Chinese Ritual Ceremony for 4 Month old babies.....

A cleanly shaven head for Franklin

The Marie Biscuit Necklace

A Hokkien Custom. 

Where marie biscuit were threaded with red thread 

and hung around the baby's neck.

It is believed that by doing so it will help keep drooling at bay.

Franklin was already drooling like the Niagara Falls,

so I thought, 

if this would ever work, 

it would save us from a load full of bib washing!

We had to wipe the marie biscuit on Franklin's drool lips,

then chant in hokkien,

"wipe dry dry"

Then here comes the gross part.

We had to EAT the marie biscuit!!!

Good food awaits.....

Rubbing Spring Onions in his Gums.

Our hopes for him to grow smart and bright.

Gum-ing on the delicious roasted drumstick.

Symbolizes that his life will be filled with many good fortune.

I wonder if everyone did the same rituals for their 4 months old baby. 

Or was your any difference from ours?

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Since we all Survived the Mayan Apocalypse.

It was definitely not the end of the world,

and life has to go on.....

Wishing everyone
 great health,
abundance wealth
and everlasting happiness.

Merry Christmas
and
Stupendous New Year Ahead!! 

Supporting our Community: Oceanus Residence Committee's Christmas Party

Sometimes it is sad to see some people living their lives 

not knowing who their next door neighbors are, 

despite the fact of us becoming more and more densely populated. 

Many Hdb dwellers have chosen to live their lives behind closed doors, 

confined to only 4 walls. 

Minding their own businesses.

I hope that people could rekindle the old kampung-ish kinda spirit.

Where neighbors get together more often to socialize.

Always ready to lend a listening ear or even a helping hand whenever needed.

I've always enjoyed attending events 

organized by the Punggol Residence Committee.

I love seeing my kids mingling around with other kids in the same neighbourhood 

and getting to know them.....

Today's Christmas party was organized by 

Oceanus Residence Committee.

I love Christmas. 

It is by my definition, 

the BEST time of the year!

What is a party without a magic show?

I am sure that's not Santa Clause!

But he was sure the most popular man for the night in the kiddie's perspective.

Since he was always seen with a bag full of goodies!

Hiroshi very busy entertaining the crowd.

With his most-of-the-time-out-of-tune rendition of 

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

I am sure they will all grow up to be great karaoke buddies!

Popping Popcorn

We all had fun!

Kids on Sugar High!

See you in the next RC party!

Merry Christmas

and have a great fatabulous year ahead!!!!

Sponsored Review: Fat Fish Thai Steamboat Restaurant

I've always loved the notion of steamboat buffets.

Especially so on cold rainy days.

They are like comfort food for the stomach,

warming both hearts and souls.

We were invited to food tasting at Fat Fish Steamboat Restaurant.

Conveniently tucked near the main entrance of Ehub! at Downtown East,

You wouldn't miss it for it's attractive store front.

Since we wanted to experience both the 

Special Chicken Soup Base 

and Signature Tom Yam Soup. 

we choose to have our steamboat yin-yang style!

Judging from the looks of our soup base served up to us,

we weren't optimistic about it's taste.

But, we were proven wrong.

Humbling ourselves.

Learning to not judge a book by it's cover.

Special Chicken Soup Base;

a full bodied clear broth, 

adding a tinge of sweetness once it touches the palate.

Signature Tum Yam Soup;

It does taste like it was done from scratch!

Flavorful, but yet not overwhelming .

It turns out, 

they really did have a Thai Head Chef 

with over 30 years of dedicated experience 

cooking up this yummy Tom Yam broth fresh everyday!

Signature Fragrance Chilli Sauce

I have tasted nothing like this in my life!

Die Die MUST Have!

Sauce Galore!

Premium Items

ltor: Fish Glue, Fish Maw, Sea Cucumber, Scallop & Kurobuta

Fish Glue is apparently PURE fish paste.

The "correct" method of handling this delicate dish is to give it a hot bath.

Handmade Chicken Ball and Pork Meat Ball

A Must-Have in Every Steamboat Buffet Menu.

Fresh Succulent Prawns!

Thinly sliced Pork Belly & Thinly sliced Pork Collar

Simple Yong Tau Foo

Beef Fillet & Thinly Sliced Beef

They even have see-ham!!!

Satisfied my cravings.

Dip this into the Signature Fragrance Chilli Sauce;

A match made in Heaven!!!

Assorted Vegetables and Mushrooms

However, please note that drinks are NOT inclusive in this buffet.

Our personal favorite drinks were the Pink Guava and Kalamazi.

Overall dinning experience was pleasant.

Staffs were friendly and helpful.

Cozy Environment,

Perfect for Gatherings!

Outlets

Ehub@Downtown East #01-103/104, 519599

Sembawang Shopping Centre #B1-12,  S758459

Opening Hours

11.30am to 10.30pm

Promotional Price

Adult: $25.90++

Child: $12.90++

Additional Surcharge of $3 during Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 

Eve of Public Holiday and Public Holidays.

