Rugs are an elegant decoration for any room in our house

      It has been a while since we're looking for a rug for our recreation room. We still can't decide what color that will look the best in that room. Shopping for a rug was very stressful because we already did that for a couple of times and yet we still can't find the one that we like. We don't want to end up spending any amount of money like the rug that we bought almost a year ago for our living room and the quality was really poor. At first glance you won't be able to notice it but after few weeks of having it in our house, that's were we noticed how poorly it was made.

      Many companies that sell their products online has a very competitive prices and good return policy, that is why many people like us who are not fond of going to a very crowded stores prefer to shop online rather than in-line. I find it very convenient to do the shopping in the comfort of my own home without having to beat the crowd.

      Since holiday season is approaching. It would really be nice to give the rooms in our house a different look by simply replacing that very old rugs that we have to a nice wool rugs. The Rugs Warehouse carries an array of rugs specializing in modern and traditional rugs since 2007. Their business is operating solely online and they are based in the UK. I was overwhelmed when I went to their website and found wide varieties of beautiful rugs that caters to every individual's tastes. The photo I've shown above is just one of the rugs that I think will look exceptionally elegant in our recreation room. Too bad, The Rugs Warehouse doesn't deliver yet here in US but to those who live in some countries in Europe, you can check their website for more information. 

Who do you think is cuter, a Baby or a Puppy?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

      When I first came here in the US and got married, there were two things that I asked from my husband, a vegetable garden and a dog. The garden was not a problem at all because my husband already had a nice garden but the dog did take us a little longer because we preferred to adopt a dog from the pound rather than buying one from a dog breeder. 

     One day, we went to three dog pounds and the last pound we went to said they would be closing their doors soon to people who want to adopt a dog or a cat because it was almost 5 o'clock in the evening. While we were looking at the dogs in their cages in search for that "lucky dog", a black puppy sleeping by himself caught my eyes. He was small, had very dry fur and yet he looked so adorable and cute. I put my hand inside the cage and tried to pet him. He opened his eyes for just a few seconds and then went back to sleep. From the moment he looked into my eyes, my heart melted and we decided to adopt that puppy immediately. 

     That is why it is really hard for me to choose who is cuter, a baby or a puppy? Everyone has their reason or reasons why a baby is cuter than a puppy or vice versa. I am sure if you are a parent, you would lean towards the baby. But if you're not a parent, like me, and you have a four-legged friend who is intelligent, obedient, very sweet, makes you laugh, loves you unconditionally and has very cute eyes, I would definitely vote for a puppy. Our decisions and impressions are often influenced by our own personal experiences, the people that surround us and our environment. You can enter your opinion at Puppies vs. Babies online contest and we will see who most people think is cuter.

     The Puppies vs. Babies photo submission is over with but the voting is still going on until November 23rd.  The winning baby or puppy will receive $5,000 and this could be yours or your friend's puppy or baby. Cast your vote now and see all the photos of the babies and puppies who made it to the contest. Now let your voice be heard, a puppy or a baby?

TVee model 25 sound system

      When I first moved into my husband's house he already had a complete surround sound system set up in our recreation room. He changed a few of the devices like purchasing blu-ray player. In fact now he is considering buying a TVee Model 25 sound system when we have enough savings to replace our surround sound speakers because it seems they are no longer functioning very well.  This audio system is a sound bar speaker and wireless subwoofer with virtual surround sound.

     I love watching movies and my husband, on the other hand, likes watching documentaries, sports and travel programs. We also have a new 55' flat screen TV and having this TVee model 25 sound system will definitely give us the best enjoyment and experience in watching TV. It will deliver clear dialogue for television, cinematic surround sound for movies and gaming. It will also enhance stereo for music which is an additional feature. This will make my husband and I happy when we we're listening our favorite program on radio every Sunday morning, Breakfast With The Beatles.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Peaches

       I got this recipe from our friend when we went to their house for a dinner. She told us that she got the recipe also in one of the magazines which I can't remember the name. I made this recipe for few times now and I really like it. In fact last christmas when we invited my brother-in-law and his girlfriend in our house, we served them with this grilled pork tenderloin and peaches.

