Lobsterfied

Hubby's colleague got a box of lobster for us from Nova Scotia to share. So they decided to have a lobster party at thier boss' residence with different cooking styles coming from different cooks. They had it today to accommodate our family actually. We rushed over at 5.30pm shortly after we touch-down from Abbortsford BC . They dished up curry lobster, kung po lobster, steamed lobster, sambal lobster, salted egg lobster and ikan bakar as well. We were, of course, lobsterfied and we paid CAD10 per person regardless how much we ate. Seriously should have taken more!

Sweet Child of Mine

For his Malaysian passport. That ancient photographer with gray long beard used his 1954 digital camera and charged us a bomb for it. We went to him because the rest were closed and it was urgent. As you can see it is so blurr. I wonder how he survived his business all these years. No more next time old chap!

Champion He is, for Most of Us

The 10 Greatest 'American Idol' Contestants Of All Time by mtv.com

5. Adam Lambert

Seriously. With his style, flair for the dramatic and positively killer falsetto — not to mention the speculation about his personal life — Lambert breathed new life into "Idol" on the just-wrapped eighth season. His powerhouse takes on songs like"Mad World," "Black or White" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" earned him the highest of praise from the judges (his original performance of "Mad World" might be one of the best in "Idol" history), while a cover story in Entertainment Weekly and a spot on "The O'Reilly Factor" made him a lightning rod for public scrutiny and a symbol of the red/blue-state divide that's still prevalent in this country. Of course, he ended up losing in the finals to nice guy Kris Allen, but regardless of where he goes from here, in a lot of respects, Lambert's already won.

Mummy's Day

I was sick on Mother's Day. We didnt go out for any celebration. Hubby came home with two pairs of Birkenstock, loads of dim sum and a huge ice-cream cake from DQ (Dairy Queen). It's so huge there is still a piece of it left in the freezer. And the rest are all my gifts. Skip, hop, skip and hop. It's wonderful being a mom especially on Mother's Day. 

Truly Canadian

Last night as I was chatting with my guy friend about blogging, here's a snippet of what was conversed :

Friend : Hey why only cupcakes?

Me : Then, what else are you expecting from my blog?

Friend : I dunno....something unique and cannot be found here (KL) ?

Me : Errrr....kam si mao (blondes) ?

Friend : Up to you lah!

So because of him I did some thinking of what's truly Canadian and off hand I found these. Hope you like it brudder! (I have a feeling he will kill me)

Tiffany Cupcakes

My first batch of cupcakes. Mini cupcakes to be exact. A tray of 24 minis and with extra batter, came 2 normal ones. Recipe says to bake them for 12-14 minutes. I did 16 minutes. Result : dry and burnt looking. However the side is crunchy, kinda yummy. I used the blue food colouring I got here and ended with tiffany colour code! Head over heels! I love them. My hubby ate most of them. And I gave 5 away to Zareen & Ziyad, my all-time fans. Comtemplating whether to make some for Isaac's 1st birthday bash. I hope to make some for Liann, Ashley, Alyson & Asaph too...if there is a chance.

10mos goin on 11mos...

Tapestry

And this is for Phoebe. Between gardening and tapestry? Definitely the latter. My mom and sister are cross-stitchers so I learnt from the best! I have quite a number of unframed pieces. Some I gave away as wedding or housewarming gift. Some I made into fridge magnets small gifts. I stopped this hobby partly because of my demanding work when I was in the hotel industry and no reason to sew as well. I wanted to start on a piece during my pregnancy but my MIL was very strict with me, pregnancy and needles. So I dropped the idea all together. But I packed all my tapestry kit to Canada, just in case. I started a new project last month. Luckily all the items I have with me suffice to make a piece. The project shown is for Isaac (who else). I have not been doing it for some weeks now. Busy with baking.

In Loving Memory of...

