Melt in your mouth cookie

Tried a new cookie recipe yesterday. Yum yum, it turned out good. Melt in your mouth. But it taste tad bit salty. Maybe I have added in bit too much salt.

I am not good at shaping the cookie, so it turned out unevenly sized. Got big and small :P

Recipe as follows:

Ingredients

200g butter
80g icing sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp salt
120g self-raising flour, sifted
120g corn flour, sifted
1 cherry, chopped (optional)

Some icing sugar for dusting

Method
1. Cream butter, icing sugar, vanilla and salt till just combined
2. Add self-raising flour, corn flour and mix into a soft dough
3. Spoon mixture into greased baking tray. Use finger to form the shape (please use gloves)
4. Use chopstick to add chopped cherry as decoration.
5. Bake in pre-heated oven at 170C for 15 minutes
6. Cool on rack, sprinkle some icing sugar on top

The recipe makes one plastic container.

Easy way of making Pineapple Tart Filling

I copied this recipe from someone else' blog to my hard drive. But I forgot where I copied them from.

Since CNY is just around the corner and I believe many ppl would like to make some pineapple tarts but are put off with the tedious task of making the tarts, I decided to share this recipe. Hopefully the owner dun angry with me :P

Wanted to try out this recipe but did not as I realised I dun have my blender with me. It's in my mum's place in Melaka :(


Pineapple Filling/jam (To be made the day before shaping the tarts)

4 cans 20 ozs pineapple crushed/chunks(drain and pulse in food processor until fine)

sugar (amount of sugar should be equal to the pineapple pulp e.g. 1 cup pineapple pulp to 1 cup sugar. 3/4 cup of sugar will be acceptable as the canned pineapples do tend to be sweeter than fresh ones)

1 tbsp of lime/lemon juice

2 sticks of cinnamon bark

6 cloves

1 segment of star anise

Method:

Put all the ingredients in a big round pyrex bowl and microwave on high. Start with 15 mins, stir well, high for another 15 mins x 2. If jam is still runny, microwave at 1 min at a time until it is thick but still wet. It will thicken and dry out when it is cooled. If jam has gone too dry, just add enough water, stir well to dilute. Jam for filling should not be too dry as it will dry further when the tarts are baking. (The timing in the microwave is for making 4 cans of pineapples, so if you intend to try making with one can only, then the time taken in the microwave should be very much shorter)

To luv thy neighbour

Neighbour should live in harmony and tolerate each other (give and take la)...but I really cannot stand my neighbour. Not only their smelly dog is depriving me of fresh air, the owner is so so... I am lost of words.

They just renovated their house. During the renovation, I was not home as I was away to mum's place. When I came back, I saw this (the lucky thing is the reno is not completed yet)



I was so mad. How can they do this? It looked so ugly. And, uptill then, we have never spoken a word with our not-so-freiendly neighbour. Each time, when we saw each other, I will try to look at them and smile when they look over, but they never lor...

Ok, back to the reno. I was so furios I called out to them. I can see the fan and the lights in the living room is switch on as the curtains are open. I called but no one answered. So I wrote a note with my mobile number, asking them to call to discuss about the renovation.

Later, I heard sound and saw them back. I quickly open the door and waited. The missus came in and I called out to her. I asked her bout the renovation and told her that it looked really ugly on my side. Guess what is her reply

She said: Oh, you speak to my husband la. I dunno. He lias with the contractor one. He will be back soon.

And she just turn her back masuk the house like really none of her business.

I was speechless. How can she act like none of her business!!?? She dun know that they are having a renovation? I guess the least she can say is sorry, I am not sure about the arrangement, I will let my husband know and ask him to speak to you when he comes back. I almost went crazy!

So I waited for the Mister to come back. When I heard sound, I quickly open the door and asked him. He told me that he is willing to tile the whole beam for me if I want. He say to me we must good to each other la, neighbour ma. Ya ya, I agree. Or else I will be screaming at him and not talk so nicely with him la. I told him that I dun really like the design and I needed time to think it over.

The next day, he called and I asked if he is tiling 1 beam or 2 beams for me (as I have another similar beam on the other side. He say "Just one beam la, you want to WAT (cantonese) me for another beam meh"? I was like huh? I WAT u? who in the 1st place touched my side of the beam? So I told him I dun want. And we have few suggestion on what's best.

