tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75226270486026875932024-03-13T23:08:13.969+08:00Moments to shareA blog about my 2 kids and myself, on the activities that we have, and sharing a little bit here and there on parenting, breastfeeding and baking.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-5540830188156908592013-08-10T19:30:00.000+08:002013-08-10T19:30:13.127+08:00Soap Crafting - Step-by-Step Techniques for Making 31 Unique Cold-Process Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola, shows you how to make perfect cold-process soap that is better than what you can buy at the store! Simple instructions and great photography walk you through every step of 31 exciting recipes, making it easy to master the techniques you need and produce the soaps you want. You'll find chapters on colors (neon, oxides, mica), molds (milk jugs, yogurt containers, pipes), food (pumpkin, coffee, beer, avocado, oatmeal), and building (embedding soap in soap, funnel pour, swirling). Faiola offers everything you need to make your own soap, safely and enjoyably!</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">My very first experience on handmade soap making was about 1 year ago. I got to know few mothers who shared with us on this beautiful art and since then, I have fallen in love with it. For a person who used to bake regularly, soap making to me is just as fun as baking. I can decide what kind of soap that I want to make, what shape, what kind of color, pattern etc. Just like decorating a cake, it's entirely up to your own creativity. </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Soap making is actually difficult at all. It's a delightful hobby, and with the many benefits of the handmade soap, it's definitely worth making the soap for your own usage. Actually, handmade soap are getting more and more popular nowadays, especially with many home makers doing it as business selling handmade soap to families and friends. It's easy to make your own soap. I know few friends who making this at home through self learning. </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Soap Crafting - Step-by-Step Techniques for Making 31 Unique Cold-Process Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola</i><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">, is a very good book especially for a newbie in soap making. It explains the soap making techniques and the safety guidelines (this is very important!), the equipment needed and tutorial on how to make a basic cold compressed soap. There are few soap making techniques but this book is more focus on the cold compressed method of the soap making technique. Besides soap making techniques and equipment, it also explains on the oil choices in soap making. Different kind of oils and its benefits are explained in details, allowing us to decide what oils to used in our soap depending on our purpose and needs for that particular batch of soap. </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Making a cold compressed soap is actually very simple. It's just like baking, where you mix, cook and whip. This book provides detail steps, along with the picture to guide you from beginning until the end. It also has tips inserted in the right place. And most importantly, there is this Soap Safely section to remind you, on preserving the safety during the soap making process. As one of the main ingredients in cold-process soap is sodium hydroxide, also called as lye. Lye is a caustic material commonly used to clean drains, brine lutefisk. Dry lye, or lye water, and fresh soap is harmful to our skin, our eyes. Thus it is important for us to have the necessary safety precautions when dealing with lye. And throughout the whole book, the safety precautions are being reminded to the readers again and again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">When it comes to soap crafting, color and fragrances can't be excluded. There's a chapter explaining the colorants, and another chapter on using essential oils and fragrance oils. Included in the book is also 31 cold-process recipes, showing how the author plays with the colors, patterns and molds in soap crafting.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Picture of the soaps available in this book. Love the beautiful swirl patterns shared by the author! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">I like the way the author presented the recipes. The step-by-step guides is simple and easy to follow. For each of the recipe, the purpose and benefits of the soap are clearly stated. Any preparation that needed to be done prior to making the soap mixture are explained. Pictures along the step-by-step guide, and details explanation on how to pour and swirl to make the desired patterns. </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Whether if you are looking for trying a new hobby on soap making, or wanted to learn more on creating different patterns and designs on soap making, this book is definitely for you. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.</span></span><br />
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</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-76855063138476835352013-03-21T00:06:00.001+08:002013-03-21T00:07:56.503+08:00Parents' nightmareEarlier this evening, when I went to pick up Lynn at her school around 6.30pm (school over at 6.20pm), I overheard a mother talking to the 2 teachers in-charge there telling them her child has gone missing. According to her, her child usually will wait for her inside the school but today her child was not there. She borrowed the hand phone from one of the teacher to call her husband to come over help to find the child.<br />
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Honestly I'm getting worry upon hearing that. It was just 10minutes after school hours and there were still about 40% students left waiting to be picked up. Usually there are 2 teachers staying around to make sure all children have gone home. And most of the time class teachers from Standard one will be around too but they won't stay till very late. They would be gone when most of the students from their class have gone home. <br />
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From very first day of school, I have been telling Lynn that never ever follow anyone going home. She must stay inside the school compound and wait for me to come. She can follow me only and not any other person. If raining days I may be late depending on the traffic but no matter how late she still have to wait for me inside the school. And never follow any other person, regardless she knows them or not. If I can't pick her up, I will tell her in advance who will pick her up and only follow that person and no one else. I told Lynn about the child missing incident I overheard just now and reminded her again that she must follow no one except me. Earlier I also have taught her how to make phone calls using public phone in case she needs to reach me. I gave her some coins for making phone calls and told her only call when necessary. There were twice that I reached her school very late, almost 7pm. First time I was stuck in an unexpected traffic jam and the other time I was very sick and overslept after taking the medicine despite I had set the alarm. Both times she was sitting in front of the guard house waiting for me, together with few other students and one teacher. While I was surprised there were still students around but I was glad she's not alone and not the last one.<br />
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I know I should not trust the guards fully, but I still would like to have some faith with the school. The school has a very strict rules allowing parents and even students entering the school. All parents entering the school must register with the security guard and then report to the school office before proceeding to whatever matters they need to be inside the school. Even students entering the school much earlier than normal school hours also have to register with the security guard. There are total about 4 security guards if not mistaken, all are local Chinese. I do not see any foreign worker which I'm glad of. But all guards are in their 50s and above. And I have been seeing them guarding the school since at least 4-5 years back. The school is just next to the shop area where we visit frequently so we always pass by the school entrance. <br />
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With the increase of social crime rate at the parking lot of shopping complex, nowadays I dare not bring Lynn and Hao to shopping malls without one other adult accompanying us. If I really need to go, I will get hb to come along or I go alone. One good thing is me and hb do not like window shopping and we do not have the habit going to the malls every weekend. So we only go when necessary. The only public area I dare bring Lynn and Hao with me alone is during weekdays picking up Lynn after school. Normally I park near the shops and walk about 100m across the shop lots to school to avoid stuck at the long queue in front of the school. We have been going to the few eatery shops there every week for the past 8 years so I'm quite comfortable look after the kids by myself there. But I won't eat at the shop with the kids alone. If hb is not with us I would just buy back home. Ever since the kids can walk by themselves, me and hb have insisted the kids must hold our hand when going out. And we are still keeping this rule. Both Lynn and Hao are not afraid of strangers and thus I always paranoid bring them out. Those of you that have met Lynn and Hao before will know what I mean. We have been telling them and from time to time reminding them not to talk to strangers. And I always make sure they are within my vicinity. Since we are not staying with the parents and hb always come home very late from work, I have no choice but to bring them with me whenever I go. I limit my grocery shopping to only few places and since I always go there we are quite familiar with the shop people there. I usually only buy what I need which I already know beforehand and thus my shopping usually is very fast. Once a while, I will go supermarket alone and get the things like butter spread, cheese, muesli etc that are not available from the normal grocery store. <br />
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The kids have to learn that this world is not safe. While I try my very best to protect them, they have to learn to protect themselves too. As for the mother i saw from the school earlier, I really hope that she can manage to find her child. Just hope maybe the child has the urgent to go to the toilet right before the mother was there. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-2699609881568302392013-01-09T22:27:00.001+08:002013-01-09T22:37:51.653+08:00Welcome 2013I did not start well in year 2012. First my car was badly damage being hot from behind. Then not soon after that the very same car got stolen while I had only 6 more installments to go. I guess I have no fate with this car. But during the year I got a freelance job on accounting. Though its only few months but I got some extra pocket money from it. And then out of my plan, I ended up back to work full time again for the second half of the year. So in overall, if I did not lose my car, I would say year 2012 is not a bad year. <br />
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Year 2013, Lynn finally enters Primary 1. When I was young, my mom was a house wife. I remember me and my brother never attended any tuition, my mom would guide us on our school works until secondary school. So naturally I wanted to play the same role to my kids. With much longer school hours in primary school as compared to kindergarten, I do not welcome the idea putting Lynn at those day care centre. I prefer I myself spend the before school hours with her. Which means that I can't work full time anymore. <br />
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When I accepted my current full time job, I had been very honest with the boss that I would quit and switched to do freelance when school reopen in 2013. Becoming a stay-at-home mom when Lynn enters Primary 1 is always my plan. But then I thought - why can't I go to work while Lynn is at school in the afternoon? I would say that I feel very blessed that my boss allows me to work only half day. Though my pay is cut by half but at least I still get some income and at the same time I get to look after Lynn myself. To me, it worth the sacrifice. As for Hao, he would still be full day at kindy as before. <br />
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So every day after sending Lynn to school in the afternoon, I go to work. Then I would leave at 5.30pm sharp, to go pick up Hao and rush back to pick up Lynn who finish school at 6.20pm. Though its very rush for me, but nothing can beat my smiling face when I see Lynn's face lighten up upon seeing me picking her up after school. To overcome the heavy traffic outside the school, usually I would park my car at the furthest about 100m away and walk her to the school. Honestly, I enjoy those moments holding hand walking side by side. Even Hao also enjoys walking with me go pick up his jie Jie after school. This helps keep all of us in happy mood, which means they will annoy me less, and get scolded less, which is a good thing. :) <br />
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So far I enjoy working half day and spending the rest of the time with the kids. I consider this as a good start for year 2013 and hope more good things to come. :) <br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VkJ_zQnI-fY/UO2Au6rystI/AAAAAAAACpg/cM54sgyW34c/s640/blogger-image--468591355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VkJ_zQnI-fY/UO2Au6rystI/AAAAAAAACpg/cM54sgyW34c/s640/blogger-image--468591355.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-4212481840766468992012-12-24T17:41:00.002+08:002012-12-24T18:07:40.311+08:00Gingerbread house, yule log making & Merry Christmas!<br />
It's Christmas time! This year, <a href="http://mylittlesprouts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Little Sprout's mama</a> invited me over for gingerbread house and yule log baking session!<br />
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Little Sprout's mama pre-baked the gingerbread cookies a day before. So what I need to do is just to assemble and decorate the house and the choo-choo train! This year, Little Sprout's mama try using the royal icing, which is different from what she used last year. And the results? Little Sprout's mama complains the house is not as steady as last year! Which make the assemble work more time consuming. Anyway, I enjoy myself decorating the house with all the candies and sweets prepared by Little Sprout's mama!<br />
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Unfortunately the house and the choo-choo train did not survive the trip going home from Little Sprouts' house. Next year (if we going to make the gingerbread house again) I'm going to try with different packing.<br />
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The yule log is actually decorated swiss roll. I wanted to try making swissroll some time back but do not have the gut to make it. Whenever the recipe calls for 'folding the dough with beaten egg white', naturally I will hesitate to give it a try. As I fear I would spoil the cake during folding process. But after a hands on experience on making swiss roll or the yule log, I have more confident now! And I definitely would try making swiss roll back home. :)<br />
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Another challenge on making swiss roll is the 'rolling' part. Both me and Little Sprouts' mama have no idea the correct way to roll up the cake. But I think we did it correctly, hehe. There's some cracks but it's at the bottom and we can cover it easily by using the frosting. Another lesson learn for me is, do not be too greedy and apply too much filling. It will overflow from the side. >.< Anyway it's a good experience learnt and I have so much fun! Nothing can beat when the whole yule log finished within the next day despite it's too sweet to our taste. Hehe.<br />
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Actually my baking sessions with Little Sprouts' mama started somewhere mid last year. That time I requested Little Sprouts' mama to teach me to make cream puff. After that, we get together few more times for some baking fun. Last few times, since I have got back to working world, we have the baking session during weekend. Thus while the mommies are busy baking in the kitchen, Lynn and Hao are busy playing and watching TV with Little Sprouts and Little Sprouts' papa in the living room!<br />
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Thank you Little Sprouts' mama for the fun baking session as well as sharing many baking tips with me! And also thank you Little Sprouts' papa for babysitting the kids!<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Wish you all a Merry Christmas! </span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-34989257294686788752012-11-27T18:00:00.000+08:002012-11-27T18:00:22.904+08:00Life with Do Re Mi Fa<br />
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Time flies. Opps seems like I have not been blogging for
almost half a year. Well, the main reason is I seldom come online anymore. Even Facebook I only check once a day from phone, sometimes none. Of course I still
go online, but more for work purpose and not so much for leisure purpose.
