FRUITCAKE, THE CHRISTMAS CAKE

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Every Christmas  in recent years, my older daughter and I buy fruitcake.  I dont know why we found the appetite for it again because in earlier years, we just took it for granted. In fact my husband used to order about 50 from my niece for his give-aways. 

Last Christmas, I was at a loss what gift to give my daughter.  While I found a simple gift on line which I eventually ordered; still I wanted to give her fruitcake. 

We found the fruit cake at Figaro to our liking so I thought I’ll definitely buy from there.  Unfortunately the establishment closed shop in the branch near us.   I then wondered where I can get a fruitcake she’d love. 

I checked the village markerplace online looking for the advertised fruitcake but I couldn’t find it anymore.  Since I am one who do things early, I knew I had  still time to look for one before Christmas. 

One day the offer came up again on the post of Marinel Gee Emm of B’s Treats. I didn’t lose time; I ordered right away.  I also ordered for myself and I found it fairly good. 

Why do we even eat fruitcake on Christmas?  They say that the tradition originated from Britain.  It seems that it is considered a celebration cake, not only for Christmas but for special events.  It is known that Princess Diana and also Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge served that on their respective weddings. 

Fruitcake is known to be the most lasting cake ever made because of the dried fruits and nuts pre-soak in rum or whisky.  Ben Chapman, a food specialist from the University of North Carolina claims that its dried fruit and nuts does not give enough moisture for micro-organisms to generate. 

Because of the sweetness, it is usually cut in thin slices or in small cubes and eaten with cheese.  Goes well tea, strong coffee and even with ice cream. 

SIMPLE PANDEMIC CHRISTMAS

If you have been wishing to simplify Christmas for years but never got around doing so, I believe that in keeping with this pandemic, this year maybe the best time to modify the tradition. 

Oftentimes we are overwhelmed with Christmas in our attempt to achieve what Kristine at itsmyfavoriteday.com calls  “our preconcieved Christmas perfection”.   But the hassle is leaving us drained and exhausted when we should be joyous and happy during the most wonderful time of the year. 

This is what I think would make a simple pandemic Christmas. 

Decoration

Let us keep our decorations minimal.  Just choose a room to decorate; not every nook and cranny of our home.  It could be the living room where we set up the tree and hang the stockings.  Or we can decorate the front porch;  but we don’t a porch so I just decorated the front door. 

Gifts?  

This year we seem to be limited to on line  shopping.  Why weather the crowds in Divisoria or rush to shops and malls for gifts when it is risky to expose ourselves to big crowds?  Why not limit gift giving only to people we are likely to encounter this season, like friends and family nearby. 

Activities

Nowadays out of town trips are out; buffet dinner in a hotel is risky which leaves us with family activities in our homes. Sing Christmas carols while someone plays the piano.  Board games, anyone?  Netflix? 

Bar hopping? Yeah, possible!  Prepare a charcuterie board, glasses and drinks in every room and change rooms after every drink.  Fun, right? 

Zoom, facetime, viber with family abroad?  Sure, on Christmas Eve.  For other relatives we schedule that between Christmas and New Year days when lines are not too busy. 

 

Food:

Simplify the menu, let’s minimized food this year.  This pandemic made a lot of people hungry that it would be sensible to forget a Christmas table over-flowing with food.  Perhaps two main courses will do and dessert maybe store bought.  Remember, we are not expecting guests. No gatherings, parties or reunions, right?  

Want to try doing the above?  It may work , you know.   Hopefully next year, we can look back to find that Christmas is not as overwhelming and stressful as it has been in earlier years.   We may even realize that being with family is what truly makes Christmas. 

From this experience, we can come up with a better Christmas celebration next year if we incorporate what made sense and add them to the usual traditions that are meaningful to the whole family. 

Finally, think of what is important during Christmas, let us be grateful as we commemorate the Birth of Our Lord Who was sent to redeem us. 

And oh yes!  Don’t forget the memories, take pictures. Send them to family and relatives abroad. 

2020 vALNA KRIS KRINGLE

Look below what I got on the first day of the VALNA Kris Kringle!  VALNA (Victor A Lim Neighborhood Association).  Something round is the gift for today, the first Friday of Secret Santa.  Something sweet, then something soft for the following  two Fridays

When this dynamic and moving couple , Edward and Lyanne, who live across the street from us proposed a Valna Kris Kringle, I immediately signed up.  The whole family were invited to join, the more, the merrier, as they say. 

