👩🍳iCookiTravel‘s Noche Buena Prepping and gift giving with family, insert Ronald-Louis (son). Hope you guys had a very merry Christmas 🎄🎁 and wishing all the best for 2020. God bless us all. From my family to yours.🤗
Tag: CHRISTMAS
🇦🇹CHRISTMAS 2017
Photo above, this was twenty one years ago or more! Christmas is about lauhgter, love, friends and family. Don’t get lost in the greed. Instead be thankful for all of the joy around you. Merry Christmas everyone! From our family to yours.
Sentimental… when they were young they were always with us during christmas and new year time. Remembereing those days……. Now, they ‘re both grown up (adult) actually 25 and 23 years of age not even a call doesn’t take place. But anyway it is good to know that they’re both OK! And can live the life they want.
NOCHE BUENA 2014
In the morning hubby, our daughter and I we made some shopping for our noche buena and pick up our traditional fresh christmas tree infront of the church where the kiddos graduated from elementary before, where they sell this trees. The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early modern Germany.
Hubby did his yearly job of decorating it and every year is different. So this is our christmas tree for this year 2014! He decided to have a small christmas tree this year. CHRISTMAS is an unique time or year. Christmas tree is a prime part of christmas season. One of the more enjoyable parts of Christmas other than opening gifts of course is going out to find the perfect tree and decorating it.
RACLETTE- a spcial treat not only during festivals or holidays. We had the Raclette on Christmas Eve. All raclette ingredients can be prepared easily and when the time comes, you can sit comfortably together and spend the whole evening with food. Anyone can fill his raclette dishes according to their taste. We had this raclette grill in the center, as seen in the photo above to it’s frame a heating coil is mounted. Under this spirals space for small pans in which the raclette cheese is melted. We had chicken fillet, beef meat and pork meat. Also different kinds of cheese, button mushrooms or champignon, spring onions. apples, cherry tomatoes, cold cuts and small red radish. For sauces we got two different sauces with barbecue and garlic sauce. Hubby had it with his steamed rice while kiddos and I with sliced brown bread. It was fun doing this the whole night long while watching tv 🙂
A present from my daughter a RACLETTE GRILL which we immediately used for our Noche Buena . Thank you so much my pretty baby girl for this present!
So this was christmas 2014 for us how about yours, hope you have a good one too. Merry Christmas everyone from my family to yours…..
CHECK THESE OUT: Thank you so much!
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/every-year-again/
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/my-advent-wreath/
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/christmas-shopping/
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/noche-buena-2012/
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/what-is-christmas/
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/first-advent-sunday-2013-noytube/
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2013/12/26/christmas-pasko-weihnachten/
https://crazyhomecooking.wordpress.com/2012/12/22/marriage-spirituality-holy-family-community/
CHRISTMAS/ PASKO/ WEIHNACHTEN
For me Christmas is LOVE, therefore CHRISTMAS (PASKO/ WEIHNACHTEN) is a day of love. However, in many families sometimes it comes to conflict, because all are tired and stressed out by the preparations and the pressure of expectation. Hopefully this not your case by this time!
Apparently most people suffer from Christmas because they experience the holidays as extremely stressful. This begins during the festive season. Mostly in european countries.
Men get stressed because they have a hard time with the Gifts Search, women put themselves under pressure because they want everything planned and organized, it will be a peaceful Christmas and all are under time pressure, because Christmas once again so unexpectedly fast at the door stands.
But we Filipinos we are contented of what we have, where we are and even just for a small celebration. The most important is we celebrated it together with our family with all our LOVE to each and everyone of us.
“Hindi kailangan ang magarbong handaan, naglalakihan at mamahaling regalo basta ang mahalaga ay sama-sama at buo ang pamilya! For almost 30 years na inilagi ko dito sa europa at sa bawa’t pasko na nagdaan sa buhay ko at sa mga darating pang pagdiriwang ng pasko, kuntento na ako na kapiling ko ang aking pamilya, my two kids, Ronald-Louis and Diana-Grace at ang aking kabiyak sa buhay. Marami nang nagdaan na mga magarbong handaan sa aking buhay, walang pinakamasaya at kuntentong pagdiriwang para sa akin kung hindi ko kapiling ang aking pamilya. Malaking pasasalamat sa Poong may likha sa handog na buhay, pag-ibig at pamilya.”
