Home Cooked

My family attended my aunt's 61st birthday celebration a few weeks ago. Everyone looks forward to events like this because we rarely see each other. I miss them and as expected, there were lots of updating from each other. I didn't notice the time. It was already 12 midnight when we left my aunt's house.

My aunt is a great cook and I think two of her children got her talent in the kitchen. I eagerly anticipate seeing my cousins and my niece and yes, the food that they will be serving. Nothing unusual or grand but they really cook well.

Three of my favorites from my aunt's menu are chicken cordon bleu, spaghetti with meatballs and biko!

I was so inspired by how my cousin prepared this that I tried doing this last weekend I think. She said she just followed what she saw in YouTube. That's the problem with me. I don't have the patience like that when it comes to cooking. Anyway, the appearance of what I did was nothing like this but taste is okay. I have to start somewhere, y'know.


Chicken cordon bleu
And I thought I have mastered spaghetti. Well, compared to this, a big NO. They only added Italian sauce and added meatballs with basil but I don't know why it tastes sooo good.


Spaghetti with Meatballs
Oh yes, my all time favorite dessert, biko! I love this!


Biko
I don't have their talent for cooking but I'm working on it. I have been working on it and will continue to work on it. I don't surrender easily. :)

*All pictures courtesy of my cousin posted in my aunt's Facebook.

***More food sharing at Picture Clusters and Food Trip Friday.

Monthly Highlight: January 2012

1. I enjoyed watching these:
Movies:
- Ides of March

Television Shows:
- Anderson
- The New Girl
- American Idol, Season 11
- Sometimes PBB Unlimited amuses me.
- I tried catching up with the coverage of the impeachment trial.
- Enchong Dee's soap

2. I read:
- Mockingjay

3. I listened to this music a lot:
- Someone Like You by Adele

4. I received/I gave:
- Cake for my aunt.
- Potluck during the small family get-together at my FIL's place.
- I received a lot of cakes this month.
- Baby feeding set for my husband's godchild.

5. I bought:
- My gym outfits - cycling shorts and bottoms.
- A lot of food.
- Refurbished my eyeglass and my daughter's.

6. I savor these memorable days of the month:
- 15th wedding anniversary of husband and I.
- My sister's birthday.
- Get-together during my my aunt's birthday celebration.
- Family get-together at my FIL's place.
- PTC at my daughter's school which was really rewarding.
- My daughter's first duty at the church's evangelical mission.
- First time to attend an evangelical mission at the church for both my daughter and I.

7. Bonding time with family and friends:
- Lunch date with my friends at Yakimix.
- Customary Jan 1 get together at my father in law's house.
- Attending the reception of my husband's god child.
- Going to my aunt's house to celebrate her 61st birthday.
- Dinner at Stacy's with my family.
- Lunch with my daughter at Shakey's.

8. Restaurants I visited (with family and friends)/Food I love:
- Buffet at Yakimix. I love the Korean BBQ.
- Dinner at Stacy's. Wheat bread which comes along with shrimp scampi is good!
- Lunch with my daughter at Shakey's.
- Fry and Pop, sour cream variant.

9. Accomplishments:
- I managed to organize very important work-related documents which serve as my references for the time being. I have now ease in using important files.
- I lost 2 lbs from the holiday binge.

10. New/routine workout I enjoyed doing:
- Religiously attending Body Pump and Body Combat.
- Surprisingly I am again enjoying Body Balance and Gentle Flow.

11. For the first time:
- My daughter's suitor came to the house, handed me a cake and greeted me a belated Happy New Year. Oh geez. There are a number of boys who has a crush on my daughter. Once one of them went to the house but we were not here but this is the first time that a boy actually goes to the house and stays for several hours. My 13 year old daughter has a persistent suitor.

- Attended our church's evangelical mission with my daughter.

12. My feel good moments:
- My daughter's 3rd quarter grades significantly improved. She's already in the top 4. Her adviser's very good feedback on her - that she's one of the star pupils.
- My daughter represented their class in two essay writing contests in school.
- Seeing my daughter bond with her friends here at home.
- Opportunities presented themselves to me.
- Being able to give time to blog again. Also diligently update my Project 365 blog.
- Mom and Pop's phone calls.
- Get together with the relatives.
- Dinner with the family.
- New outfits for daughter and me :)
- Daughter's new hairstyle.
- My red toenails.
- My haircut!

I am holding on to a dream I had on the first day of the year 2012. It's a dream I never had for so many years. The feeling was fantastic! I feel good about it. Whenever I feel down, I try to think about it. I know my dreams tell me about what's going on and what is happening. It may be one of God's signs to me. I am definitely having a breakthrough year on 2012!

This year 2012 I declared it My Breakthrough Year and A Year of Giving (from me). When I say breakthrough, I mean going up the next level, achieving things and dreams I am just so excited about and being where I want to be, God willing. At this point, a month after 2012, I'm fervently working on them and praying hard for their realization.

When I say giving, they need not be big but I am also speaking about small gestures of kindness which is a part of my goal to be a better person. So far, I'm able to wholeheartedly do this. :)

Resolution for January:
I choose to keep the faith. God has always been with me. I will only give room for hard work, a prayerful heart with high hopes and great expectancy.

Have I been faithful in that resolution? 95%, yes!


Note:  My resolutions don't just start or end on a specific date. I do them continuously as part of my Be the Best Person I Can Be Project. :)  I just highlight each monthly for focus.