Goodbye 2011!!!

It is time of the year again ...

Last day of 2011, last few hours of 2011 to reflect upon matters that had happened during the year. Time to look back and to decide whether to give yourself a pat on the back for all the goods that you have done or to reflect on the bads and make improvement in the coming year.

For me, majority of the time in 2011 was spent on being pregnant and enjoy life as much as I can before baby comes along ^_^. Other than daily chores of taking care of my 2 lovely boys and the household, I had also picked up a new interest - BENTOing. A very interesting hobby but time consuming too. I hope I still have the time to bento occasionally in the coming year.

The start of the coming year would be a challenge for me. Having to care for a new born, Odin, helping Oswald adapt to primary school and trying to give equal attention to Owein in midst of all the busy shedule. I know it is not easy especially when Odin is still so young and dependent on me. Hope the difference in schooling time between the boys and help from my in laws would help ease the situation a little.

Oh well, 2011 had been a not bad year for me. Greatest achievement is the arrival of baby Odin and Oswald's completion of his pre-school studies. Whatever that is going to happen in the coming year, I will slowly face it and tackle it there n then.

God bless everyone and wish you a Happy New Year!!!!!

Drama - 49天 (49 Days)

A heartwarming romance drama though it comes with a not so happy ending.



Shin Ji Hyun was enjoying absolute bliss as she was about to marry her fiancé, Kang Min Ho, but her perfect life is shattered when she gets into a car accident that leaves her in a coma. She is given a second chance at life by a reaper, but it comes with a condition: she has to find three people outside of her family who would cry genuine tears for her. In order to do this, she borrows the body of Yi Kyung, a part-time employee at a convenience store for 49 days.

Arrival of Baby No. 3 - Odin Wong

A trobbling headache is keeping me awake. No matter how hard I tried still cannot get back to sleep. To distract myself from the 'pain', I'd decided to update my little space here. Hope the pain lessen or go away by the time I am done ranting ^_^

What have I been up to lately ... I guess the title says it all.


Our newest addition finally arrive on 4th Nov 2011 after much anticipation. His arrival was so close to my EDD (6th Nov). I was hoping for a November to complete the birthday month pattern in our family. But upon knowing that his EDD was 6th Nov, I had thought we might not have the chance. I had wished and prayed very hard for miracle to happen and it did. Not only my wish for a Nov baby was granted, baby came on such a day that he shares it with 2 other person who are very close to us. Isn't it wonderful???

For the past week, everything seems to pass in a flash, I hardly had the time to sit back to stop for awhile till probably now. Hahaha. Contraction starts > delivery > 3 days 2 nights hospital stay > home with Odin > handling curious kids who are so excited with their new brother > nursing the newborn > jaundice check > getting milk supply steady for feeds ... So many thing happening during the past 7 days. I am so glad that things are finally settling down a bit. It is really not easy but glad that I had made it through, with help of course. All thanks to the support that my parent in laws had given. Without them around to help out with the older boys, I probably had gone crazy having to handle them plus the newborn.

Bento #6 - Halloween 2011

I had decided to prepare food with a theme in mind this month. Since Halloween is approaching, hence all food decorations are revolved round this.


10 Oct - I had made Grilled Maple Chicken and Pork Ribs and decided to pair it with Fried Rice for the boys. Cut out a pumpkin with cheese and added facial details using nori. Used crescent shaped cutters for the moon and picks for other details. Easy start for my Halloween Themed food this month.


12 Oct - 'House of Ghost' named by Owein. Breakfast prepared for hubby and my Double Os. 1st time trying out craving on apple ... from the looks of it, seems not bad for a 1st timer ^_^. Door and window frame is cut out using nori.


14 Oct - For this morning's breakfast, I'd decided to make some MUMMIES!!! Somehow the mummies turned out more cute than scary ... LOL. In hubby's bento, I added in a Yuzu Cupcake which I had made the day before.


19 Oct - Familar look? Look like the character in The Nightmare Before Christmas right? LOL another cute idea instead of scary one ... and I thought Halloween is suppose to be scary hahaha but can't help it. Can't make myself to prepare those scary looking food like fingers and eyeballs.


21 Oct - My last Halloween Themed breakfast for the boys and hubby. Wanted to do a scary bat but it turned out looking more sad than scary ... hahaha. Oh well, what ever goes right as long as the kids like it.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Drama - 公主的男人 (The Princess’ Man)

A tragic love story between the daughter of Prince Suyang and grandson of Kim Jong Seo. The son of Kim Jongseo, Seungyoo, is a handsome and wise man who carries a noble quality. Princess Seryeong, a daughter of King Sejo, aka prince Sooyang, is a cheerful, lively lady with a strong curiosity and bold personality. They fall in love instantly but later they find out that their parents are sworn enemies. It's a Chosun dynasty version of “Romeo and Juliet”.

