Yesterday while at the store, I was thinking of what ice-cream bars to get as we already had two of those Breyer ice-cream cartons at home.  While looking at the different frozen confections, I saw the box of the sidewalk sundae and I remembered how that was Nanay’s favorite ice-cream bars.  Whenever we were at 7/11 or those “mom & pop” stores, she’d always want a sidewalk sundae.  There are so many things that will always remind me of Nanay . . . this being one of them . . . I guess I’m getting a bit melancholy because three years ago this day we were in the Philippines.  We didn’t know whether we would leave her behind to be cared by my uncle and relatives . . . but her health got worse so we made the decision to bring her back home with us after a 3 week stay in the Philippines. . . as mentioned in my previous blog, little did we know that she would be called “home” on September 1st (2005). . . so Nanay, this sidewalk ice-cream bar is for you! 

This afternoon I made this doogie tuna casserole for Toby which I found in my latest issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray.  As I was making it, JP said he wanted to try it and asked if all the ingredients were “people” food.  Of course all the ingredients are “people” food so he tried it.  I”ll have to go on-line and search for a good tuna casserole to make for the familia, but for now . . . this one is for Toby.

• 1/2 cup Half & Half or Milk
• 1 6oz. Tuna in water (drained)
• 1 cup Cooked Egg Noodles
• 1/4 cup Frozen Green Peas (thawed)
• 2 Tbsp. Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese

In a medium sauce pan, heat the Half & Half over medium heat.  Mash in the tuna.  Stir in the noodles, peas and cheese.  Let cool.

Note:  For the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, I substituted grated Parmesan Cheese instead.  As much as I LOVE Toby, I was not about to spend $8.99 vs. $4.49 for that Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese . . . and both were the same size . . . container wise.  I think I’ll check out Trader Joe’s or Farmer Joe’s next time.

I know it’s been a very very long time since I’ve last made an entry to my blog.  As mentioned earlier, I’ve been so addicted to Flickr that all my free time is spent uploading pictures, editing pictures, visiting other folks’ photostream and making comments on their photos.  This can be a full time job!  Really!  I kind of miss blogging so hopefully very soon I’ll get back to it.  So many things have happened since I last blog . . . the number one important event was JP”s high-school graduation.  Anyhoo, I think I’ll do a quick run down soon.  Well, since I’m on my blog now, I think I’ll go ahead and post this doggie tuna casserole that I found the latest issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray. . . .

Sardonicnell tagged me this meme a while back but since I haven’t been “blogging” I’m now only getting to this.

The rules: Link to the person that tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Share six unimportant things/habits/quirks about your self. Tag 6 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. Let these random people know that they are tagged by leaving comments in their blog. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Here are the 6 list of quirky things about me . . . what is “quirky?” Hee! Hee! OK . . . “QUIRKY” as defined means a peculiar behavior, which I know I have more than 6 but we’ll just list down what comes to mind:

1. I have a fetish for storage containers. . . not just your regular Rubbermaid or Tupperware ones, but those nice clear plastics one can find at The Container Store.

2. When we go camping, all of our stuffs are neatly packed inside those plastic bins and labeled as such to make it easier to unload. I also have a “welcome” mat in front of our tent. (I know I named 2 but these are related to camping.)

3. When I pack our lunches, the sandwiches, cookies, etc. all have to be neatly in its plastic bags. I always always wrap the sandwiches in wax paper first before putting them inside the plastic bags.

4. Speaking of plastic, I do not, I repeat, I do not like eating on plastic plates. I’ll eat on them if I have to but I do not own any plastic plates or those heavy plastic ones used for picnics. To me, the food always taste better on glass or stoneware.

5. I also have a thing for “pretty” platters. Although I have several, if I see a new platter that I like, I’d go out and buy it. To me presentation is so important. It must be the Martha in me. Ha! Ha!

6. Now the last one has to do with our dog, Toby. I know he is a dog and dogs do get dirty and muddy but when there is muddy area on the dog park, I would pick Toby up so that he wouldn’t get dirty. When the area is mud free, I’d put him down. I know that’s anal, but heck . . . that’s part of my quirkiness! Just the thought of having Toby getting inside the car with muddy feet and often times he sits on my lap so I have to avoid the muddy paths.

Note:  I just realized after reading this (Numbers 1-5)  list that I definitely have something for “plastic” .  What can that possibly mean?  Ha! Ha!

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 oz. parmesan cheese (grated)
• 3 eggs
• 1 stick butter
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• sesame seeds

MIx butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Sift flour and baking powder. Add to sugar mixture little by little. Add sour cream, parmesan cheese . . . mixing well. Grease 9″ spring pan or baking dish with butter. (I use the floured baking spray.) Add mixture evenly. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 40 to 60 minutes.

Note: If using an oblong pan or jelly roll pan, you’ll need to double the ingredients as show in my picture.