 It is just the right distraction from our pandemic routine.  I know that it will provide a bit of excitement among the neighbors.   And hopefully this will start December to jingle all the way to Christmas. 

Since the lockdown in March, the VALNA Neighbors have been constantly communicating and networking without   face to face interaction.  Communication was made easier with nessenger.  

This is our 5th Christmas in the neighborhood and I find the pioneers very welcoming and supportive. They immediately included us in the chat group as well as in other activites.  

But the lockdown has shrank our world that we can only turn to our neighbors.  It is a blessing in disguise in this regard because I got really acquainted with most of them.  

So this Kris Kringle is a fun way of "socializing" with you, my neighbors.  Let’s be childlike and enjoy the surprises and the fun that this activity will bring.  Being 75, 80, 20 or  otherwise will not hinder us in finding joy through a kid’s perspective. 

For this exercise the organizers used an App, we just "RSVP-Ed" online to signify our participation and indicated our home addresses to facilitate delivery of gifts. 

The App randomly assigned each one a gift recipient.  On the same link, one may mark his wish list for the final gift on Christmas Day, though givers may also get the gifts elsewhere.  The giver will personally deliver this final gift for the great reveal. 

The organizers pegged the final gift at 5USD and encouraged everyone to stick to this spending limit.    What can five dollars buy? You ask me.   Looks like nothing, right?  But converted to pesos, it can be a bit significant.  Besides, we should not expect a significant gift, it’s  just for fun, isn’t it?   I believe that this is where our creativity will come in handy. 

A neighbor was at a loss yesterday not knowing the approximate age of her recipent.  I believe she just wanted to ensure that her gift fits.  Then there was the suggestion to post our wishlists in the open but in the end the concensus was to keep the element of surprise. Why kill the fun?

 

Earlier on the same day I got an email looking for clues, asking what my drink is;  coffee, tea or chocolate?  Definitely coffee.  Next secret Q & A: what are my 3 beauty products must haves?  Rose hip oil, face cream brush and day cream SPF 50. 

So the App works! Anyone can do that too. 

I guess everyone is feeling a bit excited and like me, we are all looking forward to more little surprises on this Kris Kringle.   Hopefully, pandemic notwithstanding, we will have ourselves a merry little Christmas after all.  

And on Christmas Eve while we gather with family, we can even dance to the tune of "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree".

SO YOUNG, SO COMPASSIONATE

Can you believe that my 6-lyear-old grandson solicited donations for the typhoon victims of Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses in the Philippines?  

Yes!   He did just that!  My grandson lives in Singapore but due to frequent visits to Manila, he can relate. 

During dinner this week, my grandson and his parents were talking about the sad and unfortunate plight of these typhoon victims. 

"Consider yourself lucky",  my son, his Dad told him.   "They lost their homes, they nearly drowned due to flooding and they only have clothes they had on", my son continued. 

After dinner, my grandson left the table and they later found him in his room sorting clothes, toys and books he intend to 

donate to the typhoon victims.  

The next morning he asked his teacher if he could solicit donations from his classmates.  His Mom was surprised when his teacher called to confirm his intention.  His Mom was happy for this gesture and readily agreed if it were possible. 

That afternoon after school, my grandson made a poster with the help of his Mom depicting three pictures of the flood, the devastated homes and  rescue activities by the Red Cross.  

The next morning, he presented the poster in class and requested for donations of clothes, toys, books, etc from his classmates. 

Then donations came pouring in!  

Now, they have quite a heap neatly arranged in their living room.  They are waiting for more donations after this weekend to give time for the Moms to go through their stuff at home.  A parent or two even went out of their way to bring their donations in their Condo.  

Then he remembered two former classmates who became friends, that maybe able to donate as well.  But his Dad cautioned him not to stretch his efforts too much and to better concentrate on his classmates. 

His Mom will ship the donations to a former household help of his other grandparents who now resides in Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines; one of the provinces hardly hit by the three typhoons.  She has a son as old as he is thus making the effort more relevant knowing where the donations will go. 

Now I\"m wondering what gave my grandson the idea of soliciting donations.  Maybe he remembers that his Mom occasionally ships his outgrown clothes, toys and some personal and household effects to Manila for donation to charity.  Sometimes when we visit, we see balikbayan boxes waiting for pick up.

