A Box of Chocolates

I decided to have weekender projects, a series of biscornu from the ATALIE series 2007. I've finished Mars 2007 this weekend. Such a quickie project indeed but I have to say I'm so delighted with the result.

Here's the front,

Completed 23Sept'07

and the sideview,

Completed on 9th Sept'07
Stitched on 28ct Ivory

The NB is from The VS Lavender Hearts, a design for needleroll. Since I intended to make a biscurno, I made an NB instead of the NR.

The front cover has bands of floral cross stitch, small hardanger heart, smyrna cross, herringbone, herringbone hemstitch, queen stitch hearts, half-cross stitches and bargello. The inside has cross stitch, backstitch, queen stitch and heart satin stitch, backstitch word "needles" and a pocket with eyelets for spare needle pack storage.

The biscurno is made of some parts I got from The VS Close at Heart and some other specialty stitches I know. Stitched and arranged the way I thought it will look nice, making it one of a kind, made especially just for Sis Noreeen.

Just a small gift as a token of our friendship and for all the wonderful things Sis Noreen gave me. Thanks sis!

Have a great weekend you all!

Continue reading ... ►

Back to top ... ▲

I know you will agree with me when I say, the best part of birthdays is the gifts from our lovedones. Hubby's birthday gift to me really made me so happy. You know what I love jewelries and had started collecting since my first job. At first I've collected yellow gold but as time goes by I am more into white golds and platinums.

The last time we were at Esprit, hubby kept on asking which bag I like but told him no plans of buying. But he keeps asking me, so like a broken record, so I told him the greyish shoulder bag. I didn't know he bought it and gave it to me on my birthday. Surprises...surprises.

With it is a Tian Po red paper bag so I had the hint already that it's a jewelry. Little that I know, it contains 2 small boxes. I opened one box and saw....

A pair of dangling pearl 18K white gold earrings. I like it so much that I jumped out of my seat, hugged him and said thank you. He said, "hold your horses! Open the other box"

And so I did. OMG!!...

Another pair of earrings, the one which I've been wishing for since I saw it in the brochure. I was blown away. He surprised me, so much that I didn't know he knew I like it and drooling over it. That I didn't buy it coz of the price and always thinking out loud "impractical to buy!"

WOW, he's really good at surprises. It is a pair of dangling aquamarine, diamond, 18K white gold earrings. He said he was looking for sapphire (as it is my birthstone, our birthstone) of the same style but it's out of stock already. What's left was aquamarine and turquoise, he chose the aquamarine with the darker shade. Though it is not sapphire, he knew I will like it too since blue is my fave color.

I'm so very happy for all the gifts I received from my dear friends and family. But of course, it is the thought that counts. Join me in doing the happy dance!!

P.S. please don't mind my skin. I cropped the photo to remove the freckles but cannot remove them all. Please excuse my pigskin, lol!!

Last week was really a busy week for us. Twas hubby's and my birthday so we went out for 3 consecutive days to celebrate. Hubby is one day older than me. How unsual and unique, we were both born in September of the same year, baptized in the same patron saint church which is Immaculate Conception (church in Batangas for him and mine in Manila) and we got married at the same patron saint church too which is Immaculate Conception Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila.


We've been here for quite a while now but we only visit some tourist spots and known places here occasionally. Hubby decided to check out the Snow City for a change. I didn't expect it to be that fun. I can tell hubby enjoyed the slide so much when he kept saying "again!" "again!". See those smiles, really nice to feel young again!

We went home after that as I'm in no mood to go anywhere else. My rear was wet and his also but at least his shirt was long enough to cover that portion. Had I known, should have brought extra clothes.

I had never tasted any Indian food in my dear life yet, so hubby ordered some at Brinda. Got the list of home delivery from my friend Jes and hubby chose Brinda among the many.

We had cheese prata, prawn masala, fish head and tandoori chicken. The dip for the prata was to chilli hot for me and the fish head as well. But I so like the tandoori chicken and the prawn masala, still hot for me but I can tolerate it for as long as I don't eat much of the sauce. I'm not used to eating too chilli hot food, so guess what I had after.