Want food that warms your heart and Soul this Christmas?

Head down to Fat Fish @ Ehub!Downtown East today.

 And have yourselves a Belly Happy Christmas!!!

Wordless Wednesday {linky party}: Holiday Withdrawal Syndrome | Week 51

We've just gotten back from our annual family vacation in Munich.

Already missing the beautiful, culture rich city!

Festive Fare BlogTrain | Roast Rack of Lamb

I love roast lambs. 

I'll always have them on my Christmas Party Menu. 

Belly Happy Guest would usually ask for them year after year 

and I am happy to oblige.

Here is the recipe for our Roast Rack of Lamb.

It's in fact a no brainer.

At times, 

Less is more.....

Especially when it comes to Lambs.

(Marinate 1 Night in Advance.)

2 racks of lambs; trimmed & frenched

Fresh Rosemary

Olive Oil

Few cloves of Garlic

 Salt and Pepper to taste.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

2. Sear the rack of lamb in a skillet

3. Bake in the oven until brown on top and medium rare in the center.

About 20-25mins.

I usually like to bake by placing seasonal vegetables 

at the bottom of the rack of lamb.

After the lamb is ready,

take out the lamb 

but further bake the vegetables for another 10mins.

There you have it.

Yummy Roasted Rack of Lamb.

It will goes really well with Baked potatoes too!

Easy Peasy Cheaterbug "baked" Potatoes

1. wash potatoes 

2. use fork poke many many "ventilation holes" in potatoes 

3. wrap potatoes in paper hand towel and moist it 

4. Microwave it! (1200w microwave)
small potatoes 3-4 mins, medium potatoes 5-6 mins big potatoes 7-8 mins 

5. remove paper hand towel, wrapped potatoes in foil. 

6. put in my mini toaster oven and bake for 15 mins.

This post is part of a Festive Fare BlogTrain.

A series of mommy bloggers each sharing their favorite dish for this festive season!

Tomorrow, Jayne Chua,
a photographer and hobbyist writer, a mother of three kids
 will be sharing her recipe on
"Blue Cheese Creamy Mussels"
 on her blog.

(http://jaynechua.com)

Winner of $30 NTUC Vouchers

Many thanks to all 

who had participated in this giveaway.

Congratulation Sam! 

Representative from NTUC will be in touch with you shortly

I am an NTUC U Family Blog Champion, 

and the above giveaway was made possibe with compliments from U Family. 

U Family is a community that advocates the building of strong and happy families 

 by championing work-life integration for working families. 

Be part of U Family, 

 and be the first to know about their many unique activities. 

Sign up here 

 and get a welcome gift too 

(while stock last).

Magical Moments @ Horizon | A Storytelling Workshop

Yet another well organized event 

by Parents Connect 

of Horizon Primary School.

Hiroshi has been looking forward to this event ever since we registered for it.

The agenda seems like a day of fun, 

filled with plenty of opportunities to keep the kids occupied.

Kids were encouraged to dress up to the theme of "Magical Moments".

And Hiroshi choose to turn up as 

Hiroshi; the Neverland Pirate.

Hey Matey!

We started off the morning with a book talk 

by local author Otto Fong.

Amazing Author that Revolutionize the Learning of Science.

Former Teacher of Raffles Institute, 

is the author of Sir Fong's Adventures in Science.

A comic series that uses cartoon to teach science.

Book Sale with Attractive Discounts!

First Story of the day 

was Presented by Aunty Irene Lim.

The Wolf who Cried Boy.

Amusing Story.

The ending of the story was also deliberately left out 

for us to brainstorm 

for our very own creative endings!

Hiroshi totally enchanted by the story tellers!

We had a Special Celebrity Guest Appearance;

Abigail Chay

I like her character when she acted as Aunty Abigail 

in Under One Roof 

many many donkey years ago! 

Where she wailed loudly on top of her cup of tea then asked 

"why my tea so salty?!?!?"

Abigail mesmerizing the kids with magic show!

Aunty Avelyn read the second story of the day.

The Boy from the Dragon Palace.

It teaches one to be contented with what they already have in life.

When the kids tried to snort like the boy from the dragon palace,

Magical things happened.....

It rained candy canes!

Aunty Tracie read our last story of the day.

Oh! What a Christmas!

Kids pretending to fly.

Helping Santa to get his sleighs flying, 

so that he is able to deliver all the presents in time.

Time to get crafty.

In the process of making our very own

Magical Snow Globe.

Beautiful DIY Snow Globes

What did you wished for this Christmas?

We sang Silly Christmas Songs;

The Reindeer Pokey.

The event ended in a perfect note 

with Mrs Ang the Principal 

giving away Christmas goodies to everyone!

We truly enjoyed ourselves.

And we are already looking forward to the next Parent Connect event!

This is what a little imagination could get you.

The possibilities are endless.

My $2 Diaso Reindeer Hairband 

& Awesome Makeup Skills 

made me 

Irene the red nose DIVA reindeer!

Wishing "deer" readers
Merry Christmas in advance!