Hello dear Hivers! 💖 Hope you're having a wonderful day! 🌻
Birthdays are always special, but sometimes, life throws a little curveball. That's exactly what happened for my Mom's birthday last last week. Philippines was hit by three consecutive typhoons during that time, which meant we couldn't go outside to celebrate. But as time goes by, Mom has actually come to prefer simple birthdays, and this year was no different, even with the stormy weather outside.
Since we couldn't brave the winds and floods to go out, we decided to bring the celebration home. Because we were stuck inside, we decided to order her a beautiful ube cake from a different brand this time. It arrived looking so lovely, with a cute flower design on top! 🌺


We gathered for a simple lunch at home, and when we opened her beautiful cake, her face lit up with happiness. We realized the cake didn't come with a candle for her to blow, but that was perfectly fine with her. She even said she didn't want to blow a candle anyway! Her joy over the delicious cake was all that mattered.
One thing Mom absolutely loves is cooking. In fact, for our birthdays or even her own, she often prefers to be the one cooking. It’s her way of showing love, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Later that afternoon, she cooked baked mac. Her baked mac is truly something special; so delicious and cheesy! 😍 She always puts a generous amount of cheese on top, making it extra yummy and comforting 💖
When the rain subsided the next day, our cousin and his wife brought home gifts for Mom. She didn’t expect it. She really appreciated their thoughtfulness and the effort they made. She didn’t open her gifts right away and waited until the next day. It's not because she's not excited, but as she puts it, she likes to keep an "element of surprise" for herself.
The next day, she finally unwrapped her presents. She received a lovely set of glass condiment containers and a set of drinking glasses. These were absolutely perfect gifts for her because she genuinely loves cooking and anything to do with the kitchen! ✨


As I grow older, I've realized that I'm also appreciating these kinds of gifts; the ones that are practical and can be used regularly at home. It’s a sign of aging, I mean growing up haha 🤣 I guess! 😅


Mom's 57th birthday, despite the typhoons, was a truly heartwarming celebration. It was simple, filled with delicious food (especially her yummy baked mac!), thoughtful gifts, and the most important thing: family love. It just goes to show that the best birthdays aren't always about grand parties, but about being surrounded by those who care for you, even if it's just cozy at home.
Thank you very much for spending your time reading my post! 💖 What spicy foods have you tried already? Let me know in the comments! ✨
Love lots,
Elle 😘
She is someone with a big imagination and spends her free time chasing new adventures. She shares stories inspired by her love for travel, food, and furry companions. Writing doesn’t come easily to her, not because she lacks ideas, but because her thoughts often run faster than her words. Her storytelling is a mix of lighthearted tales and personal insights, written with the hope of connecting with curious, kindred spirits. With a camera in hand and curiosity in her heart, she documents the little things that make life vibrant, even if her photography is still a work in progress.
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