T-Minus A Few Hours And Counting

It’s about 11 hours till the last second of 2007 and I’m getting nostalgic. The last year was truly a revelation for me. After all the turmoil that I had to go through the year before, 2007 was everything I wanted it to be give or take a few shortcomings. I was having such a good year and when December rolled in I was a bit disappointed that the year was about to end.

So, as 2007 comes to a close I look forward to an even better 2008. Not being one to make resolutions, I’m not about to start now. This, however, I promise……..I will try to make next year more fulfilling than this. And I promise to have an even better time…..and I hope everyone else does as well.

To all of you……..

Deep Dish Apple Crumble Pie

I’m coming out of the closet. I’ve never really played up on my love for everything remotely related to food and food. Well, I know I’m not alone but it’s just that I’ve never admitted it here. But the people who have known me for a while know this and they know that nothing makes me happier than a good meal or at least making one. It’s a love affair that started when I was very young but I think I’ll write about that in another post.

So there, I love food and I love to create with food.

And for starters, let me share with you what I made as my contribution to my family’s Noche Buena spread. In the last few Christmases I was tasked to make some of the main courses. This year it was dessert. Aside from the ubiquitous “Fruit Salad”, I also made an “Apple Crumble Pie with Caramel Sauce” which would eventually be eaten ala mode.

Deep Dish Apple Crumble Pie

Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup cold butter (cut into cubes)
• 6-8 Tbsp. ice water

Filling

• 6 Large Fuji Apples (sliced thinly)
• juice of 5 calamansi
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar

Crumble Topping

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup walnuts (chopped)

For the crust, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or with 2 knives until the texture resembles coarse oatmeal. Add the ice water a tablespoon at a time. Add just enough water to bind the dough. Cover the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

For the filling, combine the apples and the calamansi juice. Mix together the spices, sugar and salt. Combine the apples and the spice-sugar mix and set aside.

For the crumble topping, combine the flour and the sugar. Add the butter and mix until crumbly. Add the walnuts.

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees Farenheit.

Roll out the crust into a circle to fit a 9-inch deep pie pan. Lay the rolled out crust in the pan and crimp the edges. You can also just press the sides with a fork. Fill the crust with the apple filling and top with the crumble mixture.

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour. If the edges of the crust become brown midway during the baking time, you can cover it with a foil collar.

Caramel Sauce

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp. rum flavor

In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar and butter. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add the cream and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the rum flavor.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Christmas

Yesterday morning, Gaby woke up with a huge smile on her face and was literally running down the stairs to join us for breakfast. Without any hesitation whatsoever she burst into a joyous, “Merry Christmas everyone!!” And without any hesitation whatsoever I said, “Baby, Christmas was yesterday.” To this she answered, “WHAT?!!? No, Christmas isn’t finished yet!!”

Not wanting to break her heart, I told her that she had the New Year celebration to look forward to. Naturally, she wasn’t too happy. She wanted Christmas and she wanted it bad. With much sadness in her eyes she asked, “Mama, why can’t everyday be Christmas?” to which I replied, “Because Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and it only comes once a year. Just like your birthday.” Then she said, “But it was so much fun. I want it to be everyday.” So I said, “Ok, let’s do this. Let’s not open all your presents all at once. You can open one everyday so that you can pretend that it’s Christmas.” With that she smiled and said, “Ok, what will I open now?”

I really can’t blame her for thinking this way. I’m a Christmas lover myself. I love the whole preparation and the whole hectic pace of the season. It’s that one time of the year that I’m happy to be busy. And for good reason. At the end of it all, when the family gets together, there is no other thing to be other than happy.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Christmas

Yesterday morning, Gaby woke up with a huge smile on her face and was literally running down the stairs to join us for breakfast. Without any hesitation whatsoever she burst into a joyous, “Merry Christmas everyone!!” And without any hesitation whatsoever I said, “Baby, Christmas was yesterday.” To this she answered, “WHAT?!!? No, Christmas isn’t finished yet!!”

Not wanting to break her heart, I told her that she had the New Year celebration to look forward to. Naturally, she wasn’t too happy. She wanted Christmas and she wanted it bad. With much sadness in her eyes she asked, “Mama, why can’t everyday be Christmas?” to which I replied, “Because Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and it only comes once a year. Just like your birthday.” Then she said, “But it was so much fun. I want it to be everyday.” So I said, “Ok, let’s do this. Let’s not open all your presents all at once. You can open one everyday so that you can pretend that it’s Christmas.” With that she smiled and said, “Ok, what will I open now?”