That's explain why I have not been writing and also not blog hoping much.</div>
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These 2 weeks, if you pass by my house you can hear lots of
children noise. My 2 nieces (age 5 and 2.5) come stay with me for 2 weeks. My
parents and my bro together with his wife are going for holiday and thus I'm
helping them to take care my 2 nieces while they are away. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My elder niece is at the same kindy with Lynn and Hao. So
every morning she will follow hb's car to go to school and I will pick up 3 of
them from kindy after work. The youngest niece is going to the nanny behind my
mom's house. I will drop her off on the way to work in the morning, and pick
her up on the way home after picking up the 3 older kids. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My this youngest niece, MM is extremely attached her mom.
From day 1, she has been crying looking for her mommy. I can see that she
misses her mom very much. And I could not stand her crying. It's not just
crying. She's actually closing up herself. She doesn't really play with the others,
and not talking to us. When I ask her questions, instead of answer me (my this
niece very good at talking at 2.5 years old) she will just shake or nod her
head. This is definitely not her at all. Thus I message my SIL asking her to
send back some video clips and pictures, telling MM that mommy has been missing
her too. At the same time the kids also get to know what's the grandparents and
parents are doing there. And it works! Whenever MM cries, I will show her the
video clips and pictures. At the same time, we also cross the date in the
calendar every morning, telling the children how many more days their parents
will be back. And whenever there is chance, my SIL will video call back us at
home, so the children get to talk with them. Now after one week, MM will still
cry looking for mommy but not as frequest as before and back to her normal
self. She will talk with others now, play with them and laugh with them. No
more closing herself though I can feel that she's still not quite like me. I
guess maybe she relates with being forced to stay with me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As for the older niece, YY. She's definitely happy to have
playmates all the time. 3 of them (Lynn, Hao and YY) are very noisy whenever
they are around each other. From morning till night they are not bored playing
with each other. Do they fight? Sometimes they do but it won't last long, and
mostly just small matter. 5 minutes later they will play together again. And oh
yes, they always can't come into conclusion when time to bath! Either they will
fight for number one to bath first, or none want to bath first. Sigh. One day I
got irritated I set a sequence for them to take turn! Yes take control of 4 children is not easy! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Having a 6 and 4 years old at home, life is actually quite
easy for me. Both Lynn and Hao can bath themselves, brush their own teeth, pack
their own school bag, basically I only have to keep an eye on them. But with
the 2 nieces, the 2.5 years old MM still need someone to bath her. I make the 5
years old YY to bath herself. So I only need to bath MM. But last 2 days, I get
just Lynn to bath her together when Lynn is taking her bath. As for food, MM can eat by herself. All I need to do is just serve the food in her bowl. Weekdays she has her dinner at nanny's place before I pick her up. Weekend she will eat with us. So far she's not too picky on the food. She will eat whatever I serve her. She eats both noodle and rice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things are still pretty much stay in routine despite with my
2 nieces. Basically YY and MM are following our routine. 6 of us sleep in the
same bedroom. Normally I get the kids to sleep quite early during weekdays even
now it's school holidays. But we still need to wake up early as we leave
the house at 7-ish to go to work. I do not have much problem getting 4 kids to
go to bed. I usually will accompany them in the room until at least they have
fallen asleep. Despite new environment, I'm glad both YY and MM have no much
problem fallen to sleep. Maybe they are tired after playing too much. Hehe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One week has pass and few more days, my parents and my bro
family will be back. Taking 4 kids are not really that difficult as I would
have imagined at the beginning. But YY is always fine with me around and she is
kind of close with Lynn and Hao. The only challenge is just MM. It's been an exciting and challenging week for me. As for Lynn and
Hao, I'm sure they have a very enjoyable time with their cousins! And I
foresee very soon they will start requesting YY to come stay overnight more
frequent...... :) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-64667490253564575072012-06-18T20:14:00.000+08:002012-06-23T20:19:21.087+08:00Making Zongzi or changZongzi, or Chang, <span class="td0b">is a special food that Chinese eats during the Dragon Boat festival. It is made with sticky rice that usually wrapped in pyramid-shaped with reed or bamboo leaves. I love eating zongzi, especially it is only available during the Dragon Boat festival, which is only once a year. In the past, where my mom will buy the chang from the market and I will happily eat it as much as I like. Sometimes my aunt will give us some of her homemade chang too. However these few years back I don't get to eat chang as much as I like. Why? The price of chang has increased so much that I will only buy few to eat, and still the filling is so little, far from satisfactory as compared to homemade chang. Last year, I was very lucky to get some homemade chang from <a href="http://www.smallkucing.com/" target="_blank">Mamarazzi</a>. And this year? I'm actually very lucky that I get a chance to learn to make the chang myself! </span><br />
<span class="td0b"><br /></span><br />
<span class="td0b">When I get to know Mamarazzi has her <a href="http://www.smallkucing.com/2012/06/zhangchinese-dumplings-madness-season.html" target="_blank">change-making marathon</a> started, good thing it is before my new job started, and after I just completed my freelance job, talking about just the right timing for me! </span><br />
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<span class="td0b">Mamarazzi helped me buy all the ingredients needed, including marinating the meat for me. She also cooked the meat and mushroom, and fried the soaked glutinous rice with spices. So what I just need to do is to wrap them into chang. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--d7lJj3RNKA/T-WpckI5SbI/AAAAAAAACjY/QZ6zDjjhFLo/s1600/IMG_2044a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--d7lJj3RNKA/T-WpckI5SbI/AAAAAAAACjY/QZ6zDjjhFLo/s1600/IMG_2044a.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="td0b"><br /></span><br />
<span class="td0b">First, I have to learn to fold the bamboo leaves into con shape. Then fill it with the rice and other ingredients. Let me tell you, it's not that easy to make the leaves into con shape. But once I get the hang of it, it's not that difficult too. </span><br />
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<span class="td0b">Then wrap it to become pyramid shape and tie it tightly. </span><br />
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And then put into a pot or rice cooker and cook for 2 hours.<br />
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These are all I get after 3 hours standing there wrapping the chang! Mamarazzi said me not bad because none of them burst inside the pot. Consider very good at a first timer. Hehe this is because I have good sifu here who shows me step-by-step and tips on how to wrap the chang. :D <br />
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Before going home, Mamarazzi 'poison' me into making kee chang at home. Just need to soak the glutinous rice and bamboo leaves? Really that easy? Mamarazzi definitely know how to tempt me. LOL! Could not resist the temptation, I made the kee chang last weekend. :)<br />
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I soaked the bamboo leaves and glutinous rice the night before. Before I want to make the kee chang, add 2 tablespoons of the alkaline water to the soaked rice. Mamarazzi taught me to add some pandan leave into the kee chang to enhance the flavor. I make the simplest one, plain kee chang without any fillings.<br />
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After standing there for 3 hours, and additional 2 hours cooking time for 2nd batch, these are what I get. This time I was not so lucky, as without the fillings, the kee chang is smaller in size. Seems like I did not tie them tight enough. Quite a few kee chang bursting inside the pot during cooking. I managed to save some but still I lost about 3 of them.<br />
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Kee chang drizzled with honey, requested by hb. :D<br />
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As this is my very first attempt on making chang, I did not give to any friends, but only to family members. With the first experience, I know what I can improve next year. Though it's time consuming, but it's cheaper to make it myself and not to mention, I get to choose the fillings that I want to put. And not to mention I have improve on the wrapping too! Ok so I should not complain why it's so expensive outside, talking about the long hours and those kungfu on wrapping the chang. Hope next year I get to make more and better version that I can give away some to friends. Learn to make chang is always an item on my wish list for many years. Thank you Mamarazzi for making my wish come true! And this year, I get to eat the chang as many as I like. :D <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-77457981022319819342012-06-07T13:49:00.001+08:002012-06-07T13:49:34.323+08:00One Year Later<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>One year ago, I quit working full time. Since then on and off I took some freelance job on bookkeeping for some side income. I was not intended to quit working at all but due to hb's super long hours in his new job, I could not really go back to IT line. My initial plan was working towards flexi hours in year 2013 when Lynn enters primary 1. So quit working before 2013 was something unplanned. <br/><br/>Few months back, I stumbled upon a chance on a full time employment. Well it's not something in my plan, but seeing the opportunity to learn I thought maybe I can give it a try. The pay is much lower as I'll be a junior staff there. But as compared to my current unemployed status, it's still some small income to us. Better than nothing. :) <br/><br/>After so many years, now I'm back to a junior staff. Hehe. Do I mind? Not at all as long as I'm given opportunity to learn. I has a very interesting first day at work. As all seniors were out for a training, left only one junior staff for my department. There's another new staff together with me who started on the same day. So three of us had a very relaxing day at work. :) <br/><br/>I met the others in the following Monday. Throughout my more than 10 years of working experience, this is my 3rd full time job. A totally new environment for me. I has the smallest work station as compared to previous 2 jobs. Without compartment too so no privacy at all. No compartment is fine, but i really wish to have a larger table! I have to work on many files and documents at the same time, with the small table i really have to keep whatever I'm not referring away. The office is of old building and with all the cabinets it's not too spacious. I really salute my other colleagues who can work with stacks of files and papers on their equally small table! <br/><br/>And after so many years of smart casual wearing jeans to work, now I have to wear back office wear. Time to dig out those long sleeves and skirts from my wardrobe! Those are my working attire before getting married. Glad that I still can fit most of them, both tops and bottoms. And no one happier than my gal who loves to see her mommy wearing skirt. :) <br/><br/>New job starts at earlier time too. With the terrible traffic condition nowadays in the morning, I have to wake up earlier and leave the house before hb too. My body still adjusting to the new time to wake up. Besides getting myself ready, I have to get ready the breakfast for hb and kids too, which I have been doing all this while. So far I still manage to bake something at night before going to bed for our breakfast the following day. And just a week ago a friend passed us a bread maker that is left at the corner of his kitchen. It's a great help to me. Now we can have fresh homemade bread in the morning. Bye bye Gardenia and Massimo. :) <br/><br/>The colleagues in my department are all very nice people. I'm glad about that. I just hope I can cope and pick up as much as I can while I still can manage. It's good to be back to work again. :) <br/>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-10170184666750266932012-05-17T00:56:00.000+08:002012-05-18T00:57:24.246+08:00Happy 6th Birthday!Since Q3 last year, Lynn has been asking me when is her birthday. Besides her birthday, she also asks about the birthday of other family members. She will remember the birthday by month. For example, her uncle's (my brother) birthday in February, then her papa's birthday at March, her 'gong gong' Grandpa birthday at March too etc. And then she will ask or tell whose birthday next. And finally, her long awaited her own birthday finally is here. :)<br />
