Cilantro Lime Rice

If you love Chipotle Mexican Grill as much as I do, you'll try to bootleg their recipes so you'll have an abundance in your refrigerator just for you to share.

One of my favourites, even though it's carb loaded, is the cilantro lime rice.  (pardon the photo above taken by my mobile)  Brought it to share for potluck yesterday.  I was practically the last person in line to get food and my dish was no where to be found.  Apparently it was forgotten inside the oven after being preheated.  When they finally took it out, the cilantro was wilted and had a dark shade of green.  Not fresh looking at all.  I was disappointed but we put it on the buffet table to serve anyway.  After about 15 minutes I went back to the buffet table and was surprised that my Cilantro Lime Rice was almost empty.  Not bad for a dish introduced late in the game.  It held its own deliciousness.  And yes, the recipe does taste like Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice.  LOVE IT!!!

#5 - Blizzard 2011

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge

Picture 54 - Blizzard 2011

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Dre on our street in front of the neighbor's house. Mind you, he's 6'7 and the snow is almost up to his knees.

Our buried vehicles. It doesn't look too bad from here, but it is pretty bad.

Dre's buried car. Next year we'll definitely use the garage.

Attempting to dig out Dre's car.

Our patio.

Home made frappuccino with marshmallows.

Last night's blizzard was pretty crazy. I didn't fear the snow as much as I feared losing the internet because there was a deadline to submit projects - thank God my life line remained. Anyway, we woke up to at least 20 inches of snow blocking our front door. It was kind of nice for a change.

I would have taken more pictures if it wasn't so darn cold outside. The extreme chill literally sent shivers up and down my spine. Hopefully I'll have the courage to go out and take more photos later today. I wish I had snow pants. Nonetheless, our poor neighbor's snow blower just died out. So sad for him.

Decided to take the rest of the day off (let's see how long that lasts). Activities today will involve: reading a good book in front of the fireplace, watching a few movies, cooking an awesome meal (finally), working out on the EFX, and a relaxing Yoga session before bed. Sounds like a perfect snow day in.

#5 - Office Still Life

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 52 - Office Still Life
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The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a significant event that changed American History. On that fateful day, August 28, 1963, activist Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech that made an impression to the hearts of many. It also made a major impact in government laws and regulations. On July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act was enacted by the government prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin by the federal and state governments.

I am privileged to work in the business world today void* of discrimination based on pay, gender, and race because of numerous events from the 1960's, including Martin Luther King, Jr.'s non-violent philosophy on equality and change. 

HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY!!!

* Realistically, there will always be pay, gender, and race discrimination in the work place - however it's difficult to detect and prove. Nonetheless, the circumstance has improved significantly since the 50's and the 60's so we should be grateful for that.

#5 - Catch Me If You Can

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 51 - Catch Me If You Can
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I love my kids. This was actually the first time Colette touched snow and loved it. It was such a joy to be out there (even through the bitter cold) to watch my darlings play and race each other in the snow.  

#5 - Candy In All of its Glory...

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 50 - Candy In All of its Glory
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Grandma Jody visited us from Miami last week. She only stayed three short days, but we made so many great memories (I miss her already). One of which was our visit to the candy store, Lagomarcino's. It's amazing how candy and chocolate can bring so much joy and happiness. Dre was literally a giant kid in that candy store, especially when he saw the giant chocolate covered marshmallows. His eyes lit up and his sticky big fingers were all over it. lol. My favorites were the chocolate covered pretzels and the mint truffles. Grandma loved the turtles. They were all so heavenly.

Such a beautiful display.

Grandma buying chocolates.

Valentine's Day chocolates ready to order.

Assortment of colourful candies.

Lego's as candy. MMmmm...

Dre and Grandma in front of the store.

#5 - Hello Winter

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 49 - Hello Winter
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Start of Winter: December 21, 2010

It's officially winter. So far we've received four major snow fall since December 3... and definitely more in the upcoming months. Sometime this past summer, my Aunt mentioned a superstition that we will have a bad winter because the pets' furs got really thick. As much as I don't believe in superstitions, it's coming true though, isn't it?

Dare I go out there wearing 3 inch boots? That's asking for a night at the hospital. As much as I never considered myself as the UGG wearing boots type of person, the temptation of purchasing one is almost to the point of necessity. Perhaps I'm going to opt for a cheaper brand. Anyway, the "darkness" of winter is depressing, but I  have to deal with it and be optimistic because it gives great opportunities for awesome pictures.

On a awesome note, Grandma Jody is visiting us from Florida in January. She was the one who gave us Colettiletti, our sweet, darling, dog. I can't wait for Jody's arrival. I already made plans. :-)

#5 - Code to a Happy Life

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge

Picture 48 - Code to a Happy Life

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I am slowly getting back to the swing of my personal life. Work still consumes the majority of my time, but it's likewise crucial to meditate, exercise, cook, and be mentally stable by setting aside "me time" and "blog time". The picture above is our front door. It's convenient to press keys to get in, however we have two locks for added security. 

The temperature reached 60 degrees this afternoon and it was a realization that today probably marked the end of Indian Summer in November. With this in mind, my husband and I decided to walk around the neighborhood with the pets. It was so invigorating that it was like a charge that made me feel like I can do anything. It was divine.

#5 - A Glimpse of Winter

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge

Picture 47 - A Glimpse of Winter

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We went to Red Lobster a few days ago to celebrate actual "Free Time." I decided to bring my Nikon to capture something... anything. It had been too long since I visited this challenge and I duly miss it. Nonetheless, outside the restaurant was this lonely cherry tree. It was a glimpse of winter that symbolizes something beautiful and stunning through the dull darkness. It was just a simple, beautiful, sight - more so when it is frozen over by ice. I cant wait to take that picture.

The picture above is of an unusual corner and unusual street name. It was something I couldn't miss taking a picture of. Just for the record, I am in no way against homosexuals, in fact I love diversity. But the picture is powerful and I absolutely love it.

Anyway, below are pictures of the dishes that Dre and I ordered at Red Lobster:

Wood Fire Salmon with Cream Sauce

Wood Fire Chicken Breasts with Plum Sauce

#5 - The Niña & The Pinta

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 46 - The Niña & The Pinta
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The Nina & The Pinta replicas were docked by the Mississippi River today. They're in town for a couple of weeks. When I studied the history of Christopher Columbus's journey when I was in 5th grade, I imaged these ships to be bigger, but in reality they're really tiny. The tour guide said that each ship contained at least 20 people each while traveling the vast Atlantic Ocean. It's crazy, considering how cramped it feels on board the ship. We weren't allowed to go in the lower deck, but we could peek down and it seemed like there was limited space to maneuver. I have no idea how they did it back then, but then again, people seemed to be smaller in size before. We had a great time nonetheless.

 Above is a postcard I bought
 for someone in postcrossing.com

The photo above is from the Columbus Foundation.
The Niña & The Pinta