Happy Birthday Honey

We just finished our Bratz Genie Magic Party and we had so much fun. I hired one of those bouncing inflatables from Jellie Bellies. This was a hit with the kids and the adults. I myself jumped on the inflatable with Ines. In line with the theme Arabian Nights because this was a Bratz Genie Magic Party, I served Shawarma. All the adults and some kids loved it. And it was so affordable, almost half the price if you get from any party planner. This is the same Shawarma stand in Ortigas Home Depot. I also served Soft Serve Ice Cream from Mhel. I got this supplier from an ad posted on Streettalk. We did our own cheese french fries. For extra crispy fries, these were fried twice. We also serve our own spaghetti bolognese and carbonara. I love the Bratz cake I made for her. It was a 4 layer chocolate cake that I make all the time. Nice and moist and not so sweet. I used her doll and propped it on her cake. Also made cupcakes and was able to source out stickers at Divisoria Mall with the Bratz Genie Magic Theme for the toppers.I used the same stickers for the balloons and planted them in the entrance of our house using ... pvc pipes to hold them up. Also last minute we got pink tool and used it to decorate the cake table and buffet table. This last minute addition was the idea of Mr. T our cousin. The placed look so dressed up. Thanks Mr. T.

Slow Connection

Ever since that earthquake last December 26 at Taiwan happened it has affected the internet connections in this part of the world. i haven't posted in a month because of this.

Merry Christmas Part 2

Our family celebrated the day with my side of the family. The kids prepared a Boom Tarat Tarat dance . It was fun reminiscing when my sister and I would have our own choreographed dance with matching costume. Side A, Side B. Haha . We would even charge Nana and Lolo, Tito P, Nana Chit to watch our performances.

DH and I woke up early to prepare the Garlic Prime Rib. It took forever to roast it. We covered it with a garlic and thyme crust. It was a 10lb and was wiped out. So good. For sidings we had pesto potatoes. Mama made her Sea Bass which I wasn't able to eat. Sister T brought salad and I tossed some candied walnuts and mandarin oranges on them. Delish!
And the dessert.... The Kid and I baked the day before Carrot Cake and Butter Cupcakes. DH gifted me with a Kitchen Aid Mixer Artisan 5 Quart. Just the one I wanted 2 years ago. Hmmm making all my wishes come true. Well I digress... So I made this Cream Cheese Frosting made of 5g of Trans FAt whipped Cream, added Low Fat Cream Cheese with Sugar Free Pudding and Low Fat Milk (we are aiming to be the biggest loser here). SIL brought me The famous Mati Fruitcake which I am not sharing with anyone. Yummers. Oh and she brought some Carrot Cake as well made by her SIL. The spread was good.

And what have we learned this Christmas. God has blessed our little family a thousand fold. I always pray to God for continuous protection of DH and my 2 kids. I pray for continuous projects and success for the business, I pray so that we will be able to meet all our payables and I pray for both our families.

To my Nana and Tita Ki, Merry Christmas. We missed you this year but look forward to seeing you.
To Tita Rocio and Uncle Chito , Merry Christmas. The kids send their love to you. Let the Lord lead us to make the right decision always.
To JJ and Sharon and Alex, Merry Christmas. We are looking forward to the next one.
To Bro, SIL and kiddos, Merry Christmas. Thanks for urging me to put up this blog.
To Mama and Papi, We love you and Merrry Christmas
To Sis and FIL and kiddos. Boom Tarat Tarat!!!
To all our relos Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone! Happy Hannukah too!

It is our first Christmas at our new home. We are starting a new tradition by preparing a good dinner with our crew and our nuclear family. Tonight I prepared Christmas Ham, Steak with green beans and carrots on the side, Lentejas, Cheese, and a fruit platter.

We set up the table real nice then played Christmas music for tonight so that DH can get that Xmas feeling. Hope he did.

Boy we had so much Dates and Walnut Bars this holiday that both of us gained weight. He gained 20lbs while I gained 6 lbs. We are going to commit to losing the weight and then some this coming 2007. I bought ourselves a speedometer to count how many steps we take daily. You need 10,000 to lose weight so that is what we will be aiming for.

Happy Birthday Papi

We threw a party for my Papi who turned 64 yesterday. Because I was swamped with the preparations I totally forgot to take pictures to record the event. Well here is what we did so you will have to visualize this one.

Menu

Crostini - Home Made Basil Pesto/ Tapenade with Daing

Salad Greens

Lengua de Abuela (lol)

Chorizo & Olive Paella

Abuelo's Lechon

Steamed Crabs

Dessert Buffet

Chocolate Fudge from Sugar House

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies from The Kiddo

Mango Tart from Conti's

Apple Pie from Makati Sports Club

Frozen Brazo de Mercedes from Camara's

Sauvignon Red Wine

The paella was overflowing with Chorizo & Olives and Chicken just the way my Tia Abuela Mercedes used to do it. Her daughter, my aunt mentioned it. We miss the old lady at times like this. Wasnt so happy about it though as I had to rush the Paella and forego baking it. I rate it at 7. I could have done better.

The lengua was tops as usual. Abuelo's Lechon was nice and crispy. Perfectly done. They have truly perfected this recipe.

The salad got soggy as everyone was still munching on the crostinis and took sometime before starting. It was brought in by my sister but she only brought to bags so many were not able to eat.

Crabs were flown in from Palawan on the same day. My DH just arrived noon and brought several kilos for me. He also brought me some casuy nuts that were so good. I used this as my take away bags for the night.

The dessert buffet was a sight to behold. Just looking at it will make you gain 10lbs!!!

All the guests enjoyed and no one left early. That is the gauge of my DH if we threw a succesful party. We wrapped up the party an hour before midnight and DH gave me his thumbs up for throwing a great party before dozing off. At the end of the day what makes me love throwing parties is the appreciation and rating of my DH at the end. His mother used to throw the best parties. I have big shoes to fill in.

Happy Birthday Papi! We love you. Hope you enjoyed your night.

Rushing Christmas 2

My centerpiece was just put together yesterday. I was thinking of using fresh flowers but with the prices going up I dont think I can keep on changing every 3 to 4 days in time for the parties we will be throwing. Mr. T bought me some wonderful long candles for my Tiffany candlestick however one started to bend and finally broke because of the humidity. Now I'm back using the old, reliable Liwanag Candles. The candy canes make a stunning sight with my capiz light.

Rushing Christmas

My DH has been bugging me to put up more Christmas decorations like tivoli lights outside for the past few weeks. I only had a Christmas tree that was set up on November 1. I am not so much into lighting up the whole house because of fires that usually occur around this time. I remember distinctly the fire that killed the daughter of JDV last Christmas. Well DH gave me the look and an ultimatum. The same night I worked on our front door. It took me 2 hours to set it up. I contracted someone to make paper parols for me. Paper parols are not commercially available anymore. You only see those ugly plastic parols. It just doesnt give you that Christmas feeling with plastic ones. The few days after I added more stuff to the Christmas tree and added parols at the lanai. I found candy canes that cost PHP75.00 a box of 12 at Candy Corner and purchased 10 boxes. Not bad for PHP750.00. I was thinking that this will be part of my Dessert Buffet Table. Now I don't regret adding more decor to the house to dress it up.