tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132324902012-02-16T18:46:23.607+08:00ramblings of a cluttered mindbabypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.comBlogger3691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-44226682274647594572011-09-04T15:58:00.000+08:002011-09-04T15:58:44.118+08:00

Sometimes I feel like my body is just in need of something clean and simple. Minimal ingredients, minimal cooking, minimal fuss. So all I did was sprinkle some grated garlic, shoyu and mirin over a piece of salmon, stuck it to bake in the oven for about 10 min. Boiled up some kailan, then placed the fish and all pan juices  on top of that. A quick grinding of black pepper and scattter of sea salt

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-82821600024009284522011-08-15T12:01:00.000+08:002011-08-15T12:01:35.651+08:00

  Tomato (45 days) The veggies seem to be flourishing! I am so pleased (though i haven't the heart to eat my Kangkong and Kai Lan, they look so cute)  Hot Peppers (7 days)  Dill (7 Days - already we see some natural selection at work) 

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-55816808725100768562011-07-24T17:52:00.000+08:002011-07-24T17:52:23.616+08:00

Such a pretty name for a little cake. Never successfully finished reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time (Come on, admit it, you are not part of the 5% of world population who successfully read that tome of all tomes..) But I can surely relate to the famous Proust line of the smell of Madelaines bringing back all sorts of memories. The entire kitchen was bathed in the scent of soft warm honey

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-52195681288301282342011-07-24T17:31:00.000+08:002011-07-24T17:31:44.532+08:00

 Come to think of it, I never buy eggs for the sake of cooking an egg dish - it's usually eggs left over from some rare baking experiment (which happens increasingly these days). So I had 3 eggs knocking about in the refridgerator door along with some ready to wilt rocket leaves. To make the eggs go further to feed two, this is a supreme pantry/ fridge clearing move, a frittata of sorts. Baked

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-20133513333073353752011-07-20T21:28:00.001+08:002011-07-24T17:53:09.281+08:00

  Vanilla Macaroons with Chai Tea Cream Well I do... and I can just eat them by the dozen. There's somthing about the crisp candy coloured shell giving way to soft, slightly chewey almond crumbs and then the cool, slick layer of butter cream melds with the other bits. In any case, I've never been much of a baker. Maybe its the impatience, lack of precision or some impetuous urge to

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-47171460250628157332011-07-07T17:18:00.002+08:002011-07-07T17:20:22.107+08:00

Day 3 - Amazing Sprouts! I put the seeds into their little egg carton germination beds on Sunday night. The next day, my colleague mentioned that her attempt to grow tomato seeds bought at the supermarket always fails - she actually googled how to prep her own fresh tomato seeds. That's when she finally suceeded. Admittedly, that made me kind of disheartened... So it was definitely a pleasant

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-48976923075451529652011-07-04T14:19:00.001+08:002011-07-07T17:19:41.513+08:00

The first attempt to seed Kai Lan and Kang Kong appear  somewhat successful. The growth rate is slow but steady. Actually I have developed loads of new found respect for these little green critters and the folks who grow them on a commercial basis- it sure is a long growing cycle and I'm still waiting.... Seedlings at 14 days Kang Kong 30 days Kai Lan 30 days

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-72091277813155607252011-05-24T00:15:00.001+08:002011-07-24T17:53:40.552+08:00

So I don't have a brownie tray/ pan and made this in a loaf tin - good thing it turned out ok! Just the thing to get rid of Monday morning blues. For the Apples: 2 Peeled Granny Smiths, diced into about 1inch pieces 1tsp Cinnamon Powder 50 gms Brown Sugar 1.5 tbsp Butter *Cook over medium to low heat for about 15 mins till soft and caramelly. Cool before using. Brownie: 120 gm Butter 50 gm

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-38171482008162712552011-05-23T23:47:00.000+08:002011-05-23T23:47:57.955+08:00

Had a great four day break in Phuket. We stayed at the Ayara Hilltops in Surin Beach and Mom Tri's Boathouse in Kata. A German colleague asked me why I went to a sleazy place for a holiday. Okay, for the record, it seems that lots of places in Thailand starting with the letter "P" have a bad rep -and in many instances undeservedly so! To set the record straight - Patong Beach in Phuket can have

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-13545707074815124972011-05-03T23:43:00.001+08:002011-05-03T23:44:54.044+08:00

Woke up super late this morning, at 8.45am. So much for rolling into the office by 9.15am, impossible if I wanted to even look human. No breakfast, only a plain black Americano at 11am. Lunch was at an Organic Vegan restaurant - everything is very, very healthy. Allowed myself to be coaxed into going there cause I felt guilt over recent bingeing ( yes, I have co-dependency issues with food). It

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-81081052823837505802011-05-02T22:52:00.000+08:002011-05-02T22:52:20.889+08:00

What a nice way to begin the week, with Monday being a holiday. To keep the happiness up for the rest of the week, I baked some Blueberry Muffins for the Tuesday-back at work after a long weekend-breakfast. Makes 12 - spread the smiles around, and not to mention the calories too ;)1/2 punnet Blueberries (just happened to have these little guys laying about in the fridge, doesn't matter if they

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-28990460065113290322011-05-02T22:19:00.000+08:002011-05-02T22:19:28.893+08:00

