Nicki Dawgee

I find writing therapeutic, so I rush to my laptop as soon as I sweet-talked our youngest child Moggy to go to bed. As I began to type, I noticed that once again- something that resemble a mophead has positioned itself right next to the leg of of my chair.
It is what H and I call a Woggy, and it looks so much like a Cocker Spaniel but it has the attitude of a princess, a demeanor of a 'spoiled brat' and is perhaps with the most attitude in the animal kingdom. If you look up the phrase 'royalty' in the dictionary, chances are you will find her picture.

Our woggy's name is Nicki and she considers me as the Alpha-female. This is quite ironic because I have always had a fear and dislike for anything with more than two legs.
It is by association, I guess. My H is the alpha-male and that automatically makes me the alpha-female. Or maybe its my countless futile and desperate attempts for the alpha-male to view me as the dominant specie? Hrrmmm… Oh well, at least the woggy thinks I'm dominant somehow..

Nicki is two human years old. I think that translate to fourteen dog years so she's technically a teenager. She is about a foot and a half tall, with unruly Albert Einstein hair that covers her huge eyes that resemble two very large glass balls. She's got lashes that can make any drag queen envious.

Now this lil' woggy is my constant and loyal companion. When the kids are at school and H is in one of his business trips, I have her or rather, she is stuck with me. It works well for Nicki and I. I never feel alone at the house and she enjoys the human food that I share with her.


I thought I would never understand how people, my H included-could fall in love with their pets. Prior to having Her Royal Barkness in my life, I believed that love should be shared only with members of our own species. Who in his right mind would take in a creature to feed, bathe and clean-up after? Isn't that what kids are for?

One day a few months ago I woke up and realized that I have fallen in love with H and with that came the societal expectation of understanding and acceptance of everything about him including his woggy. H and his kids are so easy to love (thank God!) but the woggy?

When I first met Nicki, she immediately wanted to be friends with me. I thought it was sweet of her. I mean, I come across people who try not to be friends with anyone and there she was, wanting to be friends. Sweet thing. I didn't kick her away because H was watching my every move.

In the beginning, it was irritating that our schedule somehow revolved around her. We had to make sure that she is fed and bathed and walked by her nanny (yes, the doggy had a nanny!) before we can go out for dinner. In not so few occasions, we had to rush to his place and make sure she eats the gourmet (!) dog food that H gently and lovingly places on her plate.

I did not enjoy the divided attention but did not want to come off as immature and self-centered so somehow tolerated this scenario- after all I was already in love with H and she didn't get in my way much. She just followed me around all the time. I mean ALL THE TIME. She would go where I go and sit where I sit and occasionally would try to sit on my lap. When I would close the door behind me when I use the bathroom, she would bark, wanting to be let in. She would jump for joy when I arrive and would try to go with me to the car when I leave.

One day she placed something between my feet. It was a tennis ball. H said that she wants to play with me and that I was to throw it so she can fetch it. So I did and true enough, she fetched it with utmost speed and precision of an Olympic athlete. She placed it on my feet again, wanting to play some more. Now,that was my first time to play where I am not the one expected to fetch the ball!

When the kids finally met her, Nicky was ecstatic. She played with them and even swam with them in the pool. She liked my kids and my kids liked her immediately.

H and I had a whirlwind romance and got married after merely several weeks of dating. Nicki seemed to be okay with this and continued to shower me with love and affection.

When we moved to our first home she adjusted pretty well. As the kids settled in their new rooms, Nicki selected and identified her place or should I say, placeS. She would sleep in any of the rooms, with any of the kids or beside H and I. Each night she would do her rounds and to make sure everyone is home. She would stay up with me and wait for H to come home almost every night. She would stay and not leave my side when i'm sick.

To anyone who has fallen in love with a pet, you know what I am describing. I am describing the type of loyalty and affection that is purer than what people show one another, simply because humans have egos and varying degrees of pride. I have never been a recipient of such pure and unconditional love and likewise have never truly loved a pet before Nicki.

So now I feed her and make sure she's bathed and groomed and gets her exercise. Now I carefully put food on her plate and add ice on her waterbowl. She continues to follow me around and teach me certain values- forgiveness (She would let me hold her when I accidentally trip or step on her), selflessness (she would protect me and Moggy at any cost), patience (she'd always wait in front of the bathroom door when I get my hour-long baths with zero complaints) and style (blonds have more fun, she insists). Nicki is still prissy and bratty and acts like the world revolves around her but that's okay. She has taught me patience.

