Mocha Lattes

My food, your food

2012-02-16T23:22:00.002+08:00

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.

Lunar New Year 2012

2012-02-11T00:01:00.002+08:00

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!

Jellybean's ONE!

2012-02-07T14:56:00.006+08:00

...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

Happy 2012!

2012-01-29T23:34:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year! And just incase you're wondering, no no and no! This isn't a new ultrasound. It was Jellybaby when she was a wee little bub in my tums. And guess what? She's ONE now. Precisely 13 months. But...AHHH....I'm so behind on everything! Which incidentally means blogging about her birthday might as well be when she's two.

Over December, we had a great holiday in Malaysia and Singapore. After that, Chinese New Year caught up, I got busy with Partybaby and now, everything is still clashing in. Jellybaby is more active than EVER and eats everything and anything- much to my parents amusement. She stands and crawls and tugs on my legs when she wants a cuddle. Her vocab has extended to her necessities in life- Mama (mum), Baba (dad), Gong-Gong (grandpa), Mum-mum (eat), Nen-Nen (milk), ah-bu (her stinky cloth for bedtime) and anything else she babbles and points with her chubby little fingers.

In this new year, I need to be more organised. Bring it on!

What's occupied me

2011-11-22T13:30:00.001+08:00

Jellybean and Partybaby.

In the past few weeks, I had another baby. Partybaby. Though I didn't have to go through nine months of pregnancy or nurse this little newborn, it has taken up any moments my real baby does not occupy.

Currently, Partybaby has a range of custom partyware and soon, some kitchenwares. In brief, you choose and place a order for a design you like, I receive the order and customise the invitation and partyware with your details. Then you can print it or even email it at your convenience.

So..lets say Molly's turning two, you give me your details and you'd get this...

..a digital invitation...

...a 'Molly' bunting...

...and party essentials which consist of thank you tags, canape/fork toppers party flags, buffet/name labels which tie in with your whole theme.

Then you just print it and party real hard.

Anyways...so if you'd like to know my other baby more..pop on to

www.partybaby.com.au

H's THREE O!

2011-11-14T14:03:00.000+08:00

H and my birthdate is exactly one week apart. So, a week later..we had more celebrations. I had this big plan- at the stroke of midnight, I'd appear with a candle on his cake to surprise him. Later that day I would surprise him by driving him to lunch and his present. But...err.. it didn't quite work that way. All of us fell sick a few days beforehand- I had spent the previous nights holding Jellybean to sleep as she had a bad fever..and the rest is history. So by the time it was H's actual birthday, we were all pretty tired and just wanted good rest.

This is how it was spent...

At the stroke of midnight, all weary eyed and just minutes after putting bub in her cot, I presented H with his ice cream cake. He blew the candle, didn't even cut the cake..and we went to sleep. Yes, pretty anti-climax aren't we.

But I do have to stress I made a cake. Despite it being a no-bake, just combine an freeze..I made it k. I made it! ...With a sick hubby, sick baby and viral me! ...Here's presenting a Connoissseur ice cream cake dolloped with Lindt chocolate and berries.

Oh..I did present my hubby with a card and present too. It was all aeroplane themed this year..in conjunction with his birthday present.

Another take on a easy 3D card. Told you I had a thing for these. Again, pretty good effort for a ill-feeling family k. Please clap. [I'm very encouraging aren't I?]

Lunch was spent in Nobu. Superb. A post about this another time but here's a peek to get your taste buds going...

Even Jellybean wanted to steal some!

H has a obsession with planes. Seriously. He can tell you which seat numbers are next to emergency exits, the seat configuration of different planes, which airline just bought how many planes and so fourth. ..So, I got him a flight simulation package and if I must say so myself- It was so cool!! He got to be a pilot for a day, got a real co pilot and flew Jellybean and myself as his passengers. Jellybean wasn't too chuffed though- she wanted to push all the buttons and destroy the headsets. Hmm.

And here it was- his first flight ever and he delayed it. Ahem.

..And here's the entrance to his plan of the day- uber cool!

He loved it...totally loved it! Yesss!!

And err...saving the best for last- we ate cheap takeout that night and went to bed. I'm a good wife aren't I?

Hope you had a lovely day love...

THE Three O

2011-10-31T22:45:00.000+08:00

Thirty is the new twenty. Yah hah! Ok, I made that up. But it really should be the case.

At twenty, I was in uni, unsure of what I wanted, pretty clueless and quite unsure of myself. If I could write a letter to a 20 year old me, I would tell myself to follow my heart and be more assertive.

At thirty, I've become a stay at home mum, have a better inkling to what in life, still pretty clueless but definitely have a better definition of myself.

This year, H took the day off work. Just being with him and Jellybean made my day.

On the night before, H baked his infamous prune cake. Its the one and only cake he's ever baked since I've known him. And honestly, it's pretty darn good if I do say so myself.

Jellybean was pretty chum. However, by the time we got to lunch, she was all zonked out and ready to sleep. Here's her chubba legs.

We dined at Tony Romas. Incidentally, I ate there for last year's birthday too- but with my siblings.

Totally unrelated- but down the street were the several tributes to Mr Jobs.

A few years back I wrote a letter to Mr Jobs. All I can say that is- today, I own a iPhone, iPad and a Macbook. Well done!

This was my favourite tribute...

So that was my day, topped off with dinner at Burswood Atrium with my family.

Ahh..I'm still loving birthdays despite getting older.

Ps. H, where's my card?! I'm still waiting!?!

Dear Jellybean- October 2011

2011-10-29T21:06:00.000+08:00

Hey bub,

The last few weeks have felt like months!

Just before you turned exactly nine months, you got your first two beamers- yes, your two front lower teeth.

You were restless, whingy and in constant need of company.

Then, just two weeks ago, you fell sick for the very first time. You had a virus which has turned nasty- into a chest infection. Boo. So, you haven't been quite you.

You are restless, whingy and in constant need of company.

In summary, you've been a whingy, grumpy baby for the last month or so. Not nice. With the slight glimpse of better health, you do sneak in your cheekiness...your smile. And your smile melts our hearts. It lets you get away with things and makes your parents forget your two-hour crying sessions and all things alike.

If you get better now, we will buy you a new toy.

Just kidding. We aren't suppose to bribe you like that.

...Do get better.

xoxo

Getting My Groove Back

2011-10-25T21:11:00.000+08:00

After Jellybean's arrival, my hobbies and interests have been put aside. Cooking has been simplified to 30 minute dashes and anything else just revolves around my child.

After using 1 hour and 15 minutes to put Jellybean to sleep, I got the odd timeslot to finally make a card- in ...one year? Although it was something fast and simple, I do like the outcome. I have this new thing for 3D cards.

Congratulations cousin.

Fashion Problem Solving

2011-10-07T21:17:00.000+08:00

Jellybean is currently undergoing a fashion crisis. I'm serious!

I love rompers on babies- they're easy for nappy changes, I don't need to think about all the mix and match stuff and they're very practical. However, Jellybean's currently at a age where dressing in a romper looks like her mum left her in in her pjs. And, we can't have you all thinking that can we?...You get me right? Ok, maybe you don't understand my crisis, but I insist.

Oh! In also have another issue; I hate how after my bub wears a onesie paired with pants, her tummy becomes segregated. Is it just Jellybean?! It's a big issue for at-home mums k? I have nothing else to think about but her tummy looking segregated.

And how about dresses for Jellybean you say? Well, I have this other ongoing issue about non-walking babies with dresses- it rides up when you carry them, then their nappy shows, then it rides further until their belly button shows and the next thing you know their whole chest is exposed. Ok, maybe not the latter, but you get the picture.

So a few months ago, I had this special liking for turning onesies into dresses- ala lazy mum way.

I took a onesie and some left over material, and combined it to make a skirt-onesie.

I was so relieved I solved my bub's fashion crisis. I'm currently hired to solve all her problems you see.

So here's bub, playing in her onesie dress. You might also notice my toes on the bottom right- but hey, I got a photo. [You have to excuse my poor photos as of late, getting a camera out seems like a daunting task when a fidgety baby is around.]

Just Mousse Thanks

2011-09-09T00:18:00.001+08:00

I'll be honest. I had intended to present a grand Chocolate Mousse Cake to H. Soft, rich cake with decadent moouse ..just heavenly.

It didn't turn out that way [at all!]. So I presented him chocolate mousse instead, Lindt Chocolate Mousse to be exact- it makes me feel that little bit better. Unlike the cake, it turned out great.

If you want to make a great Chocolate mousse here goes:

(recipe from Lindt)

200g Lindt Dessert 70% Cocoa Specialty Cooking Chocolate

200g Double Cream

5 eggs- separated

75g sugar

Pinch of Salt

(Serves 8)

1. Break up chocolate and gently melt over a water bath, set aside.

2. Mis egg yolks and one third of the sugar until pale.

3. In a separate bowl, whip cream until ribbon stage.

4. In a clean, dry bowl make a meringue with the egg whites, remaining sugar and salt.

5. Combine a small amount of melted chocolate with the egg yolks to warm them slightly and then add the rest of the chocolate to the yolks and mix.

6. Whisk cream into the chocolate mixture until smooth.

7. Gently fold in meringue.

8. Pour mousse into a clean bowl/serving bowls, cover with cling film and allow to set in the firdge for approximately 4 hours. Serve chilled.

Err..if you're ever wondering, this is what the supposed cake looked like. I'm calling it my first and last 'Death By Chocolate' cake. Looks like that, literally. Its going in the trash.

Something to think about...

2011-08-27T22:10:00.000+08:00

Say, hubby has been outstation for the past three weeks ~~and counting~~
Say, you get a bit bored and search for things to do with bub...
Say, you start dressing bub up in a funny tutu you made her a few weeks ago...

Say, you whip up the camera to give her a little photoshoot...

Say, you get carried away and even change venues and place her in the garden...

...you click, click, click, click...

And say, you see her eat grass. Click. Click.

Then you go Oh Sh*t! She's not suppose to eat grass.

You say...am I a bad mother? Or just a bit slow?

Dear Jellybean-August 2011

2011-08-21T13:57:00.000+08:00

Babbaaa-boo!

Mummy's loving your vocab right now. Besides spitting on everyone and dribbling on everything else, its kinda cute.

Note: Just thought you ought to know, in the middle of writing this post at 12:30 in the morning, you've woken up, started babbling to your dummy, stuffed cloth in your mouth and wasted 120ml of milk. Just for your information.

Mama's also got a confession to make. You know how for many months, you had separation anxiety? Wherever Mama goes I go too?! Well, now its kind of reversed. And for the sake of blaming- I blame it on Baba.

You see, a few weeks ago, Baba started going outstation for work. During that time, you were going through a burst of suddenly cries in the middle of the night, so Mama put you on the big bed. From then on, we slept on big bed, you slept well which ofcourse meant Mama slept well and ah, the rest is history.

So now, Mama loves you on the big bed. I love seeing you fall asleep, watching you dream with your little snores. It's quite adorable. Come morning, you'll wake me up by patting my face, sticking you wee little fingers into my mouth, pinch my nose, make all sorts of weird and wonderful noises and last but not least, pull my hair. It's annoyingly cute- must be mother's love!

Between you and me, I'm tempted to kick Baba out of the big bed when he comes back. It's his fault that this started anyway.

Ps. Cheeky Bum, Mama is loving this phase you're going through- no crying, good sleeping, very playful and always smiley (to me anyway). Pls pls pls stay that way. I'm already missing my tiny baby.

