Pot-luck!

Last Saturday, our BEC had two nuns come to give a "Talk on Parents as Sexuality Educators". It was pot-luck and because elections was on that day, I really didn't have much time to do any cooking. So I issued and 'order' to #1 to make some cup cakes.

She was very sweet and made these for me. Wasn't any left after the meal that night. While the whole country was busy following the results for the elections, 25 adults sat attentively to listen to two nuns speak about "SEX"! Hahaha! I'd have expected more parents would attend this - after all what else would have been more interesting than good food and sex talks??

On a serious note, I was really disappointed with the turn up. We're talking about us parents trying to get some 'sex education' from the Church's perspective (How often does this ever happen anyway?).

How many of us use the correct terminology when it comes to our kids sexual organs? Instead, we give 'pet names' that confuse them when they learn what they learn from their Science classes. Can we actually speak openly to our kids about sexual abuse and warn them to be 'alert' so that they know who can touch where?

We learnt a whole lot about ourselves as parents and our own 'taboos' and pre-set minds. It wasn't a session where we could learn everything about how to discuss with our kids on the topic of sex but it was a very good learning 'entry level' where most parents could relate and understand, first, ourselves and then only the approach we need to take to discuss with our kids.

The last part of the talk was really distracting though. SMS's were coming in lightning speed from friends and relatives updating on the dismal performance of BN.
What goes around, comes around - my philosophy in life!

More cuppacakes?

My baby has grown up!!
#1 made these cup cakes for CNY 2008!

More cuppacakes!!


#1 complained about how expensive the cup cake holders from Wilton's were and refused to add anymore to her collection than the one that we purchased last year.

Yikes! How were we going to display all those cup cakes that she made then? Little genius that she is, she constructed her own stand! Hero! It probably cost us under RM15/=

Every year for CNY, #1 and #2 would invite their school mates and church friends for an open house. My principal is always the same, the numbers cannot exceed 50 people otherwise we'd be drowning around their friends!! We cater the food BUT they must make the deserts. Of course yours truly also makes some lah!

The cup cakes were a hit as usual. There were none left by the time the kids left. Not even one for breakfast!!



Sorry for the poor shots. We were so busy that night that no one bothered to take pictures (as usual). #1 just took some using her phone. Sigh!

I'm Back again!!

I've been thinking for a long while if I should continue with this blog. For very obvious reasons, my family demands and busy schedule take precedence and priority.

I'm facing an uphill task trying to maintain this blog and finally after much reflection and prayer I've decided not to be a slave to my blogging.

Ooooo...I'm still going to blog, only now at my own pace and most likely very randomly too. I'm currently maintaining three other blogs for my Church Youth Ministry and honestly, it has it's challenges. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy doing what I'm doing, it's just the multitasking and switchover of roles that sometimes get me really 'stoned'.

Enough of all that...I thank all of you who has been very kind to check on this site now and again to see if I've 'resurrected'. I have, at least for near future. Cheers!!

Bento #56

Packed this for #2 and #3 on Monday. You can see the varying taste buds. On the top left, you can see the cheese sandwich with some salad and at the bottom, some left over spaghetti to be eaten with some simmered mushrooms and crabsticks - that's for #2.

The top right box has fried rice and at the bottom some plain cheese sandwich for #3. Obviously, breakfast was just as varied!!

Pineapple Tarts

Homemade pineapple tarts!!! Feast! Feast! Feast!!

Bento #55

Sushi frenzy!! The girls 'demanded' for sushi for last Friday's break time. The chocolate chip cookies are for #3 - that's the last lot. Will be baking another stash today, after I finish with baking my pineapple tarts!

Bento #54

This bento was packed sometime last week. Skewered fish balls with cucumber and tomatoes on the side.

The pink box was for #1 - "NO TOMATOES Mum!" So I packed some salad tossed in Balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Packed a double portion of mum's Famous Chocolate chip cookies!! Ha! Ha! Ha! Some of their class mates don't believe that I baked them because it tastes so much like Famous Amos!! Tickles my ego!! Lol!!

Bento #53

This is the first Bento for 2008!
Three boxes for three girls going to morning school! This was made on the first day of school which started last week.

The Oval black ones are for #2 and so is the white one which contains Tuna Onigiri. The older girls are still on a fruit and vegetable 'diet'. The pink box is for my 'baby' - #3 is nine years old, she too wanted fruits like her two elder sisters. The blue bento is for #1.

Other than fruits, the other box contains broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and two types of fish balls. I get these fish balls from the Japanese section of Jaya Jusco @ 1U and they are really very tasty. I topped them with Kewpie mayo and cheese! Mmmmm.....

Random...

Over the Christmas period, it was cupcake season in our household!! #1's creativity juices were running on the max and we were churning cupcakes like a bakery!!!

Just look at the various designs she did....


Most of the cupcakes were slathered with butter cream and the snowmen were rolled out of fondant and so were the little 'presents', candles and acorns!

"Happy New Year 2008!"

We welcomed the New Year with 'Lui Cha'. It's a Hakka dish I learnt to cook from one of our resident Priest several years ago. It's our Parish Priests' favourite dish. It's been a while since I cooked this. Our assistant Parish priest was leaving for further studies and hubs and I decided we'd host a farewell for him with a "Lui Cha" party!

It was crazy!! We had about 30 adults and 15 kids and a mountain of vegetables! But we had loads and loads of fun!! Look at the amount of fried vegetables. On another table, we had a huge pot of Spaghetti for the kids. Some kids couldn't resist trying the 'lui cha' and surprisingly enjoyed it too!!Great food!! Fantastic company! Amazing friends!! What a welcome to a happening year - 2008!! Thank you Lord!!

