“It must be borne in mind that the tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” — Benjamin E. Mays
I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. My legs burned as I dragged them out in the cold. All I could think about [...]
Another year ends, another one begins. Another bowl of round fruits graces our dinner table. For good fortune, my mom always says. Twelve all in all. One round fruit for each month of the New Year.
2012 has been a remarkable year for Jun-blog and for us — four handsome hens and our [...]
What makes it special?
Is it the extra butter you brushed on top? Or the duck egg you brined yourself?
Is it the cheese bubbling under the broiler? Or the fragrant banana leaves cradling it?
Is it the memories that it brings back? Memories of sisters and cousins, of ninangs and inaanaks, of old [...]
I used to write family and friends Christmas cards. (Remember those?) I used to keep a book of stamps handy at my desk and a list of addresses of family back home. Of old friends I’ve kept and of new ones I’ve made. I used to spend afternoons in a coffee shop, writing personal I-am-well-and-how-are-yous, [...]
The day had dipped into a chill after the storm passed. There was no other place I’d rather be than in my kitchen with a pot of my mom’s chicken sotanghon soup simmering on the stove. With Dennis immersed in his book in the couch. With Stanford curled up on the floor next to him. [...]
When I was in grade school, I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I was lucky I had teachers who inspired me and whom I looked up to. I thought it would be noble to help shape young minds the way they had helped shape mine. And I thought I would get [...]
I have a soft spot for Rose, our one and only Buff Orpington. If chickens had personalities, Rosie is the timid type. She’s a textbook introvert just like me. Quiet and reserved. Always careful, always curious.
Rosie is the sweetest among the girls but she isn’t quite as sharp as a tack. When we [...]
When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And so the Irving Berlin ballad goes. Crosby crooning with Clooney in the Hollywood Christmas classic. The sentimental song has been on my mind lately, ever since the whirlwind of buying our first home started.
In a [...]
“Ma, the house is ours!” I cried as soon as my mom picked up the phone. It was our weekly how-are-you-what’s-going-on phone call on my drive home from work two Fridays ago. “Dennis got the keys to the house this morning,” I said. “It’s officially ours.”
“Congratulations!” My mom said proudly. “I am so [...]
Vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and black peppercorns. This is how I cook adobo. I marinate pork, chicken, or a combination of the two in vinegar and spices and let the flavors steep overnight. Then I slowly cook the meat in the same vinegar marinade until the meat is tender and I bring the cooking [...]
I want Jun-blog!
Jun Belen is the voice behind Jun-blog, a mouthwatering and heart-warming journal of Filipino home cooking nominated for Best Culinary Blog by the IACP. Subscribe to Jun-Blog and receive new posts by email.
Find Jun-blog on:
Comments