Love you lots xoxo
Mama

The chef-struck housewife... And other corny tales.

2011-08-13T00:11:00.000+08:00

Cooking has really become a balancing act in the last few months. Anything that has to do with food has to be done pronto. Eat fast. Cook promptly. Bubba doesn't really wait for me to savor the tastes or take my own sweet time in preparing food. Heck, I don't even take much photos now (hence the huge lag in posts)! To Jellybean, life is about her, her and more her.

I've learnt to do things fast, or wait until i have a Jelly-sitter: H or my parents.

Im starting to wonder if I'm normal. Cos come night time I'm usually exhausted. Entertaining and looking after Jellybean is one tiring job. Whoever thought playing with a 7 month old can take up that much energy?! Or maybe I'm just plain unhealthy.

This brings me to my next point: 'me' time. In my exhaustion, I will also crave 'me' time. Which in the last few months, meant watching cooking shows. It makes me feel like I haven't lost contact with the rest of the world or that I'm living on Planet Zombie. It makes me feel somewhat 'normal', or maybe more aptly, sane.

My Kitchen Rules and Masterchef have so far dominated my housewife life. What's not to love? Food and good looking blokes!

So come Good Food and Wine Show...guess who went beserk over Manu? ...oh Maaaaanuuuu!! He's tall, handsome and can cook. Luckily H understood the qualities he's lacking, and happily obliged to

A) que up with me to meet Manu,
B) take a photograph of his wife with Manu
C) look after Jellybean while his wife was going nuts over a celebrity chef
D) hear his wife go on and on a out how Manu's so charmingly handsome, smells good and said her name with a sexy French accent.

Uh huh, it's hard being my husband.

Dear Jellybean-June 2011 + Mama's first shoe attempt

2011-06-26T22:40:00.000+08:00

Oh Bubba!

The time has come again.

You're officially a yelling, kicking, grabbing, laughing, smacking, salivating... huggable six month Jellybean now. Time has sure flown by! Whatever happened to my little pocket sized baby?!

Just a few days ago, Mama made you a brand new pair of shoes. Pink felt shoes. Papa thought it was ~~hysterical~~ so cute he wanted a pair too. Really. Its Mama's first attempt, so don't be too critical here.

If you absolutely can't tell and need to ask me in the near future, my dear, its a rabbit and a carrot. Why does Mama insist on giving you such a ~~weird~~ unique dress sense? Because I think its cute. And I might as well dress you in whatever I like now 'coz you wont let me do that later on!

See, here you are testing your shoes. They're more comfy than Louboutins I tell ya!!

Lots of Love

xoxo

Mama.

Rustic Cheesecakes + Fathers Day

2011-06-21T01:28:00.000+08:00

Life has really been more about baby purees and breastmilk lately. There hasn't been much time for intricate delights or extensive menus. Rather, meals have to be fast and simple- all because of my dear, dear Jellybean. With all else developing- her desire to have me within a 1 meter radius [if not sticking right beside my limbs] is still very evident. I mean VERY.

Just a few days ago was [Malaysian] Fathers day. As it's H's very first year as a kid-wrangling daddy, I wasn't sure whether we should celebrate ala Malaysian or go with the Aussie flow. At the end, I decided to have a mini celebration this time around and succumb to all aspects of commercialism when the Australian fathers day comes along. Ahh...Hallmark has definitely done it's role.

So these are my mini cheesecakes. The lemon cheesecake H insists on for every occasion. I must admit, they weren't intended to have such a rustic charm- but with a whingy-clingy-crying baby, the base had to be done at midnight and the cheese mixture was pretty much a 10 minute job. Plonk and go. [Sorry dear, but you do know that Bb comes first in everything now!]

So until then, its back to my Bamix- my new toy.

Dear Jellybean-May 2011

2011-05-17T22:16:00.000+08:00

So mummy missed out a few months in between. But you ought to know it's all because of you. Somewhere down the line, you've learnt that mummy's the best walking bed, milking and playing machine in the whole wide world. Oh bub!

You give the best smiles and cheeky grins in the morning, then throughout the day you laugh at all sorts of weird and wonderful things. I'm still waiting for the day you roll. Yes, you still haven't mastered rolling. Rather, it's much more fun when mummy rolls you around like a spring roll. You've definitely learnt the art of screaming and distinguishing what you like and dislike. Oh bub!

For the first few months of your life, these are your favourite things:

1. Wrap Me Up- a zip up swaddle that gives you the freedom to put your hands up- and even in your mouth. Girl do you love putting your chubba fingers in your mouth. You love it so much that we've bought you three!!

2. Aden & Anais Washcloths- we bought a set of these to bathe you. Somehow, you love snuggling up to the soft muslin to help you fall asleep. It's ok, multiuse is good! You also love their swaddle wraps though you use it as a blanket.

3. Babybjorn Active - Ahh! What would daddy and mummy do without this little helper? Mmm..maybe you wont have a chance of leaving the house. Ever. 'Cos right now you're not a fan of prams.

So daddy might not look as hunky as this fella...shhhh!

4. Little Bamboo Cot Blanket- it's so soft! You've used it every night since being discharged from hospital.

5. Il tutto Nico Bronze babybag- Ok, so this one isnt your favourite, it's more like mummy's favourite. It holds everything in place, and that everything is yours [ milk, diapers, wet cloths, toys ] so technically it's your favourite too!

6. Sophie the Giraffe- your squeaky teether that tends to entertain you though its embarrassing for your parents.

7. Tommee Tippee Dummy- this may not have been a good idea. One day we'll have to wean you out of it. But you love it. love it. love it. It's your sleeping tool. The dummy's getting a tad small for you though and it indents your chubby cheeks!

8. Alimrose Designs Rattle- you stare and stare and stare when this is rattled to put you to sleep. Only at night though, and only sometimes. But you stare, as if you're trying to figure it out.

9. Peg Perego Tatamia- this was the only chair/swing you'd sit in. Not long mind you, but long enough for your parents to swallow their meal.

10. Ikea Changemat - We haven't quite figured if you solely love the mat or if you are gonna be changed or bathed soon. Either way, you always smile here. Oh, and it's cheap.

11. Skeanie Ugg Boots - ok, this is totally for the cute factor! But you do look very comfy in them.

There you go bubba, a good life so far huh? Lucky you.

xoxo
Mummy & Daddy.

Chocolate cravings

2011-03-11T13:51:00.001+08:00

When I was preggers, I craved sweet things. Anything sweet. But maybe what I missed most was chocolate. Rich chocolate! So I made H promise me that once I gave birth he'd bring me to San Churro.

...Well, it didn't quite work that way. 'Cos he got all strict about confinement- let's not go there, and then I guess Jellybean just took up every single moment of our time. I do, however give him credit for bringing me there eventually, albeit six weeks late.

Chocolate does what chocolate does! Serotonin surge!! Whoopee! Here we have a Hot Cold Spanish Chocolate which has the texture of yoghurt, not as sweet as chocolate sauce, but still oozing with cocoa flavours.

...And here's one of their Premium Chocolate Shakes though I forgot which flavour I ordered. You rule!

Last but not least, Churro!!! Churro Churro Churro! Need I say more?

I definitely had my chocolate fix for the day.

Savouring Romance

2011-02-25T12:41:00.000+08:00

Here's news! Have baby- no romance. It just a equilibrium that occurs in human relationships. Honest. And here's more news, when parents try to romance it up a notch, baby decides to do a poo, or cry- you choose.

Ok, so its nothing new. But it does take a whole lot more effort than before.

Since Jellybean is officially superglued to me, I needed to spice things up- fast, nearly instant. So I got this card from kikki-k that basically doesn't writing. It's uber fast I tell ya, just stick stickers! So fun too!

Yeah, I know, I've gone for the fast and easy way out. What card making?! But hey, I did something.

Dear Jellybean-February 2011

2011-02-24T15:46:00.000+08:00

Hey bub, we need to have a heart to heart. You and me, we do good. But this whole superglue thing has to stop. Mummy loves you lots and get heartwarming moments when you cling to me like a koala. But, you remain as a koala for like..forever.

See, doctors, midwives and all told me you are going through a growth spurt. Hence, you feed like a newborn and get so demanding. You've learnt to scream too! But you reckon your growth spurt can be a bit more timid? Is that a bit too much to ask?

You've got chubby cheeks now! Far from what you looked like in the beginning. Your toothless smile is kinda cute too! Sometimes you get really annoyed when I try to wake you up and have the funniest expressions! Oops!

When you got your 8 week injection, girl you yelled [after a delayed reaction]. You then got all drowsy, sleepy and had a mild fever. Felt so sorry for you, so you slept in the big bed with daddy and mummy. Big mistake! Now it's just ongoing. Hmm...we gotta trick you out of it.

Lunar Feast

2011-02-16T23:57:00.000+08:00

My mum cooked up a storm for Chinese New Year! Geeze, I've been missing this for years! Can you believe she whipped up a whole table of yumminess for 12 people?!

Lou Sang- gimme lots of fresh salmon!

Her infamous Hakka Braised Yam & Pork 'Yu Tou Kou Rou'

Steamed Saltwater fish

Snow Crabs! Oysters!

Authentic Shark Fin soup. ..Sorry, think all the fins sank by the time I took the pic.

Lo Han Jai- lurve the mix up!

Vegetarian Noodles.

Every year, my dad will dictate a menu [basically of his favourite foods!] and mum would willingly oblige..and we ofcourse, willingly eat!

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

If only I'm as good as her...

Here Bunny Bunny!

2011-02-16T23:36:00.000+08:00

Happy Bunny Year! I..ok, I'm a tad late but better than never! Can't believe another year just passed like that!

Last year, I just moved into my new house and got uber excited about making all the nic-nacks. This year, my hours seem to be gobbled up by Jellybean and even squeezing the odd two hours for baking is a luxury.

I do miss my house heaps though..I wish I still have my kitchen to mess with and my courtyard to stare into. I would of most probably dolled up a nursery for Jellybean by now and maybe, just maybe, bought a tonne of nursery furniture and scared the heck out of H with a amazing credit card statement!

So this year I only got up to three things- once again, the Cheese-Pineapple Agar Agar I made last year, lychee jelly..

..and a house favourite, Kueh Momo which I made with this recipe. I'm thinking of adding milk powder to it next time just to give it a extra oomph!

Now...let's feast for tomorrow- the 15th and last day of Chinese New Year!

Dear Jellybean-January 2011

2011-01-26T16:26:00.000+08:00

Dear Jellybean,

This is daddy and mummy, before you came along. We went on dates and did spontaneous things.

Then you made mummy become a balloon before coming along and predominantly hiding your parents within four walls.

The End.

Just kidding!

Truth is, you've given daddy and mummy so much joy within one month- well, that and lots of diaper changes and colouring your parents clothes with yellow and white. Uh huh- poops, wees and milk vomits.

We've lurved every moment of seeing you grow from the tiny bundle into a slightly larger bundle. Within one month, you've learnt to smile and laugh at spontaneous things. You've also made a point to be carried throughout the day, though at night you've been sleeping in your bassinet. At one point, every second night you chose to keep your parents up with you, but then mummy discovered it might of been the coffee she drank- so we wont blame that on you.

