Welcome 2012

Happy New Year!!

If it didn't bring you joy
Just leave it behind
Let's ring in the New Year
with good things in mind
Let every bad memory go
That brought heartache and pain
And let's turn a New leaf
with the smell of New rain
Let's forget past mistake
Making amends for this year
Sending you these greetings
To bring you hope and cheer.


When you make a mistake
don't look back at it long.
Take the reason of the thing
into your mind and then look forward.
Mistakes are lessons of wisdom
The past cannot be changed,
The future is yet in your power.

A New Year will appear at any minute from now. How time had passed leaving us with good memories to cherish. The bad one... will linger in our mind. The 2011 was so full of life. Being someone very important to the beloved family. Hope the New Year will bring more pleasant surprise to us all.
Everyone has their differences and misunderstandings along the way, be it with their spouse or with anyone else.. lidah pun tergigit ini kan pulak kita sesama manusia. Mustahil tak ada misunderstanding during the past..everyone had! Mistakes are part of human life.. don't take too long to mourn for the mistakes you've done. Because it will take you no where. Just have faith in yourselves for correcting what you have done. For as long as you admit your mistake.. Take people for what they are. As we do know all human being has bad and good qualities in them....One could have good heart but bad manners. And one could have good manners but No heart. Never judge a mans actions until you know his motives. Look at the brightest or good side of others. No one is perfect! neither me or you.. Don't punish a person for their one stupid mistake...they could change to a better person. We never know what our future says.. if tomorrow we might make the worst mistake...Na'uzubillah!!
And remember; what ever happens, happens for a reason. What is meant to be is meant to be.
You only live once..but if you do it right, once is enough.

Sempena menutup tirai tahun 2011 ini, kami sekeluarga ingin meminta kemaafan sekiranya ada tersalah silap dalam penulisan atau perbuatan kasar. Sebagai manusia, tidak boleh lari daripada membuat kesilapan.
Semoga tahun 2012 membawa sinar yang baru dari Allah Swt.

To err is human; to forgive, divine...


Let's bring back memories of FOOD during 2011...












Thank you for visiting this humble blog of mine.
Happy New Year Everyone.. May we have a wonderful year in 2012..insyallah!

Pasta..Anyone?

Never say NO to Pasta and Salad.
This is our favorite food, or maybe NOT, but because
it's done in a jiffy..our dinner tonight.

Hehe, another Pasta and Salad for Dinner.

Well, look what we have here..Assam Laksa.
And I made Orange Chiffon for Dessert.

The Akad Nikah, 26th Dec 2011

Hb's Nephew, Dr. Anwar and wife Nor Fazlin were
solemnized at a Mosque in Wangsa Maju..
Congratulations! esp to Kak Zah and Abg Ham.

Some good reminders...

Some quotes as a reminder to all of us:

*Make it a habit to tell people thank you.
To express your appreciation sincerely and
without the expectation of anything in return*

*Love wholeheartedly, be surprised,
give thanks and praise...then you
will discover the fullness of your life*

*Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll
soon find many others around you.
Truly appreciate life, and you'll
find that you have more of it*

I don't understand why people don't say thank you anymore..especially to those who should be thanked for. Maybe because the word didn't come easy or simply they aren't thoughtful enough. Expressions of thank you can be in many forms, like tears are expression of grief. So thank you can be expressed by facial expressions like smile or hugging.. lots and lots that can make one feel appreciated. Saying thank you is a simple response to a kindness and an act of generosity.
Maybe some people are just rude or ignorant when comes to saying thank you...maybe,...I don't know, human lives are complicated.

Monday 19th Dec.
My father in law had prostate surgery. It was 3 days trip back to Perak. Physically and mentally tired...driving back through and fro to the Hospital. Alhamdulilah, F.I.L discharged from the Hospital on Wednesday, the day we left back to Kuala Lumpur.

My Children *Kampong Scene* at their grandparent's in Perak. My two sons came the next day Tuesday, to be with their grandfather at the Hospital.

At my Mums. Finally, met the twins, Aqip and Agil belongs to my niece Ida. How tiny they were when first born...premature babies! And look at them, simply adorable!
How miracle God can do to us, human. Thank you Allah!

