Migration

Yay!!! Celebration!! MaMa's Blogging Zone has offically migrated

 to

https://christabelle.co/

Remember this? September 7, 2016, that I wrote about "(1) New Look! I explored the standard templates and settings, there are limitation to what I can alter to my blog. But is good enough cause i love it Clean & Easy, not a tech-gal, so simple is always a PLUS to me. Will work it out soon!"

HEY, I am really serious! :P 

Making Photo Album using Phone App

I saw this LifeBuuk ad from my FB recently, prompted me to download the App for printing photos from my phone. Instantly, I thought it is a great idea. Always wanted to print some of the photos from my phone but didn't have the time to go to the shop to do it. Daunted by the fact that I have to spend quite fair bit of time in selecting photos to print (cause I have like thousand of photos in my Phone). Long time ago, it was RM0.45 per 4R @ those Kodakshops. I have no idea how much does it cost now. Who knows, it could be much lower than this, cause i found out yesterday that Photobook is offer RM9.90 for 100pcs of 4R? Seriously? I am not sure how the quality like. May try it later. 

Anyway, I downloaded the App, and purchased their 3 LifeBuuks for RM68. Initial plan was to make one for Big C, one for Little C and one for MaMa. I took a few days to compile those selected photos that I would like to print. It is an easy APP, i took few days because I was greedy! I wanted ALL of them! One book consists of 50pcs of 4R photos. What I like about it is that it can be a Photo Album by itself with nice cover; and the best part of it is that the Album is a tear-out style Album. So, say if I like to frame one of those photos, i simply tear out along the tear line and that's it. 

I love MATT photo printing, so the photo print-outs are just perfect for me. Hate those finger prints on the glossy photos. Matt is Good. I must also say the print quality and the colour is beautiful. I wouldn't say RM68 for 150pcs of 4R is cheap (as compared to Photobook offer); what I like about it is that I can compile the photos whenever I am free, not like I started it NOW and I have to finish it instantly. It comes with a nice cover & it is not bulky to store. I don't have to buy those old school Photo Album and arrange them one by one by myself. Plus, it includes FREE delivery (*for now), so I don't have to worry about collecting my albums. 

No, LifeBuuk is not paying me for advertising for them. Lol! Just wanna share what I have found and love. Oh~ Love the cover of the Album, they are so sweet! 

Movie Date with Cs : The Secret Life of Pet

Image extracted online

We dated PaPa for a movie on a beautiful Sunday Afternoon. Little C was bugging MaMa for a long time to watch it, she said "All my friends watched it already, I want to also watch The Secret Life of Pets, like all my friends" Oh my gosh, kids nowadays are so demanding, so affected by peer pressure at the age of 6?? Really??? *sigh* I think I spoil my Cs. 

Little C was completely satisfied after the movie," The Secret Life of Pets is the BEST MOVIE ever!" she claimed. But mind you, My Cs always claim "it's the BEST MOVIE" after EVERY EACH MOVIE. So, you will never really know what's really the "BEST MOVIE". Hahahaha.... So Cute!

I was not particularly fascinated by the Movie though. The story line was plain, nothing exciting, non-educational, in MY OPINION. It is a simple story of the lives of PETS, with the complete account of mayhem while owners are away during the day. There were some laugh-points here and there, but easily forgotten. 

Let's go "Gai Gai"

I really miss these words "GAI GAI". I used to say it every day when I was in Sydney with my first Love Pet - MeiMei. (Awwww... I miss MeiMei). Whenever I said "Gai Gai", MeiMei would get so excited that she automatically jumped into my backpack and ready to be taken out for a walk. I was living in an apartment then so Pet was/is actually not allowed. So, i got to hide MeiMei in the backpack whenever I wanted to bring her out. 

Casper is not supposed to be OUT, technically. He just had his second vaccination last Friday, and the Vet said I could bring him out two weeks later. I knew he shouldn't be mixing with other dogs and cats, so we basically just had a short 10 minutes walk along our house, with ABSOLUTE ZERO contact of animals or human beings or any sorts of creatures. Lol ! 

