PINE TREE

I was looking for my son Lukie outside and found him playing with a pine cone. He asked me what are those black things coming out and I told him those are pine seeds.

It was only then that I actually saw 'pinoli' (pine nut) that we use here for 'pesto'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesto.

I pounded it this morning after I finally thought of writing about it. We buy this for 2 euros for every 150 grams, that's the cheapest depending on the brand.

When I was still young, I thought Pine trees grow only in cold places basing it from the Philippines where you can only find it to where I came from. Saying I am from Baguio back then to other folks from the lowlands, they see me as a Pine tree, strawberry or even a 'bundok'(mountain).

There are actually different species that grow varying from what type of soil to temperature, place etc... What we have here in Italy is mostly the 'Stone Pine'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Pine. Its not as tall as to what we have in Baguio and you can't smell the scent of 'saleng'.

The cone is bigger and the pine needles are only of 2 strands.

Seeing these trees everyday when I put up the window blinds give me the feeling of being in my hometown. One of the reasons why Boogs and I chose to keep this place over a cheaper, wider and a cozier house. Aaahh, never mind the birds starting their day as early as 4 AM, they're just reminding us there are trees outside.