Getting a new guitar has been Claire's wish the last few months. She has been looking around for one and many of her friends have asked her to check out washburn guitars at Musician's Friend . They have many selections there that she can choose from. And the prices are quite affordable too. I may take up her offer of giving some guitar lessons and pick one guitar from this website :) I read through the reviews by their customers on some of the guitars they have at their place and the ratings are good too . Truly a good place to look for musical instruments. Claire has eyed one washburn acoustic guitar and I can only say this " a good one for her ", the price and the model :) She told me it has been added to her wish list :) Of late, our topic has been musical instruments LOL!
These donut balls are actually the donut holes from the sweet potato donuts I shared on my the previous post. Do not reroll the donut holes. Fry them in hot oil and toss them into cinnamon sugar and you will have the kids enthralled especially with the animals picks. Not only kids love them, my Wild Boar can't stop chomping them down. These are good finger food for cell group meet up too. I will make them into balls the next time I make donut dough and take them along for cell meet up. If you are short of idea what to make or take to your cell meeting, these delectable sweet potato donut balls will be good. Easily digestible, light and easy for the young and old.
I ordered this green juice from a cafe and it costs me RM5 for a small glass. It is made up of green apple, celery and bitter gourd (small species ) I decided to make my own and since then , I have been making this green juice for myself every monday, wednesday and friday before leaving for the office and not to forget the weekends sometimes. Healthy drink and I love the bitterish after taste....
I understand that many parents are sending their kids to the Equestrian riding club in their area. Looks like this sport is gaining much interest in the younger generation of late. The telecast of horse riding competitions on television has greatly influenced the children today. It is indeed a good sport for both the female and male. And because of this great increase in equestrian riding, many shops selling equestrian apparel and riding gears are blooming like mushrooms everywhere in the country. And with the great Christmas sales going on in these equestrian shops , many will take advantage and get themselves or their children , equestrian riding apparel as gifts for this coming Christmas :) The Equestrian shop offers best value in equestrian apparel and horse riding gear , so that you can ride in comfort and saftey. And good news for the Equestrian Riding Community, they offers everyday low prices and great customer service to their Everyday Free Shipping - No Code and No Hassle ! I would like to take this opportunity to wish all horse lovers Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
We started our christmas carolling last week . We had a wonderful session and truly enjoyed ourselves. Before we started the real carolling, we had many practices in the church . Our choir leader told the choir committee that we needed a microphone that is powerful enough to capture every carol singers' voices in our group . Thus , it was apporved and the church ordered shure sm58 for this purpose. We had a portable sound system , so with these mic, we were able to perform the best carolling :) This mic is legendary for its uncanny ability to withstand abuse that would destroy any other microphone. It was a good buy for the church and a big thank you for our church for providing such good mics us, making our carol singing stood out last week. Every family who had signed up for our carolling were pleased with our performance. And thanks to these mics that our vocals came through , loud and clear :)
Yesterday , we held a Christmas celebration for the office staff . We catered the main meal from the office cafeteria and some of my Muslim colleague were kind to help out with the dessert and this Kuih Seri Muka aka Steamed Glutinous Rice Cake With Custard Topping was the best Seri Muka I had eaten thus far. It was prepared by my muslim colleague. The coconut milk custard topping was so creamy that I ate more than I allowed myself to indulge in :) It was heavenly delicious. Okay, so why blow the trumpet when it was not even prepared by yours truly and I can't ask her for the recipe either to share with you guys ( she is a business woman ) , but just the same, I will try to ask her for some tips later when I have the chance to chat her up :p But for the time being , this is just for the record that I had tasted the most wonderful and lip-smacking dessert. Once I get the guide line from her, I shall try the recipe out myself and will share with you guys when the time comes :) Keeping my finger crossed that she will guide me in making this deliciousness. There are so many version of this recipe, but the most important factor is to learn the art of making this with the tips from my colleague :)
I am happy to be in the architectural line. There are so much to learn and explore in this field. Today I learned from the mechanical staff about autopilot salt cell which has been the technological leader in the chlorine generation process for swimming pools since 1976. Many pools are sanitized with chlorine generators. I think this is a great unit for the pools and I shall incorporate them into my future projects for pools. I am glad that we have this kind of autopilot cell for swimming pool. It helps a lot to be briefed on this kind of technology. If not, I will not be able to progress where technology is concerned. I look forward to more seminars on technical gadgets that will help me in my kind of work :)
Wow...I thought we have only the pregnancy test kit but today I just found out that they have benzodiazepine drug test kit in the market too ! This kit is an on-site (rapid) urine test offering low cost and convenient collection.
