I'm back.. (for now)

The year 2011 has been an interesting one for me when it comes to baking.  I’ve swung wildly from being an almost frequent baker in 2010 to not baking for most of 2011. Work commitments, what can I say ?

Although I have taken a long hiatus from baking and blogging, I look forward to resume the baking journey, and I hope that you'll still be interested to read about it here.

To set things into motion, here's the sugee cake and fruit cake which I had recently baked for Chinese New Year. This time round, in addition to the family heirloom recipe for the fruit cake, I decided to try out another version from Donna Hay's Modern Classics 2.  I'm glad to report that both versions were well received by family and friends.

Gong Xi Gong Xi

It's time to ring in another Chinese New Year.  This year, the metal rabbit reigns.  So, metal rabbit, I implore you, may you bestow us with your resilience, good luck and joy for the new year. 

Gong xi fa cai everyone.  Eat, drink and be merry. I, for sure, will not fail and disappoint in that :P

My First Bake Sale

Last week has been quite a lousy week for me.  Firstly, Little Missy tripped and fell while playing and chipped her two front teeth, and secondly, I've been a really busy bee at work, virtually working non-stop.  So, yup, lousy week may be an understatement.

However, all is not lost as the week also marks a historical milestone for cakes-et-al as I recorded my first bake sale.  My first bake sale ! How exciting.  And not one, but two ! *doing the victory dance*  Two fruit cakes.  Truth is, I kind of coerced my colleague into it when she made a passing comment of having to gift her relatives with some CNY goodies.  A hard sell, but hey, a baker's got to earn her keep :)  Its time to recoup the investment that I have expended so far on my baking equipment.  So, fruit cakes, anyone ?

Bye Bye 2010, Hello 2011

It is time to revisit and take stock of the New Year's resolutions again.  How time flies.

Most of us would know that New Year's resolutions are far easier to make than they are to keep.  Since my resolutions for 2011 are mainly repeats from 2010 (and earlier !), my main resolution this year would be to remain true and to fulfill my resolutions, in particular those made previously :).  For this reason, I've decided to go public with my resolutions, and I ask all of you for your helpful nudges to assist me in achieving them:

(1) Persevere and keep all resolutions made
(2) Return to my exercise program (old resolution from 2010 and before)
(3) Lose some weight (old resolution from 2010 and before)
(4) Attempt not less than 50 new recipes throughout the year (new 2011 resolution)

As you can see, (2) and (3) will balance up with (4) (or rather, (4) is the motivation for (2) and (3)), and (1) is too ensure that the ship (i.e. me) doesn't sink.  It is all about the art of balancing :)

With this, I would like to end my last post for 2010 with this phrase which I feel befits all of us:

"We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy New Year, everyone !

Joy to the World - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

To all my wonderful friends and family.

May your holiday season be blessed with peace, love and joy.  Here's sending you my heartfelt wishes with joy that never ends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011.

TGIF

Thank god it's Friday.  The last one week at work has been such a whirlwind and not entirely pleasant, despite the mid-week break. Which explains the abandoned blog.

Night after night, I have been coming home knackered and absolutely brain dead.  Given that state, my warm and cozy bed has been a much more appealing option than the butter in the fridge, flour in the jar and punnet of berries screaming for attention.  Yes, I have closed my kitchen for the past week, and my berries are now oozing.  Not a pretty sight.

Anyway, I hope to enjoy my weekend, and work on my baking list and blog...starting from tonight ! (hopefully).  Happy weekend, peeps.  Enjoy !

Selamat Hari Raya Haji

To all my friends, fellow bloggers and readers of the Muslim faith, here's wishing you a Selamat Hari Raya Haji.

To everyone else, enjoy your mid week break !  I know I will :)

Still November

I know its still November, but I couldn't help myself.  After all, its never too early for Christmas.

So here it is, a sneak preview of my Christmas Tree 2010 :)

Presents from the US

My friend went to the US and I got was a lousy bottle of salt and vanilla. 

Joke.

The fleur de sel (French for Flower of Salt) and Nielsen-Massey vanilla were exactly what I had wanted.  Thanks E ! For taking the time and trouble to shop for them.  I am so so looking forward to try them out.

Happy Divali

To all my Indian friends and readers - Here's wishing you a Happy Divali.  May you have a sparkling celebration during this festival of light. 

To all my other friends and readers - Happy Holidays !

On another note, it has been a whirlwind week for me at work.  So much to do and so little time.  Thank god for the Divali holiday.  I look forward to sit back this long weekend, and work on my baking list and blog.

Twin Disasters

My heart goes out to the people of Indonesia and all those affected by the tsunami and volcano eruption.  Everyone, please pray for them.