We lost a dear friend to long-term illness exactly 2 years ago. He died just hours after Mother's Day 2007, after celebrating his last with his beloved mother. Cheok Hoong left us at the young age of 36. He battled with various sickness for a good 7-8 years. He fought a good fight. He lived his life to the fullness regardless. He was loved by family and friends as he was a loving n caring soul himself. We know he tried. We understand his fatigue. He left us no warning about his going to heaven. We were all shocked to our core. No matter how shattered we are inside without him in our lives, we know he is happier now. He is well rested with the Almighty. You are the angel, guarding our thoughts, consoling our fears, rejoicing in our hope. We miss you Hoong.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chermaine dear, I made these last Saturday. Really really really. One tray = 12 muffs. I gave 4 each to hubby's colleagues who has kids. Review : They loved it! You know kids don't lie. So very the happy cos it was my first time baking all by myself. A great encouragement to make baking my new best friend.

Evil Lay

It's salty. It's fattening. It's high in calorie. It's sinful. It's Lay's. It's 50% less sodium than orginal. It's done in sunflower oil not minyak cap kapak. It's made from 100% good quality Canadian potatoes. It's in light blue packaging. It's cheap. It's 2 for CAD5. It's my favourite Lay's Lightly Salted. It's my feel good food. 

What you can find on a Lay's shelf :-

• Classic
• Bar-B-Q
• Sweet Chilli
• Dill Pickle
• Salt & Vinegar
• Smokey Bacon
• Ketchup
• Fresh Gravy
• Roast Chicken
• Sea Salt & Pepper
• Old Fashioned Bar-B-Q
• Sour Cream & Onion
• Original - Wavy
• Old Fashioned Bar-B-Q - Wavy
  
• and last but not least Lightly Salted

So which is your favourite?

Recipe : Chocolate Chip and Almond Cupcakes

Ingredients

4oz--110gm--1/2 cup castor sugar

4oz--110gm--1/2 cup margarine
40z--110gm--1 cup plain flour

1/4 cup of chocolate chips

1/4 cup of ground almonds

2 drops of almond essence

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon of milk

2 eggs

Method

Put the sugar and butter into a bowl and beat by hand with a wooden spoon or use a mixer until creamy.

Add one egg and beat in.

Add the second egg and beat in.

Sieve in the flour and the baking powder and mix gently.

Add the ground almonds, chocolate chips, almond essence and mix gently.

Divide the mixture into cupcake cases which have been placed into a baking tray. I use a large spoon. This makes about 12 cupcakes in large cases. I fill each case about half to 3/4 full.

Pre heat the oven to gas 4--350F--180C.

Cook in the middle to top of the oven if you have gas. I would suggest the middle for electric.

Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN for at least 15 minutes as the cakes will sink.

They need to be firm to touch. Remove from the oven and cool.

*Am gonna try this recipe next week. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed*

Sweet Talk

Have you any idea how many types of sugar are there in the market? Let's do a sweet discovery.

• Icing 
• Granulated
• Fine
• Demerara
• Light brown
• Dark brown
• Castor
• Coarse
• White
• Burnt
• Raw
• Table
• Pearl
• Organic
• Caramalized
• Muscovado
• Liquid
• Sanding
• Superfine
• Turbinado
• Fondant
• Powdered
• Fruit
• Soft

Peek-A-BlueCart

Remember I wrote about the new recycling service in Calgary? 

Here's a peek of what's in ours.

To top the list, Isaac's formula cans and promotional flyers or newspapers.

Mr Twiddle's fav, scones with butter

In my era (ahem), Enid Blyton story books were a hit. One of my all time favourite is Mr Twiddle's collection of silly stories. He is an old, stubborn and always end up in situations kinda folk. I remember very well he loved scones. It's very English. They like scones with butter or jam or heaps of fresh cream with a cup of Earl Grey tea, hence their afternoon tea. So when Aunt Mary, who is a British came, I took the opportunity to wanna learn to make scones from her. We made a slight improvisation to the shapes of the supposedly round scones. As you can see from the picture, it has a good mix of cute shapes. Uncle Jio didn't quite like the new scone look. He said it must be traditional. It must be round. So I made more rounds, just for him. Well, I can't say it was much of a success because my sifu forgot to add in sugar and milk. The texture was equivalent to cookies without a hint of sweetness. Just so Aunt Mary said "At least you get the hang of it. Try again with pancake mix which is much easier." Oh I will because I love scones. I will make my next batch well. I'm sorry Mr Twiddle, I will do better next time. Just wait and see!

