On seeing the good

Just last Saturday, the whole family attended the anticipated mass as we normally do. It was Fr. Jun Sescon, current Parish priest of Mary Mother of Hope, Landmark Chapel, who officiated the mass much to our delight! Even my kids enjoy the way he says his sermon, always lively, and with a valuable lesson. 

The Gospel was about living our lives faithfully and the willingness to put the concerns of the world aside for our God. Instead of saying his usual sermon, what he did was to show us a video that depicts the Gospel in so many ways. It was an ad by Breeze. I am not endorsing said product but would just like to share with you the video that hit a spot and hopefully made a mark on everyone who watched.

We are so involved with our concept of life, our faith, and how to follow a righteous path that we forget what is essential. Ready your box of tissues, and learn from this video. 

#thegoodexperiment

Good Meal Hunting

Remember me telling you that I have a project? That was about 4 to 5 blogs ago... if am not mistaken.

Let me start by saying that I have always imagined myself in the food business. Reason why when I was still working, I brought with me food that I peddle at work. I have always dreamed of running my own cafe and that still remains as such. So when a friend of mine and a former colleague, messaged me about checking out goodmealhunting, I did so without hesitation. From the moment I checked the website, I knew that this was what I needed! I immediately signed up and a day or two after got a call from them confirming my online registration. It was that day that I arranged going to their office at Circulo Verde in Quezon City. I went there on June 9 with my youngest son in tow. I brought with me food samples as well and signed the contract for good measure hahaha! I am amazed and so happy that something like this is available for homemakers like me. Now I can just worry about cooking and let Good Meal Hunting take care of the delivery! I have met Warangkana Gear Fajardo, the Founder and CEO of Good Meal Hunting and I am just as amazed that finally someone like her was able to provide a platform for kitchen merchants like me. I have high hopes and very happy that I made the right decision by joining them!

Viaña’s Crapple Salad Roll

Viaña’s Chapchae

Viaña’s Chicken Cordon Bleu

Happy Cabbie!

I rode a cab on my way home from the grocery. At first when I saw the shabby looking cab (not that I minded), I prayed that it would not have small la cucarachas running or flying around inside. But as soon as I went in, I was cheerfully greeted by the cabbie driver. I was surprised as he looked quite old to be working still. My first thought was this man should just be enjoying his grandchildren at his age. And so I rode we were silent for a moment. But that silence was broken when he told me how the traffic has worsened over the years. That started the ball rolling. I think people find it easy to talk to me. I am, as my husband tells me, a "magnet" to people who have stories to tell. 

Needless to say Lolo driver began telling me his. He's been a cab driver for 3 years, working prior to driving a cab. He has 8 children 2 of whom are working abroad and are both against him working. But Lolo Francisco (wow my namesake! Boy version) does not want to stop working. When I told him that he should be enjoying himself already, his reply was he does not want to stop working as he feels like he would get sick if he just stays home. And how his grandchildren would suddenly rouse him from a restful sleep by tapping on his face or shouting at the top of their lungs. He also mentioned that at his age, he still takes care of the education of his grandchildren. So he said with much conviction "Di ba di pa ako pwede tumigil magtrabaho? (See? I cannot be without work, right?) He said he pities his 2 daughters especially the youngest one who used to have a husband whom he wanted so much to inflict pain on with his bare hands. How he took care of separating them both than just stay in the background while his son in law makes a punching bag out of his daughter. 

Despite his sad story, I see how much he has retained his mirth! Confidently he shared how he is not taking any maintenance medication even at his age as he continues to eat vegetables. I cowered  in shame hahaha because despite being more than 20 years his junior, I must admit that he is healthier by far than I am.Anyway, Lolo driver and I shared what should have been a 20-25 minute ride from SM Makati to my place but took an hour because of the earthquake drill. Honestly, I did not mind the halt along Ayala Avenue that day. I learned a lot from this happy and humble Lolo driver.

People from all walks of life amazes me but it is the stories of old people that I love listening to. So thank you Lolo driver for sharing me your story, your zest for life, and your attitude about work! I said a little prayer for you as you brought me back home.

Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years. 

