This is the content of the parcel - a pair of thongs (as what Aussies say) or slippers/flip flops (as what SGreans say) and a pair of socks. R knows that I like pink (that's what good friends are for, isn't it?) and I thought the thongs and socks is such a sweet idea. I was thinking that the socks come in handy for my walking/jogging/exercise and the thongs are good for summer. After I read the card, then I realise that these were to encourage me in my weekly swimming (thongs) and jogging/walking (socks). Well, my guess was not too far away eh? Thanks for being so thoughtful, R :)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Delightful Surprise In the Mail!
This is the content of the parcel - a pair of thongs (as what Aussies say) or slippers/flip flops (as what SGreans say) and a pair of socks. R knows that I like pink (that's what good friends are for, isn't it?) and I thought the thongs and socks is such a sweet idea. I was thinking that the socks come in handy for my walking/jogging/exercise and the thongs are good for summer. After I read the card, then I realise that these were to encourage me in my weekly swimming (thongs) and jogging/walking (socks). Well, my guess was not too far away eh? Thanks for being so thoughtful, R :)
Ambon Cake
A little mid-week blessing - ambon cake and another kueh (green in photo. Not sure of its name) made by Aunty X. My office (in a residential area) is just a street off the street that Aunty X lives on. Probably takes 2-3 mins' walk to get there. I would have to drive pass her place when I get to and fro work. Aunty X is my MIL's friend in church, a lovely Indonesian Chinese lady who spends most (if not all) her time baking and making kuehs, breads, buns, cakes, etc. She would give/share them with my MIL and her neighbours. Sometimes my MIL will give some to us. Most of them were Asian cakes/kuehs.
Lord, thank you for little blessings like these... :)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A of Fruits
Royal Gala - from pale, golden yellow with slight red blush to solid brightly blushed. Normally slightly sweet than Red Delicious.Dry-freezing, sweetened: Drain and blanch in bowling water for 1 min. Drain and plunge immediately into a bowl of iced water and then drain again and pat dry on paper towels. Mix with caster sugar, using 1/2 cup to 450g fruit. Pack into containers or bags. Remove the air. Seal, label and freeze. Keep up to 10 months.
Puree freezing: Stew fruit in pan with just enough water to cover the base until pulpy. Sweeten to taste. Beat with wooden spoon until smooth. Puree in blender. Leave to cool. Place in bags, remove air , seal, label and freeze. Keep up to 12 months.
Thaw and serve

Puree freezing: Put fruit in a bowl of boiling water for 30 secs, Drain and peel off the skins. Halve, remove pits and then strew with just enough water to cover the base of the pan until very soft. Puree in blender. Sweeten to taste. Leave to cool. Place in bags, remove air , seal, label and freeze. Keep up to 12 months.
Thaw and serve
Gift of Blessing
Free Cookbook

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The A to Z of Fruits and Veggies

Sunday, November 1, 2009
I Am Another Year *Younger*...
It has been a really busy past week and the weekend. For 3 week nights, hubby and I were busy preparing or making some food for the weekend's gatherings. I was especially happy and so glad for this opportunity to invite some of my closer Christian friends in Brissy to meet my NC friends at a lunch bbq gathering for my birthday. What better reason/occasion that we could do so? I was glad that it happened and that all my friends could mingle well.
In the arvo, we had some young people over for arvo tea. They were mostly Singaporean students studying in Brissy and were attending the morning service of our church. It was a great chance to have them over (to feed them), to play some games, wrap our own dumplings, cook them and eat them!
The generous serve and thick slice of salmon (with little rice)
Spider roll (soft shell crab) $13 and white lobster (lobster salad) $15
After church service, I was given the privilege to choose our dinner venue and I chose Mi Sushi, a takeaway store along Hawken Drive. I had pork katsu with soba noodles - simple, inexpensive and I love it! I reckon I could eat Japanese for every meal and not get sick of it! I wonder when will our next Jap meal be? In SG?
What is the most significant thing in the past year?
Being able to see God's provision for my life - every little, single detail. I know that He knows that encourages me to continue trusting and have faith in Him.
What is my birthday wish?
That hubby and I can continue to grow in love and communication.
What do I look forward to in the new year?
A slimmer, healthier me and growing more to appreciate people, especially family.
It has been a busy weekend and I have had no chance to reflect more... I will do so tomorrow :)
Birthday Cakes
It was really fun decorating the lemon pound cupcakes with fondant and the chocolate cakes with frosting. I have always wanted cupcakes as birthday cakes and here I am, making my own :) Both cakes were made with extra virgin olive oil (instead of butter) and added unprocessed bran in them.
Lemon cupcakes with blue or pink flowers
Play dough time!
Cupcakes stored in my cake carrier (with a cake stand inside to create another layer for extra storage)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Oh... What I Have Become....
Salt & pepper set, stickmaster plus, salad bowl & servers and silicon baking tray from S, Y, Y and S & S respectively
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above His heavenly throne. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Idol of Life
I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first. Matt 19:28-30
Do I love God more than anyone else in my life - my husband, my family, my friends? Do I love money, life, power, control, success, more than I love God? Reading this makes me think of some people/areas that I *may* love more than I love God... (which reminds me of last week's sermon and CG where we prayed of each other that God will reveal the areas of our lives that we sin against Him and for us to hate it, identify it and deal with it) The gauge of loving God more or [something/someone else] can be easily tested by how much we value, how we prioritise our resources like time and money.
I thank God for answering prayers and revealing to me that I have made an idol of myself or an idol of someone/something else... areas which I fail to glorify God where I take all credit to myself. Even a simple comment like "Wow, that [name of food] you made was really yum!", "Thanks for singing. I was very ministered by your singing". That naturally makes me feel good. I mean who does not like being praised (expectedly or unexpected)? BUT do I glorify God for giving me the ability to reproduce that food and do it well to serve others the food? Do I give God the glory for enabling me to sing well that it aids people's reflection of what Jesus has done for me? Isn't the purpose of my life seeking to glorify God only? I really have nothing to boast, except for Jesus Christ my Saviour.
I pray that I may wake up everyday asking myself this question: "What does it mean to deny myself and take up the Cross today?". This means making radical decisions in areas like: stay away temptation of eating food that is unhealthy to my body, exercising even when I feel tired or lazy, making wise decisions on spending the finances that God has given us, doing acts of love or acts of service when I don't feel like being nice or thinking 'you don't deserve that', loving people unconditionally, serving joyfully and faithfully behind-the-scene and not expecting men's recognition by God's approval, giving my time to people (includes praying for them when I said that I will), loving husband, family, friends when they are difficult to love, etc... May God's grace allow me to do that daily...