Casper was SO NERVOUS. We leashed him and put him down on the tar road. He refused to move at all. Big C was overly excited and wanted to get Casper to move along; so she pulled the leash slightly harder which made Casper rather uncomfortable (*Don't worry, Big C didn't choke Casper :P ). Casper was still very determined to stay put and not lay his PAW forward. We didn't insist. MaMa worried that my Cs could get really harsh on the leash, hence I immediately unleashed Casper and had Cs to carry him for the walk. 

I suppose Casper's PAWs are still too soft and fragile for the tar road. Hopefully, we didn't cause too much of discomfort to him. Poor Baby! Maybe 2 weeks later, MaMa will bring all my Cs to a Pet-Friendly Park for Casper to explore. Maybe I should just wait for his third vaccination to be completed first? Yeah, I think so. No rush. 

The walk initiated because we Cs had a big bowl of GrandMa's home-cook Shredded Chicken HorFun & Longan Dessert. So, we went out for a walk, and MaMa thought since it was gonna be a short walk along the house, why not let's try to have Casper join us for the walk. Well, we will bring him out again after his third vaccination :) Can't wait!  

First Time on Leash & Stepping on tar road

Casper refused to walk so BIG & LITTLE C carried him throughout the 10min walk

My Little C's P&J Concert

The two little narrators on stage

This will be our last concert scene with Peter & Jane, and we are already missing it. P&J has always put up 100% effort in all their school activities (in my opinion), and they never fail to impress me till date. I respect & admire their dedications towards every single event. Fun & Educational, not just to the children but also all the parents. Sorry if I am being bias here, can't help!! I had truly enjoyed all the P&J events with my two girls for the past four years, and my Big C who had left P&J for two years always claim that P&J is her BEST school ever. Who doesn't love Kindy time when compared to hectic Primary School Life? :P  But still, I am glad that she has "a school" to remember! 

Little C and her classmates performed a Scottish Dance. Little C & her classmate YiXuan were the little narrators, giving a little information about Scottish Kilt, Dance & Bagpipes (Traditional Scottish Instrument), prior the dance.

Bagpipes
Extracted from "http://scotlandmay2013.blogspot.my"

Group Photo of K2 HG Performers and Class Teacher - Yan Lan LaoShi

Posing with MaMa & JieJie after the Concert.

Well done to my Baby, Little C!

Congratulation to all P&J Children, Teachers and Staffs!

You guys rock the STAGE & put up a FANTASTIC performance.

New Addition to the C Family

Mei Mei had left us two years ago, and I was not ready to have another pet after Mei Mei passed away. I know I had neglected Mei Mei a lot (*maybe almost TOTALLY) after my first child. I was overwhelmed with my newborn and PaPa was very concerned how Mei Mei's fur could affect Big C's respiratory system as Big C fall sick and admitted to Hospital many times due to high fever. Mei Mei ended up staying out of our room most of the time. (*sob..regret!*) 

Anyway, these are all History. Let's not dwell on the past! 

This post is about my 

CASPER

I got Casper from "The One Pet Shop" at Taipan. My first experience getting a pet from a Pet Shop and the experience was pleasant with the two extremely helpful and fun ladies from the shop. Before I made a trip there, they sent me some videos and pictures of their puppies. I was a little indecisive, they were not forceful in terms of sales. They were patience with me and didn't say things like "oh, you got to be quick, otherwise it will be taken" that sort of things which I had experience from the other shop. Thumbs up! SOMEMORE, they provide "after sales service". LOL! They whatsapp me a few times in a week to check how's Casper, if he's eating well, poo regularly, no diarrhea, biting habits etc. 

My Cs were ecstatic when they saw Casper, especially Little C. Unfortunately, we come to realize that Little C is allergic to Casper.  (*sad *) Rash & Itch.The red bulge patches become visible on her neck, chin, hands, legs and mostly on the exposed skin area. But, we are not giving up. Little C insists to cuddle Puppy Casper every evening, she is my strong little lady, her allergy is not stopping her from touching Casper. This little lady would wash her hands with soap after every cuddle because the itch is really bothering her. I hope she will adapt to Casper soon and no more allergy! I can see, the allergy is getting mild as the area affected is smaller. Mostly on her neck & chin, and I don't know why. 

