I bet you don’t know what this is – if I didn’t tell you – hehe!   Well, yesterday – the weather was spring like – so we went into the woods with Chloe’s grandparents and Aunt Helena – to collect Maple Syrup.  You see – Chloe’s grandfather owns lots of land outta town and he does this for a hobby.  Tapped the maple trees and collect the sap and then cooked them till they become Maple Syrup.  So instead of checking out for insurance on   wholesaleinsurance.net i decided to hop into the truck with them and went along.

Yes – all the clear liquid you see in these bottle are maple syrup.  Pretty cool eh.

Home made Maple Syrup – compliments of Grammie & Grampie Killam to Kai Mah in Singapore.

Mr R – who was in Halifax this week for some system memory – had gone to Bedford to get me some groceries that the other Asian Grocery store doesn’t have – very  nice indeed of Mr R.  I had called the store and asked them for frozen durian but I guess the Vietnamese woman didn’t quite understand me – so she gave this to Mr R to bring home for me… LOL!  but it’s better getting the whole durian fruit with spikes and all back eh – coz’ i wouldn’t know how to open it .. hahhaha!!

I’m glad the mochi wasn’t the huge big ones that I usually see from home – these small ones are just good for diabetic like myself – so I don’t kill myself with sugar overdose.. hahhahaha!! and it was pretty good.. but not much of durian taste though – but nevertheless I loved it .. but gotta eat them sparingly as 3 pieces of this is 17 grams of sugar.

Jen Cheung from Toronto is someone I met online who became fast friend with myself and Chloe – not only is she talented with her hands  – she is very enterprising.  Jen has 2 blogs : www.charmoflove.ca and www.passion4food.ca – Jen has a charming personality – probably that’s why she chose Charm Of Love for her first blog – hehe!   Anyhow, Jen knew that Chinese New Year was round the corner and had offered to buy some CNY stuff for me and Chloe and as you can see – she bought more than just CNY stuff.

Jen had taken the trouble to look for stuff for Chloe and I and not only that even took time to meet up with PB’s cousin – Lynn who was on her way back for a short visit – weekend only – to hand over the goodies to Lynn for us – so that she can buy more stuff for us by saving on the postage. Look at how thrilled Chloe was..! that is Chloe’s favorite jello!

There were pork floss – lychee jello – ang pows – laksa, mee siam, candies and even Chinese noodles for Chloe.

A Hello Kitty toy – stickers – BBQ Pork.

Hello Kitty bowl, cup and a plate too – and some Chinese New Year’s couplets for the store and for Chloe’s room.  So thoughtful right?  Thank you .. so much Jen..!!  we don’t know how to repay your kindness..!  You surely outdid yourself here.

During Christmas – Lina – Chloe’s Kai Mah from Singapore – sent me these ingredients for my soup – because she knows that I can’t get some of them here.  So she packed carefully dried oysters and dried scallops and mailed them so generously to me.  I didn’t get a chance to make any soup till this week – because i couldn’t get any lotus roots from this small town.  But Mr R – was so kind – to pick it up for me.. when he was in the city this week – so I hurriedly boiled soup in my slow cooker in the morning and cooked some rice for dinner for Chloe and I.

Chloe loves the soup and ate 2 dinners with the soup.  I usually put in rice and soup for her and fried some luncheon meat to entice her to eat.  I was heavy handed with my dried oysters this time.. so was afraid she won’t drink it.  The day that i boiled the soup was a very, very cold day – we had so much snow.. PB and I spent hours shoveling ourselves outtta the driveway that morning.  School were closed and we only opened store at 1pm, therefore it was quite comforting .. to come home to a boil of soup from home.  Thanks again .. Lina..! your generosity warms not only our heart but our tummy.

So Mr R was up in the city and so generously offered to go pick up some Chinese food from the Asian Grocery store for us at Queen Street.  We ordered a box of food and miscellaneous and we had fish cake with Wanton noodles.  I haven’t had wanton noodles for a few months now – so it was really good.  Chloe loves it but she had hers with chicken – because she refuses to eat fish cake therefore I have to go to www.supplementreviews.org to read all about the stuff i have to give to chloe for an alternative.

