tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49679118300736427082024-03-13T17:13:46.511-05:00Food is the Fabric of our LivesRandom thoughts from my mind's kitchenicingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-32914198819153406252020-01-10T00:52:00.000-06:002020-01-10T00:55:42.535-06:00It's been a long time since I touched my blog. Too many things have happened since my last post.i guess I got lazy because of Facebook. But now I'm ready to write this diary of my thoughts now that I'm a widow. I'll write about food of course, my life as a widow and grief, my #griefrelievers #yangyang, my interest in Chinese drama, #myyearoffirsts #2yearwidow. Random thoughts, fanfic material. Travel. I need to exercise my brains and writing skills. <div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-79251464413154315062013-12-25T15:02:00.002-06:002013-12-25T15:02:49.718-06:00Catching UpIt's been too long since I last posted. I told myself 2014 should be a blogging year. too many projects on my mind but if I were to really get each one done and as I get these done, then I will start blogging and making sure to share this.
Today is Christmas Day. I just finished Xmas breakfast....tapsilog and longsilog. The tapa I use is the mexican cessina. It is exactly what I know tapa should be.
I don't have to cure the beef anymore. The local carniceria carries it for $3.99 a pound and I dare you to head over to your nearest Mexican carniceria and try it.
The longanisa I use is the pampanga version, a bit on the sweetish side. wish I could access Ilocos longanisa or even that from Ilo-ilo. sigh.
I keep threatening to make my own...NOT.
Daughter Bambi Bell and I bought restaurant grade rib in rib eye roast for tonight's dinner. She will do the honors. She's got a whole line up of sides and accompaniments and she called to see if I would help her. But it must have been just a fluke because upon conversing, she just needed reassurance since she's not used to being ahead of her game. But after so many hostings, she has it down pat and she just needs reassurance that she's on the right track.
Last night, Xmas eve, we had a simple dinner, but still Xmas specific, baked Ham with dinner rolls, very both American and Filipino at the same time.
And a chicken breast with spinach and mushrooms over egg noodles as an accompaniment.
It was too short a Christmas holiday but...now it's time to face the New Year and its challenges.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-26709861438126030362012-05-17T19:04:00.002-05:002012-05-17T19:09:14.290-05:00My Secret GardenEvery day I drive to work and there's one house that has an almost English garden, with high weedy reedy plants and flowers, so odd when it should be grown in some english cottage or manor garden. Then there's one that is in full white tiny blooms like a carpet of white surrounding a Mama Mary statue, another one I always pick out while whizzing by at 40 on a 35.
So I asked myself what i would like to have in MY secret GARDEN.
Obviously, my thoughts run home to 159 Ortega, my growing up years. The caimito trees, the kamias tree, the poor coconut tree that was hit by lightning during Yoling so it never bore fruit again, the santan in red, the avocado tree that always bore only one fruit, and the mango tree that could not even bear a bunch of piko, and the pink kalachuchi, the jade vine (which was killed by some errant gardener who didn't know the vines , bougainvillea and the trellis of tea like leaves Mr. Del stole cuttings of from the Indonesian ambassador's residence in Forbes while waiting for GYN during one of her ANWG meetings.
Definitely I would like all these, but all PINKS for the kalachuchi, santan and bougainvillea . And more. Now I want some peppers and chilis, tomatoes, herbs that won't fall prey to rabid rabbits and squirrels, some stuff I would hope to pick and eat and pretend I am Chez Panisse's Alice Waters, but add a gardenia, jasmine and ilangilang tree, some bleeding hearts and sampaguita campupot style, and not to forget the wild cadena de amor. Sigh, but in my mind's kitchen garden, these are planted deep in my memories and make me smile whenever I pass those gardens that have been tended with care, me? I'll let them run wild, sorry, not a green thumb except in my mind. So there.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-8003375381275996172012-01-01T10:19:00.000-06:002012-01-01T10:19:45.795-06:002012Woke up to snow, clouds and cold. Did a few errands and had to bring some stuff to the Bells. <br />
Amazing....as I drove west, the dark clouds were being pushed away by winds and by the time I got to Bambi's it was blue skies, white clouds, sunshine so bright....I thought to myself...how beautiful....dark clouds being chased away, brightness...almost like a beautiful fall(or spring) morning, crisp, clear....<br />
but the clouds did not leave my thoughts....this is Chicago January 1st...where snow and storms are the norm....so the earth did shift again with the earthquakes felt far away from here....where adverse weather and tectonic plates moved slightly and put us away from the path of regular weather.....and that same weather now falls on places not normally in the snow paths.<br />
<br />
Still I am thankful for the beauty, the brightness and the hopefulness this brings. So even as the clouds are now taking over again...that moment of sunshine lifted my spirits.<br />
May 2012 be fruitful, healthy and prosperous for all of us. Thank you Lord.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-48009608021131751012011-12-28T18:46:00.000-06:002011-12-28T18:46:06.609-06:002012 is upon usChallenges aplenty this 2011. Too many to mention and too much to say...I know I am not whiny nor a cry baby so the innermost thoughts in my mind's kitchen are best left to sit in the sink of ugly thoughts.<br />
