LO Projects: A Box and A Bookmark

And while the creative juices are kicking in, I wanted to try my hand into doing some non-card projects. 

I have done a few non-card paper projects in the past.  You may recall the lady purse template I worked on and posted here as a present for a friend's daughter's birthday...

So now with the help of my very good friend Google, I was able to seek out interesting templates for paper projects to try out.

Non-card Project # 1 - The 2-5-7-10 Gift Box

The cliche "Don't judge a book by its cover" won't apply here.  Don't you agree that the best part of a present is its packaging?  The effort put into the gift's packaging is far more deserving of one's appreciation.  And so, I give you this fresh and girly gift box. :)

This one is still empty, but who would want to open up this gift when the packaging is just too adorable.


Non-card Project # 2 - The Corner Bookmark

Your classic reading companion gets a makeover.  No more dog-ears.  Indeed a bookworm's perfect companion.

I made this one for a friend.  I "personalised" it by stamping in her nickname.  When I receive my new shipment of stamps from Inkadinkado (which I order online over at the EK Success Brands website), I should have more "sentiments" and images to use for these kinds of projects.

I have a few more non-card projects up my sleeve so keep posted.



P.S. Cheers to the SCS website for a having an immense gallery bursting with ideas and inspirations for paper crafting noobs like myself.

Singapore Adventure: Suckers for Buffet

I received an email notification today from the Deal Guru website.  They are running a promotion for a 30% discount at TODAI Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands.  HOW CAN I RESIST?!?!

I purchased 4 voucher immediately.  And so, the Cookies and our Moms are going to stuff our faces with seafood and sushi when they get here.  *excited*

Singapore Adventure: A Taste of Octopus

The Cookies had a long weekend.  We were able to catch 2 movies at the theatres and dined at 2 buffets.  Nice!

The Movies

We went to see the new JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg flick Super 8.  It was a bit too juvenile for me.  But my movie date enjoyed it very much!  I find the story bland, and the storytelling dragging.  On a positive note, I have no complaints on the graphics and visual effects.  As most JJ Abrams should know, his "signature" should be found at the clip during the closing credits.  Post a comment if you know what it is. ;)

We were also able to catch Kung Fu Panda 2.  Jack Black is just soooo funny!  We also went to see his last movie Gulliver's Travel and it was tons of fun.  In Kung Fu Panda 2, the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five take on a new nemesis.  This time a peacock!  The story is engaging.  The humor is clean.  The graphics is awesome!  I specially like the scenes when the characters are soaked in water.  Did I say that the graphics is awesome??? :D

There are a few more interesting movies to catch this month of June. The third Transformer movie is coming up. As well as the Green Lantern movie which also hits the Singapore theatres this month.

We have seen posters of Captain America, Cars 2, and Smurf displayed at the theatre and also the movie trailer for Happy Feet 2.  Need to start saving up for movie ticket allowance!

The Buffets

A few weeks back, I have purchased a 1-for-1 buffet lunch voucher at the Window On The Park Cafe Restaurant from the Deal.com.sg website.  Last Friday, we were finally able to use it. 

To say the least, the spread was not very impressive.  Though it has a "make your own rojak and laksa" station concept, it was not enough to say you have gotten your dollars' worth.  In spite of this, I had a few breakthroughs during this visit.  It was my first time to try Octopus Nigiri Sushi.

I have never tried Octopus Nigiri Sushi before.  At the sushi station, we'd watch out for California Maki and Tamago Nigiri Sushi.  The one's with raw fish we would always avoid.  I just raw fish is an acquired taste, and we have not acquired it yet! Hahaha...

So there, somehow I was able to convince myself to try out the octopus that day.  I took a piece, dipped it in wasabi soy sauce and tuck it into my mouth.  The octopus meat is quite chewy.  It's not something you could  chew a few times and down with a glass of water.  You'll definitely choke.  Or at least I believe I would.  So I chewed it, gnawed it, until I can finally swallow.  It had the taste of the see.  I don't really know what to expect of the taste as it was my first time to try it.  But as far as I know, fresh seafood is supposed to smell of the sea.  But to taste of it?? I don't really know.

