Anniversary Dinner

Hello to all again! I'm excited to be able to participate in 3 memes again today: Tablescape Thursday with Susan, Foodie Friday with Michael Lee, and Some of my Favorite Things Saturday with Laurie. Yay!

THEME:
"Over The Years"
INSPIRATION:
Our family and each other

Back in October 26th, 1996, Mr. Man and I entered our LDS temple in Oakland, CA and "sealed" a covenant with Heavenly Father that we will love and cherish each other for all eternity...

Well, this year, yesterday, was our 14th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. We didn't bungee jump off any cliffside or bridge, didn't seek out a fancy restaurant, no expensive gifts bought and no parties thrown. For this anniversary, we reflected on the success of our marriage and our family as well as another pledge to make it to 7 more years of happiness. At least...

Now, we enjoy life with our three children- 1 in Hawaii, 2 at home.

But before we had all three, we had our memories and possessions that reminded us of our union and all the ups and downs we endured. So this table is reflective of that...
Card table-1997, Flowers 2002, Autumn Dinnerware- 2005, Tablecloth, Birds and Flatware-2009, Glasses, Napkins, candles and holder- 2010.

We ate in our family room after the kiddos went to bed. We listened to Michael Buble and reflected on how much we still love each other and the life we are building in our new home.

Our menu and dinnerware were also a mix of old and new: The plates, 2005 and 2007; The solid red plate (Home Trend "Siena") was a gift from a young couple family friends. They were relocating and reducing so they gave us the whole set for 4!
The food- a FAVE of ours since 1996; Crabcakes, but my own recipe this year. The couscous, only tried and loved it this year. Broccoli, a staple family veggie since childhood for Mr. Man and 1987 for me. The dessert of Cream Puffs with chocolate ganache has been an anniversary staple since 2002. Homemade ganache, totally only started 2008.

So there you are, our marital journey for your enjoyment. One thing that's still and will always be... How much we are totally crazy about each other! Everyone, meet Mr. Man. My dream man... (Max's of Manila in Honolulu, Hawaii, September 2010)
and our children L-Infinity (17), J-Pony(11) and I-Dude(8). Our pure source of joy. When we look at them, they remind us how lucky we are to have found each other.

I love my life and wouldn't trade it for anything. How about you?

Thanks for peeking! Now I'm off to see your post!

I'm Still Alive... But Barely

Ok... This is getting ridiculous. I have a full house, I mean apartment unit with one of my teen daughter's friends, now living with us. My dining room, groaning under extra food and supplies, my coffee table, lost under extra boxes and my time, totall spent on catching on homework and errands! *sigh*

I am working on getting my Fall stuff out of the storage and stealing a few hours to get a tablescape or two, done for your viewing pleasures. UNTIL THEN... I'll be here, at home, trying not to fall flat on my face from being too exhausted.

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" says... zzzzz...) Tablecloth got you baffled between fabric and vinyl? Have little ones? Then go for vinyl tablecloth with fabric like textures on it and subtle designs. Looks expensive and pretty but durable and checkbook friendly!

A Hint, A Tease, A Trifle?

Today, I was able to do a double post without realizing it. So now that I did, I hope you enjoy it! Here in our household, Spring is literally a burst of everything! New semesters, birthdays, dinner plans, storms, Spring Break, you name it, it happens in the Spring here. So, if you notice that I'm not showing much Spring Fluffing, it is because, I'm barely hanging on to what I can keep up with! LOL

Now let's start with some inventiveness then we'll move onto to some fun teasing.

Hosted by "A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Words"
What can you do to repurpose leftover angelfood cake and some pudding cups?



Make a chocolate trifle!
*Cut up angelfood cake into bitesize pieces
*Grab some lowball clear glassware
*Put 1 spoonful of pudding in the glass bottom
*Add 1 layer of the cake
*Cover with the rest of the pudding
*Add another layer of cake
Top with ice cream scoop and whipped cream and you've got a delicious trifle!
I did this dessert last night and it was a hit! There you go, even everyday foods can be enjoyed a "2nd time around". Thanks, Diane for hosting again this week!

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Hosted by "The Gypsy's Corner"
My 9-year old daughter is a cowgirl at heart, so for her 10th birthday, what does she ask for? A tablescape, of course! With what, you'll just have to wait. She's a summer baby.

