tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10720992369374223072024-03-29T17:17:59.149+08:00Mum in the makingMum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.comBlogger1246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-63091500022810727022020-02-06T00:13:00.000+08:002020-02-06T12:31:28.276+08:00Learning about the novel coronavirus outbreak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwYRz81zvqdqlN2PHyx5R-7RqvtsiTtZmz-bEuoDZBza6anI98z7yKosrGF3REvxR5th96xWGSHNghUHx6oM_QZljWr5Re1qSYdvDUUdHproc-GVjnEQXVCD9smxu6UaDalvLTKpA7u8/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwYRz81zvqdqlN2PHyx5R-7RqvtsiTtZmz-bEuoDZBza6anI98z7yKosrGF3REvxR5th96xWGSHNghUHx6oM_QZljWr5Re1qSYdvDUUdHproc-GVjnEQXVCD9smxu6UaDalvLTKpA7u8/s640/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Singapore reported 4 cases of local transmission of the novel coronavirus yesterday. Hand sanitizers and masks are sold out islandwide. The death toll in China continues to rise. The news reports keep pouring in. Given the deluge of information and alarming reports, it is normal to feel anxious and worried. I think our kids are feeling it too, as they try to grapple with bits and pieces of information about the outbreak, while trying to follow instructions to wear masks and wash their hands.</div>
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As I chatted with the hubs over dinner about the situation a week ago, I realised that the kids were trying to understand what was happening, but were finding it hard because all they had were snippets from our conversations at dinner. That was when I decided I had to be intentional about discussing with them about the outbreak. I started sharing about the discussions we had with the kids, and the resources we used over on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justtey/">my IG account</a>, and the response I received was overwhelming. Many wanted me to do a blog post, which makes for greater accessibility and easier reading, so here I am, writing in my almost extinct blog. </div>
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Knowledge is power. In this case, a child that is armed with understanding would be better able to think through and process the news rationally, and manage their feelings of anxiety or stress about the situation. Here are some things you could discuss/do with your kids:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For the preschoolers:</span></b></div>
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- Explain to them (in simple terms) about the outbreak in China, and how it has spread to other countries. Borrow and read books on microbes (I especially like the book <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Tiny-Nicola-Davies/9781406360707?ref=grid-view&qid=1580910515006&sr=1-2">"Tiny" by Nicola Davies</a>).<br />
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- Help them to understand that some germs cause disease, and that we can take steps to limit the spread of germs. You could download and print a pictorial guide to discuss with the kids, such as <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOuMjxdgW1Pe1lMfQv8en785IIZBKa9k/view">this really cute one on @dumo.art</a> (this is in English and Chinese), or <a href="https://gumroad.com/l/kMDtj">this one by local artist @weimankow</a>. If your kids prefer an animated version, here's a pretty good <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBGsoimPXZg">video on </a><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><u>how germs spread</u></span></span>:</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YBGsoimPXZg" width="560"></iframe>
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- You could also try demonstrating how germs spread, such as using glitter glue on hands as shared by IG mamas @2mamas4kids over in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7-yIMYnw7C/">this post</a>, to drive home the importance of regular hand washing.<br />
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- Have them look up affected countries on a world map/globe. (J3 and J4 learnt how China is the country that is shaped like a chicken, and they hunted for other countries on the map.)<br />
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- Give them time to process the information. They may even incorporate parts of what they have learnt into their play, as a way of trying to deal with all they have learnt, and that can be used as a springboard for further discussions with them. In our case, J3 and J4 spent time playacting being sick with the virus, and visiting the hospital. </div>
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For more ideas, hop over to these IG mamas' posts:</div>
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- Sing Yun (@playfull.sg) shares her learning unit in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8C_TfuHkzh/">this post</a>.</div>
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- Joey (@playlexue) lists various useful bilingual terms relating to the virus <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8GEQfqnqJK/">here</a>.</div>
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- Jasmine (@3mm.montessori) shares some activities to try for kids under and above 6 years old in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B73YB_mh3WC/">this post</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspvWVZtIcF55hE1X7NlqVDkYL8u4p8CvlsXk_oHMSWgqpNwNG8XeKrTGcAZx3TE1Js2gj9CkwtASx7eBDfzwcZMqbd59LzwfJ-qMY-d5xnN_VdEiEmjk71GlIO5sHph3ktU0795z1uB4/s1600/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1508" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspvWVZtIcF55hE1X7NlqVDkYL8u4p8CvlsXk_oHMSWgqpNwNG8XeKrTGcAZx3TE1Js2gj9CkwtASx7eBDfzwcZMqbd59LzwfJ-qMY-d5xnN_VdEiEmjk71GlIO5sHph3ktU0795z1uB4/s640/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For the primary schoolers:</span></b></div>
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Give the kids hard data and facts, and discuss the news with them (BBC has a pretty good visual summary <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105">here</a>). I find that many kids would like to try to make sense of what is happening, but are not given the information or tools. My older boys especially jumped at the opportunity to wrestle with big numbers and ideas, and I learnt that kids are capable of thinking more deeply, if we are able to given them the info and guidance that they need. This in turn, helps them to think though the situation rationally, and deal with any anxiety or fears that they are feeling (in a sense, it's a little like shining a light to show them that the spooky shadow in their room is just some clothes hanging up on a hook). Here's some of the things we dived into:</div>
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<b><i>Science: Understanding how things work</i> <i>in the outbreak</i></b></div>
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We read about microbes and watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9LC-3ZKiok#action=share">this video</a> to learn about germ theory. (More info and discussion questions on the topic can be found <a href="https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-a-few-scientists-transformed-the-way-we-think-about-disease-tien-nguyen">here</a>.) Those in Primary school would also learn about microbes in their Science lessons, but not much is covered about infectious diseases, so reading up beyond the syllabus would be helpful in adding to their understanding. </div>
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The older kids learnt about how the virus jumped from animals to infect humans (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjcsrU-ZmgY">this video</a> is great for explaining how that jump is made). We also looked at how the isolation rooms in the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) work, from the use of negative pressure, HEPA filters and ultraviolet rays, to the function of double doors and personal protection equipment (The Straits Times has an excellent graphic on this, which you can view <a href="https://images.app.goo.gl/rCZPVbWze9ZWdjfZ9">here</a>.). Learning about these things helped to reassure them that things were still under control.<br />
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<b><i>Language: Finding meaning in reports and articles</i></b></div>
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Prior to this the kids had read very little news reports, so the different style of writing required me to do some explaining for more complex sentences. We looked up difficult words so they could understand better, such as "pandemic", "epidemic", and other scientific terms. </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Geography: Getting a sense of where and the range of the outbreak</i></div>
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We looked up countries and cities that were mentioned in newspaper articles. They noted countries linked to China by land, and how these borders were closed. The kids saw how air travel made the virus spread quickly all over the world. (A useful resource would be <a href="https://infographics.channelnewsasia.com/wuhan/gmap.html">Channel News Asia's map that tracks the number of cases around the world</a>.)</div>
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<b><i>Math: Getting an idea of the size and the severity of the outbreak</i></b></div>
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The news kept reporting the number of cases and the death toll, but little was mentioned about the mortality rate and the trends observed. J1 worked on getting the data into a table, and learnt how to calculate the mortality rate, and then plotted the rate on a graph to see if there was a trend. We also compared it against SARS and MERS and discovered that nCoV was less lethal (with a mortality rate of approximately 2%, versus SARS 10% and MERS 34%). We referred to the graph of number of cases and deaths over on <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topics/wuhan-virus?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_24082018_cna">this Channel News Asia page</a> (you need to scroll to the bottom to see it). </div>
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J1 learnt so much along the way as we crunched numbers. He learnt how looking at overall numbers does not give a proper basis of comparison, how data can be represented in tables but are limited in their ability to show trends, how graphs can help one to pick up patterns, how different graphs are used to represent different types of data. He also felt less anxious after discovering that the mortality rate was much lower, and that the rate actually dropped after an initial spike.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq45aR1Vixfl4hjYfbcgsWT6TpH1J7JSbP-lS0Noi24yHdP9CMWvgyKAsYX9g0edpFxPu_mzbAEJsXi8uxWBnB2I0dMrJVQGvR7G26EBAXG4sI9eFYug_wCPWlcIeepZn6Ho02aLQkADA/s1600/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq45aR1Vixfl4hjYfbcgsWT6TpH1J7JSbP-lS0Noi24yHdP9CMWvgyKAsYX9g0edpFxPu_mzbAEJsXi8uxWBnB2I0dMrJVQGvR7G26EBAXG4sI9eFYug_wCPWlcIeepZn6Ho02aLQkADA/s640/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" width="574" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the table and graph that J1 drew. We discussed the reasons for the spike in the earlier days: <br />Perhaps the virus was more lethal when it was transmitted from the original source of infection, but became <br />less lethal with community spread, leading to a dip in the mortality rate. The rate has more or less <br />remained constant thereafter at around 2%. We also discussed why a less lethal virus might have <br />greater transmission rates, which results in a greater overall number of infected cases. </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For the tweens/teens:</span></b></div>
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- For the older kids, take the opportunity to talk about social issues. Discuss with them about how fear arises from a lack of understanding, and results in ugly behaviour such as racist acts. Read together about the wildlife trade in China and its challenges (<a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/01/china-bans-wildlife-trade-after-coronavirus-outbreak/">this</a> is a good read for starters). Showcase our heroes, from our SAF servicemen packing masks for distribution, to the doctors who worked through the SARS epidemic previously. </div>
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- Discuss with the older ones about how we need to be discerning and evaluate the reliability of the news we read. For a good read on the misinformation being spread about the virus, please click <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-51271037">here</a>. What I am planning to do is to pull out some fake news articles, and teach the kids how to check the reliability of the information. Here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1k8rcYUmbQ">a good video</a> on how to do so:</div>
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- Some kids may also be interested in researching about the history of infectious diseases, as well the advances made in medicine to combat them. This video on pandemics gives a good overview of pandemics across history, and is also accompanied by review questions and more information which you can access <a href="https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-pandemics-spread#watch">here</a>. The research could be summarised into a timeline.</div>
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All in all, we need to be intentional about giving our kids the necessary skills and understanding to help them to process what has been happening, and I hope the resources above might be of help. That being said, we also need to remember that they are children, and not overburden them with too much information. Some kids may get more anxious when reading the news, while others relish the additional info, so it is up to us as parents to discern how much is beneficial for them, and shield them from the rest. For Christian parents, do also take time to pray with them about this, and commit their fears into His hands. May we have wisdom, and be able to act in love during this time of crisis!</div>
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PS: I will continue to share useful resources or activities in my IG stories over <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justtey/">@justtey</a>, so do hop over for more!</div>
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Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-33730052635968856922018-06-13T08:01:00.001+08:002018-06-13T08:03:54.312+08:00Cooking Casebook: Sour Cream Noodle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a few months since I've written! The reason for that warrants it's own post, but for now, let me share one of our go-to recipes for busy days: Sour Cream Noodle. I've adapted my own (lazy) version from this <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/sour-cream-noodle-bake/">original recipe</a>, which guarantees me a quick meal from scratch in less than an hour. This is simple enough that my kids can help to cook it, and they love this dish!</div>
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<b>Sour Cream Noodle</b></div>
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(Serves 5-6)</div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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300g minced beef</div>
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1 can whole, peeled tomatoes OR 1/2 a jar of passata </div>
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1/2 cup of sour cream</div>
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1 cup of cottage cheese (I just use the entire container)</div>
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1 cup of grated cheddar</div>
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1/2 cup of green onions (or more if preferred)</div>
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Pasta (about 4 servings worth, this is nice with pappardelle, or cook with penne/fusilli/linguine if you need the meal to be egg-free)</div>
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Olive oil/butter</div>
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Salt & pepper</div>
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<b>Method:</b><br />
1. Preheat oven to 180ºC. Brown the minced beef in an oven-safe pot (I like using my <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/buffet_casserole#.WyBdRFOFORs">Le Creuset Buffet Casserole</a> for this, or you can also use a <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/round_french_oven/#.WyBdXFOFORs">French oven</a> too) in some melted butter or oil. As the beef browns, slice up the green onions & cook the pasta (in a separate pot) until al dente.<br />
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2. Add salt & pepper , and the canned tomatoes/passata to the beef. Stir to mix and leave to simmer.<br />
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3. Drain the pasta when cooked. Add the sour cream, cottage cheese and green onions to the pasta and mix well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqjOptOLZBPQ0HiAJ9BrnyQSSPQMdgveop9El5G3743geWvhxqgBV75c-XdEMiFf2EpYt67XYFsXEMERnLfQLprxgY90ms8EgwyCbFNABtHjm2aHzRxpGX5LaMJ_VHf6rpc1MtSsdqe8/s1600/Le+Creuset+%2528Sour+cream+noodle%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="800" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqjOptOLZBPQ0HiAJ9BrnyQSSPQMdgveop9El5G3743geWvhxqgBV75c-XdEMiFf2EpYt67XYFsXEMERnLfQLprxgY90ms8EgwyCbFNABtHjm2aHzRxpGX5LaMJ_VHf6rpc1MtSsdqe8/s640/Le+Creuset+%2528Sour+cream+noodle%2529+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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4. Remove the oven-safe pot from heat, and top the beef with the pasta. Sprinkle the grated cheddar on top of the pasta.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBumqCaXxOccJEvp_lnR0FDyN3ME3ir_Uyg3DcrUN8oTuppYEwDAQryIlInrHhCEWsxaZvF_Nc2Pz4UGk2DBSbnC5GoYzo0mQ8kiAxhwFTssAaZLvKy9FkQcgNddm4phpRtCwXwP-mqas/s1600/Le+Creuset+%2528Sour+cream+noodle%2529+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="800" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBumqCaXxOccJEvp_lnR0FDyN3ME3ir_Uyg3DcrUN8oTuppYEwDAQryIlInrHhCEWsxaZvF_Nc2Pz4UGk2DBSbnC5GoYzo0mQ8kiAxhwFTssAaZLvKy9FkQcgNddm4phpRtCwXwP-mqas/s640/Le+Creuset+%2528Sour+cream+noodle%2529+-+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. Bake, uncovered, in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until all the cheese is melted. Serve with chilli flakes if you want a spicy kick!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lUZcuTDSRe4l64CsRRCHJLanlvS-WEolG4vPYdo6zioNVp19yqYKuxiHDKgiD4CnrNLdhyVLPcR2uWkq8sOmBM2UQjOaOeC-C-59Iqi0GEAfdOb3BVP64cxwL3NdLVp8L27ZKwfPMEk/s1600/Le+Creuset+%2528Sour+cream+noodle%2529+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lUZcuTDSRe4l64CsRRCHJLanlvS-WEolG4vPYdo6zioNVp19yqYKuxiHDKgiD4CnrNLdhyVLPcR2uWkq8sOmBM2UQjOaOeC-C-59Iqi0GEAfdOb3BVP64cxwL3NdLVp8L27ZKwfPMEk/s640/Le+Creuset+%2528Sour+cream+noodle%2529+-+6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">PS: This post is the eighth in a series of posts written in collaboration with </span><a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/" style="text-align: start;">Le Creuset Singapore</a><span style="text-align: start;">. You can find the entire series of posts </span><a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/search/label/Le%20Creuset" style="text-align: start;">here</a><span style="text-align: start;">.</span></div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-38328774471353117442018-01-22T01:50:00.001+08:002018-01-22T01:50:53.756+08:00Cooking Casebook: Baked fish in lemon cream sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5F1Fn23sbHjMOir5qfisfL6e0dLM9w4KCoZc-1GfWQ45D_iSUuGgMXcog56eWWXoSxGneVzExMtZ9YFMgtypR6H_lqOX2-v2-6Hr84SaqsncCRqDezTUMV2IgbLQyUNSB8ut2kGn3ZM/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5F1Fn23sbHjMOir5qfisfL6e0dLM9w4KCoZc-1GfWQ45D_iSUuGgMXcog56eWWXoSxGneVzExMtZ9YFMgtypR6H_lqOX2-v2-6Hr84SaqsncCRqDezTUMV2IgbLQyUNSB8ut2kGn3ZM/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="471" /></a></div>
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These days I've been trying to cook more fish. I'm not much of a fan of fish, I think mainly because I was "forced" to eat a lot of fish during my first two confinements. However, the hubs and the kids love fish, and I have been trying to widen my repertoire of fish dishes.</div>
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Thus far, I've only learnt how to do the usual Teochew-style steamed fish, and I struggle with getting fish cooked just right when using the oven (I've been known to cook my fish to death, heh). So I've been experimenting with various baked fish dishes, and recently tried <a href="http://www.recipetineats.com/baked-fish-with-lemon-cream-sauce/">this recipe</a>. The sauce turned out pretty amazing (but I overcooked the fish, because I miscalculated the time!), so I thought the recipe it was worth tweaking and sharing here!</div>
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This dish is great for busy days where you want a light, yet filling meal, and I usually pair the fish with baked vegetables. I toss the veggies (potatoes, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc) with olive oil, salt, rosemary, thyme and a dash of balsamic vinegar, and bake them in the oven at the same time while the fish is cooking, and the veggies are ready in about 35 minutes or so. </div>
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<b>Baked Fish in Lemon Cream Sauce</b></div>
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(Serves 2-3)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8SxXIgAeGfNPT_wEg0WDHXFvHYv4vB73WBZ_96McFaDSOudiQo8fKqSOWLVKDDj_mvfMVYIDAze6-3g7E8fJkS96krZvpCx6vGKDjm-DcTfvfmURgrCE6UHu05LFu1mnxIBRRSu83ng/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="800" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8SxXIgAeGfNPT_wEg0WDHXFvHYv4vB73WBZ_96McFaDSOudiQo8fKqSOWLVKDDj_mvfMVYIDAze6-3g7E8fJkS96krZvpCx6vGKDjm-DcTfvfmURgrCE6UHu05LFu1mnxIBRRSu83ng/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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2 x fish fillets (we use red snapper fillets)</div>
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50g unsalted butter</div>
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1/4 cup heavy cream </div>
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2 garlic cloves, minced</div>
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1 shallot, minced</div>
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1.5 tbsp lemon juice</div>
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Salt and pepper</div>
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Parsley and lemon slices to serve (optional)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDIfa4nsdyfMGrZMZmwO9_OMZpZ7Jenw7W7CoMH6lU3Hg1CRPQn-pfWtMthquvk_U4TQi5_ceMboDnPJEMJ9Q88l54zhjy_LjHXgmdA3B9-sNJCct1y0m3jzJPRl9A_8L175J-vRPhCE/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDIfa4nsdyfMGrZMZmwO9_OMZpZ7Jenw7W7CoMH6lU3Hg1CRPQn-pfWtMthquvk_U4TQi5_ceMboDnPJEMJ9Q88l54zhjy_LjHXgmdA3B9-sNJCct1y0m3jzJPRl9A_8L175J-vRPhCE/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Method</b><br />
1. Preheat oven to 200ºC. Wash and pat dry the fillets (Note: The fillets must be totally defrosted if frozen, and as dry as possible, as the water content in the fish affects the sauce). Season with salt and pepper.<br />
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2. Place the fillets in the <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/buffet_casserole#.WmTST5P1WRs">buffet casserole</a> (or a baking dish), while melting the butter. Add melted butter, cream, minced garlic and lemon juice into a small pot. Heat gently while stirring, until ingredients are well mixed. (Taste, and add salt to the sauce if you wish.) Pour the sauce over the fish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkfdo0QQGgLudxcLAehcUA1ouwoKcpTlCFpe60SyVNwVfIeSA3q22ly5I_RCzmHJ9fxONi0-ZFQco5JJ4C0n5nXc9DeKSShH12wgy4IBc8yDwbelT2_-PCrHYzLMGzVSrNwt7XMNQsHo/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="800" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkfdo0QQGgLudxcLAehcUA1ouwoKcpTlCFpe60SyVNwVfIeSA3q22ly5I_RCzmHJ9fxONi0-ZFQco5JJ4C0n5nXc9DeKSShH12wgy4IBc8yDwbelT2_-PCrHYzLMGzVSrNwt7XMNQsHo/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. Sprinkle the minced shallots over the fillets, then bake for 10-12 minutes, or until fish is cooked through (the time depends on how thick your fillets are, ours were baked for 11 minutes).<br />
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4. Remove from oven, and transfer the fillets onto plates. Serve with the sauce, along with parsley and lemon slices.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyEktzNKjXf0jE8_-0CCx9-CDMDNSU1LrEXp_4MDAWSc01WWdzIJZEPur8Ht67QDhqsR1cAM_fFqV0lHwkgSW8-Rtt4-CkeXnwfQXSTEsR5-_oDXxd358-T24MDrh5ErlX83-KsgrlME/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="800" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyEktzNKjXf0jE8_-0CCx9-CDMDNSU1LrEXp_4MDAWSc01WWdzIJZEPur8Ht67QDhqsR1cAM_fFqV0lHwkgSW8-Rtt4-CkeXnwfQXSTEsR5-_oDXxd358-T24MDrh5ErlX83-KsgrlME/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Baked+fish%2529+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Tips</b></div>
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1. Fish tastes awful if cold, so keep the casserole covered if not serving the fish immediately.</div>
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2. The <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/buffet_casserole#.WmTST5P1WRs">Le Creuset buffet casserole</a> distributes the heat well for even cooking, and the fish will be moist and tender if not overcooked. However, a baking dish will also do.</div>
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PS: This post is the seventh in a series of posts written in collaboration with <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset Singapore</a>. You can find the entire series of posts <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/search/label/Le%20Creuset">here</a>.Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-13621968737834919462017-11-24T08:19:00.002+08:002017-11-24T08:19:38.689+08:00Cooking Casebook: Beef short ribs with pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EfG0sZxm3VxtoRQ3NyyppNowq6zKhLMjY5vSDBzCgsswXjPAqUF1GanG0oqV8EgP0mugpYZnOYaczh7B88-32yKiv72cmZl-Fp2-e-j3dLyccbTu304rV0sBJf1pQV2jZQ5IW0OjRqM/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EfG0sZxm3VxtoRQ3NyyppNowq6zKhLMjY5vSDBzCgsswXjPAqUF1GanG0oqV8EgP0mugpYZnOYaczh7B88-32yKiv72cmZl-Fp2-e-j3dLyccbTu304rV0sBJf1pQV2jZQ5IW0OjRqM/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+2.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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We've been living like nomads since the start of our home renovations, and have been staying either with my parents in SG, or with the in-laws over in Penang. Whatever the case, I know I miss home, and the kids do too. I also miss having our own simple home-cooked meals (though not so much the slaving over the hot stove!), and I can't wait to take out my pots and pans when the dust from the reno has settled (literally!).</div>
