greenhoihoi

Simple home gourmet n washing shoes

2011-09-24T04:33:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I forget some v delicious quick home gourmet. Today also make a very delicious chess toast. All u need is a v good block of cheese.

I tried to get the kids to wash their own shoes. At first no one was interested. I had to show some good example myself. I use some soap nut for washing so that it is gentle for the hands. Though not fantastic in removing dirt. When I was done. Xuan came round w his fav pair of Ben sleepers. He was determined to wash his own. My action driven Xuan, u r always the first one to get things done. Bravo!

Cooking is therapeutic

2011-09-21T23:49:00.001-07:00

I have been lazy. Shying away from the kitchen. A word from Adeline made me feel encouraged. I asked if I should go out for a quick bite or should I cook myself. To my surprise she asked me to do the latter. She said that I am creative in the kitchen and have the most interesting ingredients.

With that I am arm w strong spirit marching to the kitchen. Open the fridge and dig out some veges. and wao la. Lunch is ready. I should do this more. Let the kids to see me do magic in the kitchen. Have a rhythm going, that I cook on a certain day, perhaps Friday. Sometimes maid cooked till no ideas. N the kids didn't enjoy eating too. Ok i shall cookupfridaystormy night!

Renew work permit for helper

2011-09-21T06:18:00.001-07:00

Today went damansara to renew yorn phath's work permit for another year. Arrived at about 1 30pm. She has been with us going into the 3 1/2 year now. No fomema required for the 3rd year going to the 4 th. Paid rm 500. Maid's presence was not required. All I need was to bring her passport with expiry date no less than 1 yr. It was quite a breeze. Left immigration at about 2.30pm with a valid permit. Bought her a shirt to commemorate her domestic effort for another year.

I might need to do this annually. Just to blog this to remind myself.

Lunch out in papa

2011-09-20T21:38:00.001-07:00

W a lawyer n a doctor

Making dolls

2011-09-20T02:03:00.001-07:00

I never really had a doll So dear that I remember. Mom has sort of trained us not to be too emotionally attached to anything, including pillows. I used to be rather proud of it. That I could go anywhere to sleep without bring anything familiar. But now I am having a second thought, that I might have missed out something, some feelings might have been suppressed. Recently I have picked up a doll making lesson. The doll looks nothing spectacular but the process of making a doll was valuable to me.

After many months part of the doll was complete. It was therapeutic for me to hug it n hold it in my hand. The I handed the doll to my girl. There was an unspeakable truth I felt. Mommy has made my first doll. And mommy will give my first doll to u. She observe every stitches on the doll.

Ok 2 more dolls to go for the boys.

Some online tutorials for making waldorf dolls for your child.
starrysheep.com/crafty/?page_id=645

Birth Mat

2011-07-19T01:35:00.000-07:00

Xuan is trying to meditate on the mat.

This post is created with the gentle birth mothers in mind. I had a homebirth 2 years ago, I have one thing to cherish is the sturdy coconut husk mat I sat on. It kept me warm and comfortable, the dark colour mat disguised all the blood stain. The coconut husk inserts can be soaked and washed, not a stain was found after the event.

I often hear mothers wish to do active birthing at home or in the hospital but unable to find a portable yet comfortable solutions on the floor. I really want to share with them this unique product I have come across.

My family still use it a lot now. to have naps, babies crawl, or just bring it along for vacations when you need an extra bed space. Or tuck it beside the bed, in case the little ones fall off accidentally. I have brought in 10 units for sale with RM150 each.

can be carried easily

fold & unfold conveniently

Coco Cool Booster Cushion

2011-06-14T00:59:00.000-07:00

It started with me didn't want another piece of baby furniture in my house. 1 1/2 yrs old XinYuan didn't want to sit on her baby high chair anymore. So I ordered some "Booster" Cushions made of coconut husk for this purpose. I also customized a few more to share this idea with other like minded parents. These Coco Cool Booster can be washed n dry easily and it is very cooling and firm to sit on. I got some experienced meditation mats producer from the temple to make this. They have quite a few of other products too like single bed mats, the light weight multipurpose mat (which i used to lie on during my homebirth, not a stain is noticed now. )

So this is how the cushions look like, my 2 yrs old daughter sitting on the Full 4" booster cushion.

She just woke up. This is a Full 4" Coco Cool Booster Cushion.

So I have just a few more to sell to vacant my cupboard for more organic cotton bed sheets perhaps. There are 3 different specs:

1.) Full 3": [ 3'' x 14'' x14'' ] 2.) Full 4" [ 3'' x 15'' x15'' ] 3.) Half 4" [4''x15''x10'']
These cushions are suitable for children age 1 1/2 to perhaps 8 yrs, as long as they outgrow from their high chair. If your child is of the smaller build and is very young you can start them with the 4''.

1.) Full 3" RM85
[9x new stocks are here]

2.) Full 4'' RM90
[1 last pc to go]

3.) Half 4'' RM 65
with space for leg rest
[3 pcs left]

Other uses of this cushions are many. Both parents and child can use them on the floor for meditation, take them with you when you travel, family reunion dinner etc. (to sit in the car, just to pop them up a bit, absolutely not to replace a car seat)

Xuan is sitting on a Full 3" and Daddy is meditating on a Half 4"

I also sell a meditation cushion set.

Coco Medi Mat RM 90 [8pcs left]

This is a family shot of all the products. This shot was taken at 7am, both daddy n Xuan were very eager to help me out.

