My exciting morning

I was busy cleaning my 1st floor windows this morning. For someone who has dust allergies, I hate doing this as I will keep sneezing for hours. My little helper was nice to tear kitchen towels when I needed new ones. While working on my bay window, something brown dashed by our window. For a second, I thought it was a coyote as we do have sightings of them in our subdivision. But after looking at it again, it looked more like a German Shepard breed. Quickly I ran to my front door and called it. It responded which surprise me. Usually strays would run but not this one. I grabbed my dog's treat and threw it out. The dog jumped up and grabbed it. My dog got excited and started barking, we had to gate him as I didn't know if this dog was agressive.

After a few more treats, I made my son hold a treat and stand infront of the glass door. I ran upstairs and Googled our local animal control. We called and made a report and the lady on the phone told us one would be dispatched soon as the officer was just a street away at the local PAWs. It took them about 10 minutes to come and while waiting, I grabbed more dog treats and threw it out to the dog. I gave it some of my dog's food but stopped when I realized the dog treat was cheaper than my dog's food due to the allergies requirements. My stupid dog is allergic to normal dogfood so we have to buy the more expensive one... and funny thing.. I'm allergic to my dog!!!.... ok.. back to the lost dog ...

Dog coming for more treats

Finally the animal control officer came. With her sweet voice, she called the dog and it came cautiously. She gave it some treats and tried to put a leash on it. It walked away from her and came back to my front door. I saw all those as I stupidly ran to my driveway to let the lady know the dog was at my front door. I said stupidly as I didn't put on a coat... which I am paying now as I'm coughing more now.. I am recovering from flu over this weekend...

Dog must have seen the Animal Control Office

I went back inside and stood at my front door... to kinda assure the dog its ok. It came and grabbed another snack from me. This time It allowed the lady to put the leash on. It did show its teeth at her but I guess her soft sweet voice did some magic as It allowed her to pat it's forehead. Next thing she said was "can you sit?" and the dog sat... hahaha I who trained my dog pretty good... never thought of tat command with this lost dog. At least we know the dog was domesticated. Hopefully its owner knows to call Animal control. I did put up a notice at my subdivision's forum and maybe the owner reads it.

Dog finally leashed and It's showing it's teeth.

Back to my window cleaning... what a nice break from a boring task....

p.s. in the midst of all the excitement, the amazing part is I remembered to take some photos!!!! Alleluia!!!

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Kaya made with Breadmaker

This is my attempt at making kaya with a breadmaker. I've to admit that its so much easier than the stand and stir or steam method. It was abit lumpy (not too bad) but I tried using the food processor to make it smoother.

This is my recipe:

Ingredients:

• 550g eggs (10 Extra large egg bought from Costco)
• 300g sugar
• 200g brown sugar
• 3 pandan leaves
• 600ml thick coconut milk (1 1/2 cans of chaokoh coconut)

Directions:

1. Beat eggs and sugar together for 10 minutes.
2. Strain egg mixture into Breadpan.
3. Set to Jam mode. Press Start. It takes about 20 min. to pre-heat.
4. Add strain coconut milk into breadpan once the padde starts stirring. (That way I know the sugar is all melted. Depending on your breadmaker, it will take up to 90 minutes to cook. Entire Cycle takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
5. Once the Breadmaker beeps, cooking is complete.
6. Press Stop and take out the Bread pan.
7. If texture is lumpy, transfer to a food processor and blend it to make it softer.
8. Transfer kaya to a refrigerator/freezer-safe container. Cover tight.

Note: I used brown sugar so that the kaya looks brownish. That way I didn't have to carmelize the sugar. Some have used just brown sugar or palm sugar.

Enjoy this recipe. Those who are thinking of trying.. try it... if you dont' like it, you can always toss it away.

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My Expensive Day

Wednesday, January 23rd 2008 turned out to be not only a cold day for me but an expensive one. I went to Costco knowing I should get another cordless phone. Although I love the Panasonic brands, I've given up on my 2nd Panasonic cordless phones. After time, I notice the keypads dont' function too well and somehow I get this "bleep" and I miss a few seconds of my conversation with person on the other side of the phone.

What did I get? A Vtech cordless phone with 3 handsets for $$59.99 as I had a $20 coupon from Costco. To my delight, I discovered that Costco now sells the Daylight Compact Fluorescent bulbs. I bought a 6 bulbs pack for $10 which is very cheap. I went home very happy and contented as now I've completed changed all the bulbs in the house to daylight bulbs.

