang family ay luluwas ng araw na iyon at dito magdi-dinner, ako naman ay bantay sa shop, pero ayun hundi ako namroblema dahil inihaw na lang ang naisip kong ihanda para sa hapunan. Basta dinala ko kay Ate Annie ang mga ito at siya na ang nag-ihaw (pero timplado na kapag dinala ko sa kanya ha!) Kaya talagang pabor na pabor sa akin ang pagkakaroon ng kapit-bahay na nag-BBQ, hehehe....

Inihaw na talong

Inihaw na Bangus

Inihaw na Chicken Wings

Inihaw na liempo

Maganda siyang mag-ihaw in fairness...

Ayan kahit hindi ako nag-effort mag-ihaw, may makakain ang mga bisita ko, hehehe...

Eto nag-effort ako sa sawsawan na ito, nyahahaha!

Kayo? Nasubukan na ba ninyong magpa-ihaw?

Pre-Finals / Periodical Exams

I've been busy making reviewers for my son's pre-finals examination in the past days. Today is the 2nd day of Jeff's exam that's why i'm quite occupied these days. Hope the result will turn out just fine. Kuya Justine's 4th periodical exam will start tomorrow, quite early because they are graduating students. I'm glad he already confirmed (online) his slot at U.P. yesterday morning. After weighing the pros and cons, he chose UP over Ateneo. Now hubby is busy preparing the requirements to be submitted at the Office of the University Registrar (OUR). Oh my, several weeks to go and it's summer already! Hope to be back in Laguna or probably we'll have a chance to go in Quezon too. But wait, it's Justine's graduation on March30 (tentative) and probably we'll attend Jeffrey's recognition day too (wink! wink! ). I hope my mom will be here on these special occasions.

Sampaloc Lake

When we were in Casa San Pablo we had the chance to take a sidetrip to Sampaloc Lake. San Pablo is famous because it is known as the City of Seven Lakes, this one is very famous because it's the biggest among them and is known for its very popular legend.

I googled the legend to be more familiar with the story of this lake. Here's a short one...

According to a legend, the lake derived its name from a giant tamarind (sampalok) tree in the garden of a selfish couple who drove away a fairy disguised as a beggar asking for some fruit. Hardly an hour after the old man left, there was a thundering noise followed by the cracking of the earth. It become a colossal pit which was eventually filled with water. Henceforth, the villagers called it Lake Sampaloc

I fell inlove with this place...

You can see fish pens for the cultivation of milk fish and some variety of fishes.

What I like most about this lake is that it has a very beautiful view of Mt. Cristobal

Can't help but to take the opportunity for some photo ops... hehehehe

It was a nice experience to walk along the stretch of parks here in Sampaloc Lake.

I will always remember this trip...

Wedding Anniversary at Casa San Pablo

I thought that we're not going out of town for the celebration of our wedding anniversary, we just planned to watch a movie and have a romantic dinner after at Eastwood last February 13 (Saturday) but hubby suddenly feels like going to the south and so he checked out places in Laguna that is good for day trips only. I didn't have any idea that he already get in touched through text to Mr. Boots Alcantara the owner of Casa San Pablo and made a reservation for a day trip last Saturday. It was Friday morning that I learned about his plans because he made the payment for the reservation at the bank.

We leave the house at 5:30 AM and reached Casa San Pablo at around 8:30 AM, we didn't expect that there will be a heavy traffic from Batangas Exit (SLEX) to Batangas Junction.

Upon reaching the gate of Casa San Pablo, we learned that it is located within Kay Inay Resort. We're very excited upon entering the place. At the parking lot, the guard will guide you to the area where you will be greeted by the staff. We met Jaina, one of the innkeepers who make sure that guests will have a very enjoyable stay at Casa San Pablo.

I will share with you the photo essay of our memorable experience...

The entrace to Casa San Pablo

The pool... we're not able to use this, I'm not in the mood to swim...hehehe

I am really impress with the Baguio like ambience of Casa San Pablo
(parang wala kami sa Laguna)


The inn with rooms at the second floor and dining hall at the first floor.

The other side of the inn.

The place is very relaxing...

There's a lot of pine trees...

Some of the casitas... We would love to stay here but it's good for overnight stay only.

Hubby can't help but to admire the view in front of us...

This is the main house of the owner.

The steel staircase leading to our room....

We requested for Room No. 7

Located on the second floor in the southeast wing of the building, this room is of an intimate size, ideal for solo occupant or for couples.

Owner's Description: We’ve named this room after San Pablo-born poet Rofel Brion, our teacher, friend, and matchmaker. In the 1980s, he opened up his dorm room at the Ateneo de Manila to host writing workshops, poetry readings, evenings of singing and of meaningful conversations. Through these gatherings, he inspired many of his students to be writers. Meaningful friendships also blossomed with him and around him. We hope you too will find the inspiration to write as you stay in this room. It has its own private balcony with a view of the garden below. Room is airconditioned and has a private toilet and bath.

The small toilet and bath... cutie ang kanilang T & B!

After checking our room, we were served with our AM snack...

Suman and Guinataang Bilo-bilo

After the AM snack, we were so full that we wanted to relax at our room's veranda...

Afterwards, we drove to Sampaloc Lake which is 1o minutes away from our place.

We went to the garden area were the portable hummocks are waiting...

It was nice that they set-up the hummocks early...

We enjoy it so much until we were called for lunch.

There were so many interesting things in the area...

Cute ng handrails made of old flat iron...

this is another stair leading to our room.

I want to take this home...

The enclosed dining area...

Or you may want to eat outside... we had our buffet lunch here.

Lunch time... we feasted on Laguna home-cooked meals that were prepared by Jaina and other staff.

We have Tahong soup

Kulawo (Vinegared Eggplant) Ang sarap nito!

Tilapia wrapped in Banana leaves

Lechon (very soft and juicy!)

The rice tasted like Ifugao Rice...

We had Leche Flan and fruits for desserts...

Ang cute ng colors ng mga plates...

Condiments area...

We were so full after this...

Kaya si hubby, nag-aya ng matulog at mamahinga.... hehehe

Ayan... halatang bagong gising.

Last shot before leaving Casa San Pablo.

We really enjoyed our stay and hope to be back this coming Holy Week with our kids...

We regret for not getting the overnight stay package, super sulit ang stay!!!