tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56454247863369763152024-03-14T13:18:19.018+08:00• Love • Laugh • Live •life on the little red dotlevynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-33747643523538910792012-10-29T21:26:00.000+08:002012-11-03T21:43:07.735+08:00Shrimp, tomato and spinach pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miryK4Jc-kU/UI0nuO3zkCI/AAAAAAAAAtI/GyCG7sNWFo8/s1600/IMG_6094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miryK4Jc-kU/UI0nuO3zkCI/AAAAAAAAAtI/GyCG7sNWFo8/s320/IMG_6094.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've made some changes to the recipe from the original source. I couldn't find any fresh basil from the supermarket, and so, I used baby spinach as substitue. I also used 3 more extra cloves of garlic coz the husband likes a stronger garlic flavour in his pasta dishes. And I think the overall flavour was just nice for us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Shrimp, tomato and spinach pasta</u></b> (recipe adapted from : <a href="http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/shrimp-tomato-basil-pasta-recipe-mslo0611" target="_blank">here</a>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- 1 1/2</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="unit" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pound(s) </span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">medium shrimp</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, peeled and deveined (tails removed)</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- Coarse salt</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- Ground pepper</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- 6 </span><span class="unit" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">teaspoon(s) </span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">olive oil</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- 2 </span><span class="unit" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">clove(s) </span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">garlic</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, minced </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- 1 </span><span class="unit" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">can(s) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(14 1/2-ounce) </span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">diced tomatoes in juice</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- 1 </span><span class="unit" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pint(s) </span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cherry or grape tomatoes</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, halved</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- 1/2 </span><span class="unit" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pound(s) </span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">linguine</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">- 1 1/2</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="unit" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cup(s) </span><span class="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">lightly packed fresh basil leaves <i>(I substituted with baby spinach leaves)</i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; list-style-type: none; margin: 4px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px;">
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; list-style-type: none; margin: 4px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px;"></ul><div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Directions:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>1) </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Season shrimp with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 4 teaspoons oil over high. Add shrimp; cook until opaque throughout, turning occasionally, 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.</span></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">2)</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> Make sauce:</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> To the same skillet, add remaining 2 teaspoons oil and garlic; cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add canned tomatoes and their juice, along with 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have softened and are saucy, about 15 minutes. Remove sauce from heat; stir in cherry tomatoes.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #666666;">3) Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain; return pasta to pot. Add tomato sauce, shrimp, and basil; season with salt and pepper, and toss. Serve immediately, garnished with basil leaves, if desired. </span></span></div>
levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-54019760793336330522012-10-28T21:15:00.000+08:002012-11-03T21:37:53.244+08:00Orange Shortbread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fRfOpQmM7xo/UI0m9HNYZnI/AAAAAAAAAtA/Ln6A7gPR24A/s1600/IMG_6095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fRfOpQmM7xo/UI0m9HNYZnI/AAAAAAAAAtA/Ln6A7gPR24A/s320/IMG_6095.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a strange relationship with oranges. I like the colour orange, and almost anything with oranges in them. Orange chocolate, orange cake, orange cookies, orange ice cream, etc. But I don't really like eating orange as a fruit or drink it as a juice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So with 5 large oranges left in my fridge after making these shortbread, be prepared that my favourite "fruit" will make its appearance in the next few blog entries. ;p</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Orange Shortbread </u></b>(recipe from : <a href="http://www.bake-aholic.com/orange-shortbread/" target="_blank">here</a>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients :</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.98666763305664px; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp pure vanilla extract</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004S7V8/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bakeaholic-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00004S7V8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">zest</a> of 2 large oranges</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp salt</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 cup sugar mixed with the zest of one additional orange for rolling</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.98666763305664px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Directions :</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1) In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla and zest of 2 oranges. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2) In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together (it will be very crumbly. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3) Dump onto a surface dusted lightly with flour and roll the dough into two logs, about 2 inches in diameter. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4) On a large plate, combine the 1/2 cup of sugar with the additional orange zest. Roll each log in the sugar mixture and then wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.98666763305664px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Slice each log into 1/4 inch slices. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6) Bake on parchment lined baking pans for 12-15 minutes, until the edges just start to brown. Cool on wire racks. Store, tightly covered, at room temperature.</span></span></div>
levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-82299037036671169882012-10-26T22:14:00.000+08:002012-10-28T16:25:21.983+08:00Easy Buttermilk Biscuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GECbF-I4Wp8/UIzlx8ILpHI/AAAAAAAAAss/4gdLknG5jO0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-28+at+3.57.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GECbF-I4Wp8/UIzlx8ILpHI/AAAAAAAAAss/4gdLknG5jO0/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-10-28+at+3.57.17+PM.png" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had never thought to try making biscuits. But my youngest sister had so enthusiastically showed me a blueberry biscuits recipe she found online and was determined to give it a try. Though the instructions were quite long but didn't look too difficult after reading it a few times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sad to say, that didn't work out. At all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Though the outside was cooked to golden brown, the insides were all mushy and not cooked at all. We didn't know what was wrong as we followed the recipe very thoroughly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, since we were already on making biscuits, I decided to find another simpler biscuits recipe to try again to see if we could find out what went wrong. And the second attempt was slightly (just slightly) better coz they were edible and cooked on the inside. Though these were quite tasteless, on the bright side, they went quite well with strawberry jam. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Easy Buttermilk Biscuits</u></b> (recipe from : <a href="http://www.completelydelicious.com/2011/03/easy-buttermilk-biscuits.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>makes 8 large biscuits</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