MaMa C, Big C, Little C & Pup C! We are the Cs. Welcome home, Casper. 

After Three Long Years .... MaMa is back in ACTION

After Three Long Long Years...

I have finally SEMI-settled-down, maybe THIRD-QUARTER-settled-down?? I insist! *Even though many who knows me might not agree, as my emotion state is often erratic and unpredictable. 

So, what happened to Cs in the last three long years? Cs have grown to pretty young ladies with lots of positive vibes, they are always my Sunshine, never stop beaming my life with loves and hopes.

And..... PaPa left us. 

*Can't help being emotional still, after long 5 years of struggles.

Why PaPa left? This is something that I want to share in my future post. I find it important and it is worth sharing with others and it is certainly meaningful to me as to register the darker side of my story. I grow and learn through it. Oh Well, life .... as we all know is always full of surprises, and it is unarguably exciting whether in a good way or a bad way, it is still a life that we own anyhow. 

Must put a disclaimer before i continue. Yes, PaPa left us, but Papa always love Princesses Cs no matter what happened between PaPa & MaMa. There is not double for it, the amount of Love that PaPa gives to Cs is beyond his heart quota! This is what I am certain at this point of time. 

Question! Why is MaMa back to blogging? 

Because I have come to realization that I have missed recording many many good moments of my Cs and myself, which I find it unbelievable!!! Cause these moments are precious and I had wasted them all. 

It was such a pleasure to go back to read every single blog that I had written, it made me laugh, it made tear. I know by continuing my diary would benefit my Cs in the future. I am still scouting how I can print all my posts nicely into a diary-like book for keepsake. If you are reading AND you happen to know how & where, please PM me ya. TIA! 

Sometimes, it serves a purpose of calming my erratic emotional state by having me LETTING IT ALL OUT here with no specific audience. LETTING IT ALL OUT is always important to me, cause I can WAIL, I can CURSE, I can SHOUT, I can CRITICIZE, which will eventually tire me out. AND, the next day is ANOTHER whole new day. Ya la, Ya la, A Diary lor. An Open Diary. A Sophisticated Hi-Tech Diary with occasional response from Anonymous. 

This is not an official blog so I would probably be using lots of colloquial and Chinese due to my limitation of vocabulary. LOL! Oh yes, you will be reading lots of Cyber words such as TIA (Thanks in Advance), PM (Private Message), LOL (Laugh out Loud), OMG (Oh My God) etc. (et cetera) 

Since, this is my First post after three long years, this serves an "opening" of the RE-BLOG blog. Yay!!!! 

  

There are two MAJOR issue to sort our for my "New" Blog :-

(1) New Look! 

I explored the standard templates and settings, there are limitation to what I can alter to my blog. But is good enough cause i love it Clean & Easy, not a tech-gal, so simple is always a PLUS to me. Will work it out soon! 

(2) Labeling!

OMG, I can't believe it! I had so many labels and so redundant!  I will be recording many genres/activities? I am thinking should I just GET RID of the labels? or just keep it SIMPLE as such, PRINCESSES, GASTRONOMIC DELIGHT, PET, MUSIC & DANCE, TRAVEL, ENTERTAINMENT, BAKING & COOKING, ART, ACTIVITIES, MOVIES, BOOKS, MARATHON, STATE OF MIND, REFLECTION, THOUGHTS .....Oh dear... the list seems inexhaustible again! I need to narrow it down. my KEYWORD : SIMPLE!

This is a pretty long post for a "RE-OPENING" ! LOL! Adios for now. 

The purple Waterlily at home

We have a pot of purple Waterlily at home. 

I always see different stalk of waterlily blooming one by one and wither quickly before everyone catches another sight of it.

This morning, I saw another blossoming waterlily again.

Suddenly, I feel so lonely for the waterlily.

The waterlily has to live on its own, ALONE in its most beautiful flourishing moment, and wither quietly, without anyone realizing it has lived and died.

BUT, they never give up, continue their life mission to blossom and wither, blossom and wither, blossom and wither again and again.

They requires minimum care but they strive to bloom so that one day someone can catch sight of their most beautiful moment. 

And I did! Even though it is not at its full blossom, I can't help to realize how beautiful and strong it is! 

