Hoping............

Hoping............
Originally uploaded by Sue Hashim.

for a silver lining. I do believe someday it will come. This morning when I read my mail from my friend, Gail, it was like a dream coming true - not yet, but near. I've been wanting to know on how to start selling my 'work' and have all the courage to begin. I have lots of stuff to learn from friends and I know now, a true friend I believe who can help me. Something to begin with - her words of encouragement.

More pics to take, to sort; I will be pretty busy soon............

See ya ;-P

My Lil Fairy.....

....turns 4. Oh how time flies; felt like it was only yesterday when I hold her tiny lil body. Dyna was born 4 years ago and was diagnosed with "hole" in her heart.

If you look at her running around, singing, dancing around the house, you'll never know that my lil' fairy was born with a "hole" in her heart. We're all coming to term with that and still praying that it will somehow close-out.

She's really my lil' angel and when she's around me, I feel so loved.

And being a true Gemini child like myself, she is quick as a whip and always full of surprises. She possessed rapid-fire mind and is cheeky as well. Look at her winked when I took this pic, you'll know what I mean. Initially, she wanted a MacDonald's birthday party just like Nylie's. Guess what? She changed her mind. So we celebrated it at home; with cousins only, just like she wanted it to be.

Happy Birthday Dyna

A Short Vacation is....

better, well next to nothing, of course it is *lol*. We cannot afford the time or plan on travelling far as Nylie has to be in school most of the week-days as she's training to represent her school at the National Inter-Primary Track and Field Championships 2007. As for Ili, she has to attend her supplementary classes in preparing her for Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE).
Our initial plan was to go with our family friend to Pulau Perhentian for a diving trip but cancelled it bcos they could not make it, we went to Malacca for a, 2 days 1 nite stay with MTWG convoyers instead.
The journey to Everly Resort Hotel, Malacca was exhilarating and memorable ones. I am still sorting out photos taken during those short journey............loads of them!!

I can breathe for now, that's why I am catching up on my rest after two weeks of no rest. Now that Saro, my maid is back, I can do just that; rest & relax...ha ha...

Gotta go, will write soon ;-P

Victoria Sponge Cake

I am not one who would break my promise, so before I get REAL busy, I'd better get this recipe posted; as promised....*smile*

As mentioned in Diana's Recipe Book this cake is an ultimate holiday, special occasion or birthday cake. This cake is delicious and you can never go wrong baking IT.

What you need for the cake is :

1/2 cup or 4oz unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

2 cups or 225g cake flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 tablespoon milk

For the cake :

Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Butter and flour round (8-inch x 1 1/2-inch deep) cake pan.

Bake cake on middle rack of preheated oven until the cakes are beginning to come away from edges of pan, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Let it cool completely, approximately 1 hour. In my case, I did not bake it in 2 round cake pans. What I did is bake it in just one cake pan and have it slice in halves.

Spread about 4 tablespoon of luscious strawberry jam for the filling on the bottom half.

Whip the 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled, until soft peaks form or test it like Dyna did...haha

I spread the whipped cream before placing about 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries (leave some for decoration)

Sift confectioners' sugar over top of cake - your preference. I garnish it with fresh strawberries, and melted whipped cream (add a drop of red coloring to have that pinkish effect)....Voila!
This is how it looked, after my mum had cut her cake.
This cake is really easy to bake and not those kind that will make a big mess of your kitchen....It is yummy; you would want more.......

Happy baking *Smile*

Her name is Darling

It's Mother's Day today. Women all over the world who are mothers or not, celebrate them. Me - no exception. I baked Victoria Sponge Cake for myself...*lol*, for my little sis, Murni and of course, my dearest mum. Promise I will post in my next blog recipe for the cake. As usual, I had fun baking, only this time it is special because I am baking it for a very special person in my life - My Mum. Got the recipe from Diana's Dessert BUT it did not turn out as nice looking as her's I suppose, but everyone loves it. My mum is contented with just that....*smile*
We enjoyed ourselves just chatting, and me, shooting my little niece. Her name is Darling, she would beg to differ if you tell her otherwise. She is three and very adorable...she became the main focus of my shots...haha.

