THE PRISTINE GREENS OF BORNEO: Joy In Looking & Comprehending Is Nature's Most Beautiful Gift...

The gift of nature: Banana petals. Pretty yet edible :)

The pristine greens of Borneo, where one may observe the sun greeting the mountains on a daily ritual, a cycle that replenishes and regenerates and teaches all of us again on the virtues of patience and simplicity. It is all about a new mandate of fresh trust a new day brings; a trust in us to do what’s best.

The heavens have not given up.

“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” - Henry David Thoreau

Back in wonderful then, humanity was simpler. We compete less commercially, and dare I say that the world was a simpler place in time? Absolutely; it truly was simpler.

I blog simply to reach out and make new friends and to share with precious similar others what ever bits and few I may have for such a resolve, to learn and share. But they say to dish out advice is to judge, and so I would refrain as much from both mannerism.

And there is no trade or employment but the young man (& woman),

 following it may become a hero. – Walt Whitman…

Interweaving of meandering thoughts; “Hats off to the Wonderful Men & Women of Air Asia!” Over the weekend & the recent holiday breaks, we hosted visiting friends in tri-city JB, KL and KK, and all I can say is, they gave very tall observations for Air Asia friendliness and casual welcoming approach in their travel itinerary. Truly, Air Asia is in a class of its own, and I am very proud to say that this is a Malaysian innovation! Their jobs may look easy and simple, that’s because their professionalism and friendliness all bundled into one, has created a cozy outlook of the trade in service to nation.

Here is a quick montage of a misty early morning approach and landing in Sultan Ismail International Airport Johor Bahru. All fun and friendly, in the light and smiles of wonderful Air Asia no less :)

Home again. Even though I am not an IT savvy person, nevertheless I have been a close observer ever since the early days of its mass commercial inception. I gather from observance of the trade, it has always been one issue that defines the endless parameters of refining internet services, and that is the issue of internet security. The internet has evolved from simple cash register applications, into mass dot.com communication applications, into borderless banking, and finally a successful integration into the mobile communication platforms, moving the human mass with our hand held mobile devices. 

Spicy Banana Petals Salad (Kerabu Jantung Pisang) with Spanish Mackerel (Ikan Tenggiri).

Saving the best for last: Kak Pah, my other-half asyik duk ingatkan "Bila nak ambil jantung pisang buat kerabu Kak Pah? :)" This is the most we could do :) Memang sedap! Sorry lambat sikit :) Hehe.... understaffed  at Deliah's Deli :)

With satellite navigations, and as advance and progressive the internet may consistently evolved itself into, but left is the one issue which has remained stoic in its assault over the internet community, and that has always been matters regarding to its safety and security.

I would not be getting into complex matters of internet security. I would like to touch on the simple aspect of internet safety, and that is our personal safety. Would you walk up to a stranger and share your family album with them? But on the internet, a few seems to have shared and exposed everything with the world already…why?

A puzzle that beggars understanding, existing in-between internet and reality that has deceived and eluded some into believing falsely the virtual internet is not “real” and it’s all only an innocent foray into the great virtual unknown. Alas, reality shall assail such innocence less we respect it first.

The one about safety. You close and locked your gates, then you switch “ON” the alarm system as defense against any possible intruders and you try to sleep soundly at night…but you still can’t. One bump and you are up already, checking and double checking on security and looking out into the dark of night from the safety of your caged and locked homely environment. But even then you still worry; because you know that the notion of total safety is completely false…

High up, nevertheless precious water bringing us back to uncomplicated basic again; with the entire half empty and all the half full…leaning against the bigger picture…and Who’s actually observing us higher? The more you have the bigger the trust, the more you owe the higher the stakes and the taller the heights…

A good name is much better than great new riches. I was visiting a home which caters to special children recently. The link for one of these homes is here, you may click here to assist them. A poor and lonely child may read innocently and suddenly looks down upon his tattered shoes in light of your scattered millions. Humbled and crumpled becomes his heart, in a labyrinth of inferiority complex he staggers away…

“Blogging in good faith”, and praises would be what the blogging angels would like to have thought, but greatly missing was good faith.  

