Our 1st Buttercake using Breadmaker

After trying a few loaves of bread, using the breadmaker we bought earlier, I bought a buttercake premix from Bake with Yen. It was simple, by just adding eggs and butter together with the premix into the breadmaker, within less than 3 hours, we had our buttercake ready. Since the breadmaker mould was small, it top part of the cake looked likes a volcano eruption. The kids loved peeling the top part while it was hot because it was crunchy.

We didn’t have to use a mixer or an oven. The breadmaker did all the mixing and baking. It was thumb-up for the whole family. Now I had a few packets in the cupboard as stand-by.

Our HTCs

After about 3 months using our htc incredibel s, PaPa was the one explored the most and I as usual the slow one to learn. So far no complain about the phone. Even though it was not a perfect 100% but it was acceptable and we were happy.

Buying handphones was like buying any other technology gadgets where technology would change continuously. It would be hard to catch up. So, we would use our handphone as long as we could like our previous phones which lasted about 6 years and still working. The previous handphone was now being used my 2nd handphone mainly for company usage.

Watch batteries…

Both my watch batteries decided to give way on the same time leaving me without watch for quite some time. PaPa wanted to go to the service centre to set the watch service but due to his full timetable, he was unable to make time yet. It was not difficult to find the watch batteries unlike hearing aid batteries which would be tougher to get. However, since one of the watches was already more than 8 years old, maybe it would be good to get it serviced.

IKEA Shopping Bag- Go Green

IKEA has 3 sizes of shopping bag. IKEA is promoting ‘Bag for Life’ for all the shopping bags purchased in IKEA where once the bag is worn off, purchaser can go back to IKEA to get it exchange for a new one. From 01July2011 onwards, IKEA will not be using any more plastic bags. Buyers will need to carry own shopping bags or purchase IKEA shopping bags. This is a good move towards going green.

We bought 2 RM1 shopping bags for JL and AL. I wondered how IKEA barcode scanner would be able to detect whether the shopping bags had been paid or not on our next visit?

Our bread making experience

JL loved to take bread to school. I have been thinking to get one for long time. I heard a few people who tried Tesco brand and it works well. Robinson was having member sale for Kenwood breadmaker with free Kenwood Digital Weighing Scale for RM 599. However, the price was too dear for us that at the end on 15Aug2011 night, we went to get Tesco brand for RM199. We had to go to 2 Tesco to get it because the first Tesco was out of stock.

We made our first wholemeal bread but it was hard which we suspect the wholemeal flour we bought was too much wholemeal content or maybe the yeast was not the right one. Our second one worked well but it was way too healthy for us that the JL ate with lots of butter and baked beans while AL ate with sugar free marmalade jam. Yes, we finished up all…

Our third attempt was a mix of wholemeal flour with white flour. We added some raisins that later we realize the recipe’s amount for raisins were insufficient. This time the texture was much better. Thanks to Lian for her tips.

Our fourth attempt was last nite when we tried for banana bread. The bread was ok and much softer but should put more bananas even though we had already increased the amount. Besides that, the water should be cut too.

We are still learning and learning. The kids love to make their own loaf of bread… Hopefully, when we got our oven, we can bake small buns….

Overall, I am happy with the breadmaker…plus the bread is much healthy and dense than purchase bread. Since there are no preservatives, the bread needs to be consumed within 3-4 days or deep freeze immediately to prolong. However, the size is just ok and usually can be finished up within 3-4 days….

AL’s 2011 Party Bags

This year, since AL wanted Angry Bird, we went to Night Market hunting for some small items related to Angry Bird. We managed to get stickers, rulers and sharpener.

  

It was a very small and simple party bag consisted:

 

• 1 x sticker
• 1 x ruler or sharpener
• 2 x AL’s favorite jelly
• 1 x Japanese biscuits
• 1 x balloon

We packed quite a lot to cover her kindy classmates and also her church friends. We found the idea to use the Glad Rainbow bags from Barbara. Thanks Barbara for the idea…

 

• AL’s 3rd Birthday – Part 1 (16July2011)
• AL’s 3rd Birthday – Part 2 (20July2011)

Making Chawanmushi

I got this simple recipe from shojikiya and tried. It was a success on a first trial. Sheryl Hen, this is for you… This recipe will make 3 cups.

