Wedding vows

Wedding vows 

14 June 2020

I, take you, to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. 

Wedding vows need not be fancy. Wedding vows, did you truly think about the meaning when you said it? Did you truly understand what you are promising?

Wedding vows are effortless to uphold when you first get married and when you are in love. And that’s how you feel when you have to say them for the first time. Sure, of course, needless to say, obviously. But that’s not when the wedding vows are needed. It’s like something in the pocket, that you invoke when things are not good. 

Marriage, I have learnt, takes effort to maintain. Love will not be there all the time. Care and concern, yes. Sometimes they get muddled up with love and you forget which is which. Arguments will come, it is even likely that you might fall out of love and hate each other’s guts. And that, is the time when the marriage vows should be invoked. That is the greatest purpose of marriage vows. For it is when it doesn’t come naturally, that you remember once a upon a time, that you made a vow, not a simple promise, but a vow, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish. 

This is where I think the Christian faith has done a good job. There is pre-marriage counselling, there are guidance in the bible to cherish and respect your spouse. Now I’m not a Christian but it doesn’t stop me from recognising the good things of different religions. When you get married, you may not have been matured enough to appreciate what a marriage is all about. You need guidance. Whether it comes via religion, family, culture or any other means, if more people have such guidance, then there will be happier marriages, happier children, happier society. 

Regardless of when you realise the true purpose of what you have subscribed to, it is never too late to start appreciating and executing your vows. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Christianity or not, the truthfulness of the statement cannot be denied. No grudges, no keeping of records. Everything takes two hands to clap. Just do what you think is right, and hopefully one day, the marriage vows will go back to an effortless state, until death do us part. 

Easy eggless alcohol-free Tiramisu

My mom's 79th birthday was approaching and we were going to celebrate it at my brother's house. And this time she requested a homemade instead of store-bought cake! What a surprise, considering my mum is the most fussy food critic I have ever met. She must have been impressed by my chocolate banana cake!

Anyhow I was lazy yet I didn't want to disappoint my mum, so I thought of Tiramisu. As usual The Baking Biatch came to my rescue (or rather I went to her blog for help). Her recipe is so simple and delicious. I made some tweaks cos' I really wanted an easy way out, also made a chocolate version for the kids. Both were good.

Edit 16 May 2020: 

We are 3/4 into SG circuit breaker because of Covid-19. I bought tiramisu ingredients because Luis brought up a couple of times that I said I would teach him how to make this dessert.

When reading this post I realised that this was the last birthday that we celebrated for my mother. I’m glad that I documented it. 

Anyway after reading all my sad posts about my mother I decided to clean up this page since the original instructions/ingredients were too much. 

 This was the tiramisu that I brought to my mother’s house to celebrate her birthday. Very ugly but I’m keeping the picture here for remembrance. 

 

Recipe adapted from: http://www.thebakingbiatch.com/2013/06/eggless-tiramisu.html

Makes 2 tabao kind of containers. Make sure to use the tall type because 3 layers reaches the brim. 

Otherwise just use any other containers. Just note that this recipe below uses about 48 fingers, which means about 24 fingers per container. There are three layers and because the container widens at the top, I used 6 fingers on the first layer and by the third layer I used 8 fingers. 

But it’s no problem if you use other containers. Before you start you just need to line your first base with fingers to count and gauge how many fingers you need and how many layers you can make. 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

I made one coffee and one non-coffee container of tiramisu. Total two containers. 

Coffee: 

- 2 packets of Nescafé cuppucino, Make into 2.5 cups for one container worth of fingers. 

 

For non-coffee:  

- I used milo kosong and hot chocolate before. Whichever you like. Also 2.5 cups for the other container of fingers. 

 

Cream mixture:
- 500g mascarpone cheese

- 10 tablespoons whipping cream

- 4 tablespoons icing sugar (I used non- dairy cream which is already sweetened therefore 4 tablespoons of sugar is sufficient)

- 2 teaspoons of vanilla essence

 

Sponge base:
- 45 lady finger biscuits

This is from Cold Storage, there are 60 fingers inside so you will have excess. 

Others
- Roughly 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

 

HOW:

 

1) Make the coffee and milo, pour each into a plate that is big enough for dipping. Let them cool down. 

2) Whip the whipping cream until you get stiff peaks

3) Put the mascarpone cheese into a big bowl. Use a spatula and mash it to make it soft-ish. Add icing sugar and vanilla essence. Mix with spatula till well combined.

4) Add the whipped cream to the cheese mixture and mix well. 

Get all your ingredients together. Now you are ready to assemble. 

5) Dip a biscuit into the coffee and turn it around in the coffee once then remove swiftly to put into container. (It won’t be soft yet but resist the temptation to roll more times! I tried rolling 3 times and the end result is a soggy tiramisu cake.) Repeat till you complete one layer.