Make a change, reach out in love and create love where you’ve touched. It is never too small and insignificant, it is always much needed and it even expunges centricity.

Hush, voices carry; keep the golds and millions quietly for those who have above us who don't, think of safety on this open hunting ground for once, and remember; the lack of judgments derides the neighbors and spools desperations into greed…

In the context of safety: Do we really know who our virtual neighbor is? My point exactly.

SALAM EID UL'ADHA 1432 HIJRAH TO ALL

A special time to ponder, a blessed time to honor all the sacrifices around us, a time to reach back again to all the familiar faces who have paved and made way for us, and yes; ever always a right time to give back upon all the blessings. Subhanallah.

HOME for the celebrations.

I dedicate this posting to the many wonderful bloggers I have come to know here. Mainly, maternal and much beloved KAK PAH (IBUNDO),  who keeps the delicate balance here with her straight from the heart scribes, ZARIN, PUAN ROS, KZAI, NAZ, JUWITA and SUZI who has since gone to the cyber banks :), PETE & ANN; far but near at heart, DEBBIE my dear friend from so long ago and friendly AKHEELA in Toronto.

Warmest regards to PUAN LIZA and family of Taman Melawati KL, whom we had the chance to meet again in KL Sentral Terminal recently (and by chance after nearly 15 years! :). The very best in her bakery ventures! :)

Deliah’s Deli would be going on a sabbatical for the time being. Would like to blog again one day soon Insyallah. Terima kasih, thank you, grazie, gracias, shukran.

Hargailah segala kurniaan-Nya dengan serendah hati kita  beserta keimanan yang ikhlas.

Pixels of all images are wallpaper sized, free for sharing.

Just click on image and then click "Save Image As".

THE PRISTINE GREENS OF BORNEO: Joy In Looking & Comprehending Is Nature's Most Beautiful Gift...

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2011 :)

The Moat :)

The famous journalist Sydney J. Harris had once proclaimed: "The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." 

Yes, he was right. All we do is merely to impart knowledge and understandings of the world into young inquisitive minds and makes them see themselves and the world around them much better. 

Sometimes the loads become heavy and sometimes light, but at all given times it has been pleasurable no less!

Alas, sometimes I get too forgetful and just completely forget the going-on/happenings around me other than my work. I am quite sure we all do that at one time or another.

First and foremost, congratulations to the graduating class of 2011.

The first thing that strikes me about education is the knowledge we gained from it. A good education works both ways and a good educator would eventually “be educated” as well, with each passing batch of graduates that moves under her or his tutelage. Education gives us that added perspective of looking at things in life. 

It helps us construct opinions and it gives us a new dimension of understandings at life. Many debate over the subject of whether “is education in classrooms and text books the only thing that gives knowledge”.

I personally think that educations come to us from every points and corners we may touch in life. It is one big endless circle of giving and taking. Education is the process of gaining information about the surrounding world, but knowledge is something quite very different. 

Knowledge comes after education.

They both shall work in tandem, to assist us into charting the future.  We gather every bits of knowledge from all sources of educations around us. 

But then again, we cannot convert that inputs into an understandings of knowledge without educations. Thus the circle becomes complete; of giving and taking.

That’s why I have always said that when we enrolls in to college or university for a specific tertiary education, we are merely polishing our natural instinct and gifts; our natural inborn instinct and gifts.

Your vocation learned, is God’s gift to the world and humankind through your minds, your hands and your polished passion. Each of us have that gift for man and woman kind, and it is up to us to deliver that gift. It has been entrusted to us from our Maker and we cannot fail such a request. 

Therefore, beyond these walls and lectures, into your future, be your passionate best at your vocation. Always be humble in educating, always appreciate the power of their inquisitive minds. Rich or poor, we come under one in seeking knowledge.

Congratulations and Happy Graduations All!

“Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive: easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.” – Henry Peter Brougham

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2011 :)

GIVING NATURE A DIGITAL HELPING HAND...(not that she needs it though :)

 Venue: The Splendor of Mount Kinabalu Malaysia...

Hi and good morning, buongiorno!   

Sometimes in the beauty of creations, the thought is already there…

but it gets a bit slow in deliverance…

you know, the winds, the drafts, kismet and all…
God knows best.

Something spectacular with a bigger beautiful meaning… 

in the impatience of good intention and digital wizardry...

I slightly “Photoscaped” this one… 

And done affectionately though…

To remind all on the beauty and magnificence of nature and creations :) 

Well anyway, here’s some more beautiful QUOTE on beauty to share with all :)

If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere

Vincent Van Gogh

If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. - Ancient Chinese Proverb

The creation of beauty should offer a diverse opportunity filled with the fragrance of tolerance so that many can use their own tastes and definitions. - Ralf Nader

The beauty of women is like the beauty of flowers… there are many kinds, and yet each has unique beauty to offer. - Author Unknown

True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul

It is the caring she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows

And the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows. - Audrey Hepburn

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. - Franz Kafka

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE!

(IP rights waived; all images herein this posting are free for sharing in good use).

GIVING NATURE A DIGITAL HELPING HAND...(not that she needs it though :)

NEW DEALS, NEW MEALS :)

Spicy Tom Yam, Deep Fried Batter Prawns With Kai-lan in Oyster Sauce and White Rice.

Short note: New line-ups of healthy meals with the new and pleasantly friendly dining hall operators at my work place :)

All being well, may this one maintains their standards and keeps the pricing reasonable. The menu is sizzling hot and quick to the order and it is aptly priced too and everyone seems very happy :)

Good luck and good prosperity to them :)

NEW DEALS, NEW MEALS :)

A TRIBUTE TO A VISIONARY: STEVE JOBS, Apple Computers Inc.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolence, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

A TRIBUTE TO A VISIONARY: STEVE JOBS, Apple Computers Inc.

FREEDOM FROM WANT: An Inspiring Read.

This is a true inspiring story of a young lady who faced and overcame all hardship and obstacles in beating the odds out of homelessness on the cold ruthless streets of New York to prestigious Harvard University.

Just like how we need food for our body; good healthy food to keep us fit and trim, we also need at certain times food for our minds and passion that comes in the lines of touching and inspirational sayings, words in a form of a story, a quote or poem that lifts you up and makes you feel restored both spiritually and conceptually.

This story below was forwarded to me by a colleague at work and I have read it earlier on and found it to be most powerfully written by the young writer Liz Murray. You may click HERE on your computer to go to the original site at Readers’ Digest or you may just read the story below. 

I do not own any rights to the story (it belongs to Readers’ Digest) and if I may have inadvertently breached any statute copyrighted materials, please email me and I would promptly take down this “copy & paste” posting with much apologies.  

Remember; always go to READERS' DIGEST for a whole lot more of good reading!

The Kindness of Hundreds of Strangers Lifted Her from Homeless to Harvard.

In 1997, I found myself in a situation I never thought I’d be in: alone and begging for money in New York. I was 16, homeless, and desperately searching for a high school that would let me enrol after years of truancy.

My father had been estranged from our family for a while, and though I knew he was in a nearby men’s shelter, he was in no position to help. My mother had recently died from complications related to AIDS, and I’d spent the few months since her death sleeping in friends’ homes or on a staircase landing in some random building in the Bronx.

What I remember most about such nights is lying on the cold marble floor and using my backpack for a pillow, my worn out flannel shirt draped over me to dim the unrelenting fluorescent lights. I’d listen as the sounds of families echoed up to me in the staircase – children calling out for their parents, TVs playing cartoons, dinner plates clanking – all the sounds of life that transform an apartment into a home.

To deal with the isolation, I escaped into daydreams. With my eyes shut, I would envision my family together again: snapshots of Ma alive and the way she’d get those little lines around her eyes whenever she laughed really hard, and the four of us – Ma, Dad, my sister Lisa, and me – safe under one roof again. But the most vivid daydreams were about my future.