Another first for me to try during this lunch buffet was Laksa.  I have seen it being served at many Hawker stalls, and other local delights buffet restaurants but I have not really tried it.  I know there's coconut milk, and it's supposed to be very spicy.  So again, I convinced myself to give it a try.  To my surprise, it actually works for me.  I did enjoy the broth.  Now, I am curious to try Laksa the next time we see it on the menu.

(Here's a full review of our lunch buffet meal at Window On The Park published on the Follow the Cookie Crumbs website.)

Another buffet visit we did is at Kuishin Bo Japanese Buffet Restaurant, the one at Jurong Point.  Kuishin Bo is one of our favorite buffet places.  The price is quite reasonable and they have a great spread of Japanese dishes from sushi, to salads, to steamboats, to grilled stuff, teriyaki, hot dishes, and dessert, too.  We  always have a good time at this food place. 

That was how our Cookie weekend went.  We're married 9 months now, and it still always feels like Day One. :)

Singapore Adventure: Cravings Solved!

One of my favorite things in the world is Manggang Hilaw and Bagoong (Philippine Green Mangoes and Shrimp Paste).

Haven't been home in Manila for almost 6 months now, the craving is slowing creeping up to me.  I have no problems sourcing bagoong (shirmp paste) here as most shops at Lucky Plaza will have it for sale of the shelf.  The bottled ones are good enough, but of course nothing beats my grandma's home-cooked recipe.

Philippine green mangoes won't be as easy to find. But I am sure yesterday was my lucky day.  I found green mangoes at Lucky Plaza.  It costs like gold at SGD 2.50 for a medium-sized one, but I won't complain.  That costs way cheaper that an airfare to Manila. :P

Philippine Green Mangoes and Shrimp Paste

So, cravings solved!  I should be good for the next few weeks, I wish.  And hopefully, I'd chance upon a good green mangoes batch again during our next Lucky Plaza visit. :D



Singapore Adventure: Boo, Spizza!

Lord and I are big pizza eaters and we'd pay good money for good pizza.  This past year, Lord came to know about a good pizza place from work.  And since then, for any pizza cravings, we'd call them for delivery.  That's Spizza.

We really liked their pizza flavour Olivia.  That's just a simple Pepperoni pizza, but it's quite tasty with lots of heat from fresh red chili.  I am also very fond their version of the Smoked Salmon salad which they call Adriano on their menu.

Yesterday, Lord and I went out on a movie date to see the latest Pirates of the Caribbean installment - Pirates of the Caribbean: In Stranger Tides.  We had a big lunch and the usual popcorn snack during the movie so we were quite stuffed til about dinner time.  We decided to just have a snack instead of a full dinner, so we called in a pizza order with the usual Adriano salad.

I was happily excited to devour my salad but right at the onset, I already noticed there were a couple of elements amiss in my salad.  Can't find the capers, and the salmon fillets were kind of in a disarray, and not in the usual need spread on top of the salad.   But those we're no biggies, I munched away.  But just as I was about to take the last spoonful of greens and a smoked salmon fillet, there it was sitting on the veg...

A BUG!!! A good-sized green beetle of some sort.  I don't really know what kind of bug it was but still it's a bug that's not supposed to be sitting in my food!!!

I felt sick seeing the thing there.  It wasn't alive at the time I found it, and I wouldn't like to imagine it taking a stroll in my salad a few minutes while I am into eating it.  And I wonder if it brought a few friend along who might already be swimming in the gastric fluids in my belly.  Yuck!

Mind you, I have a tough belly, and I won't mind partaking of a few small ants or insects with my food in cases that they are just too minute to be cleared out, but this one is just too big a bug to be unnoticed during food preparation.  It's just such a clumsy work for whoever prepared the food, and a smear on the food place's reputation as it brings doubts to customers whereelse they could have screwed up during food preparation.  And that' just unacceptable.