The Star of today, Adelina aka Darling.....and her partner my darling, Dyna.

To all Mothers - Happy Mother's Day. Remember U are Special in every ways, .........

*Hugs and Kisses*

Grandma Koala

What's the relation between GrandMa Koala and Dyna, my three year old darling? Oh it's a long story. One thing I can tell you is that she loves Grandma Koala's Strawberry Milkshake that she just did herself this evening - with sis Nylie's help. Every day she would sing along with Boowaakwala, I bet she knew all the songs that Boowakwala and Grandma Koala sang. She visited them everyday. She spent hours with them......*wink*
Let me show you how strong the influence they had in Dyna's three-years- plus-life and WHAT a JOY I have just watching her mess-up my kitchen. I never have that opportunity when I was her age...haha. She even poses and tell me what to shoot. She's the photo-shoot director really....*lol*

Hope you enjoy looking at photos of Dyna in her first attempt at making milkshakes as much as I did, shooting them and enjoying the fruit of her labour....It's hardwork!! *lol*

First, she gets the strawberries from the fridge....

Next, pour the milk in.......

Time to scoop-up the vanilla ice-cream........

Get sis Nylie to help blend the strawberries, milk and ice-cream using the electric-mixer......

Voila.......peace to all

And this is how influencial Grandma Koala is, Dyna insisted the recipe's print-out to be included in this shoot...*lol*

Down But NOT Out on May Day

I've been down with fever, flu, and now, when I am about to recover...it is my friend the Coughing Bug, that is bugging me. *sigh* I have not been able to hit the gym for almost two weeks now; I am slacking. I wonder if that's the reason for all the ill luck I have been bestowed upon. Well, let's look at the bright side, I cannot do anything much but to rest on May Day. Oh well, at least if I can rest for a while, it will be all worth it.

My idea of rest is to Bake..haha.....and read my friends' blogs, emails and of course upload some pics to Flickr. Ili did most of the preparations for the cupcakes and a cake which I did for my dear lil' sister, Murni - hope she likes the cake I brought to her the day before. *wink*

Ili is getting good at making her own cupcakes - she can literally do it on her own. I think she can even bake me a birthday cake *hint* - *lol*.

Gotta go - leaving for my office..........*whooooshhhhhhhhh*

Biathlon

Nylie is a finisher....*Proud mummy* showing-off her medal.

I was nervous before the start of the Biathlon yesterday, I can see that Nylie was, too. Thank goodness the weather was good, not as scorching as in before we left home. My heart was beating so fast when Nylie and all the "Orange" cap category participants were standing at the Swim Start line BUT I am confident Nylie will race a good race. Indeed she did as breezily as the weather.

When I saw Nylie at the "Finish" red carpet..........I was ecstatic. Uyop was very happy too. He was so happy that he finishes Nylie's isotonic drink without even offering me.......*lol*

I am so proud of her, I think any mother in the world would be,,,,especially the ones like me who have never participated in any biathlon or triathlon before. Perhaps next time, I would.

Preparing to start...Numbering Nylie

Nylie at Swim Start Point looking pretty nervous...

My little girl swimming in the open sea.....what a challenge

Nylie at the finishing line.....*still manage a smile for mummy*

Gingerbread....is NOT a bread

I've bake this several times and still wonder why on earth they call it Gingerbread. Anyway, I've always love to bake Gingerbread simply bcos it's easy and entertaining to my taste buds....*grin*

Here's the the recipe :

1. 60gm butter • 100gm sugar • pinch of salt
2. 1 Egg
3. 170gm Golden syrup (it can be replaced with honey)
4. 460gm all purpose flour • 2 teaspoon Ginger powder • 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda

How to do it :

1. Mix #1 till well combined and then add in #2. Cream till smooth.
2. Add in #3 and #4 and mix till well blended.
3. Let it rest for 15 minutes. Then roll it to a 3-mm thickness and cut it into the required shape.
4. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes.
5. When it becomes cool, decorate with royal icing.

