Happy New Year's Eve!

The sun was up bright and early today, what a great day to bid goodbye to 2011. It has been beautiful year for us, hard to part however we believe the new year 2012 has more good things in store for us.











For our last hurrah before welcoming 2012, plus saying farewell to all these germs we got lately we took a very quick trip to downtown SJ --Christmas in the Park. It was warm enough for all 3 of us to enjoy the stroll, less crowd too. The " little girl in red shirt " was more than excited to see all holiday displays, curious to watch the toy train go by, mesmerized by the big gingerbread house.

You could tell the Christmas trees are wilting and becoming brown already. Sad the holidays are over...though all the "family time" we spent this whole week is priceless, indeed precious.



We are believing, we are hoping, and we are trusting 2012. Bring it on!!
Cheers to 2012 and may you all have a blessed new year filled with lots of love, hope and peace in your hearts.

Happy New Year!!

XoXo.

Week after Christmas

Hi there! Hope you had a joyous Christmas celebration spent with your loved ones around you. I never meant to ignore you this entire week after christmas it's just that between all the Christmas parties, holiday food and feasting, opening presents, snuggling with a sick little one, watching Elmo saves Christmas-the movie and Barney, sniffing/coughing and all that wicked symptoms of colds I ended up not saying hi to the computer lately. I know, so bad timing !?!!
DH is off all week, too but we ended up cancelling all plans we initially have in our calendars. Sad. We are staying home, chilling with lots of orange juice, soup and anything remedy we could have to fight this nasty colds. I think the only good thing we did this week is taking care of H passport photos done and passport application ready to submit next week. At least, that is taken cared of.

I do have lots of pictures to share taken during Christmas eve and Day, plus the DD album is coming to its final ending. H had a hard time fully enjoying Christmas due to her runny nose but she tried her best. Too many new toys, books, stuff doggies, and new 2T-3T clothes she received from family and friends. Now to find a place to store 'em all?!

Below are just a few "nice" pictures to share....


CHRISTMAS EVE dinner Party @ my cousin's place






CHRISTMAS DAY-lunch Party @ in-laws place





You could really tell she is getting really sick towards the end of the day...


THE DAY after CHRISTMAS--
poor baby, she slept almost all day! Sniff, sniff.




No choice but not ready for 2012 to ring in. We hated being all sick this last week of December.

Sigh.

Be back shortly to post the last few December Daily pages.
XOXO.

Merry & Bright 2011

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas to you and yours!
It has been a merriest year for us with so many graces we have received from Heaven above. Glory to GOD in the highest.

Happy Birthday, Papa Jesus!

Love much,
d' Mercado Family plus Lilly -the Elf on the shelf who just arrived our house a few days ago. She's a bit shy but would sure be helpful watching Hannah and taking tasks all year round.

;-b

XOXO.

Christmas food

Alright, time to talk about what food to make this coming weekend. The big feast. The Christmas food! What's on the menu? Uhmm, as if it's changing...haha! I spoke to my sister today and we always try to remember to compare notes, exchange recipes, and help each other with what's the easiest and what's traditional in our family. The grocery list is sure getting longer!

Last Monday, H & I just rested all day with only a trip to the park. While she was napping, I was able to make/cook 8 loaves of embutido. According to this website, Embutido is a type of meatloaf prepared Filipino style. Yumms! It is well-known during the holiday season, and thanks to the food processor it was easy to make. All done!

Next in line for Christmas Eve dinner @ my cousins would be cooking this, plus I have called and ordered a REd VelVet bundt cake at Nothing Bundt cake. For Christmas Day, I'd be adding this on the table @ the inlaws house.

SALTED TOFFEE-Chocolate GRAHAM Cracker bars

13 graham crackers
1 8-ounce bag toffee bits*
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped almonds
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
3/4 cup (4 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, chopped, or chocolate chips
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place graham crackers in a single layer on sheet, edges touching. Sprinkle toffee bits and almonds over graham crackers. Sprinkle toffee bits and almonds over graham crackers.

In a small saucepan, bring sugar and butter to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is syrupy, about 2 minutes. Immediately pour over graham crackers. Bake until sugar topping is bubbling, 12 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate and salt over graham crackers. With a sharp knife, cut into 2-inch squares. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

Last but not the least in the baking arena, I'll be sweating out on this recipe I listed above.

Happy Holiday cooking and baking!

XOXO.