tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82339320276345825762024-03-13T12:44:09.712-07:00It's a Beautiful WorldLola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-48382560812431455042019-10-26T22:58:00.002-07:002019-11-02T20:21:22.541-07:00Passion for Cooking<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where did I learn how to love cooking good food? My mother was a great influence. As far as I can remember, she and our household helpers were always busy in the kitchen cooking something for my dad, who always had guests coming to visit him at our house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mother and her crew would wake up at dawn to go to the wet market. Upon their return, I would see live shrimps jumping, live chickens, fresh fishes, and fresh fruits and vegetables. At times, I insisted to tag along but because they had always left at crack of dawn, I always missed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When they arrived, the kitchen became busy and everyone helped. Mom planned and prepared the menu for the day, one slaughtered the native chicken , and another scaled the fishes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had always volunteered to do something. I practically took over our cook's duty by grabbing the saute spoon from her and started cooking. She never complained for I really followed instructions carefully.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mother gave all the instructions on how to do certain things on the recipes for the day. One thing I learned from my mother is that she had always used fresh ingredients.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of my favorites from her recipes are <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Arroz</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Valenciana</span></span></em>, <em>Paella</em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Morcon</span></span></em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cocido</span></span></em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Callos</span></span></em>, <em>Chicken <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Relleno</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Embutido</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Pochero</span></span>, Tempura, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Piccadillo</span></span>, Chicken or Pork Barbecue,</em> <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kalderetta</span></span></em>, <em>Russian Salad</em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Bachoy</span></span></em>, <em>Kare-Kare</em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Dinuguan</span></span></em>, <em>Pastel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">de</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Lengua</span></span></em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Lengua</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Estofada</span></span></em>, and many more. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She also made native delicacies like <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">puto</span></span></em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">kutchinta</span></span></em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">bibingka</span></span></em>, <em>halo-halo</em>, all kinds of <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">suman</span></span></em>, etc. Her <em>pan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">de</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">sal</span></span></em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">siopao</span></span></em>, <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">ensaymada</span></span></em> were mouth watering.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other people who were a great influence in my cooking were my mother-law-law, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Uy</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Siok</span></span> Hui, from whom I had learned and had mastered some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">chinese</span></span> home cooking. The other two are my sisters-in-law, Mary and Lechu. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some weekends, they came to my house so we can try and cook a few dishes that we had learned from cooking classes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We experimented and cooked dishes learned from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">chinese</span></span> chefs, from Sylvia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Reynoso</span></span>, who was a graduate from Cordon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Bleu</span></span> in Paris, and from Ana Del Rosario, a home economist, who conducted cooking demonstrations at that time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We cooked all kinds of cuisine; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">chinese</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">japanese</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">singaporean</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">malaysian</span></span>, french, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">american</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">korean</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">pilipino</span></span>, and any recipe that we wanted to test in our kitchen. Those memories will never fade away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mother-in-law, same as my mother, preferred to cook only with fresh ingredients. She slaughtered live chickens, ducks, pigeons, and other fowls herself, which I had learned how to do myself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She would only buy the freshest pork and beef in the market. She taught me that in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">chinese</span></span> cooking, your wok's temperature is the key. When stir-frying, food were cooked quickly in high heat and with very little oil.