Friendship across the Miles Series: A Home Away From Home

“You didn't have to be so nice
I would have liked you anyway
If you had just looked once or twice
And gone upon your quiet way…”   The Lovin Spoonful

Asking for a favor let alone asking to stay in someone else's home in America (or anywhere else for that matter) does not come easy for me.  But with friends like D, there was no hesitation, no second thought to send off a quick email to make such a request.

"Hello D, would it be possible to stay at your place for a few days while I wait for my mother and sisters to arrive at a later date?", my email read.

D's response came soon after, "Yehey!!! Yes I will pick you up and you can stay with us for as long as you like :-) ”

The smiley face at the end of her message sealed it for me.  The stress of finding hospitable accommodations was replaced with happy anticipation of seeing a true friend and her family again.

Free to Be

I celebrated Independence Day with my kiddos.

My son had been living on his own for 10 years now while my daughter is a newbie and is still learning the ropes of living on her own.  When I hear them talk and compare notes about water and electric bills, I get nostalgic. Was it not only yesterday, when they were chasing each other around the house—with water pistols?!?!

“What do you feel like eating?”, my daughter asked.

It was mid-morning and we had time to kill before my son joined us for a late lunch.

“How’s about a visit to a pastry shop where we can have good bread and sit around?”, I countered.

Guided by a magazine article on out-of-the-way eateries on the edge of the business district, she declared,  “I think I know the perfect spot.”

Forward March!

I made it!!! 2013 and I am still alive and kicking—Praise God!

Looking back at 2012, I remember sadly friends and relatives who had to bid their final farewell. I shake my head with regret at major times when I should have been nicer, more generous, more willing to give a helping hand and more grateful for all that I already had instead of focusing on what I didn’t have. I sigh at the thought of lost opportunities. I laugh now at the times when slight ailments would, in my mind, escalate to something fatal. Although that’s all in the past now, I shall bring it up front from time to time to strengthen my resolve to be better, stronger in the New Year.


Here’s wishing us all a year of no regrets or at least less of the “could have, should have and would have” moments.

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What better way to start my resolve than by getting involved with a Three Kings’ Celebration for the underprivileged scholars of my Parish. For a moment, the committee was feeling the pinch for funds to support the event. There was only enough for the food--- no drinks, no prizes for the games and contests. But our anxieties were quickly put to rest. Time and time again, I must remind myself that good intentions always attract the needed support. In a short time, donations came in to take care of our concerns.

To further help with my goals for 2013, I will keep in mind the opening prayer given by a fellow mentor at the program for the Three Kings’ Celebration . Paraphrasing it in English, she said:  “Let us pray that we become wise like the Three Kings. In living our lives, let us remember to:

• Make Jesus the light of our life

• Continue trusting in Jesus most specially during the darkest hours of our life

• Follow the words of Jesus

• Pray with openness and deep reverence

• Give only the best of ourselves to Jesus who is present in each of our fellowmen

xoxoxoxox

Part of my resolution is to be more discerning in what I put into my mouth. I have to be more conscious that anything I eat will either end up on my thighs, my belly or worse, clogging my arteries. For starters, I have found two fish recipes that turned out to be delicious and best of all, easy to prepare.


Staying healthy will be a piece of cake---- radish cake that is. Must have humor for 2013!! (Your thought bubble: Just stick to the recipe and skip the joke)

Steamed Creamy Dory with Light Soy Sauce

500 grams creamy dory fillets, sliced in serving pieces ( you may use other white fish)
salt and pepper to season the fish
1 thumb-size ginger, peeled and sliced into strips


Season fillets with salt and pepper and toss in the ginger strips. Arrange fish and ginger in your already steaming steamer and steam for about 10 minutes. Over-steaming is not good for this dish. Set aside.


For the light soy dressing:
2 T light soy sauce (Kikoman)
2 T of water (or more if you still find it salty)
1 tsp grated ginger
2 t brown sugar
a dribble or two of sesame oil to taste

Put everything in a pot and bring to a simmer until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
Garnishments:
Toasted garlic
Chopped green onions or leeks

Assemble:
Arrange your steamed fish on a serving dish. Pour the light soy sauce and garnish with toasted garlic and chopped green onions.

