I must admit that as I reflect on my art work, I’ve developed my skills but not with the help of other people posting their work online via Youtube, blogs, mags and also in stores.

A major highlight in my baking journey in 2011 was the sleepless night I had baking this trio-engagement cake

I’ve also been blessed to see one of the recipes I follow become one of the favourites among friends.

Okay so I need to improve on the deco of this one.. I’ve got new designs for this cake.

Moving on. I found another favourite – Arthur’s too. Coffee Walnut Cake.

A better design I thought – After the disaster on the carrot cake.

I must admit – I am praying that someone would buy me a stack of ribbons just for cakes

Next, I had the privilege of making a birthday cake for Janice.

Such a sinful cake! This was a chocolate cake layered with hazelnut mousse, caramel, peanuts and chocolate drizzle.

If Janice were to show you the cakes I made for birthday since 2007, I would say, I’ve come a little further than I’ve expected in my baking.

This is another cake I took a chance on. I decided to take the chocolate cake, layered with mousse and decorate with chocolate pieces. I don’t think I can replicate this in Malaysia unless I have a 18 degree cool room to work in. But nevertheless, I loved the concept.

I also tried cookies this year. I was blessed to have friends who appreciated my experiments, who honoured my training by being taste-testers and who provided feedback I could amend to.

Personalised cookies.

Love these!

Months later, I decided to attempt gingerbread. This is the outcome.

And I made gingerbread house for the guys to have fun with. This took hours but its worth it.

This year has been a good baking year. I hope to make more!

Baking will continue to help me raise funds for Cambodia. Order any to support Cambodia Missions 2012 happening in the end of June-July.

We started in the morning, listening to Taylor Swift on the way. First stop: Maggie Beer. I love how she has her story on the table. A lovely country touch!

Explore The Barossa through my eyes – and thank you for viewing.

Fragrant nuts and herbs! Never stopped dipping – bought a few home.

A bright and 0rganised shop is worth enjoying.

Deco on the shelf.

Sugo… Sugo… Delicious chilli.

My fellow travelers. Lovely company makes the trip a lot more worthwhile and memorable! I thank Justin for driving and Janice for navigating

Seppeltsfield chocolate Handmade, delicious and so inviting. The handicraft is admirable. One day… one day.

View the history of a place in pictures and it provides a novel of stories.

Chocolate goodness.

Next Stop: Seppaltsfield wine.

On the way, I enjoyed a delectable peanut filled chocolate! With a hint of sea salt.

This is Aunty Lulu – my company for the last 2 1/2 months before I leave for work and when I come home. Thank you for your company and your love.

Rigoni’s Bistro

Ordering Osso Bucco

Osso Bucco – Tender, lacked seasoning but absolutely delightful.

Food and good company makes a good meal. Food, good company and good ol country music makes an awesome meal!

My lovely housemate with the pros.

Maggie’s kitchen. I would love to have a bright kitchen filled with fruit. Really.

The Creek – Jacob’s Creek.

The man and his camera.

A day out where clouds threaten to rain is not assuring but a day with great company and a glimpse of Australia’s best food and wine products is an eye opener. I will go back again – to get more Princess Muscato and I will visit Rigoni’s again too.

The weekend past felt nothing like that but a special visit from the dearest person to me in Australia was like a fresh breeze. An event, 2 months in planning came to pass this weekend. This event is now the mark of a new direction this blog is taking – food.

Food. The uniting factor between most souls at least once a day. The ultimate distraction from every other soul satisfying activity due to physical needs. A component influenced by culture which in turn influences cultures.

Good food evokes reactions which satisfy souls – some souls, like mine. Using food as a medium for conversation and entertainment allow for individuals from all walks of life to engage with one another and for a moment, other cares, differences, awkwardness and possibly fear dissipate.

A Surprise Birthday Celebration

This weekend, my cares apart from marking a milestone in my dearest Chen’s life occupied my mind. After 2 months of planning and deception, it all came down to this – a 3-course meal birthday lunch.

Before I begin, I sincerely thank J.C and Jan for inspiring this event and a special thanks to Deb for her excellent photography throughout the day and her help in the kitchen every step of the way.

As I reminisce, I remember waking up to the sound of Chen whispering ‘Good morning’ in my ear. I knew it was going to be a hectic day but I smiled knowing he was already happy being here. I held my nervousness back and hid my anxiety to enjoy a rare breakfast with Chen.

