Hello year one

I have one who started year one when school starts. Recalling when I first started to blog, it was also when they were so young and needed my attention fully. Time passes so quickly as both of them are in formal school, can dress themselves in style they want, paint their white shoes... oh gosh... they have grown up so much!

For readiness to school, I gave each of them the mama sewn pencil case. Little R gets his 'Hi Little Bear's case. He loves it and happy with his new pencil case.

a merrier Christmas

I'm still getting my eldest son to complete this first handmade wall decoration done before Christmas hopefully...
'This is very fun, mummy asked me to do it...', he told his dad, I overheard it.

...and also would like to wish each and every reader that visits me here a Merry Christmas!

Belacan fried chicken in 3 steps

Today, I would like to share with you my recipe for belacan fried chicken which finished right before I get to take a picture of it ; )
I made this recently and gave some for my parents staying nearby. Mom says they ate that as snack during teabreak which are gone even before dinner.

Ingredients:
10pcs of chicken wings
60gm of belacan in 1tbl spoon of water (to dissolve the belacan paste)
1pc beaten egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tbl spoons tapioca flour
1 cup of cooking oil

note: *tbl means 'table'*

Suggested dipping sauce: - store bought thousand island / chilli sauce / tomato sauce (kids liking)

Directions:
1) Cleaned and chopped the market bought chicken wings into two pieces. (or asked the seller to do so.)
2) Marinate the above for at least an hour in advance before cooking time.
3) Heat up the oil first, then fried the wings till it turned golden brown. Serve immediately...

Go try it out and share with us your fried belacan chicken's experience...

Stay in the kitchen till the fire is set off

We went to Penang Hill on the past weekend for the reason of wanna try to commute in its newly installed funicular train. The travel speed has indeed improved significantly which took only about 5min. to reach to top. The kids were very excited to travel in it and that's also their first time to be at the hill. I love this season as there are so many outdoor activities that can plan out.

I burned my crock pot literally... the other day, I wanted to re-heat the soup just when before I go to bed at around 12.30 in the middle of the night. After I set the fire on the stove, I quickly went to brush teeth while waiting for the soup to heat up and also thinking of want to be efficient. Right after I brushed my teeth, I had totally forgot of the fire in the kitchen. As kids were rushing me to accompany them to bed, I just 'tok...' switched off the light in the kitchen and straight away leave the place and went upstairs.

In the wee hour in the morning around 5.30, while still asleep I suddenly think of the soup that I was re-heating and immediately run downstairs to check on it, by the time I opened the bedroom door, I could smell some strong burnt smell. But that wasn't me that turned off the fire, it was my husband that wake up by around half past four to run to toilet and get some water for himself. In another words, in the middle of the night, I set the fire the stove on unattended for a continuous of 4 hours!

When I recalled the whole scenario, it will be very frightening if thing does not to be this lucky. So lesson learned: forgetful person should stay in the kitchen till the fire is set off !!!
Don't repeat my mistake...

Some sewing projects

A few projects I can called it completed after so many hours of drawing, snipping, sewing, ripping and sewing again in finishing it. phew...
This blouse is my size of M/L. and again the fabric is a Japanese print cotton.


I ran to the shop for the wrap button service...


These are my younger son's knee length pants made of Japanese quality linen. His size is around 4-5 yo old one.


I chose and lined it with some matching colour fabric and it stand up surprisingly.


My husband called the pocket design a stylo-dymalo one! He loves it and asked me to make a pair for him as well ^_^

These pants pattern is deemed as one of the best that I've created so far. It fit excellent yet coupled with quality fabric being used, that should called it a perfect wear for the kids.

Baked fish

If you're following my blog you will know that I'm a fish person that can't live without fish^_^
There are also many of fish dishes I can cook out be it deep fried, clear steam or cook with other spices and marinates.


Yesterday, I bought a ready made chilli paste and added with extra onion, curry flower and some sugar then baked this local mackerel in the oven. It's extremely delicious to eat with rice. Yum. Yum..


