Weekend Fun – Page 8 – The Adventures of a Calamari Queen

Valentines weekend!

Hope you had a great weekend friends. It was Valentines weekend and we celebrated it with my In laws. I personally don’t make a big deal out of this “holiday” because I try every day to celebrate my loved ones and friends in the best way I know how, no need to have a certain date for that. Although my Hubs and I had doughnuts and coffee, spent time watching “Elementary” before having dinner with my In Laws at Maggiano’s (Bellevue). We had a lovely time enjoying Italian food and desserts. The restaurant was packed and they ran out of their “braised short ribs” that I originally wanted to have 🙁 It was all good, I end up ordering their sirloin steak (decent but nothing out of the ordinary). Everybody enjoyed their dishes and all agreed that their meatballs were out of this world (especially the DILaw).

my other favorite Valentine, Riley! A.K.A “The Lovebug”

Our Maggiano’s dinner! We used my Sis In laws phone so the pictures are not the best quality (the restaurant was kinda dark too).

Dessert Sample (creme brulee, cheesecake,truffles,tiramisu,apple ice cream some kind of dessert)

Weekend Fun!

Hello family and friends! I hope you’re having a lovely Sunday night with your loved ones. The Hubs is watching the season premier of the Walking Dead while I’m reading Ruth Soukup’s “Living Well Spending Less 12 Secrets of the Good Life”. I’m so enjoying it and kinda sad I’m almost done with it. I love her blog and her writing, it’s like I’m talking to one of my girlfriends! So relatable! We had a relaxing weekend, watched the movie “Jupiter Ascending” the one starring Channing Tatum. The movie was OK, I enjoyed the special effects but nothing great about it. After the movie,we had burgers at Red Robin and watched NBA games in the bar area. Our local Red Robin is always packed so we just go to the bar right away!

I always get the Double Tavern burger because it reminds me of In n Out's — I always get the Double Tavern burger because it reminds me of In n Out’s

We had sushi after Church this afternoon. I wanted some Ramen and got what I wanted! I cannot wait for Spring. I’m so over this cold winter (I know it’s not as bad compared to the other parts of the country). We stopped at Walmart after to check out their Spring candles and I got some. Will post it this week. I love me some candles:)

Now I'm off to cuddle this Lovebug! — Now I’m off to cuddle this Lovebug!

Weekend Fun!

Hello family and friends! Hope your weekend was fun and relaxing. On our side, my husband is still recovering from the nasty flu/cold he had after Christmas. It was spent napping (for my hubs) and taking down the Christmas decorations (for me). I still have some decorations left but the majority, like the Christmas tree, are done and stored already. We were also able to order our Christmas tree for next year (it was on sale but I still find it pricey:-0). We didn’t go out this weekend because I cooked our meals at home, but we did get some things from the Asian market in Seattle. I wanted to get a Filipino delicacy called, “binignit”. I’m not sure what they call it here in the U.S but it has the consistency of pudding, with lots of tapioca, bananas, and yams. I’ve tried it in other Asian/Filipino stores here in Washington, but Foulee Asian market in Seattle is the only place I go now if I want to eat “Binignit”. I also got some filipino “junk food” too.

This is "Binignit glutinous rice porridge with coconut cream, blended with some fruits and root crops like sweet yams,bananas). — “Binignit” ( glutinous rice porridge with coconut cream, blended with some fruits and root crops like sweet yams,bananas).

Filipino junk food! — Filipino junk food

Creamy Mushroom pasta I made (Rachael Ray recipe)

Braised short ribs (another Rachael Ray recipe)

I also cleaned my empty candles. These are the ones I’ve gone through since September. I will not buy the small cheap ones from Target anymore because they aren’t very fragrant. It was pathetic! My favorites in the pic below are the Walmart candles (719 walnut and Better Homes), the Yankees were Okay, but nothing great. I like the Fresh Balsam (from Bath and body works) but it was too much for my husband so I only burn it when he’s not around. I burn a candle everyday, so I plan to share some of them here (I’m not a candle expert so don’t expect too much!). I just like making our house cozy and I think candles are one way I can do that:)

Candle empties for the month of September-December 2014 — Candle empties for the months of September-December 2014

My favorite schnauzer napping with his paposh (a common event this weekend).

Have a great week all, I’m off to hangout with my Hubs and Riley now! Talk to you soon:)

Nutcracker Ballet Show!