Well... in light of it being TMOT, I think this hint qualifies.


TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" is quite the clever one to come up with this.) Each child is a different person with a different set of likes and dislikes. During any particular bout of "bad days" like being sick or a difficult test coming up, create a table that is sure to cheer them up. Have a theme of his favorite toy, color, TV show, the sky is the limit and call the theme, "_____ IS TOPS TODAY!" Cook a set of dishes and make a dessert that he or she loves and watch the anxiety wash away. We need to set aside time for each child to help them feel loved and attended to, so why not get the whole family on it by doing a great table in honor of one child! This is why my own family loves the "Blue Plate Special" times we have. Just having a different colored plate makes them feel special. We discuss why, how and let them shine throughout the whole meal time.

Thanks for stopping by; I've been having so much fun thinking up ideas this week, but I've also got two final research essays I need to complete before April 18th, so please, if I don't get to visit most of you during each meme, it's because I had a flash of idea for my papers, and profusely apologize in advance. See you at the next blog!

Saying Goodbye...

Saying goodbye is never easy, but one way or another, we have to do it... Belief in God is what strengthens us, the knowledge that His eternal love and wisdom constantly bestowed upon us, for our own happiness while exercising our free agency. Sometimes, he calls us when we have fully enjoyed this earth, sometimes He calls when our youthful bodies are at its peak, and sometimes, even Heaven needs a pure soul to refresh its walls...

Today, my family and I, along with the Eldredge and Reidhead families, say goodbye and see you later to baby Sage Lawrence Eldredge, my dear friend Crystal's 8-month old baby boy, her 5th child. May his sweet soul be nourishing to all he meets "back home".

In the same token, another friend revealed that she too, lost a young daughter, only two, in the past, and we will also remember her...

Sometimes... Winter's long sleep encourages to forget...

How each season is beautiful, even with death...
We scream and beg for Spring to come; in reality, nothing brings us calm.


A tiny bud, a sign of life, but we forget each victory crowned with suffering and strife.

Time is both endless and limited; each choice molds.
Just like a new blossom, words and actions help life unfold.
Loving and to be loved is a divine gift, the only one never to be spent with thrift.
Little hands reach out to love; glimpses of heaven appear and come like a dove.
Little eyes close to eternal sleep, only God his soul can keep...

(My children; Jasmine, Ian and Lisa with the balloons)
(We released the balloons before they headed to the bus stop; the balloons, just like little children have a way to "staying put" before venturing out on their own, "slowly", "one at a time", but surely...)


Love until you forget how, but more so, love because you can, now...

To Britta, we say "see you someday"... To Sage, we say, "pave the way". For both souls are precious in the sight of God, two chosen ones that made us better, just with their precious smiles and occasional nod.

I thank thee for freeing from earthly pain, choice souls Heavenly Father;
When thou deemest me ready, I will dwell with thee forever...


Hosted by "Southern Daydreamer"
Thank you Susan for gladly hosting another week!
Hope we can visit each other and go on another and numerous wonderful trips!

A Very Big THANK YOU!

To many of you who stumbled upon my family blog, "Complicated Simplicity" last Friday, I thank you for visiting my friend Crystal's blog as her mother posted on how her and husband Spencer Eldredge lost their 8-month old child last Thursday morning.

Crystal and I used to live in the same Campus Housing in ASU Polytechnic, in Mesa, Arizona as our husbands finished up college in their respective fields. As we also shared a denomination, we are Mormons, our friendship extended to monthly visits. Their darling baby Sage, though brief, couldn't have had a better set of parents. Crystal loves to make a home wherever she is and has even shared how her dream home resembles her current home. That's how deserving she is of all good things. Just thinking of her heart aching chokes me up and I can't stop seeing the picture of her and her husband holding their son Sage for the last time. Her examples to me of genuine friendship and fellowshipping is still what I use when reaching out to others. Very few people impress me, and she is one of them. I love her and I'm glad that even though only through our blogs, she is still a part of my life. She is an amazing woman and mother and Spencer is such a loving husband and father, to their family.

Your words of comfort and love and prayers are felt by their whole family. They are very appreciative and I wanted to thank all of you for extending such comforting words and genuine love for them at this difficult time.

If you wish to visit and offer your own words of comfort, here's the link:

Let Them Be Little

Pure and Simple!

