Labor day?

After the lovely wedding last Saturday, we drove straight to Manila for a cake delivery in Alabang. At 530 in the morning we were still in Dagupan. I was a wreck! I thought we weren't going to catch Summer's party. I'm glad we did though. We delivered this beauty. All 4 feet tall of it and 150 ribboned and tagged cupcakes. Yay!



Tired from everything, we slept all day at the hotel. Then had a sumptuous dinner at Buffet101. As usual, it didn't disappoint except for the dessert section. Something was off... Or maybe it's just me.

Yesterday, I did last minute errands for the party line ups we have. Then at night head home to Laoag.

So what's keeping us busy now... Nothing... Which I miss. It's been ages... Not that I'm complaining. Busy is good.

The kiddo and Ace talking over bike parts. The little one envious, Ace happy. Period! At last, he gets to assemble his bike after a 5 month hiatus! Yay! Oh don't blame me... I'm just but a normal wife who budgets stuff and all. Chos!








The look of disbelief when he saw I wrote that I'm a normal wife. Haha... Believe me Ace, it is harder to live without me. =)

So what am I up to? Nothing! I'm trying to be nonchalant about the bike. Hmmm let's see, what do I want in exchange of the bike? Nothing for now. Ha ha

Oh gee, I spoke too soon. Our staff scheduled two meetings for me this pm. Ayayay!

Nevertheless, busy is good! Happy Labor day folks!

- kit m.

Location:Mr. & Mrs. M's

Irvin & Carol's wedding

Talk about hands on. Though we have staff who work with us, there are some details that Ace and I have to do ourselves. The length of ribbons, how they are looped, the flowers to be used... I just can't entrust it to anyone. That makes it difficult for us to go on vacations.





Yesterday, we had a lovely wedding. I got to use our white lamps again.



Lovely! I hope the bride and groom are happy about the set up. I feel sad about the churches set up though. Paoay church became strict overnight. For months, we've been visualizing about a twig tree filled aisle with cascading white orchids and hanging votives. The night before the event, we sent our staff to bring our stuff to the church. The priest didn't allow us to go through our concept. He didn't want to use our carpet, our bridal chairs too. Sigh! We had not much to do than to comply. I know the bride will be heartbroken. Sorry. =(




Again, I hope this atones the church mishap. So brides and grooms, think twice if you intend to get married in Paoay. Sta. Monica church in Sarrat is (for me) equally gorgeous too. The wood trusses inside are amazing. How did they ever engineer that thing? How did they lift those trusses? I'm in awe!

Well, well, there are no perfect weddings... A glitch here and there... What's important is the love the couple has for each other. I know, baduy but true!


- kit m.

Location:Playa Tropical, Currimao Ilocos Norte

Legoland and Sea World

At Honolulu Intl. waiting for our flight to LA. There is something in LA that I can't pinpoint what that I keep coming back and get to miss at times. It feels like second home. So when I was arranging our itinerary, there has to be a stop in LA.








Famished from the flight. We were treated to dinner by my loving Uncle B to Kyoto. All I remember was Onami in San Diego. He said they brought it closer to home, Burbank. Though this isn't in Burbank, just a few miles close.

On our first day, we drove to San Diego. Lego and is the kiddo's request. Bonding over rides. He still talks about it until now.








I wonder how many Lego pieces were used to assemble that Volvo car?


Definitely my boy, he's not afraid of heights, rides, drops. I'll keep that in mind next time we visit LA. Will have to bring him to Magic Mountain. I'm sure Ava will make it, Ace not too sure. Ha!ha! I remember my first Goliath ride, we climbed stairs, rode an elevator, climbed some more or so... Then the roller coaster inching it's way up... When it was ready to drop, all I can see is the freeway on the other side of the mountain. Oh my ga! I wanted to, but I couldn't, back out. There's no way to go down other than ride. So I stifled my scream as the roller coaster went drops, curves and all. The Americans were so quiet, what the heck, I can't be quiet, I screamed and screamed from the top of my lungs. I vowed. I vowed to do it AGAIN. Ha! Ha!



Our new business venture. How I wish! =)



The landscaping with the mini real plants amazes me most. Since Ace got hooked with bonsai, I've been wondering if there are banana or mango bonsai's. With edible fruits to boot. Weirdo!



The Lego visit ain't complete without a souvenir and of course, a taste of Rubio's fish tacos... I missed you! When I had a short stint with my aunt's QMCI, the office was like 5mins away. We most of the time have this for lunch. 99cents for two? Winner!

My Auntie M and Uncle B's vacation home in Carslbad. We slept there for the night. It hasn't been stayed in since it was bought 3 years ago.Practically new. I love the interiors. I'll share it with you some other time.



The drive with a lake on the end. We were on a hill with an overview of the lake at the bottom. Soooo nice!



Can't wait for Sea World!




My uncle B and little man. Big man, little man. Ha ha

Starfishes and turtles. The starfishes were so slimy! The water freezing. Yay!


Having fun obviously! Even on a god knows how high lift ride! I shudder! Not too fond of rides like this, it's too slow!

Meeting up with Monet. =) Seated in the splash zone, splash we get! Boo! Salty salty yuck!




They were sooo good! The best animal training I've seen so far.



This was crazier, dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, ducks, boars, birds, oh my my! Choreographed seamlessly. Very very good. Amazing talent from both animals and trainers. We couldn't even get our dog to sit. Boo!

