Linguine Al Pesto Genovese Pasta

@ mirandablue

An olive oil-based, meatless pasta---Linguine Al Pesto Genovese from Amici.  I love Amici's "home-made" flavors but this dish was a total disappointment.  It was bland and there was a taste of staleness in it.  I thought it was just me, going down with a cold or something.  But my sister tried it and she agreed with me.  I'd still return to Amici but will not order this dish again.

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Signs: Bad hair day

 @ mirandablue

Boy:  I said Justin Bieber not the Dalai Lama!

Spotted this sign at the optical shop where my brother got his new pair of prescription glasses.  No, he's not a barber.:p

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Mellow Yellow Monday # 37: Lantana

@ mirandablue

 Colorful Lantana, locally known as baho-baho [stinky], blooms all year-round.  The scent of this flower is unpleasant to humans, but butterflies love it and so does my dog, Fritz.

"The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of a lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.  If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness." ~ Therese of Lisieux

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Water Hyacinth

@ mirandablue
Eichhornia crassipes, Water hyacinth

Water Hyacinth is an aquatic plant and is often considered a highly problematic invasive species.  Flooding in parts of Mindanao has been attributed to the piling up of huge volumes of water hyacinths at a portion of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, blocking the flow of the river.  Water hyacinth threatens the survival of other aquatic species because it blocks the sunlight's penetration into the water.  They clog water-ways, making boating, fishing and almost all other water activities impossible. 

But innovators have discovered the economic possibilities of this free-floating perennial.  Small-scale cottage industries are utilizing water hyacinth in paper-making, the fiber from the stem can be made into rope, dried stalks are also woven into baskets, placemats, area rugs, furniture, even shoes and handbags.  It can be used to aid the process of water purification because the roots naturally absorb pollutants; can also be used as an animal fodder and feed for fish, and it is ideal for composting.  The stalks, according to DOST's Textile Research Institute, are a viable natural source of alternative textile material.  I have seen cushions and home textiles made from water hyacinth fiber.  It is also an excellent source of biomass.

It looks like this serious pest turns out to be a profitable crop after all.

@ mirandablue

My contribution to Macro Flowers Saturday and Today's Flowers

Midweek Blues & Signs: Budget tours

@ mirandablue

Signs at the street corner in Coron town advertising budget tours to Coron Island and El Nido.  Both are famous for their pristine beaches, rich and colorful  marine life.

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Mellow Yellow Monday #36: At the poolside

@ mirandablue

 A yellow and white-striped umbrella at the poolside of Darayonan, a small hotel we stayed in Coron last week.  Take a vacation soon!

See cheerful yellows at Mellow Yellow Monday

Cattleya/Today's Flowers

@ mirandablue

Stunning Cattleya, also known as the Queen of Orchids, I spotted on a tree trunk outside the hotel where I stayed in Coron last week.

"Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts and no one to thank." ~ Christina Rossetti

@ mirandablue

More beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers

Kopi Walnut Spareribs

@ mirandablue

I'm not sure what "kopi" means...it probably refers to food court or hawker food.  This was a gut-busting, artery-clogging pork dish at Penang Hill that I shared with my cousin.  It was sweet-flavored and the meat was a bit tough, but I enjoyed the walnuts, anyway.:p

My contribution to Maiylah's Food Friday

MYM # 35: Pizza @ Cibo

@ mirandablue

Here's something yellow that would delight your tastebuds---thin-crust pizza with smoked salmon, caviar and white cheese.  

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Today's Flowers #52: Tree Orchid

@ mirandablue

Tree Orchid, Phoenix orchid, Day's cymbidium,
Aloe-leafed Cymbidium, Cymbidium Aloifolium

This orchid has totally taken over the tree at my aunt's front-yard.  I also noticed an army of red ants on stems and flowers.

@ mirandablue

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."     ~ from the Bible

Posted for Today's Flowers

Cheesy shrimps

@ mirandablue

Cheesy shrimps---something I cooked at home and brought to a potluck for a friend's "welcome home" party after a long stay in the hospital.  This dish was doubly delicious because it was shared with friends.

Posted for Food Friday hosted by Maiylah

Signs @ the Hot Air Balloon Festival

@ mirandablue

The Aviation Society of the Philippines celebrated the 100th year of Power Flight in the Philippines early this year.  There were also a series of lectures on the History of Philippine Aviation in mid-August.

The Kite Association of the Philippines was established in early 1990's by avid kite enthusiasts to revive, develop and promote the age-old Asian tradition of kite-making and kite-flying.

@ mirandablue

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