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 ^_^

K-Pop - Kan Mi Youn (Paparazzi)

Its time for some K-Pop update again!!!!

Came across this catchy song with a very cute MV on Pops In Seoul. Most importantly, Kim Hyung Jun of SS501 is co-staring in the MV. He look so cute and innocent in the MV hahahaha




Kim Hyung Jun, who had left the group SS501 had also made a comeback with his comeback song title - oH! aH!

Drama - 讀心神探 (Every Move You Make)

Crime Unit Senior Inspector, YIU HOK-SUM (Bowie Lam) has learnt his mind reading skills overseas. He is efficient and, by far, the most competent cop in his unit. He is able to analyze and read people’s minds just by observing their body language, facial expressions and from the tone of voice. In addition, he is also highly skilled when spotting disparities in testimonies and evidence.

However, his teammates find him to be a real pain in the neck. New comers, YIP CHIN-TING (Krystal Tin) and HO LAI-YIN (Bosco Wong) are especially annoyed by the unconventional way in which he does things. As a result, the pair often has confrontations and misunderstandings with the inspector. Things become worse when SUM learns that his half-sister, CHING PUI-YEE (Aimee Chan) is secretly going out with LAI, and that TING, who has recently been divorced, has a crush on him.

Baby No. 3!!!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!


Our bundle of LOVE NO. 3 will be arriving in ....

EDD 10 Nov 2011

^_^

Drama - 公主嫁到 (Can't Buy Me Love)

Reluctant to marry into the Tibetan royal family, the wilful Princess CHIU YEUNG (Charmaine Sheh) has to find herself a husband as soon as possible. Owner of a gold store TING LOI-HEI (Susanna Kwan) recommends her second and third sons, KAM DOR-LUK (Moses Chan) and KAM DOR-SHAU (Raymond Wong) to the Princess, hoping that the royal marriage would bring them out of financial crisis and somehow save their family business.

Not wanting his brother to sacrifice for the family, DOR-LUK offers to marry the Princess himself. Shortly after the marriage, YEUNG begins to show her true self. She needs the KAMs to treat and respect her as a distinguished princess instead of a family member. Even the spiritual leader of the family Granny KAM (Lee Heung Kam) is not spared.

YEUNG’s handmaiden SZETO NGAN-PING (Fala Chen) is a haughty young woman who has no regard for anyone, not even the government matchmaker TING YAU-WAI (Kenneth Ma). The KAMs cannot put up with YEUNG anymore and decide ally and fight back. But to everyone’s surprise, NG SZ-TAK (Linda Chung), the most vigorous maid of the family takes YEUNG’s side and goes against the KAMs.

After back and forth bickering, LUK and YEUNG are on the verge of breaking up for the third time. The matter is drawn to the attention of the royal family and finally settled by Emperor TAIZONG. Marrying the Princess is supposed to bring LUK wealth and honour, but all that glitters is not always gold, especially when the bride is such a self-willed shrew.

Drama - 同伊 (Jewel In The Crown - Dong Yi)

This show is definitely in my highly recommended list. It had a good mix of everything that I enjoyed watching. From history to romance to comedy to action.



Set during King Sukjong's reign in the Joseon dynasty, Han Hyo Joo plays the court maid, Choi Sook Bin, who finds favor with the king and rises to become his concubine. Her son would later become the 21st king of Joseon, King Yeongjo. Han Hyo Joo’s character will be the main focus of the story.

Medi / Pedi Frenzy!!!

I guess I was a little crazy over getting my nails painted since CNY. My nails got a fresh coat of paint almost on a weeking basis ...

Till this date, these are what I had on my nails ...

Drama - 检察官公主 (Prosecutor Princess)

With X'mas parties to plan in 2010 and CNY preparations in 2011 really left me not much time to catch up with my K-Dramas. Now, finally get a chance to start my K-Drama once again and I got hooked to a very nice show.