My Purple Waterlily at home, YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. 

Loneliness is just a perception, turn it around with another point of view, and you will find you are loved by many more.

Feeling Great Today!

Proud of my Baby

When I got home yesterday, Big C ran towards me excitedly with a piece of paper on her right hand. 

"MaMa, Look! I am learning to write my Chinese Name." Big C said proudly.

"MaMa, look, this one is not nice, so I write another one." Big C continued pointing another piece of paper on her little desk.

I didn't take a picture of the other so-called not-nice-one, to me, both look VERY well done!

I am so so so proud of my baby, even though she didn't write it PERFECTLY, I am already very impressed. At least, she can imitate stroke by stroke and recognize "Yes, This is my chinese name" Soon, she will not need sample and start writing her own chinese name fluently.

BABY, EXCELLENT WORK!! 

Wholemeal Cranberries French Bread

This crust is not as crunchy as the previous recipe but it feels healthier overall. Texture of the bread is more chewy. 

Recipe :-

250g Bread Flour

50g Wholemeal Flour

3g Yeast

4g Salt

190ml Lukewarm Water

1 TBSP sugar

Steps :-

1. Yeast and Sugar mix into 90ml of Lukewarm water until the mixture turn frothy

2. Add in the Bread Flour, Wholemeal Flour & salt into the yeast mixture and knead.

3. Gradually add in the remaining water until a smooth dough ball is formed, and not sticky, easily handled by hands.

4. Proof unti its size doubled - 30 mins

5. Release the air from the dough and cut into 2 equal size and let them rest for 20mins.

6. Add in the cranberries ( 1 used 50 grams for one small loaf) into the dough, and shape.

7. Proof for 30 - 45 mins.

8. Slice the loaf diagonal, sprinkle lots of waters on the dough, then sprinkle oats on top of the bread.

9. Bake at the preheated oven at 180deg C for 20mins with a Tray filled with water on the lowest deck.

Pondering moment :-

After the first proofing, we shouldn't work too much on the dough. I actually used the roller pin on one portion of the dough, so that I can fold the cranberries into the bread. But during the 2nd proofing, compared to the one that I didn't work with roller pin, this cranberries bread rise slower, the size is smaller even though both dough weighed the same. It could be the cranberries which makes the dough heavier? I shall try to mix the cranberries before the 1st proofing. :)

Easy Baguette Recipe

I adore French Bread so much that I can actually gobble up a whole loaf of raisin bread all by myself. I love the crunchy crust and the chewy bread texture. I can never ever resist these breads! That's why I wanted to learn how to make it myself. After googling it further, and I realized that it is not an easy bread to make, it requires lots of patience. A proper sourdough will take up to 5 days. :( 

I found this easy Baguette recipe, the truth is the texture is not as good as what I can get outside. The baguette turns out a little heavy, it should feel much lighter. I must not proof them properly or something must have been wrong along the process. BUT I am truly satisfied, Cs love it, mom loves it, and I love it too~~~~! Hahaha ....

Recipe :-

250g High Protein Flour (Bread Flour)

50g Low Protein Flour (All Purpose Flour)

3g Yeast

6g salt (but I find it TOO SALTY) may half it i think

190ml lukewarm water

1/2 TBSP sugar

Steps :-

1. Sugar & Yeast into 80ml of lukewarm water, rest for 10mins until the mixture turns frothy. 

2. Add in the flour & salt into the mixture knead until  it form into a dough.

3. As you knead, add the balance water gradually until it forms a smooth dough. Do not need to finish the water if the smooth dough is formed.

4. I knead for 10mins using thermomix machine.

5. Hand knead for a minute or two then form into a ball.

6. Proof till its size doubled.

7. Once first proofing is completed, release the air from the dough gently, cut into 2 portion, let them rest for 20 mins.

8. Then, form into the elongated oval shape just like a baguette.

9. Option to add in raisins, cranberries or whatever you like.

10. Let them proof until its size doubled again.

11. sprinkle some flour on the unbaked baguette, then spray plenty of water on the surface of the baguette

12. Place a Tray filled with water on the lower deck at the temperature of 180 deg C

13. Bake the baguette at the middle deck for 15 mins or until it turns brown. 

Learning to Write my Chinese Name

I have been taking for granted that the school will teach my girl to write her own name at the least. Of course, Big C can spell her own name and write them down confidently. But when it comes to CHINESE NAME, haha...I just realized that it is time for MaMa to do something about it MYSELF instead of relying on what the school can provide. 

