reed and ryder having fun - voltes V style

Foie Gras - Never Again!

While in my OB's reception room waiting to be called in for my NST, I leisurely picked up one of the many magazines strewn all over the place. I chose this particular magazine entitled Guardians just because it had Pierce Brosnan on it's cover! I soon found out that this magazine focuses on inspirational and motivational stories about people who make a difference in behalf of anmials. One particular article immediately caught my attention - "Victory! Chicago Bans the Sale of Foie Gras." The short feature noted how Chicago became the first American city to ban the sale of this fatty liver from ducks and geese in restaurants, supermarkets, and other food establishments. I was so dismayed to find out that these poor animals have rigid tubes rammed down their throats so that the farmers can force-feed them twice a day for three weeks in order to fatten their livers up. At the end of this time period, their livers enlarge to 10x their original size, thus making it ideal for this "delicacy" to be produced.

I can still remember the first time I savored the taste of this fanciful treat when my hubby and I dined at Paris Hotel's Les Artistes Steakhouse in Las Vegas some few years back. I detest the taste and texure of liver and can never eat it no matter how it's prepared and served but at that time, I just HAD to try it... I guess it was the occasion and the ambiance of the place that did me in!!! The experience was one I could not, and still cannot, forget... this indulgence literally melted in my mouth! It was definitely NOT the usual taste I was accustomed to because this foie gras was blended with other savory ingredients paired with a fruit puree. At that particualr point in time, it didn't matter if the main ingredient I was devouring was an innard - it was simply divine!!! Sad to say, that experience will now only remain as a morsel of a memory to me. Afer sharing the article with my hubby, we both had the same reaction - NO WAY ever again were we to indulge in this repulsive treat which others still treat as an ambrosia. This is really very disturbing; it truly serves as a good "wake up" call as far as this topic is concerned. Here's a foie gras link I chanced upon which covers this subject in more detail. It touches on other related material as well which I'm quite sure others will find to be an interesting read.

Getting a Jump Start

After much prodding and egging on, I now try once more to revive and rejuvenate this seemingly indolent blog of mine! So many events have transpired since my last post, i don't even know where to begin...

I've taken the initiative to improve the look of my blog. My cousins' blogs (ate rona's and elizza's) are so amusing and oh so golden, I never tire of reading them! I'm sure they'll both be pleased to know that I've not only started blogging again but also added a few features to my site without having to nag the hell out of them! Thanks so much for ALL the patience you guys!!! Now you can leave me some more of your love under COMMENTS! :o)

100 years!!!

one GREAT reason to update my blog... two well-respected individuals in the Phillipine community have written about my grandpa when he celebrated his centennial birthday last march 9. one article was by Belinda Olivares-Cunanan of the Philippine Daily Inquirer while the other article was by Presidential Spokesperson Igancio Bunye, noted in the last paragraph.

i miss you so much, lolo... i will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be proud of you!!!

SNOW DAY 2007

We had a blast with Dic, Li and all the kiddies at Mt. Charleston, NV. It was a first for Ryder to play in the snow... and boy! did he have a blast!!! MORE snow days for ALL of us!!!

Make your own | Click to play

holiday greetings

WE WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!! We thank the Lord above for ALL THE BLESSINGS He has given us. May we continue to be enveloped in his LOVE and learn to share this love with all those around us...HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

my "bedimpled" one

credits: template by jen caputo; paper from My Boy kit freebie from Scrapmommies. fonts used: comic sans & eras demi ITC. elements: all you need is love daily dl, kit_garden