On the 23rd of December we went for christmas shopping at IKEA (SCS-Shopping City Süd) with our dogs, daughter Didi-Grace she drove us and hubby. Picture down here she found time to play with Riyadh and Riyanah (our doggies)!
Ang sama-samang pag palamuti ng tunay na “Fir Tree” o Christmas Tree – The Ultimate well known around in the city of Vienna the Christmas tree. Although I still do not know why “how beautiful are thy leaves” and its smells wonderful during winter season. But I know that a beautiful Christmas tree is the alpha and omega of a successful Christmas in europe. From purchase of tree and decoration this year we got the decoration stuff from IKEA. Something different for a change as what we have every year!
Picture down our christmas tree bought by hubby, which is not finish-decorating hubby is not yet through with it.
Here (photo down), this was last year with our son Ronald-Louis and of course with Dad. 🙂 Picture down our christmas tree a plastic one, which is not finish-by decorating hubby is not yet through with it. That was 2 days before christmas.
We had lunch at IKEA Restaurant and while preparing the christmas tree at home hubby made “Turon” for merienda!
The reason why the christmas tree was not in time finished because we watched “Polar Express” from our files, every christmas season I love to watch it all over again 😛
This was the last hours before the 24th of December, and yesterday (December 25) we sleep until noontime, puyat sa kapapanood ng film at home. Laze time for eveybody during christmas season, just at home… but happy.
NOCHE BUENA 2012
Noche Buena is the Filipino feast on Christmas Eve. After attending or hearing the traditional Misa de Gallo families gathers and shares meal together varies from Menu which was serve, here our 2012 Noche Buena!
My Broccoli Cream Soup with brown bread croutons. I just cut into cubes some of brown bread then rolled in melted butter.
Very nutritious and satisfying, this cream of broccoli soup recipe makes for a quick and easy meal. With fresh boiled broccoli, some coconut milk, milk and whip cream. Its velvety smooth texture, along with a subtly fresh, creamy flavor, will make this pureed soup a favorite with broccoli lovers.
For main course I prepared GARLIC-TENDERLOIN with WILD RICE and VEGATABLES.
Sirloin or tenderloin is the most tender, finest and most expensive piece of meat in cattle. It is a long, fish-shaped piece of meat surrounded by shimmering skin and fat, and consists of the tenderloin pin, the center piece and the sirloin tip. The piece is primarily about English fillets or steaks, also used for all other types of chips, since it is particularly suited for the rapid preparation. The Vetables are composed of Broccoli, Cauliflower, Zucchini, and Carrots. Boiled and rolled a little bit in melted butter and seasoned with “Magic Sarap” from the Philippines. 🙂
And for Dessert I have Panna Cotta Caramel and Panna Cotta Blueberry. I used Agar-Agar from the Philippines instead of Gelatin. Panna cotta is one of the most popular Italian desserts. The classic recipe is made with cream, sugar, vanilla and gelatin. Since I like to avoid gelatin, I tried this recipe once with agar-agar. Here’s the variant panna cotta without gelatin, with which I had success. And for blueberry I added Blueberry Marmalade which I bought from IKEA!
In the future you will know from me a three-course meal blogging, and then calculation of the cost. And the result of many great menu suggestions. From simple “cheap menu” to “gourmet meals”. And now enjoy reading the summary of this which I cooked for my family on Noche Buena. 🙂
YOU NEED…….
YIELDS 4 PERSONS
* 1kg Tenderloin or Sirloin, marinated with finely chopped Garlic, Salt and pepper for one hour
* 1 big pc. Carrot, peeled and sliced
* 1 head Broccoli, half for Broccoli Soup and the other half for side dish
* half a head Cauliflower
* 1pc. Zucchini, medium-sized, peeled and sliced thinly
* some Canola Oil
* Salt and Pepper
* 1 whole head Garlic
* some melted Butter for Vegetables
* 3 tbsps. Whip Cream
* 200ml Coconut Milk
* Vegetables Broth (where the Vegetables boiled)
* some Brown bread, cunt into cubes for Croutons
FOR PANNA COTTA:
* 400g Whip Cream(Sahne)
* 1-2tbsps. Sugar
* some Bourbon-Vanilla
* 1,5g Agar-Agar (alternative: Gelatine)
* 4 tbsps. Blueberry Marmalade
HOW TO…….
