Photo op of a Lifetime!

This is what I've got when we requested the waiter of the hotel wherein we stayed in Surigao to take our pictures. At the count of one, two, three, four and five - I also got five pics in a row! :-)

An aspiring model and a photographer - waiter's photo op of a lifetime!

It's Mars, No it's Bruno!

Meet the new addition to our simple abode!

After debating for about an hour with my kids and hubby, we finally arrived to a compromise. We are naming this little one as Bruno!

Bruno, we love you just the way you are!

Raiding the Scientist' Kitchen

The drizzle last Saturday afternoon did not dampen my spirit and interest in raiding the house/kitchen of my scientist friend Ms. Gay Carillo.

Luckily, Gay was a willing victim of my looting skills :-) since she's leaving very soon for her new assignment in Thailand. A very wise career move of this brilliant lady for she is still young and full of dynamism.

Pre-loved items which she can't carry with her were disposed according to her own discretion. How I wish she'll leave Pasta behind ('just kidding, Gay!)

Now friends, let's take a look at my super nice loots!

I thought I won't ever have the chance of tasting Gay's freshly baked bread
using the bread machine from her recent US trip but thank God
for my kids and I over the weekend
did enjoy this heavenly delight!

Thai goodies for me to experiment inside my kitchen

more goodies from her cupboard to mine

spices in form of seeds. . . fennel and
hmmm, I forgot the name but I have an idea on how to use it.. . .

more seeds..this time for sowing not for cooking. . .

sesame oil, extra virgin tropical honey and meat tenderizer. . .

magazines for my weekend readings. . .

and the most challenging loots for me are
down here...

kaffir lime plant. . . for my future culinary experiments!

assorted potted green plants. . .

chives. . .smallest specie of edible onion

oregano, dill and lemon grass for planting. . .
I so love the smell of these plants..very therapeutic!

Thanks a lot, Gay! Good luck too. . . here's something for you!

I Appreciate You

You are a person
who makes life easier and better
for everyone around you.
Your continual acts
of thoughtfulness
and kindness
brighten each day.
What you did for me
will glow in my memory,
reviving pleasant feelings
every time I think about it.
I appreciate you,
and I thank you. By: Joanna Fuchs

A Blessed Day for Us!

Hi there!
I am sharing with you, my dear friends, pictures taken during the blessing of our dear home. The picture above shows early morning sun rays enveloping our simple abode. Indeed moving in to our new castle was guided by dear God because there was no trace anymore of the heavy downpour we experienced the day and night before.

Rev. Fr. Sherwin Detuya, CP administering the blessing of our new home
and family as well. . . (thank you very much Father, from the bottom of our hearts. . . )

blessing of the bedrooms. . .

smiles after the blessing inside our living room. . .

Mimi and Patricia in the green room. . .

couz Sarah with beautiful Nicole in the blue room. . .

sistah Alpha with Mimi and Patricia in the pink room. . .

my little girls posing while readying the food. . .

my very good friend Presy helping me out
inside my kitchen world. . . (thanks a lot, Pres!)

it's chow time!

For almost three months, we waited for this big day. Now that it's done, we have a heart so full of gratitude to all of you, folks, who in one way or another supported us in making this dream of ours realized.

We are truly blessed because of you!

Thank you, everyone! God bless you more!

Have a nice weekend ahead. . .

- Arnel and Jinky (with our kids)