MY BIG BROTHER’S 80th BIRTHDAY

​I felt like I was going to a hotel when we arrived at my niece’s home to attend my big brother’s 80th birthday. 

Of course there was no Porte cochere, unlike in a hotel though a uniformed guard met me with an umbrella as soon as I alighted from the car. He also assisted me going up the two flights of stairs from the street. 

I was wearing a palazzo pants with matching long and wide top; not my usual so I was a bit self conscious.  Yes, not my comfort outfit and not what they all expected me to wear. But my niece was impressed as soon as she saw me when she let me in. I love this outfit, so light and comfy; given by my younger daughter. 

We were met with a lot of chatter; my nieces, nephews and grandchildren were like talking at the same time. It was a riot, all of us were happy to see everyone. Our last get together was on my golden wedding anniversary, pre pandemic. 

Here we were together in the picture below. 

Of course the celebrant was already “happy” having arrived earlier and started to “party” early, if you get my drift. 

Below, he sat with the grandchildren:

Siblings Sandy and Annie with me. We missed Joe who is in California. 

As soon as we hit the couch, a waiter appeared with calamari and crispy spinach and offered red. I declined, it was a bit early for me, I asked for coke light. 

While catching up with those seated close by, including my sister’s boss from Florida, four roving waiters kept refilling the appetizers and our drinks. I was also taking photos of those near me.

The young ladies in the family above 

 below: Jim, Annie and  beautiful Sciezka.  

My own granddaughter Arya and Nikky who just graduated cum laude from UST college of nursing and presently anxious about the board exam she took recently. 

Soon I realized that I had enough appetizer and won’t have room for the lechon from Elars, my fav;  if I don’t stop. So I suggested lunch. 

As always, Tillie outdid herself with a generous spread of lengua, callos, chicken pastel, lasagna, butterflied prawns, potato salad, the lechon and of course Aboy’s Lumpia, fruits and an assortment of mini pastries as

Lots of family jokes were told and retold, while the teenagers gathered in one table, the older ones in another table below:

The first generation also grouped together with the other celebrant, Aboy, eldest grandchild of the clan. 

While people were talking and eating, wine was flowing and noise becoming louder. 

Look at the celebrant, he looks happier than when we arrived. 

Thanks a lot Tillie and Tady for hosting such a wonderful party. Everyone enjoyed, for sure. 

MY AMAZING WALKING BUDDIES

The four of us who started the group. Lunch at Dolly’s home. 

Brunch at Josie’s garden

Breakfast at home. 

Another breakfast at home as a send off for Atle, Tess’ better half when he went back to Rotterdam. 

Dinner at Tess’   That’s Dolly, Tess, me and Josie. 

A groupie taken while walking, there’s Carol, Tess, me, Joy, Cheska and Josie. 

Breakfast at Tess’ with Carol, Joy and Josie 

At Claire’s home with Juliet, Carol,Claire and I 

Stopped to pose in front of Josie’s home with Mel. 

That’s me with Claire and Juliet 

What a wonderful revelation last night when many buddies were all out to help Joy, who recently joined the group. Her husband suddenly fell ill. 

Joy communicated with me about her husband’s condition via our group chat. Little did I know that three buddies immediately caught the thread. Joy sounded like an emergency so I suggested she bring her husband to an emergency facility asap. 

Carol on her way home immediately picked up and volunteered to bring them to the hospital. Claire and Josie were calling offering help and prayers. 

For emergencies such as this, Claire deem important that we know everyone’s cellphone  number since we only communicated via messenger; and she immediately set up a directory among buddies. 

I got to Joy’s house almost the same time Carol arrived ready to bring Joy and her husband , but they already left. In a few, Joy messaged that they were on their way in a cousin’s car. 

“All is well that ends well” as they all say. At this writing, the patient is safely home resting and recovering. The rest of the buddies who missed the crucial moment sent comforting words and assured Joy not to hesitate and toholler when she needs help. 

After all was said and done, I was happy to realize that my buddies are ready to give help when needed. We graduated from just walking, telling jokes, sharing our challenges and having breakfast but we became true friends indeed. Who care a lot! 

