Monday, July 27, 2009

bonne annversaire...mon doux, Reya...

SURPRISE!!!
today's your birthday, sweet REYA!!! we're here to help you celebrate-
whoo-hooo....yayayayay!!!
the lil' munchkins, mom + i hopped on over to your neck of the woods to surprise you...
so i'm out of town right now (and will be back next week to continue on sending some love to special hearts very soon)here's your special b-day breakfast...petit blueberry silver dollar pancake special...
SURPRISE!

special lil' hearts from my sis' ning group...created with love your very own Random Act of Kindness book -(RAK)...your very, very own Rays of Sunshine pages oozing with cuteness+loving thoughts...awww...you laughed, you cried...you were utterly amazed
touched beyond belief...thank you to all the sweet contributing artists...you totally made her day ultra special...

now we're off to explore another city to spend more birthday love with you!
will post more of our adventures soon...
hoping you're enjoying these gorgeous summer days...
salud!
xoxo jojo

Thursday, July 23, 2009

did you catch it?...longest solar eclipse in 21st century...ASIA


image from here

image from here

did you catch it?
they did here,

awesome...do you think they did?

image from here

wow...now that's a camera...pretty sure he must have, right?
i truly think he certainly did...
(according to his flickr page, he was practicing for the big day bec. he was going to be on a boat
...wow...now that's soooo cool!)
image from here

now that's a unique way to catch it

image from here


no matter what you believe in, what culture, what race...

image from here

it's such a rare opportunity to catch it...

image from here

to see more amazing photos of the 2009 solar eclipse Asia go here

according to the associated press and an article written By ERIC TALMADGE, Associated Press Writer Eric Talmadge, Associated Press Writer –
Wed Jul 22, 8:33 am ET...the eclipse


"start[ed] off in India just after dawn, the eclipse was visible across a wide swath of Asia before moving over southern Japan and then off into the Pacific Ocean. In some parts of Asia, it lasted as long as 6 minutes and 39 seconds. The eclipse is the longest since July 11, 1991, when a total eclipse lasting 6 minutes, 53 seconds was visible from Hawaii to South America. There will not be a longer eclipse than Wednesday's until 2132."


wow what a rare opportunity for millions of people to experience in Asia...the next long eclipse is expected to come 123 years from now...
how lucky are those that were able to see a part of history being made...
to see more amazing pictures and read this article go
here






(image from here )

according to Fred Espenak, astronomer,of SkyandTelescope.com:
"The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century begins at dawn near the west coast of India and crosses southern China before heading out into the Pacific Ocean. Red lines denote regions where a partial eclipse is visible. Blue lines indicate mideclipse in Universal Time." Click on the image for a larger version.


Fred Espenak discusses future total eclipses too:

"Future Total Eclipses
On July 11, 2010, this part of the world will be favored with its third total solar eclipse in as many years. The track is almost entirely over the South Pacific. Easter Island and southern Chile (at sunset) offer the only landfalls. And the South Pacific also hosts the next one, on November 13, 2012. A total solar eclipse won’t cross the Americas until
August 21, 2017, when the Moon’s umbra will sweep from Oregon to South Carolina." for more information on the article go here.

to see a live coverage of the eclipse in Japan go here

now let's see...July 11, 2010 in the South Pacific...hmmm...that sounds like a perfect reason to plan a summer getaway, wouldn't you think?!

checkin' my calendar...oh yeah...my bank account too...lol

(go here + here if you want to check out Solar Eclipse Tours for 2010 in Tahiti, Moorea,+ Bora Bora...ahhh wishful thinking...

will have to wait 8 more years til it hits our soil....;))



images from here (i just added text)

see wonderful things can happen during an eclipse...

twin giant pandas were born in Bifeng Gorge Base in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan province, on Wednesday July 22, 2009 during the solar eclipse...

awwww...

images from here+here

how spectacular is that? truly anything is possible....
image from here


well...how ever you caught it...

just know that you're one of the lucky ones...how fortunate are you?

whatever your beliefs are...
this phenomenon truly demonstrates the ultimate power of what
nature, science, God+man can do...

simply amazing!
image from here

...i've only seen a solar or lunar eclipse a few times in my life...

how about you? do you remember your favourite eclipse? how old were you?

looking forward to catching a couple of more, esp. with my lil' munchkins...
well...they won't be lil' anymore by that time-they'll be 15...teenie-boppers!
YIKES!!!

...have a beautiful day...
carpe diem...seize the day!

