Jcka’s Adventures

    I was 12 years old—graduating from elementary in 30 days. I was so excited cause my adviser informed me that I will be getting an award/ribbon during the Graduation ceremony. Told my father about the ribbon and pinning it on me, we were both excited. I love my father so much- we called him "tatang" —my Tatang is a nice man, palabiro, generous as in galante, our neighbors loves him because of his being kindhearted personality, lalo na pag maraming silang huling isda. He is known as "tatang" in fish market. My Mom was in Manila that time- with our eldest Brother and eldest sister nagpapagamot she was already in bed (been on her belly for 2 years unable to walk due to an open wound infection on her tailbone)

       I tried to remember what day it was… but all I can remember was it was an ordinary day. Tatang would leave around 5 pm for fishing— his boat dont actually go fishing but a service who bring the fish the next morning to the shore/fish port everytime the fishing boat "pangulong" catch a fish. I cant even remember if see I him leave that day–I usually go to the seashore and see them leave.

       27 Feb 1985 at 7 pm after dinner…somebody told us that my Father was stabbed and he is in Calbayog Gen Hospital. I meant to go to the Hospital to be with my Father, I asked my sister in-law if me and my younger brod Johnny can go to the hospital where our father is. She said no…

     So we waited at home for any news—fell asleep and just be awaken up around 4 am  of 28 Feb.1985 my brother Charlie came back from the Hospital crying hard–kicking the wall and the door. And learned the saddest news of our lives—Our father has just passed away around 2 am. while at the hospital. Tatang was just 42 yrs old…

       It was a huge drama when Mama was brought home from Manila, she was on her belly lying on the last seat of Philtranco. There was a long line of people on the side of the street while she was being carried on a stretcher heading to Charlie’s house. She dont have any idea about Tatang yet. As soon she was inside the house—she was so amazed with all the people around & in the house with teary eyes and us holding our tears. The first thing she asked is "Asa man si Canuto?"  I have to wipe my tears soon heard my Mama asking for Tatang’s presence. My Aunt told my Mama that Tatang went back "sa lawod" for he thought that you are not coming today. We have to make excuses while waiting for the Doctor to arrive-he will be the one who is going to break the news to Mama… And Mama start to wonder why people are crying around her and us as well. We told her we are just happy to see her. Again she asked for my Tatang–she was told of same reason. But this time she insist that something is wrong— she said she knows Tatang that much he woud  not go somewhere else since he knows I’m coming home- he would stay and meet me!!! Asa man si Canuto lagi? she asked again. Doctor came I am not really sure how the Doc says those word to Mama— soon Mama learned the real story about my Tatang’s whereabout she passed out. Nang mahimasmasan— she requested that she will be carried to our own house to see my father’s body.

      Sa Araw ng libing ni Tatang napuno ang St.Peter and Paul Cathedral during the Funeral Mass— people whom been touched by my father kindness and generousity. I do miss my Tatang terribly…never a time pass by that I dont think of him. Wondering what he would look right now… and am dying to be held with his strong arms that carried me everytime I get sick. Same arms that straighten us up everytime we get in trouble….

      My Tatang always teased me of my being dark skin among his children (my mother craves for barbecue chicken liver while she was pregnant of me) I would always teased him back " kay itom ka man liwat- supo ko nimo" tatawa na lang siya. My tatang laughter is parang bungis-ngis. I do miss/love to pluck his beard/moustache after lunch; him coming home in the morning with big tuna fish for me and younger brod Johnny to sell. Uban sa lawod some weekends…

     Am sure my Tatang is looking down at us his children all the time…making sure we are all safe night and day! Miss you dearly Tatang!!! Love you Tatang!

      We went to Oak HArbor last friday to spend a day with Gretchen and Brandon for the second time. WE have to wake up so early at 4 am just to get ready heading to Oak Harbor. Kay ang aking Papa maagang uma-alis for his work araw-araw yan gigising ng alas cuatro at aalis ng alas cinco —magma-maneho ng isang oras kalahati papuntang trabaho at balik at alas saiz ng gabi… most of the days.

    As soon Billy wake me up to get ready at 4:10 am  here comes Bianca Ann in our room. Billy put here in our bed hoping she will be back to sleep while MOm and Dad getting ready—I guess we are making too much noise that she got up and ask what are you doing guys??? and where are you going momma??? Yes my Bianca Ann is super sa kadal-dalan po.

       On our way to Oak Harbor  di rin siya natulog and am so glad di siya nagka-car sick this time. We arrived at Gretchen house at around 6:30 am. Finally meet her gwapong asawa Kevin, just from a distance lang kasi I was holding Brandon and he was in a hurry to leave for work…running late na kasi.

       We had an usual breakfast fried bangus na tinapa–fried rice(did not turn out good) ginisang bago-ong alamang at fenadeni sauce (chopped tomatoe, onion with soy sauce and suka) its always nice to eat breakfast with somebody else.