But through it all, I realize there is a God who listens, who answers. Sometimes, my faith waivers and then a simple whisper to Mama Mary or the Sto. Nino, and my BFF St. Anthony works many little miracles that I can only wonder and and bow to the fact that I am a Catholic by beliefs and choice, a Catholic who supports the living church but not the church governed by gold and commands that are man made. How about that!!!<br />
I continue to pray for good health, freedom from sickness of any kind, accidents of any sort, and the evil that men do.....I ask the Lord to continue to hear my prayers for my family and those around us, to keep us safe from bullets in the air, mad men and amucks, deadly dangerous diseases, accidents, serious injuries of any sort. To keep us in light of His love. Lord, to embrace us with Your peace, love,safety and protection. And to know I thank you from my heart and soul.<br />
For every time I am fearful, anxious and frustrated about many mundane things, I hear about the greater challenges faced by others and know I should not and cannot complain. So THANK YOU Lord for all that You have sent my way.<br />
May 2012 be a lift of spirits for all of us, and most of all, give us the ability to help others.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-28603261023712517572011-12-28T18:45:00.000-06:002011-12-28T18:45:05.784-06:00Feasting to welcome 2012As always, we open the year with lots of food, fun and family. It has been (MY) our tradition to hold our Xmas party (although we had a good one Dec. 25th as we were all present and accounted for) on January 1st...because I know there are no lame excuses about having to be with an in law or out law....and that we can bring out our prayers and wishes for what we hope for in the coming months of the new year.<br />
It has always been private..because ...it should.<br />
But food wise.....hmm, we try to keep traditions alive. Food comes in form of Spanish fiesta party fare, the ubiquitous Cocido Espanol(puchero, pochero whatever one wants to call the dish) that boasts of a strip of pork belly, a small chicken and beef shank with the marrow staring out at you, some sliced chorizo de bilbao and then a medley of vegetables from cabbage, potatoes and carrots with the addition of garbanzos. Add to that a side of roasted eggplant salad, redolent with garlic, onions and olive oil (which I used to burn my fingers with stove top till I see the skins blacken and shrivel then the light bulb lit and I now use the danged broiler), a sauteed in garlic, spanish style tomato sauce (which should really be dumped into the broth). Daughter Bambi has gotten this down pat.<br />
Truly a celebration of Plenty.<br />
Then I ambition to make lengua with mushroom sauce and a Paella Valenciana complete with sea food, chicken , pork, chorizo and pinoy saffron with toppings of boiled eggs, green peas and pimiento strips. Two dishes I had to learn or rather teach myself to make otherwise....Cafe Babareeba would never be in my budget and all the others I have tasted are nowhere near authentic. Kylie has nailed the Filipino fruit salad to an anticipated wait each time we push her to make it. I bought a Virginia Ham over the summer...I massacred the first one I ever got from my Virginia cousin, so this time I hope I cook it right...making it almost hamonado with the pineapple juice and brown sugar might do the trick.<br />
So far, that's the plan, let me see what happens next. abangan ang susunod na kabanata.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-61885236446448929402011-08-29T07:36:00.000-05:002011-08-29T07:36:55.755-05:00HummingbirdWent to a party yesterday in a beautiful home. Walked with the owner and we complimented the beautiful garden, plants and flowers. He proudly showed a huge butterfly he snapped a picture of early that morning. And then he said he also had hummingbirds. I have never seen a hummingbird other than in pictures or tv. I look around so many times in hopes to see one but never in my 25 years here. So I said a little prayer, Lord if I could see a hummingbird then I know my prayers will be answered. Just a thought prayer sent out there. <br />
Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I saw a little creature flitting in and out of the bell shaped flowers. The it was gone. I saw a hummingbird!!!! But not close enough, still, a prayer answered was the sense of being I felt.<br />
So we walked on and I didn't say anything because it was too far and too fast. As we neared the bellflower plant, with its attractive orange blossoms, I saw it again, it's as if God said, here, to prove to you I answer your prayers, here's an encore and sure enough there it was, the green little hummingbird hungrily sipping nectar and honey from each blossom,flitting in and out of each bell, disappearing into the flower and coming out heading to the next.After taking my quiet feel of the wonder of prayer, of the hummingbird, I shared with my companions that the little one was there. So we watched silently as little hummingbird took its fill of the abundant food until it flitted away into the dusky evening.<br />
The impact of this leaves me in awe of the Lord, He listens and answers, even for what one may think is a trivial matter, seeing a hummingbird. But He answered to let me know that He is there should I need Him through this challenging times. That as we try to salvage an account we are losing, I can pray for His help. That with my wanting resources to open the MACC, He will hear my prayers. And most of all, to take care and blanket my family with His love and protection, He is there for me. Thank you Lord, thank you hummingbird for bringing me His message of love and hope.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-88883098589246518142011-08-24T17:25:00.004-05:002011-08-24T17:32:40.966-05:00Three Years, momHow fast time flies and suddenly you've been gone 3 years. Yet each day I see you
<br />in pictures and memories. Yesterday, the latest dream I had of you, I woke up happy and feeling your love, just like I did when I was a little girl. It was a darkly dream, but I felt your presence and the love. The happy loved feeling kept me going through out the day.
