CHOCOLATE GOODIES

I have not been updating my blog for quite sometime now. My family is very busy concocting some chocolate treats for the holidays. Therefore, I am posting some of my family's treats.

Bouquet of Chocolate lollipops with star gum paste

Assorted chocolate rose and lollipops with Star gum paste

Chocolate rose box of 6, colors brown and red.

Homemade chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting, assorted chocolate lollipops and star gum paste.

Macaroons with chocolate chips.

Most of the goodies above were the handiwork of my sister and my mother. My sister is responsible for mixing and molding different chocolates. The chocolates were courtesy of Chocolate Lover's Inc. They have a shop located along P. Tuazon in Cubao and a branch in Espana, Manila. The chocolate cake and macaroons were baked by my mom. For the chocolate cake, my sister did a white and brown chocolate frosting.

Honestly speaking, they are delectable and taste is not so sweet so everytime I partake a bite, I cannot help but take another one.

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ICE CREAM

When I was a child, I grew up with Magnolia Ice Cream. During weekends, when we don't have classes, my parents would either treat me to an ice cream house located along Aurora Blvd near Cubao or buy a gallon of my favorite ice cream. Magnolia was known for their Gold Label signature Double Dutch which is a household favorite. It is a Vanilla ice cream base with a tinge of chocolate ice cream mixture, chocolate riple, nuts, marshmallows and chocolate chips. But there is also their Classic flavor like Vanilla, Ube, Strawberry, Mocca and Chocolate, with Vanilla as my favorite...

We all know that Magnolia was bought by Nestle Ice Cream, hence they became Nestle-Magnolia Ice Cream during my highschool years. When I was already in college, it became Nestle Ice Cream. Although I have nothing against Nestle, but their ice cream is too sweet for my taste. It leaves a syrupy-sugary after taste in my mouth. It was in 2005 when my all-time favorite made a grand-comeback. Manny Pacquaio, his wife Jinkee and Nanay Dionisia Pacquaio became the image model of the Magnolia products--namely ice cream and milk. I remember Nanay Dionisia telling Manny "drink your Magnolia milk first!!!" I even tasted my first Magnolia Double Dutch after almost a decade and I should say that it is the original Double Dutch not so sweet, but creamy.

Now, I already tasted their Magnolia Vanilla ice cream, and I should say that it tastes heavenly. The best vanilla-flavored ice cream I ever tasted. It is creamy but not that sweet. It tastes like milk. I like the way the flavor melts in my mouth...it is soft in texture and I always ask for a second serving...

A BUSY DAY AHEAD

I haven't been posting for quite sometime now. My last post was February 2010. After which, I was already busy with work.

But I will try to update my blog as often as I can. I leave early to go to work and I come back late at night already. Surfing the net has been my therapy, I cannot sleep without checking my facebook and playing Plants vs. Zombies. That is what I do at present. I seldom play Farmville or monitor my Cafe World. Of course, I cannot even write for my blog anymore because my brain is already tired.

Inspite of it all, I am still thankful for all the blessings I have received for the past months. My life as an employee is very fruitful although very busy. On the 3rd week of September, I have been given a weeks rest. I will be travelling, and I'm looking forward to it...

THE DAY THAT WAS

I just had my check-up a while ago at St. Luke's. I undergone magnification view of my left breast because two weeks ago I had mammography and based on the findings, it was recommended for further evaluation. And so I went. I waited for almost an hour for them to perform the procedure. I also got the CT Scan results and it will be interpreted by my doctor this coming Wednesday.

When I was finished with the procedure, I saw an R & E Taxi waiting at the other side of the building. The passenger had left the cab to go to the Medical Arts building. It was my turn to ride the taxi. I told the driver that I am bound to Sauyo. He told me that I should add P50.00 from the metered fare.

I was contemplating about it. Should I go straight home or should I just go to TriNoma and take an FX on my way home. We were already about to go to the back exit of the hospital when I decided that he drop me to TriNoma. He even repeated the question. And I told him to drop me there. We passed by shortcuts and the meter is only P60.00 when I told him to drop me at LandMark. He even dropped me far from the entrance. But it doesn't matter because I only paid him P70.00. He cannot even argue with me anymore and ask for the additional P50.00 because it was not even traffic and he has to leave at once.

Those drivers like that should be reported to the taxi operator so that they should know also that they cannot fool all passengers...

BLOGGING THRU MOBILE

Just testing the mobile phone. I just would want to find out if I can write a blog the mobile. It seems I can and I'm doing it now. So I can blog anytime & anywhere...SOON...Because I just borrowed this from my brother &  I will return it  to him now. 

