Saturday, December 10, 2011

Lunar Eclipse

My view of the Total Lunar Eclipse from San Diego,CA


What is a Lunar Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse takes place when the moon, following its orbit around us, passes directly behind Earth as seen from the sun.
The next scheduled Total Lunar Eclipse will be on April 15, 2014



Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Sugar Cookies

 

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons brandy, or milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Royal Icing, optional

Directions
Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; mix until light and fluffy. With mixer running, add egg, brandy, and vanilla; mix until well combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add reserved flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes; do not allow to brown. 

Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Decorate with Royal Icing & Sprinkles, optional.

Recipe by Martha Stewart






Saturday, December 3, 2011

December Nights 2011


Thousands of people came to the 34th annual December Nights event at Balboa Park in San Diego. Traffic was horrible but was definitely worth it! A variety of food vendors was on site and gift shops as well. Expect a lot of people, beautiful lights, food, crowd, traffic, music & flash photography. Here's a link to December Nights, you can download and print your map (it'll be handy for the event) also you can download an App for your IPhone or Android called Meridian and it lists the places and events at Balboa park. 


Children singing

The Christmas tree opened up with different scenes from The Nativity

Santa's Sleigh

<3 




Monday, November 28, 2011

Christmas Wish List

I've decided to make my Christmas Wish List PUBLIC.... hahahaha (hint hint) 











Ok, I have a lot on my list but these 5 are on top of my Christmas list. I would love to have a new lens for my camera with higher aperture which the 50mm 1.4 has, but I also wouldn't mind just the 1.8 which is cheaper.  I want a more bokeh-ish look to my pics. I am still a novice to photography but I am in love with it. The next group on my list are a few beauty/skin stuff. Who doesn't want beautiful skin? I've heard of people raving about the PMD, I would love to try it myself. While Philosophy products are always great, very gentle with the skin and really improves your skin's quality. 

Have you made your Christmas Wish List yet? 
Christmas is only 27 days away!




Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Birthday to ME



Last night, Mike & Mikaela surprised me with a birthday cake, balloons & flowers. I love them forever. Thank you my little family <3 And I get to blog on my bday, yay! lol I am baking 2 pies today for Thanksgiving (tomorrow). 1st pie, traditional Pumpkin pie with a twist of cream cheese but it's not a cheese cake. 2nd pie, Pecan pie with a hint of bourbon. I hope they both turned out good. Guess we'll find out tomorrow. 


Pumpkin pie & Pecan pie

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

USS Midway Museum


Last week we visited USS Midway Museum and it was our first trip there. I must say that the ship was amazing and extremely HUGE. I've never been in a Naval ship before and I am amazed at how this huge thing can even float in the water and all the gadgets that comes with it. The staff was very knowledgeable of the ship's history and functions. Pretty cool stuff! They even had flight simulators, a cafe, gift shop. And on their website you can even rent the ship for a private party, wow!


 


Daddy & Mikaela testing out the plane










Thursday, November 17, 2011

11.16.11

I am now a (temp) stay at home mom =) So I am always trying to find ways to entertain my daughter and myself. Mikaela and I went for a walk today and ended up at the pet store, she wanted to see the hamsters, cats & "Nemo"

Photobucket
A picture of a sleeping hamster (Mikaela asked me "Mommy take a PITCHUR! He sleeping!"
(Taken with mytouch4g)
After our little adventure at Petco, we walked to Vons to buy groceries. She picked up a box of cream cheese brownies. I've never made brownies with cream cheese before so ok, why not give it a try. After we finished grocery shopping, the little Starbucks kiosk was calling my name lol. I had to pick up a grande Creme Brulee Latte! Ohhh sooo good!  

It was almost time for Mikaela's nap so I waited 'til after dinner to start baking.






My little tot at 2 1/2 yrs old

Moist & chewy cream cheese brownie baked by Mikaela & Mommy





 

Friday, November 11, 2011

Happy Birthday Hubby Love



Late Post..
My husband celebrated his 26th birthday on 11.09.11
On the eve of his birthday Mikaela & I surprised him with a small birthday cake. Except he heard Mikaela say "ooooh cake!! Yummmy!" while I was preparing his bday cake. Still, he acted really surprised =) Which I appreciated.
He had to work on his birthday and also went to the gym afterwards as always. I knew he was tired but still wanted to go out for drinks, just us two. Jagger shots & margaritas = fun!

We're having a bday bbq tomorrow with friends and family. Also we'll be watching the Pacquiao-Marquez fight. Weather forecast says RAIN all day. It won't matter, rain or shine we're having a party for my babe <3

We <3 Daddy! (squints@ bright sun)



Happy Birthday Daddy video


Monday, November 7, 2011

Bubbles



What a nice day! Sun shining and cool breeze blowing. After lunch today, Mikaela and I spent time blowing bubbles. She loves blowing bubbles! She was even singing to the bubbles after they flew away. Today would've been a perfect day for DISNEYLAND! Maybe next weekend will be like this. I sure hope so. It has been raining here in San Diego and people here aren't really used to that. We prefer sunny days and cool breeze. Very grateful for this nice weather.




admiring the bubbles


Friday, November 4, 2011

Rainy Day





Woke up this morning to the sound of rain falling on my roof top. A great weather to get cozied up and snuggle with my loves.Though my husband was already out of bed getting ready for work. I then realized I need to get my butt up to prepare his lunch.  What a cold and gloomy morning I thought. sigh. What to do? What to do? Hmmmm

 Since  we have no where else to go due to the weather and I am not in the mood to do laundry yet I've decided to do something crafty with my little one. I helped Mikaela trace her hands and a pair of her not so little shoes (she's only 2 and now wears a size 8) on a construction paper, cut them out and glued them together. Added a beak, feet and drew out the eyes and this was our end product.


Turkey - gobble gobble.

Note: I am enjoying this moment of silence. My little Mikaela just fell asleep <3

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Playground



Mike and I took Mikaela to the playground today. I am so amazed at how quickly she's grown! She can now climb the ladder and go down the slide on her own. She's a brave little girl, she loves trying out new things. IF ONLY I can slow things down a bit. <3