Tilapia Fillet with Capers
250 grams of tilapia Fillets
3 T calamansi juice or lemon juice
Garlic powder
Salt
3 T melted butter or olive oil
1-2 T capers (less if your not a fan)
1/2 t oregano (dry) or 1 t if fresh
A dash of paprika


Season the fillets with salt, garlic powder, the calamansi juice and the melted butter or olive oil. Arrange in a baking dish and sprinkle with the capers, oregano and paprika.

Bake in a 425 degree oven until you can easily flake the fish—about 10 minutes. Or you can microwave it on high for 3-5 minutes.

Fish be with you!! (I couldn’t help it)



Feel at Home

If there is one day in the week that I so love, it would be Saturday. It’s the day I leave the dust in peace and the laundry for Monday. It’s the day that I linger over breakfast—in my housedress. It’s the day that holds exciting possibilities of discoveries— checking out a nearby farmer’s market, a romp around the neighborhood, or simply a good book to read while curled up in bed.

But last Saturday was extra special. I and a group of very close friends were invited to spend the whole day in the new homes of two other friends. It was a coincidence that both homes were located not far from each other in a neighborhood that was still lush with vegetation.

I always believe that to be invited to someone’s home is a privilege. It is not only an invitation to set foot inside the person’s “castle”, but it is very much an invitation to see the homeowners as they truly are.

And what a privilege it was indeed! We had lunch at the first house at a very leisurely pace. The hostess making sure that our needs were met. Good food made for good conversation around the table. In between bites of King Seafood Roll, I could not help admiring the tastefully arranged interiors as the sunlight poured in from floor to ceiling windows.

But I believe that the loving relationship of the family within made for the brightness in the home.

With the long lunch over, we moved on to the tour of the house. Every now and then, we would pause to comment about the wallpaper or a particular artistic treatment of the floor in the outside balcony.

Again, I felt fortunate to be allowed access to my friend’s private sanctuary.

Then it was time to move on to the second house for afternoon snacks. When we arrived, I already felt a welcoming warmth envelope the group just by walking up to the front door. Just like the first house, the second house was tastefully furnished. Just like the first house, the second house radiated with a very positive energy. We moved from one level to the next—stopping to glance inside the rooms. Again, I felt honored to be invited into the heart of my friend.

We then settled in what I felt was the best part of the house. A balcony that overlooked a view of distant mountains. Here we continued our conversations on life and love over plateful of delicious pasta and smile inducing desserts. Before we knew it, night had descended and a concerto of sounds filled the darkness.

We dilly-dallied with our good-byes. We lingered on the roadside before reluctantly climbing into the car that would take us home.   As I look back at my friend’s house, I could not help thinking that a day spent with good friends always seem too short.

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Housewarming Prayer

O Lord, bless this new home with your presence.

May your angels always hover over it and keep it safe.

May this home be filled with laughter and love.

And may Mary, your mother, help keep

this home a haven of peace.

Amen.

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Through my writings, I have opened myself to many of you. Through my musings, I have allowed you to take a peek at my life. And each time you visit, I will continue to welcome you with life’s stories and virtually serve up dishes you can prepare for your love ones.
The following is a recipe of a dish served up at one of my friend’s home. I marveled at how each ingredient complimented the other—just like true friends.


King Seafood Roll

250 grams sliced fish fillet (creamy dory will do)
2 t minced ginger
1 ½ t salt
1 egg white
1 t sesame oil
5 crab sticks, sliced in half (you can find this in the freezer section of your grocery)
5 dried shitake mushroom (rehydrate in a bowl of water)
10 pcs shelled and deveined shrimps
10 pcs Chinese cabbage leaves (pechay Bagiuo)

In a bowl, mix the sliced fish fillet, ginger, salt, egg white and sesame oil. Set aside.

Remove the hard stem from the softened mushroom and cut in half.

In another bowl, place the washed Chinese cabbage leaves and pour very hot water on it. Remove the leaves as soon as they wilt and drain. Set aside.

On a plate, lay one Chinese cabbage leaf. On the leafy part, place a piece of fish, mushroom, crab stick and shrimp.

Roll up toward the soften stem part of the leaf. Repeat with the rest until you have wrapped up everything.

Place in a steamer and steam for about 10-15 minutes depending on how large your roll is.

Serve piping hot with soy sauce and calamansi or lemon juice.