Note: Read the entire recipe before making it

Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Peaches

Ingredients:

3 tbsp.  Canola oil

2 tbsp.  fresh rosemary - finely chopped

Coarse Black Pepper

1 pork tenderloin

Kosher salt

Peach Glaze

Rosemary sprigs for garnish

     Whisk the oil, rosemary and pepper together. Add meat - let sit covered 1 to 8 hours in refrigerator.  Heat grill to high. Remove pork from refrigerator 20 minutes prior to grilling. Salt liberally.

      Grill on all sides until golden brown and slightly charred, about 2 minutes each side.  Brush with peach glaze, continue grilling until temperature reaches 145°F (in center of meat).

    Remove to cutting board. Tent with foil for ten minutes.  Slice into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Place on platter with peaches, add glaze.  

Note:  I used a ziplock bag instead of a container to store the pork tenderloin with the marinade because it is easier for me to let the marinade be on the pork all the time. I just turned the bag upside down for several times.

Peaches

Ingredients:

1  cup  red wine vinegar

¼  cup water

½  cup clover honey

Salt and fresh pepper

3  slightly under ripe peaches, halved, pitted, sliced (or if peaches are not in season, I used a jar of peaches in syrup I bought from Trader Joe's)

     Bring vinegar, water, honey, salt and pepper to simmer over medium heat. Add peaches, cook, stir until slightly soft, about five minutes.

     Remove peaches. Continue cooking the liquid until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Transfer half the glaze to a small bowl to use for basting.

Protect your iPad with iPad cases and covers

      Three days ago, the retail store where I work introduced a new way to improve the services we offer to our customers by using an iPad. Besides the regular computers we have in the store, designated employees have the opportunity to carry around the iPad in a certain period of time a day to help customers whether just for a price check or if  they want to order a product in our online store. This is still an undergoing test but I think this is a pretty cool idea. If this test will work out, the company will provide the store more iPads in the near future. This only means, we have to take care of it not only from people who may try to steal it but also protecting it from getting scratch or broken. Thus, ipad cases and covers are a must have if you own one of these greatest invention we have in our time. 

       For almost ten years working in a retail store, I know that companies are doing their best to ensure great service to their customers even during this difficult times we have at the moment. I am just glad that the company where I work right now is doing great and we still trying to keep improving our services to assure that our customers will leave in the store happy and satisfied. Having an iPad or iPads in our store is I think will enhance our customer service and will make our job much easier too.

Biko (Sweet Rice Cake)

     My husband and I went to the Filipino store last Wednesday.  As usual, I was so excited and grabbed my favorite foods like instant noodles, junk foods, string beans, tocino, fish ball, and the most I am excited to try was the frozen Biko (sweet rice cake) which was sitting in our freezer for more than two days only until I steamed it this afternoon. 

      I was taking the chance to grab the frozen Biko because I don't have any idea if it tastes good or not. But I was surprised because it was definitely delicious. Next time when we go to the Filipino store, I will surely will buy at least two boxes of this frozen Biko. 

Mom's advice

Content by Mac Kline

       My mom told me to go to giveadish.com for the master bedroom since we were in the middle of redoing our house. I couldn’t wait for it to be done and we were at the technology stage – my husband was looking into alarms and surround sound and I was just trying to keep this place from falling apart. Having work done on your house is no picnic and I feel like it’s been overrun with contractors and workers for like the last year of our lives. That’s probably because it has! But you know, there’s something to be said for a totally redone place just the way you like it and we knew we were in for a long haul back when we started renovating the place. I’m excited to get done so I can start decorating but you know, at the end of the day it’s going to look like any other home you’d see. My decorating sense isn’t as good as I like to think it is – and I certainly am too broke for a professional!