Chloe is so fussy with her food – it really makes it hard for me to cook anything for her – so i try to slip in the good stuff for her – even though it’s little..  i feel it is better than none.  She loves her wanton noodles and luncheon meat though – you can offer it to her everyday .. and she will have no problems with it.

A week ago, I wrote about finding a somewhat like satay here in Canada – in fact – i found it at M & Ms – and those who lived in Canada would probably know what and where M & Ms is -  they aren’t cheap but when you are away from home for this long – you probably pay anything just to have a taste of home. Luckily, I found peanut sauce in a packet too.. from Asian Gourmet.  I think i liked the Canadian Satay because I can dipped them in peanut sauce.  So if you want a taste of home, try getting these from M & Ms and make your own peanut sauce – as for me.. i had rice with my satay – yums!

It was after Christmas and we were still receiving gifts  – this time from Hawaii !  Look how pleased Chloe was – and cannot wait to open it.  Julie who had just gotten married – took time to send a present not only for Chloe but me as well and what a thoughtful gift.   Yes, a cook book from Hawaii !  she must know how much i love food hehhee!!  Thank you Julie.. ! you are so thoughtful !  I need a  quick weight loss program now – for all the recipes are so yummy.

Chloe just got home from school and didn’t even undress – she needed to open her present immediately.

So nicely wrapped up ..  with a bow.

A Hello Kitty puzzle and a cook book – i couldn’t take a better picture because Chloe was being cheeky and didn’t allow me to take more pictures.  Thank you very much .. Julie..! you are very kind and generous..!

10 yrs ago, when i first came to Canada – the “ang moh’s” family and extended ones were really amused that I take pictures of everything i eat and everything i do.  In fact, it had become a part of their life – to let me take pictures first before they even start a meal, to them it’s like me going on treadmills to keep me happy.  But you see not everyone knows what i do online, in fact last week when i was taking pictures of this home made lemon meringue pie made by Aunt Helena – the “ang moh’s” uncle was totally amused and asked me what i do with these pictures.  In which i replied that I make money outta them. HAHAHHA!!  he thought i was joking.

At first, he thought i sold the pictures of the food pictures and then “ang moh” explained to him about my food blog.  Not many of you, know that one can make money online and i’m pleased to inform you that it is not a myth, it is true  – yours truly is one of them.  You don’t have to write “bullshit” like what “ang moh’s” father used to say about me – but if you are passionate about food or just about any niche, you can make money.  Once again, let me warn you that if anyone ask you to pay money upfront to join their “make money online” affiliate program, then you can be sure that you are getting scammed.  I never have to pay to make money and am fortunate that I have great sponsors for various different blogs of mine.  Making money online is not by fluke or luck but a lot of hard work and research – and time consuming, so if you think that making money is a shake leg business then you are wrong.  There are a lot of self-proclaimed internet guru or SEO experts out there – hahahha!!   and some who claims they make 1000s of dollars every month – well, unless you are John Chow or Darren Rowse – i highly doubt so.  Well, there you have it in a nutshell – and yes, my passion is still food and yes, I make money online but compared to pro bloggers like John and Darren – i donch even make a fraction of what they make but i’m happy to let you know that I’ve build a small little nest for my daughter and can afford little luxuries without having to “ta fu tou” – on our grocery money.

I loved fish.. but cannot stand fish and chips.  I loved fish.. but i cannot have them fried.  I loved fish .. not because it’s healthy..  i just feel like eating fish is a wiser choice.  Yes..! fish is ex here.. well, it’s ex in Singapore too.  This piece of salmon was like $4.49 and like usual, even though they said.. can keep for a few days.. not true one..!!  must try and eat immediately else.. darn sticky feeling.. and fishy smell.  I baked mine in the oven for like 12 mins .. at 425 degree Fahrenheit, with only cayenne pepper and garlic on top.  But today, i had some sambal leftover .. from Shirley’s goodies, so i slapped some on the fish.. after it was cooked.. and yummyyyy..!!!   Thanks .. Shirley..  !!! you certainly made my new year a little less painful for me (homesickness).

