candlelight

i don’t know since when this began, but this is the way siu momo and di di get their “presents” which are more rewards for doing good or having collected enough stamps (e.g. for finishing meals on time, sleeping in their own beds, lately no crying for di di when he naps).  it was me who for that first time asked siu momo to “close your eyes, no peeping and take out your hands…” when some present would land on those little palms before the happy eyes open with surprise and joy…

for di di, for a long time the presents have always been toycars and he is always happy for more!

ma-ma just loves those moments, though i then had to spend some time explaining that children should not be greedy and ask for presents and should take good care of their toys.  that whole dilemma thing.

after making these styles of cookies, i have a little bit more confidence with icebox cookies.  i found the marvellous book by efuca and had to give the cute cookies a try.  so before the cny i made my first batch of these stripy cookies…

siu momo and di di loved them and they made cny presents to family and friends as well.  the good thing about icebox cookies is that they can be made ahead of time with the cookie dough stored in the freezer for up to a month, and you can cut and bake as few pieces as you need each time.  the book also has recipes to make cute, colorful patterned eggrolls, which i must try some day soon.  i am hoping to make a “car” or “train” cookie for di di’s birthday, still designing the pattern.

if you also want to try make some, here are some cute ones at diamonds for dessert, and she has generously provided a recipe for the dough.

baba wanted to watch the semi-finals of the australian open, and the game in live soon attracted the children’s attention.  for some reasons both siu momo and di di supported the “man in the white clothes”, i.e. djokovic, and very much disliked andy murray (whom siu momo said was very “yai yai” whenever he made some sort of intensive facial expressions!).  baba was having so much fun sharing the joy with the children i had go grab my camera to take a picture…

siu momo was also curious about the slow motion playbacks and was hilariously imitating the players’ gestures in slow motion.  *smile*

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caught the bug and have been suffering from funny tummy for an entire week.  visited the loo for more than 10 times in a night!  terrible, and am finally better since yesterday.

found some more inspiring food and lifestyle blogs – the little upside-down cake, green gifs and ham and everyday musings (who also makes these beautiful vintage cakestands).

i am designing the birthday cake for my dad.  we are going to celebrate for him this saturday.