Convenient handle. Xuan is still sleepy...

mid year holidays

2011-06-09T04:05:00.000-07:00

It's beautiful to sleep under the stars. My boys did it. Me & 2 yr old girl stayed in the hut.

This time we started the holidays with a kampong stay in Janda baik.When we arrived, there were 10 over cars parked outside. A malay family set up 10 camps in the compound. At 12 noon, the kids were playing in the stream while some women cook up a storm. They had a feast under the trees on a huge tikar . What a nice family bonding trip. They were obviously seasoned campers and brought everything they could including a rice cooker.

They boys had their first camping under the stars. I am so proud. Then we spent the rest of the 2 weeks recouping from this trip, as the kids caught some cough and flu from having too much fun in the river. We stayed in zainiguesthouse.com. A nice kampung set up by a local musician. It could have been better if his french wife wasn't in confinement after her first born. Some of the soft touches like linen, mosqito netting etc of the guesthouse could have been perhaps better. There were lots of mosqitoes at night and red ants on the bed. However the camping facilities provided were adequate. no mosqitoes if you camp. Pillows, blankets and tikars were provided.

I enjoyed staying home with the kids during the holidays. Partly rehearsing what will happen to next year when i homeschool them. I was trying to feel the rhythm of the day. At first they were a bit resistant to activities i planned. All the boys wanted was ipad and tvs. But by the 3rd day after i persisted. waola... they could tune in to the rhythm and went with little complaint.

We usually start the day with a outdoor play in the park. Then come home for a shower before they do some quiet work. Then it is time for lunch. They would quickly finish their lunch as it is ipad or tv time after that. After 1 round of trashing on the ipad they could nap easily. We do the similar thing even when we have a playdate over. That helped to ground the habit in deeper as they see their peers doing it too.

Tomorrow is my off day with hubby on a day trip to ipoh wo kids. Life is good.

Nice experience climbing up a kampong house. This is the bamboo hut. Bring your own table cloth for better ambiance.

Pregnant with no due date.

2011-02-22T00:57:00.000-08:00

It has been almost close to 14 months now since the homeschooling seed was growing in me. I think and live homeschooling everyday. But some how my 2 boys still go to school . I spent most of my energy fetching them to school. Getting them on time. Also bringing them for extra free play "tuition" in the playground after school everyday. Something I find it v important for the development of a child but yet no getting enough emphasis in the pre school.

However I still feel blessed, to be in touched w so many homeschooling parents, to share the common free spirit goal for our children. Thinking I could join them one day. Planning a true Malaysian learning experience, mingling with multi racial children. As long as I keep this spark in me, my kids will benefit. Regardless If I get to homeschool them or not. To all homeschooling parents, thanks for bloging n sharing. This post is dedicated to norlin.my u inspired me today.

Homemade Vegetarian Rainbow Yee Sang

2011-01-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

This is a temp pic for yee sang. The real pic will come after Chinese new year.

Chinese new year is only 2 weeks away from now. There is one CNY dish i always try to DIY. It's healthier, cheaper and merrier! I want to share this yee sang recipe. You too can make your own scrumptious rabbit year dish!

Ingredients:

A: the vege
Sengkuang, green apple, cucumber, lettuce, carrot, beet root, pomelo, coriander ( mango, purple cabbage, alfafa - optional - or include any of your favourite colourful fruits or vege )

B: the garnishing
Sesame seed (both white & black)
Roasted Peanuts ( cashew nuts also can)
Corn Flakes (anything crispy )
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins (optional)

C: the dressing
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Plum Sauce ( * )
Lemon Juice ( plum juice, kalamasi juice also can)

Instructions:
1. Grate or slice ingredient A thinly. Then get a very big plate, as big as you can find and arrange the vege around it in groups.
2. Sprinkle ingredient B on the plate
3. Pour the dressing over the dish before serving.
4. To enjoy, simply invite your guests to toss and mix the dish together.

* If you want a bit more challenge without the using ready made plum sauce, try making your own sweet and sour sauce by blending - roasted peanuts, olive oil, lemon juice, moleses sugar - together. [ warning: this dressing recipe is in experimental stage! I haven't tried it yet! ]

Buddhist Education

2010-11-02T02:37:00.000-07:00

I attended a Buddhist education forum organized by Kota Kemuning Buddhist Center http://kkbc-info.blogspot.com sometime ago. http://nalandabs.blogspot.com/2010/08/29-august-2010-buddhist-education-forum.html

Director Nalanda Institute, Bro. Tan Ho Soon, shared great insights. I jogged down some notes to share.

"We have to nurture education - not to teach, not learn. Like a mother would nurture her child." This speaks closely to my heart. That is why homeschooling comes very naturally to mothers especially, because that is what they have been doing since the child is born. Nurture includes a wider aspect, it means to love, to care, to observe. More than just to fill in information.

Bro. Tan also said "Worldly education - aims to bring you success in life. - core 3 aspects - knowledge, skills, and values. Buddhist education - aims to bring ultimate happiness in life. Promotes right understanding, compassion, generosity, letting go. One practise meditation, and metta."

During the Q n A session, the audience raised a question about " fear" in general. I guess after attended school for some years, "fear" is a very common emotion that you will come across. Fear of exams, fear of being laughed at, fear of being asked questions... So there was a nun in the forum ( i didn't manage to trace her name) She explained - the bigger the "I" the bigger the "fear" you'll have. there are also some other issues like ignorance, wrong perception of self could result the feeling of "fear".

