Housewarming Party for the Kolokoys

Chris and I are very happy that we were finally able to host a party for our dear friends. And I'm very happy to have been able to prepare a little feast for them. We truly appreciate the happy company, the lively singing (and dancing too) that lit up our home last night and of course, the gifts your brought. Thank you very very much from the bottom of our hearts!

Special Thank You's:
Gary and Yyoni for the Spaghetti and Drinks
Evan and Hilda for the Pavlova
Rich and Rachelled for the Cupcakes
Tom and Ara for the Krispy Kreme Donuts

We weren't able to take photographs of all the food :(. But here's the humble feast that Chris and I prepared:

1. Antipasto Platter (feta cheese, olives, sundried tomatoes and crisp bread)
2. Pork Barbeque
3. Chicken with Pistacchio Nuts (not in photo)
4. Spring Rolls (Lumpiang Shanghai)
5. Buttered Vegetables (Carrots, Asparagus and Beans)
6. Fruit Platter (Watermelon, Cherries, Strawberries and Grapes)

Have a blessed week!
For more photos, please click this link: Housewarming for the Kolokoys.
weekend-snapshot

Toffee Nut Latte Afternoon

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is...
You.*

For some reason, everytime Christmas is just around the corner, I always order a cup of Toffee Nut Latte at Starbucks. Drinking Toffee Nut Latte reminds me of the first time it got introduced to the Philippines as a Christmas season special (it was originally introduced as a winter seasonal drink but in some countries, it became part of the regular menu). It reminds me of late nights at Starbucks with friends after some Christmas party we've attended. It reminds me Christmas shopping with my ex-boyfriend (now husband) that would end at Starbucks to make an inventory of what we've accomplished for the day or simply savor the Christmas spirit around us.

Two weeks ago, I had my first Toffee Nut Latte for the year. And boy have I missed it so. Its toffee-nut syrup that tastes like combined hazelnut and vanilla, topped with whipped cream and a dash of crunchy toffee nuts brought joy to my senses.

This afternoon, since I'm feeling stressed at work and looking forward to a very busy weekend, I decided to celebrate the end of my workweek (taking a day-off tomorrow) by hanging out at Starbucks and de-stress with a cup of Toffee Nut Latte. I thought I should take a breather in between work and home responsibilities before plunging into wifely duties. Was able to have a good hour of "me" time.

Five minutes before I left the cafe, I started my wifely duties by reviewing my grocery/shopping list. When I knew that everything's all good (and that husband's on his way to our meeting place), I have one last sip of my one of my favorite coffees and head out of the cafe, rejuvenated and ready to face my weekend.

* All I Want For Christmas, song by Mariah Carey...is the song that plays on my mind whenever I think of my Toffee Nut Latte.

Coffee That Has More Antioxidants

Coffee discovery alert!

When I saw Nescafe GREENBLEND Coffee in the supermarket, I can't help but buy it. Imagine, I would be drinking coffee but have more than what I get from Green Tea (has 70% more antioxidants than green tea). And one of the best things about it is the aroma--it got me at hello! :) I love love the smell of this coffee.

A must-try for coffee lovers like me.

Lunch Box Meme: Green Salad with Tuna

This entry is for The Filipino Mom Blog's Lunch Box Meme.

One of my favorite baon for lunch is making my own green salad with tuna. For today, my green salad comprises of Spinach and Baby Rocket Leaves, Tomatoes and Olives. My choice of dressing for today is French dressing.

On some days my green salad varies when I feel like adding carrot sticks and using a different dressing like Caesar, Italian or Balsamic Vinegar.

Happy Lunch!