Hello Family and Friends! It’s been a while since my last post, it’s always a busy season this time of year. A couple of weeks ago, my friend Faye and I watched the Nutcracker Ballet show in Seattle, it was such a nice night with her. I love watching ballet and it was special to share it with a friend.

Thanksgiving 2014!

Hello family and friends! I hope you all had a great thanksgiving (if you celebrate this Holiday) and stuffed your belly with yummy food! We hosted this year (2nd in a row now) and I think we will be hosting for the coming years too. I really don’t mind because everyone (my husband’s side of the family) shares responsibility in the food department. We enjoyed thanksgiving dinner and watched the Seahawks beat the 49ers (it was a boring game because I think the 49ers forgot how to play football!). Around 11pm when I was already in bed, the Hubs wanted to go check out target because he wanted to get something related to his computer! So off we go to 2 Targets and I’m glad he got what he wanted. We also checked out Walmart for candles (my new obsession lately) and there were a lot of people but nothing like what I normally see on T.V. I don’t think I will do it again. I prefer shopping online because the deals seem to be the same and it is more convenient.

My Thanksgiving table 2014; just bought flowers because I wanted just a simple table. — My Thanksgiving table 2014; just bought flowers because I wanted a simple table.

I made lechon belly(roast pork belly) because we wanted my DIL to taste it

someone's enjoying his dinner! — someone’s enjoying his dinner!(pic from the iPad so it’s blurry)

watching football and Riley is so over the game!

The next day (Friday) it’s a family tradition for all of us to walk around downtown Seattle and window shop. The weather was so nasty that we only stayed for 4 hours. It was still a nice time with my In laws though.

sorry for the ugly background!the Hubs just asked me to turn around.. — sorry for the ugly background!the Hubs just asked me to turn around…can barely see macys;).

Did you get me something mom?-Riey — Did you get me something mom?-Riley

Eques!

Hi Friends! Last Sunday (my birthday) we decided to have brunch after church at Eques (it’s located inside the Hyatt Bellevue). We’ve passed the place many times, we always said that we should try it because the place was known for their breakfast buffet. After checking out their buffet selection, we were not impressed (not that it was bad, just not a wide selection) we decided to just order ala carte and forget the buffet. I had the crab cake eggs benedict (I really enjoyed it) while Zach had the smoked salmon eggs benedict (he said it was great!) We shared their banana split pancakes with hazelnut chocolate ,we really liked it too.Though it was pricey for a what we got, we would still come back. Great service and ambiance too (they had a TV in one area where the Seahawks game was on! Too bad they lost!).

I also would like to thank my Hubs and my family (including my In laws) for all their birthday gifts! To my friends who also took time to text,message,greeted me on my birthday! I appreciate you all! Thanks again to my family for their thoughtful gifts.

Raybans from my Sis and BIL! The camera is not giving the shades justice!LOL..this is one lovely shades! I cannot wait to use this one!

Gift cards from our favorite stores/restaurants!

Bday gifts to myself! My obsession lately:CANDLES!!!!

On my bday weekend,Bath and Body works had a sale $3 for their lotion so I went a little crazy because I had a coupon that makes it $2 each! half of these will be for my sisters! (original price:$262,I paid $42)

More BBW (this store is a trap! Their coupons are just so good!) I bought these Kate Moss lipsticks because Kris Aquino "recommends" this on her morning show. How she liked drugstore makeups too. SO of course I have to check it out myself. I listen to Kris Aquino's makeup opinions you all *sarcasm!). — More BBW (this store is a trap! Their coupons are just so good!) I bought these Kate Moss lipsticks because Kris Aquino “recommends” this on her morning show. She mentioned how she’s impressed with drugstore makeup too (not just the high ends ). SO of course I have to check it out myself. I listen to Kris Aquino’s makeup opinions you all *sarcasm!).

John Howie Steakhouse

Hi all! I hope you had a great weekend! Yesterday (Sunday) was my birthday so it was a busy and fun weekend for us. The hubs and I have 10 days between our birthday so this year we decided to just celebrate together because with Thanksgiving next week it’s just going to be busy. We had our birthday dinner at John Howie steakhouse with my In Laws. John Howie is our favorite steakhouse here in Seattle. We’ve been here many times and we are ALWAYS impressed with the food and the service. It was so nice of them to give us a birthday cake/dessert of our choice, but we decided to just take them home because my In laws ordered our birthday cake for us (delicious white chocolate cake!). We watched the movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi while enjoying our cake. Thank You to our family and friends who sent their birthday wishes to us! Thank You Jesus for blessing us with another year!

