C, C,C
Could easily get colored construction papers but naaah...coloring is fun, for the ibu too!
The coloured papers are assuming the roles of parking lots, so each time he has to park his vehicles i.e. clean up, the vehicles have to go to the same-coloured lots. He hasn't actually been parking them at the correct lots though. Can't really tell if he *really* already knows his colors bcos' he sometimes calls his red car, his green car and his green car, his red car. Hmmm.. I really hope he can distinguish between green and red since a visual confusion could mean another condition, and I am really hoping it's nothing like that. Meanwhile, to the same-colored parking lots, the wheels would go. Now, thinking back, the colors that he really knows are "Ay-Yeo (Yellow)" and "Blue."
Another activity that I did with him recently was to make a collage. What I did was to cut out several pictures from old magazines. From the lot that I've cut, I asked him to choose the pictures that he liked best and we made it into a collage. No prizes for guessing what he chose.
Behold!
These were the other cut-outs that he didn't choose.
Ok, maybe the cars were a little too conspicuous that he just had to choose the cars plus the car key for his collage. I'll try again another time with fewer and smaller pictures of cars + other objects and we'll see his choice then. He had a great time nonetheless. :) We've put up his collage on the fridge door at the entrance of the kitchen.
On one weekend morning at CP, he went wild with Car! Car! Car! at the car roadshow at the atrium of CP. He knew that car parks are not a place for him to run around but CP is where he's always allowed to roam freely and since the cars there are so available for him to touch and feel, he got super excited. He circled the atrium a 1001 times, ran from one car to another and tried to open the doors of each car.
I think he'd luv us even more if we were to bring him to roadshows after roadshows. Not a bad way to the little boy's heart, no? :)
What can I say, boys will be boys! :)
Labels: collage, colors and cars
chance to win
i've done mine..now's your turn!
or here, click on!
win a Prada!
Labels: win prada wallet
reads
i used my time to and fro work drowning myself in all types of reads:
Currently, i am reading this:
It's basically a collection of short stories. I wanted to stamp my foot and roar with laughter at some points, but I couldn't, because I am always in a sardine-packed train and had to watch myself.
as much as i wanted to keep it down, the shoulders managed some rocking, a little to and fro, and I received curious stares from fellow commuters who would also snatch a few peeks at the book. :P
It *was* difficult to keep it down.
i used to get my reads from amazon.com. But have been getting them from here instead:
bookdepository.co.uk. With free international worldwide shipping.
My orders would usually reach me around 2 weeks but the last order reached quite quickly, within a week. :)
Labels: reads. bookdepository
chef @ home
i like watching chef michael on chef at home cos' i simply love love loveeeeeeeeeeeee his kitchen! it's definitely a dream kitchen with everything in it and it's super organized too, I can't help but to drool and drool and drool not just at the feasts that he whipped up so effortlessly but also at how great his whole kitchen is.
Was watching him again on ch69 just half an hour ago and he shared how important it is to cook potatoes the right way. It's not so much the type of potatoes that one uses but whether it's cooked the right way. The 2 things that potatoes need are flavour and moisture. He recommended adding rosemary when boiling potatoes, with jackets still on too. He used dried rosemary. wonder if fresh rosemary would do it too.
The little one likes potatoes but in the form of 'french fries.' hur hur.
Labels: chef at home
oven search
my 4year old plus plus turbo brand convectional oven has passed on more than a month ago. I had wanted to revive our once chummy relationship but it just blew on me. She was fuming at me for abandoning her for some time that all she responded when i switched her on was smoke and more smoke. The whole house was short circuited too.
and now, it's time to search for a new oven. 1 of the must-have functions in my oven is the oven fan, as the fan ensures even grills and bakes. The fan helps to seal in the juice of my roasts and ensures a thorough and even browning of my cookies. I've never used the fan for baking cakes though.
4 years ago, my 5-function convectional oven cost a little less than SGD600. 4-years on, a 5-function convectional oven inclusive of the oven fan can easily costs you SGD800 and this can still be considered a conservative amount. Gosh. Right now, I wished nothing had happened to my oven so I woudn't have to fork out so much for a new oven. If I decided to get one eventually, I'd better make full use of it.
