Gumamela Brings Joy!

When our children were young, we frequently go to Baguio, the City of Pines located in the northern mountains of the archipelago.  Developed by the Americans as a summer capital, where a US military base,  Camp John Hay is situated. It was built as a leisure place for the American military soldiers and officers.  It has many attractions that it was dubbed as "Little America", it includes a world class competition golf course designed by the golf legend, John Nicklaus. 

"It is sweet", my 7-year-old younger daughter said after sucking the sap of the gumamela flower's  inner core and about to pluck another.  Our family of five were standing on the top level of the Baguio Cathedral grounds during a family vacation.  The flower box bordering the edge was full of single-petal red gumamela in bloom. 

Yes,  the gumamela flowers and leaves are edible, I learned that Hawaiians put the flowers in salads to aide in digestion and the Chinese pickle and eat them.  The leaves and roots made into tea maybe used as herbal medicine as expectorant, diuretic, emollient, anti-pyretic, anti- infectious and anti-inflammatory.  

The gumamela, also known as hibiscus or Chinese Rose is a common ornamental plant in the Philippines.  Information I gathered claim that it originated from India and  eventually found its way to the Asia Pacific.   Today, work to come up with more  colors of gumamela flowers is still  going on. 

BTW, it maybe interesting to know about a Tahitian lore where a gumamela is worn over the right ear shows that a person is looking for a mate; over the left ear means that a mate has been found.  

When we were kids, we mash or pulp the flowers and leaves, add a little soap and water to make a mixture.  Using a hallow papaya stalk, dip it in the mixture and blow bubbles in the air.  What fun that was. 

In our hometown and probably in all provinces, the gumamela plant is everywhere, some houses and establishments allowed it to grow into a hedge to conceal a part of a yard or garden.  In school we were taught the basic parts of a flower using the single-petal gumamela as specimen.  The center of the flower where everything is connected  has a sweet sap that bees and butterflies like. 

I am a gumamela fancier, I find joy in its colorful flowers that bloom all year round.  I fancy more the double-petal ones, though they only last a day while the single-petal variety lasts longer.   

I've always envied houses with gumamela flowers blooming in their yards; so when we moved to our new home a year ago, I initially bought two gumamela plants with yellow-orange flowers.  I had them planted in our front yard along with several cuttings in different colors I gathered from neighbors. 

This is how far my gumamela have grown.

Some cuttings I planted in pots.

Take a look at this rare red double-petal, the single red is the most common.  

I observed that when the plant is still small, the flowers are small as well, in other words, the size of the flowers are proportionate to the plants that bear them. 

This flower has tiny leaves still to develop.  I posted it on Facebook and a friend said that it looks like a painting. As I look longer at this picture, I'm convinced that indeed, it is like a painting. 

I'm still collecting other colors, a relative in the US said that she used to have a black one back home in the Philippines.  Here are close-ups of some I have, I'm missing the peach here. 

Nowadays, I'm so happy with the continuous flowers these plants provide.   Early in the morning, Jim would often call me outside to look at several flowers that opened.  Just admiring the vibrant colors sets our day, definitely adds a lot to our home's curve appeal. 

For Love Of Filipino Soap Operas

Jim and I always look forward to a new day, our attitude: "Carpe Diem", pronounced kärpā ' dē em; meaning, seize the day.  That's right, grasp the moment and enjoy it; live  in the here and now. 

Well, we don't really go out looking for fun,  we just look forward to each new day and appreciate what it brings.  We indulge in activities we truly enjoy, and being retired makes this so much easier for we have the luxury of time. 

When we finally got settled in this new home, Jim and I found time to watch the local tv drama series that we never bothered doing before, not that we are snobs nor found the time.  Maybe we're just biased, a perception we took from childhood  that there isn't much to learn from watching a lot of crying scenes, slap sticks comedy and even wash-room jokes.  

