WQ: Spending Christmas

How was your Christmas?

With New Year rapidly approaching, I am quite at a loss as to describe how my Christmas went. It wasn’t what one would call a traditional Christmas, no. It was a simple preparation that my mom made to make Christmas dinner special. Because it is only the two of us, we just made a few dishes, one of which is Stracoto with Porcini Mushrooms and I made dessert.

Naturally, I was online and I was also on the phone calling my hubby and my mom’s sister and her family. I also had to greet my cousin whose birthday was on the 25th of December. I remember teasing her about only getting one gift for her birthday and for Christmas. Wicked, I know, but that was then, this time, I still keep on teasing her but she just takes it in stride. Her younger sister, the baby in our family, kept on begging me to come home in March in time for her elementary graduation. Yup, she is the youngest back in Dumaguete (this is not counting Shobe in Davao).

It was on the 23rd that I had a long conversation with P at around the stroke of midnight. It was fun hearing the sounds of Christmas in the Philippines, even if it was only through the phone. Since they didn’t bother to buy fireworks, P just made a racket; music blasting from the speakers, with him cranking up his guitar while talking to me; and they said guys can’t multitask?

We both knew we missed each other but we didn’t really dwell on those bleak thoughts. We talked about anything and everything, but with both of us wishing that we were together.

So, how was your Christmas?

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LaPiS: Noche Buena

Christmas Dinner was untradtional for us. It was just my mom and me and she prepared a dish called Stracoto with Porcini Mushrooms, a recipe from Giada de Laurentiis. It was uber delish!

Ingredients
1 (4-pound) boneless beef chuck roast
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, sliced
6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 cup dry red wine
1 3/4 cups canned beef broth
1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1 large sprig fresh rosemary, plus extra for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the beef generously with salt and pepper.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy 6-quart roasting pan over medium-high heat.
4. Add the beef and cook until brown on all sides, about 15 minutes. Transfer the beef to bowl.
5. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to the pan, add the onions and saute until tender, scraping up the brown bits at the bottom of the pot, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the garlic and saute 1 minute.
7. Add the wine and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the broth and mushrooms.
8. Return the beef to the pan. Bring the liquids to a boil. Cover and transfer to the oven.
9. Braise until the beef is fork-tender, turning the beef over halfway through cooking, about 3 hours.
10. Transfer the beef to a cutting board. Tent the beef with foil and let stand 15 minutes.
11. Meanwhile, spoon any excess fat off the top of the pan juices. Transfer the pan juices and vegetables to a blender and puree until smooth.
12. Combine the sauce and rosemary sprig in high heavy medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Season the sauce to taste, with salt and pepper.
13. Cut the beef across the grain into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange the sliced beef on a platter and garnish with rosemary.
14. Spoon the sauce over and serve, passing the remaining sauce in a sauce boat.

Serves 6-8
I give it five stars.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Merry Christmas Blogosphere! Hope your holidays are full of love and happiness.

Credits

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Christmas Day Plans

We don’t really have exciting plans for this Christmas though. I guess you could say that we are trying to avoid being reminded that we are in another country where they spend Christmas a bit differently than we are used to.

To keep ourselves amused on Christmas Day, we checked out new movies coming out to the big screen. We are planning to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Brad Pitt. Movie Reviews have stated that it is an amazing film to see. With critics raving about Pitt’s performance, it should be good. We’ll just wait and see then.

Another movie that will be released tomorrow is The Spirit. I’ve been seeing a lot of trailers for this movie since June and I am curious about it. I know I’d better go and check out Action Movie Reviews for this one and I think I’ll do that in a few minutes.

We don’t really know what else we are going to be doing though. We are a bit apprehensive when it comes to going to other places because of the crazy weather we are having. This weeks forecast is rain and rain and rain so it would be best to stay indoors…for now.

So, what are you Christmas Day plans?

Brought to you by EverHYPE.com

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WQ: Christmas Traditions

What are the Christmas traditions you and your family practice?

I find it hard to say what Christmas tradition we follow religiously because we have tried some variations of it over the years but some of them didn't stick. I have mentioned in my previous post Cherish the Memories, that we had quite a few traditions going.

We shall never forget the favorite Christmas tradition, Noche Buena. It is definitely a must in most, if not all, Filipino families. Everyone gathers at our house and we usually have two or three Fiesta Ham “balls” (although the ones that I find in the grocery store here are yummier), bacon, spaghetti, fried chicken, chicken salad and my grandmother’s special Humba recipe that no one else can make. We’ve added a few dishes in our repertoire however and that was my double chocolate cake (that I stopped making because I hate the mess afterwards), my infamous lasagna with white sauce (yum yum) and my special potato salad (with lots of boiled egg and bacon). When my hubby (then my BF) started spending Christmas in our house, he also added his special Balbacua to the fray and it has become a family favorite!