 We were number 47 It was a long weekend with Labour Day - thank goodness we got a break! Mrs.C and I, we did our first ever flea market and I am so glad to announce that it was a success! Meaning we sold and resisted any temptation to buy! Home made price tags It was amazing how hard a bargain these people drove... I mean seriously $10 bucks for a pair of Levis in good condition and even

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-45906307386624270682011-04-17T15:12:00.000+08:002011-04-17T15:12:07.688+08:00

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-1220889968174372592011-04-17T15:04:00.000+08:002011-04-17T15:04:15.353+08:00

Haven't posted in ages! Mainly due to switch of roles at work - I've been really gainfully occupied during office and totally wiped out after hours. Also, had a total hard disk crash on my laptop. But I just bought myself a HP Mini this morning - small light and totally prop-able on my gut as slouch around. So I am back... Had a scare with Oreo, thought she was dying. But it was the pet food,

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-89772895309387176292011-01-02T18:42:00.000+08:002011-01-02T18:42:32.219+08:00

First nosebleed in 33 years of living on 1 Jan 2011.... I was at Pinch of Salt in Tanjong Katong for the first time and had waited 20 mins for the Molten Lava Cake. Just as I started pigging out, my brother called, while yakking and eating, I swiped the serviette across my nose/ mouth and there it was - bright RED blood... felt a little light headed and sore after. Maybe entirely psychological.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-34981651053678888992010-12-31T18:03:00.003+08:002010-12-31T18:08:29.021+08:00

I shall end the year 2010 by making a dessert - something that I rarely do. Home made custard always makes me happy... Plus, I just bought a load of pie and cake tins and some real vanilla pods. So best to clear up the bananas and cream that's been hanging out in the fridge since Christmas. Tart Base 250 gms Marie Biscuits + Ginger Snaps (Digestives are fine too, but only if you like them. I am

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-67083037201543488972010-12-31T17:46:00.001+08:002010-12-31T18:03:56.131+08:00

The sturdy new oven wavered at 7 pm... just as I put my beef wrapped in puff pastry into the oven for the finishing touch on the Wellington. The oven just went off - overworked, overheated. Thank goodness the beef had already been pre-roasted hours ahead. Serves me right for having the oven on an working since 2pm. So dinner still happened, just that the beef was a little cold... again,

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-5470757499809995632010-12-31T17:33:00.001+08:002010-12-31T18:11:12.232+08:00

But finally, I'm up and about in my new kitchen! Well, the official move in is on Monday 3 Jan, but i've been staying in the new place out of a suitcase for the last two weeks. I took the new Ariston for a test run on our first dinner at the new place - Roast Chicken. Aaah, how much I've missed a home cooked roast chicken, where the bird stays tender and juicy. I marinated mine for 36 hours -

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-17442543950102708952010-10-05T15:59:00.001+08:002010-10-05T16:00:14.346+08:00

I have hardly cooked a thing in ages, short of scrambled eggs for my dog! That occured a couple of weeks back when she was so ill I had to try my best to get her to eat, thankfully she's returning to normal. Also busy on weekends scouting the latest stuff for the kitchen + bathroom renovation,due to take place in a week. I *heart* my new oven, stove and belfast sink! Discovered these two yummies

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-47332514488201582992010-09-13T11:55:00.000+08:002010-09-13T11:55:35.319+08:00

The fridge clearing move on Saturday. No recipe... just Patak's wonderful curry paste in a jar. And Cirrio canned tomatoes.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-26454060947905184712010-09-04T13:04:00.001+08:002010-09-04T13:04:57.076+08:00

Everyone around me is down with flu! Lunch buddy in the office and Mr. T... and typically these men refuse to see the doctor, self medicate and overdose on vitamins to suppress the symptoms! So instead of just getting sick and recovering, we have this long drawn out month long of small sniffles increasingly nasty hacking etc etc... gross and you get the idea. Not that I lack sympathy, but in

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-59699789802159556992010-08-25T11:01:00.001+08:002010-08-25T11:10:14.285+08:00

Haven't been cooking much. For some reason work stress takes a toll on my willingness to cook. So Subway it has been... lots of tuna on italian with extra mayo. I like tuna and all other forms of canned fish. Let's hope I get inspired, sooner rather than later. But I must say, I had the most yummy Roast Pork for lunch near my office yesterday - it's at Beach road in a coffee shop directly across

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-46876035620482780802010-08-10T21:06:00.001+08:002010-08-10T21:07:15.880+08:00

I like this background much much better! Anyway, part of the Japanese supermarket expedition also saw a slab of beef brisket. I bought it and then was clueless on what to do with it, could have done a Chinese or Japanese styled stew. But since I had lots of tinned tomatoes and a hunk of parmesan hanging around, beef ragu it is. I only wished I had summoned more strength today to get my hands on

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-18394986702348467742010-08-10T11:21:00.001+08:002010-08-10T11:22:36.150+08:00

It's been a long while... I'm baaaack... and I  think I do not like this template. The pink shocked me, and it took a while to realise that indeed I was looking at my own blog. Anyway, I chanced upon Lemon Sole on sale at Kimisawa Japanese Supermarket in Shaw Towers. Yes, it's the name of the fish - but I also used lemon in the recipe :) Was on sale, so I decided to try it out. My pair of fish

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-42043183480113444922010-07-13T22:59:00.000+08:002010-07-13T22:59:24.587+08:00