I really can’t blame her for thinking this way. I’m a Christmas lover myself. I love the whole preparation and the whole hectic pace of the season. It’s that one time of the year that I’m happy to be busy. And for good reason. At the end of it all, when the family gets together, there is no other thing to be other than happy.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Christmas

Yesterday morning, Gaby woke up with a huge smile on her face and was literally running down the stairs to join us for breakfast. Without any hesitation whatsoever she burst into a joyous, “Merry Christmas everyone!!” And without any hesitation whatsoever I said, “Baby, Christmas was yesterday.” To this she answered, “WHAT?!!? No, Christmas isn’t finished yet!!”

Not wanting to break her heart, I told her that she had the New Year celebration to look forward to. Naturally, she wasn’t too happy. She wanted Christmas and she wanted it bad. With much sadness in her eyes she asked, “Mama, why can’t everyday be Christmas?” to which I replied, “Because Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and it only comes once a year. Just like your birthday.” Then she said, “But it was so much fun. I want it to be everyday.” So I said, “Ok, let’s do this. Let’s not open all your presents all at once. You can open one everyday so that you can pretend that it’s Christmas.” With that she smiled and said, “Ok, what will I open now?”

I really can’t blame her for thinking this way. I’m a Christmas lover myself. I love the whole preparation and the whole hectic pace of the season. It’s that one time of the year that I’m happy to be busy. And for good reason. At the end of it all, when the family gets together, there is no other thing to be other than happy.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Christmas

Yesterday morning, Gaby woke up with a huge smile on her face and was literally running down the stairs to join us for breakfast. Without any hesitation whatsoever she burst into a joyous, “Merry Christmas everyone!!” And without any hesitation whatsoever I said, “Baby, Christmas was yesterday.” To this she answered, “WHAT?!!? No, Christmas isn’t finished yet!!”

Not wanting to break her heart, I told her that she had the New Year celebration to look forward to. Naturally, she wasn’t too happy. She wanted Christmas and she wanted it bad. With much sadness in her eyes she asked, “Mama, why can’t everyday be Christmas?” to which I replied, “Because Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and it only comes once a year. Just like your birthday.” Then she said, “But it was so much fun. I want it to be everyday.” So I said, “Ok, let’s do this. Let’s not open all your presents all at once. You can open one everyday so that you can pretend that it’s Christmas.” With that she smiled and said, “Ok, what will I open now?”

I really can’t blame her for thinking this way. I’m a Christmas lover myself. I love the whole preparation and the whole hectic pace of the season. It’s that one time of the year that I’m happy to be busy. And for good reason. At the end of it all, when the family gets together, there is no other thing to be other than happy.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Dim Witted but On Hyper-Drive

Maligayang Pasko sa lahat ng ating classmates at mga kaibigan. Sorry this thingy hasn’t been updated for so long. Aside from my baking woes I have been having problems with my internet connection at home so I am stealing time in between baking and scrounging to scribble a little in veddy odd places. There are times when I just want to chuck this thing out the window …. Why is everything so slow today??!! Did you ever get the feeling that you are on hyper-drive (albeit a little slow in the head) while the rest of the world is revolving slowly in black and white? Oh well, let’s blame everything on Kopi Roti.

I am still a little hung over (but still on hyper-drive! – is that an oxymoron of sorts??) from a party that lasted in the wee hours of the morning so I am feeling a little dim-witted, but not fuzzy enough to regret that I wasn’t there for the get-together last night at the Fort (Ruben, I am so sorry I missed you L ) I also wasn’t able to post the event in the calendar (sorry Lynn). But, from what I gathered it was a smashing success and I heard that Frailu and the rest of the old gang were there to share in the revelry.

I had lots of fun reminiscing and having a good natured poke-fun-at-the-amnesiac with Anna D and Martin at Artes on the evening of the 20th. I’m glad that Tino, Ding Dong and Jonas were able to make it to our small Christmas gathering. I haven’t seen these guys since HS graduation (I think) and all looking good and in great shape. Jonas, thank you for being such a good sport. I am also veddy thankful to Michaela, JB, Martin, Anna, Lynn, Cookie, Susan Joy, Ysh and Cassie for braving the traffic. Me-an, Ane, Gilbert and Maya next time ha J

I received a pleasant surprise yesterday (I am still wondering how Joey got my number). Hopefully Joey Ybiernas can join us in our next gathering. I can’t post his number here so just email me if any of you need it. He is eager to hear from the “boys” (you know who you are).

Happy Holidays to everyone!! May all your wishes and prayers be granted for the coming New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

My Less Selfish Wishlist

One of my all-time favorite romantic movies is “The Princess Bride”. Back in the day when VHS and/or Betamax was the format for watching movies at home, I must have rented this tape more than a dozen times. I remember my Dad would complain whenever this would be part of my “rental cache” and he would utter…”Ano ba, yan na naman!! Ilang katerbang beses mo na ba napanood yan?!?”