6) Spoon 2-2.5 tablespoonfuls of cream mixture on top of the first layer and spread evenly. Not too much else you don’t have enough cream mixture for the other layers. 

7) Sift cocoa powder on top of cream. 

8) Repeat 5-7 two more times. As the container widens towards the top:

First layer: 6 fingers, 2 heaped tbsp of cream

Second layer: 7 fingers, 2.5 heaped tbsp of cream

Third layer: 8 fingers, 3 heaped tbsp of cream

9) Chill in fridge for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. 

Hi mummy, Luis broke his bone.

Hi mummy, Luis broke his bone. 

28 May 2019 Tuesday

On this day after completing a WSH course I received a call from my elder son that his brother broke his bone when he jumped down from the slide. I thought he was exaggerating but it was true, confirmed by my husband who was luckily at home during that time. 

Rushed down to Mount Alvernia Hospital while simultaneously checking the insurance coverage. Side note - the Singapore MRT System is understatedly fast and well connected, I travelled from Joo Koon and reached the hospital within an hour. 

In pain but still have not cried so far. I didn’t know then that his bone was totally broken. Very brave boy. 

Now you can gasp. Not only is the bone now bones, the lower part is also twisted which could not be seen here. 

The doctors did not suppress their reactions. He needed surgery asap. When the ortho doctor came and said that if he can’t reset it then he has to open him up, my poor boy finally burst out and cried. The doctor was reassuring then that nonetheless it’s a totally fixable situation. 

By then it was almost 10pm and partly because we gave Luis food, the surgery will take place next morning at 7.30am. Luis was in pain, he was given ibuprofen to lessen the pain. Finally fell asleep near 12am. He stayed on his back but with a few subconscious short cries when it was painful. He even opened his eyes once and gave me a smile before falling back to sleep. I’m so proud of my son, in good spirits despite the situation. 

Next morning Lucas called me before 7am from school and asked how is Luis. Sweet Lucas is worried about Luis. I woke Luis up so the brothers could talk on the phone. Shortly after the nurses came to move him. They wanted to move him into another bed but Luis protested loudly and insistently because of the pain. Again I’m happy that he could advocate for himself. I felt guilty that I didn’t stand up for him more, and then told myself that I shall not be a weak mother again. 

Finally we reached the operating theatre. Luis was abit scared, I tried to reassure him. I was fine all along but when he went under the gas mask and gradually slept due to the anaesthesia, my heart broke for him. Almost could not talk when it was time for me to leave. I guess my face said it all as the nurses and doctors kept reassuring me that they will take care of him. 

Surgery was successful, no opening up. 

Just out of surgery, little groggy. The little man had 3 wires inside him now. 

So the doctor now said that he hasn’t seen such a serious case in 3 years and it’s the first time he put 3 wires instead of 2. I’m glad he didn’t say these before the surgery. 

Lucas called again during recess to ask if he can visit Luis immediately after school. He was worried about his brother, just that he couldn’t recognise it. I told him that we will bring him during the afternoon. 

We stayed for two nights and Luis had visits from the family and the school principal. Fortunately for the Cartoon Network and the great food, he enjoyed his stay at the hospital. Even Lucas ate two meals there. Luis also asked a few times why he has so many presents. 

Brothers pretending they are on a spaceship. Watching Teen Titans Go on Cartoon Network.

Finally on the second day Luis was able to get off the drip and go for his X-ray before confirming he could go home. 

Walking to the imaging room for his X-ray. 

Bones in the right place now. Doctor said it could be better. But I’m already impressed that he moved them back in place without opening him up at all. 

Next day Luis prepared breakfast for me. 

With the juice and bread from the hospital. Lol...

Practicing writing with his left hand. 

I am grateful that all turned out well at the end of the day. It was a memorable experience that he now thinks back happily. The experience in the hospital was actually good! Total bill came up to under $15k, thank goodness I bought good insurance for both boys in 2016 following Lucas MRI incident. Luis went through the whole experience with courage and good spirits. For that I’m proud of him. Well done, Luis. 

It goes away but it’s always there

Funny how emotions work. 

I haven’t thought about my Ma for a long time. There I am, sitting on the bench in the gym, drying my feet after shower and staring blankly in front of me. Someone left a water bottle and lotion behind. The lotion tube looks familiar and then I remember. 

One time Ma and I were in a pharmacy. Why and which one I don’t remember. But a salesgirl targeted my Ma and sold her a moisturiser that can reduce black spots or make her skin better. I don’t even remember the details. But I remember that I thought Ma is already so old and why this matters. It’s a side of my Ma that I seldom see. My Ma thinking of herself and not her children. My Ma buying something for herself to make herself happy. 

And I wanted to cry at the memory because I miss her. And so I did. It’s been four years now, and I miss you, Ma. The other day I have forgotten how I used to greet you and I sounded it out but it felt unfamiliar. 

The sadness, the missing.  It goes away but it comes back and catches you off guard. 