ON MY WAY HOME

I am a professional commuter. I shuttle from house to office by means of public utility vehicles like FX and jeepney. Normally, I hitch with an officemate after office and he will drop me to Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City. From there, I will ride a jeepney to Sangandaan-Quirino Hi-way and another ride bound home. It is a routine after office, except when my ever reliable FX fetch me from the office or I decided to go enroute to Cubao.

This night is no different. From Sangandaan-Quirino Hi-way, I took the jeep bound to Novaliches on my way home. A woman in her early 40s or 50s rode the jeep at Talipapa and sat beside me. I was already asleep that I did not notice her paying the jeepney driver. Since I am not aware of the situation, I cannot truly say if she paid P5.00 or P10.00. What woke me from my mini-slumber was the argument between the woman and the jeepney driver. The driver claimed that she only paid him P5.00. He even dropped the coin in front of the woman. But the woman insisted that she paid P10.00 and she demanded a change.

The driver, upon reaching Mindanao Avenue stopped and demanded that the woman should go and transfer to another jeep. But she did not do it. She kept on talking that the driver will do anything to earn money. Then, she even brought out an incident where she was able to return a cellphone to its owner. And she proudly said that the cellphone costs more than P10,000.00

But before I went down, I began to be turned off with the driver. An old woman paid for the transpo fare applying the Senior Citizen discount for her and the husband. Both are already in their middle-aged years, maybe 60-70. Suddenly, the driver told them that the fare is P13.00 per head not P12.00. The old woman argued with the jeepney driver, again. But the driver insisted that discount for senior citizen is only P2.00. The woman beside made a snide remark against the driver.

The argument did not last because the old woman and her husband already went down. And it was also my destination so I hurriedly went out of the jeep. It's so funny how one can find ways to earn instant money. But definitely, I won't ride the jeepney if the driver cheats...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Let us be thankful for the bitter-sweet memories of 2009...and embrace the hopeful new beginning that 2010 will bring...It's time to celebrate...

Celebration won't be complete without something edible laid on our dinner table...

Edam Cheese, Fiesta Ham, Meatloaf, Shrimp, Baked Macaroni and Fish Loaf Royale

Bibingka Pinipig courtesy of Leoning's

Carlo Rossi California Red Wine Muscat

Macaroons and Black and White Cupcakes

Banapple's Banoffee Pie

Let us give thanks to the Lord Almighty for all the blessings that we received last 2009. But most especially, let us pray for His ultimate guidance this 2010...

Bon Appetit!

THE BANAPPLE BANOFFEE PIE ADDICTION

My mom had tasted Starbuck's banoffee pie. A few days ago, she called me up to ask if I can buy her one. When my brother celebrated his birthday, we went to Conti's TriNoma to buy a cake. We asked if they have banoffee pie, but the store manager told us that they have another type of cake similar to banoffee pie, but it was out of stock at that time. Then my officemate told me that Banapple sells one of the best banoffee pie. After our office meeting a while ago, I took the opportunity to drop by at their branch in Katipunan. The office was crowded with diners. I called my mom and told her that I will buy banoffee pie at Banapple.

Banoffee pie inside the box...it is loaded with chocolate swirls. I even tasted them before being sliced into portions. Yummy!!! I just love banoffee pie! Banapple has branches in Katipunan and Tomas Morato. They also sell assorted cheesecakes, pastas and other bread and pastries. But their bestseller is this banoffee pie...Bon appetit!

CATCHING UP WITH MY BFFs

After a series of reschedules and communication thru Facebook and texts, finally, I was able to see my two highschool BFFs a while ago. Our meeting point was @ Starbucks, 2nd level, TriNoMa. Since Sheila has not eaten her lunch yet, we decided to have a heavy merienda-con-dinner. We decided to go to Italianni's @ the 5th level, TriNoMa, overlooking the garden.

We decided to order large lasagna good for the 3 of us...for the main course. It is really creamy and meaty inside. As my bestfriend, Marianne commented, "masarap siya..."

For the appetizer, we had the artichoke formigianno. I don't know why it's called that way, but it's yummy and we spread it over the buttered toast with sprinkle of grated parmessan cheese.

We forgot to take the picture of the Sicilian Salad. But we were able to take the picture of the leftovers...The lettuce and bread croutons are crunchy to the bite. The fruits like grapes and ripe mangoes and contributes to the sweetness while the chicken honey dijon sauce to the creaminess of the salad.

Some photo op with my BFFs at Italianni's. In between bites we digest our experiences and journey into the world of cosmetics, lovelife and other facets of human experiences...Incidentally, it is also a mini-despedida to Sheila who will be leaving for U.S. at the end of the month.

After a hearty merienda-con-dinner, we continue our stories and catching up @ Seattle's Best in 2nd level TriNoMa over desserts of cheesecake and carrot cake and a sip of mocha java and javakula...

