English Breakfast Scones

Freshly baked English scones. Best eaten warm with extra butter which will melt into the scone. Adding some jam will be perfect, I love eating this with honey too.

Oh, yes, don't forget the coffee.

What is lacking?

Blueberry cheesecake at you know where. I think was a bit sweet. Cousin said she didn't like the biscuit base, which was with almond.

Lately I realize and deeply feel that I can become really bored even though I'm really busy. I often need to do the big big sigh to just relieve the tense in my chest. I was on leave yesterday and had baked 3 boxes of cupcakes and one cake for the orders. It was something that content me, but there is just something lacking.

No baking today. Went to Mid Valley to shop, hung out at Starbucks to get our caffeine does, and went to watch Bolt with MC, BIL and Cousin, in 3D. The movie was great. Bolt the little white doggy is just SO cute! It's also a very touching movie (for me lah, I do cry a lot) and watching the movie 3D is just different. Had to pay RM17 instead of the usual RM11 though. Besides the effect, the fact that we only need to queue for 2 minutes is actually quite worth that price.

Delivering KG's cupcakes tomorrow and off for some shopping. Need to be back early though, to bake more cupcakes. I've got another 2 more orders for next week. :)




Sigh...

万寿无疆

MC ordered a box of birthday cupcake for her sis in law. Last week she ordered for her bro in law - made a box of cute cupcakes with gummy bears and all - and this week MC said she needs something more "serious" and not too cute.

MC said she quite like this flower, it's called the chic pea flower if I'm not mistaken, or as the birthday gal had named this in her Facebook album, the tulip. I think they are supposed to be in yellow.


The word" 寿"which means longevity is specially requested by MC.

And instead of the usual piped flowers, which I supposed are called wild flowers, I've prepared some roses. These had to be piped and shaped first then lifted onto the cupcakes. Finished off with some leaves. If there are more space on the cupcakes, I think the roses will look nicer if they are in pairs.

The box of assembled cupcake. Happy birthday Jennee!!!

What do you really want?

When was the last time you lifted your head to look into the dark night sky, and wish upon a star? When was the last time you look at a star? (and don't be too attracted to the very bright ones, they are satellite not stars, haha...)

Anyways, have you been told that if you know what you really want, and hold onto that thoughts, whatever you wish for will come true? How possible is that? (By the way, of course those wishes have to be logic ones okay)

I have been quite worried about my tea menu when TeaRoom opens. I really would like to offer a selection of teas besides, of course, the must have coffees but have no idea where to get a supplier. Coincidental when I went for lunch last week with one of my friends, my ex-colleague from my hotelier era, he so happened to mention that he has just gotten some proposals from his tea supplier. Which was where I got that list of teas for my imaginary tea menu - which WILL become true one day.

I was also worried about not being able to get a chef for TeaRoom... I had lunch with SSB early this week, and I think I have a lead and solution. Freshly graduated hotel student is a great idea.
I sometimes walk on the street and wish that the weather would not be so hot. I wonder if that breeze that brushed onto my face was a mere coincidence. I heard this song over the radio some time ago and really love it. I was so happy that the radio played that song when I happened to be thinking about that particular song the other night. Plus, cousin downloaded that for me. So clever!

Ever wonder sometimes, why you keep "bumping into" the person you were thinking of so much? ;)

Some time ago, I started to believe that if you wish hard enough, your dream will come true. Know what you really want. I have two big dreams at the moment and I will hold on tight to those dreams. So, TeaRoom will open end of 2009.

Then again, I've also been through the "be careful what you wish for" cases. This is one of the examples - I was so very desperate to loose some weight at this one point and my wish was granted - I lost 3kgs over just two days because I was sick. Really sick till I couldn't eat for two days. Haha...

Even the story book I was reading said "think of what you want, and not what you don't want". It will come true.

Tea Menu

If you see this in the tea menu for TeaRoom, will you want to try?

Smoky Earl Grey Grand Classic Tea

Moroccan Mint Tea

Royal Orchid Classic Tea Blend

Vanilla/ Rum/ Strawberry/ Chocolate Solo Teas

... and these exclusive tea blends.

Emperor's White Garden

Snow Mountain

Grand Wedding

Tibetan Secret

Creme Brulee (!!!!)

Christmas Lights :) :)

Magic Flute


Looking forward to having tea with you at TeaRoom.