<br />The kids miss you, I miss you.
<br />
<br />So, my little vignette for this deathday anniversary: the enjoyment of spooks, occult, afterlife, horror movies, ghost stories, the macabre, not too many will believe that you actually exposed us to this since we can remember. My interest in vampires, led by the Drac, the Arthur Ford and Jane Roberts, behind the door, etc...plus (hey JB you have my collection) my books that have everything from ectoplasmic emanations and ghostly pics, getting scared of Fright Night and other REAL vampire and Hammer films, mom, this I owe to you. <div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-59990221111170202292011-07-29T20:50:00.002-05:002011-07-29T20:57:31.327-05:00Primanti Brothers maridel vs foodSo after watching so many food shows on tv, here I was at the Primanti Brothers restaurant, filled to capacity due to the ballgame. No plates, just heavy duty wax paper for their 2nd most famous item on the menu (beer being number one), the heart attack cheese steak served on thick challah type bread with a vinegar based cole slaw and lots of fresh fries all piled up into the sandwich and a picture of the guy in Man vs Food hanging on the wall. Ok, so how does one eat this contraption? I ate the first half without a problem but tackling the second half was easier, took out the fries and the other half of the bread, there! But I was so stuffed that i was reeling...tums anyone?<br />I have to admit it was pretty good but......Chicago's Italian Beef still rocks, and maybe Max's of Chicago's gyros layered over cheese and burger on a giant bun still wins the award of heart attack burger.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-81603302894902144972011-07-29T20:40:00.002-05:002011-07-29T20:49:48.289-05:00ships passing in the night Baltimore-Washington DCAfter a harrowing experience going through the GPS convoluted route of driving through<br />30th (kind of really notorious like Mission in LA) where gleeful son-in-law excitedly took cel photos of what the WIRE show features in their weekly grisly murder filled town, I finally bit the bullet for an acela two stop train as against a stop every stop local train. And there's this polite kid who also was a bit lost in his trying to get to the same place I was. And a lady who was traveling the same route so we tag teamed on the train. The kid is a Saudi high school senior taking advanced classes here to gear him towards what he may want to do for college. After making sure he got his return ticket at the amtrak counter, she and I ran for the blue line to transfer to the orange line, she to the Courthouse and me all the way to Vienna. And along the way she was excited to meet up with her cousin who finally,after two harrowing assignments to Afghanistan as press attache, they allowed him to come home and study some more and take the test to press attache in Milan, he deserves it after having to deal with the bind laden thingy. She trained in from Atlantic City. She and her hubby are celebrating 25 years this year but are hesitant to go to Europe because of anti american sentiments and I said, that will always be there, but the time is now to visit those places and hopefully cousin Rick will be in Milan, so remember to wear your Blahniks...or Ferragamos, so they won't know you're an ignorant American.hahahaha. And on that note we parted...another ship passing through the night and all they will remember is the Mrs. A part or cupcakes.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-68751509154529306112011-07-29T19:23:00.004-05:002011-07-29T19:46:56.836-05:00Ships passing in the night PittsburghA comment made by daughter Bambi that I am so like my mom chatting up strangers....and so it is.<br />Dropped of the Bells on 6th and Pennsylvania as they walked their way across the bridge I decided not to drive off into the unknown and lose my way around the streets of Pittsburgh. So I parked and paid what $7???cheez, cheaper than Chicago. After randomly walking up and down the streets within the area in the steamy heat of a 99 degree summer afternoon, i decided to wait for a bus and do the GYN thing of getting on and letting the bus run to its end and come back hopefully on the same bus. But Pittsburgh and its many unknown to me bus lines and where they may lead made me wait for the casino bus after I realized that the couple I asked about the buses (who do not ride buses) had finished dining out and still saw me walking around stupidly. After an exchange of pleasantries, i waited and waited for the once an hour Saturday bus, looking at the Pittsburgh folks and telling myself they look the same as the Chicago folks, NOT, something about them told me there was a difference<br />So I finally got on the bus and asked for a round trip which the driver obliged giving me for 3.25 the little paper ticket. So off he drops me at the Rivers Casino. I got a free cup of coffee, scouted around for the food places, took a few pictures just so I can remember where I was. After losing ten bucks in the 25cent poker slots, i decided it was time to go. So i walked way out to the bus stop after chatting the security who told me many of their staff went to Chicago to open the new casino right by jaybee's. So I waited at this bus stop while listening to this man talking on the phone. So i asked when the bus was coming and he said they run every hour on a Saturday (oh great) but not to worry