Pakeeza, the Restoran that located in front of the Hotel where we stayed. The food was not too bad. We were there for two days in a row.

Then, the last night, my Sister Teh treated us at Cater Best for dinner. The food was nice but I was floating on air as my body was totally drained out.

Adios..

2 weeks gone by...

The time flies in a jiffy, it's time for Anik to come back. Guess what? she missed the flight back here, this morning. Was I supposed to believe when told, jam teruk. kalau Jakarta, I would understand, ini in Medan. Heee, rasa nak menjerit2... How could she waste money like that. Nasib baik, I know the agent that got me Anik and the previous maid. And she prepared a new ticket back here tomorrow..nak tau berapa? Rm 300, it's one way ticket..kan rugi.
In fact, we had got used without Anik and we loved doing the house work as a team. We do need some privacy once in awhile, and two weeks is just fine. Well, we'll have to wait and see what will happen tomorrow..

My dear daughter had been busy with her exam for three days last week which started at 8 am. She had to leave the house at wee hours of the early morning around 6.20 am to avoid jam and also for easy parking, gelap tu.. If only Hb is fit to drive he or me would definitely be sending her, not letting her drive that early, alone. I can't helped myself worrying. No choice but to tawakkal aje. She is one tough lady with a strong character, typical her father, not like me..thank God for that. Berkali2 berpesan 'do not be too confident, there are things that we ladies sometimes cannot do, don't take chances' Nampak je lembut tu but fierce like a tiger! Shh!..I am proud of my girl, being the youngest and the only girl, I can rely on her! She ain't a spoilt brad.. for sure!
I hope she is enjoying herself now at her friend birthday party...(send and fetch by big brother)

So, while Anik was away, here are some of the Menus along the 2 long weeks...
Starting with...Yesterday's lunch.
Today, we totally eat out, busy busy with phone calls to Medan..

After the long two weeks, NO rice. So, yesterday, I decided to cooked rice
with Fish Curry, Fried Beef and Veges...Lega!!

Mee Jawa *my style* and dessert, Bubur Jagung.

The most favorite Potato Salad with celery, dried cranberry,
Walnut,Chicken breast and Prawn.
Homemade bread with simple chicken soup,
Salmon and Pineapple Salad.

Two kinds of Sandwiches, Chicken and Cream Cheese Salad.
And a healthy Celery and Carrot Soup

Pasta with Fried Chicken and Plain Salad.

Last Monday, we had lunch at Saba' Arab Restoran in Cyberjaya.
It wasn't plan but a spur of the moment choice by Fifa. Who did we called?..my niece Izian Naziha, yang tak jadi balik ke Perak..being late to Putrajaya and the ticket was all sold out for the weekend..sob sob for her. Anyway, we were there to brighten her day for just a few hours..relax Izian!


Bye for now..hope for a better tomorrow with a stress free day!

That Birthday Food...

My left foot was throbbing the whole time since.. I don't remember when and how it happened.. It hurts so much especially when I stand over long period of time, and even terlalu lama berbaring pun...that might be a syndrome maid tak ada kot, macam2 sengal sini sana. I am accident prone, anyway.

I was kinda disappointed with the food photos I snapped yesterday night. I didn't exactly target on the food *not close enough*..maybe penat tapi harapan mengunung. My other two kids wanted to eat out *agaknya malas cuci pinggan* but the Birthday Boy wanted Home cook. Hmm..after a lot of thought I finally decided to bake Beef Cannelloni *i had bought sometime ago*, Smoked Salmon Salad with Yogurt Sauce and Roasted Chicken from Ayam Mas. And some chips to dip in yogurt sauce. And also... Mum's best blended Smoothies drink! I mixed bananas, apples, strawberry and pear. Then blend it together with yogurt and ice.
Yulk! *tak sedap* it's nothing to bragged about! Hahaha..it's too thick, you need to scoop it to drink...semua bertanya 'air apa ni..?' And no special cake, except for the 4days old Carrot Cake that I baked on last Monday..

