Goodbye 2011...

Hello 2012!

Goal for Next Year: Macaroons.

This guy makes it look so easy to make.
Goal for 2012.

moonbeams & bunny kisses,

Rima

Thing I Love Monday, week 50 & 51 (end of year)

Can you believe that we're approaching the end of 2011? We're living the last Monday of the year? Enjoy it, inhale every minute of it as we walk in to 2012. Woo wee.

So I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I don't celebrate Christmas, but I do celebrate the Season of Giving & Love (which should be every day, but oh well, let's make a whole season of it!). I spent my Xmas day being on call for work (thank God, I didn't get called in for cases!) and having our usual Xmas Lunch @ grandma's house (it's been a tradition). Not only I was grateful for that, I'm grateful for finally having Xmas off after 3 years of being a nurse. Yay.

Typical (indo) Food that my Oma prepares for a feast.

I'm pretty sure everyone has a tradition that they do every Christmas season. In my case, some what in the month of December, I usually manage to watch 2 of my Favorite Christmas-themed movies: Bridget Jones's Diary & Love Actually. I did Love Actually on Christmas Eve (always epic) which I purposely waited til that night to watch (by myself, in bed, with a cup of hot Chai Latte), and this time for Christmas day I manage to watch another Christmas-themed movie, The Holiday. Gotta LOVE LOVE LOVE Jack Black & the handsome Jude Law (also, by myself, in bed, with a cup of hot Chai Latte). Yes I am indeed a sappy little girl.

Anyways, it has been a pretty busy 2 weeks, with a Christmas Cookies Exchange Party (that I helped out for my ER people), followed with a Retirement Dinner Bash (LUPE WE MISS YOU), and several after hours cases at work. Not to forget to mention, my Youth's Secret Gift Exchange that was super fun, and meeting the Pillow's Mum for the first time (nerve wracking on my part) & spending a day with the Pillow's sister at Disneyland (fun, but crazy crowded and tiring!) Those 2 weeks went by so fast, it's crazy. At one point, I was afraid I was gonna get sick but I managed to pull it through!

As for Christmas Gifts, I gifted myself an Xbox 360 with Kinect (hohoho... no reason to NOT workout, eh?) and a KitchenAid hand mixer (that I love). Like my previous entry, my beloved Pillowman gave me a Tiffany & Co bracelet that I proudly wear on my right forearm. Love it.

Anyways... This year has been pretty interesting for me. Got to travel again to my favorite city, New York City, at the end of March & watching Lionel Messi played in New Jersey, followed with my shift from my beloved ER to my new department, Interventional Radiology, where I've met cool & new friends & doctors and gaining new sights to a new type of nursing. Pillow went to the Superbowl & witness his team, Green Bay Packers, winning. Got a promise ring (which at the end I sorta broke. Boo) Did several trips to Vegas this year (with one, in the summer, that I will cherish forever and will keep a secret FOREVERRRR), being part in my sister's wedding (with a mini reunion with my 4 sisters)... well having mini reunions with several of my sisters, biking trips with Pillow, beach dates, sleepovers/cuddle sesh, PF San Diego trip, discovering my new love for Chinese Reflexology (hello Happy Feet of Rowland Heights!), finally got to see Coldplay!!! Went to Catalina for the first time & ziplined too!! Watching GB Packers played SD Chargers, FRONT ROW, in the rain! Major Baking Session. Meeting his Mum for the first time. Disneyland trips... Gosh, I'm pretty sure I missed a lot. I know for sure, this year went by like a flash. Insane.

So I hope you all enjoy this last week of 2011. Embrace it with a big hug and welcome 2012 with a huge grin in your face.

moonbeams & bunny kisses,
Rima

Happy Holidays (with a recipe)

First of all I would like to say Happy Holidays & Seasons Greetings :) I hope each one of you have a great holiday week and please eat lots of food for me.

Anyways, I've been very, VERY, busy this week, it's not even funny. It's my last call week for 2011, and it has been insane. Not only busy for me, but also for Mr. Pillow. His family is in town from Indonesia, and I've finally had the pleasure to meet his mum. It went well (I was nervous as heck). I haven't been spending much time with my love but it's ok, I rather have him spend time with his family (according to him, this is the first time in 11 years he reunited with his mum & sister all together). This Christmas weekend they're spending time bonding at Las Vegas (I'm jealous. If only I was not on call, I would go). So before they left, he insisted to meet up with me to give me my Christmas gift from him. And I went giddy when I saw that infamous Tiffany blue bag in his hand. Weeeeee... He gave me this...