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<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24.633333206176758px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients :</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24.633333206176758px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cups all purpose flour<br />2 teaspoon baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon coarse salt<br />1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes<br />3/4 cup buttermilk, chilled, plus additional for brushing</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24.633333206176758px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Directions :</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24.633333206176758px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24.633333206176758px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2) In a medium bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the butter with a pastry cutter or a fork until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the buttermilk and stir until the dough comes together in a ball.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24.633333206176758px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3) On a lightly floured surface, gather the dough into a bowl and knead gently 6 times. Pat dough into a 10 inch circle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into three inch rounds with a lightly floured cutter. Place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Brush with buttermilk.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24.633333206176758px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4) Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.</span></div>
</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-41330218406780456152012-09-01T20:14:00.000+08:002012-09-30T21:36:18.789+08:00Cameron Highlands (26 - 28 Aug)<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The husband's friend, who was from Cameron Highlands, suggested the few of us to take a trip up for a short break. It had been years since I been to Cameron Highlands, and there was barely any memory of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so the 7 of us set off, in 4 separate cars, on a 6-7 hours (excluding stopover breaks) journey up to the highlands. It was our first road trip and it was quite an experience. It was also great fun travelling with a group of friends, chatting, joking, eating. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To sidetrack a little, I had learnt to add annotations to photos from a friend... and I loved the idea. So here they are, my first batch of "self-explanatory" photos. :)</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-26009841020280709262012-04-09T21:45:00.000+08:002012-04-09T21:45:46.596+08:00Braised chicken with carrots and mushrooms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pME6ohamEg8/T4LmtLZpM2I/AAAAAAAAArk/h4V9B9v2RJM/s1600/img0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pME6ohamEg8/T4LmtLZpM2I/AAAAAAAAArk/h4V9B9v2RJM/s320/img0009.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is the first time I used rock sugar in my cooking. Not sure if it was because of the rock sugar but the sauce seemed to decrease rapidly after I added about 4 small pieces, and in the end, there was not much sauce left to go together with the plain rice. But taste wise, it was good. :)</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Braised chicken with carrots and mushrooms </u></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(recipe from </span><a href="http://www.noobcook.com/braised-chicken-with-carrots-and-mushrooms/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">)</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Serves 2</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ingredients :</strong></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 500g chicken thigh, chopped to smaller pieces (you can also use half chicken)</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 2 tbsp sesame oil</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 1 carrot, peeled and cut to bite-sized chunks</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 1 stalk of negi (Japanese scallion) or 2 stalks of spring onions, sliced</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 200g fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 150ml water (adjust accordingly to how much gravy you want)</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce </span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 1 tbsp oyster sauce </span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 1/2 tsp 5-spice powder </span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 2 to 4 small rock sugar cubes</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 3 ginger slices</span><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">- 5 garlic cloves, bruised</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Directions :</span></strong></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></b><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">1. Heat sesame oil in wok, th</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">en add chicken pieces. Stir fry until the chicken is no longer pink.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;">2. Add water, carrots, mushrooms, scallions, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, 5 spice powder, ginger and garlic. Stir well. Cover with lid and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="color: #4c4c4c; line-height: 20px;"><br />
3. Using kitchen tongs or spatula, flip the chicken pieces over so that they can absorb the braising liquid. Add rock sugar for sweetness and a beautiful glazed finish. Simmer with lid closed for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.</span></span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-17196714893291042082012-04-06T13:42:00.000+08:002012-04-09T21:39:28.043+08:00Bangkok (17 - 20 Mar)<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's been almost 7 years since the husband and I went to Bangkok... and that was also how long we had been married. :) So, when one of our friend suggested for the four of us, together with her husband, to go for a short trip, we also took it as an opportunity to have a short getaway break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was really a relaxing trip... nothing much to do, just walk around, eat, and hang out with one another in the evenings. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mX6O-dcHAxw/T3_MwwW7BLI/AAAAAAAAAoM/GeKaHuDx6ZA/s1600/IMG_3716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mX6O-dcHAxw/T3_MwwW7BLI/AAAAAAAAAoM/GeKaHuDx6ZA/s320/IMG_3716.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Crab with vermicelli <i>*yums*</i></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTecWvEMaZI/T3_M5wkYdQI/AAAAAAAAAoU/QC7tMZZKDEo/s1600/IMG_3720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTecWvEMaZI/T3_M5wkYdQI/AAAAAAAAAoU/QC7tMZZKDEo/s320/IMG_3720.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Walking through Chinatown area</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4N8L2r_IQI/T3_NK7mzlUI/AAAAAAAAAok/03sEcbKxb2w/s1600/IMG_3733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4N8L2r_IQI/T3_NK7mzlUI/AAAAAAAAAok/03sEcbKxb2w/s320/IMG_3733.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At the weekend Chatuchak market</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>(the husband and I found that it wasn't as exciting compared to when we first came in year 2005. There wasn't much things to buy)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ogtnG1MYH4/T3_NDuxMaCI/AAAAAAAAAoc/aCGVgP_ZSb0/s1600/IMG_3727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ogtnG1MYH4/T3_NDuxMaCI/AAAAAAAAAoc/aCGVgP_ZSb0/s320/IMG_3727.