I would see myself sitting in school, diligently taking notes. I’d see myself walking across a university campus filled with tall stone buildings drizzled in autumn leaves, my attention focused as I walked briskly to class. The feelings of safety, belonging and hope helped soothe me to sleep.

My life today bears no resemblance at all to my life then. I graduated not only from high school but also from Harvard University. I no longer wear tattered clothes or sleep in hallways. Instead, I am safe each night in my own apartment in Manhattan. And my passion for the past 11 years has been to travel around the world helping people transform their own lives. In short, I am unrecognisable from my former self.

Oddly enough, even after all that I’ve been through – and maybe because of it – I believe that a certain amount of want is healthy. In fact, “freedom from want” was never my goal. Indeed, want served as a catalyst for my dreams, not a hindrance, and my dreams have always been what motivates me.

When I was that young homeless woman struggling to find a break, I’d spend hours trekking the footpaths of Manhattan searching for a school – any school – that would admit me. What would have been torturous for most was not for me. That’s because I recognised that I was on the verge of enacting the very scenes I had imagined back on those frozen stairwell landings where I slept.

These scenes even had their own soundtrack. In my pocket I carried an old, busted-up CD player on which I played inspirational tunes: Paula Cole’s “Me” and Cake’s “The Distance”. I saw my future and clearly envisioned stepping into it.

Even though I had lost my family and was carrying around nothing more than some music, a photo of my mother, a few articles of clothing, and some shoplifted food, dreaming about my future and then acting on it was as exciting as getting into Harvard. Much the way a captain orients his ship to a constellation, I realised there was a place I wanted to be, and my goals guided my daily actions as I took steps to get myself there.

While I made choices every single day to turn my life around, equally critical to my journey were the people there to see me through. There was the alternative high school, Humanities Preparatory Academy, that was my one yes in a world filled with no. There was also the haven for homeless teenagers called the Door, a non-profit organisation that provided me with counselling, medical care and food, all of which kept me going while I completed my homework in train stations and under hallway lights. For me to have succeeded, there had to be people to meet me halfway, and when I searched for them – they were there.

Perhaps the most surprising help though, I did not seek out; it found me. After I’d spent two years as a homeless student earning As in my courses, The New York Times told my story.

In the weeks that followed, dozens of strangers reached out to me from all across the United States. At my high school, I began receiving handwritten letters of encouragement. Strangers showed up bearing brownies, clothes, books, and even hugs. Since the article mentioned I was applying to Harvard, one woman knitted a blanket for me. She attached this note to the box it was posted in: “It gets cold in those dorms. May you warm yourself knowing that people care about you.”

Before these people – some of them nameless – I just didn’t realise how good people could be. But now I do, and I can say that the people who helped me have forever changed me. They are the reason behind my decision to join the board at the Door so that I can be part of a small team of people opening a high school for homeless teenagers. They are the reason I dedicate my life to opening pathways for others.

FREEDOM FROM WANT: An Inspiring Read.

CYBER HACKING & THEFTS - Be Safe When Surfing!

How safe actually are you when using a free Wi-Fi such as those available at hotels, shopping complexes, airports, and even inside airplanes to surf the internet, and then logging into your blog or VPN for all your online banking stuffs?

Well the typical answer is: Quite on the “very low” to almost “none at all”.

Internet has become a gold mine for those air hack pirates. Sometimes when you have access to the internet via hotel complimentary Wi-Fi connections, think twice about logging into anything sensitive; an “evil twin site”, sometimes referred to as WI-phishing, is a potential security threat to users of Wi-Fi, predominantly in public hotspots. A hacker sets up what is called a “rogue access point” which impersonates the characteristics of the network to which users expect to connect. Users unknowingly connect to the rogue access point and the hacker’s network instead of the intended network and all your passwords would be harvested.