Nice plot + nice OST = Drama that I cannot stop watching ... LOL



Ma Hye Ri is a woman with an excellent memory and ability to focus, which allowed her to pass the bar exam with ease. Despite her talents, she is more interested in being fashionable and dislikes hard work so she is far from being an ideal prosecutor and has doubts about her suitability for her job. Through her conflicts with senior colleagues and struggles with difficult cases; however, Hye Ri gradually matures into a brilliant prosecutor with a sense of duty and justice.


Here's some songs from the OST which I personally like ... ENJOY ^_^

Pampering my Hands n Feet!!!

The soft gel that I did before CNY was really good. I was told it could last for about 3 weeks and it did.

Booked an appointment with my medicurist today for my soft gel removal. Got to remove it because it started to peel already.

Hmm so what should I do to my nails this time ... I ended choose French Medicure for my hands and just the normal pedicure for my feet. The only thing is I got my medicurist to draw hearts to match the up coming Valentine's Day ^_^

Dr. Evil ...

At 12:35am, on 1st of CNY, Oswald's body temperature reads at 38.4C. Oh gosh ... the last one standing in the family had finally succumb to the evil virus.

Got to monitor him for the night. Hope his fever would be gone in the morning ... another restless night for mummy once again.

All gone wrong ... just b4 CNY!!!

Oh gosh ... It is 5:12am and I am still awake puking my guts out!!! This is exactly what Owein went through on Friday night. Now it is my turn. Sigh ...

Whole body ache like crazy due to the gagging. Seems like gotta drag myself to the doctor early in the morning and don't think I will be able to send Oswald to school. Luckily in laws decided to help take care of Owein ... Cannot imagine having to lag 2boys to the clinic in my sick condition.

Just before I decide to head out to see the doctor, I'd decided to call TMM to check on owein. But guess what ... Not only that owein had a relapse, my MIL is also down. Oh gosh, how bad can that be. Sent an SOS SMS to hubby for him to bring Owein to see doctor.

Hubby came back, went all the way down in law's place to bring Owein to see doctor while I rest at home. But guess who is next to see a doc after Owein. I think you must have guessed it ... it was my darling hub. Including my MIL, 4 of us are down all at the same time!!!

What a terrible way to welcome CNY, which is just a few days later.

Rest ... Rest ... Rest ... Is all what we need. Hope we will all be better just in time.

兔年快来了!!!

Getting ready to welcome 兔年!!!

This year, I'd decide to 'gel' up my nails so that I no need to head to the medicurist 2 times just to get my nails all done up for CNY.

A new gel product (soft gel) had arrived at my regular medicure shop and it is not as harmful to the nails compared to hard gel.

Macaroon Frenzy

After attending our Macaroon class, I am so geared on to making my perfect macaroon.

After setting aside a few hours for intensive macaroon baking and testing out different recipes, I finally decided on the perfect recipe to follow and made my most satisfied batch of macaroons today ^_^

Presenting my bake for today ... Green Tea & Cream Cheese Macaroons!!!

Macarons @ Palate Sensations

Perle and myself attended our very 1st workshop in 2011.

This is a session on Macarons with Palate Sensations. We were so looking forward to the class as we both love to eat Macarons.

Perle had a book full of Macarons receipe but we hadn't had the courage to try any of the recipe in there yet. We read about too many failures on the internet and how temperamental Macarons can be.

Ok, back to our class ... lesson starts at 10am this morning. We paid 101% attention during class and made extra effort to get our products right. This is so brain draining ... especially on a Sunday morning!!!

But just look at our results ... 100% successful Macarons!!!


We were taught how to make these too ... Chocolat Noisette ^_^


How exciting right ... ^_^

Recipe - Rice Cubes

So inspired by those pretty bentos prepared by people I am very tempted to give it a try. For a kick start, I went shopping with the boys at Daiso and let them picked up rice moulds and other decorative items.

Armed with the necessary equipments but no recipe, I've got to come up with something on my own ... LOL.

