Happy 17th Birthday Wriggly!!!

On the morning of October 18 seventeen years ago, my son, Wriggly, was born under the armoire in my Mom's room.

He had 5 litter mates. I guess Wriggly is the only one who is still alive.

We gave away the rest except for another one, Kuya Silver, but he passed away when he was 15.

Wriggly is even older than my nieces and nephew!

What is his longevity secret?

He was blessed with a bottle of holy water by a priest during one of Bel -Air 3's masses for the pets.

I have been feeding him generic dog food from True Value.

I do not give him table food. When he was younger, I used to give him bread as a treat.

He does not like doggy treats. Maybe it is a blessing that he does not like them because I've been reading that a lot of those treats were being recalled for one reason or another.

He does not go for walks. I have always been afraid he might catch a virus from other animals.

I talk to Wriggly like a human being. I do not call him a dog but a person.

During his younger years, he loved going up on the dining chair to steal food.

Or up the dining table.

Or tried until he succeeded in pilfering a piece or two.

If you leave your bag on HIS couch, yes he owns that couch, he will check what is in your purse. He loves stealing lip balms and lipsticks. Of course if there is food inside, kiss it goodbye.

He is my baking assistant. "Wriggly, can you please check if the cookies are done already?"

He has a few friends....

Lizzie, my rescue dog...

Odie, my nephew's dog...

And a pet dog doll.

As the years gone by, he started showing signs of old age. His coat started to turn gray.

The cataract in his eyes has gotten worse. He is totally blind now.

Almost everyday people here at home would ask if Wriggly is dead already.

How cruel but Wriggly showed them all. He is still up and about. He still has a full appetite and does his business in the yard. He would bark if it is his time to eat already and there is no food yet.

Some "well meaning" friends would suggest I put him down. I asked the vet if I should but she said there is no reason why.

He is just blind and old but there is nothing wrong with him.

We are already in his his twilight years. I already told him a few months ago that if he feels like leaving me, I am ready.

That is just lip service. I'm not yet ready. I will never be ready.

I know that I just have a few more weeks? months? with him. I am a realist.

I am just so glad that Wriggly made it up to this point despite the fact that everybody was just waiting for him to drop dead.

It is a miracle that he was able to beat all odds.

Happy 17th birthday, my darling baby boy.

Thank you for bringing so much joy in my life.

PS

This is such an emotional post for me I can't stop crying.

 

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Feed My World

Everybody knows I love to cook.

I cook because I love to eat and also because I love to feed my friends and other people.

When I go to the supermarket and see something I know my friends or family would like, I would buy it then give them a call so they can come over.

I bought pata slices the other day because I know Mona and Tricia like Paksiw na Pata.

I asked the Junkies to join me for a quick lunch.

We were in a hurry because it was KST graduation last Wednesday. I wanted to let them try the Binagoongan Baboy as well.

Later in the evening, we had the Korean Grilled Bacon slices.

The next day, I invited FGM Cindy and Vinnie.

Cindy's favorite is the Vietnamese Pho Ga ( chicken noodle soup).

I experimented with Grilled Lemongrass Porkchop because I bought a new mini outdoor grill.

Vinnie brought Asian Salad.

FGM asked me what I wanted for dessert. What is my favorite dessert?!?!

Ice Cream!!!!!

She got us Arce Dairy Coffee Crumble.

FGM also asked her cusinera to cook the Cebu Chorizo I gave her.

I do not know how to cook longanisa. Mine turned out burnt on the outside but still raw inside.

Sometimes I also "feed" other people by way of cooking their food orders. Yesterday was a busy day for me.

Callos

Paella

Baked Shrimps

Beef Kalitiran Lengua Style

1.5 K. Beef Kalitiran

1/4 C. Soysauce

2 pcs. Bayleaves

10 pcs. Peppercorn

4 C. Water

1/2 C. Butter

1 big white onion, chopped finely

1 can Jolly Cream of Mushroom

1 C. Whole button mushroom, cut in half

1/2 t. Salt

1/2 t. Freshly cracked black pepper

1 t. Sugar

Put the beef, soysauce, peppercorn, bayleaves and water in a pot or slow cooker and simmer for 3-4 hours or until tender.

Let it cool, put in the freezer for about an hour so you can slice thinly (1/4 -1/2 inch). Set aside the stock.

Melt butter in a wok. Saute the onions until transparent.

Add the beef slices.

Dilute the mushroom soup in the beef stock and add to the wok.

When it starts to boil, add the salt, pepper and sugar.

Add the button mushrooms in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

And today, Mariger and King visited me.

I just baked brownies with Rollo chocolates.

My friend Cris taught me a new way of making chicken sandwich filling.