Apple pie-like bread

Apple pie-like bread (vegan)
26 March 2019

I had difficulties naming this because it's neither apple pie nor bread pudding. I had too much bread left and I wanted to make bread pudding but I don't like the sogginess of it. So I created this. Smells and tastes like apple pie, bread was not soggy. You can tweak the sweetness with the amount of honey and raisins you add. I found mine a tad sweet so I have reduced the honey from 1.5 to 1 tablespoon below. 
Note though that there is nothing holding the shape so it will fall apart after you bake it. If you want it to be presentable, you can consider making it in a cupcake cases so you can eat directly out of it. Overall it's a will-make-it-again kind of recipe for me.


Makes 1 round 8-inch cake pan.

INGREDIENTS

For the base and filling

• About 6 slices of bread
• 2 apples (I used 1 apple and 1 pear, that's what I had)
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1 cup of soya milk
• 1/2 cup of water/soya milk (for adjustment to be added only at the end when all are mixed together, depending on whether you have enough excess liquid to wet the bottom layer of bread)

For the topping

• 1 cup of regular rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt

METHOD

1. Cut off the sides of the bread.
2. Line the bottom of the cake pan, should use about 2-3 slices.
3. In a big bowl, mix the remainder of the bread and all the ingredients (EXCEPT the water) together.
4. If it looks too dry, add the amount of water/soya milk needed so that you have about 1/2 cup excess that can be used to soak the bottom layer of bread in the cake pan.
5. Pour all into the cake pan.
6. Mix the ingredients for the topping. Put on top.
7. Bake at 165 deg C for 50 min.

New year new resolution

New year new resolution 

2nd Jan 2019

2019.

Be a better wife. 

More quality time with husband and kids. 

Be a better leader. 

Continue a healthy lifestyle. Achieve 52kg and maintain it!

Lucas' favourite porridge

Lucas' favourite porridge
2018 Oct

Over the last few weeks the boys have been coughing. So one of the weekends I decided to make porridge for them. No meat, no seasoning. Surprisingly Lucas really liked the porridge. Since then he has had it around 5 times. 

As usual I put in whatever I have in my kitchen. On one of the occasions I decided to document the recipe because the ingredients are so random and I might not be able to reproduce it in future. It's a really huge thing when your son says he likes the food you cook! And on this day Lucas said this is his favourite porridge. What luck!

Usually around here I tend to put a photo of the final product. But my pea brain must have not been working that day. One day when I make it again and my pea brain is functioning I will put the photo in!


Serves 4 bowls - think 1.5x Chinese rice bowl size.

INGREDIENTS:
- Brown rice - Approx 3/4 cup. 
A trick is to think how much each person will eat. E.g. if the person will eat a bowl of porridge, half of it will be the ingredients, half of it will be the cooked rice. Now when cooking porridge, the rice grains will more than double in size, so take away two thirds of it. So in the end you only require less than 1/4 bowl of grains per pax. Multiply the number of pax and you have the total rice amount. 

- Ikan bilis - Approx 1/2 cup
- Dried shrimps - Approx 1/2 cup
- Sweet potato - 1
- Carrot - 1
- Celery - 1 stick
- Broccoli - a handful

Note: Just go with your feel on what and how much of each ingredient you want to put. I sometimes add 1 potato too but I ran out of potato that day. I think I also added tomato before...Let your creative juices flow!


METHOD:
1) Chop up all the ingredients. 

2)Wash rice two times. Yell for the children to come and take the rice water to the plants.

3) Put rice in a pot and fill it with 4 times the amount of water. Remember you need to allow for evaporation. Put on high heat.


4) Wash the ikan bilis and then you see, I have this neat little teabag meant for tea but I use it for putting the ikan bilis. The ikan bilis is not tasty nor easy to chew after being boiled for long and I feel they make the broth bitter if I leave them in for too long. So this little bag allows me to remove them from the pot easily after a while.

5) Wash and add the dried shrimps.

6) Wait 5 minutes. I don't know if it works but I am allowing the ikan bilis and dried shrimps flavour to be released into the pot before I add the other ingredients.

*At any one time when the pot starts to boil, turn it to low heat.


7) Add the sweet potato and carrots.

8) Wait 5 minutes. I am allowing the sweet potato and carrots to soften and the rice grains to expand beyond normal rice size. 

** When the ikan bilis look like they have expanded and completely been soaked, remove them.


9) Add celery and broccoli. These are last because they are the softest and cook fast. Plus I do not want to cook too long until the brocolli becomes yellowish.

10) Boil for another 5 minutes and turn off the heat.
Lastly I just want to rave about this pot that I bought from the petrol station many years ago. It's light and thin so it heats the contents fast. It also has a lid that I can invert, allowing me to put the spoon on top after each stirring. In this position it doesn't close completely so the contents doesn't boil over too.

Enjoy while hot or warm. My mother always says not to eat cold porridge else you will have wind in your stomach.