dbxcakes

Aloha! We are on the second day of our Hawaiian trip. We are in Kauai for 6 days then to Oahu for 4. It has been amazingly relaxing and cute so far. This is definitely the trip we need! This view is from our building @Plantation Hale at Kapaa, Kauai.  This really is the Garden Island. Everything is so lush and green. Just passed those trees, and a brief walk from our hotel, is the beach! I'm loving the trip so far. Tomorrow an adventure awaits us at another part of the Island!

As ready as I am to leave behind the misfortune and heartache that was 2010, I want to never forget those who I loved so dearly and lost.. Tomas Violon December 29, 1934 - April 20, 2010 My Lolo (grandfather) was a strong man who will always be remembered as a loving, hardworking person who did everything he could so his family would live a life far better than was ever possible for him. I do believe that until the very end, he fought so he could be with his family. Yet he fought a disease that slowly and continuously weakened him for 10 years. I'm sure he is now at peace, just as he looked when he left us. He was an amazing person and we will all cherish those memories we shared with him. There is not a day that I do not think of you, Lolo. You are missed more than words can express. The Jadie ??? - July 21, 2010 When The Jadie came into our lives, he was dirty, scrawny, and scared.. but we fell in love with him anyway. He was the sweetest boy and a carin...

Celebrated Mama's 52nd Birthday on Dec. 23. We started off with some dim sum for lunch at Empress Pavilion in Chinatown. Then we headed over to Olvera Street, one of my favorite areas downtown. Here's Mom with Auntie Myrna and Lola. The fun didn't stop there. We finished off the evening with some shopping and dinner at the Americana in Glendale. Mom surprisingly ordered a fruity alcoholic beverage at The Cheesecake Factory. Mom wishin on her bday candle. Although it was a long, exhausting day, I had a pretty great time. :)

Once upon a time, there was a very lucky girl. She had friends from all walks of life. She also had a very large family. Even if only for a short while, she was able to spend Christmas with each of them and she had a wonderful time.. Yeong, a friend from HS, came from Texas for a short visit during the holidays. Nancy, Valerie and I were able to meet up with him for lunch at Macaroni Grill in Northridge. It's always great to talk about old times and to catch up on the last 11 years. Like Val pointed out, it felt like we were all never really apart. Can't wait to do that again! My cousin, Emma, always makes a point to invite me to her gatherings with her friends from work. They are a sweet bunch and I've enjoyed hanging out with them. Here are the girls at Mary and Rocco's Christmas party at their new place in Winnetka. Emma and I by Mary's colorful tree. Rocco and the girls enjoying my red velvet and buttercream cupcakes. :) Marc with ...

Forget Santa! The people who know me best were very generous this year, like every year. :) Christmas was full of warm wishes and good cheer. Nothing better than being with those I love for the holidays.  Thank you all for everything special that you are to me. <3

First order of business after Niner finished the semester.. complete our Elvis tree. A few weeks ago, Raha visited a tenants home and saw a cute Christmas tree decorated with red ornaments and strung with popcorn. She marveled at how cute this simple tree was and asked the little old lady about it. Apparently she was a huge Elvis fan and decided to decorate her tree this way, the same way Elvis did. Niner, being an Elvis fan herself, of course heard about this cute tree. Now, we couldn't find any information online to confirm that this, in fact, was how Elvis decorated his tree. However, also fans of crafty things and playing with food, we agreed that our tree would be as close to an "Elvis tree" as we could make it.  Our finished Elvis Tree! This was the first time we both had strung popcorn, so it was fun to do. Only thing now is, we have to figure out how to keep Nacho from eating the popcorn. He's already bitten off parts of the bottom strand!

As I wait for the cupcakes to cool, here are some pictures.. For the first time since we've lived at the condo, we got an appropriately sized tree. I feel so festive; it's so fun! Here's nacho, dressed to impress in his tux. :) I'm excited about a fun-filled weekend, complete with friends, family, and holiday celebrations. And I'll have Niner back since she will be done with school for the semester! Happy Weekend!!