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Same with frying, the oil should be very hot so the food will not absorb and soak up the food with oil. Peanut oil was used most of the time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The recipes of the dishes I learned from her are <em>authentic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">chinese</span></span> fresh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">lumpia</span></span></em>, a dish which we made once a year with the help of all the members of the family, <em>authentic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">lumpia</span></span> shanghai, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">kikiam</span></span>, stewed black chicken with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">chinese</span></span> herbs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">siopao</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">siomai</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">chinese</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">adobo</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">peking</span></span> duck, yellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">misua</span></span> noodle, </em>and many more.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Both my mother and and mother-in-law's recipes are now part of my family legacy. Although I can guarantee their authenticity after several times of cooking them before, my present lifestyle prevents me from cooking them. Not that I have completely forgotten, but because they are time consuming and need a crew to help make them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On special occasions like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">christmas</span></span>, new year's, or birthdays, I sacrifice and labor to cook these traditional family kept recipes so my children can enjoy them. They are sometimes tedious and time consuming to make, but they are worth the efforts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is nothing like sharing the blessings of good food with the family in a home cooked meal.</span></span></div>
Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-999694190714532242015-09-14T05:46:00.003-07:002019-10-19T14:52:48.333-07:00ENSAYMADA RECIPE<div align="center">
<em>This light and airy bread is delicious to eat for breakfast or as a snack.</em></div>
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<b><br /></b> <b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4 teaspoons active dry yeast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 cup lukewarm water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 cup butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">8 egg yolks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">6 cups all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sugar for dusting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Grated <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Edam</span> or cheddar cheese (optional)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Procedure</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Scald milk on top of a saucepan of a double boiler. Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water and sugar. To the scalded milk, add 1/2 of the butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until sugar is dissolved and butter melted. Cool mixture to lukewarm. Beat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">egg yolks</span> lightly and add to lukewarm milk mixture. Add yeast to milk and egg mixture. Add flour and beat until well blended. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Knead on a floured board surface until smooth. Place dough on a greased bowl and brush with butter. Let rise until double in size in a warm place for 1 hour. When doubled in size, punch down and knead once more. In a greased surface, roll out small portion until paper-thin; brush the surface of dough with remaining 1/2 butter. Roll dough and form into an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ensaimada</span> ring starting from the center going around to the edge of the ring making sure there are no gaps. It will look like a coiled dough. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Set aside in a warm place and let double in size about another 1 hour. When doubled, bake in a heated oven at 400 F for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. When done, brush with butter and dip in sugar. Sprinkle grated <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Edam</span> cheese or cheddar cheese (optional). Makes about 24 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ensaimada</span> rolls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*This is one of our family kept recipes which I want to share with anyone who has an interest in baking this special recipe. It has been kitchen-tested many times. It is designed to give the most in cooking pleasure, in nutrition, and in delicious eating. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">appetit!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-41537673454693032742015-09-14T05:34:00.007-07:002015-09-14T05:34:42.920-07:00Remembering Mom on Mother's Day<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RkaRmKUiicI/AAAAAAAAAAk/AxdUQ7fKybM/s1600-h/stresspark+051.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063894915816262082" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RkaRmKUiicI/AAAAAAAAAAk/AxdUQ7fKybM/s640/stresspark+051.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RkaOD6UiiZI/AAAAAAAAAAM/eCOxQcdE4ss/s1600-h/stresspark+044.jpg"></a>What's a better way of celebrating Mother's Day than remembering your mother and paying a tribute to all her unconditional love, sacrifices, unselfish and caring ways, together with your loved ones (not all of them) on this special day.<br />