You've learnt to make funny sounds and coo back at us when we talk to you. You fall asleep while being bounced on a fitball and love hearing anyone sing songs to you. Mummy sings funny songs that she doesn't really know the lyrics to, but you find that entertaining anyway. You make daddy talk to you during night feeds as if you understand what he's saying. You make Gong Gong and Poh Poh carry you by making weird shrieks- and ofcourse they succumb to your funny whimpers.

Oh, you hate the pram! You've already made yourself noticeable when you loudly cried at the local shopping center and spur spontaneous strangers to make comments. And car seats? You only like them when the car moves. When the car stops during traffic lights, you make noises too.

You've got 1001 facial expressions. But your favourite one is where you perk your mouth as if you're whistling. That usually means you're wide awake and ready for play.

When dawn comes, you want to be placed on daddy and mummy's bed. Thats when you fall back to sleep again within the comfort of your parents. You also love being on daddy's chest. You find that relaxing though mummy freaks sometimes wondering if you can breath.

But Jellybean, despite everything, we love you to bits. Grow up quick cos we wanna play with you.

xoxo.

Mummy & Daddy

Out Of Jail Celebratory Food

2011-01-25T20:37:00.000+08:00

Last month felt like forever! Between broken sleep and chicken wine, it felt like Groundhog day. What I did enjoy was seeing Jellybean having growth spurts and discovering her new tricks of the day- she's definitely got a few more rolls down the leg than before!

Just a few days ago, we celebrated Jellybean's Full Moon. Full Moon celebrates baby's one month from their birth date, followed by some simple rituals before presenting friends and family with food. It's also my out of jail card as my confinement finally ends! Hurrah! We decided to give food parcels to close friends and have a celebratory meal with our family.

Our modernized Full Moon food parcel contained:

Red eggs, BBQ chicken and some cakes. Obviously we chose the easy way out! Frankly, I chose to spend my time washing my hair in the morning than to slave over making kuehs and cooking chicken.- And this is coming from someone who loves her time in the kitchen!

Sorry friends. Please understand. Confinement makes one wacky. Really.

Cakes were chosen instead of the traditional Ang Ku Kuehs.

My favourite of the three- Sponge Fruit cake.

Mango Mochi Cake- Glutinous skin with sponge cake insert.

Black Forrest.

Deepest thanks to all, for the lovely gifts and red packets! Jellybean is truly spoilt!

Longan & Red Dates

2011-01-18T14:15:00.000+08:00

It's been a long Chinese tradition to do one month of confinement after giving birth. If you ask me, it's like one month of house detention with limited food. No fun.

I wouldn't say I have a strict confinement, but it's definitely restricting.

Confinement procedures [yes, I say it with much formality!] vary in different ethnic groups- different foods and doings. I'd say my mum more or less followed the Hakka tradition for my confinement. These include:

-Drinking red date and longan tea for the whole duration. No plain water. Amazingly the body does survive without one month of plain water though I don't know whether its good or bad.

For the past few weeks I've only drank boiled water submerged with dried longans and red dates.

-Eating foods with cooked chinese wine and ginger. Bleh. Imagine a repetitive menu for one month and everything loaded with ginger. This is suppose to repel wind and help sweat out excess waters.

-No showering. Well, technically I bathe with boiled herbal water. But I'm not allowed to touch un-boiled tap water. Let me tell you now- this is virtually impossible. From washing baby bottles to washing my hands before feeding- how can I not touch tap water?

-No hair washing. Urgh! Maybe this is one of the worst rules ever! It is believed that pores on the head 'open' after giving birth. So exposing these 'open pores' to water will induce headaches and other problems in the future. True or not, I'm not sure.

I know it sounds grose- but I've survived 3 weeks of yucky hair. I think it's becoming a helmet now- stuck on me. And if you need a insect repellant, do visit me! Hmm..or maybe I'm the one attracting the bugs!

-Eating heaty foods. Once again, to expel wind, help return the uterus to its pre-preggers state.

-Lie down when possible to refrain from straining the back. This one I do believe in. I've felt my own spine being more vulnerable after birth. Having said that, a newborn being breast-fed and needy doesn't allow much resting time.

One month of fun huh? I told H if he ever expected me to have another kid, lets skip this confinement ritual.

Labour-2

2011-01-11T13:16:00.000+08:00

..[continued]...

5:00am- I wake up once again with back pain and sore pelvis. This time it's worse as other womanly body parts make it less tolerable.

Once again I take a looong shower- washing my hair umpteen times in preparation for confinement. But by the time I put on my clothes, I'm in sweats again. Pregnancy!

6:00am- H and I get breakfast at Mcdonalds drive through. I'm not advocating this for breakfast before labour, it is just convenient and on the way. For a sheer moment I contemplate having a Mcdonalds pig-out, not sure if it was the hormones thinking or me wondering if a hash brown and a Mcmuffin will take me throughout the day of labour. Then I remember it might not be a good sight if Jellybean came with other bodily excesses- you know what I mean. Stop. Just eat the hash brown.

As if I know the hospital back to front now, I once again go into Baby Hilton. The midwives in labour ward know me- we left our luggage there the night before. They tell me to go into my own ward as if it's my hotel room.

We meet Anastasya- my first midwife of the day. She's young, pretty and distinctly Russian. I half wished I didn't get such a pretty midwife to do such a gruelling chore. It just made me feel so much worse. Don't ask me why. She was super friendly though and trust me it makes a whole world of differnece when you're contracting!

7:30am- my obstetrician comes in and checks my cervix. Urgh. My waters break and I feel like I should be wrapped in nappies. I feel revolting. I somehow wished H didn't see this side of labour. Hospital gowns look awful, feel awful and expose your butts!

8:30am- I start feeling contractions. they feel like mild period pain. I start counting but the contractions are mild and far apart. I'm in good spirits now. I'm over the exposed butt part and H and I are holding normal conversations.

10:00am- The contractions get stronger and closer, but still irregular. I'm now bored. The tv is on. I'm reading magazines to waste time.

11:30am- My obstetrician comes back in to check on me. I have a magazine on one side, a iPad on the other and a drink by the bedside. He jokes I'm on a holiday and looks so relaxed.

12:00pm- My contractions spur me to breathe heavily. They're still quite far apart but oh they are getting painful. Anastashya offers me heat pads. They help. Mildly. But I do with it.

12:30pm- Going to the toilet bringing in machines, with a exposed butt and broken waters aint fun. My back is hurting so much! I opt to sit on a fitball. After a few contractions I can't stand it anymore and return to the bed. I'm taking deep breaths now and it darn hurts! I still resist. Trying to be a hero.

1:00pm-All is a blur now. Contractions are close. Darn painful. I breathe like no tomorrow. I'm start to cry from the pain. Great hero I am! The midwife offers me epidural and I jump to it. I murmur 'Pain relief!' to H. I can't take it anymore.

The anaesthetist comes in and starts telling me the risks of epidurals. I tell him to just do it! He makes a comment about my bag and between my contractions and weepy eyes I tell him after labour I need lots of handbags! He laughs and says atleast I can still joke. After what seemed like a eternity, he places a freezing cold wipe on my back before setting in the needle. Darn it hurts!

I drift in and out of sleep after the epidural kicks in, but realize it didn't fully work on me. I can still partially feel the pain. I start having to move around because Jellybean isn't happy when I lie in certain positions. My cervix gets checked every now and then.

5:00pm- after a few doses of epidurals I ask for another because the pain is killing me and I'm weeping like a kid once again. They tell me I should be checked again before they administer another dose. Great. Cervical checks while contracting are soooo not fun! The head midwife checks and whispers to H 'Shes ready'.

Urgh. How much longer will this pain go on for? H continually reminds me our baby is coming and let's look forward to that.

Three midwives come. My obstetrician arrives. I'm told to push. After a few pushes my ob decides to have a break. The moment he walks out the midwife yells Jellybean is coming. Emergency bells ring and my ob is back. Despite my pain, I yell he should of gone on his break earlier so Jellybean can come earlier. He just laughs.

5:14pm- I push so hard and Jellybean finally arrives. A few seconds later her eyes open and I'm so amazed. She's lovely. I count all her fingers and toes and check if she's really a girl [you never know?!].

All other yucky things happen later but I'm just in awe of Jellybean. I no longer feel anything. I continually stare at her and know she's all worth it.

...And so the parenting part begins...

Labour -1

2011-01-10T20:44:00.000+08:00

If you're not into knowing the details of labour- skip this post NOW! Jellybean is out this was the ordeal!

...(written on actual day)....

Due to some complications, I had expected a induced labour all along. It just depended on when. This was 'Induction Day 1'!

5:00am- I wake up. Pelvis hurting, back aching and desperately in need of the loo. H wearily wakes up, asks if I'm contracting. I reply no and he drifts back to sleep.

I get back from the loo and can't fall back to sleep. My whole body hurts and sleeping in any position doesn't help. I get fed up and decided to go online and distract myself.

7:30am- I have breakfast.

9:00am- H wakes and realises I've eaten breakfast. He cooks himself Maggi Mee [yes, this is important information I tell ya!] and we chat while he eats.

10:00am- I better finish Jellybean's playmat. It still needs sewing and hemming on the edges. But after a few minutes I just can't concentrate and was about to have a lie down when my mum comes and asks if I have any plans for the day.

I get dressed and we head to the markets and shopping center. I needed a walk. I'm getting agitated.

12:00pm- We get back home and I'm in sweats. Think pregnancy makes my body temperature go up by 10 degrees.

1:00pm- After lunch H and I decide to have a little 'naughty break'. This is meant to be a quick escape to eat whatever I want before confinement. We end up paying some bills before buying cakes, having coffee and buying some mags in preparation for hospital.

3:00pm- We get back home and I'm desperate for a scrub. Its hot. It's frustrating. I'm sweating like there's no tomorrow. I tell H to give me some time in the shower. I feel like having the scrub of my life with no interruptions and thats exactly what I do. I spend 30 minutes scrubbing, washing, scrubbing washing like there's no tomorrow. Cleaning every single inch of my body I can possibly reach.

4:15pm- We head to hospital. I'm super excited.

5:00pm- We check in and get interviewed by a super friendly midwife. We then get bored and H starts taking photos of everything! I mean everything! The loo. Our name tags. The monitors.

...told you he took photos of the loo.

5:45pm- My obstetrician comes in and after doing a 'sweep' [those who've done it, yeah! u know what I'm talking about! Urgh!!] gives me the option of going home. He tells me I'm ready and doesn't need to be monitored through the night!

7:00pm- After doing more formalities signing in and out, we leave hospital and head home. Half wondering what happens if Jellybean comes at midnight. Half excited. Half nervous.

11:00pm- I try to head to bed but it's nerve-wrecking and I'm still in sore from the sweep. Gosh...what's life gonna be like with Jellybean? H snores besides me.

......

Jellybean

2011-01-04T12:00:00.000+08:00

Hi Peeps! I've been lacking in the blogging world as Jellybean arrived nearly two weeks ago. She's kept us busy with midnight cries, constant nappy changes and ofcourse sleepless nights. But she's all worth it!

Oh! Her favourite past time at the moment is showering her daddy with pee while he's changing her diapers.

I'm lacking in the photos department so when I'm up for it I'll post some up. 'Till then, hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Date Night

2010-12-22T07:21:00.000+08:00

H and I were determined to fit in one date night before Jellybean arrives- in the advice of former non-parents. We thought we'd celebrate our anniversary early as we presume Jellybean will totally occupy our time [and possibly our sanity and hence forget events] on our actual wedding anniversary.