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The view from our 35th-floor hotel room</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We didn't know there was a zoo, Safari World, in Bangkok until our friends recommended it. We realised it was a place more for animal shows rather than walking around to look at animals. There were about 7 - 8 shows from around 11am all the way to 4:30pm, after which the zoo would close for the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We only caught the orang-utan show, elephant show and dolphin show. The rest of the time were spent wondering around the almost people-free zoo, which was actually a good thing coz we could take photos of animals, and look at them closer without people jostling around.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W6ncPK1Dms/T3_SD93LgsI/AAAAAAAAApM/9KSIcqCpsIw/s1600/IMG_3793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W6ncPK1Dms/T3_SD93LgsI/AAAAAAAAApM/9KSIcqCpsIw/s320/IMG_3793.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The "empty" zoo. We suspected everyone was there just for the animal shows.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kcDTXzANLIE/T3_NU45LBqI/AAAAAAAAAos/A0pPQ09ouZM/s1600/IMG_3748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kcDTXzANLIE/T3_NU45LBqI/AAAAAAAAAos/A0pPQ09ouZM/s320/IMG_3748.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The orang-utan show</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_UqcwUiCv0/T3_Nd8sXwrI/AAAAAAAAAo0/zYMYJ-_4dZQ/s1600/IMG_3779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_UqcwUiCv0/T3_Nd8sXwrI/AAAAAAAAAo0/zYMYJ-_4dZQ/s320/IMG_3779.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The elephant show</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6xJgmhNmug/T3_NmNmYzbI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Dpi_Qbq1aSc/s1600/IMG_3787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6xJgmhNmug/T3_NmNmYzbI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Dpi_Qbq1aSc/s320/IMG_3787.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The most number of giraffes I've ever seen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ce1DJG5wqw4/T3_NwQqFAYI/AAAAAAAAApE/2c4-f2d93CQ/s1600/IMG_3813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ce1DJG5wqw4/T3_NwQqFAYI/AAAAAAAAApE/2c4-f2d93CQ/s320/IMG_3813.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the car, driving through the safari park</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The most fun part of this trip was the drive through the open safari park. Of course we had to stay in the vehicle for the whole time, but it was really an experience and great fun. (the driver must be thinking we had never seen tigers, lions or rhinos before.. haha) However, the weather was too hot and most animals were just lazing in the shade rather than walking around so we didn't get many photos taken. But it was a really fun and memorable day. :)</span></div>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-72815291686776518982012-03-26T22:57:00.000+08:002012-04-07T16:18:28.728+08:00Babysitter for the day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The husband and I had decided to take one day off from work to help look after my niece for the day, as my Mum was accompanying my Dad to the hospital for a <a href="http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/" target="_blank">colonoscopy</a>, and my sister and brother-in-law were having a short weekend getaway in Malacca. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As my niece was quite a creature of habit, we had prepped her a few days before that we would be the ones to bring her to and back from school today. And also to bring her to eat <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaolongbao" target="_blank">xiao long bao</a> (小笼包) for lunch if she was on her best behaviour for the time in school. Coz according to my mum, she would sometimes cry in class for no reasons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, when I met her after her class this morning, the first thing she said to me was "大姨,我今天没有哭。" Haha.. funny little thing. Which means that she could have not cried in class at all for all these while, if she wanted to.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCiD3RmResU/T3_oMGJQvdI/AAAAAAAAAq0/n9aWGm0yEmo/s1600/IMG_3867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCiD3RmResU/T3_oMGJQvdI/AAAAAAAAAq0/n9aWGm0yEmo/s320/IMG_3867.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy. After school, and all ready to eat!</span> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDCbADeHkQk/T3_oS9XJUDI/AAAAAAAAAq8/-obN5HFAGW4/s1600/IMG_3869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDCbADeHkQk/T3_oS9XJUDI/AAAAAAAAAq8/-obN5HFAGW4/s320/IMG_3869.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Keeping herself occupied while waiting for the food to arrive.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57tRVZw-j30/T3_ogyzc7ZI/AAAAAAAAArM/Zt1Z6g9-6Eo/s1600/IMG_3874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57tRVZw-j30/T3_ogyzc7ZI/AAAAAAAAArM/Zt1Z6g9-6Eo/s320/IMG_3874.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyzgAvlCUWs/T3_ooDZ9v5I/AAAAAAAAArU/BOgcSLUEXrc/s1600/IMG_3877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyzgAvlCUWs/T3_ooDZ9v5I/AAAAAAAAArU/BOgcSLUEXrc/s320/IMG_3877.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Giving her full attention, and enjoying the xiao long bao thoroughly</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovzL-m8soEY/T3_oxXVJQyI/AAAAAAAAArc/GAqBHu8c3kI/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovzL-m8soEY/T3_oxXVJQyI/AAAAAAAAArc/GAqBHu8c3kI/s320/IMG_3881.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>At our place. Letting her watch some YouTube videos to kill time while waiting for her parents to come collect her</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After babysitting today, I really admire my parents for taking care of my niece, Mondays to Fridays, and also kudos to all those full-time babysitters. The husband and I were quite tired by the time my sister came to pick her up around 5pm. On one hand, it was really fun spending time and bonding with the little tyke. On the other hand, it was also a little stressful and tiring coz we had to be on constant alert and lookout as to where she was running to and what she was doing. </span></div>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-59216229215845745422012-03-04T11:56:00.001+08:002012-04-07T12:14:06.300+08:00Lemon thyme water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGvH7Cw-GmM/T3-9Ilo82CI/AAAAAAAAAoE/XArJ2_qozCg/s1600/IMG_3631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGvH7Cw-GmM/T3-9Ilo82CI/AAAAAAAAAoE/XArJ2_qozCg/s320/IMG_3631.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Lemon thyme water</u></b> (recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/lemon-thyme-water-recipe/index.html">here</a>)</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">ngredients :</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;">2</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;">lemons</span><ul class="kv-ingred-list1" style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="ingredient" style="line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">10 sprigs</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thyme</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">water</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ice</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</b></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Directions :</b></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></li><li class="ingredient" style="line-height: 23px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Slice lemons into thin wheels and distribute between 2 pitchers along with thyme sprigs. Fill pitchers with ice and cover with water.</span></li>