I was relating this to homeschooling, how could this impact of "fear" vs "self" be reduced. In a large group of same age peers, it is rather important to establish "self". one feels the need to stand out from the crowd, to be identified. However when it is at home, once the child's ability and strength is acknowledged by the parents, the child can learn freely without fear.

Also followed up with this million dollar question from the floor "how to be fearless?" One has to let go of self attachment. Let go of your ego. Reduce ignorance of self. Have a right understanding of yourself.

Brother Tan also drew inspiration from buddha of being a great teacher.
1. One has to have the desire to teach.
2. Be earnest and diligent
3. Be creative and skillful to to all levels of students
5. finally constant advancement and improvement.

A bouquet of broccoli

2010-11-01T03:55:00.000-07:00

My head is as stuffed as a broccoli. I feel so inspired reading about other homeschooler's blog, watching Ken Robinson's. Yet I have agreed to send my 2 boys to the strictest chinese kindergarden in the region. 8am-5pm everyday. I feel like I have lost 2 sons.

I was very close to winning them to homeschool. Yet the institutional force is stronger. Or would this help to strengthen the homeschooling foundation even more in future?

Sons hold on tight, fight hard, be strong. May the broccoli bloom one day.

A visit to a bulltique buffalo milk farm

2010-08-09T04:14:00.000-07:00

Amazed by their size and rich colours.

We were greeted by the familiar smell you get when you visit the zoo. We have arrived the milk farm that our milk man promised to bring us to, and it is a premium buffalo one!

Expression by a handsome punjabi man

Restful black beauty.

These buffaloes are huge, pitch dark skin reflect some rich blue off the rainny day. All milking process is handled by hand lovingly. There is a river at the back of the farm for them to go swimming every morning.

Well behaved calves.

It was a rainny day.

Homeschooling myself

2010-08-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

Honestly I wished I was homeschooled.

I had a lovely primary schooling experience. When it comes to secondary school, I thought a lot of time was wasted learning un useful thing. especially in geography in other countries (that i have not been), sejarah just limited to one country... etc

I remembered my mom trusted me. I value that a lot. There are days i told her that i didn't want to go to school. coz it was very noisy i could not concentrate. she let me. I remember it dearly until today.

So when i stumbled upon homeschooling at the begining of this year, my found sparkles in my eyes. Yes! this is it! this is what I want. However, to homeschool my children is more than merely my decision. So meanwhile, waiting for my better half to really come on board. I am homeschooling myself!!

Before this, i used to think, to learn something, you need to go to "school". you need teachers. Recently learn up things myself having motivated by the homeschooling spirit championed by Learning beyond schooling.

I cut my own hair. Researched into non toxic tick solution for my first pet. I picked up cycling. I learn guitar. Bake scones etc. now creating an tick life cycle observation box. Some of these might not interest my kids. But it matters to me. I am revisiting events that i missed out due to rushing for exams in the schooling years.

Artfully naked

2010-08-02T01:56:00.000-07:00

Xuan and his art.

Kids draw differently at different stage of development. Sometimes they have something very interesting going on. Then after afew months they dissapear. The more adult instructions, the faster the naive originality dissapear. I witness it in eldest 5 years old Shanyang. He had something intricate going on at his 4 yrs, but recently it is disappearing.

So adsorbed.

Xuan recently just started to form some conscious creation. very consistently he drew faces. steady continuous strokes. I find it very unique. Wondering how i can immortalised it b4 it changes. Recently saw a friend even allow her kids to draw on her white car. I started to have ideas over my blank cupboard.

Firm support.

Xuan @ Scribbling stage from 2-3 yrs

I was thinking of disposing this cupboard. Now i think i will cherish it for life. Check out Drawing Development in Children

Atta pumpkin twist

2010-06-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

Thai style pumpkin pan mee made of atta flour.

Pumpkin capati with the left over pan mee dough.

It was quite a productive day. I had a kunyit facial, washed the toilet during bath, created the above 2 dishes. ( previously made dough) It is quite convenient to have some capati dough ready in the fridge. heat it up with some cheese makes a healthy finger snack.

棕的感动 Dumplings that touch you.

2010-06-22T04:04:00.000-07:00

A work of art. A beautifully crafted dumpling from Sarawak.

This year I have the priviledge to receive many different homemade dumplings from friends and neighbour.

First was a vegetarian dumpling - this one bought from Da ai educare. no meat, still managed to keep some good flavour. a humble celebration.

Then chang from Muar - made by Janice's mom. Everything comes in double - double mushroom, chestnuts, pork... you can feel the warmly double happiness there.

- chang from my sinsei neighbour - she made it with her fellow staff in the fully equipped clinic kitchen. tasted very yummy too, i suspect she flavored it with some salted fish.

- chang from my good old friend Jade - Her mom makes lovely chang without fail every year. She uses red bean in her chang wrapped by lovely white glutinous rice. The fatty meat used was soft and melts in your mouth.