<br />
Beginning of the year, she told me <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: purple;">"Mommy, when my birthday I don't want you to make the cake for me. I want to go buy nice nice one."</b></span> Is she hinting the cake that I make is no good? Feel a little hurt. LOL! But I thought she's just a kid and I did not really mad at her or question her about it. Hehe. Then in February, I made a carrot cake for my brother's birthday. In March, I made peanut butter torte for my dad's birthday. And orange cake for hb's birthday. During my dad's birthday, Lynn was not feeling well and eventually she did not eat the cake at all. And few days after that, she saw the carrot cake picture from the cookbook, and told me <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue;">"Mommy, can you make this cake for me for my birthday?" </b></span>"Oh, you want carrot cake for your birthday?" I want to confirm with her. <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: orange;">"Yes, I want carrot cake for my birthday this year. Then when I'm 7 years old, I want the peanut butter torte for my birthday."</b></span> Wah this year birthday is not here yet, she started booking for her birthday cake next year. LOL! And talk about early of the year she told me not to bake birthday cake for her. <br />
<br />
That was somewhere end of March. And then somewhere in April, one day Lynn told me <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: red;">"Mommy, I want the peanut butter torte for my 6 years old birthday this year."</b></span> Hmm, changing mind? "I thought you said you want the carrot cake?" <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #e06666;">"No, I don't want carrot cake already. I want the peanut butter torte."</b></span> Then few more times during the month, she kept on telling me to make her the <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2009/04/10/chocolate-peanut-butter-torte/" target="_blank">peanut butter torte</a> for her birthday this year. Reason being she did not get to eat it during my dad's birthday, so she wanted to eat it on her birthday. <br />
<br />
Alright, that's the story of her birthday cake. :) On top of that, she also has been pestering me to have her birthday celebration with her friends at school. I did it once for her when she was 3 years old, at the infant and toddler child care. Since this year is her final year at kindy, even if she did not ask me I have actually also planned to let her celebrate with her friends at school. She also made me promise her to be there at the kindy on her birthday. <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #674ea7;">"Mommy, you must come for my birthday also. All my friends' papa mama are there during their birthday."</b></span> Wah, getting demanding. Well, since I'm freelancing now, I can be there. And from time to time since beginning of the year, she has been reminding me that I must be there on her birthday. Luckily her birthday is in May, I can't imagine if her birthday is in December......as I can't stand people keep on telling me same thing again and again..... <br />
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Last week, after picking up the kids I went to the bakery supplies shop to get the necessary ingredients for her cake. Besides cakes, I also plan to make something for her party packs for her friends. Previously to save time, I just bought the junk foods and snacks to make up the part packs. But even I myself don't like my kids eating too much on the junk food, this time I decided if I can make something. After searching through my recipe books, I set my eyes on the coconut candy. I remember we used to get it from supermarket when I was young. Not sure now still selling or not.<br />
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Made this Rum and raisin ice cream with brownie as her birthday cake celebrating with my parents and my brother family. Not sure if I put too much rum (read that rum will soften the ice cream), the ice cream was melting super fast. And I chose a very rich brownie recipe, after keeping in the freezer the brownie became very hard. The rum and raisin ice cream taste very good though. A very good lesson learn. Next time I will make this rum and raisin ice cream cake in different way. <br />
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Coconut candy for Lynn's classmates. Even though the coconut candy does not require baking, but need to chill in the freezer. So a week before the birthday celebration, I started making a pan of coconut candy a day. Btw I'm using strawberry flavor chocolate for the pink color. <br />
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I was told there are about 40 children. Worry if the cake alone won't be enough to share by all children, I made some chocolate fondant too. Also in case some children don't eat cheese or peanut butter. Since the birthday party is in the afternoon, I spent the morning and noon making the chocolate fondant. Lazy and greedy me. Instead of making 2 batches, I doubled the recipe. It was a mistake. My arms were so tired folding the batter. And the chocolate fondant also turned out did not look as nice as it should be. Some chocolate fondant the middle part was sinking. Not sure where went wrong. Also as I have forgotten to take out the butter from the fridge to keep it at room temperature, also lack of time, I did not frost it with butter cream. Just put something colorful on top of it to make it looks more presentable. :) <br />
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Since I keep the coconut candy in the fridge, so the packing also has to be last minute! Pack them right before I leave the house. :) <br />
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As for the chocolate peanut butter torte that the birthday girl has requested, I made it the night before. It has the best crust that I have made so far. Hehe.<br />
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Instead of sprinkle with chopped peanuts on top, I used the ladybird and make the number "6", and sprinkled with some chopped peanuts and sugar flakes. Lynn chose the candle herself.<br />
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She set her eyes on the cake only......</div>
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I'm quite happy with the outcome of the cake. This is my 2nd attempt and I would say presentation wise looks better than the first attempt. :) Taste wise if you like peanut butter then you will like it. Can't taste the cream cheese taste much though.<br />
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Some children only attended the kindy session and did not stay for full day child care. So there were less than 40 children there. Each children still can have a share of the chocolate peanut butter torte and the chocolate fondant too. <br />
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Alright, finally done all the baking for her birthday! Phew! <br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Happy birthday my girl! </b></span><b style="color: #674ea7;">Mommy always feels glad that you are a good sister to Hao, always taking care of him. But Mommy does have one wish - please don't make mommy telling you same thing again and again! </b><br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-88429323907847563992012-05-14T11:54:00.000+08:002012-05-16T11:54:59.087+08:00The Power of “Interactive” Play – Brought to you by Fisher-Price<br />
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<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5953974432505987" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Following
a successful first time, Fisher-Price will be bringing child
development expert; Ms. Carrie Lupoli, Founder of Live & Learn
(Singapore) once again to Malaysia where she will be able to share the
importance of interactive play with children come June 16</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2012. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why play is so important?</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Playing
is the most natural thing to do for any individual, but what you may
not know is that there's so much more to it than just having fun.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
in recent years, the amount of parents who have started to use
technology as a substitute to spending actual quality time with their
children is increasing at an alarming rate. Many disregard the
importance of interaction or play with their children. Fisher-Price, a
firm believer in the development of children through play and bonding
notices this trend.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Play
is the best means in helping children with brain development and
learning. When children can actively manipulate and explore toys in
their environment, they learn best. Adults playing together with
children will enhance the relationship between the parent/adult and
child which is pivotal in a child’s development.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Through
The Power of “Interactive” Play Workshop, Fisher-Price would like to
share the benefits of play through the five development stages (Sensory
Stimulation, Sitting & Reaching, Speech Development, On the Go and
Walker & Rider) and to further encourage adults to spend more time
with children.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
Power of “Interactive” Play Parenting Workshop will exhibit the
different kinds of activities and exercises that adults can have with
children. It will further elaborate on the different tools that can be
used to further assist with the different development stages of
children. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I'm a parent who prefer my children play with the toys for their age. I'm not a mother who will give my children to play with my smart phone or tablet or video games or pc games until my children are much older. I believe at their age now, they should be playing with each other interactively, but not sitting down in front of pc or PSP or smart phone. I'm glad that Fisher Price is holding a such workshop for parents. I'm going to attend it. How about you? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The Power of “Interactive” Play Parenting Workshop:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Date: 16</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> June 2012 (Saturday)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Time: 10.00am – 1.30pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Location: Grand Ballroom, Empire Hotel Subang,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Jalan SS 16/1, Ss 16, 47500 Selangor.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Entry Fee: RM60 per person plus over RM100 worth of goodies.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information or to book your seats kindly contact 03-7803 5310/012-292 1378 or email to </span><a href="mailto:admin@mamababyworld.com"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">admin@mamababyworld.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-37622553081383582902012-04-30T19:02:00.000+08:002012-05-01T20:06:34.759+08:00Simplot Simply Good Meal with Chef Wan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-acQ4A6uSUzI/T5-2qzHeQeI/AAAAAAAACZ8/_-dLgD_TNms/s1600/IMG_1582a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-acQ4A6uSUzI/T5-2qzHeQeI/AAAAAAAACZ8/_-dLgD_TNms/s1600/IMG_1582a.jpg" /></a></div>
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Many thanks to <a href="http://cleffairy.com/" target="_blank">Cleffairy </a>for her invitation so that I can attend the Simplot Simply Good Meal Cooking Workshop with Chef Wan last Saturday. And also thank you very much to <a href="http://mylittlesprouts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Little Sprout's</a> papa for letting me follow their car considering last Saturday was a big day thus the traffic was not in our usual condition as other normal Saturday. <br />