This iScreen can be defined as a rapid, one step screening test for the simultaneous, qualitative detection of multiple drugs and drug metabolites in human urine. This is another advancement in medical technology :) This rapid drug test kit is great for companies when they do a random check on their staff. This will save time and money.
I have been looking around for a good lemon curd recipe and found the perfect one here. Since it was reviewed that it was Martha Stewart's Ca.1995 Best Lemon Curd, I just have to try it out. I am a great fan of Martha, so why not try her version first :) and I am not disappointed. My first attempt at making lemon curd, it may not look that smooth but it taste fantastic. It truly explodes in the mouth with its lemony fragrance , sweet and tangy at the same time. Love it. It is good for tarts, cupcakes and you can even have them in your ice cream - mmmm lemon curd ice cream sounds good :) Just thinking of the many goodies that I can use with this lemon curd, I am already on cloud nine :) Read on for the recipe :p
I received an email from Miss Stephanie Roth from Zinio who is willing to sponsor free magazine subscriptions that I can share with my blog readers. I am excited to be giving away 10 free magazine subscriptions (5 to faithful followers who have been following and giving me encouragement eversince I started this blog in 2010 and another 5 lucky winners will be picked for this giveaway by True Random.Org Number Generator).
If you are not familiar with Zinio, let me give you a brief outline on this online digital magazines and book portal. They have thousands of top magazines from around the world. You can browse and purchase subscriptions or single issues instantly from your computer or your mobile device to read wherever and whenever you like. Their explore section allows you to read - even without a subscription - thousand of articles from your favorite magazines and share them with your friends. Inspiration at your fingertips with up to extra 50 % your top magazines.
I have heard so much about Zinio from my Piggy Jo . She subscribed yearly for their 'Mental Floss ' and she finds them fantastically informative. Light and easy reading. They have 300 magazine titles available at up to 50% off their already-discounted prices. A few sample titles such as LA CUCINA, ITALIANA, VEGETARIAN TIMES, FOOD ARTS, CLEAN EATING. You can check out their website to find out more at http://www.zinio-deals.com/ for this great offers.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS has also put out some fantastic special holiday issues at 30% off. Food Gifts, Party Food, and even an entire issue devoted to Christmas Cookies : http://www.zinio.com/ . With the festive season just around the corner, this would be a great Christmas offer for you and family members.
If you are keen to participate in this giveaway, please leave me a comment here why you think Zinio is a great digital magazines and book portal and you may stand a chance to be one of the lucky 5. Please leave me your name and email together with your comment.
Christmas is just around the corner and time to bake fruit cakes as gifts. I decided to make things easy and reuse the same recipe which I used for last Xmas - Boiled Fruit Cake :) This year , I used spiced rum instead of brandy. Brandy would be better but since I don't have it at home, and I have a bottle of spiced rum opened, why not use it up for these fruit cakes. These are perfect gifts for close friends and loved ones :) I baked them last week and I have been giving them the rum bath once every alternate day and now it is time to give them away before I eat them all :p I can't afford to give the whole cake to each of them so I cut them into two loaves :p not stingy just don't have enough energy to make so many. It is not the size of the cake that counts but the thought counts...right?...a small loaf packed with LOVE and deliciousness ! LOL!