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Anyway, speaking of cooking, this recipe for beef short ribs is one of my favourite recipes to cook if we want a simple pasta meal, that is yet elegant enough to serve for guests. It's really fuss-free to prepare, tastes great, and best of all, is freezer friendly! It was a modification of <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/crockpot-sunday-sauce/">this recipe</a>, and I use my <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/round_french_oven#.WhW067T1WRs">Le Creuset French oven</a> in this case, as I find it brings out the flavours better than the slow-cooker.</div>
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<b>BEEF SHORT RIBS WITH PASTA</b></div>
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(serves 8-10)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSitoFfPI6NYJY88VKCXSHsjLYnqgiqkqN6SuF7lbaD19I3Vht4gBrtbZ3OAZq932walIKWFWy6v1z_PnioV3URnt-BCYwXdvu-DVKxYzDBrRPN_XbVO2uGjx7S8yTNBzrP49T06r1hwg/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="700" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSitoFfPI6NYJY88VKCXSHsjLYnqgiqkqN6SuF7lbaD19I3Vht4gBrtbZ3OAZq932walIKWFWy6v1z_PnioV3URnt-BCYwXdvu-DVKxYzDBrRPN_XbVO2uGjx7S8yTNBzrP49T06r1hwg/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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1.5 kg of beef short ribs </div>
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2 tbsp olive oil </div>
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4 tbsp of butter</div>
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1/2 cup of red wine</div>
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2 cans of whole, peeled tomatoes</div>
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3/4 cup of sun-dried tomatoes (those that are stored in oil)</div>
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1 small can of tomato paste </div>
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1 large onion, diced</div>
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5 cloves of garlic, minced</div>
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2 large carrots, cut into thick slices</div>
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2 tsp dried basil</div>
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2 tsp dried parsley</div>
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1 tsp oregano</div>
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1/2 tsp dried thyme</div>
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1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)</div>
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4 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese</div>
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2 tbsp shredded fresh basil leaves</div>
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Salt and pepper</div>
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Pasta for serving (we use papardelle)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaybOYC0i3tYGaY483tdlumedJdyANVhW50vx2TjGPf6FFjl60M1KQnPMrrQjkMPwDRT9od0e8PVPt8KUiLw4Qt3tbtaqOOXw9fd9nAb2HmBuWjWatD5CpKOHQd62hQMZZ0PrhxK4E3M/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="700" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaybOYC0i3tYGaY483tdlumedJdyANVhW50vx2TjGPf6FFjl60M1KQnPMrrQjkMPwDRT9od0e8PVPt8KUiLw4Qt3tbtaqOOXw9fd9nAb2HmBuWjWatD5CpKOHQd62hQMZZ0PrhxK4E3M/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Method</b></div>
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1. Add and heat the olive oil in a cast iron pot (we use a <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/round_french_oven#.WhW067T1WRs">round, 26cm Le Creuset French oven</a>) over medium-high heat. </div>
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2. Season the ribs with salt and pepper, and add them to the pot. Sear the ribs all over, taking about 1 minute per side.</div>
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3. Add the butter, taking care not to let the butter burn.</div>
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4. After butter has melted and starts to froth, add the garlic and onions, and brown them for a few minutes. </div>
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5. Add the red wine, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes (drain away the oil that they are stored in first), tomato paste and the dried herbs. Cover and cook for 4 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally. </div>
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6. Add and stir in the carrot slices, and cook for an additional hour. If the sauce appears too dilute, remove the lid during the last hour of cooking. (Leave the lid on if the sauce is the right thickness, and add a splash of water if you feel the sauce is too thick.) </div>
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7. After 5 hours of cooking (you can cook it even longer if you wish), remove the pot from heat, shred the meat and remove the rib bones. Stir in the parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Season with more salt and pepper if necessary.</div>
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8. Cook pasta until al dente, and drain. Serve the sauce with the pasta. (This sauce goes amazingly well with pappardelle!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokyiQDT-UVN9JuCLfkLB9q12NPc0Qc7tNNrTI-SG_JLu2oOZQ9v6GFV9ZND9n426DgQXMENmqkl52CCrcEYmm4hlUHvPOzy1eKCFdccoXoJSH9gEwZpDeOwRGK_zlYcmfs3od5osNa1k/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokyiQDT-UVN9JuCLfkLB9q12NPc0Qc7tNNrTI-SG_JLu2oOZQ9v6GFV9ZND9n426DgQXMENmqkl52CCrcEYmm4hlUHvPOzy1eKCFdccoXoJSH9gEwZpDeOwRGK_zlYcmfs3od5osNa1k/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Sunday+sauce%2529+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Tips</b></div>
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1. Beef short ribs can be rather pricey, so we buy the frozen ones from the wet market, as they are relatively cheaper.</div>
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2. You can replicate this recipe in the slow-cooker, just that it is more troublesome, since you would need to sear the ribs in a pot before putting them into the slow-cooker. I also find that the flavours develop more if you use the French oven instead of the slow-cooker.</div>
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PS: This post is the sixth in a series of posts written in collaboration with <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset Singapore</a>. You can find the entire series of posts <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/search/label/Le%20Creuset">here</a>.</div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-68017154147299895432017-10-11T00:00:00.000+08:002017-10-11T02:46:18.740+08:00Cooking Casebook: Asian beef stew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO6Kpy2pITJg7ofTlCljbOpgweaS-4XtspmMjGS_WVbY0FVLaPDhrcIH4TgJHqyBnLcqJnqGSjStfNYtszz_I-eykw8PLJ7GakowdLxNmA1Eper2whC9C6GMIGNgcqDNBsJHRZonTonk/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="700" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO6Kpy2pITJg7ofTlCljbOpgweaS-4XtspmMjGS_WVbY0FVLaPDhrcIH4TgJHqyBnLcqJnqGSjStfNYtszz_I-eykw8PLJ7GakowdLxNmA1Eper2whC9C6GMIGNgcqDNBsJHRZonTonk/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We love our traditional beef stews. However, the hubby always has a preference for Asian food, so this Asian beef stew (modified from <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/asian-braised_shin_of_98140">this recipe</a>) gets his thumbs up! This stew is really easy to prepare, and I love how versatile it is: you can serve it with noodles, or eat it with rice. </div>
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<b>ASIAN BEEF STEW</b></div>
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(serves 6 if eaten as a main, 8 if served with noodles or rice)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYPJpgS79h43peZ72kIm9P1p9N_CXO4SJrIYosk7GFnDjTmBrnjgMAXqsKVTWW0Q1ctAoNnqKfbKxPbPRMlyh34zrVoKbXZzzI3BtU0dRDZW7E-F30JaBVFTGD1813AtfnwvBSOwR4A8/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYPJpgS79h43peZ72kIm9P1p9N_CXO4SJrIYosk7GFnDjTmBrnjgMAXqsKVTWW0Q1ctAoNnqKfbKxPbPRMlyh34zrVoKbXZzzI3BtU0dRDZW7E-F30JaBVFTGD1813AtfnwvBSOwR4A8/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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2 large onions, peeled</div>
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5 cm piece of ginger, peeled</div>
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5 garlic cloves, peeled</div>
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3 tbsp sesame oil</div>
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250 ml Chinese cooking wine</div>
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5 tbsp soya sauce</div>
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3 tbsp oyster sauce</div>
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3 tbsp brown sugar</div>
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4 tbsp black rice vinegar</div>
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1 litre of beef stock (or just use water, and add another 2 tbsp of oyster & soya sauce each)</div>
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2 cinnamon sticks</div>
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2 star anise</div>
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1 kg of beef shin, chopped into cubes</div>
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3 carrots, chopped into thick slices</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt06ag2ZzJBK6rAsJ7uJn7pL4ryULM245klZMilsd1JXPxYFY4QbKJNJl2SGA-JeqEot0EX8ZFniR9Gr4bWmQHu8q551RXCzdXv83f2j2s5tVXFzOfOnMsALGhH3L5vOPTv4ZkWsGVjUk/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="700" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt06ag2ZzJBK6rAsJ7uJn7pL4ryULM245klZMilsd1JXPxYFY4QbKJNJl2SGA-JeqEot0EX8ZFniR9Gr4bWmQHu8q551RXCzdXv83f2j2s5tVXFzOfOnMsALGhH3L5vOPTv4ZkWsGVjUk/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Method</b></div>
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1. Preheat the oven to 150ºC.</div>
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2. Blend the onions, ginger and garlic in a blender or food processor until finely minced.</div>
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3. Heat the oil in a large pot (we use our 26 cm <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset</a> <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/round_french_oven#.Wd0IIROCyRs">round French oven</a> as it allows for stovetop to oven cooking). Fry the onion, ginger and garlic mixture until golden.</div>
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4. Add the beef and continue to fry for another 10 minutes. </div>
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5. Pour in the Chinese wine, followed by the stock (or water), black rice vinegar, soya sauce, and oyster sauce.</div>
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6. Let the mixture come to a boil. Add the sugar as well as the cinnamon sticks and star anise.</div>
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7. Stir, cover the pot, and cook in the oven for 2.5 hours.</div>
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8. Remove the pot from the oven, and add the carrots. Add some water to the pot if the stew is drying out. Return the pot to the oven to cook for at least another 30 minutes to an hour, until the beef is tender. </div>
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9. Serve with noodles (we usually pair it with hibiscus noodle), or with rice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLKgi0MPfPpnty-BQ4Pu1TLZe1BMDWBepbBiDYxZ21NRrdhTNM2FoZqRtcav8qF3EdUu0VTQKLI2spEEMJWD2jebyZy_sH8YuHBBBKK9IRWjiDM5DKSFPaRfrZYTpI0e07wsqkV65-nw/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="700" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLKgi0MPfPpnty-BQ4Pu1TLZe1BMDWBepbBiDYxZ21NRrdhTNM2FoZqRtcav8qF3EdUu0VTQKLI2spEEMJWD2jebyZy_sH8YuHBBBKK9IRWjiDM5DKSFPaRfrZYTpI0e07wsqkV65-nw/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Asian+beef+stew%2529+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Tips</b></div>
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1. We add the carrots later so that they do not become too mushy. If you are intending to freeze a portion, remove the carrots as they become soft when reheated. This recipe is freezer friendly!</div>
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2. You can add a dash of five spice powder to the beef for additional flavour.</div>
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PS: This post is the fifth in a series of posts written in collaboration with <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset Singapore</a>. You can find the entire series of posts <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/search/label/Le%20Creuset">here</a>. We were sponsored some of the products pictured for purpose of these posts, and no monetary compensation was received.</div>
<br />Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-62515138506552983372017-09-05T00:41:00.001+08:002017-09-05T02:11:42.710+08:00Cooking Casebook: Chicken in Milk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTquvZRWV8Nwdq9A0FYYBsECrfEimj5gB6OYEkKWtKtXw6Uc-8O1mWuv-VNPi4i4zEUC2VZg0m_dexaLUczoN0qRDlbfcIilJG6DzJ-bGmJYL56XFTLhtjrRkeUVCFrZaVIHXtUKKWysQ/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="700" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTquvZRWV8Nwdq9A0FYYBsECrfEimj5gB6OYEkKWtKtXw6Uc-8O1mWuv-VNPi4i4zEUC2VZg0m_dexaLUczoN0qRDlbfcIilJG6DzJ-bGmJYL56XFTLhtjrRkeUVCFrZaVIHXtUKKWysQ/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello September, I can't believe you are here! Life has been full as usual, but I am popping in again to share one of our favourite chicken recipes. This <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/chicken-in-milk/">recipe by Jamie Oliver</a> (it's hard to go wrong when you use a JO recipe!) has the most unlikely combinations: milk and chicken. However, slowly cooking the chicken in milk, lemon zest and herbs gives you the most amazing sauce, and I especially love this recipe as it's easy and fuss-free! The kids love this, and the best thing about this dish is that it is freezer-friendly and versatile. My only issue with it is that we never had enough sauce to go around, so I've adapted the recipe in a few ways. Here's our version!</div>
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<b>CHICKEN IN MILK</b></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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1 whole chicken, cleaned</div>
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2 whole garlic bulbs</div>
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1 handful of fresh sage</div>
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A few sprigs of fresh rosemary</div>
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A few sprigs of fresh thyme</div>
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2 lemons, zested</div>
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1/2 stick of cinnamon</div>
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Sea salt</div>
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Black pepper</div>
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Milk (600 ml)</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm-1LAhEMD7NPBkqih-JQCloixw0Drxpc8ax9m2VmsP4AB-KUjyEAHVEvfAHCaxaLEWw3ff5s26AemJM-96E_DFVRdcNJA4hi8OdUB8DO_syXBl531lk6IclceVrVV13MU9fE349FiFQ/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="700" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm-1LAhEMD7NPBkqih-JQCloixw0Drxpc8ax9m2VmsP4AB-KUjyEAHVEvfAHCaxaLEWw3ff5s26AemJM-96E_DFVRdcNJA4hi8OdUB8DO_syXBl531lk6IclceVrVV13MU9fE349FiFQ/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Method</b></div>
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1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC.</div>
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2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper (you need to be generous with the salt).</div>
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3. Heat a small amount of olive oil in the pot. I used my Le Creuset 26 cm round French Oven, as this fits an entire chicken, and allows me to do stove to oven cooking. Fry the chicken until golden, turning to get an even colour. (Note: If you are hard-pressed for time, you can skip this step, but it helps with increasing flavour.)</div>
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4. Add the cinnamon, the sage, rosemary, and thyme leaves, lemon zest, garlic bulbs, and 500 ml of milk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VdAOlj-mYzP5fn79GuyqaVZ5Q_7mg8fOLOl2Qqkt52RNyHkpeE2j2hCGtYFgPgJ43-LLIJk9SRnG-FmJco2OXsfwSNDpYEgB7WV-2S6rfpNM5Y93SevCIiY0cF4RDVp_qdiXo4t-oiQ/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VdAOlj-mYzP5fn79GuyqaVZ5Q_7mg8fOLOl2Qqkt52RNyHkpeE2j2hCGtYFgPgJ43-LLIJk9SRnG-FmJco2OXsfwSNDpYEgB7WV-2S6rfpNM5Y93SevCIiY0cF4RDVp_qdiXo4t-oiQ/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. Cook in the oven uncovered, for 1 hour 30 minutes (or until the chicken is cooked through). At the 30 minute mark, add an additional 100 ml of milk into the pot. Bast the chicken with the milk sauce every 30 minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejefIavyL5z1zG2BDDsCZO06F9jlL-41RxUfx9iwvuIs3Gk2pUV4MExN-6VwTg-EmR5BJV9nEUIaJFROTwkVmJkx9kJ5BrN8sWPePiizYYSS73kVI2BJs0MLy6WTLDRsRRDtAxWWNYaA/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejefIavyL5z1zG2BDDsCZO06F9jlL-41RxUfx9iwvuIs3Gk2pUV4MExN-6VwTg-EmR5BJV9nEUIaJFROTwkVmJkx9kJ5BrN8sWPePiizYYSS73kVI2BJs0MLy6WTLDRsRRDtAxWWNYaA/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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6. Serve the chicken with the milk sauce. We love it with potatoes or pasta!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFg7hpy7cFbuS82GF8N2rnmRUCCJkEOWYMU5flQEQ2p1vOLveAYJVVr9e-RG6DU5pUM_CrbWlWT41NWpbkQWUSnEK3cgvLw4mzFamsTvCGVnXxLPdDdN3_nubx-yXoMLQPFEadDoem5k/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="700" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFg7hpy7cFbuS82GF8N2rnmRUCCJkEOWYMU5flQEQ2p1vOLveAYJVVr9e-RG6DU5pUM_CrbWlWT41NWpbkQWUSnEK3cgvLw4mzFamsTvCGVnXxLPdDdN3_nubx-yXoMLQPFEadDoem5k/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Tips:</b><br />
1. This recipe is freezer friendly. To save space, shred the chicken off the bones before freezing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEuqJzROeUQ4i0FYpdsddCxe52-nvUQjz2209b1ilHExxfF_aKTR2ZTWjw5q9z4zC8BKjVgcJGcZO1fjnvzRQV7wFx1aY5VcDUaxAD6dFVWIJXAQxkjTMgelPKxmOm7m6_88sQkgJFsI/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="700" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEuqJzROeUQ4i0FYpdsddCxe52-nvUQjz2209b1ilHExxfF_aKTR2ZTWjw5q9z4zC8BKjVgcJGcZO1fjnvzRQV7wFx1aY5VcDUaxAD6dFVWIJXAQxkjTMgelPKxmOm7m6_88sQkgJFsI/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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2. I usually defrost the frozen batch and reheat it with the milk sauce, while adding veggies such as capsicum and corn. We serve it over freshly cooked pasta (Note: Pasta is not freezer friendly and should always be cooked fresh!). We love this with pappardelle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxzQtjEQspf5hJb3uMqQhKvIUnRg5-IbtyRGs5wb1baARPlvFTBfZOLszaoES4psipdZR5BrlpsjaW7P868XrANAmLhD9wlIpBFt_H8rDtF6G127xc5otggbTPKILG7STnhp9BczhJNo/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxzQtjEQspf5hJb3uMqQhKvIUnRg5-IbtyRGs5wb1baARPlvFTBfZOLszaoES4psipdZR5BrlpsjaW7P868XrANAmLhD9wlIpBFt_H8rDtF6G127xc5otggbTPKILG7STnhp9BczhJNo/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Milk+chicken%2529+-+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">PS: This post is the fourth in a series of posts written in collaboration with Le Creuset Singapore. We were sponsored products for purpose of these posts (but we purchased the larger French oven pictured in this post, before this collaboration). No monetary compensation was received.</span></div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-60025193227060302592017-07-26T23:30:00.000+08:002017-07-27T02:31:47.086+08:00Cooking Casebook: Beef stew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAfU76_yugzGL9my6gwwexiQ3UYa3zC-fxPMVuUvszIMHB-a6kkPrPj1UDscM_hslFgIrgMqM4PNn0o8JkCKbrkz6yxs-f41aXkJy88Nj5nHBdzPMdhJj9gTuF_YWoLWVZqh8UXkbiAA/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAfU76_yugzGL9my6gwwexiQ3UYa3zC-fxPMVuUvszIMHB-a6kkPrPj1UDscM_hslFgIrgMqM4PNn0o8JkCKbrkz6yxs-f41aXkJy88Nj5nHBdzPMdhJj9gTuF_YWoLWVZqh8UXkbiAA/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I admit, sometimes it can be quite a drag to have to cook almost every day for the family. It is hot, hard work, which is not made any easier when you have to walk around with a toddler glued to your leg. But then, there are days where I see this, and all the (literal) sweating over our meals doesn't seem that bad after all:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxpD9DJa_X2i1osohbQI9M37aL4NKltex0egLscBccAIi8VoCJ2KB84ZcU0e0hN6pdrAcqU3YDq2p5uFdAG2lji6IS_7Jr3lnzMnitGxpPiuknxp5RL3C11Fj_WKWzEWpkqNKmvsRZWA/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="700" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxpD9DJa_X2i1osohbQI9M37aL4NKltex0egLscBccAIi8VoCJ2KB84ZcU0e0hN6pdrAcqU3YDq2p5uFdAG2lji6IS_7Jr3lnzMnitGxpPiuknxp5RL3C11Fj_WKWzEWpkqNKmvsRZWA/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The hubs was around that evening, and had brought the kids to the playground. Upon returning home, the boys ran into the house, sniffed the air, and asked me "what is that yummy smell?". And they all ran to the oven, and spent the next 10 minutes just inhaling the amazing aroma of the beef stew that was slowly simmering away inside. Seeing them standing at the oven reminded me of why I cook: because food can be a love language, and it is another way of showing my family that I care.</div>
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Anyway, this is our go-to recipe when I want a hearty beef stew. It is adapted from <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/beef-recipes/jools-s-favourite-beef-stew/">this recipe</a> by Jamie Oliver, and this is easy to prep if you have a French oven, since it can go from stove top to oven and everything is cooked in one pot. It's also freezer friendly too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxf9JYbLOk3C_NYsL1jI-zlvxGEPZIHYiQWp6dbj8uevRxuy1K1RxkixcxWONEKMgeaQBzfEyAjQIr0sfxKOM8Eu0hr9CBkBTNuZRpV-5WV3WQM1KltzCG_omw2TSdRHMkAQg5Ar0adM/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxf9JYbLOk3C_NYsL1jI-zlvxGEPZIHYiQWp6dbj8uevRxuy1K1RxkixcxWONEKMgeaQBzfEyAjQIr0sfxKOM8Eu0hr9CBkBTNuZRpV-5WV3WQM1KltzCG_omw2TSdRHMkAQg5Ar0adM/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+4.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
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<b>BEEF STEW</b></div>
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(Serves 6)</div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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2 onions, diced</div>
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1/2 a butternut squash, deseeded and chopped into large pieces</div>
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5 carrots, chopped into 1 inch thick slices</div>
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500g potatoes, peeled and chopped into halves or quarters</div>
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1 kg of stewing steak, cut into 2 inch chunks</div>
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1 cup of red wine</div>
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2 cups of beef/vegetable stock</div>
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1 knob of butter</div>
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1 tbsp all purpose flour</div>
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4 tbsp tomato puree</div>
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A few sprigs of fresh sage, leaves plucked</div>
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A few sprigs of rosemary, finely chopped</div>
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1 clove of garlic, minced</div>
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1 lemon, zested (optional)</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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Black pepper</div>
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Sea salt</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XQ43GW9piOI3-nvPIiVzyMXvSmZ8GMICsUiDrv9RMxTCIshCSoBS0X0uHr_NMG0w-udy7FMy2j_PTRRQ7DGL8sqsbaoBmT5kS4BAFDe8ATEJvmqmhhzMw5lveMThP5JlQpxxfyKw3wc/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XQ43GW9piOI3-nvPIiVzyMXvSmZ8GMICsUiDrv9RMxTCIshCSoBS0X0uHr_NMG0w-udy7FMy2j_PTRRQ7DGL8sqsbaoBmT5kS4BAFDe8ATEJvmqmhhzMw5lveMThP5JlQpxxfyKw3wc/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b>Method</b></div>
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1. Preheat the oven to 160ºC.</div>
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2. Heat a little olive oil and the butter in a cast iron pot (we use our 26 cm <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/round_french_oven#.WXjftdOGORs">Le Creuset French oven</a>) on medium heat.</div>
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3. When the butter has melted, add the onion and sage leaves. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes.</div>
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4. Season the meat with salt and black pepper, toss the meat in flour, and add it to the pot. Fry for another 3 to 4 minutes.</div>
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5. Add the squash, tomato puree, wine and stock, and stir. Season with a pinch of sea salt.</div>
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6. Bring the ingredients to a boil, cover the pot, and place it in the oven for 3 hours. At the 2 hour mark, give the stew a stir and add a little water if you find that the stew is drying out.</div>
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7. After 3 hours, add the potatoes and carrots, stir, and return the pot to the oven. (Again, if you think the stew is too dry, add some water.) Continue cooking, covered for another hour. (We like our potatoes and carrots with some "bite", hence we add them much later. Should you prefer them softer, add them in at the 2 hour mark.)</div>
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8. Mix the lemon zest, chopped rosemary and minced garlic. Sprinkle over the stew before serving. We love having this stew with garlic bread, or slices of baguette on the side. Sometimes we mix in some cooked pasta.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoekZcAM1AtGqKXV0u2h2F3W-w8kR8O99JAXvNHXtw4DAt4CMsygVbnHNqq4eBS8myXnot4uJH2uRQjL2K4vCV_ydc0tiKrxsHqx6A_wq7wzEK3pIVx3znucAHO6n2jVxuzJ0euaTNIEI/s1600/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="700" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoekZcAM1AtGqKXV0u2h2F3W-w8kR8O99JAXvNHXtw4DAt4CMsygVbnHNqq4eBS8myXnot4uJH2uRQjL2K4vCV_ydc0tiKrxsHqx6A_wq7wzEK3pIVx3znucAHO6n2jVxuzJ0euaTNIEI/s640/Le+Creuset+x+Jus+%2528Beef+stew%2529+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Tips</b></div>
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1. We use our <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/round_french_oven#.WXjftdOGORs">Le Creuset French oven</a> to cook this, as it allows us to cook everything in one pot. The lid helps to seal in the flavours during the cooking process, and washing up is much simpler with just one pot!</div>
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2. You can try adding slices of sweet potato along with the carrots and potatoes. It helps to add sweetness and flavour to the stew.</div>