First thing i've cooked in ages - it was a toss up between curry but i guess Thai is a winner. At the last moment i discovered that i'd ran out of bird's eye chillies (not surprising) - so i used dried chillies, worked out great. Am really glad that my Basil plant is thriving with lots of new leafy shoots. I confess, almost murdered it through neglect over the weekend by not watering and leaving

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-69817900219322155102010-07-13T12:02:00.000+08:002010-07-13T12:02:33.981+08:00

Whether or not i like this new blog layout / template... Jury's out. But it's been slow and yet hectic in the last couple of weeks. Don't know if you've ever felt it - when you wake up each moment seems to drag, and then yet before you know it, the week's over. I'll be headed off for a couple of days, so hopefully when i return things won't be so bizzare for me. The last thing i cooked was 4

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-18573862524541138672010-06-29T14:39:00.000+08:002010-06-29T14:39:27.293+08:00

On meeting the 100% Perfect Girl - nice effort from the short film folks. Murakami is a master story teller - such a simple, simple truth. But i recommend that you read it, it's part of the anthology, "The Elephant Vanishes"- when you read it, you'll hear the voice of the 100% perfect guy saying the words.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-54461102471727161242010-06-29T14:30:00.000+08:002010-06-29T14:30:13.999+08:00

"Tony Takitani" is a short story from one of my favourites, Murakami in the anthology "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". It was adapted into a movie in 2004 - at first i was skeptical, they always seem to ruin a good novel/ short story/ epic when they make it into a screenplay. But i was wrong, it still is a movie that remains very true to the main aesthetics. Maybe it's because the director Jun

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-39374211189541901802010-06-22T15:07:00.002+08:002010-08-10T11:50:03.806+08:00

The last 24 hours have been a food rampage... think its stress, boredom and maybe just blame it on PMS? Anyway, had the Xiaolong Bao was from a shop across from my house for dinner last night, always wanted to try it. The skin was too thick and there was not enough broth. Also the hot and sour soup sucked... big time. Not someplace i would recommend. At all. But overall, the Xiaolong Bao was

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-70818262573249450642010-06-21T15:44:00.000+08:002010-06-21T15:44:01.270+08:00

1 Lime, juiced 1 Orange, juiced 1 tbsp Blackpeppercorns, roughly bashed 3 tbsp Mirin 5 Basil leaves, roughly torn 3 cloves Garlic, bashed > Combine as a marinade for pork. I left mine over night in the fridge. Before cooking, make sure your chops are back to room temperature. Heat 1 tbsp plive oil with a generous blob of butter, drain marinade and bits off pork chops. Sear each side for 3 mins in

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-61555867920679224202010-06-21T15:37:00.001+08:002010-08-10T11:23:17.141+08:00

The last of the fish phase ended in this Black Pepper crusted Salmon with Spiced Potatoes (slim fish, fat potatoes). Black Pepper Crust: 2.5 tbs Black Peppercorns 1 tbs Coarse Seasalt > Chop this mixture together till medium grain, not too fine. Press into fish surface just before hitting the pan. All i did was smear a little olive oil on the skin side that went into the hot pan first. Spiced

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-49816529797471442542010-06-06T15:55:00.001+08:002010-08-10T11:50:39.221+08:00

Saturday's dinner continues the effort to eat a little better this week - Mr T was really ill on Monday, was a long suppressed flu combined with being out in this scorching hot sun! Swear it's been almost 40 degree celcius, i'm pretty sure they stop reporting the temperature past 33 degrees. This was surprisingly yummy and photogenic, considering it was a fridge clearing sort of concoction.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-12193752533242486372010-06-06T15:38:00.001+08:002010-08-10T11:51:04.589+08:00

Yes, the much copied Nobu dish - Black Cod marinated in miso and grilled. Rightly so for being much copied, it is fantasticly yummy, even for non-fish fans like myself (trying to be healthier). So here's my version of this much imitated recipe, it is my sincere esteem, rather than flattery! Serves 2 Black Cod/ Gindara, 2 pieces 3 tablespoons Miso Paste ( try for Awase miso, sweeter, earthier

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-37557796015914993282010-06-02T16:34:00.001+08:002010-08-10T11:52:06.197+08:00

Wanted to be healthy and do steamed parcels of snapper. Near tragedy struck when i discovered that i ran out of foil... so i "pan steamed" it! 2 pieces Snapper Fillets/ Belly Get some basil leaves, strew on top of fish, cover with a few good glugs of olive oil. Left it to marinate for about an hour. After that i put a nice amount of butter to melt in a hot pan, when foamy, in went a thinly

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-74862120042415119442010-05-27T23:16:00.002+08:002010-05-27T23:18:47.754+08:00

Finally managed to cook dinner - it's been a tough month of May, so i treated myself to a nice steak and my favourite bing cherries! Ribeye and mash - Marinated steaks for 30 mins in lots of crushed garlic, and freshly crushed black pepper corns and olive oil. Just 5 minutes before cooking, i poured on 1 tbsp Lea & Perrins plus 2 tbs shoyu. A absolutely sinful amount of unsalted butter was

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-1402178314559528142010-05-27T15:10:00.000+08:002010-05-27T15:10:23.418+08:00

It's the theory of no white shirt remains unscathed put into practice... was perversely craving assam fish with it's dangerous hot orange gravy. There was none. So then i had to order the claypot curry chicken. Yummy... one small orange blob on the white shirt. Mission accomplished... all set for the long weekend coming up!

