Pass the time

It started with hubby who tried to instill a new hobby in me. He bought few 3D puzzles home and has been busy with one in his room.

Out of curiosity, I tried out one early this week. He handed me the simple puzzle. Ok, I never good with such thing but it kinds of fun and challenging at the same time. I am always the kind of person to challenge my limit.

So an hour passed and I succeed!! My very first 3D puzzle. A wooden house.

Yay! Actually I finished it in less than an hour.  That was a nice accomplishment from me. Lol. 

And so it went. I did the second one the next day. 

I am sticking with the simple design before going for the bigger and complicated design, like this teahouse. My man built this and it took him quite some time and patience. 

Would I take up this hobby? Not sure but for time being, it is something for me to pass the time at home. 

Green lately

Now that the busy part of CNY is behind me, I could put my energy into one of my hobbies. Gardening!!

My plants needed some trimming and taking care of. So few mornings ago, I took almost an hour trimming off those crawlings and dying leaves. At least I think they looked better.

And I also re-organised my plants. Putting most pots under the sun.  For now, they would stay like this.

The weather has been sunny lately with lesser rain so I have to water my plants twice a day. Usually I only do it once, in the morning. 

Been thinking of doing some racks or stands for my plants but that would be my future list-to-do.

I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.

Clarissa Pinkola Estés,

Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

New pot

One morning, I followed a girl friend to a nursery as she wanted to buy some soil for her garden. I thought maybe I could check out this nursery since I have never been there before.

The little one was happy to follow suit as he got to walk and sun-bathing that morning. *wink*

This JS nursery is located in Green Road and to our surprise, their price is reasonable.  The lady was friendly too.

My friend got her soil (RM5.00 for 5 medium-sized plastic bags) while I bought back this new pot for my garden. Cannot resist this loveling. RM5.00 for this pot.

Now I am all crazy again about the Japanese rose. Actually I have been crazy about them for a long time but never have time to cultivate them. And since it is school holiday now and I have some free times, I am taking up my gardening again.

My friend has been so generous to give me different Japanese rose cuttings from her garden so now I have few pots at home. They are hardy, pretty and easy-care flowers; just with adequate sunlight and water and they will strive well. I couldn't wait to see my Japanese roses grow and bloom!

Gardener for a day

One day, hubby and I had a compulsive interest in starting our herbs garden right in our house compound.  So we decided to encourage each others in pursuing our herbs garden dream.

We started off by purchasing these 2 basils. We bought from a supermarket and the next day, I transferred them to bigger pots. I used organic compost for most of my plants and no exception for my herbs. Basils are easily to tend to. Need to snip and make sure the soil was moist and they have adequate morning sunshine.

Lemon basil (left) & Cinnamon basil (right)

Next easy-to-plant herb would be mint. I got these mint cuttings from a friend and now waiting for them to grow roots before planting them in pots.

And if you are wondering what to do with those empty cookie tins at home, you can recycled them in your garden. Turned it into tin pot for your plant. Just drill or make few holes underneath and place stones on the holes before add in soil and start planting.

And look at tomato cherries sprouting out from this tin pot.

Ok, enough posting of me being a gardener for a day. Lol.

Don't you like a simple home-cooked dinner?? One evening while hubby had a dinner date outside, I whipped a simple dinner for me and kids.

Stir fried pea shoots with carrot bites and fried ngoh hiang.  Just what I love. My favourite dishes. And the kids did not complained too.

Bits of gardening

I have not been posting on my gardening so here it goes. A bit of update in my humble mini garden.

Been doing a bit of trimming and planting lately.

Mini pineapple

I finally trimmed off my mini pineapple. Ripen long time ago. Too ripe that I could smell it from a distance but I did not bother to taste it as I knew it would be too sour. The fruit had 2 "horns" on top so I cut off one "horn" and re-planted into small pot. Hope it grow. By the way, I still keep the old pineapple plant since it does not die off and maybe it will bear fruit again.

New baby "horn"

And my mini bed of spring onions is growing well. Too well that we could not stop snapping and using them in my cooking. Lol.