This “evil twin” is a potential security threat to users of Wi-Fi (it does not matter WEP or WPA key-shakes), and predominantly in public hotspots. An accomplished hacker would set up a “rogue access point” which is a convincing carbon copy in the fullest available characteristics of the network to which users expect to connect. Users unknowingly connect to the rogue access point and the hacker’s network instead of the intended network. The “evil twin” hijacks data, such as passwords, account information, credit card information, etc., and then connects the user to the Internet as intended and the users (by now the victims) would know nothing of the security breached which had just transpired.

It’s relatively easy to intercept session-IDs, cookies or random strings in the session URL from nearly all popular web applications, such as Gmail, Bloggers, Facebook, You Tube, Word Press, Hotmail, AOL and Yahoo Mail, when you're using Wi-Fi. Interception works even if you're using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

Using certain software’s and a basic notebook, a hacker may crack a 6 character password in roughly 5.15 minutes, 4 characters password could be done in less than 50 seconds and for 3 characters (no longer allowed by providers) it’s just in mere 0.05 seconds. So use a 14 characters password instead because even with the best software it would still take around 2,046 millennia to crack and that’s a very polite way of saying “till hell freezes over”.

Combine your passwords in alphabets and numbers and for none less than the maximum allowable 14 characters for a “Strong” password. Just adhere to all suggestions made by your service providers for safe surfing and you should be okay. If you suspect that you have just recently become a WI-phishing victims, immediately notify all your internet bankers by voice phone calls (they have 24 hours global connection hotlines) and freeze your internet banking accounts until you could pay them a visit and change the numbers over the counter the next day.

Yes true, it does not have to be just through a “free” hotel Wi-Fi for them to do the hacking act. WI-phishing could be done from anywhere and just about on any access point you may be entering the www connections from. But complimentary hotel Wi-Fi is a lot more dangerous for the very reason that they already have your credit card numbers and most of your privy details upon check-in…

And if you are using your mobile phone’s Wi-Fi to surf along free Wi-Fi spots and you also happen to be on a “Pre-Paid” system for your mobile telecommunication service, well they could easily clean out your credits the next time you try to surf on a “free” Wi-Fi. If possible, go “Off-Line” first with the phones before establishing a W-LAN connection off line. Truth is nothing is really free anymore these days.

My final advice for now is, to never ever disclose any credit card numbers on the emails, never list down phone numbers in close succession on the emails (if you must send out numbers do it like this 012-12 3 45 6 7 instead of the standard format of 012-123 4567. The hacker bots would miss this most likely. But absolutely NO credit cards numbers and if you are using free Wi-Fi; make it a habit to change your password in every 24-hours cycle and use only “Strong” password set ups. I change my passwords every 2 weeks (and do write them down in your safe data storage).

Well, thanks for coming by, and safe surfing to everyone.

Deliah’s Deli says a big: “Thank You” to the IT faculty for helping me out overnight with this cyber episode ;)

CYBER HACKING & THEFTS - Be Safe When Surfing!

SELAMAT HARI MALAYSIA....& Salam Bulan Kemerdekaan Malaysia!

Merdeka! Hargai & Sanjungi Jasa Serta Pengorbanan Para Pahlawan Kita.

Hargai Barisan Pertahanan & Keselamatan Negara Kita.

SELAMAT HARI MALAYSIA 2011!

SELAMAT HARI MALAYSIA....& Salam Bulan Kemerdekaan Malaysia!

SALAM AIDILFITRI.....Eid Mubarak :)

Buah pauh di tengah bendang,

Jadi dagangan di tengah kota.

Saudara jauh datang bertandang,

Bermaaf-maafan sesama kita.

Salam Aidilfitri buat rakan-rakan blogger & ucapan selamat pulang buat semua perantau.

Eid Mubarak wishes to all, and have a bright and blessed Eid!

SALAM AIDILFITRI.....Eid Mubarak :)

MOMEN ISTIMEWA : bersama sahabat maya! :)

CUBA TEKA SIAPA?