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-20906488755396058512010-05-23T22:33:00.001+08:002010-05-23T22:41:59.847+08:00

The sun was really scorching hot this weekend - Oreo's been panting and even abandoned her dog bed. Though i don't know if the carpet is any cooler... I've been tired and lathergic all weekend, did no cleaning in the house. Just slept and read a lot. At least i managed to complete two books, Autofiction and The Magicians. Also saw Ed & Nadia's cute little baby boy - he's the most cheerful little

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-72223062453275901082010-05-21T21:04:00.000+08:002010-05-21T21:04:29.690+08:00

Took this taxi with my colleague this afternoon... bizzare and definitely sanrio twilight zone! And this was only the rear view... EVERY window and the entire dash was filled with Doremon as well. Mad cab adventure.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-3757919660208216102010-05-17T16:44:00.002+08:002010-05-17T16:52:56.948+08:00

Lots of stuff has happened recently, and haven't wrote anything in ages. But i'm ok now, when you place yourself out of the events / other people's reactions - frankly nothing really is that big of a deal. As SJ always says, i am a closet buddhist. I know that i always have the option to just walk away from madness, though the good question that i haven't found a satisfactory answer for is - and

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-33226099901714366332010-03-25T21:07:00.003+08:002010-03-25T21:08:59.464+08:00

It's one of those days... a) I don't know if i am hungry, therefore b) Never pass up a default ocassion to have a legit meal, but c) Do not know what to eat - since 7pm i have been trying to decide if i should cook pasta with lots of bacon, leg it to Tian Tian Chicken Rice or cook instant noodles. It is now 9 pm... Decisions, decisions. I suspect the right answer is none of the above... i may

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-90289565037613460372010-03-22T22:42:00.002+08:002010-03-22T22:42:50.735+08:00

New job, and all the other news that go along with it - coporate typefaces, identity guidelines, team mates and systems... i can't get my printer to work. Oh well... another helpdesk ticket for another day. I'm gonna be positive and peppy. Downright zesty. After all that setting up, i am so ready to wind down. PS: very thankful it did not rain this morning, would have made waking up so much

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-37048370867620239352010-03-19T16:58:00.000+08:002010-03-19T16:58:19.492+08:00

Loads happened in the last four weeks - my job offer finally came through, after almost three months of waiting & interviewing! So i promptly quit (woo hoo), secured an early release (double woo hoo). Had 3 weeks to relax - and sure as heck did that: slept so much, read lots and all the PG Wodehouse funnies, watched Prison Break Season 4 (and got bloody fined 12 bucks for returning a day late!!!)

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-53981822536740254282010-02-22T15:34:00.001+08:002010-02-22T15:35:21.729+08:00

Pea Eggplants, small gold ball sized purple eggplant and fresh greenpepper corns. The essential garnishes for Thai Red Curry. I did that for SJ's housewarming potluck on Saturday. Bought the roast duck from the famous Carlton Kopitiam. Lovely lovely home - unimaginable that a space like that can be created from an original 4 room flat.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-43159557206305478672010-02-17T12:00:00.000+08:002010-02-17T12:00:00.890+08:00

Kaya is the stuff that makes paper thin crisp toast and silvers of butter worth living for. I've always disliked eating the ones at the popular local food chains because the flavour was either fake or the colour was off-putting. Also when you've tasted wonderful home made, you never want to bother with the sugar and colouring versions again.  Kaya is essentially a custard more than a jam of

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-36215798400673897622010-02-11T17:35:00.001+08:002010-02-11T17:35:14.435+08:00

Do you wear leather? Hypocrites abound.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-78687339213597526962010-02-09T18:10:00.011+08:002010-02-09T18:21:06.983+08:00

 The wonderful shots by C deserves it's own post - not to mention all that effort that went on with the squeezing of coconut milk etc. Why did i do that - well in essence Rendang is a fragrant stew of chillies, corriander and coconut, scented with the most glorious of Asian herbs: Kaffir Lime, Torch Ginger Leaves and Malay Bay leaves. So although it's bloody hard work (pardon me), it's worth

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-26406843216143513452010-02-09T12:22:00.005+08:002010-02-11T11:49:51.240+08:00

I have proof - i actually did it! And Mr & Mrs C kindly documented it with their superior and professional photographic skills. The pink pancake made their debut - a little chewy but no humans were hurt in the process. We ate: Beef Rendang, Marinated Topshell with Cucumber Salad, Baby Bittergourd with Dried Octopus Shreds and Garlic. And of course, Pink Crepes with Red Bean Filling. Topshell

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-26739808083951147212010-02-05T10:29:00.013+08:002010-02-05T14:47:19.200+08:00

Actually managed to get un-lazy and do some forward planning! I'm having Mr & Mrs C over for dinner tonight after their photoshoot for T's second issue of Rewind. The request of the day is the much talked about Rendang. Actually it's the much joked about dish - the last time i cooked it, it was so spicy, T was literally suffering (this time i made sure i de-seeded every single little red beast

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-34704883308820295412010-02-05T10:02:00.000+08:002010-02-05T11:50:30.736+08:00

I like my silver shoes - it's from Beijing courtesy of Mr & Mrs C. Very nice, pointy and shiny, i like. Lots :) This is a bad angle though, makes me look like i have cankles - calves where your ankles should be!