Recently though, we learned to appreciate these soap operas, because they have come a long way as quality shows.  Indeed the local movie and tv drama entertainment industry has evolved into something better than the ordinary, comparable if not better than those produced abroad.  This is why we got interested to watch the movie since we followed the tv series, "Got To Believe" earlier on and we like the young major casts. 

Today is my day-off from the store so I asked Jim if he is still good on his intention to watch the latest, most-talked-about, well-advertised local movie, Barcelona.  This was filmed in Spain and directed by the acclaimed, award-winning and most coveted director in Philippine movies today.  

On the way to Town, we recalled that the last time we went to a movie was in 2005, when we watched Dubai, another local movie filmed in the same place as the title.  I thought that the first screening at noon was the most convenient so I asked our older daughter to get us tickets on line. Of course, I did my homework earlier, so I knew the screening schedule.  We got there half an hour early that gave us time to get a quick lunch of burgers and chips. 

The plot depicted the typical life of OFWs, who are mostly professionals.  In spite challenges doing menial jobs, oftentimes taking two or even three of them to earn more money to send back home and over-coming loneliness; the only thing that keep them going is their enduring ambition to provide a better future for their families.  For the single ones who find true love amidst all the over-whelming hardship and loneliness are lucky; which exactly happened to two young people in this movie. 

I guess that our new-found appreciation for the local drama series made our TV entertainment more balanced from before when we only watched the news, sports, the food network and HGTV.  Besides, it is great to patronize our own and love what is truly Filipino. 

 

Is It Necessary To Declutter To Be Organized?

My two daughters and I compare notes regularly on our cooking/menu planning as well as the progress of our decluttering.   My older daughter who lives in town told me the other day that she was able to sell at least two big items on line this week.  

While we were chatting on line last night, my younger daughter abroad happily told me that she was able to sell a few things recently as well.  I too, mentioned that I'm continuously weeding out some of my clothes and kitchen items.  We are always glad to share our decluttering activities because this is liberating, besides, who doesn't want to get a few bucks out of it?

 I also told my younger daughter that I don't touch her dad's stuff and that Jim laughingly said of himself once that he is a hoarder.  He is reluctant to let go of his stuff even though he knows that he won't be using them anytime soon. 

"To be fair, Dad seldom buys stuff for himself", my younger daughter replied.  "I agree", Jim is very discriminate especially with his clothes,  they are timeless and no extreme fashion for him, so they last.  

"Btw", my younger daughter continues ;

"I read an article about decluttering if your family is not ready".

"Oh, really, I have to read that, can you send me the link?", I asked. 

"It's in a minimalist blog", she replied. 

So I eagerly clicked to Google and searched:

"How to declutter if a family member is not ready or willing".

I did not only find what I was looking for but in the process, I found a  new perspective about decluttering from a blog:

"What to do if you are organized but your partner isn't".  

By Erin Dolan, Unclutterer.com

It talks about "mismatched couples who have difficulty getting along since one is neat and orderly while the other is not".  

I did not realize that this issue is rather common in many households.  While this is a trivial issue to some, it maybe crucial to others; truly relevant as finances or living arrangements  couples should consider before making a commitment.  Coping mechanisms were suggested in the blog, a simple example is when a partner can't tolerate the clutter, he/she should do the regular organizing.  This may work for awhile but the danger of not bringing the matter in the open may create animosity between partners and a breakup maybe a consequence. 

As I thought of my predicament, it dawned on me that decluttering doesn't mean giving up most of our stuff and turn ourselves minimalists.  If we are not ready, keeping things we love (or for whatever reason) is okay as long as they are organized;  after all, the ultimate goal of decluttering is order, the absence of mess.  If there's a place for everything,  putting them away becomes habitual and it would be easy as well to locate them when necessary. 

I must say that even if Jim won't go all out decluttering his stuff, he is a very organized person and he can't tolerate mess.  When things are in disarray, he will roll his sleeves and fix things, he will even sweep if this is what is necessary to keep a clean and orderly home. 

I'll never forget the  big lesson he gave me very early into our marriage.  One afternoon, I hurried home from the office to prepare dinner and to fix our room.  But I got the big surprise of my life when I saw every corner of our room spick and span, everything were in place, our bed neatly made and our clothes were folded and arranged properly.  