</ul>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-2684619724680301092012-02-19T11:28:00.015+08:002012-04-07T11:55:14.011+08:00Pasta with chicken and mushrooms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcQUJjRn7fY/T3-1t4jLnqI/AAAAAAAAAn8/H6OUwfwISjw/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcQUJjRn7fY/T3-1t4jLnqI/AAAAAAAAAn8/H6OUwfwISjw/s320/IMG_3606.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There is a slight difference in one of the main ingredients in this recipe, that is the Italian pork and fennel sausage. I really didn't know if it was sold anywhere in Singapore, much less in any supermarket near my place. Therefore, I substituted it with just plain normal minced chicken, which I seasoned with a little salt and black pepper and set it aside for a while before cooking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, if there is any chance that I could get the Italian sausage, I would certainly try this again. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><b>Pasta with pork and fennel sausages </b></u>(adapted from "Quick and Easy workday dinners")</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Serves 4</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ingredients :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6 Italian pork and fennel sausages (I substituted with minced chicken)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 small red onion, finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2-3 cloves garlic, crushed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">300g field or button mushrooms, thinly sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">500g penne rigate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">grated Parmesan, to serve</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Directions :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1) Split the sausage open, remove and crumble the filling, then discard the skins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2) Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and cook the onion for 3-4 minutes, or until fragrant and transparent. Add the garlic, chilli flakes, mushrooms and crumbled sausage meat. Cook over high heat, stirring gently to mash the sausage meat, for 4-5 minutes, or until the meat is evenly browned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If necessary, use a tablespoon to remove any excess fat from the pan, leaving about a tablespoon of oil. Continue to cook, stirring once or twice, for 10 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3) Stir in the tomato and thyme, then bring the sauce to the boil. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the sauce doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4) Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large saucepan of rapidly boiling salted water according to the packet instructions until al dente. Drain well, then add to the sauce, stirring gently to combine. Garnish with Parmesan, then serve immediately.</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-26522140951621861702012-02-05T22:02:00.001+08:002012-04-07T14:57:11.917+08:00动感清明上河图 - A Moving Masterpiece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I first came across this while watching the news one evening. What captured my attention was not only the animation, but that the painting was able to change from day to night. To be honest, I didn't know what was <a href="http://www.amovingmasterpiece.com/painting.html" target="_blank">this painting</a> about at all. But I managed to do a little research on the Internet for it before I went to the exhibition.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbqcWbranjY/T3_ZTBbW3xI/AAAAAAAAApU/y-ICIm-UoGU/s1600/IMG_3450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbqcWbranjY/T3_ZTBbW3xI/AAAAAAAAApU/y-ICIm-UoGU/s320/IMG_3450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The painting was famous because it supposedly depicts the richness of the society, from the poor to the wealthy, from the rural area to the capital city, and also the daily life of the Northern Song Dynasty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before actually seeing the animated painting, there was an area where there were exhibits of the lives of the people during that time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What really caught my attention was this man named <a href="http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_madeinchina/2005-06/28/content_70176.htm" target="_blank">Bi Sheng</a> (毕生). He invented the movable type printing equipment, whereby each chinese character was carved on one single piece of clay, and these characters could be re-arranged on a metal plate to form different sentences to be printed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvNHby8Gn-g/T3_Zgf1dp7I/AAAAAAAAApk/IN9P9J65JPQ/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvNHby8Gn-g/T3_Zgf1dp7I/AAAAAAAAApk/IN9P9J65JPQ/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDvQe2haoL8/T3_ZaprlATI/AAAAAAAAApc/dj8dSn8i6RA/s1600/IMG_3459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDvQe2haoL8/T3_ZaprlATI/AAAAAAAAApc/dj8dSn8i6RA/s320/IMG_3459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wonder if Scrabble was an inspiration from this? ;p</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qj2w0WHkGFw/T3_ZnsZeRkI/AAAAAAAAAps/v3-cH446IfM/s1600/IMG_3463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qj2w0WHkGFw/T3_ZnsZeRkI/AAAAAAAAAps/v3-cH446IfM/s320/IMG_3463.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A bank note from the old times</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, there was the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">128 x 6.5 metres projected image of the painting. There was no way to capture the full length of the painting.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hARSmh-gixQ/T3_ZvBZkcyI/AAAAAAAAAp0/8HX_6fPwZRM/s1600/IMG_3473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hARSmh-gixQ/T3_ZvBZkcyI/AAAAAAAAAp0/8HX_6fPwZRM/s320/IMG_3473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubAEJydgHkQ/T3_Z6_OmBSI/AAAAAAAAAp8/7gBzG--ffW4/s1600/IMG_3484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubAEJydgHkQ/T3_Z6_OmBSI/AAAAAAAAAp8/7gBzG--ffW4/s320/IMG_3484.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXf6xTI2xaw/T3_aGtev_fI/AAAAAAAAAqE/6NEAF5058OM/s1600/IMG_3486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXf6xTI2xaw/T3_aGtev_fI/AAAAAAAAAqE/6NEAF5058OM/s320/IMG_3486.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The day and night scenes of the same area </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sl4j6kQ165o/T3_aStR95nI/AAAAAAAAAqM/gNgGo-SUuss/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sl4j6kQ165o/T3_aStR95nI/AAAAAAAAAqM/gNgGo-SUuss/s320/IMG_3492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRs2TpkluVI/T3_aeNqqxKI/AAAAAAAAAqU/UZCQFoRvgGQ/s1600/IMG_3507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRs2TpkluVI/T3_aeNqqxKI/AAAAAAAAAqU/UZCQFoRvgGQ/s320/IMG_3507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgZ9ZhL8HcA/T3_koijxOLI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Zq7RtNN0WO0/s1600/IMG_3512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgZ9ZhL8HcA/T3_koijxOLI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Zq7RtNN0WO0/s320/IMG_3512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yaFBodqdNw/T3_kxvAMASI/AAAAAAAAAqk/PYnyGawXErg/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yaFBodqdNw/T3_kxvAMASI/AAAAAAAAAqk/PYnyGawXErg/s320/IMG_3514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUTGyiXwoU8/T3_k7NhCUzI/AAAAAAAAAqs/0kqV7eakj2w/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUTGyiXwoU8/T3_k7NhCUzI/AAAAAAAAAqs/0kqV7eakj2w/s320/IMG_3515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I first mentioned to the husband that I wanted to see this painting, he was kind of hesitant. The entrance fees was kind of steep, if there was the impression that it was just to go into the place to stare at one painting. However, he was quite surprised and impressed after the whole thing, and seeing the exhibits and considering the amount of work being put into making the painting animated, and to transit it seamlessly from day to night, I could understand why the entrance fees were a little high.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All in all, it was an enjoyable and fun experience. As there was no Chinese history being taught in school, this was a good way to know more about the ancient Chinese cultures, and also to be kept interested in the history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had managed to capture a video of the painting changing from day to night. Enjoy! :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTM9quR5MS635x60jN-zP-piwASjaFAeDHsvzXg_mE7twHlWk8yaAnknOnfqOPbuliOc28jFjY8Uq66KIi5A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-67788864390433124432012-01-25T16:08:00.001+08:002012-01-31T16:12:59.877+08:00新年快乐<strong><span style="font-size: large;">祝大家</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">身体健康</span>,<span style="color: lime;">万事如意</span>,<span style="color: magenta;">龙年行大运</span>!</span></strong><br />
<br />
