Litratong Pilipino: Palengke

The title literally means Philippine Photo/s: (the) Marketplace

Since the holidays are coming up, I'm taking the opportunity to showcase some of the products that are very much part of the Philippine tradition: the Christmas parols or Christmas lanterns. These are usually made of bamboo, crepe paper, and a candle inside (I don't know how it's done without burning the lantern). More sophisticated ones are made of shells from Capiz, a region in the Philippines known for its mother-of-pearl shells.

Parol comes from the Spanish word farol, which means lantern. Our intricate tradition owes much of its roots to 400 years of Spanish influence. Seldom will you see a Filipino household without at least one hanging parol by the window at Christmastime. It symbolizes the star that led the Three Wise Men to the manger where Jesus was born.

This is an example of Capiz-shell-made Christmas parol, for export. You bet it is expensive. But go to the Philippines and even kids will make you export-quality ones! LOL!

The guitar shows the Philippine flag. That's all for now, folks. Hope you enjoyed this one!

(photo source: hubpages.com)

This Way Thurs-Way!

I think we were on our way to Williamsburg, VA when I spotted this. I don't know what that means, really. Please enlighten me.

Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday - If Women Controlled the World

These images were emailed to me by another friend. Aren't they funny?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Well.

Fall has fallen. It is 4:15 in the morning, Sept. 22nd. My son wants snow TODAY but I said we live in North Carolina, where it hardly ever snows even in the deadest of winters.

I am very sleepy. But I am at work. The floor is quiet, thank God. Some nights are just glorious. (But I prayed really hard for this from the HOUSE, not just from the CAR, on the way here.) Answered prayer, thank You, Jesus!!

Yesterday, my neighbor knocked on my door with a plateful of tamales. Now I DID not have the slightest idea what it was, but tasted one. Very flavorful. I brought some to work last night, and Zulma (remember Zulma of the Picadillo post?) said she could guess my neighbor was from El Salvador because the food was wrapped in banana leaves. She also said it was a killer. That means very good. She said nobody makes tamales better than her mom and that the one I brought last night was cooked well. I heated mine up quickly and ate it hot. With my hot cup of cocoa. Sumptuous. (Don't know what tamales is? I had to google it myself - it's made of corn husk, pork or chicken, and an assortment of vegetables. The meat and vegetables are inside the soft, flour-y mixture. Go figure.) But now I have to make it up to Senora Carolina and dream up some dish to return the favor. Ai-ai-ai, gotta brush up on my Spanish!

I am presently reading Sakharov Speaks. Sometimes.

I want to eat some PILI. Not the candy. The pulp. And dip 'em in soy sauce with pepper and a dash of lemon.

I'm wondering how long it takes to carve a pumpkin because Matthew wants us to do one.

That's the end of my random thoughts.

***

Good morning ~ hope this one is bright and sunny!

Sunday Stills - The Purple Color

Halloween is in the air, I guess. Can you tell?

Today's Flowers

[One day, as a crowd milled around, jostling and elbowing Jesus,

a woman drew near

with faith in her heart and one thought in her mind:

"If only I can touch the tassel of His cloak,

I'll be healed!"

She did - and was healed.

Then Jesus stopped.

"Who touched Me?" He asked.

Dull-witted, as usual, the Apostles answered,

"Master, how can You ask such a question

when there are so many people

pressing about You on every side?"

But He ignored them and insisted,

"Someone touched Me.

I can tell My healing power's been at work."

By this time, everybody realized something serious'd happened.

They held their breath and backed away,

then blurted out:

"I didn't do anything."

"Don't look at me!"

"I didn't even come near Him!"

And the poor woman,

trembling and alone in the circle they'd cleared,

admitted, "The one who touched You - it was I."]

(Text source: That Man Is You by Louis Evely)

*****

I love that book, I read portions of it every once in a while. I thought the text goes well with the flowers I chose for today's meme. I hope you enjoyed both. Beautiful Sunday, my friends!

My Six-Word Saturday

(picture source: Funny Pictures of Babies)

is MOM!