Two days ago I had a bout with vertigo. I was on the computer at work when I started feeling dizzy. At first I thought it would subside but as minutes past, my dizziness got even worse. They ended up calling the EMT/paramedics but first the campus police came along with the fire department. Right before they came though, I was feeling very very naeseous (if you know what I mean). Well, eventually the EMT/paramedics came and whisked me on the gurney and off I went straight to the ER. Bril had come with me (love you Bril!) in the ambulance. Moments later, the hubs came too. After spending several hours and monitoring my vitals, they discharged me at around 4′ish in the afternoon. The hubs had already taken Bril back to work by then. The verdict was what I thought I had . . . “vertigo.” The last bout I had with vertigo was at least 10 years ago but I remember that one was worse because I had the sensation that the room was spinning endlessly in circles. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my doctor and probably my neurologist. We shall see . . . Right now the hubs is taking Toby out for his morning stroll while here I am at the lap top. This is still resting for me although I do have a pounding headache now. Arghhh! Believe it or not I actually baked (for the first time) this Salvadorian Quesadilla cake this morning . . . that was before my friggen headache. We’ll see how it turns out.

Yesterday was my first day being home after my ER episode. The hubs and I quickly went to Mi Pueblo to get a few things for this week’s dinner and since we were already there, I ended up getting my veggies and fruits instead of going to Farmer Joe’s. In turns out that I am low on potassium too so I’ve loaded up with bananas. Since I had time to actually make dinner (from scratch), I made chicken menudo (instead of pork this time). As I was preparing the dinner, I get a knock on the door . . . it was Bean and Father “G” . . . Father “G” had insisted to Bean that he wanted to “surprise” me. Boy was I surprised. Luckily I was up and about and not feeling miserable. Anyhoo, they ended up staying for dinner. It was nice that they came over to visit and was glad that what I had prepared would work out.

Today would have been Nanay’s 86th birthday. My neice (SA) sent me via an email about “mothers” this morning which I thought could not have come at a more “appropriate” time . . .

Your Mother is always with you.
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick
and perfume that she wore.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a
rainbow, she is Christmas morning.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter.
And she’s crystallized in every tear drop.
A mother shows every emotion……….. happiness, sadness, fear,
jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow…..and all
the while, hoping and praying you  will only know the good feelings in life.
She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you
follow with every step you take.
She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy.
But nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space…….not
even death!

Gosh . . . the last time I made an entry was a little over a month ago. The wordpress format looks so different. Anyhoo, today is AC’s 15th birthday. I’m at work taking a break so instead of checking my Flickr’, I thought I’d get back into the swing of blogging. This is only going to be a short entry because like I said, I’m only taking my morning breaK. This morning, KV called to wish AC a happy birthday then it dawned on me that I plumb forgot to call KV to wish her a happy birthday. How could I have forgotten my best friend’s birthday especially since we’ve been friends for 30 years!!! My bad! So KV if you are reading this, check later on Flickr . . . I have something for you there. Well, gotta get back to work.

I decided that I’m going to try to continue with my blogging.  I thought about giving it up all together mainly because I’ve been so “into” my flickr lately . . . it’s not just uploading my pictures but making comments to all the wonderful “friends” I have met through Flickr.  They are just a great bunch of people from all over the world. I figure I can find a few minutes or so in my schedule to blog whatever it is that I want to write about . . . so there, I’m back.  I also know there are several friends of mine out there (and you know who you are) that find my “blog” amusing.  Ha! Ha!  You know what . . . I just rec’d a text and it was sent to my number by mistake.  It said:  “Wasup Eden - - 2800 - - i love my babii.”  Hmmm . . . maybe I should reply, huh?  I could just imagine the person waiting for that reply from Eden.  Hee! Hee!  The one he’ll never get and that person will be mad at Eden for not responding.  Sounds like one of those AT&T Cingular commercials.  Oh well, gotta get dinner started . . . By the way . . . since it’s been a while I last blog, “WordPress” had changed their format . . . not that you guys need to know . . .   Dang . . . now I have to get used to it . . . where are the categories so I can file this post under?  ;-)  Later . . .

Aside from today being “Good Friday,” this “day” will always remind me that it was on a Good Friday back in 2000 that Nanay had a quadruple by-pass.  Eight years has passed and it’ll be 3 years come September that she left us.  I remember the pain that she went through after the surgery. . . recovering from it was the hardest for her considering at that time Nanay was 78 years old.  Just before she had her surgery, Nanay was starting to “snap” out of her depression, not completely but she showed some improvement;  however, days and weeks that followed the surgery, Nanay started slipping back into her depression.  It was during this period of my life that “life” became difficult for not just me but my family.  Eventually we “learned” to deal and cope with Nanay’s illness but it did take a toll on everyone around her.  Nanay would have been 86 years old next month.