<img height="394" id="il_fi" src="http://www.lemongraphic.sg/wp-content/uploads/Chinese-New-Year-Dragon-2012-06.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="600" />levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-40687027952733208952011-12-05T22:01:00.018+08:002011-12-13T20:48:54.887+08:00Spaghetti with onion and zucchini<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_N2kNA0god4/TudIVvrnneI/AAAAAAAAAn0/E58zLki95lo/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_N2kNA0god4/TudIVvrnneI/AAAAAAAAAn0/E58zLki95lo/s320/IMG_3146.JPG" width="280" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, I hear you... "Zucchini again?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I've mentioned before, I would usually cook dishes with repeated ingredients one after another coz I bought too many, or because they were cheaper when bought in sets of 2 or more. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But this round, it was not as 'stressful' since I was only cooking for the husband and myself. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Linguine with zucchini and onions</u> (adapted from "Thirty Minute Pasta by Giuliano Hazan")<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Serves 4</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients :</b></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 medium to large sweet yellow onion<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 tablespoons butter<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 ¼ pounds zucchini<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Freshly ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 pound linguine<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Directions :</b></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Fill a pot for the pasta with about 6 quarts of water, place over high heat and bring to a boil.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Peel the onions and very thinly slice them crosswise. Put the butter in a 12-inch skillet, add the sliced onions, and place over medium-high heat. Season lightly with salt and saute until the onions begin to turn a rich, golden colour, 6 to 8 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>While the onions are sauteing, wash the zucchini, cut off the ends, and slice into half moons about ¼ inch thick.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>When the onions are ready, add the zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini are quite tender and have started lightly browning, 12 to 15 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>After the zucchini have cooked about 10 minutes, add about 2 tablespoons salt to the boiling pasta water, add the linguine, and stir until all the strands are submerged. Cook until al dente. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>When the pasta is done, drain well, toss with the sauce and the Parmigiano-Reggiano, and serve at once.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-67678468656665977412011-11-27T09:21:00.022+08:002011-12-13T20:40:32.602+08:00Spaghetti with sausage and zucchini<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDHS-OY8fgw/TudGAEQLz6I/AAAAAAAAAns/vXuNAKtOxZA/s1600/IMG_3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDHS-OY8fgw/TudGAEQLz6I/AAAAAAAAAns/vXuNAKtOxZA/s320/IMG_3074.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After dunno-how-many months, the cooking finally started again. Actually the husband was the one who "pushed" me to start cooking coz he had been harping on how long it has been since he last had home-cooked pasta. <i>*Thanks for the 'vote' of confidence, dear!* </i>;p</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since it would be a meal for 6, I chose something simple and easy to cook. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Spaghetti with sausage and zucchini </u></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(adapted from "Thirty Minute Pasta by Giuliano Hazan)</span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Serves 4</i><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients :</b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">½ medium yellow onion<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 tablespoons butter<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8 ounces plain pork sausages<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12 ounces zucchini<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 pound fresh tomatoes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 pound fusilli (shells are also good)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Directions :</b></span></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Fill a pot for the pasta with about 6 quarts of water, place over high heat and bring to a boil.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Peel and finely chop the onion. Put the butter in a 12-inch skillet, add the chopped onion, and place over medium-high heat. Saute until the onion just begins to turn a rich, golden colour, about 5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>While the onion is sauteing, remove the casing from the sausage and break it up into pieces. When the onion is ready, add the sausage to the pan. Break the sausage up into small pieces with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring often, until the sausage is slightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>While the sausage is cooking, wash the zucchini. Remove the ends, cut into quarters lengthwise, and then cut across into ½-inch chunks. When the sausage has lightly browned, add the zucchini. Season lightly with salt and cook until the zucchini begins to brown and is mostly tender, 6 to 8 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>While the zucchini is cooking, peel the tomatoes and coarsely chop them. When the zucchini is ready, add the tomatoes and season lightly with salt, and cook until most of the liquid the tomatoes release has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>When the tomatoes are halfway done, add about 2 tablespoons salt to the boiling pasta water, add the fusilli, and stir well. Cook until al dente.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">7.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>When the pasta is done, drain well, toss with the sauce and the grated cheese, and serve at once.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-47535287076492019212011-11-01T21:33:00.000+08:002011-11-01T21:33:00.133+08:00Auntie Tips (32)<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Tip 1:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To retain the elasticity of socks, tie a rubber band around them before putting in the washing machine.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 2:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">For undiluted iced lemon tea, make your ice cubes with tea instead of water.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 3:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To keep your stove sparkling, clean it with crumpled newspaper dabbed in water and detergent, then wipe down with damp newspaper.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 4:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Dry glassware with muslin cotton nappies to leave free of water stains.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 5:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Use hot water in an aromatherapy burner for the fragrance to be released faster.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><em>From : Simply Her - Jun 2008</em></span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-30071147011693921692011-09-25T20:28:00.000+08:002011-09-25T20:28:00.639+08:00Auntie Tips (31)<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Tip 1:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To remove the odour from raw food, rub a few coffee beans on your hands - this releases their oils and absorbs the smell.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 2:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To treat oil stains on garments, moisten and sprinkle talcum powder or plain flour on them. Leave for 15 minutes, then wash with soap and warm water.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 3:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To keep cakes moist for longer, store them in a box with half an apple in it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 4:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To get your nails whiter, scrub with whitening toothpaste or soak in water with lemon juice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 5:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">When cooking hard-boiled eggs, add a pinch of salt to the water - this makes it easier to peel off the shell.