Going into 2012

A quick greeting to all blogger friends and readers! Happy 2012!




And how are we going to celebrate our last night of the 2011??? Watching DVD at home with the kids tonight. Yes! Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked DVD. Always a fan of the chipmunks and I enjoyed their first movie. I am sure the kids will like it especially little gal who watched the first movie. Once a while, I still played the DVD for the kids to watch.




So, looking forward to the New Year with new resolutions and more challenges ahead of me. Thank you everyone for all the supports and comments given throughout the year. It has been a wonderful year; and I get to know more blogger friends and learn more from you guys. Happy blogging and see you guys in 2012! Cheers, everyone!

Not so ABC

It has been raining non stop since 25 December morning, and only yesterday afternoon we were able to see Mr Sun out, and then the rain continue till this morning. It stopped but it began again. Sigh! Really gloomy and wet day. Expected it to be like this till this weekend.

I also recovered from cold. Had runny nose on Christmas Eve but that did not stopped me from going to a Christmas potluck gathering in our church. Did not have time to cook anything for the potluck so we "tapau-ed" a roasted duck. First time I joined a church potluck and I was surprised to see so many people there. Definitely more than 100. Luckily the food is enough for everyone. After the dinner, we proceed to the mass, but we did not finished the mass as Baby Jay grew restless. So we left half-way.

On Christmas Day I did not feel any better so we did not attend the Church. What a shame!! Some more the rain was so heavy that morning. So sick me craving for something light and soupy, so I dug into the fridge for inspiration!

Not so sure whether I should call it ABC Soup because I think it does not really contain all the vitamins. But anyway, for the pleasure of this post, I shall called it Pork Ribs with corns and carrots soup.

I am relying more on slow cooker to cook my soups nowadays. Easier and no need to mend the fire. If need to heat up, I just transfer the soup to a pot and warm up on the gas stove.




Ingredients

Few pieces of chicken feet
1/2kg Pork ribs
3 Sweet Corns break into 3 pieces each
2 carrots, cut into chunks
Little bit of ginger slices
Salt to taste


Methods

1. After washing, prepare all the ingredients accordingly.
2. Boil the pork ribs in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain.
3. Add water in slow cooker, put all the ingredients (except salt) and cook for 2 to 3 hours till ribs tender. Add salt to taste.

HK or Spore??

Out of sudden hubby told me that he is thinking of a holiday next year, bringing the kids along either to Hong Kong or Singapore. Wow! An overseas holiday? I know I know, one of my top 10 wish for the year! *wink* It would be either the Universal Studio or the Disneyland which I am sure the kids will enjoy themselves. But that is just his thought, see how things go next year.

My main priority for next year would be the new house. Got to finish the renovation and furniture, then we can move in and settle down in our new nest. Vacation can be later.

Top 10 wishes for 2012

A day after Christmas. Now it is time to list down your new year wishes.

Here are my wishes (where is the genie in the lamp to grant my wishes?? If not all 10, at least 3 wishes!).....

1. Money, money, money
No debts, no people calling and chasing you for payment and have extra money to do the things you love. Hmm, I guess hitting the jackpot would get rid of everything. Lol!
Image from Google Search


2. Travelling around the world
It would be a great dream to be able to travel, taste and see those beautiful countries around the world. I want to go to Europe, Canada, Australia and other far far away countries. Gosh! I need to have my #1 wish granted first! But hubby has promised me that we will have a family vacation may it be overseas or local at least once a year.

Image from Google Search



3. Have an online shopping website
It has always been my dream to own an online shopping website; catering to ladies and children need.

4. Be a homemaker
It means that I would able to do my wifey and mother duties to my family. It is not easy with having a shop as I juggle between the shop and family but hopefully I would be able to hand down the business affair to my staff. Then I have more times to attend to the needs of my children. I realised that my children are growing up each day and I would not want to miss out on their growing stage. Little girl is going to be 6 years old and Baby Jay is going to be 3 years old next year. Soon, my girl is going to be in her teen and how I wish then that she would be my little girl again. *wink*

5. Going back to Redang
Our honeymoon spot in 2005, so I would love to bring both kids there. Hubby and I discussed on family vacation in Redang island before. It leaves good memories for us, so we definitely love to go back there. This round, with extra packages. *wink*

Image from Google Search


6. To venture more in cooking
I would love to try new recipes and able to cook great food for my family. Have not be able to do so since I am busy at the shop, so if time permits, I would love to cook nutritional meals for my hubby and my 2 growing kids.