On the way home, I requested for yellow flowers – Chen usually gets me a bouquet for every visit – a tradition I suppose. I did some ‘last minute’ shopping informing Chen that it was grocery for the week and went home.

After many more deceptive moves, I frantically prepared for the birthday lunch. Chen was instructed to be no where near me in the kitchen for hours – I was sure he smelt something fishy but I didn’t mind it. As the pressure sets in, my wonderful housemate Janene and Deb came to help – of course Chen was told that they were here for something else.

5 minutes before the guests arrive, I sent Chen on a mission to pick up my cousin for lunch. When the guests arrived, they helped set up outside. Being a frantic self, I hesitated when I saw the clouds but J.C assured me the rain would visit the next day.

A sense of relief filled me, watching the sun shine. I whispered to God for help. A few minutes later, Chen arrives – back from his mission and was pleasantly surprised. He greeted our friends and glanced back at me. He gave me that look, I knew that look. The look hinted his delight and his assurance of me. It was going to be a good day ahead.

Entree – Salmon Mousse Bruchetta.

I glanced at the clock and my nerves set in. My hands shook when plating. Oh never will I snicker at Masterchef contestants when their nerves set during plating again!  Deb instructed me to calm down a few times. A calm soul like her had every right to walk out of the kitchen when faced with that level of anxiety. I’m grateful she didn’t.

The atmosphere felt casual and warm while conversations were exchanged. Bryan made a refreshing lemon bitters mixture before the entree was served. The guests were gracious – patiently waiting for food to be prepared and to start the meal together. Entree was interesting. I have never made salmon mousse but it was delicious!

A few minutes after we started eating, I walked back into the kitchen to plate up the main course.

Main Course: Bacon, Pistachio and Apricot Chicken Ballotine served with roasted pumpkin mash, oregano risotto and lemon butter sauce.

The plating for this chicken was painfully difficult as I attempted stacking hot and very fragile chicken on top of roasted pumpkin mash. Giving up on my nervous fingers, Deb kindly gave me a hand slicing and plating the chicky towards the end. Yoshi arrrived just in time to help garnish and eat with us.

I enjoyed having the main meal – inspired by Jamie Oliver’s idea for pistachio and apricot mix in a savoury meal and Masterchef UK hosts’ idea for ballotine. Deciding to combine soft and rugged textures in a dish was a risk. There wasn’t an element of distinct crunch and I still wonder if it matters.

I never thought the tangy lemon butter sauce would’ve complimented the risotto but in the end, my pallate was satisfied with the sweet, sour and salty mix on the dish.

I looked around the table, smiles were still on faces. Compliments were passed on and I know, I haven’t done a bad job….. yet.

Desserts: Tiramisu with a Bailey Twist – extra creamy! and Lemon Curd and Peach Pannacotta.

I have a higher level of confidence and comfortability when faced with desserts. I admit. I am mostly comfortable when following a recipe and desserts, they are kind. They allow me to make them way ahead of time and some taste better after living in the cold fridge for a night.

With Savoiardi Biscuits sitting in a container begging to be used, I decided to soak it with Bailey. Thanks to David Lebovitz, I made a fool-proof pannacotta. Thanks to the latest Gourmet Traveller, I had a delectable lemon curd recipe to go with the dessert, wowing my guests.

More Dessert: Chocolate and Pistachio Tart

The idea behind desserts was to do petit fours so that everyone would have a taste of a few textures and flavours. But before we tuck in, I brought out the Coffee and Walnut cake Deb helped bake.

Birthday Cake: Coffee and Walnut Three O’s

Chen was happy to see his favourite cake flavour on the cake stand and I admit, I was delighted and relieved that Deb managed to bake this cake in time! My surprises for Chen wasn’t ending when I planned this cake. I decided to assemble the cake as a show piece.

So he blew the candles.

Glazed it with ganache because I told him the cake wasn’t complete without it.

The show-piece cake did exactly as planned. It took a while but the chocolate top melted and the hot ganache pooled in the middle. I heard the oohs and aahs as this melting process took place.

Dear Chen, happy birthday. Thank you for sitting next to me on my roller coaster life ride. It has been a joy to plan this weekend for you.

Oh wonderful hot chocolate ganache flowing. IA great end to a good day.