it it comes at 9:17 (ugh!!! until he said it was already 9:10, sigh) and I heard him say he was going to the Starbucks on 6th and Penn (yay, May I piggy back cuz that's where I have to meet my kids)...and then, you got a transfer? That doesn't work, it has to be used on another forward route but not on the same (oh no, another $3)oh well. So the bus comes and by this time, Gary has already told me about his collapsed veins on his legs and that he has had an operation putting a stent in and that his other leg was bloated (manas to us) and he was ready for another operation where he doesn't take days off because he has work in the casino as a walking supervisor...and that he was born and raised in Connecticut but has lived in Florida working casinos for the past 18 years. He had to come to Pittsburgh to care for a sick uncle who finally passed away and so he was giving himself a few more months before heading back to Florida. He missed being sent to Chicago for the new casino because he was only with the company 4 months and the requisite was 6 months. After fireworks and a bit more chitchat before Bambi, Sam and Daniel showed up, I bade Gary goodbye until the next time who knows when.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-52996758846735547082011-07-29T19:20:00.001-05:002011-07-29T19:23:48.989-05:00random thoughts travelling to DCSometimes I wish I weren't lazy and relying on fading memories and thoughts as i travel the countryside. So many rich and fertile thoughts run through my mind as i catch forests, hills and rivers richly abundantly lushly growing all around, mixed with thoughts of coconut trees and wafting breezes from salt sprayed beaches. I chose to be here, di ba? So from a flat landscape of the mid west, to the hilly ups and downs of Pennsylvania, I realize the scope of the thought...ang laki-laki ng Amerika, pare!r<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-89421279235651264652011-05-21T18:33:00.004-05:002011-05-21T18:48:52.584-05:00Another one for RSMAfter a slow day, I baked cookies to give Kim of Wheeling Donuts, so i could spend some time with her looking at paperwork. As I walked to my car, oops, keys, I had all my keys save for the car keys. So I walked back to the store (MACC) and started looking. Inside out my bags, up and down floors, tables, boxes and bins, NONE!!!no key. It is always in the blue thingy that is my key chain attached to my other hundred keys. But able to be separated at a moment's notice if someone else drives the car.<br />I walked back to the cat, up and down, sides, floors, grounds, trace my steps and all.<br />Meanwhile, Brian of Westfield finally came in (#1 if i left at 3 on the dot, I wouldn't have been able to talk to this very busy person ) and I was able to ask the pertinent questions of which items I could bring with us when we finally closed Mrs. A's. Then since I couldn't find the keys, i started packing boxes from my desk, in hopes of finding the keys. NONE. So Les can and picked me up, he also did the whole routine I did and even he couldn't find the danged keys. I was already whispering to RSM to help me find the keys.<br />I gave up. Les called the tow company after being told by Ford that they needed the car present to get the new key made (it has this chip, you see)<br />As I was going up the stairs, I suddenly thought of the many times dad found stuff for us, the weirdest was my losing my bridge at mom's house(searched the floors, garbage and everywhere) only to find it on my pillow at home. So the thought crossed my mind and I asked dad not to freak me out. Les had those thoughts too as he kind of worried that they would be on the door hook.<br />I passed by RSM's painting and said..oh so dad, you're not helping me this time, huh..!!?? a bit miffed but resigned. a fail this time.<br /><br />Next day, stuck in traffic, the tow guy calls and we finally made it to the store. Kylie and i walked in while les went to get this thing going.<br />Twenty minutes later, too early, Les walked in with this burly cop type guy, the tow driver and they said they couldn't get the car onto the tow because I parked with the wheels askew, it kept slipping off the tow and he needed an ok from his boss to add Les' car to the tow so it would stay put. A mechanic had to be called in.$$$$$oh good grief. Then Les said, we probably don't need to go right away..and held up the KEY!!!!<br />While the tow guy was walking to his boss, Les spotted the Westfield janitor on his golf cart driving around cleaning the streets and lots. Les asked if he found any key by chance and the guy held up MY KEY!!! He found it at 9am (this was 9:45) during his round, not in my walk path but a few car spaces down the other way...not where I would walk or even pass.<br />Les said, "guess his name?" of course all of you and like me answered, Ruben???<br />No, ANGEL. Dad sent an angel. He knew I was upset. of course I could be making this up and it is once more serendipity, but i did chide dad about not helping. so he sent Angel. Thanks dad.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-18361900766097778172011-05-21T18:30:00.001-05:002011-05-21T18:33:11.636-05:00random thoughtslife is one amazing on and on and on. <br />today is rapture day. I tell everyone that even Jesus kept mentioning<br />the end of the world and that you never know when you will meet the bridegroom.