My grandmother was big on Christmas decors and my mom, being the ingenious shopper that she is, sent us the whole deal – the tree, decors, lights, you name it! She even included a small Christmas Village set for us to display in our living room (we used perla soap and salt to make fake snow). We used to have the Nativity Scene on display at my grandparent’s house though. We did decorate last year but I didn’t set up the Christmas Village because it was too much of a hassle to clean up.

I also mentioned that we always have fireworks by midnight. We used to have a lot but since the prices of fireworks have increased, we just keep it to a minimum. Oh, and I can’t help but add how Mommy Shine my six year old Dalmatian is scared stiff of fireworks! I remember how she cowers underneath my computer desk while I’m online shivering and now since P is stuck with her (he has spoiled her rotten), she follows him around the house whenever she hears fireworks!

We used to have the manito-manita or Secret Santa but it didn’t stick. I think it’s because the adults hate shopping and don’t like the idea of it as much as we kids did.

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Crazy Winter Weather

Christmas Eve is merely hours away. Well, it is if you are living in other parts of the world. In my world, it’s still the 23rd of December and Christmas Eve is just around the corner.

Living in a new country is not easy for me. With the drastic changes in the weather it is a small miracle that I have adjusted as well as I hoped I would. If you’re coming from a tropical country, you would understand what I mean.

Back in the Philippines, we only had two seasons – the wet season and the dry season. Basically, that means that we practically wear summer clothes all year long. This becomes a pain because I have, no I NEED to buy winter clothes! Unfortunately, winter clothes are pretty expensive this time of the year even with weekly sales and such. I did manage to find affordable winter clothes and BabyPhat Shoes to go with it in time for the holidays and the crazy weather.

It’s during this time that I wish for “winter” in the tropics where the cold is bearable. At Christmas, I can get away with wearing the skimpiest outfit that I could find in my closet without wearing a jacket!

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I ♥ Ashton

I woke up to the sound of happiness! Yup, I got my new Nikon D90 kit as an early Christmas present! This kit has a D90 Digital SLR Camera, 2 Zoom-NIKKOR Lenses with VR Image Stabilization, a system case, a 2 GB SD Memory Card and a Bonus DVD (Nikon School's Understanding Digital Photography). Cool isn't it?

I know it was just a few months ago that I had my Nikon D40 camera but my mom has been bugging me to teach her how to use the SLR camera....so that explains the D90. I'm not one to grumble over my good fortune, though and I can't wait to tinker around with my new gear!

I guess this means that I will be out for the holidays and test Ashton (that's what I'm calling my new Nikon D90). I can see that Ashton and I will take many exciting and wonderful photos together. Oh okay, Ashton is a weird name to call a camera but if you've been paying attention to the commercials you would know what I am saying hehehehe.Check out the D90 Specs!

• 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor: Coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing technologies and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking image fidelity is assured.
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second: Combined with fast 0.15ms power-up and split-second 65ms shooting lag, dramatic action and decisive moments are captured easily.
• World’s first D-SLR with an HD movie mode: Record cinematic-quality 24fps movie clips with sound at up to 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels) in Motion JPEG format, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.
• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200: High signal-to-noise components and design deliver exceptional performance, even at high ISO setting.
• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor: High resolution, 170-degree wide-angle viewing guarantees confident image review and movie playback.
• Built-in image sensor cleaning: Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning frees image degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low pass filter.
• 11-point AF system with Face Priority: Consistently fast and accurate autofocus, reinforced by the Nikon Scene Recognition System, delivers razor sharpness in a wide variety of conditions.
• One-button Live View: Easy to use Live View activates access to 3 contrast detection focus modes including Face Priority AF.
• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System: Nikon's renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates images, referencing an on-board database of over 30,000 photographic scenes, for unmatched exposure accuracy.
• Comprehensive exposure control: Five advanced scene modes plus Program Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual.
• Auto Active D-Lighting: Selectable and Automatic, Active D-Lighting optimizes details within shadows and highlights, taming high-contrast situations in real time.
• Durable, high precision shutter: Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures shutter life and accuracy.
• In-Camera Image Editing: Creative freedom stems from exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Fisheye effect, Straighten and Distortion Control as well as D-Lighting, Red-eye Reduction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more.
• GPS geo-tagging: GP-1 GPS unit (optional) provides automatic real-time geo-tagging.

