Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Lily

We went for our honeymoon to Bangkok in December 2005. It was a wonderful time...since it was our first holiday together....just the two of us.

Four years plus backed

A visit to Bangkok is not complete without a visit to Chachucak Market which is held on every weekend. So, on our last day in Bangkok, we when to Chachucak Market. The tips is you must go in the morning so...it won't be so hot and you won't be sweating.


Since...my mother-in-law loves gardening, we bought the lily flower seedling for her in purple and orange color.


It had been four years plus and the plant grew with only the green leaves look alike 'pandan' leaves. But this recently, it started blooming with flowers. Orange lilies. It was a rare color for me...since I always encounter with the white and pink lilies.'

Alhamdulillah....Hope everything will show progress and good future ahead.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Parisian Macaroon

I want to try to make the beautiful macaroon I saw in the internet. So...I've been searching for the recipe online and found it at Martha Stewart. The recipe is as follows:

MACAROON

Ingredient
  • 1 1/4 cups plus 1 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) finely ground sliced, blanched almonds
  • 6 tablespoons fresh egg whites (from about 3 extra-large eggs)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • Macaroon filling

Direction

Step 1
To make the macaroons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar and ground almonds. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites with salt on medium speed until foamy. Increase speed to high and gradually add granulated sugar. Continue to whip until stiff glossy peaks form. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the confectioners' sugar mixture until completely incorporated.


Step 2
Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Fit a pastry bag with a 3/8-inch #4 round tip, and fill with batter. Pipe 1-inch disks onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies. The batter will spread a little. Let stand at room temperature until dry, and a soft skin forms on the tops of the macaroons and the shiny surface turns dull, about 15 minutes.


Step 3
Bake, with the door of the oven slightly ajar, until the surface of the macaroons is completely dry, about 15 minutes. Remove baking sheet to a wire rack and let the macaroons cool completely on the baking sheet. Gently peel off the parchment. Their tops are easily crushed, so take care when removing the macaroons from the parchment. Use immediately or store in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Step 4
To fill the macaroons: Fill a pastry bag with the filling. Turn macaroons so their flat bottoms face up. On half of them, pipe about 1 teaspoon filling. Sandwich these with the remaining macaroons, flat-side down, pressing slightly to spread the filling to the edges. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Variations:

To make coffee-flavored macaroons: In step 1, add 2 drops brown food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, blend 1/2 cup macaroon filling with 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder dissolved in 1/2 teaspoon warm water for the filling.

To make cassis-flavored macaroons: In step 1, add 2 drops purple food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, use 1/3 cup good-quality cassis jam for the filling.

To make pistachio-flavored macaroons: In step 1, add 2 drops green food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, combine 1/2 cup macaroon filling with 1 tablespoon pistachio paste for the filling.


MACAROON FILLING

Ingredient
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces

Direction

Step 1
In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk egg whites and sugar. Set mixer bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and heat mixture, whisking often, until it feels warm to the touch and sugar is dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes.


Step 2
Transfer bowl to the mixer, and fit with the whisk attachment. Whip on high speed until mixture is stiff and shiny, 3 to 5 minutes. Add butter, one piece at a time, and continue mixing until butter is thoroughly incorporated. The filling can be kept, covered and refrigerated, up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before stirring.

Variations:

To make hazelnut-honey filling: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of macaroon filling with 1/3 cup finely ground hazelnuts and 2 tablespoons good-quality honey.


* Hope I have my baking energy to bake this.

Hospital Packing List

I've been asking around from one friend to another to find out what the essential items should be include in the Hospital Packing List.

Actually, I didn't know the suitable time to pack for hospital. However, by reading from articles from internet, we just have to prepared the bag earlier. Alhamdulillah, I'm already in my 31st week and I have packed some of the items.

My Packing List
  • Kain Batik (done)
  • Front Button Shirt (done)
  • Nursing Bra (done)
  • Socks (done)
  • Slipper
  • Panties (done)
  • Pad (done)
  • Breast Pad (done)
  • Toiletries (done)
  • Clothes Cleaner (done)
  • Sweater (done)
  • Contact Lense's Solution (done)
  • Going Home Clothes (done)
  • Vaseline (done)
  • Towel (done)
  • Nipple Cream (done)
  • Books*

Baby Packing List
  • Mitten (done)
  • Socks (done)
  • Going Home Clothes (done)
  • Blanket (done)
  • Baby Carrier
  • Hat (done)
  • Muslin Square (done)
  • Baby Wipes (done)
  • Nappies/Pampers (done)
  • Handkerchief (done)
  • Bengkung (Mrs. Izwanee will bring it)
* Do I really have time to read any books?

