So I turned 25…

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter filled with love, laughter, happiness… and chocolate… or whatever 😉

Our weekend started off with a near-literal bang. My Significant Other’s car gave problems on Thursday, thus necessitating that (a) he take it in to be looked at, and (b) I work from home. Not the worst thing to happen… although we then found out they’d be ordering the new parts for his car after Easter weekend, and that the parts would only arrive on Thursday *huff*

But despite being carless for two days, a bit of family ‘drama’, borrowing my brother-in-law’s noisy little Golf from Saturday to Monday (and much, much more!), we managed to have a great weekend.

When it was just after midnight and ‘officially’ my birthday, Smudgy woke me up about 6 or 8 times. I think she was grumpy/frustrated that it was cold and wet outside and she didn’t know what to do about it since she obviously really wanted to be outside, but I’d like to think that she was being affectionate and excited about my birthday.

Here’s a basic rundown of my day: lemon & poppyseed muffin (sans candles, since my Significant Other couldn’t find any) plus a warm mug of tea in bed; a visit from my parentals and younger sister Addy, with gifts and a suprise; tea, cupcakes and gift opening; lunch at Ocean basket with my Significant Other, parentals and sis; curling up on the sofa under a blanket with my Significant Other and watching series; dinner at the Hildebrand (V&A Waterfront) – so fancy and romantic 😉

Exquisite orange roses from my Sweetheart

Lindt chocolate bunny! This little guy has been in the kitchen cupboard for a few weeks already

Pretty little forks to aid in the cosumption of treats

Smudgy was trying to escape/go outside when I snatched her up for a photo with her mommy

Addy baked birthday cupcakes! I had to assemble the stand myself - it was part of the 'fun'

Addy & the parentals baked me a super awesome Scooby-Doo birthday cake! 😀

All my gifts assembled on the livingroom table

Sushi for two: my Significant Other and I decided to share a Rising Sun sushi platter and added extra salmon roses & rainbow rolls. Mmm, sushi...

Such a happy couple! Ready to head out for dinner

Here Smudgy's more accepting of having her picture taken. She even struck a pose for the camera! Isn't she just the loveliest little thing?

Taking a nap on daddy's jeans after we arrived home ❤

PS: Did I mention that we went to watch THE HUNGER GAMES last night??! *happy dance*

Happy birthday, Libby!

Another family birthday for the week: first my husband, and now my older sister!

Haaaaappy Biiiirthday, Libby *big hug*

As always, I wish that abundant happiness, prosperity, love, success, and all those other lovely sentiments will be bestowed upon you this year, and in all the years to come… Two more years, just two, then you’ll be 30 😀

But for now, just relax, enjoy the last bit of your leave before it’s back to work, and make the most of what is, after all, your Special Day. If we lived in the UK, I would definitely have bought you a Simon’s Cat cake!

Christmas is a-comin’…

Good morning, blog readers

I hope you all had a nice weekend. I spent some time with my family, baked some goodies (chocolate cake, cupcakes & cookies!), and had to help my Significant Other move our entire bedroom around because he bought a second air-conditioner (this included making cupboard space by unpacking, repacking and sorting what I would or wouldn’t need/ use anymore).

So the ‘countdown’ to Christmas has begun. Truth be told, I have yet to hear any Christmas music playing in the shopping centres or grocery stores. Some people say that they have heard the carols playing and angel choirs a-singin’, but I’m not sure how much of it we’ll be hearing this year. There’s been a movement to have Christmas music banned/ toned-down since people find it offensive (or use it as an excuse why they’re spending so much). I think it’s quite sad… I myself am not religious, but neither is all Christmas music, and Christmas isn’t just about religion. It’s a time for family and friends, a time to be together and be grateful, to show what others mean to us and just have a nice, relaxing, feel-good time. It’s the one time of year that you ‘have’ to do aforementioned (though we should be aiming for this throughout the entire year).

My Significant Other isn’t a big fan of Christmas music, anyway, so I foresee many evenings and weekends of me sitting with my headphones on 😉 At least he doesn’t mind a Christmas tree in the apartment.

Speaking of the festive/ holiday season, I’m halfway with my shopping. I’ve bought Christmas gifts for my two sisters, my Significant Other and my mother-in-law, plus a birthday gift for my mum. That just leaves Christmas gifts for my parents and my sister’s husband, and a birthday gift for my older sister. Perhaps I should try to find something for Smudgy, as well… *laugh*

There’s the gift of giving and the rapture of receiving, but the most important thing of the festive season is being together and showing that we care. Like Garfield says:

“Christmas: It’s not the giving, it’s not the getting – it’s the loving.”

Have a great Monday!