With the CNY coming to a close in a couple of days, here's my take on what CNY really is:
- a time to really clean up the house and hide our mess so others can come see how well we managed to hide that mess,
- a good excuse to go out and get new clothes, a new hair do, and pamper ourselves with a manicure, pedicure and facial.
- a time to test our patience, esp when we go queue for that super-famous bak-kwa or nian gao,
- a chance for us to show off our cooking and baking skills,
- a time of transfer of wealth between parent and child,
- a good excuse to over eat,
- a time to meet up with relatives many of whom we only see once a year,
- and of course, a couple of paid rest days to spend with the kids.
What's does CNY mean to you??
.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Little Mysteries
Life is full of mysteries. Mine isnt any different. Here are some of the little mysteries in my life:
1. How come a little 4 year old never forgets to put her dirty clothes in the laundry basket, but her older siblings never remember?
2. How come clothes keep going missing? Socks come back as a loner, towels do the disappearing act, etc.
3. How come when I take the "drowsy" version of cold medicine it leaves me wide awake at night, unable to sleep??
4. How can a person forget to brush his teeth both in the morning and at night, even when you remind him??
5. How come money can disappear so fast from my wallet, even when I didnt go shopping?
6. How come when you need something you can never find it, and when you have given up looking for it, it is staring right at you?
7. How come when I am late or in a hurry, the traffic lights always turn red?
If you know any of the answers to these little mysteries, please share!
;)
1. How come a little 4 year old never forgets to put her dirty clothes in the laundry basket, but her older siblings never remember?
2. How come clothes keep going missing? Socks come back as a loner, towels do the disappearing act, etc.
3. How come when I take the "drowsy" version of cold medicine it leaves me wide awake at night, unable to sleep??
4. How can a person forget to brush his teeth both in the morning and at night, even when you remind him??
5. How come money can disappear so fast from my wallet, even when I didnt go shopping?
6. How come when you need something you can never find it, and when you have given up looking for it, it is staring right at you?
7. How come when I am late or in a hurry, the traffic lights always turn red?
If you know any of the answers to these little mysteries, please share!
;)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Marina Barrage
Every year on the 2nd day of the lunar new year, our family takes a break from visiting relatives to do something fun with the children. For the past few years we have visited the various musuems or Sentosa. This year we decided to visit the Marina Barrage:
The Marina Barrage is actually a "Reservoir in the city". It serves to add to Singapore's water supply, control flooding and is also a lifestyle destination.
Flooding is controlled by these 9 gates which will automatically open when the water reaches a pre-determined level, and is then discharged into the sea. This bridge also allows us to take a walk across the Bay from Marina.
At the barrage, we also get a fantastic view of the Singapore flyer and the Singapore skyline!
The Marina Barrage is actually a "Reservoir in the city". It serves to add to Singapore's water supply, control flooding and is also a lifestyle destination.
Flooding is controlled by these 9 gates which will automatically open when the water reaches a pre-determined level, and is then discharged into the sea. This bridge also allows us to take a walk across the Bay from Marina.
At the barrage, we also get a fantastic view of the Singapore flyer and the Singapore skyline!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Pineapple Tart recipe
This recipe is specially for Mott.
Ingredients
pineapple jam
100-120 g granulated sugar
1 pineapple
pastry dough
500 g flour, sifted
350 g unsalted butter, cut into smaller cubes and kept chilled
50 g powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 egg yolks, lighten beaten
3 tablespoons milk
1 egg, beaten and mixed with some water(for eggwash)
Directions
Pineapple Jam.
Grate the pineapple and keep the juice.
Cook pineapple and juice over medium heat until it is almost dry (but not too dry).
Add sugar and stir continuously over low heat to prevent burning, until it caramelises.
Cool the jam down and keep it in the fridge.
Pastry.
Sift the dry flour into a large bowl. Set aside.
Add in the butter and rub into the flour until it resembless bread crumbs. Add the sugar, baking powder, salt and mix well.
Add the cold milk into the egg yolks and pour egg mixture into the crumbs.
Knead quickly to combine the dough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Divide the dough into 2 portions, wrap it up using clingwrap and chill for at least ½ hour before use.
Preheat oven to 160C(I use a fan forced oven, about 180C if using gas oven)
Roll dough out to about 0.5cm thick and cut using pineapple tart cutter
Top them with your balls of pineapple jam.
Lightly brush the with eggwash mixture.
Bake for about 15 mins.
Enjoy!!
:)
Ingredients
pineapple jam
100-120 g granulated sugar
1 pineapple
pastry dough
500 g flour, sifted
350 g unsalted butter, cut into smaller cubes and kept chilled
50 g powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 egg yolks, lighten beaten
3 tablespoons milk
1 egg, beaten and mixed with some water(for eggwash)
Directions
Pineapple Jam.
Grate the pineapple and keep the juice.
Cook pineapple and juice over medium heat until it is almost dry (but not too dry).
Add sugar and stir continuously over low heat to prevent burning, until it caramelises.
Cool the jam down and keep it in the fridge.
Pastry.
Sift the dry flour into a large bowl. Set aside.
Add in the butter and rub into the flour until it resembless bread crumbs. Add the sugar, baking powder, salt and mix well.
Add the cold milk into the egg yolks and pour egg mixture into the crumbs.
Knead quickly to combine the dough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Divide the dough into 2 portions, wrap it up using clingwrap and chill for at least ½ hour before use.
Preheat oven to 160C(I use a fan forced oven, about 180C if using gas oven)
Roll dough out to about 0.5cm thick and cut using pineapple tart cutter
Top them with your balls of pineapple jam.