I guess my husband didn't want to embarrass me for being sloppy and he thought better to show me how he wants our home to be.  I understood that he wants our home ship shape always.  Then and there, the only thing to do is to thank him.  I also resolved to do better and to this day, I am forever grateful for a life-long lesson in being organized. 

Crispy Beef In Orange Sauce

I felt like eating crispy beef in orange sauce today when I recalled what I ate at Chopsuey Restaurant in Dempsey, Singapore.  I had no idea what went in the beef except the orange so I chose one version from the recipies that came out of my on line search.  

Half a kilo of sirloin beef, sliced in 1/4-inch strips

Added  a tbsp of soy and 6 tbsp of cornstarch until beef was coated thoroughly. 

Put in the freezer for an hour to enhance crispness.

With a peeler, I took the yellow skin of an orange making sure not to include the white portion since that is bitter.  

I cut the peel into thin slices and set aside. 

I squeezed half of the orange juice 

Added 1 tbsp cooking wine, 2 tbsp red wine,1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp soy and 3 tbsp orange marmalade and whisked to incorporate ingredients.  Set aside.

Sauted in 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger and orange rind. 

Added the orange juice mixture and let it boil. 

 beef strips deep-fried until crispy  

Crispy beef fully coated in orange sauce.

The finished dish, in the picture above was garnished it with chopped spring onions and basil.  

Conclusion/Recommendation:

Jim noted a slightly bitter taste and we attributed it to the orange peel's white portion that came off with the rind.

Next time I'll just grate the yellow portion of the orange rind careful not to include the white part.  

The recipe called for 3 tbsp molasses but I opted to use 3 tbsp of orange marmalade.  Next time Jim said it maybe good to add 1 tbsp of honey as well. 

Home Alone Sunday

Do you think alone is lonely? 

I'm alone this Sunday, Jim is off with the boys for a lunch-merienda-dinner reunion with the former office guys, a one-to-sawa kwentohan (re-tell and laugh over all the jokes from way back when);  my daughter and her family is having their own weekend bonding time and it's  my maid's day off.  Even our son and younger daughter abroad are quiet; no iMessage, pictures or FaceTime this weekend.  

But I am not lonely being alone. 

After mass with Jim early this morning, an hour with my maid in the market to get our weekly supply of veggies and fish, and one load of clothes in the washer, I was finally alone.  The first order of the day was to "get polished!", I was at the beauty parlor in a breeze.  

The parlor was full as early as half past ten but I made an early appointment so I was attended to right away.  I wanted to be out of there before noon so I could watch a noontime show at 12.  My beautician who always do my feet is an expert, unfortunately, the one she chose to do my fingernails is new, so it took her quite awhile.  I was patient until it was 10 minutes before noon, so I had to prod her to hurry up. 

I brought lunch to our room so I could watch the noontime show.  I was also anticipating to watch a movie afterwards so I did not even had time to nap. 

The noontime show was good and the movie was even better, though it was something Jim would never enjoy, so it was good that I was alone and not bore him.

The last highlight of the day was the grand finals of the Voice Kids.  Jim and I have been watching this from the start.   On the Sing-offs, Jim pitied Joshua because his mother left them so he voted through text and was surprised when he got a reply saying thanks and his entitlement to a 15% discount for a single item purchase at H&M, the company that provided the wardrobe for the contestants.   Of course, our 11-year-old granddaughter is interested in that. 

As we watched the contest every week, our hearts went all out to these kids determined to win especially the deprived ones.  We hope that the experience has not been traumatic for those who were eliminated as the contest progressed; instead it should serve as a challenge to master their trade.  Some shared their sad life stories: either they are homeless, part of a broken home or abandoned by a parent.

And the winner is......JOSHUA!  

The 3rd Grand Champion of the Voice Kids in the Philippines. His wish was to have his mother back home and he believes that if he wins, his family will be reunited . 

