Little Things

Little Things

By far the most pleasant things in life

Often comes in little packages

Bundled in simplicity novelty

Hidden as gems in the dark

It is not necessary  in the fine things of

Luxurious indulgence

It is often in the little things

That we have taken for granted

So close yet eyes could not see

So near yet ears could not hear

Then one day

The great enlightenment struck

As if we woke up from a deep sleep

Rested from a long journey

In a moment we understood

We can fathom the truths behind

Those little things

These moments are most precious by far

~ Doria, January 2013

This is one of the first few poems I wrote with the help of the mini Ipad, so handy that I could write anywhere when the inspirations strike. It is a simply reminder of the importance to appreciate the little things we do have in this life and we should treasure.

Just realise that One Direction has released the new song Little Things by One Direction. 

Confirmation Service for my boy Wallace and my gal Rhea

Pineapple Tarts Success Story 2012

Pineapple tarts are a special delicacy, especially during Chinese New Year. I do not really make these tarts at any other time of the year. So, it is like once a year affair. After few years of trying, I had a proper lesson from my friend's mum who makes famous Pineapple Tarts in Singapore for many years, she taught few of us how to make the pineapple jam from scratch. It is a lot of hard work. I only did that twice and decided to buy ready-made Pineapple jam from Thailand from Bake with me shop.

I found this pastry very good and has the melt-in-the-mouth feel.

250 gm Butter
70 gm Icing Sugar (sifted)
2 Egg Yolks lightly beaten
330 gm Plain Flour (preferably cake flour)
2 Tbsp Cornflour
2 Tbsp Custard Powder (optional)

1) Sift flours, custard powder.
2) Mix butter, icing sugar till creamy and fluffy.
3) Add the yolk, sifted flours and mix to form a  dough.
4) Put inside plastic bag or bowl, leave the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Note:- I usually make 4 portions of this recipe and store them in a plastic bag inside the fridge. This can use for 2 Kgs of Pineapples and make about 280 pieces of Pineapple tarts like these photos.

Oven temperature: 170 C (not too hot), bake 8-10 minutes depending on how hot the oven is. Have to watch them carefully. 

Ready to bake!

In the Oven

Final Touch

Lovely Tarts

Final Products

http://en.christinesrecipes.com/2011/01/pineapple-roll-tarts-for-chinese-new.html

There have been a desire to try new recipes, just to make things different ! Michael has been trying a few recipes for Christmas 2011 and also latey for his Dad's birthday !

Here is the Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls recipe that I am going to try this Chinese New Year !

Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls) with Hoisin Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe

November 13th, 2008Recipes, Eating Light, Recipes, Recipes, Vietnamese Recipes39 Comments

printVietnamese Grilled Pork Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon Thit Heo Nuong) Recipe

Ingredients:
(Serves 4)

For the grilled pork:

1 lb pork chops, loin, butt or shoulder. Sliced thin.
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 Tbs fish sauce
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
1/4 cup peanut or vegetable oil

Hoisin Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe

1 cup (8 oz) hoisin sauce (if sauce is thick, add about 1/4 cup warm water to reach desired consistency)
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 Tbs rice vinegar
2 garlic, crushed
1 minced thai chili, or more for desired spiciness

For spring roll rice paper assembly:

About 10 rice paper wrappers
Lettuce
Cucumber, cut into long slices
Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro, basil, vietnamese coriander, balm or perilla
Bean sprouts

Method:

1.In plastic bag, combine all ingredients for the grilled pork. Let marinade for about 20 minutes. Grill both sides of pork for about 2-3 minutes, or until desired texture.
2.In blender, combine all ingredients for the hoisin peanut dipping sauce. Blend until everything combines smoothly together. If it is too thick, continue adding warm water until desired consistency.
3.In bowl of warm water, dip each rice paper wrapper for about 3-5 seconds (depending on rice paper thickness). Do not over soak your rice paper wrapper! Place on work service and allow rice paper to soak up water and become gelatinous and pliable (about 30 seconds to 1 minute, again, depending on the thickness rice paper).
4.On top 1/3 side closest to you, lay lettuce on the bottom for added strength to the wrapper. Then place meat, herbs and other vegetables. Roll up spring roll about 1/3 way through, then fold in the sides. View step-by-step photographs of spring rolling here.
5.Serve with hoisin peanut dip.

The True Meaning of Christmas (by Santa)

The Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask him.

The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know.  He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN! I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. 

As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure green color of the  stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind.  All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.   God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.

He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.

Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and  placed it on the tree. Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.

He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.

He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His  unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men." 

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.'

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God." 

~ Author Unknown

Source : http://www.annien.com/Holidays/Christmas/ChristmasStories/meaning_christmas.htm

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family – it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of your way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Bel's Private Lake

I always want my kids to be raised strong and ready for all the weather. I like them to try outdoor, be brave, run bare footed and catch butterflies and tadpoles. All that are not possible in the city. So when I brought Bel to Sapulut in November 2011, I did not expect her to get to do all that and more and thoroughly enjoyed herself and totally healthy and happy. 

It was raining heavily the night before, there was a paddle of water outside the center, just under the cross. Bel told me its a lake, "Mummy, can I play in the lake with them ? Please !"

Christabel's joyous moment at Sapulut on 27/11/2011.

Bel's private lake in Sapulut !

I think she finds that the outdoor fun in Sapulut is World Class standard. Catching butteflies, playing river sands, chasing the boys, swimming in her private lake ! She was 6 years old then, just joined GB for over a year.

 In this photo, she was completely wet, after playing in the "lake"!

Ha Ha ! I must confess I am not a normal mum, somehow I trust my 6 years old, she told me its ok and its safe ! She also added she wont get too wet (this she could not manage) ! I am pleased that she will come to me to ask to try new things ! 

She learnt so much in this trip about being Sabahans, having Native playmates, enjoying childhood. We even discovered how much she loved pets, especially cats. She actually begged to bring one cat home but it was not possible.