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-73040464795481489572010-02-03T14:54:00.001+08:002010-02-03T15:13:00.226+08:00

I am a terrible horder of recipes - books, magazines, clippings... Think i just love looking at the pictures, studying the ingredients and fantasizing my perfect brunch / lunch / dinner party. Picked up Harumi's Home Cooking a couple of months back, read it, loved it, felt inspired and that was it. So now, i will attempt to follow through! Instead of a cop-out store bought ice cream dessert, i

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-61494857688036903812010-02-01T11:14:00.007+08:002010-02-05T11:35:10.114+08:00

Yet another of my favourite fruits, admittedly i do have rather exotic taste when it comes to fruit. Usually, I only see the green, large varieties available, by some immense good fortune i stumbled upon these pretty, fragrant purple ones. They were small, only the size of a tightly clenched fist. Basically, i would have bought them if only just to have them sit pretty in the fruit bowl. I left

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-87278663148287869092010-01-29T17:32:00.007+08:002010-02-05T11:47:12.662+08:00

Only sorry i got out of bed this morning.Last night, SY invited us over for dinner at his new apartment. It was fantastically yummy Thai food that they cooked for us. My favourite was the Cos Lettuce & Beef Salad - Spicy, Limey & Garlicky with the bite of raw onions.Of course we ended up drinking one too many for the road!What started innocently with 2 bottles of red wine (half a glass landed

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-57248307969117240482010-01-26T14:41:00.004+08:002010-01-26T14:55:30.213+08:00

Fast cars on old tracks. Smoking bikes and street fights. Rewind captures journeys of the classic and the collector; moments where a dream crosses the line of reality.If you ever had a dream car – then you must be a part of this story… Volume 001 now playing in all major bookstores & quality news stands, S$ 25 (quarterly).Join Rewind Magazine's group on Facebook, or subscribe now!

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-77944625267502413582010-01-20T11:52:00.016+08:002010-02-05T14:44:10.814+08:00

The real vs. metaphorical Golden Triangle - let's talk metaphorical first. Definitely one touristy spot - but indeed the huge golden Buddha gazing serenely across the Mekong delta is a sight to behold. Just out of MaeSai, this is indeed the Northern most point in Thailand, where you see Burma and Laos floating before you. The ever favourite - Khao Soi Kai. Burmese influenced curry chicken

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-60262984505969586122010-01-15T16:38:00.006+08:002010-01-15T17:36:53.792+08:00

The metaphorical golden triangle - Thailand, Burma and Cambodia meet in the Mekong delta. you get there when you reach Maesai, the northern most town in Thailand.on 5 jan i was walking up a hill at 7.30 am in Maesai. it was 14 degrees celcius. i exhaled puffs of vapour and my toes were freezing in slippers. patches of sun shining through clouds, and i tried to walk into the sunny bits to stay

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-23390407486195148602010-01-15T16:10:00.004+08:002010-01-15T16:17:29.887+08:00

i ate a lot of red curry and stir fried basil pork. fresh green pepper corns are wonderful - a very vague thin rubbery skin gives way to a fresh and fragrant pop of warmth when you bite them. good thing we can get these fresh in singapore as well.and yes, the transport had to be loaded onto the train as cargo - that's what happens when a purist leads the roadtrip. a very interesting experience,

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-51981757978608528572010-01-14T16:10:00.003+08:002010-01-14T16:20:00.681+08:00

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-16365998756532458922009-12-22T17:53:00.003+08:002009-12-22T17:57:04.202+08:00

SJ gave me my xmas + farewell pressie today. i'm not leaving but he is... in fact, it would be so sad for me next year to come to the office and not see him sitting next to me. sigh, no more bitching buddy.a beautiful leopard print pony hair kate spade baggy... ah! definitely ties with the bread maker for number one (SJ was part of the bread maker gifting team)then again, i think my fierce little

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-33076977527647902882009-12-22T17:41:00.003+08:002009-12-22T17:46:01.117+08:00

we want bread, we want bread... or at least that's what i imagine the crowd screams. (ok no comments smarty pants, about any voices in my head!)bread maker experiment part 4 - basic white loaf. sliced length wise for dramatic looking pieces of bread :) my favourite gift this year.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-88689947134244067112009-12-17T12:31:00.004+08:002009-12-17T12:37:39.866+08:00

very cute cat owned by mr & mrs C. recently there's a row of cat sitting for friends. i have to feed him on the weekend.i'll be away soon and will miss my smelly dog. hope no dramas happen like last year - when my brother lost the keys on new years' eve and there was a dramatic hunt followed by locksmith endeavour which ended at the stroke of midnight. the door opened the dog howled.what a horrid

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-27019768460451289892009-12-15T16:01:00.005+08:002009-12-15T16:34:39.000+08:00

this is the third loaf i've made - a basic milk bread. nice crumb and texture! i must say this machine is genius, it is truly idiot proof. all i did was buy and measure ingredients, dump it in and three hours later... voila!there's also a jam making setting, with a plastic paddle that churns the fruit and sugar. used it to make blackberry jam. sure takes the labour out of constant stirring to

