65 Years of Blessings: Thanksgiving Reflections

A week has passed since I celebrated my 65th birthday! I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has sent their warm greetings, prayers, well-wishes, and emojis on this Grok-assisted post by Billy, my husband. 🤖

As I reflect on my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the countless blessings I've received since day one. I thank the Lord for making my parents the instruments of my birth, shaping me into the person I am today. Their love and guidance have played a crucial role in my journey.

These verses from Psalm 139 echo the sentiments of my heart:

"For He created my innermost parts; He wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to Him, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are His works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Him when I was made in secret, And skillfully formed me in the depths of the earth; His eyes have seen my formless substance..."

I am grateful for the path He has guided me down, helping me recognize the emptiness that compelled me to seek the truth. Through His Word, He has revealed Himself to me, allowing me to see His light.

"... He comprehends my path and my lying down, and is acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, He knows it altogether. He has hedged me behind and before, and laid His hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. O Lord, He has searched me and known me. He knows my sitting down and my rising up; He understands my thought afar off."

I am especially thankful for the sacrifice He made when He shed His blood on the cross for me. Through faith, I believe He lives in my heart, and I look forward to the day when I will see Him face to face and share eternity with Him.

My favorite pendant: a Cross and Heart adorned on a Red Rose

I also want to express my gratitude for the direction He has provided in my career. I found a workplace that has been nothing short of a blessing, where I have not only matured professionally but also formed lasting friendships with colleagues. Together, we have created precious memories for 37 and a half years.

Oh, how can I not thank Him for the incredible gift of my life’s best—my helpmeet, soulmate, the one I will grow old with, both physically and spiritually. Together, we cherish our family's blessings, embracing the imperfections that make our journey unique but filled with care, support, and love.

Additionally, I thank the Lord for the opportunity to fellowship with brethren. Together, we strive to honor Him and glorify His name as we worship and lift our voices in praise.

There are yet so many things to be thankful for, but above all, I want to express my deepest gratitude to You, dear Lord and Heavenly Father, for Your grace is new every morning, and Your faithfulness is so great and boundless!

Happy 65th to me!

Pesto Spanish Sardines Pasta: A Remake

There's a saying that goes, "One is enough, two is too much..." Uh uhhh, not for this!!! I'm referring to the Spanish Sardines Pasta which was my welcome post this year. My daughter, Ayana Grace, bought a bottle of pesto from the grocery store last month (she usually does...we seldom run out of pesto sauce in our cupboard) and I just wasn't able to resist making another try of the Pesto Spanish Sardines Pasta so here it is... Ingredients: 2 tbsps reserved oil from bottled sardines 2 tbsps olive oil 1 tbsp minced garlic 1/4 cup diced tomato 1 cup flaked Spanish sardines 1/3 cup Pesto sauce 1/4 cup pitted black olives 1/4 cup button mushrooms 1/2 kilo pasta noodles, cooked according to package instructions salt and pepper to taste Whole pieces of Spanish sardines (1 piece as topping per serving) Parsley for garnish Steps: In a large saute pan, heat oil from sardines. Add olive oil as needed. Saute garlic until fragrant. Add diced ...

Ensaladang Mustasa

It's back to work today, after five days of rest, something I've been looking forward to. As if the long Christmas holiday vacation was not enough :) Well, days just seem to fly so fast! Thanks to the additional non-working holidays brought about by the Pope's visit to my country, the Philippines. I had time to relax, stay at home, bond with family and yes, sort picture files in my computer. In between social networking, of course, I cooked for my family. With my husband home, there has to be fish and vegetables on the dining table. There was a bunch of mustasa (mustard) leaves left in the vegetable bin. What could be a better and perfect partner to fried fish than Ensaladang Mustasa (Mustard Salad)? Very simple and easy, here's how I did it. Ingredients: 1 bunch of mustasa leaves Rock salt 2 medium-sized tomatoes, sliced 1 small onion, sliced thinly 3 tbsps vinegar Iodized salt, ground pepper and sugar to taste Steps: 1. Cut mus...

Ensaladang Alugbati (Malabar Spinach Salad)

This post appeared in my Facebook memories today. I'm glad it did! I featured this salad in my FB page a year ago. Alugbati (Malabar Spinach) Salad (Ensaladang Alugbati). This came up when I received for the first time this bouquet of alugbati from Erik, my officemate. He shares with us fruits and veggies fresh from his garden.

Garden Chef's Needle and Pen

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