Spring onions

I have been wanting to add more colours to my garden so I have to "cross my fingers", hoping they would grow and bloom. 

Started planting the seeds early this month with the help of my princess as she has been nagging me on having her own "potted flower". So I planted the seeds on 2 separate pots.

Somehow only one pot bears "result". And we could not wait to see the Impatiens grow and bear beautiful flowers. And then I can transfer them to bigger pot too. Maybe I will get a pack of Petunia seeds and give it a 2nd try.

Wish me luck!!

That little tree in the room

The kids requested me to decorate their bedroom wall with cartoon stickers so I let them do it themselves.

I kept few stickers in boxes but the other day when cleaning out the boxes, found that mostly have torn or unusable. Ended up only managed to salvage 3 stickers.

And since Christmas is less than 2 weeks away, this morning I made a simple painting for the wall. Please don't laugh at my awful painting as art used to be my least favourite subject in school!!

A simple Christmas tree using water colour. Free style sketch with lines and dots.

Next I used a red cloth tape to frame the painting to the wall.  So there is my Christmas tree painting for my kids.

My girl helped me to give it more "blink blink" by adding letters to the tree.

 Our Christmas tree painting on the wall.

July reads

I love reading. It is so therapeutic for me that I can read and read for few hours if no one disturb me. Can be to absorb into the stories and forget the present time. Sometimes I get lost into my reading that I can forget the times. 

Used to be able to finish a whole novel within 2 days but those were the days. Now with children and family commitment, finding times to read is not possible, least to say finish up a book! But when I do have spare times, I will read. Like for instance, this morning. My baby would not want to sleep again after his 5am feeding so I just let him loose while I read some pages of my book! Of course it was hard to concentrate as he kept disturbing me *wink*

Last Friday I was hunting now on  a novel series in a bookstore but ended up with these new books!

Half-way through the first novel, The Snowman. It was about Detective Harry Hole's investigation into the missing women case that has gone alarmingly high over the years and every time someone was missing, the killer will leave his trademark behind, i.e a snowman.

Understand that they are going to make it to the silver screen. A great crime novel writing by Jo Nesbo (a Norwegian musician, songwriter, economist and author); I like the intriguing and compelling way of Jo's mystery mind. I am always a fan of mystery and suspense genre.

So, am going to attach myself to my books for a while. This is my read for July. Are you currently into reading?

Lately

Life seems to run fast, and so is time. Half of 2014 has gone. Now we are in 2nd week of July! Oooo.

Nothing much to rant as life goes on as usual for me. Doing the same stuff every day, living a life of a homemaker. Maybe before I started my rant, some of you may have fallen asleep. *wink*

How do I start my day? Lately I am into muesli! Not really crazy about this cereal but I have been gaining weight since I were back from Thailand. Hard to shed away those weight so I have to start to watch my diet. And I am on this breakfast regime with hubby so we have the organic muesli with milk in the morning. Supposed to help in cholesterol and blood pressure too.

I am back to my reading routine. Into this novel series! Finished the first novel and have been hunting for the 2nd novel in the series. Have no luck in that department yet. Maybe I would search online if I could not find the 2nd novel in bookstores over here. Love the story line of the first novel, and just hooked onto it when I had times for myself during the days.

Magical and mystical world of warriors and avatars

The little one is going to be 10 months old this weekend. He can stand well now. Soon I think he will be on his feet taking those little steps. 

Thank God for the every day' s blessing. Life may sound and look ordinary but I am glad to count my blessing every now and then. Sometimes an ordinary life may not be a bad thing. 

I cook, I read

I have been planning to cook ayam masak merah for long time and have bought a packet of ready-to-cook paste last week. I never cook masak merah from scratches so I opt for the easy and convenient way. Directly from the packet.

Doesnt't look red but taste-wise, it is nice

I used this paste

Very easy to cook. Need to marinate with turmeric and salt before frying the meat. Deep fry the chicken pieces till cook. Then just throw the whole paste of masak merah in wok, add in the chicken and a bit of water. Mix well for 10 minutes. Done!

