Butter Cake From Baking Mum

Come across with another butter cake recipe from one of my favourite site - Baking Mum, and would like to have a try. Her lovely butter cake really gives me motivation to try out as her recipe looks very promising and easy to follow, not that complicated. Most important is in 'grams', not measurement cup! I don't hate using the measurement cup, only I have to invest one.

Here is my freshly bake butter cake, my hubby loves it so much, so does Wayne. A big accomplishment for the day!



Here to share with you her butter cake recipe.

Ingredients:
250 gm butter
200 gm caster sugar
6 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
300 gm self-raising flour (sifted)
½ to 3/4 cup of evaporated milk

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
2. Beat the butter with the caster sugar until white and fluffy. Add in eggs one at a time and mix well. Then add is vanilla essence and evaporated milk and mix well.
3. Lastly fold in sifted flour into the butter mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased and lined cake tray and bake for about an hour.

Hair Cut From Grandma

Wayne had his very first hair cut at the salon since last year August2008. That will be his first and last to have his hair cut! From that day onwards, he never entered to salon anymore. I have no idea what makes him so afraid and stops him from entering. Maybe he had phobia cutting his hair at salon. Left with no choice, grandma has to 重出江湖, to cut her grandson's hair.



As you can see, he is very cooperative, he is more willingly to let his grandma to cut his hair than in salon. Good point was definitely much cheaper than cutting his hair at any salon. A hair cut can easily cost us S$6 on him, now he is helping us to save some money!

Even till now he still tend to avoid having his hair cut at the salon, all his hair cut done at home now by grandma.

Yummy Banana Cake

Here I come across with this link - Baking Mum, where she shares her baking experience and recipe. One of the recipes that I picked for the day is to bake a banana cake.

In case you only want the banana cake recipe and not others, so I listed out the recipe from her blog for your convenience. Yeah!

Ingredients:
180 gm. Butter
180 gm. Fine sugar (I cut down to 150 gm)
2 nos. Extra large Eggs - beaten lightly
250 gm. Cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. Bicarbonate of Soda
220 gm. Bananas - mashed
50 gm. Dairy whip cream (I use evaporated milk)
1/2 tsp. Banana essence (I replace with 1 tsp vanilla essence)
2 bananas - slice

Method:
(1) Cream butter and sugar till light and creamy.
(2) Pour in eggs gradually and beat till creamy.
(3) Add in whip cream, mashed bananas and banana essence and mix well.
(4) Add in cake flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and beat for a while only.
(5) Pour into an 8" round tray, and arrange sliced bananas on top.
(6) Bake at 175C for about 50 to 60 mins. or until cooked.

I followed the ingredients exactly, except I did turn some into muffin. Here is the banana cake that I have baked this afternoon.



I like the texture of the cake, is just so soft, fluffy and moist! This is the recipe that I was looking for and it just suits my taste. I just loves it so much and will definitely bake again!

Here are the muffins I mention just now. It takes about 20minutes to bake at 175C. It turns out well either!



What's for next? I target to bake bread. I have not decide what type of bread but would like to have a try!

Is Tight!

Without noticing that Wayne has grown up so fast, only when we tuck him into his wetsuit then we realise. This was what Wayne said to us when he was been tuck into his small size wetsuit, "Mummy, see, is too tight for me!" That day, we have left no choice but to cancel our trip to swimming pool.

We had shop for many places yet to find a suitable wetsuit for him. At last, we have to make a trip down to Tangling Mall by taxis, where I know there is a shop selling swim wears for adults and children, hopefully we can get one for him.

Not much choice left to be select, what I mean was the colour, not the size. We tried size5 on him, he claim that neck area too tight for him, then put him on size6, guess what, surprise us, size6 was the right size for him! Wow! Wayne, you are big boy now! Did you know that the sales girl told us size6 is for age 6 kids!

Here's the new wetsuit for Wayne!

Quick Update

I have so many things to blog and share, yet have no idea where to start! Hahaha... ... My laziness will be the root cause! Ya, don't blame! Embarrassed

Let's start on me first, then will update bit by bit, whatever comes in my mind. Here a quick update about me, I am in 32weeks, 3rd trimester now, my EDD will be end of next month, April2009. Currently, I am unemployed, not because of the economy crisis, I quit my job to have a good rest - to replenish my energy! Then here comes my little girl!

I will be going for my routine checkup at TMC (Thomson Medical Centre) next week and see what I can update.

My Very First Butter Cake

Here is one of my do-list that is to bake a cake. Search through the internet and found a most easy way and step to bake a butter cake. Yeah! Shop for all the ingredient, follow the instruction, then here you go - My very first butter cake that I have baked!



