Being domestic

9 months back in Singapore, I miss being domestic most!

I was used to a life where I did most meals home cooked. Past few months have been nomadic, though I have enjoyed home cooked meals at mom’s place, but to me, meal time is one of my important avenues to build a family culture. Without having meals at home, I feel some what displaced and cannot orientate my life properly. I feel the lack of space and opportunity for that magical connection that can take place, with my hubby, my kid (hopefully will turn plural in time to come).

I actually look forward to rush home from work so that I can whip a meal so that our little family can unwind over the dinner table. Nothing spectacular, just a nice simple warm meal. Thereafter, I think we can be re-energised, be it spending some quality family time or catch up some work or head off for ministering/meetings.

This, I hope will be in near future. I can’t wait to move into our new place. To gratify myself a little, I decided to pen down what I usually need in my little pantry.

What should be in my pantry:

Oil

- normal cooking oil (canola)

- olive oil

- grape seed oil

- sesame oil

Chinese sauces

- light soya

- dark soya

- vinegar

- Chinese cooking wine

- Steam fish soya sauce

Others:

- balsamic vinegar

- tomato paste

- white/red wine when needed

- seasoning herbs – Rosemary, thyme, basil and parsley

- stand-by udon/egg noodles; dried pasta

- onions

- garlic

In the fridge:

- olive butter

- Goma salad dressing

- Fresh herbs will be nice

- Sambal chili

- Eggs

- Pre chopped up garlic (do up in batches)

Freezer:

All pre packed into portions

- bones for soup

- lean pork

- chicken thighs with and without bones

- mince beef

- fish (portioned) – either cross section cut up, big fish tail

Vegetables and fruits on the go

The Before~After shots

We engaged a plumber to do some minor changes to our bathrooms. He did his job, but left us quite a bit of mess. Basically he literally did his job, but destroyed things around. So, God taught us patience and grace, and more than that an opportunity to learn some DIY renovations. Got some tips from a friend, some tips from a DIY book (that came at such a blessing too), read labels and spoke to some attendants at Bunnings, we had our first attempts at cementing, tiling, grouting and all the works that came along with it. Here's some before and after shots :)

::Before::

He changed the sink and ripped out the table top as well

::After::

Tiled up the area around it (along with water proofing, glue, tiles, grout, seal ...)

There was also the other bathroom which we had to cement and fill up a huge hole under the sink, pictures didn't look too impressive so haha, we will leave it out :)

Breaking the silence :)

I finally picked up my brushes and dug out my acrylics sometime last week again. I have been wanting to paint for my parents as a combined Birthday cum Christmas present for them. Sometimes it's really hard to get something for them considering that they have almost everything. I themed this painting "Love transcends", an old volks wagon van, better termed as "Mian Bao Che" (vehicle shaped like a loaf of bread), old but well loved model. I never fail to wow at them each time i spot them on the streets. With 2 little love birds sitting on the old cable. This painting was inspired because i know my dad just loves vintage looking paintings. Just a little something that hopefully they will like! :) i really enjoyed myself tho.

Rendevous

Ever since i read about Ailing's Nasi Padang in Batam, I started really craving for Rendang. I really miss this place in Rendevous hotel, Singapore. Its this place called Rendevous Hock Lock Kee . This place serves really sumptiouslicious Rendang. My fave is the Chicken Rendang, the Chilli Egg, Sambal Brinjal and Sambal Sotong. It used to be located in City Hall before it moved back to Hotel Rendevous along Bras Basah Road. Pa used to ta bao back for us packs of the food and we will be digging in at the comforts of home. Then when I grew up, I started introducing all my chilli lover friends Yetty and Xiaode to it and we love it. Even people like Jiajia and Vicky who used to only eat the non spicy stuffs got converted there. The Chicken Rendang sauce is those finger lick'in clean kind. We finish every single drop of it. The Brinjal, is smooth and the sambal is so frangrant. Such food makes plain rice taste exceptionally good and every single mouth-ful satisfying. I remembered once when I was back in Singapore for holidays, Pa and I went to order while Ma waited at the table. She was totally shocked to see the amount we ordered. And as usual, we finished every bit. Now my mind is racing madly how i can satisfy my Nasi Padang cravings. This place is a MUST TRY.