When you have a large family like ours and when the children start their teenage years, life really becomes a little more hectic than before. This is because they start associating already with a different set of people – their friends. In our generation, we called it our “barkada”. My parents called it “the gang”. Of course nowadays, they call it by a different term – “the squad”. If you don’t G this, then you’re jurassic. Interesting twist of the times really.
According to Erik Erikson, one of my favorite developmental psychologists, this is the fifth stage in his Theory of Psychosocial Development called Identity vs. Role Confusion. This is where the person looks forward to his or her future and they want to belong to society and fit it. Hence they associate with a group who have similar interests and activities as a way for them to feel they belong. They have hang-outs and weekend chill activities that take them more and more away from the family.
In our family however, we try to make our Sundays sacred. We try not to schedule any school activities or events on Sundays so we can reconnect with everyone else and most especially reconnect with our faith as a whole family. When my daughter moves out to Makati this coming school year, we will even make it more special as she will only be able to join us during the weekends.
Last Pentecost Sunday, which also somewhat marks the end of the Easter Season in the Catholic faith, we decided to celebrate over breakfast. Well, actually, we do try to take a meal out of the house so it was my husband’s way of relieving me from cooking a meal and rest instead during that time. After mass, he decided to bring us to Rustic Mornings in Marikina. Paul and I have been there before but this was years and years ago. He felt it was time for a revisit.
As we drove to a tight alley, we were told that there was no more available parking space inside so we had to look for one along the street. The kids were beginning to wonder where their parents were taking them. But as soon we walked in, a fresh and relaxing vibe greeted us. A glass jug of lemon water greeted guests who had to wait a bit for their table to be ready. Fortunately, they had one large table made available to us so we were able to settle down immediately.
As we walked inside, the kids were just in awe at how beautiful rustic can actually be. Mismatched table cloths, decor and plates adorned the whole area but it all just blended well together.
We each ordered what we wanted from the menu and we were all happy with what we got. Some actually asked to taste from the other’s dishes to compare. My daughter was lucky to have a bite of each of our orders and she was simply in heaven!
Apple Oat Smoothie
I think this dish was supposed to be a “dieter’s” meal but it came quite packed and was very satisfying. It came in a deep Lanelle Abueva bowl – very apt for the ambiance. Apart from oatmeal and apple slices, it had berries, cornflakes, peaches and raisins. My eldest daughter simply loved it.
Crispy Boneless Dilis
I wanted something Filipino and a bit heavy since I didn’t have the time to grab something before mass that morning. Among their classic choices of Beef Tapa, Pork Tocino, Longganisa, Breaded Boneless Bangus, Ilocos Bagnet and Corned Beef, I opted for the Crispy Boneless Dilis. The Cebuano in me craved for something from sea, hence the dish. The Dilis was unsalted, and that’s how I liked it. You could dip it into their homemade vinegar and enjoy it with the cilantro fried rice and 2 pcs of estrellado-style eggs. Paired it with black coffee (for me) and it was just perfect!
Original Buttermilk Pancakes
For me, one good way to test the quality of the food is how their basic dishes taste like. If your dough is well made, then your bread is going to taste just fine because everything else, you can add – fruits, meats or even flavoring for some. So, one of the kids decided to try their Original Buttermilk Pancakes because they were craving for good ol’ breakfast pancakes. I liked how they whipped the butter and how fluffy the pancake was – just how the kids wanted it.
Country Style Omelet
Paul opted for the Country Style Omelet. This came with pork bits on top and 2 pieces of sliced French Baguette, herbed butter and jam. There was also an option to add a side salad. He loves eggs for breakfast and this was just right for him. I took a bit of a bite from the bread and I liked the herbed butter.
We enjoyed our breakfast in Rustic Mornings. It was a relaxing Sunday treat for all of us. We didn’t feel hurried at all by the staff despite having a couple of people outside waiting for their turn. They attended to them roperly and somehow the guests also knew they will soon be served.
A week after, my son Seve suddenly blurted out that he was in need of that same vibe for the coming weekend. He said the ease of that morning meal reminded him so much of what home is like ,and when he felt the stress of the school week, he simply lets his mind drift off into the memory of that relaxing homespun breakfast… and he is calm again.
Enjoy family time.
Happy thoughts, everyone!
**For more info on Rustic Mornings, please visit their FB page here.
SIGnature 