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Now that I have children of my own, I have come to realize that she was not an ordinary mother; she was a supermom. Looking back, I am amazed at how she was able to juggle her time between her work and her devotion to her kids when we were growing up. </div>
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She became a widow at the age of 41, her second and last marriage (her first husband was a casualty of war). She remained unmarried until the day she died, unconcerned for the attention quite a few gentlemen had given her. Instead, her time was spent religiously on her obligations to raise her three daughters, and managed to send them to one of the best private schools in the country at that time.</div>
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On her spare time, she volunteered to teach impoverished young women on home economics, focusing on cooking, sewing, and other income-generating arts and crafts, a goverment program she launched together with my Aunt Julie Pobre, under President Ramon Magsaysay's administration.</div>
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It's been 16 years since my mother passed away, but the lessons she taught us in life will be with us forever. It will be passed on to the next generation. </div>
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We saw how she worked hard, how she treated people with respect, how devoted she was with her children, how she made sure our physical and emotional needs were met, cared for us when we were sick, and showed us how to love and trust God. </div>
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As I was writing this blog, Christina and Ann (my son, Bernard Kho's girlfriend) came home with a <em>bouquet of</em> <em>flowers </em>for me. Christina bought <em>rack of</em> <em>lamb</em> for me to cook for dinner and Ann bought<em> chocolate</em> <em>brownie with dulce de leche ice cream</em> for dessert. We took some pics and hopefully we can post them tonight. </div>
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For the meantime, we are waiting for Bernard to come home from work and join us in this memorable celebration.<br />
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-71102712313836595402015-09-14T05:28:00.001-07:002015-09-14T05:28:00.906-07:00Birthday<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RxmEQSYusLI/AAAAAAAAAEY/NdwJFURZywU/s1600-h/Ann+054.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RxkFpCYur9I/AAAAAAAAACs/fFRCOr8Bcfg/s1600-h/my+birthday+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123132253684019154" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RxkFpCYur9I/AAAAAAAAACs/fFRCOr8Bcfg/s640/my+birthday+3.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> <strong>Photos Taken by Ann Lodolini</strong><br />
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This year, my birthday was spent at home with good friends and family feasted omdeliciously made Mexican Tamales.</div>
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There were different kinds: pork, chicken, beef, and sweet tamales with three kinds of sauces and condiments to compliment the very appetizing little sacks of filled "maize masa".<br />
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The little sacks made of corn husks with different fillings complimented the "Horchata", a rice flour drink and the "Tamarindo", a tamarind based drink.<br />
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I am grateful and thankful to God for a good year, for good friends and family, for good health and for the numerous blessings.</div>
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<strong>*Note: The birthday cake you see above was a gift from my nephew, Elijah Sugay. He actually gave two cakes, the Moisty Chocolate Cake (with photo above) and a Sans Rival Cake (no photo). </strong></div>
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-37698673623817832632015-09-14T05:23:00.002-07:002019-11-03T23:48:34.330-08:00Cooking is an Art<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Don't ask me how much green onions or cilantro to use when I am making my bed of greens to lay my precious, fresh fish on top to steam, or how many tablespoons of chinese rice wine to put on top of my fish before it gets a steam bath, quickstyle. Because honestly, I do not know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I see cooking as an art. When I go to my playground (my kitchen) to cook our meals, I have no quaint idea of what I am going to cook. I open the freezer, check the pantry, check what vegetables are available, and I try to concoct a dish from what I have. The more variety of food I have in my hands, the more room for expansion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next question I ask myself is, should I fry, bake, grill, steam, boil, saute, broil, barbecue, roast, or toast. I also make it a point not to repeat a dish for a while. Repeat performance is never welcome with my children unless it is a delicious moisty cake made out of chocolate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything is unknown before I start playing in my playground until I start to cook. Things seem to fall into place. One by one, the chosen ingredients are washed, cleaned, cut, sliced, chopped, julienned, etc., and prepared before I conduct my symphony.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I check my pots and pans and check what is the most suitable vessel to use to formulate my invention. Once selected, I start cooking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been used to adding the seasonings by eyeballing, a habit which I got from my mother, who in my whole lifetime living with her, have never seen her use a measuring spoon nor a measuring cup. She just calculated. To me, it is faster. I add seasonings according to how I feel it needs. I try not to put a whole bunch. One thing I am very concerned about is the taste. Not too salty, not too bland, just right. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, the ratio of how much to put of each ingredient, how much time to caramelize the onions and garlic is very important because that is how you create the taste. You put a little of the ginger, it's great. You put too much, it's a disaster. It's a skill you have to learn in time. Practice makes perfect.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I get into a trance. No one can talk to me. If they do(my children especially, when they are asking for something. I think they know I'll be saying yes when I mean no), I am not paying attention. I am focused at my art. Timing is very important (especially when I am sauteeing) and I do not want anything to burn. You also have to keep an eye on those veggies because you do not want to overcook them. You want that certain crunch when you sink your teeth into them.</span></span><br />
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After I cook a certain dish, I try to enjoy and savor the flavor. Eating your own delicious cooked meal with a good pair of wine was my weakness before (not anymore because of doctors orders). Good food, good wine, good company (good friends and family), what more can you ask for?</span></div>
Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-14206021303208053322015-09-14T05:22:00.003-07:002015-09-14T05:22:17.278-07:00Surprise Lunch Date<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RxmHPCYusNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ye03SatIqnk/s1600-h/DSC02450.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123274743519031506" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RxmHPCYusNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ye03SatIqnk/s640/DSC02450.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="528" /></a><br />
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It was a surprise when my daughter came home at noon today. Normally she comes home late in the evening staying at the school lab working on her projects. Looking starved and tired ( she has been sick with a bad cold), I offered to cook her a meal.<br />
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Lately, the weather was getting colder at night, so I made sure we have soup for dinner when they all come home. There's always leftover food from the night before, which I sometimes eat for lunch the next day.<br />
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My daughter must be really starved, for she reheated the pot of soup from the night before while I was preparing the ingredients of what I have decided to cook. I decided to cook the easiest meal I could make, which was <strong>Sugar Snap Beans with Shrimps</strong>.<br />
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Took out the shrimps in a ziploc, open and run the warm water to defrost them, washed the snap peas and removed the endtips, heat my wok, put some oil, brown the garlic, add shrimps, snap peas, soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, splash with chinese cooking wine and less than 10 minutes we had a delicious mouth watering <strong>Sweet Snap Peas with Shrimps</strong>!<br />
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The green colored snap peas against the pinkish orangy colored shrimps were laid on a white platter and I ask my daughter to take a pic before we took our first bite. Awed by the color contrast in the dish, she got her camera and took some shots.<br />
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Most of the time, after I finish cooking a dish, everyone is so tired and hungry that no one remembers to take photos. This time I insisted for the photos of my creation. After lunch, she uploaded the pics, emailed it to me and that's why this blogpage has a photo.<br />
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What to me was a surprise turned out to be a good lunch date, except it was at home and I had to cook the food. We talked about how her classes were going and she told me she had a lot of group projects going on. She asked how I was and what's going on with my biz and I told her about some estimates I have to work on and about an article I was blogging online "Staying in Business in a Competitive Market" at my new blogsite: <a href="http://www.wcchrisdesignblogs.blogspot.com/">http://www.wcchrisdesignblogs.blogspot.com/</a>, for Window Coverings Association of America, who requested all members to contribute an article for their newsletter.<br />
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-17901481256343533362015-09-14T05:16:00.003-07:002017-12-13T03:53:37.172-08:00Dinner: Crispy Calamare<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RxmFcCYusMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/XZZAHOEfM1c/s1600-h/Ann+058.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123272767834075330" src="https://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/RxmFcCYusMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/XZZAHOEfM1c/s640/Ann+058.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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Another surprise on a friday night. Friday nights are my free nights not to cook dinner. My children know this. We either eat dinner out, or if they don't get an invitation from me, they cook their own dinner.<br />
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Tonight my son, and his girlfriend, came home early and started playing in my kitchen. From my office where I was working, I could hear them planning for dinner. Is it the prawns (big shrimps) or the calamare (squid). The calamare won for I could hear the sizzling sound of the little guys with tentacles gettng deep fried in the fryer.<br />
