Passport photo for the children!

22.9.13 (Sun)

Today Hubby shown me two "passport" photos of Abby & Ian, taken 2 years back, in year 2011..We took that for some application purposes..and today, for the same application, we were required to take the "passport" size photo again..and I told Hubby, it wasn't going to be as easy as before, coz both of them had grown up and kinda hard to "instruct" them, to stand still and not to smile (one of the requirement) while looking at the camera!

 

As usual..Abby won't stand still and she liked to shake her body..but, still manageable..as for Ian..we had to use "bait" - ie sweets! However, he would just stared at the sweets and not willing to stare at the camera..After few rounds of trying, finally mission accomplished!

 

 

2nd BEST Camp, organised by BWCMC

16.9.13 (Mon)

Happy Malaysia Day!

In conjunction with public holiday, our church, Butterworth Chinese Methodist  Church (BWCMC), organised the 2nd BEST Camp, targeted for 6-12yrs old children..Praised God for the 90+ children who registered for the camp, and most of them were from non-Christian families.

 

Both Abby & Ian also joined the camp..I fetched them to church around 7.50am..(Poor kids, gotta woke up so early to get prepared) Traffic was smooth and both kids behaved well in the car..

 

Light breakfast was served in the church and I could see many unfamiliar faces amongst the children..The camp started off with a very lively and energetic Praise and Worship session..I personally enjoyed the session..the praise leader did a good job!

 

Then, games session is a MUST especially in a children camp..Though it was just four simple station games but the children had so much fun! Other programmes were sketch by the youths, short sharing by Reverend, craftwork session..All in all, the children had a wonderful day!

Craftwork done by the children

I baked 100 mini cupcakes for the camp (camp's order)

 

 

 

My blog hits 10,000!

14.9.13 (Sat)

I was checking my blog yesterday and I realized my blog gonna hit the 10,000 pageviews (70+ more to go)..Then this morning, I checked again..woohoo!!!! 10,002 pageviews!!! I was so excited! Hubby just greeted me a simple "Congratulations!" and continued to say, "You should think how can you earn money from this 10,000 hits!" Darn...

 

I started blogging since Sept 2005 (http://gnelia.blogspot.com) and started this blog (http://aileng116.blogspot.com) in Jan 2012..I blogged about family, kids, our trips, articles for sharing, thoughts, special occasions, my cooking..and baking recipes! I like to share and happy to see my blog being viewed by others..

 

To all who follow my blog..I wanna say a Big Thank You..and will certainly continue to blog.
 

Vintage Bulgaria Restaurant & Bar

8.9.13 (Sunday)

Since our (a bunch of church buddies and us) last dinner gathering in June'13, we always wanted to go for another gathering..I saw this Groupon deal on a Bulgaria Restaurant, located at Tanjung Bungah, Penang..RM40 for a 3-course authentic Bulgarian dinner for 2 people..So I asked if they were interested and all said YES..hence, 5 Groupon deals bought!

 

 

Vintage Bulgaria Restaurant & Bar was owned by a Bulgarian family living in Penang..operated for more than 5 years..

 

"The restaurant reflects a typical Bulgarian theme and layout where a cosy wooden bar on the mezzanine floor, stocks a variety of beverages – it is a great place to meet up with friends for drinks. The dining area in the lower level is a great setting for a truly romantic dinner with the area being separated into cosy nooks, with plenty of authentic Bulgarian knick-knacks, quaint wooden windows accented with lace curtains and fireplaces. Making your way to the upper floor leads you to the function room. The Bulgarian theme is maintained by way of a countryside mural that stretches along the length of the room. This room also has a bar area and can be booked for private functions."

 

Since it was a Groupon voucher, prior reservation was a MUST to avoid disappointment..I made the reservation one mth ago (learnt from past experience, better RSVP as early as possible) and I was very impressed with the man who always answered the call (coz due to a large group of people, plans always change and I already made 3 calls to change the date of our dinner)..Andrew, was very polite and made you felt like an important customer to them..We met him in the restaurant and hubby had a casual chat with him too..

 

The Groupon deal came with a Barbecued Pork/Grilled Salmon + soup + dessert..We had 5 couples (including us) and each couple ordered the grilled pork & grilled salmon..so that we could try both the food..for the kids, I ordered the Chicken & Mushroom pizza..I was told by Andrew that all pizzas of Vintage Bulgaria are freshly baked (upon request)..from kneading the dough, preparing the ingredients till baking it..hence, it takes slightly longer time to be served..

 

We were sitting at the upper floor, where the bar was and also a pool table..The kids were having fun running around (coz we basically occupied the whole floor) and making lots of noise..till the waiter gotta gave us "warning" to help controlling the kids..You may play a game of pool for free too..Overall, food was nice and we had a good catchup fellowship with one another.

 

Verdict out of Five (5*):

1. Quality of food: 4

2. Ambiances: 5

3. Audiences: 5 (due to Groupon deals.)

4. Price: 4 (a bit pricy)

5. Services: 4 (friendly waiters)

6. Hygiene: 4

 

Vintage Bulgaria Restaurant & Bar

1E, Jalan Sungai Kelian,

11200 Tanjung Bungah,

Penang.