We chose Tsunami. A quaint Japanese restaurant tucked in Mosman Park- fully occupied on a weeknight! Mental note: Good food sign but bad preggers squeeze situation.

I would of chosen more sushi options if it wasn't for the food limitations during pregnancy. But ahwell, it gives me an excuse to go back next time.

Between us, we ordered Ebi as the entree. The prawns were succulent and crunchy, wrapped in filo pastry and paired with tomato salsa.

Ikura sushi. H orders this in basically any Japanese restaurant from sushi chains to up market dining. This was definitely not the frozen and defrosted sushi chain low-grade caviar.

Mains: We both decided to have Ishiyaki Teppanyaki Wagyu and Scallops. Copy cat! The Ishiyaki is a 400C rock which meals are placed on and subsequently cooked before your eyes. From this...

...to this.

And who could resist a little indulgence at the end? Don't ask me why- but after telling H I wanted the Kuro Goma [Black Sesame] Ice cream, he decided to change my order into a Ice cream sampler, a scoop each of green tea, black sesame and ginger ice creams. While he stayed with the traditional green tea ice cream. Huh?! I figured it was because he wanted to try the flavours but wasn't game enough to try it himself. Luckily I was delighted with the sampler- but a bit unsure if my palette really enjoys ginger ice cream.

To finish the night off? A stroll at Kings Park. Ahhh..... Ps. H wanted a note crediting he took this photo after several minutes fidgeting with the camera.

Ok Jellybean, you can come now.

In-Your-Face-Clue

2010-12-20T00:30:00.000+08:00

Jellybean is due anytime now- and if you haven't figured out from my other posts [such as this one], you'll definitely figure out the gender from this post! It's a dead give-away.

Yeaps. We're having a pink Jellybean!

I couldn't resist making her a romper complete with matching flowers and snap buttons at the bottom.

I don't know if Jellybean will ever end up wearing it- because I got the sizing from one of her existing onesies and never got a proper pattern- I really should of got a actual pattern considering I wasted quite a bit of fabric from my first attempt.

Oh! And I have a thing for frilly bottoms. They make any butt look cute- girls butts anyway. Maybe tomorrow shall be a matching hat? Maybe.

Jus Burgers

2010-12-15T22:43:00.000+08:00

I'm craving burgers just from writing this post. Darn!

H and I stumbled across this burger joint in Leederville just a few days ago- I've heard about Jus Burgers before and was eager to try. I lurve it when I stumble across a food joint and end up loving their food!

Both our burgers were juicy with just the right amount of sauce and toppings. What I also lurved was that they used quality local suppliers and products. They're also pretty renowned in the local scene too with several awards and achievements. You don't get a 'Best Hamburger in Australia' award for nothing!

So here's my Cheeseburger [left], and H's Half-n-Half lamb burger. His Half meal was so cute- it was a mini burger and mini fries but just enough for one- I should of ordered what he ordered!

I'm definitely going back! The bonus?- The Leederville store is near my Ob's place and the Subi store is near my soon to be hospital! Woo hoo!!

Cot Set

2010-12-13T15:57:00.000+08:00

A few ~~months~~ weeks ago I got started on a cot set for little jellybean. After several delays I've finally completed it-with matching critters!

I did the owls and other chirpy birds along with plain circle trees. Used the same fabrics to make a cot bumper, pillow case and cot sheet. I told H the owls are suppose to represent me and him looking at jellybean. He thinks its funny. Hmph.

The birdies are similar in shape to the ones on the wall, just a different design.

I've run out of patience to do anymore and I'm just waiting for bub's arrival any time now. I've got just one problem- when I'm not nesting I'm totally bored. So maybe I should whip up something afterall.

Rat Rice Noodles

2010-12-12T21:54:00.000+08:00

Before you come down on me with some Greenpeace treaty - let me explain!

Where I come from, there's a round type of rice noodle that is literally called 'Rat Poop Noodle'. No, it doesn't involve harming animals of any kind- it's just named so because the original versions were ... well, shaped like rat poop. The 'rat poop' noodle is simply known lau su fen/lou shi fun in Chinese dialects.

H has a enormous attachment to these noodles. Its what he grew up with for breakfast nearly every week. When I asked him what he missed from our home town, he only told me he missed lau su fen. In a desperate attempt to make him feel more at home [and I believe my nesting instincts came hard too], I made the rice noodles from scratch.

Here's my take.

Lau Su Fen/ Lou Shi Fun

2 Cups Rice Flour
2 Tablespoon Tapioca Flour
Pinch of Salt
550ml boiling water

1. Steam rice flour for 1 hour.
2. Add tapioca flour, salt and boiling water and stir until smooth.
3. Allow to cool and knead until smooth ball forms.
4. Spread additional tapioca flour on hands/surface.
5. Take pea sized amount of dough and roll between fingers until its elongated in shape. Repeat with all of dough.
6. Lightly oil steamer tray and steam noodles for approximately 8 minutes or until noodles are cooked. [I steamed mine in batches]
7. Cook noodles immediately with condiments to liking or wait for noodles to cool and store in fridge.

I was inspired by a particular hawker style of cooking rice noodles from my home town- it's what H hearts. So hence, mine was just boiled and tossed with some basic ingredients. Other methods of cooking include stir frying or having it with dark sauce.

Heeding Advice

2010-12-09T16:30:00.000+08:00

The funny thing about pregnancies is that total strangers come up to you, strike a conversation and even touch your tummy. It also spurs those who've known you for yonks to touch your tummy like they've never touched human flesh before. And then there's those who like to put in their two cents worth and give you some piece of advice.

I've done my consensus and realized the two most common tips are:

1. Sleep as much as you can now. Key word being now.

2. Go on dates! Do stuff as a couple! It's all going to be different after bub comes!

Pointer 1: I try. But a growing belly unfortunately leads to growing insomnia, geared with a painful spine and pelvis.

Pointer 2: What I'm working on.

Taking on Pointer 2- I took H to a scenic spot, we strolled along the riverbank and sipped coffees.

Now this is when you notice the difference between a initial courtship and a few years of marriage- with a jellybean on the way!

Let me give you the scenario: A couple is walking along the river bank, absorbing all the glorious weather and feeling the sand between their toes. All of a sudden, bursts of wind blow through blasting sand across their faces.

A couple in the midst of initial courtship and dating days will most probably have a silent moment, shyly smile and walk on amoungst the blowing winds. It is romantic after all! Maybe the guy will even conveniently hand over his jacket and cover the girl? Or so one thinks.

A couple who's married and been together for a while will do the following:

Husband steers wife back onto vegetated areas then says 'You took me here to eat sand?'
And as the wife opens her mouth to comment on what her husband just said, husband says 'Shut up- or else sand will get into your mouth!'

No prizes for guessing which scenario happened to me. Uh huh!

Cioccolato Espresso

2010-12-02T20:54:00.000+08:00

I think I've found a great coffee and hot chocolate place! I haven't had such nice hot chocolate for a long time. It's actually called Cioccolatte- which was like a big mug of hot chocolate served with chocolate flakes and marshmallows. I'm talking about the real deal too- not just milk with some measely cocoa- this is good stuff!

I had their BLT bagel which was done with the right blend of oven tomatoes and avocado. Yums!

H had New Norcia toast with a serve of fresh mushrooms.

I'm definitely going back! What a lovely start to the day.

Cioccolato Espresso
31 Ardross Street
Applecross Perth Australia

Fat Quarter Burping Set

2010-11-26T00:44:00.000+08:00

I fell hopelessly in love with some cute fabric but didn't know what I'd do it with it!

My justification: it was on sale; it was only a fat quarter and it was cheaper than a Big Mac.

Being impulsively hormonal- as everybody is during pregnancy, ahem, I made a burping-feeding set in about one hour.

It consisted of a drawstring bag which held everything together: one that could even hold future cutlery.

A burping cloth so the little jellybean won't spill over momma...

And a tiny-weeny bib for a newborn so she doesn't puke over herself.

All for the cost of a Happy Meal.

Nesting

2010-11-24T22:52:00.000+08:00

My friends term my new state of life preoccupation as nesting.

I busy myself with making things, baking and cleaning. When I go shopping I automatically go into the children's section or worse yet, my insomnia gives me a great reason to shop online- there's great Christmas sales at the moment!

Bursts of thoughts fill my mind and then I go around savaging things to make it.

For example, I wanted to make lemon cheesecake- just because I wanted to put fruits on top. ...Mind you I did exactly that.

Then my mind proceeded to constantly think about this 'green kueh with rice on the bottom'. So I made that. Mind you, I didn't even know the name. Only later did I find out it's Seri muka.

And today I wanted something savoury. Full of flavour. So I made a radish cake.

I made all of these within 4 days of impromptu thoughts.

I don't even attempt to finish the food.

I force them upon my friends. I make them have it even though I most probably haven't refined the recipe. Yes. I'm erratic and admittedly hormonal.

Cookie Pops

2010-11-18T01:44:00.000+08:00

Sorry..I just really liked this image so had to incorporate it! It's as if there's a invisible cookie monster!! Maybe someday it'll become my header!

Anyhows..

I had a compulsion to put things on pops. The idea was seemingly cute! I just needed to get it out of my system. And while I was making them, it was therapeutic- after I made them, I felt relieved. Weird.

They were basic chocolate cookies with fondant- on a stick. Great as baby shower gifts!

So here they are all bundled up and ready to be given. Goodbye onesies!

Tuna Melt Copy & Paste

2010-11-17T21:23:00.000+08:00

Whenever I dine at Miss Maud's, I have a uncanny tendancy to only choose two things from their menu. One of which, is their tuna melt. I can't really explain. It's one of those things I just do.

Then today, I felt the compulsion to replicate it.

I even bought their cajun mayonnaise!

I was pretty stoked that it came out the same- durh! But I should of added pickles and onions.

Easy lunch!

Where's My Toes?

2010-11-16T12:45:00.000+08:00

Would you like to know more about pregnancies? Ok, I won't elaborate, but can I just show you this?

You'd think seeing your toes was a natural thing. But in actual fact, this photo was taken with me bending over.

The real truth is, this is all I see from tummy down. I guess it's a good thing too 'coz my water retention toes and non-pedicure toenails are most probably not a pleasing sight right now.

I now know what Homer Simpson goes through everyday. I feel for pot-bellies.

Happy Birthday!

2010-11-15T23:11:00.000+08:00

This one is for you Di... be spoilt!

To another year, another kid and being a dedicated wife and mother.

Ps. I can babysit for you on your Harry Potter night. Just leave me with instructions!

Asian KFC

2010-11-15T22:32:00.000+08:00

KFC should run a competition for being creative with their fried chicken- and I should win. It's true!

Being struck by the lazy bug- I decided to make Nasi Lemak- with KFC's chicken. I did my part- made the coconut rice, the sambal and anchovies- I just didnt fry the chicken. Instead I made my family drive out to get drive through chicken. Aren't I smart?

H thought it was hilarious. But I told him it's food creativity to the maximum.

If anyone is wondering, KFC's hot and spicy tastes better for this dish! Bon Apetite!

Wedding Invitation

2010-11-14T22:25:00.000+08:00

One of my wacky ideals is to be a card-invitation maker. I always thought it would be a cool job!

I've been fortunate enough to be entrusted by several family and friends to do invites and stationery for several occasions. Luckily, all projects have turned out great and no one has had regrets- so far!

