BAKING CLASSES & OTHER FUN STUFF

June 25 

Decided to sign up for a baking course with Catherine (who I fondly nicknamed 小猫 or Little Cat).  We've known each other since, like 1990 (or thereabouts).  Now, we'll be stuck in the same class for three consecutive Wednesdays.  We're making use of our SkillsFuture credits supported by the Singapore government so the entire course is free!

In the first class, we learnt to make two emerald-coloured cakes - Pandan Chiffon Cake, and Ondeh Ondeh Cake.

We started by working together one cake batter, then split it into two to bake and decorate invididually.

We were supposed to whip the egg whites to a medium peak.  Instead, we beat it to a stiff peak!

July 2

Learnt to make Chocolate Cupcake with Choc Buttercream, and Lychee Rose Cheesecake.  It eez very French (think Ispahan by Pierre Hermé).  I thought the cheesecake looked quite stunning.  Unfortunately, Little Cat said it looked like an Onion Cake!

July 3

Ate French-Alsatian  food with Joycelyn at the homey La Table d’Emma.  Ooooh such fine quality food.  The food is very rich so I'd probably only come back in another five months or so.  One cannot have too much of a good thing.

July 9

Exam Day in SSA Culinary Institute.  Revisited recipes for Ondeh Ondeh Cake, and Choc Cupcake with Buttercream.  

I don't get this.

**

Our neighbourhoods are now overrun with chickens.  

I had feared that sparrows might have become extinct.  I'm so pleased to still spot a number of them during my morning walks these past weeks.  

Fav pics:

 

放下 (一)

人生最大的痛苦不是失去了什么

而是我们执着于某些事物无法释怀

一念执着万般皆苦 

一念放下便是重生 

当你决定放弃一个人或一件事情时 

其实是放下了自己内心的执念 

终于放过了自己。

GOING FRENCH - A LOVE LETTER FROM ALSACE

A long catch up with Joycelyn over lunch.  Got treated to French food @La Table D'emma.  As you may (or not) know, I've been eating less dairy over the past year.  However, I think the quality of the food in La Table D'emma is worth every allergy reaction.  LOL. 

My favourite was their Rustic Ratatouille Parmentier. I'm not much of a food writer - all I can say is substantial, hearty and so comforting to eat.  The fact that the stew was piping hot it arrived at the table really brought out the freshness and sweetness of the vegetables.  I think I'll remember this ratatouille for a long time to come.  

Rode the bus home.

Spotted a lost chick.

Dark clouds shielded the sunset.

不求圆满

人生一定不要太追求圆满 

人旺财不旺 财旺人不旺 

人财两旺寿不长 

所以人生最好的状态就是求缺不求全 

而且求全一定要加上委屈这两个字 

因为委屈才能求全 

所以福不可享尽 留三分给子孙 

利不可占尽 舍三分给别人 

功不可贪尽 让三分给他人 

这也就是所谓的自古人生最忌满 

半贫半富半自安 

人生哪能多如意 万事只求半称心 

人生总有遗憾 不能过分强求。

ABLAZED

The sky is on fire.