Lightly brush the with eggwash mixture.
Bake for about 15 mins.
Enjoy!!
:)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Run up into the CNY
Yes, it has been a hectic few weeks. With new schedules that arent even fixed yet, and the CNY is barely 5 days away!!
Well, baked my pineapple tarts again this year, and I must say, this time, after tweaking the recipe, I am so pleased with it. I managed to get that "melt-in-your-mouth" pastry that I really love!! Not sure if it is because the kids did not have a hand in it, (I used to blame the hard pastry on the kids man-handling it!) or the change in the recipe. Anyway, I am soooo pleased!
This last week also marked my 2nd Blogoversary, but I had no time to blog on it the day itself. 2 years of blogging, with a few stops in between, and many good friends made. Thanks ladies for being on this blogging journey with me!
Started on a new detox method which was recommended by some "friends". Its called the "oil pooling therapy". Not sure if it works, since I have only been on it for 5 days, but I find that since I started on it, I have been hungrier and thirstier. Will post more on it after I have been on it for at least 2 weeks. If you cant wait to find out about it, try googling it.
Finished most of my CNY shopping already. Only a few more stops at a couple of places today and tomorrow specially for MIL, as she likes everything "fresh".
I also "made" some oranges for Little D to give to her friends for her class CNY party.
Today is also the day of the Singapore Budget. Yes, its earlier than usual, but I guess there is a need for it to be early as everyone wants those "help" measures implemented quickly to jumpstart the economy! What do I hope for? Actually I dont even want to hope, coz have been disappointed these past few years when they have absolutely nothing for SAHMs. So, hopefully they will surprise me with some real goodies this time round.
Well, baked my pineapple tarts again this year, and I must say, this time, after tweaking the recipe, I am so pleased with it. I managed to get that "melt-in-your-mouth" pastry that I really love!! Not sure if it is because the kids did not have a hand in it, (I used to blame the hard pastry on the kids man-handling it!) or the change in the recipe. Anyway, I am soooo pleased!
This last week also marked my 2nd Blogoversary, but I had no time to blog on it the day itself. 2 years of blogging, with a few stops in between, and many good friends made. Thanks ladies for being on this blogging journey with me!
Started on a new detox method which was recommended by some "friends". Its called the "oil pooling therapy". Not sure if it works, since I have only been on it for 5 days, but I find that since I started on it, I have been hungrier and thirstier. Will post more on it after I have been on it for at least 2 weeks. If you cant wait to find out about it, try googling it.
Finished most of my CNY shopping already. Only a few more stops at a couple of places today and tomorrow specially for MIL, as she likes everything "fresh".
I also "made" some oranges for Little D to give to her friends for her class CNY party.
Today is also the day of the Singapore Budget. Yes, its earlier than usual, but I guess there is a need for it to be early as everyone wants those "help" measures implemented quickly to jumpstart the economy! What do I hope for? Actually I dont even want to hope, coz have been disappointed these past few years when they have absolutely nothing for SAHMs. So, hopefully they will surprise me with some real goodies this time round.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
POTUS
At 12 noon today (US EST), history will be made with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. The first African -American to lead the most influential country in the world.
The world, and many Americans are all excited about this day. There will be parades, balls and parties, all graced by stars, and would be viewed live around the world on the television and the internet.
The man has promised change. Change that would affect the lives of many, including you and I even though we may not even live in the US. Would it be change for the better? We do not know. We just have to wait and see. Lets pray that God will guide and lead him to make the right decisions.
The world, and many Americans are all excited about this day. There will be parades, balls and parties, all graced by stars, and would be viewed live around the world on the television and the internet.
The man has promised change. Change that would affect the lives of many, including you and I even though we may not even live in the US. Would it be change for the better? We do not know. We just have to wait and see. Lets pray that God will guide and lead him to make the right decisions.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Riddle me, tickle me
Recently Little D has been asking me all kinds of funny questions for which I always do not have the right answers. Why? She has been making up her own riddles, and my answers are never the ones she has in mind.
Why did the elephant go to the bathroom?
To pee??
No Mum, To see where the bath sleeps!
I tried asking her some of the more common riddles to show her that I was also into riddles: Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. But when she heard my answer, she went: "Lame!" Guess she wasnt impressed.
What's a 4 year-old doing using a word such as "Lame!" on her Mum? Am I so out of touch with the "in-crowd"? I really dont think so. But apparently I am. And it sure makes me feel lousy.
Not sure where this riddle thing came from, coz I havent heard my older kids asking each other any riddles recently, and I dont think its from school. But it sure has got her creative juices flowing. One of my favourite of her riddles is this:
Why did the apple sit on the chair?
Because it wanted to be a chapel!!
So if you have any super good riddles that would impress a 4 year old, please share with me (with answers too please!), or she would think I am really "Lame!"
Why did the elephant go to the bathroom?
To pee??
No Mum, To see where the bath sleeps!
I tried asking her some of the more common riddles to show her that I was also into riddles: Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. But when she heard my answer, she went: "Lame!" Guess she wasnt impressed.
What's a 4 year-old doing using a word such as "Lame!" on her Mum? Am I so out of touch with the "in-crowd"? I really dont think so. But apparently I am. And it sure makes me feel lousy.
Not sure where this riddle thing came from, coz I havent heard my older kids asking each other any riddles recently, and I dont think its from school. But it sure has got her creative juices flowing. One of my favourite of her riddles is this:
Why did the apple sit on the chair?
Because it wanted to be a chapel!!
So if you have any super good riddles that would impress a 4 year old, please share with me (with answers too please!), or she would think I am really "Lame!"
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