;)

Chocolate Mousse

After dinner on Saturday night, I'd imaging completing the meal with a chilled pot of chocolate mousse. Something gooey, indulging... But I didn't have any such dessert in the fridge. Humph... And since MFG said he would share the mousse with me, since he would love to try (hmm... but you've tried it before), I made some. A very small portion.

Made the mousse with bitter dark chocolate. The original recipe said semi-sweet. Hmm... Actually, it can do with a sweeter chocolate, but I only have this 75% chocolate, if not then would be milk chocolate. One thing about making chocolate dessert, especially those with chocolate as the only main ingredient, you need to use good quality chocolate. Then again, not the extreme expensive ones lah, no budget.

What gives the light texture is the beaten egg white.


Recipe makes 4, so 2 each for us. Original recipe called for sherry. The last time I made this with a very sweet port and it was really delicious, since I love sweet stuff. This time, I had used brandy, plus using a bitter chocolate, this is going to be very "kurang manis" (Less sweet).

Finger crossed... that my wedding will happen next year?

Got a text message from a friend, ex-colleague yesterday. He was asking if I know anyone who might want to join his company as sales... the messages went (rephrased):

Friend: Know anyone in your company that might want to do sales? We are looking for non-bumi female.

Erm... asking me to tell my colleague to resign and join another company ah?

TTB: We only have one sales person in this company and she's the senior manager. Unless u want to employ me lah.

Friend: What about your sis? She's an engineer?

aiya, getting more difficult to answer, MUST be tactful.

TTB: Ya, she's material science engineer. Phd, section head. Interested? R u still with the same company btw?

Friend: I'm barking at the wrong tree isn't it? I'm now with xxx company. Catch up later...

TTB: Hehe... sorry, I'm so very unhelpful isn't it? Okay, catch up later and I can update u on my future plan.

Friend: Oh, something happening around the corner ya?

TTB: Finger crossed. Around the corner pun is dec next year lah.

Friend: U make it sound like u r jinxed... :) no sweat lah... things will turn out well for u.

mmm... is he thinking what I'm thinking??

TTB: I wonder what you think my plan is...

Friend: err... it's either marriage or business. I'm thinking the first one.

I knew it!

TTB: Haha... fortunately for "that guy", it's not a wedding.

Friend: I did just spoil your day didn't I.. :(

TTB: Wei, no lah. This is very entertaining.

........................

Just now I was asked to join lunch by some visitor to the office....

TTB: I would love to, but I can't make it. Thank you.

Replied with my most sincere smile.

Visitor: Oh, you have arrangement with your husband?

TTB: Yeah!!

With the most "how did you guessed" surprised look.

Men and Information

Is it true that generally men don't like to voluntarily share information about their daily activities? Perhaps when they do so it's going to look like they are "reporting" to someone? For instance, before a guy goes out, he'll say (IF he tells you at all) "I'm going out" full stop. But if it were to be me, most likely I'll say "I'm going out to Bangsar to swim, then lunch at The Gardens, and then shopping". I'll most probably throw in information on who I was going with, what I might want to have for lunch and what I want to shop for. Too long winded already is it? Mind you, information will only be provided to people I care. For sure won't volunteer so much information to say, my neighbour or my colleagues lah. So does this apply to men? Do they volunteer more information when it comes to important people? Or all the same?

Is it something to do with macho-ness? I mean, maybe it makes them cool by speaking in a short and simple manner. No need to explain too much, no need to elaborate, issit? That also applies to replies I think. For example, sms replies that usually come in "ok" full stop, or "can", "yes" full stops. Or simply no reply which is either being very agreeable, or no comments, or got comments but better not waste time typing. I always feel very blessed and warm when someone special replies with more than one sentence, like... "u too. Good night." haha... Oh, since we are on the topic of sms. Sometimes the "good night" or "have a good weekend" in the sms replies do sound a bit "final", it's like, okay lah, let's call off this chain sms-ing after this reply, this is the last greeting.

On the other hand, since men and information do not come in a package, does it also mean that men don't like to be questioned? I mean, what else can we gals do then if we really do need (kepoh lah in other words) some important information? We must simply ask, mustn't we? So there comes the where are you going, who are you going with (girl or boy??), why are you going, how long, coming back when... Would you guys take us as sweet little angels who are really concern about you guys, or would you simply get annoyed with us and tell us that you don't report to us? Hmm...

Personally, I think it's so very sweet when a guy volunteer to provide full set of information on his plans. Sharing information is such a heart warming gesture. And you may ask why, oh why must I want to know where you are going?