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3. This stew is freezer friendly, but the potatoes and carrots can become mushy after defrosting. As such, it might be better to just freeze the meat and the stew, and add fresh veggies when cooking a frozen batch.</div>
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PS: This post is the third in a series of posts written in collaboration with <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset Singapore</a>. We were sponsored products for purpose of these posts (but this French oven was our first ever cast iron pot that we purchased, way before this collaboration), and no monetary compensation was received.</div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-45175389138747453832017-06-13T00:39:00.001+08:002017-06-13T01:38:49.577+08:00Cooking Casebook: Chicken Parmesan <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP1K6UvcCGrafZ9gYjBT95MN1ABmm0XOxhU0gi66vJuNizy-PG_BQXYXSObKbKXtCwLAbAlbvRyiDPVsXotmA3IgB5_Suf3Hr7Wbc-qc4FIIAWwwVdGxIizGhds-3_p-1kByOxd-xkq8/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP1K6UvcCGrafZ9gYjBT95MN1ABmm0XOxhU0gi66vJuNizy-PG_BQXYXSObKbKXtCwLAbAlbvRyiDPVsXotmA3IgB5_Suf3Hr7Wbc-qc4FIIAWwwVdGxIizGhds-3_p-1kByOxd-xkq8/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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These days, I've been trying to reduce our red meat intake, and I'm trying to improve on my repertoire of chicken and fish dishes. However, I must admit, I'm not too good in cooking chicken, unless it's in a soup dish. I tend to overcook it (same goes for fish!), and I find it hard to get it tender and moist.</div>
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One day though, I was browsing for recipes and ideas for cooking chicken, and came across <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/223042/chicken-parmesan/">this one for Chicken Parmesan</a>, which promised a crispier crust. I looked at the ingredients and decided to try it, since it looked like something the kids might enjoy (who can resist all that melted cheese!). It turned out to be a winner, with a yummy crust and tender meat inside, and everyone loved it. So here's sharing our own modified version of the recipe:</div>
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<b>CHICKEN PARMESAN</b></div>
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(Serves 4)</div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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2 cups of panko bread crumbs</div>
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3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese</div>
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2 tablespoons all purpose flour</div>
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1/3 cup olive oil </div>
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1/2 cup of tomato sauce</div>
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1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes (not shredded)</div>
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1/4 cup chopped fresh basil </div>
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Salt and pepper</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAAMmVZ3a_ivhDu_6sM5HlIOJPnIsOOSydT_UT0NL0YEZ1NLDrEGw3fWMejG_59gOtblAEkCzvTNkL84BgF58zSj9RJggbGJRPz2Omf5Drow7FeF8DqImuJFPl6uOtWczeuJdt3V0QKw/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAAMmVZ3a_ivhDu_6sM5HlIOJPnIsOOSydT_UT0NL0YEZ1NLDrEGw3fWMejG_59gOtblAEkCzvTNkL84BgF58zSj9RJggbGJRPz2Omf5Drow7FeF8DqImuJFPl6uOtWczeuJdt3V0QKw/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Method:</b><br />
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1. It is best to season the chicken breasts the night before with salt and pepper. Depending on your preference, you may also want to cut each piece of meat into half or thirds.<br />
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2. Preheat oven to 230ºC.<br />
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3. Place chicken pieces in a large ziplock bag and seal the bag. Pound the chicken with a meat mallet to a thickness of about 1 cm.<br />
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4. Beat eggs in a bowl.<br />
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5. Mix bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of Parmesan in another bowl.<br />
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6. Sift flour over the chicken pieces, evenly coating both sides.<br />
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7. Dip the chicken in the beaten eggs, then transfer the chicken to the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides. Repeat for each piece of chicken, then set aside for about 15 minutes.<br />
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8. Heat 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large skillet, or buffet casserole (the latter allows you to do all the cooking in one pot) at medium high heat. Fry chicken pieces until golden, which requires a few minutes on each side.<br />
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9. Transfer chicken pieces into a baking dish (if you are using the buffet casserole, just drain away the excess oil). Top each piece with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil, then sprinkle a few tablespoons of Parmesan cheese as well as a tablespoon of olive oil.<br />
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10. Bake in the oven until cheese is browned and bubbly, and chicken is cooked through, which would take approximately 15-20 minutes.<br />
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11. Serve on top of pasta, or in our case, fried potato slices.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrAyknu-CQ_STJ4x8JUTnvLPQVuN7_jQJHn-_XgH0d3RrU_MxAFO8towlbp-UHOA0y9097_fH43J2ofMSDzdCQy6ez7Cem7FRb-sbSadIXq2p4Wm8l4Kbnfrg72unnG9gHt-QyNzS3Jw/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrAyknu-CQ_STJ4x8JUTnvLPQVuN7_jQJHn-_XgH0d3RrU_MxAFO8towlbp-UHOA0y9097_fH43J2ofMSDzdCQy6ez7Cem7FRb-sbSadIXq2p4Wm8l4Kbnfrg72unnG9gHt-QyNzS3Jw/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Tips:</b><br />
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1. If you are cooking this for kids, you may want to chop the chicken breasts into smaller pieces (thirds or quarters) before coating them. In general, I find my kids love this dish because of the crust, so the smaller the pieces, the more crust there is for them!<br />
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2. Using a pot that can go from stovetop to oven is helpful. In our case, using the <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/buffet_casserole#.WT7ReBOGORs">Le Creuset buffet casserole</a> meant I could fry the chicken on the stove, and then pop the pot in the oven directly. This was more convenient, and also meant less washing up to do!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3c8K__m9uN511OefyupYdL-4wBWCUFWp9VlDQyRYozVholCCvJCBIzVKFrR97XcEkZZ-vZpGeUKSqFloCeg-8n_0ne26qJJALPJCiKHRDVTTa3QuhM8aI8DWSZ1IMZ_C66e0H1dCetK8/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3c8K__m9uN511OefyupYdL-4wBWCUFWp9VlDQyRYozVholCCvJCBIzVKFrR97XcEkZZ-vZpGeUKSqFloCeg-8n_0ne26qJJALPJCiKHRDVTTa3QuhM8aI8DWSZ1IMZ_C66e0H1dCetK8/s1600/LeCreuset%2528Chicken+Parmesan%2529+-+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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PS: This post is the second in a series of posts written in collaboration with <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset Singapore</a>. We were sponsored products for purpose of these posts, and no monetary compensation was received. Stay tuned for more family friendly recipes to come!Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-66188079236760948202017-05-10T09:06:00.001+08:002017-06-13T01:33:34.022+08:00Cooking Casebook: Easy BBQ pork ribs<div>
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I know, I know, I've been missing from this space for a really long time! Life has been really full, and we've been busy with the regular going-ons of everyday life. And speaking of busy, I've been spending a fair bit of time in the kitchen cooking our meals, and these days I'm very blessed to have the boys help out in the kitchen with the cooking.<br />
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Having so many little cooks trying to help means I'm always on the look out for easy to prepare dishes that appeal to everyone's tummies. This recipe for oven-baked ribs happens to be one of them. It's straightforward, doesn't require much preparation or monitoring, and the steps are simple enough for the kids to help (that's them in the photo mixing up the rub for the ribs)! I always get requests for the recipe every time I post a photo of these <a href="https://instagram.com/justtey/">on Instagram</a> (you can follow our family cooking exploits over <a href="https://instagram.com/justtey/">@justtey</a>), so I decided I should just write up the recipe here. Our recipe is adapted from <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/beths-melt-in-your-mouth-barbecue-ribs-oven-107786">this one</a>, and is the main reason why we no longer order baby back ribs when we are dining out (because it's much cheaper to cook your own!).<br />
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<b>EASY BBQ PORK RIBS</b></div>
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(Serves 4)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZuAf6zEMA9pYk9kKuU0Pr7aUAHQyCsOtpr3XZImR7j2dewlXRC21h-NsnmoFL9Hrp268vjoLyBMFh6-huDUk1N20rLw7I26epEDpydZtmQyZBz2oRwpRwHp_OFW92G2WoA0usOzzAzA/s1600/BBQPorkRibs+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZuAf6zEMA9pYk9kKuU0Pr7aUAHQyCsOtpr3XZImR7j2dewlXRC21h-NsnmoFL9Hrp268vjoLyBMFh6-huDUk1N20rLw7I26epEDpydZtmQyZBz2oRwpRwHp_OFW92G2WoA0usOzzAzA/s640/BBQPorkRibs+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
1 kg of baby back ribs<br />
1/3 cup of brown sugar<br />
1/2 teaspoon of salt<br />
4 cloves of garlic<br />
3/4 cup of BBQ sauce<br />
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<b>Method</b><br />
1. Preheat oven to 160ºC.<br />
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2. Mince the garlic. (We usually use the chopper that comes with our hand-held blender, and the kids love blitzing the garlic!)<br />
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3. Mix garlic, sugar, and salt together to make the rub. Apply rub on all sides of the ribs.<br />
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4. Place ribs, meaty side down, in a cast-iron pot (we use our <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset</a> <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/buffet_casserole#.WRJkPLyGORs">buffet casserole</a>, but a French oven should work too).<br />
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5. Bake with the cover on, for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and drain the excess liquid. Increase the oven temperature to 180ºC.<br />
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6. Brush on the BBQ sauce on top, then flip the ribs and brush the other side.<br />
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7. Return the ribs to the oven, and bake uncovered, for another 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the ribs (just keep one eye out to see that they do not get burnt!).<br />
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8. And you are done! Serve with pasta or potatoes (in this case we paired the ribs with <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-hasselback-potatoes-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-199763">hasselback potatoes</a> and steamed veggies), and enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCdYAjPNWa3RM_GIcFmCG-jAvCyozZJ8fjcZ67G2XsgV9sFsQkVfOrladydN-0BY6BrOzZGocktt4vDdeolJsb910ie8ZhBCY1UvgvsLTMhf96J-PBVjPnMArMctYzxgJ3du5JCzCAzU/s1600/BBQPorkRibs+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCdYAjPNWa3RM_GIcFmCG-jAvCyozZJ8fjcZ67G2XsgV9sFsQkVfOrladydN-0BY6BrOzZGocktt4vDdeolJsb910ie8ZhBCY1UvgvsLTMhf96J-PBVjPnMArMctYzxgJ3du5JCzCAzU/s640/BBQPorkRibs+-+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They really love the ribs, and this kid can eat 2 to 3 ribs in one sitting!</td></tr>
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<b>Some points/tips to note:</b><br />
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<b><i>1. On buying ribs:</i></b> It would be best to use baby back ribs for this recipe, as those are more tender. We used a different cut in the pictures, and we find that the meatier and leaner cuts tend to become dry during the cooking process (you can read more about the different cuts <a href="http://www.whatsyourtemperature.com/8-types-of-ribs-and-preparing-them/">here</a>). We purchase our ribs from the wet market, as we find that the pork ribs from the supermarket tend to have a strong smell. I usually ask our butcher to chop the ribs into individual pieces, as I want the flavour of the rub to go in during the cooking process. However, you can also cook the ribs together as one slab, and cut them into individual pieces later, before brushing on the BBQ sauce.<br />
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<b><i>2. On the cooking process: </i></b>The original recipe required the ribs to be wrapped in aluminium foil, but I was cautioned by some readers about the use of aluminium foil in cooking. Hence, I adapted this recipe to use our <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset</a> <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/castiron/casseroles/buffet_casserole#.WRJkPLyGORs">buffet casserole</a> instead, and it does a good job sealing in the moisture and flavour during the cooking process. I have yet to try it, but I think a French/Dutch oven would work as well. For those without, you can use a baking tray and cover the top with aluminium foil, however, do note you would probably need to lower the initial baking temperature to 150ºC.<br />
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<b><i>3. On the use of garlic: </i></b>The original recipe calls for the use of garlic powder, but we've stopped buying garlic powder, as I find it clumps up quickly in storage due to the humidity in SG. I love how freshly minced garlic gives more flavour to the ribs!<br />
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<b><i>4. On brushing the sauce: </i></b>If your kids are helping out, a <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/silicone/spatulas/venus_basting_brush#.WRJkD7yGORs">basting brush with a longer handle</a> would be preferred, as the ribs are very hot! Brushes with silicone bristles are also better, for the same reason, and our <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/products/silicone/spatulas/venus_basting_brush#.WRJmL7yGORs">Venus basting brush</a> is perfect for the job. The boys love brushing on the sauce, saying that it is like "painting with BBQ sauce"!<br />
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PS: This post is the first in a series of posts written in collaboration with <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com.sg/">Le Creuset Singapore</a>. We were sponsored products for purpose of these posts, and no monetary compensation was received. Do stay tuned for more easy recipes to try with your kids!</div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-1850933568406666792017-03-10T00:30:00.000+08:002017-03-10T02:28:33.268+08:00Making math fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello March, I can't believe you are here! These days, life has been so full, and it's been hard to find time to do any writing. However, amidst the mess and mayhem of each day, we've been making slow, steady progress with regards to homeschooling, and these days both Junior J and Lil J do a certain amount of seat work on weekdays.<div>
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For those who have been reading this blog for awhile, you would know that we've been using Math U See for our main curriculum (you can click <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2014/10/homeschool-learning-with-math-u-see.html">here</a> to read more about the curriculum). Math U See has been great for helping them to get a good foundation in Math, but I admit it is pretty dry. Junior J more or less just bulldozes through his math work each day, and he's currently learning multiplication (we are at the Gamma level for Math U See now).</div>
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Learning multiplication can get pretty boring, and I felt like math these days was starting to feel like a chore. I really wanted to make math more interesting, so I went searching for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRAedL2Bq1N/?taken-by=justtey">ways to make multiplication more fun for Junior J</a>. In my search, I came across the concept of multiplication circles (from <a href="http://lemonlimeadventures.com/patterned-multiplication-circles/">this post</a>), which lets kids make patterns based on the times tables, using yarn. It seemed like an interesting way to let the kids practice their skip counting and multiplication (the younger kids can just wrap the yarn by counting in 2s/3s/4s etc without having to memorize the actual numbers for skip counting), so I made our own circle using an IKEA cork coaster and small nails. Most DIY multiplication circles are made using a piece of wood or an embroidery hoop, but I thought a coaster would be easier, since this meant I could push the nails in without needing to hammer them. The older two had fun making the patterns, and I loved that it was a kinaesthetic way of learning how to skip count! (And in case someone asks, the multiplication target circle worksheets pictured above are from <a href="http://www.worksheetfun.com/2013/02/23/times-table-worksheets-2/">this site</a>.)</div>
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That aside, I <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRC9tzAB581/?taken-by=justtey">introduced the concept of spirolaterals to Junior J</a> (this is probably suitable for older kids from six and up). Spirolaterals basically are spiral patterns that are drawn using the times table, and different times tables yield different patterns (you can get a good guide to drawing them from <a href="http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/simple-spirolateral-math-art-for-kids/">this post</a>). Junior J was fascinated, and couldn't wait to work out all his times tables so that he could see what kind of patterns would result! It was really interesting to see the different patterns slowly forming, and the boy really loved colouring them.</div>
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And since we were on the topic of spirals, I decided to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRGNFnqhH-F/?taken-by=justtey">introduce the concept of Fibonacci numbers</a> for the fun of it. We mapped out the sequence on graph paper and I showed Junior J the spiral that resulted. He was intrigued and was really excited to see how this spiral is found in so many natural structures in nature, and how frequently Fibonacci numbers appear in nature (eg. the number of petals in a flower). (<a href="http://discovermagazine.com/2004/jun/cracking-the-da-vinci-code">This</a> is a good read if you would like to find out more.)</div>
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All in all, we (myself included) had quite a bit of fun working on these activities, and it made learning math pretty fun as well as more meaningful. I'm hoping to do more of such activities in the future!</div>
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PS: These activities aside, we've been supplementing our math learning with the Life of Fred books (you can read more <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2015/06/read-learning-math-through-stories.html">here</a>). Life of Fred has been great, since it introduces math through stories, but do note it cannot be a stand-alone curriculum for teaching math. </div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-88821347880785677982017-02-10T15:32:00.002+08:002017-02-10T15:32:55.932+08:00The power of a story: The Snail and the Whale<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting by Junior J, and writing by Lil J, after watching the production. </td></tr>
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Stories are amazing things. They connect people. They sometimes give hope, or inspiration. They can also let you travel the world, without you having to leave your own room! Which is the case in "The Snail and the Whale", a production by Tall Stories in conjunction with <a href="http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/">KidsFest 2017</a>.<br />
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This production is based on the picture book of the same name by author Julia Donaldson, and in it, we see how a father tells this story to his little girl. He has to go off to sea as he is in the Navy, but the story connects him to his daughter across the waters. He records it while he is out at sea, and sends it to her to listen. The two stories are intertwined together, where the spunky daughter imagines herself to be the snail that is going on adventures, while the father is the whale, brave and reliable. The stories are narrated through the grown-up version of the little girl, which helps to tie up the two stories together.</div>
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We had the opportunity to watch "The Snail and the Whale" yesterday evening, and the kids and I throughly enjoyed it. I was pleasantly surprised by this stage adaptation of the book. I had the impression it would just be a direct adaptation with lots of under the sea props, but I was so wrong! This story within a story was a delightful approach, and it was heartwarming to see the way the father and daughter played and pretended to go on adventures together. In a sense, it was a reminder to me to enjoy my kids' childhood, and learn to play along with them. It was also meaningful to see how stories can connect parents and children together, and in fact, the idea of having the father record the story was based on a real organisation, Storybook Soldiers, which helps British military personnel record bedtime stories for their children to listen to when they are away. </div>
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The kids also enjoyed the production very much. There were many funny parts, and lots of kidding around between the father and daughter, and the jokes and bantering made them laugh so! Junior J, being older, could catch most of the jokes and was chuckling most of the time, while Lil J also caught on most of the time. They were still repeating some of the funny bits during dinner after the play! Small J was a little lost at times, but he was engaged and sat through the entire show. However, because of the "ping-pong-ing" between the two stories, I felt it might be a little confusing for the younger ones. This production would probably be better appreciated by those aged 5 and up, although I think the slightly younger kids would still enjoy it. It would also be great to read the story with the kids first, before watching this.</div>
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The cast was stellar. Tim Hibberd, who acted as the father, was engaging, and really funny (Junior J kept repeating his jokes!), and he and Amy Tobias were a great match for the father-daughter pair. But I was most impressed with Charlotte Mafham, who not only did the narration, but also played the viola for the music accompaniment for the production. From what I read, all the music and sound effects (from the blowing of the ships horns to the rumbling of speed boats) were all produced LIVE on stage using a single viola paired with a microphone and repeat pedal. Which meant that Ms. Mafham not only had to act, sing and narrate, but play the viola and produce all the sound effects! Impressive or what?</div>
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I remember the warm fuzzy feeling I had the first time I read the book, because it was such a lovely story about friendship, bravery, and daring to venture beyond our comfort zones. I had that same feeling when I walked out of the theatre after watching this production. All in all, I would say go catch this with your kids, especially your older ones! You can book your tickets <a href="http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/ckidsfest2017h">here</a>, and details are as follows (it's only playing this weekend, so go go go!):</div>
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<b>Dates:</b> Thu (9th Feb) - Sun (12th Feb)</div>
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<b>Times: </b>Various timeslots (click <a href="http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/shows/2017/show6.asp">here</a> from more details and timeslots)</div>
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<b>Venue:</b> KC Arts Centre (20 Merbau Road, Robertson Quay, Singapore 239035) </div>
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Disclaimer: We were kindly sponsored tickets to this production for purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions are my own. The photos used in this post are courtesy of <a href="http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/shows/2017/show6.asp">KidsFest</a>. </div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-61311942596642174472017-01-27T00:30:00.000+08:002017-01-27T02:41:42.409+08:00Goodbye 2016, hello 2017!I know we are almost coming to an end of the first month of 2017, but I figured the eve of the Lunar New Year would be as good as any time to look back at 2016! It was a really full year. So full, that I found myself neglecting this space as there was just no time at all to write!<br />
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The highlight of the year would have to be <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.my/2016/02/hello-baby-j-baby-4s-birth-story.html">the arrival of Baby J</a>. She arrived in the wee hours of Lunar New Year, and she now adds a certain softness to our loud and rowdy household of little boys.<br />
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It has been the most amazing year of seeing these four kids growing up together, each so different in their personalities. They teach me lessons every day, and while most days are long and sometimes hard, I thank God for blessing us with them. They are the ones who drive me to my knees, and yet are also the ones who make my heart sing. 2016 has seen Junior J and Lil J growing in maturity, and we've seen so much growth in Lil J in terms of his strong will. This year has taught them how to love and care for each other, and I am so very thankful for them.<br />
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2016 also was our first year <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.my/2016/01/homeschool-first-month.html">officially homeschooling</a>. I say officially, because we had a kid who was supposed to be in Primary One, but we successfully applied for exemption. It took quite awhile for us to get into a workable rhythm because of the move, as well as having to care for a newborn, but I am glad things are now moving slowly along. Junior J has been progressing pretty well with regards to learning, and it has been so satisfying learning alongside with him. Lil J has joined us with regards to desk work and has been learning phonics, math and Chinese, and we will be applying for exemption for him later this year. I must say I am really excited about what 2017 has in store for us with regards to homeschooling! (You can read about what a typical day looks like for us <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.my/2016/10/life-right-now-with-4-our-day-in-life.html">here</a>.)<br />