Later when the contractor is here, we discussed with the contractor and we agreed to remove the tile from my side of the beam, and add cement to make the beam even. And, since additional cement added to the top, cement need to be added all the way down th beam to make it even. They will be incharge of painting the beam for me (Neighbour will DIY his painting). Everyone agreed. Off I go for shopping with sis.

While shopping, he called. Saying that if add cement all the way down, the contractor want charge him additional fee. Ok,doesn't matter. I agree to only add the top part. So my beam ended up looking like this.



So after they completed the reno, I was about to leave for Shenzhen. So I call thy neighbour to confirm that he is goin to paint for me and inform him that I will not be around for 2 weeks. He told me he will go to the developers' and ask for the coloue code. If not, will wait for me to come back to choose a new colour.

So I happilly leave for Shenzhen. When I came back, the beam was not painted yet. He SMSed me asked if I am ok if using the same paint colour as his house. So I called him. I told him the colour dun suit my house. He say will paint both beams for me (I thought that should be the case if paint other colour rite?). I asked about the colour code by developer. He told me that colour only sell in bulk. So I told why not I choose another colour of almost similar tone. Then he tell me, outdoor paint only come in 5 litter can. They dun sell 1 litter. So that is the problem he said. So I told him I will discuss with hubby and let him know later.

So me and hubby decided to buy a 5 litter paint on our own expense and paint the front yard (the whole front yard).

There I go to hardware store to choose a colour. When I asked, the storekeeper told me outdoor paint are available in 2 sizes - 1 litter and 5 litters. I was like...what? ok, nevermind.

So I decided to just buy 2 litters for the beam. My brother-in-law came to help me on the painting. When we were painting outside, thy neighbour was also painting. He did not say anothing. Nor did he asked how much etc. He just act like none of his business. I actually say out loud to my brother-in-law that I only bought 2 litters for the 2 beams only. I tell me he din hear me at such close range.

So finally my beam look like this. luckily dun look that bad. And the colour I chose is almost the same as the original colour, just a lighter.

So this is his so called good to each other - 1 litter paint is available but they are not willing to fork out the money. If I insist, he will need to buy 5 litter paint for me. Over and over again he is talking about him! and he got the guts to tell me good to each other!


At first I decided to just forget about this matter, but then think again, I want to claim the money from them. Waiting to bump into him again and I will ask him to pay me!

Oh, ya....and there is another thing. I din realise it until recently. They tiled their porch and they have taken up my side of the wall and floor. How can they do that? Isn't supposed to be half-half? Why are you taking up more than half!

I went round my housing area and survey. None of the other house take up neighbour's wall and space. What a neighbour.



I don't know. Am I being too calculative? I am supposed to be living with joy and now I am being saddened b this...

Almond Chocolate Cookies

Finally finish spring cleaning. Now I have time for some baking :)

I try out this new recipe for chocolate cookies. If it turn out good, I will be mass baking for CNY.

I would say it taste good, not too sweet, as I have reduced sugar from the recipe (usually that's the case for me). I also reduced the temperature as called by the recipe, since my previous baking always turned out a little too burned. Maybe my oven is bit hotter. But my 2nd tray turned out slightly burnt and the 3rd even worst. I guess as I bake, I need to reduce the temp as my oven gets hotter.

Yes, I will be mass baking tomorrow. Maybe change the recipe a little - Chocolate walnut, chocolate raisin, Koko crunch etc :)

The recipe as follows:

Ingredients
115g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
75g butter
100g caster/fine white sugar
50g brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
125g chocolate chips (i use chocolate bar, chopped)
50g chopped almond

Method
1. Sift flour, baking powder and salt and put aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar until it’s pale and light with an electric mixer. Beat in egg and vanilla essence until well combined.
3. Add in the flour gradually on low speed and mix well.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips and half the almond.
5. Grease 2 to 3 baking sheets.
6. Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture on to the prepared baking sheets to form 2cm mounds. Space the cookies 2.5 to 5cm apart.
7. Flatten each cookie lightly with a wet fork and sprinkle the remaining almond on top of the cookies.
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheat oven at 180C until golden. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and leave to cool.

(Recipe adapted from thescafer.net)

Saw Siti Nurhaliza while shopping today

I was shopping for bedsheets at Metrojaya, Midvalley when a sales girl ran to the sales girl servicing me and say Siti, Siti Nurhaliza.