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 6:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Add some vinegar to the water you use to mop your ceramic floor to keep it shiny.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><em>From : Simply Her - May 2008</em></span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-77477661678589287912011-09-17T21:20:00.000+08:002011-09-17T21:20:56.481+08:00Hong Kong Day 4 (31 Aug 2011)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">So after finding out where Sweet Dynasty was, we decided to go back for breakfast since we didn't have the appetite for its dim sum yesterday.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzKML9KvAMc/TnSYJDBl8EI/AAAAAAAAAnc/gDoAfHLY854/s1600/IMG_2774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzKML9KvAMc/TnSYJDBl8EI/AAAAAAAAAnc/gDoAfHLY854/s320/IMG_2774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since this was our last day in Hong Kong, there was nothing much on the agenda and we took our time to eat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And since there was still some time left after breakfast before we had to return to the hotel to pack up, I managed to drag the husband for a walk (under the very hot late morning sun) at Avenue of Stars. Because...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBLe9B-TM2k/TnSdzzzngLI/AAAAAAAAAno/iCfNZyu0j5c/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBLe9B-TM2k/TnSdzzzngLI/AAAAAAAAAno/iCfNZyu0j5c/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I just realised that the metal plate on the barrier was kind-of "strategically placed"... </span><br />
<a href="http://myspace.laymark.com/"><img alt="MySpace" border="0" emoticons="" src="http://www.laymark.com/i/o/03.gif" /></a></div>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-13444937034942755632011-09-17T20:53:00.010+08:002011-09-17T21:26:48.279+08:00Hong Kong Day 3 (30 Aug 2011)<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">"I forgot when was the first time we met. But I know from the moment I laid eyes on you, the attraction was instant. There was no turning back from then on."</span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HWrWdBRGDoE/R7wIDrfgh_I/AAAAAAAAA_I/XnXAW3NG2Ds/S220/mcdull.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" id="il_fi" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_HWrWdBRGDoE/R7wIDrfgh_I/AAAAAAAAA_I/XnXAW3NG2Ds/S220/mcdull.gif" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Isn't he the cutest and silliest looking thing ever? Haha. Meet </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDull">McDull</a>.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To be honest, one of the reason I wanted to go to Hong Kong at this time is because McDull was in Madame Tussards! Look at the Peak Tram ticket.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-omUliRDTPZY/TnRWiQ2uEqI/AAAAAAAAAmw/vlsGJGtuJiM/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-omUliRDTPZY/TnRWiQ2uEqI/AAAAAAAAAmw/vlsGJGtuJiM/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Before that, we had a delicious late breakfast at Mak's Noodles, a small restaurant that was Michelin recommended. We both agreed that this was much better than the one we had the previous night at the more high-class restaurant.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSRNKF_9DRA/TnRgz_2jp9I/AAAAAAAAAnU/3nH24eUUGKU/s1600/IMG_2754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSRNKF_9DRA/TnRgz_2jp9I/AAAAAAAAAnU/3nH24eUUGKU/s320/IMG_2754.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">As for Madame Tussards, compared to the time we were here about 3 years ago, there were some new additions... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRpSDWWJ65c/TnRaVCrl5cI/AAAAAAAAAm8/oYmJE30CfeQ/s1600/DSCN0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRpSDWWJ65c/TnRaVCrl5cI/AAAAAAAAAm8/oYmJE30CfeQ/s1600/DSCN0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbNg0nj65lI/TnRaghlb3_I/AAAAAAAAAnE/xJJF1FPaTCc/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GbNg0nj65lI/TnRaghlb3_I/AAAAAAAAAnE/xJJF1FPaTCc/s200/IMG_0139.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmCv92zdCso/TnRaMD5e5bI/AAAAAAAAAm0/dRIjNz9e7ac/s1600/DSCN0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmCv92zdCso/TnRaMD5e5bI/AAAAAAAAAm0/dRIjNz9e7ac/s200/DSCN0177.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRpSDWWJ65c/TnRaVCrl5cI/AAAAAAAAAm8/oYmJE30CfeQ/s1600/DSCN0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRpSDWWJ65c/TnRaVCrl5cI/AAAAAAAAAm8/oYmJE30CfeQ/s200/DSCN0197.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LcBCmcrEmk/TnRaaIgLmRI/AAAAAAAAAnA/Wzf4XyfFZ0Q/s1600/DSCN0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LcBCmcrEmk/TnRaaIgLmRI/AAAAAAAAAnA/Wzf4XyfFZ0Q/s200/DSCN0198.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMGJMki3xMI/TnRaRThwapI/AAAAAAAAAm4/IVCmR73rc9k/s1600/DSCN0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMGJMki3xMI/TnRaRThwapI/AAAAAAAAAm4/IVCmR73rc9k/s200/DSCN0193.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">... and of course, not forgetting my favourite... hehe...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1owgnKpQ-y8/TnRao-SCD5I/AAAAAAAAAnI/qu_GtJDqRxQ/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1owgnKpQ-y8/TnRao-SCD5I/AAAAAAAAAnI/qu_GtJDqRxQ/s320/IMG_0148.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Before we left the peak, we managed to have sort of a tea break at one of the restaurants there. The husband had the fried pork bun, and I had the noodles with luncheon meat and egg. Nothing spectacular about those... and I forgot where I put the photos of them.</span><br />
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Oh, and look this picture. Can you see that this was taken from a wall in the peak's shopping gallery? ;p</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x0QZIFVb4BM/TnRkLMVXsrI/AAAAAAAAAnY/n4Ca_e1irw4/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x0QZIFVb4BM/TnRkLMVXsrI/AAAAAAAAAnY/n4Ca_e1irw4/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Ok, now back to food. Maybe it was due to the disappointment of the carrot cakes we had the previous night, the husband suggested we go look for <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d786130-Reviews-The_Sweet_Dynasty-Hong_Kong.html">Sweet Dynasty</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I didn't take note of the address prior to the trip and we had to walk around the whole of Tsim Sha Tsui to look for it, based on our memories few years ago. </span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I forgot how long we were walking, coming out from almost all of the exits from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station. I remembered it was opposite this row of branded boutiques but forgot the name of the building. (now I know it's Harbour City) So imagine our delight when the familiar sight finally appeared in front of us!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Ah... yummy dessert as reward...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0L-b1sH74i0/TnScNht4QTI/AAAAAAAAAng/tWOZxpeFdGM/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0L-b1sH74i0/TnScNht4QTI/AAAAAAAAAng/tWOZxpeFdGM/s320/IMG_0939.JPG" width="239" /></a></div></div>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-29786874300646580542011-09-17T15:33:00.000+08:002011-09-17T15:33:20.176+08:00Hong Kong Day 2 (29 Aug 2011)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we didn't managed to get to see the Giant Buddha during our previous trips, I made this a must this time. And I was praying hard for good weather coz when my sister went at end July, the cable car was closed due to strong winds.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before that, we enjoyed some very smooth and delicious congee at a restaurant near our hotel.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtGqG5wFS3w/TnRFeT8IACI/AAAAAAAAAmc/ymqeKlUG1kA/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtGqG5wFS3w/TnRFeT8IACI/AAAAAAAAAmc/ymqeKlUG1kA/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lucky for us, the weather was good that day. Too good in fact, that it was extremely hot and humid during the long wait for the purchase of the cable car tickets, and the long walk to the Giant Buddha, and not the mention the 280+ steps of stairs up to see it. </span><br />
