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My Snow White brunch

What could be more delightful than a day off work with Snow White and her merry Seven the witch's apple now nut-laden  secrets on the pages waltzing with chocolate kisses? Rednesday * Blues * Mellow Yellows

Pineapples through a moving window

Dole Food Company, the largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world, is headquartered in Westlake Village, California. The company has operations in 90 countries, my home country, the Philippines included. A drive from General Santos City to Tupi, a town known as the fruit basket of Mindanao, (international word association: Osama bin Ladin's al Qaeda) would give you pineapples as your major sight during the travel. Dole Philippines, with offices in Polomolok, is the 3rd largest producer of pineapples globally. These are private fruit growers putting up shop along the highway. They are also selling some Dole pineapples. Right behind these shops is Dole's vast pineapple plantation. This was one of those yearly trips home when we made a stop (from the GSC airport) at these shops to buy supersweet MG3 pineapples, bananas, jackfruit, guyabano, lanzones, mangoes, avocados, and other tropical fruits. Find more stories on Sepia Saturday This post is also linked with Time

Scallops and mango strips

A meal that involves something deep fried and a salad is usually an automatic win for me. This was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions to explore the menu of a restaurant that does not require a reservation. I then naturally chose my favorite combination of tastes in these fried scallops with mango strips in sweet and sour sauce. I fancy those fresh sea scallops that are 'seared in thyme-infused butter and drenched in white wine.' But while the link for that fancy is broken, here's an alternative recipe from Southern Food , which I think is just as yummy.  Ingredients: 1 cup flour                                                                         1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika                                                             2 eggs 2 tablespoons water                                                           fine dry bread crumbs 2 cups scallops, cut to about 3/4-inch cubes if large Preparation: If scallops are large, cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Dry

Little blue church

  "No spot is so dear to my childhood as the little brown church in the vale." My first grade class used to sing that song and it kept playing in my head as I approached this church. It's blue though and not in the vale, but along a highway in the South Cotabato countryside. The family who owns the plot of land where it stands built it. It is surrounded by coconuts and fruit trees. Inside a few of us gathered for dear Miss Arcon's funeral. She was the head of a group of schools run by the SDA church. A good Christian, well-loved by her students, friendly yet professional to us teachers under her leadership, I was grateful for the coincidence of being in the country when she passed away, and for the opportunity to pay my last respects.  Our World - Blue Monday

Escape bickering in a Ford Escape

Early 2000s. They (the then in-laws) were talking about selling their commercial building. The man renting it was having payment issues. They took me along to the place when they sorted paperwork and lawyer stuff. Next thing I remember the BIL had this brand new silver Ford Escape SUV in his parking space at Bangkok's State Tower. As we have language barrier, I would not say the vehicle purchase was related with the building sale. I fancy this old photo though as it shows origin of the vehicle and sends me googling its history. Ford Model A "was the second huge success for the Ford Motor Company.... First produced on October 20, 1927, but not sold until December 2, it replaced the venerable Model T."  It was well-represented in film and media since it "was one of the most common cars." I find this historical bit interesting: "between October 1992 to December 1994, Hector Quevedo, with his son Hugo, drove a 1928 Model A 22,000 miles from his home in Punta

Ambling along Asiatique

Perhaps the easiest, fastest and most cost-effective way to reach Asiatique is to take the BTS (sky train) to Saphan Taksin and then the free shuttle boat. This was my first visit and as I observed the surrounding sights I took this shot smiling to myself, 'Bangkok has a London Eye.' When I was little I always wanted a ferris wheel ride, but the overprotective parents insisted a merry-go-round should be enough fun. Yesterday I thought, 'hmn... this time no parents watching like a hawk. What if I'd try? I kept moving toward it but changed my mind upon seeing too many kids queuing at the base. Ah well... finding a fountain while ambling along isn't so bad and the shop mascots are cute. The temperature went down with the sun so I was happy watching business going on. It is what I love about night markets.   Asiatique is part attraction, part shopping. It has many restaurants, several alfresco dining, lots of international cuisine, and the Thai Calypso cabaret show Good

Zen

Zen is a Japanese restaurant with several branches scattered in Bangkok. This one is in Central Mall, Bangna. While I was waiting for my food they started putting these on my table I love Japanese cuisine but I rarely go to Zen and I'm not planning to come back soon. I brunched here last week for only one thing - their crispy fried karaage. And if I ever visit again it would only be to satisfy the curiosity of dining in their mezzanine. I liked the ceiling of autumn red leaves though. Zen has several positive reviews. But some complain that their steak arrived cold, and took too long to be served. I found what they were talking about when I came last week but didn't mind because I wasn't hungry and John Grisham is such a riveting storyteller. I did mind the fly that fluttered on the teacup. Bummer. Zen Central Bangna is on the ground floor toward the end of the mall on your left if you get in from the main entrance. Prices are average. I paid around US$15 for a set meal and