HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Let us be thankful for the bitter-sweet memories of 2009...and embrace the hopeful new beginning that 2010 will bring...It's time to celebrate...

Celebration won't be complete without something edible laid on our dinner table...

Edam Cheese, Fiesta Ham, Meatloaf, Shrimp, Baked Macaroni and Fish Loaf Royale

Bibingka Pinipig courtesy of Leoning's

Carlo Rossi California Red Wine Muscat

Macaroons and Black and White Cupcakes

Banapple's Banoffee Pie

Let us give thanks to the Lord Almighty for all the blessings that we received last 2009. But most especially, let us pray for His ultimate guidance this 2010...

Bon Appetit!

THE BANAPPLE BANOFFEE PIE ADDICTION

My mom had tasted Starbuck's banoffee pie. A few days ago, she called me up to ask if I can buy her one. When my brother celebrated his birthday, we went to Conti's TriNoma to buy a cake. We asked if they have banoffee pie, but the store manager told us that they have another type of cake similar to banoffee pie, but it was out of stock at that time. Then my officemate told me that Banapple sells one of the best banoffee pie. After our office meeting a while ago, I took the opportunity to drop by at their branch in Katipunan. The office was crowded with diners. I called my mom and told her that I will buy banoffee pie at Banapple.

Banoffee pie inside the box...it is loaded with chocolate swirls. I even tasted them before being sliced into portions. Yummy!!! I just love banoffee pie! Banapple has branches in Katipunan and Tomas Morato. They also sell assorted cheesecakes, pastas and other bread and pastries. But their bestseller is this banoffee pie...Bon appetit!

CATCHING UP WITH MY BFFs

After a series of reschedules and communication thru Facebook and texts, finally, I was able to see my two highschool BFFs a while ago. Our meeting point was @ Starbucks, 2nd level, TriNoMa. Since Sheila has not eaten her lunch yet, we decided to have a heavy merienda-con-dinner. We decided to go to Italianni's @ the 5th level, TriNoMa, overlooking the garden.

We decided to order large lasagna good for the 3 of us...for the main course. It is really creamy and meaty inside. As my bestfriend, Marianne commented, "masarap siya..."

For the appetizer, we had the artichoke formigianno. I don't know why it's called that way, but it's yummy and we spread it over the buttered toast with sprinkle of grated parmessan cheese.

We forgot to take the picture of the Sicilian Salad. But we were able to take the picture of the leftovers...The lettuce and bread croutons are crunchy to the bite. The fruits like grapes and ripe mangoes and contributes to the sweetness while the chicken honey dijon sauce to the creaminess of the salad.

Some photo op with my BFFs at Italianni's. In between bites we digest our experiences and journey into the world of cosmetics, lovelife and other facets of human experiences...Incidentally, it is also a mini-despedida to Sheila who will be leaving for U.S. at the end of the month.

After a hearty merienda-con-dinner, we continue our stories and catching up @ Seattle's Best in 2nd level TriNoMa over desserts of cheesecake and carrot cake and a sip of mocha java and javakula...

We promised especially Marianne and I, whilst Sheila is in abroad that we will continue our catching up. We have been friends since elementary. Now I realize that we have grown up to be a better person...I also realize that friendship springs from the heart though you are near or far.

VANILLA FRAPUCINNO & BANOFFEE PIE

This is my favorite Starbucks experience. A cup of Vanilla Frapuccino (tall or grande) with banoffee pie.

This is the banoffee pie. I was craving for almost a month for this pastry. You can eat it alone or share it with a friend or family. The crust is made of crushed graham crackers. The filling is made of banana, melted chocolate and cream. It's definitely yummy and you can taste the chocolate as it melts in your mouth together with the banana and cream.

Banoffee pie with the fillings...cream, banana, traces of graham crackers and melted chocolate.

The vanilla frapuccino of Starbucks. I brought my card with me. I only need 2 stickers and I can claim my Starbucks 2010 planner.

Starbucks logo on my vanilla frapuccino drink...UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.

MY DATE WITH EDWARD AND JACOB

New Moon opened last November 20. I was fortunate to see it yesterday, December 5. I was able to read the book also. But what do we expect, the movie version is always different from the book. They only include the important points in the movie such as:

Edward leaving Bella in the woods

Jacob started to avoid Bella after the movie
Jacob's transformation to werewolf
Bella saving Edward from being executed by the Volturri
Bella decided to call a meeting with the entire Cullen family to discuss her future

I am definitely a team Edward. Of course for me, it should be Bella and Edward forever. Since Bella's love for Edward transcends the boundaries. She even wants to be a vampire to be with Edward forever. In the final scenes, she even offered herself to be a meal in exchange for Edward's life. She was only saved when Aro saw in a vision of Alice that Bella will become one of them someday...which is favorable to Bella.

The Volturri is also interested in Bella becoming a vampire. What with her special ability that the vampires could not read her thoughts, it is very interesting for the Volturri. In the latter part, her special ability will be one of her skills when she becomes a vampire.

Jacob Black is also a revelation. From a lanky teenager in Twilight, he became a bulky, beefed-up hunk. According to Bella, he is having some growth spurts, which is explained when the time comes for him to transform into a werewolf. For me, it's healthy for Bella to have Jacob, but only as a friend.

Because in the beginning, it was truly Edward and Bella. It's like their lives are parallel to Romeo and Juliet were one cannot live without the other.

New Moon is still showing at your local theaters. In the Philippines, the movie will only last for a month, no extensions...