It's sooo pretty :) I would say this is the most expensive gift I've ever received from a person. Gotta love my man.

So while everybody is getting busy preparing for tomorrow's festivities, I'm spending my Christmas Eve by myself (and Chimmy). Opening my fridge I found left-overs of my Cream Cheese Custard Frosting, so I had the mood of baking. But this time, I decided to go whoop whoop and made Whoopie Pies. I haven't made these in awhile, so I busted out my new KitchenAid hand mixer and got busy. 

I recommend the Whoopie Pie book by Sarah Billingsley & Amy Treadwell. The book is very fun and cute and makes you want to eat each pages. 

I decided to make Mocha Whoopie Pies, in honor of my new Keurig (thanks to my brother, Austin, and his gf, Kat). The pies were so fluffy, I ate 3 (guilty as charge). Here I will give you the recipe, adapted from the book. As for fillings, you can use any fillings you want. From buttercream to marshmallow fillings, go ahead and whip your own (or if you are lazy, you can even use those store-bought frostings, but what's the fun in that?)

Bonding Time

I got the chance to bond with Pillow's sister at Disneyland on Tuesday. Such a tiring day but fun (rides & catching up). Lots of giggling and gossiping.

This made me happy :)

sorry I haven't posted any food related entries yet, but I will do soon. I promise. 

Check out my little baby nephew who received my Christmas card, all the way in Clifton, AZ. Isn't he adorable? I can not wait to meet him in person!

moonbeams & bunny kisses,

Rima

:)

Yay!
Nuff said!

moonbeams and bunny kisses,

Rima

Things I Love Monday, week 49

Meet the Demon in Chimmy! I love this picture of him because a friend of mine said that he looks like Cujo. Haha... gotta love this stinky bomb.

Anyways, it's Monday (already, really?) and I got some stuffs to share about my week (weee!)... Despite the gruesome rain that poured all over Southern Cali today (I don't like it because I was at work today, and that kind of weather is hot-tea-and-favorite-movie-in-bedtype of weather), there are some things I love about this past week. Shall we?

excuse my fat face

Got to spend some fun time in LA with my two friends, Gabriella (of last weeks TiLM) & Ryan. We were suppose to be in the audience of 2 Broke Girls (my new FAV sitcom), but unfortunately it did not happen. So sad. But since we are very cool people, we decided to head to the Grove and enjoy some Christmas decor (and plus the fake snow). Not to forget of us having a splendid lunch at Bottega Louie and taking home some macarons (and I accidentally swapped mine with Gab's). While at the Grove, we headed to the World Market (one of my FAV stores) and I found an apron that I could not resist to buy (one of my instant-binging shopping habit kicked in)...

Uuuhhh YEAH, it's a MUST buy in my book! I finally wore it yesterday when I had to bake for my Sister's order. Felt so proud in it. Haha.

At one point during my work week, one day I had several patients that complimented my service as a Nurse and thanked me gratefully for making their procedures/experiences less stressful and calmer. I was very proud of myself. I do get very bubbly and actually act all "GUUURRRLLL... YOU DID FOIINNNEEE" when I talk to my patients. Haha... Sometimes I need to tone it down... But hey, it works. I see my patients as human beings, meaning, I picture myself in their position. Would I want a Nurse that is stiff as a stick, acting like a Nazi, or a Nurse that is all "haaaaayyy how you doin" and make the whole non-enjoyable experience pleasant, especially if you have no clue on why you're in that procedure room? (I get a lot of those patients... Have no clue on why they are there... "uh, my doctor told me to come.") Those kind of compliments make me go as a Nurse. Woo hoo.

The whole Saturday, I got to spend some time with my beloved Mr. Pillow. Went to a local church and just spent some time bonding and watching TV and grubbing and laughing (yes, our favorite pastime). He was so happy when his team won in the El Classico Match (Viva Barça!) and I was happy watching Bend It Like Beckham. We also spent time enjoying the cold weather at the Irvine Spectrum and he even treated me with a ride on the Giant Wheel!

Barça!

this is one of my favorite faces of him

all things Red Velvet: RV Hot Cocoa from Coffee Bean, RV Milk Choc from World Market,  RV cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory!

Then Sunday. twas a productive baking day! Spend my whole day in the kitchen making my Sister's order. Made her my Velveteen Cupcake (literally, it tastes like velvet in your mouth, drool) & fudgy creamcheese brownies. Woo. She picked them up today while I was at work and I am so glad she's happy with it! Yay. A satisfied customer :)

Despite my tired back after baking, I still decided to make some savory dish because I haven't eaten all day and I was craving for those Halal-Cart type food in NYC when I saw the recipe on Serious Eats. OMG. The rice & chicken was gone within 2 hours (the serving was meant for 6 people, but gone by 3 people).