We didn't really bother calling in a complaint last night as we were already tired to deal with it.  But I did post up the photo on my Facebook profile page, and on the Spizza fan page.  I hope it gets some attention.  It's sad to see a good pizza place go down by their own carelessness.

Singapore Adventure: Cool and Gloomy

A contrast to yesterday's warm and sunny day.  The sky brought in a good drizzle over our side of Singapore in the afternoon.

Taman Jurong, Singapore
18 May 2011 @ 5:30 pm

Singapore Adventure: It's a Beautiful Day

Sharing the view from our living room window.




Taman Jurong, Singapore
17 May 2011 @ 12:00 nn



Believe it or not, I only used my iPhone 4 to take this snap, with the help of the Photosynth app.  It's free from the AppStore. :)

Singapore Adventure: Relieved

I got my medical exam results from the clinic today.  And after a week of agonising anticipation of what they might have found in my blood test, I am finally relieved.  It seems that my blood sample did react with the test kit the lab is using and had to be sent to the Singapore General Hospital for a confirmatory test. 

Our friend nurse at the clinic reminded me that I did have this same case the last time I did a blood test, but I just couldn't recall when it was. I remember I did a few CBC tests to check on my cholesterol levels, and as far as I remember I have not done any HIV testing before this one.  But since the clinic should have all my medical records and accounts of all the laboratory tests I have done here, then I am in no position to contest her statement. :)

I am clean, as I am very sure I am. :P  And I can finally proceed with finalising my immigration pass.

All is good and tonight I shall sleep like a baby. :)

Singapore Adventure: Another Round

After completing my Erythromycin antibiotic cycle, I am again doing another course of meds.  It seems that the first set didn't really get to the core of my phlegm issue.  And so now I say hello to Fedac Tablet and Fluimucil.

When I went to see the doctor the first time, I told him about the pain in my ears when I swallow.  He had a look but dismissed it saying that there was nothing wrong with my ears.  Yesterday, when I went to see the doctor at our old place in Woodlands to have a medical exam done for my Visit Pass application, I also consulted him about the "swallowing pain".  He had a look in my ears, and said I had mucus in my ears.  So there, another round of meds for me to take over the course of 1.5 weeks.

Well, I don't think this round has antibiotics.  Both meds are just for managing phlegm.  The Fedac Tablets I need to take 3 times a day.  And it makes me really drowsy.  The Fluimucil effervescent tab needs to be dissolved in a glass of water and taken in the morning.  And boy, that is one gruelling drink of water for me.  The tab about the size of a one Singapore dollar coin fizzes when it hits the water.  It tastes like bland soda water.  Eww... 

But then again if this is supposed to get me better, I'll take them diligently.  Hopefully this time we'll finally get rid of the nasty phlegm.

Singapore Adventure: Leaving the Comfort Zone

A few days ago as I was browsing through online job advertisements, I came across one job post and it hit me that I know somebody who fits the bill spot on.  So I forwarded it on hoping that it would spark the same interest in her as it did me for her.

After receiving my message, she immediately expressed anxiety over it but she did say it was an interesting opportunity.  I told her to look it over, fill out the application form and just let it "brew".

Yesterday, I received another response, and by my disappointment, she has decided not to submit the application anymore.  She has her reasons and I deem them valid.  I understand where she was coming from.  Personally, I had the same doubts when I was initially discerning applying for a job outside the Philippines.  Leaving home for the first time, living on your own away from family and friends, starting over career-wise, stepping out of your comfort zone, it's like overhauling your life and that's scary.

When I decided to take a job here in Singapore 4 years ago, I was contented with the life I have.  I had a job that pays enough.  Great friends who keep me grounded.  A loving family living within our means enjoy some comforts.  The love of my life who doubles all the joys I had going on.  It was all working out for me.  Anybody in their right mind would not risk it.  But at the back of my mind, there's always that memory of my Papa, telling me there's all but good in wanting to explore whatever else is out there.  So I did it.  It's a sacrifice I was willing to make because I owe it to myself to make it happen.  And I want to show my Papa who's watching over me from heaven that I did it because I know he wanted me to do it.

