Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Lizas Homestay - Progress report


(let's peek.......(just move the wooden louvers without having to open the windows))

(the two windows (notice the unopened louvers on one side?))




(the drains from the front)

(drains from the side)

(the windows overlooking the nona tree)

(view from the inside)

(the two windows for the bedroom already installed)

(view from within the bedroom (note the tiny window on the left....cute eh??)


I visited our homestay again last weekend and took the above photographs.  The video shows how to open and close the louvers.  Thus, one need not open the whole window if unexpected visitors were to come after dark, especially during maghrib....hehehee.. (when we were kids, the adults will always warn us not to venture out of the house during maghrib, because during that time evil spirits move around and would scare us and these spirits come in human form too..... Thus, if some one called you from outside, always safe to peek through the louvers). One needs to move the louvers and voila, one can see whoever is outside.

Well, what if some one knocks the front door during the night?  Well, tell them to move to the window so that we could see who they are......

Anyway, the wooden pillars for the front verandah and porch have been sent to the wood carver for engraving.  According to our contractor, Encik Halim, it should be ready in two weeks.  Well, I really really hope I could move in before Hari Raya Haji, InshaAllah.




Tuesday, September 18, 2012

1st trimester - Kak Long's baby




Kak Long is now three months pregnant.  Alhamdullilah.  Her morning sickness has ceased, except for the occasional unwanted 'scent' each time she entered the kitchen whilst I was doing the cooking.  She is still wearing the shoe string around her neck.  

According to her doctor, she will be delivering her baby, InshaAllah, on 23rd March 2013.  Kak long cannot wait to know the baby's sex.  She told me her doctor will scan again during her next visit to determine the baby's sex.  

My dear kak long, of course your tummy is still looking normal.... meaning, you have less fat around your tummy.  Even your doctor told you the same thing.  It will get bigger and rounder as the baby grows inside you dear.  Very soon, you will not be able to see your big toe!! Hehehe...

Kak long can now eat, and eat, and eat all day long.... Alhamdullilah.  Both of us just ate grilled beef burger which her husband bought at a stall in our village.  Still, kak long have to watch her diet too......





Thursday, September 13, 2012

My new cat....







This is Kiki Romeo Addidas (Romeo is the name his owner gave him, Kiki is what I want to call him, and Addidas (spelt like this on purpose), is my favourite sports brand).  He came into my life yesterday morning.  I was bringing down the laundry basket when I heard this meowing cry from Ayeshah's bedroom.  I thought she has left her mobile and the meowing sound was the phone's ringing tone.

Then when I opened the door, the meowing stopped and when I looked down, there was this furry 'thing' at my feet... OMG...how adorable..what a cute little kitten.  My heart melted upon seeing it.  Hubby was pretty excited too...

He carried the kitten downstairs and played with it.  Then he told Sofiyah to bring down the litter box (a shoebox), the food and water trays too.  So, we put all these, temporarily, in Khairul's room.  

I had to send Sofiyah to her friend's house for group study, so, after sending her over, I drove to Len Seng Garden in Cheras and bought a proper litter box for Kiki.  Azura (Idsqandar's wife) was the one who suggested that I go to the pet shop at Len Seng Garden which is near her abode to purchase the litter box and all things needed for a lived-in-kitten turning into a cat...

Well, Kiki is indeed a playful and lovable little kitten.  I cannot help adoring her...but that does not mean I no longer misses my FIFI... Fifi will always be in my heart...but I have to move on....Thus receiving this 'bundle of joy' will slowly ease the pain of losing dear Fifi.



Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Lizas homestay - progress report

(BEFORE.....)

(AFTER.....)


Okay....the recycled wooden windows already installed to replace the tiny window.  Now it will make the bedroom more airy..... Alhamdullilah.



Monday, September 10, 2012

Tandoori Prawns

600g large prawns
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Marinade
3 cloves garlic
5 shallots
2cm ginger, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
300ml plain youghurt

Make a slit in the back of the prawns and remove entrails.  Wash and trim the feelers and whiskers.  Drain and dab dry with paper kitchen towels.  Season with salt and pepper.

Grind garlic, shallots and ginger together.  Combine with the other marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Add the prawns and lightly toss.  Leave to marinate for at least 20-30 minuts.

Thread each prawn onto a skewer.  Arrange skewered prawns in a turbo broiler ove a wire rack.  Grill at 200 degrees C for 5-10 minutes.  Turn over once to ensure the prawns are cooked.  Serve at once.



Saturday, September 8, 2012

Lizas Homestay (progress report)

(Recycled wooden windows.  The tiny window will be replaced with two of these recycled windows.  There are five of these recycled windows)


(The outdoor dining area.  At first this was suppose to be the car porch)

(The verandah will be demolished to make way for a new one)

(The homestay minus the verandah)

(the back of the house.  Note the dish rack which protrude from the kitchen wall)

(the rear entrance already completed)

(nice, isn't it?)

(another one of the recycled window will be placed here)

(the balance two recycled windows will be placed at the bedroom far left)

(view from within the kitchen area)

(the folding doors to the 'throne room' on the right and the bathroom on the left)

(the vanity sink just outside the bathroom)

(Note the ablution area next to the sink)

(the modest kitchen area, the old fashion dish rack is far right)


Well, the rear portion of our homestay is now completed minus the lighting and electrical points.  These will be done, InshaAllah, next week.

As for the verandah at the front of the house, it was demolished to make way for a new and larger one.  




Friday, September 7, 2012

Traditional Salted Fish Pickle


300g salted fish, cut into thin strips
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
2 tbsp golden raisins
Enough oil for deep-frying

Spice paste (A)
8 Shallots
20g dried chillies, soaked and seeded
10g ginger
2 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tsp fennel powder
1 stalk lemon grass

Seasoning (B)
100ml water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp soft brown sugar or to taste

Rinse salted fish then pat dry with kitchen paper towels.  Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy.  Remove and set aside.

Blend spice paste (A) in a food processor into a fine paste.  Heat 4-5 tablespoons oil in a wok and fry spice paste until fragrant and oil rises.

Add water and remaining seasoning ingredients.  Stir and bring to a simmering boil until gravy is reduced.  Dish out and add the prefried salted fish.  Sprinkle in toasted sesame seeds and raisins to mix.  Leave to cool then store in a clean sterilised jar.



Thursday, September 6, 2012

Weekend at Fraser's Hill



(view of the town from my hotel room at Shahzan Inn)

(cute kid on the hotel balcony next to my room, his name is Amirul)

(the tiny roundabout at Fraser's Hill)

(Brrr.....its quite cold here.....)

(Behind me is the Fraser's Hill Golf Course)

(nice flowers.....)

(a row of red garden chairs...)

(hardly any traffic, so can take group photo on the road...)

(Pole dancing on the street.....hehehe.....)

(this way if we are going home laling (darling for hubby)

(one of the gondolas, visitors can bbq here....)

(this signboard needs a makeover...)

(the numerous activities visitors can do here at Fraser's Hill)

(a couple of Japanese tourists on the green)

(the archery venue)

(I look fat posing like this..... @the paddock)

(Horse riding and Archery...please enter..)

(Bird watchers....)

(they came all the way from Ipoh, Perak)

(this fern, when mixed with other leaves and herbs, is for bathing during confinement)

(Valley Road?)

(this flower in front of the hotel)

 (the huge signage ala Hollywood)

 (Hubby posing at the signboard which should read 'One Way Street, Descending')

(Okay, to go up Fraser's Hill again, follow the signage....)



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