Because if I know where you are, I would know where to send my thoughts to when I miss you.

Was it so obvious that I was rolling my eyes?

MC was eyeing me suspiciously throughout the whole class. I know I was frowning most of the time in the class and PROBABLY been rolling my eyes. Can't help it.

It was a strange song for warm up, I've never heard or done that track before. The strange thing was, the track ended with 2 biceps curls... Only 2 biceps curls in that warm up track. Hmm... okay. Perhaps the very old release before I join FF. Then followed by an unfamiliar squat track, which erm... movements didn't seem to gel with the song. I mean, normally when it's single time, or bottom half, the music will sort of aahh... give the up-beat feel right?

Okay. Chest track. Good. Not strange, no mistake. Not that I'm such a pump expert, but the fact that I just did Summer Rain last night, and that this track was FI's favorite track, I think I can kind of remember. Since I nearly died during the back track last night (okay, "died" is a bit too exaggerating. I should say "since my arms nearly fell off"), I decided to reduce my weights by half kg, only used 7kgs. Shouldn't do that lah, a bit easy. The other tracks... Can't remember now. Was having a splitting headache and nausea.

Meanwhile, MC had improved a lot with her weights. I mean weights she carries in class. Okay, her weights, as in weight lost, I think is also coming along well. Hee... 6kg was quite a good weight for not so regular pump-er, one of the regular members was also just carrying 6kgs, and 5kgs for back track also impressed me. Other than that, doing lunges on the board is more effective ah! K?

Now I got to find out reason for shoulder pain. And also decide whether to do pump or RPM on Thursday.

Monday Gym

Is Monday a good day to go to gym? If gym is a remedy for Monday blues for you, then it certainly is a very good idea. For me, my Monday gym schedule is the most "hardcore" of the week. Having said that, it's only just 2 back to back classes - unlike those days, I do over 3 or 4 classes in 2 different clubs in the same day.

Anyways, another reason for me to have a heavier Monday gym routine is the class timetable. Due to work hours, I couldn't really plan in double classes unless I join the latest class. But can't be sleeping so late everyday. In short, Monday's timetable at TC is most ideal for me, combat follow by pump.

Monday combat at TC had lately been replaced by The Bear (so I quote Carebear on her nickname) until last night. And since a few weeks ago, this class was shadowed by a new combat-instructor-in-making, can I nick her "FeeBee"? Or Carebear can donate a nickname for me here. Anyways, those few weeks of classes were great and I'm sure FeeBee will clear for her instructor-ship very soon - she told me next year, but I thought she would surely be able to make it earlier if she wants to.

So last night was back to Master C and hence reminded me of the "test your memory on doing your own choreo" and "I'll tell you to go right when you should go left" teaching method. I have not been feeling well these few weeks, but since KG was in the class, I was really motivated to stay till the end. ;)

And as for pump, would you be surprised if I told you it was tough? Haha...

Carebear's pump classes are renown for its toughness actually. You want to be tortured, join her pump class. And about the members requested tracks? Equally tough, geezzz... you guys, what's with the selections? Okay, I also want to request lah like this.

Last night's partial-partial biceps curl track actually reminded us of "Car Wash", what's the name of that track actually? I'm really bad with songs, therefore won't be able to join in with the fun of requesting tracks. If I start requesting, it would be so limited to that few tracks that I know, which is super favorite. Like Pump It for biceps. And Shake Your Tail Feather for abs. Summer Rain is actually one of my favorites, it's tough but good. I think this is actually an all time favorite chest track for a lot of instructors. I love all the tracks last night overall. (Even though I did really really really feel like throwing up!)

And of course I'm in pain now! Talking of pain, I thought the massage actually helped but there's a nagging pain on my shoulder, near to the left chest area when doing triceps push up. Strange.

Not supposed to be blogging at this time of the day. Back to work!

Chocolate Almond Biscotti

I have so far only one confirmed biscotti recipe - Almond Chocolate Chips. Having said that, I had experimented with different cut size, different baking time etc. I think (I hope) I know which is the best combination. Since both MC and MFG also liked that recipe, it's a sure pass.

I've tried baking a chocolate base biscotti the last time, with pecan and chocolate chips (I can't seem to be able to forgo chocolate chips), but it was not good, leave alone a very troublesome baking method.

For curiosity sake, I want to try baking a chocolate base biscotti one last time (at least until I find a recipe that is so convincing, or maybe something from Jamie Oliver. MC, does Jamie has biscotti recipe? Don't remember coming across one).