In another note, there's a mega bookfair held at Popular Bookstore and we managed to get a few titles, one of it is a short stories book that suits my little readers and being translated to "A little walkable house" originated from P.R.C. I hope they will read and stay put, because one already get an injured knee and the other with a wounded thumb. They keep play falling off from their bicycles that caused them easily get cut from corners and angles. I'm planning out more activities to keep them entertained in this long holiday.

A new pencil case

Year end school holiday is started. My younger son will be in junior elementary when school reopen by beginning of next year. I was overly concerned I guess for all the necessary preparation for his new schooling. These few days I've been started to plan what are the things I need to make to him and what he might need on his stationery, school uniform, school bag and so on... and without second thought , I had the urge to make a pencil case for him and within a few hours this is the thing I come out with... a metal zipper pencil case.
The end product is quite satisfying and look lovely to me, my kids love it. It is made of heavy fabric and lined with super cute Japanese print cotton. I believed this pencil case would last for some time and being user-friendly for even young kids.

Functioning woven bag

Sometimes when my home is full of this woven bags, I don't know what to do with it especially when it is printed with some specific name of the event. It's kind of embarrassing if you carry it along right? So, my kids and I thought of this potato print project to transform this whole bag into a new functional yet artful shopping bag.


We measured the size of the printed logo on the woven bag, then cut a piece of plain fabric that will be used to cover the whole printing area. Then, we started to work on the fabric by geting the kids to paint some arcylic paint onto their cut potato or apple, then stamp it over the right side of the fabric that will also be used as the front pocket of the bag.




After the paint dried, I overedge sewn the fabric and hand stitched with arty saturday wording before actually machine sewn it onto the bag. Now, I would happily let my kids carry along this newly converted shopping bag whenever we go to shop ; )

Old and new

I've got a new overedge sewing machine. Hubby says by running to craft shop for the overedge sewing service each time I needed is way too time consuming. He bought for me one : P and thus, I could sew more things and hopefully can sell at an online store.

Kids grow and grow, the pajama pants that my sons are wearing mostly are way too short for their height. While I still need to improve further on my sewing skills, the simple and loose pajama pants are the most practical stuff I can sew for them. And the most rewarding return is they like to wear mummy sewn clothes most. I involved Russell in the making of his pants, he decides on which fabric to put on for the pocket and how many pockets he needs.
Besides, the brown knee length pants are for my mother, who never ask me to sew anything for her. I choose my favourite colour - that's brown. But but... these pants are a little too tight for her and it end up to be mine :( May need another few days to get her new pants done.
What have you made or done for your love ones, you may share that with us... looking forward hearing from you...

Hopeless in the scene of today's education

It is a saddening scene in our country's education. Literally it drives us nowhere. nowhere.
I'm saying this as a parent's point of view. Don't you remember that I have two school going kids who just started their Year One in SK (C) and the other one will be enrolling into it soon?.

From the changes of the education policy, we could know that we're not moving forward but backward. I'm not hopeful but crying hopelessly...
What about those kids that just started using Mandarin or Bahasa Malaysia in Year 1? What they will be when they are not exposed to English as much as others did during the school years? What's the use of studying Mathematics and Science either in Chinese language or Bahasa, what's the use of it, the use of it? and

Yes, yes, those rich and the policy maker's children all not in our school studying in homeland by using Chinese or Bahasa in those subjects. They are rich, they have been sent abroad to get a much much better education than our kids do. Who cares in what languages our school is teaching in, who cares... after all, it doesn't affect them at all...

It's a sad sad learning that I could see...

A historical day

Last weekend marked a historical day in my life, I get to meet one of my idols. Before planning our trip there, we're undecided. At last, we managed to get to the resort island and dine here.
I'm neither a politician nor a powerman in the house. I admire him as a general citizen would coz Tun Dr. Mahathir is an inspiring leader not only in our homeland but also a significant world leader.

