It’s been a nonstop eating marathon for me this past month…family and friends get-togethers, afternoon tea outings, holiday parties, new year’s eve coundown (with fondue!), 6 birthday celebrations including mine, dessert-fest with at least 15 cakes and counting…etc. Every day was filled with great company and amazing spread of food!

When work started again last week, I had to slowly adjust my eating habits back to the pre-holiday state, and it was very difficult as I got hungry every couple of hours. Just when my feeding schedule is finally back to normal, the Chinese new year’s big celebration is coming up this weekend…that’s another all-day feasting event, sometimes between multiple households. I’m excited to see what my Mom is going to make this year, and nervous about what I am going to make for the in-laws as I’m a total novice when it comes to Chinese cooking. I’ll keep you all posted!

Enjoy some pictures of what I ate this past month 🙂

The ginormous (4 layers) and ridiculously addicting Burnt Almond Cake from Peter’s Bakery in San Jose. I would never say no to cake smothered with custard!

Blueberry Cream Cheese Hand Pies

Yummy truffled mac ‘n cheese with fried chickens and waffles made by my very talented friend at IKE’s Bites at our annual holiday dinner. Check out her blog!

A very decadent Bûche de Noël filled with hazelnut and chocolate ganache. The Holiday figurines were added to entertain my 17-months niece 🙂

At Mom’s kitchen, learning how to make Okonomiyaki, Hiroshima style! This is layered with noodles, bacon, cabbage, bean sprouts, fried egg, and pancake, topped with benito fish flakes, kewpie mayo, tonkatsu sauce, and dried seaweed flakes. DIVINE!

Afternoon Tea at Lisa’s Tea Treasure. Assortment of finger sandwiches, and a slice of fluffy chocolate cheesecake filled with cream puffs!!

Princess cake for the two princesses  🙂

One of the many, many Irish coffees that I had on a relaxing afternoon spent with family.

To celebrate my baby niece’s one month, we had a small family luncheon of red eggs, sticky rice, and sesame ginger chicken soup. In Chinese culture, A family who welcomes a newborn baby often holds a “red egg” party – red eggs symbolize fertility and the family passes out dyed hardboiled eggs to announce the birth of the baby.

A glorious salumi platter from Osteria Coppa in San Mateo. They cure the meat in house!

Just a couple more cakes for moi 🙂 I had 5 birthday cakes (not all at once of course) thanks to my family and friends, I am truly blessed!