7. Teaching kids with iPad education
Yes, you reading it correctly. With so many good ebooks and online education websites, I find that iPad does wonders. So convenient and my kids never bored of its interactive learning. So, hubby, if you read this, I wish for a new iPad which is my wish #8.

8 iPad3
For conveniences, and personal use. Who does not own an iPad nowaday? Lol!

9. Go to gym more and learn to swim
Do not waste the monthly services we have to pay, better fully utilise the community facilities and clubhouse. Must keep fit and healthy and since I did not have times to go exercises, I must make it a habit to go to gym in the morning. At least an hour in the morning in gym before I go to open up my shop. And I have to admit, I do not know how to swim. So what? Not to old to learn, right? So I would be able to go to Redang and scuba diving during our next visit. My kids definitely must know how to swim. Lol!

Image from Google Search

10. Own a car
Thanks to my dad for lending his car. Although the Toyota Corolla has been faithfully serving me for more than 15 years, it is time for me to get a new car.

So what are your 10 wishes for 2012?

To be jolly

Today is the celebration of Winter Solstice! Have you taken your rice ball (tang yuan) yet?




It ain't too early to wish everyone "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year", right?? Christmas is just around the corner; a time of jolly. We are spending times with loved one. It is all about happiness, hopes and loves.




I have just finish buying and wrapping my Christmas presents. Always last minute thinggy for me! Lol!

Have you list down your next year resolutions?? As for me, it would be another post another day. *wink*

So I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday!! Counting down to 2012. Another 10 days to go!!

Breathing the ocean air

That was what we did after our Sunday mass last weekend. We decided to drive all the way to Damai since it has been more than 2 years we went to beaches. The last one was when I was heavily pregnant with Baby Jay.

Cooling day to drive to Damai and boy, the roads getting wider and change a lot. I cannot recognised the old road anymore. We reached Damai Central in 30 minutes. Damai Central is the latest recreational centre that open recently. By the time we reached there, there a big crowds as they were having a sport day. A bit of drizzle but that did not dampen our spirit.

Don't you like the feeling of wind and drizzle blowing onto your face??




Looking at the waves I would not even want to jump into the ocean. With the year end weather and high tide, it would not be encouraging to swim in such condition.

Munching away

I am not a big fan of snack times, but sometimes exception is inevitable. *wink*

Fall in love with this mixed fernels when I tasted it last week. And me and Baby Jay can finish up the whole container if no one stopped and took the container away.



Baby Jay feed me raisins (a bit sourish) and sunflower seeds (because the seeds a bit spicy) while he takes the rest. I like almond nuts the most. Healthier (I think) as they are not fried.




Some days I would be lazy to have my lunch or cannot think of anything to eat, I opt for something easier like bread.





Raisin & sesame seed bread with olive oil spread! Yummy! I could finish half loaf.


2011 is almost comes to an end. Don't you agree with me that 2011 is flying very fast??

Indonesian style

Did online search for this recipe after trying it out in Sing Garden last week, but did not managed to find the right recipe. Wonder whether that is the right name or because it is cooked by an Indonesian?

There is a stall operated by an Indonesian lady, using a conventional oven stove to bake the chicken drumsticks. You can see the fire in the oven when you glance at the back of the stall. Each plate accompanied by a plate of rice only costs RM4.50, to me it is pretty reasonable.

RM4.50 per plate with a bowl of rice.

Have been trying to ask for the recipe but the lady very tight-lipped about it, so I do not want to pursue some more. But from what I tasted, it definitely has some Shaoxing wine, and ginger in it! What I like about this dish is that it comes with gravy and taste good when pour into your rice! Yummy!!

Butterflies feeling

On this date in 2002, I had a butterflies feeling that he was going to ask me to be his girlfriend! And indeed he did! By SMS. (How romantic could that be??? *wink*). But he did call up after the SMS and after finished talking to him over the phone, I hardly can sleep and my butterflies in the stomach did not subdue till pretty late at night.

For few weeks I have butterflies feeling whenever he called or picked me up. It was a very nice feeling. Hearing his voice, having him touching you, kissing you is so magical and it would make your head spinning. Everything evolve him.

Ok, enough musing from me. I do not want to make you puke over this post! Lol! I remember this date because it was the day me and my boyfriend (now husband) went steady. He and I were mending our broken hearts; actually from cheating partners that time. Fate takes its course. He came back from KL after many years there and we met in my previous company. Both of us were trying to move on. I am thankful that we did give our special friendship a try. And now we were blessed with 2 lovely children.