You might remember a while ago when I first proposed a wedding invitation for a family member. After several weeks of contemplation, we then changed our minds to this and from there, it grew to a whole new [and more exciting] thing all together.

A whole new set of stationery was derived- one that all of us were really happy with.

The really exciting part was to see the vision merge with reality. After doing such proposals, there's a few back and fourths with the professional printer to make sure fonts were fine, colours turn out right and I got the exact material with relations to cost.

Ta-daa!! This was the fun part [or not so fun if it didn't turn out the way it was suppose to be].I was utterly content. The colour was the exact Pantone I had in mind! Phew!

And best of all, the bride and groom loved it! Bonus points!!

Too bad I can't make it to their wedding- I'm just so glad I did something for them!

Chinese Cruellers a la Malaysian

2010-11-12T17:16:00.000+08:00

I know, I'm still on about hawker food aren't I? It's always a case of having what you can't get. I'm still onto my teh-tarik and to top it off, I had it with you tiao/yau char kwai and kaya.

I had the easy way out though, I wasn't prepared to slave over these cruellers from scratch- 'coz if my mum can't make a decent one from scratch then what are the chances I can? Buying and reheating was a much better alternative though maybe not the best taste wise. Lazy buggers can't complain I suppose...

I would of had them with sweet mung bean soup too... but maybe thats for next time.

House: November 2010

2010-11-11T17:12:00.000+08:00

H has superceeded my expectations of him.

I've abandoned my house for nearly 2 months now and I miss it to bits! So on random occasions I ask H to take photos of what it looks like now and how everything is going. To my amazement- he's kept my our courtyard pretty spiffy! Once again, you have to excuse the poor phone quality pic- though I think you get the gist.

My tower trees have grown so tall they are no longer in the frame, my crawlers are doing their thing and my reflexology path is still in order. No, its not a reflexology path- though it could be.

So, nearly a year into moving, its finally looking a little more lived-in and less deserted. H sometimes wonders if I miss our house more than I miss him.

I'm proud of my man!- he's definitely doing quite well without me. Wait... is that a good or bad thing?

Sharing Is Caring

2010-11-10T16:10:00.000+08:00

This isn't a good photo nor is it particularly enticing. But it cracks me up- it's my nephew's doing.

Mr Three thought it was funny to bite off the gingerbread-man's head before I got the chance to have my coffee. He didn't like the taste of the gingerbread, he just thought it was funny to dement him before I had my share. He refused to finish the rest of it but was extremely pleased the the gingerbread was no longer intact.- What do kids learn these days?!

The sad part was that my whole family was happily consuming warm sticky date pudding complete with creamy vanilla ice cream while I was stuck with a sugar free decaf latte and a headless man.

Teh-Tarik

2010-11-09T21:01:00.000+08:00

I've been missing a bit of home- my other home. The one filled with hawkers delights and other carbohydrate drenched foods. So I've been trying to replicate it by making my own hawker style drinks.

Teh-Tarik- otherwise known as pulled-tea is well known throughout South-East Asia. It's basically white tea made with condensed milk that has been aired to create a smooth tea texture and bubble foam. A good teh-tarik will need good tea powder and the tea maker's 'pulling' skill. 'Pulling' simply means, the tea is interchanged from one cup in far distances to create air bubbles as shown in this video (posted by Rasa Malaysia)

I don't come close to the to the masters of tea pulling- I just pour as far as I can over a sink- so that the mess is captured, then I wipe and wash quickly to pretend I can pull tea. Ahem.

Teh-Tarik

*3 Tablespoons Ceylon Tea Powder
1 1/2 cups Boiling Water
*1/2 Tablespoon Condensed Milk
**Dash of Evaporated Milk

*Ingredients vary according to taste. This one was made according to my liking to strong tea and as little sweetness as possible. For a normal hawker style teh-tarik, I'd say they'd use more condensed milk and slightly less tea powder.

** I used fresh milk in attempt to be healthier. However, evaporated milk is more fragrant.

1. Place tea powder into a tea stocking, over a large mug/stainless steel cup.
2. Pour boiled water into the stocking and seep for approximately five minutes.
3. Remove tea stocking and combine tea with condensed and evaporated milk.
4. Pour the mixture into another mug/stainless steel cup by gradually lengthening the distance. Do this for a couple of times until foam appears on top of tea. And if you're anything like me, do it over the kitchen sink!

Wont this be nice served with a buttery slab of kaya toast and soft boiled eggs?! Nom Nom!

Love-Bickies!

2010-11-08T13:33:00.000+08:00

As I'm blogging, this tin of cookies is just about on its way to H. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he doesn't read my blog today- he usually doesn't- and hopefully he'd be pleasantly surprised.

Over the weekend he requested for some cookies- luckily I found just the person to bring them to him- because as you know, we're not exactly under one roof at the moment. If all goes well, he'll be getting these tomorrow. Yays!!!

My love-bickies are actually Raisin & Milk Chocolate cookies which were pretty much adapted from this recipe. I've fallen in love with this cookie recipe- it never fails. I love the texture- its a cross between a hard cookie and a shortbread I'd say.

I'm hoping they don't turn into broken hearted cookies by the time it reaches him! That would be the wrong message all together!

Ooh..ahh..Just a Little Bit

2010-10-29T11:14:00.000+08:00

..ooh ...ahh..just a little bit more!

I had enough of this and this- I was in for a treat- big time! I got fed up of dreaming about the same things over and over..and over again I decided to indulge. Yes, I'm really determined and persistent aren't I?

One fine day I decided I'd 'balance' my food routine with..lets say... dietary needs on the other side of the food triangle.

I've been obsessed with this green tea cake for a while. I even thought about it when I moved overseas. It's cotton soft and quite delicate.. I never did quite find another...

I also became equally obsessed with this mango strudel: topped with fresh mango slices, light sponge, custard cream and a pastry base.

So on that fine day, I decided to buy both slices. Then..I had a hard time figuring out which one to have. By night time, I finished both of them. Bless me!

Don't you like my posts? They always have a happy ending.

Cakes Delight
893 Canning Hwy
Mt. Pleasant
W. Australia

Professional Homemaker

2010-10-28T16:59:00.000+08:00

I take my new profession of being a homemaker very seriously. Being on home duties means I have to be very alert of any sales and promotions and apply it within my daily life.

For example, a good homemaker will see a 1200 thread count cotton bed sheet discounted in a reputable store by about 38% and decide to buy it. At the same time, she will decide to join as a shop member which entitles her to more discounts ~~and spend more~~. She then ~~gets sucked in and~~ also buys natural detergents which keep her whites whiter and colours brighter. After all of the above, she manages to tell and convince her husband it was a good buy.

*The above statements may be misleading- please do not try this at home. If you do however try this, please do not make me responsible.

** Based on a true life story.

What My Husband Does To Me

2010-10-27T22:52:00.000+08:00

Oh don't you worry, it's nothing raunchy!

He chooses to torment me with the accessible hawker food he has around town while I'm stuck with tasteless bleh. And mind you it's cheap, accessible hawker food! He sends me menus on WhatsApp! That's double cheap if you ask me!

I am however thankful of today's technology- it enables H and I to share our lives without expensive phone calls or postage. -There goes my love letters! We basically communicate through all forms of tech savvy social networks.

Steve Jobs you're currently rocking my world! (I know we didn't start on the right note, but let's put that all behind now shall we?)

Bleh!

2010-10-26T22:15:00.000+08:00

Food isn't fun anymore. Maybe thats a understatement! Its pretty much boring right now.

I had this huuuuge mega craving for a nice warm chocolate cake, even maybe with a dollop of ice cream on top. As in:

I sat in front of my desk procrastinating about it, then I looked up a cake-in-a-mug recipe that looked decent, then I procrastinated again- thought about what my dietician advised, made some changes and made a 5 minute 'healthy' cake-in-a-mug. I used sugar substitutes, didn't put any chocolate and replaced it with cocoa powder, halved the oil..etc etc.

Then during the one minute of it's cooking life I dreamt of oozing chocolate goodness complete with soft sponginess..

Then after the one minute, I took the heavenly mug out, poked my fingers at it and still had ideals- had a spoonful and spat it out. Grose.

I think my dietician put a spell on me. It's sad.

'Cos you know what I ended up with?

This.

Its a far cry from chocolate. Not even near what it states to be - Well, who really buys sticky date flavoured yoghurt except for me?!

Sigh. Back to low GIs and not so funky food. This sucks.

Rewind A Few Years

2010-10-24T21:58:00.000+08:00

When I was in uni ~~awhile ago~~, I use to meet my friends regularly at this Asian-Hong Kong-Cafe-Restaurant for lunches. Thinking back, I'm not sure whether it was because it was a convenient location or it was the food, but somehow we dined over baked pork chop rice quite often.

If you're familiar with Hong Kong-Macau cafe style foods, you'll find they have some Western-Portuguese influenced Asian foods due to their history.

I don't know why I've started reminiscing, but I've recently started going back again- the record has pretty much been once a week for the past 3 weeks- I think. Though the owner of James Street Kitchen has changed quite a few times, their lunch menu has pretty much remained the same.

For the record, I still eat their Baked Pork Chop Rice. It comes as a set-with a drink and borsch/corn soup. If you squint your eyes you'd also notice we ordered spring onion pancake and you tiao (fried dough). We just had nasty eyes and wanted everything on the menu.

They now also serve a assortment of entree style dishes. Although I do presume the takoyaki here was not made in their own kitchen.

They also have Xiao Long Bao.

Cream Corn Fish & Rice

Roast Duck & Preserved Vegetable Rice Noodle Soup.

I'd say the food tastes pretty much the same as university times- either that or it's been too long! It just takes me back to yester-years and the cafes in Hong Kong. Slurp!

James Street Kitchen
Shop 7a/109 James Street
Northbridge
Perth. Australia

I do try!

2010-10-22T14:29:00.000+08:00

Given my current bump condition + a few preggers issues, I've been advised to go on a different diet. This meant my food types for every meal were pretty much set on a piece of paper, it had to be monitored frequently and my dietician makes me do homework- bleh.

Me being me, I try to get around it. I thought of all these ways of being creative with my food- but lets just say sometimes, just sometimes it doesn't really work out the way I want it to.

This is a sugar-free carrot cake- and if you can't tell by looking at it, I don't blame you. It looks more like a dense fruit loaf or something that I may possibly feed to some pets. To be frank, it didn't taste bad, just that when you have presets of what a carrot cake tastes like, it doesn't fit the bill. It tasted more like a orange-carrot moist pudding that was over-baked.

I had one piece and decided I'd rather donate it to the garden birds and critters than share it with any human being.

But don't despair- well I didn't. The same night, I came up with another concoction. It was a high fibre, low fat tuna pasta bake and I must say it turned out pretty well. Atleast good enough for other human beings to eat anyway.

Now... back to entering that food diary. Urgh.

Birthday Afternoon Tea

2010-10-21T10:36:00.000+08:00

I'm still in love with the beautiful weather and outdoor activities though I'm sure when summer hits I'll be hiding in my own cave and wanting to hibernate. But for now, I'm content and totally hearting the breezes.

A few days ago my girlfriends brought me to Walter's River Cafe for afternoon tea. I'm telling you, good company, good weather, good food..what else could you expect?

This is their spring menu. You can also have a browse on their website. I opted for the JD's club.