       I was able to meet one of Gretchen preggy friend Michelle from Davao. She was nice and fun to be with also… cant wait to spend another time with her. We did tried to make empanada— we had fun and am not sure if Kevin like it though (I hope)–he!he!he! apurado na kasi Billy called me already for going home at 2:30 pm.

     On our lunch we had a tinolang manok (bisaya version) and Gretchen cooked adobong pusit—- Me and Michelle eat our lunch standing at the kitchen counter apurado na rin she needs to leave at 3 pm to pick up her child from school. Though I was still full from our heavy breakfast sige kain pa rin..he!he!he! Gretchen nag-pass kasi nga busog pa daw siya.

    Kahit apurahan lang kami (not to mention my suffering from  PMS- had my period same day) we did had fun and enjoyed our friday with Gretch, Michelle and cutie Brandon. AM sure we did a HUGE mess on Gretchen kitchen… he!he!he!

     On our way home we stopped by to check the flock of wild sea gull (??) in one of the farm. They were thousand of them— cant resist not to take a  pix of them.

Four Things About Me…

Good day all! got this from Jenny’s blog thought to do this. I do love answering stuff like this:

* What’s the 1st thing u do when u wake up?

    First thing is I brush my teeth then pray for Thanksgiving and Guidance from the Holy Spirit for me and my family. Fix the bed and breakfast for my family.

* What’s your favorite room in your home?

     I love to be in my kitchen—then family room after meal.

* What’s the best advice your mom gave u?

      My late beloved Mother runs her mouth all the time- I mean really! From 5 am till bedtime ..which now I realize she was right! She does reminds us (her 7 kids) all the time about ALL THE VIRTUES IN LIFE and IMPORTANCE of EDUCATION. And I guess her best advice was to PURSUE for an Education, WORK HARD and BE NICE to ANOTHER.

* If you had an extra $1,000 in your pocket,what would u spend it on?

      Of course send some to the Philippines for my Family Tax he!he!he!(specifically for my nieces and nephews school tuitions) Bianca Ann savings…

* How do u like to relax?

    Relax?? thats after all the house chores or stuff needs to be done for the day right?? If I get LUCKY I read my magazine or take a stroll around the neighborhood.

* How do u & ur family spend weekends

    During sunny weekends we do go outside to our yard  do something. Rainy weekends we do fix stuff around the house or sometimes spend our time watching TV or treat ourselves for a dine out.

   Hope you enjoy reading more about me!! Till next- Thanks Jenny!!

JCKA’s note:

1) I use Ground beef instead of pork.

2) You have to TRIPLE the recipe for the pastry para mag-kasya. Nag-short kasi yung first batch ko which I doubled the recipe. Mas mabuti na yung sobra kesa mag-short ka.

3) Be sure to do the pastry mixture before you prepare the fillings—-

4) A big hand to Celia Kusinera for the yummy Filipino empanada recipe!!!! Thanks a lot- you filled my cravings!.

* Pork-Chicken Empanada *

by Celia Kusinera of E-blogger,UK

*Filling:
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp minced garlic
1 medium onion - chopped
1 cup minced pork
1 cup chopped chicken meat
1 cup peeled and diced potato
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper (to taste)
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup raisins - chopped
2 hardboiled eggs - sliced
chicken stock

Directions: *Pastry:*
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup butter
5-6 Tbsp cold water

1. Saute garlic and onion in oil.
2. Add pork, cook in medium heat for about 15 minutes. Mash from time to time to break up meat. Add chicken stock 1-2 Tbsp at a time if the pork is getting too dry.
3. Add seasonings - Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt and pepper.
4. Add chicken, cook in medium heat for a further 10 minutes or until chicken meat is opaque and cooked thru. Again add chicken stock a little at a time if it’s getting too dry.
5. Add potatoes, peas, and raisins. Cook until peas and potatoes are cooked through (about 5 minutes). Blend in the butter.
6. Remove from heat and cool.

Directions:

1. Combine well the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl.
2. Cut in butter to the flour mixture with pastry cutter or two butter knives until particles are pea-sized.
3. Add water a tablespoon at a time while tossing the flour mixture with a fork until all the flour is moistened and can be formed into a ball. Press the dough ball while turning a few times to incorporate all the flour in.
4. Wrap in plastic cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

*To assemble:

1. Preheat oven to 400F/200C/gas mark 6.
2. Remove cling film from the dough and flatten with a rolling pin on a floured table or surface and shape into a log. (I usually use greased paper at the bottom and plastic cling film on top)
3. Cut a piece and form into a ball about the size of a golf ball (1-inch in diameter).
4. Flatten on the surface and roll out thinly into more or less a round shape.
5. Put a heaping tablespoon of the filling mixture on the rolled out dough and top with a slice of hard-boiled egg.
6. Pull one end or half of the dough over the other forming a half-circle shape.
7. Seal edges by pinching by hand or with the tines of fork while cutting excess dough in the process. Repeat with the rest of the dough and fillings.
8. Arrange empanadas on a lightly greased baking sheet and brush tops with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tsp milk).
9. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove and serve warm or cold.

