Our anniversary dinner



We had our anniversary dinner a night early on Sunday since Monday is a school and work day.  And most eatery places are off on Monday night.  So we celebrated our 9th anniversary on Sunday evening.  More of a family dinner with the kids who were excited and kept asking me what is "anniversary".  Lol!

 

Hubby suggested Jambu as the venue since I never been there before.  Jambu has been there for many years but I never dine there.  Not many people recommended this place so I guess the food is so-so.  But to my surprise, the place is very beautiful and intriguing.  Feel like you stepping into different time zone with its unique decoration and chic antiques.  Hubby mentioned the place is owned by an Australian so that is why his interests in such fascinating interior.

 

The kids were very much at home in Jambu and that is much to our dismay because we were worry they will break a thing because they have many things around.  But other that having pillow fights, the kids were enjoying themselves while hubby and I have some private times for a while.  *wink*



 

We were welcomed by its nice fountain with many gold fishes in the mini pond at the entrance.

 

 

One of its decoration that I find interesting.

Nice assortment of magazine greeted you in the washroom

Me and kids spent some times in the washroom because we could not get our eyes off the decoration

 

 

I did not take much of the interior of the place because it was rather dark.  The main hall is under renovation and we were having our dinner on one side of the house.  So not much seating in there, but it was not packed when we were there around 7pm.  And here come our order.  

 

 

My salmon with vegetable salad

Hubby has its grilled lamb rack

We ordered its Aglio de Olio for sharing with the kids

My girl hardly could finish the beef burger but thanks to Jay, she able to finish up the fries

My cheeky kids who were having great times in Jambu

 

 

If you ask me, Jambu is not a good place for nice food.  There is other nicer place to enjoy great Western food with such prices in Kuching.  But if you are looking for a nice pub or chit chatting place with some privacy, Jambu is a good recommendation.  *wink*



Saying "I do"....9 years ago

Last year in June, marked our 8th year wedding anniversary.  We have survived the first cycle of 7th year marriage itch.  Today is our 9th year together as husband and wife.   

10 June 2004

We are officially signed our names on the Marriage Certificate in the Marriage Registrar office.  We did not choose the date but it coincide with my SIL' birthday. 

We had 2 close friends to be our witnesses and another as our photographer of the ceremony.  We said our vows, exchanged rings and signed our papers in front of the ceremony officer on this date.
 

After that I was busy calling and getting quotations for the wedding venue, wedding decorations and wedding album packages.  Also planning for the events and guest list for the reception.  Stress me although I have one year to plan.

December 2004

We took our wedding photographs in Pearl Studio.  We spent almost the whole day having my makeup and change into different gowns.  For outdoor photos, we went to Pos Office, Court House, the road going to Kasuma Condominium and Pasir Pandak beach.  We were too tired that day and we ate our take-away McD's burgers at home.

We also confirmed the following:

Venue & caterer : Riverside Hotel Grand Ball.

Flower Decoration: Lavender
Wedding cards: My friend, Winnie

January 2005

I had Winnie to design the wedding invitation card and it was ready in few weeks time.  Printed by Lee Ming Press and in time for distribution during CNY.

February 2005

We scouted for our bedroom furniture and after much comparison we purchased ours from LSH.  Bad choice but we learnt from our mistakes.  However I love its wooden drawer which I brought over to my new house.  Used to be my drawer but now it belongs to hubby.

Mar - June 2005

Busy buying stuff for the wedding day. Some stuff like the tea set for the tea ceremony, red clothing, red basket and umbrella I still kept.   I like this cute pair of cock and hen the most.

My dad even took few days of refurbish the living and kitchen tiles for my wedding.  He wanted the house to look nicer.  *wink*

25 June 2005

Our wedding day and dinner reception

My bouquet of roses

Make up and hair dressing around 6am

Ready me!

The groom and entourage arrived around 8am but before they can get the bride, they need to do some exercises!  Our poor Best Man did all those hard works instead!

