Happy Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton!
This educator was my favorite saint growing up. In my own childhood Catechism class, I first heard this ♪song♫ (Matthew 6:33) when we watched a video about her life…
With my own dreams of helping establish a Ca†holic school in my hometown, I look to St. Elizabeth for inspiration and seek her intercession.
My latest dessert obsession:
*Nutella* Cheesecake from Fazoli’s
Don’t let the solid chocolate look fool ya … This bad boy’s full of flavor!
Combines 2 of my faves:
The darker the chocolate :: The sweeter the flavor!
There’s never been anything that I didn’t like from Fazoli’s ~ Italian, I’m in Heaven ~ including from this most recent visit.
Giving Grape Italian Lemon Ice ~ a drink with a contributory cause!
Penne Romano ~ steaming HOT!!!
Yummy Post-Church Meal complete with blessings!
I’ve lucked out with this eatery (which opened in my hometown, thanks to my h.s. buddy’s dad ~ a contractor who liked it when he visited his son in college and decided to build it by their family home) because it’s always been quick, inexpensive and most of all: delicious!
Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I’ve rung in the New Year with Fazoli’s!
My former workout partner (who now lives overseas for the military) and I used to grab Italian Lemon Ice at Fazoli’s after we’d have a fun run at the park around the corner ~ we’d burn calories then reward ourselves with something sweet, refreshing and healthy!
Classic Strawberry Italian Ice ~ nothing classic about it! #BoldAndFresh
Alfredo & Marinara + Meatballs = YOLO Italiano!
F is for … Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I’ve even feasted on Fazoli’s while watching Fast & Furious movies at the drive-in!
Plus, now that I typically fly solo, I’ve done my work or homework there after hitting the track myself and have tried almost ALL of the seasonal desserts (except for the Red Velvet Cheesecake around ♥Valentine’s♥ Day ~ because it was out when I visited)!
Watching my ☼truck☼ while sipping on this Strawberry Italian Ice Float!
My fave Fazoli’s dessert before the Nutella Cheesecake came along … This Ghirardelli Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake!
How do you eat an elephant? Savoring every single bite!
Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I took 3 hours to work on this meal while writing my dissertation concept proposal!
Happy *4th of July* 2015!!!
F is for: * Festive * Feline *ASIA* who celebrates our * Freedom with our * Flag
Star & Stripes Forever …P is for:* Patriotic* Pet *ANNIE* who is * PURRfect * Patient
Who wore Uncle Sam better? Sweet *ANNIE* or her K9 cousin *COCO*??
F also is for: Fauxhawk! *COCO* rocks it on America’s Birthday!
F indeed is for: Food … Apple Pie: An *American* Classic
My *Festive* Sweet Treat this 4th … Apple Pie a la *Freedom* Mode: Apple Pie for *Red* topped with Lite Cool Whip for *White* & Blueberries for *Blue*
GOD Bless the U*S*A!!!
Happy 🎆Belated🎇 🎊Birthday🎊 to Mami Aya!
My Nanay has always cooked unbroken noodles for 🎈birthdays🎁 to signify long life. Usually, these celebratory main courses are spaghetti🍝 or Pancit🍜 (Filipino dish).
Some of us loyal children out there tend to be biased to our parents’ cooking if we grew up mostly exposed to their food. I’m definitely no different; as a matter of fact, I was so spoiled to the point that I as a preschooler once sobbed at my parents’ friends’ 🏠house🏡 when they dropped me off there for date night, and I was stuck with foreign spaghetti.
While many kids cooked for their moms on 💐Mother’s Day, my Mami Aya insisted on cooking her own special meal. Papa Jun and I didn’t mind. Not only have her masterpieces been delicious, but also nutritious!
I never can pass up what I call Nanay’s Bomb Diggety Spaghetti (she used to put hotdogs to keep up with Pinoy tradition ~ she even made my sis’ separately because she only liked the hotdogs)
Here’s a new side dish that she whipped up: Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
I now prefer these over the fried green tomatoes🍅 or fried pickles ~ or any other fried greens, for that matter
Who needs mozzarella sticks with these bad boys? 
The Birthday Girl also cooked her special meal! 
Pancit Canton goes well with Lumpia (eggrolls)! 
And let’s not forget the 🎂cake🍰 ~ bring on Tres 🍶Leches🍼 con 🍉frutas: fresas🍓 y 🍍piñas!
Friendly reminder: Pray🙏 just to make it today!