Does your partner give you that butterflies feeling after many years of marriage? I do. Not all the time of course. Lol! We have our ups and downs, but we make up. I still feel butterflies in my stomach when he shows up unexpectedly or when he gives me a surprise present. He may not be perfect person, but he is perfect for me. We complement each other. And guess what I replied him when he asked me to be his girlfriend 9 years ago?? "I am not a perfect girl, I have bad habits and flaws. You sure you want me to be your girlfriend?". And he replied back "I am not perfect too!"

And yet he gives me the butterflies feeling that many years ago and he still does. And I long for such feeling forever.

Can you stand B.O.?

I used to have a staff working for me last year in the shop. Now she is working in Singapore. She is a very naive and hardworking girl. She does not have much education, but she does what was told. An obedient girl and I have no problem with her work attitude.

There was only one thing I cannot stand about her and that was her BO (body odor)! I never have weak resistance toward other people B.O until I have children. Wonder my pregnancies make my nose more sensitive to smell?? Lol!

And my staff never do anything about her B.O until I took the matter into my hand! Luckily I sell deodorants, so one night when I could not stand it any longer, I passed one bottle to her. Told her it was a Christmas gift and she must tred and tested it herself, so she knew how to sell to customers! Lol! I think I did not offend her in any way but I guess she took the hint. She even bought deodorants from that day onwards! I even forced her to take Chlorophyll as it helps to reduce B.O.

Customers come and go. Some really has bad BO, but being courteous I never suggest deodorant as a purchase to customers unless they ask. How would you tackle this situation? Can help me increase the sales of my deodorant without offending anyone? *wink*

Monday starter

It is Monday again! Don't you wish it is weekend again??? But life goes on.

I still thinking about the tasty roasted pork I had at Jen's baby party last Saturday! The biggest pig I ever see! Around RM800 for a 60kg pig.



Yummy!! I am drooling! *Slurp*

*Back to the present*

With no schooling, I turned off my alarm clock so I could sleep longer. But somehow the biological clock keeps waking me up around 7am. If not, my boy will wake me up asking for his feeding. And few mornings we were over-slept, and hubby was having a mad time in the morning; rushing to work. Me and Baby Jay takes our time before I sending him off to baby sitter.

One of our favourite breakfast place is NK Food Network. Hubby and I love to go to NK as we enjoy its Western breakfast. Few choices to choose, but I like its Big Breakfast (RM8.50 per plate).

I like my sunny side up egg.

This is hubby's plate.

We usually have a quick reading on The Star online website, a quick check on Facebook and a game of monopoly. At least no kids to disturb our peaceful morning breakfast. *wink*

After our hearty breakfast, we are off to our respective work places and start our long day. How you start off your Monday morning??

Congrats, Jen!

One of my girl friends, Jen gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on 14 November. Today marks Baby Gwen's full moon and Jen's release from confinement. Congratulations, my dear friend. Welcome to the mummy world and all the best in motherhood.



Gwenhwyfar (pronounced Gwen-ni-vier) Estella R.



G is for her gentleness,
her tiny hand's soft touch,

I is for her innocence
that warms your heart so much,

R is for her radiance,
her cute and precious face,

L is for the love
that makes your world
a sweeter place.

Bird's Nest soup

I nearly forget this pack of processed bird's nest till hubby told me last week. Lol! It has been kept in the cabinet for many months, and luckily it is still in good condition.

A pack of bird's nest

When my SIL was in Kuching, she used to boil them once a month for us, but now she resides in Sibu, we do not have such privilege. Got to do it ourselves. Never cook bird's nest soup before, but it is relatively very easy to prepare. Of course you need to get the ready processed bird's nest so you can save time of plucking and cleaning the nest.

Serving : up to 4 persons

2 pieces of bird nests
Few red dates
Pandan leave
A big lump of rock sugar
3 cups of water

Wash and soak the bird's nest for few minutes. Soak red dates for few minutes till they turn softer. Wash pandan leave.

Add 3 cups or more of water into slow cooker. Put bird's nests, pandan leave and red dates into slow cooker. Simmer for 2 - 3 hours.

Once cooked, off the slow cooker, add in the rock sugar and give the ingredients a quick stir.

When ready to serve, stir the bird's nest to loosen them.

In slow cooker, before it is cooked

I love my bird's nest warm but hubby likes it chills.