PINEAPPLE TABLE RUNNER

​What can I say, except that I’m in a crocheting mood again.  So I took advantage and looked up some free vintage crochet patterns I can make. 

I chose this pattern because it is easy to make, like I’m just reminiscing past designs I made back in the day. A pineapple design is one of the easiest and the most common design for doilies, placemats, table runners and even bead spreads. 

The design is great for any of the above, but since I’m into table runners recently, I decided to make one more. 

Here is a green motif that I connected to two pineapples on opposite sides 

I made 9 green round motifs, 7 of which I connected 2 pineapples on opposite sides while the ends required 4 pineapples like so below. 

I then laid out the finished pieces on my table to see if I made enough for my desired length. 

Next I joined them together by putting a fill-in motif; I chose apple green to make it more attractive. 

To finish off, I made one round of edging to keep the pineapple tips in place so they won’t move any which way. 

And my runner is done! 

I think I’ll need apple green placemats to match this runner. 

MY MEXICAN TABLE RUNNER

​Out of the blue, I suddenly wanted a crocheted table runner made of different colors, like a Mexican print. I made one using my left over threads I used for doilies. This is what I made. 

I chose this Queen Anne’s lace pattern, a vintage design but I consider it a classic; I remember making this back in the days of my teen years. 

Fortunately, I learned to read and follow crochet instructions; thanks to my Mama who guided me until I could do it on my own. I looked on line and found this specific pattern for free. 

Summers found me crocheting with my Mama and Aunts when I was old enough to handle a hook and managed to hold up the thread with the other hand. Crocheting is one of the many things my Mana taught me; one of the best memories that I treasure most. 

Here is a sample motif of the pattern that I put together. 

I was discriminate in choosing which color would be joined next to each other; first the light colored one, then the dark and light again to establish a contrast. 

Crocheting needs concentration because there are a lot of counting to do, so there is a need to focus. I only have my  thoughts when working on the project  or listen to music. 

Almost there, I felt I needed motivation. I tried scrolling through YouTube when thanks to Jim who downloaded Spotify on my iPad. Listening to music encouraged me to crochet fast and reached the finish line quickly. 

I completed the project listening to the tunes of Air Supply, ABBA and Celine

Finally done, I thought these placemats would complete the Mexican theme I was trying to achieve. 

HOW I ACQUIRED BOUGAINVILLEAS WITHOUT SPENDING A CENT ….. well, except one.

​I am one who do not buy plants except the one on the photo below I bought during the pandemic. I bought it to assuage myself because I knew that propagating and waiting for them to bloom would take months. 

To work on a project is often fired up by an inspiration we saw, we read, we heard or experienced it ourselves. And in the case of artists and writers, a muse. 

I was inspired to propagate bougainvilleas when I saw the home of my walking/jogging buddy, Tess. I was impressed how such amazing blooms enhanced the charm of her already beautiful home. 

I wanted to take photos but held myself; I didn’t know Tess that well then. Nevertheless, I decided then and there that I also wanted bougainvilleas in my garden. 

Earlier,I thought that bougainvilleas are wild and uncontrollable. That changed after I saw that they could be tamed, allowed to be wild, or trimmed anyway we want or even made into a bonsai. 

Here are some of the flowering bougainvilleas in Tess’ home that inspired me. These are from Tess’ Facebook posts. 

Well, what do you say? Aren’t the flowers amazing? 

During the pandemic I was not one of the plant aficionados who bought expensive plants. Instead I propagated them from cuttings given by generous friends and neighbors. 

It took a bit of trial and error. I tried YouTube suggestions without success. And I wondered: how hard could it be? 

Frustrated, I just stuck cuttings in pots of soil after dipping in cinnamon powder because I know that it is a growth enhancer and hated by pests. I left a small leaf or two to indicate whether the plant is thriving if they remain fresh and intact. 

Finally, Success! 

I’m happy that I now have quite a variety of bougainvilleas. Here are some photos taken after 6- 8 months.