Anyways, I thought this is quite a believable recipe and don't seem to be that complicated. Actually, compared with my confirmed recipe, this seems less troublesome since no electric mixer is required. And so I thought wrong... this recipe required kneading the dough and it was a very though dough! Didn't expect that type of consistency.

There was also one tricky instruction - the ingredient list says 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk. The method says "... add almond, and the eggs....". EGGS? The 2 eggs, or the 2 eggs AND the yolk? At the end of the recipe, it says "brush the dough with egg yolk".

So I guess just the 2 eggs without the yolk. But after kneading for a while, I realize that some of the flour couldn't be mixed together, so I added the egg yolk as well, and brush the dough with another egg yolk before baking.

Whatever do we want to brush egg yolk? I actually don't like the outcome of the egg wash. It's rather erm... yellow. See...


I didn't think the biscotti looked "pretty" with the egg yolk wash even after slicing them. One thing about slicing biscotti - if you slice them when they are just baked, it's easy since the dough is still soft, but since it's soft, the biscotti will crumble. Leaving the biscotti for about 5 minutes makes slicing a bit more difficult but you will find that the biscuit slices are more intact.

Sliced biscotti ready for second bake. If you want really crispy slices, cut them as think as possible and bake for a longer time (the dryer the crispier), but I also discovered (and according to feedback) that it will be a bit hard. Something like crispy equals hard. MFG said he likes it crispy, but the parents finds it a bit hard. A baking time of 10 to 15 minutes maximum would be just nice for the second baking.

Biscuits look presentable, looks yummy enough and I'm sure would be great with dipping into coffee. I've reduced the sugar a lot since I've substitute half the almond with chocolate chips. Cousin sis said it's not sweet enough and a bit tasteless, plus she doesn't like almond nut, just for the sake of helping me food taste. Texture wise, she said just nice, crispy enough but not too hard.

MC said, she still like the previous non chocolate base version. But since this is a rather big batch, MC and BIL will be forced to take one jar each to work (and then after force their colleagues to try), a small portion for MFG my official guinea pig. And if successful, Carebear to try since she has coffee as her default drinks daily.

空

最近频频有点空洞的感觉。无论工作有多忙，无论身边有多少人围绕，总觉得好像缺少了些什么。

真的很矛盾。享受着当下的快乐，希望时间能够停留，他永远在我身边；可是，有时又感觉很不耐烦，总是好像在等待着一些什么事发生， 所以希望时间能够飞快，恨不得一夜之间看到结局。

我想，如果我努力，总有一天，TeaRoom这梦想一定能实现。

我怕，就算我努力，到了那天，他这梦想未必能实现。

很无聊。

NEED. TO. BE. COOL.

I blame the weather. Perhaps it's the extremely hot and then sudden cold that made my sinus worse during the last few days. I had been debating with whether to take my Clarinase or not. I've not been taking the pill for a long time, at least not for a few continuous days, since I've gotten a good supplement. Unfortunately though, I have been having serious nose block and I think coupled with some underlying sickness, I felt extremely nauseous, feel like throwing up most of the time too.

So, pill it is. Side effect. Feel a bit dizzy as well. I think a good rest should help with my "illness".

Illness aside, the daily activities continue. Baking this weekend, and this is the reason why I will sure take the pills during weekend if I'm under sinus attack. I can't possibly be baking with running or blocked nose. Too much story telling lately, will try to keep up with the yummy posts.

I went to check out this cool fitness centre yesterday. To me it's a very different type of fitness centre and certainly made me look at fitness training a new way now. It's more like those workout you will go through if you take up personal training. Simple type of workout, between 15 - 25 repetitions, not that much, but extremely effective. I think half of the muscle ache I have now is from the warm-up exercise. And you know what? I felt like throwing up only after 5 minutes of the warm-up. Haha...

I had a great company last night who gave me personal coaching. One thing I cannot imagine trying is a 500 squat. Really crazy! I only did option last night (half-ing everything listed on the Workout of the Day). Feels satisfying doing some different type of workout sometimes. I hope I've enough funding to perhaps join some really hardcore personal training one day. Hehe...

Still felt like throwing up most of the time today. Especially if I burp, it felt like the food was coming up together. Later this afternoon, I also had a headache. But hey, at least I'm battling the illness successfully, NOT falling sick!