I am still a beginner and lots more to learn about baking. I am quite satisfied and here the final product, it looks more like a loaf of bread to me! Quite success, not too bad, only the outer layer little hard as when I take it out from the oven.

After cool on racks for 15 minutes, cut and taste it, texture still alright, smooth and milky but a little dry, most important is editable.



I am now addicted in baking, my next target will be Banana cake!

Updates On My Unit

Finally, my unit - KL CityView Cheras has rented out to a foreigner. I have not seen them, my dad is the one who make the deal for me. Thanks daddy!

Since 08Nov2008 my ex-tenant moved out, and I passed it to the management to handle or act on behalf of me, yet to rent out for few months. At first, I am really angry with the service that they had provided. They wanted me to reno the kitchen, feedback was the kitchen cabinet collapse and some painting require. As agreed they will charge me RM1500 for this service, yet the work was delay again and again till end December2008 then they requested for more, RM300 increase for the reno, driving me crazy! Lost trust and faith with them, no more confidence with them and decided to withdraw myself from letting them handle my unit, passed it back to my friend to do the reno.

Since they had delay for so long, might well wait till after CNY then do my reno and I have sorted out and allocate some money to overcome this crucial period. 3 weeks later, my dad called, told me that my unit has been taken up and no reno require, only do some simple painting in the living hall and kitchen, plus he will help me to repair the kitchen cabinet. Wow! I am so touch and glad that everything settled and I don't need to spend more than what I have allocated.

How about the reno that I have agreed with my friend? Still proceed? Managed to call her at that time, and luckily her hubby hasn't prepare and buy any material. If he does, I will still follow according to the initial plan and go ahead with the reno, this is because we had agreed and moreover I have had allocate sum of money for that.

This was the best news ever had to received before CNY!

Jurong Bird Park Excursion

After a long CNY break, we though that Wayne will have throw tantrum and refuse to go to school. Surprise us where he didn't and has been good and behave well after returning back to school last Thursday. This maybe we had preamp him if he behave and doesn't cry, then we will bring him out this coming weekend.

He really looks forward to his trip, each of everyday he keeps asking us where we plan to take him to. We keep it very secret and just tell him on that day then he will know where he will be going.

Wayne knows it when we get in to the cab and ask the driver to take us to Jurong Bird Park. He was happy and excited on our way. That is a good sign where he really appreciates.



Here he is, posting for us to take a photo of him before entering.

He enjoys exploring and visit different kind of birds where he doesn't see them before. Both of us, hubby and I are happy to see him enjoy watching those beautiful birds and keep asking lots of question! I would like to take down every single question that he had asked but unfortunately by now I can't recall any.

This I have to highlight was most of the time he walks without requesting daddy to carry him. Only towards to noon, while we are heading towards Waterfall Aviary, then he was quite tired and wanted daddy to carry him. Good job, Wayne!



Look at him, with curiosity on how the birds eat. He really loves and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds!

We had sandwiches for lunch after the feeds!



For rewarding our little Wayne, on our way back to the entrance, daddy carries him on his shoulder.

Wayne In Nursery 2

Year2009! Time flies and now Wayne in Nursery 2! We still put him in MindChamp, till currently, we are quite satisfied.

Today will be his 2nd day in school, with few new faces (his classmate) around his class, total of 16 kids. He copes well with some major changes - he moved to another class, just next door, a bigger space; his previous class teacher Ms.Yoko is still with him, but added new assistant - Ms. Cynthia & a Chinese teacher; from this year onwards, he needs to brush his teeth after his lunch, so I have prepared a mug and a toothbrush for him.

We are glad that he is much more independent now, can apart with us after saying bye to him, comfortable exploring with new environment, have confident on his own. Keep up the good job Wayne! Love daddy and mummy!

My Time Was Fully Occupied

Recently I am quite busy! Not about work, is all about my unit located in KL. The tenant has moved out, not in a correct timing, near to CNY (Chinese New Year), as no contractors available to reno my kitchen and I have to source via phone to seek for help. I am so lost at that moment but luckily one of my friend - MeiChan, help up to manage for me and supervise the person in charge from KL CityView management. Appreciate and thanks for her help!

Another thing that keeps me busy was to settle the bills. There is not many information or instruction given via internet, therefore I have to call to seek for assistant. In order to do my payment via online, I have to send out request via email, wait for reply, then follow up. How many days I have to spend to get my login created and access? Can't they just settle it at once! If you experience it before to deal with them, you can feel how frustrated I am. Especially when I managed to get through, the voice system either put me on hold for more that 15 minutes then the line cut off or requested my contact details, yet to call me back. I think they need some improvement on their Call Center!