FOR PANNA COTTA:
Mix the sugar and the vanilla in a mixing pot. Then slowly heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Then add the agar-agar, stir and simmer for another minute.
To avoid lumps in the panna cotta cream mass pour through a sieve into a measuring cup.
The panna cotta best cold overnight in the fridge. Before serving on small plates.
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?
What is Christmas?
In many countries of the world, the celebration of Christmas on December 25th is a highest point of the year. But why? Can it have any real meaning for us today? Is there a ‘real’ Christmas message?
It is belief in the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace!
Shopping centres become busier as December approaches and often stay open till late. Shopping centre speaker systems will play Christmas ‘carols’ – the traditional Christmas Christian song. Most places of work will hold a short Christmas party about a week before Christmas and even different church communities. Although traditional Christmas foods may be eaten, drink and plenty of it means that little work will be done after the party!
By mid-December, most homes will also be decorated with Christmas trees, coloured lights and paper or plastic decorations around the rooms. These days, many more people also decorate garden trees or house walls with coloured electric lights, a habit which has long been popular in all over the world!
But for us my family used to do it on the first advent Sunday together with lightning the first advent candle.
Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures – Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times. They said the The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first ‘Penny Post’ public postal deliveries began.
Picture above I got it yesterday as a thank you gift from a nun, for helping brother Wilson a friend of mine by preparing and cooking food for the homeless under the supervision and auspices of (Missionarinnen der Naechstenliebe) Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcuta, here in Vienna. Looks like so simple but was a hand made by nuns with love.
Here me in action in the kitchen while rendering my power with LOVE.
See Video up here was taken in 2015. I started joining them 2012 until 2016. For some reason I did not continue anymore.
Today in the West, not many people consider the religious meaning to Christmas. Most people in UK or Europe will not go to a religious church meeting, even at Christmas. It has become a busy race to spend money on presents, and get ready for the Day. A visitor from another world would think that Christmas was a festival to the gods of money and shopping.
We don’t have “PAROLS” here in Vienna just like the classic parols in the Philippines. Instead we have this “ADVENT WREATH”! As you could see on photo above here. 🙂
There is no winter or snow in the Philippines at Christmas time. The parol is one of the most iconic and beloved symbols of the holiday. Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misa de Gallo in Spanish and in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or “Night Mass”, this novena of Masses is an important Filipino Christmas tradition.
For Filipinos, Christmas Eve (“Bisperas ng Pasko”) on December 24 is celebrated with the Midnight Mass, and immediately after, the much-anticipated Noche Buena – the traditional Christmas Eve feast. Family members dine together at around midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola, pasta, fruit salad, and hamón (Christmas ham). Some families would also open presents at this time.
Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. The Misa de Aguinaldo is celebrated on December 25 and is usually attended by the whole family. In the Roman Catholic and Philippine Independent Churches, it is the main means of celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth.
The Misa de Aguinaldo is often celebrated between sunrise and 10 a.m., a schedule preferred by many Filipinos who stay up late on Christmas Eve for the night-long celebration of the Noche Buena.
“WALA NANG PAPANTAY SA SAYA NG KAPASKUHAN SA PILIPINAS!
BAGAY NA MATAGAL KO NANG DI NARARANASAN PAMULA NANG AKO’Y NANIRAHAN DITO SA EUROPA!” 😥
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW…….
Everybody are wishing to have a white christmas. I for one too, I love winter time of the year specially if snowing. And of course during christmas time not to forget!
I got up today about 4 o’ clock in the morning and when I switch on the light in the living room, I found out outside in our balcon was too bright! I thought it’s snowing outside but that’s was a dream:(
Cme back home today in the afternoon had one hour sleep and when I looked outside it was snowing just like cotton! So beautiful – our first snow this year in Viena – it made me so happy.
And because I wanted to share my happiness, I made a film about 2 o’ clock in the afternoon and got my cam and recorded it. For sure would not be for snow that stays for at least another couple of weeks. If not only few days. It’s not cold enough that we could have it until on 24th of December. But I’m still hoping and wishing…So who knows?!
But this Video was uploaded 24th of December 2009 from my old WEBLOG page entry!
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