Today's yoga class was great too. Loads of stretching. Something I need desperately. Lower back feels very relieved now. Looking forward to this Sunday's massage. I've got some vouchers for 50% and buy-one-free-one. Let me know if anyone of you wants. Expiring end of this year.

MFG is going off for a short trip. No, this is not what I meant when I said he's leaving. That, might be some time later. Really not going to be around, type of not around. Anyways, I thought as a custom, I should give him a hug and goodbye kiss before he leaves. Everything went on as normal and as cool as it can be... till after the goodbye-do.

Gotten used to it

I'm not sure what my friends are thinking when they send me those chain emails that says if you don't forward that email, you will get bad luck. Geezz... I NEVER forward those emails. What if the people, my friends who got my email have no time to forward, then I have indirectly cursed them with 16 years of bad luck.

I got so used to indulging him lately. It's a bit different this time. Do you know that it's not always that easy to indulge someone? First this someone must be wanting to be pampered. Some people might just give you the "it's okay" or "maybe next time" whenever you offer a treat. And I'm not referring to families (and I'm not referring to you MC) whom you don't really need to take that extra mile to "show" them you are trying to pamper them.

Anyways, you know what I mean.

So when you get the "yes please :)" or "okay thanks!" or "breakfast sounds good" it felt like the most "delighting" (so I quote LP) in the world.

I've gotten so used to it lately that I'm not sure how it's going to be like when he's not around. While I want him to know that he's really special and that I care a lot, I also want to try to be cool and not get all over him. I don't want to appear fussing but I do really am extremely interested (nosy) about what he does, where he goes, who he's with. So when he volunteer information while I am trying very hard to bite on my tongue to prevent "questioning", that can sometimes give a really warm feel.

I'm so used to the scent of his perfume, the sound of his laughter, the smileys in his messages... tell me please that it's going to be okay when he's not around.

Make them into flower pots

These were for MC and BIL to bring to a dinner. It's for one of their closest friend since A Levels all the way till their 11 years of life in UK. And many more years to come.

And piping these flowers and little leaves is addictive. Haha...

Cupcakes for luck!

Glad you enjoyed this. Good luck and let me know the results!!

I miss the culture

Sometimes I get really frustrated with some people! Most of the time strangers.

There was this incident the other night while I was leaving FF at MML:

I always try my very best to hold doors for others. British culture. That really got into me after just two years of being in England. Anyways, some of these gym entrance doors are really heavy and if you happen to be trailing someone and this someone does not hold up the door for you, the door might smash your face and break your nose. Okay, exaggerated. Of course you can defend yourself by blocking the door from attacking you. But the point was, it's courteous to hold doors for others regardless who they are. So, as I was saying, this one night, even though tired and really want to get home quickly, I held the gym door for someone who was approaching the door. And it was a guy. Never mind who actually. But, instead of hasten his step and come "take over" the door handle, AND say thank you, he just walked passed through the door in his most kingly manner. Geezz... I didn't know THE king went to the same gym as me. And since it was his divine right and my honour to hold the door for him, he didn't even say thank you.


Many of those days while I was queueing up in the public toilet:

What queueing up? So far only at public toilets at The Gardens that I've experience queueing "system" which was similar to the British practice - they normally form a line and wait for their turn to use whichever cubicle that's available. Here, most of the time people will just pick and choose one of the cubicles and stand in front of that door. So it's like your luck if the cubicle you queue up for is vacant first. Never mind the other people who had been queueing up way before you. Humph... And those toilets in England (speaking of those I visited only, not sure about all other parts of England, and do I start to sound like a snob?) are dry, not smelly and had toilet papers provided. No pressure at all using public toilets over there. Over here, I sometimes had to roll up my long pants, must remember to bring tissue and not to mention getting "surprises" inside the toilet from time to time. Yeuwww...

The meaning of pedestrian crossing:

There is this pedestrian path in front of and between The Curve and Ikano. Some cars will just speed up, despite the 3 humps and elevated pedestrian walk way just to AVOID letting the pedestrian cross. Geezz... For this fact, forget about cars letting any other cars cross or overtake them.

There are also other things in England that I miss...

During winter, we wear many layers of clothes so when it comes to fitting, I am most of the time very lazy. So I will normally just get my size - the sizes there are standard, size 10 will always be size 10 unlike here (or some other parts of the world) I sometimes wear size s and a large might be too small for me sometimes - without fitting, and if I don't like it (them) I'll just bring back to the store for refund. So long as you have your receipts in order and goods in original condition, they never refuse to refund. They don't even ask you why most of the time.