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The workshop was held in BSH Home Appliances (Bosch) in Bangsar as a venue sponsor. Ah I was drooling at the appliances displayed there. The mixer, build in oven, build in coffee maker etc. How I wish I have a kitchen like this at home! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Wb814URJMg/T5-6b4fBB2I/AAAAAAAACaQ/hHc-X1rhQWU/s1600/IMG_5350a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Wb814URJMg/T5-6b4fBB2I/AAAAAAAACaQ/hHc-X1rhQWU/s1600/IMG_5350a.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since this workshop was brought to us by Simplot, thus the main focus of the day was on the launch of its new products, frozen Hashbrown and Popcorn Hashbrown. The frozen hashbrown and popcorn hashbrown are made from premium potatoes, with <b style="color: blue;">no cholesterol, no artifical flavors, no added preservatives and no artificial coloring</b>. So it's definitely safe to serve to our children. If you have eaten the hashbrown from McDonald's big breakfast, it's actually Simplot product. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BgoXeH9L9lM/T5-8yKHCkVI/AAAAAAAACaY/_jzYKoEPeIk/s1600/IMG_5346a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BgoXeH9L9lM/T5-8yKHCkVI/AAAAAAAACaY/_jzYKoEPeIk/s1600/IMG_5346a.jpg" /></a></div>
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The other main ingredients used are Leggo's products. Very convenient especially for us to cook at home.<br />
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First dish of the day - Minestrone Beefball Soup with Simplot Hashbrown Popcorn. Love the herbs, chunk of vegetables, with the meat and the potato, a complete meal for us and our little ones!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9e3v1R170E/T5_CleilVxI/AAAAAAAACas/ItnV64IZeOQ/s1600/minestrone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9e3v1R170E/T5_CleilVxI/AAAAAAAACas/ItnV64IZeOQ/s1600/minestrone.jpg" /></a></div>
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Next we have Baked Seafood Casserole with Simplot Hashbrown. Alright, some of you know that I'm not a cheese or milk person. If possible I will not touch them at all. But let me tell you, despite cheese and milk are being used in this recipe, but sweet taste from the seafood is not being overwhelmed by the white sauce and the cheese! It's simply delicious and this actually is my favorite dish of all! <br />
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Third one we have Greek Moussaka. It's a bit like lasagna but instead of layering with the pasta, this one is layering the meat sauce with the Hashbrowns, fried eggplants, white sauce and cheese. Again, I walloped all except giving away the cheese topping to Mama Little Sprouts. :) How can I resist not to taste and finish up the food cooked by Chef Wan? It's so delicious that it's simply irresistible! Hb actually regretted did not follow me to go that day. Hehehe. <br />
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Last dish of the day - Simplot Hashbrown Potato and Shrimp Pancake. A dish that consists of eggs, vegetable (bean sprouts), prawn, potato and fresh herbs. Simple to make, delicious to taste and yet healthy for the whole family! <br />
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A group photo with Chef Wan.<br />
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Wish I have something for him to sign! Sigh. Well, at least I get to take a photograph with him. Chef Wan is fun and friendly. It's an enjoyable experience to attend his cooking workshop. :)<br />
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After eating and eating, we get to take some goodies home too! The organizers are very generous on the goodies bag for us. :)<br />
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I learn a lot that day. All the while I just fried the hasbrown and eat it plain with the ketchup. Now I know besides fried, it also can be baked, grilled and can be served as mains or side dishes. Thank you very much Simplot and Chef Wan for teaching us those wonderful recipes! <br />
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<span id="goog_1506995318"></span><span id="goog_1506995319"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-7481273308333133472012-03-27T02:15:00.000+08:002012-03-27T02:15:09.611+08:00Pan-Asian Buffet Dinner at Atrium Cafe, Pyramid Tower Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgknKMfJwU0/T3CiPRALvvI/AAAAAAAACMM/Th90y8RPYqM/s1600/IMG_1474+Peanut+Butter+Torte_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgknKMfJwU0/T3CiPRALvvI/AAAAAAAACMM/Th90y8RPYqM/s400/IMG_1474+Peanut+Butter+Torte_a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was my dad's birthday last week. I make this Peanut Butter Torte for him. Wanted to add some strawberry as toppings but my mom said no need. The peanut crush is good enough. :)<br />
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The rich and creamy filling is made from peanut butter, cream cheese, beaten heavy cream (to lighten the texture to become like mousse), with chopped peanut and chocolate chips. The crust is made from Oreo biscuit crumbs. With simple Chocolate Ganache as toppings sprinkle with chopped peanut. Just the ingredients itself costs more than RM50. But more important, everyone enjoy eating it very much. It's simply delicious. :) <br />
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Besides getting a birthday cake for the birthday boy/girl, our usual way of celebrating the birthday is to go out and have a family meal together. Both me and my brother were running out of idea where to eat. So happen I saw this promotion from Facebook, and after checking with my brother we decided to go there to celebrate my dad's birthday. Besides the promotional price for the adults, the children get to eat for free for each paying adults. It's a very good deal for altogether 10 of us (6 adults and 4 children). <br />
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The two little one.... I like to see Lynn's hair in ponytail bunches. :) </div>
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I like to environment of the restaurant. Very spacious. Not sure is it due to the promotion, most of the tables were reserved and later the restaurant was quite full when the crowd started to fill up the tables. So if you intend to go there before the promotion end, better make prior reservation before you go there.<br />
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Various selections for the salads and appetizers.They are very delicious! </div>
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Breads and soup... </div>
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"Lok lok" steam boat! </div>
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Serving Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western style food </div>
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Various food stalls were setup on the other side of the hall. Penang style fried keow teow; Japanese sushi and shashimi, Chinese roast chicken/ roast duck rice; Satay; Thai salads etc. </div>
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Deserts and local kuih muih. </div>
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Fruits, ice kacang and ice cream. </div>
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The food is actually not that bad. Fresh prawn and fish. We quite enjoy the food. The services given by the waiters were excellent! They came to collect the empty plate promptly; refill our water without being asked; and even after we have finished reading, they will come ask if we would like to have our coffee and tea refilled. I think it worth to try out the food during the promotional period. But if it's the normal price RM90 per person for a buffet dinner, I think we have lots of other choices available. I probably will go for fine dining. :) </div>
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Overall, it's an enjoyable dining experience for us at Atrium Cafe, Pyramid Tower Hotel. If I was asked to give a rating, I would rate it 7 out of 10. </div>
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<b>NOTE</b>: This is not a paid post. This is solely my personal experience dining in this restaurant and it may not represent the truth.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-82579380689213499252012-03-20T22:17:00.000+08:002012-03-23T23:22:53.233+08:00An Unforgettable BirthdayLast Thursday it was hb's birthday. Usually it's just another normal day for us, as we very much stick to our routine. Nonetheless, I intended to bake a cake for hb as surprise. (Later I found out that hb actually knew I was going to bake a cake for him, as he saw the eggs and butter that I put out on the table.) As I did not really have the chance to bake something fancy for him. So I just baked an orange cake and simply decorated with some Kiss me chocolate than any toppings. In the morning, I get the kids to carry the cake to him and we sang the Happy birthday song while he was still getting ready to work. :D<br />
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In the evening, after picking up the kids, I called hb to check if it's possible for him to have dinner together with us. I was so happy hb said he would leave the office earlier so that we could eat together. I even suggested to go the new Korean restaurant opened not too long ago near the shops in our neighborhood. So I was driving home with the kids as usual. I even told them papa was going to have dinner with us together.<br />
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Just few km before reaching the home, while I was approaching the traffic light, I saw it was turning yellow from far and obviously I started to slow down the car preparing for the car to stop for the red light. I was still some distant away and by the time I reach the there it would turn red. And I was right, the traffic light turn to red before I stopped my car totally. And naturally I watched to the car behind from the mirror. I saw it was coming to me quite fast and thus I released the brake to go before the white line, to give more space for it to stop. But unfortunately, it could not stop in time. I heard a loud "bang" along with some broken glass sound. The damage to my car? I let the pictures do the talking....<br />
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And what happened to the car that hit me?<br />
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The lady driver is around 40 I think. She told me she was on the way to pick up her children from tuition. She claimed that the brake of her car was not working accordingly and thus the car hit into my car. I actually did not quite believe her. There are 3 traffic lights within about 500m of that stretch of the road. And the road is going downhill, where the traffic light that my car get hit was at the bottom of the slope. How could she manage to stop at the other 2 traffic lights but not the last one? My guess was she was not paying attention, whether talking on the phone or whatever. Or she thought I was going to drive through the red light? Though we were already within the housing areas, but that road is a very busy road. Roads from the neighborhood are connected to this road. <br />
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Anyway, whatever happened is already happen. I'm just glad that all of us are not hurt. Kids are not shocked too. The car has done a good job on absorbing all the impact. In fact, my car was jerked to few meters away but luckily not far enough to hit the car from the opposite direction that was turning into the other road. All of us had our safety belt fasten even though the kids were sitting at the back. Yup we enforce the kids to always fasten the seat belt all the time. Without the seat belt, it could be possible that the kids might hit the back of the driver and passenger's seats when my car got hit. And I'm also glad that I was not driving some small car like Kancil or Kelisa. With such bad damage, I could not imagine what will happen to the kids who were sitting at the back of a Kancil or Kelisa when this happen. Will blog about the part on making police report on a separate post.<br />
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Btw after the accident, we had no mood to go eat something nice to celebrate hb's birthday already. But we still manage to have dinner together.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-83650969959672119802012-02-27T18:42:00.002+08:002012-02-27T18:42:42.886+08:00Allergy-Friendly Food for Families: 120 Gluten-Free Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, and Soy-Free Recipes Everyone Will Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Title: Allergy-Friendly Food for Families<br />
