Happy Holidays from My Stomach to Yours!

This post is a series of four different parties, four different family gatherings, four different set of meals within three days.  I just wanted to share with you all what I’ve been eating this holiday season.  I’ve been wearing all my stretchy pants lately to give room for all of this!

I’m sure you all have been running from one house to another to celebrate with different families, just like us!  I’m exhausted from all the eating, laughing and catching up.  And let me tell you, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year! 🙂

First party was at Binan, Laguna.  Hometown of Dante’s Mom, December 23, 2012, 12PM.

What’s up with these hats?!?! 🙂 They used to hate putting stuff on their heads. Haha!

It’s always fiesta in Binan!  Whether it’s Christmas or not but this Christmas Party tops all the parties in Laguna! Check out this awesome spread of Filipino dishes especially prepared by my cousin-in-law, Chef Tori, and her family 🙂 GREAT JOB!!!  Pwede nang magtayo ng Filipino restaurant 🙂

Love the decor on the buffet table 🙂

Aside from the great home-cooked meal, another favorite part of mine during Christmas gatherings is giving of presents especially to the kids 🙂

Damien and cousin, Ryla.

One of Damien’s presents.  Some chicks! 🙂

Party Number Two is our annual Christmas dinner with the Cantadas 🙂

Yummy Sangria 🙂

My parents and Damien’s favorite friend, Greggy (Peter Parker) and cousin Yankee.

Sushi is a staple c/o my Tito Boy 🙂

Food was catered by Le Soto 🙂

Potluck desserts 🙂

It’s so hard to take a decent photo of kids! Haha! Look at this bunch! What a riot! Love these kids!

Party Number Three or Noche Buena was spent with my in-laws at the South.  After the 10PM Christmas Eve Mass we headed straight to Mama Uchie’s home.  Wake up, guys!!! 🙂

Ate Grace and Caleb 🙂

Another yummy home-cooked meal by Mama Uchie 🙂  Lumpia was neatly wrapped by Ate Grace! Hehe My favorite callos and lengua evaaaar!!

The boys watching Disney Junior with Papa Dante. Wow! Ang babait!

Party Number Four and the last of the Christmas Pig Out series, Christmas Day Lunch with my Mom’s family 🙂

With my cousins, Billy and Welt, and my goddaughter, Zoie 🙂

Potluck lunch!  Every year, each family brings a dish.

This is our dish every year! Baked Beef Lasagna, cooked by our very own, Elvira!  Ubos kaagad! 🙂

And this, I look forward to every year… Balut!!! I had two of these.  And for the first time in my life, I ate the sisiw! Sarap pala… Haha! I only just eat the yellow part.  Maybe it’s because I ate it with a teaspoon.  The way Dante eats it. *Wink*

After four hardcore meals, four reunions, na-low batt na rin si Damien. Hehe

This is our usual Christmas line-up every year for the past four years.  Some of you may have more gatherings or less.  It doesn’t really matter how many as long as we’re with our family.  I will always look forward to this chaotic season, my favorite part of the year! 🙂

Before the year ends, I would just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my family to yours! From my stomach to yours! 🙂

A Jingle Belle & Cat Christmas Party

Last December 18, Belle & Cat celebrated our annual Christmas party with the team and staff of B&C.  We were looking forward to this party since it was only our 2nd year 🙂 This is lovely Isabel on the left and gorgeous Stacey on the right preparing our simple, hearty meal for the evening.

This may be your typical menu for a party but we knew for sure that everyone will definitely enjoy.  Who wouldn’t want to eat pork barbeque and lumpiang Shanghai?! Amber Golden Plate Restaurant is always at the top of our list for parties. The food is excellent and they deliver 🙂 They are known for their pancit and pichi-pichi for dessert but we wanted to try other dishes this time.

Ok, this dish is NOT from Amber.  This dish was made by our very own Stacey Tan Gana-Bravo.  One of our partners at B&C. Now a certified cook! 🙂 This was her dish for the evening.  A whole tupperware of Chapchae/Japchae, a famous Korean dish made from sweet potato noodles, stir-fried in sesame oil with various vegetables.  This was amazing, Stacey! I took home most of the leftovers.  I just had to make my whole family try it!

Pork Barbecue from Amber.

Can’t eat barbecue without rice!

Chicken lollipops.

Mixed vegetables.

Lumpiang Shanghai.

Mango roll from Red Ribbon for dessert.  Thanks for bringing this, Merry! It was a refreshing and light dessert 🙂

Thanks, Merry, for joining us that evening 🙂 You will always be part of the B&C Beauty Club!

The boys of Belle & Cat 🙂 My husband Dante and Chris 🙂

The B&C Staff.  Thank you, girls, for another wonderful year.  B&C will not be here if it weren’t for your talent, hard work and dedication.  Thank you, Mitch, Joy, Honeyca, Evie, Nerrisa, Narlyn and Kareen! 🙂 We hope you enjoyed another Christmas with us! 🙂 Merry, Merry Christmas to all of you! Looking forward to another wonderful year with you all 🙂