Marks and Spencer over there is a very affordable brand. I normally go for their sandwiches and trifles. And weren't there at least like 20 different types of sandwiches in that section? I also normally got really carried away when I shop for my dessert. I remember 1.99 pounds for a huge tub of trifle. My favorite. Yummy.

Let's see, what else? Thick cut potato chips (wedges) with salt and vinegar. Heavily soaked in vinegar. Take away, eat while you walk on the cold winter street.

My single scope cone of Baskin Robins for only 99p (about RM4 that many years ago...). Also eat while I walk not in a hot summer day, but during winter! The ice cream will not melt away and I would not need to struggle to keep the ice cream "at bay" by licking frantically around the cone.

Those were college days... It will definitely be different for me if I were to live there now. Having said all those, I do really really love living in Malaysia. Just got frustrated with some "mishaps" at times.

Hey, late night shopping over in England was till 8.00pm; long bean is a premium item in the supermarket; I could only find Maggi Mee in China Town; I had to bring in my own soya sauce; there was no mamak stalls to hang out...

What's for lunch with SSB?

Skipping rope.


I got one during lunch with SSB on Friday. Some more demonstrated - adjusting the rope lah, not actual skipping - inside the restaurant, me taking off shoes before stepping onto the skipping rope. Whatever did I do that for? We were supposed to jump with our shoes on right? Just a bit "sayang" to be stepping on a brand new rope with my dusty shoes. Anyways, SSB's advise for beginners were skip 10 reps and rest, skip for 5 minutes. Hmm... Okay, didn't sound that difficult did it? And let's see, if we can skip 10 reps in say 20 seconds (2 seconds per skip is too "slow motion" is it? I take into consideration tripping and retrying etc), and rest 10 secs, so we might do about 100 skips per 5 minutes?

I thought it was that easy.

I tried to skip yesterday and today, only managed to skip for like 50 times. Seriously tired and my heart rate raised only after 10 skips. Serious. And I was wondering how one got the whipping marks. Trust me, you can. Hehe... luckily the marks went off after a while, imagine what my boss would say seeing me with whipped marks all over my hands. Haha...
We also had a good catch up during lunch. Mostly talked about TeaRoom by me. One of my biggest dream beside the other big dream, which (the other one) seem to slip away by the day. But TeaRoom is something I really, really, really want to do. December 2009. Pray for me.

Will also go check this gym out on Thursday. SSB had booked me in already.

Meanwhile, SSB supported the making of TeaRoom by placing a cupcake order. I suggested some chocolates which are wrapped up like footballs. They will be so cute. But they were not available. So I thought I will try to draw them.

It was late at night and I was erm... lazy to do my research, I thought a football looks like this. Something wrong right? Haha... Pardon me. Not a football fan.

The sketch. I thought it looks quite close. This is when I need talents like Carebear's.

Seriously. Something is very wrong.

Erm... tried this, but I don't think was because of the borders.


Okay, I came across a picture of the football the next morning, and I'd amended it. Haha... Okay, still looks very odd lah. I think I manage musical notes better. Well, think at the bright side, SSB and TD will be very entertained by now having a good laugh most probably.

Mini Cupcake "Sampler"

I've got an order from a "new customer". Fz said she wants to do her best to support TeaRoom and me. Thanks! As I told her, I felt so blessed with supporters and friends like you guys around.

The theme and colour were not specified. Neither does this box of cupcakes come with a cupcake message. So I did a box which looks like a "sampler" with most of the currently available designs for the mini cupcakes.

From top: Piped flowers, gummy beans, marshmallow flowers, gummy bears, marshmallows with chocolate rice, piped flowers.

Chocolate Cupcakes

I baked these last last week. Posted them on Facebook but forgot to post them to the blog. The toppers on these chocolate cupcakes, from left (back) marshmallows, (front) chocolate chips and chocolate mint sticks. Right (back & front) chocolate coated coffee beans.



Also decorated these, supposedly wanted to give to Lady Nina. But didn't seem to get the right timing for both of us. So I had to "force" SSB to take them. :p

XOX

SSB, when one says goodbye kiss, it's not rated 18SX. Normally it's cheek-left, cheek-right; or air-kiss-left, air-kiss-right... Occasionally we will add on the muah-muah sound effect. French does two times (or was it Italian) and Italian (or French??) does three times.