Though it's not a special dinner, but we made a point to celebrate it together...
And to you Son, May you have all the best things in life and hereafter!!

The Smoothies didn't look like it had strawberry in it..too much
of bananas kot.
The picture at far right..the Birthday Boy...'malu2 kucing'

The steps of making Beef Cannelloni.

Adios! and Selamat Malam..

While maid 'Anik' was away...

While my maid 'Anik' was away...
I still lead a normal life.. *a little extra than normal days..actually* hehe. I was like sooo absorbed with the housework. Everything needed to be washed, vaccumed, mopped and placed my things nicely *according to my way, NOT Anik's* Wah, when was the last time I did the housework? about 11 months ago. I am enjoying it, tho it's rather tiring, sampai kaki rasa tak boleh nak pijak, sakitt. I love to see the house clean, not only that, my plants too, they need attention as well. Whooh, I kena relax, tak boleh nak buat all at the same time..Cooking? Oh, not much but yes I cooked very simple food and my girl helped me most of the time in the kitchen and with the clothes.

Baked Carrot Cake on Monday. Anik had prepared the
ingredients earlier.

Vegetable Shepherd Pie, Fifa baked it for dinner.

Meanwhile, Cuttoo Get together at 'Dome' Subang Parade.
On the 7th December at 3pm.

7 of us turned up.

And we celebrated Dina's Birthday..

We treated ourselves this time. We ordered every food in double sets.
Fish and Chips, Oriental Salad and Chicken/Beef Pies.

Chicken and Beef Pie.

Okay! I have to get a short nap for a little while, then I will be busy making dinner for my Syafiq. It's his birthday today. "Happy Birthday to my Son and to Jasmin" my niece.. who celebrate the same date!!
Will update my next entry of the Food that I shall prepare for tonight's dinner!
Adios..

The Joy Of Being In The 50's

Salam..
Being 50++ means that you have lived half the century. Alhamdullillah, and blessed with good health the best present you could ever asked for.. Having extended family and grandchildren, double the happiness...
My Sister Intan celebrated her 50++ birthday on Saturday 3rd Dec.
I baked her Carrot Cake plus the Cake stand as a present. Tersenyum simpul kakak ku surrounded by her love ones and family. And she was lucky indeed to have a Chef in the family Jasmin, *daughter* who can cook. For beginner like her, salute habis..She baked delicious Lasagna and Roast Chicken...memang finger licking good!
My cousin Yong Fatimah and family were invited...brought Banana Pudding that look similar to Banoffee Pie. Another Cousin Yeop Jamel and Kak Normah were there too. Hmm... itu lah episod makan2 ku kali ini..
So, let's tengok gambar2 pulak....







Sunday 4th Dec

My maid Anik, went back to Indonesia for 2 weeks starting from yesterday..
Baru dua hari badan ku sudah sakit2. Sedih juga bila dipeluk Anik, hai macam goodbye forever aje.. she is a nice maid, tak banyak ragam. Insyallah, kalau ada rezeki balik lah dia. kalau tak, ....back to square 1 lah jawabnya. But then again I told myself, nothing to worry, tak larat masak boleh beli, and the kids can help out. My eldest son and daughter sent Anik to LCCT, and my second boy did the dish washing and wiping the table..nampaknya tak perlu disuruh mengangkat and menyidai kain..hikhik! Minta2 nya it stays that way for two weeks. It's still early to tell...

Anik berposing .

Two days before Anik balik, I baked this Orange Bundt Poppy Cake. And just before she left, she had to prepare the ingredients for carrot cake...hari ni baru bake.

I love this cake..rich taste of Butter. Cake ni kurang Poppy Seed.
Instead of 50 g, I put 20g..itu yang ada.

Adios...

Living With Stress....

Plants/flowers are comforting and calming

Salam...