It is the most popular word in the house, and this being a Saturday, it reverberates around the walls, at maybe 100mph.

'Mom, look!....'

'Mom, I said milk.'

'Mom, how does meat feel in your hands?'

'Mom, where are the scissors?'

'Mom, c'mere!'

'Mom, the house is on fire!' ~~~okay, I made this one up.~~~

******

I haven't joined in a while. I hope this pretty much explains it. (grin) Have a good one, everybody!

Litratong Pilipino: Karatula Blues

(rough translation: pay before undressing - a sign by the poolside)
(eh???)
(uling, please, ULING - meaning charcoal)
(er, you get it, right?)


These were emailed to me by a friend a while back, which I thought to save for future 'use.' Well, here they are! (With all due respect.)

But, puh-leeesee forgive me for laughing myself off of my chair. Hahahahahaha!!!!


This is a first post for me for Litratong Pilipino (Philippine Photo/s), another meme. It is late, but I hope you still enjoy this post! Karatula, which was the theme I chose to join, means signboard.

Mommy Moments: Treasured Pictures

I find looking at my son's baby pictures very relaxing after a tiring night at work. These are pictures of Matthew and AJ when they were 3, and a few months old, respectively. At 3, M already acted like a big brother, so protective of AJ. Now, AJ is 3, but still acts like a baby. LOL!

This is my first time to join the Mommy Moments meme. I hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Skywatch

The clouds looked like sharks fighting, at the break of dawn.

I think this is a better shot, taken just a split second later.
Closer now.
A few turns and moments later

Finally, at the beach.

******

We went to Wrightsville, NC, and enjoyed the beach two days ago, with friends. We've been to three different beaches this summer, and had a great time!! Thank God for good weather!!

Pepper Surprise

I didn't know until I saw this garden that we could use pepper to adorn our flower beds. Did you?

My Weekend Memoirs

We spent some time with friends over some traditional food. Below are two of my favorites. Please bear with me, if you don't like them.

Philippine rice cake, wrapped in banana leaves

Fish stew, with garden-fresh vegetables

US residents, let's enjoy our long Labor Day Weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

We were enjoying the ocean view from the balcony of our hotel room, when upon looking up, we saw these. While we sat on chairs, these kids sat right on the floor and dangled their legs. Fun is just spelled in so many different ways.

Feature Friday

I promised Ms. Trudy I would join the movie meme, so here's my list of old movies, in no particular order:

1. Gone With the Wind
2. Mary Poppins
3. The Sound of Music
4. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
5. April Love

and so many more I have to dig from my 'childhood archives!' I have already watched 4 more 'classics' on Ms. Trudy's list, so I won't add them here anymore. It's fun remembering.

Come and join! Post your favorite movies new or old, or movies that mean something or nothing to you, movies that were worth your time and money, and movies that weren't worth a cent, but you didn't find out till too late! I know it is Saturday now, but maybe it's not too late?

Happy weekend to you all!

Wordless Wednesday:The Cost of A Whistle

Can anyone please explain to me how a tooth fairy acquired a bank account? I guess the boy has TWO reasons for whistling (he says losing a tooth is one), but it's this money thing that's leaving me wordless.

Mellow Yellow Monday

Fried eggs for breakfast! Come join us!

Macro Monday: Big Helpings

Have a fantastic Monday! Heaps of blessings to all!

Wordless Wednesday

Just when we think it's empty,

it's not.

Macro Monday Entry

Somebody drew a huge smiley on our other car last February. We saw it coming home from a party and immediately took a shot.

(Picture previously posted on Friendster)

Scenic Sunday

North Carolina has some idyllic scenic spots, very nice to look at if you enjoy country driving. These pictures were taken in the Spring of 2008. The red barn standing in contrast to the leafless trees reminds me of the red barns of my storybooks as a child. The horses are steadily grazing, safe inside the fenced yard. And we share the roads with farm machinery. We even have road signs with cattle. It is very peaceful to live here.

(Pictures previously posted on Friendster)