Caught this show on KBS and fell in love with it enough to follow through the entire series on TV. Faithfully recording it weekly just to watch it. For now, if interested to watch, can only get to watch it online. Happy viewing ^_^

Drama - 烘焙王金桌球 (Bread, Love and Dreams)

"Bread, Love and Dreams" covers the life of Kim Tak-Gu from the 1970's until the late 1980's as he becomes one of the most successful bakers in all of Korea.

The president of Geosung baking company Koo Il-joong (Jeon Kwang-Leol) loved Kim Mi-soon (Jeon Mi-Seon), but Koo Il-joong's mother was against their relationship. Because of this, and as a marriage of convenience, Koo Il-Joong instead married Suh In-sook (Jeon In-Hwa). They had two daughters, Ja-kyung and Ja-rim, but no sons. Sometime later, Il-joong has an extra-marital affair with his true love Mi-Soon and they conceive a son, who will later be named Tak-gu.

Meanwhile, In-sook is afraid that Tak-gu may one day become the heir to the Geosung baking company, In-Sook then seduces the company's Chief Secretary Han Seung-jae (Jeong Seong-Mo) and they conceive a son who will later be named Ma-joon (Ju Won). Years later, on a rainy evening, Koo Il-joong's mother overhears a conversation between Han Seung-Jae and In-sook. She collapses and dies. During this time In-sook loses her bracelet and her son Ma-joon is there to retrieve it. Ma-Joon now knows who his real father is.

Meanwhile to protect Kim Mi-Soon and Tak-gu, Koo Il-Joong orders a man named Jin-Goo (Park Seong-Woong) to kidnap them. Seo In-Suk and Han Seung-Jae attempts to kill Tak-gu, but he is fortunate enough to escape. Tak-gu then meets his lifelong mentor Pal-Bong (Jang Hang-Seon) , who runs Palbong Bakery.

Tak-gu first met Yoo-kyung (Yu Jin) when they were children. She lived through a difficult childhood, with an abusive father and having little money. Yoo-kyung learned to smile for the first time when they met, but when Tak-gu goes to Koo Il-joong's house as the first son they separated. 12 years later they meet again and their love is rekindled. Nevertheless, Yoo-kyung now believes that love is nothing when compared to money and power and because of this she leaves Tak-gu to marry Ma-joon instead.


Another show that I could not stop watching once I started it. Enjoy ^_^

Bye-Bye Pretty Nails ...

It had been a long while since I last update on my medi/pedi experience. Haven been to upkeep my nails due to my morning sickness. But when that was over, it is almost time that I got to start preparing for my baby's arrival. My last 2 times to pamper my nails before delivery ... then after that no more pretty nails unnecessary liao :(

Drama - 秘密花园 (Secret Garden)

The drama tells the story of Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), an arrogant and eccentric CEO who maintains the image of seeming perfection, and Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won), a poor and humble stuntwoman whose beauty and body are the object of envy amongst top actresses. Their accidental meeting, when Joo Won mistakes Ra Im for actress Park Chae Rin, marks the beginning of a tense, bickering relationship, through which Joo Won tries to hide a growing attraction to Ra Im that both confuses and disturbs him. To complicate matters further, a strange sequence of events results in them swapping bodies.

Highly recommended to watch this. I love this show to the max!!!!

Bento #5 - Simple Breakfast for Kids

I usually have to pack breakfast for my boys to bring school every Wednesdays and Fridays because my elder boy does not like the food served on those mornings.

However I am always tight on time in the mornings unless I wake up really early or did prep work the night before. Hence, I usually fall back on sandwich moulds and cookies cutters to make their usual bread more interesting and filling up empty spaces with their favourite snack.



Sometimes, instead of getting the usual loaf bread, I buy bread from the bakery. With some decorations, sparks up things for the boys too. But to make this happen, I usually have to plan ahead and probably got to get some decorations done the night before. This would make my job easier in the morning as I only need to put everything in place.



One of my latest inspiration is to make FROGGIES ... saw pictures of it on bento sites that I visit and cannot resist it cos they are so cute. I just got to give it a try.


I had misjudged the assembly time for this and hence I was left with not much time to think of what other snacks to pack for the boys. I just packed in some biscuits and sent the boys to school with their froggie breakfast. But no complains from the boys as they both finished everything that was packed.