Claire and Kitty are both great buddies and their birthdays falls on the same date...LOL! so that means I have to bake two cakes on the same day. Both have different likes , thus one was a butter cake with sugar icing and one was a cheesecake with heavy cream frosting :)) Well, I truly hope they both like the cakes that I had specially baked for them and they meant it when they say it was good and not just an obligatory praise LOL! I have been baking of late...I baked some fruit cakes too for the coming Xmas ! I have been kept busy and I am happy when I am baking and not glued to the idiot box :) Life is short, so I have to use all my free time to be a better baker. God gave us talent and I must use our talent to the fullest :) I love my family and I love my friends. Happy Birthday Kitty ! Kitty was away at the time of her birthday , this is a belated birthday post for her :)
This Christmas is going to be fun. Uncle Sam is visiting and he will be spending Christmas with us. Wow, the room will smell of cigars . I kind of love the cigar smell...sweet and mmmm I don't know but it is nice :p The Piggies are thinking of getting cheap cigars online for him . They are still not earning their own money yet so they go for offers item online :) I think Wild Boar and myself will get him something else for Christmas this year :)
I was surfing for biscuit recipes the last few days as Christmas is just around the corner, and I came across this beautiful blog - Common Cook and saw these biscuits packed with all my favorite seeds in one piece of biscuit....I knew I had to try it out , skipped the KIV thing and straight away baked it. Was lucky to have some grated parmesan cheese and all the seeds in the fridge drawer :) I am glad that I baked it , it was so fluffy and crispy at the same time. Read on for the recipe......
Nicholas, my nephew surfed online to shop for a military coin for his best friend for the past few days. He wants to give this special customized coin to his best buddy who is in the military and being an avid coin collector, what better gift to give his buddy other than a military coin. I am sure his buddy will love this military coin as a Christmas gift. Christmas ! and I can't wait for Christmas to come :p
This is another easy to whip up finger food for my cell group meeet up. Egg sandwiches ! I may sound common but the egg filling is yummy. We meet up for bible lessons and sharing every Friday night. I don't mind going for CG meeting, there are plenty to eat after the lessons :p spiritual food and physical food * oink oink ! Healthy food ..so don't have to worry much about the waistline expanding...lots of fresh fruits and I for one will be making healthy food to take to cell group from now on :) Read on for recipe.........
It is best not to ask Piggy Josh what he wants for Christmas. Neither should I let him see this behringer nu6000 at musicians friend or he will want to add this to his Christmas list. I know I have been ranting the last few days on Christmas gifts and I hope I have not bored you. The truth is I am excited like a child and can't wait for Christmas to come soon. A time for baking cookies and biscuits as gifts A time of giving and sharing :)
Josh will be out working soon and we are wondering whether we should give him a leather briefcase for Christmas :p Killing two birds with one stone as the saying goes. Are we too practical, surfing online to shop for leather briefcases for him? Or should we just let him choose what he wants for Christmas...he will surely say " I want a Clarinet ! " Nope, I think we should give him a surprise , after all ,what is Christmas ? :)
You can tell me hundred and one times and I am still blur what annuities is all about :p I think Wild Boar has given up on me. I know after each explanation he will sigh and say this " you still look blur ...nevermind what I just said " LOL! And what more, he even explained what indexed annuity is all about and I still can't register it. Men have no patience when it comes to explaining things to their wife. I think it would be better to go online and check it out myself :p I know I am ranting again !
I thought plain steamed sponge cake with homemade kumquat compote would give the cake an added refreshing flavor and uplift the cake to a higher level and true enough, it was yummy good ! The cake turned out soft and the kumquat compote gave the sponge cake a twist. So refreshing and I purposely reduce the thickness of the cake to make it finger food for all occasions especially for my cell meet-up. Place the cut piece on paper liner and gosh, it is impressive ! Love it and read on for the recipe................
This is a simple cake that I can whip up less than 40 mins and can be made on the same day I attend cell group. Healthy and great as finger food. This is a sponge cake made with just egg whites. You can either steam it or bake it. Simple and easy and healthy and yummy. You can make in small cupcake tins and it will be great finger food for a cell meet -up whereby members would prefer light finger food :p I have made this before but that was a steamed version. I used the same recipe but baked it instead. It turned out great too.
