So what did you have for lunch today..??  We went to look at some  rv towing first and then had steamed herbal chicken with rice…  but with steamed chicken, we all know it is best to cook and them eat immediately right..?? so i can’t cooked it the night before.. and wait for it to cool .. and then bring it out in the morning.. and get them ready for chloe at 8am in the morning to bring to school.  So i opted to do all the prep work the night before..and then at 8am started steaming it for 2 hours… and after it was done, i put everything into a thermos for chloe. We  sent her lunch box to school before going to our store to open for business – since they cannot have a microwave in the school – building too old -  even when we offered to donate one.

The herbal paste was sent all the way from Malaysia.. from good friend .. Barb, they were from last year during my operation remember..??  Yes.. i still have some left..  used sparingly.. because precious mah.  Anyhow, yesterday – chloe came home to say that her teacher wanted her to open her own thermos for lunch and didn’t help her – she finally got it opened.. by another teacher.  We also noticed that she doesn’t eat much during lunch and already we didn’t give her a lot of food .. knowing how slow she eats.  Anyhow, we wrote a note to the teacher last nite but there was no return note today, so we’ll see what happens next.  Yes, I can understand they wanna foster independence on the kids, but she is afterall only 5.5 yrs old .. barely 6 years old yet. *sigh* .. sometimes.. i think they expect way too much.

When i say that this blog is about friendship .. i’m so not kidding.   Yesterday, at dinner – the ang moh sent me a msn message telling me that Mr Zhu was on his way over to our house.  I went like .. huh..?? but why..?? he said.. prolly sending you some lobsters.. muahahhaha!!!

Well .. i thought it was lobsters too.. but when i had it for supper.. i realised.. that it couldn’t be lobsters.. because it had so many tiny legs.. muahahahha!! they were crabs.. !!!! and just as good.. and yummy.. and fresh..and the meat just fell off the shell.. and they were all nicely chopped up and all.

I cannot thank everyone enough.. for the friendship here and also online – we’ve received so many gesture of kindness – we are so blessed.

So what did you have for breakfast..??  I try to eat oatmeal at least twice a week – not because i like it.. it’s because i have diabetes.. and therefore .. oatmeals are supposedly to be good.  And even better when you add a dash or some cinnamon powder.  My doctor had said .. that he didn’t think cinnamon was gonna help.. but i guess if some ppl did try it..  and have diabetes.. whats the harm of eating eh..?? i do have some raisins in them – usually i don’t put so much… but this morning was in a hurry.  So tell me.. what you had for breakfast.  Leave a comment for password.

Sometime in March this year, a reader from this blog .. by the name of Jerry had a special request – he wanted to know where he can get some Cherry Blossom Kit Kat for party favors for his up and coming wedding in September.   I’m pleased to inform you .. that a few days ago, I received an email from Jerry with his wedding pictures..   his wedding was in September 20th.  Like i said before.. this blog is not only about food..  but more about friendship.. and as you all can see.. it goes a long way..  Congratulations to Jerry & his wife – Ada..  they make such a beautiful couple.  Here are some pictures.. that I had taken from Renee Broughton Photography Blog – I’m pretty sure you will all enjoy it.. and join me.. in congratulating the perfect couple.  Julie from Hawaii would love this too.. she is having her wedding in October.

Beautiful Bride, Ada

Lovely couple

Awwww… so sweet…!!!

Another very sweet picture

Romantic or what..!

Cute posing !

Sweeeettt..!!!

Reception decoration

A perfect wedding..!!

When you don’t know what to eat anymore..  what do you eat..?? Junke food..!!! what about you ..?? how often do you eat junke food..??  Two day during the week.. i ate home made sphagetties.. and another day.. i had wanton soup and egg rolls.   And another day .. i had home cooked rice .. and leftovers – and then I had home cooked noodles .. one day.  And baked fish another day.. with a little noodles.  Another day ..i had a sandwich from Tim Hortons. There really isn’t much choice .. of food .. to cook or buy that would keep me very healthy.. but I try very hard .. to either cook .. or eat healthy .. even when i am eating out. So finally i broke down yesterday.. and had a baked potato from Wendy’s.  Not the best.. but it was a meal.

So what did the ang moh eat..?? of course Wendy’s burger lah..!!!  he eats them like 3 times a week..  not really because he likes them… but because .. it’s the easiest.. and the thing he can stomach.  But i never liked them..  so he can eat all his want.. and i won’t really stop him.

Look at what is inside.. !!! eeeewwwkkkk..!!!  the mayo..!!!!! eeeewwwkkkk..!!!