- also chang from my good friend Myra - She made it with her mil. Delivered to me in a mickey mouse bag. It is also made with the white glutinous rice without the dark soya sauce. This time has some garlic accent in it.

and lastly a chang from sarawak made my Joshua's aunt- wrapped in local bamboo leave pluck from the local tropical forrest. thick and deep texture neatly wrapped the content with bamboo string. It has lovely white glutinous rice as well, and the ingredient taste slightly sweet with a dash of nyonya influence. it is simply heavenly and touched every bit of my heart. Also a big thanks to Esther for serving it to me first thing in the morning.

so 6 different types of chang I have tasted this year. It is a warm festival celeberated with great art and friendship. I can only be thankful.

Crafty Indulgence

2010-06-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

want to avoid buying the commercial cartoon backpack.

Wonderful craft book to inspire the boys,
they don't know what to do when the tv is off.

Found this lovely craft book from the big book shop in atria for RM14.90 - Summer Crafts by Marjorie Galen. Feeling warm and fuzzy after browsing it. can't wait to share this with shanyang. he loves making things. I' ve been wanting to make a backpack for each of my boys. found a pattern inside.

Also found an extremely beautiful craft blog by an artist in Portland made for his twins, there are lots of simple and artistic ideas. Here's a free DIY paper city template - city & people , vehicles , helicopter. A Malaysian homeschool mom also does something similar paper template for sale in Etsy. She has a free facebox template for download as well. Such wonderful work from home ideas.

a Homeschooling day

2010-06-02T01:33:00.000-07:00

Homeschooling is slowing flowing in my vein now. I can now easily come out with things to do for especially a 3 yr old, just off my head. it's great. After all the reading and researching, today i was doing it without having to refer to a book or the computer. Just went with the flow, observing the kids.

We bring a long a mat sometimes, just chill in the park, reading, sketching.

We managed to climb this tree before it was chopped. It's important to bond with the trees.

Going to the park is our important morning routine. I wake up in the morning not knowing what to do usually. Visiting the lovely park near my house is often the best answer. The park is just 1 min walk, and has about 50 trees. Xuan starts to run following the track once he reaches the park. It's wonderful to see him knowing what to do naturally. I will do some walking and meditation under the trees.

The brothers posed for me as they were walking home. Look at Xuan, he was so thrilled with his elder brother holding him.

After for about 30 min in the park, we head home for a shower. 1 year old xinyuan will go for her late morning nap. While my "student exchange" from cambodia will help me to prepare lunch. That leaves me some free time without a baby. Suddenly it strikes me to do a lap book with xuan. I have read and talked so much about it, but have never done it b4.

With some colour papers and tools, we are doing a shape book. i help xuan to cut some shapes out, he happily sticks it. I feel great, don't know about xuan. he thought we were doing a card. he has already decided to give it to Aunty Dora.

Then it is lunch time, and hopefully they will nap soon, then it is my happy hour!

bake, double boil & permanent exhibit.

2010-05-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

been craving for some nanka muffin. too troublesome to order from the baker. I try to bake some myself. haven't been baking for so long.

Bought a soup recipe book. trying out this double boil wild bamboo with vege tonic... I happened to have all the ingredient. looking pro....

this is a latest addition of permanent exhibit on my wall. It's fixed with glue! I'm just thinking, these kiddo drawings are here to stay till they grow up to show their own kids in future. Looks like an outdoor lion dance to me.

Homeschooling 5 kids?

2010-03-08T04:04:00.000-08:00

During Chinese new year, 8 years old Cass came over and the kids had a wonderful time. She naturally lead the group of 3-5yrs old kids, guided them to sit down with some story telling. The little fans gave her undivided attention. When it comes to an end, Cass said : ... the end. Finished." 5 year old Shanyang said : Wait, I have more books.

As it get more interesting, the teacher stood up to continue.

The little fans also followed her to get a better view... She has a wonderful clear speech and is gentle and kind to her little followers. Check out the videos below to find out how it is possible to homeschool 5 children. In these videos you can just see how kids learn, they don't sit still!

Low

2010-02-24T03:57:00.000-08:00

It was a dry brownie. Super dry. I can never get a perfect brownie.

Leaking pipe, the wall paint is peeling off. blk moss growing wild. Contractor came when i was out fetching son.

Crying babies. Why don't you just go to sleep.

Maid agency owes me money Rm100. for over a year. I hate calling them and explain to them over again.

Today I hit a low point after many months of consistant high. Feeling a little low. Perhaps I am tired. A little blur. Lost sense of direction. Lots of things to do, but do not know where to start first. I usually only do things that i like. Not things that i need to do.

I ve been wanting to homeschool. It's a huge effort. but i know it's for better. It's a field i find it interesting. I could learn at the same time i can be with the kids more. and foster better sibling bonding. I don;t get positive support from my partner. Feel like giving up. Why should I be the one worry so much about it. Some one else is in doubt of my ability. I should just forget about it.

I don't like a sad blog. But today I feel like putting the low point up.

Leave me alone.

my little girl

2010-02-23T00:54:00.000-08:00

my little girl has just turned 1 recently. she was born on the 4th day of cny. I used to leave most of the baby care to the maid. But she fell sick often. So changed strategies. Do it myself as much as i can. She used to have milk rash. Used to cough for months. I kept her happy and bond with her more. Slowly i cracked the "davinci code". Her milk rash went away. The cough is healed. I can see her growing stronger. I connect with her more now. Her face is glowing in radiant. I'm glad i have awaken. It's a joy caring for u my girl - Xin Yuan - happy birthday. Mama bakes u a choc fudge cake.

the presents

2010-01-04T01:22:00.000-08:00

The beauty of working in pep design, teaching us the joy of giving and receiving every year end without fail.

recycled packaging design.