The serving was huge to say the least!-I cold of shared this with another person.

And look at this little cutie...

She's one of my bestie's girl and has the cheekiest expressions and heartwarming smile. Her vocabulary is constantly increasing and her phrase for the moment is 'odeah!'- a toddler's take on 'Oh dear!' We could of given her a bowl of fries and a bottle of water and she'd be content.

This particular afternoon tea made us girls realize we should send our hubbies off to man-the-kids while we have a day of girly chats and spas. Sounds like a plan to me!

Walter's River Cafe
off Burke Drive or Honour Avenue
Point Walter
Bicton, Western Australia

What have I been up to?

2010-10-19T17:14:00.000+08:00

Besides being a total glutton, I have done some efficient things. I promise. Really.

This is what I'm currently working on- a cot set for the bun. It is taking me quite a while and I have no valid explanation really- but it will be done I promise! Well, it better be done soon anyway.

It's going to be a owl- I'm going for the whole forrest critters theme...and maybe do some matching decals too. But in the meantime, let's just dream small and make sure I finish my first nursery project!

Wishes for you

2010-10-18T00:03:00.000+08:00

Happy birthday dearest!

As most of you would know, this is H. He's a few decades old today but unfortunately, he's also a tad sick- tonsil infection. It's times like these that make me all gooey inside-shucks. Someone get him a ticket and fly over here already! Or you're more than welcome to sponsor his flight fund. Anyone?

I hate being love sick.

Gyoza- Pot Stickers

2010-10-17T23:29:00.002+08:00

I think there was a grocery mishap because my mum somehow stocked up on cabbages- far too many cabbages and I wanted to use them. So came along gyozas otherwise known as wo tiep and also known as pot stickers!

Cabbage & Chive Gyozas
makes approx. 76 gyozas

500grams Pork mince
500grams Cabbage
100grams Chinese Chives
2 heaped teaspoons Ginger- finely chopped
4-5 tablespoons Sesame Oil
Salt
Pepper

Approximately 2 packets of store bought Gyoza Wrappers
Bowl of water to seal dumplings

1. Chop cabbage finely. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and strain away excess liquid for approximately 10 minutes.

2. In a bowl mix together mince, chopped chives, ginger, sesame oil, salt (I used 1 teaspoon) and pepper (approx 1/2 teaspoon). Add drained cabbage and mix thoroughly.

3. Place approximately 1/2 tablespoon of mixture onto wrapper.

4. Dip finger into bowl of water and go around the edges of the wrapper. Bring both sides together and pleat-pinch until sealed.

5.

To cook: Heat oil in pan and place dumplings onto the pan. Leave on high heat for approximately 1 minute. Then turn on to medium heat and pour water to 1/3 the height of dumplings- simmer with lid covered for 7 minutes (longer time needed for frozen gyozas) or until cooked. Take the lid off, if there's excess liquid pour it away and turn back on high heat and drizzle a little sesame oil on top- then serve.

-The reason for its name!

To store: Wrap and place in freezer.

To be quiet honest, the dumpling skin was a bit thin for my liking but I'm sure you just have to experiment with the texture by testing different brands- I'm not the type to make my own dumpling skin- it's too time consuming.

Tony Roma's-Perth

2010-10-14T22:45:00.000+08:00

The last time I ate Tony Roma's must of been 1-2 odd years ago- that was in KL. Come this time around, it's in Perth as part of my birthday celebration with my sisters.

I don't think I can ever pass their ribs- it is what they're famous for. But part of me also wants to take them home so that I can take feast on it with my hands and bite on the bones- ribs just taste better that way. What you see above is the regular slab of Original Baby Back Ribs served with mashed potatoes and ranch style beans. Yums!

Between us, we also had a complimentary serve of bread, half a Onion Loaf and Potato Skins- yes, we're pretty greedy.

I caved in when the Onion Loaf came and hence forgot to take a picture- but from memory, it's a way larger serve than what was given in KL.

I couldn't bring myself to try these that night- they somehow looked a tad cheesy and too greasy to go with my ribs- but my sister and nephew loved it.

You can go here to check out their website or go here for their menu. I'd suggest you make a booking if you have 15 or more people or go in pretty early. I went around 6pm and it was fully packed- a very good indication!

Tony Roma's
919 Hay Street Perth
Western Australia

Getting Sentimental

2010-10-13T13:11:00.000+08:00

If your husband isn't around, you receive a bunch of these, they're sitting on your desk with fresh floral aromas infusing your room- then you look and then you see ...

...this gawky fellow staring at you- you'd get teary eyed and miss your husband even more. Well, I admit I did anyway.

They were sent on my birthday- though I did ask whether the toy was meant for me or the bun. In H's defense he said the toy was meant to be a bear- but err, this definitely aint a bear!

And that's the problem with girls! We all know flowers are a waste of money yet they never fail to surprise and cheer us up.

I simply can't resist them- but then I also don't know what to do with them later. It's a love hate relationship really.

And you know my other problem? H's birthday is exactly one week apart from mine, so what do I get to do? Help.

Sorry this post is a bit out of sorts..I'm still being sentimental-hormonal- whatever.

The Colour Blue

2010-10-08T13:37:00.000+08:00

This is what I love about Perth. Vast blues. When H was around, we spent alot of time sitting along foreshores, going to beaches and strolling outdoors.

Weather is beautiful this time of the year- though I wish hayfever didn't have to come with it.

... And here's bump's debut- in the great outdoors.

I look (and feel) more like Humpty Dumpty but my dad insists I walk like a penguin. Go figure.

Personalisation to it's Finest

2010-10-07T10:54:00.000+08:00

You know how I'm a tad free and not up to my usual routine? Well, I've been twiddling my thumbs and came up with this ingenius idea! Really!! Since I haven't got any of my scrapbooking stuff here, I thought I'd embrace another craft altogether- sewing. Well, it started off with that idea anyway- which then lead me into a craft shop - which meant me spending a lo-o-ong time in there - and then lead to this idea. (Amoungst others!)

I got sick of plain baby bodysuits. They're kind of generic unless you pay a hefty amount- and not like they're not good, just that they're plain, boring and same old looking.

So err..I transferred a plain yellow bodysuit into this. I don't know why, but seeing H's surname on this tiny thing just cracked me up. I think it's his surname- but lets not go there. I nearly appliqued it onto the butt area, but if you've got any Chinese inheritance in you, you'd know that sound isn't quite acoustically pleasing especially when it comes to the rear end.

Ok, not a super-genius idea- but atleast when my kid gets lost others can help me look for him/her?!?! Or I can start my baby league. Now I'm just wondering whether I should applique something on the butt. What do you think?

Blend @ Marmion Street

2010-10-06T21:39:00.001+08:00

This blog has featured eats predominantly from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. In Malaysia, I generally love the casual hawker style and authentic kopitiam foods that most probably haven't changed since the yesteryears. In Singapore, I look for a modern twist to Asian/Western foods and in Australia, I most probably love it's food diversity and alfresco culture.

I have a soft spot for eclectic cafes. They spell character and rid the typical franchises seen all over the world. So when my sister took me to Blend on a lazy Sunday morning, I quickly warmed to its atmosphere and array of people - I wasn't disappointed by its coffee and food either, that was equally pleasing.

Mocha, just right.

My breakfast- forgot it's name, but love the bacon + caramelized onion + spinach combo.

H's Scrambo Special.

I've been told they're famed for their all day dining and wood fired pizzas. I'll definitely do the pizza some day.

Blend

356 Marmion Street

Melville 6156

Perth Australia

Semi-Retired

2010-10-03T22:11:00.000+08:00

I figured that's the word I'll use for now!

Seriously, telling people I'm currently unemployed just doesn't strike my chord. It's like saying I'm a useless blob right now. Not fun. I also figured another term which sounds slighty better- Home Engineer, but then the bank asked for my company name and I went blank. Genius.

So after all the moving and technicalities, I've now got a.l.o.t. of spare time on my hands. I mean ..A.L.O.T. What do semi-retired people do? Ok, what do unemployed people do? I feel so lost and .. weird. It's like my life has gone haywire.

Guess what I've filled my days with?

I started a puzzle. Went from nothing to this..

..then this in two days. It was my job. I felt so satisfied.

Oh... then I decided I missed my house and made my husband take random pictures of what it looks like now, checking if H was up to his manly duties. I think the lawn looks randomly green enough don't you? Oh H, you're the best!! On a separate note, H and I are currently planets apart. Boo. Unfortunately it will be like this for a while.

And after all that, I do what really smart unemployed people go and do- spend more money and buy funny stuff. In my defense, it's for the bun. It's a necessity.

Ahh... what next?

About time...

2010-09-30T16:59:00.000+08:00

I haven't posted much have I? That's cos life has been a whirlwind of events. Things have happened so fast and thankfully, all is good. We've haven't quite striked the lottery but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for that one!

Between my last post and this one... I've moved from one country to another and err....how do a say this? ..I've got a bun in the oven. Well, technically I didn't get the bun in the last few weeks..just that I've been waiting for a better time to announce it here. And for the same reason, it's why I've been lacking in my food posts. Food has not been a great friend of mine- I've lost nearly all interest in it and sadly haven't cooked for 5-6 months. Even more frustrating is that I don't crave for any food and never know what to eat. My mind has gone blank and it's all on the hormones I tell you!

Although my waist has been expanding exponentially, sometimes despite all the raging signals- there is a little bun baking, it's still quite unbelievable. It's quite amazing actually- the first ultrasounds to the first flutters that feel like gas bubbles..I'm sure there's more to come.

So 'till then...

There's a bear in there..

2010-09-06T15:58:00.000+08:00

I have a soft-spot for nicely packed lunch-boxes. They add a hop in my walk and and skip in my step. I go gaa-gaa over Japanese Bentos, so maybe that explains my fascination with cute lunch stuff.

As lovely of a wife I am, I packed H his snack box complete with a yellow bear.

..A yellow bear complete with a smile forked on a piece of sponge! I didn't care what his work mates said or whether it was too childish or girly for him. I just wanted to place the bear in the box. It's cute and that's that. So somebody stop me!

I'll continue to put unexpected objects into his lunch or snack boxes...atleast until one day I can go embarrass my kid. My kid will think he/she has the best mum in the world!!.. until they go into high-school and their mum still insists on doing so.

Meanwhile, long live the bears!!

Drawings Updated

2010-09-03T11:40:00.000+08:00

I have to admit, marriage hasn't changed my competitive streak. H and I make up bizarre games just to out-run one another - for the sake of it. Because we're bored, because we're childish, because we lack entertainment in our lives and in that sense, can still entertain ourselves.

Previously, we drew on napkins and any kind of paper we could get hold of. Now we've upgraded ourselves- that sounds kind of cool! We draw on our iPads on some blackboard application- we're very tech savvy like that.

I still say I'm better- just incase my clients read my blog.

Round 1: Keys

I say his looks more like a key from the local locksmith and mine's from Tiffany- Hands down!

Round 2: Car

Mine's the Beetle version..and his is from the 1970's? See the cool app chalks? They're so good for freehand scribbling!

Round 3: Ragdoll

The one in pink is waaay cuter!?! Ps. that's drawn by me.

Round 4: Chair

Ok, so my pink chair looks like it needs some mending but its more designerish k?

Round 5: Pair of shoes

What? His isn't a pair?!?!...

Ok, so his shoes are nicer...but it it still isn't a pair..and writing x2 doesn't qualify. That's cheating.