Tel: 604-898 1890 (call Tues-Sun, 6pm-10pm)
www.vintagebulgaria.com.my

  

Kindori Japanese Ice Cream

8.9.13 (Sunday)

Today, we will be going to a Bulgaria Restaurant at Tanjung Bungah, Penang, for dinner, together with a bunch of church buddies (Groupon voucher)..Since we seldom go to Penang Island..so I suggested to go Plaza Gurney for window shopping before going for the dinner and hubby agreed.

 

Actually it wasn't a good idea to go to any shopping mall in Penang Island during weekends, especially in Gurney..Cars were bumper to bumper and everyone is fighting for limited parking space in the mall..We reached Plaza Gurney around 4pm and gotta made a few rounds inside the car park till we finally found an empty space on roof top!

 

We took the escalator to the mall and when reached the 3rd floor, the word "Kindori" caught my attention! Few weeks ago, one of hubby's friend came to our house and was sharing his experience in writing blog for food review..He recommended "Kindori" ice cream and asked us to try google "Kindori" and we should be able to see his blog on the first page of search engine..True enough, we found his link and you can read it here..

 

So, I told hubby, " What a coincident..we should try out Kindori ice cream as recommended by your friend!"..

 

Kindori ice cream is a all natural healthy ice cream, using 100% fresh fruits and 100% fresh milk, zero preservativem zero colorings..A friendly staff served us..After browsing through the menu..I ordered the strawberry and mango ice cream..and hubby ordered the black soya bean ice cream..you can either choose the cup (RM6.90, mixture of 2 fruits RM8.90) or cone type RM7.90..

 

The taste of Kindori ice cream was similar to Tutti Frutti but I felt Kindori ice cream has a much more refreshing and smoother taste..and cheaper in terms of price..I don't mind having Kindori ice cream again during my next visit to Plaza Gurney..

You can also find Kindori at Jaya Jusco One Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Pavilion KL & Johor Bahru KSL City Mall.

 

 

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cake

7.9.13 (Sat)

Lately, it has been raining everyday and weather was so cooling..and I fall sick! It was a lazy Saturday for me..but I felt like baking a cake..so, I took out my baking tools and ta da..Chocolate Chip Walnut Cake! (Abby & I are nutty lovers!)

 

 

Ingredients

5 eggs

80g caster sugar

35g cake flour

30g corn flour

10g or 2 tsp cocoa powder

100g walnut

Chocolate chips

300ml whipping cream

Some chocolate syrup

Some chocolate flakes

**using a 8" cake mould

 

Methods

1. Cake: Please refer here for info..Sift in the cocoa powder with the flour mixture.

 

2. Toppings: Chilled the whipping cream in the freezer for 10mins. Using the electric mixer, beat with medium speed till soft peak form. Add in chocolate syrup and mixed well.

 

3. Assembly: Cut the cake into half. Place one slice of cake of the pan. Spread with whipping cream, chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Place another slice of cake on top and decorate as desired.
**I roasted the walnuts for 10mins in a preheated oven at 170C

 

Nutella Mille Crêpe Cake

2.9.13 (Mon)

I'm not a fans of mille crepe cake but lately, some of my church friends have been baking mille crepe, and hubby saw, he asked if I want to try baking it too..well..being a good wife and also baking lover..I googled mille crepe recipe on youtube and found this video, which was quite straight forward and easy to follow. 

Ingredients

2 eggs, at room temperature

100g cake flour

2 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp melted butter

250ml fresh milk

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

**Make 8 layers of crepe

 

Fillings

200ml whipping cream

1 tbsp caster sugar

Nutella

 

Methods

1. Sift cake flour. Add sugar and eggs, mix well with a wire whisk.

 

2. Add half of the milk and melted butter and mix well.

 

3. Strain the batter to remove lumps.

 

4. Add the remaining milk and vanilla essence and mix well.

 

5. Cover with cling wrap and let it stand at room temperature for at least 30mins.

 

6. Using a 26cm pan, wipe the surface with cooking oil (I used butter). Heat at medium temperature, pour a laddle of crepe batter and spread the batter evenly.

 

7. Cooked the crepe until the edges begin to dry, flip over and cook the other side for 10 seconds. Make the rest of the crepe and leave to cool completely.

 

8. Mix whipping cream and sugar. Float the bottom of the bowl in ice water. Whisk till foam soft peak. (I chilled the cream in freezer for about 10mins, beat with electric mixer on medium speed)

 

9. Place one layer of crepe on plate. Spread the cream, place another layer of crepe. Spread nutella. Place another layer of crepe. Spread cream and repeat till finish the layers of crepe.

 

10. Cover with cling wrap and rest in the fridge for 1 hr.

 

11. Cut into half, use nutella as a glue, place the other half on top. Rest in the fridge till nutella hardens up, much easier to cut. Ready to serve.