Thank you so much. peppies.
• hand made bag, baking tools, julie n julia book n dvds from dora
• 2 cook books from diane - one italian and one chinese new year + insightful pyramid b/w photo with words
• cake deco stand from janice - vintage gold fish writing pad too
• rose teapot from bobo
• eco lunch box from pharnie
• teohchew basket with goodies from god son

My Xmas Wishlist

2009-11-30T20:50:00.000-08:00

• Cute Cookie Cutter, - ginger bread man -
Ginger bread man recipes from 101cookbooks

• Card reader

• handmade bag

• Flickr membership

• a day off without kids and work

Homeschooling

2009-11-09T02:38:00.000-08:00

This is Xuan who is turning 3 next year on 15th Jan. He is not a classroom type of boy. He enjoys working out and is efficient with his big motor skills. He can take out his own clothes and pants b4 turning 3. I ve been thinking to homeschool him. Can save money and I will have new materials to blog about.

Xuan has been learning abc, and phonics online with his elder brother. Recently he has learnt how to navigate the page by himself using my track pad. He pays attention to the phonics sound.

I have been doing research on useful materials online. Some fruitful results today.

Mental Arithmetics & Abacus - I thought myself abacus here today.

How to fold paper star - Youtube demo

How to fold paper plane - you tube demo

Moore homeschool Formula -

1) Study from a few minutes to several hours a day, depending on the child's maturity.
2) Manual work at least as much as study.
3) Home and/or community service an hour or so a day.

In fact I tried homeschool my eldest son - Shanyang a little. He was a fast learner. He sorted out all his abc and counting b4 turning 4. Now that he is Da Ai Educare, he spends the whole year learning these 2 modules.

things i made recently

2009-10-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Atta raisin scones with red dates tea.
Atta mixed fruit and nut steam bun.

Yoga Bread

2009-09-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

I love baking bread. I love kneading them more. Sometimes I practise taichi bread, sometimes shaolin kongfu bread. Today, i did a yoga bread.

It was meditative. I watched every stroke and breath mindfully.

The result was pleasant. It was a great work out, all sweat out. I felt blissful.

Oven Thermometer & Canon 300D = Orange Cake

2009-09-10T02:03:00.000-07:00

The above 2 things make so much difference in the results. Right tools help.

This recipe is from "PERFECT PICNICS" Published by Hermes House. I got it from Big book Shop in Atria for RM1.

Moist Orange & Almond Cake.

1 large orange

3 eggs

225g/ 1 cup caster sugar

5ml/1tsp baking powder

225g/2cups ground almonds

25g/ 1/4 cup plain flour

icing sugar for dusting

pierce orange with a skewer. put it in a saucepan and pour over water to cover completely. Bring to the boil, lower the hear, covr and simmer for 1 hr or till the skin is very soft. drain then cool.

preheat oven to 180 c. Grease a 20 cm/ 8 in, round cake tin and line it with non- stick baking parchment. blend the orange and mix all ingredients together. Bake for 1 hour.

note: the sides and the top burn fast. but it doesn't affect the texture inside. a bit like baking bread. you can trim the burnt bit off.

Brewing Garbage

2009-08-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

2nd Brew: Mixed Citrus Fruit Flavour

After doing so much of baking and cooking... Now i can even make something to use! I feel really excited about it. Garbage enzyme is such an in thing in every household now. Most housewife u ask, chances are they too have a tub or 2 of this backyard science in their kitchen.

Started making my first bottle with left over pineapple skins after making some pineapple jam. It leaves me absolutely Zero garbage. 2 pineapples skins and cuts gives me about 1kg garbage to work with. add about 300g of dark sugar and 3000g of water. mix them all up. Done.

Fits nicely in a big cny plastic cookie jar.

Today, i made one more round of citrus based mixed fruit flavour consist of pamelo, orange, lemon, apple, pear, dragon fruits skins. Fruits we consumed over the week, stored in the fridge b4 i have enough to start doing. Can't wait to collect my harvest in 3 months time!

Great thing to do after your juicing, jamming, baking session where u have used big amount of fruits n vege. Or simply buy over the garbage from a cut fruit n juice stall.

And what can u do with the enzyme? I read it can be used for cleaning, removing odor of cigarette, kitchen, bathroom, window pane, washing your car outside and flows to the garden as fertilizer. Antiseptic floor mopping, air con cleaning, drives away flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats... Basically cleans your whole house, cars, utensils, you and your pets. Fertilizes. Total magical solutions! From something we would usually throw away! Save so much money from buying different chemicals to serve those purposes.

I really can't wait for the harvest.

my Humble First Brew : Pineapple Flavor after a week. Smelling good.

I love Bread.

2009-08-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Bread can look so good. And you don't need to do much. shape it any way u like, stick anything on the surface, emboss it, deboss it. score it. spot varnish. (all these printing terms i am borrowing... such effects can be achieved effortlessly.) These are the loaves from my little oven. These days, I experiment on garbage enzyme, growing alfafa... making bread... trading cloth diapers... I am mutating into a real incredible greenHoihoi.

Multi Grain Rye Bread (Deco Inspired by HIESTAND french village bread)

Latest experiment WO recipe : Honey Banana Walnut Pandan Rye Bread (Improvised from the previous rye bread recipe)

Image maker device 2

2009-06-02T00:29:00.001-07:00

Here are the images take by my new hp s302. pretty good image quality given adequate lighting!