The 3 years plus I have been here in Singapore was a great learning experience.  I've learned to be independent.  I've learned to be self-reliant.  I've matured in ways I am sure I could never have had I stayed home.  And that's what I wanted for my cousin when I sent her that job opportunity.  It is what I want for my siblings.  I won't be a hypocrite and say it's just about being independent, of course the money is good, and money is a great motivator.  But for me, at the time, it was not just all about the money. 

05 May 2011 marks my 4th anniversary living here in Singapore.  The tables have turned.  I am jobless.  I am far away from home.  Nothing in Singapore excites me anymore.  I am thinking maybe it's time to move on.  Or probably come back home.  But then again, this is my life now and I have built it here with my Hubby Cookie.  This is now my comfort zone and I feel afraid to step out of it.

Singapore Adventure: Kapitbahay Blues

Gone are the days when you knock at your "kaptibahay"'s door to ask for some spare salt or sugar.  Well, at least that's how I remember it when I was growing up in Manila.  I can't really say if it works the same way here in Singapore.

Based on the last three years living here at the Woodlands HDB, we only knew by face the people from the 4 units on our storey.  Actually, just the ones from 3 units.  The family on the other unit were so elusive.  But I am sure they can only say the same for us.

Gone are the days you make "tambay" at the "bakuran" of the house.  Here we don't have "bakuran".  It's your door, then it's the lift lobby, or for other homes, your friendly shoe rack or bike stand.

In Manila, you can sit in your "bakuran" on your rusty garden table set to do your afternoon "siesta" and when you wake up, your kapitbahay would have just gotten out from his "siesta", then you start to chitchat about your other "kapitbahay"'s (personal) affairs.  And this is while you sweep the dried leaves and empty "chicharya" wrappers sprawled on your "bakuran" with a "walis tingting".  I can't remember seeing "walis tingting" here.  Or maybe I am just not as observant as I presume I was.

Sigh.  This makes me miss home all the more.  Specially now that we have a "kapitbahay" with two obnoxious kids.  There's one who cries on a schedule.  And there's one who bangs the door for a pasttime.  I am sure that one will grow up to be one of the Security Aunties in office buildings if not a hotel door-person.  Sorry for being too harsh, but I am just fed up with those little gremlins.  And the sad thing about it, I think the mum is just equally fed up and just let them be.  Arrggh..  In Manila, parents will always try to silence the little ones with threats like "Kung 'di ka titigil, makikita mo ang hinahanap mo."  Irony in it's greatest form! :))  But it works, at least it did for me at that time.

Oh well, to each his own.  I just hope that the dead plant that my "kapitbahay" seems to be trying to revive grows leaves soon, at least the water she throws into it doesn't go to waste.

And there goes the crying gremlin, 12 noon, right on schedule!

Singapore Advenutre: V-Day at the Siloso Beach Resort

It is the Cookies' first Valentines as a married couple and it has to be made really special. :)

We're definitely not spending it sitting in the house.  That's what we've been doing the last few weekends after my unfortunate encounter with my craft scissors, which is a totally irrelevant story to this one so that's going to wait for a different blog entry.  It took a while before we have finally settled on a venue since there were a couple of considerations to note - it's got to be within Singapore, as we didn't want to spend the short weekend sitting on a ferry or plane to somewhere, it's got to be some place we've never been to before, inspite of Singapore being very small there's got to be a place we have not been to yet, and it's got to have a view of the sea and sky, well, that kinds of limits the options.  And finally, even with that, we managed to set a venue.We're spending the Valentines weekend at the Siloso Beach Resort. :)

We booked one of their Roof Garden Suites for a night.  The room is with a sea view and features a private stairway leading up to an open air private roof top garden.  On the roof deck, you'll find an outdoor bathtub with a jacuzzi. And the magnificent view of the sea is surely breathtaking. 