<br />etc.etc. But what HE actually means, even with his parable that sounds so unfair (about the workers who came in at different times but got paid the same wages) is that the hour or YOUR death is the end of the world (YOURS) and that it doesn't matter if you came in first or last, wages(death) are the same, we all DIE.<br />Hasn't anyone figured this out yet?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-45859401261646635722011-05-13T20:10:00.003-05:002011-05-13T20:24:26.357-05:00SerendipityWhen one door closes, another opens, and with God's grace, two.<br />Around the second week of April, we got the dreaded call that someone wants our<br />little Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies store at Westfield in Old Orchard. Our home since February of 2008 after closing our first location at Northbrook Court.<br /><br />This was devastating to us, all four of us work the store as our only source of income and we had no intentions of going anywhere. We weathered the downturn in economy, struggling but slowly building our name, and this year, as we started seeing an uptrend, comes this tension causing news. The chipper leasing manager whom we hardly knew showed her corporate claws and played it as an everyday thing. Meanwhile we were grieving and worrying.<br /><br />But the Lord has His ways. A guy came in asking how our cupcakes were compared to Georgetown Cupcakes, a place we've heard of many times from customers who've been there saying the lines were out the door at that place, and we deprecatingly always say ours would probably be just as good. We noticed his jacket and immediately noted it as he mentioned it was a company his family owned. A few days later he came and said we had good cupcakes. Whew. Would we be interested in checking out their place? At that point, we had not gotten the news. So we went for a look see and called for an appointment to check it out.<br /><br />A few weeks beforehand, Les who has always patronized the donut place on his way to work, befriended the new owner from last year, and gave her tips, advice and gave her new vendors to try. Jason from Bear Stewart thanked Les for the new business and said, hey she wants to sell the place to you. <br /><br />Yesterday, Thursday May 12th, the Pickwick Theater management team of 2 brothers-in-law allowed Mrs. A to sign a lease and anent weeks of working with Park Ridge, we look forward to an August opening.<br /><br />Today, Friday the 13th, we signed papers to take over an owner financed Wheeling Donuts, because Kim Hok Chong believed in us.<br /><br />Thank you Lord, thank You for loving us and opening two doors to the one that was taken away from us. Each of this was serendipity. Thank You for your love.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-43759482289961594082011-04-24T21:47:00.003-05:002011-04-24T22:00:09.931-05:00Easter2011On our way to Bambi's for our Easter meal, we reflected on the fact that, we who own a bakery of sorts, did not have any Easter Lamb Cake or cookies to serve the kids. Also,as we saw lines of cars in chocolate shops, we realized that we also worked in these stores (Long Grove, Fannie May, See's) and sold tons of marshmallow eggs,caramel and peanut butter eggs, solid chocolate Easter Bunnies ; we did not have any to eat. hahaha.<br />Our menu this year was Roasted Lamb with a balsamic mint sauce courtesy of Sam , Bambi made the sides of lemon baked asparagus, petite french beans casseroles style, Baked Ham,mac and cheese, and my lengua in a mushroom cream sauce. Mary Bell brought the scalloped potatoes and fresh fruits, Kylie made her fruit salad and we made do with a store bought flan. Ate many times throughout the day and watched 2 movies. We missed one family who drove to Indiana, and Migay came before her road trip to Los Angeles.<br /><br />The weather was cool to cold but not rainy or snowy. My mind's eye brought me back to Easter Eggs hunts at our home in San Juan, dainty baskets with us looking for painted boiled eggs with gumpaste hand painted eggs filled with imported candy from Rolling Pin. Holy Week was the time for visita Iglesia, and we mapped out 14 churches, choosing at least 2 new ones each year and ending with a trip to Aristocrat or Magnolia before heading home after a 7 to 8 hour trip. We got sophisticated one year and made 14 churches as we drove up to Baguio for Good Friday.<br />One Holy Week end was spent with the Bulakena clan in Baguio, another time in Cielito Lindo in Laguna, then there were times in Botolan or Nalinac.<br />But here we are in America, where Holy Week is not recognized, where people work even harder on Good Friday, where church is put on the back burner and we can't even find Jesus movies to watch and feel the Lenten quiet.<br />But it is the belief in Easter and the hope He brings plus the food, traditions and camaraderie and a bit of relaxation that makes it an event worth looking forward to, plus seeing the kids and apos. No pictures this year, we were not complete. Here's to the next one.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-91170669741141001602011-02-23T21:47:00.005-06:002011-02-23T22:09:03.368-06:00Gloria Y. Nichols/me vs Arlington Rehab/Carter KoreyWhen mom was in the ICU, hardly breathing because of pneumonia, and we knew it was only a matter of time, there was a moment of lucidity and she said to me, "be prepared".