Cook For Family Initiative

Ever since I got married, I try to cook as often as possible.
It is definitely healthier to have homecooked meal than eating out. We know exactly what are the ingredients that we are putting in our food. We are able to control the amount of salt and fat, and plan for a balanced meal.

It is also cheaper to cook than eating out. I usually prepare 2 dishes (include meat either fish, pork or beef; and vegetable) and one soup for less than SGD 10.

I love the feeling of eating together on the dining table as a family. I grew up eating my mom's homecooked meals. She might not be a great chef, but it was her time and effort preparing nutritious meals for us that made it so precious. And the conversation during the meal provide the opportunities for the family members to bond. I seriously hope I will be able to do this for my kids in the future.

And lastly, the smile on my hubby's face when he has his dinner ready on the table when he comes home from a day at work. It is just priceless :)

I am constantly searching for recipes and ideas; and I am really grateful that the advanced technology makes it is easy for us to find thousands of recipes online. And thanks to all the food bloggers and chefs that are willing to share their great recipes and secrets.

There are a few food blogs that I have been following religiously.
Firstly, it is my bestie Annie of Annielicious Food. She has shared a lot of amazing recipes on her blog. It is a breeze to understand and follow her recipes. Love how she provides the detailed explanation for the ingredients and steps applied. 
And here are some of food blogs that I have bookmarked in my computer: my fellow Medanese blogger Marvellina of What To Cook Today, Cuisine Paradise, Just One Cookbook and Rasa Malaysia. Drop by their site and find all the great recipes that they have posted.

Please also join the Cook for Family Initiative at their facebook page, which is to encourage everyone to experience the joys of cooking for their loved ones.

I am working on a few simple recipes that I am gonna share soon. Please pardon me for the low quality picture of my food cos most of them are taken by Iphone. I am usually either too hungry or too tired to grab my DSLR after cooking. I promise to take a better picture and improve my food photography skill :p

Disclaimer: I am not a professional cook and I won't label myself of food blogger. My purpose is solely for sharing the great recipes that I have found and tested.

One year anniversary of our love nest

Today marks one year since we shifted in our new house.
The journey wasn't an easy one, but it is definitely worth all the effort.

It took us months to find our dream home. 
I remember the endless call to property agents, searching of property websites every single day and viewing hundreds of apartment units (I am a bit exaggerating here :p).
And when we almost gave up, that was when we found it.
It was kinda miraculous, we had the feel the moment we stepped in the apartment and we sealed the deal one hour later. 
It happened so fast and we felt like dreaming.

The next challenge was the home renovation. We spent weeks doing research and flipping through housing and decorating magazines to finalize the theme of our house. Spoke to a few IDs (Interior Designers) and contractors, and we decided to engage Darwin Interior. It was a tough period during the renovation. WY was away for business trips before and after the renovation and I had to finalize almost all by myself. It was a nightmare going through the paint and lamination catalogue for days. However, the sub-contractors were really professional and we were highly satisfied with the quality of work and the services provided.

Look at how neat they did the floor covering prior to the renovation

Drawing on the wall for the lighting installation and the timer :D

Tadaaa, renovation of living room was done. We didn't do much renovation, only did the false ceiling installation, construction of tv console and mirror installation for dining area.

WY's study room

Our master room. This was taken during our wedding one month later

My extremely mini make-up desk

My walk-in wardrobe, far from my dream Carrie Bradshaw's walk-in :D

and a bathtub which I haven't had the chance to use till date

This is where I am proud to call home, thanks to WY for making this happen.

Sickie :(

I am down with fever and diarrhea since last Friday. 
I have not been sick like this in a long time.
And worse still, WY is away for business trip for a week :( Boohoo

However, I am so touched and grateful that I have such wonderful family and friends who are so supportive and caring. Everyone keeps checking with me on my condition and offering to accompany me, esp my SIL who keeps offering to go doctor with me and get dinner for me in spite of her busy schedule. How nice.

And seeeee.. I have a special dinner delivery from one of my girls, Sylvia. 
Check out the rice box, it is so sweet. She really made my day.

I can't be thankful enough to have those nice people in my life.
Thank God for the loving people who care so much about me. 
I am definitely one lucky girl :)

Happy 7 Months

It has been exactly 7 months since WY and I tied the knot.
I still miss my wedding whenever I browsed back our pre-wedding and wedding day pictures.

Here are some of my fave pictures that always put a smile on my face :)
Prewedding pictures from My Dream Wedding, Hongkong








Prewedding pictures from Destino Bridal, Malaysia












Actual Day pictures from New Chapter Photography, Malaysia

Spring Cleaning

OMG. This is the longest time ever I left this space unattended.
Time to do a spring cleaning and clear the dust and spiderweb :p

I am adjusting my life as a married woman and trying hard to be a good wife.
I still find it tough to wake up early and prepare breakkie for my beloved hubby as I am not a morning person. Hahaha
Nonetheless, I think I am coping it quite well. Teehee.

I have picked up new hobbies too along the way.
Still remember when I left home for the first time for studying abroad 13 years ago, I didn't even know how to prepare a simple meal except cooking instant noodle :p
It is until recently when I have my own kitchen and time to experiment cooking different types of dishes that I realized I have hidden talent.
So proud of myself that I am able to satisfy hubby's tummy most of the time :)

I also remember how I envy my friends who can bake well.
It never occurred in my mind that I can do it too until few months back when one of my friends bought a voucher for a cupcake baking class.

I am now trying to cook and bake healthy stuff for myself and hubby whenever it is possible.
Thanks to the technology, it is so convenient to learn cooking and baking nowadays.
There are like thousands of recipes and video tutorial available in the world wide web.

Gotta go now, catching up with my girls before they are leaving for a month holiday.
I promise to update my space more often now that I have more or less settled down now.

The Wedding

I always love weddings.
Two people making vows to each other in front of family and friends.
It is sooo sweet.

Here are the pictures taken during my brother's wedding.

the bride and the groom

my pretty cousins from my mama's side

the best men

The wedding reception was in Traders Hotel.
We were there early for the makeup and hairdo.

The makeup artist did a very good job.
I love the makeup that she did for all of us.
Will definitely engage her for all events in the future :)
I am so glad I've found the perfect makeup artist and nail artist for myself. Teehee.

the handsome groom

the stunning bride

the cocktail time

the wedding march

my Indonesian friends

another group of Indonesian friends (except for one :p)

my happy family :)

the Sumilos

me and my dearest mama

surprise for the birthday boy