When the mind is not in a stable state, where do you turn to?
Unquestionable, ..Allah of course! Reciting the Qur'an and do zikir will lessen your emotional distress. Du'aa for this strength... it's easy to say than to do..make it a way of everyday life.
Craftwork or Gardening and Cooking too.. could release the tension in you...
I guess for me, that's my way of getting my mind relaxed and occupied. Instead of bla bla bla..talking to those who always give bad feedback, that leads you to become more tense and miserable..If you need to let it go, than talk to someone who is sensible, that can give positive words. Huh... according to my girl, *She could be the right person*Hey girl!... I'm NO Psycho yet! Well, my youngest is in her 2nd year and in 2nd Semester taking Bachelor in Psychology...learning about human behavior. Anyway, thank you my dear, maybe in the near future.. * bila dah tua and cranky, you need to Psycho me, but with love and tender care..*

Back to my Stress issues...I've seen some people who tried to manage stress by constanstly eating...this can be considered as a substitute. But, some refused food..starving themselves. Macam2...
Remember Stress is Poison. Try to overcome your stress level... As we all know the modern life is full of hassles, frustrations and demands. But that's the way life is, whether we like it or not. Stress is the reaction from the brain...that we have to do something. But beyond to a certain point, kalau tak kawal..Kaboomm!!
Stress is not always bad. Hence, having stress sometimes motivate you to be better. Penting jugak stress ni ye.. for instance my daughter, complained at every semester *Stressnya sem ni..* but alhamdullillah berkat belajar she managed to get over it.. ok. Stress tu yang buatkan dia usaha.. Take stress positively, control it well..jangan kata tak boleh buat, YOU CAN DO IT!..YES!

I tak laaaa stress yang begitu ketara.. tapi bila penattt sikit.. stress, runsinggg sikit... stress. Semua.. stress. I am thankful to Allah Subhanawataala for giving me the strength coping stress. And my family, who loves me..no matter how they have to cope with my whining Mood. *Mesti kena tunjuk stress, kalau tak dia orang tak tau..heee.* Tho they are not all perfect.. but there are LOVE in them..they have each other in times of happiness and difficulties. They can count on each other. I saw sad tears in their eyes when their father was helplessly sicked...and how they sat together to deal with the situation. I cherished times when they curled up on my bed telling me how they had spent their day, while I ruffled their hair and stroked their faces jokingly and lovingly..and ended with arguement, hehe. And misses them when they didn't knock on my door.. There were also times when they made me really CRAZY ...that I had to yell on top of my voice..and I would stayed awake at night thinking whether they made the right decisions....Ohh, my loves, I will not stop loving you guys...

Insyallah, A mum's Du'aa is always the best for their child. And do forgive me when I'm in the wrong..especially during my Cycle mood...whining uncontrollable..hee. Just love me the way I am, like I used to tolerate your tantrums..Nak hilangkan stress, I must always look at the brightest side of you guys..
Maybe it's time that I should have faith and trust in them, to let them decide what's best for them ...my babies are all grown up!..bigger and taller than me, heehee.
Togetherness is being close to one another emotionally and physically...is one important thing every family should practice!!

Meanwhile....

Baby Potatoes fried with herbs and cabbage.
Lakna and sandwiches.

Make peace with God, Ourselves and with our Beloved spouse and the people around us.
Love the life that we have now...Only God knows best!!
Adios...

Food Galore..

Salam Maal Hijrah .....Bismillaahirahmaanirhim..

Monday morning with Scones served for Breakfast. I prepared them around 7.30 am. Selepas subuh, I could not sleep.. So buat apa yang patut. Since my niece Izian Naziha spent for the weekend I tried to entertain her the best I could. We know, she misses homecook *study at MMU Cyberjaya*
For lunch yesterday, I fried Salmon with Parsley sauce, fried Vegetables and lemak fucuk and tahoon *macam tak kena je* In the evening, my girl Fifa, had an assignment with friends at Bangsar, so sent her there while we had Tea at Plan B, Bangsar Village. Malam, Hb and me ada Ceramah at our Surau while my two boys had something on and we let the two girls had dinner outside.

Our Scones for Breakfast. with black cherry Jam and egg Mayo fillings.

Yesterday's Lunch. Salmon with Parsley Sauce.