Rides with Vince. Poor baby, had to baby sit ading Ava.


To cap off, dinner with the Castro's. Beautiful memories definitely worth remembering and repeating! Good luck on the pocket Ace! You have to literally work your ass off. Pardon the pun!

Location:San Diego, California

Aloha land

We've been looking forward for this trip for months. I seriously miss the outlets. And this would be Ace and Ava's 1st of many (i hope) US trips. When Ace and Ava had their visa interview... Before the consul could say something Ava said "thank you for giving us our visa!" Talk about preempt!





His excitement is so contagious. Travel even if it's not your first, still is exciting!


Lay over in Japan. Glad wifi was free everywhere. Downside... Food was so expensive.




I wonder what they were talking about. Hah! Girls or toys?


Our first stop is aloha-land! We just have to visit Ace's parents and relatives...



Ace's Aunts and Uncles, Badette and his parents even prepared a banner for us! Awww! Thanks guys! Hawaiian hospitality at it's best.








My in laws hosted a welcome party for us. When Filipinos do welcome party... Really it is a welcome party with a capital W!


Ace's cousins, nephews and nieces. I always complain in jest that Ace's family is so crazy dami here in Laoag. Imagine his dad has 9 siblings... With some of them having 10 kids too! Ayayay! When we got there, there were still like 50 of them. Wooot!




At Iolani palace.




According to Papa Jess, Iolani palace is the only palace in the United States. =)





Ava and Star goofing at Arizona Memorial. I am still confused isn't that place also Pearl harbor? Need I ask google? =p

Look! They're stepping on the Philippines in American soil. =)








We had Dave & Buster for lunch so the kiddos could play in the arcade.





It was so chilly! I regret being in shorts!



Not even my cellulite could keep me warm. Sigh!




After which we went to this beautiful place... Floradec. It is the most beautiful establishment in Hawaii for me. Arts and crafts at it's best. I will write on what I saw at another time.




Dinner with Auntie Tennie's family at Makino Chaya. They knew I love Jap food so much. I could eat it all day, year round.








To cap off the night, we rode the Aloha bus and cruised Waikiki. Ava super enjoyed the double decker bus. Thank you Mac, Trish, Star, JJ, Badette, Pinky, Yanna and Auntie Ten for touring us around.




It was also Ace's mom's birthday. If only we could have made a pretty cake... We had to be satisfied with Costco's cake.




His shirt says it all.








A quick visit to Ace's grams and gramps! =)





Hawaiian skies... Different! It's so Hawaiian-ish whatever that means...





We had a picnic at China Man's hat. The mound at the upper right portion of this photo is the hat. Kinda crazy! I know!





The area where they shoot Hawaii 5-O and somewhere near behind a huge mountain is where they shoot Jurassic park.





Hawaii's a nature lovers paradise. The beaches, mountains definitely is something. Though we did around the island, I know there are a lot more we could see in aloha land. On our next visit, we wont just stay for 7 days anymore. Longer!

One more thing, when Ace's parents dropped us off at the airport, as they hugged Ace, I saw a tear well on his dad's eyes. It's like the feeling of "my boy is big now". Traveling journeys... Realizing dreams. =)
kit m.

Location:Hawaii, USA

Sketch and Bake

I am a food technologist. Ace is an architect. When people find out we're armed with those degrees... The reaction is "ahhh no wonder!" I bake, he designs. Not really! We bake, we design, we sometimes deliver. Everything is a partnership.
I believe we complement each other in most if not all aspects. I talk a lot. He doesn't. I'm impatient. He's not. Well you can't say He's artistic and I'm not... For I'm not conceding!




Basically that's how everything starts. I TRY to draw the concept, then he finishes it off with finesse and flair. Why is it that it seems like I'm convincing myself I'm artsy fartsy too! Hahaha Ace knows the little details that goes with my sketches. Thank heavens for that! I know what I like to see but somehow I couldn't translate it in paper... Boo! The consolation though is that the finished product looks great.



Pretty! For Vera Pinera's 18th. We made a cake that would fit their backyard garden. What an understatement... Their home is a winner.




Carlos & Janina Farinas

I know it's not complete. I don't have a photo of it at hand. But I think it's in here. The cake's embroidery is a replica of Janina's wedding gown done by the famed Veluz Puno Reyes.



Jairus & Mavelle Samoy
Yes... I know, that again. =) a little bit of trivia here... That cake was used last November 10, 2011 in San Francisco, USA. Janina & Carlos' was last November 11, 2011 Currimao, Ilocos Norte. Same day, different time zones, different geographical locations. And the brides both wore Veluz gowns aside from both having an Ava's cake. Ain't they fabulous?



Some clients have their own concepts, some bring photos of cakes they'd want. They commissioned us to do that. We did this.




That's the grand opening cake for Poppy & Co. I haven't been there but I heard they've got nice pairs.



Cake for Franco Minglana. Some details we follow, some we don't. We at times see what's best while doing the real cake. Can you spot the difference except for the mushrooms? Tee hee! Nevertheless, these cakes look great. You can see more of our other cakes Here
Now I wonder how many sheets of paper have we used for the different cakes we've done? Forgive us mother earth. Someday we'll develop a paperless system for designing. For now, it's still Sketch and Bake the old school way. I'm definitely owning and loving that term... Sketch and Bake!

Location:Mr. & Mrs. M's