Ingredients

2 eggs

3 piece filament crabstick

3 prawns

3 pieces chicken fillets

40ml shiro dashi (Usually I put lesser than the recommended amount or you can make your make own stock as flavoring)

250ml water

3 chawanmushi cup

Note: you can change or add the ingredients (filament crabstick, prawns, and chicken fillets) with seafood, enoki mushrooms, fishcake etc

Method

1. Beat the eggs in a bowl lightly. Usually I will stir lightly rather than beat to avoid making bubbles. Add water and shiro dashi (or own DIY stock)

2. Put all the other ingredients into each cup. Strain the egg mixture into the cup. Do no fill to the brim.

3. Cover the cups with lids, transparent food wrap or aluminum foil.

4. Boil water in a steamer and turn the heat down to medium.

5. Place the chawanmushi in the steamer and steam about 8-10 minutes at medium heat. Avoid high heat for long time as it will become spongy

6. Insert a toothpick or fork and when it comes out clean, it is ready.

7. Remove the chawanmushi from the steamer and serve immediately.

Happy trying….

‘Maggie Explores the World of Disabilities’

I had this book titled ‘Maggie Explores the World of Disabilities’ by Jewel Kats which I read first before reading to the kids. It is a learning journey Maggie had with her mummy which was a fun way of learning… Learning can be fun too…

I like the way Maggie’s mummy teach Maggie to understand about disabilities from using the right phrase to address others’ disabilities till understanding their needs. For example, instead of using the word ‘disabilities’ which would be sensitive, Maggie was taught to use the word ‘assistive devices’ . Maggie was taught to ask people with respect by asking “What do you use to help your body?”

Maggie learnt about the following special devices used by different people to assist them in their daily routines:

• Hearing aid
• Wheelchair
• Artificial leg
• Walker
• Communication board
• Cane
• Guide dog
• Arm brace
• Eye patch

Overall, this help Maggie to learn of all the different disabilities each person have and how they go through with their daily routine using tools to assist them to lead to normal life. Each person is special in their own way and need to do things differently. They also need to be respected too like normal people. This book would also help our children to recognize others’ differences with respect and never look down or make fun of others.

Disclosure: As a member of Parent Reviewers' review team, I received the above book for free, courtesy from Loving Healing Press (http://www.lovinghealing.com/). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

‘Will The Courageous: A Story About Sexual Abuse’

It is hard to explain to our kids what it is meant to be sexual abuse. Being innocent and naïve, at time they are too fearful to tell others plus not sure how to explain the situation. Sexual abuse kids will only feel uneasy without realizing what it is…

As parents, we have to be sensitive with our kids by noticing their change of behavior. In this story book "Will The Courageous: A Story About Sexual Abuse" by Amy Barth, Will became a totally different person as his mind was so disturb on what his nanny’s nephew had done on him. He was not sure what was it but he knew he did not feel comfortable. Will was fortunate to have parents and teacher who notice and observe his changes.

This book has given a good understanding to both kids and also parents on how to understand and manage the situation. After reading this book, I as parent must make sure we equip ourselves in educating our kids. Also, we need to take time to be close with our kids to ensure them that we are there for them so that they are feeling secure and not in fear. Be our kids’ good friend whom they can rely and trust on.

It is a great book for me to read with JL on our journey of learning and understanding…

Disclosure: As a member of Parent Reviewers' review team, I received the above book for free, courtesy from Loving Healing Press (http://www.lovinghealing.com/). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Dream home… Location+Time

When we were in Melbourne for holiday, I admired all the houses there especially outskirt part where the houses were not built too near with ample space and privacy. Most houses were built with car garage link direct to the house. Some had a standalone car garage cum store room built next to the house. It was easy to set-up a standalone building now with the availability of crown metal buildings facilities. How nice to have extra space to keep our things in a garage rather than all filling up in our home plus space for kids to run around having fun…

 

Over here, space is a big issue and to move outskirt of city is not possible due to traffic jam. So for those who cannot afford a nice landed property in the prime city area would either have to sacrifice space at home (smaller home) or spend extra time to travel back home trying to beat the heavy traffic jam.

 

However, we have learnt to be contented to have a roof over us even though it is a small and cramped home. Best of all, we have all our loved ones staying nearby us and nice neighbors/friends too…

Our new Sundays family time…

We started with evening outing to the park with the kids for many months. They looked forward to it…

Now, for the past 3 Sundays, we decided to cook for lunch. Since we loved Japanese, we had been cooking Japanese for lunch.

Our first Sunday 07Aug2011, we tried to do Chawanmushi, Miso Soup, Ramen with Vernont Curry and Edamame. It was a success for first timer…

Our second Sunday 14Aug2011, we did Chawanmushi, Ramen with Miso Soup, Edamame and Sushi (Cucumber and Crab Stick). JL rolled the sushi and he did a good job for being the first time.