<a href="http://myspace.laymark.com/"><img alt="MySpace" border="0" emoticons="" src="http://www.laymark.com/i/o/39.gif" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3ggktHupLI/Tm9n76lHCnI/AAAAAAAAAl0/7_PgSVW7E7g/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3ggktHupLI/Tm9n76lHCnI/AAAAAAAAAl0/7_PgSVW7E7g/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG4adPHErQM/Tm9oGHFqcpI/AAAAAAAAAl4/71TVzVcSmyc/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG4adPHErQM/Tm9oGHFqcpI/AAAAAAAAAl4/71TVzVcSmyc/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_rKbFqbkXQ/Tm9oUpm7SBI/AAAAAAAAAl8/RIDBg-6UYUw/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_rKbFqbkXQ/Tm9oUpm7SBI/AAAAAAAAAl8/RIDBg-6UYUw/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We took the new crystal cabin, whereby the bottom was glass and could see through all the way. It wasn't really that scary until I tried to sit down on the glass to take a picture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0hX0t3O7GU/Tm9oi1ZH9uI/AAAAAAAAAmA/tTHrBYP-_3E/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0hX0t3O7GU/Tm9oi1ZH9uI/AAAAAAAAAmA/tTHrBYP-_3E/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKN7gTHMoak/Tm9ouLMAUvI/AAAAAAAAAmI/BJnZ6NGEI_I/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKN7gTHMoak/Tm9ouLMAUvI/AAAAAAAAAmI/BJnZ6NGEI_I/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pljB2JK0VGA/Tm9o8fHuG_I/AAAAAAAAAmM/MYQnc9ARPco/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pljB2JK0VGA/Tm9o8fHuG_I/AAAAAAAAAmM/MYQnc9ARPco/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmXyTbIzdjw/Tm9sI35J0_I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Tpc8spc-zsQ/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmXyTbIzdjw/Tm9sI35J0_I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Tpc8spc-zsQ/s320/IMG_0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Martial arts display by Shaolin Temple</i> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lY-X14pxdH4/TnFtWmqwSNI/AAAAAAAAAmY/saT9ZIGNVlY/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lY-X14pxdH4/TnFtWmqwSNI/AAAAAAAAAmY/saT9ZIGNVlY/s320/IMG_0917.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On our way back on the crystal cable car, we saw something very interesting. See those white specks? They were people milling around the sea at low tide, with a sytrofoam box tied to their bodies. We guessed they were catching some sort of sea food during the low tide.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And guess where we had our lunch... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Pgnhhp3mg/TnRG5_grKuI/AAAAAAAAAmg/BhtfH32FLVE/s1600/IMG_2778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Pgnhhp3mg/TnRG5_grKuI/AAAAAAAAAmg/BhtfH32FLVE/s320/IMG_2778.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There was something very special about their noodles (米线). It was kind of like the laksa noodles we had here, but more flavourful and cooked totally al dente.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After shopping around Citygates outlets (where there was not a lot to buy, much to my disappointment), we decided to leave the area and go hunt for food. Again, I referred to the recommendations from the Hong Kong tourism website, and decided to go to a restaurant for some highly recommended wonton noodles.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsA3pjMo758/TnRJEGajLVI/AAAAAAAAAmk/EPCbXHoylX0/s1600/IMG_2776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsA3pjMo758/TnRJEGajLVI/AAAAAAAAAmk/EPCbXHoylX0/s320/IMG_2776.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The noodles was kind of normal, and disappointing for us, coz we expected much more at a restaurant. The <i>chee cheong fun</i> and the carrot cakes were equally disappointing. And no shopping done was disappointing too... </span><a href="http://myspace.laymark.com/"><img alt="MySpace" border="0" emoticons="" src="http://www.laymark.com/i/o/12.gif" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh, and that reminds me... Now that we had gone to see the Giant Buddha, we had basically covered most of the main attractions in Hong Kong. What other excuses could I use to get us another trip to Hong Kong again??!</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-13893633531173767162011-09-15T11:05:00.000+08:002011-09-15T11:05:37.265+08:00Hong Kong Day 1 (28 Aug 2011)<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our flight got slightly delayed for take-off so we arrived at HK airport about almost an hour later than the scheduled time. Once we cleared the very very long custom queue, we bought an Octopus card (with Airport Express services) and was on our way to the hotel. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4ZpyyW8r8g/Tmoj0__jaII/AAAAAAAAAlU/uN8C28VkQv8/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4ZpyyW8r8g/Tmoj0__jaII/AAAAAAAAAlU/uN8C28VkQv8/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoIh-rCnaYo/TmokHQ7eFOI/AAAAAAAAAlc/ELQObeZNqoQ/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoIh-rCnaYo/TmokHQ7eFOI/AAAAAAAAAlc/ELQObeZNqoQ/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8aEA44yJPI/Tmoj-LUJlaI/AAAAAAAAAlY/4cufCjwgLO8/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8aEA44yJPI/Tmoj-LUJlaI/AAAAAAAAAlY/4cufCjwgLO8/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Airport Express offers a very comfortable and convenient ride</span></i></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When we reached Kowloon MTR station for the transfer to the shuttle bus, the bus was just about to leave. How lucky for us! Or else we would have to wait for another 12-15 minutes for the next shuttle bus.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmeduFeNMdo/TmolsTOXYGI/AAAAAAAAAlg/o-UErl0UvSI/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmeduFeNMdo/TmolsTOXYGI/AAAAAAAAAlg/o-UErl0UvSI/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lTZZYhRvIM/Tmol459Y7NI/AAAAAAAAAlk/zxUMCQsnWfo/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lTZZYhRvIM/Tmol459Y7NI/AAAAAAAAAlk/zxUMCQsnWfo/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">During the drive to our hotel, we felt like we were on the F1 track, except that we were in a shuttle bus, and there were other vehicles around for the bus to weave in and out. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NODLZpG08Fo/TmopVKlmZII/AAAAAAAAAlo/4zBczwauYsY/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NODLZpG08Fo/TmopVKlmZII/AAAAAAAAAlo/4zBczwauYsY/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Our hotel room</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDm0yyWqDho/TmopfffhX1I/AAAAAAAAAls/vklkCm90cV0/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDm0yyWqDho/TmopfffhX1I/AAAAAAAAAls/vklkCm90cV0/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>View from the hotel window</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehlLMKkL7I8/Tmopzu9u0EI/AAAAAAAAAlw/pG0_bIdFPHQ/s1600/IMG_2775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehlLMKkL7I8/Tmopzu9u0EI/AAAAAAAAAlw/pG0_bIdFPHQ/s320/IMG_2775.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Late tea break @ 4 pm</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Lok Yuen Beef Balls</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a walk around Yau Ma Tei area to help the husband's friend look for a shop, we made our way back to Temple Street near our hotel. After walking through half of the street, we decided we were hungry and stopped at a random wonton noodle stall for dinner.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4W8_-IY2AU/TnFquiorqmI/AAAAAAAAAmU/fDtn2IjV91s/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4W8_-IY2AU/TnFquiorqmI/AAAAAAAAAmU/fDtn2IjV91s/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Dinner @ 7 pm</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Wonton noodles + iced milk tea</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-45117093792213748942011-08-01T11:47:00.000+08:002011-08-01T11:47:00.601+08:00Auntie Tips (30)<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strong>Tip 1:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Remove coloured stains from white or silver surfaces by applying toothpaste, then rubbing with a wet cloth.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 2:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To give hair a natural shine, use warm unsweetened tea as a final rinse after shampooing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 3:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Place a cup of warm milk in your shoe rack for an hour to get rid of musty odours.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 4:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Use old toothbrushes to scrub bathroom corners or to remove stubborn dirt between tiles.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 5:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To clean the inside of a water bottle, put two to three tablespoons of salt in it, add a little water and shake vigorously.