Michi Photostory

My husband mentioned on his anniversary card that for the last 18 years, we shared both the happiest times and saddest times. And that is true because, for the last 18 years, he lost his grandfather, two sisters, aunt, and uncle while I lost my aunt, grandmother, father, and sister. During those times, we leaned on each other, and even without a word, we understood each other’s pain.

Despite the saddest times, we have a lot of happy memories. That is why, we also try our best to make time and celebrate our anniversaries because life is so short. There were a few times that we were not able to celebrate because I was not feeling well, he was out of the country, and when my grandmother passed away. 

Moving on, sharing our anniversary celebration this year. To be honest, if money is not an issue, it is so easy to plan but of course, since we had so many expenses for the last few months, need magbudget.

Our initial plan is to eat at the hotel because last month, my husband ate at Corniche and he said, if I want we can celebrate our anniversary at Corniche and we can take advantage of the 40% discount (credit card promo). I was considering that option but out of the blue, I experienced acid reflux for almost a week so I changed my mind. Sabi ko, hindi ko maeenjoy ang buffet kung wala ko gana kumain or isusuka ko rin. 

Then we went to the 31st PTAA Travel Tour Expo so we could check different promos but unfortunately, we did not see good deals. 

We had a breakfast date at Cafe Agapita to celebrate Valentine’s Day and our couple's anniversary, I already shared our experience in my previous post. 

We were supposed to celebrate Valentine’s Day here pero late pala opening hours nila every weekday but fortunately, we were able to visit this restaurant on our way to Nawa Wellness. They are open as early as 7AM during weekends so we had our breakfast here. 

Since we did not score any promo when we visited the travel tour expo, my husband did his research then he discovered Nawa Wellness. It just started operating last January 24, 2024, and so far good reviews naman nabasa namin. We wanted to take advantage of the long weekend but unfortunately, fully booked agad so we changed our travel dates. 

We enjoyed our anniversary staycation at Nawa Wellness and this deserves a separate post. By the way, when we checked out, they already informed us na mag-iincrease na sila ng rates by March and I’m sure, mag-iincrease pa yan kasi so far naka soft-opening pa lang sila. Buti na lang nakapunta na kami habang mura pa yung rate nila. 

I already shared my Valentine’s Craft Projects in my previous posts but here are the craft projects that I did for our anniversary. 

I used the Wedding Couple Card SVG, but I tweaked the design and I changed the “On Your Wedding Day” to Anniversary. I used the Wedding Gnome Couple for the second card. Lastly, I used the wedding truck SVG for our cake topper, I just replaced the flower with an "18" number, you can also find this truck on the Craft with Sarah website. 

The first theme is “Washi Tape”. This is quite challenging for me because I don’t collect washi tapes so I have very limited resources. The safe project for me is an “anniversary card”, I used washi tape for the background and letters. And I used my Cricut Maker to print and cut the clipart and Sizzix for die cutting.

I initially planned to make a shaker card but for some reason, the washi tape is not moving maybe because I am using photo paper so medyo sticky yung paper. 

I thought I will only submit one entry for the washi tape category but after doing the card and saw my colorful washi tape. An idea pop into my head so I decided to create a colorful house just like the houses in Quezon province during Pahiyas Festival.

Prior to joining Weeklies 16, I only use washi tape to tape my dies or paper so it won't move when die cutting or cutting. But after doing my card and colorful house, I never look washi tape the same way again so I started adding washi tape to my crafting supplies. I got my washi tapes within 3 days so I still have time to join Weeklies 16. hehehe!

This project was inspired by "Cath Kidston" pattern so I made a Purse Gift Card Holder and Woman Gift Tag using We R Memory Keepers washi tape, Sizzix  Pearlescent Medium and Ohuhu Markers. 

But of course, it is a milestone for us so we need to celebrate. This year, we are celebrating our 20 years as a couple and our 17th wedding anniversary. Wow, I can’t imagine na ganoon katagal na pala kami. Since same month ang aming anniversaries, most of the time isahang celebration na lang but since two decades is something special, nagdalawang celebration kami. So how did we celebrate our anniversary?

A few years ago, we had an anniversary celebration at Cafe Ilang Ilang of The Manila Hotel so for our 20th-year couple anniversary, we decided to try a new buffet restaurant. I was searching for hotel promos but couldn’t find anything so I just looked for a budget-friendly buffet. We ended up at Fresh in Solaire, the rate is still expensive but cheaper compared to other hotels that I’ve checked. I will share our buffet experience in a separate post. 

Last year, we celebrated our anniversary at Chateau Hestia so for a change, we decided to have a beach trip in Anilao, Batangas. We only had an overnight stay because this resort is not cheap, parang lahat may bayad compared sa 3 resorts na natry namin in Anilao. Anyway, despite that we still enjoyed our short trip kasi konti lang guests. This deserves a blog post so wait for my review. 

I’m an occasional crafter so I only craft when there is an occasion so this month I made an anniversary card. This is a simple Print and Die-Cut project, for the graphics, I used Romantic Couple Watercolor Collection by Stella Art. I created two cards, para sure na may anniversary card na si hubby for me. Hehehe! “Today we celebrate the best decision you ever made”

We gained a lot of weight last year so I’m trying my best to lose weight by reducing my sweet intake. Knowing me, I love sweets so it is really a struggle. I did not make a big cake topper because I don’t have a plan to buy cake so I just made a small cake topper for cupcakes or bread. Again, it is a Print and Die-Cut project. 

I asked my husband to buy ensaymada na lang for our anniversary. He bought ube and leche flan ensaymada at The Bellevue Hotel. That’s it!

Sabi ko din sa kanya “I love you more than I’m annoyed by you, which is a lot”, I love my husband kahit may mga times na naiinis ako sa kanya and I’m sure vice versa. But despite our disagreements and arguments, at the end of the day, we still love each other. 

Anyway, we recently celebrated our wedding anniversary so I made cards, a cake topper and we had a quick getaway at Chateau Hestia. 

I used to make printable cards but since December, I enjoy making cards using my Cricut Maker so I started making cards for different occasions and my husband is my number one customer. Lol! One of the cards that I made for February is the “I like you a hole lot” donut card and my husband gave it to me. :) 

I told my husband that I will make a “Sweet and Sour 16” cake topper and he thought that I was joking kaya nagulat siya na ito talaga yung ginawa ko. Because this is the reality, sometimes we are sweet, sometimes we are sour and sometimes may toyo. Hehehe!

This is a layered cake topper using glitter and metallic cardstock. Font is Loving Hollydate. 

Celebration is not complete without cake so last week before hubby went home, he dropped by at Purple Oven Sta Rosa. We already tried different Purple Oven cakes and so far masarap lahat. I suggested White Chocolate Sansrival but it is not available so my husband sent me pictures and I chose Rustic Chocolate Torte. 

It was a good decision because it became an instant favorite cake. This cake is a layer of sansrival, whipped cream, with lots of cashew, almonds and pecan nuts, and chocolate shavings. We finished half of this cake in one sitting. ;) 

My husband likes the beach so after our Acuaverde Resort Trip, he was already planning for our anniversary getaway. Unfortunately, fully booked na naman sa mga gusto niya, it is really hard to book kapag anniversary namin kasi love month ito so maraming nag-outing. 

I suggested a food trip at Chateau Hestia so he contacted them but unfortunately, fully booked sila sa dates na gusto namin because Valentine’s Day and may wedding event din. My husband checked the website and he found out that Chateau Hestia is also a Bed & Breakfast so he booked a room instead kahit delayed celebration na lang. 

We’re glad that we were able to go out this year kasi last year, nacancel yung anniversary beach trip namin so food trip na lang kami sa Alba and Chef RV Manabat Cafe. But this time, we both enjoyed our food trip and staycation at Chateau Hestia, this deserves a separate post.

I’ve mentioned before that my husband was planning for our Anniversary Getaway, he kept on checking different resorts that will allow kids. Then he found a resort in Calatagan, Batangas that accepts kids provided that we have a travel medical certificate issued by a government physician stating that we are not showing any symptoms and are not on the list of the probable suspect and confirmed COVID19 cases + Resident’s ID. My husband research how to avail this, he went to Barangay to get and pay for our RESIDENT CERTIFICATE. He mentioned that we need it to secure a travel medical certificate because it is a requirement sa resort. 

Then he kept on checking the resort if there is an available room and out of excitement he immediately booked a room nung nakita niya na may available na. He paid a 10% downpayment to secure the slot. Then two days before our trip, we went to the health center to get a travel medical certificate, only to find out that they are not giving any travel medical certificates for leisure. I don’t know when they changes this policy kasi ang dami ko na nakita na nakapagbeach and may mga nabigyan dati. I understand naman kung ayaw nila magbigay but I hope sinabi na ito nung kumuha pa lang kami ng Resident Certificate so we were able to plan. 

We’re so disappointed because we’re really looking forward to our beach getaway. Though we have another option which is the swab test but the problem is, the resort does not have its own swab testing, unlike sa resort sa San Juan, Batangas. We have to research pa kung saan kami pwede magpaswab test. And because of this, my husband immediately called the resort to cancel our reservation, kasi kung late na namin icancel, we need to pay full reservation kahit hindi kami makakapunta. 

This happened on the day of our wedding anniversary, nakakastress and nakakalungkot. Well, I have to accept the fact na lang na matatagalan pa bago nakatravel. I’m thankful na 10% percent lang yung non-refundable downpayment, unlike sa iba na 50% or Full Payment na ang bayad. And because of this nag-stress eating na lang kami. We went to Chef RV Manabat Cafe to order hot meals, cakes, and bread for our anniversary celebration.  

But after trying their food last December, I blamed myself for not buying the voucher. Sinayang ko yung chance, ngayon pa na may community quarantine and I’m not sure kung kailan maibabalik ang buffet nila. Huhuhu Just this month, we visited their restaurant during weekends and no buffet offering.

Would you believe that Alba Restaurante Español has been around since 1952? Wow, almost seven decades na but they only have few branches, you can find their restaurant in Bel-Air Makati, Tomas Morato, Estancia Mall, Prism Plaza, and Westgate Center. This restaurant was founded by Señor Anastacio de Alba who came from Avila, Spain. 

Last December, we were planning for our New Year’s potluck and I told my husband na bumili na lang kami. Ayaw ko na magluto, napagod na ko nung Christmas. Hehehe! He wanted lechon and I suggested Alba’s Cochinillo so he called the restaurant but at that time, they are not accepting orders pa. They are not sure and will inform us if they will accept orders. Fortunately, they called and we paid for our reservation. My husband picked up the cochinillo at the restaurant, we did not ask kung may delivery. 

It was our first time buying cochinillo so maliit pala talaga siya. I remember, marami naawa when I posted this on my social media. Life is short for the suckling pig because it is being roasted between the ages of two and six weeks. After I’ve learned this, napaisip ako, next time I will just buy per kilo ng lechon or lechon belly. But the taste of cochinillo is really good, it is crispy, tender, and flavorful. One whole is PHP6000 and it is good for 12 people. 

I went with my husband when we paid for the reservation and while at the restaurant, I saw the different cold cuts and cheese. Wow, this is perfect for our New Year’s Eve because I don’t want to cook, so I bought a few packs for our DIY Charcuterie. I purchased Salchichon, Pamplona, Jamon Serrano, Tocino, Chorizo de Bilbao and Los Molinos Tempranillo (Wine). My charcuterie was a hit so now we know where to buy our cold cuts. 

Chorizo de Bilbao PHP125 per 100 grams 

Pamplona P160 per 100 grams 

Salchichon P160 per 100 grams 

Butifarra PHP110 per 100 grams 

Jamon Serrano PHP330 per 100 grams 

Tocino PHP130 per 100 grams 

My son and I like the Chorizo de Bilbao, I sliced and sauteed this in olive oil. Sometimes, I add this to Chicken Afritada. We liked the Salchichon and Pamplona too, meron na kami instant yummy sandwich, I just need bread, meat, and mozzarella cheese then toast it in the oven toaster. The Jamon Serrano and Tocino are too salty for our taste but we still eat this kasi sayang but I have no plans to repurchase. During our last visit to Alba, I bought a few packs of cold cuts, and this time I added Butifarra, I will just update this post once we tried it. 

We’ve been planning for our wedding anniversary getaway or food trip but I guess it is still impossible for now. The day before Valentine’s day we went to Landers for grocery, this was the third time that I went to the grocery since the community quarantine started. Then after our grocery, my husband and I went to Alba for lunch, instant date na rin for our anniversary. 

We don’t have any reservations but we’re glad that they were able to accommodate us. We’ve seen other tables with “Reserved” signs so mukhang marami na kumakain sa labas. You need to scan the QR code and answer the health declaration form, I was having a hard time doing this because the form is not appearing on my phone after I scanned it. Good thing that my husband has two phones so I used his other phone para makapagscan ako ng QR code.

Upon seated, they gave us the menu, it was so thick that we just scanned it and order the house specialty Paella Valenciana PHP580 and Lengua Sevillana PHP500, the meal is good for 2-3 persons and the cooking time is 30 minutes. While waiting, they served complimentary bread. I really appreciate this kind of gesture because we have something to eat while waiting for our meal. 

They served our meal on time and we were so delighted with our order like I’ve said before I’m not fond of paella but after tasting the Paella Valenciana of Alba, nagbago na pananaw ko sa buhay. Hehehe! I like their paella, it is already a complete meal. I’m planning to buy this again kapag may occasions. I love Lengua and their lengua sevillana did not disappoint me, in fact, favorite ko na agad. 

We tried to finish our food pero hindi kaya so may take-out pa kami sa anak ko. Nagustuhan din niya yung paella and lengua, sorry na lang siya hindi niya natikman yung Tarta de Queso PHP160. Parang nagsisi pa kami na isa lang order namin dessert, bitin sa amin ni hubby kasi nagshare lang kami. Hehehe I’m not sure if they are selling whole cake, I’ll check na lang when we dine in again. 

Lengua Sevillana - Stewed ox-tongue with mushroom & olives in rich sherry brown sauce 

Paella Valenciana - Valenciana rice dish with chicken, pork, seafood & vegetables

Tarta de Queso Alba’s- classic cheesecake 

Ever since I discovered Alba, it became my go-to restaurant if ever we are in the Alabang area because I like the food and service. So last December, after our grocery trip, off we went to Alba, and luckily, there is still an available table for us kasi nakareserved na talaga yung mga tables. It was our first time upstairs and medyo masikip pero okay siya kung irereserve mo lahat ng tables for intimate gathering.

Without checking the menu, I already knew what to order kasi nga favorite namin yung Lengua Sevillana and I am a creature of habit kaya lagi same order ko. Hehehe! So for our family of three, we ordered Lengua Sevillana PHP650, Plain Rice PHP60, and Solomillo a la Pobre PHP700 + Service Charge. 

Solomillo a la Pobre - Classic grilled beef tenderloin with olive oil garlic sauce. 

The Lengua Sevillana is good for sharing but the Solomillo a la Pobre is good for one person lang pero hinati namin sa tatlo so we can all try the steak. hehehe! After trying this one, may bago na ko favorite. Hehehe! At least, nadagdagan na yung options ko. We’re supposed to order Tarta de Queso Alba’s para matikman ng anak ko kaso busog na kami.

Even though my blog and social media accounts have few followers, I continue blogging because I didn’t start my blog for fame but for myself. Even I have an audience of ONE which is myself, I still go on. Blogging is my creative outlet to keep my mind and life productive. 

I love seeing and reading my old blog posts because it is a testament to my improvement as a wife, mother, and person. I discovered how my hobby changed from cooking to baking, sewing, crocheting, designing, and now crafting with my Cricut Maker. I witnessed how my body size keeps on growing as the years go by because of food trips. Slowly, I'm crossing out my bucket list and the list goes on.

Today, I’m celebrating my ten years milestone and as of this writing, I have 1,640 blog posts and 8,167,086 pageviews. If you have stumbled on my blog, thank you for being part of my 8 million views. Sharing some of my favorites quotes that keep me going and doing what I do.