One day she will realize that it revolves around me.

MrsA

Today's bargain find- Books!

This is an attempt to turn this into something other than a food blog and switch on to my other interests- reading and bargain hunting.

Yesterday's find were paperbacks at a book sale. Whenever I get a chance to visit the mall, my feet usually take me to a store that sells books, like i am drawn to it. I have a knack at finding them even without much effort. Its instinctive that I somehow know where they are. Pretty much like how hogs know where the truffles are underground.

I came home with four books for Php 198. That's 2 books for PhP 99. Quite a steal really, its actually cheaper than a visit to Starbucks for a grande frappucino and a pastry- minus the calories that I don't really need.

Books take you to places you've never been, gives you a look at lives of people that you will never meet and gives you a perspective that's far from your own. Recently, I've grown a fondness for cook books and books cataloged under humor- i hate feeling sad or scared or angry. I don't need to pick on someone's work nor spend money to get those emotions. I just tune in on our local news or watch the presidential debates on TV for that. Or I just look at the mirror.

I started with Martha, Really and Cruelly- The Complete Unauthorized Autobiography of (you guessed it) Martha Stewart. Now this I just grabbed cause there was nothing else that struck my fancy and let me tell ya, I am glad I did. Authors Connor and Downey painted a picture of Martha's alleged dark side- controlling, self-centered and mean -completely different from the amiable, ideal homemaker that she is on TV. It's quite funny. I think I like her dark side more than the one in cable TV.

Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber is a favorite. I felt like I was talking to my evil self. I have a feeling that if I rip off the covers and have H read it, he would think that it was about me.

Erma Bombeck is timeless. Of course, she hilariously describes domestic life in the golden days and more than her self-depreciating humor, its interesting to learn about how different things were before iPod and internet, when all phones had rotary dials and were wired to the wall.

Autobiographies are books I treasure and started reading early in life. Being a Marcos baby, I read that he had a vast collection of these in order to learn from the past and avoid the same mistakes in the future. Makes sense to me.
I've read about the lives of a variety of people- from ones who attained unbelievable successes to the Hollywood-types like Lucille Ball and the King of Pop.

For inspiration in cooking, I have the ever-reliable Betty Crocker for fool-proof recipes, Martha Stewart Pies and Tarts and a Filipino cooking icon Nora Daza for filipinized versions of french, american and of course local cuisines. I smile when I come across ingredients like Liberty Condensada. Is it still in the market?

So now I rate yesterday's shopping experience with four stars plus one for the price. H will be proud and happy that I continue to save money. He will even love the fabulous pair of shoes that I bought to celebrate!

MrsA

I received a cookbook (Cafe by the Ruins: Memories and Recipes) last Christmas from Bam, a dear friend and fellow foodie and I cannot wait to try out the recipes. I shall attempt to recreate a classic recipe from this famous Baguio spot and I will share it with you in another blog entry.

An unforgettable trip to Ashe County and great Nanner Puddin'

Like every other Filipino, I have a sweet tooth. I dare say that all my teeth are sweet. In fact, I have on many occasions skipped the main course and headed straight on to dessert.
Not to say I cook spaghetti with hotdogs, tomato catsup and sugar but I twirl my fork around McSpaghetti or Jollybee Spaghetti once in a great while, just for the sweetness.

A visit to Ashe County, NC was no exception. My H and his dad Larry whom everyone in the family fondly calls Pa, along with our daughter Beth were nice enough to give me a tour and show me their mountain
house. Sure, we flew (yes, flew- with H and Pa in the cockpit!) there for some sight seeing but it too became a gastronomical trip. It was my introduction to the some good 'ol traditional southern barbecue at the Smokey Mountain.
There we were joined by Pa's friend of many many years, a bubbly gentleman who also epitomizes genuine warm friendliness that southerners are known for.

The shredded pork barbecue was juicy and with delicate smokey flavor. The taste is not unlike the Philippine roasted pig or 'litson' from Central Luzon. It was served with a variety of things to chose from. I asked the lady what was their best seller and went with that (baked beans). On the side, I had to get a bowl of chili, not much for the heat or warmth but so I can taste their version of it. Lovely!

H had his barbecue in a bun (!?) and swears that it's a great way to indulge in the dish. Beth just had a burger but she and I partook of the dessert - a slice of Pumpkin pie and an awesome bowl of banana pudding.