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2016 was also the year we bought our new place, <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.my/2016/06/home-20-on-contractors-and-interior.html">survived the renovations</a> and moved. The packing, renovations and <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.my/2016/06/we-have-moved.html">move was a huge thing for us</a>. This was our first ever move since getting married, and we had so much stuff to shift! To date, I still have some stuff that isn't unpacked, and the home could do with another good round of decluttering. That aside, we have another round of renovations to complete, as we only did selective renovations at the start due to budget constraints. Whatever the case, I am glad we have settled into our new home, and are slowly doing up the spaces as we go along.<br />
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We decided to do away with birthday parties this year, and <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.my/search/label/Birthdays">focused on family traditions</a> such as having pancakes for breakfast, and making a cake for the birthday kid. I am so glad we made that decision, since that really helped to reduce stress (I can't imagine planning for four parties a year!). It has been quite a learning experience too, since I never baked much until after the move.<br />
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Since the move, I've been enjoying cooking for the family, and the kids have been joining me more frequently in the kitchen to help out. I am starting to enjoy planning meals and hosting friends, and it now feels like a blessing to be able to feed people! I'm hoping to get the kids even more involved in the year ahead.<br />
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2016 was a really stressful year for us, especially for the hubby, since we purchased our new home. I am so thankful for how he has been such a pillar of strength in the family, and how he still manages to help out at home and with the kids even though he can be tired after a long busy day at work. We couldn't have done what we did in 2016 if not for him!<br />
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And finally, on the personal front, 2016 has been quite a year of learning and growth. However, it has meant my plate has been so full, and many a times it threatens to overflow. I am so thankful for the hubby and good friends who keep me grounded, and for all the opportunities given to me to explore. But because of that very full plate, something had to give. As such, I cut down on blogging, and made a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justtey/">shift to Instagram</a> (where you'd find most of my updates these days). In a sense, this shift was liberating. Previously I felt the need to blog frequently as a way of remembering things. However, I've found that IG can achieve that same purpose, and yet takes up far less time, and it freed up my time so that I could get my chores or homeschool preparation done. I won't stop blogging just yet, since I realize I still enjoy writing, but I don't think posts here will be as frequent as before. (A big thank you to all of you who still pop by to read this little blog!)<br />
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All in all, 2016 has been fruitful, in many sense of the word. I thank God for His faithfulness and for bringing us through such a full year, and I am looking forward to what 2017 has in store for us!<br />
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Here's wishing everyone a happy Lunar New Year, and may the Year of the Rooster be a blessed one!Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-26190771112606361302016-12-29T21:11:00.000+08:002016-12-29T21:11:27.788+08:00J3 turns 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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December tends to be a flurry of festivities in our home, because the hubs, myself, as well as J3 celebrate our birthdays in the last month of the year. Add Christmas to the mix, and things do get pretty hectic! (Which is the main reason why I've not blogged for this whole month!)<br />
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Anyway, I'm popping in to record down J3's third birthday. I cannot believe this little baby boy is now three!<br />
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Dearest Small J,</div>
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You turned three this month. I think sometimes you feel a little conflicted: you don't enjoy being called a crybaby and being bullied by your older brothers, yet you also like the attention you get for being the "baby" of the family. You've looked forward to your birthday so much, and in particular you were excited about all the food you could get to eat! You had pancakes for breakfast on the day of your birthday, and you had them on a Moomin plate, because those Moomin remind you of hippos. Hippos these days are still one of your favourite animals.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We've stopped throwing parties for all of you for now. Instead, we let you choose a place to visit on the day of your birthday. You chose to go to the Animal Resort, because you absolutely love feeding animals. It is almost impossible to tear you away from the goats at the zoo, because you love feeding them, and all you could talk about after our Melbourne trip was how you got to feed the wallabies and wombats. </span><br />
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So off we went to the Animal Resort, and you had a field day feeding all the animals, including the horse. You were rather apprehensive about feeding the horse, but you did it!<br />
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Your Ah Kong and Ah Ma had come all the way down to visit especially for your birthday, and we had dinner with all four grandparents. You had planned the menu weeks back, asking for satay, and pizza and cake. And as time went by the list grew longer. You wanted watermelon. You added cookies and cream icecream. You kept reminding me that the cake had to be a chocolate cake. We managed to make or buy most of the food on your wish-list, save for the ice-cream, because all the cookies and cream icecream I found had egg in them, which your older brother couldn't eat. But you were content because you got to eat a mini Magnum instead.</div>
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Have I told you what a little foodie you are? You are always trying to get out of doing work, by saying you are just a little boy. But when it comes to snacks, you are a big boy who wants a big portion!<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">And chocolate. Don't get me started about chocolate. You are crazy about chocolate. I think it was because I ate so much chocolate when I was expecting you. These days, you are always flinging open the fridge and standing there with an empty bowl, asking for chocolate. I wish you were so enthusiastic about your main meals, but snacks are your thing. Just the other day you were refusing to help to return your dirty bowl or to set the table. But when Papa's birthday cake came out, you immediately trotted off to the kitchen, got yourself a plate and fork, and sat down to wait for a piece. </span></div>
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Oh, and the cake. You asked to help make it, so you did. But you ran off halfway, so Lil J helped me to finish making the cheesecake. We used <a href="http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/85/no-bake-chocolate-cheesecake.aspx">this recipe</a>, and the cake was so rich and good.<br />
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However, I think you ate way too much cake. After the cake, you asked to try the durian that we had purchased, and the strong smell made you throw up! But you weren't fazed, since after that you just ate more cake to make up for it.<br />
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You are such a affectionate little fellow, and a ray of sunshine in our home. I know it is hard being the youngest of three boys, and being pushed around all the time. Some days you cry until you are hoarse, and complain that your kokos are "dee-turbing me". But though you complain about them, you still love hanging out with your brothers. I love watching the three of you together when you play. Sometimes, Lil J declares he is your Papa and he takes care of you. Sometimes, all of you ride on pillows and sail away on adventures.<br />
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I especially love watching you play with your little sister. You love hanging out with her, and though you sometimes pinch her cheeks way too hard, it warms my heart to see how you are so affectionate towards her. You love being in the thick of things, and you would always get really upset when we talk about the times before you were born, because you would insist you were there!<br />
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These days, you have been doing a lot more doodling and scribbling, and your older brothers try to teach you to draw various things. You love singing songs and making up your own crazy lyrics ("Super Mario, you are naughty when you throw my paper away!"). You still drop your "S"s and sometimes we have to check with your brothers to understand what you are saying ("I ate bee-keet at yarn-day kool" = I ate biscuits at Sunday School). I secretly love your kiddy intonations, because they remind me that you are still our baby.<br />
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We cannot believe you are three, and all grown up! (But no, no more chocolate for you.) Happy Birthday, and may God continue to mold and shape you!<br />
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Love,<br />
Your Mama and PapaMum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-5169426584242654972016-11-28T01:16:00.000+08:002016-11-28T01:16:30.983+08:00And so, 9 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dearest Baby J,<br />
Two weeks ago, while everyone was in an uproar about the US elections, you quietly turned 9 months. I keep saying this, but I'll say it again, I cannot believe how fast time has flown, and that you will no longer be a baby in 3 months time. How quickly you've grown, while we've been busy trying to take care of all of you. How beautifully you've grown, into a smiley little ray of sunshine in our home.<br />
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The past month has seen you becoming a whole lot more clingy. You only want Mama at certain times of the day, and you will scream and wail if anyone else carries you. You are also very attached to Papa and your brothers, and you enjoy just crawling around while your brothers play near you. Nothing makes you happier than to be on the floor, meddling with your brothers' trucks, and trying to press the pedals on the piano. You love sitting in when your brother practices his cello, and he likes playing "Twinkle Twinkle" for you to hear.<br />
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You've started babbling a whole lot more, and will demand for "mum mum" when you are hungry. And boy do you love your food! You enjoy your porridge, and you love tofu and pumpkin and baby biscuits (which your brothers are always trying to steal from you). You let out an occasional "Papa" (much to Papa's delight), but you certainly know your way to Mama's heart, because you are the first kid in the family to call "Mama" before "Papa". All your brothers did the "Papapapa" thing first, but you, it's always Mama.<br />
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You've been pulling up to stand, and are starting to cruise a little. You are one really wriggly worm, and diaper changes are a huge challenge because you are the fastest escapee of the family! You'd think we'd be so accustomed to these milestones since you are the fourth kid, but I think I'll never tire of seeing all of you grow and hit your milestones.<br />
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Speaking of milestones, your teeth were pretty slow in coming, and about one month ago you still only had four little teeth. Then all of a sudden, you started sprouting 5 teeth at one shot! You've been biting everyone, and chewing everything, and you're also at the clawing stage, so my arms bear the brunt of your little nails and teeth.<br />
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It's been fun dressing you up in all those little dresses, and you've been blessed with so many pretty hand-me-downs that we've hardly had to buy any clothes for you. You are a bead addict, and love chewing on silicone bead necklaces. I've given up trying to put hairbands on you, since I've never figured out how to wear them properly so that you don't look like a lion, and you're always trying to pull them off.<br />
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Seeing you grow each day has been such a blessing. Please slow down, little girl, and we love you so!<br />
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Love,<br />
Your Mama and Papa.Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-27540746364326168272016-11-14T00:30:00.000+08:002016-11-14T02:13:55.660+08:00Weekend Wanderings: Charlotte's Web<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend we brought the boys to watch Charlotte's Web, while my dad helped me to babysit Baby J. I had really looked forward to catching the play with the kids, since Charlotte's Web is one of my favourite books (but one that never fails to make me cry every time I read it!). This stage adaptation of the book by E.B. White didn't disappoint, and managed to bring to life the story of Wilbur the pig and his unlikely friendship with Charlotte the spider. Wilbur is saved from going under the butcher's knife by the ingenuity of Charlotte, who spins messages on her web to praise Wilbur. The story is a wonderful reminder of how true friendship transcends any of our differences, and always protects and seeks to serve, and I really enjoyed the play by <a href="http://www.srt.com.sg/past-productions/the-little-company-past-productions.html">The Little Company</a>.<br />
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The cast was stellar, and I was quite amazed at how effortlessly they juggled all the characters in the story between the six of them. Sharda Harrison was wonderful as Charlotte, with her acrobatics and acting (although I found her striped get-up a little distracting).<br />
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The hubby especially liked the character of Templeton, who was played by Dwayne Lau. He brought to life the rat's calculative and greedy nature perfectly!<br />
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The kids and I loved the farm animals: Wilbur the pig (by Ann Lek), Gander (by Ivan Atienza), Goose (by Ethel Yap) and Sheep (by Matheus Ting). Each played their role so well, and the geese especially made me smile with their quirky characters!<br />
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Junior J and Lil J enjoyed the play tremendously, since they were familiar with the story (I had previously read the book to them). Small J, though quiet throughout the play, got rather restless nearing the last twenty minutes. I would say that this play is more suited for those five and up, since the humour and dialogue are more complex, and there is no singing and dancing involved. Also, I think it would be great to read the book with the kids before attending the play, to allow the kids to have a better appreciation of the story. <br />
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All in all, I'd say get those tickets if you have kids five and above!<br />
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Details for the play are as follows:<br />
<b>Date: </b>Fri, 28 Oct - Sun, 11 Dec 2016<br />
<b>Time:</b> Weekends & Public Holiday : 11am & 2pm<br />
Weekdays : 10am, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm<br />
<b>Venue: </b>KC Art Centre - Home of SRT<br />
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You can purchase your tickets <a href="http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/cweb1216">here on Sistic</a>. Do note that discounts apply for family packages as well as Three Little Pigs ticket stub holders.<br />
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Disclaimer: </b>We were kindly sponsored tickets for purpose of this review. All production photos were obtained from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/singaporerepertorytheatre/">Singapore Repertory Theatre's FB page</a>. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions are my own.Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-22065103404694414612016-11-02T00:30:00.000+08:002016-11-02T14:18:58.275+08:00All Things Felt: Heartfelt crafts from Nepal (and our cosy corner)We have an attic, which is currently serving as our homeschooling room. Usually I try to school Junior J and Lil J together at their desks, while the younger two are playing at the side. I've been trying to make the play area cosy for the little ones, so recently I set up a little corner for the kids.<br />
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The tent was a lightweight one that I purchased months back from <a href="https://cottonon.com/SG/shop-by-brand/cotton-on-kids/">Cotton On Kids</a>, while the cushion was from <a href="http://cottonon.com/SG/shop-by-brand/typo/">Typo</a>. I planned to get a rug for that area, since it makes it so much more comfortable for the kids, especially the baby who is crawling and sometimes still topples over. I am not a fan of foam playmats, and the younger kids tend to yank at the pile on carpets, so both were a no-no for me. I happened to chance across these gorgeous felt ball rugs over at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsfelt.sg/">All Things Felt</a> while browsing Instagram, and decided that this was IT. </div>
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I contacted Divya to find out more about those lovely rugs in her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsfelt.sg/"><span id="goog_596889251"></span>little shop<span id="goog_596889252"></span></a>. Divya hails from Nepal but is currently staying in Singapore. Her story was a most heart-warming one: All Things Felt was set up in the wake of the Nepal earthquake in 2015, to share the beauty of handmade felt products. Her business seeks to empower women by preserving these artisanal skills, while providing work for them.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGL6FLg_ZPp-3-I2PuOvqy3Uo5xrIr59VIBfecImnPx7HyZcruVp3foScTBzjPi5VJiMwrWksUdOlU7-PQBjaqioci15jgyvEkHMKBhohqs5pjffHfneNS0njXFO6rBsBUIsF1_IRirw/s1600/14563418_365879890424084_270221473620687552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGL6FLg_ZPp-3-I2PuOvqy3Uo5xrIr59VIBfecImnPx7HyZcruVp3foScTBzjPi5VJiMwrWksUdOlU7-PQBjaqioci15jgyvEkHMKBhohqs5pjffHfneNS0njXFO6rBsBUIsF1_IRirw/s640/14563418_365879890424084_270221473620687552_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsfelt.sg/">All Things Felt FB page</a></td></tr>
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Her shop stocks various felt products, ranging from garlands, wreaths (perfect for the upcoming festive season), to puppets and baby mobiles. However, the felt ball rugs are probably the stars in the shop, as you can customize them into any colour combination you want, and there is a huge range of colours to choose from.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwbymUvJG_IjaTDbglZvE4W_AWy4O0sETe3JqENlZ-rcptG2P7ejTbD3IIDncBPJAKQ8za4NKzPULZfOtix_c35z-BFZF57K-UhQZluHDaABuBJZWUYSKytB6rUP1xnb5wNERDbzwvIw/s1600/13619947_316208265391247_7307704260550565501_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwbymUvJG_IjaTDbglZvE4W_AWy4O0sETe3JqENlZ-rcptG2P7ejTbD3IIDncBPJAKQ8za4NKzPULZfOtix_c35z-BFZF57K-UhQZluHDaABuBJZWUYSKytB6rUP1xnb5wNERDbzwvIw/s640/13619947_316208265391247_7307704260550565501_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsfelt.sg/" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All Things Felt FB page</a></td></tr>
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Imagine the possibilities! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1XRJnt2diqscCxQvc0yBa6EQHC00keeYCWmiEmJY4MuEjfp2bDuOiqfXVciM92f5_BDUEK6ijUzcQdbMF7G8pTwWLuaHVotK62sV0c55cQG4XmZc8Thi6UkjndT_pFlv4d1VOaoYZFc/s1600/13907150_320693784942695_1170392954893066964_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1XRJnt2diqscCxQvc0yBa6EQHC00keeYCWmiEmJY4MuEjfp2bDuOiqfXVciM92f5_BDUEK6ijUzcQdbMF7G8pTwWLuaHVotK62sV0c55cQG4XmZc8Thi6UkjndT_pFlv4d1VOaoYZFc/s1600/13907150_320693784942695_1170392954893066964_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsfelt.sg/" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All Things Felt FB page</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_E0cW4dXfa8_2ZtUteYPD0-19D_9FxKZbjK4WtHjPE3nNMhIZv_3vinuVHcOhOH1NZUbeEC7p-4SpH-dezbyWz-7mMIA_30TLGewTMKAhiOOMvayWnTZfsAVnTloG2w9WAT9pr-pR7w/s1600/14642064_358996807779059_5700355490369500473_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_E0cW4dXfa8_2ZtUteYPD0-19D_9FxKZbjK4WtHjPE3nNMhIZv_3vinuVHcOhOH1NZUbeEC7p-4SpH-dezbyWz-7mMIA_30TLGewTMKAhiOOMvayWnTZfsAVnTloG2w9WAT9pr-pR7w/s640/14642064_358996807779059_5700355490369500473_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsfelt.sg/" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All Things Felt FB page</a></td></tr>
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I chose my colours with some advice from Divya. She informed me that it would take 3 weeks or so to make the rug, as the process is a long and tedious one. I was happy to wait (but do note the production time if you are thinking of ordering one as a gift for Christmas!), and the wait was worthwhile because it came exactly as how I pictured it. </div>
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I love the colours, and how wonderfully textured and inviting this rug is to little hands. The felt balls are sewn securely together, and this rug is very comfortable. The baby loves sitting here to play, and it is reassuring to know that the dyes that are used to colour the felt are non-toxic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJKiinHkk5ggIITZUTixRvDIfmq9fHidFn89BUACtDozTrmvFi9j_gHMqVr2lloWEt67i3Sa07r6ytwTCObPVK-TWVuDG_NNYOdIa8dc6ejm_Ruc5fm-vFfyGo8SsiOrBMeorIpgPU2A/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJKiinHkk5ggIITZUTixRvDIfmq9fHidFn89BUACtDozTrmvFi9j_gHMqVr2lloWEt67i3Sa07r6ytwTCObPVK-TWVuDG_NNYOdIa8dc6ejm_Ruc5fm-vFfyGo8SsiOrBMeorIpgPU2A/s400/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+7.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLTkcC3awj8sSXJ4aQ2x85Vcq1-FNqgTQmySw0xHIN8DhgiohMXt924MCukGbRHsuPTCoyxKmOB65OlkNFgh4VZxrdYdiByYUSgUEAYUWaKnrzaUsqdhxTX-BXQlMvcclQB3cjUkGPf4/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLTkcC3awj8sSXJ4aQ2x85Vcq1-FNqgTQmySw0xHIN8DhgiohMXt924MCukGbRHsuPTCoyxKmOB65OlkNFgh4VZxrdYdiByYUSgUEAYUWaKnrzaUsqdhxTX-BXQlMvcclQB3cjUkGPf4/s400/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+1.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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This rug doesn't slip easily since it is heavy. However, if you find that it does slide about, using a non-slip layer underneath solves the problem. I was a little alarmed initially, as I noticed that there was a fine layer of dust under the rug each time I lifted it. However, Divya reassured me that this was just soap silt from the felt-making process, and that this problem resolves with time. And indeed, there is no more dust underneath, now that the rug has been laid out for two weeks. </div>
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One point to note though if you decide to get one of these: ensure that you keep a sharp eye out for non-potty trained toddlers, as well as toys with velcro on them (such as play food that you can cut). The former might have an accident on the rug, while the latter tends to stick and damage the felt. That aside, we are loving this rug! These rugs cannot be washed, but can be wiped clean or gently vacuumed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd02UxC5UpNUXMMjve1HEmJxmBY_Dr_v2USXSXZ3Zxv2BM-ZTqY_RFueq4Ne82k069BV7JwsRbpuTWB-DanX9S5BMc_LYkJIffeQbb8rf336OohAV75QFm55AfSOdCfX8BseGL8gPd-M/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd02UxC5UpNUXMMjve1HEmJxmBY_Dr_v2USXSXZ3Zxv2BM-ZTqY_RFueq4Ne82k069BV7JwsRbpuTWB-DanX9S5BMc_LYkJIffeQbb8rf336OohAV75QFm55AfSOdCfX8BseGL8gPd-M/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+6.jpg" /></a></div>
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I was intrigued by Divya's story, as well as the process that goes into making these felt ball crafts, so I thought I'd let her share more:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJE9X6miaRMF_9gpBOAXxcxfGXw15FbLnQXr6926j-lrGQ_OGwV-bVtZVN9mJtLL3s0HlAwBuuTrIZHh2JcigkINvBgNqLLjoV3i_I9tpOGXQqbi8eyMuVua27_FIUDuRIMJ4FatBf5E/s1600/IMG_8278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJE9X6miaRMF_9gpBOAXxcxfGXw15FbLnQXr6926j-lrGQ_OGwV-bVtZVN9mJtLL3s0HlAwBuuTrIZHh2JcigkINvBgNqLLjoV3i_I9tpOGXQqbi8eyMuVua27_FIUDuRIMJ4FatBf5E/s400/IMG_8278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Jus: </b>Hello Divya! I would love to introduce you to my readers. Are you local? How do you like staying in Singapore?</div>
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<b>Divya: </b>Singapore has been home for two years now, but I’m originally from Nepal. I grew up there, but moved to India to study when I was 13. I then went on to work in Mumbai, India, before shifting to Singapore.
Singapore, in many ways is very similar to Mumbai, where I’ve lived for seven years in the past, and that is one of the many reasons I love staying here!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDMVWIxlQgep9-lQdXh7mow_lsP5R2jBIwlwcpuTMHu83vyjEPABk5ug7ysQTwi2M5RXb70YeHn04q5WIVwS3SQDEC1YWwAD9GHSH21BBt2F3hr9ghy2H0aMX8aDS_WNKzP1vh4otc2E/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDMVWIxlQgep9-lQdXh7mow_lsP5R2jBIwlwcpuTMHu83vyjEPABk5ug7ysQTwi2M5RXb70YeHn04q5WIVwS3SQDEC1YWwAD9GHSH21BBt2F3hr9ghy2H0aMX8aDS_WNKzP1vh4otc2E/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Jus:</b> How did All Things Felt come about? Could you share with us some background to your little shop?</div>
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<b>Divya: </b>The Nepal earthquake in 2015 saw the world come together to help its people stand back on their feet. With help pouring in from all directions, I decided to do my bit. With firm belief in the craft and the wide variety of the products that could draw consumers in Singapore, I hope to open a new door for the artisans of my country. I see this is a sustainable way of assisting the artisans, who are mostly women.
Nepal, with its snow-capped mountains, idyllic rivers and streams, pagoda-style temples, intricately terraced rice and paddy fields and market courtyards, has a timeless atmosphere that is simply captivating. </div>
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With the intent of bringing the splendour of the Nepalese hillsides to homes in Southeast Asia, All Things Felt hopes to touch more lives with the magic of its products.