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Tentu ramai yang dah dapat meneka siapa beliau. Tahniah! :)

Boleh dikatakan Suzi ni ialah sahabat maya saya yang pertama dan menjadi follower ke-2 Deliah's Deli (follower yang pertama tu mungkin bina blog hanya utk cuba2 agaknya kerana sehingga sekarang 1 sahaja entry dalam blognya). Masa tu saya belum begitu aktif berblog (mcm la sekarang aktif sangat...kan? :D:D:D ) Suzi masih di Adelaide ketika tu dan menggunakan nama blog Resepi & Cerita Perantau. Beliaulah yang sering menjadi komentator blog saya ni. Dah banyak resepi yang saya cuba daripada blog beliau. Sekarang bila dah balik Malaysia, Suzi menukar nama blog ke Dapur Suzi. Beliau juga mempunyai blog jualan secara online. Bolehlah klik SINI kalau mahu ke sana. :)

Happy Birthday Suzi! :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

It's Nice To Be Important,

& It's Important To Be Nice. :)

MOMEN ISTIMEWA : bersama sahabat maya! :)

ZAKAT FITRAH...sudahkah anda menunaikannya?

Dalam kehidupan ini, kita yang berkemampuan perlu senantiasa membantu mereka yang masih kurang mampu dan memerlukan pertolongan serta bantuan ikhlas daripada kita agar mereka memperoleh kehidupan yang lebih baik dan sejahtera. Doa-doa mereka ini dimuliakan Allah, dan walaupun mereka mungkin fakir pada hari ini, namun rezeki doa mereka berlipat ganda berkatnya. Oleh itu, marilah kita bersama-sama berkongsi rezeki pemberian Allah ini dengan seikhlasnya dan berdoa semoga kita dapat menunaikan zakat dengan sempurna tahun ini. Amin.

Takrif Zakat Fitrah:

Zakat dari segi bahasa bermaksud bersih, suci, subur dan berkembang. Zakat Fitrah bermaksud zakat diri yang diwajibkan ke atas setiap individu muslim lelaki dan perempuan dalam bulan Ramadhan dan menjelang Idil Fitri mengikut syarat-syarat yang ditetapkan.

Jenis Dan Kadar Bayaran Zakat Fitrah:

Jenis zakat yang dikeluarkan ialah berdasarkan makanan asasi sesebuah negeri seperti beras. Kadar yang dikeluarkan ialah 1 gantang baghdad bersamaan timbangan metrik 1.60kg. Nilai bagi kadar ini adalah berubah dari semasa ke semasa bergantung kepada harga beras yang dimakan oleh kebanyakan penduduk Islam di sesebuah negeri.

Hukum Zakat Fitrah:

Mengeluarkan Zakat Fitrah hukumnya adalah wajib ke atas setiap orang Islam yang merdeka dan mampu mengeluarkannya pada waktunya. Orang Islam adalah meliputi golongan tua dan muda, lelaki atau perempuan dan berakal atau tidak.

Fadhilat Mengeluarkan Zakat Fitrah:

* Menampung kekurangan semasa berpuasa.

Maksudnya : Berkata Waki’ bin al Jarah : Zakat Fitrah di dalam bulan Ramadhan seperti sujud sahwi di dalam solat,menampung kekurangan berpuasa sebagaimana sujud sahwi menampung kekurangan dalam sembahyang.

* Membantu fakir dan miskin pada Hari Raya.

Dari Ibnu Abbas r.a bersabda Rasulullah SAW : Mewajibkan zakat fitrah itu sebagai pembersih bagi orang yang berpuasa daripada perbuatan yang sia-sia dan perkataan kotor dan sebagai makanan bagi orang miskin. Kerana itu, sesiapa yang mengeluarkan selepas solat (Idilfitri) maka ia merupakan salah satu sedekah daripada sedakah-sedekah biasa. (Hadis riwayat Abu Daud dan Ibn Majah).

Sumber: Pusat Zakat Negeri

ZAKAT FITRAH...sudahkah anda menunaikannya?

