Sweet & Funny

Well! What can I say...aren't they the sweetest! Cats are funny and interesting, and they sure have lotsa stuff up on their sleeves...errr...furry legs! We'll never know what they're really thinking,...sometimes...

But this video had me laughing off my seat!! LOL :)

Its easier to let go....But!

Laksa Mint Plant - June 08

Sometimes, its easier to just let go...

But I somehow just can't. Its too special, even though it doesn't look any sepcial. I still love it. I want it to grow. I want it nourished. Its a challenge.

Three weeks ago, a dear elderly lady gave me a plant. An herb. I already have it in my garden, in bushes. (Pic above) And I also have another potful. There is plenty. Too much for my own personal use. But I like this one.

When I got it, the leaves are big and healthy. Mine, maybe because of abundance, is getting smaller. I want it to be big, but I procastinate in nourishing it with fertilisers. I still am... .. Soon...!

I was happy to receive it. I place the pot in my frontyard, under the palm tree. I intend to find a better place for it and maintain its beautiful healthy state. Because its a gift.

Its not a new plant, I gathered. There are old twigs, and new branches sprouted from it. Sentimental value. So the challenge level is increasing.

However, last week, it was dying! Oh my gosh! I must have been neglecting it!

So during the weekened, I made a resolutuion to save the plant. I cut off the dying twigs, and leave those with some green leaves on. Then I took off the dired leaves from the remaining twigs. Next, pick off the weeds that is sprouting all over in the pot.

Water it well, morning and evening, or at least once a day. On hot days, towards evning, the plant is wilting, so another dash of watering needed. Spray it with organic food plant once.

I am happy today that the plant looked lively again! It wasn't as bushy as I first got it, but it looks life there's some life to it, again. New twigs are sprouting, the leaves greening, the stalks stand tall and strong.

My laksa mint plant.

With continous care, this will go back to its healthy bushy state better than when I received it!

Just like the hamsters and the turtles story. Two weeks ago, James the turtle looked weak. He's not been eating and growing, as compared to Colby. Sad to say, he died a few days later...

Colby, alone...

Then Almond the Hamster seemed to be following the same pattern. Weak and motionless. We were so worried. He looked like he's leaving us anytime now. But I am not giving up hope. Prayers and positive thoughts at this time, is the best answer. Visualisation that he will soon be climbing up the trail and play with the rolling wheels again. And to our delight, the next day, he started moving around, still weak. And the next day, he's back to his old self and climbed up the trail and started rolling on the wheels! He's back to his normal self!

Almond in the 'bathroom'!

Honey Bun and Tortie

Cats On Tuesday

Whenever it rains:

1. No need to water the plants

2. Easier to pick the weeds off later on

3. Honeybun will play inside. Here's one of her favorite toys....(actually its a basket cover..lol!)

And my sweet neighbour just dropped over to pass some of her homemade wheatbuns. It was lovely!

Warm bread and hot coffee. Life is a bliss..!

Apple Green at Work

Suddenly I am in the mood for baking.... And it happens one after another! Looks like I'm on a roll! Lol!

And I've added it as another interest or hobby. Must have something to do with some motivational reward? Apple Green?

See what's been cooking the last 3 days!

Potato Bread

Sugared Bread Rolls

This one needs no introduction.

Melting time...!

Gone in 15 minutes...!

Recipes are available upon request! Lol! (I'm serious...!)

Minty's Story

CATS ON TUESDAY

Mommy, are we done yet? I hate my bathtime.... Come on, lets get it over and done with! Get me outta here.....!!! This is the most yucky thing in the world!

Well, whadya looking at?? I am not happy! Stop laughing at me. Its Not funny!! Go watch something else.... like the goat-chasing ghost goat... ! Whatever!!

Mommy : Sorry friends, a bit out of topic. But I'm sure some of you will enjoy this piece.

Cheers!

World's Best Cat Mom Award

Wow! How do I start this? Let's see.....

Kareltje...., and you too Anya! I am so honoured to receive this award. You guys are so sweet!

My loves for cats started way back when I was a child. I practically grew up with cats around me. I don't remember my mom being a cat enthusiast, but I am pretty sure she was just kind enough to adopt visiting cats that in turn become permanent resident aka part of the family. In particular, my favorite was Peter and John. Once we had some visitor with two young boys who played with Peter and John. I somehow heard the adult conversation that these two loonies also loves cats and my aunt suggested that they can have them. I didn't wait any seconds longer....! I practically 'grabbed' my cats under their noses (hahah!) and took them to my room and locked the door until these people leaves. I survived a few generations of cats after that...

When I was in college, in a hostel, I adopted a female cat and we called her 'Gumiaow'. She was so adorable. She gave birth to 5 kittens and I was so estatic. I kept them in the store room and everyday I would take them to my room and play with them and Gumiaow. I really doted on them. However, one day, when I got home from class, my hostel mates was just looking at me, not saying a word. They didn't know how to break the bad news to me. The kittens were all eaten-up by the Tom cat! I cried so hard for more than two hours...! The minute I saw the Tom cat, I chased him out of the building with a broom and teary eyed. I was really 'violent' with 'murder' in mind...lol!