Thank God as I managed to settle all my bills!

Two Legs

My mum scooter Wayne back from school, while on their way, he asks my mum 'Can we use our leg to kick people?'
'No, we don't do that. God give us two legs for us to walk and run around, not to kick people. Is not good to do that.' My mum answered.

He looks at my mum 'God give grandma two leg?' At the same time he touches my mum's leg.
'God give you two legs?' Wayne asks my mum again to confirm.
'Yes, God give grandma two leg.'
'Why God give you two leg and you lost your toe?' (Oh, by the way, for those don't know that my mum went for amputated on her toe in year2007 due to bad blood circulation)
'Then why Grandma didn't take care of your toe?'

Haha... ... He is so cute until my mum also doesn't know what to answer him. My mum just keeps quiet.

Here Is My Answer

While ordering our food, my mum asks Wayne who he loves most.
Wayne: "Grandma!"

Just wanted to disturb him by asking, "Arh! Then you don't love mummy?"
Wayne: "Wayne love mummy!"
Grandma: "Wayne, if grandma, mummy and daddy felt into water, who will you rescue first?"

Wow! My mum given him a very difficult question, and most of us hate to answer to this kind of question. Smile More looks like old days, MIL asking his son who to rescue, his mummy or his wife. Hahaha... ...

Wayne look at my mum and answer without hesitate: "I call ambulance to rescue you all. I don't know how to swim."

10 Reasons Why You Should Leave Office Sharp!

Decided to post this out is to remind myself whenever I am staying back for work and in future for me to refer.

I received this email from one of my ex-colleague with subject as '10 Reasons Why You Should Leave Office Sharp!'.

1) Employment letter stated that working finish at 6pm
2) Work is a never ending process even you stay until next morning you will never finish it.
3) Human are not robots even robts/machines have to rest or else it will facing breakdown problems.
4) You love your career, but your family is even more important in your life.
5) If you failed in your life, your boss is not going to be the one who gives you a helping hand whereas your family would definitely offer help.
6) You do not want to screw up or make your life miserable because of your job.
7) Monthly salary = work from 9am - 6pm
If 6:30pm = $0 + 0 Bonus + 0 AngPau + 0 Appreciation + Bad Health + Bad Social Life + Poor Family Relationship
Equal to : Unproductive Employee + Performance Drop + Company Reputation Drops + Retrenchment Rate Increases + Resignation Rate Increases
8) If the person who DISAGREE to the above formulation, we think he/she is a loser who has no life, heartless, doomed workaholic, etc.
He/She deserves the 'BEST EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD'!
9) You don't give a damn if your boss fires you.
10) For the Chinese, remember this 'House In The East No Longer Keep You, Then Just Move To The West House' = '东家不打,打西家'

So, do you still want to stay back?

After reading the email, some how I do agreed with it and will try my best to balance my life - work and family, to improve my life style, and spend more time with my family.

Is Time For A Job Change?

I have been with Avaya more than 2 years and after all the consideration, I would say - yes, is time for me to move ahead. So I have started my new job right after my last day, 11April2008 (Friday) with Avaya, not going to take any break, just work!

I haven't officially started my work yet (sound so complicated), still in a stage of reading documents. Oh! Ya. I am still in CRM field, but not using SalesForce CRM, is Microsoft CRM. Not convenient to explain much but one thing for sure, this will value added to my carreer path. Thanks for my ex-boss, Low Wee Meng, 真的难以形容 but really appreciate him for given me so much support and guidance. I will missed him so much and wish that in future we can still work as a team. 天下有不散之宴席！

The first week when I newly joined, I am scanning through all the documents, included hardcopy and softcopy document. What a boring week I had where most of my time was reading. And for my second week, then the technician guy have the MS CRM installed into my laptop. Now I started to have myself exploring and to get familiar with the tool.

Our 2008 Valentine's Day

Before I start my writing, I want to thank my hubby for arranging the entire event to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Is cruel to say that I have no expression at that time when I know my hubby going to bring me to the Singapore Flyer. This is because the Singapore Flyer just looks like a ferry wheel for me when I see it from far. On that day itself, then I take initiative to find out more about it from the internet. First, I found that it's really unique and special. I am really excited and looking forward to be there. Secondly, then I realise that it really expensive.

I took some photo - night view when I am inside the capsule.

He is so sweet as he chosen this time 7pm to board on the capsule is to watch sunset together. We had our most romantic and memorable Valentine's Day watching the sunset and beautiful lights on gradually from the buildings.