Various kinds of handicraft are a reflection of a nation wrapped in various ethnicities and cultures. Production of handicraft is an age-old practice in Nepal. Handicraft—both textile (pashmina, hemp, silk, felt, etc.) and non-textile (silver, handmade paper, wood, ceramics, etc.)—is an important source of foreign exchange for this otherwise poor country. Each handicraft weaves with itself a beautiful story—one in which the artisan is taught with utmost precision and love the art of making by one of their own. </div>
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Nepal is also largely a patriarchal society in which women are disadvantaged. Traditionally, women from poor families in Nepal do not have access to formal education, and are often marginalised and vulnerable to domestic abuse. Through All Things Felt, we endeavour to empower these women through the preservation of traditional handicraft skills and culture. The fact that we are able to help women in our small way to earn an income, educate their children and to feel more confident in their abilities is what excites and encourages us the most. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cybm1H6sDZaZz1dEiJH4c3YE_R20pIz_IK8LG5fXArCMYHwHPiIwzPLUeJ_nqvvAW6JZwb_AKCzZwa7hhE2DIQMFJNRB_dW2Nbi4yFT34TnPw15tVC7CTYgbNv_XqkVMPw4M_Lgidr4/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cybm1H6sDZaZz1dEiJH4c3YE_R20pIz_IK8LG5fXArCMYHwHPiIwzPLUeJ_nqvvAW6JZwb_AKCzZwa7hhE2DIQMFJNRB_dW2Nbi4yFT34TnPw15tVC7CTYgbNv_XqkVMPw4M_Lgidr4/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Jus:</b> I love how your shop endeavours to help these Nepalese women, and keep these artisanal skills alive! I know these rugs are works of art and require many hours of labour. Could you share more about the process of making these rugs so we can better appreiciate the work that goes into each one? </div>
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<b>Divya:</b> Felt is a matted mass of sheep’s wool. Most craft producers in Nepal import the wool from New Zealand. The wool is first carded. Carding is a mechanical process that disentangles the wool fibre to produce a continuous web or sliver suitable for subsequent processing. Carded wool is then dyed into a myriad of different colours. The dyes used are non-toxic and free of chemicals.
Unlike industrial chemical processing used to create most felts, most producers in Nepal—us included—use a technique called "wet felting", wherein using friction and soapy water, the natural wool fibre is matted, condensed and pressed to create the material.
After the wool is dyed, our artisans make individual felt balls using soap and hot water. The felt balls are rolled until they are roughly 2 cm in diameter. Once done, the artisans put the balls in cold water and rinse them, after which these are dried in the sun. Once completely dry, they are ready to be sewn together to make the rugs. This is the most complex and time-consuming task.
The workshop we work with employs only women who work in small groups of friends and families and can opt to work from home. The flexible nature of the work provides a great option for young mothers, allowing them to care for their little ones and families and at the same time earn a livelihood.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBrBOBfeKKgdz5dJsT0V4LLKVqyBvH7LMuMnDt3Sb0rAMQayIol0Mr2ReAA_vOtlEAZuSYsJoK-crrZauDOM2kusV0V022uDuVSJ9uxxRL0hu14jjrJdooVFM8apTdI_ZVjn724Omc5k/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBrBOBfeKKgdz5dJsT0V4LLKVqyBvH7LMuMnDt3Sb0rAMQayIol0Mr2ReAA_vOtlEAZuSYsJoK-crrZauDOM2kusV0V022uDuVSJ9uxxRL0hu14jjrJdooVFM8apTdI_ZVjn724Omc5k/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Jus:</b> It's great that your workers are able to care for their families while producing these crafts! Could you share your dream for your little business? </div>
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<b>Divya:</b> All Things Felt believes that happiness is handmade. We bring the colour and vibrancy of the hills of Nepal right to your doorstep. We want to create more awareness around the gorgeous felt products and make them more known in Southeast Asia. Not only because we want to help our lovely artisans generate more income, but because we honestly believe in the magic of our products. We hope to bring a little bit of our home to yours.</div>
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Thank you so much for sharing, Divya! Looking at how much work goes into each rug really made me appreciate mine so much more. And I loved how these handicrafts empower women and mothers and allow them to earn a livelihood, while still giving them the flexibility to care for their families. </div>
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If you are interested in learning more, please visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsfelt.sg/">their Facebook Page</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsfelt.sg/">Instagram account</a> to view the products that are available, or you can drop Divya an email at allthingsfelt.sg@gmail.com. That aside, All Things Felt would be showcasing their products over at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BoutiquesSingapore/">Boutiques Fair</a> on 4th Nov (0900-2000 hrs) and 5th Nov (1000-2000hrs), at the F1 Pit Building, so you can also pay them a visit this weekend!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xtIyGxQcXawhPICNoQEA0w2lOw9lvJOek-MeP4ksOVU8WeqlRcvznmBPnhPqxZNvbAyNKOm0ycC_vKoWB2cKaSB_AhW8XJKUadUaL8Ecyvy8Z51KFrgfOWAg8ckb8gN9ti7YZ796g0Y/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xtIyGxQcXawhPICNoQEA0w2lOw9lvJOek-MeP4ksOVU8WeqlRcvznmBPnhPqxZNvbAyNKOm0ycC_vKoWB2cKaSB_AhW8XJKUadUaL8Ecyvy8Z51KFrgfOWAg8ckb8gN9ti7YZ796g0Y/s1600/Felt+Ball+Rug+-+9.jpg" /></a></div>
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Disclaimer: We were sponsored this lovely rug for purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions are my own. </div>
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Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-32244664304491466742016-10-28T01:38:00.000+08:002016-10-28T01:38:00.195+08:00J2 turns 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvX4P7vHNufvpPJ5wYngJES6SxQ_wWxcAi-KnTqOQmopifutalfP3GnH79daJg3pU3rAJcZqyzG50GnB9CHtpejkR7KuvQC5SEzxBUxNeIf0RaKN1LfFaiU8_GJSmTPAnypbxnv1eRL8/s1600/J2turns5+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvX4P7vHNufvpPJ5wYngJES6SxQ_wWxcAi-KnTqOQmopifutalfP3GnH79daJg3pU3rAJcZqyzG50GnB9CHtpejkR7KuvQC5SEzxBUxNeIf0RaKN1LfFaiU8_GJSmTPAnypbxnv1eRL8/s1600/J2turns5+-+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dearest Lil J,</div>
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You turned five last week. Five! You've been talking about this day for the longest of time. We decided that we'll do away with birthday parties for now, since planning for four parties in a year can be quite a stretch, and we also felt that we didn't really enjoy parties that much. Instead, you got to choose where you wanted to go, and you asked to visit the Night Safari. Which we did, on the eve of your birthday. That visit was quite a stretch, since it meant everyone was out beyond their bedtime, but we made it! We had an early dinner before that, and all of you got to go to Biscuit King to pick out a snack. We got to sit the tram, and we got to see the tiger really up close. You really enjoyed yourself!</div>
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You requested for pancakes on your birthday, so you got them. You were delighted that I added berries on the side. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17d2GNFacr24v5lXYBezsgr4HmfEQ5ghPK-a1Au0P6ywpCHqyMiRaT2c5HeiKmGol21sraCPLZ1K3czaDdQMNjrS8suwhDY8Eems-Tz-yolEHnKKYa-6Ky0IDBYrlAFnaRwrfA81X5lc/s1600/IMG_7181+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17d2GNFacr24v5lXYBezsgr4HmfEQ5ghPK-a1Au0P6ywpCHqyMiRaT2c5HeiKmGol21sraCPLZ1K3czaDdQMNjrS8suwhDY8Eems-Tz-yolEHnKKYa-6Ky0IDBYrlAFnaRwrfA81X5lc/s1600/IMG_7181+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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You were hoping to go out and play with your good friend, so we spent a lovely (but rather hot) morning at Marine Cove. You all loved playing in Macdonald's after that! Everyone received Transformer masks in your Happy Meals. </div>
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We ended off your big day with a dinner at home with all four grandparents. You had asked for sushi and satay. </div>
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You also requested for chocolate cake. So we made you a <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2015/04/chocolate-cheesecake.html">chocolate cheesecake</a> (and you and your big brother insisted on helping), and decorated it with lots of berries (which you gave the thumbs up). It was hard preventing you from testing the cake and ruining it!</div>
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You received various presents from us and the gramps: a vehicle playmat, a dump truck, and this vintage toy telephone. You really loved the phone, and spent the next day just making calls to everyone! Your friend also gave you a Smiggle pencil box which allowed you to make short recordings. You've been driving us crazy recording the weirdest things and playing them back repeatedly. </div>
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As we celebrated your birthday across those two days, I couldn't help reflecting on how much you've grown. You're <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2015/04/thankful-tuesday-letter-to-my-strong.html">still our strong-willed child</a>, the one who never gives in, but this year has seen you making progress about controlling that temper. You're still the active one, who's always climbing high and swinging low. You are our durian, tough and spiky outside, yet we know how soft you really are inside, because we see how gentle and loving you are to your little sister. You've recently learnt how to read, and you are good with numbers. You are fearless, waving at the dinosaurs at the Jurassic World exhibit while your brothers were hiding! I've learnt so much through parenting you, and I pray that God will continue to mold and prune you. </div>
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Happy fifth birthday, my boy. We love you so so much!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Your Mama and Papa. </div>
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PS: Life has been so full these days that blogging has had to take a backseat. However, I hope to get back to writing regularly soon. Meanwhile, thank you for always dropping by!</div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-50662727895902541372016-10-20T00:30:00.000+08:002016-10-20T09:59:19.036+08:00Life right now with 4 (Our Day In A Life)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What does your day look like? </div>
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I remember asking this question way back in 2012, when we first started this <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/p/day-in-life.html">Day in a Life series</a>. It was so fun being able to take peeks into all these mummies' lives, that I ran this series as a blog train last year, and then again this year. Writing the posts forced me to take a good look at how we were spending our days. It was also great reading the posts, and reflecting back on how things have changed. In our <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2012/10/dial-us-on-rather-good-day.html">2012 post</a>, we were based in Germany, and had only two kids. <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2015/04/a-day-in-our-life-with-three.html">Then in 2015</a>, we were back in SG, and there were three kids.</div>
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Now, we're looking at four kids, and so much has changed! I realize I had a whole lot more energy when it was just three, so I was bringing the boys out for co-ops and outings. But 2016 brought so many changes that I decided I would really go slow this year. Within the span of this year, we've welcomed Baby #4, renovated and moved into a new place, and also experienced our first official year of homeschooling (Junior J is supposed to be in Primary 1 this year). With the move came new challenges, since it was harder to keep an eye on all the boys, plus there were more hazards such as the staircases and the pond. I did what I usually do when I feel overwhelmed: eliminate to concentrate. As a result, our schedule and routines are a lot simpler this year, and here's how a typical day looks like:</div>
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My alarm rings, and I try to get out of bed. I have been clocking late nights for the past few months, due to some work and chores. Add to that a baby who nurses a few times each night, and it means I find it hard to be able to catch more than 6 hours of sleep. Too many things to do, too little time! I roll over to see this:</div>
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This little girl has been quite erratic about her sleep habits. Some mornings she wakes at 6 am to play, and I blearily hand her over to the hubby so that I can catch a few more winks. Then there are some other days where she's still asleep when I wake. Today is one of those good days. I wake her up, and change her out of her jammies. I carry her over to the boys' room, where I find all three boys are already awake and playing. Junior J is able to change himself, so I chase Small J and Lil J around to get them changed. If we're not running too late, we read a Bible story and say a short prayer.</div>
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I leave the baby to play with her brothers, and head downstairs to make breakfast. Small J follows me, saying he is "ungry" and that he wants "C-real". He shoves a bowl to me to fill, then opens the fridge. </div>
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"I wan chocolate chip", he demands, and I pretend not to hear him. (He's always demanding for sweets and chocolates.) He continues to rummage the drawers.<br />
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I prepare breakfast, while trying to distract Small J from ransacking the fridge for chocolate. The older two love their oatmeal, while I usually have muesli and yoghurt. </div>
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My dad is here! He's been a lifesaver, coming every weekday to help out with the kids. </div>
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I bring breakfast out to the dining table, and find that the boys are already seated (for once!), and Junior J is reading to them funny extracts from an <a href="http://www.bubbly-books.com/ellie-belly">Ellie Belly book</a>. </div>
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We start on breakfast. Mealtimes tend to be quite a torture I must admit, since the older two take ages to eat. Lil J and Small J tends to run around after a few mouthfuls, and we've found that the best way to keep them seated is to read aloud while we have our meals. That means I have to gobble up my food in double-quick time so that I can read to them. Baby J joins us for all meals and sits in her high chair. I am hoping that this would help her to get used to sitting down at mealtimes. Anyway, if I am handlng the kids alone, I just don't have enough arms to carry her, feed myself and J3 at the same time!</div>
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Everyone brings their dirty dishes to the sink, and I get Junior J to practice his cello. I usually sit in to guide him or accompany him on the flute, while the younger three play. The first fight of the day starts between the middle two kids over some minor reason. I break up the fight, and manage to calm Lil J down.<br />
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After that, the boys either head for Junior J's swim class, or sometimes we have playdates. The three boys head to the nearby park or playground with my dad, on the mornings when we are free. It's a win-win situation: they get time to run and play, and plenty of sunshine, and I get some peace and quiet for about an hour. During that hour, I pat the baby to sleep, put her in the cot, and start preparing lunch. I cook the baby's porridge, and then prepare lunch for the rest. Usually I rely on frozen sauces or soups, and today we're having pasta with milk chicken. The chicken looks a tad dry, so I make some cheese sauce to add to the pasta. Half-way through cooking, Baby J wakes, and I drag her chair into the kitchen and pop her in.<br />
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Lunch prep is taking a little longer than expected because of my decision to make the sauce. The boys are back, and they show me their finds from the park. Baby J starts to cry. I feed her, and stir the sauce in between mouthfuls.<br />
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Baby J starts getting very restless, so I play a cello song for her on my mobile phone. The song helps, and Lil J also comes by to play with her.<br />
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Lunch is finally ready, and the boys and my dad start eating, while I finish feeding Baby J. I then scarf my lunch down and try to get the two younger boys to finish their food. Recently, I've been letting them listen to music or audiobooks during lunch to help them to stay seated. Today, we're listening to the Carnival of the Animals. When lunch is done, I cut and wash fruit, and everyone eats. I start the washing machine to run a load of laundry. <br />
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Once everyone is done eating, it is time for school. Most people are surprised (or horrified) to find that we don't spend more than an hour doing "school"! I've been keeping lessons short for a few reasons: the boys can't sit down for long periods of time, they lose concentration, and I have to settle chores, meals and baby's naps so I also cannot afford to spend a long time doing school. Only Junior J and Lil J do school, while the younger two would be busy playing nearby. I work with Junior J on his spelling, Chinese and Math. He then continues working on his Math independently and does some Chinese writing, while Lil J practises reading to me. I then cover Chinese, phonics and Math with Lil J.<br />
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The laundry is done and I can hear the machine beeping. Lil J and I head down and we hang up the clothes, while my dad watches the younger two. For some strange reason, Lil J loves helping me with the laundry, and I am more than glad to have an extra pair of hands. </div>
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We leave the clothes to sun (and that's one of my favourite sights: clean clothes drying in the warm sun!). I leave Junior J to finish the rest of his work, while his younger brothers play nearby under my dad's watchful eye. I bring Baby J to my room for her afternoon nap. </div>
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She goes to sleep fairly quickly in the carrier. However, these days she's been waking every time I try to put her down in the cot. I give up and leave her on the bed instead. During this period, I catch up on messages, and message the hubby the question that I ask everyday: "What time will you be home?" I get good news: he'll be home before dinner!</div>
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This little girl doesn't nap very long even in the afternoons. She wakes after about an hour. I carry her to join her brothers, and then Junior J and I spend some time learning how to draw. Sometimes the boys request to do art, so they get to paint and craft. Today, they are too busy playing "camping" so I let them be. They start fighting again over some toys. I wade into the fray, separate them and spend some time comforting Small J, and then talk to Lil J about sharing. </div>
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I head down to the kitchen to start cooking dinner. Junior J comes along to help. We're cooking beef stroganoff, and he helps me to chop the mushrooms. He complains that he does not like the smell of the onions cooking in butter, so he goes off to read a book, after helping me to chop the ingredients. </div>
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Baby J is tired again and is due for her third nap. (These days, I feel like I spend half my life cooking or feeding kids, and another half my life making the baby sleep. Oh well.) Dinner is halfway done, so I head to the room to pat her to sleep. While I am patting her, the hubby comes home. Hooray! It's one of the rare days when he is back before dinner. He's been working late quite often these days, so the boys are very happy to have their Papa home earlier. My dad heads for home.<br />
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Baby J goes down for a really short evening nap. While patting her, I mindlessly scroll through my social media to unwind. Before I know it, its time for baby to wake. I head down to find one kid reading, another trying to ride his bike in the front of the house, and another playing quietly, and the hubby is sleeping. I wake him up, pass him the baby, and finish cooking dinner. We have dinner together and the hubby and I catch up, and we do the read-the-book-and-nag-at-kids-to-eat routine again. The kids fight over who gets the most mustard in their stroganoff.<br />
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After dinner, the boys have a bath, while the hubby bathes the baby. I clear the dining table, keep the already dry laundry, and have a quick shower. Then I read to the kids again, while feeding the younger two boys their milk. The hubby busies himself with loading the dishwasher and cleaning up the mess in the kitchen.<br />
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The kids finished their dinner pretty quickly, so they have some time to play before it's bedtime. Small J joins Baby J in her cot, and declares he is a hippo in a cage. He plays with her, while Junior J is again having his nose buried in a book. Lil J disappears, and I find him in the <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2016/10/home-20-our-art-studio.html">art area</a> working with Biggie beads. </div>
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Then bedtime rolls around and the hubs settles the boys down for the night. He reads a Bible story, changes them and prays with them. I pat Baby J to sleep. Again, she keeps waking when I put her down in her cot, so she ends up on the bed while I work next to her. I've been helping a friend to start her business, so I sort out some admin, and reply my mails. I do a little reading up to see how I can teach Junior J to draw. Some nights I write on the blog, but these days time to blog has been rare. </div>
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Baby J is now in a deep sleep, so I gingerly shift her into her cot and then tackle the chores. The clothes get folded, I tidy some parts of the house, and before I know it it's way past 2 and time to sleep!</div>
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As you can see, our schedule has been pared down to the bare minimum. These days, I find it so hard to plan interesting activities, and I feel I'm just surviving rather than thriving. There's so much I would love to do with regards to the boys learning, and I'm always hoping for more time! But I've come to realize that this season with babies is always one of the hardest, but things will get easier in time to come. Meanwhile, its all about <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2015/07/thankful-tuesdays-three-things-to.html">doing the next thing</a>, and enjoying our children while they are little. I am thankful that life has settled into this rhythm, and I hope to slowly add more to our days. Bit by bit, step by step! </div>
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This post was written as part of the <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/p/day-in-life.html">Day in a Life (DIAL) blog train</a> that is being hosted by this blog. Please click on the button above to read more DIAL posts. It's been so interesting taking a peek into the lives of other mums! </div>
