Herbs Are For Savoring

Aromatic but overly mature herbs can be literally intoxicating. I'd spent an entire gloomy afternoon sorting out those that go in the bin and those that need to be hung in open air to dry.

Thank God for my youngest sister Nini, for passionately chopping these little dynamites of fresh and dried aromatic herbs such as sage, rosemary, basil, oregano, and dill.

There's a lot going on in this balsamic vinaigrette: red cane vinegar, ground pepper, assortment of finely chopped herbs, EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)... Nini was always confident in concocting our vinaigrettes!

Two straight months of El Nino summer and we are finally ushered to the La Nina rainy season. I speak herbs, I breathe herbs, I talk herbs, I blog herbs...No matter what the season maybe, herbs have become a family staple. And why not? For this rainy season, a few days before bidding summer goodbye, I have finally pruned and harvested some of my green pets, some overly mature, and some super overly-overly mature, ha, ha...that's because I simply love to bask in them during hot days when they're at their greenest, just to keep them there for a lil longer. So I thought a little BRAGGING here wouldn't hurt. Brag a little about the 1-2-3 of how these herbs have made it from my greenhouse to the kitchen and into my beloved family's heart and hungry belly. They will definitely help keep us warm this rainy season. This bottle of savory vinaigrette was just one among the many collaborations I've had with Nini. And like the others, it rests in my pantry for now until our next meal together. Perhaps later...

This May Be The SECRET SAUCE of Art

An artist will always be influenced by their past, their cultural exposure, the travels of their youth, the mentors they were afforded, and the family in which they were raised. These have a great impact on one’s artistic inclination; they help to shape their artistic process, the way they view things, and how they translate the world in their creations. Whether it’s through music, fashion, fine arts, architecture, or any other art form, these influences always find their way to his creation being amplified in a fitting manner. For instance, Paul McCartney of the Beatles wrote the timeless song “Yesterday” at just 21 years old. It resonated globally because the lyrics were remarkably profound and melancholy for someone so young. “Why she, had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say I said, something wrong, I don't know For yesterday” People wondered where he got his inspiration for such a sad song considering his age. Sir Paul noted that pain and grief were the key element...

Super Easy Banana Bread Recipe, That's a Promise

Baking banana bread is not rocket science. All you need are the basic wet and dry ingredients such as eggs, butter, over-ripe bananas, flour, fast acting yeast, salt, and sugar respectively. These ingredients are readily available at supermarkets anywhere in the world. So, it's really not a problem finding your supplies because they are actually your kitchen staples. You may not have to leave the house to buy them because it is likely that you already have a stash of them in your pantry. What I've found a bit tricky though was measuring each ingredient in the exact amount as we would have done back home in beloved Philippines. Although we're grateful for our tiny, yet homey kitchen here in Moscow, where there's an old but well-maintained electric stove-top and a good-sized oven, it does not have the luxury of your kitchen baking implements like measuring spoons and cups, baking pans, mixing bowls, sifters, or an electric mixer. And I have been disciplining myself...

Confession Time: Finding My Real Father in the Midst of Bankruptcy

Last week I shared about my family's super easy banana bread recipe . Today I will share about an ordeal that my family, the Arago side, experienced on bankruptcy more than two decades ago. Can you see the connection between this two subjects? Actually, there's no connection :) But I do hope you take the time reading it, browse over some old old pics, and by God's grace, picking up something of value along the way :) In 1993, our small - scale family marble manufacturing business collapsed which changed our lives forever. For the better. And for our best. This year saw our family's spiritual birth when we came to know Jesus as our Savior and Lord. We learned to trust Him and His promises even if He didn't say 'yes' to our prayers that time; for tatay to miraculously get well again after he suffered from multiple strokes; for our family business to pick up again from bankruptcy; and for us to keep our cozy two-storey home and never having to move ou...

This Rugged JoyFull Home

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