   During our neighborhood playgroup we decided to cook something. WE had it first in our house–I did served the Eternal pansit as usual they are all crazy about it.

   The next week we had it at Ma. Victoria house a Columbian with her Colombian Empanada–its much different with Filipino style empanada. And just found out too that was her very first time to made one. So we end up experimenting the consistency of the pastry–they use corn flour/meal instead of regular flour. Turns out good— I guess we both eat 15 pieces each. he!he!he! Ginutom using our brain in cooking the empanada. Pinipiga-an nila ng lime pag-kina-kain na nila.

     I was full when I came home that night but still l LONG for the Filipino empanada taste. Check on-line and lucky enough found a blog entry in E-blog from UK;  posted by a Flipina. Copy and print it–went to store the next day for the Empanada engredients… came home start working on it did not even bother to cook lunch for my hubby. Just informed him to be patient am working with the lunch— I guess he was so hungry that he offered to help me- it is a lot of work much more than making a lumpia.

  Empanada experiment turns out yummy—I was so satisfied with my cravings of filipino style. Lucky Billy loves it too–I did shared it to my neighbors.

       WE did played outside soon I got done putting up layered of clothes to keep us warm while outside with the snow. Before that I called Maya if she wants to play outside— she could not but her kids can. I did picked up Dominique ( 3 and half yrs old) and Tristan (2 yrs old). We headed up to the playground where there is much thicker snow to play with than in our yard..

   Boy my arms were sore pulling the 3 of them on a sled—100 something lbs.- tried to make a snowman did not work. WE all had fun on going down the hill with the sled. Bianca Ann could not wait for her turn–she wants to be on the sled all the time we go down. We spent almost 2 hrs playing — noticed Tristan is looking tired soon I dropped them home he went to sleep on his MOmmy’s lap.

      Got home…relax for awhile then start getting ready for Valentine dinner. Thought cook my hubby’s fave Spaghetti!!! My thoughtful Papa Toto came home with a Big Heart Ballon, 1 dozen of pink Roses, box of Truffles for me—  a lady bug purse for  Bianca Ann; seeds to plant and sugar free Reese’s. Bianca loves most my heart balloon–she was running around with it in the house and even sleep with the ballon clip on her pillow-I did get a Valentines card from both of them. Bianca Ann got a Hello Kitty valentines card from Momma and Daddy. I got myself a Valentines gift–a new IRONING BOARD! by Michael Graves…its pricey but I guess I worth it. I do iron our clothes and Billys uniform all the time.

   Our valentine dinner went fine—truffles for dessert, Billy give Bianca Ann a bath while Momma did the dishes—then watch the Olympics together and went to bed!!! it was indeed a Happy Velentines for us!

   Oh I did get my hubby something for the Valentines (secret) –leave it at his car a night before…he might wear this weekend- hummmmm…Bianca Ann got him a bag of Kitkat..YES- our Papa is a chocolate lover man. As he once told me (after we meet in person) I am his Dark Chocolate— yum-yum! ha!ha!ha!

   Happy Valentines Tuesday to all!!! I was about to post maybe later this evening to tell everyone  hows my Valentines day went but I guess I have to say it sooner that I think.—

     Well I went to bed late last night— from watching Olympics games ( 2 channels - 99 and 5) and writing my Valentines for my Hubby. So he can read it when he wakes up in the morning. Yes he did read it and wake me up with an usual Morning kiss –and told me its SNOWING!!! I got up and so excited! WOOWOWEE!!! A Snowing valentines day! I did experience a white Christmas 2 years ago. I did asked my hubby to stay and not to work today so we can play with the snow - hu!hu!hu!hu!

      I cant wait to go outside and play with the snow with my so excited Bianca Ann. She was jumping of excitement on our bed when she saw snow from our bedroom.

      You all have a GREAT VALENTINES DAY celebration with your Valentines…take care

   We are heading to our friends house for a NFL SUPERBOWL party  right now..waiting for my Princess Bianca Ann to wake up from a nap. MOst of my neighbors have their own superbowl party.

    Even the Catholic mass at 5 pm  in our place were cancelled due to the Superbowl game…grabeh ang support ng game dito sa US ano? Kulang na lang mag-holiday… buti na lang natatpat ang Superbowl sa Sunday..he!he!he!

   Buti na lang the weather is much nicer today compare to yesterday… it was WINDY- rainy and some places were flooding.— there was even a forcast that we might have  a power outage during the game due to the windy weather. We did experience a few power outage in our location— my friendster account was ON all night I was posting a comments on ICe blog when the power went out- di na nakapa-log out.

    This Superbowl is BIG TIME for the SEAHAWKS PLAYERS and its FAN–this will be their very first time being int he Superbowl!!!! and WOULD BE NICER IF THEY WIN THIS GAME TOO. I HOPE I PRAY—

     GO SEAHAWKS!!!! GO SEAHAWKS!!! GO SEAHAWKS!!! YEAHAH!!

The one flaw in women