I will post the recipe soon. Stay tune.

Other than that, I am happy.
Hope you are happy too.

moonbeams and bunny kisses,

Rima

Deck the Boxes

!!!

My sister placed orders from me for her to give as Christmas gifts.

I am tired now, but such a delightful thing to do! I just love being in the kitchen (minus cleaning)

moonbeams and bunny kisses,

Rima

Why I should not go to Anthropologie

One of the reasons why I should not go to one of my favorite stores in the world, Anthropologie, is because they have really awesome cookbooks. 

I really just wanna pile them up in my arms, walk to the register and purchase all of them. 

Some of the books that I want (oh, hello Santa!):

• Les Petits Macarons: Colorful French Confections To Make At Home
• Miette: Recipes From San Francisco's Most Charming Pastry Shop
• Small Sweet Treats: Sassy, Savory, And Sweet
• Milk & Cookies: 89 Heirloom Recipes From New York's Milk & Cookies Bakery
• Serious Eats: A Comprehensive Guide to Making and Eating Delicious Food Wherever You Are
• Bought, Borrowed & Stolen: Recipes And Knives From A Travelling Chef

These books would be an awesome addition to my cookbook collections. Seriously, I've been good this year :)


moonbeams and bunny kisses,


rima

Macarons :)

Went to Bottega Louis in Los Angeles. I've never been here before (nor heard of it actually) and I swoon like a little girl seeing her crush when I entered and saw all the pretty colorful macarons :)

The food was great (I had the meatball & mozzarella sliders) and the ambience was neat! I adore the high white ceilings and the friendliness of my waitress.

I will post more pictures soon.

Things I Love Monday, week 48

So how's everyone's week? My week, like always, has been work work work. You know, gotta do it for  a living, haha. 

Anyways despite the cray cray busy work days, I am thankful for my day off (Hello, Tuesdays) and the weekends. That's when I'm able to wind down and do my errands. One of the things that I did this past Tuesday was the bike ride and walking to the car shop (I blogged about it). I seriously need to consider to do more outdoor stuff. That should be a goal for me. 

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Another thing that I usually do on my day off is baking & cooking. I really do get bored at home and I ended up invading my pantry and fridge and start getting in a baking frenzy. So this past week I made the Cinnamon Rolls and last night's Chicken, Corn & Wild Rice Soup. Also I found another baking book called the Boozy Baker. There are some fun recipes that I want to try. I am so excited! 

I also got a privilege to attend a jam session called "Inspired" on Saturday Night @ Costa Mesa SDA Church and witnessed the awesomeness of my friend, Gaby Panjaitan (follow her @gabstersings on twitter). I am so proud of her and I pray for big things to happen to this girl. Her voice is so soothing and really fits her jazzy style. If you love jazz, this girl is worth the watch :)

Can you believe Christmas and New Years are around the corner? Are you ready for it? I believe Southern California is sorta ready. The Santa Ana winds have been blowing pretty hard, bringing the chilly air all over. I'm not ready for the sore throat and headaches though. But it is indeed a perfect time to brew your favorite drink, in my case, I'm drinking Herbal Detox tea. Hahaha... 

Oh and one more thing, I would like to thank my buddy Ollie of A Sight of Love for helping me with the blog. MENTOR, HALLO!!! Hehehe. By the way, you should check out his photography. I've only known him for a couple of months, but this guy is so laid back and down to earth, it felt like I've known him since boybands were cool (I'm pretty sure he jammed to the Backstreet Boys at one point). If you want your snap-snap takin', go to Mr. Ollie! He did an amazing job for my sister's wedding. 

I hope this week will be a great one :)

moonbeams and bunny kisses,

Rima

Food Time: Chicken, Corn & Wild Rice Soup

So today was pretty chilly for a Sunday Afternoon in Southern Cali. Like really chilly. The breeze was good but it does pierce the bones, at least mine (I can't stand the cold). Couple of weeks ago I had Panera's Chicken & Wild Rice soup and ever since then I wanted to make my own version of it, so I thought today would be a great day to attempt this great soup. 

So here we go...

Tis the season...

So December is here.
Better be ready for the festive foods, gifts, lights and love.
Enjoy the last days of 2011. Breathe it, enjoy it, live it.
Embrace it with open arms and an open heart.

moonbeams and bunny kisses,
Rima