Eating Our Way Through the Holiday Season

Christmas season in the Philippines showcases the culinary talents of people, what with the ubiquitous family gatherings, "kita-kits" of barkadas, and gift-giving sessions. People on strict diets should not even think about setting foot inside a Filipino home during this time, as they are sure to be plied with copious amounts of food and drink -- woe to those who say Nay!

We of course keep with this tradition of happy eating. Some would even say, temporary (one hopes) gluttony. Although we took our vacation leave about a week or so before Christmas, we didn't really manage to escape the frenetic activity, we merely swapped work-places. Nonetheless, the stress level was a happier, more benign type.

So I took to the kitchen. And with the help of our angels and family members at home who wielded pans and syanses, managed to concoct these dishes for Christmas Eve:

pancit with pork leg and mushrooms

crispy fried chicken

tuna baked mac

halabos na hipon

tender pork ribs

buco salad

carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and Reese's-filled choco cupcakes

cupcakes with Reese's miniatures

For New Year's Eve, we had:

pork bola-bola

pancit topping

pancit

kare-kare

bagoong

sweet and sour fish fillet

fried chicken marinated in toyo and calamansi

pork rib

chocolate kiss surprise

chocolate kiss inside the tea cookie

red velvet cake -- my own version!

red velvet cake slice

peaches and cream

We're still burping!

Post-Christmas Stress Syndrome?

Yesterday was the first time this year that I missed a post. Yeah, we had a number of friends over for dinner, and yeah, we didn't really notice the time.  And yes, there were the two little ones who were vying for attention that I sometimes wished I could split myself in two so I could give them undivided attention.  I still felt a wee bit disappointed that I didn't manage even a few lines. But hey, I've forgiven myself for that now.


I'm in a mild funk at the moment, probably some form of post-holiday stress syndrome, haha! But yes, those two weeks of not having anything structured to do, of having a fluid and relaxed schedule, are really something I am quite grateful for.


I actually did get to do a number of things over the holidays, and I am thankful that I did have enough time to do them all:

• Bake. And I mean, BAKE! As in huge loads of brownies and cookies, both for giving out as presents and for family requests. Choco-walnut brownies, cream cheese-coffee brownies, carrot bars, cream cheese cookies, among others! I somehow derive a whole lot more satisfaction out of making something for friends and loved ones, than just simply buying them off the shelves. Or if making something is not feasible, I do put a lot of thought into choosing presents. I do make a big deal out of Christmas -- it's the inner child in me!
• Puttered around and created some new accessories. A new-found hobby of mine, I discovered that I actually had a kikay side! I enjoy sifting through the varied beads I have, taking time to carefully design the piece, then fastidiously choose the stones, charms, chains and settings to shape the idea into reality. I never realized before how much preparation that actually took! It's so satisfying to hear someone express honest appreciation about my designs, all the more so when I see them wearing the pieces more than once, after the obligatory I'll-try-them-on-right-now-so-you-see-how-I-appreciate-your-gift.
• Played the Christmas CDs. I am a sucker for the traditional Christmas songs. I think I'm the one in the family who is most eager to listen to the classic tunes of Jingle Bells, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Let It Snow, Silent Night, and a host of other selections. It brings back vivid memories of our childhood Christmases, when our cares were centered around what was inside the gaily wrapped presents under the tree. I am able to recall specific instances in my life based on certain songs I associate with them -- what was playing at the time, or what were the hits during that timeframe. Fourth-year high school was "Heaven Knows", for example, while "The Promise" was sixth grade. I guess it's a bit weird, but that's me.
• Meet up with friends from waaaaay back. Not just from college, nor merely from high school. We're talking elementary days here. I do get surprised myself, whenever I count the number of years we've all known one another. It was a night of fun and laughter and reminiscences and catching up. And of course, loads of food! After all, what are holidays for?
• Walk with the kids. Around the residential area where we live, almost every morning and afternoon, sometimes even in the evenings. The nippy December air considerably added to the anticipation of these strolls. It was such a joy seeing the two little girls skipping merrily along, holding hands while jumping around, or simply just chasing each other.
• Be a shutterbug. In the past year or so, I developed quite an interest in photography. And while I have not had any formal training, I'd like to think that I do manage to snap some wonderful images here and there. The holiday break saw me with camera almost always in tow, happily shooting away. The only downside is, I'm normally on the other side of the lens, so I don't appear in too many photos! Oh well...
• Indulge in my passion for the printed page. Over the Christmas break I did get to read some volumes (oh joy!). Pity there weren't any more days to allow me to read a couple more. I've actually got a pretty good batting average when it comes to reading books. My personal goal is to read at least a book a week, and I've been able to top that for the last couple of years now. Call me geeky, but yes, I am a certified bookaholic.
• Shop. Christmas is the time for giving, after all. And not just for friends and family, but also for those who do not have the stable, regular (some would even say boring) lives we all take for granted. Choosing for the latter gave me a whole new perspective on needs and wants. An apt phrase comes to mind: "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
• Spend time with family. It's expected, I know. But the Christmas spirit somehow blankets people with a certain longing to be in the comforting shelter of family, take part in traditions, reconnect with people. We tend to look at things through a haze of holiday-induced benevolence, softening the once-jagged edges of past hurts, making people easier to laugh and to forgive. Maybe expectation breeds reality, but it somehow seems to work. People do appreciate one another more during Christmas. Love begets love. Generosity becomes the norm. Happiness easier to come by. Would that these could last longer than the December break.