We promised especially Marianne and I, whilst Sheila is in abroad that we will continue our catching up. We have been friends since elementary. Now I realize that we have grown up to be a better person...I also realize that friendship springs from the heart though you are near or far.

VANILLA FRAPUCINNO & BANOFFEE PIE

This is my favorite Starbucks experience. A cup of Vanilla Frapuccino (tall or grande) with banoffee pie.

This is the banoffee pie. I was craving for almost a month for this pastry. You can eat it alone or share it with a friend or family. The crust is made of crushed graham crackers. The filling is made of banana, melted chocolate and cream. It's definitely yummy and you can taste the chocolate as it melts in your mouth together with the banana and cream.

Banoffee pie with the fillings...cream, banana, traces of graham crackers and melted chocolate.

The vanilla frapuccino of Starbucks. I brought my card with me. I only need 2 stickers and I can claim my Starbucks 2010 planner.

Starbucks logo on my vanilla frapuccino drink...UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.

MY DATE WITH EDWARD AND JACOB

New Moon opened last November 20. I was fortunate to see it yesterday, December 5. I was able to read the book also. But what do we expect, the movie version is always different from the book. They only include the important points in the movie such as:

Edward leaving Bella in the woods

Jacob started to avoid Bella after the movie
Jacob's transformation to werewolf
Bella saving Edward from being executed by the Volturri
Bella decided to call a meeting with the entire Cullen family to discuss her future

I am definitely a team Edward. Of course for me, it should be Bella and Edward forever. Since Bella's love for Edward transcends the boundaries. She even wants to be a vampire to be with Edward forever. In the final scenes, she even offered herself to be a meal in exchange for Edward's life. She was only saved when Aro saw in a vision of Alice that Bella will become one of them someday...which is favorable to Bella.

The Volturri is also interested in Bella becoming a vampire. What with her special ability that the vampires could not read her thoughts, it is very interesting for the Volturri. In the latter part, her special ability will be one of her skills when she becomes a vampire.

Jacob Black is also a revelation. From a lanky teenager in Twilight, he became a bulky, beefed-up hunk. According to Bella, he is having some growth spurts, which is explained when the time comes for him to transform into a werewolf. For me, it's healthy for Bella to have Jacob, but only as a friend.

Because in the beginning, it was truly Edward and Bella. It's like their lives are parallel to Romeo and Juliet were one cannot live without the other.

New Moon is still showing at your local theaters. In the Philippines, the movie will only last for a month, no extensions...

BITE INTO THE BRIGHT SIDE

When I was in Grade School, one of my favorite local chocolate is Cloud 9.

Today, before going to the cemetery, we made a trip to the nearby 7-11 grocery. And I discover another Cloud 9 Chocolate Bar reinvented product. It's called Cloud 9 Monster Munch. It is a monster combo of wafer roll, caramel, chocolate cream and rice crispies in rich chocolate.

The chocolate is crunchy because of the rice crispies and wafer. But it is also chewy because of the caramel-flavored chocolate filled wafer roll. The wafer roll is covered with rice crispies and coated with milk chocolate.

I should say that I enjoy biting into the bright side of my new chocolatey discovery.

ALL SOUL'S DAY

It's been 6 years since my father passed away. Before we used to go to the cemetery every Saturday after he died. But as time flies by, every Saturday becomes once a month. Then, once a month becomes special occassion like All Soul's Day.

Before, we used to visit him on Halloween's Eve of October 31 till November 1 in the afternoon. But because of the throngs of people going to the cemetery, we decided to go today, November 2. Today is really a feast of the souls or All Soul's Day and it is but a fitting tribute to visit our deceased loved-ones. In my case, I was able to visit my dad, lola and lolo.

Change in schedule was also brought about by the rainy season. Our visit was cut short when it started to drizzle.

Upon going home, we were stuck in traffic. The drizzle became outpour of rain. And it is really nice to observe the ripple flowing at the windshield of our vehicle.

MY STARBUCKS ADDICTION

I love Starbucks.

I really do.

caption: this is me @ Starbucks, West Avenue Quezon City in 2006

Before I used to think that Starbucks is another imported coffee store from the U.S.

It was in 1999 when the first branch opened along the Makati area.

My dad used to bring Starbucks brochure made from earth-colored papyrus.

History of Starbucks including their best-selling coffee was printed on the brochure.

caption: me and my boss @ Starbucks, West Avenue. We have nothing to do but take pictures...

It is where friendships were formed.

...Stories were created.

...Solitude was embraced with a frapuccino or hot coffee.

I love Starbucks.

I love Vanilla Frapuccino.

I also tried other flavors.

But most importantly, I was able to claim their Starbucks diary.

And it all begins with ONE.