And I think I need to thank my cousin for looking after my both kids while I was busy squeezing myself into the crowds. I would make a dress for her and would not reveal much now till the dress is completed.

My skirt

We all need to update our wardrobe at least twice a year; which means in about 6 mos once in our just 1-season climate. Also, I don't want to bore my friends and people around by wearing the same set of clothing in and out throughout the year.

Looking at my collection of fabrics, I picked this cotton of Japanese print to make this simple skirt with a under layer and hidden zipper. Aunt is a dress maker staying a kilometer away, she gave me some tutorials and tips on how to make the skirt. Over the weekend, I had got it done - a new skirt for myself ^_^.
Also being sewn is my younger sister's skirt from the same pattern as mine, hers is pink. I'll upload her skirt here some other day because it's still in progress.
I think I like to make skirt : ) What have you sewn recently?

Another skirt

I was too busy commuting between school and home. Despite all the routine and dullness, we managed to make friends amongst us parents, to have some fun and also not forget to create a better bond with teachers.

During the weekend we were invited for just another birthday party. It is her party. Then to put my creativity into action, I managed to create another kid's short skirt or mini skirt. It is made of my best like favorite fabrics with laces again.



The whole idea is to make them look beautiful and lovely.
This skirt is perfect to wear with leggings right below knee length; that I've always suggest to them.

Logos Hope

When I was just a little kid, I could remember that my parents had brought us to one of the floating bookfair. In thinking that I should also do the same for my kids, and coincided with Raya Puasa holidays, we bring the kids to Logos Hope which is in Penang now.



Look at the queue before us...


and the queue behind us


It wasn't a wise decision to go on such a peak time as most of us, my kids inclusive of me were falling ill after the visit. The deck were so cramped with too many visitors at that time and without proper ventilation flow, everybody is just have to bear with the overly packed condition inside. But yes there are some interesting books and references that one could get there.


I snapped this picture of jelly-like colourful balls which my son has brought back from his kindergarten. I wasn't quite agreeable to let young children playing this sort of thing is because they might eat them if not being supervised closely. And thanked God that it was published in the newspaper just not long after we were getting it, these balls are a banned item. It could turn haphazardly dangerous to the little one.

Meg's Jolly Skirt

Big R's friend invited him to her birthday. And I decided to make something for her. Looking at what I have in my stash of fabrics, we come out with something like this for her. It should suits her.


We get it packed and hope my son's friend will like it. Some ribbon and lace have been added onto it and it looked lovely. I've chosen this Japanese cotton to make this skirt and being named as Meg's Jolly Skirt.


I don't know how many of you would like to receive clothing as present, for me it is special and that's something new that we can try on. Why not? ^_^

Of good values and morals

This happened on a congested road nearby big R's school.
The traffics were bumper to bumper and it was in a stand still position. I was stuck in the T-junction with big R in the car. After I've had waited for 2-3 minutes and the situation still not improving, I came down from car and direct the car which need to make a left-turn to move forward and to make sure it doesn't knock on mine. Then, the situation improved slightly at least 1 more direction is moving. And that car's driver left without saying or showing any sign of thankfulness.
Then my son says this: Mummy, then next time I also want to help others.
I say: No! Mummy is 'bad' enough, then only can help others.
In this part of the world, people are getting bad, very meaning, very selfish, what they have is only their - self. The kind-hearted act could easily turn into self-find-trouble if you don't know how to protect yourself and handle it.
It seems as we just lost all the good values and morals of living in a homogeneous community. Regardless of whether it was 30 years ago or in these ICT age, good values and to show respect to each others still remain vital in order to live in peace and harmony.

In nice clothes

In between sending kids through and flo from school; home-schooling and my everyday monotonous morning marketing, it can be dull and boring sometimes. In order not to look boring each day, I try to wear better and being a little bit more fashionista can cheer up the people around and also to ourselves!
This is proven this morning and this is what I'm today.
With this attire, the moment I step into the market of this little town, friends and sellers most of them greeted me with their lovely smiles. Yeah, I know I wear better than the casual home attire today... ahem...... believe me or not, people would look at things that are pleasing to their eyes, what's more when we're wearing something in your favorite fabric. This sleeveless shirt still remained as one of my all time favorite.