Here is a gentle reminder to switch on your oven at least once a week to do some reheating even if you don't intend to bake or grill to prevent premature aging of your oven.
Labels: oven
wonder what treats?
I picked up a copy of wondertime from target while at gold coast, just before paying for my purchases and I am glad I did.
1 of the articles discusses about mummies responses on the occasional perk-me-up treats they needed to rejuvenate themselves. From the survey, what most mummies needed are really simple treats like a cup of hot chocolate, a good book, a good magazine, just to name a few, to unwind, which will in turn help them to perform the toughest job in the world (read:parenting) better. What's yours?
Mine's as simple as having my 'me' time on the net and I'll be rejuvenated after that... :)
Oh and I heard this on class95 this noon:
Albert Einstein said, "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity"
I had a good chuckle. Haha!
Labels: treats, wondertime
gear 5 and chicken talk
have been on gear 5 mode since this morning. With more than a week's worth of work, it's not surprising. Phew!
Taking a break here. short short one.
i've been wanting to try nigella lawson's chicken nuggets recipe. somehow chanced upon it but was not able to locate buttermilk. When i finally found it at cold storage wcp, it was just 1 day before we left for Oz, so i shelved the idea. To cut a long story short, I tried making the chicken nuggets while at Oz cos' buttermilk appeared right before my eyes at Oz. And the chicken nuggets were delicious!
It was super easy but make sure you marinate it for at least 48 hours, the minimum.
I couldn't quite rem the recipe clearly while I was there but i knew the chicken breast had to be marinated with buttermilk and ritz or cheese crackers. I did just that, marinated with buttermilk ,crushed some of the cheese crackers and kept it in the fridge for 2 days. After 2 days, I took it out, minced the chicken meat, shaped them into tiny nuggets, coat them with breadcrumbs and off they went into the wok. It was yummy! I didn't use ritz crackers but cheese crackers and it still tasted great.
The way I made it was a little more cumbersome since I minced the chicken meat as much as possible before I shaped them.I also marinated the chicken together with the cheese crackers. The original recipe didn't call for both. Since it was based on memory, there was a little bit of tweaking here and there.
The good thing about the recipe is it's great for kids too and mummies can also hide tiny broccoli florets or julienned carrots into the nuggets, if your kids are a little skittish of their greens.
If you want the original recipe from none other than the domestic goddess, check it out here:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/ritzy-chicken-nuggets-recipe/index.html
Here's a direct copy and paste from the above site:
Ingredients
* 2 (each weighing approximately 8 ounces with the peg bone, less without) chicken breasts
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1/2 cup oil (if you are frying the nuggets)
* 1 3/4 cups cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz crackers)
* Serving suggestion: Capery Salad, recipe follows
Directions
Cut off the chicken peg bone if there is 1, and put the chicken breasts one at a time into a freezer bag so that it lies flat. Bash with a rolling pin until the chicken is quite thin, and then take it out and slice into about 6 to 8 slices. Repeat with the other chicken breast. This is easiest done with scissors.
Put the slices into a freezer bag with the buttermilk and leave in the refrigerator to marinade for up to 2 days.
When you are ready to cook them, heat the oil in a large frying pan, or preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Tip the cracker crumbs into a wide shallow bowl, and then shake off the excess buttermilk from the nuggets and dip them in the crumbs. Coat them well before lying gently in the hot oil, and cooking for about 2 minutes or so a side until they are golden brown. Transfer to a kitchen towel on a plate to blot the excess oil.
Alternatively, you can lay the crumb-coated chicken nuggets on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. They can also be frozen once marinated and crumbed. If cooking from frozen, add 5 minutes to the oven cooking time.
Taking a break here. short short one.
i've been wanting to try nigella lawson's chicken nuggets recipe. somehow chanced upon it but was not able to locate buttermilk. When i finally found it at cold storage wcp, it was just 1 day before we left for Oz, so i shelved the idea. To cut a long story short, I tried making the chicken nuggets while at Oz cos' buttermilk appeared right before my eyes at Oz. And the chicken nuggets were delicious!
It was super easy but make sure you marinate it for at least 48 hours, the minimum.
