Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
X'mas Project I - Truffle Bouquets
This year is the first time since 2006 that we are spending x'mas in the comfort of our own home. We have been living overseas for the past 4 years and december is always the time we travel back to Perth to visit my husband's side of the family. But since we had to go back just 2 months ago for my brother-in-law's wedding, we decided that it would be too expensive to fly back twice in 2 months. So for this year, we get to enjoy a cold x'mas for a change and in our home in Japan. And although I feel a little sad not being able to spend time with my husband's family on this festive season, I am also happy that I get to finally embark on little x'mas projects with my 3 year old. Projects that I never got to work on since we were never in our own house at x'mas.
X'mas project I - The making of truffle bouquets.
I always like the idea of homemade truffles as x'mas gifts. I know mince pies are probably more traditional and classic but I was never a fan of them so there was no motivation in making my own.
My original plan with the truffles was to make them with my 3 year old and then put them in little truffle boxes and give them away as gifts. However, there isn't any decent stores here that sell baking accessories so I couldn't find any truffle boxes even after searching many stores. I saw from a regular food blog that I read where truffles were being made in cute little bouquets and I thought that would be a brillaint idea and a good subsitute to traditional boxes.
I embarked on this truffle project on Wednesday morning for Aiden was at school. I had wanted to do this with him but figured that it would be too hard as he is still a little too young to help in something like this. Besides, I wanted to do this fast as I have been so busy lately with everything and really can't afford to spend the whole day making truffles with a 3 year old.
The recipe was simple - about 200g of cream cheese to 1 packet of tim tam truffles. Yes you heard me right. I was making Tim Tam Truffles! I had to make about 50 truffles as I was planning to do 3 truffles in one bouquet and they were meant to be given to the kids at Aiden's school on their last day. The quantity I mentioned earlier made about 24 truffles so I doubled the quantity. I used 1 packet of the classic Tim Tams, and another packet of white chocolate Tim Tams. Put everything in the food processor to mix them up and then leave them in the fridge to firm up overnight.
The cheese and tim tam dough
Coating the truffles in caramel bits, almond, chocolate sprinkles and desicated coconut. I did the dark chocolate coating the last as those needed more work.
The finished product.
Making into a bouquet. This was the hardest part and I needed my husband's help.
X'mas project I - The making of truffle bouquets.
I always like the idea of homemade truffles as x'mas gifts. I know mince pies are probably more traditional and classic but I was never a fan of them so there was no motivation in making my own.
My original plan with the truffles was to make them with my 3 year old and then put them in little truffle boxes and give them away as gifts. However, there isn't any decent stores here that sell baking accessories so I couldn't find any truffle boxes even after searching many stores. I saw from a regular food blog that I read where truffles were being made in cute little bouquets and I thought that would be a brillaint idea and a good subsitute to traditional boxes.
I embarked on this truffle project on Wednesday morning for Aiden was at school. I had wanted to do this with him but figured that it would be too hard as he is still a little too young to help in something like this. Besides, I wanted to do this fast as I have been so busy lately with everything and really can't afford to spend the whole day making truffles with a 3 year old.
The recipe was simple - about 200g of cream cheese to 1 packet of tim tam truffles. Yes you heard me right. I was making Tim Tam Truffles! I had to make about 50 truffles as I was planning to do 3 truffles in one bouquet and they were meant to be given to the kids at Aiden's school on their last day. The quantity I mentioned earlier made about 24 truffles so I doubled the quantity. I used 1 packet of the classic Tim Tams, and another packet of white chocolate Tim Tams. Put everything in the food processor to mix them up and then leave them in the fridge to firm up overnight.
The cheese and tim tam dough
This is the easiest part. Rolling into truffle balls.
Coating the truffles in caramel bits, almond, chocolate sprinkles and desicated coconut. I did the dark chocolate coating the last as those needed more work.
The finished product.
Making into a bouquet. This was the hardest part and I needed my husband's help.
Off to school!
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Friday, December 17, 2010
In life, some rain must fall
I cannot believe X'mas is only a week away. The past 2 months have been very busy for me and I feel that 7 days is not gonna be enough for me to get everything done before Santa knocks on the door. Wish there is a way I can buy time.
I spent almost 4 hours with the japanese police yesterday afternoon, an experience I wish I didn't have to go thru. It was about the accident where my car collided with a motorbike at an intersection in my residential area 2 weeks ago. After the accident happened, the police had me described the entire incident and told me they would contact me again for a formal statement. And that was why I had an appointment with them yesterday in the afternoon. Although I kinda knew what to expect, I couldn't help but ended up feeling frustrated (with them) and downright pissed off. They told me that they were not taking sides, yet they insisted that they did not believe that the biker were going beyond the speed limit when he crashed into my car. It frustrated me that they jumped into the conclusion when they were not even there to witness the accident. The photos that they took at the scene showed very clearly that my entire car was already in the middle of the junction when the collision happened and until today, I still cannot figure how the biker could have not seen me! But the police insisted that it was my fault because I had not checked my right which wasn't true. I had already stopped at the stop line (before it all happened) and that was to check on the opposite mirror for vehicles coming from the right. And because the road was designed in such a way that there were many blindspots, I had to also check my left (apart from checking right) since I was crossing over to the left lane as I turned. I couldn't believe when they actually told me that I didn't have to check the left! And let any car crash into me as I turn into that lane? I wonder.