This is a one-piece dress which had just completed. I asked hubby to snap a photo of me in a vintage metalwork belt (is that called belt?) passed down to me by my granny.

So, when you're not in good mood, try something nice to put on for yourself. It will change how you look dramatically. But there are times when you are really in good mood and you want to tell others of how you feel for the day, so you wear good.
er.. but then, just don't get me wrong the next time when you see me in nice attire, you thought that this gal must be in bad mood ...hope you get what I mean....
whatever it is, just be yourself. Enjoy your day... ; ))

Test and marks again

When you're homeschooling your kids you will really understand their progress and learning milestone. My younger son's kindergarten principal asked me to let him go for school's tutoring program since his test scores were not satisfying (meaning that not all subjects get over 90 or 100 marks). In this case, I think she had advised the wrong person for the wrong program. Because I'm never a person who will just look at the marks... never...
Furthermore, when you look at the question worksheet that the teacher has had prepared, there's nothing excited to look forward what's more when come to learning... : (

With these type of calculus questions, how are you going to expect a six-year-old to put in the answer? The worksheet format at the bottom part in my solution towards the misery... I teach Russell the way to get the calculation done. When the kids are at school and do not learn from what has been taught in a class of 10 students or so, what can we say?

Pencils

Every night before bedtime, I'll check on my kids school bag to make sure if they have put in all the books and other necessary tools for the next day's timetable.

One problem that remains is the big R keeps losing his pencils. I think he has lost 5 mechanical pencils and countless of wood pencils started since January. Most of the mechanical pencils that has been lost were my favourite collectibles. I can have them for over 10 years, once let them use, it will never be seen again the next day! And now, I'm started to blame myself for being too generous to them. Can you imagine that everyday they come back from school with only 1 or 2 very short pencil that their small hand can't even hold instead of 3 to 4 long pencils which I've been put in every night thinking that they could comfortably write with.

So, I've decided not to let him has another new long pencil unless he could find back his lost pencil/pencils that has just went lost yesterday. I'm clueless as how to let this boy to know to appreciate his belongings and to get it back if others has taken it.

Holiday stopover

It has been sometime we didn't venture out from the comfort of home. During this school holiday, we went to Cameron Highland.


It was packed with tourists at the hilltop; and everything is about strawberry mostly besides other green produce.


We were all spoilt for choices over the fresh vegetables available. It makes me feel hungry and wanted to munch them right away ; )
We were staying at the hotel, thus no kitchen for me to play with... we were just buy, eat, then off to other market and shop again...


This time around, we never missed the steamboat dinner again. It is satisfying to get something warm to savour at on the chilling night.

Madness of sleeveless

Just want to share with you some fabric and design that I'm falling in love with; it's all about sleeveless..ness and be beautiful. These are all after some recreate.

from vintage Japanese fabric...

Teacher Appreciation Day

A rose for you, teacher - my children's teacher to be specific.
The person who always nurture, teach and guide.
Happy Teacher's Day.

Promoting handmade

Calling all mothers or homemaker,
If you have something handmade to offer online, do let me know.
I can help you to get it posted here and hopefully some transactions can be taken place.
It can be some craft items, food, or whatever service that you want to offer.

My intention is to empower the homemaker and who knows your item or service is really the thing that others want. All these could happen... just don't be shy.
Hope you get what I mean.

So, just give it a try.
Email me: sam.premiumlink@gmail.com

Best homemade pizza

We baked mini pizzas over the weekend. I like my pizza with some sprinkles of fresh red chili, whereas my children's with added cheese and raisin for the toppings. Pizza is good, pizza is delicious! the little ones that make these... neither from pizza hut nor domino pizza.


I didn't sew much, most probably filling the stomach comes prior than the rest ; )
and much of readings.