CHESKA’S BIRTHDAY ISN’T OVER UNTIL IT’S OVER

This morning’s breakfast felt even more special than the last—after all, today is Cheska’s actual birthday! We gathered once again to celebrate, and this time, Claire came bearing an irresistible almond roca chocolate dessert that made the moment even sweeter.

We’re especially grateful to Tess, who pulled everything together despite her packed schedule filled with work, family, and other commitments. Her thoughtful preparations were also her way of saying “so long for now,” as she flies back to her other home in the Netherlands tomorrow to be with her family.

As always, we found ourselves gathered around Tess’s beautifully adorned dining table, a space that has become more than just a place to eat—it’s the heart of the home, where stories unfold and memories are made. I may have gotten a bit carried away taking photos for this blog, but I hope everyone forgave me!

We began with the sweetest, juiciest fruits—most of them lovingly sourced from the farms of Tess’s brothers. You could taste the care in every bite.

While the group caught up, I quietly slipped into the kitchen to capture a glimpse of the spread. As expected, it featured many of our well-loved dishes, most of them traditional delicacies from Tess’s hometown of Allen, Samar.

Just look at this spread—it stretched as far as the eye could see (if I say so myself)!

This gathering meant so much to me—not just because of the delicious food and beautiful setting, but because all ten of us made it. That says a lot about the strength of our friendship. There was so much to share, so much to laugh about, that our breakfast lasted well past its usual time.

But of course, no gathering is complete without photos!

It was nearly lunchtime when we reluctantly said our goodbyes, exchanging hugs and warm wishes with promises of “See you again soon!”

CELEBRATING CHESKA’S BIRTHDAY AT ONE WORLD DELI

Cheska celebrated her birthday in style at a newly opened gem in our neighborhood—One World Deli. It’s more than just a supermarket; it’s a thoughtfully curated deli and restaurant all rolled into one.

Since we were quite a big group, the restaurant asked us to place our orders ahead of time. Thankfully, I already had a favorite in mind—my daughter has treated me there for Mother’s Day during their soft opening. A thoughtful touch: Cheska sent us the menu without the prices, so we could simply enjoy choosing.

As always, our reunions are a whirlwind of joy—warm hugs, nonstop laughter, and endless photo-taking. Catching up is never dull when you’re with dear friends who’ve shared so much of life

Like today, we found ourselves already planning our next get-together: a breakfast hosted by Tess. Coordinating schedules can be tricky—especially since a few of us are frequent travelers—but we always try to make it work for all ten of us.

What started as a simple walking group—committed to reaching 10,000 steps a day—has grown into something much deeper. These days, only 3 to 5 of us still keep up the daily walks…

…while others are caught up with mom duties or busy schedules. Some manage evening walks instead, when time allows. Yet despite our varied routines, the bond remains strong.

Our group chat keeps everyone in the loop, and living in the same neighborhood has created a real sense of connection. There’s comfort in knowing that someone is always just a few doors—or a quick message—away.

Today’s celebration left us all feeling inspired and grateful. Juliet shared a quote that perfectly captures the heart of our friendship, and I wanted to include it here:

“Pray for your friends, pray for friendships which will not just stay for a season but is committed to stay for a lifetime.” — Joena San Diego.

This friendship is a true blessing—and gatherings like this remind us just how lucky we are. 

NATURE’S WONDERFUL GIFT SEQUEL 2

It was Mother’s Day when we discovered two fresh eggs nestled in the same old nest we had once thought of removing.

“Awwwe! What a lovely Mother’s Day bonus!” my younger daughter exclaimed after I sent her a photo.

You might remember the story from Singapore, where my daughter watched birds build a delicate nest on her fiddle-leaf fig tree. Soon enough, it cradled two tiny eggs. She was thrilled and kept me updated with photos and stories.

The birds were stunning, their feathers glowing in brilliant colors. She observed them closely from her balcony—until she left for a week-long trip to Japan. Sadly, when she returned, the eggs were gone.

