Merry Christmas!

(Taken from the last Xmas dinner we hosted for our Singapore group)

(Our Xmas tree, with gifts waiting to be opened!)

(Apologies for the blurry photos.)

One more sleep to go!  If you're like my family who open presents on the eve of Christmas (as in 12 midnight!), you must be very excited now.  I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a bountiful 2011!  It's been a wonderful 6 months in the blogsphere.  Thank you to all who drop by and take time to say hello and leave comments or email.  You'll be hearing more from me in January.  For the meantime, enjoy the Holidays!  Peace, Love and Joy to everyone! :-) 

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A Very Cheesy Week

My kitchen smells cheesy this week!  Been busy chopping, mixing, moulding and wrapping my home made cheese balls!  As orders start to pour in, I might not be able to post anything 'til next week.  I'm not complaining though!  It's always nice to share this piece of me on the Xmas table of dear friends.  So even if it's just Thursday, I wish you a happy weekend my dear readers and enjoy the last week of Advent.  One more week, and we get to open presents!  Yay!!  

And lest I forget, for those who started the Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass), I wish you will get to complete all 9 Masses.  Last year, Raphael my son and his Yaya Bel did all 9 Masses and it looks like they're determined to do it again this year.   HE is the reason for the Season, so why not, right?

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No DS or PSP?? ... No Worries!

In this modern age of computers, gadgets, virtual and cyber toys, it's quite impossible not to get in the trend.  My son Rapha would always ask when is he worth getting a DS or PSP or maybe a Wii, and a lot of times, I have been tempted to get him one, especially when he's been really a good boy and does well in school.  But then again, I know that it's not the best toy for him (that's my personal opinion, of course.).  If those hi-tech toys start finding their way in our home, what would happen to Rapha's arts and crafts?  What would happen with his recycling?  His little fingers might stop being creative, they might forget how to cut, saw, fold and twist.  His eyes might stop finding the beauty on used cartons, cups, boxes and papers.   He might stop being creative and imaginative and worst of all, he might stop bringing me paper flowers.  No!!!  I won't let that happen.  We survived the no TV and computer on weekdays policy.  Our family believes that books are necessary, store bought toys are luxury.    It would be a shame not to continue practicing what we have started.  What do you think?  Will I be getting the 'Most Uncool Mom' award for not buying a DS or PSP for my children?  

These are some of Rapha's recent projects.  The blue monster made out of brown paper bag.  Paper plate plus yarn equals a dream catcher.  Worry doll made of yarn and clothespin.  Scrap paper, straw and paper cup becomes a Vietnamese (don't ask me why he chose it to be Vietnamese!) dragon. 

Rapha said he's going to make me my own worry doll so I can also tuck it in my pillow at night and it will take away all my worries.   I think that would be one of my special gift this Xmas and I can't wait!  It will be magical to have a little clothespin wrapped with yarn do its work in vanishing all my worries!  Now that deserves the 'Coolest Toy Award!'  Won't you agree? :-)  Do you have similar toys like these at home?  Maybe you can share them here at 40andbeyond.  Have a worry-free week ahead of you, my dear readers!

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The Cutest Gingerbread House

Isn't this the cutest gingerbread house?  The moment I saw this photo, I wanted to make myself a cup of hot choco!  Stuff like this brings more cheer to the Holidays!  It would be a shame not to credit the creative, (or maybe artistic is the more appropriate word?) lady behind these little houses.  Check Megan's blog and be inspired with her projects, you can't help but be envious with her amazing talent and creativity! Don't be misled though..its not Martha!  ;-)

May these little houses bring excitement to our weekend as we do our countdown to Christmas...14 days to go!!!  Happy weekend dear readers!

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My Best Friend for the Holidays

Meet my best friend for the holidays...Mr. Cutter.  He was a birthday gift from my good friend Trish.  And since I started wrapping gifts, he's been with me, never leaving my side.  He is such a big helper, providing perfect and evenly cut tape at a single turn of the wheel.  How easy is that?  So from hereon, I declare, Mr. Cutter as my best friend for the holidays!

I conquered this area in our family room and set up a table to be my wrapping station for the meantime (or as hubby calls it, Santa's workstation).  Poor family, they have to be squished on the couch when watching TV.  I love wrapping gifts and I use a whole lot of different wrappers, ribbons, bags and small trinkets.  How about you?  Have you started wrapping your Xmas gifts?  To my dear friend Trish, thank you so much for giving me Mr. Cutter!  I'm loving him, especially this season! :-)

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Mama Moment

Please allow me to indulge this time as I fondly share with you another pride and joy brought to the family of my son, Raphael.  This morning, he represented his class in the Gr. 4 level interpretative reading.  I was amazed with the talent of the 13 boys who competed.  They all did well, considering that the material they read was only given  10 minutes before the contest proper.  I saw how Rapha enjoyed his reading, maybe that's why he didn't show any sign of nervousness at all.  And of course, I was just praying the whole time!  (hahaha!!)  We were happy that he was chosen to represent his class and even happier and prouder that he won 2nd place!  And as all Ateneans are taught, all the talents that were shared in the competition are given back to God.  Ad Majorem Dei  Gloriam!   

The silver medal with the Certificate of Merit.

The top 3 winners with the judges.

Friends and classmates flock Rapha as they congratulate him after the contest.  They were shouting "Rapha, Rapha, Pizza!  Pizza!"  Silly boys! :-)

Happy Mama!

Proud Papa!

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Yummy Christmas Spread!

Happy Monday everyone!  How was your weekend?  Mine was productive, as I got to finish my Christmas gift shopping (well, almost, about 95% done!).  This week will be all about wrapping and planning menu for the parties we will be hosting.  If you are in the same boat as me, may I suggest you get the December issue of Yummy magazine (if you're in the Philippines) and I'm sure you will get a lot of menu ideas.  

This issue is fully packed with recipes for the Christmas table, special home made treats you can give away as gifts or bring for your next pot luck dinner.  For those of you who are familiar with my cheese ball, you will be pleasantly surprised to find it as part of the magazine's feature on "The Holiday Table!"  Yup, it's my cheese ball right there, grouped with all the other Xmas comfort food.      And I'm just too happy to be part of the spread.  Who wouldn't be proud to be next to the most loved lechon (roasted pork), right? :-) It's always heart warming to see and hear people loving my cheese ball.  Thank you to my friends who have supported my cheese ball the past few years, even during our Singapore stint.  And thank you to Yummy magazine for including me on your December issue.

Have a good week ahead my dear friends, and may you be able to tick everything on your to do list!  Cheers!

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Thursday Inspiration

Photo credit here.

I am swooning over this photos!  I thought I'm done with the white, pristine, feminine interiors but when I saw this, I can't stop staring and had to read more about the owner.  This beautiful dresser and desk belongs to the grand daughter of Grace Kelly's clothier (I like that word!), Katie Ermilio who is a designer herself.  Check out Rue magazine for more photos of her home and be inspired! It's almost weekend!  Yay!!


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Peace, Love and Joy

PEACE, LOVE and JOY...that's my wish for you on this beautiful Wednesday and the whole of the Christmas season!  Have a good day, dear readers!

Photo taken from my garden.

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