Yes dessert! But not only blackforest cake but also tiramizu ice cream to extinguish my fiery mouth. I bet I gained another pounds, lol!!!

On Saturday, my birthday, we went to Plaza Singapura for some shopping and had dinner there. Honestly I can't recall the name of the restaurant (uuhhh, another lapse of memory, lol!) And I was really hungry that I forgot to take photos. Anyways, we had Carbonara, Fish fillet, crispy prawn, coleslaw and french fries. For dessert, we had black chocolate cake. Picture paints a thousand words, I know.. too late for remorse.

We also went to Clark Quay for dinner, my first time (again! words for the the day.. first time, hehehehe). The place was really nice, lots of people walking here and there and restaurants were full. Busy spot, most especially at night.

We had dinner in a Chinese restaurant (again, no name please, can't recall). I just like the seafood soup hubby ordered. Tastes so good, I even had 2nd serving... first time ever. Usually I can't finish a single serving, must be that good eh!

The restaurant's specialty dish which is fried rice with seafoods was good also. Of course the famous chilli crab claw with chinese bun is a must.

UUUhhh, YUMMY!! Love love love it.

We also had coffee chicken with whippedcream. Something new to me, in fact I never thought that it is equally yummy. Hubby was right, I liked it too.

And lastly, my most anticipated part of a meal, correct.. the dessert.

Another first time, a unique oriental rice cake ice cream. It tastes good, not too sweet. I like it so much, so much that I said to hubby I can finish 3, lol! but he said that one is enough. Oh well, he's right.

What a wonderful birthday celebration! Thanks to all of you for the birthday greetings and warm wishes. Great day, indeed. Just don't ask me my age and weight, lol!!

Thank you Lord!

I was still lying on my bed when suddenly the doorbell rang. Though I'm already awake, I still want to lie down for a few minutes more. I hate it when I'm forced to stand up and see who that bug is. I put on my robe and head towards the door. With a furrowed eyebrows, long face and sharp words ready to spit out, I opened the door. It was the postman. My mood suddenly changed. Had a big smile on my face when he gave me the parcel.

A package from Sis Noreen of CA, USA. I know she sent me something but never thought it will arrive so soon. I was jumping out for joy when I saw what's inside and blurted out " wow, thank you!!!"

I just love the Calgon white grape peach body mist she sent me. It smells so good! I sprayed it on right away and I must say, I smell so YUMMY!! I'm sure hubby will like my new scent (oh no, I'm in big trouble, lol!!!).

Dunno yet what to stitch on it, but I'm pretty much excited to use it. I like it so much!

I realized just now, I have my fabby wish fairies. Not just one but 2, woohooo, lucky me!

I guess Sis Noreen had read my mind and gave me this lovely scissor fob with tip protector which she made for me. I was looking for this tip protector for a long time now. My search is over, that is because of Sis Noreen's creativity and thoughtfulness. Thank you so much!!


I am such a lucky person. I've found friends from around the world who are so nice and true, and yes you are one of them Sis Noreen. Thank you also for all the support and help. For patiently helping me out and tolerate my ignorance. Words are not enough to express my gratitude to you.

Just hear me sing...

Another surprise from a dear friend. Got the package yesterday and it's from my Superfriend Yvonne. While holding it, my heart beats so fast. I was so excited to open it, like a child drooling for a candy.

A lovely card, signed not only by SF but also by my superniece. See those scribbles? That's superniece's message and signature, lol!! How cute.

Superfriend and I were talking about hand dyed fabbies by Silkweaver late July. She said she wanted to get a fabby for PR UTAOL. She asked me, if I were to stitch it which one would I like. I told her, I'm planning to dye my own. Then she asked, what about L&L SoC, what fabby would I chose. I told her I like Shadowbrook.