- Quick Banana bread I baked yesterday. yummy simple recipe from elise. Try it out!

- Yummy wonton char siew mee breakfast from Sunway Mas today. check out the wonton mee, it's in an unusual flat shape they made themselves.

- a warm festive greetings i got from a fairy god mother.

Life is good...

image maker device 1

2009-06-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

I usually cannot find my camera when i need it. mostly the most reliable image maker i have is the isight. coz it is always there with the laptop. here are some isight shots with my lovely birthday presents from janice!

homemade orgnaic gourmet wholemeal bread

2009-04-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

Shanyang and hubby are my fans. Such hard densed bread shanyang can eat 2 big pieces with home made cinnamom butter and pineapple jam.

He asked, " did you made this? I want to eat! 2 pieces pls."

It's filling and tasty, though very dense n hard. not to everyone's taste bud for sure! wahahhaha.

i see lights finally!

2009-04-22T01:53:00.001-07:00

As a photographer at heart, i love lights.
look at this piece, so grunge. by my ktj school mate - farah azizan.

this is the complete exhibit by farah.
we bought the lights on the right - tin kosong by carolyn lau.

wai leong also bought this one.

Beautiful creation. worth checking it out. 16 April to 3 May at The Annexe Gallery

basics

2009-03-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

I have been very sick. Fever twice, practically disable me and force me to rest. Then now teeth, gums ache. half of my face is swollen. I look just like my son who keeps storing food in his mouth during feeding. I can't eat. the pain follows every moment. it's a bit like early labour pain. little bit here n there, the more you think about it, the more it is there. scream if you want to, but that is just gonna make it worse. Gosh! world's greatest physical sufferings is not over for me yet. pain pain pain... till you want to curl your feet.

I know I have been sad and not having much positive thoughts. thus i fell sick. suddenly, not knowingly. Sickness taught and reminded me. when you are sick. you are torn down to the very basic. all you want to beg for is perhaps very simple thing... to breath ... and to be able to eat. so in fact... life is simple. those are the few things to stay alive. why do I go all complicated and confuse myself. laugh more, cheer more and do less that is really something i always forget.

or perhaps when I have more time, take a moment to cherish a healthy body. Be grateful for one. how long i haven't thank my body for being health. So I will take care of it. don't simply over eat, over THINK, over do to hurt it.

some times i can't help thinking... what did i do to deserve this? ( this is a terrible question, that will bring u no where) It's so painful why don't I just pop in some pain killers and antibiotics? Coz i am a fan of slow medicine, slow food, self healing. I believe my body can heal by it self. What is the lesson lie inside for me this time? what it is trying to tell me?

I am getting there... today the pain n swell has gone down abit. I am able to smile. I hope when i wake up again tomorrow i will be well. and be able to serve and perform my duty.

May everyone be well and happy. May I be well and happy.

I will be very grateful if i recover. I will be happy. I will not take my body for granted.

the "two" curse

2009-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

I have been having difficulties falling asleep, though I am much lacking of it due to midnight baby care. Too much thoughts... on wanting to become a super domestic goddess with 2 todds and a 0 month.

so being able to fall asleep to me now is like a dream come true, striking lottery.

Tonight managed to sooth xYuan to sleep. then i fell asleep nicely out of fatigue. Then i was woke up by my "incredible 2 year old" Xuan ( crying frantically, throwing tandrum on me ) . my 2nd son, Xuan has been cranky and sick since the birth of his sister. I was annoyed n find it unacceptable that it was Xuan who woke me instead of the baby. I hit him.

I am slowly losing my patience on him. Constantly demanding attention and love from me. We are aware of the vulnerable 2nd child syndrome. sometimes parents can be just draining out.

Sorry, Xuan.

mei mei 2009

2009-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

welcome to the family - mei mei - Yau Xin Yuan. 姚馨元

Hoihoi Sells Brownies in Art for Grabs Xmas

2008-12-16T01:45:00.000-08:00

in the mood for scarf

2008-11-03T00:41:00.000-08:00

First time using the birthday scarf given by Adeline. Nice soft materials. keeps me warm in the office. How do I look?

what is your child's talent?

2008-10-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

Found an online quiz to roughly find out what your child's talent. There are pretty good pointers on how to observe your child.

Shanyang's talent is in : Language.

Suggestions: Some good activities for your child are as follows: Word games such as scrabble, crossword puzzles, anagrams, spelling games and most of all, reading. Your child will probably start writing at a young age, so have plenty of pencils, crayons, and paper handy.

While Xuan (still too young to tell, 20 months) is in : Adventure

Suggestions given: Here are some ways you can nurture your child's talent.

Any type of sports, group or individual, such as soccer, karate, and dance. These children usually love large motor activity. Some ideas for their physical activities are jungle gyms, balls, tricycles, and skates. Also they may like active handwork such as clay, playdough, sewing, and finger painting.

Some other great activities would be wall climbing, playing in the children's play area at your local fast food restaurant, the slides, pools of balls are great free activities for your child.

What's your child's talent? Check it out now!

And it seems to work for adult too! I am categorised under "creativity"

Shanyang and drums

2008-09-14T06:23:00.000-07:00

Shanyang played on a drum demo set. He seems to know what he is doing.