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-85556533920022308512009-12-14T17:05:00.002+08:002009-12-14T17:07:31.127+08:00

christmas means that we made it through the year, phew. and that we get another year coming up to do all the stuff that we like to do. i like christmas.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-7971051239860466532009-12-14T11:24:00.005+08:002009-12-15T16:32:54.559+08:00

camera issues - one snaps but cannot be downloaded. the other just won't snap. severe malfunctions.anyway, the breville has landed! my sweetie friends got me a bread maker for my b-day! that is by far the cutest kitchen gadget ever, looks like a minidesktop washing machine! wish i could upload a picture of a nice loaf, guess i need to buy a new camera. (above) that's YL checking out the machine

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-11978817014458118762009-11-21T14:49:00.004+08:002009-11-21T14:52:04.708+08:00

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-31445196542260248872009-11-21T14:46:00.004+08:002009-11-21T14:48:44.058+08:00

indeed, canned tomato soup is the second wonder of industrialisation. second only to air conditioning. i love it. this was a posh wednesday night version - with a spoonful of chopped tomatoes (also from a can) and a handful of baby spinach dumped on top

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-76989621790724816182009-11-11T18:26:00.004+08:002009-11-11T19:20:55.635+08:00

it's been a long while since i wrote here. been crazy busy with work and quite a few trips. all the events, standing and excessive walking has resulted in an injured right foot with a suspected fracture on the fifth metatarsal. after stumping about the office for 2 days like a peg-legged pirate, i gave up. so i'm stuck home feeling sorry for myself. been craving some nice homey-nostalgic dishes.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-80381666783518745192009-09-23T14:38:00.003+08:002010-02-05T11:47:12.663+08:00

thank goodness that we have long weekends due to public holidays for each month to the end of the year. again, did lots of laundry and cooking, but no cleaning. turning into a lazy homebody.friday night: squid stuffed with smoked oysters & chickpeas with pasta and pine nuts. i kind of invented this one ( or maybe not? who knows what the subconsious absorbs).2 squids - cleaned, gutted and skinned,

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-88693029343889530642009-09-16T11:32:00.005+08:002010-02-05T11:47:12.664+08:00

after eating loads of greasy junk for the past two weeks and drinking virtually no water, i felt really worn out. somehow i equate taking better care of myself with cooking. i picked up a pack of sage leaves on friday night and used it in everything. sage is such a pretty sounding name and the herb itself is one of my favourites. scent wise it's like a cross between thyme and lemongrass. the

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-34956657407001280422009-08-23T18:06:00.006+08:002009-08-23T18:35:07.191+08:00

finally, the stiffling heat has been broken by a great load of rain. started falling last night at 4am, and it's been cool and cloudy ever since - with intermittent heavy showers rattling on the metal awnings. it's nice to be rained in on a sunday. especially when you've got a day off on monday and loads of books to read. it's my version of bliss...i made breakfast on saturday for a change - we

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-32406554757065954672009-08-14T11:19:00.005+08:002010-02-05T11:47:12.665+08:00

it was a shorter work week, monday 10 aug being a public holiday. i made mini-hamburgers in tomato sauce for dinner. part of my "i want to be a japanese housewife without the japanese husband" campaign (not that i have anything against japanese men, i like nakata, takashi and tuxedo sam).hamburgers (makes 6 to 7 small ones)250gm minced beef100 gms back bacon, diced1 small onion, diced1tsp grainy

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-70253977642363582762009-07-26T21:26:00.004+08:002009-08-14T11:55:23.505+08:00

This cat at the prata shop had amber orange eyes and he sat there staring at me. till i tried to snap a picture of course. that's when he settled himself down and closed his eyes drowsily. coaxing resulted in a shy downcast gaze... so much for the staring! but overall he was superbly colour co-ordinated, amber eyes + ginger and cream fur. he looked like apricot jam spread thickly on a milky white

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-36519808054499598282009-07-21T10:57:00.005+08:002010-02-05T11:46:11.536+08:00

saturday's dinner with penne pasta.i used to have hang ups about using local tomatoes. my only concession to asian tomatoes in pasta sauces was only momotaro tomatoes. anyway, i used very very ripe malaysian tomatoes with a tin of cirrio pomodoro tomatoes, and it turned out fine. so i'm glad i got over my tomato prejudice.my recipe makes enough sauce for 4 to 5 generous servings - don't ever ask

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-72712711186115250372009-07-21T10:50:00.002+08:002009-07-21T10:54:55.580+08:00

i feel like a starfish. swept onto shore by the last wave of an ebbing tide. waiting hopefully for a random force that will bring me safely into the water. otherwise, the starfish just sits and waits for the tide to come up. before a seagull snaps up the starfish or the hot sun dries it up.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-77219738237419346552009-07-10T02:14:00.002+08:002009-07-10T02:18:50.305+08:00

i've just gotten out of a bangkok jam at 12 midnight. sung karaoke with japanese, thai and taiwanese. bohemian rhapsody, ABBA greatest hits medley, a thai band called blackhead and a japanese love affair song.it ended with let it be. oh what a day - all in the name of duty.had a fantastic nam nua - roast beef thai salad.let it be... good night!

