Family --- what makes them ours is just the little things

This week has been busy in my personal life, in so many good ways. One of the best things that happen this week was yesterday, A BBQ with family that included my aunt and uncle from Ottawa. Such joy to see them, and to see how happy they are. While talking we realize we have the strangest things in common, such as all of us have a fear of heights, different in how it affects us.. but each one of us does!

I don't look as much like my family members as they all look like each other, however I do have some of the physical features ( the lack of height?!?) but it is in the culinary arts! We all seem to have the same taste buds, even with all our exposure to different foods , we will be the first group to have a sandwich as a dinner! My sister made this incrediblee fruit salad that is made in the  Philippines to surprise my aunt. It was amazing! Apparently there are many versions of this salad but this comes close to what my sister made (based on my keen listening skills) (taken from an ehow recipe)
Things You'll Need:

• 1 large can of regular fruit cocktail (or fresh fruit, my sister used)
• 1 large can of tropical fruit cocktail
• 1 package of shredded “buko” (young coconut strips)
• 2 bottles of nata de coco (clear coconut cubes)
• 1 can of condensed milk
• 2 cans of nestle cream
• Cheddar cheese cut into cubes (optional)

1. Step 1Drain the syrup form your fruit cocktails, shredded coconuts and bottles of nata de coco. You can dry them by mixing them all together in a strainer and leaving them there for a few minutes to drain any excess syrup.
2. Step 2Place the drained fruit cocktails, shredded coconut and nata de coco in a large mixing bowl and add the condensed milk. Mix well.
3. Step 3Add the Nestle cream, and then the cubed cheddar cheese, if you choose this ingredient. Mix them all together until everything is evenly blended.
4. Step 4Place the bowl inside the fridge and chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then serve and enjoy!

other great news is instead of sitting back and waiting for stuff to happen in my life, I decided to try something new.. if anything develops out of it I will let you know.

In two weeks, Sandra ( or friend from Ireland as I have mentioned in posts before) returns back to T.O for good, my life just perked up a degree or two.. I have missed her and her family over the past few years and with their return, adventures are on the horizon.

new short hair do, new perspective and good old family fun... Life is good and I am grateful!