I couldn't quite rem the recipe clearly while I was there but i knew the chicken breast had to be marinated with buttermilk and ritz or cheese crackers. I did just that, marinated with buttermilk ,crushed some of the cheese crackers and kept it in the fridge for 2 days. After 2 days, I took it out, minced the chicken meat, shaped them into tiny nuggets, coat them with breadcrumbs and off they went into the wok. It was yummy! I didn't use ritz crackers but cheese crackers and it still tasted great.
The way I made it was a little more cumbersome since I minced the chicken meat as much as possible before I shaped them.I also marinated the chicken together with the cheese crackers. The original recipe didn't call for both. Since it was based on memory, there was a little bit of tweaking here and there.
The good thing about the recipe is it's great for kids too and mummies can also hide tiny broccoli florets or julienned carrots into the nuggets, if your kids are a little skittish of their greens.
If you want the original recipe from none other than the domestic goddess, check it out here:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/ritzy-chicken-nuggets-recipe/index.html
Here's a direct copy and paste from the above site:
Ingredients
* 2 (each weighing approximately 8 ounces with the peg bone, less without) chicken breasts
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1/2 cup oil (if you are frying the nuggets)
* 1 3/4 cups cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz crackers)
* Serving suggestion: Capery Salad, recipe follows
Directions
Cut off the chicken peg bone if there is 1, and put the chicken breasts one at a time into a freezer bag so that it lies flat. Bash with a rolling pin until the chicken is quite thin, and then take it out and slice into about 6 to 8 slices. Repeat with the other chicken breast. This is easiest done with scissors.
Put the slices into a freezer bag with the buttermilk and leave in the refrigerator to marinade for up to 2 days.
When you are ready to cook them, heat the oil in a large frying pan, or preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Tip the cracker crumbs into a wide shallow bowl, and then shake off the excess buttermilk from the nuggets and dip them in the crumbs. Coat them well before lying gently in the hot oil, and cooking for about 2 minutes or so a side until they are golden brown. Transfer to a kitchen towel on a plate to blot the excess oil.
Alternatively, you can lay the crumb-coated chicken nuggets on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. They can also be frozen once marinated and crumbed. If cooking from frozen, add 5 minutes to the oven cooking time.
Labels: nigella lawson chicken nuggets recipe
bbc
other than boys over flowers (it's highly entertaininy, i love!), i am also hooked to bbc knowledge which is on ch 74 on starhub cable.
Catch the documentary series on the first designer baby in UK, the struggles the parents had to go through with the local authority who did not allow them to create a designer baby for their seriously-ill son, Charlie. Charlie was diagnosed with a life threatening rare genetic blood disorder.
I used 'was' as they overcame all odds and the designer baby is created and he, has indeed helped to save his brother's life, with just his cord blood.Nothing invasive.
But the process of it all was,needless to say, emotionally challenging.
home made ice cream
i've always been intrigued and have always wanted to try and make it on my own, but a lot of these are just my dreams and i've yet to do anything much, really.
recently, actually just yesterday and how i wished i'd known abt this site sooner since i'm a die-hard net-trawler, i'm addicted to www.thekitchn.com.
just 1 ingredient and you'll get this:
Source: www.thekitchn.com
looks yummy? and just 1 ingredient needed. Isn't it amazing?
I'm glad i chanced it at just the right time since I have exactly that 1 ingredient.
It's made of bananas and only bananas! Surprise surprise! i was surprised too!
Just need to freeze some overripe bananas and then blend it.
Smooth. :)
For more:
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/stay-cool/how-to-make-creamy-ice-cream-with-just-one-ingredient-093414
Labels: home-made banana ice cream
magic sponge
this may be passe for some but I've just used it today and I just have to rave about it!
I bought it quite a while ago but it's been tucked in the dark recesses of my kitchen cabinet cos' it was actually meant to be the 'aid' when the little one decides to make his white cupboards his canvas, but no such artistic portrayal has taken place on his white cupboards so far, just on the white drawing papers. Phew!
So what made me took it out? A friend and I were just lamenting about how our soon-to-be 5 year old homes are beginning to become "shabbier" and "shabbier". One by one, things like taps are screaming for attention, "FIX ME!" And how our walls seem to need some painting job done too. Then i remembered the magic sponge. So this morning, i enthusiastically took it out, wet it a little and got to work. And i think i've worked it a little too hard, i need to get new ones. haha!
