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Thursday, February 16, 2012

My food, your food

On good days, I make myself a nice lunch and give something adequate for Jellybean's snack. By the time I have my lunch, Jellybean is usually well fed and had a period of rest before this 'snack' is given. Sometimes she's hungry, sometimes she's not and sometimes, she's just picky.



So today I made myself a nice Vietnamese Chicken Baguette- something I've yearned to try ever since I got this month's issue of Donna Hay. By golly, I loved the lemongrass, galangal...ginger..daikon ....everything.


..And I gave Jellybean this- bread and cheese- something which she regularly eats. Today, just for novelty's sake, I even shaped it- ships, trains,..cars and all. She's going through a 'brrooommm brrrooom' stage, very un-ladylike, but it doesn't bother me- not now.

What did bother me was that she placed all her 'transportation' on the floor, came up to me and asked for my food.  ...And when I didn't give it to her fast enough...she started picking off my plate!

What happened to baby food? She's growing up too fast.



Saturday, February 11, 2012

Lunar New Year 2012

Chinese New Year has always meant a lot to my family. It's the biggest celebration we'll unite together throughout the year. In my school days right up until I was married, every Lunar year eve and Lunar new year was without my family without doubt. We'd either have big family cook offs or go for a family vacation. After marriage, it was only fair that I also celebrate with H's family.

This year, our family reunion was held in Perth. Previously, my mum would slave for days as the New Year approached- so this year, we thought we'd organise a semi-potluck - each sibling cooked! Though I must say, I could feel my parents tense up as the meal got closer- it was always a feast...and this year, it was all beyond their control! But hey mum, we didn't do that bad.

 
My vegetarian noodles in the making...

My 'Luo Han Zai' in the making...this is basically a vegetarian dish that is cooked with fermented tofu. A part of this dish has to be left, to be eaten for breakfast the next morning- the 'New Year'. Chinese auspiciously believe that certain dishes have to be left-over to signify the year before was an abundance and thus, in the coming year we still have aplenty. 

My sister's first attempt at Steamed Lotus Leaf Chicken- which tasted pretty good!

 My Abalone + Mushroom dish...don't ask me why, but my mother always cooks this for the eve of Chinese New Year and I just followed. Towards the rear is my Sis's inlaws scrumptious Roast pork!

 Also her inlaws Tempura Prawns.


 My Steamed Fish- also auspiciously believed to be 'good' indication theres an abundance every year.

 ...Coming together with my 'Lou Sang' and Shark Fin soup. Slurps.

What the photographer missed out on were the vegetarian dishes and my Sister-In-Law's Pork chops. And who is the photographer you ask? Ask H.


LOU AH! FATTT AH!

A very belated Gong Xi Fa Chai to you!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Jellybean's ONE!


...and a bit...[cos her Mummy was too busy to blog].

Jellybean turned one just before Christmas. In all honesty, because we were overseas and had a short stint in our Malaysia home, I wanted to be all chilled and not bother with anything. I just wanted a family meal, cut the cake and go home kinda thing- sorry bubba. She's too young to really play with anyone, hasn't met most the people there and truly, won't understand what the hype is all about. I thought I could happily drag it until maybe she's 3 to have a party.

But then, friends and family started asking, lucky bubba got presents, people wanted to meet her...and we got guilty. So guilty we hyped it up and she got spoilt with three celebrations. -Though I'm only responsible for one.

Her first party can be seen here. It was a yellow bee themed birthday inspired by her lunch bag.


Jellybean was chilled about the whole day, while H and I got totally busy. We we're pretty happy with that, because essentially, it was for her- we wanted her to have a ball. She slept right until guests arrived, mingled with other babies (and got really mad at them for playing with her toys..hmm), ate a chicken drumstick, didn't realise what the hoo-haa was about when everyone sang- and then continued playing some more.

We ended up having a great time organising things and catching up with friends and family.


Now little one, grow up nice and strong- forever with you xoxo Mummy & Daddy