Dangwa Flower Market: Oasis of colorful blooms

I've always wanted to visit Dangwa Flower Market and walk about its alleys at a leisurely pace to admire and enjoy the sight of colorful blooms: roses, gerberas, chrystantemums, tulips, etc. I've been  there a few times, always rushing and would drop by only to buy a bunch of white roses or  fresh poinsettias during the Christmas season. Over the weekend, I finally had the chance to see those pretty blooms up close, smell the scents and have a little chat with vendors selling diverse and exciting varieties of fresh-cut blooms all year-round. 

Potted orchids for orchid lovers:  Php 700

Roses rule in this market!

  

A bouquet of lovely roses can fetch up to Php 300 and Php 100-120 for a dozen (loose). Haggling is allowed.

Freshly-delivered floral produce.

.... more blooms

Asters and greens (above) to spruce up your flower arrangements.

Since this is the wholesale flower market resource for event planners, distributors and florists, the whole stretch of the market  gets very busy on special occasions and buying frenzy starts really early.

The market sits in  close proximity to the Dangwa Bus Terminal in Dos Castillas Street in  Sampaloc, Manila ( very near the University of Santo Tomas along Espana, Manila ).

The Great Wall .... ( of Chocolate Cake )

I  heard about Pf Chang's Great of Wall of Chocolate Cake and my brood could only gasp in

disbelief when I described it:  Six layers ( yes, six! ) of rich chocolate cake  with chocolate frosting, finished  with semi-sweet chocolate chips and served with raspberry sauce.

To see ( and to try it ) is to believe!

Rich and moist:: A slice may be shared by five to six persons.  

 \

Sinful frosting with pea-sized chocolate chips .

Best enjoyed with black coffee or hot tea.

Now, I hope you have saved room for dessert!

Whooo but you!

 I went to Dapitan Arcade in Sampaloc, Manila early this week to work on an article for a new online magazine and guess what I found!

Owls to make my day!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Hello world! I  know it was too long a hiatus ... but yes, I'm back in the saddle! I'll talk about why I had that long  break in the coming posts but meantime, Gong Xi Fa Cai!

I have a stash of Tikoy or Nián gāo, that popular Chinese dessert made from glutinous rice flour, sugar and water, given by friends for Chinese New Year. Like  most of you, I  cook tikoy the easiest way possible-  dipped in beaten egg then fried  and served with sugar.  Today, I thought why not make tikoy rolls? For a twist, I added jackfruit ( much like a banana turon ) and need I say it was a hit for  merienda? Needs a little improvement, I must say. I should use  thicker lumpia wrappers next time to avoid the gooey delicacy from spilling out from its wrap while frying the rolls. 

Tikoy rolls anyone?

Serve those holiday desserts in style!

For a refreshing change, serve those irresistible desserts for Noche Buena in vibrant dessert serving plates like these ...

Maximize table space with two-tier dessert plates.

Found these fab holiday finds at  Color it Christmas by Tamilee Industries, Inc.

It's November! already?

I can’t believe it’s November already. It’s just weeks before Christmas and I’m officially in a panic mode! But as one of my (George) friends say we must remind ourselves : “ I am a stress-free zone! ” And so, I’ll try ( again) to be just that …

For starters,  I’ll think happy thoughts, family, friends, sunny smiles and good weather. And I'll think about what’s coming … like this one:

Can you guess?

Hello again!

Hello there!

Sorry for the lull. It seemed like I “slept” that long but really, there were many things going. I’ve always been “on call” for my children, driving for them here and there ( mommy  duties never end),  doing errands and yes, preparing for an upcoming trip. Making that TO DO list seems to take forever … well, only because I keep  editing them!  And, not to forget, the menu that I keep editing, too.

Well, I’m back and here’s a little something for inspiration.

 About  two weeks ago, I went to St. Padre Pio Chapel in Libis, Quezon City for a “thanksgiving visit” for an answered prayer.  It was early Thursday morning  and after dropping off my daughter to a styling assignment/ shoot  in Pasig City, I had breakfast and proceeded to Libis.  

Going to St. Padre Pio Chapel is a balm to my soul. When you visit the chapel, you'll understand why.  I felt the hunger to pray more and give thanks for THAT answered prayer when I was inside.  There is a particular image of Padre Pio that people would line up to when they visit the chapel. I must have queued for an hour or so to touch his hands and pray with him just like many others waiting in front and behind me. I found myself praying for a man who was in deep prayer in front of the saint's image oblivious of our long wait. I didn't mind though. I sensed the urgency of his prayer and it moved me.

Special room for your intentions:

St. Pio of Pietrelcina was the first stigmatized priest in the history of the church.

 St. Pio: " Unite yourself to my prayers"