Charcuterie Plate (selection of house cured meats,Saskatoon berry reduction,pickled shallots,Guinness mustard,cornichons)

our server making *Tableside Wagyu Beef tenderloin tartare

Roasted Beet Salad (organic greens,shaved purple onions,salt brined pistachio nuts,champagne chèvre vinaigrette,Humboldt Fog)

MIL kathy had Roasted Jidori Chicken(super moist and flavorful)

Maine Lobster Mashed Potatoes (we also shared brussels sprouts and mac n cheese)

Thanks to my MIL and DIL for giving us our birthday cake! It was so good and pricey!hehe — Thanks to my MIL and DIL for giving us our birthday cake! It was so good!

enjoying our cake and coffee while watching the movie

Lechon Belly!

A couple of weeks ago, our friends Faye and her husband Roger invited us to their home for dinner. They made oven roasted pork belly (lechon belly) and it was so good! We will probably make this at home because sometimes the lechon we get at the Asian market is really dry and not as good. It was such a great night with them. We were so full from eating filipino food that playing Xbox/Kinect tennis was a good idea afterwards! Thanks Faye and Roger for inviting us to your home.

Biko/sticky rice that my hubs really enjoyed

LOL! intense concentration needed to win the game!

Weekend Fun!

Hello November! I can’t believe the Holiday season is here. I’ve been to the mall these last couple of days and it’s starting to look so festive with decorations all over the place. Halloween was just last Friday and although we personally didn’t do any partying or dressing up I always have Riley (our dog) wear a costume. This year he was a Cow. I got the costume at Walmart because it’s cheap and it’s not worth the money after he’ll have it for 2 minutes (then he’ll destroy the whole thing).

Saturday night we had Sushi at our favorite local restaurant, Aji Sushi. We love it because the sushi selection is decent and it’s like 4 minutes drive from our house.

We also went to Hobby Lobby , Walmart, Bath and Body works, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Church this weekend. Our Sunday afternoon was spent napping and cuddling with our fatty Riley! He is loving our fireplace so much. I have to turn it on in the morning and late evenings. He is so spoiled! We also finished a TV series on netflix called “The 100”. We are thinking of watching Gotham next.

my new obsession lately! Candles and walmart have decent collection. This one smells so good. — my new obsession lately! Walmart has a decent candle collection. This one smells so good.

Cancun Vacation Part 2!

Here’s the part 2 of my Cancun trip with my little sister. We spent a day at the Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza) on a group tour. Honestly, I didn’t really join the group listening to our tour guide because it was so hot that day and I started having a headache and I just had to stay in the shade of a tree for most of the time. I still have to google and read about the history of the Mayan Ruins/Chichen Itza because all I know is that it’s part of the 7 wonders of the world. The whole place was pretty amazing and I’m so glad we did the tour. It was such a LONG day(13 hours total to do the tour) but worth it in my opinion. It’s not everyday we get the chance to see one of the 7 wonders of the world. Sis and I also checked out downtown Cancun (reminded us of the Philippines), swam at IkKil Cenote park, had dinner at Carlos and Charlie (so pricey!!) and the Mextreme restaurant (because we wanted some authentic mexican food,it didn’t disappoint!), we played tourists at the Coco Bongo Area, and the rest of the time we spent soaking in the sun and enjoying the beach. Their beach was really amazing, the water had a beautiful array of blue shades. We are so grateful that we got to do this, we know that not all are given the chance to experience Cancun. Thank you, Lord! Warning Ahead: Picture Overload! Enjoy:)

listening to some instructions from our tour guide

playa del carmen,another tourist trap place in mexico!

This is a tequila shop, reminds us of a Breaking Bad scene!

in fairness to her,she listened to our tour guide!lol

pic from www.worldfortravel.com/ Ik Kil Cenote

sorry for the blurry pic,we just use an iPhone here — sorry for the blurry pic,we just used an iPhone here

Our server Guilberto, this is how they carry their drinks!How cool is that?! — Our server Guilberto, this is how they carried our drinks!How cool is that?!

I collect starbucks mugs (places I've visited) so this was a must thing to do! — I collect starbucks mugs (places I’ve visited) so this was a must thing to do!

perfect drinks for the hot cancun weather