More Humour to Save the Day

Mr Mischief

A collage says it all. Our little Mischief vs Hankerchief (close enough).

Autumn Comes Early

I heard about a myth on post-natal hair loss from an elderly aunt. Apparently when your newborn starts to smile, your hair drop will start as well. That, according to her will happen when baby is about 2.5 or 3months. I recall Isaac as an early-smiler and thank God my hair was still thick. When we went back to KL last December, my usual stylist even confirmed my hair was of the same texture as before. Phew....what a relief. However, my happiness lasted only a good few months. My hair started falling like autumn leaves since April. They leave traces on paths I've walked on. As my hubby vacuums, he knew where I have been most! Isn't that scary? I wonder how long this agony is going to last and if there is anything I can do to stop the leaves from falling. Even if new ones grow but can it beat the swift falling? Not to mention the grey hair popping like summer roses. Motherhood has its price and this is one of them. Still, no regrets. 

I'm Listening to...

Jazz as the language of love is the theme of this hitmaker's 12th album, an achingly pretty tribute to the spirit, pace, and sound of the bossa nova. Although Krall goes directly to the source with three classics by Antonio Carlos Jobim including "The Boy [sic] from Ipanema," she also transforms Tin Pan Alley chestnuts like "You're My Thrill," where her hushed trumpet-like vocal phrasing and slow piano melody are a mesmerizing blend, and Burt Bacharach & Hal David's "Walk On By," with harmonized French horns carrying the tune.

Claus Ogerman, who orchestrated pioneering '60s Brazilian bossa nova recordings as well as Sinatra sessions, brings authenticity and elegance to the string and horn arrangements. His charts emphasize minor keys, creating a moody emotional palette for the album. And, as usual, Krall's honeyed voice and carefully chiseled playing are as spare and perfect on every cut as her core quartet's accompaniment.

The Making of....Choy Keok

Preparation time : 10mins

Cooking time : 30mins

What you need : Leftovers in fridge (any kind)

Roasted Pig Trotter

Mustard leaves

Tamarind Peel

Tomato Ketchup

Dried Chilli

 Chilli Padi (I forgot what it's called in English. Anyone?)

Water

 

What to do: Dump everything into a gigantic pot, close lid and let simmer.

Serve with steamed rice.

That is what we are having these two days. Super-duper delicious!

Today is my good friend Kim's birthday. I wish her laughter and fun-filled sunshine day everyday of her life as she has always been a sunshine to me. xoxoxo

Twinrix

Our family physician has reminded twice about my Hepatitis A & B vaccinations as it shown in my blood test result that I lack of it. After procrastinating for almost 6 months, I finally made up my mind to get it done partly because swine flu or H1N1 is all over the world with 19 current cases in Canada and we plan to go to Seattle end of next month. Here's the procedure:-

• A prescription of Twinrix (this drug by GSK is for both Hep A & B...yahoo!) will be issued by family physician.
• Purchase drug at any pharmacy. It cost me CAD82. Pick up 1st dose. Keep in fridge.
• Make appointment with family physician.
• Bring drug to be injected. Pay CAD20.
• Make appointment for 2nd and 3rd dose 1 month and 6 months after respectively.
• Pick up 2nd and 3rd dose from the same pharmacy before each appointment. 
• Pay CAD20 to family physician again each visit.
• Total Hep A & B vaccination CAD82+CAD60=CAD142. Goodness me. 

I had my first dose today and my left arm is still numb. So is my pocket. My next one is due 1 June 2009.

Today is Labour Day which is not in Canada. 

Today is also my bear friend, Jade's birthday. I wish her every happiness and love. xoxoxo