Nuffnang Lovin' Christmas Countdown with Ayam Brand

On 14 December, I had the honour to be invited by Nuffnang for the Nuffnang Lovin' Christmas Party using Ayam products. I've always been a fan of the Ayam brand tuna mayonnaise. I literally grew up with it. It was indeed fun to know that this brand that I grew up with was founded 120 years ago by Alfred Clouet with the signature rooster that we're all so familiar with. It's been eons since they've been in this line... it's no wonder that they've got awesome products that are well loved by many. 

The pearl barley is something I remember my aunty use for cooking barley water for the family.

Here's more on the story of Ayam Brand!

Of course, where else better to have fun cooking workshops than Food Playground? (: It's my second time here and it's still a fun and colourful place to be in! 

I got to design my own chef''s hat once again.

Of course, how could I forget the blog name? XD

Ayam brand has got small packets of coconut milk that I enjoy using when I run out of fresh options. The trim one actually tastes quite good.

Our friendly instructor teaching us how to make the filling for a good sardine curry puff! That aside, I really love how simple and good that sardine puff recipe was... I'll show it on the blog soon! As soon as I settle in at the HTB's (: And that Pizza that I learned from our previous class!

Making the dough!

 

Making Vietnamese Spring Rolls!

The 'correct' wrapping technique (:

 

Preparing the skin for the sardine puff! 

Pinch pinch pinch! 

The other group! Lovely kitchen isn't it? 

Our work station! (:

More awesome ingredients!

Miss Tam Chiak showing us how to make a barley salad. 

  

It was really a simple salad.

Our ingredients for the puff!

Our awesome spicy sauce for our Vietnamese Spring Roll!

That's me!

Always loving the fun of playing with the dough!

This is the platter I did with my group mates (:

Lovely group shot!

And another!

Here are the works of some other groups (: 

Not forgetting ours!

The fun banner!

The winning team won with their lovely product and left with a large lovely hamper!

Of course, I left with an awesome bag of my favourite Ayam Brand products! I should have that Barley boiled into some soup to prepare our bodies for our wedding that's coming in 11 days! That corn resembles what I always have on top of ice kachangs! Maybe... it's time to buy an ice shaver. Those tunas would come in handy for a baked pasta and the sardines for a puff or a pizza! 

I can't wait to start cooking proper again. 

Thank you Nuffnang for the invite and the awesome fun time I had in Food Playground (: 

Cell Group Appreciation 2013 (23 - 25 December 2013) Amara Sanctuary Sentosa

On 24 December, we had our Cell Group Appreciation Night. It's an annual affair by our cell group. This is my 3rd year with this family of mine. We headed to Amara Sanctuary Sentosa and had 2 nights stay in their Deluxe Room. It was a lovely place but the price tag was steep. 

This was the day bed outside the room that's between the room and the pool.

This was the main bedroom/bed.

I made a large tub of Eggless Baileys Tiramisu for my cell group mates!

The pool was really serene. I loved the peace it gave me.

Cindy had dinner catered for all of us. What a cool way to have our dinner isn't it? 

The night was great as we recapped the year we had and appreciated those who have helped us along the way this year. The night then 'begun' with games and drinks. 

The HTB and I were outside the room by the pool sipping our drinks and enjoying the peace. Indeed, all that wedding planning had us both worn out. 

With so many of us, we decided to sleep on the deck chairs in the night. It was a chilly but yet great experience to be sleeping under the stars. We fell asleep only to wake up at 2am to chat with the others and watch videos on youtube etc. We then went back to sleep at 4+ in the morning.

We woke up at 7+ because 2 PEACOCKS were making so much noise!

But it sure is awesome waking up to a view like this.

And like this.

And this.

I love this place. It could probably comfortably fit a family of 4-6 for a small staycation. The pool is open all night long. In fact, at 4am, there were still people swimming. This place is great for a couple to spend time away from everything else. The only downside is the steep room rates! During super peak season, it's 600+ per night per room! Otherwise, it's 300 or so during super off peak season. 

Maybe this will be a good place for a mini honeymoon styled staycation (:

Baking fellowship (8 December 2013)

On 8 Dec 2013, I had my very first ever baking class. Yup, you got me. I conducted the class (:

With the intention of fellow-shipping with fellow lovers of baking, the church decided to have a baking class. I used the kitchen in Civil Service Club to conduct my first ever baking class for 20+ others in church. It sure was an eye-opener and a fun session.

But I must confess. It is tough teaching a large group to bake.. but with this, maybe it is possible to conduct such classes in future (: 

Painting the house + butter overload

So it's been a rather busy week. I've been busy painting the HTB's house. We're done with our room but part of it still seems empty to me. I'm pretty itching to paint some design on some part of the room. 

We've got the walls for Joey's room painted with some rain clouds, raindrops and even a sun. It's pretty amazing a design he came up with. And with all that painting, I think I have another job I can do if I ever become jobless. XD 

We're still some "distance" away from completing the painting for the entire house. There's still part of the living hall and also the mil's bedroom to paint. Hopefully we'll get it done in time next week for the arrival of the beds next Saturday and for the movers to move my stuff in the following Monday! 

It just feels like I have a million things to do. 

On Thursday, I met mummy and Mavis for a good lunch at The Rice Table. I can hardly ever get sick of their food! We then went shopping and mummy finally bought her evening gown for the wedding! 

While shopping, I'm so thankful that we had many great laughs. It sure is fun being goofy with the family!

Having come home on Thursday night after purchasing the stuff for the baking class/fellowship this Sunday, I baked some Red Velvet cupcakes again! I'm so in love with the pretty snowflakes cupcake liners (: 

I was also pampered with durians! This is definitely one of the perks being at home.. After all, the HTB doesn't like durians. 

On Friday, I headed to ikea to do more shopping. 

I got us 200 hangers for our new home! It may seem a lot but hey, I have a lot of clothes you know (: 

And as I headed home again this morning, I passed by our first home. It sure is exciting watching it get completed. I can't wait for it to be ready so that we can move in and start our life together! (Not that we aren't now or after we wed)

I reached home to a whole bulk delivery of goodies. Am sure a little obsessed over baking. But hey, these are cheaper than retail prices you know?

Now... To think of something to bake. There's so much I wanna bake but nothing seems to tickle my fancy in particular... Hmmmm....