Happy 3rd Marriage Annivesary

Yep..I have been married for 3 years! Indeed, time flies..would like to thank God for everything, especially in blessing us with two cutest children - Abigail & Ian..They could be naughty at times, but most importantly, they gave Mark & I many wonderful moments, filled with joy and laughter!

Last year, we didn't get to celebrate our anniversary together as hubby was in US for business trip..this year..4 of us, had a great time in Penang - 2D1N (24/2-25/2/12) stay at Hydro Hotel, Penang & seafood buffet dinner at Spice Market Café, Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang! We had been waiting for these 2 days for weeks!

24/2/12

After the hotel checked in, we rested in the room before the dinner at night..Both the children were very excited with Abby jumping up and down in the room while Ian, rolling himself on the bed, climbing the table and chair..I was kinda hungry and wanted to grab some snacks to munch..but hubby, he asked me to hang on..must empty the stomach for the buffet at night..poor me :P

Around 6pm, we left for Shangri-La's Hotel..I liked the interior design and ambience of the hotel..it had been years since I last had buffet meal..At the entrance to the café you'll find the Spice Boutique, where you can learn about and purchase some of the most exotic spices in Asia. The boutique features over 100 varieties of dried herbs and spices, with varieties of curry powders and other ingredients for you to take home.

Spice Boutique

The Spice Market Café is an informal buffet-style restaurant that offers authentic cuisines from diverse cultures that reflect Penang's heritage as a cultural crossroads: Chinese, Indian, Nyonya-Baba, Japanese, Thai, Western and international..

All of us enjoyed our food, especially hubby & Abby..hubby was busy eating his favourite lobster and prawn while Abby, munching on her mash mallow, ice cream, cake etc..poor Ian, could only quietly ate his baby bites, hehe..

Varieties of food..yummy!

Fresh seafood and yummylicious dessert

Abby enjoyed the food till her tummy bloated!

Poor Ian, eating his baby bites

After dinner, we went for a short walk at the Batu Feringghi Night Market before returning back to hotel..thank God everyone slept well, including the children!

25/2/12

We had breakfast at the hotel..Thereafter, started packing and checked out..We went shopping at Straits Quay, Penang..I liked the mini flea market there - selling merchandises for eg clothes, accessories, bags, snacks, hand-made handicrafts etc..Around evening, we went home..

Happy moments passed fast..looking forward to our next family outing in March!

Cordon Bleu Chicken

This is my second time cooking this dish..Hubby loved it very much and praised me for great improvements.. :)

Ingredients

Chicken breast halves, skin removed / Chicken drumsticks

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 tsp pepper

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

Ham, sliced

Cheese, sliced

Bread crumbs

Method

1. Pound chicken breast to 1/4 inch thickness. Sprinkle each pcs on both side with salt and pepper. Place oen slice of cheese and ham on each breast. Roll up each braest using toothpicks to secure if necesary.

2. Dredge each in egg and bread crumbs. Place 1 tbsp butter on each pcs of chicken.

3. Deep fried till cooked. Ready to be served.

Chocolate Chips Cookies

Ingredients

30g unsalted butter

40g caster sugar

1/2 tbsp golden syrup

1 tbsp beaten egg

1/8 tsp vanilla essence

1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda

pinch of salt

60g plain flour

40g baking dark chocolate chips

Method

1. Place butter, caster sugar and golden strup in a mixing bowl, and cream them together with a wooden spoon for 5-10 minutes until light, fluffy and color turns creamy white. Gradually add in beaten egg and vanilla essence. Continue whisking until soft and smooth.

2. Sift in bicarbonate of soda, salt and flour to mix well. Reserve 1 tbsp of baking dark chocolate chips, mix the remaining into the dough.

3. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and knead o ball shape. Place them on a piece of baking paper lined in a baking sheet. Top with some baking dark chocolate chips.

4. Put into a preheated oven and bake at 180 celcius for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Reminder

Due to the addition of bicarbonate of soda as a raising agent, cookies will expand and thin out after baking. Therefore flattening the rounds is not necessary and leaves sufficient space between the cookies to prevent them from sticking together during baking.

Spring Garden Relaxation Restaurant 春之乡休闲饮食餐馆

This was our first time dining at this restaurant - Spring Garden Relaxation Restaurant, recommended by a friend of Mark..If you are not familiar with Bkt Mertajam, you won't be able to find this restaurant as it was located at a secluded place.

This place was operated for 1.5 years and had a nice scenery..There was a fish pond where you can feed the fishes..and of course, you could eat fresh fish here..this was one of our purpose here too..