Gut feeling + imagination = Edible 'bite' size rice cubes


Not bad for 1st try and luckily both the boys like it. And when the boys like it, mummy like it too ^_^. Judging from responds, this would be one of my favourite 'to cook' dish when the boys need a fast meal or when we are on the move.

MERRY X'MAS!!!

Ho ... Ho ... Ho ...

"Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way ... Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way ... Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh ..."

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Today is Christmas eve and its a FRIDAY!!! Guess what present I gave myself for Christmas???

A relaxing session with my faithful manicurist!!!!!

And since it is Chrismas ... see what she drew on my toes ...


Cute right ... lol!!!

"You better watch out... You better not cry ... Better not pout, I'm telling you why ... Santa Claus is coming to town ..."

Oh ... also check out my nails!!!


So pretty right ... all these nail art really set me up for the right mood for Christmas!!!

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ... Just like the ones I used to know ... Where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow ..."

X'Mas Cookies ^_^

After a whole day of baking and a few nights of decorating ... I am finally done with my Christmas cookies ... made a cookie for every guest that will be coming for the Christmas Party on Christmas Day.

Let's give a warm welcome to our very own cookie family ...

All I want for X'mas is to ...

BAKE BAKE BAKE!!!!

LOL ... this year I am going crazy over cookies. ^_^

After attended the cookie decoration class with Perle, it had inspired me and I'd decided to make everyone a cookie for X'mas so that I can play with ICING ... wahahaha.

20 Dec 2010, Monday. In order to present perfect cookies on our X'mas gathering on the 25th, I've decided to start practice early. I've gather all ingredients required and started making my cookie dough. As I was baking my cookies, I'd also started to gather friends to come join in the fun. After the whole afternoon of baking and the whole night of cookie decoration ... 3 girls (me, Perle and Lishan) ended the session with pride ...

** Cookie design by Lishan **

** Cookie design by Perle **

** Lastly, my creations ^_^ **

21 Dec 2010, Tuesday. Not wanting to waste the remaining icing ... I've decided to bake once more. This time trying out something different ...


COOKIE LOLLIES!!! Cute right ... called the girls again to see if they still wana come play. Only Lishan manage to make it ... we took out time to think and decorate and seriously, I am more pleased with today's result ...

** Lishan's babies ... **

** These are mine ^_^ **

Today, though there's still icing left ... but I am giving myself a break. I'm not done with my cookies yet so ... there'll be more to come!!! Hmm ... maybe tomorrow ... :p

Drama - IRIS

This is an action pack drama. The 1st action pack korean drama I've watched. There were many talks about this show on Arirang (Starhub CH 146) and hence it really sparks off my interest.



The plot revolves around two friends from the 707th Special Mission Battalion recruited into a secret South Korean black ops agency known as the National Security Service. Of the pair, recruit Kim Hyun-jun begins to uncover evidence that his foggy past may not be so irrelevant to his joining of the secret organization after all. As the two friends find their loyalties tested and forge new, unlikely alliances, the journey takes them from their home country to Hungary, Japan, and China where they find themselves at the center of an international conspiracy.


For a change from romance drama, I highly recommend this!!!

Xmas Cookie Art Workshop

Today get to go attend class with Perle again. We'd sign up for a Xmas Cookie Art Workshop with Sugar Inc. It had been a while since we last went for class together ... so excited.

At the workshop, we were given a cookie recipe to follow and make our own cookie. After that, the rest of the time is spend decorating up the cookies. That is also the main attraction for us to attend this workshop.

Really had great fun today ... check out our creativity!!!

** Left: Irene, Right: Perle **

K-Pop - 2AM (Like Crazy)

With nice voice and good 'acting skills', this group brings out the sorrows in the song. Unlike most K-Pop groups who enhance the music with dance move or their talent with musical instrument. This group sole touches you with their voice ... style very similar to Bohemian. But I find their voice more manly compared to Bohemian whose voice is so angelic.

Enjoy the music ^_^

Check out their LIVE performance.

*Blink* ... *Blink*

Went for an express medicure just now "_"