Children's Day Party!

for Shanen's preschool...  

Shortbread cookies eaten plain or

sandwiched with ganache

(recipe adapted from Joyofbaking)

Dark Chocolate Brownies w/Nutella



 (recipe adapted from Jamie's Blooming Brilliant Brownies)



All set and ready to go party!

 More pics on flick flick...

Can't import all my previous posts from wordpress

Another bad mistake/judgement of mine, i simply gave up importing my posts over at wordpress. Couldn't believe the design and setting of the blog provider is that rigid!

[Afternote: still in the process of reactivating my old blog, All updates will be posted here from now]

All plans shelved (for the time being)

or after my second one pops out! she will be arriving *hopefully and cross my fingers* after CNY on 14 Feb (V-Day!).

Thousand apologies to all who had sms-ed /called / emailed and i took darn too long to reply - I'M TERRIBLY SORRY!!! & extremely grateful to all for your concerns and well wishes. Unfortunately, I will not be taking bake orders anytime soon as doctor had ordered plenty of bedrest after having gone through amnio test - got poked twice (ouch!) which is another story...might as well share it here:

Nightmare begun when i went to this so-called reputable clinic, located at Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. He happily scanned, printed pics and took my blood without explaining to me what the test is for (just said it's 'very advanced and very important'), the costs, what to expect from the results. i'm so so dumb (i know) considering it's my second pregnancy and i shld have taken the initiative to check w/him first. I didn't because i assumed all doctors are kind and have the onus to explain to patients without asking and i thought nothing wld go wrong.

FIRST SHOCK: Bill came up to $500++ (got to know from the staff the special blood test = OSCAR test) went back home straightaway and spent hours to google about OSCAR.

SECOND SHOCK: Results came back high risk and they didn't inform me straightaway - i called them! Here's the conversation b/w me and one of their staff:

Staff: yeah your result came back but i can't tell you over
the phone. you've to make appointment to see the doctor.

Me: you mean he can't tell me now? Can i see him tomorrow
then?

Staff: tomorrow he's fully booked (almost impatiently).
you can come in to wait.

Me: you mean it's not urgent? then can i stick to my
appointment date (which is a month later)?

Staff: can if you like (hanged up!).

oh yes, i'm still cursing and swearing as i type this. I hope none of you will meet irresponsible people like them *pui*. Anyway, my hubby called the clinic straightafter (from San Francisco) and demanded to talk to the doctor (after losing his temper and screaming at the staff). The doctor eventually told him the news that we dreaded and we immediately went for a second opinion. i shld have just trusted my instincts and not gone to see this doctor considering he freely advertises his abortion services online (what can be expected from someone who don't even believe in or treasure life?).

anyway, long story short, we found a specialist at Camden Medical who told us the results are totally inaccurate and nothing's wrong w/our baby. But perhaps my own anxiety and inability to cope w/the 'what-ifs', we still went ahead w/the amnio test. we got hold of another professional gynae who took time and patience to explain to us on our results and gave us the option to do the amnio test or wait for the 20wks' scan for better judgement. Luckily, the test went well (albeit the 2 needling pokes - doctor said my baby keeps moving towards the needle) and hopefully, everything will go smoothly from now...

God bless everyone!

For a dear colleague and friend...

all the best, happiness and success in your new endeavours!!!



chocolate chips, oats & mixed nuts cookies

 oh yes, i've finally learned how to put the pics together in Photoshop, from the very reluctant ex-designer K.

Gifts

wrapping is never my forte...



Stuff i Baked

over the weekend...



Cream Cheese Pound Cake w/Orange Zest



Shorter baking time on mid rack would have been perfect!



for my niece! been too long and end up alittle dry...sad...




yes they are macarons - attempt no. 3 failed again....nasty little no-feet cookies



attempt no. 4 - got feet but not high enough...

oh yes, i need alittle more time and patience...

casual days with cakes, coffees and teas

i don't drink coffee till recently. have been sipping quite a fair bit these days, to keep myself awake. missed those days when i could just spend time testing recipes and having fun messing around with my little one in the kitchen.

am delighted though to receive some well-wishes and requests for my bakes. thank you my dear friends...i'm happy to know you all still remember! I will start baking soon or rather, i'm hoping to if everything goes well.

Friends close to me know i've been thinking or deliberating to start my own cafe/knick knack store. People around me gives me the inspiration to go all out and realise the dream. Veron, sweet young lady whom i've met online by chance and Delcie, awesome and driven baker whom i hope i will be able to work with one day.

another inspiration comes from her, wished i had visited her cafe before it was closed late last year. she's thinking of re-opening her cafe and some suggested Ann Siang Hill. what do you guys think?

A little too quiet, maybe?

Went there last Saturday and absolutely love the nostalgic heritage buildings there, which offers the kind of warmth and comfort to the dog-tired souls, longing for a break from the hustling and honkings in the city - that's me!

But then again, is the area too quiet for comfort? *crows flying past*

Anyone keen on a cup of tea / recce trip (again) this weekend? i know she does :)

Me!