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-74288144717131139532009-07-06T15:54:00.006+08:002009-07-06T16:10:53.155+08:00

after the last 3 weeks of rushing around madly, i've been totally zombied. finally summoned some energy on saturday to cook something at home.went to little india that afternoon. wondered around lembu lane and picked up some wonderfully ripe and red and fat juicy tomatoes - good enough to rival beef tomatoes from thesupermarket.but dinner was entirely minimal fuss, for lazy people. ready to eat

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-47684080289248900772009-07-03T17:43:00.005+08:002010-02-05T11:44:24.596+08:00

i like, i love... but my house is not a mansion, so cannot have it all in there! a friend is moving his interior design agency, so he needs to clear some stock. restored, refurbished and re-upholstered, all the good "re's". minty fresh condition but with a lot of character. buy quick - forget the ikea sale, that's furniture without soul!All good chairs deserve a nice home!

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-50920162763850229002009-06-17T18:01:00.002+08:002009-06-17T18:08:44.685+08:00

so tired that no matter how many hours of sleep i get, i find it hard to get myself out of bed in the morning. it's probably not physical fatigue.i'm tired of spending 8 hours a day in an office making documents and plans that ultimately go no where. it's hard to summon enough motivation to keep showing up in order to reach the 27th day of each month when they pay you. it's been a long time since

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-2498759772722279822009-06-07T17:56:00.006+08:002009-06-07T18:23:23.556+08:00

still trying to do more home cooking this week. not much got done, except steamed snapper with garlic and lime on friday. this was eaten with a salad of rock melon and blackpeppered salami.on saturday did pan fried pork rib eyes. the fridge was still stocked with the aftermath of thai cooking and visits to golden mile the week before, so i marinated the pork with lemongrass. for some reason i

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-82695296776852557162009-05-31T20:12:00.004+08:002009-05-31T20:29:54.580+08:00

dinner, that is. cold lychees and sparkling water with thai lime. very refreshing for a day (and night) so scorchingly hot.i've always loved lychees. the thing is that they so truly taste like themselves and nothing else. fruit with a very strong sense of self/ identity - even tinned lychees still taste essentially like lychees, if that explains what i'm trying to say. unmistakable texture,

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-1765654230500524002009-05-31T13:33:00.005+08:002010-02-05T11:47:12.667+08:00

trying to eat at home more this week. feel so weighed down from all that eating out. though home-made fries are just about as oily, i guess the psychological pat on the back of chopping up all those potatoes helps. it's my food-placebo - since i went through some trouble, it should be better for me. i know, it's the "ok, whatever you say" syndrome.marinade for steak - i used whatever was in the

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-70395803273133675462009-05-27T17:48:00.004+08:002009-05-27T17:56:41.187+08:00

a couple of weeks back, SY got himself a new toy - an antique camera. so he was tinkering about with it while we headed out to lunch on a friday. curry fish head at casurina rd. he left the photos in an envelope inside a bag with stuff that i was supposed to send to our Japan office. obviously i didn't undo the package and sent it all off, blissfully unaware. till an email from my Japanese

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-1739623843902328042009-05-26T17:29:00.006+08:002010-02-05T11:46:11.537+08:00

been on such a carbo and sugar binge - my only excuse is that both have no fats ;-)cooked pasta last night. all that eating out is really making me feel ill (psychologically, rather than physically). did my favourite - PASTA (i love Italy - all that they do is good - fashion, food, books and even automobiles).for two:300 gms clams (more if you like or not at all if you don't like it)350 gms

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-9449941011420441612009-05-25T17:40:00.003+08:002009-05-25T17:45:31.612+08:00

we have found not one, but two jokes of the week! unbelievable... i always knew that if i tried to be a good corporate citizen, it would always pay off:1. The paper is thicker. But the pages are lesser (sic)2. I understand you are very nervous about this, sorry for any incontinence causedyes, the above are actually things said and written by people with absolute straight faces! i am going to

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-26906660161981588432009-05-21T12:14:00.003+08:002009-05-21T12:24:41.481+08:00

mr. genghis having his beef for the day. looks like he's doing superbly well on the raw diet.mr genghis is so cute, can't help but post his pictures! my oreo is also very sweet and endearing, but that dog can never keep still for me to get a proper shot.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-87765476265366796872009-05-20T14:41:00.005+08:002009-05-21T12:13:46.024+08:00

shots of tyler, taken from Ms.C's old blog - on the throne and atop boxes while shifting houselast night, almost at the stroke of midnight, ms. C called me with some very sad news. her first cat, tyler had passed away. tyler is the oldest cat i have ever seen, he's 20. in the pictures, he's about 19 plus and looking good. it's always hard to say goodbye to a pet, especially one you've raised for

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-33410598515720265562009-05-18T18:10:00.005+08:002009-05-20T14:39:58.851+08:00

my oreo giving me the "look" (whatever that means) and mr. genghis falling asleep in the luggage.the weekend sure flew by. oh how i need a holiday - to lie on the beach and read until i fall asleep. i picked up a book entitled "Bitch" by Elizabeth Wurtzel. of course it's not a "how to manual". don't agree with all the observations, but in general Ms. Wurtzel is spot on - even though we are are

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-84657127644512924622009-05-13T18:11:00.004+08:002009-05-14T11:41:26.697+08:00

been reading a book by Kymythy Schultze on Natural Nutrition and experimenting on the dog. the premise is simple - feed your pets species appropriate food. we assume that the pet food industry has done sufficient testing and research, but the simple truth is - no, they have not. it certainly looks like the natural food is working - oreo looks very much better and no signs of "relapse" detected (