Back home, a new pair of birds found our old nest. At first, they were too shy to be photographed while sitting on the eggs. We waited patiently, hoping to capture that precious moment.

After several quiet days, I tiptoed carefully toward the nest—and this time, I was lucky. One of the birds stayed put, calmly incubating the eggs. A sure sign that new life was on the way.

And then, after about two weeks—what a miracle to behold! Two tiny birdlings appeared, chirping softly.

Another beautiful and unexpected gift from nature.

PERGOLA PARADISE: A Backyard Retreat for Soulful Gatherings.

Celine and Ruben recently transformed their backyard into a serene oasis by adding a beautiful pergola. The space, once a swimming pool, had previously been covered and tiled—but left without a roof. Now, it’s a cozy and stylish retreat that invites both relaxation and connection.

They envisioned a place to savor their morning coffee and unwind at the end of the day. At the heart of this charming haven is a large dining table that seats eight—perfect for gathering family and friends for intimate meals and meaningful conversations.

Just steps away is a chic conversation nook featuring two elegant, revolving lounge chairs with plush cushions. Nestled between them are two artistic marble tables of differing heights, ideal for setting down drinks or small bites.

Further along, a dainty white wrought iron garden set for four sits under the open sky—just the spot for a round of heartfelt girl talk. Today, it served us well as we lingered over our drinks, soaking in the late morning ambiance.

As if the setting weren’t delightful enough, the food was exceptional—lovingly and thoughtfully prepared by Celine and Ruben. Each dish was a testament to their warmth and hospitality.

To top it all off, Celine surprised us with delicious takeouts to bring home. Thank you, dear friends, for the wonderful meal, the lovely company, and for gathering us to celebrate your gorgeous new pergola. It truly is a little paradise.

BULGOGI BEEF STEW: A KOREAN HOMEMADE FAVORITE

Today, I decided to try something a little different—Bulgogi Beef Stew. While I’ve enjoyed it countless times at Korean restaurants, I had never actually cooked it at home. So I thought, why not give it a shot?

I browsed several recipes online and picked the one that suited me best based on the ingredients I had on hand. With a few small tweaks, I hoped to capture the rich, savory flavors that make this dish such a crowd favorite.

Main Ingredients

• 1/3 kilo thinly sliced sirloin

• 4 1/2 cups water

• Tofu, cut into small squares

• Enoki mushrooms, separated and stems removed

• Shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

• 80g vermicelli noodles

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons spring onions, finely chopped

• 1 beef bouillon cube

Beef Marinade

• 8 tablespoons soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons mirin (or rice wine)

• 1/2 of a large Fuji apple (or similar)

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Procedure

1. Blend all marinade ingredients into a smooth liquid, making sure to strain out any pulp.

2. Marinate the beef in 1 cup of the marinade for at least 4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.

3. In a pot, combine the remaining marinade with 4 1/2 cups of water and the beef bouillon cube. Bring to a simmer.

4. In a bigger ceramic pot, I arranged the tofu, mushrooms, onions, vermicelli noodles to the pot, placing the marinated beef in the center.

5.Pour the boiled soup over the arranged dish. Let everything cook until tender and fragrant, cover and cook for ten minutes.

     6.Add in the spring onions and sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds. 

I’ll definitely be making this again. It’s warm, comforting, and full of flavor—just like the one I love in restaurants, but now made right at home.

56 YEARS: ONE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

56 years ago, I said “yes” to a life with you, Jim — and it’s still the best decision I’ve ever made.

Through 56 years of love, grace, laughter, blessings and learning to live with each other’s quirks, I’m so grateful we found a rhythm that keeps us growing.

Every day with you is a gift. I thank God for the beautiful family we’ve built together — our three wonderful children, two amazing sons-in-law, a lovely daughter-in-law, and the treasures of our hearts, our two incredible grandchildren.

Here’s to the memories we’ve made — and to all the ones still to come.

Happy 56th Anniversary, my love!