Still got a couple of months before school ends for the year ... till then, I've got to continued to be inspired and think of what to pack for the boys. Till then ... ^_^

Totally Kim Hyun Joong!!!

Since we are on the topic of Kim Hyun Joong, he had returned to the music scene once again as a solo artist. Here's 2 of his song in his solo album.

Drama - 惡作劇之吻 (Playful Kiss)

Finally back in the mood to watch my korean dramas. Had been waiting for this show to be available for a long time and finally gotten my hands on it.


A high school girl named Oh Ha Ni (Jung So Min) who is in the bottom of her class has had a crush on popular and genius male student named Baek Seung Jo (Kim Hyun Joong) ever since she saw him on the first day of high school. Ha Ni decides to confess through a letter, but is rejected by Seung Jo, who tells her that he hates stupid girls. Fate intervenes when a mild earthquake ruins Ha Ni's family's new house. While the house gets rebuilt, Ha Ni and her dad (Kang Nam Gil) stay at the home of her dad's childhood friend, who happens to be Seung Jo's father. Now the two must live together and fun and chaos occurs as Ha Ni tries to win Seung Jo's heart.

This is another drama by Kim Hyun Joong who also had acted in 花样男子 (Boys over Flowers). He also sang a song titled - One More Time in the OST.



A 7 episodes "Playful Kiss: Special Edition" was released on YouTube at a later date which is a mini continuation of the drama.

Bento #4 - Musical Dinosaur

Fuzz free dinner prepared within an hour.

We had decided to drop by my in laws place for some cousins catching up session. [P/S: Hubby's relative from USA are in town for visit and are putting up at my in laws place] But due to the last minute decision, I've got to pack my boy's dinner along. I'd nothing much at home and can only salvage whatever I have in the fridge.


Dinner is made up of:-

1) Fried Rice with Corn n Carrot wrapped in store bought Crepe skin.
2) Dinosaur shaped Nugget.
3) Potato and Cheese Balls.

I'd did some read up on freezing rice here and I simply love the ideal. Having portions of freezed rice in my freezer, it is a very useful thing especially for preparing last minute meals.

Bento #3

Today got to attend a cousin's wedding at The Ritz Carlton and since it is a family event, my boys get to tag along too.

In view of that, KS mummy started to plan out what food to pack for the boys and I'd decided to use my newly purchased bento boxes for the boys.


Their dinner comprised of:-

1) Chicken Karaage - store bought, frozen ones very convenient indeed.
2) Pumpkin Onigiri - used Japanese pumpkin for this and it gives a very nice yellow color to the rice.
3) Broccoli, Carrots, Baby Corn and Quail Eggs as space fillers and garnish.

Bento #2 - Bento-ing again ...

Recently bento is the way to go to prepare kids food. Had been seeing quite a lots of bento sets on Facebook and I am so inspired.

1st, I need to get my hands on a tamago pan because both my boys like tamago and I thought it would be a good ingredient to start with. So ... off I went to Daiso to pick up my cheap pan plus some bento making kits.


Tamago

Found a really easy to follow recipe online and after trying it then realised that it was not that difficult after all. Before that, all the layering and folding of the egg etc had kinda put me off to making tamago.


Other than the egg being slightly burnt, it was not bad for beginners.


Let's get BENTO-ing

With the tamago I'd made, I made this for the boy's dinner on 20 June. My boys found it cute and ate up their dinner in record timing. How inspiring ...

** Sushi Rice + Tamago with Pork Floss Toppings **
** Cheddar Cheese Pork Sausages **

Check out how it was done HERE ^_^.


Being inspired by my boys, I started to read more on making bentos online and sourcing for ideas. There is really lots to learn online and I'd picked up quite a bit of tips and tricks through my research. While still researching, my good friend and spurred me on to pick up a challenge ... that is to make an ANGRY BIRD bento by showing me this picture!!!


Isn't it cute!!! And when my boys are head over heals with the birds, she got to show me that!!! All because of my boys' love, I was so tempted to give it a try. I'd stared at pictures of Angry Bird bentos for the next few days, and finally I surrender and decided to make it for my little ones on 26 June. BUT ... only 1 type of bird for now ...

** 'Angry Bird' Rice Onigiri **
** Potato and Cheese Balls **
** Grilled Chicken with Yakitori Sauce **
** Yakitori Corn Kennels **

Not really happy with the final result but not bad for the 1st try. I promised the boys to try again and to make more birds ... guess it is time to source for more equipments and read up more on bento skills.