After the ride, we went for a movie 'The Leap Years' at GV VivoCity. This is my first time having dinner in the cinema and serve with a glass of wine. Here is the dinner menu:

Dinner Menu

Canapes Smoked Salmon, Roast Beef Asparagus & Pettite Shell Mushroom

Main Chicken Shashlik Skewers with Wolfberry Sauce

Dessert Ivory Chocolate Dome

Choice of Coffee, Tea or Soft Drink

Heathcote Estate Shiraz, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc or Moet & Chandon NV Brut Imperial

Food listed in the menu sounds great and delicious right? Actually the food taste good and delicious. One thing that I am not use to was when my dinner was served, I can't see my food at all, too dark and even no fork and spoon given. Hubby and I looked at each other at that moment, whether to ask for the utensils or wait for while. Movie started, we look around, can't find any waiters, and we saw our neighbour sitting beside us using their fingers to pick their food, so I have to use my finger too. Good that they prepare the food in bite size where easy and convenient to eat.

Gosh! This is my first time eating out using fingers. What a experience!

2008 Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Receiving flowers? Having dinner? Date for a movie? How about your Valentine's Day?

I know that I will be going to Singapore Flyer this evening with my hubby. What next after the Singapore Flyer? Really I have no idea. I am very excited and looking forward to my Valentine's Day that my hubby had arranged.

Half Day Time Off Given For All Avaya Employee

Extremely Quiet Day!

7 of us come into the office today, so quiet. Not much things to do (no issue coming in) due to holiday season - Some work from home, some on leave, and some are on business trip. Mail server having problem, not able to received emails and those emails that send out are sitting in outbox. Internet access also having problem, either slow network or can't access to the site, therefore not much progress.

All of them planned and wanted to go back home early. so do I.

My 2006 Christmas Day - Dinner at Tung Lok Signatures Vivo City

After sending my relatives back home, settle down Wayne, rest for a while then we go out again to meet up with my ex-lab assistant and librarian.

Gathering during Christmas day at Tung Lok Signatures - Vivo City. Total of 8 having dinner together, the lady sit beside me are Teck Hin's ex-colleague, 4 of us work in Singapore - Derrick, Weng Thai, hubby & I, and other 3 (Teck Hin, Mun Hin also known as 'Bear-bear' and Soue Hoong) come over to celebrate Christmas and visit.

Hubby & I reached Harbour Front MRT at 6:30pm, we are not familiar with that area, so need to look out for the place. Meet Soue Hoong in front of Tung Lok Signature entrance, she is waiting for bear-bear. Derrick came out to show us the way to the table - so sweet of him. Is nice and great to organise this gathering - meet up and get update with each other.

We occupied their table more than 2 and half hours, so we decide to go elsewhere to have a drink as well to continue our updates. We found a place around there but I can't remember the name of the shop. I just know that I ordered a glass of Blue Caribbean, is a cocktail, it taste great and nice, my hubby and I enjoyed that drink. And of course, we have a happy and wonderful day too!

11:30pm reached home.

My 2006 Christmas Day - Day Outing

Sunny Day.

So we went to Orchard shopping and as well to have our lunch at Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰). We ordered Noodles with Pork Ribs, Noodles with mincemeat, Fried rice with egg (蛋炒饭), Veggie Dumpling, and Steam Dumplings (小笼包) - is a signature dish. Steam Dumplings is one of the dishes that my hubby like most.

We took some photo with Christmas tree along Orchard Road.

My 2006 Christmas Eve

I have my Log Cake, Gingerbread men (Chocolate and Original Flavour), Gingerbread Xmas Tree (Chocolate and Original Flavour) and a bottle of wine for this year Christmas.

YEAH! This is what I want for this year, and I have it all. 我已心满意足了！ I celebrated 2006 Christmas at home with family - My Mum, hubby, Wayne, aunty (大阿姨) and Aunty Cheng. Mummy fried noodles (炒米粉), curry chicken and desert (白果薏米). A surprise that I have is one of my ex-colleague drop by and give my hubby and I a present. He is my Santa Claus, delivering present to us every year . Thanks!

At first we plan to go Orchard Road to spend our Christmas Eve, plan to have our dinner at Lemon Grass, but all of this have to cancel - Rain cause us to cancel our activities. So around 5pm, My hubby and I went down to Park Royal Hotel to buy Log Cake, we choose Chocolate Nougat & Pear Log Cake, the cake nestled between chocolate moose and pear moose (hope my description is correct) - taste nice, not too sweet, worth of trying. We get our gingerbread men and Xmas tree at Takashimaya (basement), and bought a bottle of wine at Cold Storage.

How about yours? How you celebrated your Christmas Eve? Mind to share? I have taken some picture on what we have bought.