Now the banana pudding was something else. The pudding was creamy and subtle with a hint of vanilla, a perfect backdrop for the fresh sweetness of the banana slices. Nilla wafers were thrown in and it added lovely texture to the dessert. It was heaven in bowl.

Pa said that he has had better barbecue. If you ask me, the barbecue lunch was wonderful. The trip, the conversations, their southern hospitality and seeing H happy in the company of his loved ones made it an experience that will always be remembered.

My version of Banana Pudding:
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 liter fresh milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 stick butter
• 3 medium bananas, sliced
• 1 big bag vanilla wafers

Mix together sugar and cornstarch and slowly add milk. Cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens--do not leave it unattended.
Slightly beat egg yolks and temper with a small amount of the hot custard; stir well. Add egg mixture to custard pot and cook 2 more minutes.
Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Let cool. In a 9 by 9-inch dish or a bowl alternate pudding, bananas, and wafers, beginning with pudding and ending with pudding.
I used tiny little clear shot glasses and it came out nice and fancy :)
For garnish, top with a wafer or chocolate shavings.

Penguin

Topping my Must-Do List in our recent trip to North Carolina is to sample the 'freaking awesome' food at Penguin.
Penguin is a landmark and has been around for many years. It is a burger and hotdog joint but not just any burger and hotdog joint. It boasts of a menu and recipes that has remained unchanged for decades and patrons literally wait in line to enjoy it.
For starters we had Fried Pickles. Yes, you read it right, Fried Pickles. They are thinly sliced cucumber pickles that are tossed in tempura-like batter then deep fried. This comes with ranch dressing and is surprisingly delectable. I loved it so much that I almost hesitated to share it with H and the kids.

H ordered hotdogs with slaw and onions with a side of fries. Honestly, I couldn't distinguish whats great about it; a hotdog is a hotdog to someone who doesn't truly enjoy processed food. One thing is certain though- its doesn't taste at all like 'tender,juicy' nor 'mighty meaty', it's more like NY's Sabrett.

I ordered chopped barbecue with hush puppies. Now this is more complicated, so lets start with the barbecue:
The barbecue is not at all like Aling Nene's. It tastes more like lechon minus the liver sauce. It is very tender, with a subtle hint of smokiness. I like it with the vinegar-based sauce.
The Hush Puppies are very interesting and yummy. I was told that in the earlier years, cooks would fry some of these and throw them at the dogs to keep them quiet and tame, hence the name hush puppies. Its like the fried cornmeal batter in corndogs, without the hotdogs. Pretty damn good.

In Manila, we do not normally make pies out of pumpkins so I made it a point to try 'em and thus started my love affair with pumpkin pies. Penguin's dessert of the day was a cheesecake version and it too, was very good. Very creamy but not heavy. The perfect dessert to wrap up a great meal.

Over all, the meal was worth the wait. Understandably, it has been featured at the Food Network as one of the best dining places. By and large, one outstanding lunch.

MrsA


'Freaking awesome' is how our eldest Luke would describe the food and I can only agree.

'Demon Wife' is not available

It took several nerve-wracking weeks before I was able muster enough courage to post a blog. I was iffy about a whole lot of things- what do I call it? what should I write about?

What do I call it?
I decided on 'unconventional life' as it nicely describes my reality. Simplicity and conformity are two words that I seldom use and almost never apply. Everything should be embellished and adorned, uniqueness and individuality should be celebrated- that's what I always say (Never over-the-top yet always laced with a flavor that is my own).

Okay, 'nough said. The truth is, 'Demon Wife' is already taken :)

What should I write about?
The world as seen through my rose-colored lenses, astigmatic point-of-view and unconventional perspective.

Just who am I?
I am newly married to a gorgeous, sensitive and smart workaholic who is addicted to Xbox.
I am a mother of six kids: one adult, three teenagers, one pre-teen and one who shall forever be my baby.
I am a former warrior in the corporate jungle.
Always a survivor, never a victim.
A friend to a few and a foe to no one
I am a lover of life with a thirst for adventure.
I am a fortunate soul who is grateful for kindness of others.
I have a mean spirit who can be cynical and argue and dwell.
I am a foodie who thinks that diet Pepsi is the best drink ever created.
I have never outgrown 80's music and I still listen to the BeeGees.
Did I mention that I am insanely in love with my H? :)
Typical of a mother, I tend to smother the kids.
I am very good at worrying. I worry about everything and everyone. I even worry about worrying.
I am forever Dada's girl.
I am all these and so much more.

Welcome to my world.

Mrs A