Being Valentines Day, they have this romantic room setup included with the package, plus a four-course in-room dinner.  Lord and I had a great time at the jacuzzi, and just lounging on the roof deck overlooking the sea.  A short but indeed relaxing Valentines weekend getaway.

After a relaxing day at the resort, we took a quick detour to Univesal Studios for a baby back ribs lunch at Chili's.

A few photos to share with you from my Facebook album Cookie Valentines 2011.

Singapore Adventure: Unwinding

The past few weeks have been pure torture for the Cookies. Lately, work is posing plenty of challenges upon us, and we just have to suck it up and face it head on. Tiring... Truly tiring.

And so, this weekend, we have decided to unwind by going on a shopping spree. One of our favorite past times which we have recently hit the pause button on because of the economic downturn. But desperate unwinding requires drastic measures. We just have to un-pause it... Just this time... Please...

- o0o -

First Stop: Courts

The idea of getting a steamer has been looming around. Recently, I have mastered my leche flan recipe using only my 5-cup rice cooker. And lately, I have volunteered to bring my leche flan to some of my friends' upcoming parties. So yes, the procurement of the steamer is inevitable. And the time has come today. :)

We carried a 3 layer Tefal Steam Cuisine out of the store in 15 minutes. Plus a Braun Minipimer (an immersion blender) which my Cookie has been drooling over since seeing it on Michael Smith's cooking program Chef At Home.

Second Stop: V.Hive

About 3 weeks ago, we have seen this item at V.Hive. It is for a kitchen utility rack, but I mean to use it to hold my scrapbooking effects and trinkets. Today, we came back for it and I ain't leaving the shop without it. So, we did! And it is quite a heavy box. My Coookie did the carrying. Poor thing.

We took around an hour to assemble the thing, and now my scrapping desk is spic and span! Everything is organized (for now?). Hehehe...

Third Stop: Popular

I've finished the Twilight Saga. Loved the first and last book, the second one though not is as interesting is quite essential to tie everything in.

After that, I've also finished Neil Gaiman's latest young adult best-seller, The Graveyard Book. Engaging storyline, but of course, it's a bit too juvenile. I loved Coraline, Bod is equally interesting. Do I recommend it? I do, but I am still Coraline's fan. Can't wait for the movie treatment!

I have run out of books to read, so I decided to get a few new titles. I was looking for The Book Thief, it is the Filipino Group at Good Read's recommended reading for this month. Didn't find it. So, I ended up getting J. K. Rowling's new title The Tales of Beedle the Bard and Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns. I hope they are good choices.

- o0o -

A nice dinner date at Swensen's wraps up another stressful week. I hope the coming week is kinder. Sigh.

Singapore Adventure: Valentines Day 2009

Wish you had a great Valentine's Day, because the Cookies did! ^_^

- oOo -

Thanks to Fwed for this magical photo. ^_^

- oOo -

We went for the Valentines dinner set offered at the Jade Restaurant of The Fullerton Hotel. It was a 7-course meal, and each one proved to be truly delightful. It's my first time to have foie gras, and it was how I expected it to be (based on what I have learned about it from watching all those cooking shows on TV), creamy and melts in your mouth flooding it with a gazillion flavours. My Cookie enjoyed it very much, too.

I also liked the fish course very much. It's pan fried sea bass with ginger sauce and fresh mushrooms and asparagus, drizzled with premium soy sauce. The fish was flaky and flavourful, definetly very moist. Simply remembering it makes my mouth water. Yum...

Each course was well-portioned. Just giving you a enough to enjoy the taste, not filling you up, and preparing your tastebuds for the next course. But I think we ate too fast that by the time we got to the last course before the dessert, we are stuffed.

It was a wonderful dining experience. A bit pricey, but the occasion calls for it, so it's no biggie. ;)

- o0o -

Sharing our Valentines Dinner photos from the Jade Restaurant at The Fullerton Hotel.