I am back into baking buns and bread. Wholemeal burger buns for breakfast or late night supper ( after watching the idiot box ) I tend to be hungry. I can chomp one with homemade ice cream...seriously ,believe me ! For Wild Boar , he will have it with my beef patties which I made and stored in freezer for his breakfast. Thank God , I am not a meat eater, thus ice cream sandwiched with these healthy buns is a welcome item in my diet. Back to the main topic, I made this buns with water roux and it turned out soft and yet firm for the beef patties. I will post up how I make the beef patties burger for Wild Boar and how I sandwiched the homemade ice cream with them . Stay tuned but meanwhile check out the recipe as you read on..............
We sometime thinks that the bathroom is just a space to get ourselves ready for our daily business and as a result can end up being one large storage area for all those grooming products that we all need. This can be an eyesore . The best storage solution is to have discount bathroom cabinets installed in the bathroom . This cabinets are designed to fit into recesses which mean that they are great space saving option and they have the ability to keep your things neat and tidy and the bathroom will be clutter free.
Christmas is just around the corner and many people will be giving their house a makeover. A change of furnitures and curtains are the common makeover to uplift the spirit of Christmas :) For us, it is the same as others. A change of new curtains would be on my to do list before other things. Looking through some curtain catalogues, I saw some waverly curtains that looks appealing and their vibrant colors and designs will surely make my living room looks bright and cheerful. Have to consult the home finance minister first before ordering them for the room :)
This is another Martha Stewart's yummilicious cupcakes. Triple-Citrus Cupcakes - a refreshing cupcake with a trio of citrus zests ....lime, orange and lemon. The moment I take a bite, I can taste the flavor of the three citrus distinctively....awesome, only Martha can think of using these three citrus as flavor for the cake and glaze the top with citrus glaze and garnishes it with grated lime, lemon or orange zest . Great idea to use these three citrus zests to brightens simple cupcakes. Read on for the recipe.......
Piggy Josh recently bought an electric guitar from Sheffield . He loves music even from young. I thought he just loves playing jazz music at the piano but now he has gone into guitar playing and what more cooing away while strumming at the electric guitar. I have to ask him to tone down the volume at times :) He recently purchased some accoustic guitar pickup system from LR Baggs Bridges guitar center and he is happy with it ! That is how he spends his pocket money! Wait till he works , I am going to extract back from him every single cents :p
I was baking away the whole weekend and guess what? Wild Boar bought me chinese pancake 'Ban Chang Kueh ' which is packed with groundnuts . This pancake is from a stall opposite the shop houses in Ipoh Garden East . He opens everyday from 1 pm till 4.30 pm. If you are around the area, you drop by and get yourself the best chinese pancake ever ! For me, his pancake is the best in town :p Mmmmm chomp this pancake down with a cup of hot apple tea...heavenly especially when you are baking the whole day. A great snack. I must learn how to make this and I hope I will be able to make them perfect ! Who knows, I might hang up my 8-5pm drafting job, and open a stall and sell this LOL! Thank you Wild Boar for being so kind as to provide this afternoon tea for me after a tired day in the kitchen facing the hot oven and in such a hot weather !
Every year end , our department will be having some sports contest and bodybuilding contest is one of them. There a few of my male colleagues who are keen in bodybuilding and takes pride in building muscles, each wanting to show off their 6 -pack abs and all and have been involved in bodybuilding since they joined service. They have a trainer to help them build their body for competition and recently , they have register for bodybuilding contest representing our office. They aim to win this year bodybuilding trophy to add to their collections winning trophies.
This is the second time I made ice cream using the ice cream maker. Strawberry ice cream...yay ! everyone in the family likes strawberry so I thought I will make some for the weekend. This time the recipe uses egg yolks . When the ice machine churned the custard mixture into a thick consistency, I was happy and elated and as you can see from my photo that the ice cream consistency was how it should be BUT after freezing it in the freezer for more than 12 hours, to my dismay, the texture did not turn out creamy and smooth as I expected it to be. It was grainy like a sorbet texture. LOL! So I am not sure whether it was the fact that I did not follow the recipe to the dot or because of the fact that I reduced the egg yolks to 5 or it is my ice cream maker for failing to have a smooth and creamy texture. I still need to study why some friends using this same machine can have smooth ice cream ....can someone tell me where did I go wrong ? :)