As I read on during my research, I came upon very interested food preparation method. Came by this DOMO character potato croquettes from Anna The Red's Bento Factory. I think it is damn cute and not very difficult to make and hence decided to give it a try for the boys on 27 June.

** 'Domo' Potato Croquettes **
** Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato Mushroom Sauce **

Click HERE for my own version of the croquettes.

I was so into making these cute DOMO monsters, I'd decided to make more of it for a picnic with my boys at the zoo on 29 June.

Experiments in my Kitchen ...

Haven been able to update what I have been up to in my kitchen recently. Now finally got the time to share ... Bon Appetit ^_^


Mushroom Bruschetta

** Click HERE for recipe **

We had lunch at Marina Bay Financial Centre and after that went for a walk at Marina Bay Link. We passed by The Soup Spoon and I saw pre-made mushroom soup available for sale. Suddenly having a mushroom craving, I'd decided to make a mushroom meal dinner for the boys.

To pair with the mushroom soup, I'd decided to make Mushroom Bruschetta as their carbo in take. Guess what, it was well liked by the boys. Initially I thought it might be a little mushroom overdose for them but who knows ... both of them enjoyed the meal.


Fun with Bread/Cookie Moulds

Since I had a collection of moulds, school holidays is the best time to take them out to use because I got all the time in the morning to prepare breakfast for myself and the boys.

** Isn't this adorable ... made this for myself. Sealed off the sides of the bread with a sandwich mould and add on kitty face with my cookie mould. **

** Tried out my new bought mini mickey cutters with bread n cheese for the boys. **

** Tested out more new moulds ... simply love the deep indentations **

Chocolate Making

Finally I picked up the courage to try making CHOCOLATES!!!

Well actually there's a reason behind the push. Oswald wanted a Dinosaur Themed Birthday Party at school. To make sure that everyone in class gets a dinosaur in an inexpensive way, I've only got this choice!!! Plus my SIL was so sweet to pick up the dinosaur chocolate mould from Phoon Huat for me. So, why not give it a go and if it fails, then at least I still got time to think of alternatives.

Did lots of read ups and asking around ... I even bought a book on chocolate for reference. Finally I put my hands on making it ... and the result ...

** Couverture Milk Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Truffle Fillings. **

I only know that it was couverture chocolate when I was extracting the chocolate from the mould. During extraction, chocolate snaps easily and melts very fast. This only happend when couverture chocolate is not tempered properly. But when I purchased the chocolate, I had ask for compound chocolate specifically and was told that it was compound chocolate. Kinda felt cheated but the chocolate taste really good.

** Compound White Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Truffle Fillings. **

Though the taste of previous batch of chocolate was heaven but don't think I am ready to temper with chocolate yet. This time round, tried making chcolate again and using COMPOUND chocolate. I had choosen white chocolate because I wanted to experiment with colours. Added a few drops of green into my white chocolate and the color turned out quite pretty.

Upon comparison, compound chocolate is really much easier to work with. No more breakage and melting during extraction. Of course, the taste will lose out a bit but don't think kids will be able to tell much of a difference hehehe. Now, can make colorful dinosaurs for Oswald cuppies for school party!!!


Birthday!!!

Due to my pregnancy, I was totally out of mood during my 1st trimester and only till recently then I am feeling good enough to start things in the house again. I had missed out on making my own and hubby's birthday cake hence I gave it a go to make my MIL one.

Had asked my boys on how should I decorate the cake and trust me ... never ask a child for opinion if not ... your cake will turn out this way ...


Oh yes ... is a DINOSAUR themed cake. LOL ... this is what you get for an answer when you ask 2 boys who are crazy over dinosaurs now.

Took a green tea cake base recipe from Okashi Treats: Sweet Treats Made With Love and then filled the layers up with Azuki Beans and whipped cream then followed up with the decorations.

Despite the kiddish decoration, which all the kids at the table were so excited about, everyone else like the taste of the cake. So overall, the cake was cute on the outside ... but tasty on the inside hahahaha satisfy both kids and adults.


That's not all that I've been churning out from my kitchen recently ... there's more to come. Check out on my next post on my crazy over bento making for my boys.

Announcement Day!!!

Today is my appointment at the hospital for my detail scan.

Guess what ... baby No. 3 ... is a BOY!!!

Yes ... another boy. How I wish it was a girl ... oh well.

Now really got to think hard to find another O name for no. 3. It was quite difficult to decide Owein's name 4 years back. Now, another boy, it will really be a challange for me ...