He was coached by Lea Salonga, dubbed in the Philippines as the Broadway Diva, though it is good to remember especially for us Filipinos that Lea Salonga is internationally acclaimed both as a Laurence Olivier and Tony Awardee for her theatre performances In the US and London. 

I had a quiet and restful day, exactly what a Sunday should be.  Hope your Sunday is just as well, if not better. 

Banana Heart Prepared Two-way

I'm not going anywhere today,  I'm still sick, my cough and colds have recurred though I'm feeling much better.  But even if I'm sick, I'm not one to be seen lying in bed or just sitting down.  So I thought I'd cook something that is appealing to my taste today since I remembered the banana heart that is ripe for the picking in the adjacent vacant lot.  Jim said it is okay to get it, since nobody is there, it will just go to waste anyway. 

Yesterday was terrible, I had a headache, I didn't want to read and I couldn't taste anything.  Even my favorite KFC that Jim had delivered was not appealing.  I could only appreciate pineapple-mixed juices and santol fruits, peeled, pressed in sea salt kept in the refrigerator. Preserved like this will last a week. 

Let me share my version in preparing banana heart. 

Two-way banana heart: one way sautéed banana heart in vinegar (adobong puso ng saging); another way is preserving banana blossoms for adobo and pata Tim recipes. 

Preparation: 

Remove the matured outer covering until the tender portion. 

Take away the more matured blossoms for drying but use the tender ones for the adobo. 

These are the outer, matured blossoms.

Remove the core (match-stick-like) portion and the plastic-like membrane of each blossom.

Look at this, I pulled out what is to be removed without totally detaching it.

Do you see what is to be removed?

One way: adobong puso ng saging

Chop the banana heart into thin slices making sure to separate the blossoms as you slice so the stick and the plastic part can be removed. 

Chop, dredge with salt and set aside.  

Squeeze the bitter liquid and wash three times to remove salty taste. 

Sautee this with garlic, onions, bay leaf, cinnamon, sugar, one pork bouillon, pepper and vinegar.  Add 1 to 2 cups of water if you want more soup.  

Here's the adobong puso ng saging. 

The other way:

Blanch the matured blossoms after removing the stick and plastic. 

Blossoms laid out on a pan to sun dry.

These will be used in my chicken-pork-adobo; Jim won't eat adobo without  banana blossoms. 

I enjoyed the sour taste of the banana heart, I had it for lunch with the remaining KFC pieces. Yum!

The Artwork For Our Dining Room

Finally, I was able to come up with an artwork that Jim and I like for our dining room wall.   I have been wanting to put up something there but I just couldn't find one that I love to look at whenever I take my meals.  There are two walls; 

one is bare

The other holds a local painting, below it is a buffet table flanked by two Thai multi-colored glass lamps.

The third is the window 

This side is facing the kitchen. 

Since my decluttering, I wanted to be true to my shopping ban (at least on decor and kitchen items); so I have been racking my brain, looking for something I already have to put on that wall.   I was picturing different scenarios in my mind hoping to find the right one from the frames in our storage shed.  

I also knew that our family photos won't work (I still have a lot in store), even the framed sketches of Europe landmarks didn't seem right.  I wanted something different and unique but I wanted to stick to zero shopping. 

Sometime ago a DIY article showed how to frame colorful shower curtains that is big enough for a blank wall, but I didn't feel like putting up a framed shower curtain on our dining room wall. 

Recently I was fixing my closet and came upon my collection of ethnic and hand-woven cloths; and ---viola!

"This is it!"

I brought out everything and let Jim help me choose which one will be framed; we wanted bright and happy prints.

and we came up with this; simple, practical and unpretentious (at least to us).

Fortunately it matched our framed Egyptian hand-painted papyrus artwork, including a similar unframed one I found among my collection.  I had that framed the same way, sandwiched between two glass pieces. 

Here, take a look at this wall now; is it okay?    I spent for framing the other artwork but no regrets, it is an exception to my shopping ban because it makes me happy.