Welcome Mama's Newest Great-Grandchildren!

Nicholas Joseph Aves

Big Bro Coby carrying David Brent Aves


Christian Derrik Nachor

Mama's Favorite Filipino Dish

Filipino Lumpia (Eggrolls)

PREP TIME 45 Min
COOK TIME 25 Min
READY IN 1 Hr 10 Min
Original recipe yield 30 lumpia

SERVINGS (Help)
Servings
US METRIC

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound ground pork
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup minced carrots
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup thinly sliced green cabbage
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon soy sauce
30 lumpia wrappers
2 cups vegetable oil for frying

DIRECTIONS:

Place a wok or large skillet over high heat, and pour in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Cook pork, stirring frequently, until no pink is showing. Remove pork from pan and set aside. Drain grease from pan, leaving a thin coating. Cook garlic and onion in the same pan for 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked pork, carrots, green onions, and cabbage. Season with pepper, salt, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Remove from heat, and set aside until cool enough to handle.

Place three heaping tablespoons of the filling diagonally near one corner of each wrapper, leaving a 1 1/2 inch space at both ends. Fold the side along the length of the filling over the filling, tuck in both ends, and roll neatly. Keep the roll tight as you assemble. Moisten the other side of the wrapper with water to seal the edge. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap to retain moisture.

Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat, add oil to 1/2 inch depth, and heat for 5 minutes. Slide 3 or 4 lumpia into the oil. Fry the rolls for 1 to 2 minutes, until all sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

SUBMITTED BY: LILQTPINAY23
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Filipino-Lumpia-2/Detail.aspx
"This is a traditional Filipino dish. It is the Filipino version of the egg rolls. It can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer."

Photo By:
TaGa_Luto
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fana_de_cuisine/2553720388/in/dateposted/

Mama: A Sign of Home

June 22 - July 22






Cancer, the fourth Sign of the Zodiac, is all about home. Those born under this Sign are 'roots' kinds of people and take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family. Cancers are maternal, domestic and love to nurture others. More than likely, their family will be large, too -- the more, the merrier! Cancers will certainly be merry if their home life is serene and harmonious. Traditions are upheld with great zest in a Cancer's household, since these folks prize family history and love communal activities. They also tend to be patriotic, waving the flag whenever possible. A Cancer's good memory is the basis for stories told around the dinner table, and don't be surprised if these folks get emotional about things. Those born under this Sign wear their heart on their sleeve, which is just fine by them.

The mascot of Cancerians is the Crab, and much like this shelled little critter, Cancerians are quick to retreat into their shells if it suits their mood. No wonder these folks are called crabby! For Cancer, it's not that big of a deal, though, since they consider this 'shell' a second home (and they do love home). The flip side of this hiding is that shell-bound Crabs are often quite moody. Further, in keeping with their difficulty in sharing their innermost feelings, it can become a Herculean task to pry a Crab out of its secret hiding place. What to do? Give the Crab time -- eventually these folks will come out to play again. When they do, they'll be the first to say so, in keeping with the Cardinal Quality attached to this Sign. It's said that Crabs are first to laugh and first to cry, so you can bet they'll fill you in. That shell, by the way, isn't the only tough thing about Crabs. These folks are tenacious and strong-willed and like to get their way. If their well-documented kindness and gentleness doesn't do the trick, however, they're not above using emotional manipulation to make things happen. If that still doesn't work, they'll just go back to their shell and sulk, or find a way to get back at the source of their pain, since Crabs can be rather vindictive. That said, any self-respecting Crab would tell you that they are ultimately motivated by protecting their home and loved ones, a most noble goal.

Cancerians are ruled by the Moon, the Great Mother of the heavens in ancient times. Here on Earth, this is manifested in the Crab's maternal instincts and desire to protect home and hearth. This may appear smothering at times, but that's the Crab for you. The Moon is associated with fertility, too, a quality which is most pleasing to Cancerians. The Moon is also the ruler of moods, and Cancers have plenty of those. These folks can cry you a river if they're so inclined, and they usually are. They can be overly sensitive, easily hurt and prone to brooding. Even so, Crabs find it easy to be sympathetic to others and are quick to show their affection. Their intuition is also a great help to them, especially in times of stress.


The Element associated with Cancer is Water. Like the rolling waves of the sea, the Crab's emotions can make quite a splash. These folks tend to pick up on things and bring them in, with the outward result ranging from sentimentality to possessiveness. Crabs need to resist the temptation to become selfish or to feel sorry for themselves, since this behavior won't help. On the bright side, Cancers are good with money (although some consider them too thrifty), probably because they value a sense of security. Crabs are also quick to help others and tend to avoid confrontation. In keeping with their nurturing bent, those born under this Sign are a whiz with food. A hearty picnic in the park is heaven on earth to most Crabs.

Cancers often find that a robust workout session is just the tonic for their touchy feelings. Team sports are always nice, since they offer a sense of community; water polo should be elemental to aquatic Crabs. What are their team colors? The Moon is silver and white. Since Cancerians have a tendency to be lazy, however, they may need someone to push them out the door. When it comes to the game of love, eager Crabs are devoted, romantic and able to get things going on their own. Crabs are wise to listen to their gut, since this Sign rules the stomach.