Bento #1 - Smiley Sausages

Fridays is always a rush for me even when my in-laws could help baby sit my boys before I go pick them for their music class. But not as bad as the current situation because my in-laws will make sure that they wake up in time to have an early dinner and just in time for me to pick them.

Now, we've got relatives here for visit and are staying at my in-laws place, hence no more such convinence and I've got to take over all the task including feeding the boys before their lesson.

Due to time constrain, got to 'resort' to making food looks interesting and easy to eat ...

** Rice Cubes seasoned with Furikake + Smiley Cheese Sausage **

A quick meal prepared within 1/2 hour for the boys to eat in the car on the way to music lesson. Most importantly, it entice the boys to eat and they finish up everything withing the short 20 mins ride from CCK to Clementi.

Updates!!! ... *long over due* ^_^

Phew ... it really had been quite awhile since I last updated. This 3rd pregnancy is really getting into me and in addition got to take care of 2 growing tods. It was a real challenge but I guess the worst had gone because I am feeling less tired and got a bit more energy to get things going.

Not sure where to start since I had not been blogging for so long. Hmm ... let's start with the youngest 1st.

Baby No. 3 - Growing well inside and I am starting to feel more of his/her movement. Currently in my 20th week of pregnancy but we have yet to know baby's gender. We had wanted to find out badly during my 16th week checkup but baby's position was not really ideal to give a confirm answer. Will be going for my detail scan tomorrow ... we should be able to know gender by then. *Though it a bit too late, but I am still hoping hard for a girl*

Double O's - The boys are having a hell lots of fun. First of all, they are having their June Holidays. Their days are packed with activities either at home or outside and they get to eat nicely prepared meals by mummy. Secondly, their from USA are here for a visit. So, in addition to all activities mummy had lined up for them, they get to hang out with their cousins too. How exciting!!!


Here's a list of what we did this holiday ... (be prepared, it is gona be a long one!!! ^_^)

31 May - Thomas 'LIVE' Show at Jurong Point.


We headed down to JP really early to be sure that we get a chance to meet Thomas close up. Organiser only allow 1st 50 kids for the meet up session. After our brunch at MacDonalds and a short walk around, we joined the queue at about 12pm for the show which only starts at 1pm. Even though we were almost an hour early, Oswald n Owein is already the 6th and 7th kid to be admitted. Talking abount being KS ... sometimes you just got to follow the flow else you lose out :p


3 June - Short Visit to the Zoo.

While Oswald is having fun at Bible Camp, I'd decided to bring Owein out to the Zoo to meet up with Peggy and her friend for a short while. If I recall correctly, this would be the 1st time that Owein explore the Zoo without his stroller ... and too bad for him, mummy can't carry him even though he is tired. But he had been good and was on his feet the whole time we were there. His reward ... a hand painting of a Dinosaur!!! hehehehe



13 June - Playtime at The Playhouse @ Rochester.


I had been wanting to check out this place for the longest time but never had the chance to do so. Finally managed to get it done this holiday.

It is a very interesting place indeed and the kids love it there. Only downside is the kids menu looks more interesting that their usual menu ... lol. But it is really a good place for mummies to hang out because the kids will be too busy playing and being entertained in the play room to bother their mummies. I had a good time relaxing at the cafe with my friend Peggy.


15 June - At the Zoo with the Sterlings.

The Sterlings are heading to the zoo and I'd decided to bring the boys to go join them. Bringing 5 active boys out is not a joke but glad that the boys enjoyed themselves. Oswald's greatest achievement, at least that's what I think, is that he had tried to feed the Rinos. Something which I had never expect but guess what, he did not 'shy' off and even attempts to do it. Great job Oswald!!!

We stayed a good 4 hours there before we had to head home for Oswald's nap because he had got TKD class at night. I was totally drained and the drive home seems so long even though it is just a short drive back ...



16 June - It's Grandma's BIRTHDAY!!!


It is grandma's birthday today and upon request of the boys, I had to make a DINOSAUR cake for grandma. What a theme and I swear never to ask the boy's opinion on cake decoration anymore. Brought the boys out for a quick lunch and to get the ingredients for decorating the cake ... after a few hours of 'hard work' ... finally got the cake done up in time for the night's dinner surprise. *see above for the cake design*

I'd made Green Tea Red Bean Cake for my MIL and everyone likes it. Gotten quite good reviews for the cake *blush*. Anyway glad that everyone likes it ... even the kids went 'woh' about it ... all thanks to the cake decoration hahahaha.

At last, completed my updates for the meantime. Time to take a break ... till my next post ... CIAO ^_^