<br />When she passed, we were unable to give her the funeral service she deserved, with a grand Ruby plan from Funeraria Paz, but too far away to let it matter, we had a private cremation and a memorial service 40 days later.<br /><br />But the "be prepared" did not mean her passing. It was what happened next. Arlington Rehab sent me a bill which I belieeived to be wrong. When we brought mom to the rehab center, Tricare was paying only the first 60 days and Patty and I said we would have to take her out if her Medicaid was not approved. Thankfully, it was and the way it works is, medicaid pays the rehab any amount after mom's pension is deducted. Which means that regardless of the rehab cost, the payment would only be her pension check minus any amounts paid for her insurance and personal needs.<br />The amount in the bill was too much. I told the accounts person that there was a mistake and to please check. With arrogance she said everything was correct.<br />From this came a series of calls and counter calls and then a sub poena as instead of calling me in to settle and check it out, they hired the services of a seeming ambulance chaser, a lawyer who also did not want to check my request. After two years of wrangling and threats from the lawyer, and my pleas for checking with medicaid, I had many sleepless nights and payments to my lawyer whose forte is not this kind of ridiculousness where he could not get the other lawyer to give me the billing. Instead there was a series of statements from the rehab and each time I questioned the bill, another came with a change of the bill when I pointed out there were errors in that they did not acknowledge the payments I had made. It became a series of changed statements and each one still reflected the wrong amounts.<br />The lawyer did not want to check why I was asking for the Medicaid statements. Sleepless nights and threats and requests to now look into patty's income status and her entire life aside from mine made me do what I should ahve done from the beginning, go to Medicaid.<br />Surprise, the woman said no one ever checked with them for the past 2 years....and that there was an error and it was corrected. And that why were we being charged for the month of GYN's death when Medicaid paid it in full knowing that her pension check would not be paid for that month.And then another round of statements again changed each time I pointed out the error. i still lost the case but for the correct amount. That was so exhausting and scary as the ambulance chasing lawyer continued to bully me and instead of writing me for payment plans went on to shut down my personal account and then file an arrest through the cook county sheriff. Finally, with the grace of God and as we celebrate GYN's 94th birthday, it is over.<br />Now I wonder if justice can really be served. They wanted to bill me the wrong amount and did not want to check. And billing me for when they were paid in full, stinks of fraud. And that if they checked my request from the beginning, I did not need to pay court fees nor lawyers fees. Smart lawyer, each time he re sets this, he got paid. I would have had to pay his fees if I did not show that the bill was wrong.<br />Sigh. <br />Anyway, after two years of stress, thank goodness its over. And we are celebrating GYN's 94th at a Polish Buffet, having decided to choose a cuisine from a place she has visited. She enjoyed her trip to Poland, just when Pope John Paul II was named Pope and Poland was still a communist country.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-24667570577952408192011-02-07T08:32:00.003-06:002011-02-07T08:36:47.375-06:00Mom in churchIt is February, superbowl Sunday and no one is at mass. Frank is one of a few in the choir who showed up and was given a chance to sing a solo for the first time. Frank who has known mom, GYN since we first started going to St. Mike's. Frank who has always looked young, vibrant, happy. Frank sang and I started to tear up, mom would ahve been so proud. As I looked to the left of the pew, I realized why i never sat there by the aisle, because I always reserve that place for her and know she must be there. Tonight, she definitely was there. I had to tell Frank and it was amazing that even he knew that mom was there, he also felt her. She would have been so proud and so was I. When I went to him, he already knew....he also felt her.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-86193042110578744132011-02-07T08:21:00.004-06:002011-02-07T08:32:54.185-06:00February Blues Superbowl Sunday at massNot even 50 were at mass last night but Father Tom gave a homily that struck a chord in me. I keep telling this story of going to a charismatic bible reading group with my late MIL Leonor, to please her and to bond. Being Catholic, but in a non-religious school, I knew the bible stories but not the books. Besides, at this time I was already infected by Johnny Midnight's question of WHO WROTE THE BIBLE???