Favourite thing: Lavender Liliko'i Jelly

My husband and I came home from our honeymoon exactly three months ago, and today I am reminiscing about beautiful breathtaking Hawaii. One of the consumable goods I brought home with me was lavender liliko'i jelly from the lavender gardens of AKL (Ali`i Kula Lavender), located in upcountry Maui.

Liliko'i is the Hawaiian word for passion fruit (and, by the way, passion fruit is one of my favourite bubble tea flavours). The jelly was deliciously sweet and tangy. And it always reminded me of the beautiful day I spent with my husband walking through lavender gardens, eating lavender scones, and sipping lavender tea & coffee.

I've completely finished off the jelly, but I still have AKL lavender tea to enjoy. I also bought a jar of guava jelly from a general store in Hawaii, and I'm looking forward to it. Sigh, I miss vacationing in Hawaii!

The first time I baked in our new home...

... the peanut butter cookies burned. Cue sad face :(

But it wasn't my fault! We later figured out that the oven is about 175 degrees (F) hotter than the temperature the dial is set at!

Moving into a new home has certainly been... interesting. It can be so easy to let myself get frustrated with all the things that "go wrong." The boxes left to unpack, the lack of furniture to fill the rooms, the lights that flicker for no reason, the many chores, the daunting job search, the cooking/baking mishaps... Should I continue? Should I be complaining?

I have so much to be thankful for, like a loving husband who provides for me, lots of food to keep us full, a beautiful house we call our own, a wonderful father-in-law who spends hours fixing up our new home, a family who visits me and invites me over for dinner, an awesome church family, and much more. Even if I didn't have all these blessings, God loves me, and sent His own Son to die for my sins. I sin each day, and He still shows me forgiveness and grace.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galations 5:22-25

I don't want to let the little annoyances in life ruin my day or determine my attitude, especially when I have so much to be thankful for. I should be living by the Spirit, learning how to practice my patience & self-control, while finding joy in all situations. It's hard and it's not my natural response, but it's possible by God's grace!

Enough food for thought! Have a wonderful October day, everyone :)

So they are no longer two, but one!

WE’RE MARRIED!!!

“So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:6

Hooray! I can hardly believe that we are actually married! And it’s even harder to believe that two months have already passed since the big (BIG) day. We enjoyed every moment of our wedding day, we had an amazing two-week honeymoon in Hawaii, and we are so happy to be married and become “one.”

I give thanks to God for all of these blessings. I am so thankful that He, in His good and perfect timing, brought us together to become husband and wife. Love comes from God, and He showed the world ultimate love in sending his Son to die on the cross for our sins (1 John 4). I hope and pray that I can always be thankful for God’s gift of marriage, and that I will always cherish it and nurture it. Even more, I hope that it will be God’s love and grace that nourishes our relationship, fills our hearts and guides our minds.

I know that marriage won’t always be easy. Life isn’t easy, but it is full of God’s goodness and love, when we choose to recognize it.

So many thanks go to my family and friends too. It was amazing to see how much time, care and love everyone put into our wedding day and into helping us prepare for our next stage of life. I will stop here before I tear up… :)

It's time for dinner with my hubby! There will be more life stories to come...

Happy Canada Day!

They're here! They're in Canada on their "honeymoon" tour!

Yes, I did watch William & Kate's plane land in Ottawa from my TV at home yesterday. In my defense, I've been sick this week, so it gave me something else to watch on TV while I rested on my couch. In sickness and in health, I am so excited they're here! I am a fan of their fairytale story, Kate's beauty and outfits, William's friendly personality, and how down-to-earth they appear to be.

Here are photos from their first day in Canada together (photos taken from here).



And see what Kate is wearing today! Red pumps, clean white dress, and a maple leaf fascinator. I love it. It totally matches the festive atmosphere in Ottawa today! Photo taken from here.

"Welcome back" cupcakes

What is it about cupcakes!


These golden cupcakes, baked from scratch, were waiting for my brother on the kitchen table when he arrived home from Seattle last week. They spelled "welcome back" to commemorate this particular trip home, but also to celebrate the news that he will be moving back to Toronto (for good) in just a few weeks!

New bucket list item: Learn how to make better designs with the cake/cupcake tools my aunt gave me last Christmas.

Main Ingredients: Lots of eggs, lots of butter, lots of sugar, and lots of love.

Also... happy first day of summer!

Tangled (and my love for all things Disney)

Tangled is my new favourite movie! I have always loved Disney movies, and this one is as fantastic as the rest.

Let’s address the preconceptions about Disney first. Yes, Disney movies are often too idealistic and usually place too much importance on finding a Prince Charming. On the other hand, they are fun, hopeful, and carry strong moral themes. I like that Disney movies are optimistic and magical. Can’t we dream a little sometimes?

The movie is based on the German fairy tale “Rapunzel,” with a new take on the storyline and characters. Rapunzel decides to escape the tower and she experiences the good and the bad of the real world, alongside her handsome companion Flynn Rider.

On a deeper level, I can relate. I too will be leaving home soon, and I will be facing the real world with the man in my life. Rapunzel is unsure of whether she should leave home, but she realizes that it is time to move on. We can never be fully ready or prepared to enter into a new stage of life, but that is part of growing up. Why not try to accept change and face adventures, rather than fearing what is ahead! This year is full of change for me, and I need to keep reminding myself to have this perspective. And the title of the movie is so fitting. Life is tangled and complicated sometimes.

The scenery is enchanting, such as the image of Rapunzel and her “prince” releasing lanterns on the water by the palace.

The characters are funny and endearing, and her so-called mother, the villain, is just the right amount of creepy. Rapunzel’s chameleon, Pascal, and the palace guard horse, Maximus, have no speaking lines but they are thoroughly entertaining.

I should also mention that the soundtrack is great too. Oh Disney, I love thee.

(Images are from Rotten Tomatoes)

Cookies! The "Canadian Living" type.

I love baking and eating cookies. It's a fact. The Canadian Living Baking Book has some great recipes that are simple and reliable. I made two of their cookie recipes this week!


My absolute favourite recipe of all time is Crisscross Peanut Butter Cookies. Crumbly, peanut butter-y, and delicious. I just realized that I didn't complete the "cross" part of the "crisscross" this time around, but the taste was still amazing ;)


I also like the Oatmeal Cookies recipe, yum. I added chocolate chips to the batter, but you can add whatever you like! Chocolate, raisins, cranberries... they're all delightful.


Have a delicious long weekend!