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-33006397003082053652009-05-12T10:03:00.004+08:002009-05-12T10:15:27.736+08:00

and the last official holiday for a long time to come. i think the next public holiday is in August. very painful.this chocolate gelato was consumed some time during the week at the gelato shop in my office building. terrible case of easy access, sigh.anyway, it has been a whole weekend of eating gelato, ice cream and hot fudge sundaes from mac's (the whole week in fact)! i had blackberry and

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-60059417665901448692009-05-06T16:18:00.005+08:002009-05-07T11:29:53.526+08:00

again, i usually do not make much serious comment on this blog. i mean i already comment too much and bi*tch a lot in real time and in person, so this was just meant to be all about nice happy and yummy stuff for friends and family who are away.BUT, as all good things usually have the qualifying tag, BUT... the AWARE saga has shown one thing - Josie and her dingbats are clueless about feminism,

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-75481337880229755492009-05-04T11:01:00.007+08:002009-05-07T11:39:57.511+08:00

i know, i have this annoying habit - can't post in linear progression, keep re-visiting events. some may even regard this as a sign of circular logic *gasp - how could you!* can't help it!

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-19441130419376269712009-04-30T09:43:00.008+08:002009-05-04T10:59:29.680+08:00

pictures of fort canning, after a torrential rain remaining bits of the old fort built in the mid 1800sthe tree lined path as you exit the gates of the fort - a little chronicles of narnia going on....big impressive iron gates - that bolt is a lot bigger than it looks, can imagine the clanging it makesweird pod with big hard seeds - no labels on the trees here, it's fort canning not the

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-54967256091936781922009-04-22T21:17:00.003+08:002009-04-22T21:19:57.553+08:00

hello, my single malt whiskey friend. i cracked open a pristine bottle of Glenlivet 18 years. couldn't let it go on gathering dust in a corner, that's no way to treat a respectable bottle. nice. very nice.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-78101915625898259212009-04-21T12:30:00.005+08:002009-04-21T14:24:06.607+08:00

old enough to take care of yourselfnot young enough to be recklesstough enough to put up defensive walls not hard enough to be plain offensivei want to silly, whimsical, curious. i miss being 30 or maybe 25 or even 19. frankly i can't remember when i stopped being young. or fun. i suspect it has already happened (a long while ago?) who knows.all i know at 32 is that i really don't care much for

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-29554510509962369452009-04-20T17:48:00.005+08:002009-04-21T14:26:59.915+08:00

Cafe Ciao in HCMC/ Saigoni'll admit that i'm not too crazy about vietnamese food. somehow all that broth and herbs remind me of the kind of food i have to endure or subsist upon when i fall ill. give me salty, sweat popping spicy, crunchy, crispy textures and hot robust animal fats rather than modestly mild, soupy and slithery textures (i am a woman with a penchant for leopard print tops and

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-3304420032692757442009-04-20T17:37:00.005+08:002009-04-20T19:55:27.618+08:00

sailing home from Saigonoh yes, it's so so hard to be back and to haul myself into the office on a monday. counting down the 10 days to the next long weekend.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-55574588715852573992009-04-03T11:37:00.002+08:002009-04-03T11:44:26.721+08:00

Suddenly, on this friday morning, i think of a lunch that i haven't had in ages. we used to eat this often at a small wine bar called Baeujolais on the corner of Ann Siang Hill, when we worked at Tanjong Pagar.A baked potato with tuna and side salad of lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes. Washed down with a glass (or two, or even three) of nicely chilled sauvignon blanc. now that's a friday afternoon

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-81919820059980589982009-03-26T10:40:00.014+08:002009-03-26T11:06:45.703+08:00

Today is fridge stock clearance day. i'll probably be bringing on some new food supplies this weekend. with the chillies and curry leaves staring back at me from the vegetable bin and the sad little eggs hanging around the door of the fridge, it just had to be egg sambal. Egg Sambal5 hardboiled eggs1 inch ginger, sliced5 shallots, sliced4 cloves garlic, sliced1 large bombay onion sliced3 red

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-15453913639915623032009-03-25T11:25:00.002+08:002009-03-25T11:28:52.120+08:00

been re-reading my Murakami & Yoshimoto books. there's something about these two writers that makes me feel totally lazy and languide. i read till i fall asleep, open my eyes and read some more. the only times i get up is to eat. and then it's back to lying down with a book.my favourite Yoshimoto book is Asleep. i like Kitchen a lot as well. my favourite Murakami is Blind Willow Sleeping Woman.

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-43951321402581551602009-03-24T09:46:00.004+08:002009-03-24T10:04:57.876+08:00

it was very windy and cloudy when i woke up this morning. by the time i walked my dog, it started drizzling down on us. the kind of fine light misty rain that gets you evenly - my yellow shirt was uniformly wet a darker shade of yellow. unlike those big heavy drops that plop down hap-hazardly, leaving funny splotches on your shirt, like some psych test pattern.i love this kind of weather when i

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13232490.post-54379494938466513102009-03-23T20:07:00.007+08:002009-03-23T20:18:45.102+08:00

they'll hurt you and abuse you. even turn around and bite you in the heel. and yet, what can you do but love them. with all your heart. my 3 month old "ingrates" bought online:they are much much higher in reality than in pictures. obviously that's why i purchased them. let it be said i am not a small woman and so when i tested them at home, i was shocked at how toweringly tall i was. eeks,

babypuppihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465053995423666129noreply@blogger.com1