In the US as a student, my roomate and I illegally adopted a cat when we saw an advertisement for 'free kittens'. We were staying in a student apartment block where pets are not allowed. So we sneaked 'Titanic' in and secretly raised him to be a handsome tom cat. Titanic loves to race me to the bathroom. He prefers to do his 'thing' first before I shower. The only problem was his poo was really stinky for a few minutes that I had to wait before I can go in the bath. And he would only do it after I wake up, and no sooner. So we always raced to the bathroom. Sometimes I win, and he will scratch the door from outside. But when he wins, which is most of the time, because he runs faster, he would then come out with a smirk on his face, telling me, haha... you lose! One day, I tricked him by quietly sneaking out of the room while he still asleep, thinking I can get the the bath first. So the first time, I win. He scratched the door. But on the second day, he got smarter. I sneaked out again, quietly not waking him up, but upon reaching the bath door, he realised I was up and quickly ran into the bath before I can close it...ggggrrrr! That goes on until the day we parted when I graduated and went home. My remaining friends took care of him.... :(

There are other cats! But too many to be telling about them all here. Maybe next time. But then again, you will be hearing about my Oreo, Minty and Honeybun adventures and misadventures and funny stuff for now.

So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my furball friends, namely Peter and John, Gumiaow, Titanic, Sheera, Miki, Smokey, Candy, Toffee, Pepsi, Muffin, and all the rest, some are nameless, some I forgot the names (but too few to mention...). Most of them were no longer around, except for Sheera and Toffee, which I have no idea of their whereabouts since they never come back. You are dearly missed, but your memories will stay in my heart...

Also not to forget my dearies who are here that light up my life, Oreo, Minty and Honeybun. You guys are so special to me, and in different ways, but I love you all the same.

To Anya and Kareltje, thank you so much for this award. You are such a sweet with loving hearts and caring soul, and I would like to also award you with this very same World Cat Mom award. Yes, you are also a receipient! Thanks again, dears! :)

Edited: Hello Friends.
I just realised that I can actually award this Cat's Best Mom Award to a few other friends and spread the joy and fun further!!

1. Gattina
2. Katztales
3. Julie
4. Mo
5. Tricia
6. Luna
7. Catsynth
8. Snowflake
9. Obsidian Kitten
10. And any cat moms who happen to drop by!

Have fun furriends!

Confession of an Amateur Bread Maker

Haa..haa....the topic does sounds heavy! Heavy as the bread...no, just kidding!

My first time ever baking bread. I've done cookies and cakes, but first time in bread making.

Somehow its not as hard as I woul have imagined. It is much simpler than a cake, provided you get over all the jargon ingredients like high protein flour, shortening, and yeast.

Officiating the new mixer!

The buns before it doubles in size.

In the hot oven.

Hot from the stove, and a spread of butter topping.

The finished product

ROTI NAIK / Buns
Source: MamaFami Blog

Ingredients :

700g high protein flour
50g shortening
200g lukewarm water
200g evaporated milk/fresh milk
100g castor sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 packet instant yeast (11g)
2 nos egga bit of margarine

Method :
1. Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Add in yeast, sugar, salt and eggs. On the mixer.
2. Pour in evaporated milk and lukewarm water a bit at a time until just mixed.
3. Add in the shortening and continue kneading till a soft and smooth dough is formed. Add more water if needed.
4. Make into one round ball and leave to prove till double the size.
5. Punch down the dough to release air and make into small balls. Arrange in a greased pan and let it prove again till double the size.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 C for 20 to 30 minutes.
7. Once out of the oven, brush the top with margarine. Serve with curry or serikaya or jam or whatever to your likings.

Verdict:

I think my bread has like 85-90% success rate.
Nothing wrong with the recipe. Its a tested and proven recipe. What I didn't do right:
1.Its not as fluffy as it should be. Maybe because it did not let the dough in the mixer long enough. Hey...this is my first time! Later I discovered you need to knead for about 9-10 minutes.
2. I missed out the salt as I was distracted when measuring the amounts of various ingredients. ..haha
3. Infact, I added the shortening earlier with other ingredients, and upon realising my mistake, took it out with all the flour and yeast stuck to it...hahaha. Then put it back again later.
4. I was a bit panicked when I saw the bread browning faster than I thought it should be. So I meddled with the temperature and the heat distribution of the oven. I even opened the oven door to take a peek or two. Once, I took the tray out and put it in back. Lol!

Overall, its ok, a bit crusty on the top, but inside is soft, but still not feathery as I'd like it to be. No worries. This morning we had this as breakfast with butter and kaya. Later I'll fix some chicken curry for tea.

I am so proud of myself...haha...! And it'll be better the next time... Cheers! :)