RETIREMENT

 

"The time has come," the Chilli Crab said, "to be good to yourself."

随缘

万事皆有因果

一切的苦乐都是外缘

荣辱与祸福

皆是前世的孽

现在虽有 

缘尽又归于无

所以得之不喜 失之不忧

一切随缘

GONE FISHING

We grieve because we have loved.

A young sage once told me that grief comes and goes in waves. It has been a month but still grief hadn't caught up.

I remember vividly the day I sent him into the nursing home. I had cried buckets. I still do, whenever I remember that day. After that day I started to see him everywhere - on the bench below our flat, in the coffee shop (that he once visited every morning), while crossing the street ... my heart ached for him then.

Strangely, I don't miss him as much now. After all, he is in a better place. A few people have asked me whether he has appeared in my dreams. My answer is "No, I think he might have gone fishing."

RIP, DAD!

Dad passed away on the 12th of August 2024 at age 95.  Coincidentally, it was also my maid's birthday.  Before I left for work in the morning, I her given her a red packet for good luck.  I'm so glad that I remembered!

Dad's funeral took place on Thursday the 15th, and his ashes was put to rest in Peck Shan Theng yesterday, the 16th.

In 2001, Dad had the foresight of pre-purchasing two columbarium niche for Mum and himself.  Did you know that the word "columbarium" comes from the Latin word "columba", which means "dovecote" or "nesting place of doves"?

Doves represent new beginnings.  

Death, some believe, is also a new beginning.

APPRECIATING

I've always said I don't like flowers.  But who can say "No" to such a lovely bouquet?  It is so massive, it won't fit into a single frame!

Thanks, Annette Male!  I'll miss you.

AU REVOIR

French Kiss by Huebucket

I wish you bluebirds in the spring

To give your heart a song to sing

And then a kiss, but more than this

I wish you love

FRESHLY BAKED

Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread in the morning.  

Last night, I made the dough and left it the fridge for the final proof.  

Up at 7:30 this morning to bake bread but Mum sent me on an errand.  Before I headed out, I removed the dough from the fridge and set it on the dining table to thaw.

Shoved the pan inside a pre-heated 200 degrees C oven at around 8:30AM.  

Got to eat hot, buttery homemade tear-apart butter buns before 9.  How cool is that?

Mum says the bread has "good flavour".  Thanks to the overnight fermentation of the dough.

Bread dough: 250 grams Casarine flour, 1 packet (5 grams) Shirakami Kodama Koubo, 25 grams caster sugar, 2.5 grams salt, 110 grams milk, 70 grams water, 25 grams butter

Filling: 45 grams butter (5 grams x 9)

Check chillicrabkitchen out on Instagram!