I turn my head and yes, I saw her with her hubby and another guy (maybe the body guard, but he look a bit old and unfit for that though).

Have a close look at her, to confirm if she really looked pretty. U know, most rich and famous ppl only look good on tv and ag rite..

Yes, she is indeed beutiful. Nice skin and barbie doll-liked face.

I wamted to take a photo with her, but then on 2nd thought, better not. What if I look prettier than her? Not good la like that *chuckle*

Cheaper alternative to TERMITE control

While spring cleaning, I found some insect nest at the side of my kitchen cabinet, so I scraped it off using the scissors. To my horror, white slimy termites come falling out---yuck!!!

Looked for more trails and I climbed up using the ladder. OMG!!! This is what I found



They are building a highway on my cabinet!! Help!! I need help from the pest control, and quick.

They rebuilt the highway as soon as I scrapped it off. And, they can make noise. If u listen closely, u can hear them chewing.



I called 3 pest control companies and they all recommended Sentricon, a baiting system. It is by placing a plastic box at the infected area. The plastic box contains food for the termites which contains an active ingredient which retards the termites' moulting process (changing of skin). It takes maximum 3 months to kill the whole colony ie including the queen and king. The package include 1 year protection. Which means if any other part of my house got infected, they will put the bait there, and they will come every 2-3 months to check my house if got new infection.

This system sounds attractive as it does not involve drilling, which is messy and contaminating.

But this system is super duper expensive. I was quoted RM2200-2450 from these companies.

After inspecting my house, they say I have lot's of paper boxes at home. Prevention -keep paper/wood from floor and wall. This is where I place my old newspaper



The effect on my house is not so severe, as only my kitchen cabinet is at risk (and maybe the roof). All my window and door frames are metal, and I dun have any other wooded built in cabinet (as long as you keep your cabinet away from the wall, u r save).

So I started searching online for some cheaper alternatives I found information from drilling to sentricon to DIY Sentricon. DIY Sentricon involves usage of Arsenic and dunno what other chemical which I think is too poisonous, what not handling it myself. So, it's out of the picture.

Then I found the article below. I searched for that company and found their number. They came and their treatment involves 2 process.

1) Spray the infected area, cabinets, house perimeter and roof - to shoo the termites and protect
2) Bury bamboos treated with Pisoptera measuring about 1.5 feet in house garden - to bait the termites and kill the colony

The cost is cheaper at RM1400, with 2 years warranty, which means if there are any new infection to the house, they will come and spray spray.

Now I am in a dilemma, save RM800 and try if this new method works or go to the tried and tested method of Sentricon? Or should I do nothing and wait till the cabinet collapse?

Any experts out there can give me good advise?


KUANTAN: A group of researchers from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) here has created an artificial bait from oil palm pulp which will help to get rid of termites.

The bait, which relies on natural resources, is environmentally friendly and effective to solve the termite woes faced by people. The termites belong to the Isoptera order.

Research team leader Abdul Syukur Abd Razak said the cost of producing the bait, known as Pisoptera, is low as it is made from thin layers of dried oil palm pulp.

Asked how the oil palm pulp would act as an artificial bait and kill the termites, Abdul Syukur said: "A Pisoptera will be placed on the route used by the termites. The termites will later carry the pulp to their colony.

"Once in the colony, the egg-laying queens will feed on the pulps and they will die. This will eventually bring an halt to the egg-laying process."

Abdul Syukur said UMP spent nearly two years to carry out the research with the assistance of Syarikat Mega Juara Pest Control Sdn Bhd.

"For those who purchase Pisoptera, it will show results within one and three months depending on the size of the house and encompassing land.

"The bait is also very convenient as it does not produce any smell which could cause inconvenience to household members," he told the New Straits Times.

Mega Juara Pest Control will be the sole dealer to market the product which is sold for between RM600 and RM1,000 depending on the size of the house.

"This is far more economical compared with the cost of imported pesticide which is sold for between RM4,000 and RM6,000," added Abdul Syukur.

Source:
http://swiftletfarming.blogspot.com/2008/08/termite-poison-malaysian-made.html

Peacock Cross-stitch (Part 2)

It has been 6 months since I started my Peacock cross-stitch project. And till today, i have yet to complete it. Probably need another 1-2 months of stitching.