Royal Icing - 180gm Icing sugar and 1 egg white

Mix icing sugar and egg white till smooth and spreading consistency.

If you need a softer icing, add extra egg white and if you need a stiffer icing, add extra icing sugar. Add color if you wish.

Happy baking....

Week-end Retreat....

I went for a stroll at the beach near where I live, this bright sunny morning. I've somehow decided to go with a companion; my camera.!!

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and all....BUT instead of snapping, I just watch the peace around me, the sun shining on,......birds chirpping, saying hello to me, I guess...*smile*

I couldnt capture every moment with my camera; wish I could......I love this moment alone; surprisingly I did....so moments like this which is hard to come by for me these days...will be cherished in my head - no camera in the world can top that...*wink*

Never regret I took a turn to the park near the beach, after sending my children to their classes. Some pics I took this morning...............a welcoming sight *lol*

Later in the afternoon, my family and I shop a little and headed for home with my intention to bake Gingerbread.
We only started after dinner and finished baking like almost to bedtime....still I find time to blog....but really, my eye-lids are almost glued to each other............*sweet dreams*

Rain rain go away, come again another day......

little children wants to play and this mummy wants to go snapping *click click click*............BUT since it's already so late by the time the rain stopped, I just snapped whatever there is, that is appealing at that point in time... *lol*

Dyna's colourful M&M...

Slices of oranges bottled up

Fishball soup

Eggs in my fridge......

My subjects last nite were food....I still couldnt figure out but this pics just didnt turn out well...must go flickr and learn more from others, gotta go *)

Great Photographers are.....

.....those who see beyond what others do not. In my opinion...good camera helps but the "X-factor" will still be the person behind the lense. These past few days I browsed, looked at and admire some great shots from fellow "flickr" members........

Im still dazed after looking at some of those gorgeous, beautiful nice photos...and it dawn on me that there's so many talented people out there....and I have a lot to learn.....my journey has just begun.... *smile*

But anyway I wouldnt let anything goes by me...or a day without snapping anything at all. I took a snap of this deliciously baked fish just now and I guess I'll have to share the recipe of what I had.........and here goes :


Thai Style - Baked Fish with Sweet and Sour Sauce
3 pieces fish meat, 200g each
3 pieces kaffir lime leaves, shredded
3 banana leaves, 20x30 cm each

Grind the following ingredients into a paste :
200g tomatoes
50g red chillies
2 stalks lemongrass
1 stalk torch ginger seeds
30g garlic

Mix the above paste with the following :
50g sugar
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp fish sauce

And pour the mixtures onto fish meat. Mix well. Put 1 piece of fish meat on a greased banana leaf. Fold and wrap up both sides. Seal with a toothpick. Arrange on a baking tray. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes and serve.

It's a consolation to have the Thai baked fish after a tiring day.... well, it made me happy *wink*

Reflections....

of my mood and feelings. Some shots taken recently.....

Raindrops on my car's window pane


Engulfing Clouds - Submissive Moon

Reflection of the Sun - Thru my Lenses

A good friend called just to chat....; a woman of leisure that she is....envious to many, especially for people like me, who cannot afford that luxury - "TIME"!!

I knew at the back of my mind that somehow she misses working.,,*lol* (pacifying mode..hehe)

Reflections of my dear friends life, myself and families or people around me....have set me thinking and wishing that I could pursue my dream earlier. But hey...what the heck, Im blessed and pray that I will always be...and Im free to go SNAPping............HAPPY doing the things I do...and will continue doing.....*s•m•i•l•e*

By the way....Im sooooo happy now that Im this close to reaching my ideal weight - I am now 2kg down from where I started...*wink*