SubTitle: 120 Gluten-Free Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, and Soy-Free Recipes Everyone Will Love<br />
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing<br />
Pub Date: April 10, 2012<br />
ISBN: 9781449409760<br />
Author: Editors of Kiwi Magazine<br />
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Allergy-Friendly Food for Families is the most trustworthy, comprehensive, practical, and kid-friendly collection of recipes that exists for the important and growing audience of allergy-aware families. Unlike other allergy cookbooks, this book covers not one or two allergens, but the five most common allergens in kids: wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. Each of the 120 recipes is free of at least three of these allergens; most are free of all five.<br />
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When parents are desperate for ideas for what to make for dinner (or lunch, or snack time), they want recipes from someone they trust, for food that tastes good, that doesn't require a lot of fancy ingredients, and that the whole family can eat. Allergy-Friendly Food for Families is the ultimate resource. From the three crucial mealtimes (breakfast, lunch, dinner) to the "fun" foods families can't live without (desserts, snacks, parties), parents are completely covered. Perhaps most importantly, all of these recipes are simple for parents to make.<br />
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Recipes such as Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies, Pear Yogurt Dunkers, Good-for-you Nachos, Polenta Mini Pizzas, Giant Cookie Cake, Veggie Bite Soup, and Cool Zucchini Noodles will make kids forget they have allergies. Parents will love the additional informational sections on spotting food allergies, stocking an allergy-free pantry, deciphering labels, and other frequently asked questions.<br />
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Food should be delicious; family time should be fun. This book reflects those values. <br />
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<u>Editors of Kiwi Magazine</u><br />
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Kiwi is the premier magazine (first published in 2007) about raising families the natural and organic way. Published bimonthly, Kiwi has 250,000 subscribers. The magazine supports and encourages parents to make green, healthy choices when it comes to food, home life, and more. It helps families balance their green ideals with their busy lives and schedules, and helps parents raise their children the healthiest way possible. Kiwi introduces families to the latest in natural and organic living—showing how to practice this lifestyle on an everyday basis.<br />
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Marygrace Taylor, Kiwi's staff writer and recipe developer, created the majority of these family-friendly recipes right in her home kitchen in Austin, Texas.<br />
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In the last several years, there has been increases in the rates of allergies amongst the children. When we first introduce solid foods to the babies, we will test if they are allergy to the food by giving the same food for three days consecutively. This is important as being a mom, you certainly want to make sure the food given to our children is safe for them. This book, Allergy Friendly Food for Families will become very handy for those parents that have children that are allergies to certain type of food at home. Or even if your children do not have any food allergies, but you may have different people in the family have preference to certain type of food, for example the boy maybe don't like eating nuts, while the mama does not like dairy products, so instead of cooking different food for different family members, you can also opt for a recipe that are both nut-free and dairy-free that everyone at home can eat. It's easier for the one who prepares the food, it's also make everyone happy that they won't feel left out or someone complains that he misses his favorite food because another person in the family can't eat it. <br />
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The recipes available in this book are divided into 6 categories: <br />
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<ul>
<li>Breakfast</li>
<li>Lunch</li>
<li>Dinner</li>
<li>Dessert</li>
<li>Snacks</li>
<li>Parties</li>
</ul>
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For each recipe, it will show whether the recipe is gluten-freen, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free and soy-free. The preparation time, cooking time, how many servings per recipe and the nutrition for each servings are clearly stated. There are also some recipes that allow your children to cook together with you. Some tips on food and info or facts about the type of food are included too. Total there are 120 recipes altogether. And most of them are easy to make. I would say the more challenging part is more on sourcing for the ingredients. Some food like rice milk we can make ourselves at home. But some food like, soy=free, nonhydrogenated margarine, we definitely have to learn to read the lables for the food we are buying. I also love the picture of the food show next to the recipe. Unfortunately not all recipes are showing the picture of the food. <br />
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Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-88751508825783126632012-02-22T01:03:00.000+08:002012-02-23T01:05:26.176+08:00Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training Program 2012* Back-dated post. <br />
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I still remember when I first trying to fully breastfeed Lynn about 6 years ago, it was not easy at all. Despite I have read a lot about breastfeeding during pregnancy, even attended the prenatal class and fully prepared myself for it, I never expect it's such a challenging task. Luckily I had a colleague who breastfeed her first child exclusively gave me tips and some guidance, plus my own determination and supports from hb and family, finally I was able to breastfeed Lynn exclusively. So I totally understand it's not easy for most mothers when come to breastfeeding journey. 6 years ago, breastfeeding was just started getting more common. Without this colleague of mine who the only person that I know was breastfeeding during that time, I don't think I could breastfeed Lynn exclusively. It shows how important to get supports from another mommy who has experience on this matter. That time also I don't know about this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/128537811172/" target="_blank">The Breastfeeding Advocates Network</a> (TBAN) yet. So there were lots of trial and error for me during that time.<br />
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I know there are mommies out there especially first time mommies, who wish to breastfeed their child but not successful due to lack of supports and guidance. I wish I was there to help them and support them. When I know about there's this Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training Program through TBAN, I did not hesitate to register myself for it. It was a 3 days program. All participants must attended full 3 days to get the certificate which would be given at the end of the training.<br />
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The training was held at a very interactive way. Lots of group discussion and presentation. Most of the participants are mommies and are still actively breastfeeding their child. So babies below 1 year old are allowed. Mommies feel free to nurse the baby, carry them or pump if the baby is not with them. <br />
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Everyone seems so relax. :) </div>
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Presentation after group discussion. </div>
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Some mommies pumping at the side by just cover themselves with the shawl. </div>
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The correct way to bottle feed a breastfed baby. Not in lying down position, but in sitting position with support. </div>
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Ryle's tube - One of the lactation aid for mother that wish to re-lactate or adoption mother that wish to breastfeed the baby. </div>
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With some help from nurse or family members to place the baby on the chest, mommy who has gone through c-section can breastfeed the baby right away. </div>
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Breast models made by us. :) </div>
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The role of a peer counselors. </div>
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Though I have just weaned Hao from the breast for about a year ago, I feel that I have forgotten so much on breastfeeding! This program not only refresh my memory, I have also made lots of new friends with other mommies there, who are also passionate on breastfeeding, and also learn a lot of new things from the sharing of other mommies. We also learn about the 3-steps communication, the important of listening, and the dangers of giving advice. Why is it dangerous to give advice? Because people maybe skeptical; if they follow the advice and success they may become dependent on you; if they follow the advice and fail they may blame you etc. And also we are not expert. Sometimes the mother may just want to be heard and not asking for advice. We as peer counselor, is important to make sure the mother feels good about herself at the end of the session. And most important, we cannot judge. </div>
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Whether the baby is exclusively breastfeeding, or mix with formula milk, as long as the baby is getting some breast milk from the mother is better than no breast milk at all. But still we have to respect other mothers who choose not to breast feed their children. They may have their reasons for doing so. We should not judge them. I believe all mothers want the best to their children. :) </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-20628509013358832432012-01-20T15:45:00.001+08:002012-01-21T00:56:22.186+08:00Another new year<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Few more days we are going to say bye bye to Rabbit year and welcoming the year of Dragon. Rabbit year is a very challenging year for me. Big decision, major changes. There are lots of stress. And pains. But it also allow me to see who are true friends who are willing to give their helping hands and those who only know how to talk and instead of ease our stress, they are giving more pressure to us. One lesson learn for me is, no matter how protective and careful we are, we can't avoid not getting hurt by people around us. Unless everyone become nobody to us. But this is not always the case. Thus instead of getting protective, I should learn how to deal with the pain. <br/><br/>Rabbit year is also a year I have to deal with lots of "disagreement". In which, dealing all these things are stressful actually. Lots of time, people only see the surface but not knowing actually what's happening behind. Especially those people that like to make their own assumptions without asking the people involved for facts. Whatever happen is not my choice and the end results may look ugly, but I think it's the best decision and the right thing to do based on the options available and the situation at that time. I can't control if people want to talk bad about me. I can't possible please everyone. And I feel grateful for those who stand by us and share our thoughts. <br/><br/>In the year of Rabbit, I've becoming more active in baking. Main reason that I started baking is to have more varieties of food for the kids, as well as to save money. Cost of living is getting more and more expensive. It's always cheaper to bake ourselves except that baking do take some time depends what you want to bake. So in the past few months, I have been slowing down on reading books, as some of the time are spent on baking. <br/><br/>Despite those challenging events, the best thing that happen to me in the year of Rabbit is, the unconditional supports from my parents. They will not question our decision, just offer themselves to us without asking anything in return. They are hoping by giving us helping hand we get to spend quality time with our kids. I'm really feel blessed to have such understanding parents. Thus whenever possible, I'll bake something for them, to show my appreciation. <br/><br/>While Rabbit year is not a good year for me, and lots of people are saying the coming Dragon year is not a very good year too. I just wish things are not getting worse for me. And I wish all of us are having good health, no unexpected trips to hospital. <br/><br/><b><span style='font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;color:#FF0000;display:block;text-align:center;'>Happy Chinese New Year! <br/>Gong Xi Fa Cai! <br/>May all of you have a prosperous and better year ahead. </span></b><br/><br/>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-42701628791885172432012-01-04T01:38:00.000+08:002012-01-04T01:38:50.993+08:00Big sister and little brother<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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This year Hao is going to turn 4. It'll be first year for him going to kindy, and last year for the girl. And both Lynn and Hao will be attending the same kindy. While it may be good that having a big sister around, but is it really good for the boy? <br />