*phew* At least, Big C managed to COPY her name by the strokes I had laid out for her. I believe with a few more practices, my darling Big C will definitely MASTER it. I know it is not a big deal among her peers, many should have known how to write their names at this age. It's definitely my bad for not introducing it earlier. Well, nothing is ever late as long as we want to do it. The matter of fact, WE ARE NOT LATE! The learning process has just kicked off steadily, and we will be able to master it in no time.

Not too bad at all for the first time~~! I am proud of my baby!

I didn't really insist Little C to follow the strokes exactly since I was trying to concentrate on JieJie's strokes. But, this is what Little C did on her own. Traced every single step beautifully, even though the order of the strokes might be out. Well Done, baby! We can do it again and again and again. You will be as good as Jie Jie soon. 

Little C's Last Day at Vital Years

14th November 2013, Little C's Last Day at Vital Years.

Why 14th? Allow me to explain why I intentionally make 14th November 2013 the last day of school for Little C.

Well, First, this week is the last week of school for JieJie, so I thought might as well make it the last week for Little C too.

Ok Fine. Then why 14th? not 15th. 

Can you see the Aeriel Jelly Cake that I specially ordered for Little C?

The children in VY are not allowed to eat any birthday cakes in the center, but we are allowed to bring cakes for the children to CELEBRATE birthday, it's the center's policy. So, after birthday songs, parents have to bring the cake home.

The reason given was that they worried any consumed foods are not halal or vegetarian. Even though I insisted that this is a Jelly Cake, it's HALAL and VEGETARIAN too,  the principle said NO. Well, not a good or a bad thing for me. Just weird.

Anyhow, since Big C needs to bring food to school on her last day.

So, after the farewell party here in VY, this cake will be kept for Jie Jie to bring to school on the 15th ! Hahaha .... Cheapo hor?. Don't waste ma!

Poor Little C, Didn't get to eat the Beautiful Aerial Cake. 

But I let her ate all the alphabets.

Of course she was not so happy, but I told her that she's gonna have unlimited Jelly on Jie Jie's upcoming Birthday Party.

VT Teachers. Well Done!

My first time and the last time spending 1 hour here in the center.

Then I realized Little C is also a very shy and quiet one in the center.

Just like Jie Jie! Oh My Gosh! These two C Monsters are always so talkative and noisy at home. Jie Jie is usually the soft spoken one, and Little C is the louder one. Alamak! Little C was extremely shy on that day and refused to go near to any teachers or her friends. Teachers told me that she's quiet but sometimes she can be very active among friends. She can be shouting at times too. 

But, generally a shy girl.

HOW?? How to make my girls more friendly? How to make my girls not so shy?

I asked my mom if I was this shy? My mom said No, I was a monkey! LOL!

My Mom retorted "so you preferred monkeys or quiet and obedient girls like Cs?

Hahaha... my mom is such a funny woman, right? So unfair! Call me a Monkey!

Children love the interactive smartboard.

Bye Bye Vital Years, Thanks for teaching Little C how to read.

The truth is I AM SO PROUD that Little C can read so well. :)

Big C's Last Day of School - Children's Day!

15th November 2013, Big C's last day of school.

Dressing up to have a Children's Day Party in school.

Big C's Class Teacher. Ms. S.K.

Too bad, many were late that day, these were the few around.

A True LOVE Story NEVER ends

Saw this in a wedding I attended last night.

A True LOVE story will NEVER ends, unless it is NOT TRUE Love.

Don't you agree?

BaoBei - Sakae Sushi Event

Organizer : Bao Bei Reading Wonderland

Location : Sakae Sushi, One Utama

Date & Time : 16th November 2013, 9:30am - 12 noon

Our morning did not start well, but let's not mention something that is not worth remembering here. 

Luckily we cheerful 3Cs managed to bring back our mood to participate the Sushi Making Project.