Currently in my reading mode. Last week, I bought these 2 novels. Cheap, just RM8.00 and the story lines sound good, so why not? I don't mind those expensive novels, unless I really wanted to. Only when there is sales, I will definitely grab some books to add to my shelves. Used to read romance and fiction period novels, but now more into fiction, thriller and drama. What is your current reading?

And what make you smile everyday? For me, cook for my family, have a little quiet time to catch up on my reading and spend times with my kids. :)

Have a great Monday, everyone.

Lovely gift and my novels

Thank you to Azura for the lovely gift! Received it in good condition yesterday.

Yes, I have a new mug for my morning tea! Sorry, I do not drink coffee but this mug fit my needs. Lol.

And the mug comes with 2 lovelies as well.

With kids going to schools and I had times in the morning, I am catching up on my novels that I bought last November. Currently half way on this book...

and can't wait to start on this..

Dear diary...

How many of you keep a diary?

I did. Yes, used to write and keep diary when I were in my secondary school. Thanks to a teacher who inspired me to write one. At first, the writing is to improve my English composition but as I continued to write one diary to another, my interest in penning down my daily activities grew. 

I kept this habit till I finished my Form 5. When I went to college, I stopped writing because no time. 

Last night I asked my girl whether she would like to keep a diary but she did not show much interest. Instead I told her to draw what she did or want to do.  She done a scrapbook before last year and it was full of her drawings. So drawing in a diary is not a big problem to her. Hopefully she would show interest in writing in the future.

I personally think it is good to keep a diary. A way to express ourselves without telling others and same time penning on something that worth keeping in a diary. 

School holiday activities: New books to collection

There is 2nd hand book sales in Hills shopping Mall so without hesitation we went there this morning to hunt for books. Too many books to browse through till my eyes turned blur and bringing kids along is not good idea for some peaceful time. So I spend about an hour hunting for kids' reading materials as well as my novels.

Heard there is also a book sales in Hock Lee but that would be more Chinese materials there so not my kind of genre.

My loots! 

The donation fountain where you drop your coins and see them spinning all the way down to the centre hole.

And there is a donation fountain for the Haiyan victims in Hills and we made some small donation for the Philippines.

In the afternoon while I read my new novel, both kids did some homework. My girl did some Maths and Chinese papers as requested by her school teachers. So she does not only havefun during holiday but still did some homework.

Reading Monday with a recipe sharing

Hi!  Happy Monday!  I guess everyone must be lazy today after a long weekend.  It was tiring but wonderful weekend for me.  Never bored with the kids around.  Plus I were having good time in my kitchen testing on new recipes *wink*

 

And in reply to the comments by blogger friends in my previous post, I am sharing my ngoh hiang recipe today.  It is very simple.  Everyone can make a yummy ngoh hiang.  You can basically add anything in ngoh hiang (such as carrot, water chestnut, fresh prawns, garlic etc) but the main ingredient is the minced pork.  I do not have the exact measurement so I "agak-agak" my ingredients. I learnt from my mum who never follow a step-by-step recipe.  *wink* 

 

Usually I will make few rolls and keep some in air tight container in the freezer.  When I feel like eating them, I will take the container out and thaw in room temperature before deep frying.  I usually shallow fry my ngoh hiang, because lazy to use so much cooking oil in deep frying.  Just in shallow frying, you will need to monitor the ngoh hiang to make sure no burn, and keep on turning them around for even browning!

 

Ngoh Hiang is great to eat by wrapping in lettuces or dipping in chilli sauce.  Can be an appetizer, snack and even part of the main dish at home!

 

 

Rose's Ngoh Hiang (Meat rolls)

 

Make 3 rolls

Ingredients:

Beancurd sheet

About 200g Minced pork (can substitute with chicken meat, but I still prefer minced pork)

6 Chinese dried mushroom, soaked and cut into slices

4 tbsp Dried prawns, washed, soaked, rinsed and drained

Salt and pepper

1 tbsp Light soy sauce (optional)

1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (optional)

Cooking oil for frying

 

Methods:

 

1.  Ready all the ingredients.  Mix the minced pork, dried mushroom and dried prawns on a cutting board.  With chopping knife, mince and mix the 3 ingredients till all are well minced and mixed.