I say I win. Shall we cast a vote?

When Cupid's Arrow goes Haywire..

2010-09-01T20:55:00.000+08:00

Just three days ago I thought H was the sweetest man on earth!

I accidentally found a box of heart shaped chocolates in his car to which I pretended I didn't see. I happily thought that 5 years down the road my man was still a romantic at heart. I pondered how he was going to surprise me and what sweet-nothings would he say. I smiled to myself, thinking of all possible romantic scenarios just for the sake of it. You know..it's what girls do.

So guess what?!?...

Yesterday morning he took the box of nicely-wrapped-heart-shape chocolates out of the car...and it went a little like this:

" For you!!"

"Ooh..what is this for?"...

..........

With not much expression on his face, H said, "Oh nothing. A client gave it to me as a gift of thanks and if I don't take them out out of my car they're gonna melt."

=_=" Pffftttt.

So there I stood, speechless, dumbfounded and thinking I was the biggest idiot on planet earth.

Just incase you'd like to know, the nicely-wrapped-heart-shape chocolates are now sitting on my kitchen bench and I have no intention of eating them.

Faux Jesters

2010-08-19T14:30:00.000+08:00

Just the other day I willingly paid precisely $11.70 for a pie. Why? Because I felt like I needed to contribute to the economy and encourage foreign goods being imported to this tiny place. Yes, I was doing something major- well, that and the fact that I succumbed to the temptation of Australian pies. Don't ask.

But yesterday I didn't feel that I needed to support that import industry anymore. I also felt like I was ripped off (about time) and so I decided to make my own.

Here's my equation:

-About a year ago my sister bought me a pie maker. Kinda like this one, but housing two pies at once rather than four. Obviously it never got out of the box, was stored in my pantry and only made its debut yesterday.

-A few months ago I bought puff pastry and it's been in my freezer ever since.

-I had middle bacon. Also in the fridge for a substantial amount of time.

-I had eggs..well, I always have eggs. I mean chicken eggs.

-I was reminiscing Jesters Pies.

So, I put everything together and tadaa!!... my version of Jester's Morning Glory. Mind you, it tasted exactly like it..just that I omitted the cheese.

If you want a fast and easy faux Jesters Pie, all you need is (to make 2 pies):

Ready made puff pastry (I used Pampas), cut into 2x large, 2x small circle pie templates.
2 pieces of middle bacon, fried and cut into small pieces.
2 eggs

1. Heat up the pie maker as per instructions.
2. Place large circle puff pastry into the bottom mould.
3. Place bacon in each pie dish.
4. Pour one egg over each pie.
5. Place small circle puff pastry over the top.
6. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until pastry is cooked.

Voila. I felt like a genius.

Chocoholic

2010-08-11T09:26:00.000+08:00

Lets take a trip down memory lane- because I feel like a hot chocolate right about now- and because I can't get one- I'll just stare. You are welcome to stare with me.

You can gaze into my hug mug, think of the hot yummy-ness. Then you can remind yourself that you need a manicure too.

You can drool over what use to be H's caramel-banana-chocolate-crepe thing..

Then you can salivate again over my overdosed chocolate goodness complete with cocoa everything..

Even having tiny-weeny crunchy chocolate balls for the heck of it...

Then we return back to work- and stop dreaming- but crave for chocolate for the rest of the day.

Yes, you have a good day too.

*If you have the pleasure of being near such choco-goodness, the photos were taken at Max Brenner.

5 Years On

2010-08-09T11:57:00.000+08:00

This is my Humpy Dumpty cake. Aptly named by H because it has a ribbon around the middle much like how Humpty wears his pants to his stomach - more commonly known as Chilled Lemon Cheesecake. The one H always craves and asks for.

And you know what? It's so hard to keep surprises once you're married. I came straight out and told H not to open the fridge when he got home. So what does he do? He scavenges through the rubbish bin and figures out what I've been up to. His detective work told him that Philly cheese, Digestive biscuits and the sudden emergence of lemons in the house meant I made him a lemon cheesecake. ..I guess it really sums up how far we've come within five years of knowing one another.

But look here. I mean, look beyond my chubby toes and gaze at the pampering tray.

Look beyond the cute cucumber eye-pads rested on H's cheeks..- I'm sure he'd appreciate this photo...one day..

Drift into the sweetest dreams and ease away from reality.

Sip on fresh cold juice in balmy weather..and just enjoy each other's company.

Yes, I still get pampered and spoilt too- thats the perk. I love where we are now. I love how H and I can balance the realities of life amongst romance, where a simple hug can make the day so much more worthwhile. Awww..I wurve himmm wotsss..

So I made him this card [ a surprise I could keep!]. ..Complete with lots of hearts as if it was my first love letter..

And he in return treated me to this honeycomb choco craving I had..

..before we went to dinner at our very first date place. Where many years ago, we were both nervous and possibly looking for conversations..

..and in between you just might like to know, he cleaned the house, cleaned the porch and watered the plants.

Told you we're balanced. -Happy 5th Anniversary hubs!

Let's Wrap

2010-08-06T09:43:00.001+08:00

When I was young and dreamy, amongst all my weird ambitions, my ideal job was to be a gift wrapper. I'd wrap presents everyday and be in sheer delight when people received nicely wrapped gifts. Then I got older and realized I wouldn't make much money out of it, so I decided to be a architect- who still doesn't make much money but figured I wouldn't get as many raised eyebrows when people asked me what I did for a living.

So here I am, older, not necessarily wiser, but still hearting well wrapped gifts. And though I admit, there's been a handful of presents where I just chuck into a commercial bag before handing it to the receiver, I put just as much thought into it- just that I didn't have time to wrap it. -I promise.

This was a very belated birthday gift done up for Michelle. I remember her calling me from Sydney a few years ago, asking what are the basic tools she should get for scrapbooking/cardmaking. Today, I think she's got waaaay more things than me and has definitely made more things than I have!

It's stressful giving something to a talented crafter. So this was just simple wrap and card set, playing on cute stamps and organic colours in line with her gift.

Ps. Today I want to own a scrapbook store, make my own cards. As you can see, I'm still not grasping the idea of earning truckloads of money.

You know what I've been craving?

2010-08-05T12:27:00.000+08:00

My relationship with food was somewhat disturbed in the last few months. It annoyed me, but I couldn't help it. But now I think we're friends again..maybe even lovers once more.

You know what I have been craving? Dim Sum. D.i.m.s.u.m.!! It's hard to find good dim sum, or shall I say..there's no good dim sum around my place. I've previously been spoilt with dim sum made by Hong Kong and Guang Dong chefs. So much so, that the ones found here are just not suffice.

I want my Wu kok. Yam puffs delicately crispy on the outside and filled with gravy insides.

I want my Dan tat. Egg tarts soft in the centers with puffy skins.

I want my Foong Jau. Braised chicken feet y'all!! Sounds grose but I assure you its good!

I want my Har gao. Fresh prawns please!

I want my Nai Wong Bau. Custard buns that ooze out.

And just incase you're wondering, the above photos were taken a few months ago in Taste Paradise, where the lighting ain't great but who cares when there's yummy food.

Gimme my food!!!

Taste Paradise (Ion Orchard)
#04-07 Ion Orchard
Singapore
Tel: 6509 9660

He's Three!

2010-08-04T09:38:00.000+08:00

Remember my Two-Ernie nephew? The one that introduced me to blue and green trains? He turned 3 not too long ago and I still turn all gooey all over him. Especially now that he says 'Bai' to me on the phone and dances when I send him nudges on MSN.

Doing what virtually all Chinese do some time or another..I gave him a 'red' packet. So it wasn't red and had nursery rhymes featuring Old Macdonald...but it served the purpose.

I'm going nuts over baby scrap booking materials! They are just too cute.

7am Calls

2010-07-20T09:42:00.000+08:00

I've learnt that when you get early morning calls or late midnight calls, its usually not a good thing. It normally spells 'emergency' without even answering.

So yesterday's 7am call was when a truck ransacked into my parents home. Literally. It knocked off a traffic light and crashed through the fence. Luckily no one was injured but guess who made headlines today in the local newspaper?

My dad got some donated wood chips I suppose...

Ps. Life has been a whirlwind lately- but when I can, I promise I'll blog more. Meanwhile, please miss me. Thank you.

Colour Me In

2010-07-07T08:58:00.000+08:00

Remember how I wrote a letter to Steve Jobs? Well, he obviously didn't do anything about it. How rude. He made matters worse by introducing the world to iPads. I would of written another letter to him, except I've also now got a Mr iPhone AND Mr iPad too. So that kind of makes me a hypocrite.

But let me explain. a) I didn't buy the iPhone myself, and b) I also didnt buy the iPad. Infact, without sounding like a arrogant brat, my husband forced me to open both objects when I had every intention of delaying it (seriously, I've got better things to do)!

So what does the colouring on top have to do with this whole Apple-takes-over-the-world thing? My husband coloured it..on his iPad with some weird colouring program. Ok, not that weird 'cos i tried it too and then my fingers went sore and I got sick of it. But I do admit at one point I was totally obsessed with Plants vs Zombies.

Don't ask me why. The plants have to shoot the zombies before they eat your brains. Yes, it really makes sense. There's even corn throwers and seaweed monsters.

Anyhow...the point is...I think Steve Jobs is trying to take over the world. He's got all the ages covered! From colouring, to anti-techno-gamers like me to even my mother-in-law who Facebooks on it. We're doomed. They might just use these things to teach kids in school next time!

We're being dominated people! And I hate the idea that I've somehow succumbed to this tech-savy world.

Ps. H now stares at his iPad and iPhone more than he stares at me. Just get married why dont you?!

Nephew's Ernie

2010-06-24T15:20:00.000+08:00

My nephew has two Ernies. For some odd reason the three year old favours one and not the other. He brings it to play-school and logs it around with him everywhere. He also stuffs it up my nose for me to smell his 'loved' Ernie- and trust me its a smell that only his own parents wouldn't mind!!

Fact is, my nephew dirtied his Loved Ernie so much his parents felt sorry for him and bought a new one. Only to realize the new one..well..stayed...forever new.

Loved Ernie gets baths too. But he still looks more like Oscar the Grouch.

Not-loved Ernie sits lonely somewhere in the house and is as new as toys at Toys-R-Us.

For some weird reason his mum decided to share this fact with me today..and I decided to share it with you.

No prizes for who's loved.

The one in the sushi bar

2010-05-25T14:34:00.000+08:00

I've got a bug. One that makes me lazy in all sorts of life related matters. One that's stopped me blogging on a regular basis but inspired me to write what I'm about to write-and I don't know why. It's compelling! Really. And since I haven't been taking any photos of food, this is somewhat food related. Somewhat.

Would you like to know about my first 'date'? My first ever 'date' in my entire life. It was disastrous. And I seriously forgot his name (impressions huh?!) I also don't know why I'm telling you this, today. But I am...because I think its quirky funny- maybe not for the poor guy though.

I must of been somewhat interesting enough for the guy to ask me out and I honestly don't know why I agreed when I had no intentions of developing anything. Blame it all on my innocent age then?! Anyways..I made sure I did everything I could to jeopardize it.

I think I was in my first year of uni. All is vague now, but I believe I agreed to have lunch with him at my then favourite sushi bar- Jaws. I told him I'd meet him there- because I never go on first dates in a guy's car.