(i also received a sweet tag meme '6 little things that make you happy' from such a sweetheart, Gracie , [thanks for sharing this one with me, Gracie...it's a provoking one...makes you really appreciate what can make you happy...]
and i didn't think that it would be so difficult to just pick '6 lil' things' that can make me happy...
but it is for me...hopefully i'll post soon, i promise!)

salut!

xoxo jo ;)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

dîners d'été et pâtisserie...a la bee line sweets café...

last night sis, bobbie , invited the lil' munchkins + i over for some delicious French cuisine+movie (Knowing~with Nicholas Cage...scary+thought provoking)

(image courtesy of http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/06/13/sci_fi_action_adventures_knowing_aamp_pu_8)

...she made quiche lorraine+petite key lime tarts...
and boy was it ever delish!!!
my sis styled her special dishes
with her mod plates+placemats+pretty flowers for these shots
and i just couldn't resist taking a few shots of her creations+added the French phrases:

dîners d'été et pâtisserie (summer dinners + pastry)
les petites tartes de lime clés (petite key lime tarts)
...


my sis used a basic quiche lorraine recipe and her secret ingredients...(she added a few leftover frozen potato hashbrowns as the crust+already made bacon)...
she served it with steamed asparagus...mmmm.
she quickly rattled the recipe as i devoured every inch of this delish dish
but i'll try to remember what she said...
here's a similar recipe from here but with some of her revisions:

Ingrediants:

3 large eggs (she used the liquid low fat egg in a carton)
1 1/2 cups low-fat milk (she used half+half...but i'd like to make it a lil' bit more low fat, so i'd prob. use skim milk)
1 teaspoon flour
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
pinch nutmeg
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion (she didn't use an onion)
finely chopped2 Idaho potatoes, about 1 1/2 pounds, thinly sliced (she used leftover frozen potato hashbrowns maybe 2-3c-to cover tart pan)
1/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese (she used swiss cheese)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (she didn't use this)
4 slices Canadian bacon (she used a handful of already made bacon that you microwave)
(she used a handful of one or all: parsley, chives, herbs for topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk and flour together in a
mixing bowl. Generously season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and set aside.
3. Heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in a large, ovenproof, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and
cook until it is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Transfer the onions to a strainer and let the excess liquid drain off. (she didn't use onions)
4. Heat the remaining oil in the same pan over medium heat.
(she omitted steps 3-5 and used leftover cooked frozen potato hasbrowns~cubed~ but she suggests using shredded hashbrowns for easier crust factor)
5. Arrange the potato slices in overlapping concentric circles on the bottom and sides of the pan. Fill in any holes with slices of potato and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, without turning the potatoes, until they begin to turn golden brown on the edges, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
6. Sprinkle the cheese over the potatoes. Cover the cheese with the cooked onions and Canadian bacon. (she used swiss cheese + already made bacon-just microwaved the bacon according to package directions) Carefully pour the egg mixture into the pan and place the pan in the oven.
7. Bake the quiche for about 45 minutes or until it is just set.
Nutrional Value:
Number of Servings: 6
Per Serving =
Calories 228 Carbohydrate 25g Fat 9g Fiber 3g Protein 16g Saturated Fat 3g Sodium 426mg
et voila...
délicieux!

now for an easy-peasy summer dessert
(that my sis whipped up in a blink of an eye):
les petites tartes de lime clés

Ingredients:

tart shells (already made-check grocery aisle for already made tart shells)+ Kraft Philadelphia: Key Lime Ready-to-Eat Cheesecake Filling, 24.3 oz + whipped topping + fruit (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, etc)






(image courtesy of http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/p-141146-0%204294936240-Clearbrook-Farms_Clearbrook-Farms-Mini-Tart-Shells.aspx?brand=4294936240)


+


(image courtesy of http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10824417)


+



(image courtesy of http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/objects/food/458211_berries.php?id=458211)
+



(image courtesy of http://www.cakehead.com/archives/2008/05/whippet_topping.html)


=

scrumptious. delectable. all mine.


don't you just love easy+quick desserts?
esp. in this hot weather...it's nice not using the hot oven once in awhile...

wanna try another divine key lime tart recipe? try this one from smitten kitchen
~yummo~


merci beaucoup, bobbie...for the sweet dinner/dessert/movie night!

hoping you are enjoying these delicious summer days...

any favourite fast+easy summer dishes or even great summer flicks to share?

...please do tell...
bonsoir
xoxo jo ;)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

happy day to you...sister gail+new bebe!