Cris B's Chicken Sandwich Filling

1/2 K. Chicken breast

220 ml. Bestfood Mayonaise

1/2 white onion, chopped finely

1/2 C. Pickle relish, drained

1 t. Salt

1 T. Cooking oil

1/2 t. White pepper

Asparagus, fresh or canned

Boil the chicken for 25 minutes without salt, flake and set aside.

Heat the oil in a frying pan. Saute the onion slightly then add the chicken. Season with salt and pepper.

Make sure the onion is still crunchy. Let it cool.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Spread on Gardenia bread with crust removed and add blanched asparagus spears.

Hahahahaha The wheat free diet was put on the shelf temporarily because I really love the sandwich filling.

One of the sources of my happiness is feeding the people in my world.

 

 

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Make A Difference in KST

Today marked the end of the KST ( Kabalikat sa Tahanan) Batch 22 Program.

Every Wednesday for four and a half months, facilitators and kasambahays would go to the Village function room to participate in Barangay Bel-Air's program.

The aim is to uplift and enhance the emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, occupational, physical and environmental well being of each KST participant.

Before it started last June, the facilitators had to attend a 2 day recollection. We were so fortunate to have Father Dennis Paez as our recollection master. We were so energized and renewed after the experience.

The name of our group is Maalalahanin. My co-faciliator is Tita Evelyn.

When they first started attending the sessions, they seemed so shy and very reserved.

But as we got to know each other every Wednesday, I noticed that they were becoming more engaging and started smiling already.

We tried to boost their self confidence and their sense of self worth. We encouraged them to talk on the stage and share to the big group whatever was asked of them. They were hesistant and embarrassed at first but in the end, I think we succeeded in our goal.

They were taught different skills.

We had the sewing session.

Gift wrapping and recycling.

Flower Arranging.

Laundry and Ironing. Ohhhhh freebies for everybody from our sponsor!

And a whole lot more!

We even had a night of games, dancing and partying!

The transformation of the participants was really amazing and a humbling experience.

I never understood the meaning of "Make a difference!" until now. I remember running for student council in college.

Hahahahaha Don't get any ideas. We were only 4 in our course and one was already running for VP, no one was left to run for course rep except for me.

Our battle cry was, " Make A Difference!"

I didn't get it at that time. But after hearing what the kasambahays had to say during the "Sino Ako Ngayon", session, I was enlightened.

I realized that we made a difference in their lives.

If before it seemed that they had no hope, now they can see the light.

If they thought so little of themselves then, now they can see their value.

We taught them that they were created in God's image and likeness. Wow!!! What could top that???!

Self doubt????? Not anymore.

They are more confident and sure of themselves without forgetting the virtue of humilty.

They used to be so ashamed because they are only domestic helpers but now they finally learned that there is dignity in work.

I am so proud of my group! I cannot call them girls because I have a very cute gay member. He is one of my favorites.

Kabalikat Sa Tahanan is open to all kinds of people with different sexual orientations. We have participants who are male, female and gay.

The program even won 2nd place as the Most Gender Responsive in 2014.

I am so glad to be a part of a program that makes a difference in the lives of the kasambahays. It did not only change them but it also changed me.

Whereas before I could not care less if they get wet on their way to the park, but last Wednesday, I was so worried it might rain hard.

They were wearing white for their graduation. I was afraid their clothes might become muddy.

I felt like a proud Mama seeing them march and come up the stage to receive their diplomas.

Some of them might not even have finished Elementary education.

But look at how proud they are now!

I am hoping that Barangay Bel-Air's Kabalikat Sa Tahanan would continue for another 21 years!

That's how old KST is!

Help me pray for the continuous success of this wonderful and life changing program.

(Thank you Barangay Bel-Air for letting me use some of your photos!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My Dates

I've been going out on dates lately.

With my friends!

Women friends!

FGM Cindy treated Cherry, Mona and I today at Kettle, SM Aura. It was her birthday last week.

We had the Pork and Fries!

One tall tower of fries! Everytime we would order it, there would always be leftovers, but not this time!

Ceasar Salad

Truffle Gorgonzola Pasta

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Corn Bread.

I dipped the corn bread in honey!!!!

Thank you so much FGM Cindy!

My other date today was Shey. She texted me and asked if today was my last day to eat wheat.

I replied, YES!

So we had a quick date with Mona at Dean and Deluca.

Creme Brulee Croissant. I remember eating this when it first opened its doors with Jing.

Kouign Amman, I chose the one with a lot of sugar glaze.

I wanted to order milkshake but it would too much. Sugar overload!

My date yesterday was Jing!

We had the salad all you can eat at Tapenade.

They also serve fresh oysters but I opted to have mine baked with cheese.

I am so proud of my self because I ate 2 arugula leaves with figs! My friends know that I do not like arugula. I suppose it is an acquired taste.

So many dates.... So little time... So much food indulgence!

I wish I could could go out on dates all the time!

 

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