Writings on Water: Great Stuff

October 28, 2011

October is almost over and November is coming soon! There is coldness in the air already and winter is fast approaching. I'm not very fond of winter but I don't hate it either. It may not be my favorite season but it has some great qualities to it and there are wonderful things that come with it --Christmas and New Year, the new and fluffy snow on early mornings, and hot chocolate with marshmallows.

For now, I'm going to continue and enjoy autumn for as long as it takes and for as long as it lasts. I know it's fleeting and it's too short but it's one of my favorites. Part of autumn comes everything pumpkin! And how I love pumpkins! So I go to Dunkin' Donuts and get me some pumpkin latte and some pumpkin doughnuts. Hmm mmm mm!

These are my great stuff for this past few weeks and some more days ahead. What's yours?

October 3, 2011

As a sort of a "tribute" to the Summer of 2011, I'd like to post a photo of one of my favorite "hangouts" in downtown Chicago. It's one of the beautiful parks around my work area and I go to each and every one of those parks during my lunch breaks. I'm sure I'm going to miss them so much as winter draws near but I hope to see them again soon next year!

This is the Buckingham Fountain plaza in Chicago:

The summer this year has been so particularly special for me. I've grown a lot, not just physically but more importantly, spiritually. God has shown me great and wonderful things I've never known before. He allowed some not-so-great things to happen within me so I will know that it's only Him I need. Thank you Lord for everything.

Autumn, here we come!

September 7, 2011

Everyday from Monday to Friday for 12 hours (including the preparation and commute) I go to work. I do love my job and I'm thankful for it but there are also some bad days at the office. Everybody gets tired, we also get sick sometimes and we do need a break often to cut through the monotony of routine work. And how glad I am that my office is in downtown Chicago near the Millennium Park. I think it's one of the best areas in Chicago. I never ran out of places to go and things to do especially during my break times from work. So at lunch time I usually look for a park or a bench where I can sit down and relax, read my book and eat my lunch. There are also times when I bring a mat and I lounge on the grass for an hour. Those are lunch bliss, I call it.

There is one park I go to where they have a water fountain. It's only open from spring to early fall so I grab the opportunity as much as I can. It's one of my favorite "hangout" places with me, myself, I and my book.

August 20, 2011

I was on the train yesterday afternoon on my way home from work. I was glad it was Friday and I can't wait for my weekend to start soon. And then I remembered all the house chores I have been neglecting for the past few weeks which are piling up! Oh no, there goes my weekend...

As I was feeling sorry for myself and was already getting tired just thinking of all the "work" I had to do over the weekend, I happened to look out the train glass "window" and I saw the most magnificent view I've ever seen. I love the skies, the clouds, the sun and everything in nature God has created. When I saw the big, fat dark clouds, I remembered what they said in the weather report about some scattered rains and thunderstorms threatening our Friday evening and all throughout the weekend. That's what I thought those clouds were there for, the storms are coming! Then I noticed that the sun was slowly peeking out of those dark clouds and was creating some very visible sun rays. Have you heard of clouds with silver lining? Well, these clouds had gold lining in them! It was simply gorgeous. I remembered that I should take some pictures and reached for my camera but sadly, the batteries were all drained out. Oh well, at least I got to enjoy the magnificent view with my own eyes. Then I remembered my phone camera! Thank God for high technology!

I know these are not the best pictures but I just wanted to share my Friday evening blessing from the heavens, so here goes:

This is my greatest stuff for a Friday evening. I hope you have a great weekend!

August 10, 2011

Atchara, also spelled as achara or atsara, is a Filipino condiment made from pickled unripe papaya. This dish is often served as a side dish for fried or grilled foods such as pork barbecue.

My husband is a great cook. I guess he takes after his mother. His favorite pastime now is collecting different kinds of recipes, especially traditional Filipino recipes, then trying them all out in the kitchen. It's a hit and miss, but mostly hits than a miss. His latest "experiment" is the atchara, and it was a huge success in our house! It's so tasty and perfect. And as the definition herein above hinted, we did have it with a grilled T-bone steak for my son's birthday dinner at home. It was just the three of us and it was just a simple weekday birthday dinner but it was the best! I love the simple but glorious things in life. Thank you, Lord!

These are my great stuff for today. How about yours?


© Copyright, MMD Images, 2011

August 3, 2011

Have you ever tried eating corn on a cob raw? I've never had, ever. Until I went to the Farmer's Market by the Daley Plaza in the Loop last week, Tuesday. I saw a kiosk selling fresh corn by the pack and they were handing out samples. And, of course, who doesn't like samples? I wanted to try some so I went over their table. Then I noticed that the corn samples were cold. And I didn't see anybody around cooking the corn so I asked if they were raw. To my horror, the vendor said yes, but she quickly added to never eat any other kind of corn raw, just those ones they were selling. It was an organic, sweet corn, and it came straight from a farm here in Illinois (I forgot the name but I will find out the next time I go back, and I'm going back, for sure!). So I tried the sample and it was good. No, it was great! So fresh, firm and tender, sweet and was literally popping with flavor. I just had to buy me a pack. It was $4 a pack of 6 ears of corn (no tax).

When I came home, I told my husband about it and he can't believe it either until he tasted one. And for a Filipino liking raw corn fresh out of the husk is saying a lot. We like everything cooked, even our vegetables. Cooked as in until it's wilted and soft. We don't find a lot of "raw" garden salads in the Philippines, well, that was during the time when we were still living there anyway. But my husband loved the corn, he "advertised" it to his co-workers, and now I have to get more! Awesome.

This is my great stuff for today. Share me some of yours. God bless!

July 31, 2011

I'm a coffee drinker but I also love a great hot, comforting cup of tea throughout the day, especially on gloomy, cold days. One of my favorites is the good old green tea --lots of antioxidants, cleansing powers and the feel-good effect it gives. I drink it with no sugar or with a little honey and maybe a squirt of lemon or lime. What makes a good cup of tea even more extra special is when it's served in an old-fashioned Japanese or Chinese tea set. Those tiny pots and cups are so adorable. They bring back cozy memories of childhood tea parties and play-house for little girls.

This is my great stuff for today. What's yours?

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Great Stuff