Life has been, and continues to be, good.

Christmas Blues

It creeps up on me in unexpected ways. I'd think that I was actually coping very well, and then suddenly, the tendrils of memory reach out and twine themselves around me, taking my breath away with the bittersweet sadness of it all.


I miss my mother. So much. It has now been 230 days. At times her memory is so bright and clear and sharp that I half-believe for a few moments that she is just a phone call or a text message away, that she will tell me what she had for dinner, or what she saw at the mall, or watched on TV. And yet some reminiscences are soft and blurry around the edges, and I have to focus to catch these fleeting vignettes -- her touching concern when my sister or I would be sick, the way she would send an SMS just saying "Hi".


After seeing her bravely face the "Big C", keeping as positive an outlook as possible the whole time, we all kept on praying and hoping that she would emerge victorious. But medicine had its limits, and her prognosis worsened. From praying for a full recovery, we eventually included asking for a peaceful transition from this Life to the Next.


I am very, very thankful that the latter was granted to us. That we, her family, were there with her in her last moments, hopefully helping ease her passing, if even for a second.


Christmas was "her" holiday. It was from her that I got my love of gift-giving and holiday decorations and Christmas songs. Of shiny wrapping paper and twinkling lights.


This Christmas was the first one we spent without her. A lot of the traditions continued -- putting up the Christmas tree and other ornaments, looking for the perfect presents, placing the red/green tablecloth on the table, the Christmas lunch with the family. 


On the surface everything seemed to be unchanged. And yet things were never going to be the same again. For my father, for my sister, for me. And for the numerous lives she has touched over the years.


Life goes on. I miss her still.

Flashback at the Waiting Lounge

Last Friday my husband and I went for our annual medical exam.  While sitting at the lounge waiting for our next procedures, I happened to glance at the elderly lady sitting on one of the sofas in front of us.

Around her upper chest area she had a port inserted, which looked like one of those used for administering chemotherapy meds.

And just like that, memories of my mother came rushing back. 

It's been 6 months.  We've tried to get on as normally as we can, knowing that we will never again see her loving smile and experience her motherly ministrations. Never again taste her mechado made from fresh tomatoes. Never again to receive an SMS from her just saying "Kamusta ka na anak?"

All it takes is a glimpse of her books, a peek at her favorite snacks, several lines from her favorite songs, even the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations (she seemed to be happiest this time of the year) -- and then the remembering begins anew.

In many ways we've indeed moved on. And yet, in a lot of other ways, we haven't.

There's Something In the Air...

Yippee, it's December!

There seems to be a switch in my brain that makes the kid in me go oh-so-excited once December comes around. 

December means Christmas.  Simbang Gabi.  Piping-hot bibingka and buttery puto bumbong.  Yuletide carols that bring to mind a more innocent time (no, it is simply NOT the same having to listen to these ear-splitting songs blaring over the sound systems in malls!).

Nippy evenings that invite you into taking a relaxed stroll outside.  Dewy mornings that seem to bring promises of fresh starts.  Reconnecting with family members and last-seen-a-few-months/years-back relatives, all the while munching on holiday goodies that everybody has brought to share.

Gifts, gifts, and gifts! Thinking of what to give family and friends, and making endless lists (for me half the fun is in making them!).  Doing the rounds of countless bazaars, just taking a peek at all the gaily decorated thingamajigs that seem to beckon (oftentimes successfully) you into taking a second glance.. and a third... Wrapping gifts with brightly colored paper and ribbons.  And putting them under the Christmas tree.  And the fun part -- yes, even for adults -- receiving and opening presents!  

For me, the time for setting up the Christmas tree is right after All Saints' and All Souls' Days.  That's my mental marker.  After the somber mood and time of reflection during the early days of November, the stage is now set for merrymaking and laughter, for counting one's blessings and giving thanks.  Then it's time to take out the tree and star and boxes of lights and balls and garlands from the storage closet and start erecting that ubiquitous symbol of the season.

Our Christmas tree has been put up, just waiting for the presents to be placed underneath it.  My older daughter helped me, and she was so excited!  She wanted to put brightly-hued balls all over the tree, while I wanted it to have just gold ornaments this time.  We compromised -- I promised to hang the other colored balls around the house, as long as the tree was left in its monochromatic glory, haha!  She has also always been the one to put the star as a finishing touch -- quite a joyful experience for her every time.

 

Our little Christmas manger scene has also been set out. I like to turn the living room lights down low during evenings, turn on the lights, and just sit back with my husband and enjoy the soft, warm glow that watching the twinklers gives me.  It makes me feel that somehow, in that little pocket of time, everything is at peace in my world. It makes me thankful.  It makes me feel.. blessed.

It may sound naive to some, that I still hold a feeling of wonder whenever Christmas comes around, esp. in this day and age when life is so fast-paced and modern and diverse. Christmas just brings me hope that there is still a lot of goodness in the world.

This is what I would like my daughters to believe. This is what I hope they will remember when it is their turn to set up their own Christmas trees with their own families.  

It must really be something in the air -- I feel so hopeful and lighthearted, grateful and at peace. What I would give to have this feeling stay on even after the holidays!

Happy holidays everyone!