Izian Naziha

Tea at Plan B, Bangsar Village

Last Saturday...
It's Food Galore this Weekend! My Sister Teh came on Saturday after a long week taking care of her newborn Cucu at Sri Hartamas. Dah letih menjaga cucu nak relax pulak with her daughter Izian at my house. I had planned bakings for the family this long weekend, then my sis called, bagus jugak ..just cook a little extra. I put on my Apron and my Chef Hat *tong tang tong tang* and Wallah! my food was prepared according to plan. Satisfied! when I got to serve and cook rather than to buy outside food. But that depends on the Mood kalau tak stress...huhu. My Sister went back to Ipoh the next day leaving Izian at my place...promised to sent her back to Cyberjaya.
I made Carrot Cake *hb's request* Quiche, Roti Gebu ku, and Roast Beef...oops, and Salad Pasta. Beli sikit Mee Goreng and Naan Bread. Elaborate kah?...Ok lah tu.

Carrot Cake, and Mushroom Sauce for the Roast Chicken

My Roti Gebu and Quiche

Pasta Salad

The recipe below is specially requested by Yong Kamariah
Happy trying Yong..

Buttermilk Scones (Nigella Lawson)

500g plain flour

2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp castor sugar

50g unsalted butter
25g soft vegetable shortening
300 ml buttermilk
1 egg, beaten for an egg wash
1 x large baking sheet
1 x 6cm fluted scone cutter

1.Preheat the oven to 220 C/gas mark 7 and line a large baking with with baking
parchment. Put the flour into a bowl with the bicarb, cream of tartar and sugar.
2.Chop the butter and the vegetable shortening into pieces and drop them into the flour.
3.Rub the fats into the flour - or just mix any old how - and then pour in the buttermilk,
working everything together to form a dough.
4.Lightly flour your work surface. Pat the dough down into a round-edged oblong about 4cm
thick, then cut out 6cm scones with a fluted cutter.
5.Arrange the scones fairly close together on your lined vaking sheet, and brush with beaten
egg(to give a golden tops) or not, as you wish. Cook for 12 mins, by which time the scones
will be dry on the bottom and have a relatively light feel. Remove them to a wire rack
to cool, and serve with clotted cream and Jumbleberry Jam.


Allhamdullillah!! Thank God for given me the ability to communicate and share some of the Menus to those who are interest especially to my dear friends. No matter you love blogging or you're browsing through.

Have a wonderful long weekend with your love ones..
Bye, bye for now!

Selamat menyambut Maal Hijrah..

Kepada Muslimin dan Muslimat Selamat Menyambut tahun Baru. Semoga kita berhijrah kearah yang terbaik buat kita semua mau pun untuk di dunia dan akhirat..Insyallah!
Salam dari saya Sekeluarga.

Hello..
I have not been busy but been lazy...yup! The weather made me want to stay indoor and relax. And perut ku pulak meragam...bloated! Also, it's the rain probably buat you betul2 dalam kemalasan. But at times panas terik yang amat.. so humid, then came the rain, selebat lebatnya.. malam sejuk, hingga kan air rasa macam ais. Apapun terima aje lah..semua tu ada kebaikan nya.

Saturday, 19th November.
The Newcomer to the family.. Mimi, my nephew Taqi's wife gave birth to a baby Boy. Congrats to you both and also to my dear sister Teh and Abang Din for their 3rd cucu for this year! Wah, meriah sungguh keluarga my Sis, baru 2 bulan yang lalu dapat cucu twins dan dapat pulak lagi sorang..3 heros pulak tu.
We went to the Hospital on Saturday. And again we gathered at Taman Tun to be with my two sisters the next day. Maklumlah jarang2 jumpa. So, there's always things to share...biasa lah. Sometimes we disagreed, then we kissed and made up. This is what family are all about.
Of course no cooking only bought food served on the table...busy sembang, hehe. We went home late after dinner.

Mimi and her Newborn Son

He's adorable!

At Taman Tun, Sunday.

Now, let's take a look at my last night dinner and the previous nights..

Baked Chicken Tortillas and Tomato Salsa

Nasi Lemak, Cantonese Beehoon and Fried kueyteow.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. My perut is still meragam and the night is cold...I want to be wrapped in my quilt cover and zzzzz.
Goodnight!.