NY Trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art & Hard Rock Cafe

Here are some photos taken today as we viewed a lot of interesting forms of arts in this museum.  It is a huge museum with different wings showcasing American, Asian, Chinese, Japanese, African, and Egyptian artifacts dating back to b.c and a.d. years. 

You wil also view some photos taken inside the Hard Rock Cafe where we had lunch.  Here you will see the drum set of Ringo Starr, the motorcycle of Billy Joel, various costumes of Elton John, Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, James Brown, etc.and various guitars of famous performers.

Hard Rock's burgers are the best.  We both said that they are better than Fuddruckers!

 

 

For Grandmas and Lolas

An officemate of mine gave me a copy of this article, and I feel it is a beautiful story.  I am sharing it with all grandmas, and future grandmas.  Remember, that for every child born into this world, there is also a  grandma! 

Grandma’s Hands

 

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.   She didn’t move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.  When I sat down beside her, she didn’t acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat, I wondered if she was okay.  Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was okay.

 

She raised her head and looked at me and smiled.  “Yes, I am fine, thank you for asking,” she said in a clear strong voice.

 

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, Grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were okay,” I explained to her.

 

“Have you ever looked at your hands?” she asked. “I mean really looked at your hands?”  I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them.  I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

 

Grandma smiled and related the following story:

 

“Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well through your years.”

 

“These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.  These hands  braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.  These put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.  As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.  These tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.”

 

“These held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.  These have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent! “

 

“These were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn child.  Decorated with my wedding band and showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.”

 

“These wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.”   These have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn’t understand.  These have covered my face, combed my hair, washed and cleansed the rest of my body.”

 

“These have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.  And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.”

 

“These hands are the mark of where I have been and the ruggedness of life.  But more importantly, it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.  And with my hands, He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.”

 

I will never look at my hands the same again.  God reached out and took my grandma’s hands and led her home.  When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband, I think of Grandma.  I know she has been held by the hands of God.  And I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

 

5 Foods to Eat Before I Die

Angie tagged me...so here's my "death-food-wish-list":

1. Lots and lots of Rebosadong female talangka (b i g, big ones) oozing with red orange fat aligue with burong mangga on the side, or patis with kalamansi.

2. Ginataang Azuhos  - a  Philippine medium-sized fish cooked in thick coconut milk  and , paired with succulent adobong kangkong.

3. Vigan Longganisa - the real ones from Vigan, Ilocos Norte--dipped in vinegar with lots of garlic and chili peppers, and paired with garlic fried rice.

4. Paksiw na Talilong - again a kind of  Philippine fish whose scales are big, but super delicious when cooked with lots of ginger and vinegar with pepper, eggplant and bitter melon.- paired and partnered with my super good  home-made binagoongan.

5. And lastly, for dessert, our home-made  real honest-to-goodness suman sa lihiya with our own sweetened coconut milk sauce cooked over slow open fire---the kind that we made then that my family was never without every New Year back in the Philippines.

So there, Angie--this list made me hungry....but I enjoyed making it...and .thanks to you!

 

 

 

 

 

The 30 Life Principles ----by Charles Stanley

As a registered member of Intouch.org...I earnestly searched for Charles Stanley's 30 Life Principles which my twin sister said is a great life bible.  In this best selling bible-book, Life Principle Bible, the 30 principles take a reader and believer to live according to the following:

1. Our intimacy with God--His highest priority for our lives--determines the impact of our lives.

2. Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

3. God's word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.

4. The awareness of God's presence energizes us for our work.

5. God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.

6. You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.

7. The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish

    His purpose in us.

8. Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.

9. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.

10. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.

11. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.

12. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.

13. Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

14. Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

15.  Brokeness is God's requirement for maximum usefulness.

16. Whatever you acquire outside of God's will, eventually turns to ashes.

17. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.

18. As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.

19. Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.

20. Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.

21. Obedience always brings blessings.

22. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit.

23. You can never out give God.

24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

25. God blesses us so that we might bless others.

26. Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.

27. Prayer is life's greatest time saver.

28. No Christian has ever been called to "go it alone" in his or her walk with faith.

29. We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.

30. An eager anticipation of the Lord's return keeps us living productively.

 In summary, these principles exhort us to let God be the final authority of our life, and not let our negative emotions, disappointments or triumphs take control over us.  

 

Broiled Pineapple with Butter-Rum Sauce

Description:
A unique way to serve pineapple, this dessert will get your family and guests' attention. Not all pineapples are naturally sweet, so this will be a good alternative to turn a not-so-sweet pineapple into a delectable dessert!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 c dark rum (any kind)
pinch of allspice, cinnamon and nutmet
8 on-inch thick slices of ripe pineapple.

Directions:
-Combine the butter, sugar, rum, allspice, cinnamon and nutmet in a medium saucepan over medium heat stirring until the butter is melted and
the sugar is dissolved.
-Simmer 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce beocmes slightly syrupy and coats the back of a spoon.
-Preheat the broiler and place the pineapple slices ont he rak of a broiling pan.
-Broil the pineapple until they caramelize about 8 to 10 minutes each side.
-Transfer into the plate and serve immediately with the warm sauce!

Curried Mussels (Tahong) in Coconut Milk and Lemon Grass

Description:
For seafood lovers, try this delicious and easy-to-do mussel recipe.
The lemon grass (tanglad) is optional but it makes the dish smell good!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/4 tsp finely minced garlic
1 tbsp curry powder
1 stalk lemongrass trimmed and cut into 4 pieces...each smashed using
a big kitchen knife
3 pounds or approximately 1-1/2 kilos of mussels, scrubbed and cleaned,
washed and rinsed.
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup dry white wine of any brand (you may skip this if you wish)
1/4 tsp ground pepper (freshly ground is best)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced thinly
1 lime, cut into wedges


Directions:
-Melt butter in a 5- to 6 qt pot over medium heat.
-Add the shallot and cook for 1 minute until softened
-Stir in the curry powder, coconut milk and lemongrass
-Cook for 3 minutes
-Add the mussels and stir well.
-Turn up the heat to high and bring the broth to a boil
-Reduce the heat slightly, cover and cook for 4 to 6 minutes more or
until the mussels open. (Discard mussels that do not open)
-Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels as they open into a bowl.
-Season with salt and pepper.
-Sprinkle with jalapeno and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Veggie Delicious Casserole

Description:
This is good for vegetarians, although the cheesy dish is rich!!!
But, try serving this to non-vegetable eaters (kids especially) and they won't complain!!! Total time to prepare is around 25 mins, while baking time is 15 minutes.....definitely, the result is a sure knock-out!

Ingredients:
8 small new potatoes
1 small cauliflower, cut into florets
8 baby carrots
4 stalks asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small can of canned or fresh corn kernels
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
Salt
Black pepper
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Chopped fresh parsley


Directions:
1. Bring a 2-quart saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes; cover and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the potatoes with a slotted spoon and set aside. Repeat the cooking process with the cauliflower, carrots and asparagus, cooking just until crisp-tender.

2. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole with butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Add the cheese, stirring until melted.

4. Arrange the vegetables in the buttered casserole. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and sprinkle with the parsley. Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes.