Michi Photostory

We were fortunate to experience Holy Week in Norway so it was a different kind of Easter. We’ve seen stores that are selling Easter decorations, candies, chocolates, and other stuff. My mom and aunt are decorating their houses before Holy Week too and because of that may mga binili at inuwi din ako na pang Easter. 

In my mind, I will display those pieces of stuff in our new house. But fast forward today, we’re still living in our present house. I had no idea na matagal pala magpaayos ng bahay. Anyway, it didn’t stop me from doing my Easter Craft Projects, may next Easter pa naman. Hehehe! 

I have a long list of Easter Craft Projects that I wanted to do but for now, I am only doing small craft because just like my St. Patrick’s Day project, I wanted to use my scrap paper. Sharing the finished projects that I also shared on my Cricut Design Space Profile. Some of these craft projects need an Access Subscription but if you don’t have one, you can search for the designers’ websites and download the files from there. But some designs are paid files. 

I don’t have Cricut Access Subscription right now so I searched for images that I can use on Cricut Design Space for free. Then I found so many eggs and I decided to make an Easter Eggs Layered Craft. Using the contour function, I turned the images into layered crafts and I am so happy with the outcome. This is a nice activity for kids, you can cut the design and let them glue the pieces. 

I found these 3 cute Aussie Easter designs on Cricut Design Space, there is a koala, a bunny, and a kangaroo. This is an easy project because I just flattened the design, changed the size, printed, cut, and lastly attached them to a toothpick. For this design, you can make different projects using cardstock, stickers, vinyl, or photo paper. I used photo paper for these cupcake toppers. 

This Easter Blessings Easel Card is from Main Road Digital Creations, you can make an easel card or regular card for this design. I used both cardstock and vinyl for this card. 

I made a mini version of the Easter Egg Banner since I am using scrap paper. You can increase or decrease the size depending on where you want to display the banner. The design is from Main Road Digital Creations. 

There are several Easter Egg Slot Together designs on Craft with Sarah’s profile that you can recreate but I only did four designs that I downloaded from her website. I like the blank version because you can use patterned paper to create a different look. 

I like the Easter Egg boxes in Norway but since we don’t have that in the Philippines, I tried other chocolate holder designs. This Chick Chocolate Holder is from Digital Gems, this is a draw-and-cut project but I also used markers to color some parts of the drawing. 

I also cut this Easter Bunny Chocolate Holder from Digital Gems. It is the same process; draw, cut, and color. You can use this as Easter decorations too. 

That’s it for now!

I know we don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day here in the country but since one of my crafting goals this year is to reduce my scrap, I decided to cut these designs by Craft with Sarah and Digital Gems. I have so many green and gold scrap paper from all the Christmas Craft Projects that I did so I want to use it.

But, of course, I did some research about St. Patrick’s Day. From what I read, St. Patrick's Day is a religious holiday that started in the 17th century. It is a celebration of the arrival of Christianity in Ireland which happened every March 17, the death date of St. Patrick. 

This religious holiday turned into a secular holiday when Irish immigrants started a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston in year 1737 followed by New York City in year 1762. The St. Patrick’s Day symbols are green color, shamrocks, leprechauns, parades, harp, corned beef, cabbage, and beer. 

February came and I decided to finally try this restaurant, as I mentioned in my previous post, we were supposed to eat here last Valentine’s Day kaso late opening kapag weekdays kaya sa Cafe Agapita kami kumain. Then I remembered na sa Tagaytay nga pala ang daan namin papunta ng Calatagan, Batangas so finally nacrossed out ko na ito sa list ko. 

I was browsing my old posts and ang tagal na pala nung last na nagpunta kami sa Twin Lakes Tagaytay. We celebrated Mother’s Day here in year 2016 pa, sobrang tagal na. Why? Malayo kasi and mahirap din magpark since puntahan din siya ng mga tao. 

Our check-in time at Nawa Wellness is still in the afternoon but we decided to leave early. From our house, we traveled for 1 hour and 21 minutes, yes, inorasan ko talaga. Oh di ba, ang layo, considering hindi pa ganoon katraffic. We were there just in time for the opening which is 7AM (weekend) so we were the first diners. 

La Creperie is a cafe that offers galettes, sweet crepes, and comfort food inspired by the best places all over the world and with a touch of French soul. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and dessert. 

The best table here is on the balcony but it was so cold and windy that time, nilalamig kami so we had no choice but to eat inside the restaurant. I already checked their menu online but when we got there, nagdadalawang isip ako kung crepe ba o breakfast meal ang ioorder ko. In the end, we all ordered breakfast meals. 

We ordered Chorizo Hamonado PHP365, Hungarian Sausage PHP375, Angus Beef Tapa PHP465, La Creperie’s Hot Chocolate PHP270, and Espresso PHP120. 

All Filipino breakfast includes 2 eggs, plain or garlic rice, and side salad so it is really a complete meal. Taste is good naman pero sa angus beef tapa, parang naovercooked. 

Whenever we order hot chocolate, we always prefer our homemade hot chocolate but after trying La Creperie’s Hot Chocolate, I won’t lie we love their version of hot chocolate. My husband said, lalagyan din daw niya whipped cream yung luto niya. Hehehe! 

By the way, when we asked for water, the waiter asked if we wanted warm, cold or room-temperature water. Wow, may choices na rin for water. 

We immediately left after finishing our breakfast and off we went to Nawa Wellness for our anniversary staycation.

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. 

However, since my husband was on vacation leave and my son had no classes, we decided to attend the 31st PTAA Travel Tour Expo. We had a good experience last 2019 so I was hoping that we could find a good deal. 

Just like our last visit, there is an early bird for Citibank and Union Bank credit card holders so in my mind, this would be an advantage for us but I was wrong. We arrived at 8:20AM, and my husband dropped us off so we could fall in line already. I asked the guard kung saan yung pila for PWD and Citibank card holder so pumila na kami. Then after 20 minutes, we were advised na wala daw pila doon so tinuro nila sa kabilang entrance daw. What?

Of course, nagkagulo na kami sa pila and nawala na yung pagkasunud-sunod. Then separate line daw for Senior & PWD and Citibank &Union Bank credit card holder. Nag 9AM na, wala pa rin pinapapasok, so ang dami na nagrereklamo kasi nga nasaan ang early bird. Time check 9:10AM pinapasok na nila kami and I was so shocked kasi ang haba na ng pila sa loob, Saan galing yung mga tao? Eh separate line nga ang Senior and PWD and kami unang pinapasok. 

Another pila ulit to get our ticket, free entrance pero we need to show our credit cards and sign pa. Time check 9:32AM na kami nakapasok ng anak ko. Then si hubby na nahiwalay sa amin ng pila kasi hindi naman siya Senior or PWD, 9:58AM na nakapasok. Imagine, ang daming oras na nasayang sa amin dahil lang sa hindi organized ang pila and ticketing booth nila. Malayo ito sa 26th PTAA Travel Tour Expo experience namin. 

Since I had second thoughts in visiting the expo; I was not able to checked the list of booths so wala tuloy ako idea kung ano meron and saan ako mag-uumpisa. Toink. We just started getting flyers and checking sales, promos, and deals. More on sa travel agencies yung mga booths and some of the airlines hindi sila nagbebenta ng ticket like Philippine Airlines and Eva Air, sa travel agencies daw kami magbook. So we went to different agencies and nag-inquire kami ng airfare, ending wala din kami nabook kasi nga mahal din naman. 

We checked different resorts pero wala din naman kami nagustuhan, some of the resorts kasi ay napuntahan na namin and yung iba naman located in Visayas and Mindanao, eh mahal nga airfare kaya hindi pwede. Hehehe! 

If our travel dates are from April onwards, possible na may cheap fare kaso may pasok pa anak ko so hindi kami pwedeng magbook. It was only this week, na nilabas sa news na until May 31 na lang ang school year. Sayang!

I was so sad because we were not able to book any resort or score cheap airfare. Good thing I won a travel tote bag from Philippine Airlines and thanks to the Taiwan Tourism booth at may napala din kami sa travel expo visit namin. We learned how to make Hakka Lanterns and tried their yummy pancakes. We wanted to join the DIY Pineapple Cake workshop but we were hungry na so ayaw na namin maghintay. 

We checked the second floor where the domestic hotel & resorts, travel stuff, and food kiosk are located. We had lunch at Polland, the rice meal was PHP180 and PHP60 for lemonade juice. 

After lunch. my husband saw the Diamond Hotel kiosk and ito daw yung ensaymada na sinasabi niya na masarap. He recently tried it when they ate Lunch at Corniche. PHP180 for one piece, it was already on sale kasi regular price daw is PHP225. My husband said, bumili daw ko ng two pieces pero nakakapagsisi kasi masarap nga, dapat pala tig 2 pieces each kami. Nabitin tuloy kami sa 2 pieces. 

We also checked the travel stuff section, kaso yung nakasale sa Pacsafe, same lang din kung sa online ko bibilhin kung may payday sale or 2.2 Sale. 

Lastly, we went back to the Taiwan Tourism booth pero nagstart na yung DIY Pineapple Cake workshop so hindi na kami nakajoin so we decided to leave na because we’re going to claim my son’s passport at DFA Festival Mall.

PHP85 - General Admission

PHP65 - Senior Citizen/PWD

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We seldom celebrate Valentine’s Day on the exact date because we know that restaurants will be crowded and there will be traffic everywhere. Last year we ate at Fresh International Buffet at Solaire pero this year, tipid-tipid muna so I suggested to my husband na magbreakfast date na lang kami but after a few days, I changed my mind because I found out na late pala mag-open yung restaurant. So I told my husband na late celebration na lang kami but he insisted na umalis kami.

He suggested Cafe Agapita. We always see this restaurant whenever we go to Tagaytay but we haven’t tried it yet kasi lagi sarado tuwing dumadaan kami and of course, kapag uwi naman, busog na kami. Anyway, I checked their Facebook Page and fortunately, they are open from 7AM until 10PM. Actually, they have Valentine’s Dinner Buffet but knowing us, antok na kami sa ganyang oras kaya mas prefer talaga namin ang morning date. 

We arrived at Cafe Agapita in less than 30 minutes. We were surprised when we entered the gate, we didn’t expect that the restaurant would be spacious. Yung waiting area pa lang nila, ang luwag na e. There was no staff at the reception area so we waited for a few minutes, when the staff came, she ushered us to the restaurant. Medyo natagalan pa kami sa pagpili ng table, al fresco, second floor or first floor ba? There were a few diners na rin, there was a group of friends and some couples like us. 

When the staff gave us the menu, hindi na kami nahirapan mamili because we had already seen their menu online. We ordered Mariano’s Breakfast PHP450, Bagnet Aglio Olio PHP365, Espresso PHP120, Chocolate PHP180 + Service Charge. 

They served the drinks first and the taste is just okay for us, mas prefer namin yung iniinom namin sa bahay. Maybe next time, we will order their best sellers' drinks. 

Mariano’s Breakfast is the usual breakfast meal that we eat pero ito pinagsama-sama yung favorite ko sa isang plate, there is sausage, bacon, ham, and eggs. I enjoyed my food pero hindi ko lang kaya ubusin so my husband helped me. 

Bagnet Aglio Olio is one of their House Specialty and it is not surprising because my husband finished this meal so fast, buti nga natikman ko pa yung pasta. Hehehe! I will order this next time. 

We did not stay long because my husband needs to work, matagal pa biyahe namin kaysa sa pagkain, hehehe! It was a quick visit but we will surely return, we liked their food and service. 

11 Kapitan Sayas St. 

Sabutan, Silang, Cavite 

Philippines