Playgroup day

2008-09-13T01:34:00.000-07:00

It's friday. Myra and kids are coming to play. The children keep themselves occupied, while the mummies enjoy their tea and snacks. I baked non butter muffins recipe for them to try. It's good to see the children get to know each other better.

apple muffin

2008-09-10T05:53:00.000-07:00

trying to perfect my muffin baking... this time i do it again with the same recipe... perfecting the process. this time I went a bit crazy with the topping. digging all the left over desserts in my fridge. chocolate, hazel nuts, muesli... and looks absolutely great!

Youngest Rider

2008-09-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

On Merdeka day, we went horse riding in the in bkt tinggi. Xuan is only 1 1/2 years to ride on his own. It was a wonderful outing celebrating papa's birthday.

Yang the builder

2008-09-08T04:12:00.001-07:00

Shanyang is 3 1/2, always ask us to build the train track for him. Recently he is able and confident enough to build his own. This track is entirely built by him. I am such a proud mummy.

kids enjoying the outdoor

2008-08-19T03:46:00.000-07:00

It' s 4pm time to go to the garden!

chicken drumstick steak

2008-07-23T04:13:00.000-07:00

It is a good meal idea, to turn drumstick into steak. it becomes more presentable, cook faster and feels like more to eat too. It was inspired by the chicken rice i had in secret recipe. so I suggested to my maid to present the drumstick this way instead.

it was meant to be a western dish - lemon mustard mint chicken. My creative maid indonised it. added soya sauce, limau pulut leaves, honey and sugar. I was hungry n ate without much thinking. But once I hear my hubby commented about the strong soya sauce. I feel rather angry about it. Why do I get a helper that does not follow recipe given to her. Hai that's what u get when u have an egoistic creative helper who likes to have a bit of her identity in everything she does. Everyday is a surprise in things she does.

1st Montessori in Cheras?

2008-07-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

I ve been looking high and low for a suitable preschool for sy and xy to go to. My Montessori School in Midah Cheras is quite a suitable one. Good environment. Clean newly renovated premise. Airy, no air con. Montessori + Malaysian sylusbus. Not terribly expensive for montessori. (RM380++) the only down site is the place is quite a bit of a drive... But it's a good place to leave your child to learn.

The central learning area. Nice table and bench. wonder where they get it. I wish to get one to use at home too.
the leisure play area, with toys, not so serious montessori materials.
Brand new little tike slide n nice lush green.
Toilet setting. individual wet towels to wipe hand after using the washroom.

Pesto spagetti - meals done in less than 45min.

2008-07-10T03:31:00.000-07:00

including washing too. absolutely healthy, and it's vegetarian. Easy for kids, coz all veges are blended. one more family one dish meal on my list.

this time i did without pine nuts n cheese. haven't got any pine nuts and can't stand cheese these days.

ingredient a: ( blend till fine)

some tbsp of pine nuts ( dry roast 2 min)

hand full of basil

2 cloves of garlic

ingrediant b: ( add in later, coarsely blend)

3 tbsp of olive oil

2 small tomato deseeded

some sea salt to taste

Method:

Heat some olive oil in a pan and JUST MIX the pesto mixture and grated parmesan cheese above with your pasta.

The session was broadcast live to adeline.

Environmentally Conscious

2008-07-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

These days I have been more environmentally conscious. We constantly remind ourselves to bring bags and stainless steel container to pasar malam.

Today I witness some great effort from a shopping mall. great practice. Separate your garbage. I wish to implement at home too.

Action Day

2008-07-10T00:52:00.000-07:00

Today I have been efficient. I managed to do a few things which I've been dragging it for months. So It feels good to have those things sorted out.

1. serviced waja and fixed the handle.

2. finally found out that i can't return the bolster cover. bought more than 7 days.

3. Found out where to get the replacement philip twist blender jar.

4. got my spectacles fixed.

So I think i am worth a treat. Went to Brickfields for vegetarian. It was a lovely meal. These days I just don't like meat much. There was brinjals, potato and a chinese style mixed vege tofu. The brinjals was very nicely done. so were the dhal curry. All very gentle to the tummy. Soothing indian home cooking. I will be going again.

Kam Heong chicken rice

2008-07-02T04:19:00.000-07:00

Been learning how to take good food shot with my simple point a shoot. Here's a satisfying one. Bright noon time with macro feature. I have been ordering this dish for quite some time. Just brings up my appetite. Kam Heong Chicken rice @ Tropicana City Star Seafood Restaurant.

week 9: Craving- Slurpy HK chee Cheong fan supper

2008-06-25T06:02:00.000-07:00

I like the sambal and soya sauce. Most like it plain without prawns and pork. Serves me well as appetizer. However this is not the best chee cheong fan i can find today.

Biodata

2008-06-25T04:36:00.001-07:00

Would you hire her as your domestic helper?

Name : yan ya

Age: 34

Height: 160cm

Weight: 47kg

Religion : Buddhist

Married with 2 boys , age 1 /3

Husband's occupation: LAWn worker

Age: 35

Mother: Len yo / 64

Father : Pin Ya / 69

Brothers: 0

Sisters: 3

Eldest in the family.

my blog is not real

2008-06-16T00:14:00.000-07:00

I am not real either in real life. I don't practise realness. I try to hide. I try to be someone else I am not. I lost myself. So do you think my blog is interesting? Fake things are never interesting. So would u find me in person.