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Lynn no doubt is a very caring sister. With her independent character, she can take care of others very well. Since she was 3 years old, she has been helping me taking care of her little brother here. When I started Hao with the semi solid food, Lynn always wanted to help feed the brother. In fact, she almost like wanted to take over all my responsibilities taking care of Hao, except she could not breastfeeding him. She can help change the clothes for the boy; she can wear the socks for him; wear his shoe for him; button his clothes for him; serve him food as they so used to sharing the food; pour milk for him; when we go out she would help me keep an eye for the boy, hold his hand; and lately she even help me to bath the boy!<br />
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I should be proud for her. I am. Except that, Lynn was so used to taking care of her little brother here, she has forgotten that he's no longer a baby; that he needs to learn to do things by himself too! Lots of time, me and hb have to keep on reminding Lynn, stop helping Hao, let him do it by himself.<br />
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And how about Hao? He was so used to having "helper" around, he prefer choose the easier way to ask for help, than try harder himself. Lots of time, me and hb have to remind him he's no longer a baby. Lots of time, me and hb have to refuse his request to help him, forcing him to try first. Lots of time, me and hb have to stop Lynn from helping him too.<br />
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Not only Hao, Lynn likes to take care of her cousin sister too. My niece also is in the same kindy with her. I was told that, when my father went to pick up my niece, Lynn would help to carry her bag to the door, then go to the shoe rack take the cousin's shoe and put nicely on the floor, ready for her to put on the shoe. While I think it's good that she's such a caring sister, but she is also taking away the chance for the younger kids to learn to grow up and be more independent.<br />
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So before the school reopen, we have been telling Lynn not to do things for the brother at school. Earlier in the afternoon, I called up kindy and asked how they doing. The teacher told me, during breakfast, Lynn carried Hao to sit on her lap to eat. While Hao did not really want to sit on her lap to eat, but she insisted the brother to sit on her lap. <b style="color: blue;">*Slap forehead*</b> I always eat together with the kids, but such thing never happen to us! I really wonder is she treating her brother really like a baby? <b style="color: blue;">*shaking head*</b> Anyway, I'm glad the teacher did not allow such thing to happen. They are also sharing the same thought with me that, the boy should not become too attach with the sister. <br />
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I feel blessed having such caring daughter. I would not reprimand her for taking good care or helping her little brother there. She's my great helper. But I will explain to her the importance of letting the brother to learn and grow up by himself. Just like how she learn it in the past. <br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-70165364251130300892011-12-29T09:12:00.001+08:002012-01-04T01:46:07.616+08:00How come you don't know<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
There were some roadworks being carried out near our house, the place where we usually dine out. <br />
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1st time we passed by the place<br />
Lynn: Mommy, what is people doing here?<br />
Me: There are some roadworks being carried out. <br />
Lynn: Why they want to do the roadworks? <br />
Me: To make it better. <br />
Lynn: Why want to make it better? <br />
Me: To make it better for us. <br />
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2nd time we passed by the place the next day<br />
Lynn: Mommy, why are they still doing work?<br />
Me: Not yet finished. <br />
Lynn: Why not yet finish? <br />
Me: Sometimes it takes time to work. <br />
Lynn: Why take so long time? <br />
Me: Err I don't know. I'm not the expert. <br />
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The following week the roadworks still not yet finish. <br />
Lynn: Mommy, how come still not finish yet? <br />
Me: I don't know. <br />
Lynn: When it finish? <br />
Me: I don't know. <br />
Lynn: Mommy how come you don't know? <br />
Me: Because I'm not the expert...... <br />
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The kids like to see our wedding photos. <br />
Lynn: Mommy, why you married 3 times? <br />
Me and hb were shocked. <br />
Me: Huh? 3 times? No, mommy and papa married one time only. <br />
Hb: Yeah, we get married once only. <br />
Lynn: But why mommy wear different nice nice dress one. <br />
Me: Oh because mommy wants to look pretty. :) <br />
<i>Wah, one dress = married once??!!!</i> <br />
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Some of the many nights when we reached home. <br />
Lynn: Mommy, is papa's friend (referring to one of the Neighbour) sleep already? <br />
Me: (look at the clock - 8pm) I don't think so. <br />
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On another night, we reached home late around 10pm. <br />
Lynn: Mommy is papa's friend sleep already? <br />
Me: I don't know. Maybe. <br />
Lynn: How come you don't know? <br />
Me: Because I cannot see them...... <br />
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Another night<br />
Lynn: Mommy, is papa's friend sleep already? <br />
Me: I don't know. <br />
Lynn: No more light, I think sleep already. <br />
Lynn: How come they sleep so early one? <br />
Me: It was not even 8pm. I think maybe they are not at home. <br />
Lynn: Where they go?<br />
Me: I don't know. <br />
Lynn: How come you don't know? <br />
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I was going to meet my friends and taking the kids with me. <br />
Lynn: Mommy, have I met your friends before? <br />
Me: No, you have not. <br />
Lynn: How come I never met her before. <br />
Lynn: Your friend had bb or not? <br />
Lynn: Where is your friend house? Is it near near or far far? <br />
Lynn: Why you don't know how to go your friend house? <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-38764099487705805292011-11-30T10:16:00.000+08:002011-12-03T21:00:17.421+08:00Mini toads-in-the-hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Made this the other day and a friend has requested for the recipe. Since I got it from recipe book and need to type it out, I thought might as well share it here for everyone. :)<br />
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It's very easy to make actually since I got it from Kids' cookbook. I normally use a 12-hole tartlet tin to make this. Original recipe is for making about 4. So I have slightly modified the recipe for my own convenient. <br />
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<u><b>Mini toads-in-the-hole</b></u></div>
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The toads in this dish are little sausages, while the holes are made in a batter.<br />
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Time to cook: 20 minutes<br />
Preparation: 15 minutes<br />
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<u>Ingredients</u> (for making about 12)<br />
<ul>
<li><b>plain flour</b>, 180ml/12 tbsp</li>
<li><b>salt</b>, a pinch</li>
<li><b>eggs</b>, 3</li>
<li><b>milk</b>, 180ml/12 tbsp</li>
<li><b>cocktail sausages</b>, 12 <i style="color: #444444;">(original recipe is using 3 chipolata sausages)</i></li>
<li><b>vegetable oil</b>, 5ml/1 tsp <i style="color: #444444;"></i></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><b>baked beans</b> and <b>steamed green beans</b>, to serve</span><i style="color: #444444;"> </i></li>
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<ol>
<li>Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt. </li>
<li>Make a well (hole) in the centre. Whisk the egg and add to the well. Gradually whisk in the milk, beating until a smooth batter is formed. Pour into a jug. </li>
<li>Preheat the oven to 220 C/425 F/Gas 7.</li>
<li>Brush the 12-hole tartlet tin with oil. Add one sausage to each, put in the oven and cook for 1-2 minutes. </li>
<li>Remove the tin from the oven and immediately pour in the batter. Return to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until risen and golden. </li>
<li>Remove from oven. Loosen the edges. Serve with baked beans and green beans. But we actually just eat it without the bean as breakfast. :) </li>
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<b style="color: blue;">Tips</b>: <span style="color: blue;">To make sure you get lights, well-risen batter it is important that the batter is added to a very hot tin and then returned to the oven as quickly and carefully as possible. It is also necessary to avoid opening the oven during the cooking time. </span><br />
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I reckon it is best served warm. So I usually wake up much earlier if I'm making this for breakfast for the day. It's actually nothing to shout about but kids love it (yeah they love the sausages actually. Hehehe.) but it's something quick and easy to make (which is good for me.) And 12 of them will be gone is just one morning. ^_^ Sometimes if I have I will add some sliced mushroom and cheese to it too. You also can try make it a large one, using 8in pie tin and put fruits (e.g. strawberry , banana) on it. But of course, that one should call a different name. :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-44556829785925559482011-11-17T14:57:00.001+08:002011-11-21T00:45:12.085+08:00Losing her first baby teeth*Back-dated post*<br />
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Date: Nov 3, 2011<br />
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Few days back, Lynn was complaining to me about her teeth "Mommy, my teeth is broken!". First thing that come to my mind was cavity. As this girl of mine does not like to brush her teeth. She would tell me she has brushed her teeth but in actual fact she did not. So I answered her right away "See, don't want to brush your teeth." But then when she told me her teeth was getting very loose, I was wondering is it time for her baby teeth started to drop?<br />
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I was not very sure of the age when the child would start to lose their baby teeth. So I Google it and found that, a child's baby teeth starts to loosen and fall out on
their own to make room for permanent teeth at about age 6. And girls generally lose baby teeth earlier than do boys. Alright, so that explains what happen to Lynn and it's normal. Phew, not cavity! :D<br />
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I could not remember at what age my baby teeth started to fall out but I do remember for some of the baby teeth that were so "stubborn" to fall out, I had to get some help from my brother to get them out. We had tried tying thread to the loose tooth to door knob, then push the door to pull out the teeth; removed the loose tooth with a quick twist; and even using pliers when all other methods were not working! Alright back to Lynn, I told her not to play around with her loose tooth. I also gave her a small clean plastic bag to school, so if the tooth drop off she can put it inside the plastic bag and bring home for me.<br />
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2 days later, when I picked her up from school, she excitedly told me her tooth had fallen out. But as her friends requested her to show them her tooth, in the process of showing around, she lost the fallen tooth. I was kind of disappointed as I wanted to collect her baby teeth. But now it won't be complete anymore.<br />