Singapore Adventure: 25 Random Things About Me

First posted on my Facebook. ^_^

=================================

1. I just got engaged to my Cookie...
2. on our third anniversary ...
3. last 11 January (111) ...
4. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
5. Favorite color = pink.
6. I want to travel more.
7. Scrapbooking is my hobby.
8. I want to scrap more... My scrap pile is towering now.
9. I've read all three books of the The Lord of the Rings. Throw in The Hobbit, too.
10. I've never read any of the Harry Potter books.
11. I am engaged to Lord Wilfrando Sy. ;) (can't help putting it on #11)
12. I have met Neil Gaiman in person and had my copy of Coraline signed by him while I waited. ;)
13. I was born on the year on the Monkey.
14. Singapore is the farthest I've been from the Philippines.
15. I am a big fan of the Gilmore Girls.
16. Johnny Depp is my ultimate crush. Sigh.
17. I loooooove Philippine green mangoes and bagoong. *drool*
18. My Cookie loves my meatballs.
19. I own a pink Nintendo DS Lite.
20. Our 7' Christmas Tree is still standing. Still no schedule for dismantling it. :P
21. I can swim, ride a bike, and skate. But I cannot drive.
22. You won't find fresh fingerprints on my badminton racket. Been sitting in the corner of my closet for months!
23. I have been published on Libre back in 2004.
24. My blog: http://coookieadventures.blogspot.com
25. I am watching American Idol S8 while doing this. Bitchy Katrina just got kicked out! Woohoo!!!

Singapore Adventure: Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Happy Chinese New Year! May we all have a prosperous Year of the Ox ahead.

- o0o -

Today, I had my college friends over for lunch. Why? Well, there are a couple of reasons...

(1) We've been here at our Marsiling flat for over a year now and they haven't seen our place yet.

(2) I want to show off my newly-acquired cooking skills.

(3) A little Chinese New Year celebration.

(4) For a long overdue catch up.

(5) To celebrate my recent change in "status". ^_^

I served Pancit Canton, Meatballs, Buttered Garlic Shrimp, and Barbecued Pork Chops. For dessert, I made some Leche Flan (my tried and tested recipe, of course!) Pipay brought some bibingka, it was very nice. Though they didn't openly admit my cooking is good, the several rounds they took around the buffet table gave them away. :P (You did enjoy my cooking, right?)

Their visit was short but definitely sweet. We didn't even get to snap photos, or try our new Wii game (House of the Dead 2 & 3), or belt a couple of songs out with our new Magic Sing (Wow Concerto 2009 Edition).

But what we did do is browse through our Baguio Adventure Scrapbook, a trip we took in 2003). Lanie and April, you seriously need to come out clean... No more secrets to Dave and Aldwin... Hahaha....

Looking forward to seeing my girlfriends again. Speaking of which... Mae, Egay, Jing, I miss you!!!

Singapore Adventure: Say What?

I have had this photo for quite sometime now. It took me a while to decide whether to post it here or not. And honestly, until now, I am still unsure if it's just me or if it really is a crime against the English language. ^_^

Just sharing a little laugh for the new year.

Happy New Year!!! :D

-o0o-

The underground crossing from the SMRT Dhoby Ghaut Station (Red Line) to The Atrium was out of service for around a month of the last quarter of 2008. And when it reopened in late November, the walls were still boarded up. Probably some construction work is still going on. And on the walls, this sign was posted.

"TEMPORARY HOARDING DO NOT LEAN"

Say What?!?!?!

Singapore Adventure: Happy New Year Cookies

We have managed to keep awake for the countdown to the new year with a little help from the telecast of the Marina Bay Countdown on Mediacorp 5. It was satisfactorily entertaining, but still not as engaging compared to the countdown shows we have in the Philippines. :P

For Noche Buena, I served Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Barbecued Pork Liempo, Boiled Ground Nuts and Corn on the Cob, and Leche Flan for dessert. It was not a big feast, but we all went welcomed 2009 with full bellies and happy tastebuds. :D

First day of 2009 and I thought of doing another of my kitchen experiments - Happy New Year Chocolate Chip Cookies. With my (almost) trusty toaster oven, I whipped up cookie recipe I got off the internet and just crossed my fingers hoping the finished product is (at least) edible. And it is, surprisingly. I just need to do some work around with the baking time.