- Ausonius -

Dad's Butterbeer

I think that Hogwart's Butterbeer and The Nook kindled my husband's imagination that he suddenly researched for a recipe online. The next day ... Father's day, he charmed his way into buying the ingredients much to my amusement. As soon as we arrived home, he coaxed me into helping him with his butterbeer. Of course I refused, as I wanted him to do it with the kids. So they made the vanilla syrup and chilled it after for next day's use. The following day, right after dinner, he did his "barista act" and started "brewing." I'd say it's pretty cool for him to have exerted effort to discover how butterbeer is made. I know it was a kind of bonding time for him and the kids. I didn't want to ruin the moment so I left him to do his bidding.  For those who are curious as how to it is made, here's the recipe.

got this from http://wizardingworldpark.com/butterbeer-recipes/

Our children's verdict? They loved it! 

Best Daddy ever!

Cheers!

Cool Kuya

And so we celebrated our youngest son's 11th birthday at The Nook, (AGAIN!) We really had no plans of leaving the house that day as I was thinking of holding a joint celebration the next day, which was also Father's day. But as it turned out, my eldest son would not hear of it. He said it was his younger sibling's birthday and he wanted him to enjoy. He offered to spend his gift money for his baby brother. I was really touched! I seem to be doing something right with my kids! I agreed because I would like to teach my kids a valuable lesson - taking care of each other.

Our favorite!

Triple S Pasta

My husband only likes his sardines with rice, so we got him this :)

Pesto

 Now this is the bomb! Underneath all those fried potatoes is a big hotdog on a bun!

Nook Overload

I love almost anything with cheese! But I guess it would be nice if they'd change the cheese they use on this sandwich. Perhaps something with a bit tangy. Perhaps next time I can request them not to put the parmesan,

Grilled cheese panini

These bacon wrapped chicken are also yummy! Served with maple syrup :)

Our tummies enjoyed the food! Our eyes feasted on the place (yep even if it was our second time)! I could see that even my husband enjoyed himself too! All in all everybody had a good time! The place usually opens at 1pm but we were really lucky that day as we were allowed to go inside even if it was an hour or so before opening. So thank you so much Kuya Alloy for being a part of your younger brother's birthday! Your gesture certainly made it into Allen's treasured memories! Thank you for being a good kuya to Allen, your daddy and I love you so much!

Fourfathers

When I was a child, he was my first pillar. The only man in my life. He was my tree top, my human seesaw, and my piggy back ride among other things. Today I see a man who has weathered the years, a man who has turned his backyard into his retirement playground; where he could pound every flat surface with his handy hammer while saying expletives on the side hahaha... Papa, let me begin by saying thank you for your quiet love, your generosity, your big heart, and for always being our steady front when everyone else is panicking! Thank you Papa! For me you are the best, I won't have you any other way!

To my husband...the father of my children. We love you! Thank you for your sacrifices, for the love that you unselfishly show our kids, for the gift of laughter. Thank you for always pushing our children to do their best, for being a prayerful father, and for being a good example to them. To our children you are their hero! To them you are their pillar of strength. Thank you for being very demonstrative of your love and supportive of their dreams and aspirations. And to the father of my husband, the man I never got the chance to get to know. Let me tell you how great you've raised your first born! He is the most selfless, loving, caring, responsible, and prayerful man that he is. My children (your apos) are so lucky to have your son as their father!

To my brother in law Bernard, thank you for taking care of my sister. For loving her despite her expensive bags hahaha just kidding! For simply being the kind of husband you are to her and father to my nephews and niece. For having a good heart... a heart big enough to love our family! 

To Glenn, thank you for being the source of my youngest sister's happiness! It may have taken a while before your paths were allowed to cross but it was worth all the years she had to wait before you came and swept her off her feet! Thank you for being a very good father figure to my niece Hope. You are  everything she has hoped for in a father!  Thank you too for having a heart big enough to allow them both in your life!

Happy Father's Day! We honor the four men in our lives, as we honor the Lord God, the father of all men!

Happy Birthday bunso!

I'm trying to recall when I first learnt about you. It seems so far away now... that memory. But what I can clearly remember was how I felt when I found out that a very tiny you was slowly growing inside my womb. I felt genuinely happy because I know that I was about to give your dad another great news!

Today you celebrate your 11th birthday and I sigh... my baby. I know you will always be that to me - the child of my heart. I thank the Lord everyday for trusting me with the role of motherhood, the opportunity to be a mother to you, your ate, and kuya. I would like to think that I am doing a good job of being that kind of mother.

So as you celebrate your 11th, your dad and I continually pray that you grow up in faith, and in the knowledge that you are loved...you are everything to us!