We ordered 7 dishes -

三味鱼

药材鸡汤，排骨焖苦瓜 

麦片菇

豆腐

巴古菜

白须公

Overall, food was satisfying..but was disappointed on the two fishes we ordered..1. not as tasty as the one we ate in another restaurant (Kamunting LakeView Restaurant) 2. pricy

Spring Garden Relaxation Restaurant
Add: Lot 2284, Jalan Mengkuang, Sungai Lembu, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang.
Contact No. : 012-4423774 / 012-4961139
Business hours: Open daily EXCEPT Wednesday


Verdict out of Five (5*):

1. Quality of food: 3

2. Ambiances: 4

3. Audiences: 4

4. Price: 3

5. Services: 3

6. Hygiene: 3

Abby - My good helper

Abby is 2 years old now..though she can't really converse well but she understand every single word you said..and she is really a good helper at home - taking care of Ian, helping in house chores..but of course, she will only do it when she is in good mood!

Xuan Xin Buffet Steamboat 炫昇自助火锅

This was our 2nd time eating at Xuan Xin buffet steamboat at Tanjung Tokong..So happen Mark's dad & youngest sister came up to Kulim during the long weekend holidays, so he suggested to go Xuan Xin..(he always wanted to go again since our last visit in Nov 2011..he loved the food there)

There are many varieties of food offered here - seafood (prawns, cockles, mussels, calamari, fish, crab), fresh vegetables, different types of mushroom and noodles, tofu, fish balls, sotong balls, meatballs, poultry (chicken, beef), cooked food (fried noodle/rice/chicken), ice cream, rojak and various type of sauce..There is a Teppanyaki corner here too, where you could request them to BBQ the food you want and be served later..Drinks are served free flow..As for the steamboat soup, you could choose either clear chicken soup, thai tomyam soup, chicken porridge soup or ocean king soup..

Peppermint chocolate chip, chocolate, vanilla ice cream

It's better for you to call for reservation as the place is always crowded due to its reasonable price and food varieties..If you dine in on your birthday, you get to eat free!

Xuan Xin Buffet Steamboat
Add: 101, Jalan Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Penang.
Contact No. : 04-8996832/33
Business hours:
Monday - Saturday 5.00pm-12.00am
Sunday & Public Holidays 12.00pm-3.00pm; 5.00pm-12.00am
Price: Mon-Fri Adult RM28.50, Senior Citizen RM22.50, Child above 6 yrs old RM14
Sat-Sun Adult RM30, Senior Citizen RM24.50, Child above 6 yrs old RM13

Verdict out of Five (5*):

1. Quality of food: 4

2. Ambiances: 4

3. Audiences: 5

4. Price: 4

5. Services: 4

6. Hygiene: 4

Videos on my precious TWO

When there is food, Ian will definitely be there..

Happy Valentine's Day 2012

This is our 6th Valentine's Day..And on every Valentine's Day, hubby always give me a pleasant surprise and memorable day!

This morning, as I walked down the staircase, my eyes were caught by a pink rose, placed on the table,  together with a love letter..I was smiling from the bottom of my heart..one rose and a love letter are enough to melt my heart.. (yesterday, Hubby was saying that he didn't know of any florist in Kulim..apparently he asked his badminton 'kaki's and managed to get a rose for me)..actually each year, I always tell him not to buy flower for me coz 1. it's expensive & 2. flower won't last long..but to him, flower is a MUST on Valentine's and he promised me that he will get me a rose, at least, for each Valentine's; and will keep that promise for the years to come!

My memories for the past Valentine's:-

Year 2007 - our 1st Valentine's, I was surprised by 11 roses, delivered to my office..then, at night, he surprised me by traveling down from Kulim (4 hours journey) and took me for a Valentine's dinner at Sheraton Hotel, Subang Jaya..he traveled back to Kulim after dinner (another 4 hours  journey!)..he said, this was our 1st Valentine's and he wanted to make it special and memorable! Read more here & there
  

Year 2008 - Mark personally gave me the 18 roses on this special day, as it was 8th day of CNY and he was in Klang..we went for dinner and movie on that day..People always say, it is not worthwhile to buy flowers during Valentines..it is a waste of money..imagine, RM10 per roses!!!! Of course both of us knew that..however, I guessed sometimes it is not the money that matters..but the meaning behind that..Read more here

Year 2009 - We were married on this year, 28.2.2009..hence, we didn't really celebrate Valentine's that year..but Mark never failed to give me roses on this special day..If not mistaken, he gave me 3 roses and a pendant, he bought it in India years back.

Year 2010 - 1st Valentine's after marriage..guessed things changed once you got married..Valentine's is just a normal day, hehe..as usual, Mark gave me one rose to make me happy..lol

Year 2011 - This was the first time we couldn't celebrate Valentine's together as Mark was in US for business purpose..I didn't expect to receive flower until he asked his buddy, to help him bought two roses and delivered to my house. (was at my mum's house) SURPRISE!