Chickpea Maths

2008-05-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

Today Shanyang had his first maths lesson. Learning to count. He regconises the numbers, but not counting correctly yet. This session of maths was not fruitful. the chickpea might be too small for him to pick up.

My Ikea Mother's day

2008-05-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

I had a great time celebrating mother's day. My favourite hang out. Shanyang loves the clown and the ballon made by the talented lady clown.
then we proceed for a slice of mother's day cake. the daim cake was on offer. that was exactly what i wanted too. that made my day.

a nice walk down the stream in Tmn Tun park. nice place to picnic. clean water. the children can play sand and build castle. can start to come at 2,3pm on a hot afternoon. the place is very cooling as it is situated by the hill.
after the excursion, both kid were so tired, one fell asleep b4 dinner and another slept while drinking soup on the high chair. My lovely 2008 mother's day celebrated with me 2 boys and hubby.

Love is Blind

2008-02-13T22:39:00.000-08:00

I will celebrate my Valentine's day by making a donation to the Malaysian Association for the Blind today. Sadhu to my bright ideas.

Sadhu to Shanyang!

2008-02-12T01:35:00.000-08:00

Shanyang is 22months old, and likes to sing.

Losing control

2007-12-21T02:52:00.000-08:00

i am losing control of the house hold, losing control over a mess of junk accumulating. i don't know who i am and I don't know what i am doing.

but the the dhama says - there is no self. there is no control, there is just physical and mental process going on. the moment u try to control it u r out of it.

after all i am not so bad. i seem to be facing a norm of life.

2006-09-21T22:59:00.000-07:00

Feeding Shanyang has always been a challenge. Today i figured he is very bored of his porridge. So i cooked him rice with some of my childhood favorite kid dish. It worked marvelously.

Lunch:
1.) Kadazan Organic Rice , from Sabah give by a friend Ian Ma whom married a beautiful Kadazan gem.

2.) Steam egg with minced meat,( from mama, prepared a day ago.)

3.) veges cubes ( french bean and ladies fingers) fry it dry with garlic and onion.

that was our simple lunch for today. Shanyang feel so satisfied and fell straight asleep after feeding.

Dhall Curry Sunday

2006-09-11T01:56:00.000-07:00

I finally get to see the great chef in action, Kala my weekend cleaner whose a wonderful cook taught me to cook an authentic dhall curry last sunday. Have been trying on my own a few times, follow recipe book, called her for recipe over the phone. This round the great master is in my house demonstrating! Yeah i can cook indian food!

Ingredients:
____________

A. VEGE CUBES: 3 tomatos, 2 potatos, 1 round brinjal (choose small ones, takes long time to cook), 1 carot, few strends of long beans)

B. SPICES: mustard seeds, cuming (jintan manis), 1 red onion, dry chilies.

C. Dhall ( there are many types of dhall, check with the shop keeper to get the right one) soak over nite.

and lastly 1 whole garlic and curry leaves.

Process:
____________
1. first boil dhall with garlics (cut into thick slices) until seeds start to break.

2. then add some "babas samba" curry powder for it to adsorb.

3. start fry the vege cubes. put spices B in the oil, follow by the vege cubes and curry leaves. medium heat.

Kala the chef in action.

4. then put veges in the dhall curry pot. add adequate curry powder. and let it cook till the potato and brinjals soft. then add some kunyit powder and salt (or extra curry powder) to taste.

_____________

Started cooking at 7:30 am, the curry was ready by 9 am. Hubby just woke up and was so excited to see the home cooked indian curry. Our sunday lunch is set! If only my 18 month Shanyang can take spicy food.

my dog - hak hak

2006-09-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

my dog - hak hak
Originally uploaded by greenhoihoi.

I know my hak and hak hak loves me.

hand foot mouth

2006-08-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

Shanyang got infected by hand-foot-mouth disease. high fever since yesterday 3am. Today his mouth is full of white blisters. Keeps crying. sometimes only switching on TV can sooth him. This is then 2nd big illness he has since he is weaned. first was measles. Also after a gathering of family kids.

I must be aware of bring him to kids gathering especially near my delivery dates.

Can you believe it?

2006-07-31T23:42:00.001-07:00

A friend droped her black ipod video 30g in the car park while going to pasar malam in SS2. Someone found it and returned to her. It's her long lost friend, recognised her face while going through files for clues in the ipod. Isn't it damatic?

kesas jam

2006-07-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

stucked in the jam for more than 1/2 hour on the way to work at 10.30am. no particular things happened, just a few big lorries parked by the road side. soul killing indeed. and still have to pay toll as usual.

working cafe

2006-07-26T01:18:00.000-07:00

Working from Starbucks, Jusco today. So many people actually use it as an "office"... the direct seller, insurance agent... meeting, sales... all day long. My drinks cost RM15.

Thinking of getting tm hot spots, then i can get online even in Jusco food court. Anyone know of any free wireless internet in KL? Let me know ar!

Photo: Built in Macbook isight

peppy lunch trilogy

2006-07-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

It started with each colleague cooking one dish to welcome our boss, diane's return from singapore. Diane returned the favour by cooking us glorious teow chew porridge.Today is the peppy lunch trilogy by Janice - Home Cooked Muar dishes, braised xichuan pork, cabbage, mushroom mixed vege, toufu and fish ball, egg soup.

Photos: Raymond Loo ( Sony Erricson w800 via blue tooth)