Info: D90 from Nikon

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Pinoy Top Ten #8

Top 10 Pinoy Carols (usually murdered during Christmas)

1. Jingle Bells
2. Pasko Na Naman
3. Kasadya
4. Feliz Navidad
5. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
6. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
7. Christmas in Our Hearts
8. Silent Night
9. Joy to the World
10. Deck the Halls
    

Ang ibig sabihin ng murdered dito ay yung mali na lyrics kapag kumanta ang mga bata na carolers tuwing Pasko.

The word murdered in this context means that the kids that sing these carold don't usually know the correct lyrics to the songs. Personally, I think it's cute and I don't have the heart to correct them.

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Christmas Boo Boos

I was supposed to write about things Christmassy for the whole month of December just to get into the Spirit but I must confess that I have been on a downhill. Not only am I not blogging but I seem to be checking in my Holiday Spirit at the door.

After the sleepless night a few days ago, I seem to be becoming a bit depressed. No matter, I shall not whine about it. I know I can't do anything about things right now.

I'm all for emoting and being a drama queen for awhile. I'm not going mental, mind you, but sometimes, I wish that I am! Hehehehe

Well, so much for that. We have planned to just go to the movies for Christmas. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is on and I am looking forward to see it (I hear it's gonna be really good).

On another note, I have noticed that Friendster has been having problems with viruses and whatnot. I'm not a huge huge fan of social networking sites anymore but I just keep it just to keep in touch with old friends and classmates. Anyhow, it does seem like they haven't fixed this problem because I noticed that this has been going on for about two weeks now. Well, no matter, there is always Multiply.

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Merry Grinchmas!

I love Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas a lot! I have seen the cartoon adaptations, saw The Grinch with Jim Carrey, and I have read the storybook (aww that was a long long time ago, perhaps I'll read it again?) and he is absolutely one of my Christmas haters characters! Dr. Seuss is amazing, what with his rhymes and meters...astounding! Oh by the way, I count Ebeneezer Scrooge as one of my faves, as well.

I'm spreading all this Grinch humor to all you bloggers who absolutely love the timeless classics. This song is sung by Thurl Ravenscroft. Isn't it music to your ears? nyahahahahahaha

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders,
You've got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch.

I wouldn't touch you, with a
thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch.
You have termites in your smile.
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile.
Mr. Grinch.

Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the seasick crockodile.

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch.
You're a nasty, wasty skunk.
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk.
Mr. Grinch.

The three words that best describe you,
are, and I quote: "Stink. Stank. Stunk."

You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.
You're the king of sinful sots.
Your heart's a dead tomato splot
With moldy purple spots,
Mr. Grinch.

Your soul is an apalling dump heap overflowing
with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable
rubbish imaginable,
Mangled up in tangled up knots.

You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch.
With a nauseaus super-naus.
You're a crooked jerky jockey
And you drive a crooked horse.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a three decker saurkraut and toadstool
sandwich
With arsenic sauce.

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WQ: Cherish the Memories

I'm back and I am excited to reminisce and share my Christmas experience after I posted a...melancholy post. Now, on to the question.

What special Christmas memories do you still cherish as the years pass by?

I cannot pinpoint a single Christmas memory because there have been quite a lot that colored my past but I have learned to appreciate every memory.

I remember Christmas dinner at my grandparents house with my father's family. My grandfather was one who loved Christmas and spared no expense when it came to Christmas dinner and the decorations. Everywhere you looked there were various twinkling lights on the outdoor plants and I remember the tall Christmas tree and the presents underneath it, it was enough to make a little girl excited! Approaching 12 midnight, we would all gather in the porch and see the grown-ups set up the fireworks and by 12, all of them where airborne.

When my grandfather died, Christmas wasn't the same. We didn't have the same Christmas spirit that we used to have when he was still alive. We didn't gather at their old house anymore so we had Christmas dinner at our place. It was my grandmother who made our Christmas special. She would always take out the decorations and encouraged me to participate in the preparations. It was during this time that I started baking and helping out in the kitchen. This time, I was happy to try out new things like my fudge chocolate cake and my infamous lasagna. Ham, bacon and hotdogs were a staple and my grandmother would make her famous humba and estofado. Yumm yumm! We invited everyone for Christmas dinner and we also had the fireworks; our very own Christmas tradition.

There is no Christmas like a Filipino Christmas. With me in another country, I can only wish that I was back home...if only in my dreams...

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