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Tomorrow, we get to follow Mark and Sue as they go about their day. Sue blogs with her husband Mark on parenting, homeschooling and life at <a href="http://parenting-on-purpose.blogspot.sg/">Parenting on Purpose</a>. Her greatest joys are being Teacher-Mummy to her two sons and travelling the world with them. Mark and Sue run a training and consultancy company called <a href="https://thesocialfactor.org/">The Social Factor</a>. They also are owners of an online store, <a href="http://www.sensationalplayshoppe.com/">Sensational Play</a>. Hop over to their blog tomorrow to read more!</div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-59208754479790327392016-10-05T00:30:00.000+08:002016-10-05T03:41:01.704+08:00Home 2.0: Our Art Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We do a lot of art and craft in our home. In our previous home, we did all our painting and crafting at the dining table (you can view our dining room tour <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2015/09/home-dining-room.html">here</a>), and our art supplies were stashed in various places around the home. Our markers and colour pencils were stored in enamel cups that were held up by a magnetic <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/00238653/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Grundtal magnetic knife rack</b></a>, while our paints and other materials were stored in a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/10216537/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Raskog trolley</b></a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaQIkwNSimoGiYhSEpm2oemfAW-mcUPN6BpWjE__HpSqcbUEB_pHp4nFF8BYGNczGqkFtu8f_3W62YWI5M_N8dPiwRlEdjpI1VGVvjxZ6hAKzMdWJQVFVub_8d3fs3u2BuRPdX_j6WWw/s400/Dining+Room+tour+%2528IKEA%252914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaQIkwNSimoGiYhSEpm2oemfAW-mcUPN6BpWjE__HpSqcbUEB_pHp4nFF8BYGNczGqkFtu8f_3W62YWI5M_N8dPiwRlEdjpI1VGVvjxZ6hAKzMdWJQVFVub_8d3fs3u2BuRPdX_j6WWw/s400/Dining+Room+tour+%2528IKEA%252914.jpg" width="268" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8PVtqUNs-rgx5-Peu_cajKRhdxarthxvYvAZzn8qFx6JB0Ev2RVzSRkhWBsbFykCNZicHDIVkFymfx-RizHA7D59fHDGb9rXU47lvKw45bATPFm1BG2ArmqJjVle4KOBMadp7Q-u7BA/s400/Dining+Room+tour+%2528IKEA%252915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8PVtqUNs-rgx5-Peu_cajKRhdxarthxvYvAZzn8qFx6JB0Ev2RVzSRkhWBsbFykCNZicHDIVkFymfx-RizHA7D59fHDGb9rXU47lvKw45bATPFm1BG2ArmqJjVle4KOBMadp7Q-u7BA/s400/Dining+Room+tour+%2528IKEA%252915.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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However, I longed for a dedicated space where the kids had room to create, where we didn't need to rush through projects and ensure that we clean up the table before a meal. So after we shifted into our new home, we opted to transform the area between the bedrooms into an art studio, which was to double up as a games room. It was a bare, empty space, so we had free reign when it came to designing and planning! </div>
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The most important piece of furniture in any art studio is the work surface. We needed a table that could fit all four kids, yet allow for enough elbow room. Having a table at a lower height would help in terms of allowing the younger kids to access the table easily, yet there was no ready-made table that fit our criteria in terms of both size and height.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We browsed the huge range of tabletops available at IKEA, and decided to use two <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/30251351/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Linnmon table tops in birch effect</b></a>. The Linnmon range is available in a few colours and sizes, and we went with the one that measured 120 x 60 cm. This way, we could combine two table tops to form a square table measuring 120 x 120 cm, and each kid could sit at one side of the square table and not have to jostle for elbow room. The fibreboard top is hardwearing, and perfect for an art table, since stains can be easily wiped clean.</span></div>
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The tabletops were joined together with metal plates and wood screws (available at hardware shops). We used two <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/00308698/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Trofast frames</b></a> as the base of the table, arranged perpendicular to the tabletops and attached again using metal plates and wood screws. These frames are narrower than the tabletops, so that allowed for leg room, while providing storage under the table.</div>
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Having storage under the table was extremely useful! We could either slot in <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/90252574/#/40141673/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Trofast storage boxes</b></a> of varying sizes to contain various materials (eg. I use one bin to hold random recyclables that they can use for crafting, such as egg trays, bits of cardboard and toilet paper rolls)... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ4J8qolnpnxRJXKtDWRYGmT6aDRiVI1wUmvYDcAGpkFgpXmg2Rw6FHBbRbx4KEavG4dblfJL2-kjwqKZiMGkPhGhgO_xY8cEpKndDkxaZS4NuvZTByjOXnbLs2V4f7A8wcGmXx0NZG0/s1600/IMG_4094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ4J8qolnpnxRJXKtDWRYGmT6aDRiVI1wUmvYDcAGpkFgpXmg2Rw6FHBbRbx4KEavG4dblfJL2-kjwqKZiMGkPhGhgO_xY8cEpKndDkxaZS4NuvZTByjOXnbLs2V4f7A8wcGmXx0NZG0/s1600/IMG_4094.jpg" /></a></div>
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... or we could just slot in bigger items into the space within the storage unit, such as their work trays and the trash bin. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIp_HOov2-wo3wcqH_42x0sLZyvPuIf7s3KT9NkY3lrVa1ylTeakMNPgjIgPbqqPXZzmDKwxPBbzHR7o-fRGEJdrmA0WpSPL-QUccT-bZryqQMKPkQOH8YdGDWlQkuj5-fCTrmCjJHT0/s1600/IMG_4090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIp_HOov2-wo3wcqH_42x0sLZyvPuIf7s3KT9NkY3lrVa1ylTeakMNPgjIgPbqqPXZzmDKwxPBbzHR7o-fRGEJdrmA0WpSPL-QUccT-bZryqQMKPkQOH8YdGDWlQkuj5-fCTrmCjJHT0/s400/IMG_4090.jpg" width="252" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavBiyfDChpzQoVIR6IMyBuTMsJ61TZipe8rHJfeeZ3NiLgs4vBeep5ZuLUUMTxpXtJ9xM_sW1g59aPFyOmfrb-i0excAe4rBRKdj8LVuYKB0j3k34BLjerA69ZW5-Eoy8A0VBAA65lHg/s1600/IMG_4087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavBiyfDChpzQoVIR6IMyBuTMsJ61TZipe8rHJfeeZ3NiLgs4vBeep5ZuLUUMTxpXtJ9xM_sW1g59aPFyOmfrb-i0excAe4rBRKdj8LVuYKB0j3k34BLjerA69ZW5-Eoy8A0VBAA65lHg/s400/IMG_4087.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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We use both <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/90133944/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Smula trays</b></a> and <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/70174285/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Klack trays</b></a> as work trays (the former are smaller so they are used for the younger kids). Both are large enough to hold a piece of drawing block paper, and using trays minimizes clean up, as we only need to wash the trays once in a while. These are also useful when it comes to messy work such as working with clay, as well as when the kids work with beads, since everything is contained within the tray. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8Qkz8f68mkC3xGd0LR38jYyikVWc-cdzTvqk2OYSxhnAstr6R08_QCBoShdkDVeeQG_wb4VnCelcHWURbGuOfg_OovFITynT2XDmeQiGnNhY8laXRcYiGIlB6HOLbHgsPxwgzUXduSM/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8Qkz8f68mkC3xGd0LR38jYyikVWc-cdzTvqk2OYSxhnAstr6R08_QCBoShdkDVeeQG_wb4VnCelcHWURbGuOfg_OovFITynT2XDmeQiGnNhY8laXRcYiGIlB6HOLbHgsPxwgzUXduSM/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" /></a></div>
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Once the table was set up, we encountered another challenge: appropriate seating. Using the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/00308698/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Trofast frames</b></a> meant that the table was taller than a regular child's table, so the regular child-sized chairs would not work for the younger kids. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnU0jnnkiF1AsiMiQiZ-CwppPszUoEfk8hv9tEMjtUI28sXsAyeyw1OQonFUX7TIqHUVhmAIBgpn8nBIcLa4W7iriqgZWwKTnEqHzDLjaEzfU9jwSVmPNtuayiDwOEFIFPVr9prAEVQE/s1600/IMG_4105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnU0jnnkiF1AsiMiQiZ-CwppPszUoEfk8hv9tEMjtUI28sXsAyeyw1OQonFUX7TIqHUVhmAIBgpn8nBIcLa4W7iriqgZWwKTnEqHzDLjaEzfU9jwSVmPNtuayiDwOEFIFPVr9prAEVQE/s1600/IMG_4105.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/10267555/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mammut children's chair</b></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> (his is all colourful because he decorated it with washi tape!) was perfect for Junior J's height, but I had to find something taller for Lil J and Small J. However, most regular stools were too high, while the step-stools were too low. In the end I found a simple solution: we bought the </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/50136204/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english" style="text-align: justify;"><b>tallest Trofast storage boxes</b></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> available, and flipped them over to use them as stools! (PS: These come with HUGE stickers that are really hard to remove. We discovered that spraying some WD40 removed the sticky residue easily!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMNiW6F24FtmuBP-IpKRXyIw3mA9s9ClPgk8U2eN_mWyaaHYckwUBaaorFgUrbpCYK-v6dkU1IHUifjJ1A6B69Npvv7_b1ActiQIsthHtUT2AifToEgsGOj9ytfrSoOqWLRm_7KLoxbc/s1600/IMG_4030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMNiW6F24FtmuBP-IpKRXyIw3mA9s9ClPgk8U2eN_mWyaaHYckwUBaaorFgUrbpCYK-v6dkU1IHUifjJ1A6B69Npvv7_b1ActiQIsthHtUT2AifToEgsGOj9ytfrSoOqWLRm_7KLoxbc/s400/IMG_4030.jpg" width="253" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8cN9WTRh-_JDa4HsMpoKqth0YM2qD0PR6t8a7lPEDKwnsLa7gpm5dTe1hagGcx5vJaVQ3uRRV4tR7AgvAXojAyv6sAhz09Hb12IdvOgfByEGVQj3jynuPV_Huv8AZ61IHgpZW6_kGeo/s1600/IMG_4100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8cN9WTRh-_JDa4HsMpoKqth0YM2qD0PR6t8a7lPEDKwnsLa7gpm5dTe1hagGcx5vJaVQ3uRRV4tR7AgvAXojAyv6sAhz09Hb12IdvOgfByEGVQj3jynuPV_Huv8AZ61IHgpZW6_kGeo/s400/IMG_4100.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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An art studio needs plenty of storage space, so we reused our old <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/10216537/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Raskog trolley</b></a> to store paper, paints and other art materials:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0etIzdIb7edpPJ0dSlbr6n2k15qXUvd1kGlSXVrYvx_6pjNGXWBxdpflmMxxOPo4Jd6jzP-CaczI73NmACM05XGOxlKVkCzIJ5Z6bPueFzyH_BhJMowo3tb_9iIFEInflP8Cn7SSay8/s1600/IMG_4141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0etIzdIb7edpPJ0dSlbr6n2k15qXUvd1kGlSXVrYvx_6pjNGXWBxdpflmMxxOPo4Jd6jzP-CaczI73NmACM05XGOxlKVkCzIJ5Z6bPueFzyH_BhJMowo3tb_9iIFEInflP8Cn7SSay8/s1600/IMG_4141.jpg" /></a></div>
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On a side note: I really love this trolley since it's so durable and versatile. We have three of these trolleys, and <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/00271893/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>our beige Raskog trolley</b></a> has been used as a mobile library in the boys' room previously... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOwLTAqhYfOi6ylea2CJsbHzOpzEw7CX9r8QauoNj8IWxyJpz09rmpNaoO71htH_D_RX-FTLjqyM-WxH-jRrfwff0lsWeK_z2xZPEno9rjVemLku2bHorZ9ElNi9rsRu97kSHqruTAFE/s1600/IMG_6811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOwLTAqhYfOi6ylea2CJsbHzOpzEw7CX9r8QauoNj8IWxyJpz09rmpNaoO71htH_D_RX-FTLjqyM-WxH-jRrfwff0lsWeK_z2xZPEno9rjVemLku2bHorZ9ElNi9rsRu97kSHqruTAFE/s1600/IMG_6811.JPG" /></a></div>
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... and is currently being used as a bedside table and diaper caddy! (It now comes in <b>r<a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/40331767/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english">ed brown</a></b> as well as <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/70333977/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>black</b></a>!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKlHC_u6rvLxb_K5n9gedcLqPWpt3CXFEIInDhePWcyLM2X9KJkshg_7OSC1CuL5eU5RCQ4DsO_AQYPrEJqe7vKsjvWB-HByyjC9TXscrHRaw0IbuKdk1jVxUCpuL9TZgrYTXVee3boQ/s1600/IMG_3978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKlHC_u6rvLxb_K5n9gedcLqPWpt3CXFEIInDhePWcyLM2X9KJkshg_7OSC1CuL5eU5RCQ4DsO_AQYPrEJqe7vKsjvWB-HByyjC9TXscrHRaw0IbuKdk1jVxUCpuL9TZgrYTXVee3boQ/s640/IMG_3978.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Trolley aside, we needed a space to hang up their art aprons/bibs. I wanted easy to install hooks since we already had to drill up a few things and didn't want to have to drill more stuff, so we went with these cheerful, colourful <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/00225797/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Losjon hooks</b></a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNtlw1w7oE8HRhrr4TgNJ_oqYKRQ5556ByHkYeMXBg1iXXOgGCPtOPXgXgkSU9j6JhoylXb-2Zbi4WvK3dmmbtkxpWg_SC9AD2t6Zc360RWylSLlIZdlWAqw-v1aTBWEvHHb_2ubQ_0Q/s1600/IMG_4146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNtlw1w7oE8HRhrr4TgNJ_oqYKRQ5556ByHkYeMXBg1iXXOgGCPtOPXgXgkSU9j6JhoylXb-2Zbi4WvK3dmmbtkxpWg_SC9AD2t6Zc360RWylSLlIZdlWAqw-v1aTBWEvHHb_2ubQ_0Q/s1600/IMG_4146.jpg" /></a></div>
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The hooks were a breeze to fix up: all you have to do is peel off the adhesive backings, and stick them on! The hooks were positioned lower down, so that even the toddler could hang up his own bib. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGHmghWoR-Y9fHtDWycnnpu6sNibi1soWgIfp7rOYwTXjalQ-0EsA7TFHz_u-cKXjVlaekbItGGaSpTlYcFIpBNDnmVot7JWZu3eLtgxCFIx0FHrhAPtwAzH9QITV8jfx3TyilLB11K0/s1600/IMG_4044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGHmghWoR-Y9fHtDWycnnpu6sNibi1soWgIfp7rOYwTXjalQ-0EsA7TFHz_u-cKXjVlaekbItGGaSpTlYcFIpBNDnmVot7JWZu3eLtgxCFIx0FHrhAPtwAzH9QITV8jfx3TyilLB11K0/s400/IMG_4044.jpg" width="246" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzj5bfhBSiiW_qnQkxsMZw4LUFBzdTuxuXHEm2rRiEN684Qh-5wVrAkdsdlhp_2uK_nUt8cTGXASXh2OYZk32FUPuqFzx84k_v71ZtH4CwYLUBn63y-vfTWV-AtjYLBQDBM07RFawcM8/s1600/IMG_4134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzj5bfhBSiiW_qnQkxsMZw4LUFBzdTuxuXHEm2rRiEN684Qh-5wVrAkdsdlhp_2uK_nUt8cTGXASXh2OYZk32FUPuqFzx84k_v71ZtH4CwYLUBn63y-vfTWV-AtjYLBQDBM07RFawcM8/s400/IMG_4134.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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And to add interest, we wrapped twine around the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/00225797/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Losjon hooks</b></a> (this <a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/2014/06/losjon-art-gallery.html">idea was from IKEA Hackers</a>), and that also provided an alternative display area for small pieces of artwork by the kids. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9FPkzKWuOz8xl9rq9rC6dCbXC8bP5i6qM6g5rYQTfJcLdybv_iayPb1i8wl1VG5rZ_7CxVjz6Q-j50b2zAHTKHRVWezkB-kdeR3KmEhyphenhyphenxhzDgHgKI5HGUHyNWTluudRga60dCDRNy_U/s1600/IMG_4067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9FPkzKWuOz8xl9rq9rC6dCbXC8bP5i6qM6g5rYQTfJcLdybv_iayPb1i8wl1VG5rZ_7CxVjz6Q-j50b2zAHTKHRVWezkB-kdeR3KmEhyphenhyphenxhzDgHgKI5HGUHyNWTluudRga60dCDRNy_U/s1600/IMG_4067.jpg" /></a></div>
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Speaking of display, we set up a gallery wall using <b>Articulate Gallery frames</b>, as well <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/80300453/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Fiskbo frames</b></a>. These come in various sizes and colours, and I love how affordable they are! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbpk-0TkTNiHYcur5_Bu4vFfpp4m02nIIvBPeaZ4ubdkj-KI_GUiCnD_HEYiBOUv0bhWCX_mlzL8_BO_ovccRa9iywhsYe-kZt_Du4zRK3NCFmCHD1LS0pEUCM8v4y1Gu1LiymO4WbsM/s1600/IMG_4074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbpk-0TkTNiHYcur5_Bu4vFfpp4m02nIIvBPeaZ4ubdkj-KI_GUiCnD_HEYiBOUv0bhWCX_mlzL8_BO_ovccRa9iywhsYe-kZt_Du4zRK3NCFmCHD1LS0pEUCM8v4y1Gu1LiymO4WbsM/s400/IMG_4074.jpg" width="275" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xW6vpdEmqC5MQSUINVNFJGXm0YLKukWTT5lRT-uHmG_1wYHYHAQZXxPf7AGQe4Sz3M1XktXuNYjScNX6n6nspyMC4FjFNyN9oQd-jE49uIUu05f6PO7pX4wnuUWr0-hdnp3oAtd_-9o/s1600/IMG_4072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xW6vpdEmqC5MQSUINVNFJGXm0YLKukWTT5lRT-uHmG_1wYHYHAQZXxPf7AGQe4Sz3M1XktXuNYjScNX6n6nspyMC4FjFNyN9oQd-jE49uIUu05f6PO7pX4wnuUWr0-hdnp3oAtd_-9o/s400/IMG_4072.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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One of the issues I have with our current home is the awkward positioning of the electrical sockets. All the sockets are placed right smack in the middle of the wall, where they cannot be hidden behind low shelves. I tried blocking the sockets using a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/20193347/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Skurar plant pot</b></a> filled with twigs (where we could hang some of their crafty creations), but as you can see, it didn't work!</div>
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In the end, I framed up a piece of wrapping paper using <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/60300468/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>a large Fiskbo frame</b></a>, and propped it over the socket. This way, we could easily access the socket if we needed it, but meanwhile it wasn't glaring at us in the face!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWihUJEKIMAYQQ78Xec-3DcZGqZJlxKVIvFfy7r-qfiq_F_Cbj6K4ubGuVnwhmB_8zsl0tI2iUv7NxUemf5dOp5WOXGRFUZLPPoccOvs9sRXe_rPzq273Uub7PiVo_Mk6CHUotYdVK9s/s1600/IMG_4139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWihUJEKIMAYQQ78Xec-3DcZGqZJlxKVIvFfy7r-qfiq_F_Cbj6K4ubGuVnwhmB_8zsl0tI2iUv7NxUemf5dOp5WOXGRFUZLPPoccOvs9sRXe_rPzq273Uub7PiVo_Mk6CHUotYdVK9s/s1600/IMG_4139.jpg" /></a></div>
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And finally, those storage units are <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/30245954/#/40248377/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Besta frames</b></a> (in white stained oak effect) and <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/S79047617/#/S79047617/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Hanviken doors</b></a> (in either white for the bottom, or white stained oak effect for the top). We use them to store both art materials, as well as all our games (since we use the art table for playing games as well)! I love how we can mix and match all sorts of colours and patterns to come up with a storage solution that works. We also use <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/S79047617/#/S79047617/?cid=sg|sm|dd_aug_blog|jus|201611|english"><b>Besta frames</b></a> for our TV bench and media storage both in our old and current homes (you can see some photos <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2015/07/home-living-room-before-and-after.html">here</a>), since they are so versatile. </div>
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You might have recently read about <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_SG/this-is-ikea/democratic-design/index.html"><b>IKEA's Democratic Design process</b></a>, which is to make design for everyone. There are five aspects to Democratic Design: </div>
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<b>1. Form:</b> This deals with how innovative the design is, as well as aspects such as easy handling and ergonomics.</div>
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<b>2. Quality: </b>This is in terms of durability, child safety and resistance to wear and tear and humidity.</div>
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<b>3. Function:</b> This deals with the flexibility, adaptability and relevance of the product in daily life.</div>
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<b>4. Low Price:</b> Product affordability, as well as lowering the cost of maintenance and packaging.</div>
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<b>5. Sustainability: </b>The use of recyclable materials that are environmentally friendly, and products that reduce energy consumption. </div>
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Good furniture design is really about a balance of all these five aspects, but what I particularly love about IKEA products is their functionality and adaptability. It is this aspect that has made putting this art studio together so much easier, and at a much lower cost than if we were to hire a carpenter to custom-build our furniture. The kids are really enjoying this space, since it works so well for us, and it's going to be a space filled with happy memories!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KHMQQwPz5abtdQpYonuu0RVPb71qCsGZLHU1GC35WqrfDuo5X0DC84pUZrBIYpgZdfC3nRWtd6Pnr5axvO_p4tBKPaNplhQg-_qZrXyotinK5UDY2UknLHdvRMklFquHr7AJQWVab70/s1600/IMG_4126+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KHMQQwPz5abtdQpYonuu0RVPb71qCsGZLHU1GC35WqrfDuo5X0DC84pUZrBIYpgZdfC3nRWtd6Pnr5axvO_p4tBKPaNplhQg-_qZrXyotinK5UDY2UknLHdvRMklFquHr7AJQWVab70/s1600/IMG_4126+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Disclaimer: This post is written in collaboration with </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/" style="text-align: start;">IKEA</a><span style="text-align: start;">. We were given a gift card to purchase some of the aforementioned items in this post, and no monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.</span></div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-14575814450041106672016-09-08T02:35:00.000+08:002016-09-08T02:35:44.360+08:00#MakingMumEatsWell: The second week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The kids fell sick just one week into <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2016/08/makingmumeatswell-challenge-to-eat.html">my challenge to eat better</a>. And the tough thing about having four is that the whole recovery process is extended, since they all take turns to be ill. J2 ended up with croup, and was pretty sick for awhile. Even the hubby and FIL were not spared, and I was the last one standing. The baby is still recovering, but I am thankful that the fever finally broke after three days. </div>
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Because I was up at night carrying a febrile baby, I couldn't find much energy to try new recipes. But I did try to make various drinks for the family: barley water (because one very sick child refused to drink anything but this) and chrysanthemum tea. I found that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJxjHc-BROI/?taken-by=justtey">warm soupy Chinese desserts</a> go down a whole lot easier than rich Western desserts, so I tried making <a href="http://www.noobcook.com/white-fungus-with-longan-and-ginkgo/2/">snow fungus dessert</a>. We also tried <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ2PFRkhA9y/?taken-by=justtey">this concoction of pearl barley, China barley, green beans and lily bulb</a> that was supposed to help with the lungs and the kids' cough. </div>
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I had to deviate a lot from my original menu and we had a fair bit of porridge and soups. I must say, it was really satisfying seeing a sick child slurp up his udon, with the knowledge that what you've prepared might be helping to speed up his recovery a wee bit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sNAeAVVoNMYx27mMZLlA5wBxk7IhTLX9qEFtOSKk8gloind0E60miVdNlrBFItYv4UNuyry6q13Zkos8BayFahmuWRESQAEeOt845wAx5-Zd_SQ1WHeOiHmaQqGkMSTBnVvpMatIDow/s1600/Go+Raw+granola.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sNAeAVVoNMYx27mMZLlA5wBxk7IhTLX9qEFtOSKk8gloind0E60miVdNlrBFItYv4UNuyry6q13Zkos8BayFahmuWRESQAEeOt845wAx5-Zd_SQ1WHeOiHmaQqGkMSTBnVvpMatIDow/s1600/Go+Raw+granola.JPG" /></a></div>
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I learnt one thing about freezing food: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ73m_RBP7x/?taken-by=justtey">always have a stash of good char siew</a> in the freezer. Because everyone loves char siew (at least those in my family do). Edamame (green soya beans) is another handy freezer staple, and the kids know how to peel these on their own to eat.</div>
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I'm still doing <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJzoPc5hVEE/?taken-by=justtey">my yoghurt with granola and fruit thing for breakfast</a>, but recently discovered <a href="http://sg.iherb.com/Go-Raw-Organic-Granola-Premium-with-Hemp-Chocolate-1-lb-454-g/33195">this granola</a> that I quite like. It's nut-free and the seeds have been sprouted, and it tastes quite different from the usual granolas. Since we don't have any nut allergies, I'm also adding nuts to my breakfast. </div>
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It's been quite a week, and I must say I'm exhausted. I'm glad baby is much better now though, and this week of barley drinks has got me thinking about making tang yuan and cheng tng. Hopefully soon! </div>