I knew dealing with the japanese would be hard but still, I was angry as they didn't seem to be taking in anything that I said. Even my japanese friend who accompanied me yesterday (and also acted as the translator) was on the verge of quarreling with them. The last straw was, they tried to make me sign a statement that indicated clearly "I caused the accident because...." and "I could have avoided the accident if I had...." . Doesn't that sound like I am saying that I should be held full responsibility for it? I'm not saying that I have no part to play but it was an accident and I believe I wasn't the only party involved in that. Fortunately, my friend managed to make them change the statement as she insisted that it was simply too unfair to me. Just when I thought this whole episode will be over, they told me that they were charging me with causing unintentional injury to the other party. Never mind the fact that there was a very hugh possibility that he was speeding. And that he was negligent or daydreaming to the extent that he could not see my big silver car a good distance infront of him. His crash tore off my number plate and damaged my bumper which had to be replaced. If he had not been speeding, the impact would not have been that great
When I finally got home last night, the exhaustion hit me and it was only then I realised how mentally drained I was. It will be 3 to 6 months before I receive the summon to see the proscecutor who will decide how much fine I will have to pay (and it really appears to me that they are trying to make money out of this). I am not worried as there's nothing I can do except to wait. The feeling sucks especially when I have never even gotten a parking fine in my 10 years of driving in Singapore and Australia.
Amidst all the frustration and stress, I am just so thankful that I have the help and care from people around me. My friend who stayed with me for the 4 hours yesterday and helped with the translation, standing up for me to the local police when I cannot speak the language. She and another friend also helped ferrying Aiden to school (without me asking) during the 2 weeks that my car was in the workshop having the bumper replaced. And most importantly, my husband who has not once blamed me for the accident but been giving tremendous emotional support and shouldering the stressful tasks of dealing with the insurance side and the car workshop so that I need not worry about the nitty gritty stuff.
For now, I just wanna put this behind. Well, at least until I receive the summon letter. It's gonna be X'mas and I'm determined to enjoy it.
I spent almost 4 hours with the japanese police yesterday afternoon, an experience I wish I didn't have to go thru. It was about the accident where my car collided with a motorbike at an intersection in my residential area 2 weeks ago. After the accident happened, the police had me described the entire incident and told me they would contact me again for a formal statement. And that was why I had an appointment with them yesterday in the afternoon. Although I kinda knew what to expect, I couldn't help but ended up feeling frustrated (with them) and downright pissed off. They told me that they were not taking sides, yet they insisted that they did not believe that the biker were going beyond the speed limit when he crashed into my car. It frustrated me that they jumped into the conclusion when they were not even there to witness the accident. The photos that they took at the scene showed very clearly that my entire car was already in the middle of the junction when the collision happened and until today, I still cannot figure how the biker could have not seen me! But the police insisted that it was my fault because I had not checked my right which wasn't true. I had already stopped at the stop line (before it all happened) and that was to check on the opposite mirror for vehicles coming from the right. And because the road was designed in such a way that there were many blindspots, I had to also check my left (apart from checking right) since I was crossing over to the left lane as I turned. I couldn't believe when they actually told me that I didn't have to check the left! And let any car crash into me as I turn into that lane? I wonder.
I knew dealing with the japanese would be hard but still, I was angry as they didn't seem to be taking in anything that I said. Even my japanese friend who accompanied me yesterday (and also acted as the translator) was on the verge of quarreling with them. The last straw was, they tried to make me sign a statement that indicated clearly "I caused the accident because...." and "I could have avoided the accident if I had...." . Doesn't that sound like I am saying that I should be held full responsibility for it? I'm not saying that I have no part to play but it was an accident and I believe I wasn't the only party involved in that. Fortunately, my friend managed to make them change the statement as she insisted that it was simply too unfair to me. Just when I thought this whole episode will be over, they told me that they were charging me with causing unintentional injury to the other party. Never mind the fact that there was a very hugh possibility that he was speeding. And that he was negligent or daydreaming to the extent that he could not see my big silver car a good distance infront of him. His crash tore off my number plate and damaged my bumper which had to be replaced. If he had not been speeding, the impact would not have been that great
When I finally got home last night, the exhaustion hit me and it was only then I realised how mentally drained I was. It will be 3 to 6 months before I receive the summon to see the proscecutor who will decide how much fine I will have to pay (and it really appears to me that they are trying to make money out of this). I am not worried as there's nothing I can do except to wait. The feeling sucks especially when I have never even gotten a parking fine in my 10 years of driving in Singapore and Australia.