Happy faces ready to "make sushi"

This set was "made" by Little C, and MaMa was the "Assistant" 

That's why it looked better than Big C's.  Hahaha...

This set was made by Big C with a helper. At least, Big C used her own hands to put things up on her own! *Bravo!* Look so pretty!

There was a Sakae Frog Mascot! My girls were playing the usual MOUSIES attitude, refused to even go near the mascot! While others were fighting to snap a photo with the FROG, Cs were actually very happy with the BaoBei banner at the other corner. Hahahaha ... 

Not so much of sushi making, we were there just for the participation.

RM30.00 for children, RM50.00 for adult is definitely not so worth it.

The sushi making was not really interesting, and the food served were not fresh. I am so sorry to complain here. Sakae Sushi just not my type of sushi.

It was stated 9:30am - 12noon in the circular. But, the event did not start until 10:30am, and everything was over before 11:30am. None of us ate much as it was all cold and hard, no sushi was served, it was a bento set with fried chicken which were hard and cold, the fish cakes were cold too and tasted funny. The rice were also cold and overly SWEET! :( Big Disappointment! 

Luckily, again, we three cheerful Cs went home happily, considering it a 

family ACTIVITY!

Rainbow Cupcakes

Hello, I am the not so-Rainbow cupcakes

Ingredient:-

200g unsalted butter

150g sugar

1tbsp baking powder

50 gram almond meal

150 gram All Purpose Flour

4 eggs

2 egg yolks

40 grams full cream milk

1 tbsp vanilla essence

1 lemon zest

Steps:-

1. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy

2. Add the eggs and egg yolks gradually

3. Sieve the almond meal, baking powder and flour.

4. Fold the Dry ingredients & Milk into the Wet Mixture alternately in 3 portions.

5. Divide the Batter into 6 Portions, and colour.

6. I tried to scope using teaspoon but it's rather messy. At the end, I put all the 6 colours into different piping bags, and pipe them into the paper cup which is easier and mess-free.

7. Bake them in the preheated oven at 180 deg C for 15-18 mins. or until your toothpick comes out clean

My Mistake:-

1. Using Teaspoon to spoon, the thick batter is just too difficult to control if you want to achieve a multi colour layers. Piping them is definitely much easier and smarter way.

2. I filled up 100% full in order to achieve the colours :(. Next round, I will make sure my piping tip is really small and pipe cup by cup rather than colour by colour. If the first cup failed, at least I can improve it in my next fews. But when I pipe by colour, All of them failed. Because I filled every cup to the max, spillage happened during baking. :( 

That's why I called my cupcake NOT-SO-RAINBOW cupcakes. 

Our Christmas Tree is Dressed!

Going to be away from home for a Winter Holiday! :)

I thought it's better to put up the Christmas Tree before we leave, so ta da... 

Big C was so excited when I told her that we are going to dress the christmas tree. Unfortunately, Little C was sleeping and didn't get to join us for the fun. :(

Big C did a marvelous job even though she broke a few of the balls, in fact, MaMa broke One too. Hehehe..Many of these balls are history and the glue dried up that the cap couldn't hold the pretty ball any longer. Well, just a few, that's all right. :) 

Also, Big C insisted us to play some christmas songs while dressing up the tree. She was totally mesmerized with the christmas atmosphere, and she actually hummed some cheerful christmas song while putting up the pretty ornaments. 

I didn't expect Big C to stay through the whole job, in fact, I expected her to just join in to "PLAY" for a little while, that's why there was no intention to wait for Little C for the Tree Dressing. Big C enjoyed the job and proudly announced to all that "Look, I put up a nice christmas tree!" 

Next year onwards, I will make sure we 3Cs will work together to make the prettiest Christmas every year. 

Making a tree dressing a compulsory event for three of us!!

What Big C did on Sunday

It's the last week of school this week, and MaMa prepared some little gifts for Big C's friends in school. Thanks to Grandma, She suggested to get Big C to make personalized cards to her friends. These are what we did yesterday. So much fun playing with stamps & stickers.

Cs' Hot pick for a bowl of handmade noodles.

Cs' favourite eating joint! I don't think I need to elaborate! :)