Pre-Valentine's Day Breakfast

Roses and chocolates, nothing could be more cliché for Valentine's Day.  Nevertheless, the combination always finds a sweet spot with my girls.

 

Since 'heart-day' falls on a Monday, we wouldn't have time to sit down and have breakfast together.  So, I decided to pamper them a little on Sunday morning.  Heart-shaped pancakes, bacon, sausage links and a cheese omelette were ready and waiting.  Fresh strawberries plus a choco-chip cookie brownie for dessert afterward!  *nom* *nom*

 
I can cook but I can't bake if my life depended on it!  But to my surprise, it wasn't all that hard to follow the instructions on the back of the box.  Duh!  And the end result was very satisfying, if I may say so myself!

 I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones!

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Featured here is the 2011 Impreza WRX STI which boasts a 305 hp 2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged engine with a high-cross-flow-design intercooler, maximum boost pressure: 14.7 psi, 18 x 8.5-inch, multi-spoke aluminum-alloy and performance-design front seats with fixed integrated head restraints.

Rear spoiler (4-door / 5-door)

Ken Block Gymkhana Video Demo in an Impreza WRX STI

Performance-design front seats with fixed integrated head restraints

Turbocharger with high-cross-flow-design intercooler. Maximum boost pressure: 14.7 psi.

With all that horsepower on tap it still manages decent mileage!

Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 HEMI

For the 2011 model, a refreshed SRT8 will enter production, with the new 392-cubic-inch 6.4L HEMI V8. The new engine will feature Variable Camshaft Timing, as well as the Multiple Displacement System featured on the 5.7L HEMI.  Thanks to the revised engine, Chrysler engineers cited a quarter mile (~400 m) time of 12.4 seconds at 110 mph (180 km/h) - bettering the outgoing 6.1-Liter Hemi by 0.8 seconds, although that figure has varied wildly between automotive magazines. (Source: Wikipedia)

The 392 Hemi (6.4 liters) is rated at either 475 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, or 470 hp with 470 lb-ft, depending on the source. Both V8s shut off four cylinders when not needed (except with manual transmissions). It starts at $43,380, plus any gas guzzler taxes.  (Source: www.allpar.com)

See more details here.

Chicken & Pork Adobo

Browning in the broiler

My grandmother always said,  "Learn to cook the dishes you like to eat!"


One of my all-time favorite Filipino dish is Chicken & Pork Adobo.  The meat is braised in soy sauce, vinegar, chopped fresh garlic, black peppercorns & bay leaves.  Once the meat is tender, it is sauteed to a golden brown and simmered again in the braising liquid on low for a few minutes.  Serve with freshly cooked white rice and freshly cubed tomatoes, it is the perfect meal!

Simmering in the braising liquid

My version substitutes fresh garlic with the granulated variety so my fingers don't reek all day long.  Instead of sauteing the meat, I broil it to a golden brown.  This way I don't splatter oil all over the range top and on my arms.



Give it a try.  My girls love it!  I'm sure you'll like it, too!


Ingredients:

• Cut up chicken & pork (I prefer belly for the fat layers!)
• 1 c. soy sauce
• 1 c. vinegar
• 2 c. water
• 1 tbsp. granulated garlic
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black peppercorns
• 1 pc. bay leaf

Audi R8 Spider

Its outer skin is made of carbon fiber composite in some sections and the V10 engine produces 525 hp.  It launches the open-top two-seater to 60mph in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 195mph. 

Check out its features here!

American Pride Camaro SS at the Philadelphia Auto Show

This 2011 Camaro SS was painted by artist Mickey Harris.  By far, the best paint job at the recently concluded Philadelphia Auto Show!  The level of detail is both stunning and spectacular!   My images do not do justice to this patriotic "mural on wheels"!

February's Ice Storm

This was the much anticipated Winter Storm of the season.  Every weatherman worth his salt had superlative adjectives describing this system that pretty much hit all across the North American continent.  I'm happy to have snapped a few images before they all melted away!

A bunch of hibiscus buds coated in ice.

 "Ice worms" breaking through that icy bokeh.

Heavily coated with ice, it almost seems like a sea sponge!

A few branches broke off the maple tree in the backyard, knocking down part of the shed's gutter.  A big clean-up awaits me come Spring!

Icicle formations hang off the front grille of the truck.

Encapsulated in ice are the cherry buds and branches.

Ice-encased rhododendron leaves

"Ice worms" off a maple branch

Icicles galore!

Winter's Wrath

Weighed-down telephone lines

 

Keep warm and be safe out there, folks!

Built Alongside Racecars

Built Alongside Racecars
Originally uploaded by jomak14
Tech Feature - A Zipp through time by Zack Vestal

The ZIPP 2001 is, to me, arguably the sexiest and most aerodynamic bicycle frame ever designed. Mounted it on my trainer and did an 80-min Spinerval session. It went really fast standing still!