So what did you eat on New Year’s Day ..?? or rather.. what kinda treats..?? or junk food..??   As for us.. we had to work ..  yes..! first day of New Year.. also gotta work.. but it wasn’t for long.. only till 5pm.  So we had some friends and customers who came by the store.. and gave us chocolates.. and i just loved this one.. !! Kahlua filled chocolate.. yummy.. yummy….!! of course i can only eat one lah..   but one is better than none right..??  For your info.. i used to love Kahlua milk on the rocks.. !  those were the days.. when i would sipped on my glass of Kahlua milk.. and  try look sophisticated  while listening to some live music in a pub.  These days.. if i can get on my lip gloss i would be most happy.. hahhaa!!

The “ang moh” and our “princess” love the chocolates .. but the princess is hacking her lungs out.. so cannot eat.  Everything in moderation we taught her.. and she knows better.  But “ang moh” where can resist.. eat lah..!!  afterall, gifts mah.  What about you ..?? what did you eat for junk food..??

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

May 2010 bring you much joy,  good health,

time to spend with your loved ones!

May your table be abundantly filled with good food, laughter,

good company and love all year round.

Thank you for being my friend, thank you for your support and all the goodies all of you have sent throughout the year.   Thank you for your unconditional love for Chloe.  I am truly  humbled by your kindness, thoughtfulness  and your generosity.

Our lil’ brat is the most blessed kid – not only frens from all over the world sends gifts.. for Christmas .. and birthdays..  she also has a very generous Auntie Kai Mah from Singapore – who dotes on her.  I am sure that frens and family here knows all about Kai Mah’s generosity.  This package came before Chloe’s birthday.. but we kept it away from her.. till her real birthday .. and that was on the 19th.  So on the 19th morning.. we took out the presents.. sent all the way from Singapore.. and postage at $90 !!!!!!!!  pengz..!! Even more expensive than my  Orange NJ dental implants that we had helped an extended family with.

3 presents .. carefully wrapped.. and i heard very stylo-malo too.. going to the post office.  Kai Mah’s son .. had to go line up .. while Kai Mah wrapped the present .. and put on the package label .. and Kai Mah’s spouse .. had to drive and parked .. at the post office.

Chloe all excited.. and unwrapping her present.. even before breakfast.

(more…)

It was a Christmas Eve chicken.. and like any Christmas eve.. we knew that the food at the grocery store was going to go quick and fast.  So the day before, we had spoken to the deli staff .. and they had said they were gonna keep on aside for us.

Yes.. they even put the name of our store on it.. and i didn’t even tell them .. what my name is.. hahahhaha!! so you see everyone… it pays to be nice to the service stuff.  Just like at Tim Hortons..  whenever they have mushroom soup.. they make sure to tell me.. when they see me .. during coffee time in the morning.  Yes..! i’m darn grateful to these girls.. because without them..  we wouldn’t have had chicken to eat .. on Christmas eve – for that was seriously the last chicken in the deli area.

PS :  We knew we wouldn’t be able to finish the chicken.. so we made chicken salad with it .. it was darn yummy..!!!  The ones that i had .. i put in some cayenne pepper, sure made it looked prettier.. and also spicier.. 

Once again, I cannot stressed how blessed we are ..  this gift came all the way from UK .. from dear Rachel and CY.  Yes..!! we got frens from UK too..    you see how blessed we are.  Like Shirley from Malaysia, this gift came before Chloe’s birthday.. and once again..  i’m sorry i was so caught up with chloe and the store, I didn’t thank both of you properly.. but entrusted Lina to do so.  Like any good Kai Mah – Lina took upon herself.. to thank everyone for us.  Forever grateful to Lina too lah..!

Chloe is such an expert now with opening packages.. she told me.. she didn’t need any help.. hahahah!!!  you all spoiled her thoroughly.

She didn’t take too long to open this package up either..   because she was excited.. receiving one gift after another .. for her birthday.

(more…)

We are truly blessed with kind friends from all over the world.  This package was received before Chloe’s birthday from Shirley and Baby Kyle from Malaysia.  I’m sorry .. Shirley for taking so long to post this up .. and to thank you personally but I had been overwhelmed with taking care of Chloe and her new school, and I know you will understand.