Being a Wednesday, I dropped Gilly at the local Library for her Brownies and dragged Greg to Bed Bath and Beyond with my big envelope full of coupons. I was planning to buy a set of cookie sheets as I plan to bake cookies for CNY. I found my cookie sheets and while strolling by the small appliances, I saw 2 different brands of breadmaker. Cuisinart breadmaker for $129.99 and Breadman's for $79.99. Breadman's tag mentioned "Last One"... I found an associate and casually asked if they would give extra discount being the last unit and a demo. She told me yes and I further asked if I could use my 20% discount as well. To my delight she said Yes and said to mention her name. I usually dont' buy on an impulse but this was too good to let go. I grabbed that unit, it didn't come with a manual nor a box. I ended up paying $51 for this breadmaker. I've been thinking of getting one and now I finally bought one. Is it impulse buying??? I guess no as I've been pretty patient waiting for a good buy. As I'm typing this, my breadmaker is put to use. I'm trying out Kaya on the Jam mode. If it turns out good... I'll remember to add it to the blog.

When we came home after brownies, about 100 yards from my garage. I heard this "pop" sound and wondered what it was.... shoot... my windshield had a 2 feet crack. Looks like we will be replacing the windshield... OH NO... what a day... I've spent too much today!!!! Oh well at least I hope to enjoy my Kaya...

Till then....

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Kueh Bakar

This is one of my favorite Malay Kuih that I used to buy from pasar malam (night market). The last time I ate this kuih was in Langkawi at 1996. I have to admit I never knew the name of this kuih but loved it. I once saw a photo of it in Lilian Chan's blog but there was no recipe. I got all excited when I saw photos of of this kuih at Raymond See's party which he gladly posted on mybuddies.net. I learnt that it was fellow blogger and now my sifu Gert who made brought this kuih to the party. I got more excited when she said she would post this recipe in her blog. I didn't have to wait long and finally got the recipe.

This is my attempt at this kuih and it turned out good. I guess I added too much green coloring (2 drops). I took it to church for a Singaporean lady to try and we do have a Malaysian priest there and he loved the smell of pandan, he said it was good. I don't know if my kuih was all that good or if they both had not eaten this kuih for so long that even a bad one would taste good.. hahaha... Enjoy!!

Here is Gert's recipe...
Ingredients :

• 1 1/4 cups of sugar
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 cup of pandan juice (6 pandan leaves + 1 cup of water - blended)
• 2 1/4 cups of coconut milk
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tbsp of melted butter
• 1 tsp of pandan paste
• few drops of green food coloring
• 1 tbsp of sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degree F and greased a baking pan.
2. Mix all the above ingredients except sesame seeds until well combined.
3. Pour mixture into baking pan and sprinkle with some sesame seeds and bake until golden brown or skewer comes out clean when tested. It should take an hour.
4. Cool it down before cutting.

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Welcome 2008

Happy New Year!!!
I've had such a wonderful holiday season. We didn't go anywhere but spent all our hours just relaxing and playing with the kids. I didn't make Gilly do any math and they got to sleep late. She had so much fun for the 2 weeks that she was reluctant to go back to school.

We went for midnight mass and to my surprise, they both were wide awake. The next day, we went to my in-laws for lunch. The kids had a nice time playing with their cousins. Gilly and Greg are the babies in the family as my hubby is the baby of the family and he married late. I've learnt my lesson this Christmas... I'm gonna let the kids open their presents after midnite mass... cos we went to bed at 2am and Gilly woke us up at 7.30am.. just to open her presents... Lesson learnt!!! The kids loved their presents. We did get them a Wii and now I'm hooked.




Came New Year's eve, we went for mass and then stayed back for "Hot Pot" aka Steamboat. The food was good and eventhough we didnt' sign up for it, there was enough for people like me who didn't sign up.

New Year Day, we had dinner at my Sister in Law's. She had her kitchen redone and it looked beautiful. However as alot of us are allergic to cats, even with medication, I had trouble breathing. I would force myself to take deep breathes. That is why sometimes, I don't like going to houses with cats as medication isn't effective.

Kids are now back in school and I'm trying to get the Christmas decorations packed up. Hopefully I'll get them all done today...

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