I am blessed.

1.

From Gard in Norway

My friend of 10 years, he never fails to send me a postcard from every country he visits.

2.

From Jo in China

I was moved to tears when I received these flowers. She knows exactly what I like.  And I miss her.

2.

Sushi Cakes from Kat in Abu Dhabi

We met through our blogs and became fast friends. She now lives in Abu Dhabi and is the only reason why I upload pictures on Photobucket (for the glorious “people” of Abu Dhabi).

3.

A Just Heavenly cake named after me which will be sold in the shops soon (Look out for Lyrical Lemongasp!)

I introduced myself to Nigel at a wedding fair last year. Some people hit it off immediately. We were two of a kind. When I expressed awe at the number of people who remembered my birthday, he said, “It’s because you are loved.”

4.

Good friends

A surprise phonecall from England from a blogger who is like a sister to me.

5.

Life for Beginners - lunch at Palette Palate

He wrote me a collection of stories last year, and a poem this year.

6.

Lemon yoghurt pistachio cake

Not too shabby for a beautiful day.

7.

Pavlova made with lemongrass and love

Two pavlovas, and three birthday posts from the man who knew exactly what to bake for me…my friend of the year.

8.

And my wonderful husband who threw me a surprise birthday party at Max! Kitchen & Wines. I was overwhelmed.  A six-course degustation menu enjoyed together with 18 friends.

Smoked Salmon, Artichokes and Sun-dried Capsicum

Sea Scallops marinated in Champagne Vinaigrette and Lobster Oil, charred Tuna Loin with King Crab Meat - White Anchovies Salsa

Warm Eel Fillet on Truffle Cremed Cuttlefish Ragout with a Melange of fresh Highland Herbs and Sea Trout Roe

River Water Farmed Yabbies, chargrilled in a Pernod laced Fennel Bulb - Tomato Broth

Parrot Fish Fillet on Parsley - Garlic Poached Clams served with Borlotti Beans and wilted English Spinach Leaves

Chicken Breast Roulade with Pumpkin Cannelloni, sauteed Sweet Peas and Shimeji Mushroom

9.

Most of all, I am thankful for the friendships that have been forged over the years.

I am blessed.

.
Credits: Photos 3 and 7 are by Fatboybakes. Photo 6 is taken by Nic (KHKL).

Mummy and botak me

What’s the obsession with the Number Three?
I must insist that it doesn’t suit me
I squeezed and I scrunched but could barely free
Any memory of turning thirty.

I can hardly sing, I didn’t win the grammy
I dance like a klutz, quite like a zombie
A philanthropist I’m not, I’m no Gandhi
I can’t bake although I worship Jamie.

Well the walk down the aisle must definitely be
The highlight of being two and thirty
And even then I almost nimbly
Did a somersault in my snugly tied saree.

My hairstyles have ranged from short to frizzy
My hair colour would have made Renoir envy
Isn’t it a mystery why as a baby
I was hairless and bald just like my hubby?

These were the years of discovery
New interests like painting and making jewellery
And then came blogging, my latest hobby
It was a match made in heaven, like me and Kenny.

I suppose I should count myself lucky
For weekend B^*ches like dear Hairy
Who spends a good hour or three
Explaining to me his love for KFC.

Dear God, when I grow to be forty
Let my boobs be big and firm and perky
Let my waist always be twenty three
Inches, not metres, possibly?

Oddly enough, I am not wrinkly
It must be the char siu I eat regularly
For fat is surely the instant remedy
No crow’s feet, but I’ve become rather pimply.

The elderly are definitely quite happy
Just look at my idol, F-B-Bee
I must be like him, benevolent and jolly
A baker of pavlovas most legendary.

Yes, age, welcome, I stand and greet thee
Take me, mould me, and keep me healthy
I’ve never been happier, this is my ecstasy
My present, my now, happy birthday to me.

Please sir, may I have some pavlova?

Topsy Curvy Brownie

In my household, Bald Eagle will attest to the fact that desserts aren’t really my thing. Given a choice, I’d always pick savoury over sweet. On the other hand, Bald Eagle is Kelantanese and everyone knows how much the Kelantanese like their sugar. (Opposites attract?) But the interesting thing is, when two people have been together for so long, their traits start rubbing off on each other, especially their mannerisms and their tastes. Sometimes they even start looking like each other. Which would be tragic in my case. It does take a certain head shape to be able to carry off the bald look and hey, we all know I’m not it.

Nowadays, I hardly say no to a good dessert (especially pavlovas). But Ochacha doesn’t carry pavlovas. Not many places carry good pavlovas. Sometimes, one has to beg good baker friends to make pavlovas for them.  Sometimes, one resorts to dropping broad hints.

U Call This Tiramisu (no seriously, that’s what it’s called)

Ochacha does carry a wide range of green tea desserts and beverages, though. The Ochacha Latte is a nice way to kick things off.  The brownie, I felt, despite having a strong chocolatey presence, had absolutely no matcha flavour despite the thick green cream. I had a lower expectation of the tiramisu as I was warned by a more seasoned patron of Ochacha that the green tea flavour was mild, but even he agreed that the tiramisu was good that day, with a good matcha flavour and a lovely creamy texture (despite the lack of alcohol). The moral of the story is that it is always good to approach a subject with an open mind instead of having preconceived expectations.

And sometimes, even chefs have bad hair days.

Ochacha Latte