A very thoughtful message from Shirley.

And lots of food from home – thank you very much again .. Shirley..!

(more…)

I cannot say this enough .. about how this blog has brought me so many kind friends from all over the world.  And Macy from the other side of Canada – Vancouver has been one of the kindest and most generous friend I’ve known.  I truly cannot express how grateful i am for her friendship.  And here she is sending us Christmas goodies.. thru’ FEDEX some more, i bet she knows how much we love food.. but of course, the ang moh loves his electrical supplies more but this goodies, he couldn’t resist.

An awesome package from Thomas Haas !!!!  for those who don’t know who Thomas Haas is .. they specializes in sweet delicacies ranging from fine handmade chocolates, delicious chocolate bars, and delicate fruit jellies to beautiful wedding cakes.

(more…)

In October this year, many of you kind ppl had donated to the fundraiser for Chloe’s school by buying the angels.  Some had generously requested not to have the angel but to donate the entire amount to Chloe’s school.  We had gone back to the school with the extra money and asked how we can donate the money.  The principal had suggested that we use the money for buying a LCD projector for the school instead of giving them the money.

So a month ago, we went hunting for a LCD projector and with your generosity, we were able to find one at our price range to donate to the school.   The school had sent us a card to thank us for it – therefore, we would like to share this thank you card with all of your kind folks out there – you know who you are. Macy, Barb, Auntie Kai Mah Lina, Auntie Alice and Auntie Katie.

And for those who haven’t contacted me with your address, please do so – so i can mail them out to you all.  Thank you very, very much for your generosity.  On the same note – during the year – whereby some have bought me a cup of coffee – a total of $332 was collected – we are donating this to Menu For Hope – a very meaningful and in line with my food blog in support of the UN World Food Programme.   I chose to do it anonymously because I didn’t wanna win any prizes as  it wouldn’t be fair if i won them right..??  But for those who had bought me a cup of coffee thru’ out the year – i’m pretty sure good karma will come to all of you…! and again..! i thank you from the bottom of my heart and your friendship is invaluable to me.

I take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year !  from Chloe, the Ang Moh and Me.

Remember Julie from Hawaii … ??  Yes..  the one who also sent me gifts and a soft toy to Chloe ?  Yes.. ! really got “heart” .. and once again .. i cannot stress how this blog has brought me so many priceless friendship.  No.. not because they send me gifts.. but because they are constantly giving encouragement .. and always lift up my spirit when i am missing home.  Of course, they send me lots of food too .. without me asking.  I’m forever grateful for their friendship.. like Julie’s.  I’m so honored to be able to share some of her wedding pictures with all of you.  Thank you .. Julie..!

A very beautiful bride.

(more…)

I had been dying to try this ham for a long time now.. but was apprehensive because of the word .. “MAPLE”.  Being a diabetic.. you know that i have to stay away from anything sweet.. if possible.  Not entirely .. but as much as possible.  Anyhow… we know the deli manager – Susan.. and she is such an asset to Sobeys.. because she is very accommodating.  Knowing that I have diabetes.. and that the “ang moh” and brat doesn’t eat a lot of meat.. she let me buy only half a ham instead of the whole ham.  So it was at $4.50 instead of $8.99.  The ham didn’t disappoint .. unfortunately .. chloe didn’t like the taste of maple syrup – what a bummer..!  If you are in Canada.. try the maple gourmet ham.. they are delicious..!

Saw this ice cream about a month ago.. but only bought this like 1.5 weeks ago.. but i haven’t had it yet.  Skinny cow ice cream is supposedly less sugar .. and a lot less calories.  I figured if i wanted to have some.. i should at least try and stay healthy.  But really even with it being better on the weight department.. i still haven’t had the urge to try it.  That is how i am with sweets.. yet i’m the one with diabetes.. hahhaha!!  NO FAIR! For those who loves the ice cream.. and donch want the weight or a lot of sugar – you can try this..  less sinful.. and less guilty about indulging..?  I heard from a g/f that one can find them in the puerto vallarta hotels as well.