ADELE - Rolling In The Deep & Tag From NIEZA Too! :)

Thanks To NIEZA For This Award! :)

1- Dislike impoliteness and such. Prefers low profile. :)

2- Happy being me and myself. Alhamdullilah.

3- Teaches economy and some management (was slogging at it 9 to 5 then).

4- Likes cars, especially MPVs and the slippery nippy ones too.

5- Likes vacations, especially when it’s a free one J haha!

6- Loves children especially little babies (before they grow up!J)

7- Likes cooking, reading, crafting and blogging. ;)

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE..ENJOY!

ADELE - Rolling In The Deep & Tag From NIEZA Too! :)

ENGLISH MADELEINES - A Tribute To Aunt Chris, In Canada :)

2 cups self-raising flour

1 cup softened butter

1 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup condensed milk *I added this ;)

3 medium sized eggs

1 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup raspberry seedless jam - I used Roselle :)

1 cup desiccated coconut

5 glaced cherries - green/red

In a mixing bowl beat butter and sugar until the mixture is creamed well/fluffy. Add egg one at a time to produce a smooth and combined mixture. Gently fold the flour in to achieve an even combination. Place the mixture equally into the buttered+floured dariole mould/muffin tin about 2/3 a mould. Bake in a preheated 170°C oven for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Leave to cool in the mould/tin for a while before turning out onto a wired rack to cool down completely. When they have temp down, using a knife, carefully cut the tops of each cake to form a flat base. Then, apply jam on the cake surface and roll that into the desiccated coconut. Lastly, stick a glace cherry on top of each Madeleine.

This yummy and simple recipe was introduced to me and my sisters by our kind, supportive, caring and lovely Aunt Chris somewhere back then. She has since left for Canada and we wish her the best of everything and a very good life for her and her family. She is always remembered warmly and dearly missed in our family.

ENGLISH MADELEINES - A Tribute To Aunt Chris, In Canada :)

TOTE BAG - A Simple Heart Felt Crafting

TOTE BAG - A Simple Heart Felt Crafting

CREATIVITY & A LITTLE PATIENCE : creates such wonderful tidbits!

A Fusion of Japanese and Chinese Taste!

RM5.00 per packet - Japanese Seaweed in Spring Roll Skin

Click on the link below for further info about them:

Koperasi Mualaf Johor Berhad.

CREATIVITY & A LITTLE PATIENCE : creates such wonderful tidbits!

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.....& fun time in the kitchen :)

Inspired By The Rainbow : Rainbow Edible Bowl & Spoons

Essentially nature inspires us with endless beauty and splendor. There’s an old adage: at the end of every rainbow, you’d find yourself a bucket of gold. I just think that we make the buckets of gold with all kinds of inspirations and gifts life brought us. But if we do not stop to give thanks and appreciations for nature’s gift, we may miss our buckets here and there in this journey. Observing a beautiful rainbow way up high a few days ago, we were inspired to come up with our own rainbow theme fun time in the kitchen. We give thanks for all we have; peace, security and wellbeing. Our prayers and well wishes go out to all our friends affected by the tsunami calamity in Japan. May they be strong and rise up again to better days ahead.

To Along Roz, Kak Tie, Kak CM & Those Who Are Interested:

Please Click HERE For Dough Mixture :)

1 - Make dough into small balls.

2 - Roll out dough and cover the back of the spoon with dough.

3 - Cut out the edges and prick/press air bubbles out.

4 - Bake for about 5 minutes or until it loosens from the spoon.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.....& fun time in the kitchen :)

Hallå :) HASSELBACK POTATOES - Swedish Fare : A Tribute To Our Uncle Idrose And Family :)

6 medium size potatoes

2/3 cloves garlic - pound

3 tbsb butter

a pinch of salt

freshly ground black pepper

Wash potatoes thoroughly. Trim one side of potato to a leveled surface (flat) for ease of cutting later. On a chopping board, with the trimmed flat side down, start from middle of the potato, cut almost all the way through, but being careful not to actually cut through. Well, the two forks in the picture, I've used those as stop-gap/leverage to maintain the consistencies and pattern of the slices.