The ang moh had gotten a call on his cell phone at 10pm the other nite.. and guess who was calling..?? it was Mr Zhu.. from the Chinese restaurant!! muahhahaha!!! he couldn’t locate our house.. so he wanted ang moh to go outside the house to wait for him… muahahahha!!!  He came over to deliver some lobsters to us.. for supper..!! and duck…!!  *slap forehead* ..! this Mr Zhu is darn nice lah..!! what can i say right..??  first give me “ang pow” for helping out with  his wife’s delivery.. and now food.. and more food.  Such nice ppl .. how can not be nice back right..??  There were 2 lobsters in there.. and a whole duck – you know who isn’t cooking for the next few days lah.  I better not let my insurance guy know i’m eating so rich.. hahahah!! else my life insurance rate might just go up.

You all know i love fruits.. i rather eat fruits than chocolates or cakes .. so when we ran outta fruits – the ang moh rushed out to get some .. and i was truly surprised at the size of the grapes.. it was huge..!!  They didn’t taste like the ones I had when i was in Japan.. the branded ones.. for like $100 for a small tiny bunch..  but these were not too bad either.. but far from the ones from Japan.

Don’t you just envy people who are good with their hands? whether it is with baking or making cupcakes or knitting or sewing and making custom made jewelry – don’t you just want to be them sometimes?  Yes! i just love this people and certainly admire them for their hard work, their creativity and their endless love for what they do.

We attended a birthday party during the weekend.. of a friend’s kids .. and his sister – custom made these cakes for the birthday boy and gal.  The cake was really good .. according to ang moh – better than the ones we get at the local grocery store.  And look at the design of this monster truck – she did it without any mold pan just with her creativity .. and a lot of hard work and hours spent.

Very talented is this wonderful aunt of our friend’s kids – Crystal.  She does it as a hobby but if you like, you can order it from her.. i’m sure she will be happy to take some orders.  Not expensive too..!! that’s the best part of it – you know where Chloe will be getting her birthday cake from now on.  I’m also thinking of one for ang moh during his birthday.. a very funny cake – like a “grouchy old man” . .muahahahhaha!!!   with the writing “happy birthday, old fart!” .. muahahahaha!!!

The ang moh was getting some truck accessories this morning for his buddy and since i didn’t get any breakfast this morning.. because I didn’t get much sleep last nite .. and decided to sleep in .. after returning from sending Chloe to school.  I don’t usually eat Tim Hortons breakfast .. because it is very rich.  But having said that .. it’s much better than MacDonald if you asked me.. and more expensive too.  This biscuit breakfast was at $3.99 + tax wherelse at Macdonald it is less than $2 i think ( donch quote me.. i could be wrong).  Anyhow.. the breakfast came with the biscuit that holds the sausage and the eggs.. it was nice and warm.. very yummy..  but once again .. darn rich..!!  For those who haven’t been to Canada.. for the last year you wouldn’t have tried this .. because this is relatively new. So what did you have for breakfast..??  if i had a choice.. i would prefer Chee Cheong Fun.

This is my pantry.. and the ang moh has his own.. on the other side of the kitchen.  As you can see, my pantry consist mostly of my asian food.. and these food are mostly from friends from home.. and online friends.  This is my pantry of friendship.. that is what i called it – do you see something that you’ve sent..??   While getting some spa filters  for my hot tub, i thought about reorganizing my pantry again – i cannot help but be thankful for all my online friends.. and because of you .. you’ve made me a better person.. a person who would give unconditionally too.  Thank you for your friendship – you know who you are.

Remember this lovely snack box from Japan..?? yes.. this was from Auntie Jo from Japan.. who sent it all the way for Chloe .. a few months ago.  Of course, this is not the only gift that Chloe received – and with this snack box, I filled it up with snacks for chloe to bring to school.

We all know that kids love cookies ..and chocolate ones are the best.. but i balanced it with some fruits.. and that makes it ok.. i think..  I would hope so anyways.  What kinda snacks do you prepare for your kids.. to bring to school – not forgetting my brat is a fussy eater.  Once again, thanks to Auntie Jo for the lovely Hello Kitty snack box from Japan.  This is a authentic Hello Kitty snack box. 

I hate wasting food .. and i try to eat as much as possible.. and if i can remember.. i make sure to pack the leftovers from last nite.. for lunch.  Assam fish curry .. with leftover mushrooms and tofu.. and a bit of sweet and sour pork left from another day.. and rice cooked from the day before.. all adds up to a very healthy lunch .. for me.  What do you do with your leftovers..??

Just when we thought that Auntie Kai Mah had already outdid even herself – we received another package of clothings from Sophie’s Style a few weeks ago.  And not just one or two pieces.. we have 6 or 7 pieces of mix and match.. and this lovely winter coat .. in preparation for our harsh winter here in Canada.