Two weeks later, we will be celebrating our wedding anniversary..I just love February!

CNY 2012 - Day 6

28.1.2012

Time flies..it's already Day 6..we had visitors in the morning, Mark's secondary friend..Then, we went to Mark's aunt's (大姨) house..

In the noon, we went to my friend, Rita's house..As usual, her daughter, Rachel always greeted us with smile..We ate some cookies and layered cake from Kuching..We had a good time chit chatting..

Next house was Uncle Fook Lim's house..for the past few years, we always wanted to visit him but no action..hehe..Uncle Fook Lim is our church elders..Mark's Sunday School teacher..He is a very humourous man and I always enjoy talking to him..He never fail to make you laugh! Initially, Abby was afraid of him..but with his many experiences dealing with children..soon, Abby became good friend with him..both of them had a great time playing together!

After a long day, we had dinner at home and rest..

CNY 2012 - Day 5

27.1.2012 Friday
This morning, I requested hubby to go shopping at Giant Hypermarket as there was Baby Fair and great promotion on baby products..and guessed what..we bought 9 tins of milk powder (for Abby), 2 packets of milk powder (for Ian), 6 packets of diapers and some other baby food..Abby was very happy because she got 3 free gifts from the purchasing - a Pororo watch, a Pororo umbrella & a Pororo pillow!

Initially, we planned to visit Mark's secondary friend after shopping..but he had guests..so we went to my mum's place again..hehe..(our next destination was near my mum's place)..we played 'Jiap Kut' again!

Around evening, we went to Aunt Lay Leng's house and hang out for 30min+ before going home for dinner and rest..we also had guest at night, Mark's buddy from secondary school..both of them had a good catch up session too!

Tomorrow would be our last day for CNY visitation before heading back to Kulim on Sunday.

CNY 2012 - Day 4

26.1.2012 Thursday
Today's missions were to visit 3 houses and dinner at night.

First, we visited Aunt Christina (she likes to play with Ian), our church member's house at Setia Alam EcoPark, gated and guarded community with nice landscaping..This was my 2nd time there but hubby's 1st time..I liked her house especially the interior design..Both Aunt Christina and her husband were antique collector..You could see a variety of antiques collections inside the house..to mention a few were irons, old fans, pad locks, plates, table etc..and they used them to decorate the house..

We spent about 40min in Aunt Christina's house, then we departed to Kim Eng's house (Hubby's seondary friend) in Eng Ann..Every year, Mark will visit her and enjoy chit chatting with her..She is a pleasant and outspoken person..talking with her will make you more knowledgeable..hehe..

After that, we went home to take a short rest before getting ready to go Cheras, KL to visit my uncle, and continue with a dinner at Oversea Restaurant, Jalan Imbi..Dinner was great..the dishes were fresh and tasty..I specially like the suckling pig..hehe..however, if you would like to dine in here, remember to make reservation and go for jockey parking (RM4)..

Verdict out of Five (5*):

1. Quality of food: 5

2. Ambiances: 3

3. Audiences: 5

4. Price: 4

5. Services: 4

6. Hygiene: 3

CNY 2012 - Day 3

25.1.2012 Wednesday
Today's programme:-

1. Visit Mark's secondary teacher, Mrs Chiew, whom he had not seen for 15 years!

2. Visit Gan Chin (friend) - CNY open house

3. Family dinner

We went to Gan Chin's place around 1pm+..She had prepared quite alot of food..There is a mini playground is her house all the kids were enjoying themselves while the adults were busy eating and chit chatting.

Next, we went to Mrs Chiew's house at Botanic with Mark's secondary friends..Mrs Chiew had been in the education industry for more than 20 years, teaching solely Bahasa Melayu (BM)! Hubby was telling me that during school times, Mrs Chiew insisted all her students to speak no other languages EXCEPT for BM..It was a good gathering, sharing about events happening in school and also updating their current lives.

Before going home, we dropped by my mum's place for a while..had chance to play 'Jiap Kut' with my family and I won..cool!

At night, we went to this restaurant in Berkeley, named Soon Wah Restaurant, recommended by my MIL..we wanted to try out on my SIL's birthday but failed due to big crowd..this time, we booked the table and pre-ordered the dishes (I think 6 dishes + yee sang)..I couldn't really enjoy my meal as Ian was sleepy..gotta rocked him to sleep in my arms..We were lucky to bump into 黎明姨, a local celebrity in the restaurant..the moment she walked in..all eyes were on her..We also took a picture with her before we left the restaurant..