Turtles the Coin Collectors

If you are of same generation as I do, then you would definitely know the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" cartoon series in the 80s. Those days the 4 turtles are famous for their kungfu fighting, pizza loving and "save the days" characters. Leonardo, Michangelo, Donatello and Raphael. I even remember me and my younger siblings played its video games too. Those were the days and it was even made into a movie after more than 2 decades.

Recently my dad brought these 2 ceramic coin containers for the kids. Yeap, the head shape of the king fu turtles. RM50 for 2 turtles. He could not get the other 2 as no more stock or else it would be a rare collection of those 4 turtles. Pretty big so I guess it would take a long time to fill them up.



Raphael with red bandana


Good timing as it is time to teach my Baby Jay on money saving technique. I like the sound of the coins going into the hole and drop into the container. I used to have a ceramic coin container in the shape of rabbit but when it was full, my parents had to break it to take and keep them in the bank. Those day the ceramic one did not have any opening where you can take out the coins without breaking the whole thing. Did you have a coin container when you were a kid??

My little girl was trained to keep all coins that she could get hold of when she was young, so she has few full coin boxes that we have yet to count its content. What should I do with all her coins? Would the bank counts and accepts all those coins, I wonder???

Over loaded

We noticed something not right with our wardrobe last night. I mean the current wardrobe in my current house. We have not yet move into new house; it would be definitely after CNY.

Bought the current wardrobe where we got married, and that was 6 years ago. We noticed that the whole thing slanted to one side and look like it is going to collapse anytime soon! Oh dear! I think we have over-loaded the wardrobe with too many clothings. Lol! I really have a load of stuff in my side of cabinet. So we took away the 4 different sizes of luggages (which we place on top of the wardrobe). And I got to tidy and pack some clothing sometime this week. Hubby assured me that it will not collapse into our beds which are in front of the wardrobe, but that make me having sleepless night last night!

Weekend Menu #18: Sunday breakfast

We usually have our breakfast in a coffee shop near our house on Sunday morning before we heading to church mass, but with Baby Jay being naughty and hubby is fed up with his table manners, I decided to do something different last Sunday morning. I do not usually cook breakfast, not on a Sunday. Lol!

It happened that I suddenly craved for fried noodle on a Saturday evening. I remember during my school day where we studied in home economics class, one of the basic things a girl should learn is cooking. I did not mind learning to cook because I love to eat. Better than ask me to carve or sew! I nearly failed my home economics, but thanks to my mum I passed because of the cooking examination which would be another story to tell next time. For now, it would be on fried noodle.

Forgot to take picture of my home-cooked fried noodle, so no picture to drool, folks! Sorry.

Finally my hubby able to taste my first plate of fried noodle as I never fry because I fancy fried vermicelli more which hubby is not. Now I pity my poor hubby! Lol! The verdict: Hubby said my fried noodle is not bad.

Simple fried noodle

Serves 4

Pack of noodles (I used 3 Ramen, bring to boil for 2 - 3 minutes)
Green vegetables (sawi), cut into smaller pieces
Big onion, shredded
3 eggs, beaten
Minced chicken meat
Garlic and shallot

1. Fry beaten eggs and scramble them. Put aside.
2. Fry chopped garlic and shallot in cooking oil. Once fragrant, add in big onion.
3. Once big onion almost cook, add in minced chicken. Add some salt and a dash of light soy sauce. Stir the meat well.
4. Add green vegetables and mix the ingredient well in the wok. Then add the noodle into wok and mix everything well. Add dark and light soy sauce and oyster sauce to taste. Add scrambled eggs into wok.
5. Stir the noodle well. Can add a bit oil so noodle would not stick to wok. Dish out and serve hot.

Love my fried noodle, served with a cup of hot tea.

We got to wait longer

After our short holiday in KL last month, we can now concentrate on our house!

My daughter has gone back to Kapit on Wednesday morning with her grandmother. Going to miss her. Initially Baby Jay will be following them, but we worry about him being away from us so in the end, we let him stay back. Maybe next year when he is not so clingy to us. I do hope for a "get-away" once a while from the kids as I think it would be good for my sanity. *wink* Me and hubby can have some personal times together without the kids around. And we can have more times to get ready the new house too.

Talking about the house, it would not be ready in time as we are on tight budget now. Over-spend on the extension work and in due to CNY celebration just next month, we would not want to rush things too much. So we are planning to move into new house after CNY, finding good "ong" time maybe the first half of next year.