I'm Back!!

To all my blogger friends and visitors, thousand apologies for the six week hiatus.
Long story of not enough time and too many things to do. I'm starting to 'crank up' on my bento-ing since the kids started school. Now I've got three girls going to morning school. Not only do I pack 3 boxes (for 3 kids with varying tastes), I also prepare breakfasts for them before sending them off to school!! Whew!! How does one keep sane?? Okay, okay, it's the New Year and I'll just keep to a positive note. By the way, Seasons felicitations to all of you and especially to you who dropped some personal messages. Thank you for your concern and care and God bless this year and the forthcoming ones!!

To "X" out "CHRIST" from "Christ-Mas"

Ten years ago, when I was in charge of publishing our BEC (neighbourhood Catholic community) newsletter, we had an article contribution from a youth. It was an article about "Taking the "CHRIST" out of Christmas - literally to cross out Christ. The article was an eye opener. Until today, I cringe whenever I read or hear wishes of Merry X'mas!


A quick reference to Wikipedia provided this information: Some believe that the term is part of an effort to "take Christ out of Christmas" or to literally "cross out Christ";^[2] it is also seen as evidence of the secularization of Christmas, as a symptom of the commercialization of the holiday (as the abbreviation has long been used by retailers).

(Sorry, still busy. Just managed to do a quick post.)

#2 sent me a message from Genting

#2 left for Genting on Sunday morning. It's a trip organized by her school. Hubs sent her to the 'meeting point' at 8a.m. on Sunday. I was told that a Genting bus picked them up and they were to take the cable car up to Genting.

#2 sms-ed me at every point of her journey to update me even though I didn't ask her to do so. I think it's a habit that she's acquired since young. Hubs and I have allowed her to go on excursions, competitions, music festivals and MPO concerts, on her own with school/music school organizers since she was 9 years old.

I wasn't keen on her going to Genting because of the pollution and advised her to think properly before deciding. I think she wanted to spend some time with her friends before she transfers out of her current school.

I thought that the trip was very cheap - Sunday to Tuesday @RM175/=. Ha! The catch was that, only accommodation and breakfast was provided!

I was amused with one of the sms that she sent me yesterday.

"I jz paid rm15 for a plate of wan tan mee.!!=s so expensive that i have to eat all d vege n 'choong' too.!! Too expensive to throw aside. XD."

Hahaha! I was tickled! Whenever we eat noodles and soup, #2 would pick out all the 'choong' and vegetables and put aside, not wanting to eat them. She would also make a fuss if her order came with the 'stuff' (she calls them stuff) after she had specifically told them to omit.

Well, this is a learning experience. I showed the sms to hubs and he laughed and said that if that were true, he'd be very happy because then she's learnt something from this trip.

Perfect Waffles

I made waffles for breakfast this morning. I think I have the perfect recipe. *blush*

I own two waffle irons, one non stick "Rowenta" (German) which produces 5 slice (heart shape) thin waffle and a "General Electric" (US) three slice rectangle Belgium style waffle (square) and find that both produce different textures with the same recipe.

The 'thin' Rowenta waffle iron produce crispy waffles with the same recipe and the 'thick' GE waffle iron produce the crisp waffle on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

I want to share this recipe with you.

Recipe:
2 eggs
1 tbsp caster sugar
1/2 tsp salt
160 g melted butter
400 ml milk
2 cups regular flour
4 tsp baking powder

Method:
1. Whisk egg, sugar and salt with Kenwood balloon whisk till fluffy and non drip.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter over low fire.
3. Add milk and butter alternately until finish.
4. Add dry ingredients and whisk until no more lumps.

Viola!! Delicious waffles. Serve hot with maple syrup or ice cream as a dessert.

I like to serve my waffles savory style. Usually serve them for brunch with Sardines cooked with big yellow onions, #2 loves this combination. I've also done it with fresh or canned button mushrooms - sliced and sauteed with lots of sliced garlic and peppered with mixed spices and salt - heavenly!! You can serve with Heinz beans, scrambled eggs and cheese for breakfast - the choices are unlimited. Waffles are the best!!

note: Sorry no pictures because #2 brought all my rechargeables to Genting for her school excursion.

SICK?

Yesterday, #2 made a statement! "I think I'm going to be sick! Why? I asked. Because I've not had Japanese food for sooo...... loooonnggggggg!! (about ten days) I think I'm going to be sick, she says again!"

#1 rebutted. Yeah!! That's because Grandma has been around and cooking Chinese as usual. *Guilty* I tilt my head a little lower and give them a grin because I know I've not been cooking. I've been at camp and in training with the Youth group.

This morning, #2 moaned again. "I'm getting more sick today. If we don't eat Japanese today I'll just start to melt away. Okay, we'll have Japanese for lunch before the training begins at 2pm, I reply."

#1 said: Hey! Aunty Jen said that there's a shop selling great "Pan Mien" in Sunway Damansara (#2 and I love Pan Mien). Okay, then let's go and eat "Pan Mien" I say. Oh! NO! We don't! says #1! If you two decide to eat "Pan Mien", I will get sick and melt too!

Hey! So what about me? I asked! Doesn't my vote count? Both said that I could eat either and that both of them would be sick if I decided on "Pan Mien" so we ended eating Japanese.

After lunch we went for the youth training and both were very contented! No wonder #2 in her blog states that 'Some people eat to live, I live to eat'.