Shadowbrook it is. She ordered and sent it to me. I was so surprised!! I had no idea that she's digging out from my nose as to what hand dyed fabric I like. She knew me well, I'm not into buying online, but not unless I can pay by bank transfer. I am paranoid when it comes to buying online and using credit cards. Perhaps I didn't notice that she's trying to know which one I like because at that time I was so excited and very much looking forward for our trip in the Phils. And so she got the info she had squeezed out from me and ordered it after I left for Phils and it arrived after a week.

When I got back from Phils, I asked her if she got her order from SW and would like to see the photo. She said it hasn't arrive yet. I didn't know she's lying until I got her parcel and read the bday card. She said it wasn't easy to lie to me when I asked about the SW when she was actually having it in front of her all the time. She said she was praying all the time "please don't ask me anymore", and recall what she had lied so far, in order to make her story matches, hehehehe. I told her she's good at digging out info. She replied " I was good, eh? You should had seen my nose bleeding when I tried to dig it out from your nose. I rolled eyes and asked you again" LOL!!!

I like the SW fabric Shadowbrook, my first ever hand dyed fabby. Yeah, I have some dyed fabbies and even stitched on it but it's my own dyed. So having shadowbrook is something to me, can't wait to stitch on it.

She also gave me blue and brown fabbies which she got from a shop in Gemany. And the DMC linen floss, which is really a nice addition onto my collection.

I'm so very happy and thankful for all these stuff. I was dancing and singing when I saw everything. Thank you so much my dear SF!!!

----------------------------

I also got a birthday card and 2 discount cards from Esprit.

And another set of discount cards from my fave jewelry shops.

What a blessings-filled day!! Thank you Lord.

Hubby and I were very much interested in visiting this newly opened and very first Filipino restaurant in Marina Square, Singapore "7107 Flavours" named after the number of islands in the Philippines.

Just last Sunday, we decided to drop by and have lunch there since we intend to go to the PC Show in Suntec, right beside Marina Square.

The ambience is nice. As we got in, Filipino waiters and waitresses greeted us. It felt like we were in the Philippines as hubby and I talked to them in Tagalog.

Not a good time for us though, as we just had our vacation in Phils and had taken the time to eat what we craved for and missed. But then, whenever available in the menu, Lumpiang Sariwa (vegetable roll) must not to be missed out and of course, fresh ripe and green Mango juice. We both wanted to have Melon juice but not available at that time. I like our melon so much, with the sweet yellow-orange meat, not like the melon here which is pale green in color & is called honeydew melon.

For the main course we had grilled pork,

and sizzling sisig (sauteed and sizzling dish made of pork, various spices and fresh egg on top). It is a delicious viand and a fantastic bar chow as well. Different restaurants have different styles of preparing this dish and gone beyond just the traditional pork, like tuna sisig, bangus (milkfish) sisig and chicken sisig.

I just remember my fave sisig at Dencio's, woooo, crispy and crunchy, really yummy! In fairness, sisig in 7107 is delicious too! We also chose adobo rice, which hubby said taste like my fried rice. What a compliment!!! He really is my number one fan!

Enjoying the savoury Filipino foods

If you knew me well, for me a meal is not complete if no "panghimagas" (dessert) served after the main course. So I ordered what I had not eaten last time in the Phils which is Maja Blanca (coconut corn cake).

Serving - good for 4 persons

my plate, enjoying every bite!

Can you imagine how full and satisfied we were? Yeah, you bet!!!

I've checked the menu and saw lotsa food I usually miss. Can tell, there'll be next. Perhaps next time should be in the evening as the resto transfoms into a cosmopolitan watering hole with Filipino live band entertainment. Not to mention the Karaoke (Filipino's favorite pastime) which can request if one wants.

7107 Flavours is truly a first of it's kind. Not only a fine dining restaurant showcasing the best Philippine cuisine, it is also a show house of all the best products from the Phils - paintings, sculptural works, basketry, woodworks, and other items you only find in the Philippines. And should you want to go and visit the Philippines to have more of what you see at 7,107 Flavours – the travel desk will help you book your flight all at once. All-in-one!!