Arrange the processed potatoes in a greased baking tray and insert the pounded garlic in between the slits. Brush some butter on top of each potato, then sprinkle some salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Bake potatoes at 200C for about 40-50 minutes until the potatoes turn crispy. You may serve this with sprinkles of cheese or sour cream.

Thanks to ANGIE for sharing :)

Click HERE for more potato recipes :))

Hallå :) HASSELBACK POTATOES - Swedish Fare : A Tribute To Our Uncle Idrose And Family :)

HITAM MANIS - R. Azmi :))

Jemputlah Makan Cekodok Pisang...
Sambil Layan Lagu Hitam Manis R.Azmi :))))

HITAM MANIS - R. Azmi :))

ROTI JALA...& Erti Kemerdekaan - A. Samad Said

Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka!

1 Malaysia Menjana Tranformasi....

Hari ni untuk iftar buat roti jala. Adalah ciri-ciri keMalaysiaan memandangkan hari ini genap 53 tahun Malaysia merdeka...Dah lama betul tak buat roti jala atau ada juga orang panggil roti kirai...Kali terakhir kalau tak silap masa zaman sekolah-sekolah dulu...uishhh, lama betul tu! :))) Oleh sebab ada permintaan bulan2 puasa ni kenalah juga membuatnya...Tengok la rupanya pun tak seberapa...tapi sebab dah berlapar seharian tentulah apa-apa sahaja yang ada atas meja makan tu semuanya sedap :)

Roti Jala

2 cawan tepung gandum
2 1/3 cawan air+santan...blh juga guna susu cair/fresh milk/low fat milk
1 biji telur ayam
sedikit garam
serbuk kunyit untuk warna...pewarna kuning pun boleh :))

Masukkan semua bahan dalam mesin pengisar dan kisar sehingga sebati...kalau agak pekat tambahkan air. Panaskan skillet/pan dan sapu minyak dengan menggunakan daun pandan pada pan. Isi acuan roti jala dengan bancuhan tepung dan kirai secara pusingan dalam pan. Bila dah masak, terus lipat ikut kreativiti masing2. Ulang proses sehingga bancuhan selesai. Hidang dengan kari, sambal atau serawa :)))

Kari Ayam

1 bahagian isi ayam - potong 3/4
5 sudu serbuk kari daging/ayam
1 biji kelapa - ambil santan
3 biji bawang besar - kisar
5 ulas bawang putih - kisar
1 inci halia - kisar
1 inci lengkuas - kisar
1 batang serai - titik
2 biji cili hijau
1 sudu besar kerisik
sedikit daun kari
sedikit rempah campak/tumis - bunga lawang/biji pelaga

Panaskan minyak dan tumis bahan kisar sehingga naik bau. Masukkan serbuk kari, ayam serta kentang dan masak sehingga mendidih dan kentang agak empuk. Masukkan santan, serai, asam jawa, cili hijau, kerisik, daun kari, bunga lawang, biji pelaga dan biarkan mendidih. Tambah perasa *jika perlu dan juga garam secukup rasa. Angkat dan biarkan selama 2,3 jam kemudian panaskan semula dan barulah dihidangkan :))

ERTI KEMERDEKAAN

SN A. Samad Said

Kita mencari hanya yang tulen dan jati
sekadar hidup mengerti dan berbudi
dan bumi akan subur, makmur dan mewah
jika kita bekerja dan berikrar hidup bersama
tanah air memberi banyak
mesra mendakap kita
kemerdekaan mendorong kita berdiri dan berbakti
dan dalam alaf baru
semangat kita wajar padu berjalan kita
atas nama tanah air dan bangsa
bangga kerana merdeka
megah kerana bahagia.

ROTI JALA...& Erti Kemerdekaan - A. Samad Said

CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE - Bazaar Ramadan in Jasin Melaka

*click PLAY to watch the video

CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE - Bazaar Ramadan in Jasin Melaka