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About a week later, I could see the new teeth is erupting. Told her she has to take good care of the permanent teeth as there would be no more new teeth after that. I hope she has a good set of teeth like me. *Keep my fingers crossed*<br />
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She was so excited about the teeth...... </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-81386205116587510362011-11-02T01:57:00.000+08:002011-11-02T01:57:13.509+08:00Kids' First Hike to Gasing Hill<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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The 2 cheeky fellow! </div>
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2 weeks ago, we went to hike Gasing Hill. It was actually suggested by a friend who was running a Weight Loss Challenge, who wanted to organize some outdoor activities for the contestants to encourage them. It can consider as first hiking for the kids. We went to Sarawak 2 years ago and we went for something like jungle trek during that time. But Hao was just merely 1 years old so I was actually carried him on my sling throughout the whole journey. While Lynn was half walking and half being carried by hb during that time. But on that morning at Gasing Hill, both Lynn and Hao were actually walk with us all the way. <br />
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We woke up at 6am, I made an energy drink for all of us. I even bathed myself and the kids to minimize the chances of getting mosquito bite. We left the house at 7am to Gasing Hill. We met up with the others at the entrance. There were many people there. Roadside was full of cars parked by those that also went there for hiking. I remember it was not that popular when I went there few years back. But it always good to see that people are getting more health conscious nowadays. <br />
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The weather was good and the trail was not very wet. We took Trail 1. For parts that are too high for Hao as he is not very tall at the age of 3, hb would carry him. But most of the time he walked himself. After completing Trail 1, we rested for a while before continue Trail 2. The kids were enjoying themselves throughout the whole journey. Hao was
running, skipping, and hopping around, enjoying the freedom. He even made the "Whoa" "Whoa" sounds, and "doi" "doi" when hopping down the steps. LOL! Other people who walked along the line with us, was commenting how can he be so energetic, shouting and running and jumping there while they have to stop talking to reserve the energy. Hahahaha! And guess what, after we finished hiking, the kids even went to play at the playground nearby! Yeah, they just have too much energy to spend! But as soon as they stepped into the car, both of them went to the La la land. LOL!<br />
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The kids requested to go Gasing Hill again last Sunday. So we went there again. And this time, we did not stopped after trail 1. We hiked all the way from the main entrance until we finished trail 2, and then took a slow walk back to where we parked the car near the entrance. I'm not too sure the distance of both trail 1 and 2, but the whole hiking (plus walking back to the car) will take slightly more than 1 hour if we did not take any long break. We are actually a little slow due to the kids. Gasing Hill is an easy place for hiking actually. You don't get very tired from it, and yet you get to sweat a lot. It's a good place for people just started to hike. From young children to old people, as long as you have a pair of good shoe that have good grip is sufficient. We have decided to make it every Sunday is the family exercise day,
everyone get to exercise together. :) If the trail is wet due to rain,
we will go jogging at the park. Me and hb like to exercise. And I feel happy that both kids like to exercise like us (I hope so)! <br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-57545238452466718462011-10-13T16:54:00.001+08:002011-10-20T21:59:52.195+08:00Toilet training - Completed!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ny9lkfeLnao/Tpf7nH12ifI/AAAAAAAAB8s/iQwOIHHrtZg/BB_Photo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hao"><img alt="Hao" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ny9lkfeLnao/Tpf7nH12ifI/AAAAAAAAB8s/iQwOIHHrtZg/BB_Photo.png" style="border: medium none;" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hao is toilet trained since 2 years old + and since then he's off diaper during day time. But at night I still let him wear diaper to sleep. Occasionally he would tell me he did not want to wear diaper to sleep. But most of the time his diaper was full in the morning, so I thought he's not ready for it yet. It's not very easy to toilet train him. I could never imagine how am I going to train him go diaper-less at night. But I told myself to worry about it later. <br />
<br />
About 2 months ago, during one of the night Hao woke me up from sleep, telling me he wanted to go toilet. I was surprised but I woke up anyway. I helped him to take off his diaper, switched on the light of the toilet for him. And after he was done, I put back the diaper on him and he went back to sleep after that. It happened twice in a week. Then I also noticed that in the morning when i checked his diaper, most of the time it was dry! <br />
<br />
After monitoring for about one week plus, with dry diaper on every morning, I told myself that he's ready to go diaper-less at night. So I told him, that he's big boy now, no need to wear diaper to sleep. And asked him to wake me up when he wants to go toilet at night (he would like me to switch on the light for him). So from that day onwards, Hao no more wear diaper to sleep at night. Even when we went to Ipoh during Hari Raya break, I let him go diaper-less too and he would wake up himself to go toilet. <br />
<br />
It's been about 2 months already, so far he has wet his bed twice. Most of the time he sleeps through the night. If he needs to go toilet he will wake me up. I'm glad that finally I don't have to spend money on getting diaper now. I remember when I tried yo get Lynn go diaper-less at night last time, I would wake her up in the middle of the night to go toilet. And I did it for quite a while. Thus I never thought of to let him go diaper-less at night can be such easy and hassle free! Well done, Hao! <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-55620863889123193322011-10-12T09:04:00.000+08:002011-10-13T10:03:51.267+08:00Random and Updates<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Wow I have not been writing for more than a month! And this post has been sitting in the Draft for a month too! So what have I been doing all these while? <br />
<br />
First of all my own schedule is changing. I have to find how I can write or blog with the new schedule. I also have been thinking a lot nowadays, especially on the people side. I met some new people; I also get to know some friends better. Due to some past experience, I actually don't trust people easily. I thought by doing this I can keep myself protected, not getting hurt by any friends. However now I realize that, no matter how careful I am, no matter how I protect myself, I will still get hurt as long as I treat them as friend because they meant something to me. I'm a very soft hearted person. I can do things for others if they request me to do it even though it may not be something that I would like to do, as long as it is within my capability. Because I find it's difficult to say no. But not when doing others a favor made myself not happy. It's kind of stupid to do something for others and at the end it does not make me happy right? Unfortunately some people are selfish enough that they don't care what you feel, they only concern on their own benefits. Due to this, I was feeling down for more than a month. I was shock, angry, sad, hurt, and disappointed. <br /><br />
During this one month, I also witness some unpleasant things happen due to some childish adult. I find it hard to believe some adults, even already becoming a parent, will whine and blame others when met with difficulties and challenges. Some people get jealous easily when they think others are doing better than them. Instead of working hard, they started to attack or condemn others. But talking without actions will not make them become better. People can see themselves who is a leader and who is not. Time will tell. <br />
<br />
I also met some nice people lately. Friendly, helpful and willing to share. So life is not that bad after all. :) I also have started do some baking for the family. So far I have tried making muffin, cream puff and my latest challenge is focaccia bread. Just want to add more varieties to our breakfast menu instead of having whole meal bread most of the time. :) Hb has a crazy working schedule since early Sept. He has been working 7 days a week, coming home after 12am every night. Whenever possible, I will try to arrange to meet up with hb for dinner. At least kids get to see him more.<br />
<br />
We went for a family trip to Ipoh during the Hari Raya holidays. On Oct 1, I went for the Octoberfest for the very first time. And of course I won't miss the BBWS last week. Oh there are so much that I have not blogged about it! >.<<br />
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I guess that's all for now. Have a great weekend! <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-3587304028572117232011-08-16T14:05:00.000+08:002011-08-16T14:05:59.304+08:00Buffet dinner at Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino, The Gardens<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFncH3jaRGA/Tkn-YCrUBQI/AAAAAAAAB6s/BdzjkxVQaCk/s1600/IMG_0505a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFncH3jaRGA/Tkn-YCrUBQI/AAAAAAAAB6s/BdzjkxVQaCk/s1600/IMG_0505a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Last Sunday, we went to Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino at The Gardens Mid Valley for a family occasion. The first time I came to this restaurant was for family occasion too, last year. Immediately I like the ambiance of this restaurant, not to mention the food is good with reasonable price too. Now, they are having this buffet in the evening.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssnuk7JVxlM/Tkn-mQlDJDI/AAAAAAAAB6w/_O5euTRGrJw/s1600/IMG_0506a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssnuk7JVxlM/Tkn-mQlDJDI/AAAAAAAAB6w/_O5euTRGrJw/s1600/IMG_0506a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The buffet is for appetizer and dessert only, excluding main course. However you can top up RM20 to add a main course dish at your choice from a list. For us, we did not add any main course. In fact, all of us including the small one were so full from all the delicious food being served. :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8INNwM1JUg/Tkn_ZUGUj0I/AAAAAAAAB60/BOqXvnqUh4A/s1600/IMG_0489a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8INNwM1JUg/Tkn_ZUGUj0I/AAAAAAAAB60/BOqXvnqUh4A/s1600/IMG_0489a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">3 different choices of crostinis - tomato basil pesto, tuna and grilled chicken pesto. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w87YK1oeBtE/Tkn_4KUEIVI/AAAAAAAAB64/CDcQDTyXSIo/s1600/IMG_0490a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w87YK1oeBtE/Tkn_4KUEIVI/AAAAAAAAB64/CDcQDTyXSIo/s1600/IMG_0490a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Any mushroom lover? The stuffed mushroom was great! The tart tasted much like egg tart, and very rich in "milk". If you like Portuguese egg tart, you probably will like this too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Dupe4RBrY/TkoBwpkasyI/AAAAAAAAB7A/eJV_-QRrgU0/s1600/IMG_0491a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Dupe4RBrY/TkoBwpkasyI/AAAAAAAAB7A/eJV_-QRrgU0/s1600/IMG_0491a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Wide selections of salads and the salad dressings. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8IF55qe0RA/TkoCY4A3vMI/AAAAAAAAB7M/LM2isQ-OGsQ/s1600/IMG_0499a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8IF55qe0RA/TkoCY4A3vMI/AAAAAAAAB7M/LM2isQ-OGsQ/s1600/IMG_0499a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yum yum! I love the olive. :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UYI9RfIgKnE/TkoH88_fICI/AAAAAAAAB7k/Td6EELRvBlQ/s1600/IMG_0492a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UYI9RfIgKnE/TkoH88_fICI/AAAAAAAAB7k/Td6EELRvBlQ/s1600/IMG_0492a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Bread with butter and strawberry jam. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxREnh20ETM/TkoB_Ur5kJI/AAAAAAAAB7E/n5UaGHQ0ZzE/s1600/IMG_0493a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxREnh20ETM/TkoB_Ur5kJI/AAAAAAAAB7E/n5UaGHQ0ZzE/s1600/IMG_0493a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were 2 choices of pizza available. And mushroom soup. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEykv42eVUA/TkoCPInhgFI/AAAAAAAAB7I/dSub-xq1Isw/s1600/IMG_0500a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEykv42eVUA/TkoCPInhgFI/AAAAAAAAB7I/dSub-xq1Isw/s1600/IMG_0500a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The mushroom soup tasted heavenly (alright, I admit I'm a mushroom lover. :D). It was rich and creamy. And it was definitely not from those instant soup powder if you know what I mean. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hf1xwTktwe8/TkoDbcpLp_I/AAAAAAAAB7U/FA026O-PA90/s1600/IMG_0495a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hf1xwTktwe8/TkoDbcpLp_I/AAAAAAAAB7U/FA026O-PA90/s1600/IMG_0495a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Selections of cakes and kuih for the desserts. As I was so full, I only tasted the Chocolate & Hazelnut Cake. It was very rich, and sweet too. :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAZ3UfFA_yo/TkoD-3wazVI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/1-HlxFZL_gA/s1600/IMG_0497a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAZ3UfFA_yo/TkoD-3wazVI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/1-HlxFZL_gA/s1600/IMG_0497a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 choices of fruits - water melon, honey dew and seedless grape. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StkGPcoWTu8/TkoES9jASwI/AAAAAAAAB7c/86ipFp-Br30/s1600/IMG_0496a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StkGPcoWTu8/TkoES9jASwI/AAAAAAAAB7c/86ipFp-Br30/s1600/IMG_0496a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Free flow of rose cordial and soya bean, with cincao and sago for you to add into the drink. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">There was no seafood available, however with the price charged I think it was fair. And the staffs did a great job replenishing the food. As soon as the food was almost emptied, the staff would quickly replenish it. We had a good time there. Lynn was a little picky and wanted to choose her own food but Hao just walloped everything that I served him. Everyone was so full that there was no room for the birthday cake. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As far as I know, the buffet is only available for dinner. And advance booking is recommended. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Location: </div><div style="text-align: left;">Lot S209, Second Floor, The Gardens<br />
Mid Valley city, Lingkara Syed Putra<br />
59200 Kuala Lumpur<br />
Tel: 03-2283 3675<br />
<a href="http://www.italiannies.com.my/">http://www.italiannies.com.my/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>NOTE</b>: This is not a paid post. This is solely my personal experience dining in this restaurant and it may not represent the truth. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-7287761877423838682011-08-09T13:37:00.000+08:002011-08-09T13:37:45.679+08:00My Big Book of Bible Stories by Phil A. Smouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjHoN62_HJ4/TkDHTk93tBI/AAAAAAAAB54/DjYbIVE7xe4/s1600/bigbookbible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjHoN62_HJ4/TkDHTk93tBI/AAAAAAAAB54/DjYbIVE7xe4/s400/bigbookbible.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br />
<table bgcolor="#ace9f1" frame="border"><tbody>
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<br />
Title: My Big Book of Bible Stories<br />
SubTitle: Bible Stories! Rhyming Fun! Timless Truth for Everyone!<br />
Publisher: <a href="http://www.barbourbooks.com/catalog/CategoryInfo.aspx?cid=152">Barbour Publishing, Inc.</a><br />
Imprint: Barbour Books<br />
Pub Date: 10/01/2011<br />
ISBN: 9781616262372<br />
Author: <a href="http://www.philsmouse.com/">Phil A. Smouse</a><br />
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<br />
If your kids love Dr. Seuss, they’re sure to enjoy My BIG Book of Bible Stories—17 favorite stories, featuring hilarious rhymes and bright, fun illustrations, for preschoolers through early readers. Brand-new from award-winning author and illustrator Phil A. Smouse, My BIG Book of Bible Stories includes clever retellings of key scriptures, from Creation, Adam and Eve, and Jonah through the New Testament stories of the Good Samaritan, Jesus and Nicodemus, and Peter. My BIG Book of Bible Stories is perfect for reading to younger children, while early readers will enjoy working through the brightly-colored pages all by themselves. <br />
<br />
<br />
<u>About the author</u><br />
<br />
Phil Smouse has written and illustrated numerous books for children, including Jesus Wants All of Me, an award‐winning adaptation of My Utmost for his Highest. But, he says, “Despite my best efforts to fabricate an impressive résumé, other than the books, etc., I’m just Daddy.” Phil and his wife have two children and live in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.<br />
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This is a paperback book with 256 pages. I would say each story is given sufficient attention and details that it is not too brief and yet not too much for the little one to understand the full story. Each story rhymes. So it is easy to read. I like the illustration in this book, big and clear picture with vibrant color. Usually half or 2/3 of the page is filled with picture. And yet the text is not too small. I enjoy reading it to my kids at night before bedtime. And they love the story too and fascinated by beautiful illustration. It is a good gift book to give to young children. <br />
<br />
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. <br />
<br />
<br />
Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522627048602687593.post-79601898355982169652011-08-04T12:13:00.010+08:002011-08-04T12:19:21.129+08:00OMG Pancakes!Do you like pancake? It was not my favorite until I met my hb and after we have got married. Pancake is not really one of my mom's menu in her kitchen so I seldom eat it. But after tasting the pancake that hb made for our breakfast, I started to love it. Hb was a scout. And he is the type that cannot go hungry. So die die also he would cook something whenever he went camping with the scout team. And the easiest thing to cook when you were camping? Pancake. That's how he started to cook pancake. And since he can make good pancake, why should I bother to learn to make, right? *Wink* (I'm sure you know what I mean, LOL!)<br />
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We used to have pancake for our breakfast every weekend. But not so frequent anymore. Our kids do love pancake. Sometimes hb will add raisins to the pancake; sometimes we eat with peanut butter and jam; and sometimes we just eat the plain pancake by itself. And since pancake is selling so expensive outside (I cannot understand a simple food made with the cheapest ingredient with just flour, egg, milk, sugar and some butter can cost so much?), we hardly buy the pancake to eat. I still love the soft yummy pancake made by hb. :)<br />
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And when I come across this book from Net Galley, I could not resist not to request it. I have never expect it can be so much fun making pancake!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uPB3zz-agg/TjoKfCmbW0I/AAAAAAAAB4o/dX4nK-CsiDY/s1600/pancake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uPB3zz-agg/TjoKfCmbW0I/AAAAAAAAB4o/dX4nK-CsiDY/s400/pancake.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br />
<table bgcolor="#ead1dc" frame="border"><tbody>
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Title: OMG Pancakes!<br />
SubTitle: 75 Cool Creations Your Kids Will Love<br />
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)<br />
Imprint: Avery<br />
Pub Date: 10/04/2011<br />
ISBN: 9781583334430<br />
Author: <a href="http://www.jimspancakes.com/">Jim Belosic</a><br />
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<br />
When Jim Belosic started making pancakes in unusual designs, he was just trying to earn some cool cred with his daughter, Allie. Little did he know how happy he’d make her—and the millions of fans who eagerly await his latest creations on the Internet.<br />
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Pancake unicorns, beehives, and even bridges, ferris wheels, and construction cranes have all risen to life through Jim’s artful use of squeeze bottles, tasty and nutritious coloring and flavor techniques, and fearless creativity. Now—with a little help from Jim—<i>everyone</i> can turn breakfast into art. Filled with delicious recipes, four-color photos, and step-by-step techniques, <i>OMG Pancakes! </i>will be devoured by families and crafty foodies alike.</td> </tr>
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<div style="color: blue;"><b>Note: The images taken are from the uncorrected advance proof for reviewing purposes and author may make changes on the final printed book. </b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-su5yUu4IDUg/TjoXTLB0u0I/AAAAAAAAB4w/M4xnPv4Ip7s/s1600/pancake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-su5yUu4IDUg/TjoXTLB0u0I/AAAAAAAAB4w/M4xnPv4Ip7s/s1600/pancake1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The book covers the tools required for making pancake. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-skdJcM4gbgo/TjoXbpzK3XI/AAAAAAAAB40/xHoVnegTqIg/s1600/pancake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-skdJcM4gbgo/TjoXbpzK3XI/AAAAAAAAB40/xHoVnegTqIg/s1600/pancake2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Recipes for making standard pancake and other types of pancake, for example pumpkin pancakes, banana pancakes. It also tells the natural food coloring used for the pancake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHjju4Qa9Gw/TjoXxx3s-FI/AAAAAAAAB44/MlQw7Bzb164/s1600/pancake3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHjju4Qa9Gw/TjoXxx3s-FI/AAAAAAAAB44/MlQw7Bzb164/s1600/pancake3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The author also shares the tips and tricks, on adding juice coloring to the batter, how to draw with the squeeze bottle, guidelines on cooking etc. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwDItHkI_TQ/TjoY0YPL1XI/AAAAAAAAB5A/ZGArTCF3vAg/s1600/pancake4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwDItHkI_TQ/TjoY0YPL1XI/AAAAAAAAB5A/ZGArTCF3vAg/s1600/pancake4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
For each recipe, it shows the preparation needed, step-by-step how to create the pancake shape, and how to fit those pancakes into the plate for the intended shape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAqCY3H4BRs/TjoZafX7m2I/AAAAAAAAB5E/VREsuGmFOh4/s1600/pancake5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAqCY3H4BRs/TjoZafX7m2I/AAAAAAAAB5E/VREsuGmFOh4/s1600/pancake5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The author has divided the recipes into 5 categories:<br />
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<ul><li>Animals (Real and imagined), Insects, and Ocean Life (e.g. alligator, lion, caterpillar, crab)</li>
<li>Pancake Food (e.g. bacon 'n' eggs, spaghetti, ice cream cone, hotdog)</li>
<li>Holiday Themed Pancakes (e.g. pierced heart for Valentine's Day, Easter chick, ghost and pumpkin for Halloween)</li>
<li>Activities and Adventure (e.g. kite, football, tic-tac-toe, wand)</li>
<li>Just for Fun (e.g. balloons, earrings and bracelet, flower pot)</li>
</ul>I think this book is a must for those dads and moms that love to cook for their little one at home. I'm sure kids going to enjoy eating those pancakes! And you can use your own imagination and creation to come out more pancake recipes for yourself! As for me, I'm going to ask hb to make some pancakes from this book this weekend. :D <br />
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<u>Additional info about the Author</u><br />
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Jim Belosic is an advertising and marketing specialist and founder of Belosic, ADG, a boutique advertising firm in Reno, Nevada, where he lives with his wife and two children.<br />
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<ul><li>www.JimsPancakes.com has 25,000 Facebook fans and has received more than two million views there and on YouTube</li>
</ul><ul><li>Jim and his pancakes have been featured on Rachel Ray</li>
</ul><ul><li>The perfect gift for the winter holidays and Father’s Day</li>
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Note: Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022175527634088822noreply@blogger.com10