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 6:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To remove sticky remnants from your car windows, apply hot oil, leave it for a while, then clean with soap and water.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 7:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">To whiten yellowed clothes, soak overnight in 12 parts warm water and 1 part vinegar, and wash in the morning.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Tip 8:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">If you have cheese bits stuck in the grater, clean it by grating a piece of bread.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><em>From : Simply Her - Apr 2008</em></span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-84605204904853649102011-07-26T21:02:00.000+08:002011-07-26T21:02:56.690+08:00The meeting room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OihCg6zd8ys/Ti66d_6L2jI/AAAAAAAAAlE/8oph7Z3gRG0/s1600/99652.strip.sunday.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OihCg6zd8ys/Ti66d_6L2jI/AAAAAAAAAlE/8oph7Z3gRG0/s400/99652.strip.sunday.gif" width="400" /></a></div><span id="goog_1878181243"></span><span id="goog_1878181244"></span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-52640216355446452842011-07-17T21:13:00.000+08:002011-07-28T21:15:01.998+08:00To the cinema : Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (Part 2)<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img alt="File:Deathly-hallows-p2-1.jpg" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/96/Deathly-hallows-p2-1.jpg" width="270" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After almost a year's wait, the concluding episode was finally here. As I was quite curious about some issues after watching <a href="http://ourlivesetc.blogspot.com/2010/11/harry-potter-and-deathly-hallows-part-1.html">part 1</a>, I ended up asking questions to my youngest sister who had already finished reading the book. So, as the movie went on, it was not really totally unexpected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I thought the start to the middle part were good. It started off with action, and things moved fast and furious from then on. And as with the first part, the ending was a little flat. I actually expected more action in the final battle between Harry Potter and Voldemort. Or maybe this was the only way that wizards could fight, just by pointing their wands at each other and see whose "lightning" was more powerful. Therefore, there was something lacking in the "fight" scenes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">But all in all, was not such a bad end to everything. However, I thought that "19 years later" portion could be excluded... it was kind of weird, and my sister said it was also written in the book. She thought it was shown as a kind of "closure" for the whole saga.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">And after watching all the Harry Potter episodes, my favourites are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_(film)">The Chamber of Secrets</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Goblet_of_Fire_(film)">The Goblet of Fire</a>. </span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-25482611423476559712011-07-02T16:05:00.000+08:002011-07-03T16:05:50.568+08:00To the cinema : Transformers : Dark of the Moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LzE1lHc3mLc/Tg4MIe_lfeI/AAAAAAAAAk0/WPHp587PJXE/s1600/Transformers_dark_of_the_moon_ver5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LzE1lHc3mLc/Tg4MIe_lfeI/AAAAAAAAAk0/WPHp587PJXE/s400/Transformers_dark_of_the_moon_ver5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ok, so I lied. I know I had <a href="http://ourlivesetc.blogspot.com/2009/06/transformers-revenge-of-fallen.html">said before</a> I don't think I will be watching Transformers 3, if there was any. And I really regret I didn't keep my own promise. In the end, I subjected myself to 2.5 hours of complete boredom. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Almost an hour, I think, was spent on story-telling, conspiracy theory of the real reason for the launch of Apollo 13 to the Moon, which I personally thought was a little too long. There were so many parts that could be cut away to reduce the "drag". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was so relieved when the actions started *finally*, and there was actually a little twist to the story in the middle. But then, once the fighting started, it didn't seemed like it would end. Metal clashing against metal, a super building that took forever to collapse, soldiers shouting endlessly at one another, then everything started all over again. <a href="http: blog.sina.com.cn="" wangmomo"=""><img alt="Tuzki Bunny Emoticon" border="0" src="http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/tuzki-bunnys/tuzki-bunny-emoticon-052.gif" /></a href="http:></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http: blog.sina.com.cn="" wangmomo"=""><br />
</a href="http:></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The only thing that I thought was slightly positive from the movie was that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_Huntington-Whiteley">Rosie Huntington-Whiteley</a> was actually quite good at acting. Not bad for a Victoria angel. </span></div>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-38504898493893613272011-06-11T11:34:00.000+08:002011-08-04T15:29:02.006+08:00Sailing on the Royal Carribean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQFduq7Ml-w/TjFgFTEybOI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Q0vZ4K1pkdo/s1600/IMG_2221%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQFduq7Ml-w/TjFgFTEybOI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Q0vZ4K1pkdo/s320/IMG_2221%255B1%255D.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">16th May 2011 was the day that was significant to both the husband and myself. It was the day the both of us went on our very first cruise trip. ;p</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I couldn't remember when was the last time our whole family travelled together, much less with the extended family. Coz this time, my uncle and aunties went along, and all of us had a wonderful time together. It was really fun to travel with the family... doesn't matter if the trip is long or short. It was good enough that we all spent time together to mingle and bond.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EB9WsFCHdkM/TjFfqX-NhZI/AAAAAAAAAlI/RIR8QQG69iM/s1600/IMG_2548%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EB9WsFCHdkM/TjFfqX-NhZI/AAAAAAAAAlI/RIR8QQG69iM/s320/IMG_2548%255B1%255D.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The thing about going on a cruise is that we didn't have to worry about timings. There was no itinerary to follow, no need to rush anywhere, and the best thing was, to be able to sleep in for as long as you like. And there was no worry about the lack of food too. If you missed the time for one meal, there was another waiting for you at another place.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U60JeEmwD0E/TjFfuwjiSQI/AAAAAAAAAlM/TxsJFEdohyc/s1600/IMG_2552%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U60JeEmwD0E/TjFfuwjiSQI/AAAAAAAAAlM/TxsJFEdohyc/s320/IMG_2552%255B1%255D.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645424786336976315.post-51138246982243433382011-06-05T11:41:00.036+08:002011-06-20T17:31:07.252+08:00To the cinema : Kungfu Panda 2<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/kung_fu_panda_2-535x854.jpg" width="250" /></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, without watching any movies for the past 6 months, we managed to catch 2 movies in a row for 2 Fridays. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I guess the main focus of this episode was Po's past, and the revelation that he was adopted (surprise!). Compared to the <a href="http://ourlivesetc.blogspot.com/2008/06/kung-fu-panda_09.html">previous episode</a>, this focused more on the importance of relationships - friendship and kinship. There were touching moments that reminded the audience the importance of family, and parents' love for their children. This episode showed the soft side of Tigress as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Other than those, Po was still as fat (if not fatter) as before, and cluelessly adorable. Always a fun and entertaining movie for everyone. :)</span>levynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959843584011558966noreply@blogger.com0