Back at Bag of Beans

Not only have I mastered the skill of breaking shoes on special occasions (read: weddings), I have mastered the skill on accidentally stepping on ant-hills as well. So when the unforeseen happened three years ago while on a yummy porkchop treat at Bag of Beans Tagaytay (I drool for their porkchop),  the red ants were enough reason for me to never return.  Have you ever experienced being bitten by an ant?  I'm sure you have.  But how about being invaded and attacked by a colony whose abode you have accidentally stepped on?  Minimal chance I bet.  On my end and for the nth time, things like these just happen to me!  Well, it felt like I was electrocuted.

Last weekend, I was in Bag of Beans.  I was amazed and inspired by the change in color over my three years of Bag of Beans abstinence.  Thank God, no ants around.

Brown coffee cup

Purple Flowers

 

 

Yellow Flowers

 

Dining amidst Greens

 

 More dining amidst Greens

 

 

Colorful treetop accent

 

 Strings in Red

 

"Water" Color

 

 Beads on White

 

More info on Bag of Beans HERE.
 

Bugsy's Day Out

The moment Bugsy catches sight of his tiger print dog bag  and black leash, he knows  he's in for a ride.  He runs wild, jumps into the bag, scratches the pad,  and refuses to let go.  The last time Bugsy went on a quick trip was when he freely ran along the shore of Acuaverde.  I adore having him around on trips, but I fear two things, pee and poo. 

At home, he has grown well accustomed to his usual toilet padded spot.  Or while on his daily walks, his favorite nature's call spots are street humps.  Cars wait a minute or more in order to pass through.  In most cases, MORE. Bugsy takes his usual dilly dally time.  There's no such thing as pressure with Bugsy.  I handle the cringing. Thank God for kind-hearted and understanding car drivers who happen to be my neighbors as well.  But in an unknown territory, the story changes. 

Bugsy tagged along while on another quick business-pleasure trip to Tagaytay last week.  He usually rides in front with me, but when too much squirming and moving happens, he is automatically banished and locked-up within the rear seat.  Yet, he makes his way to the front even with heavily blocked passageways.

While I discussed possible new tie-ups with a nun in Pink Sisters, J. Bond and Bugsy strolled along the grounds.  As expected, Bugsy gave in to nature's call thrice.

Another exploratory meeting I had in Alfonso Cavite in relation to my dream of living in the countryside someday. This is Leonard and his one month old puppy Nana.  Bugsy's new found friends.  Again, he left a few wet marks here.

Fortunately, it rained hard while I dropped off Mother's Heart necklaces at the country store of Sonya's Garden. No doggie souvenirs were left behind. Bugsy was left to wait in the car with J. Bond. I took time to take a photo of my dog danggling earrings while in Sonya's Garden. I came out with this collection in 2007 and pieces were mostly sold to both young and old dog lovers. This is my last pair, and I'm thinking of bringing this collection back to life.

 Drooling over coconuts!

Homeward bound.  Bugsy reminds me of Kung Fu Panda here.  Obviously, he left a few slimey licks on my camera lens.

See!!! Kung Fu Panda and Bugsy are look alikes. Photo courtesy.

Happy week everyone!  'Til the next day out!

On Easter Day

J. Bond believes no one adores Tagaytay like I do.  I doubt.  I'm pretty sure someone  shares the same intense adoration I feel over the place.  But like what I said, Tagaytay is my second home.  So on Easter day (three weeks since this last visit) came another quick trip.

The Pink Sisters Chapel.

Endless visitors prayed and toured the grounds that day.

Lovely and inspiring colors found along the silent grounds of the convent.

I chose to wear By Beaded Story's Mother's Heart necklace (Our Lady of Miraculous Medal) on this day.

A timely message for Easter.

My niece and her canister of cookies made from communion host. 

 Mama (J. Bond's mom) went shopping for fresh produce.  Lettuce.

Ginger.  Squash.

 J. Bond carried our shopping bags =) 

The view from where we had lunch.

Pineapples are in season. 

Where we had lunch, Army Navy.  After a month of abstinence, J. Bond finally gave in to his crave for burritos and fries.

 My newly discovered source for coffee grounds and beans, Brewed for You.

I am a certified coffee addict, so I am ecstatic for having discovered this store.  No need to drive all the way to Baguio any longer, nor ask friends or relatives to buy and send kilos of coffee grounds to Manila every so often.

I thought of buying these coffee cups too.  I did not.

 But I bought a lot of these bags.

 While I shopped for coffee, these three toured around.

I'll be back.  For sure.


Happy Easter!  Share your Easter stories too!



J. Bond's birthday

Last week was J. Bond's birthday week.

On the day of his birthday, we had a mini-feast of paella and cake.

 

He worked just like on his previous birthdays. A deep embedded and solid mark of martyrdom and true dedication.  Nothing new.  At the very least, he thinks the cake was great.  I think so too.  I drooled, even if this newly discovered chocolate cake swimming in caramel sauce bought from Aggy's bakeshop is a no-no.   Health related, folks. Nothing to do with diet.  Ok fine, maybe that too.

Then came a relaxing celebration a few days after.  But first, a nostalgic story of not so long ago.

Before this blog came to life, I have long enjoyed documenting photos, memorabilias and short snippets of life's little pleasures in scrapbooks.  I prefer working with recycled paper, use multi-colored pentel pens and hand write every single page.  A  personalized approach that shares more, including striked out mistakes in grammar and spelling.

In 2004, I made this scrapbook after J. Bond and I's first visit to Antonio's in Tagaytay.  We were living in single bliss yet.  Married life happened two years after.

Luck was on our side.  This was when Antonio's was keenly strict on  their "Prior Reservations" policy.  But as fate would have brought it, we were meant to dine without any prior reservation, much more interact with the man behind Antonio's.  Here's their website.

J. Bond in a nearby pond, playing with kois.

Then, the bill.

We seriously considered Antonios as  first venue for our wedding reception.  Back in 2006, a maximum of 50 people can only be accommodated, and that included us and Bernie's string quartet. So, we opted for our 2nd choice, Sonya's Garden. Then, the story continues to this day.  My bead works, as most of you know, have been housed by Sonya's Garden's gift shop (The Country Story) for 4 years now...side-by-side with artworks of national artists.  The last I saw was an original painting by Fernando Amorsolo, safely tucked in a secret room.  

Last Friday, we celebrated J. Bond's birthday in Antonios.  Once again and like the first time, luck was on our side even with no prior reservations.  Having revived the long forgotten memory of our first visit, I must say how inspired I am with Antonio's lovelier and spacious transformation. Truly, I have fallen in love with the place for the 2nd time around.

In 2004, pavements and its parking lot were covered only by stones.  Now, it looks this way.

1) Us by the foyer. 2) Me against a beaded artwork. 3) A collage of family photos.

   

Where the koi pond used to be.

A play of prints.

Our nook by the window.

We craved and gorged on burgers instead of going for  their fine dining cuisine.   

Absolutely a feast!

My birthday is arriving pretty soon, and so is a repeat of Antonio's. Thanks J. Bond for the delightful burger and a happy relaxing day.  Happy Birthday!

P.S.  A trip to Tagaytay ain't complete without dropping off new stocks of bead necklaces. Check them out at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden.  Cheers!