In retrospect, I realized that my grandson is his parents\" child after all; they being sensitive and compassionate to the need of others.  They can never turn a deaf ear but instead they always want to alleviate the hardship of others in whatever manner they are capable of doing.

Once again, we can never underestimate what children can do to help our unfortunate brothers.   If only others, especially adults would think and act in similar ways, then this would surely be a better world for everyone. 

COVID 19 GAVE ME THE GREATEST SCARE OF MY LIFE

We just received a NEGATIVE RT-PCR COVID 19 test result today!  To say that it was a great relief is saying it mildly. 

Why did we need the test? 

Last week a household help applicant was referred to us by a reliable person after our two maids of more than a year suddenly went home. 

Our part time driver fetched the applicant at the village gate around noon and at 2:30, she underwent the RT-PCR COVID Test here in our premises.  Imagine our anxiety to have her here when her test came back positive the next morning!  

She beg to go home but my husband felt that we should follow the protocol to report this to our Barangay office.  She was picked up and brought to a quarantine facility on same day.

Wait! How about us?  We are now tagged to have been "exposed" even though she stayed in the maid\"s quarters  which is detached from our house.  For the entire 24 hours she was in the premises, she was wearing a mask.  

I was so worried and scared, I immediately started the 9-hour prayer to The Infant Jesus of Prague for protection, the prayer I resort to for serious circumstances such as this. 

"Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you".  So I "knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted". 

Thereafter, everyday,  every hour, on the hour, my cell phone  alerted me to say the prayer while I worked around the house.  Ive been so worried, sometimes I even panicked.   I also cried thinking about the possibility of getting sick and being isolated from my family indefinitely.  I thought of lost time being with them because I felt I don\"t have much at my age. 

Nonetheless, I willed a positive thought that I will be spared.  I embraced with patience every little  inconvenience hoping that they will help give me.good health. I offered all my worries and fears to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Upon waking up every morning at 3 or 4, I start my hourly novena and say the rosary as many times as I can.

My husband kept checking our temperature.  I couldn\"t sleep some nights. There were times that I didn\"t feel like eating but I  ate just the same so that my husband won\"t think that I lost my sense of taste; mid-week I had upset stomach but I did not tell my husband, he may think I developed symptoms.  

But first things first.  We consigned a private agency to disinfect and sanitize the premises. They were thorough, they sanitized the ceiling, walls and floor and after spraying disinfectant, they wiped everything, literally everything.  From the maid\"s room, I had them take away all items: two mattresses, bed covers and sheets, pillows and cosmetics leaving only a pail and dipper in the connecting bathroom and the bed and a stool thoroughly sanitized. 

After  a week of home quarantine, we didn\"t experience any symptoms.  Our Doctor, felt that we do not need to undergo the COVID test after learning the circumstances. "If you like, for your own peace of mind, it is okay to be tested", he said. 

However we felt we needed proof that we are "clean". After consultation with our Doctor as well as my friend who is an experienced nurse and our children, we chose the drive thru RT-PCR TEST  at the Asian hospital, it proved to be the safest  due to minimal exposure. 

Some say that the swab is painful but I found the procedure irritating and only lasted a few seconds.  To me I was prepared to suffer any pain, if only I could be spared of the virus. 

We should be celebrating after getting the  negative result,  but  to me it didn\"t feel right.  It was enough that we are free of the virus.  As I think of the families who lost their loved ones as well as all those fighting for their lives right now due to COVID 19, I feel that we are so blessed of being spared.   

I pledged that  I will do nine days of the 9-hour prayer to The Infant Jesus of Prague.  For the remaining two days, I will continue to ask for continued protection and thank The Lord for keeping us safe. 

Lesson learned: I won\"t get a household help until this pandemic is over.  I\"ll wait for the vaccine or the time when this virus will disappear, whichever will come first.  

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Today as we await the fury of the strong typhoon Rolly threatening yet to become a super typhoon, everyone I met in my walk this morning seem calm.  The sky was clear, free from clouds and the sun was shining bright.  I felt like it was too quiet for comfort since I learned that the calm is caused by the dry air left behind when the unstable, warm and moist air is being sucked into the typhoon system. . 

But I couldn't deny the undercurrent of nervousness around while others in far flang provinces maybe feeling fearful because of the damage it can do to their properties.  My heart goes out to people in provinces where the last typhoon Quinta devastated their homes, livestock and crops.  Now it looks like this next typhoon is headed their way once again.  On the flip side, many are also in denial, hoping against hope that it will change course so as not to disturb their lives. 