If there anything missing from my packing list...please let me know. I just want to be ready.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Dim Sum @ Equatorial Bangi

I had dim sum buffet for lunch today with Ms. Azida at Equatorial Bangi. It was a sudden plan made since Ms. Azida having bad food experience yesterday.

So...this is some photo from our lunch at Equatorial Bangi....


Baby Kailan with Oyster Sauce, Crispy Yam & Ostrich Stir Fried (Ms. Azida's favorite)

The Ostrich Stir Fried was Ms. Azida biggest order...she ordered for four (4) plates. I think it almost reach 1 kg of ostrich meat.

Cheong Fun with Shrimp

This is my favorite. Since Ms. Azida allergic to seafood...so, I managed to finished it by myself and it is truly delicious.

Shrimp Dumpling and Siew Mai with Fish Roe

This two steam dim sum also is a must ordered dim sum which I have to eat by myself.

Fish & Vegetable

This is very nice to be eaten while hot. There were several item which I've forgotten to take photo since I'm too busy with the food....the Sirloin Beef with Black Pepper, two (2) plates of Crispy Cheese, multiple order of cold dessert....Longan & Sea Coconut but I still prefer for Sago Honey Dew.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Diaper Caddy

I've been browsing the gap website since Syuhada opening for order. I've been eyeing on a diaper caddy. But I'm not sure whether it is necessary for me to buy it...but I'm kinda like it.

JJ Cole Diaper Caddy in Cocoa


Baby Stuff Organizer

There were several diaper caddy that I've been surveying, from Skip Hop and JJ Cole. However, the JJ Cole look more sturdy with drawer compartment and changer mat which give more UMPH for me.

Furthermore, I could buy the Skip Hop in Robinsons but I'm not sure about JJ Cole.

I have to think first...buy...or not to buy....

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Blackberry Bold 9700

Our office is officially a Celcom "Territory" since our executives and above have to convert to Celcom Blackberry Biz Plan.


So, the benefit from the package as follows:

Talk Time Package RM 148
Voice call rate at 10 cents per minutes plus FREE calls within Company

RM 2 SMS Pack
SMS rate at 2 cents to all Celcom and 10 cents to other networks

Blackberry Service & Unlimited Internet Access

BlackBerry Bold 9700

This is my new BlackBerry

I'm still not familiar with BlackBerry function but as updating my contact list...it was troublesome for me. Hope, after sometimes...it would get better.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Between Necessity & Preference

When it comes to buying baby/newborn essential there were question between the necessity and preferences. All parents want their children to have everything that they can afford for their baby/newborn.

As for me, I've got confused in buying those tiny small things/accessories. I hope what we have budgeted is the necessity. But the necessity items don't just end at the item...it will continue with the brand and specification preference. How to ensure that we don't overspend and to limit ourselves?

For example: Baby Bath Tub

MOTHERCARE Tub with Top & Tail - RM 159.00

THE FIRST YEARS Deluxe Newborn to Toddler Tub - RM 139.90

IKEA Lattsam Baby Bath Tub - RM 35.00

Which bath tub should I choose? There were a wide range of baby bath tub in the market. It was a necessity to have a baby bath tub. But which one? The Mothercare with top and tail? The First Years with the newborn support? or the cheap IKEA baby bath tub?

It not just baby bath tub....it applied to all items.

But there were items such as Bottle & Food Warmer which is for me is not a necessity but more to preference. How to warm the milk and food? Preference between the conventional way or modern technology appliance?

Sum all together it's all depends on the budget. If you have big budget...then you can think higher range of specification.

But....I'm still confuse....because I'm stuck between the necessity and preference.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Cute Little Thing!


I found that this shoe is so cute! Love it!

Thanx to Syuhada.

Clash of Titans

We went for a movie today....Clash of Titans. Man had insisted for 3D version and we have booked the movie in advanced. After my regular check-up at PMC, we went to The Garden.

We have our lunch at The Garden Food Court....it was my first time there. I had Korean food, BBQ Beef Set and Nasi Ayam for Man. I love their dessert stall....and tried their Ice Mango with Ice-Cream. Next time, I will asked for additional scope of ice-cream.


The movie was great. But the person who insisted for 3D version had headache during the movie due to the 3D spec. For me....because of tired, I've snoozed about 5 minutes during the movie.

All together...it was a great day for me beside my tired feet.