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When I went out of my office to check on what they were up to, Ann was dredging the slices of squids with flour with her bare hands and Bernard was deep frying the battered squid pieces in the fryer being careful not to over overcook them.<br />
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Giving my share of the labor (of love), I made the sauce for the calamare dip out of soy sauce, sugar, honey, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, oyster sauce, worcestershire sauce, and pepper.<br />
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Dinner is once again one enjoyable and fun sharing moment for the family. Chow!</div>
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-27885184286414512142015-09-14T05:13:00.003-07:002019-10-19T14:35:01.485-07:00Trick or Treat Night<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/Ryldc4cO4hI/AAAAAAAAAH8/FkRC5cTU9v4/s1600-h/Chris1024+016.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127732401506542098" src="https://bp0.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/Ryldc4cO4hI/AAAAAAAAAH8/FkRC5cTU9v4/s640/Chris1024+016.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I am writing this blog, it's about 7:50 in the evening of Halloween night 2007, a time for little kids and grownups trekking the night in the dark, parents chaperoning their little tots from house to house, getting their share of fun, camaraderie, and of course, candies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I did my last minute shopping to buy the goodies for the trick or treat trekkers, and I was surprised to come home seeing my daughter's old friend from grade school, Christopher Wisniewski, dressed like a penguin man or, as my nephew, Elijah Sugay said, "he is a character from a movie." From what he told me when I asked him what he was dressed like, he casually replied that he just wore the beak mask and a cream-colored coat and people can figure out who they want him to be. Hmmmmm......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Most of the children and parents weren't sure if he was for real, or just a prop until he moved his index finger up. My little porch got crowded with curious onlookers, mostly kids who got intimated by this mystery man (or supernatural?). I will try to post a picture of him later, so you can get a glimpse of how he looks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> My daughter, Christina, arrived later from work and school (She works at the Loyola House of the Jesuits at USF in San Francisco and will be graduating soon.), my granddaughter arrived and was dressed like Scooby-Doo. She was uneasy, at first, to approach the Penguin man as she got some candies from the big black plastic cauldron, after which she went out to go trick or treating with her mom, Shela, and Christina, my daughter. Earlier, Ann and Bernard, helped me put all the candies in a big plastic cauldron and put away some of the groceries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> For dinner, I cooked cross-rib roast beef with the au jus sauce, ground beef ball soup with the bean thread noodle, and I also had wheat crackers with Gorgonzola Cheese Torta with Roasted Hazelnuts and Cranberries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Every year, we celebrate Holloween with friends and family, with lots of candies and fun, going around trick or treating in a good neighborhood, where people are like one big family. </span></div>
Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-33105372070673181642015-09-14T05:11:00.002-07:002015-09-14T05:11:23.016-07:00Ene's Blitz Torte<div align="justify">
<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R0Du2WDgXsI/AAAAAAAAAPM/chKMEJzb1cE/s1600-h/mail.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134366192602996418" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R0Du2WDgXsI/AAAAAAAAAPM/chKMEJzb1cE/s640/mail.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> My sister, <strong><em>Ene</em></strong>, who lives in Los Angeles, sent me a pic of the cake she's been wanting to bake for their Thanksgiving dinner, the <strong><em>Blitz Torte</em></strong>. Today, she spent the afternoon baking the cake. I could not make the picture any bigger. I believe the pic was taken from a camera phone and was texted to my cell phone, which in turn, I sent to my email, so I could post it online. Anyway, here's the picture of the cake (above). </div>
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Happy Thanksgiving in advance my dear sis, in case I get so busy on thanksgiving day and I forget to greet you (like I always do). Regards to <strong><em>Scott </em></strong>(my bro-in-law), <strong><em>Sunshine and Alan</em></strong> <strong><em>Malapitan</em></strong> with their two sons, <strong><em>AJ </em></strong>(a talented musician) and <strong><em>John </em></strong>(the whiz kid), to <strong><em>Millette</em></strong> (how's the doctor?), and to <strong><em>Den-Den</em></strong> (sassy lady) and hubby<strong><em> Sal</em></strong>, and her beautiful daughter, <strong><em>Misha</em></strong>.</div>
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Happy thanksgiving to brothers <strong><em>Eddie Enriquez</em></strong> (from Manila) and <strong><em>JJ Enriquez</em></strong> (From Sydney), who are currently in L. A. visiting their bother, <strong><em>Scott</em></strong> and his family. </div>