In the newlywed's room

Little Graeme who has the honour to lie and roll on the newlywed's bed

Tea ceremony is a must in every Chinese wedding.  Over here, we served to my parents

Posed with our wedding car

My "chi mui"

The main actor and actress for the night in the main table

Cutting cake ceremony

A kiss for the bride

Change into my night gown

26 tables with my side taking 10 tables!

One of the highlights was our wedding dance.  Hard to dance in my wedding gown to the "Sway" song by Michael Buble.

27 June 2005

We were off to our honeymoon i.e sunbathing and snorkelling in Redang Island and shopping in KL.

10 June 2013

And now back to 2013 as of today.  We have been together for 9 years.  Wow!  What a journey?  We have grown older and wiser (I hope).  We are blessed with 2 lovely children and soon a new member will be added into the family in September.   Any celebration you may ask?  Nothing big, just a family dinner.  But one thing for sure, it is always good to spend our special days (such as anniversaries) together as a family.  :)

May the love we share grow stronger and deeper with each passing year!

Not from B&W era

 

My eldest has a school holiday homework to be submitted when school reopens on Monday.  It is about finding some old pictures of parents and pasting on the workbook.  It mentioned about black and white photographs but I do not have them.  I am a '70s girl and that time, we already had colour film rolls.  So I looked through my old photo albums since hubby does not have his as all are kept in his hometown.

 

After looking through the album, I decided to loan my girl these 2 photos of mine.  I am choked with nostalgia, sharing my photos with my kid.  *wink* 

 

A 6 months 10 days old me.  If you noticed, the photo frames at the back belong to my mum.  All her pictures.

About 2 years old in Santubong beach

Whipped up a Bovril dish for the picky eaters

Do you like the taste of Bovril in your porridge??  I think I can count my fingers on how many times I tasted Bovril while I were growing up.  I don't really like the overwhelming taste of Bovril actually.  Some more Bovril is pretty pricey. 

Hubby is the opposite of me, he enjoys Bovril as he grows up with it.  Last week he bought a bottle of Bovril sauce from the supermarket and ask me to cook some porridge with it for the kids.  But my kids have come out of an age where they do not fancy porridge no matter how yummy I cook it.  *wink* 

So I come out with an idea of Bovril chicken strips so they can enjoy the nutritious Bovril the other way.  I have 2 servings; one is deep-fried Bovril Chicken Strips and another is Bovril Chicken with sauce. 

I used ground nut oil for this recipe since I have a half bottle left in the kitchen. 

Interested to try some Bovril Chicken strips?  Very easy to cook I assure you.

Ingredients:

2 strips of chicken breast (around 250g), cut into strips
1 medium onion, cut into strips
Ground nut oil for deep frying
Water

Marinade (for 60 minutes): 1 tsp Bovril; 1 tsp dark soy sauce; 1/2 tsp sugar; 1 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch;
1 tsp sesame oil; white pepper

Sauce: 1 tsp Bovril; 1 tbsp. sugar; 1 1/2 tsp tomato sauce; 1 tsp rice wine; 4 tbsp. water


Methods:

1. Heat up some ground nut oil in a wok.  Flour chicken strips with corn starch and deep fry in small batches till light brown; about 1 minute per batch.  Place on kitchen towel.  (I dished up few strips for the kids and they enjoy biting them)

2. Add 2 - 3 tbsp. ground nut oil in wok to stir fry the onion till transparent.  Add sauce and let it thicken before add the chicken strips.  Coat them with sauce. 

3. Add some water for some gravy.  Dish out and serve.

A random one



So, another week has passed and school holiday is almost come to an end.  I am sure the kids will be having a BIG Monday blue next Monday morning!! 

 

The baby sitter gave my daughter a new quilt last week.  She sewn a bigger size for her this round.  Fit for a single bed. 

 



 

Thank you so much to baby sitter for her thoughtful gift. 

 

I spent few minutes cleaning and arranging my book shelves this morning.  Took out 2 recipe books from the shelf for some recipe inspiration as I don't usually make Western soup and food that often. Sometimes it is good to refer to cook books when you are running out of ideas on what to cook. 