Look at all these gorgeous pieces of clothings.. for Chloe..!!  Lina..! Lina..!! Lina..!!!!!  the “ang moh”  is definitely in awe .. and don’t know what to say .. about your kindness.. !! he said.. he had never seen someone as generous as you.  What are we gonna do to repay you for your kindness .. he said.

More clothings..!!! you all tell me lah..!! who can beat .. Auntie Kai Mah..??!!!??

A pretty suit dress that chloe just loved.. so much.. she wore this for her photo taking for school.

A cardigan.. and a skirt

The ang moh was so overwhelmed.. that when i was chatting with Lina .. about Chloe’s carpet for the store.. he said this to me..  “better not tell Lina about the carpet.. else it would be coming in the mail!” .. muahahhahahahahah!!!  Thank you so much .. Lina.. ! you are way too kind.. and too generous..!!!  nothing we can do .. or send you .. can repay you for your love, your generosity .. your thoughtfulness..and your priceless friendship.

So how was everyone’s weekend..??  well.. it started off pretty good.. with a surprise visit from Godma Lynn who was in town from her business trip in Moncton .. she drove all the way up to Yarmouth .. to visit us.. for half hour. Afterwhich, I went to New Century Restaurant to try and take some pictures of the restaurant .. while it was full house .. but was asked point blank by one of the waitress .. if i had the permission of the ppl to take their pictures .. ?? and put it online.. *slap forehead*.

Firstly, the restaurant was full house.. did she really expect me.. to ask individual ppl or bring along a speaker.. and announced it publicly..??  And why am i answerable to her.. when it was her boss who commissioned me.. to do it..??  But just to set the record straight..  i wasn’t gonna put anyone’s direct face online.. if you see the above picture .. can you recognise anyone..??  i guess she never heard of photoshop eh..??

Saturday morning came.. and we went to Macdonald’s drive thru’  and bought pancakes for the brat.. but halfway thru’ breakfast, she felt sick.. she was all hot.. and firing up.  Then everything went downhill of course for me.  Chloe’s fever went from high to higher.. and although she was in good spirit .. we hardly got any sleep for the last 2 nites.

Sunday came and went.. and she was still having her fever. We missed the airshow that was in town. – and this was what we saw from our front door. We also managed to get some groceries.. and headed home.. and still her fever didn’t wanna go. Not much sleep at nite too.. because she kept waking up. But we still managed to do some housework.. cleaned .. vacuumed and mopped.. and clear out the fridge. The “ang moh” cooked for the kid and himself.. and i cleaned.

This morning .. she woke up .. and no more burning.. THANK GOD..!!!  she was up to 104 at one time yesterday.. and the “ang moh” didn’t really wanna give her any more medication .. but before going to work.. I insisted on one more dose.  We didn’t let her go to school..  and that’s not only because of her fever during the weekend.. but because chloe came back with a black eye.. on friday.. and no one in school informed us about it.  But that’s another story for another day.

So the moral of this story ???  for those who thinks .. i have a lot of time on hand.. please know that..  it is not true.. like you see .. this is only part of the weekend.. the rest you still haven’t heard about.  So if you have any special request .. i am not able to help you out – not that i donch want to .. but seriously .. i have a life too you know.  This is as good as you can get – if you want something else.. you will just have to be like everyone else.. and look for your own resources.  I thank you for understanding.. and for the good ppl out there.. who never make any demands.. or ask me ridiculous questions.. i thank you .. and i value your friendship.. and i hope you appreciate mine.

How many of us can afford to eat Macdonald’s breakfast everyday ..?? not in terms of money.. i meant in terms of health.. and in terms of the extra pounds .. that comes with it.. hahahah!!  Indulging is good.. once in a bit .. afterall, one has gotta treat oneself right..??  so yes..  i haven’t had Macdonald’s big breakfast .. for many months now.. so we got up early on Saturday.. and went for some.

Happy, happy i ate my macdonald’s big breakfast.. even the eggs were moist. .and good..  but .. half way thru’ the breakfast.. chloe said.. she didn’t feel good.  So how to enjoy right..??  so i quickly finished up.. and went to be with her.. the rest of the day.  Well, the rest is in the next post.  So we’ll try again .. next week… there’s always next week.

So I cooked curry chicken last nite .. because i was really, really dying for it and how to resist…. since I received a packet of ready paste from Charmaine in Australia.   I know the coconut must not be good for my diet.. but truth be told.. i could eat it everyday.. and drink curry from a bowl.. muahahahah!!!  I didn’t put any potatoes in it.. because that would mean.. too much starch.. and since .. i couldn’t get to the grocery store.. i couldn’t get any eggplants to go with it.  Okra or ladies fingers is not really available here – so since no vegies.. i have to look for other alternative.