2. Add salt and pepper to the mixture and continue to mince and mix.  You can also add some light soy sauce and Chinese wine but this is optional. Put the mixture in a bowl.

3. Cut the beancurd sheet into the desired rectangle size.  Trim away the hard edges. It is up to you on how big (or small) you want your ngoh hiang to be, but I usually make a big ngoh hiang, about 15cm long.

4. Spread the beancurd sheet on the chopping board.  Spread about 3 spoonful of meat mixture onto the top part of the sheet leaving about 2 - 3cm space on top of the sheet.  Roll the sheet over the meat mixture.  Make sure you roll it tightly and cover all the meat mixture. Fold the 2 sides of the sheet over the rolled sheet.  Continue to roll the sheet till the end of sheet.

5. Place onto a place or if you are keeping in the freezer, keep in an air-tight container.

6. Finish up all the meat mixture with the beancurd sheet.

7. Heat up the oil for shallow or deep frying in a pan on medium heat.  Once the oil is heated up, slowly place the meat rolls (about 2 - 3 pieces) into the pan.  Fry for about 1 minute on one side before turning around and fry for another 1 minute till the other side is browned.  Turn the meat rolls around to even the browning.

8.  Dish out and drain on a kitchen towel.  Let the meat rolls cool down before cut diagonally with meat knife and serve on a serving plate.

 

p/s: For the uneaten ngoh hiang, you can shallow fry them again the next day, and they tasted even better! 

 

 

I am on my reading cap today.  This morning I was clearing and sorting out some book shelves because looking for suitable books for my kids to read during the school holiday.  Jay is going to nanny's house as usual, so I brought along few children books, papers and crayons for him to be handful over there.  The sister is reluctant to go today, so she is staying at home with me. 

 

And I myself managed to find myself a book to read this afternoon.  Yeap.  I bought a lot of books last year and there are few books that I have not yet read through.  You read the title right.  The ultimate nap book.  "Change your life without getting out of bed" by SARK.  Enjoy books by SARK because they are light and entertaining to read. After reading few pages of this book, I do not feel guilty of taking my afternoon naps anymore.  Lol!

 





Okay, time to log off from here, guys.  Time for my afternoon nap.  *wish* I wish I could do this the whole day, but I am not this type of person........

I heard the Christmas bells

Are you ready for Christmas??  Tomorrow is already Christmas Eve!

One thing I love Christmas is its decoration.  We get to buy and decorate our own tree, put up what ever decoration to make the season merrier and colourful.  And not forgetting those wonderful and serene Christmas songs filling the air.

A look into our Christmas decorations in our house.  We put up an 8ft-tall Christmas tree with purple and red theme.    I get a little bear to be the Santa, so please let me introduce Santa Bear to you.

Santa Bear is sitting cozily on the little couch next to the tree.  Just missing a fireplace for him to warm himself!  Lol!

Hi!  I am Santa Bear!

Now a close peek at the decoration on the tree. 

The kid's presents placed under the tree

The real Santa Claus' face on the tree

I like this purple gold ribbon.

What did you see in this picture?? 

The little singing angel

Are Christmas tree a good backdrop for photographs?  I simply love those colours.  It does brighten and beautify that corner of our living room.

I told hubby that the tree look suffocated with all those decorations but hubby assured me it is not.   He likes to put as many decorations as possible on the tree while I am the type that like simple and less decoration.  Lol!  At the end, we were both satisfied with the tree.  After all, it is our very first Christmas tree in our home so it does leave a good first impression. 

And check out my Christmas-themed nail art design. I were in the mood to paint them red, so the birth of my funny and crazy nail designs.  My snowflakes do looked weird.  Maybe when got more times, I will do them more tedious and tidier.  For time being, it is enough to sizzle my Christmas mood. 

Wishing all my blogger friends and readers, a Merry Christmas!