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[This is part of my self-initiated challenge to eat better for 21 days. You can read about <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2016/08/makingmumeatswell-challenge-to-eat.html">our first week of the challenge here</a>, and follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/makingmumeatswell/">all the posts over on IG</a> (tagged #makingmumeatswell). I've had queries about others wanting to join in, so if you want to hop on too, just tag your food posts with the tag <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/eatingwelltog/">#eatingwelltog</a> so that we can encourage each other on!]</div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-49265413755791349342016-09-01T20:43:00.003+08:002016-09-01T20:53:21.542+08:00Everything's coming up roses: JM Floral Creation subscription service<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HEwWtw6V1F1re770BvrI087puvycwn3OwCwX-DhS0A8BDsZ596ZYCMpu6eCLqEwnZqNm5hEouyEMpzDWhaGv6Fgh4r9x6XChuoIzWhTh1W1t3vUyYShjwo9ioesyO7WG7PbQshX3KFI/s1600/JM+Flora+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HEwWtw6V1F1re770BvrI087puvycwn3OwCwX-DhS0A8BDsZ596ZYCMpu6eCLqEwnZqNm5hEouyEMpzDWhaGv6Fgh4r9x6XChuoIzWhTh1W1t3vUyYShjwo9ioesyO7WG7PbQshX3KFI/s1600/JM+Flora+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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When I was young, I wished that I could be admitted to hospital one day, so that people would buy flowers, chocolates and cake for me. But of course, I hoped that whatever I was warded for wasn't something serious! I guess it came from reading all the books that showed these little girls getting loads of presents when they had to go to the hospital (It brings to mind the book Madeline!). Crazy, I know. </div>
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Since then, I've definitely outgrown that irrational hope. After all, there are far nicer circumstances to receive flowers, chocolates and cake! However, I've been warded a couple of times, such as after the delivery of all four kids. And yes, there were flowers (but usually no chocolate or cake) each time. I guess people buy flowers for those resting in hospital, because they are able to bring such cheer and loveliness into any room!</div>
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I was contacted by Joyce from <a href="http://www.jm.com.sg/about.html#">Ji Mei Flower</a> to see if I was keen to review their <a href="http://www.jm.com.sg/weddings-events/flower-subscription.html">flower subscription service</a>. <a href="http://www.jm.com.sg/weddings-events.html">JM Floral Creation</a> is a subsidiary of Ji Mei Flower, that handles events such as weddings. They recently launched this service, where you can get a bouquet of fresh flowers sent to you on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Fresh blooms every week? Without having to stay in hospital? Of course I said yes!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBgDIixBswl1RckwasJJ21P6uMdnf48mO1tqWlhKZSxSdGY1ocnxOQSe0uBvDzi6wlEE8NX8qpU5tgk_UuwGHfuCF2H92obkliHKQvGkLCopPHZ2l7C3iPoHBI3lDCeUp4uxpHEmyKdw/s1600/JM+Flora+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBgDIixBswl1RckwasJJ21P6uMdnf48mO1tqWlhKZSxSdGY1ocnxOQSe0uBvDzi6wlEE8NX8qpU5tgk_UuwGHfuCF2H92obkliHKQvGkLCopPHZ2l7C3iPoHBI3lDCeUp4uxpHEmyKdw/s400/JM+Flora+3.jpg" width="262" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ETR8MIYaO2KPEreFyoVErvmnwQDRwdZ-DMpg5ly12LUx3ds0By77H4XeqWt7GB4c1xexmFKme4qs0jD63K69uKZq4Qp5aoVDZPYCOmgDDjqIUZPp5F79bmYFdWiok2Xfw72M_FSwKvw/s1600/JM+Flora+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ETR8MIYaO2KPEreFyoVErvmnwQDRwdZ-DMpg5ly12LUx3ds0By77H4XeqWt7GB4c1xexmFKme4qs0jD63K69uKZq4Qp5aoVDZPYCOmgDDjqIUZPp5F79bmYFdWiok2Xfw72M_FSwKvw/s400/JM+Flora+6.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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To keep the service affordable, subscribers are not allowed to choose the type of flowers they want. However, this means you get a pleasant surprise each time the Ji Mei delivery truck comes by! For the first delivery, a complimentary jar is provided for your flowers, along with a packet of flower "food" which helps to preserve the freshness of the blooms for a longer period of time. A sheet with helpful tips on how to care for your flowers is also provided. Subsequent bouquets are cut to fit the jar, but all bouquets are wrapped, which means you can also choose to use the bouquet as a gift.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapxKWguiOUfYPpHBCXtrRfUXELp46SnKp_nTwpab1SWHe19tJMytFf9niPeYSg39bLzg-Ypyl9ApyyMLlYFDEVRNlxp0ivhHB8QC-o688XgQtZRviaq5L-h9JgKqItCXyjaXn1DHK_wE/s1600/JM+Flora+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapxKWguiOUfYPpHBCXtrRfUXELp46SnKp_nTwpab1SWHe19tJMytFf9niPeYSg39bLzg-Ypyl9ApyyMLlYFDEVRNlxp0ivhHB8QC-o688XgQtZRviaq5L-h9JgKqItCXyjaXn1DHK_wE/s1600/JM+Flora+14.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was a really convenient way of bringing some beauty into the home: all you have to do is to remove the wet cotton wool, wrapping and tape, and put the blooms in the jar! There is no having to struggle with cutting stems, while getting pricked by thorns in the process (which is what used to happen to me). </div>
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Having the folk at Ji Mei do the flower selection also means that you get unique bouquets each time. While they incorporated classic favourites, such as roses, in their arrangements...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYXkbNyfRZ8iiQNwWzNDVLb-r5hqTFIvvS1GF12lhwM0WFLO9mxAdIrEFoJocXjvMRhxxFg1ZmrhP4Zq98sEfqauVC9O9P7tlgEPy04NCbggxEDMd5xMvu0hsGLY3RIXcsxZhFkGFwvo/s1600/JM+Flora+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYXkbNyfRZ8iiQNwWzNDVLb-r5hqTFIvvS1GF12lhwM0WFLO9mxAdIrEFoJocXjvMRhxxFg1ZmrhP4Zq98sEfqauVC9O9P7tlgEPy04NCbggxEDMd5xMvu0hsGLY3RIXcsxZhFkGFwvo/s1600/JM+Flora+12.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYJsjgGrt7odKhU2P1aMZ4V4aXZIKcU1lX7GFS_fHf991oJaClEbJVQ2knxJ_-9udRVNfTb26wlJSp0gy_8o4lIb-bvQCLXic42QjKKTK5W-E6TIVuLKAPu7wZLXmCB0I0CfGQBfhG98/s1600/JM+Flora+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYJsjgGrt7odKhU2P1aMZ4V4aXZIKcU1lX7GFS_fHf991oJaClEbJVQ2knxJ_-9udRVNfTb26wlJSp0gy_8o4lIb-bvQCLXic42QjKKTK5W-E6TIVuLKAPu7wZLXmCB0I0CfGQBfhG98/s1600/JM+Flora+11.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8vHRd4ngDmZl6_HF0zGaAubHvMk3xdBN-0si2DTO0ra9Nmo-YLvfWfQh5Os3O6isqsRt_a-bhbB7KaVzihxN9ZSM5Z4hniribDndY8FZynT0UD7cz8Y7mDJhzB1K3xyToN5AVHaw7uM/s1600/JM+Flora+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8vHRd4ngDmZl6_HF0zGaAubHvMk3xdBN-0si2DTO0ra9Nmo-YLvfWfQh5Os3O6isqsRt_a-bhbB7KaVzihxN9ZSM5Z4hniribDndY8FZynT0UD7cz8Y7mDJhzB1K3xyToN5AVHaw7uM/s1600/JM+Flora+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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... each bouquet usually had something unconventional and special too, such as a lush protea, or even delicate Phalaenopsis orchids paired with pink hydrangea. I have always pictured these so called moth orchids as tabletop decor, and never would have thought of including them in a bouquet!</div>
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Joyce shared that their team tries to innovate when it comes to these floral arrangements, which result in such unique combinations. That aside, I loved how they incorporated some foliage as well, some of which I could dry and use in the future when making wreaths (such as these eucalyptus leaves). Flower arrangement is both an art and a science, and it was interesting to see how some of the bouquets were planned to "grow" and bloom across the week, such as the lilies, which filled our bedroom with such a lovely scent!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThN4BsYMErI6NhyETDhWAQPuZRzc2brWNq8V26LioMM91zyIjIJyGCUzU8BqxKTBZc5fkRuzIYgZ4esmcZycnIXtXy_jQK9EKnhhrcpvCw5uuwM0S8ZaNj3_6iJQ36z3yQk8PWbkfubk/s1600/JM+Flora+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThN4BsYMErI6NhyETDhWAQPuZRzc2brWNq8V26LioMM91zyIjIJyGCUzU8BqxKTBZc5fkRuzIYgZ4esmcZycnIXtXy_jQK9EKnhhrcpvCw5uuwM0S8ZaNj3_6iJQ36z3yQk8PWbkfubk/s1600/JM+Flora+9.jpg" /></a></div>
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I had a quick chat with Joyce, who is an events consultant with <a href="http://www.jm.com.sg/weddings-events.html">JM Floral Creation</a>, to find out more about the team behind these gorgeous bouquets. She usually suggests the preferred combination of flowers, and the team of flower arrangers would then get down to work, each adopting their own style to prepare the bouquets. She shares that she loves flowers and plants, so her job fits her to a T, allowing her to be hands-on about something that she has a passion for. The team get a fair bit of their inspiration online, and rely on their customers' trust to be able to try new arrangements or combinations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8SfxPglNau4-55DEjqy2w0tihyphenhyphenbh4v_ZjcgAOi0r1gKDir-9v8MnAEUn7CJ-PDb6u3Uv3Jf4-JrnwAR_fopHOAwHblfdBchSwr9JiafQCovqxbhCxuDk_Y0-zrPWmPhquGXWLlnBC7Y/s1600/JM+Flora+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8SfxPglNau4-55DEjqy2w0tihyphenhyphenbh4v_ZjcgAOi0r1gKDir-9v8MnAEUn7CJ-PDb6u3Uv3Jf4-JrnwAR_fopHOAwHblfdBchSwr9JiafQCovqxbhCxuDk_Y0-zrPWmPhquGXWLlnBC7Y/s400/JM+Flora+4.jpg" width="253" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i9AJnsj0rM1HK0aTAv8PLoCGYN5LoVNu_4NEBkZhysAloYPnCGapc2Wt51O3r9Fe9vhirm-SOP0dEyee27c2MxeWVQMWOhmmqkhtXisVdotH48HKu0D_rFL0a5U3hKNQ9bHN5twwnVg/s1600/JM+Flora+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i9AJnsj0rM1HK0aTAv8PLoCGYN5LoVNu_4NEBkZhysAloYPnCGapc2Wt51O3r9Fe9vhirm-SOP0dEyee27c2MxeWVQMWOhmmqkhtXisVdotH48HKu0D_rFL0a5U3hKNQ9bHN5twwnVg/s400/JM+Flora+8.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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And speaking of passion, these weekly floral surprises have been most welcomed by Lil J, who simply loves flowers. He would rush to the door to take the flowers from my hands, and would spend the next few minutes inspecting the blooms. We caught him even trying to put pollen up his nose! Small J, though a little less enthusiastic, always tells me "you have new flowers Mama, they are boo-tiful!". </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKwY0lYhlKf77zhiKN3lWZ5u4olbqSnJq9RM52_WWXKTcqUmFQZVfc_G8atAevckT2wglohzAz14OTz_ank48U86t3pHypCdiuNConVy-SxbAmV_0C81sLKNLYV_E2H6fVORvOASpnm8/s1600/JM+Flora+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKwY0lYhlKf77zhiKN3lWZ5u4olbqSnJq9RM52_WWXKTcqUmFQZVfc_G8atAevckT2wglohzAz14OTz_ank48U86t3pHypCdiuNConVy-SxbAmV_0C81sLKNLYV_E2H6fVORvOASpnm8/s1600/JM+Flora+15.jpg" /></a></div>
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Having fresh blooms in the house adds colour and cheer, and the subscription service takes all the work out of your hands. All you have to do is change the water in the vase every other day. Thank you, <a href="http://www.jm.com.sg/weddings-events.html">JM Floral Creation</a>, for helping to brighten up our home the past month!</div>
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For those who are interested, the subscription service is priced at $50 and $65 per bouquet for the standard and premium range of flowers respectively, and this includes delivery charges. The minimum subscription period is for four bouquets, and depends on whether you opt for a weekly, fortnightly or monthly subscription. For more details, or to start a subscription, please contact JM Floral Creation at 69225919 or email them at florals@jm.com.sg. Alternatively, visit <a href="http://www.jm.com.sg/weddings-events/flower-subscription.html">this page</a>, and you can <a href="http://www.jbabiesinthedaisies.com/2016/06/jm-floral-creation-flower-subscription.html">hop over to "The J Babies" to read their review</a> and admire the beautiful blooms they received!</div>
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The lovely folks over at <a href="http://www.jm.com.sg/weddings-events.html">JM Floral Creation</a> are kindly giving away floral subscriptions (of two weeks) worth $100 each, to two readers of this blog! To enter, please scroll down and follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below. Do note that you need to like and comment on the FB post as part of the entry requirements, and that both bouquets in the subscription must be sent to the same address.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83noaUXGwlWgubatLBl1bXYuacRhCD2rcZkNflQ2Hk8TT4yZpv-8dYspfnAMPqujE0gifrZwKsfxvVSthj_bzlbYh7eoi8zoBY5tNj68XA3FI4nYmqq4t7sfeeajAxoOjzGNYKxyN4Ok/s1600/JM+Flora+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83noaUXGwlWgubatLBl1bXYuacRhCD2rcZkNflQ2Hk8TT4yZpv-8dYspfnAMPqujE0gifrZwKsfxvVSthj_bzlbYh7eoi8zoBY5tNj68XA3FI4nYmqq4t7sfeeajAxoOjzGNYKxyN4Ok/s1600/JM+Flora+13.jpg" /></a></div>
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Disclaimer: We were sponsored a flower subscription for purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-25537207171433659852016-08-31T13:33:00.000+08:002016-08-31T13:33:06.610+08:00#MakingMumEatsWell: A challenge to eat better<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qE-v3WOmMCqZ2XZunlbgxHWwD2SYfcJ0ZplFYfvNjXq0jOvTKFmwOOh3G8xRjYpWw8Sq7kTmGWdZLwK78uQvrKhi6-V95clwhuwNe0lW8Rg3WCVDzXtHHytJp1WhVrjPldJklTp5V2A/s1600/photo+1+%252867%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qE-v3WOmMCqZ2XZunlbgxHWwD2SYfcJ0ZplFYfvNjXq0jOvTKFmwOOh3G8xRjYpWw8Sq7kTmGWdZLwK78uQvrKhi6-V95clwhuwNe0lW8Rg3WCVDzXtHHytJp1WhVrjPldJklTp5V2A/s1600/photo+1+%252867%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese omelette, for a quick lunch. Details <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJeYLuEhAUe/?tagged=makingmumeatswell">here</a>.</td></tr>
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I cook almost everyday for the family, and we usually eat out probably for two meals in a whole week (you can find our tips for planning and cooking everyday <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2016/02/cooking-casebook-how-to-cook-everyday.html">here</a>). However, while I do plan for rather nutritious meals, I tend to try to cut corners, like not including greens or using less ingredients when I cook so as to save time in food preparation.<br />
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That aside, I've been having to cook for more people (as the FIL is visiting, and my dad comes by to help me), and my previously frozen stash usually isn't enough to go around. On those days, I end up eating bread or instant noodles (I admit, I love instant noodles, but I was having it way too often!). And speaking of instant noodles, I tend to eat a fair bit of junk food (I love my chips, chocolate and biscuits!) in between meals, since a breastfeeding mama tends to be hungry half the time. I also found myself stuffing myself with chocolate whenever I got stressed or upset, which is quite often, unfortunately!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stew (frozen previously), with garlic bread and loads of fruit! Details <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJhDEaDhohm/?tagged=makingmumeatswell">here</a>, and I adapted a recipe from <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/beef-recipes/jools-s-favourite-beef-stew/">here</a>.</td></tr>
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All in all, I wanted to eat better, and prepare better meals for the family. To get my engine going, I thought I would make myself accountable by setting myself a challenge, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/makingmumeatswell/">posting one photo a day</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justtey/">Instagram</a> about this learning journey. I know one should set small specific goals to accomplish something, but I didn't want to stress over goals, so I left it as a general guideline to just get me moving in the correct direction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvXnGMayMvoXc9feZlW32MvsP0ouNjfmbP_X_xXeHm0HKlh9zyc8jv2P2qMGfkSvhX0TQ2piJWRqsvliwWHOVsWaF004fYnYLP5qgkEckq2p7eWzvXD_Hjc5TvSNi7Dyr1DZpT0_c6JU/s1600/photo+3+%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvXnGMayMvoXc9feZlW32MvsP0ouNjfmbP_X_xXeHm0HKlh9zyc8jv2P2qMGfkSvhX0TQ2piJWRqsvliwWHOVsWaF004fYnYLP5qgkEckq2p7eWzvXD_Hjc5TvSNi7Dyr1DZpT0_c6JU/s640/photo+3+%252846%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef hor fun, recipe <a href="http://3hungrytummies.blogspot.sg/2010/08/fried-beef-hor-fun-with-gravy-my.html">here</a>, tips for preparing <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJjefMRBjNm/">here</a>. </td></tr>
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It has been more than a week since I've started my challenge, and I'm happy to say we seem to be headed in the right direction! The first week saw me trying to increase our fruit and vegetable intake, as well as increase the variety of the meals I prepare. There's has been a sense of satisfaction knowing that all this hard work helps in the kids' growth. Also, I've been trying to eat less junk, so I've started baking our own treats with the boys (so that I can control the amount of sugar and other ingredients that go into our snacks!), and opting for fruit or nuts when I feel hungry. I'm relying less on frozen food the past week, which means I can increase the amount I cook so that there's enough food for everyone. And if there isn't enough, I've learnt that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJeYLuEhAUe/?tagged=makingmumeatswell">cooking an omelette</a> doesn't take much more time compared to cooking instant noodles. It helps that the two grandpas are around, since it allows me a little more time in the kitchen to experiment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhpILQ4xH7C8VQ1dbJYA-sCXYuOh9dp63wNHCghnkc9bBLQyKri7nFlavNZAV7yOwe3QKFx-z_7RqA6cLUfUBibiZoaTUP5NRSAX-SQgtrVYZ1HzOq86hB4IW4SqR2YPRV_luEqjEaUY/s1600/photo+5+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhpILQ4xH7C8VQ1dbJYA-sCXYuOh9dp63wNHCghnkc9bBLQyKri7nFlavNZAV7yOwe3QKFx-z_7RqA6cLUfUBibiZoaTUP5NRSAX-SQgtrVYZ1HzOq86hB4IW4SqR2YPRV_luEqjEaUY/s1600/photo+5+%252817%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muffin tin frittatas, which are great for lunch boxes. Recipe <a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2014/04/cooking-casebook-muffin-tin-frittatas.html">here</a>, meal details <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJo_MBXB3sD/?tagged=makingmumeatswell">here</a>.</td></tr>
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The kids and hubby are sick now, so for the week ahead I'll be exploring lighter meals and soups, as well as all the nutritious drinks that might help them to recover faster. It's great how doing this challenge pushes me to learn to cook new things, and I've learnt so much from all the tips and suggestions that fellow IG-ers have shared along the way!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porridge since everyone was sick. Details <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJmaN0UBeZ9/?tagged=makingmumeatswell">here</a>.</td></tr>
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Stay tuned for more yummy updates (I'll be posting them mostly in IG, at my account <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justtey/">@justtey</a>, and if you want to see what's cooking in the kitchen, you can search #makingmumeatswell on Instagram, or click <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/makingmumeatswell/">here</a>. Now I'm off to make some chrysanthemum tea!Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-75646394603298753742016-08-25T10:35:00.000+08:002016-08-25T10:40:11.098+08:00Three lessons from the Three Little Pigs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The three boys and I went to watch "<a href="http://srt.com.sg/materials/186-productions/current-season/1639-three-little-pigs-2016.html">The Three Little Pigs</a>" over the weekend. I think the musical needs no introduction, since it's been shared and reviewed by many others (you can read <a href="http://mmlittlee.blogspot.sg/2016/08/review-three-little-pigs.html">this one</a> for a more details, as well as useful tips). The show is an adaptation of the classic fairy tale, with songs and lots of local flavour thrown in. Produced by the <a href="http://srt.com.sg/">Singapore Repertory Theatre's</a> <a href="http://srt.com.sg/past-productions/the-little-company-past-productions.html">The Little Company</a>, the show was a throughly enjoyable experience! </div>
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The kids really loved the show, and it's not hard to see why. The songs were catchy, and had us tapping our feet and humming along (this is the first time our kids have watched it, and I've been hearing them sing certain refrains at home). There was so much humour and local flavour injected in, from the names of the little pigs (Cha, Siu and Bao), to the use of local terms ("So malu!", "Lim Kopi" etc), which had us laughing through the entire show. </div>
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While recommended for children three and above, the show was witty enough to keep even the adults entertained, yet wasn't too overstimulating for the senses. I admit that I tend to get headaches after attending children's productions from all the noise and sensory overload, but I didn't in this case, and really enjoyed it. </div>
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The acting was great too, and the performance put up by all four pigs (Andrew Lua as Cha, Ethel Yap as Siu, Benedict Hew as Bao, and Candice de Rozario as Mother Pig) was stellar. Ivan Chan was simply fantastic playing the Wolf, and he really engaged with the audience and literally had us howling with laughter! (However, his appearance did scare some of the very young ones in the audience, and Small J ended up in my lap for half the show, but hey, he's supposed to be the Big Bad Wolf right?) </div>
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However, good acting and funny script aside, I think what I most appreciated about the show were the little lessons that we could glean from it (and discuss with the kids after the show), that:</div>
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<b>:: Family always sticks together: </b></div>
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Throughout the show, you see the three little pigs squabbling and teasing each other. You see the classic "older brother trying to annoy the little brother" scene being played out (I gasped seeing Cha use his arm to hook Bao's neck, because that was such a familiar sight in my home with the boys!), and two older pigs are always teasing Bao for reading too much. But when trouble comes, you see the pigs helping each other, and that is what saves their skins in the end. Mother Pig also drives home the point, always reminding her three offspring to stick together as family. I think the boys could identify with the three pigs (poor Small J is always crying because his older brothers tease him so!), and I loved the reminder that even despite all these sibling conflicts, we can always count on family no matter what. </div>
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<b>:: Being kind pays off, even though it may seem counter-intuitive:</b></div>
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In the entire show, we have the three pigs trying to escape from the Wolf, but there was no talk about revenge (as their father was previously eaten by the wolf) or trying to get back at the wolf. In fact, the pigs were actually kind to the Wolf, offering him a handkerchief to blow his nose, after he was sneezing from blowing down Siu's house of straw, and warning him not to come down the chimney because he would burn himself! (But it turned out to be reverse psychology, since the Wolf assumed they were bluffing.) I thought that was a good reminder to always be kind. (And no, being kind is not equivalent to being a doormat. After all, the pigs did their utmost to protect themselves!)</div>
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<b>:: We are all unique, with our own strengths and weaknesses:</b></div>
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Bao was incessantly teased for being a bookworm, but it was his brains that saved the day. The three little pigs were so different in character and temperament, yet we saw how they worked together and complemented each other in the family. It reminded me about my own three little boys, and how unique each of them were. I admit I sometimes have difficulty grasping how different they are, and I am tempted to use the same methods to teach and train each child (for example, I recently discovered how the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJfhzjOhyjz/?taken-by=justtey">boys approach learning to read in different ways</a>). Watching the three pigs work on their houses was a reminder that every child is different, and these differences are to be celebrated, though they definitely keep parents on their toes!</div>
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All in all, "The Three Little Pigs" is entertaining and funny, and also goes beyond punny remarks to teach some valuable lessons. It's a musical, with morals thrown in. I'd say it's a must watch, if you've not caught it with your kids! </div>
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Showtime details are as follows, and you can book your tickets <a href="http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/cpigs0916?cid=srt-RTB-pigs0916">HERE</a>:</div>
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<b>Dates:</b> 4th August to 17th September</div>
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<b>Times: </b>Weekdays (10 am), weekends and public holidays (11 am and 2 pm)</div>