My 16-year old daughter recently attended a Modest Prom that our church sponsors for all youth ages 16-18 years of age. This is an alternative party for a regular highschool prom that normally gets a little bit too risque for a lot of mild-mannered teenagers. And since it is her FIRST prom and St. Pat's is coming around, the idea for my theme came together.
She's only had a boyfriend for a month, hence the name of the theme. Also the theme was inspired by the coming of Spring when "buds" grace the earth to welcome the new season...(Pretty clever, huh?) The title of the post refers to the purity of innocent love and for the simplicity of my life. I couldn't ask for anything more...


THEME: "Budding Romance"

MY INSPIRATION:
Two-toned Green Table Runner

I love how it's embroidered and two toned (sage & mint). It went with my Bordallo plates very well!

The placesetting is fairly simple, my signature in doing tablescapes. I used my scalloped white plates and my Bordallo salad plates. I folded the napkin from a website another blogger posted about. It was perfect for the look I wanted. I also found eight (8) yellowish green round placemats that complimented the runner. (Can you see me taking the picture on the spoon?)
Do you love my Bordallos? I can use these for St. Pat's, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even Easter. How versatile is that? Plus, I got them at 75% off!

This is my daughter's crystal stemware by Gorham, for when she gets married. Here, you can see more of the pretty runner.

This table was taken on "speed" setting. while there's no light.
I found these two frosted glass with green swirls and I used them as candle lanterns. I placed the other higher on a platform so they can have a greater presentation value.
It turned out beautifully when I took the pictures. The dark pitcher is actually a green striped with brown splotches. It's really pretty. The flowers were chosen by hubby at Costco while he had a flat tire replaced. The fold of the napkin I found from another blogger's post. It is pretty easy. This next picture is with one light on, taken by hubby.

After they ate, I also made them a great dessert from an angel cake muffin that hubby found in Costco.
Doesn't it look yummy?
My daughter and her date, Daniel enjoyed being able to dine on their own with only candlelights in front of them. My next door neighbor Annette helped me out by providing the main dish for them. She is so awesome!

TABLETOP GOODIES:
Plates- Bordallo "Hen and Rooster" salad plates, Sur La Table; $2.49 each
Plates- Thomson- "Bianca" dinner plates, Ross; $1 each
Flatware- Farberware "Cameo" stainless 18/10, Dollar Tree; FREE- Hostess Gift
Napkins- Holiday Home- "White Ivory", Kroger (CC); $8.50 with tablecloth & 6 napkins
Crystal- Gorham "Flowering Meadow", Tuesday Morning; $4.99 each
Runner- Green Embroidered, Ross; $4.99
Pitcher- 10L Green Stripe, Ross; 50% off
Vases- White Frost with swirl glass, Ross; $2.99 each
Flowers- White Agapanthus and Mums with Rosemary, Costco; $10
MENU:
T-bone steak, grilled
Mashed red potatoes w/ parmesan and parsley
Broccoli w/ cheese
Angel food cake muffin with strawberry surprise and whipped cream topping
Berry Blush mock cocktail
Ice Water

They loved the food and the Modesty Prom in Dallas, which ended at midnight, was great, so all in all it was a magical evening... Complete with glass (looking silver) slippers and a grand blue gown!

The gown, she found in 20 minutes, while the shoes, we've seen at Ross several times since January but have had no reason to buy. I guess the pair was meant for her after all... Remind you of anyone? (When I made this comparison, it made her laugh!)

My St. Pat's table will be very similar, but with extra touches... Watch out for it!

A Single Candle

Hosted by "Between Naps on the Porch"
I know Spring is just around the corner. How because my son turned one year older! Since my son's birthday was on Sunday, we also celebrated it on Monday night by inviting friends over for a dinner party. We hit Walmart that morning for some last minute ideas for the menu since it was also my week for finals, the menu planning escaped my mind.
While cruising the clearance aisles, I found this light yellow candle without any tags and I quickly formed an idea for a tablescape. I certainly didn't have time for any elaborate centerpiece and since I am a Feng Shui practitioner, often my ideas are simple and harmonious to my family dynamic and to the people we often invite into our home. (Plus, "Brain" would like to point out that we are dirt poor and are currently apartment dwellers. Meaning, we don't have that much space to entertain and yet we do anyway! LOL)

THEME:"Start of Spring"
MY INSPIRATION:
A yellow mildly scented candle

It had no tag and it was almost hidden away at the bottom shelf. I happen to be looking for candles (to bring life and light to any gathering, just like my son), and it seemed odd that the only ones available for my budget happened to be squares. So it was a very nice surprise that I found it. I used only one candle as my main centerpiece to symbolize my only and very special little boy who we love very much. I quickly stashed it in my cart and since it was tagless, the customer service people gave it to me for 50 cents! The picture is reflective of its actual size, so its price is that much sweeter.

