I really appreciate creative works by friends.  I know for sure that creativity is inborn and that no matter how hard one tries, it just doesn’t come out as nice as what people with creative talents do.  I know because I am a frustrated artist  I took note of a few packages for Christmas, but when they started all coming in, I just lost track.  So, here are some of the attractive bows last Christmas.

This is the ultimate bow that I received for Christmas!  It is made by my Tita Nena who is super creative!  I could not even figure out how she tied all of them together and she adds so many other ornaments and accessories and even puts a nice quote rolled into a scroll

A nice Filipiniana type of bow from Fannie Guanzon of Herb’s Best.  She also sold these christmas gift baskets at Rustan’s with all her healthy products inside.  Sold like hotcakes

This is a simple bow from Jones and Dad, but I like the way it matched the gift card which was so cute and it combined well with the gift bag. CUTE!

Another cute one from Toddy and Mel

From Randy and Pia - Again the combination of everything was attractive to me

From Gary and Alexie!! Love it!  The wrapping paper combined with the ribbon and with a real candy cane

I’m sorry but I forgot who this was from, but its a nice bow Next Christmas I will try to capture more!

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 Lucille invited us once again to her home…It seems like she is doing it every other year

Previous Entries:  From the Kitchen of Lucille December 17, 2007 

Lucille’s Birthday Treat January 8, 2009 

Here she is welcoming us as we arrive and take note of the parol on top of her.   She is part of the group from St. James Parish in Alabang who sold these beautiful parols last Christmas

She is always proud of her two children who are presently studying abroad

Our group photo taken by Lucille’s Staff

She had different cocktail drinks for us since we all had dietary requirements - buko juice for me, orange and apple for the others

It was Lucille’s birthday and we made her cook for us again!  WE LOVE IT!!  Quoting here a note from Det who said it very well: 

Dear Lucille,

Many thanks for being the usual gracious host! 

Each year, as December comes, I always look forward to your birthday lunch!  What I most love about visiting your home (apart of course from the very good food) is how I feel the warmth of your hospitality; how each year you have transformed into an Oprah a Martha Stewart which you do so well with your own personal touch and style!  The only downside is, each time I leave your beautiful home, I always ponder about having a sabbatical even just for a month so I get to learn “your favorite things.”  It has always been my dream to become a home maker but sometimes life takes you to a different path which of course I can’t complain!

Cheers to you birthday girl and cheers to loving company and a friendship which will forever be in our hearts!

Always,  

Det

And Mother Butler Lucille says our grace before the meal

The buffet

This was the highlight of our meal.  Lucille’s homemade Cochinillo!!!!  YUMMY!!!!!! It was half a piggy and it was really really good!!!!!

Here it is again up close

and we had other Filipino dishes

Luzanne insisted on having her cochinillo with Mang Tomas sauce!! It’s a good thing Brenda had some with her.  Luzanne can finish almost half the bottle

LOOK AT THAT YUMMY COCHINILLO!!!! Homemade dishes are more meaningful and taste much better!!! And Lucille’s cooking is always WITH LOVE!

And dessert

Happy Birthday Lucille!!

 And Lucille shares with us her FAVORITE THINGS

Her waring smoothie blender!  We all want one!!! 

and she made a fresh strawberry smoothie for us using fresh Holly’s yogurt

previous entry:  Lucille’s Smoothie Recipe June 10, 2011 

Fresh super sweet Mangoes from her farm in Cebu!!! 

Fresh super sweet pineapple with champoy powder 

and her Viking oven where the cochinillo was cooked.  It has to be big enough to put the little piggy in  

And we all exchanged gifts for christmas and we all support our very own

Brenda from the commissary she works in  

Triumph underwear from Det 

Lucille will always shop at Rustan’s! Forever Rustan’s loyalists just like all of us! 

Golden Spoon from me :-) 

Taken with an 

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10 pm Mass, 11pm Noche Buena, 1130pm Santa Arrives, 1230am Exchange Gift Game and Opening of Gifts

Happy Birthday dear Jesus

Beautiful Filipiniana Theme for Christmas!! 

This is a must every Christmas noche buena, Pasta Gliceria! 

Here comes Santa Tito Anton! :-) 

and a nice exchange gifts game which is the first time for us to do 

 

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Gerry and Tina also had a fresh christmas tree in their home…decorated by Rustan’s Flower Shop as well

Picture taking as soon as everyone arrives…all kinds of poses and combinations

Our special guest, Tita Minnie!

Photo of all the girls who came in high heels!  haha!!

Those who came in flats

James assisting the grilling of Bryan Flannery rib eyes

Venue and appetizers by Gerry and Tina

Our traditional potluck christmas buffet

Turkey by Gerry and Tina *** Bryan Flannery Steaks by Mike, John and Keena and James and Rica*** Prawns and Pasta by Tammy and Dina*** Cebu Lechon from Allan and Margie straight from the airport, Thank you!!!

Desserts by Gerry and Tina

Opening of gifts after dinner!!! Gerry and Tina’s christmas gifts under the tree always looks so colorful and nice

Of course Sparkle and Paloma have gifts from Mommy Tina too :-) 

taken on an

 

 

and thanks to Tammy for his beautiful photos which I added and I am sure you can tell

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Thanks Tessa for always sharing your celebrations with Heart2Heart and hubby James  We enjoyed!

I made sure this time I got a giveaway  And went home as always with a smile thanks to you

 

My cousins Catherine and Kathy has a great idea!!!!!  They suggested that we copied this photo they saw at the Newport Mall at Resorts World!  I thought it was a great idea!! But how to manage a family of 60? hmmm….and to get everyone to actually be matching.  I told them that we needed family members to help pick out the clothes and style the shoot.  Then of course hire a professional photographer to make sure that all the efforts don’t go to waste!  But the idea didn’t push through

Here is another version of that ad which I saw in a magazine.  FUN!!!! and so “out of the box” rather than always having a family photo by the Christmas tree!!

Then James sent me this! hmmmm….

and here are more pegs from my Tita Nedy……

The closest to a properly styled photograph is this one of our friend, Manoling and Sandie!

Next year, I am going to try to attempt to style our family christmas photo.  Here is an ad which I thought might fit my family, me and my three boys and our Boston Terrier Romeo

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Javs was very insistent on having a christmas party for the household staff, so i told him to send me his proposal on writing and this is what he sent me…….

When I was a kid, My sister and I were in charge of the staff party which my Mom made us organize.  I am so glad that my son is very thoughtful and loves the household staff and that he is the one taking the initiative to do this on his own. He used his own saving to buy prizes and some ingredients for the food.

Here he is in boxer shorts  playing the games with the staff

We were busy moving houses that day and he stayed and prepared for the party.  It started at 730pm and we passed by at 10pm and this is what we saw in our garage - they were playing musical chairs

Their homemade food

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 2 Days before Christmas, we decided to move to our new home.  We are very happy to celebrate Christmas in our new home.  James bought a fresh christmas tree and had it decorated by Rustan’s Flower Shop 

 

 

Thank you Michelle Rufino Bartolome for the beautiful Christmas cards

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