The great strength of the Cancer-born is the tenacity with which they protect their loved ones. These folks don't ask for much, either: a comfortable home and sense of peace about sums it up. It's that nurturing instinct which makes Cancerians a pleasure to be with.

http://www.astrology.com/allaboutyou/sunsigns/cancer3.html

Images provided by
http://www.astrology-online.com/cancer.htm
http://astrology-star-signs.blogspot.com/2007/07/cancer-crab.html
http://www.liquidsculpture.com/fine_art/?s=1223507368
http://betsydevine.com/blog/pictures/MoonFlip.gif
http://cardiophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/heart-in-hands.jpg

Happy Birthday

It has been over a month now since I turned the infamous 29 and still I am at a lost on how to describe my emotions. Here I am, taking in another year while a special few of my loved ones have passed on. I mourned. I cried. But can I laugh? Should I celebrate? How is it possible for me to be sad/happy at the same time?

I planned to take a vacation because I just wanted to get away for a while, but I could not help but think, "What if..."

What if I leave at the wrong time; at the wrong moment?

My beautiful grandmother was getting closer and closer to being at peace and I just did not want to be somewhere else when she passed. I knew the day was drawing near, but she hung on for so long that it just did not seem real to think it was going to happen as soon as it did. Something inside of me said to change my plans. The dates were all mixed up. The timing was off. Expenses would arise, but my instinct kept saying, "Fight it."

And so I fought.


It turns out that the weekend I was originally going to leave was when my Mama left.

It pains me to think that I would have been away. It is as if she somehow told me beforehand, "Hey stick around for a bit." It hurts because every single birthday she was always by my side and had I kept things the way they were, I would not have been by hers. Each year, she shared June with me. She was always there for me with a card in hand and a warm, "Happy Birthday."

No matter what, she never forgot.

I could care less about the cards. I really did not need the greetings. But now...this year, I could not even hug her. And I wish I took advantage of all those years and stored a few of her hugs in a jar for me to pull out when I need them most.

What gets me through this is that I do not think of her as gone. I think of her no longer suffering with tubes and machines. I think of her no longer having to hear people bickering over petty things. I think of her at her strongest and in control and it feels good to know that she is up there somewhere in the clouds.

Just smiling.

I will continue to mourn.

I will continue to smile.

I will continue to celebrate life.

Hers. Mine. Ours.

-Myrnelle

Our Room

It's been difficult to get my words out right to even begin to blog here. But I guess Mama got impatient and decided to give me a reason to try...

I feel that I'm as close to our dearest Mama as anyone can ever be by being in her old room. At first, I wanted to make drastic changes like pulling out the dark burgundy carpet and painting the walls a different shade other than eggwhite. I wanted to take down the Pepto-Bismol colored curtains and white doiley-like shawl that hangs overhead just because these things were never mine to begin with...

But it's been over a year now and still, it all remains the same.

My bed is alongside the window she used to sit next to when she sewed. She always thought the sunlight gave her better lighting for her needle and thread. My desk, books, TV, and storage space replaced her wooden dresser drawers stuffed with plastic bags, labeled with her infamous black, sharpie pen. Pictures of her 7 children leaned against the mirror where now you'll find pictures of "my" children (Stone, Vaughn, Jaelyn, Colin, and more). My coconut/mango candles and oil burner scents permeate through the air that used to smell of her Bengay and Victoria's Secret red apple lotion. My Betty Boop ornaments can be found where her decorative, mini-perfume bottles used to be. My DVD collection hugs the corner where her cabinets (filled with religious figurines) once stood. My movie posters and ceramic pieces hang against the wall where most of her religious artifacts were displayed. A new AC unit has been put in and more framed images went up over time.

And yet even though family and friends comment how different the room looks especially without her in it, in a way even though I've made that space mine, I know I'll always be sharing it with her.

Your "roommate" always, Myrnelle

Flowers In The House

It was the 29th of May at 11pm when I felt Mama was in the house.

I went out from my room to go to the bathroom when I smelled a strong scent of flowers coming from the kitchen. I said to myself, "Mama is beside me because I feel her presence." Then I started to get goosebumps.

I didn't know what to do. I called Froilan, with my towel covering my mouth, pretending not to be scared...but I was, even though I knew I shouldn't be. I never had this experience before even when my own dear mother passed away, but I told Froilan as soon as I entered our room, "Mama is here".

He said, "You didn't say your prayers that's why she came to visit you."

So...I laid down on my bed and said my prayers and will continue to do so until her 40th day.

Now, whenever I come home from work I say, "Hello, I love you."

And before I go to bed I say, "Goodnight, I love you...Mama."

-Maria Carina

Mama is Forever Loved

OH dearest Mama Mama Mama. She is just an amazing amazing amazing person! no words to express. She will always be remembered in my heart and the families. I miss her sooo much. I think about her everyday, i think back to the times where she was so active in cooking, cleaning, going to church, making sure everyone isn't hungry etc etc.


I remember times where i used to go to school at Hamilton, and i would always walk to mamas house down the street. The first thing i would do is greet her with a hug and kiss, and the first thing she would always say to me was "Princess, did you eat?" or "Princess, are you hungry?". WOW, there were many many times i got annoyed of that but who didn't ?! We all knew she cared very much and made sure we all did not go hungry and if we were full. I appreciate everything she has done for me and my family. She took in my mother as if we were a part of her family and i know my mom loves her very very much. I am so blessed me and my family got to know and be a part of mamas family. She loved each and everyone in her family so much and you can just see it with her beautiful smile she kept all the years I've known her, which has been since i was born. Mama keeps the family going each and everyday. I love her for that. She is forever loved and will never ever be forgotten in my heart. I Love You Ma! :)




-Princess Amontos