<br />Anyway, Father Tom gave this excerpt from a book where all the religious, good guys, holy guys were all waiting to get into the pearly gates, then a rumor wafted through that HE was going to let everybody in. This drew anger and indignation amongst the group and they got angry because they have been good all their lives and then when it came to entering heaven HE was allowing everyone in......so in that moment of anger, they damned themselves. They did not recognize God. So in that little seminar where I behaved like the good daughter in law eager to embrace the Lord, my MIL introduced me to the head of the group. I enthused that it was interesting and that I was also inspired by the fact that Jeanne Young, a bad girl turned Charismatic, spreading the word of the Lord, was so prominent in this movement and I was touched by her ability to reach both Catholic and Christian groups. The dude then said, " Yes, BUT we want her to focus on the Catholic groups and not the Christian groups" DING DING DING, I kids you not, I felt a curtain falling in front of me and heard a big THUD, I can still remember it after all these years, with goosebumps, too. And a voice yelling GET OUT OF HERE. I blinked and smiled , went back to the afternoon session struggling to renew my interest, left and never went back.<br />And here comes Father Tom and his amazing story. An answer to my search. Of course, bible readers will note that the Prodigal Son and the workers in the vineyard all have that same theme, Love. And that the Lord will forgive and let everyone in because He is Love. But if you are really deeply into anger, have taken a life, then the universal TIME OUT is in place until you can get in there. But in the end, we all have to die, there is no great leveler than this, it is an equalizer. It is in our hands where we go after. Right?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-74116749285098095072010-09-14T21:56:00.004-05:002010-09-14T22:07:18.069-05:00Another red neck momentThe grandstand filled up with people from all over. Eager Boy Scouts peddled pop, popcorn and earplugs. EarPlugs?????<br /><br />And over the muddied grounds of the inner tracks, those farm trucks I keep seeing across fields all over Illinois, were polished and sputting, ready to compete. There were these huge flatbeds called Iron Man, the purple had a 5000 LB weight that would swing from one end to the other as eager tractor racers tried to pull the flatbed towards the 300 yard line. Often times, the hapless tractor would get bogged down at the 250 yard line and the racers (who woulda thunk these huge heavy tractors could fly with their front wheels in the air like a motorcycle instead of the monsterheavy weight, like the hippo dancing in fantasia) were competing like crazy to top the one before them. Ear plugs??? OMG, the next set of races were these Hot Rod exposed fire breathing black smoke spewing NOISE RIDDEN tractors with aggressive names roaring to the point of sonic boom each trip. The ear plugs were definitely needed. i used the old fashioned two fingers in my ear trick because it wasn't worth a dollar to get two pieces of plastic to cover my ears for a few seconds at a time.<br /><br />Another bit of Americana for me.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-46946729682764470542010-09-14T21:23:00.005-05:002010-09-14T21:53:30.700-05:00A bit of SandwichI always heard of Sandwich from daughter in law Dawn as she has been there with Anamite and kids for a few years in a row. So I finally took the trek to Sandwich, getting lost along the way with that stupid GPS, aughh.<br /><br />Sandwich is a little town like most little towns with history. Old buildings and historic homes mingling with the new ugly box like homes. The Sandwich Fair is held in a dedicated fairground structure, that i gathered from the mini railroad that went around and around, plus the barn type permanent buildings interspersed with gaudily loud food booths.<br />But it is the food that was the draw for me. Huge mobile food booths with steaks grilling right in front of you with the accoutrement of onions, peppers, mushrooms, cheese along side the steaks, brats, dogs, ribs, corn dogs etc. My mouth watered with every wafting scent of the different fair ground foodstuff. There were corndogs, waffles, mini donuts from a mini fryer dropper, funnel cakes, elephant ears dusted with powdered sugar, cinnamon and other mouthwatering dusts. You name it, it was there. Interestingly enough, no Chinese or Asian food booth, no spring rolls, rangoons, noodles. <br /><br />My top faves? It was my first time to have an apple dumpling. There was this one dedicated booth for Hot Apple Dumplings, topped with vanilla icing and a slathering of caramel sauce, piping hot from the convection oven that continuously baked the dumplings. The pie pastry was a bit gooey with a taste of cinnamon, but the apple was perfectly round, peeled, scored, must be granny smith as it held its form and had a tartish sweet taste. Along with the vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, it was one of the best Americana food I have had in ages.<br /><br />Dawn and Anamite told me the Pork Chop place was a must. The lines were long at Fay's but moving fast. Around and back were charcoal grills that were filled from end to end with huge thick pork chops, and the other side had grilled chicken just being flipped over (imagine your barbecue griller but in gigantic proportions) by eager young Caucasian boys, must be generations of them going through this summer ritual as a rite of passage working the grills for this destination Pork Chop stop. Undaunted by the long line, $12 got me a combo of a pork chop and quarter chicken, a small drink (coffee of course) and sides like the ubiquitous sliced bread, cole slaw, baked beans , applesauce and cottage cheese. Augh ...saan ang kanin at banana ketchup? Sa uulitin nga...magdadala ako. Of course, the food was good, chicken moist, pork chops just right, not raw. Wish it had a thicker layer of fat, sometimes lean pork chops can be too much....But these were finger licking good. My inner oink wanted to get ribs and totally stuffed potatoes but, this was it. <br /><br />Until I saw the home made pies made by the Christian Church ladies, berry, apple and peach. Going back was the promise. Until doing so, later after walking off the over eating tummy, berry pies were gone, suddenly, pie was not that interesting anymore.