Country Woman Magazine

I am currently reading a back issue copy of Country Woman magazine over breakfast. I really love that magazine! I enjoy reading it and I learned a lot about country living. More so, I learned how it is to be a "country woman" in deeds and spirit. It also gives me a lot of inspiration and motivation. I lived in the city (since I was born and) until I got married nine years ago. My husband came from another province, which is in the countryside and we have decided that we will live in his hometown since there is a house and a property already. So, I quit my job and moved. Also, I was not really domesticated at that time, especially when it comes to cooking, furnishing and decorating the house. So, I re-read my country woman magazines for ideas and they helped me a lot. It was also a good thing that I do love country style decorating.

Anyway, since they were special magazines and I am considering them one of my collections already, I keep them in a shelf in my bedside table. Sadly, two years ago, a very strong typhoon caused severe flood and our house was deeply flooded. I was not home that time and my brothers-in-law only saved appliances and furniture. I was so sad when I saw my magazines!

How I wish it is just easy and cheap for a subscription here in the Philippines. I only buy my copies from a bookstore that sells second hand books and back issue magazines. I first got my copy way back 2002 and I instantly fell in love with it. Since then, I hunt for other copies in the said bookstores. They were also being sold in a reasonable price. Some copies were even way cheaper. Of course, I also saw one from another bookstore where the price is way higher, but then, I really want it so I bought it!

I can say that I must have collected about 10 to 15 already. But now, I only have two! There is no bookstore like the one I mentioned above here and I just got my two copies during my recent trip to my hometown. This is why I am so happy when I am finally reading a copy again over french toasts and a cup of strong black coffee! Such a blissful morning!

Pork Kaldereta

Kaldereta is one of Philippines most loved dishes. It is my husband's favorite and when he comes home from his work overseas, he requests his brother to cook the dish. I wanted to learn cooking it myself, so I asked and tried it. The feedback is very good and I am so happy!



Ingredients
1 kilo pork
2 pcs. potatoes, large
2 pcs. carrots, large
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
2 pcs. whole pickles
1 can liver spread, small
1 can evaporated milk, small
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
cooking oil
salt
pepper

Cooking Method
1. Slice pork, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers and whole picles into medium size cubes.
2. Heat cooking oil in a casserole and sauté the garlic, onion and the beef. Add water, evaporated milk, tomato sauce and liver spread. Simmer until pork starts to become tender. Add in the potatoes, carrots and pickles.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Continue to simmer until pork and vegetables are tender and the sauce thickens.
5. Serve hot with plain steamed rice.

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Used Postage Stamps Tray!

I finally made the tray projects that I planned to do six months ago! Gosh, that's how long I've been away from my crafting activities! Well, it's good to be back!

Last November, as I was going around the yard of my parents-in-law, I saw these two sound system speaker covers in their trash. The net covers were torn but the frame seems to be something that I can use for future projects, so I took them home.



I remember I saw a center table where the owner made a picture frame into a tray to hold their table accessories. I think it was really a great idea. So, I decided to do that.I looked at my paper stash to see if I have something that is whole and would fit the frame but I have none. Then I thought of the used postage stamps that I have collected from Swap-bot and I decided to make a collage of it for the design. I then went to a glass company and bought four pieces of clear glass that are cut to the size of the frames. All materials are set and just waiting for the craft day, but I got so busy preparing the house before I leave for my Christmas vacation in my hometown. A vacation that took me six months! ;)

Anyway, I'm back and yesterday, as I was putting the things I have acquired from Swap-bot for the last six months in their proper storage, a new baggie of used postage stamps reminded me of the tray project. These baggie of stamps were mostly vintage and since I love vintage things, I got so inspired and thought of using them for one of the trays. Excited much, I started lay-outing the stamps and eventually finished decoupaging them to the glass and let them dry overnight.

And finally, here they are:

For the center table:


The other one is for the our dining table. I used a red fabric scrap which I also got from Swap-bot.



How I made them:

I first took the net covering of the frame.


Then I glued one piece of glass to the frame using a silicone sealant.


Time to take out those lovely vintage used postage stamps and start collaging. As for the other tray, I covered the bottom glass with the fabric tightly.




Finally, I placed the other piece of glass on top of the collage and fabric. And these are the finished products!




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