INGREDIENTS:

2 2/3 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup butter softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
chocolate chips

PROCEDURE:

1. Mix the first 4 ingredients.

2. In another bowl, mix the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla extract. Blend them well.

3. Fold in the flour mixture.

4. When everything is folded in, add the chocolate chips.

5. Spoon into cookie sheet. Leave some space to let the cookies rise.

6. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Shorter baking time makes chewy cookies.

Happy New Year! ^_^

Singapore Adventure: Simple Christmas Feast

It's my first Christmas away from my family. Last year, though I was already based here in SG, I came home for Christmas to spend the festive season with my family and friends. This year, I spent a wet Christmas in SG. But the best part of it is I get to spend the entire day with my Cookie. ^_^

We started Christmas Day late. Skipped breakfast but I made up for it by serving a nice seafood dish for lunch. My (almost perfected) Buttered Garlic Shrimps.

My Cookie is not as big a fan of seafood as I am. But since it's Christmas and he loves me too much, so he pretends he is a fan every now and again. Well, with a little blackmailing strategy which involves him not getting any dessert, he did down a few pieces of shrimp that I shelled for him. :P

And being a good boy that he is, finishing the lovely shrimp dish I've prepared for him, he deserved the Lechen Flan reward I had for him. :))

When lunch was done, we spent some time in front of the tube. After we've gone tired of all other shows available on cable, we decided to give in to the urge of seeing a "free copy" of Twilight. We've been meaning to catch it in the theatres but never really got to it. And most likely by the time we don find the time, it would most likely not be showing anymore.

Read the book, seen the movie. Well, I am a fan of the book, but not so much of the movie. The movie was a bit of a disappointment to be honest. The way the story was told in book was very fluid, spontaneous, and the way the words were put together and told through the dialogues in the book sounds deliciously as you read them. But the movie, it gave me a feeling of skipping a few chapters or randomly flipping through the pages of the book. The acting was not as convincing making the dialogues sound flat, almost losing its flavour. Sorry if I am being too critical, I just really am not a buff of screen adaptations of books. Well, I did enjoy A Walk to Remember and Stardust, but still something is lost when the book is translated to the silver screen.

So, after almost 3 hours of Twilight, half the time spent blurting out side comments, it's time to prepare Christmas Dinner. This time, nothing fancy, just some Grilled Pork Loin Chops and a sidedish of Buttered Baby Carrots and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.




The Cookies had a great Christmas. ^_^

Singapore Adventure: Christmas Macaroons

Christmas is a great time to bring out the great food. Hehehe...

Well, what do you expect me to do, being stuck in SG away from my family on this festive season? So, I waited for the clock to strike 12 working in my little kitchen.

I whipped up my Cookie's favorite leche flan. I used my tried and tested recipe, of course! Once I've perfected a recipe, I don't want to experiment any further. It will just be a big disappointed to see something nice and beautiful totally defaced just for the sake of giving in to curiosity. :p

I also whipped up something new with the help of my latest kitchen toy! Macaroons! ^_^ Oh, my newest kitchen toy? A Cornell Oven Toaster, something I get to claim for my DBS Credit Card Rewards points. It is only an 8 litre toaster oven, but does the work I want it to do. Hehehe..

And so, here is the product of my latest kitchen experiment... my Christmas Macaroons.

Ingredients:

2 100 gram packs of dessicated coconut

4 eggs beaten

1 250 ml can condensed milk

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup softened butter

1 tbsp vanilla essence

1 tbsp lime juice

100 pcs paper cups

Procedures:

1. Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are well-blended.

2. Scoop the coconut batter into paper cups. Don't fill the cups up to the brim, keep it at 3/4 full only as the batter will rise as it baked.

3. Bake for 10-15 minutes just only until the tops are golden brown.

4. Leave to cool before serving.

5. To store, pack in airtight containers and put in the fridge.