I normally do two lah, follow the French style, erm Italian style... French. KG, we normally do three times though. Malaysian style? Little Bro, Hobbes, PT (ex). Two; Babies, little kids. Once; Carebear, MC. None. If MC is going away for a long time, I normally give her a big hug. Hee...

So since MFG is travelling, besides telling him I miss him, I should give him a hug and goodbye kiss. (MC, kissES?? Haha...) Okay, I'm not used to giving him a goodbye kiss, but I thought I'll just follow the custom and standard practice this time.

And why would I be blogging about this everyday (not literally lah) gesture? Because this so called natural reaction for farewell had turned out uhm, pretty arrrr... shall I say uncool? Yes, me. Uncool. Humph!

First of all, it's really very difficult to give you a big warm hug when you (we) were holding too much things with your (our) hands. So it was hugging with one arm, and while hugging each other you hug the bags, and laptops and shopping bags. Haha... And could you just pause a while so that I don't have to "inform" you that now was the time for that goodbye hug? Humph...

And since you also didn't pause after the hug, all I could do was air kiss (literally kissing the air). No, of course I didn't kiss the air lah. Just forget about the goodbye kiss.

So just before we really, really part with each other, and you open your arms, I was rather surprise and didn't response to that in time. I need to switch to the ever ready mode of hugging you perhaps. You must have seen my sort of surprise look and decided not to hug me again? And very uncool-ly (unromantic-ly) I had to ask "do you... want a goodbye kiss?".

Geezz... how can anyone even ask such question??? So uncool! But thank goodness. I didn't embarrass myself because he said yes. Phew... okay, Muuuuahhh! One kiss, planted on his cheek. MFG style.

Have a safe journey honey. See you when you come back. Don't forget my presents.

Not sure what title

Sometimes I start a new post without knowing what I really want to say and so I will leave the title till the end. Chances are I might forget to type in the title, like yesterday. To prevent that to happen, I'll just randomly give a title.

Last night I've diligently gone for my back to back Monday classes but felt that I was really lacking the energy, unlike the week before. I guess it's because I missed the Thursday pump last week and I must be still recovering from lack of sleep. Anyways, I SURVIVED through the classes! You can actually imagine what we all went through in pump class when the instructor in question appeared in full top instead of tank top. Yeah, we regulars know what that meant!

Oh, by the way, we have another instructor teaching this combat slot now a days, and it had been great classes, I think I actually like this instructor better.

My usual Monday routine is to ta pao dinner and eat while drive home. I was at Starbucks last night getting my favorite finger sandwich when I got a call from Carebear. She left something at the studio which MUST be collected. Hmm... I guess I won't say what she left behind lah. So I went back to gym and have that picked up from the studio. Meanwhile, LGM told me she was having a, what I would call, really healthy meal at Secret Recipe. Hee...

Today, I started my day "wrong"... sigh. First of all, I left my purse at home. Yeah, drove without license. And MC had to go back to fetch my purse before heading to LM for gym just now because I can't go gym without my membership card (which is in the purse). Okay, I'm going to change to another purse.

The next thing was - the heel of my shoes came off. Luckily I had extra shoes in the car.

Hmm... okay, actually that's all the "bad" things. Not too bad you said?

Went to a pump class with MC tonight. I could see weights increase for MC, good job! The instructor, hmm.... The usual, except for the "variation" for squat track. I wasn't sweating so much compared with yesterday and I was so sleepy that I was yawning all the way.

On another note. I have turned down about two cupcakes order this week because I don't have enough time to bake, I mean, if I have a one week advance notice, I will be able to schedule the orders in, but three days is not something I can manage right now. Sorry! On the other hand, TD had ordered for December 9, and she place that order last month. Hehe... TD, you are good customer and I've book that order into my calendar already.

I am extremely sleep and wanted to go to sleep straight after dinner just now, but thought of coming on line to blog... okay okay. I lied. I came on line hoping that MFG is on line to so that I can chat with him. He's travelling again this week, so I will miss him loads. Again.

Can you read the fine prints? It says :"The sparks that fly between you and a certain someone this week are electric. Whether romance flares is up to you. Right now, there's a touch of lunch in the air too. Seems that fate is on your side, Cancer. Now's the time to have a little bit more fun than usual"

Hmm...

Okay, before you conclude, I am NOT a crazy believer of signs and zodiac. Well, I do read them all the time, but I always forget what it told me after a while. Or most of the time, I only choose to believe what I want to believe. Haha...