 

 





I am going to catch up on my DVDs in the quiet afternoon.  Currently hooked to "Grimm" series amd I am at Disc 4 although just started to watch it on Tuesday morning. I am going to get my hand on the Season 2 this weekend as I am left with one disc to go. 

 

This is my today's lunch!!

 

Both kids are in baby sitter's house today.  They want to be there because they can play, watch tv and lazy around without me nagging them to do some school works.  Lol!  Since no one is at home, I cooked myself fried rice for lunch.  There is some leftover nam yue deep fried chicken wings from last night, so I heat them up and eat with my fried rice. 

Rose' fried rice

Ingredients:

Overnight cooked rice (break the rice up)
Dried anchovies, soaked and rinsed
1 shallot, sliced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
Xiao Pai Chai, washed and cut into smaller size
1 beaten egg
Salt and pepper to taste
1 - 2 tbsp. Light soy sauce

Method:

1. Add 3 tbsp. cooking oil in a wok.  Once heated up, add in shallot and garlic.  Saute for few seconds till fragrant.  Add in the anchovies.  Saute for few seconds or till anchovies are crispy.
2. Add the beaten egg and give it a quick stir to break the egg into smaller pieces.
3. Add the Xiao pai chai.  Mix all the ingredients in the wok.
4. Add in the rice.  Mix them well before adding a pinch of salt and dash of pepper.  Add the light soy sauce and give the fried rice few more stir before serve.
 

My Miscellaneous Picture #2: Hanging

Hi guys!  I am going to start a bi-weekly posts of random pictures that I took using my digital camera and Samsung Galaxy phone camera.  I called it My Miscellaneous Picture.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy taking pictures of anything that fancied me. First few posts will be emphasized on things in my home, till I explore more outdoor views.

 

My first Miscellaneuous Picture post was on 29 May so if you missed out on that post, you can read at this link!  For my 2nd MMP post, it will be something hanging that I found in my house. 

 

 

A nice Chinese calendar to tell me the date (including those in Chinese dates)

 

And a house must have at least one wall clock to tell us the times

 

I like this leaf design on my curtains. One of the reasons I choose the curtain. 

An eye-catching green coloured kitchen scissor hanging on the fridge. 

A gift from my Singaporean cousin when I moved in. 

So, do you have any favourite hanging thing in your house?? Do share if you do not mind.

Healthy Bite: Caesar Salad



I love all kinds of salads from seafood, vegetables to fruits salads.  They are refreshing, appetizing and easy to prepare.  Do you enjoy salad and what salad do you like the most??

 

I love Caesar Salad the most, followed by Potatoes & Eggs Salad. 

 

Rose's Caesar Salad

 

Serves 2 - 4

 

Ingredients:

2 medium sized eggs
1 head of baby lettuce, leaves separated
1 handful of tomato cherries
4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. lemon juice
4 slices of bacon, cut into strips
1 tbsp. salted butter
Grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper

Garlic Croutons:
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. chopped garlic
4 slices of white bread, crusts removed and cut roughly into 1cm cubes

1. Bring a saucepot of water to boil.  Add the eggs into the boiling water and cook for 10 minutes till hard boiled.
2. To make the croutons, heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat.  Add garlic and bread cubes.  Stir and toss frequently for 4 - 5 minutes until the bread is golden all over and crispy.  Remove and drain in kitchen towel.
3. Add 1 tbsp. of salted butter into the pan.  When butter melt, throw in the bacon strips.  Fry till crispy.  Remove and drain in kitchen towel.
4. Arranged the washed lettuce and tomato cherries in a bowl.  Mix the olive oil and lemon juice into the bowl, then season to taste with salt and pepper. 
5. Cut the eggs into slices.  Whisk into the salad and mix well. Add the croutons and bacon strips and toss the salad again.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately. 

P/S: Do not leave the salad standing too long after the dressing has been added or the lettuce will go soggy.