So Long & Goodnight

My Chemical Romance - Helena

This caught me by surprise and I'm kinda liking it.

If We Can Carve, So Can You!

Although it's no where near Halloween or Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas, a lone pumpkin and some of it's friends were saved for a special carving session.

As we had both wanted to do a carving on a pumpkin together, and with Shirley in NYC on Halloween, I got a big pumpkin and waited for her to get back. The good thing about last minute shopping is that u get perishables cheap, with discounts amounting to almost 90%!

Anyhoo... We started the evening with a slightly odd dinner combination of pasta and riceballs. The cute little riceballs were made by Shirley and was flavoured with either cod roe or plum (and one with both, lucky me got that... YAY!). If she ever decides to sell those balls I think she'll get a good pocketful of bills out of it. The flavour was well mixed through the riceball and the plum gave off a lovely lavender bouquet (waaah cheem, but only thing i can think of ya?).

Carving started right after dinner and it proved to be a workout. The pumpkin was rather green, although the colour didn't show, and it was really tough to get through. Cutting off the top worked up such a sweat you wonder if this should be an all new exercise routine. Good thing pumpkins can't yell in pain or twitch, with all the stabbings I made, I wouldn't get the lid off if it did.

After prying the top off, Shirley started scooping out the stringy bits and seeds. Saving the pumpkin seeds for our next experiment, we dug everything out, making it nice and clean.

Started drawing our designs and then transferring it onto our huge canvas. Slowly, but rather tediously, we carved out our patterns. Shirley finished first with her simple 7 letters and decided to add the character on top, while I was still halfway with mine. She left me finishing mine with a star and we were all set for the lighting.

Finally getting enough candles to give a lovely glow, we each took turns getting our faces taken with our patterns. When it was all done, both of us had sore arms and were tired and sweaty. Well within the "curfew" of 12 midnight, we made our way back and into our beds, too tired to even upload the pictures. Great way to end a day with fun company.

And It's DONE!

Doggie's Evening Out & Midnight Nummies

Went out yesterday evening with mom for lunch (breakfast incl. for mom, yeah we're owls) and tagging along was the furry one. Took a walk to S.G. Holland Village Eating House and while on our way there, Mr Furry Butt stomped over an ant's nest and got a bunch of them stuck to his fur. Soon the little buggers got pissed off and started biting him, which made Furry Butt jump around doing some sort of acrobatic act. It wasn't long before we reached our destination and got rid of some angry ants, one of which died a horrible death for biting me! With all the energy used up from twitching and twirling around while walking, he was too tired to even bother with the kids around him. He just sat quietly in his chair, although a bit sad, but soon cheered up when he got some drink (aka my drink) and a few hellos from strangers.

After filling our tummies, mom got some food for grandpa and I got some for our super-late dinner. With a craving for fish and seafood, my eyes landed on a picture of barbecued stingray and was enticed to pack that home. Ordered two fish, a bunch of prawns and some sambal kangkong to go. When the packets arrived at the table, it smelled so good I wanted to eat it right then.

Had a slightly slower walk home and somehow the ants were at it again. Decided to have a look and was shocked to find a whole bunch of them still clinging to his fur. Once we were done getting rid of those pesky things, we continued home and that's when he flopped out. Not as tired as the other day, he started playing and running around the house again within the hour. I think my dog is mad.

Later that night after dad was done with his war movie (more like he slept through most of it), we all sat down to a tasty meal. Now how good can this be? Dad actually liked it. With a fussy person like dad, who only says that none of these BBQ seafood beat those in Pangkor (Malaysia), that's a compliment. This stall is also competing with a ZhiCha stall that serves up seafood that's still swimming around in tanks. If it isn't good, it would not be open.

Sambal Kang Kong

BBQ Sole Fish

BBQ Prawns

Why bother with plates and washing up when you can just eat them off the packets and throw them away? With hot fluffy rice and nice spicy sambals over the food, what else can u do but just enjoy the meal with your loved ones and ur fingers!

Better than KFC

Time To Eat

Wishing Mak Gila, LoveeButts, Metra, Syed, Kak Nurul, Pak Hitam, Nazril & Fara, Siti M., Aryanty, Amin, Adi (M), Adi (F), Ari, Heikel, Yana & Mac, Big Siti, Small Siti, Faliq, Sadali & Family, Rizal, Darni, Sal & Family
a Great month of enjoyment ahead!

Not forgetting any Muslim who reads this too!

Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri

Mambo Bamboo

As you saw in the previous post, me dad and I went to the Geylang bazaar which had loads of food, some of which I bought. One of them was the lemang that I got for the first time in it's bamboo tube. When you ask to get one, the vendor would split it up for inspection and ask if you'd like it taken out of the tube. I bought it more for the bamboo tube than anything so it went home with me.

Mr Vendor's Tips:

1. Pick one that is firm to the touch but not hard.
   
2. Discard a little off both ends as that's where coconut milk and rice coagulate and turn hard.

Okay, not much of tips but better than eating both ends and wondering what's wrong with the damn thing. Don't throw the bamboo away either. You can make a whole set of musical Ang-Klongs or a windchime if you're bored.

So what do you do once u get the roll of rice out? Remove the layer of banana leaf, cut it into shorter rolls and eat it with rendang!

Enjoy

Finger Lickin' Good

Festival Of Lights

Wishing Vinnie, Ada, Kuna & Family a Happy & Joyous Diwali.



And to all other Hindus who actually see this!



Happy Deepavali to all!

Geylang Sipaku Geylang

Geylang di Singapura....

Went down to have a look at this year's Hari Raya bazaar held at Geylang Serai for the final time. Dad and I decided that we would start by walking up to it from the Eunos MRT Station. Just before we reached the lights that marked the start of the bazaar, we passed a block of flats that had lights and other decorations over 70% of it.

With A Coconut Tree To Add The "Kampong" Atmosphere


Found @ Lampost 83-1


Next Step: Cross The Road


Safe From Traffic

Right acroos the road is one end of the bazaar with nearly anything on sale. From the essential coconut leaves, clothes, colourful money envelopes, to the unnecessary-but-might-be-handy-during-emergencies stuff.

Coconut Leaves For Ketupat Casings


Fresh Casings


Dried Casings


Colourful Giants


Fastest Draw Wins


Carpets, Sheets & Cakes All In One Spot


Fill 'em With Money


Things To Hide The Moolah


More Necessities


Thorn Among The Roses?


Smell The Flowers


The Odd Stuff - Just Look @ That Head

In Singapore, there is one absolute must ~ FOOD. The amount of food at this bazaar could probably end starvation, but then again, we are a huge country (tiny red dot) of hungry buggers. Interesting thing that is weaving it's way into the bazaar is the amount of international dishes making their mark. First it was bak-kwa, predominantly Chinese until someone started making them using beef instead of pork. Now it's Japanese octopus balls, colourful popcorn, Indian vadais and even Turkish ice cream.

Rice Crisps, Pop Corn & Cotton Candy


Putu Piring aka Kueh Tu Tu


Crispy Peanut Wafers


Pitas Filled With Roasted Meats


Frying Vadais


Vadais & Lentil Fritter


My Cup Of Buttered Corn Being Made!


Steamed Peanuts


Octopus Balls


Something Cold?


Bak Kwa?

This new kid on the block got me to stop and have a look. Eventually buying one to try. Too bad they were instructed not to let anyone take a picture of their sign, so no free advert for them then. Actually it's just ice lollies made with regular soda drinks. I chose meself a Root Beer one.

Cool Eh?


Do You Like Popsicles?

Then there's the common goodies that you see while visiting your Muslim friends. Like loads of cookies and sweets, rendang & nasi kuning... ok anyone inviting me over? I'll bring the stomach.

Makcik... How Much For The Whole Shop?




Roti Jala


Yellow Rice & Stuff I Didn't Try


Look At The Chilli Sauce Just Dripping


Ramli Burgers


Otak Otak Waiting To Get On The Grill


Happy Isn't He?


Lemang & Dodol


More Bamboo Glutenous Rice On The Grill


Red Chicken Wings


Ayam Percik

This year, there was one item that I didn't see. Either they've sold out or no one decided to sell them this year. What missing? Look at all the photos and you won't find dates! The one thing that shines when it's the month of Ramadan yet there was none. Well at least the bazaar still had the "must-have"s.

On Overhead Bridges




Lights Lights Everywhere


Ice-Cold Drinks


Put The Lime In The Coconut....

Not forgetting the ones that make it all happen ~ the big crowds that come to buy all the goods. So big they had to bring in the men in blue to assist with crowd and traffic control.

Is That A Bald Spot?


Cute One Who Smiled For The Cam


Same Girl, Better Light


Controlling An Errant Pedestrian


Ooohhh Shiny


Is There A Party In Here?

As always, people are always caring and sharing. Who says charity is dead? It's still alive... although not thriving. And right in the middle of the bazaar you'll find a small area tucked away just for people to rest their legs a little and enjoy some of the food they're serving.

Should I Plug It In?

So Will There Be A Christmas Bazaar?