We all know the extent of what a typhoon can do, the falling down of trees and electric posts rendering loss of power.  The surroundings will be dark and our refrigerators won't work. Moreover, our cell phones and gadgets will not work as well to the frustration of many. 

Farmers fear for their crops especially at this time when harvest is near.  Some also need to protect their homes especially if they are made of lighter materials that could easily be blown away rendering them  homeless. 

Fishermen were already warned not to go out to sea and secure their bangcas instead.  There are places where the people's only source of food and income is fishing making thier situation doubly difficult. 

Of course we have no way of preventing nature's wrath,  we can only soften the blow if we are prepared.  Experts warn to anticipate hazards like falling trees, storm surge, landslides and floods so we know how to protect ourselves.  Broadcasters on tv and radio give hourly updates and advise the public to be ready with essentials like drinking water, flashlights, candles, ready-to-eat food,  batteries, etc.  To reinforce  plants; dismantle weak/ temporary structures, secure items in the garage and everything lying around outside the house. 

Lastly, lets pray for safe deliverance, the Oratio Imperata is a suggested prayer not only for protection against COVID 19 but also for other disasters. 

I like to quote my friend Nina's post on Facebook today telling us to have faith: hopefully, it will keep our anxiety at bay: 

"We may not understand why we are going through difficult times, but don't try to figure it out.  Not matter what happens, keep trusting God. Do not let fear and doubt rob us of our hopes.  He knows how to bless us in unexpected ways, let us not lean on our own understanding.  He will make straight our paths. Maniwala, Magtiwala, Magtiaga.( believe, trust and be patient)." 

Stay safe everyone, be prepared and alert. Hopefully the typhoon will not come during the night. 

COST OF ORNAMENTALS REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH DURING THE PANDEMIC

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 Our family has a knack in gardening.  All of us siblings and our children have at least a pocket garden at home if there is no yard.  This is also true in my husband's family. 

My younger daughter who lives abroad has acquired several ornamentals in recent months.  Early on she didn't pursue this because she and her husband often travel.  During this pandemic when she now works from home, she finally indulged in this hobby. 

I was chatting online with her last night after sending her a picture of a week-old, not yet established lemon lime rubber tree plant selling for 200 php in marketplace.   I know she has three kinds of rubber tree plant and I was curious how prices compare.

While it is true that prices of plants vary depending on location, I didn't realize how prohibitive rare ornamentals cost nowadays.  I was surprised to learn that it is being blown out of proportion; cost could run to thousands, up to 100k php or even triple that for special decorative plants. Though that could be an exception because of beauty and rarity.  With that money, I said I could already buy decent jewelry. 

I grew up in the province during the time when most of our ornamentals were from cuttings shared by neighbors.  Well, with the exception of my papa's magnolia tree and fruit-bearing ponderosa Chico trees that I know he purchased. 

In the late 50's and early 60's when bougainvilleas became a craze, people in our province shared mature twigs of their plants to friends and neighbors to propagate.   In the late 70's my housemaid grew several plants the same way.  

So why is there a  price spike on plants now?   Could it be the pandemic when most of us are at home that we diverted our attention to plants?   Or is it Instagram post-worthy since there isn't much to post at this time?  True, we haven't been dining out and most of us do not even go out at all so what is there to post except our activities at home?  I also noticed on Facebook that most dining out posts are throwbacks.

Moreover, I believe that acquisition of rare ornamentals has become a status symbol.  Nowadays I see zoom interactions of broadcasters, celebrities, politicians and resource guests on tv with tall and rare ornamentals in the background. 

Pre-COVID, a friend who is a flowering ornamentals aficionado said that some of her plants were bought online, like bougainvilleas costing 3k-5k php.  Not really used to buying plants, I cringed hearing that. 

Nevertheless, I myself was not immune to this current craze.  In July I also bought a 6-foot flowering bougainvillea for 900 php which is already a bargain.  Call me a scrimp but I still consider that a splurge.   On the other hand,  I was able to propagate at least 10 bougainvillea varieties from cuttings given by friends and neighbors.   Planted in June, most of them are now 2-feet tall. 

How about you?  Were you also lured by the plant craze?  Or did you prefer baking or selling items on line.  I'd love to hear your pandemic hobby.