Random holiday fotos: L-R: Christmas Eve at St. Gregory Parish Church, Kris Kringle at Bilbao Estate, rewarding our favorite J&T rider during the 12.12 budol, Salo-Salo during our E-family reunion, surprising SAM with my DIY charcuterie tray during her birthday, Christmas Eve at home prepping gifts, kids queueing for Papa Nopes money gift & welcoming ze husband’s 50 something birthday ♥
True that the Christmas spirit makes everyone kinder, happier and forgiving. Everyone is invested in sharing and being grateful and looking forward to happy times with family and friends. I don’t know with you but Christmas time is such a different story from the daily routine, and happiness, happiness is a state of mind. So, to each his own. Christmas time is my favorite time of the year.
Dec 31. Very different from the previous years because kitchen was busy with orders left and right. And, I was able to start cooking our Media Noche by 6pm already. I remember the past years were normally spent to an early run at the supermarket, there were even times we drive to Divisoria as early as 4am just to get good deals and fresh fruits, and fireworks too. A run to Nuvali for boxes of cakes. Basically, the routine is to finish all errands before lunch time. But this year, I baked mostly to cater orders for NYE. Not complaining tho but it’s a lesson learned, I should put a limit to it because I ended up too exhausted for the NY dinner. Pictures won’t lie. 😛
Our modest Media Noche wasn’t bad at all. We had baked (and grilled) pork belly, baked salmon, shrimps (halabos), baked macaroni, California maki (handmade by ati SAM), salads and sides, bread station, fruits, pastries and cake (from Swedish Café) and my DIY charcuterie board.
I can tell that it wasn’t the usual NYE spread because we’re used to overflowing food, overcrowded table 😛 as we welcome the new year.
pjs not from Shopee, Shein yarn 😀
We didn’t even have fireworks to lit because everyone at the household was busy with deliveries. Coincidentally, the neighbors do not set off fireworks too this year. Maybe there’s really a shortage of fireworks or people were just too pennywise this time. Anyhow, we were supposed to wear our Christmas pajamas last Christmas Day (for the family pictorial) but everyone looks flat and I rewarded myself sleep that time after a baking shift last Dec 24. So, to make the outfit count everyone made a quick outfit change.
And it’s the New Year, hello 2022! Almost two years now battling this pandemic and a lot has happened, there’s plenty of life lessons and there’s too many more to pick up and make better. I stop making new year’s resolution or something of its kind because it’s frustrates me if things didn’t go or happen as planned. I’d rather work with short-term plans now, those that are feasible and easy to pull off. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Whether it’s work or play, I find fulfillment in finishing any given task right away. I worry about tomorrow in fact. It’s one of my biggest lesson before the first lockdown in March 2020. I find the company’s decision makers very lax that time, the urgency was not emphasized and the “we can’t do anything now” response was so lame, very lame as a matter of fact. And it’s sad that until now some lessons were not learned. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Sigh!
So, for me I want to do it now.
“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” —Benjamin Franklin
Jan 01. First day of the year was spent eating and sleeping, then repeat. We didn’t go anywhere or did anything significant. Blame the cold weather for making me extremely lazy. But, I wish the cold temp last longer because it follows a happier state of mind.
and why do i look 20lbs heavier here 😛
Jan 02. It’s the annual gathering of my maternal family, the E-family Get-Together. For the second time, my cousin hosted the event at his farm house he named Bilbao Estate. It was a very entertaining day.
Almost everyone made it except those based overseas who didn’t make it home again this year. Food was potluck, there were games and dances, and booze. Truly, it was a fun-filled day which everyone enjoyed. Saving all these flashes to my memory box. See you all next year in Tierra Vista!
And then, we had our birthdays. Sam on the 10th and ze husband on the 13th. Since his birthday fell on a work day, his initially plan was to celebrate it at the work place with his colleagues but he chose to drive home, it was very unexpected but it was a happy case for me because it means I will welcome my birthday with ze husband at home. Yee!
Always a happy birthday, dadi. I ♥ you when I’m happy 😛
clips which ze husband sent me during his post birthday celebration at the work place.
For my birthday lunch, I didn’t cook any because I’m supposed to rest, I ordered some food for the family only because I wasn’t expecting anyone in the first place (but initially I really planned to order a whole lechon 😛 ). Ever since the surge of Omicron I discourage gathering and visitors again. Nag-iingat lang talaga because it’s hard to get sick. I ordered bilao of pansit (neighborhood), puto (neighborhood also), bibingka (Claire’s), bbq (Rolando’s) and asked Nanay to cook my favorite dinuguan (pork blood stew). We always have cow’s blood in stock because dinuguan is everyone’s favorite at home (except ng cook 😛 ). Nanay bought crispy pata also. Just before we ate lunch two delivery riders arrived. Both riders handed me a box of cake from Contis and some food trays. It’s from my staff and the other one my boss. Can’t thank all enough for the thoughtfulness, I feel so blessed and grateful. ♥
For my staff, I booked McDelivery straight right into their doorsteps because I want them to be part of my little celebration.
I was really decided to spend my birthday silently, little did I know that some of my HS best friends were coming. So, while I impose the no visitor policy how can you say no and deny them when they came with pancit and cake. Vi and Alma came minus Mayora because she was isolating. I feel sad knowing that she was the one who even planned everything.
Birthday was such a jolly one. I can’t wait to celebrate the 49th 😛
Super thank you to everyone who sent their birthday wishes. ♥
Lord, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for your constant providence and guidance. Thank you for blessing me a wonderful husband who makes life easier. Thank you for my family’s well-being. Thank you for my bois. Thank you for providing my needs more than I could ever have imagined. I know it’s not always easy but thank you for always letting me see things from a different perspective. Bless me, Oh Lord!
And for ze husband’s gift reveal. Well, this is it!
This was the item he lovingly wrapped because I was demanding a gift on Christmas Day 😛 but wait,
He actually gave me a jet set travel wallet and a crossbody bag (na pang-harabas) even days before Christmas Day. I couldn’t ask for a better life. ♥
P.S. Random thoughts to wonder about:
For you, Imaginary conversations really equate to bitterness.
To myself, Living well is my best revenge. ♥
january 