I had some tomatoes left from the other day.. so I brought them along..  and finished it. Not the best combination .. but beggars can’t be choosers right.  Not forgetting.. i really donch have so much time.. to cook for Chloe and then myself.. and stir fry another dish of broccoli, although i would have preferred broccoli anytime.  And yes.. i ta pau to work lah..!! cannot wait .. to have it for dinner after work.. gotta eat it.. and stink the whole store.. muahahahhaha!!!   Thanks .. Charmine..!!!  i had some more of it at nite.. but this time with bread.. yummy..!!

The Nanaimo Bars were bought by the “ang moh” ..  did you really think .. you would catch me eating this..??  no way.. hahahha!!!  i’m not against ppl eating it.. and indulging.. but the “ang moh” loves his desserts and his junk food. If not junk .. he wouldn’t even eat them – but having said that.. he wouldn’t try anything exotic or new..   just like the brat.  Luckily, I don’t let Chloe eat too much junk food.. and taught her everything in moderation from young, else she is gonna have a hard time.. when she is a teen – and needing help to lose the weight.  Lucky for “ang moh” no want to share his goodies eh.

I donch know about the rest of Canada.. but I find it really hard to eat healthy .. and not eat the same thing over and over again. I think it’s mostly because i don’t wanna spend so much just on food .. as i want a Kohler faucets badly at home. Is a sandwich like this healthy..??  Do I have to eat subway everyday..??  if i don’t cook..???  I love the gals at Tim Hortons.. they are very nice.. and very friendly.. it’s like going to visit your g/fs..  but with food.  And they do try to please.. and i’m not the most difficult customer..but I can tell you .. i have weird taste.  A sandwich like this cost like $3.99 but you see.. i eat chicken everyday.. and really could use something different.  But being a diabetic.. you and I know.. i cannot have so much of eggs and mayo.. so sometimes.. when it is not too busy .. after peak lunch hours.. i ask the gals if they can do half chicken salad and half egg salad for me.

I hate to put the gals in a bad position .. and tell them.. i won’t be upset.. if they can’t do it.. but most of them.. they aim to please.. and really i don’t mind paying extra.  So yes..  i think it’s as healthy as i can get.. and it’s cheap enough..  and it’s a quick lunch.. and i’m full after eating the whole piece of sandwich but it would be awesome if they have mushroom soup.. everyday..    So what did you have for lunch..??  when i have lunch or dinner .. at the store.. i have a real headache.. because i really donch know what to eat.

Chloe was in a baking mood.. and of course the “ang moh” had to indulge.. and bought her some Philsbury ready made cookie dough, so that the babysitter and her.. and make some peanut butter cookies on Saturday.   See that top on .. that is shaped almost like a heart..???  yes that one.. that was was for mummy .. hahhahaha!!!

Every evening before going to bed.. she has some milk and crackers.. but tonite.. she asked for some cookies.. and i asked her.. what kinda cookies she wanted..??  And her reply ..  Peanut butter cookies of course..!! the ones i made.. hahahhahaha!!! Ms Smarty Pants! I guess we know who doesn’t need a  website directory in the future.

Kate .. the brat’s babysitter promised to make muffins with her.. if she is good in school on Friday.. so yesterday.. they went home.. and after dinner.. they made some muffins.   Of course, we forgot we didn’t have any muffin bake ware .. so they made do .. with baking in a pyrex dish instead.  So you have this .. weird shape muffins.. hahahahha!! with chocolate frosting of course..!

But the kid also had other ideas.. and wanted to bake a cake too.. but of course there was no cake mix or anything.. so instead.. they used the muffin mix.. and made this.  Hahahah!! but that’s ok..  it was fun for her.. and fun for us when we came home to a house smelling of baked goodies.  Do you bake with your kids..?? or grandkids..??  i hope to be able to have more time to spend baking with Chloe as she grows older.

I remember my grandaunt’s kitchen.. that was always filled with cooking ingredients..and rempah.. and she was always baking something.  Unfortunately, at our home, my mom doesn’t bake anything except making pineapple tarts during chinese new year and we weren’t allowed to help.. because she was selling them – everything had to be perfect – else she would get really upset.. because she had to do it again.  I never learned how to make pineapple tarts.. because my mom said it was too back breaking.. and by the time she retired.. she was too old to make them.. she said. *sigh*.  So yes..  i don`t want Chloe to grow up without knowing the joy of baking and cooking in the kitchen with her mom and dad.