Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Sept - Oct 2012 Bakes

Found this very good Yam Kueh recipe and have made this many times for CG, band members and friends.
 
A friend ordered some Muffins and Lemon Tarts.  Gave some Lemon Tarts to a church friend who said it was very good :)
 

Another friend ordered 68 pieces of Gingerbread men for her two daughters' classmates for Children's Day.  I made these two on the left in swimwear for her and her husband :)
 

My first attempt on making Char Siew.  It was tender and tasty. 

This is a second batch of Golden Kiwi and Mango Jam.  Gave 2 bottles away to 2 church friends.
 

 
Hahaha I enjoy playing with colours so I chose these vegetables, cut them into sticks for our praise band potluck lunch.
 
On this particular Tuesday morning, I baked bananas coated with honey and cereals for the 2 guys in my family.  They love it :)
 

Tried making Banoffee Pies - Bananas with toffee and whipped cream.  A bit too sweet for me and my family members :)

Bought two bottles of pesto sauce from UK; basil and sun dried tomatoes.  So I decided to make Seafood Pizzas with two types of bases.  They turned out so pretty and delicious as well :)

Was toying with what to bake for breakfast.  Ended up with a sponge cake so I used my homemade Plum Jam for the filling.
Another simple breakfast - homemade wholemeal hot dog buns.
 

This is one of our family's favourite - braised duck :)  It takes quite a bit of effort to make so I do not make this often.

My first attempt on making Mooncakes.  Thank GOD it turned out well so I decided not to buy from outside for our own consumption this year.  I bought good quality White Lotus Paste, toasted the melon seeds and used 100% Maple Syrup for the skin.

This is another good recipe - Garlic Bread. Instead of the usual shape, I twisted them.  Don't they look pretty ;)
 
My first bake after a 3-week break of baking because I was away.  Just wanted to make something simple for breakfast.  Found some fresh strawberries, added them to my basic muffin recipe and top it off with some cream cheese frosting and Blackberries :)
 
Only 3 of us in the family like this Salted Duck Soup.  So I seldom make this but since my daughter is not with us, I decided to make it again.  She does not like the smell of salted fish, salted vegetables, etc ;O
Bought some premium minced beef the other day from Cold Storage.  So I decided to make Swedish Beef balls.  Then, while making them, I thought of this creation.  They not only look nice but also tasted very good.  The combination of cheddar & Parmesan cheese and herbs with the the beef balls wrapped with wholemeal bread :o
 

Baked this Orange Marble Cake with sour cream today.  Had it for my tea break.  Yum Yum;)
 
This was the result of playing with some apps on my iPhone.  It was actually two pieces of cakes frosted with cream and decorated with Cadbury Chocolate Flakes.  Lovely ;) 

Made this especially for a Missionary couple and family.  When he saw my FB post of the previous Mooncakes, he said he likes Mooncakes but over in Bangkok, the ones they buy from the shops are dry and very sweet :(  So I gangho, (this being my 2nd attempt) said I would make some for them since his wife was coming by Singapore for a visit.  I bought the best sugar free white lotus paste that I could find and found a pretty box to put the mini Mooncakes.  Thank GOD they turned out well and the family took pictures of their beautiful smiles while eating them :)
 
They were so sweet to buy this box of Macadamia nuts and also wrote some encouraging words on this personalized card for us.  GOD bless them :) 

Heehee I like this black and white Sesame Buns.  Enjoying playing with colours, baking and taking pretty pictures of my bakes.  So fun :)
 

Colours again - in this pot, you'll find Red and Yellow Pulots (Plums) plus some Blueberries.  Guess what I was going to turn them into ;)
 
 
Yup, Plum & Blueberry Jam :)  Blessed a church brother & his family with one of them.



These are supposed to be Macarons but they turned out to be Meringues.  Someone said they look like seashells :)
 
Nice right ?  The display really plays an important part.  Takes a bit of work to place them nicely onto the pastry dough. 
 