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-13323043836136216312015-09-14T05:10:00.002-07:002015-09-14T05:10:20.857-07:00Dinner: Lugaw (Chicken Saffron Congee)<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R0OHsWDgXzI/AAAAAAAAAQE/yjGRU10IcgY/s1600-h/congee+010.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135097196036775730" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R0OHsWDgXzI/AAAAAAAAAQE/yjGRU10IcgY/s640/congee+010.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-77945042029827040782015-09-14T05:09:00.004-07:002015-09-14T05:09:24.251-07:00Playing with Photoshop<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R1ts0fKLcuI/AAAAAAAAAQs/sJQSD_NRL6k/s1600-h/Ann+172.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141823048546743010" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R1ts0fKLcuI/AAAAAAAAAQs/sJQSD_NRL6k/s640/Ann+172.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R1s57PKLcqI/AAAAAAAAAQM/KCU8u0ea_24/s1600-h/11102007+005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141767089417843362" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R1s57PKLcqI/AAAAAAAAAQM/KCU8u0ea_24/s640/11102007+005.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></div>
Ann Lodolini<br />
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Whenever I get a chance, I try to teach myself new things. Today, I tinkered with photoshop. The photo (at the bottom) above was taken two weeks ago when Bernard and Ann were dressing up for the wedding of Nick Peruzzaro's (Bernard's best friend) brother, Dominic Peruzzaro and his fiancee, Paola. The two top photos were taken at Laguna Beach, California at the beautiful residence of Drs. Freddie and Bien Cruz.<br />
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<br />Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-46601685323069968632015-09-14T05:07:00.001-07:002015-09-14T05:07:01.409-07:00Dinner: Beef and Broccoli<div align="justify">
<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R1ynPPKLc0I/AAAAAAAAARY/y5KSbjR9oo4/s1600-h/Beef+Brocolli+011.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142168754759365442" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R1ynPPKLc0I/AAAAAAAAARY/y5KSbjR9oo4/s640/Beef+Brocolli+011.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> Not everyone likes to eat broccoli. The only way I can make my children eat this highly nutritious veggie is by making it palatable to their taste. Steamed broccoli bathe in Hollandaise Sauce is a favorite, but the braised broccoli with thinly sliced sirloin beef is a winner. Today's lunch was a healthy dish that everyone enjoyed.<br />
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If you like to see the recipe, go to my other site:www.cookingenthusiast.blogspot.com. </div>
Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-25553888759936358102015-09-14T05:05:00.003-07:002015-09-14T05:05:40.156-07:00Dinner: Bistek (Beef Steak Pilipino)<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R3Oc-uo4zRI/AAAAAAAAASQ/gb18_UkRbqk/s1600-h/IMG_0122.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148631400499957010" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R3Oc-uo4zRI/AAAAAAAAASQ/gb18_UkRbqk/s640/IMG_0122.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-44300193728906643772015-09-14T05:03:00.004-07:002017-08-09T10:37:20.692-07:00Baking Lessons ...Samantha's First Cake<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SE3LeO_3oPI/AAAAAAAAAb8/bgIPjbIHe3g/s1600-h/IMG_0418.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210044064220029170" src="https://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SE3LeO_3oPI/AAAAAAAAAb8/bgIPjbIHe3g/s640/IMG_0418.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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School's over. A lot of kids will be joining some camps, swimming lessons, dance lessons, self-defense classes, arts and crafts, softball, baseball, and many activities the community offers its residents to enroll their children this summer. </div>
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As for my granddaughter, I offered to teach her how to bake this summer. We started our baking last week by making Chocolate cupcakes. Samantha was so interested to participate in this one on one lessons in what it takes to make a cake from setting the temperature of the oven , familliaring her with the different kinds of cake pans, different measuring cups, spoons, how flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and other ingredients look like.<br />
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She can read. And that helped a great deal in teaching her. She is also a fast learner and remembers everything you tell her. Today she made her first cake, a <em><strong>Pound Cake</strong></em>, with her grandma's supervision, of course. The whole process didn't take long, about 20 to 30 minutes. </div>
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The cake turned out to be so delicious. Yellow inside and brown outside. Just the way we wanted it. It didn't last very long though, we had to share some with her dad and mom, and the rest were enjoyed by all.</div>
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-46693685942508172242015-09-14T04:58:00.009-07:002015-09-14T04:58:58.415-07:00Samantha's First Lesson in Making Pan De Sal<div align="justify">
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Hope you like the pics of the finished products above. I cannot find the words how excited and motivated Sam was while we were making these breads. At first, she was going all over the place without direction and when I taught her how to knead the dough, she easily got it. She had so much energy and she really proved me her talent. </div>
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The pan de sal turned out to be so good. You don't even have to put anything on them. They're filling and they taste really good.<br />