Anyways, so I went...and I forced one of my girlfriends to go with me (Date sabotage numero uno!) Maybe I blackmailed her into coming..but sweet as she is, she agreed. We got there early just so that I could choose seats- making sure it was right at the sushi bar where everyone walked past- I was definitely not thinking of sharing any intimate moments! Eww!

So he arrived and most probably got shocked I brought a girlfriend along. (Yes! Sabotage 1 is working!) A few awkward moments later, he began talking about his car accident, how he knocked into the lamp-post to dodge a dog and how he went clubbing every weekend. Eww again!!

I soon turned my attention to the rotating tuna sushi on the conveyor belt-anything was more interesting than him at that point and thought about what I should eat next, sneaking in more conversations with my girlfriend instead of him. I escaped the date soon after and dreaded to ever see him again.

A bit later he called and asked in bad Singlish: 'Could you be my girlfriend lah?' to which I gave a pathetic excuse that I was going overseas and didn't know when I'd be coming back.

Lesson 1: Don't go on dates with guys you didn't have a good feeling about in the first place.
Lesson 2: Bring your girlfriends along to sabotage dates. The more the merrier!
Lesson 3: Choose a restaurant that would amaze you if you're bored.
Lesson 4: Never go out with a guy that asks for you to be his girlfriend with a 'lah' at the end of the question.

..points i'd bestow on my kids next time......

I must be so lucky..

2010-05-17T13:49:00.000+08:00

Lady luck must be on my side because I get gifts for no apparent reason. Either that or Marlenemust really be thinking about me! lol.

Look what she made!!

She makes dull notebooks so awesomely cute its hard to use it.

Complete with ribbon and buttons. Irresistible.

Theres even cute birds!

I'm telling you, this girl is so spiffy she's printed her own postcards. Professional or what?! I really need to steal her ideas someday- sorry Marlene! Don't believe me?

See? Ain't she cool?! She's a professional graphic designer and makes super cute cards too. Head on over to her sites! Here for her blog and here for her cards.

Specifics

2010-05-11T13:41:00.000+08:00

Today I thought you'd like to know Quirky Fact No. 456.

As if your life hung on to this fact, I want to tell you- I only like my bread one way! Now listen up.

One, I must spread the jam rrrrright to the corner or else I'd be a grumpy woman. If it oozes out a little, thats ok. But it must, and I warn it must be evenly spread to every single side and corner and no bread shall be left barren. None. It's a vice.

Secondly, the edges must match. Don't get me?

See that? Thats just wrong. It has to be completely matching with no corners sticking out or one side bigger than the other.

Hence I relieve my husband of making my bread. Because when he does, he slops on the jam without doing the corners- which just ruins my whole bread experience. Totally! But when he's really nice and really wants to impress me, he'd tell me:

I promise to spread the jam on every corner!

Obviously my life is quite peaceful and mundane at the moment....either that or I'm a bread perfectionist.

Thank you for listening. You may go on with your interesting life and forget about my humdrum one now. Thank you.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-10T16:11:00.000+08:00

How was your mother's day? Mine was full of bears! I sent these two mascots over to present the cards to my mums...but Mum No. 2 wasn't very pleased because yellow bear over here was sporting this..

then she asked me who's Bill. ....not impressive huh?

Ok..enough about bears. I just suddenly found it fascinating that my bears hold cards. I was obviously very creative that day! *Roll eyes.

I made this one by stapling some ribbon together and uhu-ing a diamante ontop to make a flower..

Then I made this on with plain paper, stamps and ribbon. It has a Hermes feel to it don't you think?

...Then I went super crazy with pink embossing powder and made so many envelopes which I'm naming my Pink Collection- as if I'm some snazzy fashion designer!

There were flowers, damask patterns.dots and more...

But I had fun being in my crafty-imaginary world.

Movies & More

2010-05-07T13:20:00.000+08:00

The road trip taken days ago was actually part of a bigger picture- literally. I ~~was conned into watching~~ happily obliged when H wanted to watch Ironman 2. To be honest, I don't fancy action-comic type movies much- it's totally predictable.

Problem. Hero tries to save the world. Villain enters. Fight. Fight. Fight. More fight. Hero wins. The End.

Though I totally understand guys are suckers for such films just as girls are for chick-flicks, but..boys-flicks are potentially boring. Read: H knows exactly when I started sleeping in Transformers and knew I woke up just in time for the ending- good body clock I'd say!

But hey..Ironman 2 wasn't that bad. If I told you I've basically slept in any comic turned action movie and didn't sleep in this one, does it let you judge this one's slightly more entertaining? Your call.

Anyway..long story short..it was a nice date.

Now, although you might like to drool over Robert Downey Jr. ..I choose to drool over burgers and food. Suprising, no?

Mushroom Burger. The mushies are so cute in comparison to the giant patty! Awwww....I've never been able to finish this! Its huge!!

Some mushroom oven baked rice.

We were too full to try what Swensen's was originally famous for- ice cream!

Swensen's Brunei
Unit no. 2.34, 2.35 & 2.36
Second Floor, The Mall
Abdul Razak Complex
Gadong. Brunei

Road Trips + Bird Poop

2010-05-05T10:24:00.000+08:00

There's 101 reasons why I love road trips..

a) Its heaps better than a plane ride considering I can come and go as I please and don't need a 2 hour check-in time.
b) I get to see lots more than just clouds, clouds and more clouds
c) I don't go through turbulence
d) I get to choose who I want to sit next to and have 4/5 chance of getting a window seat without some rude person resting his/her hand on my arm-rest.
e) I don't need barf bags- most of the time.
f) I can play ultra hip songs that are not just instrumental
g) My ears don't get blocked
h) I can bring my own water bottle
......and best of all....

Its a road to self and partner discovery. I get to tell H odd and weird facts that otherwise may never of surfaced- like how my dad use to read Jawi (Arabian Script)- upon seeing Jawi road signs (on the left), how my father-in-law got stuck in America when 911 happened-upon talking about plane rides and how I get amazed with the amount of bird poop that has to land on our car.

I mean- does it land on everyone's car or birds just choose to sabotage ours? I think they're really just attacking us! Look!

Then I make H play 'I spy..' with me- though I'm sure he secretly loves it too and we have singing competitions or other really challenging games like who can hold their breath the longest. We also make up songs and change the lyrics..you know, all fun stuff like that! Hmm.

But you know the best-best part? He's stuck with me, has nowhere to go and has to listen to what I say or ask.

Just look at him- it says I love my wife so much!!! *glee. It's definitely not a annoyed look. Nooooo.

Yeah..I keep myself entertained!

Blog Doom

2010-05-04T14:31:00.000+08:00

Is it me or has the infamous blog ran out of fashion? It no longer has the pizazz and every other person now has twitter. And to be completely honest with you, I don't know if I've got much to share anymore- all I blog about now is food as if my world revolved around it. Well..it kind of does, but I'm not suppose to let you know that.

So I twiddled my thumb to come up with a fantastic post! I mean, something that shows I'm not in blog boredom. But after like...2 days, all I could possibly think about sharing was this

It's beef marrow ya'all!! Okok..still food none-the-less- but atleast I now know the secret to making beef stews. Seriously, you'll never go back! I mean NEVER! It's something that just strikes you as 'Why didn't I do this before?' It would of made my Vietnamese Beef Pho much better too! Be gone other bones!!

So I made Taiwanese beef noodle soup..which was super super flavourful..and I'll never-ever look back.

I love you beef marrow. My dogs now love me too...their bone was mighty huge!

Herbal Tonics Made Easy

2010-04-29T10:53:00.000+08:00

His beard was as white as snow. His fragile fingers delicately sorted out the array of herbs while I became fixated my fascination on wall-to-wall dark timber drawers. Each drawer was filled with some anecdote of which the man slowly bundled and weighed. He then hands me my package bundled in brown paper and carefully ties it with a white string.

I get home and sit myself infront of hot stove- placing all my ingredients into the the charred-brown pot. I continually fan the steaming brew- at times falling asleep and waking up with beads of sweat across my forehead. After slaving for eight hours, the herbal tonic being reduced to half, I gently pour the ingredients into a ceramic bowl, careful I don't waste a drop..

...

..totally fictional!!! But its so much like a scene in a ancient Chinese movie no?!.. I just couldn't bring myself to lie to you though I wanted you to think I slaved over a little pot. But truth is..

I bought this little packet of stuff...and all I did was put it together and tapped the 'on' button.

Easy as 1-2-3. I par-boiled my pork and chicken bones, quickly rinsed the Chinese herbs, chucked it all into my beloved slow-cooker with adequate water, turned it on and went to work. Eight hours later, I have a herbal tonic!

Ahh..I love my life!

But the real reason why I wanted to share this with you..is because if I want the exact same tonic in the near future- I can just go to the herbalist down the road and tell him exactly what I need without looking for this particular pack of stuff in the shops or gather these ingredients myself. Maybe I'd feel better that way- that I do get my herbs from timber drawers instead of hung up on commercialized shelves.-Self-deceiving! Makes me believe I'm a better wife. Not.

The ingredients for Bei Qi Dang Shen Tang are [please don't let the names scare you..]:

3.5g Bei Qi (Astragalus Menbranaceus)
3.5g Dang Shen (Condonopsis Pilosula)-otherwise known as Poor Man's Ginseng
23g Huai Shan (Dioscorea Opposita)
15g Dried Longan- Finally! A name I can comprehend!
15g Boxthorn Fruit (Dried Wolfberries)
30g Dates

1 skinless chicken breast with bones
3 pieces pork bones
Water to cover over everything

*Ps: Please skim off the fat above the soup before drinking..obviously I was too lazy to do it for these photos.

And just incase you're wondering, the soup is sweet tasting and not bitter at all. More like a consume with herbal flavours.

Flourless Nutella Cake

2010-04-26T13:45:00.000+08:00

I was inspired by my Le Creuset Ramekins. Lame I know. Who get's inspired by cookware? But I just had some sort of impulse to use them- I was feeling sorry for it- they've been sitting pretty- in their un-opened boxes for several months and I needed to justify my buy.

Then came my other sudden thoughts that came as abruptly as my Le Creuset thought.

Nutella.

Flourless.

Fast.

I came across some hand written Fallen Chocolate Cake recipe I later realised was from the net and modified it. I normally wouldn't modify recipes before trying the original version first but:-

a) I was out of chocolate
b) I really wanted to use the Nutella. The tub that's sat in my pantry for yonks and nearly overdue.

So here goes...

Flourless Nutella Cake

200g Nutella
2 Heaped Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
250g Unsalted Butter
6 eggs, Separated
1 Cup White Sugar

1) Melt butter in a heatproof bowl (either by putting it over a saucepan or in the microwave). Preheat oven to 180C.
2) Stir in cocoa powder and mix until even.
3) Beat eggs whites in a separate bowl.
4) In another bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar until pale and then add Nutella and chocolate mixture.
5) Gently Fold eggwhites into the chocolate mixture.
6) Pour mixture into 1/2 of each ramekin. (I got 6 ramekins) and bake for 15-20 mins, making sure it rises and falls before taking it out of the oven.

*Optional: Dust with additional cocoa powder.

Serve warm/room temperature. Eat lots. Get fat.

It was so quick and chocolate was definitely permeating the air! I've stored my remaining 4 in the freezer..I think it'll be nice heated up and served with some vanilla ice cream. Maybe I'll add some ground hazelnuts next time.

Note: It's addictive!