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<b>Venue: </b>KC Arts Centre – Home of SRT (20 Merbau Road, S239035)</div>
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<b>Disclaimer:</b> We received tickets to watch "The Three Little Pigs" for purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions (and those three little boys) are my own. </div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-81037973180210935162016-08-19T00:30:00.000+08:002016-08-19T02:15:47.770+08:00Home 2.0 Before and After: The master bedroom wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! We've had many requests for a house tour, but to date we're still unpacking and getting our stuff sorted! I think it's probably going to take a long while, so instead of a final grand tour, I'll periodically be sharing peeks into various parts of our home as we get them done. (Meanwhile, you can follow most of our home updates over on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/justtey/">Instagram </a>@justtey.) </div>
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Today, I wanted to show you a part of the master bedroom that I really love. The previous owners of our new home had a fair bit of built-in cabinetry done, and we had to decide which of these we wanted to keep, and which we wanted to demolish (since we didn't have the budget to overhaul everything). The master bedroom featured a walk-in wardrobe that was basically two sets of cupboards built facing each other, with the back of one acting to partition the wardrobe space off from the rest of the bedroom. Essentially (if you can see the lower left picture), the wall facing the bed was covered with a mid-brown tone laminate, along with a built-in cabinet that had some glass doors. The cabinet didn't work for us, since we needed drawer storage for clothes. I didn't like the glass doors too, since they were a hazard with the kids, plus I preferred that the mess inside was concealed. So we opted to hack away the cabinet. </div>
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Now the question was, did we want to just replace the back of the wardrobe with a new sheet of laminate, or did we want to do something else? I thought that laminate didn't look nice, especially if we were to push our existing chest of drawers against the wall. So we decided to explore the idea of using wallpaper instead. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwM7q4YBbBFftQfk2Rs-I1vlQdqjN3ZLWwKLmk6MFF_RWWsfdGCP1iuH887BR2WHJSiMRVe9zrMGzOkkBPdNXeRUN5Cr_Ta1eBTu6qMhHMZ_in6MjlUVcqCP3XoLkOw0j-AA6lW9f3pw/s1600/Wallhub+Van+gogh4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwM7q4YBbBFftQfk2Rs-I1vlQdqjN3ZLWwKLmk6MFF_RWWsfdGCP1iuH887BR2WHJSiMRVe9zrMGzOkkBPdNXeRUN5Cr_Ta1eBTu6qMhHMZ_in6MjlUVcqCP3XoLkOw0j-AA6lW9f3pw/s400/Wallhub+Van+gogh4.jpg" width="248" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4rOPabMExO8A2ykzae9syH0ZmqKbALFB8_Bdtm9QTnYUzFe97jU6DneZcruaW2B6wkG-1rhwQ8XwAn7VjMEwtU5ESb5Ytwsq2DK1XhBqB2DE5TCiFMZpVF9PFdoswyK0yxJ2AtEW9U0/s1600/Wallhub+Van+gogh01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4rOPabMExO8A2ykzae9syH0ZmqKbALFB8_Bdtm9QTnYUzFe97jU6DneZcruaW2B6wkG-1rhwQ8XwAn7VjMEwtU5ESb5Ytwsq2DK1XhBqB2DE5TCiFMZpVF9PFdoswyK0yxJ2AtEW9U0/s400/Wallhub+Van+gogh01.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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A friend gave us a contact for a company that sold Korean wallpaper, but we couldn't find anything that we liked. The same friend had recently wallpapered part of her home using <a href="http://www.eijffinger.com/en/products/wallpaper/types/rice/437/collection/437/1">wallpapers from a Rice-Eijffinger</a> collaboration, and I really loved them. These she purchased from <a href="http://www.wallhub.com.sg/">Wallhub</a>, so we paid them a visit. </div>
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We met up with Avan from <a href="http://www.wallhub.com.sg/">Wallhub</a>, and he patiently showed us what they had in stock. The range was mind-boggling, and we initially were rather overwhelmed by how many wallpapers we liked and wanted to use! <a href="http://www.wallhub.com.sg/">Wallhub</a> stocks many European brands of wallpaper, and there were so many pretty designs. After flipping through stacks of catalogues and having a heated debate with the hubby, we managed to narrow our selection down to a few Rice wallpapers (I loved the bright colours and happy designs!), along with a few other designs from other brands. </div>
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In the end, we decided to go with a lovely <a href="http://wallcoverings.bnint.com/home/design-label/268-van-gogh-2015">Van Gogh wallpaper by BN Wallpaper</a>, instead of going with the Rice designs, which on second thought were a little too youthful for use in a master bedroom (I am still hoping we can do up some wall in the home with Rice wallpaper though!). We fell in love with the Van Gogh line, which features wallpaper that is richly textured, as though the painter scraped his palette knife across the walls itself. The designs were inspired by Van Gogh's various paintings, and we particularly liked the ones that were based on his painting "Almond Blossom", which were of a flowering almond tree. The original painting had the tree painted against a blue sky, but the wallpaper came in four background colours of dusky pink, white, blue (like the original) and a deep warm yellow. All four were gorgeous, but we thought the pink would be the most suited to our colour theme. </div>
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Having chosen the wallpaper, we decided to get <a href="http://squareroom.designhows.com/">our contractor</a> to put up a partition wall (you can see the thickness of the wall in the picture above), and have the wallpaper installed on that instead of the back of the wardrobe. This was because the wardrobe was pretty old and the back was rather flimsy, so I figured the partition wall would allow us to keep the wallpaper, should we decide to tear down the old wardrobes in a few years time. </div>
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It was only after we had purchased the wallpaper did I discover the significance of the painting by Van Gogh. "Almond Blossom" was painted for Van Gogh's nephew, who was named after him, and the almond tree was selected as a symbol of new life. It was rather apt, since these almond tree branches would be sheltering our own little baby too, as she slept in the cot in our room.<br />
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The installation of the wallpaper was done by <a href="http://www.wallhub.com.sg/">Wallhub</a>, and was quick and fuss-free. The installers even cleaned up after themselves! I really don't know how they do it, but you cannot see where each piece of wallpaper connects to the next, and everything is seamlessly connected. </div>
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We moved our ten year old chest of drawers over, to replace the built-in cabinets. It fitted the space perfectly, along with the massage chair. I'm trying to keep the dresser top as clear as possible, and it helps that I'm a no-frills person when it comes to skincare (plus I don't wear make-up). </div>
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The tiffin carrier houses the few pieces of accessories that I wear, which these days are mainly silicon bead necklaces that the baby can chomp on. I couldn't resist adding flowers too (these are from a flower subscription, which I would be sharing more soon). We also took down the old existing blinds, had curtain rods installed, and bought some <a href="http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/50298423/">dark grey curtains from IKEA</a>. </div>
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Because of the lovely texture of the wallpaper, Baby J cannot resist running her hands over the walls. </div>
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I think she approves. </div>
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I do love how the wallpaper brightens up the room. No regrets choosing this over brown laminate! Now, on to sorting out the rest of the room...</div>
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<b>Disclaimer: </b>We were given a discount off installation costs at <a href="http://www.wallhub.com.sg/">Wallhub</a>, but we paid for the rolls of wallpaper. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions are my own. </div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072099236937422307.post-18501632846614207572016-08-15T00:14:00.000+08:002016-08-15T04:18:08.276+08:00Sew Nice: Bespoke blankets by KaynZac<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTArDi6S3Dyam7fFwtCKvM13rb4lNCSSy956aW4zKCBvY7MCNnt1mAcB6xaP8hwwU4RWV8solaVIyVjXSgug2LdSYmwf1ljMe2rAL5N61E_LjmdejNj-NJZbhigsODJyu30jnM_Uu8LI/s1600/Kaynzac06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTArDi6S3Dyam7fFwtCKvM13rb4lNCSSy956aW4zKCBvY7MCNnt1mAcB6xaP8hwwU4RWV8solaVIyVjXSgug2LdSYmwf1ljMe2rAL5N61E_LjmdejNj-NJZbhigsODJyu30jnM_Uu8LI/s1600/Kaynzac06.jpg" /></a></div>
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Blankets. My kids love them. They drape tables with them and crawl underneath to hide. They slot them through the slats of the upper bunk bed and say they are exploring a forest. They blunder about blind, covered with one, proclaiming they are a monster and sending the rest of their siblings shrieking. And of course, the blankets serve their main purpose too: keeping the kids warm at night, since we don't use quilts at home. They are an essential piece of childhood, being incorporated into playtime and naptime, and providing comfort during sick days. </div>
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Just as how blankets can be incredibly versatile, their quality can vary a fair bit too. We have blankets made from cotton purchased from the market, which can be scratchy. We have some lovely patchwork ones, which were used by hubby and myself when we were younger, and now have been passed to the kids to use. These days, as I declutter and think about the things that spark joy, I realize that I really want to only keep the blankets that were made by loving hands. I love it when I have to cover a sleeping child with a soft blanket that holds a history, one that is pieced together with lots of love. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KEn-WhtGxoCoasjqWcXKr6daoAmv6XYaPMmUvJ_aIEPN4l2aeydYE8fEZzz0GV2EKoQ4f71mJ9vaeTb_6Q_WNewcYZ7bIFuIOTD5mrjVA1hFR7cyw7s1kD2Qds21RUs678BjJ2e3XbA/s1600/Kaynzac04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KEn-WhtGxoCoasjqWcXKr6daoAmv6XYaPMmUvJ_aIEPN4l2aeydYE8fEZzz0GV2EKoQ4f71mJ9vaeTb_6Q_WNewcYZ7bIFuIOTD5mrjVA1hFR7cyw7s1kD2Qds21RUs678BjJ2e3XbA/s1600/Kaynzac04.jpg" /></a></div>
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Which is why I immediately said yes, when Abigail wrote to me about sewing a blanket for Baby J. Abigail, who is the heart, head and hands behind <a href="http://kaynzac.myshopify.com/">KaynZac</a>, is a stay-home mum of two. She makes incredibly lovely blankets, which comprise of three layers: The top layer is cotton, of which the design you can choose from her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaynzac/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1752979444957938">range of fabrics</a> in her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaynzac/">shop's FB page</a> (or you can even have her source for something you have in mind), and the bottom layer is made of an organic cotton knit that is incredibly soft. She shares that she only uses more expensive organic cotton for the bottom layer, since it is the layer that is in contact with our children's skin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOfityaBezHlKIczJlPpZiwyL6agfm0U5ggEFJRdAVnu_KnPC6kDT5sJnIqmu-7F5jxr9YGagVgktHOM2hlNAxTF6LyTWBLKl7Q6p5XUKA3FG5Pd31q5QfsRhMx4hYfh1LuimBHiZ5Ek/s1600/Kaynzac02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOfityaBezHlKIczJlPpZiwyL6agfm0U5ggEFJRdAVnu_KnPC6kDT5sJnIqmu-7F5jxr9YGagVgktHOM2hlNAxTF6LyTWBLKl7Q6p5XUKA3FG5Pd31q5QfsRhMx4hYfh1LuimBHiZ5Ek/s400/Kaynzac02.jpg" width="263" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WXGqVDJD46TZq9Gf_wd44Mv1U3GQyutG_UDigydcmawuYNVAN1ZitFaYl8-jSLlmIzGq9t-zm1slznbmoKVxR_c5HzZDTfahlEeRis5Ypwp9Dq7XstmAZhrN7iBV1yAIc5E5vW3lMnA/s1600/Kaynzac08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WXGqVDJD46TZq9Gf_wd44Mv1U3GQyutG_UDigydcmawuYNVAN1ZitFaYl8-jSLlmIzGq9t-zm1slznbmoKVxR_c5HzZDTfahlEeRis5Ypwp9Dq7XstmAZhrN7iBV1yAIc5E5vW3lMnA/s400/Kaynzac08.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I can vouch for the amazing softness of the blanket, because after the blanket arrived, it has been kidnapped by almost every member of the family, the hubby included. (He looked rather ridiculous using it, since it's too small for him, but he declared that the blanket was "so nice and soft!") When I was </span><a href="http://makingmum.blogspot.sg/2016/08/down-with-dengue.html" style="text-align: justify;">down with dengue</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, the rash made me feel like my nerves were on on fire, and every single blanket I tried felt scratchy and made the tingling sensation worse. Baby J's <a href="http://kaynzac.myshopify.com/">KaynZac</a> blanket was the only one my extremely sensitive skin could tolerate, so I spent all my rest time curled up under it. It IS that soft and comfortable. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaaxTvvErgVEZB6Kewjf0OkXu1NeztbdgJ-lsJVTFiOBSOcbvg38N46brmsi5lNWVrrYFpcOUUNdQd29YPawYzdVUNlxAiDoJZvNxzPEIYNtyTJUMZWLckNcirjdxq8o1rQvk3h-svkI/s1600/Kaynzac01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaaxTvvErgVEZB6Kewjf0OkXu1NeztbdgJ-lsJVTFiOBSOcbvg38N46brmsi5lNWVrrYFpcOUUNdQd29YPawYzdVUNlxAiDoJZvNxzPEIYNtyTJUMZWLckNcirjdxq8o1rQvk3h-svkI/s1600/Kaynzac01.jpg" /></a></div>
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Softness aside, Abigail adds another special touch to each blanket: she embroiders a name on it. Just like the fabric for the top layer, you can choose the colour of the lettering and the borders of the letters. You can also choose between two types of fonts. For Baby J's blanket, she helped me to source for the fabric I wanted, and we went with plain grey lettering with teal borders, and I loved how it turned out! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t-6aj_kX1F8L-B64HR_DGiDQLi-lhu4ZIVJBtdj6I55VhhcJWVALPlwpFf3gXEi0hwAxd4XxBlqOXm8Yxl4uh16EtxsiJrS_QDRaAHgysWXa40mDfykO5Nv-VWIocEPK0gmtxcMXvq0/s1600/Kaynzac03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t-6aj_kX1F8L-B64HR_DGiDQLi-lhu4ZIVJBtdj6I55VhhcJWVALPlwpFf3gXEi0hwAxd4XxBlqOXm8Yxl4uh16EtxsiJrS_QDRaAHgysWXa40mDfykO5Nv-VWIocEPK0gmtxcMXvq0/s1600/Kaynzac03.jpg" /></a></div>
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The blanket has doubled up as a playmat, when Baby J was starting to do tummy time. It's thick enough for Baby J to be comfortable on the floor, yet thin enough for use in our hot, tropical weather. We love the blanket so much, that I am currently planning to order blankets from <a href="http://kaynzac.myshopify.com/">KaynZac</a> for the rest of the boys as their birthday presents! These come in various sizes, so we'll probably get bigger ones for them so that they go a longer way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSiEf8-CqUoRg-7UI4hvqMi6SFflbCHKhR1KpCFxrbjQEYZNA5SQdswFlOvEaL30LqLmLjExNNqCsidhfrugHzlZgJBdYwg-dfRK3hsbKgWAQSbN58A75Fe4cldp1dx0sQnFGdhIE4go/s1600/Kaynzac+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSiEf8-CqUoRg-7UI4hvqMi6SFflbCHKhR1KpCFxrbjQEYZNA5SQdswFlOvEaL30LqLmLjExNNqCsidhfrugHzlZgJBdYwg-dfRK3hsbKgWAQSbN58A75Fe4cldp1dx0sQnFGdhIE4go/s1600/Kaynzac+.jpg" /></a></div>
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During this collaboration, I had such a good time chatting with Abigail, that I thought I should let her tell the story behind her shop instead: </div>
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<b>Me: </b>Hi Abigail! Could you share a little more about how KaynZac was started? </div>
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<b>Abigail:</b> <a href="http://kaynzac.myshopify.com/">KaynZac</a> was started in 2014 by my mum and I, because we were both at home watching too many Korean dramas at that time (I’m kidding. She was watching too many dramas). We started off with importing kids’ apparel, and I wanted to see how “easy” it was to start my own line, designing and sewing my own clothes. That was my impetus to learn sewing. </div>
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I started off sewing, and still do sewing in front of my computer, because I needed to google every single thing. I learnt how to sew from YouTube and online tutorials and I’m happy to say, I’m a lot more competent these days! Every year for the last 2 years, I try to sew a birthday dress for my daughter. Her first Elsa dress was just abysmal, but she was three then, and I could force her to wear it. The second Ariel-inspired ball gown is still well-loved and worn today! </div>
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So back to did I ever start a children’s line? Nope! It was too much hard work, and while I can probably copy and make knock-offs, sadly, fashion design isn’t my strength.
So now that I know how to sew, this leads us to part II of our story. We were looking for blankets for our kids that were of good quality, safe for my girl’s sensitive skin (100% cotton) and most importantly, of her favourite characters (so she will use it). We were mildly surprised that it was so difficult to find something in the market that fulfills all these criteria! </div>
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Since my husband thinks I’m a domestic goddess because I can sew, he suggested that I sew their blankets, and I remember scoffing at his suggestion. Anyway, I did my first organic cotton blanket for my son, with his name appliquéd on it. It was a runaway hit! I think I overdid myself, because now when the blanket is sent for washing, he will fuss and cry, and insist on hugging a wet blanket to sleep. I did a couple of other iterations of it for my daughter - with minky, and I still offer the option because some like the material and the variety of colours - but my daughter has repeatedly requested for another blanket made in the organic cotton. Unfortunately, I’ve been so busy sewing other people’s blankets, but I’ve promised her I will do it before her 16th birthday! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R846azKTjZhtQnucPOX2TCNtJITclPBtOJfue4dXzNW4og-aH-eieR_rL-hVzMnUq28i2iJ1yE0JqL-qbYoy33s8vQ7qk19i5FXfkowh3pePfWifPAUPthF5lSN6dbDJrVi4oAibIeU/s1600/Kaynzac05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R846azKTjZhtQnucPOX2TCNtJITclPBtOJfue4dXzNW4og-aH-eieR_rL-hVzMnUq28i2iJ1yE0JqL-qbYoy33s8vQ7qk19i5FXfkowh3pePfWifPAUPthF5lSN6dbDJrVi4oAibIeU/s1600/Kaynzac05.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Me:</b> I'm so glad you did take up your hubby's suggestion to try sewing blankets! How have your customers taken to your creations?</div>
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<b>Abigail:</b> I am very grateful that I have had a lot of support from friends and customers, and many of them become friends! Many come back to us again and again, as they purchase blankets as gifts for their friends who just gave birth, or to their friends’ children on their birthdays.<br />
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We’re very thankful for a particular customer whose son has extremely sensitive skin, which would have an allergic reaction when he used fleece blankets. She came to us requesting repeatedly that the blanket had to be made of 100% cotton. After we made one for him, she was happy enough to order another for her daughter, and she has asked us to make other things as well. So it was an assurance that our product is safe enough! </div>
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We have customers who have upgraded and ordered larger blankets, as their kids have outgrown the blanket but are still using it every night. When people tell us their kids really hug their blankets to sleep each night, we know we’ve made a good product! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4rE21UOCoN-0XdemuK3f8Dqv9ZmHm3fiXn87YCyg4Kix45jZbx2fBf7J26prmvH7EldFDUwcj6D0X9xAk_TTMQiy-b1OdIKc_BSdpqcw2MlFdMgknrNiVK-7oXGEsZQBDopLqjkDF_w/s1600/Kaynzac07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4rE21UOCoN-0XdemuK3f8Dqv9ZmHm3fiXn87YCyg4Kix45jZbx2fBf7J26prmvH7EldFDUwcj6D0X9xAk_TTMQiy-b1OdIKc_BSdpqcw2MlFdMgknrNiVK-7oXGEsZQBDopLqjkDF_w/s1600/Kaynzac07.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Me:</b> Do you find it challenging to juggle sewing and the business, while caring for the kids? How do you manage it all?</div>
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<b>Abigail: </b>I think running this business was something that brought me a lot of excitement, joy, and a bit of stress. It provided the mental stimulation that I found a bit lacking as a stay-home mum. There was a steep learning curve with the sewing, setting up a website, putting myself more out there on social media, etc, but I think these are all good experiences for growth. </div>
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I try to be very clear that when my kids are around, I will not be working. Up till last year, that was very tough, because I could only sew late into the night and early mornings, after my kids went to bed. This year, as both are now in school, I try to accomplish a fair bit in the mornings before they come back from school, so my working hours have been more sane. </div>
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However, time is always tight, and I still want to be very hands-on about my kids’ education. I do find myself quite torn, with wanting more time for the business, as well as teaching the kids and spending time with the family. My challenge is that I’m always on the phone! Messaging my clients, editing my photos, answering queries, or just sneaking off to use FB. I’m trying to be more present, and be more disciplined about putting the phone away when the kids and hubby are around. </div>
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I’m still enjoying this journey! I’m secretly happy that my daughter sees me working, and asks to learn how to sew. More than the skills, I hope to show them that they too, can learn and do anything when they set their hearts on it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfE7SVH13uhyphenhyphenjyuKabAxvKnodmLr9YfI8pa2-NSh_ZXH_eo6UDHy0LcyJwOEmeUmQ5c0IiEvXXLoPeV2Pn4U_mACz71Yn_aDZ9HV2AumQRxXFgn037Hlr7N5czjAcfJdnZ-UOLI6HeJI/s1600/Kaynzac10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfE7SVH13uhyphenhyphenjyuKabAxvKnodmLr9YfI8pa2-NSh_ZXH_eo6UDHy0LcyJwOEmeUmQ5c0IiEvXXLoPeV2Pn4U_mACz71Yn_aDZ9HV2AumQRxXFgn037Hlr7N5czjAcfJdnZ-UOLI6HeJI/s1600/Kaynzac10.jpg" /></a></div>
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I loved so much of what she has shared, don't you? I can identify with the struggle to manage our side-lines and interests as stay-home mums, while being present with the kids during the day. I also really love how her kids have a wonderful example of what life-long learning looks like, and it's amazing that she managed to learn how to sew through watching videos on YouTube! I've been meaning to learn how to sew clothes for the kids, and I think I am inspired to learn after talking to her. Thank you so much for the lovely blanket, and for being an inspiration, Abigail!<br />
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I'd love for all of you to be able to enjoy the loveliness of a blanket made by Abigail, so we're sharing a discount code that you can use at <a href="http://kaynzac.myshopify.com/">her little shop</a>! Key in "<b>makingmum5</b>" at checkout (or quote this to her if you order via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaynzac/">FB</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaynzac/">IG</a>), to get 5% off your order. Do like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaynzac/">KaynZac FB page</a> to be kept updated on new blanket designs, as well as promotions. <a href="http://kaynzac.myshopify.com/">Her shop</a> also stocks children apparel as well as toys, so do have a browse!</div>
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Finally, <a href="http://kaynzac.myshopify.com/">KaynZac</a> is also kindly sponsoring a blanket for one reader of this blog. To participate in the giveaway, please follow the instructions given in the Rafflecopter app below:</div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="2e23617235" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2e23617235/" id="rcwidget_221w9uqe" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
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Disclaimer: We were given this lovely blanket for purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions (and chubby baby legs) are our own. </div>
Mum in the Makinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14978846571220740500noreply@blogger.com0