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-9579564858667074932015-09-14T04:56:00.007-07:002015-09-14T04:56:58.121-07:00Baking Cupcakes at Midnight....with Sam<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SGXGigIG6xI/AAAAAAAAAkg/HRqryA9GJfg/s1600-h/IMG_0539.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216794039420381970" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SGXGigIG6xI/AAAAAAAAAkg/HRqryA9GJfg/s640/IMG_0539.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216793488525064690" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SGXGCb4befI/AAAAAAAAAkY/xlJFeilFFcg/s640/IMG_0538.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216792357233266194" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SGXFAlfcjhI/AAAAAAAAAkI/q50xmKXXU0A/s640/IMG_0534.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216792929967815138" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SGXFh7GAOeI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/BXGcYMNu5t8/s640/IMG_0536.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216791816957958850" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SGXEhIzxmsI/AAAAAAAAAkA/SSzLl_Q3cFw/s640/IMG_0533.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216791233466440082" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SGXD_LIjmZI/AAAAAAAAAj4/a8_Bo2kmR18/s640/IMG_0532.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /> <br />
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-50782963985386530872015-09-14T04:45:00.007-07:002015-09-14T04:45:19.669-07:00Nostalgia<div align="justify">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SlDopZWqG6I/AAAAAAAABUo/Fk3F3LH743I/s1600-h/LOLA+TITAY+AT+MALACANANG.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="434" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355035754821720994" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SlDopZWqG6I/AAAAAAAABUo/Fk3F3LH743I/s640/LOLA+TITAY+AT+MALACANANG.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> A photo of my mom (lady in black with fan) with the then<em> President<strong> </strong>Ramon Magsaysay</em> ( tall gentleman on right) at the Malacanang Palace with the <em>Delegation to Malacanang, Adult and Vocational </em>Classes, <em>L.W.V.P. - 4th Congressional District</em>, Manila, Philippines, Circa 1956. </div>
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The <em>Adult Vocational Classes L.W.V.P. - 4th Congressional District</em> in Manila was one of the administration's programs to help adult women learn a skill to do business.. My Aunt <em>Julie Pobre</em> (on the farthest right with a big smile) and my mom, <em>Cristeta Soriano</em> <em>Abad,</em> were heading the the mission of helping adult women learn home economics, specifically cooking and sewing classes, and other arts and crafts.</div>
Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-80783389590736716222015-01-04T21:30:00.000-08:002015-09-13T08:59:09.449-07:003 More Days before Halloween...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SukR4Pl1_5I/AAAAAAAABjY/FI1Dm9L6C6Y/s1600-h/IMG_2453.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397865286335856530" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SukR4Pl1_5I/AAAAAAAABjY/FI1Dm9L6C6Y/s640/IMG_2453.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> ...and I'm not ready. The cold is settling in, an indication of the weather's transition to its' next cycle. The leaves are now turning red and gold, and will soon fall. It's autumn..<br />
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Much of tonight's dinner conversation was about this coming friday's dinner menu. My son announced that he has some friends coming and my daughter seconded with her intention to invite some of her friends to join in to celebrate halloween.<br />
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It's halloween already? Can someone tell me where all the time went? All I know is I have to buy bags and bags of candies for the children who come every year, clean the house, organize my office and my bedroom, catch up with my blogs, go for my medical appointments, buy my medicines, cook dinner, wash the plates, bring my car for oil change, talk to my customer, check my emails, open mails and packages, call my sister to thank her for the birthday gift she sent to me, check on my Facebook pages, clear the pile on my desk, bring my car to Autobahn for oil change, etc.<br />
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Yes, it's 3 more days before halloween and I'm not ready. Anyway, ready or not, here's to everyone..Happy Halloween!Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-33351299933224229762015-01-04T21:29:00.000-08:002015-09-13T09:00:30.674-07:00Christmas Eve Dinner 2007: Steaks and Lobsters<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/R5VQ5U3zIKI/AAAAAAAAAUY/ddz6KM0Bg00/s1600-h/IMG_0161.jpg"></a><br />
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<strong><em>Samantha's Christmas School Artwork 2007</em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>Who has time to drink a glass of wine?</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Preparing the lobsters for dinner..</em></strong></div>
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This is so late but I would like to share them with you. Last christmas holiday, we had family visiting from Manila and I was really busy. </div>
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My son, Romulo III wanted to eat lobsters for dinner so we went to the asian store and bought some. The NY- cut striploin steaks were bought from Molly Stone's. </div>
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Sorry I couldn't take pics of the finished products because I was cooking and serving them. The steaks and the lobsters were almost cooking at the same time but I had to cut each lobster in the middle and crack its claws and legs before serving. </div>
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As a dip, I made lemon butter sauce with a dash of freshly ground pepper and salt. </div>
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The steak was cooked medium -well, not because they wanted them that way, but I guess I was not quick enough to get them out of the grill pan in time. They had no complaints. </div>
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My divided attention was more concentrated on cooking the lobsters, for I didn't want to overcook them and spoil our dinner for having rubbery lobsters. </div>