So, imagine my joy when I chanced upon Doc Em’s writing project on “wishes” and as a bonus, one of the lucky participants gets to take home a copy of….you guessed it…the 20th Anniversary special edition of “The Princess Bride.”

And just to make it perfectly clear….I WANT IT!!!

Since I already wrote about my materialistic fantasies in a previous post, allow me to switch gears and write something more meaningful and in time with the season. Not that what I previously wrote didn’t mean anything….allow me to say, I meant every word!! It’s just that I feel that I should be more….hmmmm…….selfless……nice…yes, that’s right…nice.

So for my wishes…. I wish that there be less politics and more action. I wish that all MMDA officers get sacked and replaced with “trained” officers. I wish that all buses out of the yellow lines get impounded. I wish that all jeepneys on EDSA get flat tires. I wish that the Deped learn to make proper announcements when typhoon season rolls in. I wish Pagasa makes better weather forecasts so I don’t have to rely on my Mom’s “kalyo”. I wish that all the pedestrian overpasses be rid of vendors so pedestrians can pass. I wish that all those cement thingies on the road (care of MMDA) be removed or at least be positioned properly. I wish that the LTO would be more selective about the morons they issue licenses to. I wish that there be an automatic electric shock for perverts in the MRT. I wish that sales clerks and roving guards learn more answers other than “Hindi ko po alam kasi bago lang ako.” etc…etc…etc….etc…

Oh yes, I forgot….I wish that everyone gets to spend Christmas with their family and loved ones. And may the New Year truly be a year of promise and not of broken resolutions.

The Crazies III

Here are the latest of my kids’ antics, foibles, repartees, smarts, engots…whatever you want to call it.

While playing dress-up, Gaby dons a pair of Rayban shades, strikes a pose, and asks..

Gaby : Look at me, am I stylish?

Adi : Yuck!! You’re panget!!

Gaby : Ah yah? You’re bruha!!

Adi : But you’re still panget!!

During “drill time”……

Mama : Adi, what are the names of your teachers?

Adi : Teacher Mitch and Teacher Annie!!

Mama : Kulang, you forgot Teacher Jamie.

Adi : I don’t like Teacher Jamie kasi dami laway!!

In the car on the way home…

Gaby : Mama, can you put my HS Musical cd?

Mama : In a while, I’m finishing pa this song.

Gaby : PLEASE MAMA!! I want to listen na to the girl with yellow hair!

Mama : Sandali na lang ha..promise I’ll put it na.

Gaby : Adi, di ba we’re fabulous and WE WANT MORE!!

After opening the gate after the village’s security guard rang the doorbell…

Adi : ATE ARLENE…IT’S KUYA EDWIN!! Uuuyyy!! (continues her assault)

Adi : Me, I’m white. Ate Arlene, you’re brown. Kuya Edwin, you’re black. (for the record, hindi ako ang nagturo)

During dinner, Gaby refused to take a sip of water so her Dad said….

Papa : Sige if you don’t drink you’ll turn into a raisin.

Gaby : Waaahhh!!! Ayaw ko yan!!

Papa : You will dry up talaga and look like a raisin..hala ka!!

Gaby : Dry up? Like Yaya Minda?

Papa : Ang sama mo, di naman raisin si Manang.

During dinner (again), Adi refused to come to the table to eat and instead sat by the garden…

Mama : Come inside na and eat.

Adi : I don’t like to eat nga eh!

Mama : Sige ka, dadating yung spaceship ni Kokey at kukunin ka.

Adi : (looks at Yaya Minda) Tell them ayaw ko, di ba you’re the Mama of Kokey?

(note : Kokey is an alien from a telenovela)

On the way home from the mall, Adi suddenly scratches Gaby and hits her on the head…

Gaby : Waaahhh!! Papa, Adi hit me!

Papa : ADI!! Stop that!! Say sorry to your Ate!! (silence)

Papa : ADI!! Say sorry to your Ate!!

Adi : (hiding) Sorry, Adi is not here eh.

While having breakfast…

Mama : Gaby, check your stocking..I think Santa came by and left some gifts.

Gaby : WOW!! Did anybody see him?!?

Mama : I think Yaya Minda saw him…Manang, di ba nagkape pa siya?

Yaya : Oo, kanina dumaan siya. Humingi pa ng kape eh.

Gaby : Eh where did he pass?

Yaya : Ah eh…(looks around)…ay, dun sya alulod dumaan.

Gaby : Yaya, that’s not a chifny!!

While saying their goodbye’s to their Lola (my Mom), Gaby declares…

Gaby : BYE LOSER!! (making 2 L’s with her fingers)

Mama : GABY!!! Don’t ever call your Lola a loser. That’s very bad.

Gaby : Ok, I’m sorry. Eh what will I call her…CHAMPION?