The placesetting was dictated by the menu and the guest combination of children, teens and adults. It was a rather formal table for an informal gathering, but the look of the table allowed for a more mature conversation that engaged everyone. I did have to employ a card table to stand as an additional children's table for four as we had a total of 10 people dining plus 5 others came for the cake.


As you can see, the plates were from a previous Thrifty Thursday post. Again, I focused the tablescape on the foods that would be served. Do you like the tablecloth? It is very nice that you can even hang them on your windows. Why, because they are drapes! Yes, I couldn't find any inexpensive dark taupe tablecloth for my budget but when I saw these at a great clearance price, I snapped it up! They were originally $25 as a set, but I got them for $11.00!

The rectangular serving dishes, I ignored those for several weeks until last Monday morning when I realized that they will hold the amount of food I needed to serve. They are normally $20 each, at least that's what I saw in one of the covered up tags, but I got each of them for only $8.96! The dishes and placemats are off white, so these very white serving pieces stood out nicely, anchoring the sole candle in the middle. They are heavy and each holds a lot of food.


TABLETOP GOODIES:
Plates- "Spectrum Stripes" by Culinary Arts- Kroger; $1 each
Flatware- "Highrise Sand" by Cambridge International- Kroger; $22 for 20-piece set
Glasses- "Fire and Ice" by Anchor Hocking- Walmart; $9 for 16
Placemats- "Fresh Ivory" by Home Trends- Walmart; 75 cents each
Serving dishes- Walmart; $8.96 each
Tablecloth (2 window tab drapes)- Walmart; $11
Candle- Walmart; 50 cents
MENU:
Garlic and Olive oil Vermicelli with kielbasa
Steamed Broccoli with light scampi sauce & diced tomatoes
Wheat dinner rolls with homemade honey butter
Chocolate "Hot Wheels" birthday cake
Calamansi juice (Filipino citrus)
Thank you for stopping by; I hope to see your tablescape for today, too! And make sure to visit and thank Susan of Between Naps on the Porch with me for hosting again today. See you all at the next table!

Birthday Smorgasboard & New Header

Hosted by "A Southern Daydreamer"
First of all, did you all notice my new header? I wanted to show off my own tablescapes to give this blog more of my signature. You like...?

My son turned 7 years old three days ago. And since we practice not spending any money or doing any business on Sundays, the festivities got started on Saturday!

We have a lot of birthday traditions for our children:
Choice of restaurant for either lunch or dinner
Choice of cake from Mommy
Choice of birthday gifts (no more wrapping for me! :-D)
And three birthday celebrations if the actual birthday falls on a Sunday!
Always a birthday party, even if it's just to eat cake.

So now that you know that about my family, my darling son chose to eat at Chili's (or McDonald's as a back up) for his birthday after we indulged him at Toys R Us where he also got a shoutout for his birthday, a paper crown and a mylar balloon (sweet deal!).


He's never been to Chili's before but, as previously mentioned all of my darlings are brainiacs, so from the last report cards, we had coupons for free kids' meals at Chili's! (I forgot the coupons... "Brain wasn't happy with me) Anyway, we get there and he chooses mac-n-cheese, mandarin oranges and lemonade (same thing he asks for at home, only it cost me over $7!) So we enjoy our lunch, and the waiter comes back and as a frugal mom, I ask nicely, "It's his birthday (as if it's not obvious, he's still wearing his crown!) and I'm wondering (since I forgot the coupons for the free kids' meals showing off how smart my children are), do you do anything special for birthdays?"
He was quick to say that they normally sing aloud, but since they are busy, they can give him a FREE dessert- any one on their menu!
Awesome, since we all wanted to share this one yummy looking piece of yumminess... It seemed like eons before he came back with it but when he did, the real thing was 10 times better than the picture! Did I mention that on top was a huge scoop of ice cream covered in chocolate shell? Yah, drool fest is in town!
And since there were six of us, including my teen's boyfriend (man, that still sounds weird to me!) Daniel came along, we finished off that puppy in under 30 seconds!
Do we feel guilty for such an indulgence, no way! I just told you the ratio was 6 to 1. This sweet confection did not stand a chance and the calories burned from the sheer act of fighting over, I mean sharing one dessert were more than what the dessert started with! Gotta love that!