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No pictures of the finished products, but I had my son take my pics before. They all couldn't wait to eat after seeing the freshly cooked lobsters steaming hot from the pot. </div>
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I will post the before pics very soon. I will take a break and be right back. </div>
Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-7671564738858424772010-04-23T04:27:00.000-07:002013-06-02T15:24:51.067-07:00All the Great Operas in 10 Minutes by Kim Thompson<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5vNReqUGtsc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param>
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If you're interested to learn about Opera, here's a quick and funny way to learn <br />
it ~ All the Great Operas in 10 Minutes by Kim Thompson.Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-12733283913159689292009-11-20T13:41:00.000-08:002015-01-04T21:30:09.198-08:00Thanksgiving PrayerEvery year, we gather around our table with friends and family feasting over delightful meals specially prepared for Thanksgiving Day. To me, Thanksgiving Day is a day for thanking God for all the blessings we have received. Good health, good family, good friends, good business, good food, etc. and all the other blessings (jobs, shelter, clothing, etc.) that we, in our busy life, have neglected to realize the impact they make on the quality of our life at present.<br />
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<strong></strong>Thanksgiving Prayer<br />
"Lord, we thank you for this gathering of friends and family in your presence today, for the gift of life and for good health, for the good food on the table, for more work and stable jobs, for peace and unity in the family and among countries, for the conversion of sinners, for the safety of our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in the other parts of the world where they get deployed, for a better economy, for the healing of the sick and those in pain, for humility and acceptance of who we are, for your guidance and direction in our everyday life, for safety in our everyday journey, and for a beautiful world without end. Amen."Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-19045192972289770772009-07-18T17:42:00.000-07:002015-09-13T09:03:26.200-07:00Ann Made Pizza for Dinner<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SmKAtSjoy4I/AAAAAAAABZI/t3STRWn6aDo/s1600-h/IMG_1109.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="478" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359988022088092546" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SmKAtSjoy4I/AAAAAAAABZI/t3STRWn6aDo/s640/IMG_1109.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-14291622462897343552009-07-05T15:49:00.000-07:002017-08-09T10:39:47.637-07:00That Was Awesome!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJ54J-5Q0KG2EwmZaIZUOI2RnytDgcLlwU2q1s72wD9aPbnI69LCariiFcTLwZvLiRQ8DrE2Jd8bZxJ9WVbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
This video was taken last night by Ann during the lighting of the fireworks, which were contributed by my daughter, Christina's best friend, Julie Sanders.<br />
"That was awesome!", Samantha's comment at the end, made it easy to think of a title.Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-82360660876887217812009-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-02T16:34:04.465-07:00A Wedding of a Lifetime<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SlJjoWEOARI/AAAAAAAABVg/nwQzBIiLgho/s1600-h/DSC03933.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355452451666133266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SlJjoWEOARI/AAAAAAAABVg/nwQzBIiLgho/s640/DSC03933.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SlJiCBTi_gI/AAAAAAAABVQ/tT9LxAGKfDQ/s1600-h/DSC03943.JPG"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="446" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355449447556081682" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SlJg5e4kaBI/AAAAAAAABVA/UWleMLf9DCc/s640/DSC03943.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355448878479272114" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SlJgYW6FaLI/AAAAAAAABU4/Bu_fy0uTc3w/s640/DSC03945.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />Last May, I was invited to a wedding of my son's best friend, Nick P. and his then fiancee, Amy D. which was held in Healdsburg, California. The wedding ceremony was held in Asti, California, in a small catholic church in the middle of the vineyards and the reception was at the <em>Simoncini Vineyards</em>, a vineyard owned by the uncle of Nick P., the only living brother of his mom, Linda Simoncini Peruzzaro. </div>
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Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233932027634582576.post-37165463494181485192009-01-31T17:53:00.001-08:002015-09-14T04:53:02.554-07:00Marley<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SYUC-4YDUNI/AAAAAAAABLU/VosL_KC5qVc/s1600-h/IMG_0937.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297643815979667666" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SYUC-4YDUNI/AAAAAAAABLU/VosL_KC5qVc/s640/IMG_0937.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SYUCkKTtOeI/AAAAAAAABLM/F8GI6LRbpws/s1600-h/IMG_0936.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297643356936813026" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SYUCkKTtOeI/AAAAAAAABLM/F8GI6LRbpws/s640/IMG_0936.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SYUCACd422I/AAAAAAAABLE/qt9VXnWB4yA/s1600-h/IMG_0944.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297642736356744034" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SYUCACd422I/AAAAAAAABLE/qt9VXnWB4yA/s640/IMG_0944.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RF6SMA7tP8c/SYUBhl-nJSI/AAAAAAAABK8/CT93uKq0MwM/s1600-h/IMG_0939.JPG"></a>Lola Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15533824068175470401noreply@blogger.com