Oh, how that smell can linger! First toss anything that could have absorbed the scent. Clean the interior surfaces with baking soda and water or use vinegar o wipe down the walls. Next, place a large, flat bowl of baking soda in the fridge (better than a box as there are more surface area to absorb odors), or try adding a few drops of lemon extract or essential oil to cotton ball and stash it on a shelf. Last ditch effort: stuff crumpled-up newspaper on one shelf and in all of the bins overnight, then discard. This often helps suck up awful odors. If the smell still persists. Check the manual to see if your fridge has an air filter – if so, it may need to be cleaned or changed.

2. Cabinet Crud
The cabinet in your kitchen has accumulated a greasy, smoky film. The easy way to clean it:

Start simple: Use a microfiber cloth and warm tap water; rub hard with the grain of the wood. If that doesn’t work, try using nylon netting (find it at fabric stores) or a fine plastic scrubber, again with just water. No luck? Mix 1 teaspoon sudsy ammonia with 1 cup water and apply with a microfiber cloth, working in circles; rinse with tap water and wipe dry. You can also dab a paper towel in mineral oil and apply to the strain, leave it for few hours (this may help soften the gunk), and then wipe some more.

(Source: Good Housekeeping Mag – March 2012 issue)

I took this recipe off a little recipe pad that went for a freebie with the magazines I bought some months ago. I’ve been meaning to try it out but only had the chance this weekend. Well, not bad because I thought it could make a perfect family weekend treat.

Here we go for the main ingredients:

¾ kilo potato
6 tbsp. cream
2 tbsp. butter
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground white pepper
½ cup cooked bacon, coarsely chopped (You may also use sliced ham)
1 Can Pork and beans (165 g)

For the coating:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
3 pcs egg white
1 cup Japanese breadcrumbs
Cooking oil for deep frying

For the sauce:
½ cup mayonnaise
½ tsp. mustard
1/8 tsp. liquid seasoning
1 tsp. garlic, finely chopped

Preparation:

Boil peeled potatoes until cooked. While still hot, mash potatoes while putting cream, butter, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Once mashed, add bacon and pork and beans. Form into 2-inch logs or croquettes. Dredge in all-purpose flour, dip in egg whites and coat with breadcrumbs.

Deep fry until golden crisp!

For the sauce, simply mix all ingredients together.

There you go… a perfect healthy snack for the whole family!

More of these exciting recipes on the coming weekends… see you!

Like what I have previously mentioned, I found its design on the net. I like it simple and neat. Many around our neighborhood shared common window grills design. I wanted mine to be different so I took time to look up for one. I also had it painted white – exactly as it’s shown on the picture when I first saw it.

A very well done job! Two thumbs up for the builders.

Unlike without it, now I feel safer and most importantly, I am now ready to take off for the planned family summer getaway, come first of May!

Anyway, I was just going to talk about another juice from blogging. Lately, I have been so blessed with many online opportunities that allow me to bring back some of my petty dreams around and turn them to reality.

In my previous post, I have mentioned how blogging enabled me to buy things, (specifically house furnishings) I need to complete my then empty box, now an almost complete work/dwelling place.

This time around, I am looking to secure my place and so last week I ordered for window grills and that should be installed anytime this week. I know security should have been my priority concern in the first place but just sometimes I get misguided by my impulse. Or let’s just say I am more determined to ensure what I think I need – yea, read it – N-E-E-D, not want. Well, at least for now!

But it doesn’t matter now which came first from my list. I at least have most of them materialized now and the best part is… I don’t have to ask any of it from someone else.

I can’t wait to see how it is when done… and more so when installed. I refused to look at the builder’s catalogue for a design and took mine off the Internet instead. It’s rather simple but I’m sure no houses around will wear the same window grills design like mine… not from what I’ve seen at least.

A picture of it both empty and filled…

I like it sleek and space friendly. And for only 2,600 PhP or roughly $61.00, not only did I able to stuff garments in it but it also gave extra room for my cosmetics and other personal essentials.

However, the shopping didn’t end there. Well it must have ended there but it seems as if I can’t step out towards that mall exit door without taking this home too… a kitchen mate version of that storage above. Whew!

It’s a roughly $44.00 four-compartment storage that works really well for the kind and size of kitchen that I have!