Chili's "Chocolate Molten Lava cake" or should I say primo dessert! Do you agree that that looks delicious? Hah, what did I tell ya?

Have you been to Chili's before?

Me personally I've only been there once before, back when I was a teen, on a date with a cutie who was a tad too eager. Never saw him again after that date! Plus they kept messing up my burger! :-)

I can't wait to see where today's posts take us! OW's are always so exciting! Meet you at the next location! Thanks, Susan for hosting another fun Outdoor Wednesday!

Cultural Soup

I am a mix of China, Philippine and Spain's heritage. My husband, a mix of European genetic pool. That makes our three beautiful, smart children, bonafide mutts! :-)

But today, we are simply known as an Amerasian or a Fil-Am household. And as a tablescaper, I always watched out for that perfect dinnerware set that represents what our household truly is: a beautiful mix of East and West...

Look at the colors of both flags:









The design of this adorable set is clearly Asian, but the colors clearly belong to both nations.
So I present to you... "Butterfly Blossoms" by Pier 1.
I went there after a church friend (Thank you, Stephanie!!!) tipped me off on some of their deals, but when I saw this set, I almost died! It couldn't have been more perfect!


Do you agree?
I fell head over heels so much that I grabbed all the perfect ones from one location and finished the 8 count of 3-piece placesetting sets plus napkin holders and two rectangular platters in another! The best part? Each piece were 60% off! Actually, the napkin rings were 80% off! Yes!!!

I can't wait to use these for Independence Day! I just need a beautiful blue oriental vase, some white orchids, some cool figurines, some rattan chargers.... Ooppss... I'm letting out all the secrets; that's ok, there are more I haven't said. You'll all just have to wait until July 4th to see it all! Ok, bye for now, love you all for peeking!

A Tale of Two Goblets

Hosted by "How Sweet The Sound"

These two goblets were given to me by my baby sister, Rowena before we left California to move to Arizona.

She joined a book club and for every three ordered she received one goblet. She can order up to how many she wanted. Well, after she got the second goblet, she had to abandon the notion of books by mail- she had to save for something else that took up a rather higher ranking in her list of priorities.

So for today's Pink Saturday, my very first one to do...

("Brain", I'm a little nervous to share.) ("What are you nervous about?")

(You know... They may not like it!) ("Well, you'll never know unless you show them!")

(But what if they don't like it?!) ("I'm sure they will, don't worry!")

(But, but... What if they...) ("What, if, but... Be like Nike and JUST DO IT! Now!")

(Alright, you're so testy!) ("Carolyn, just do it already! I'm sure they'd like to see what you posted about...")

(Fine... Here I go...) ("You can do it... I know you can.")

I present to you, my two rose-colored wine goblets!

It's not crystal but the fact that it came from my sister, my only and younger sister who is bravely raising two children on her own is enough to make this quite priceless... So yes, NO ONE (not even my children) is allowed to touch these babies! ("Brain" is always watching... Remember?)


I hope you all enjoyed going down memory lane with me. I miss her so much and my "babies"- my niece April and nephew Kyle... They are so cute! I remember this one time when we--

("Snap out of it, Carolyn! This is not the Oprah Winfrey show!" ~"Brain") (Sorry, my bad...)

(Thanks for the encouragement, "Brain"! Sharing was so much better... Ok! Onto the next thing.)

TABLESCAPING IDEA: Think of a reason to have a dinner for two in your own dining room. With a light pink tablecloth (Anna's Linens have a great selection) and some white candles on smooth crystal candleholders and a white rose bud on a crystal bud vase. Set up a footed tray of finger foods, and at the bottom, two special goblets like mine (just for these types of dinners) filled halfway with your fave libation (hopefully nothing strong or non-alcoholic, preferrable). Turn down the lights, share the food, the drink and declare your undying love for each other, all over again...
(This is a great idea. Even "Brain" is quite impressed; and she's the smart one! Love that!)

Happy Pink Saturday everybody!!!