🌞Everyday, I greet👋 GOD☝️ as soon as I 😵awake😲 and right before I go to 😴sleep💤 plus any moment in between. As I welcome His presence by opening my window 🌅shades🌇 to bring in the 🌈sunlight☀️, I simply pray🙏
This is the day the LORD has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
I love to wake up to Sweet Annie from slumber and cat naps! 😻
Then throughout the day, I’ll pray before 💻working🎤, 🍕eating🍧 and 🚘traveling✈️. Prior to 🍱meals🍮, I have series of prayer💒 cards, yet I have a couple that are short and sweet…
I packed this picnic real quick for after my Holy Hour. 💝
GOD is good, GOD is great.
Let us thank Him for this food. AMEN.
Add to the mix more fruit and goodies from my CHRIST Bro Joe! 🍎🍊🍌
Bless us O LORD, for these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through CHRIST our LORD. AMEN.
Panoramic Park POV 🌳
We give thee thanks to the Almighty GOD, who lives and reigns forever, and to the souls of the faithful departed, Rest In Peace. AMEN.
Our Groundhog pal also approached us for apples! 🐒
Once I’m about to hit the 🌆sack🌄, my bedtime prayers include the 🌹Rosary💍 and these from my childhood:
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the LORD, my soul to keep…
Thank you for another blessed day, LORD!
3:33 ~ make a wish!!!
TGIF!
Red & Purple: Color-coordinating with the Paris-inspired wall!
Last Friday night, my Church💒 Bestie, Evie, and I were in for a treat …
Sweets du Jour🗼, my favorite 🍩bakery🍮 in town, offered dinner, so we’re were honored to be their first evening guests!
Appetizer: Tomato Basil Mozzarella Tart
We indulged in a five-course meal.
Soup: Italian Sausage Tortellini
All of the flavors were mighty tasty …
Salad: Pear Walnut with Dijon
From savory to sweet, it couldn’t be beat, as we needed the heat from the cold, even if it was bold!
Main Course: Asparagus Lasagna
Meanwhile, we enjoyed having it to ourselves!
Sweeten the Deal: Caramel Apple Cheesecake for Dessert
Hopefully, this eatery will open its doors again for more dinner parties!
Complete with Coffee!
Bon apetit! 👌
Eat, drink and be merry…
And so I did on my birthday trip!
Road Trip Food
Ghost Town Grub: Starlight Café (Terlingua, TX)
Santa Elena (my namesake) Margarita ~ CHEERS!!!
Terlingua Chili Fries
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Family Feast: Tokyo Asia Fusion (Abilene, TX)
Sake Black & Gold
Hibachi Chicken w/Miso Soup (me-so hungry) & salad ~ gotta top off w/Lo-Sod Kikoman!
YOLOs all the way around!
Happy Memorial Week!
This heaping helping of TGIF YOLO is devoted to this week’s feasts and treats!
From la familia
For my mom’s birthday, my sister baked bodacious beet-chocolate cupcakes that can’t be beat!
My Mom’s Birthday Cupcakes ~ baked with LOVE from Joanne
After the Journey concert, my sister provided Memorial Day meals that were mmmmmm mmmmmm good!
Who needs Rooty, Tooty, Fresh & Fruity? We got Red, White & Blueberry!
For breakfast, we had berries and waffles, complete with raspberries for red and blueberries.
Tribute to my Sister’s Mother-in-Law’s Memory: Tater Tot Casserole! {Jackfruit (yellow) Bubble Tea & Avocado (green) Bubble Tea from Hong Kong Market}
For lunch, Joanne cooked tater tot casserole, a traditional recipe from her late mother-in-law.
Who needs the PB&J time? Cookie Butter & Chocolate‘s my dream Goober!
She also gave me the Ultimate Super Spread: Cookie Butter Cocoa Swirl!
Perfect combo of flavors & spices: my Mom’s Southwestern Burritoes!
My mom cooked scrumptious southwestern burritoes that have lasted me all week long!
Rice & Beans … Up close & personal.
From mi amiga
Yeah, real healthy after exercise … But I’ve only eaten one-quater at a time!
My friend Evie and I hit Hastings’ Hardback Café yesterday to reward ourselves after our workout!
Jones Root Beer: Serious Soda with Cute Cat Pic for a good kick!
When I tagged along with her to pick up gaming grub today, she gave me an IBC Cream Soda for my studies!
IBC Cream Soda to tide me over while I do my homework!
CHEERS to ☼Summer☼ almost here!
Cream Soda + Root Bear = Supernova Soda … All I need is a soft serve scoop for a float to seal the deal!
The Elaine Dispo Journal 