Our third Sunday 21Aug2011, we did Chawanmushi, Sushi and Sukiyaki. It was simple lunch but we enjoyed the time spend at home.

After lunch, we went to the park in the evening. The time spent as family was far more precious and priceless than having everlon.

We hope we can keep more family time at home than going out to shopping mall…

Our Saturday show@movie day at home

We declared that we would have movie day at home every Saturday after our evening Church service. The kids enjoyed having simple dinner while watching movie at home. We would usually watch minimum two movies. Our dinner would usually something simple like sandwiches, rice with soup or noodle with soup. The thermal pot was my helper where I prepared the ingredients and boil over the stove before going to church. Last let the thermal pot to continue cooking and keep the soup warm until we come back from church…

The kids always looked forward our Saturday movie day at home even though it was just a small old television. It was nothing fancy of LED, samsung projector, LCD etc…

Pop up advertisement

Internet has been a great platform to be used for advertising. It is much more efficient and cost effective than using other media like television, newspaper, billboard etc…

However, it is annoying using the Pop up display as mode of advertising especially if the pop up is not related to the site we are going through to get updates and information. I usually will have to keep closing to pop up which will pop and cover the information which I am reading.

AL’s first friend birthday party

Last Saturday (13Aug2011), AL attended her very first kindy classmate’s birthday. It was Sarah birthday. She was excited while showing us the McD invitation card. It was the first time she is getting an invitation card under her name. McD had changed the design of the cards unlike to previous one which was Red and Yellow but this one is pale green background. Even though it was not that vibrant but still it look better than Halloween invitations cards.

When we arrived at the party, AL decided to stick like glue to either PaPa or KorKor or myself. However, it was her first time and we hope she would be much better next time. Initially, she was requesting for birthday present and we had to explain to her that it was Sarah’s birthday. She was happy carrying her party bag and also balloons home.

PaPa’s very own guitar

When I knew PaPa in poly, he was carrying a guitar which belongs to his father. He was learning by himself on how to play the guitar chords. All his hard work paid off. He was the only person among his brothers who learn to play guitar.

 

He wanted to get his very own guitar for many years but never materialize due to cost. I also wanted him to get a reasonable good one. We begin to attend CG regularly since December 2010. PaPa was the only guitarist playing for CG.

 

Last month, we went to CG Prayer Retreat and coincidently, Yamaha was having sales in TheCurve. PaPa called me at office asking whether he should get it. It was almost RM 1200 after 50%. The guitar also can be plugged to the speaker which was useful for the prayer retreat.

 

It was bad damage on our expenses but good thing we still managed to survive without having to get any payday loan. Praise the God for providing us. It was priceless seeing PaPa playing the guitar during CG and at home worshipping God. Yes, it was priceless...

 

I am so happy that PaPa got his guitar at last…

Shopping & Price

Did you ever experience price differences between display and barcode? Why the Retail POS System was not properly managed or maintained?

Sometimes, PaPa would go back to the shelves and take photo of the price to show to them. So far the major shopping mall would always honor the lowest price. However, it is such an inconvenience having to wait causing massive long queue behind us. It was frustrating...

So, now while paying for our things at the payment counter, one of us would do the packing and the other to make sure the price was correctly key-in at the right quantity. Better check rather than having to pay unnecessary extra cash.

Loyalty to a company

My dad was very loyal to his company. It was his first and last company. Yes, he even got all the 3 long services awards from 15 years up to 35 years.

 I would not think such thing would happen nowadays. My longest so far was almost 8 years in my previous company. I got my first long service award of 5 years. Instead of choosing the custom pins, I chose a Swiss army knife instead. I wonder how long would l stay on the current company.

Dead Sea…

When I was young, I thought Dead Sea was not real.  I always wonder why the sea is dead.  

It is known as Salt Sea and being one of the world’s saltiest water. The inland body of water is ‘dead’ because of its high mineral content that nothing can live in its water.  However, this sea has ‘healthy water’ which contains medicinal value to heal a lot of skin related diseases. Besides that, dead sea minerals are most sought after for many useful purposes.

Guns.. shooting

Imagine what happen if guns such as uncle mikes brand are easily available in our country like other countries. Currently, even without guns, there are so many criminal around just by using simple weapons like knife. It would be even scarier to go out if shooting is uncontrollable. It will be as if our country is in a war zone. Even without guns, I wish our criminal level will drop to make us feeling more secure when we go out.