We got two great pumpkins from Cityside Pumpkin Patch.
Check out the cute pumpkin Maxi created.
Here is the pumpkin my husband created.
Decorating our Pumpkins
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Category Archives: Creativity
Baking with Maxi
I can’t believe summer has come and gone, and I can’t believe it is the last day of September.
Now that it is holiday season, I have a lot of baking in my future. It’s a good thing I’ve been incorporating some baking time with Maxine already.
In August, we made some yummy cupcakes.
We have yet to make them from scratch, but Maxine loves baking cookies. We made a few batches in September.
Putting it out to the universe this fall, I’m hoping to make an apple pie or tart, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and madeleines.
Filipino Makers Market
Last week, I went to a Filipino Makers Market celebrating Philippines Independence Day. As a half-Filipina, I wanted to represent and support.
I got some yummy treats from Beabingka.
I also picked up these beautiful earrings from Made by JRDJ Astoria, NY.
Celebrating Easter
I’m a bit late, but I want to share my Easter this year. It was extra special because I helped organize an egg hunt at the New York Junior League (NYJL), and I had family from California visit.
We had approx 70 kids participate in the egg hunt at the (NYJL). The kids decorated their egg-hunting bags, bunnies and chicks, and photo frames. It was a huge hit.
Here are pictures of my family enjoying the event.
For Easter, I did most of the cooking. I wanted to cook ham but couldn’t find any, so chicken it is!
This year, I went a little light with the Easter baskets. Less is more!
For family activities, we did cookie decorating and classic egg coloring.
Nothing better than spending quality time with the family.
Shawshankd Cocktail Experience
Earlier this month, I celebrated my friend Adrienne’s birthday in true Adrienne style with an immersive adventure. This time we got ourselves locked up in jail for the Shawshankd cocktail experience. The show is inspired by the movie and was fun and laid back. Our group had a blast because we all embraced the role-playing aspect of the night. The strong drinks were a bonus.
Here are some pictures of the night.
Need to find my next adventure!
St. Jude’s Baking Challenge 2022
This past June, I participated in the St. Jude’s Baking Challenge. I thought it could be something I could do with my parents and my husband, but it just turned out to be a solo mission. I didn’t mind, I got to eat everything, and I shared with as many people as I could. Each week I had a different baking challenge. In week 1, I had to make cookies, and in week 2, it was pie. In week 3, the challenge was bread, and in week 4, I had to make a cake.
Week 1: Lemon cookies
Week 2: Apple pie
This was my first time making an apple pie. It wasn’t as complicated as I thought if would be.
Week 3: Banana Bread
I didn’t have any eggs, so I substituted them with olive oil, and it came out fine.
Week 4: Cake, but I switched it up and did strawberry cupcakes with chocolate frosting.
Overall, the challenges were fun but most importantly, I raised $120 for St. Jude’s!
Maxine’s Zhua Zhou First Birthday Ceremony
My daughter Maxine celebrated her first birthday on December 19. She is growing up so fast. I really can’t believe it! My cousin’s girlfriend told me about a fun Chinese ceremony when a baby turns one. It’s called the zhua zhou ceremony, where symbolic objects are laid out in front of a baby to grab. Whatever the baby reaches for and plays with can indicate future employment prospects or interests.
We are a little late, but I thought it would be fun to do! I researched and found more information and potential objects to use via Gathered Gifts’ blog story.
Here is a list of some objects and meanings.
I substituted the following:
Abacus to Cash; Paint Brush to Hair Brush; Calculator to Whiteout; Chicken leg to Bamboo; Lego to Puzzle Piece; Microphone to Fan; Stethoscope to Thermometer; Sword to Shield
Moment of truth. Maxine’s top three…
1. Shallot = Intelligence
2. Measuring tape = Designer/Architect
3. Shield = Law enforcement
Rounding out top 5…
4. Cell phone = Tech Entrepreneur
5. Celery = Industrious
Not bad! LOL. I can’t wait till she is older to see what she likes and is passionate about.
My Dear Friend- Notes to Seniors who need them
Last year, my Dad fractured his hip, and for five months, he stayed in a hospital, a long-term care facility, and then a rehab facility. This was all through COVID restrictions, and I couldn’t visit him. It was tough, and I know it took a toll on my Dad. I wish that there were more opportunities to connect.
GlamourGals is a nonprofit that provides programming for elderly residents. They currently help reach out to isolated seniors through their #mydearfriend program, where individuals can write notes to senior citizens in need of some care and comfort in various facilities. This is my second batch of letters within the year, and I enjoy it. These cards are geared towards Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day, but you can make cards year-round.
If you want to do some good on your own or with friends, consider making cards or having a card-making party! Here is where you can find out more information.
January Pantry Challenge
This month, I took part in The Sweet Frugal Life’s January Pantry Challenge, where I took an inventory of what I had in the pantry, fridge, and freezer to make dishes. I wasn’t super strict with it and only made a handful of meals, but I still consider it a success!
The main takeaway from my experience; I have a lot of soup in my pantry!
Here are some of my dishes.
Advent Calendars 2021
I didn’t know that advent calendars were a big deal. Last year, I bought a chocolate one for both my mom and me to enjoy the season. I was pregnant, about to pop, and covid restrictions were still in effect, so I thought the calendars could be something we could do together even if we weren’t in the same place. Each night, my mom and I would find time to talk and enjoy our little treat. We loved it!
I loved it so much I kind of went advent calendar crazy this year. I got a calendar for my parents, husband, my baby, my husband’s niece, and nephew, and even the cats have one.
My mom and I love chocolate, so I got a Godiva calendar for us. Dad wanted in, too, so he has his own as well.
My husband is really into whisky, so I got him Flaviar’s Whiskies of the Galaxy calendar.
Maxine is almost one, so I decided to get her a stuffed animal calendar that could go on the Christmas tree.
The cats will be sharing a Fancy Feast calendar.
I got Andrew’s three-year-old niece a Disney advent calendar that will have a different story each night.
Andrew’s nephew is ten, so I chose a calendar that is a little more hands-on.
I hope we all enjoy them!!!
The Casual Explorer 