happy birthday to my lil' sis, gail...it was a very special day...
she finally told
us that she's expecting #3 (maybe #4 too? twins run in my bil's family...will be praying...)
half of us were surprised...like moi and the other half...well...knew...
gail's a sales rep by day and a cake maker by night...she baked her own b-day cake:
chocolate pistachio cake...it was yummo!
everyone brought goodies too...my other sis, Bob, made her famous 'crack mix' mix of carmel, nuts, chocolate + popcorn, buffulo appetizer dips and delicious rice crispies...i made white rice, fried rice, taco dip, raspberry bars, Filipino cake~Bibinka and sugar free chocolate chip cookies...my pop+mom bought a whole roasted pig (in the Philippines, we call it 'lechon') mmmm...pancit, tomato+onion soy sauce salad, Filipino Halo-Halo...oh there were tons of other food too...(in our culture, we embrace the idea of a 'feast' with tons of comfort/delicious food to nourish+feed our soules...and to share all our blessings with our friends + families...)
it was also my other sis, Bob's, and my #2niece, Jade's Holy Communion Luncheon Reception. great food, wonderful family and sweet ambiance...my sis did a beautiful job hosting...it was all in the details...a beautiful day Jade will treasure always...
what a weekend filled with family+friends...
my sis, Mary Ann,
sent the flowers and cute gifts like a family stamp made of their new puppy, Chomski with their last name on it...that was sweet. doesn't my sis look happy...such great news...
what a great b-day gift!
these are the new parents-to-be along with the new grandparents-to-be...(can you tell which are my dear folks?! hee-hee)


people had a blast...



this is our first sweet niece, Isabel and her best bud, Rachel...can't believe she's 12...yikers...the bottom pic is of my Pop, Uncle Rick, his wife Aunt Doris, her sis and their kiddos-Sonica + JR (JR is my godson...he's almost 17 and well he towers over me...can't believe he's going to be a jr in hs...i'm feeling my age all of a sudden...)


this is zachary...isn't he the cutest lil' boy?! ian took him under his wings...he loved playing with him...zach also loved playing with ian...they have something in common...
the LOVE 4 CHOCOLATE...
zach just couldn't wait to devour his slice of cake...
ian wanted a 2nd slice...um...no...maybe next time...ha!
anyway, congratulations to my sis and her hubby...
the new bebe will arrive sometime in february 2010...
man...2010...that sounds a lil' bit scary...
hoping good things are coming your way too!
bonne nuit
xoxo jo ;)

Friday, July 10, 2009

merci beaucoup le vendredi #6~GracieBellaButterfly's PIF treasures...

guess what came in the mail all the way from AUSTRALIA...
yup...
random acts of kindness...
that's what Gracie has done...
WOW!!!!
Gracie sent me a huge package filled with so much LOVE!!!
took some nice pics of most of the treasures she sent to me...
in love with this print below from theloveshop...superb...amazing
go check it out...you're going to fall in love...
Christopher Vine Design-absolutely divine!!!

here's EVERYTHING....SWEET!

theloveshop

check out all the sweet treasures, Gracie so kindly sent over to me...i'm absolutely floored by her absolute sweetness ... every item...coming from the heart...chosen with such caring thoughts...

Christopher Vine-exquisite card...simply magnifique!

la vie de France guidebook for my future dream trip to my Love-Paris-France +
smiggles + chocolates...mmmm = oh my!

totally put a smile on my lil' munchkins' faces...

pure happiness...
thank you so very much for thinking of my lil' bugs and sending over such adorable goodies!!!

ian+shioban+gracie's love+treasures=pure delight!

simply one of my favourite authors...can't wait to delve into this wonderful novel and totally dream away...i simply love this movie... gorgeous eye-candies and one of my alltime favs!!!
wow!!! this package was covered with such a delicious scent...'french lavender'...ahhhhhh take me away!!!

wow...adore this postcard print...i heart belle and boo, too...soooo sweet!
such a thoughtful letter...Gracie kindly listed all her goodies to me...such pretty paper and i truly love getting a personal letter, don't you?! makes it much more special and i feel like there's a total connection between the two of us...
sweet letters...it's like a gift in itself...
simply precious!

now check this next item...
what a beautifully designed card...all by the amazing Gracie!
wowzer...Gracie made this card for her friend's bachelorette party...absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!
another adorable creation made lovingly by sweet Gracie~
and here


aren't these tags just adorable!!!! i love tags, paper, you name it...this was so creative...love the colours and how the doilie looks like it's been fossilfied (is there such a word?!lol) on the paper...gorgeous!!! you could find Gracie here~
here are more cute items Sweet Gracie sent...
love how everything is wrapped and packaged...

anastasia of pervical road design
delicious paper, tags, embellishments...i heart anastasia too!!!!!!!

Gracie sent me this postcard with a couple of handmade envies.
wow...simply gorgeous!
simplesongdesign.com
who doesn't love lists?! i love making them...and well keeping all your lists in one spot would be so wonderful!!!!!!!!


now how sweet are you, Gracie!!! you truly remembered my munchkins and these stationaries, erasers , pencils, candies are absolutely divine!


smiggle love


smiggle love

thank you so very much, Sweet Gracie...for making my b-day soooooo extra special...
i LOVE + adore everything!!!!!!! it's as if you already personnelly knew me...
maybe one day...my lil' family will go down under and hug + kiss you...
~but for now, i'm blowing some kisses your way~
you really made my heart sing today!!!!!!
again, merci beaucoup!
have a beautiful week + weekend...
bonne nuit...
xoxo jo ;)