So here is my current progress.


So, just how big is this project. Let's compare the size to a pencil...


And, just how small are the square for a stitch? It's as small as the head of a mechanical pencil.


And, before I even finish the project, I have bought another cross-stitch set. This one is even bigger than the peacock, and, there are no unstitch area inside. I wonder how long this project will take

CNY Deco

I am supposed to be living with joy, so let's forget about the poor neighbour dog. After coming back from Shenzhen last Wednesday, I have been busy spring cleaning and decorating the house.

Well, after being away from home for so long, my front and back garden is taken over by weeds. And, the front and back yard is so so dusty. It took me so long to clean, weed, and trim.. Then, some of my potted plants dun look so good anymore and I re-pot them. Too bad, I din take the before photo as proof to my husband on how much hard work I have put in.






I accompanied a friend of mine to IKEA. She needed to buy some vase and plant. According to her, the price is cheap. When there, I ended up buying too. We spent so much time there choosing the plant, as there are many, but most of them have yellowed leaves or dun look nice. But IKEA have big quantity, so are able to get some nice ones. As we walk towards the counter, we saw they have more of the same plants there and we ended up choosing again, replacing the ones we took earlier.

When checked out, my bill is higher than hers :P I told her i dun want to shop with her anymore, as she is good at encouraging me haha...

When we checked out we went to the booth outside of IKEA to have a look at somemore plants ===guess what, it's IKEA too and the plant looked much nicer = pengsan!

I decorated the living room with the plants and vase bought from IKEA

My Smelly Neighbour

When I was a junior auditor, I overheard my manager's conversation with her husband. They actually planned to poison their neighbour's dog. I was thinking, how could someone be so cruel as to kill a dog.

I finally understand now. Though I dun think I will kill the dog. I will just have to bear with it...sob sob

My neighbour kept a dog at the front of the house. Its a big dog. It looked like snow dog - the one that will pull the cart on ice.

The poor doggie. They never walk the dog. The dog will pooh pooh in front of the house. And the dun clear the pooh pooh everyday. They bath the dog once a fullmoon.

When I just moved in this house, I dunno what trouble this poor dog will create. Everymorning, when I woke up, I will open the door to get some fresh air, but guess what? I will be greeted with smelly dog pooh/ dog odour (i dunno which). So I remind myself to keep the door closed. But then, I am so used to opening doors and windows for fresh air that I alwasy forget. So each time when I open them, I am greeted with this new perfume. As time goes by, I finally remembers. And I live with my doors and windows shut ALL the time.

They had a renovation to the front of the house recently. So they moved the dog to the back of the house. I was so happy, as I won't be greeted with smelly dog odour anymore and I can open my door.

I my horror! I found over the fence





Yes, they never clean the pooh pooh. It's left there to biodegrade by itself and to be washed away by rain water. I found lots of dried pooh pooh in my drain. They got stuck and I have to clear it!!!

My back garden is in a mess and i can't do anything, as I will get the smell and the sight of the pooh pooh. Even when I cook in the kitchen, i can get the smell

They finally completed and moved to dog back to the front. Again, I am relieved. I would rather the dog in front, as the neighbour have built a high fence (no hole nothing, just wall), so i cannot see the pooh pooh).

It is the 2nd day since the moved the dog and the backyard still looked like the photo. I wonder if they know what is hygiene!

Paper hand woven basket

I luv handicrafts. I remember when i was younger, i will always get an A for any handicrafts, but not in art ie drawings :P

I handmade many things when young - blouse, purse, hat, skirt, pencil case, autograph (made from scratch ie from A4 papers), cross stitch etc

As I grow, i find that i have lesser and lesser time for my hobby. so..as time goes by, i have not time at all for these.

Now that I am happily unemployed, I am back again trying to get a feel of handcrafting.

I got this idea from The Star


Paper cut out from flyers



Rolled up papers to form thin straw



Since I dun have glue at home, I made some from starch. Learned this when i was very young. Glue is needed ti stick the end of each paper so that it dun unroll.














Ta daa.....the final product. I made some changes to the method, instead of gluing the ends, i cut plastic bag to stripes and wrap it around.

I know i know, my basket is crooked. I need to improve on my weaving skill. Guess it's not bad for a first timer :)