I am so impressed with the results. Stubborn stains,yellowish splats on the walls built up from humidity and dust are totally cleared. I tried to clean the walls with baby's wipes first, and also normal cloth with water+soap but all didn't work as well as the magic sponge. As the name implies, the sponge definitely works its magic. I switched on my meticulous mode and practically sponged almost all of the walls at home. Anyway, with such incredible results like that, I can't help it too. When the husband woke up, he was pleasanty surprised. At both the too hardworking wife and how clean the walls are. :P Of cos' i made him scrutinise the walls and even demo some parts which i purposely left out from the earlier cleaning for the demo, to make him swoon. He is bought. :) Part of the walls, especially those near the switches have also become fingerprint magnets, darkened ones no less no thanks to newspapers and the magic sponge did its wonders too. i've said it and I am saying it again, i am super impressed!
I've just worked on the walls. Need to get more to work through the kitchen and everywhere else that deemed fit. Yeyness!
No cleaning aid required, just water and magic sponge.
No repainting required for the walls. Bliss. Definitely helps to save the pocket! :)
And i still need to have another back-up in case the little one decides to doodle on his white cupboards... ;)
Little one likes to clean the house. I think i should do this in front of him so that he can help with the walls too in the future, not just sweeping the floor like what he has been doing.
After all, social responsibility begins at home. ;)
Labels: magic sponge
ramadhan
We're into our 4th day in the blessed month of ramadhan. :)
Just a short note that for sahur, my menu will be a bowl of quaker oats, 7 dates, a mug of hot milo and lots and lots of water. This menu will sustain me throughout the day till it's time to break the fast.
To add, slow digesting carbs/complex carbs are the best choice as they take longer to digest, making one less hungry during the day. Oats are in the complex carbs category, which explains the non-hunger pangs in me. Dates are an excellent source of sugar, fiber, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium. Eating rice is a no go for me. I'd get so hungry and will feel weak very quickly if i were to eat rice during sahur.
Eating the right food during sahur to sustain oneself is important but an even more important factor is of cos' it's all about mind over matter.. :) Cos' what about those who dun even have anything much for sahur but can sustain themselves still...?
Here's wishing all Muslims, Ramadhan Al-Mubarak!
home-made burger patties
i've been reading raving reviews on jamie oliver's home-made burger patties and was excited to try it myself. i managed to eventually. The husband took 1 bite and he said,"mmm.sedap!". That was definitely encouraging cos' his usual response when i asked for food reviews would be,"ok la. ok." He has always loved burgers so maybe he's biased, which means anything burger will receive the review, "mmm.sedap!" haha!
anyways, i like it too.
english mustard, u can get from ur trusty cold sotrage and evoo gives the patty its crispness.
cumin seeds, coriander seeds and whole black peppercorn to be grounded with pestle and mortar and add it to the minced meat
the grounded seeds. jamie's recipe didn't call for the seeds to be dry roasted first but i did it cos' i like the enhanced flavour and aroma after the seeds are dry roasted.
mix the ground seeds, salt, a teaspoonful of english mustard, some parmesan cheese, some bread crumbs and egg into the minced meat and mix well. if the mixture is too sticky, add more breadcrumbs.
shape it into big, fat, juicy patty and drizzle more breadcrumbs. keep in the fridge for at least an hour before frying.
pour a little evoo and fry for 8-10mins, turn over once or twice.
toast the breads a little
this is my chance to slap on as much greens as possible for the husband. anything green that goes with burgers, he'll swallow them down. only IF the greens are with burgers.dear son, pls dun follow ur father.
cooked patty with its assortments
1 for him and 1 for me. we had it at 10.30pm after the boy had gone to sleep. late night supper date in our living room. :P
final picture to entice you..try it okie!
the recipe in jamie's is for 1kg of meat. since i was cooking for just the 2 of us, everything i did was based on agak-ration.
here's the link to his recipe:
http://www.jamiesdinners.com/popups/recipe.php?m=5&r=13
Labels: home-made burger