I actually do always like to take things into my hand instead of waiting. Maybe I'm just one of those less fortunate girls who doesn't have a long queue of active pursuers, therefore, I do have to look into "romance matters" myself. (I can hear some of you coughing) heh.

Having said that, sometimes when the ball is not in my court, I cannot take a strike even though I wanted so so much to do something about it. It's not about whether I want to break the rules or not. Like you've correctly described, this someone is so extremely lovable but things just always leave me with big big sighs.

One of you also told me to focus on enjoying the moments and not plan too much. I've just had another one of you told me that this time is the time I appeared to be planning the least.

So, let's see where it goes. Shall we?

Rum and Raisins Cake

Baked with raisins which were soaked overnight in rum and lemon peel. The aroma of this cake alone is so very indulging.

The egg whites were beaten separately before folding into the cake mix, it should give the cake a slightly lighter texture.

Make your own chocolates

If you have left over of chocolates (unlikely is it?) or you have bit and pieces of chocolates which you don't think is "interesting" enough for you, melt them all and customize into something you like. For me, I had a few pieces of dark chocolates of different brands which I used for baking different things previously. And I was also in a mood of combining a few things to make them into my idea of chocolate, I decided to make this.

If you really want to make some chocolate clusters, here's how simple it is to make...

First melt some chocolate of course. Dark chocolates are easier to set then milk chocolate by the way. So, melt the chocolate in a heat proof bowl over a bowl/ pan of hot water - no need to be simmering, just hot will do.

Then prepare whatever you would like to have in your chocolate, I chose raisins (which have been soaked overnight in Brandy), roasted almonds and some digestive biscuit to make the chocolate clusters crunchier. Basically, you can add whatever you like to eat into your chocolate. This is the beauty of making your own chocolate.

How much to put into the chocolate? Depends if you want to eat a lot of the extra stuff you put in, or a lot of chocolate. I would go for really thick mixture. So, just mix everything into the melted chocolate.

After mixing everything evenly, spoon the chocolate mixture either into little paper cups, like these...

Or just spoon them onto baking paper like so. Then put them into the fridge to set.

Make them as after dinner treat or all time snacks. They are real good indulgences.

Otherwise, use them as cake decorative items or cupcake toppers.

What a week!

Phew... Thank goodness it's weekend.

Once you lack that few hours of sleep, it's going to take you more than that same few hours of sleep to recover. Trust me. Worked overnight at office with another 5 colleagues for a final production. We all went home at 4am, with me continuing with some file uploading after I arrived home. All in all, I slept 3 hours before waking up to go to work. Arrived office an hour before lunch.

While I stayed up all night to work, MFG stayed up all night too the same night (morning). He had food poisoning and had been staying up the whole night. Poor thing. So, while I am trying to recover from lack of sleep, MFG is recovering from his sickness.

I had skipped gym on Thursday so that I can sleep early. Went out to watch a movie on Friday night and I almost fell asleep in the cinema. Didn't wake up till after 10am this morning and took a nap at 4.30pm after coming back from gym just now. Baked a sticky brownies after dinner and the whole house is now smelling very chocolaty. Hee...

We originally planned to join a pump class at LM today. MC asked me who was this instructor whose name was on the timetable. Hobbes no longer teach at LM I think. Well, I've no clue who this instructor in question was, so I told MC we'll just had to find out when we were there. After finding out, we decided not to join the class. We didn't like this instructor the last time we joined his class - we thought he lacked the accuracy in both cueing and techniques. MC noticed and commented that she is now also very fussy and selective towards instructors. Well, why not?

So far, MC's favorite instructors (influenced by TTB) would be FI, but we seldom go to his class now a days, we couldn't fit into his schedules. MC likes Carebear's a lot too but don't think she can make it to Carebear's classes except for weekends and public holidays if any. And of course Hobbes' which we used to attend almost every Saturday at LM. Other instructors we just cannot be bothered most of the time.

Speaking of gym, I got a text from PT yesterday. Erm... actually ex-PT not only because I'm not doing personal training now, but PT is not longer working as PT. It's great to know that he's doing well now and is enjoying himself immensely with his new job. I seldom receive text from PT unless it's a reply to my text, it's great to know that I'm being remembered and thought of by friends. It was good to receive LGM's sms-es also the other day after my late night work. Thanks for being concern. And Gymaddict, good to know you are still my regular blog reader. Hee... suddenly become a bit sentimental.