<br /><br />After the tractor pull show in the grandstand area, of which another short blog dedicated to this is next, found the Rollin Pin Bakery mobile that bragged of the Wisconsin State Fair staple, Chocolate Eclairs and Whipped Cream Puffs. And of course, Maridel had to have these. And man, were they good although I could've enjoyed the eclair better slightly thawed more. But understandable that with that home made custard, and in the quantities they were selling, these had to keep frozen. The whipped cream cream puff was already overkill but I did have many bites till I almost burst like the puff.<br /><br />I need to plan the next fair better. Eat slowly and gradually. Spend the whole day there instead of the few hours. And of course, lose 4 pounds before going to the fair.Advice to all, it is a must to go to the Sandwich Fair at least once (or twice or all the time as this man, who probably belongs to one of the founding families of Sandwich boasted of not having missed the fair since he was 8 and he sure looks like he was a bit over 80). Oh and I did forget to mention all the other exhibits, antiques, competitions, livestock and fair rides...I overwhelmed myself with the food.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-73490048715396568722010-08-23T21:53:00.002-05:002010-08-23T21:56:27.208-05:00GYN gone 2 years.Has it really been two years ma? My mind blanks at the thought. But you are never far from my thoughts, regardless of what these are. As an amazing accomplished woman, whose childhood was a wild ride up the mountains of Baguio, ahead of your time in many things that became trendy way after you already created it....<br />Missing you and celebrating your life.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-57569700782197205632010-07-01T22:34:00.002-05:002010-07-01T22:40:29.199-05:00Another year RSMHey dad, it's been 22 years. Seems like yesterday. Yet the fond memories and the funny stuff become a great topic for table talk, specially tonight's Thursday Night Dinner.<br />We had Mexican food, ground beef tacos (with that la preferida mix the grandkids enjoy) and chicken fajitas from the little mexican grocer down the street. I also made black beans and rice, I sauteed a sofrito with the beans and added rice, along with onions. I hand made my tomatoes, cilantro and onion side, had whole wheat, corn and flour tortillas, sour cream and quesadilla cheese and shredded lettuce for the mixings and fixings. I should've had shrimps, crabs, inihaw na baboy or lechon kawali in your honor, hmm, maybe next week.<br />Here's to missing you dad, but you'd have been 90 by now.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-29706321742569263082010-05-28T07:38:00.002-05:002010-05-28T07:44:00.194-05:00Italian BeefIt was a quiet Thursday Night Dinner, no Bells, No JB and chinoys. But fun none the less with just the Dawnamites. Even Miggy decided to dance the night away after work.But, food goes on. I learned by just listening a quick way to do Italian Beef. The last time I made it for TND, I cooked it stove top and finished it oven, with lots of this and that. I heard from a friend I hang out with that a bottle of pepperoncini peppers and juice on beef in slow cooker would work. Skeptical, I added a head of sliced onion, salt and pepper but used the pepperoncini water and only half the peppers in a tall bottle. Wow. Place smelled tantalizing when we came home. With freshly baked italian bread, a quick pasta with meatballs, and some arugula for greens since I didn't want to use my asparagus, we enjoyed the meal. I still have to Julie and Julia challenge myself to cook everything in Kulinarya as is. With my penchant for tweaking, to follow it to the letter will really be a challenge. But.....we'll see and I will also blog it.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967911830073642708.post-10645571274138156382010-05-27T00:14:00.002-05:002010-05-27T00:18:37.981-05:00GYN at the apartmentFinally took mom's cremains home after months of whining and prodding by sister Patty who claims she cannot move or do anything because mom's cremains comfortably settled in her blue and white room whose doors are always closed made her feel creeped out. So we have her on the top shelf facing all of us at the dinner table, with Santo Nino and two iconic prints the baker/cook and fish (mom's known to be a baker of course and fish is good luck but she's also pisces) and a pretty stained glass something with purple flowers and a small votive candle holder. Hope you're ok with that mom until i can take you home and have a beautiful memorial mass for you at our old church in San Juan. Until then, welcome home.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Cupcake or Cookie today? Have you had your cookie today?Mrs. A's Cupcakes & Cookies</div>icingquinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03149256577542960634noreply@blogger.com0