Ta Da ... French Apple Tart :)
 
After baking the above French Apple Tart, I was thinking to myself, "why not try baking fruits onto Pizza Dough?" So I tried this - Banana Pizza.  Surprisingly it tasted very good, especially warm :)

With the extra Pizza Dough, which is basically Olive Oil Dough, I baked them in Souffle Cups. 

This is a new recipe - Mini Butter Buns.  They remained soft and moist on the next day. 

Was in the mood to play with shapes on this particular day.  So I decided to bake my Egg Tarts into Twinkle Twinkle little Tarts :)

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Another inspired Peom by Peter


Like a lone willow tree
I stand alone weeping
Why O Lord has it got to be me!
Choose someone else this burden to share
For I alone this heavy load can't bear
I mourn and weep for men and women who should know better
To obey and live the Truths in Thy letter
Alas the sun is setting fast
Perhaps the time for Thy Truths men hold fast has past
And soon Thy Son will rise on us.
I weep for my sins that has caused Thy death and sorrow
And hope as Thou has bestowed for a bright and perfect tomorrow
Where Thy Name forever I'll praise
And the anthem of the cross forever raised!

(Copyright Peter Loh
Lower Seletar Reservoir 7.10.12,18:32, hr 111
Sent from my iPhone)
(Added by Irene:)
Come Lord, come, your servant await your second coming,
Where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow.
In the land of no tomorrows,
We will worship the King of kings and enjoy Him forever !

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

On her own.....

Dear Father in heaven,

It has all along beenYou...
You have blessed us with our two lovely children who are now young adults.
You have have seen them through all these years ever since they were conceived.
You have always been there for them, seeing them through their ups and downs.
You have paved ways and opened doors for them for their education.
You have loved them with an everlasting love; a love that exceeds what we parents can do.
You have promise that You will not forsake them and we can trust You because You never fail.

Thank You for...
Your hand on our daughter all these 18+ years
Your love and grace and strength for her through her education in Singapore.  As I ponder on her life's journey, I could see and acknowledge Your goodness on her... how you have seen her through her difficult years in her primary, secondary and JC education. 
Your opening doors for her to study in the UK is a testimony of Your goodness, provision and grace.
Your patience as You wait for her to return to her Creator.
Your peace that passeth all understanding as we lovingly commit her to You and by faith You will help us to trust in You.
You are going to do a marvellous work in using her in time to come.

We pray for our daughter, that.....
Your presence to be with her as she is on her own physically over there.
Your love to fill her heart so that she knows You love her and one day will respond with a grateful and thankful heart to what You had done for her through the LORD Jesus Christ.
Your gift of faith for her to come to You simply by faith and not be deceived by the things of the world which cannot fill the void in her life.
Your continuing protection, providence and guidance as she grows and matures in life.
Your wisdom and discernment to mix with the right people.  LORD, please bring into her life godly people who fear You, love You.  Please remove the negative influences in her life.
Your blessings of ability to excel in the areas she is studying in for You are the Creator who made heavens and earth and no one can even come close to what You have created.
Your chosen life partner for her life; one who loves You, fear You, serves You and love her as Christ loves His church.

Thank you for our son, You have guided him thus far and have called Him to serve You, thank You for this privilege.  I pray for him, that....
Your presence with with him as he goes in and out of the home. 
Your Holy Spirit be His conscious in all he does so that he may be a living letter for You.
Your continuing protection, providence and guidance as he grows and matures in life.
Your wisdom and sensitivity as he seeks to serve You in whatever areas You have called him to.
Your love to overflow through him that he will be a blessing to the many people in his sphere of influence.
Your chosen life partner for his life; one who loves You, fear You, serves You together with him and loves, respect and support him as he seeks to put You first.

LORD, we love You and we do not seek for wealth or positions for our children, for in eternity, these will not last.  May You have mercy and may Your will be done in our lives and our children's lives.

With a grateful and thankful heart,
Your child.