Amidst all the frustration and stress, I am just so thankful that I have the help and care from people around me. My friend who stayed with me for the 4 hours yesterday and helped with the translation, standing up for me to the local police when I cannot speak the language. She and another friend also helped ferrying Aiden to school (without me asking) during the 2 weeks that my car was in the workshop having the bumper replaced. And most importantly, my husband who has not once blamed me for the accident but been giving tremendous emotional support and shouldering the stressful tasks of dealing with the insurance side and the car workshop so that I need not worry about the nitty gritty stuff.
For now, I just wanna put this behind. Well, at least until I receive the summon letter. It's gonna be X'mas and I'm determined to enjoy it.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
What's for dinner?
Chickpea curry.
I made this dinner in about 20 minutes. It was fast, and fuss-free. This is perfect for vegetarians with the main ingredient being chickpeas and the rest were just canned whole stewed tomatoes, zucchinis and baby spinach leaves. As for the curry base, I used Sharwood's mild curry paste. I always have homemade rempah (curry paste) prepared by my mum and I would bring them back from Singapore and keep them for ages in the freezer. But I only use this rempah when I make chinese or malaysian style curry as I just don't think they suit indian curries. So if I cook indian curries, I use my trusty Sharwood's that I can easily get from the local supermarkets.
Served on warm steamed rice. A perfect dish for winter.
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Sunday, December 12, 2010
Have I mentioned how much I love Autumn?
This, is one of the many reasons why I love living in Japan.
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Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Purposeful Play - Board Games
From the time Aiden was about 2.5 years old (he is now 3 years and 3 months), I think I slowed down alot in creative playing with him. A part of me was starting to be tired from all the constant stimulating play I did with him since he was a baby.
My husband and I have always believed in early brain development and we wanted to fully make use of first 3 years of Aiden's life as this period of time is believed to be the most crucial period for a child's brain development. Hence, we often engaged in spontaneous and simple made-up games with Aiden at home. For example, I used to hiding familar toys in the different rooms in the house after showing Aiden where I had placed them initially and then told him to find all of them. This forces him to recollect information that he had been already given and thereby stimulating his ability to absorb and store information in his brain, and subsequently using them.
Creative play with a baby doesn't have to be complex. However, they do take up time. And may I remind you that I am a stay-at-home mother and full time housewife living in a foreign country with no help. By the time Aiden was 2.5 years old, I have to admit, I was getting a little exhausted with the constant playing. I was looking forward to the time he would be ready to do independent play by himself or at least be interested in board games, which are technically more fun for an adult like me.
One day, I got him a set of board games from Orchard Toys. It is called "Bus Stop" and is an educational and fun adding and subtracting game where all the players start off with a bus each. You throw the dice and will have to move the bus in the number of steps that is indicated on the dice. Where the bus land, there will be either a "+" or a "-" sign. That means you will have to either add, or subtract passengers from your bus. Then you throw the dice again to see how many passengers you have to add or subtract. The person with the most number of passengers on their bus when they reach the destination stop will win the game.
My husband and I have always believed in early brain development and we wanted to fully make use of first 3 years of Aiden's life as this period of time is believed to be the most crucial period for a child's brain development. Hence, we often engaged in spontaneous and simple made-up games with Aiden at home. For example, I used to hiding familar toys in the different rooms in the house after showing Aiden where I had placed them initially and then told him to find all of them. This forces him to recollect information that he had been already given and thereby stimulating his ability to absorb and store information in his brain, and subsequently using them.
Creative play with a baby doesn't have to be complex. However, they do take up time. And may I remind you that I am a stay-at-home mother and full time housewife living in a foreign country with no help. By the time Aiden was 2.5 years old, I have to admit, I was getting a little exhausted with the constant playing. I was looking forward to the time he would be ready to do independent play by himself or at least be interested in board games, which are technically more fun for an adult like me.
One day, I got him a set of board games from Orchard Toys. It is called "Bus Stop" and is an educational and fun adding and subtracting game where all the players start off with a bus each. You throw the dice and will have to move the bus in the number of steps that is indicated on the dice. Where the bus land, there will be either a "+" or a "-" sign. That means you will have to either add, or subtract passengers from your bus. Then you throw the dice again to see how many passengers you have to add or subtract. The person with the most number of passengers on their bus when they reach the destination stop will win the game.
I have always been a fan of "Orchard Toys". The toys and board games that they produce are always fun, creative and educational. Aiden is now 3 and at the right age for simple and interactive board games. He can understand the rules and knows how to follow them (previously he will probably throw the dice at ME instead of throwing them on the board). Besides, he has always been good with numbers and I thought this bus game could make him understand the fundamentals of addition and subtraction.
So yeah, I finally get to do board games with my boy. But if we were to have another child, I will have to do all those creative, simple but boring (to me) homemade games with the baby ALL OVER AGAIN. Dammit!
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Tuesday, December 7, 2010
What's for dinner?
Comfort food again - chicken porridge this time. It was meant to be the classic lean pork porridge with century egg but I preferred chicken instead and I had no century eggs at home. So I made the chicken porridge and served salted eggs (which I love by the way) on the side. It was a bliss eating this on a cold, winter night.
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