Persimmon, the divine fruit / November 2014

Persimmon is the edible fruit of trees from the genus Diospyros, (comes from Greek words Dios and pyros which means divine fruit). The persimmon, like the tomato, is not popularly considered as a berry, but both are in fact berries. 

Enough of the scientific background / research on persimmons. The persimmon is my favorite fruit.  The first time I tasted this fruit was in Hong Kong, about fifteen years ago.  I was just strolling down one of the sidewalks in Nathan Road, when I chanced upon this orange colored 'tomato'.  I bought a few pieces and was forever hooked.  I patiently wait for the -ber months because these heavenly fruit is sold in Chinatown (Binondo) or at Rockwell Power Plant Mall.  

Last fall, Hubby and I visited my Dad in Roseville and my sister bought about two crates of persimmon from Denayo.  Thanks so much for these divine fruits.

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At a persimmon farm in Granite Bay.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/otow-orchard-granite-bay-california.html

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 Lunch was at Source Global Tapas Restaurant.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/source-global-tapas-restaurant-granite.html

Fuyu Persimmon Field Greens with Pomegranate

Yummy!

Jamon Iberico & Serrano

Paella Balls

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Hachiya Persimmons

Perfect for baking!

Persimmon Bars with Pistachios and Dates

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/persimmon-bars.html

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Maru, the chocolate persimmoon

Hoshigaki

Japanese Hand Dried Persimmon

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Persimmon Heaven!!!

/ chicsanders 2014

Napa Valley, California / November 2013

Day trip to the world famous wine country, Napa Valley.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/napa-valley-california-november-2013.html

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Castello di Amorosa

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/castello-di-amorosa-napa-valley.html

Photo Opportunities :)

It was extremely cold and windy in the wine country.

Even the chickens wore leggings and boots.

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Lunch was at the CIA

Culinary Institute of America in Greystone

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/cia-culinary-institute-of-america-napa.html

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/ chicsanders 2014

Birthday Blog 2014

I turned another year older and I thank God for the years, spent with people I love and love me back. There are even some good friends who love me more and those two handsome boys who love me most.

More than half of my life is over. I don’t intend to sound grim but the bottom line is, I don’t think that I’d live for another ten, twenty or more years.  Even if the genes that come from my father’s side of the family make it possible for my uncle, aunt and my Dad to live really long lives.

My uncle (according to my cousins) is a hundred years old. He lives in Nueva Ecija.  I wouldn’t be surprised if one day GMA7 or ABS-CBN will feature him in their documentaries. An Aunt is ninety eight (98) years old and my Dad is eighty four (84).  My grandmother died in 1983. She was probably ninety nine (99). She used to say that she was fourteen (14) when Dr. Jose Rizal died in 1898. 

I've changed the color of the curtains in my bedroom to orange, yellow and red.  Every morning (or noon), I am greeted by bright sunlight. I say to myself, “Good morning betsisanders … wake up, show up and be thankful for another beautiful day, another chance to make things right, another opportunity to create, and another moment to be happy. Be kind. Always be grateful and share your blessings. If you fail today, try again tomorrow.” As each day ends, it is one more day closer to the day that I will leave you all behind.

When that time comes, please… “DNR… no heroics for me please. Let me go with the flow of life. Let me follow where the light leads me to.  Let me go peacefully through the night, with grace and dignity.  Do Not Resuscitate.  If you love me, you will do this for me.”  [I think I wrote this. It was dated January 22, 2014, at dawn. I searched google if someone else wrote it but there were no matches. So, I probably wrote it during the wee hours of the morning. If I didn't, then thanks to whoever wrote it.]

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This was taken from a Facebook post of one of my favorite authors.

I am not afraid to be who I am. I try not to hurt anyone but if others are offended by what I say or do, then so be it.  I will  be happy, content and peaceful.  A friend wrote to me on my birthday and she said, "In the end of our life, it will only be between you and God." 

 / betsisanders 2014

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Saw this picture when I read Buzz Feed's article.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/27-deep-dark-fears-that-will-make-your-skin-crawl

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Good night betsisanders.

South Lake Tahoe, November 2013

The drive from Roseville to South Lake Tahoe

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/south-lake-tahoe-california-november.html

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Programmed the GPS to Wolfgang Puck's Restaurant. 

It said, "You have arrived'. ... at a parking lot!

Lunch was at Baja Fresh, which was nearest the parking lot.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/baja-fresh-mexican-grill-south-lake.html

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http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-drive-down-from-south-lake-tahoe.html

Snow has fallen at Tahoe. Winter has began.

But it was still autumn in Roseville.

Photo opportunity before all the leaves fall.

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/ chicsanders 2014

Los Angeles, California / November 2013

Los Angeles is a 6-hour drive from Las Vegas. 

I was hoping we could have a seafood lunch at Redondo Beach.

Hubby programmed the GPS  and placed Los Angeles as the city 

of destination instead of Redondo Beach.  We found ourselves at the

heart of downtown Los Angeles, in Chinatown!

This building was right across the  appalling and repulsive

gas station. I had to lock the car doors when Hubby

went to the office / convenience store to pay for the gas. 

Hubby reprogrammed the GPS to lead us to Redondo Beach

without using the freeway, because LA traffic was 

awfully heavy.  Was surprised to see a signage that says  

Historic Filipino Town.  What?  Beside Chinatown was

Historic Filipino Town.  Unfortunately or fortunately,

 I wasn't able to take a photo. There wasn't anything nice to see.  

I wonder what happened to this place. I searched the web for images

and couldn't find any photo that actually showed the 

dreadful, unsightly houses, stores and streets that I saw. 

Historic Filipinotown is a district of the city of Los Angeles, California, that makes up the southwest portion of Echo Park. It was created by a resolution proposed by city council member Eric Garcetti on August 2, 2002.

(from Wikipedia)

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http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/cheesecake-factory-redondo-beach-los.html

Finally got to Redondo Beach.  We were famished 

and I chose the first restaurant that I saw, Cheesecake Factory.

Delightfully delicious!

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We stayed at the Hilton Glendale Hotel.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/hilton-glendale-los-angeles-ca-november.html

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Hokaido Seafood Buffet

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/hokaido-seafood-buffet-burbank.html

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The Americana at Brand

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-americana-at-brand-glendale-ca.html

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Frida Mexican Cuisine

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/frida-mexican-cuisine-americana-way.html

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The following weekend, I was back in Los Angeles with Dr Aimee.

Dr Roxanne prepared a very special Mexican Lunch at her

beautiful home in Loma Linda.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2013/12/mexican-lunch-at-dr-roxannes-home-in.html

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With our hospitable hosts Dr. Roxanne and Ma'am Marivic

Thank you sooo much for the very warm welcome.

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We can't leave LA without tasting Milk's Macarons.

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-milk-shop-beverly-blvd-los-angeles.html

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This was taken at Porto's.  Too bad I lost the photos.

Definitely another place you shouldn't miss when in LA.

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Thank you ladies for the fun weekends in LA.

/ betsisanders 2014

Our Grand Canyon Tour, November 2013

http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-grand-canyon-arizona.html

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http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/01/grand-canyon-tour-part-1-lunch-at.html

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http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/01/grand-canyon-tour-part-2-november-2013.html

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http://chicsanders22.blogspot.com/2014/01/grand-canyon-tour-part-3-november-2013.html

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/ betsisanders 2014