Dearest friends, thank you for making this surprise possible and pleasant. Hectic as it was, this day wouldn’t have been enjoyable without your presence.

I realise – I loved songs from James Morrison and The Script.

Never knew the singers/writers to the soundtracks in my life, playing on random in my head. Today I will make an effort to remember who they are.

He can’t help but gaze at her

She finds his stares kinda sweet

He thinks of every excuse to meet her

She opens her doors welcoming him

His mind churns about her effortlessly

She waits eagerly for him

He works hard somewhat hoping to impress

She never tells but impressed she has always been

He unfolds his private life

She is thankful and she renders

He is inspired to be more tomorrow

She knows, in his care, she is home

Ah love. Some kind of love this is.

New memories will be created, some of these I’ll experience or do again but in all these I know God has blessed me with and I thank Him.

I still had a good day with her.

After renewing my passport, we shopped and hung out at MV. We tried out more than 10 pairs of shoes, more than 10 items of clothing, had lunch, I got a pedicure, she got a manicure, we had ice-cream and ran around looking for particular items she wanted to get for Christmas presents.

My lunch

Pedicure…

Manicure – well, her reflection.

Ice Cream

Dinner with super awesome ppl. Assam Laksa and fantastic Iced Mocha..

More nice drinks.

I MISS them both. I want to have dinner with them…. like… now.

Not sure why she gave me that look but she’s got many faces. xx oh hatiku… janganlah sakit.

I’ve been surprised at how friendships I’ve built in my teenage years have lasted today. My friendships with some people can be picked up where we left off 2 years ago and the bond we share is still as tangible.

Here are some updates from the Melaka road trip

The historic walk…

All that we bought.

Doing the Karen Cheng with this new dress and Levina’s belt.

Love old buildings.

They’ve got a library?

Kebaya… scho pwetty!

Beca! Man, since when they had super large boom boxes? They’re so loud!

Love this.

Road side stalls

This dessert place is SUPER packed. Why?

They serve these.. I reckon. Thats why!

One of my favourite shops bought my congkak from here.

Some drink everyone’s into. Whatever’s in that bottle…. O.O!

Pretty classy…

My Road Trip partner in crime… in green.

Pretty packages for xmas.

Love the layout of this shop.

Cleanest, most organised and classy biscuit shop I came across I reckon.

Malacca Trip was awesome! Got to spend quality time with mom.

Although my hands feel like I’ve got OCD, washing them SO many times its feeling so dry and peel-y, I have officially baked 3 traditional fruit cakes and one more is on the way. Hoping to bake about 2 more.

After starting to prep for the cakes above, I had my brunch! Chee Cheong Fun.

Then I ran out of butter for my cakes. So I decided to get some from the local grocers. On the way, the Popiah store was open! Fantastic! I had Popiah at around 3pm.

Accompanied by these which I got in the morning. I still don’t really know what the blue sticky rice with coconut is called.

Daddy then bought me this. For pre-dinner just in case dinner would be real late. It helped. Love the soft buns which taste just like buns from Nanna’s bakery in China Town. These ones are much cheaper obviously.

And so at about 12am, my baking stops and I’ve completed all 5 cakes, wrapped them and they’re now ready to go. What a day! I’m drained. Tomorrow, I’ll bake one more cake. On Friday, I’ll be attempting my Croquembouche in KL – with the humidity. This Croquembouche will be for home fellowship xmas party. Mom’s gonna give me her Choux pastry recipe – I reckon, she’ll do it for me hehehe. So that will save me LOTS of time.

While cleaning and de-cluttering yesterday, I found these. My old favourite spoons. I must say, I’ve grown and my spoons changed through time. Maxwell Williams or not, these are still my favourite cutlery – old cutlery from yester-years. I’m sure you can tell that I’ve used these since I could take pureed food. I love being home and this is why. I get to use all the equipment I’ve used since i was a kid.

More tomorrow. Hope you had a good day wherever you are.

My nose was red and running like a tap due to the amount of dust it came into contact with.

I was feeling lonely.

I wanted my dad and mom to come home real quick. Sure enough, mom came home and soon after, dad.

The night felt like when I was younger. Nothing’s really changed except that I’m glad I’m home with mom and dad.

I’ve got one thing on my mind. What shall I have for breakie and lunch tmr?