Suzette's Parenting and Breastfeeding Blog

When I was browsing Lilian’s old posts in her food blog some time ago, I was attracted by her Lemon Poppy Seeds Cake. She baked it more than 2 years ago.

I am a poppy seed lover, coz I really like to see those tiny little black dots. That’s why I also like Kiwi! Some more, sourly lemon is also what we (kids and I) like.

I finally had the chance to back this cake… But I made a mistake. The cake mixture is so little, I should have used a smaller cake tin, but before the mixture done I already lined my 9″ cake tin, so I lazy to change. It resulted a very thin cake.

At first, I thought it was a failure. I took a very small slice to try. WOW! Surprisingly, it was just so, so, so, so good! I love the sourly taste of lemon, and the texture of poppy seeds, plus the aroma of the ground almond!

Unlike her kids, my kids like sourly stuff. After tasting it and finished within seconds, I added more lemon syrup. Hahaha! True enough, man don’t really like sourly things. Those tasted this cake were: Ian, Isabel, Hubby, Myself, MIL, FIL, SIL, my female colleagues.

All said very nice, except HUBBY and FIL! Theyh said it was too sourly. Apart from Ian, the rest are all females. Hahahahaha! Anyhow, Ian loved it so much. He alone ate 3 pieces! He loves the poppy seeds and he also like the sour lemon syrup.

If you want to bake it, hop over to Lilian’s page for the recipe. Cheers!

Last night in the car, Isabel sang a CNY song, just 1 phrase: “大团圆, 大团圆”

Ian: “Wow! Bel-bel, why do you know this song? Your teacher also teach you this one ah?”

Bel: “No, I learnt it myself. I am good.” (chewah! so arogant!)

Ian: “No, you must have learnt it from the school. School is good right? You learn so many new thing, right?”

Bel: “Okay lah, but I don’t learn this song wor. I do colouring, drawing, writing…”

Ian: “Yes, you go to the school and you learn a lot of things.”

Hehehehe! I am so glad when I heard that. Last year, there was a time Ian refused to go to school. I took out some storybooks and asked if he could read them. And then I told him, if he goes to school, he would learn a lot of new things, and one of the skill is to be able to read storybooks by himself. I showed him my collection of books, and told him that he can read all of them, if he is able to read by himself. From then on, he loves going to school. Furthermore, he also realizes that he does learn a lot of new things in the school (including new songs – his favourite)!

I feel like living in a resort now. Well, not that the place is like a resort, but I really like the landscaping of this area.

Actually, a little plants can make a great difference. Take our garden for example. After DH removed the cow grass and planted new Philippines’ Grass, the garden (though very small) looks so comfortable now.

In the morning, before going to the school, Isabel would bring her little ratan chair out. She would sit there and waiting for birds to come visit. Really know how to enjoy it! LOL!

As for me, I particularly like the palm trees in the neighbourhood. When you look up, don’t you feel like in a resort? It gives the beach feeling. LOL! As long as you don’t look down, you can cheat yourself that you are in a beach resort. :p

This morning when Isabel was doing her ‘business’ in the toilet, Ian played with his IKEA tortoise (softtoy). As usual, he had his silly conversation with his ‘best friend’, I didn’t pay attention to what he said.

Then I heard Isabel repeated the same question from the toilet: “Kokor (brother), why Tortoise cannot swim?”

After asking a few times, Ian finally answered: “Because this tortoise doesn’t know how to swim, so I am teaching him to swim now.”

Isabel not satisfied, repeated, “Kokor, why Tortoise cannot swim?”

Ian: “….” (paused for a loong while, then:)

“Asked already, cannot”

Hahahaha! Ian’s answer is so chicky. Well, Isabel is actually quite long winded. The other day I met the school van’s driver. He told me the same. He said, whenever Isabel sees him at noon, she would repeat the same, “My mama is coming to fetch me.”

After he acknowledge her, she would come to face him and repeat the same. Then he acknowledged, turned around, and she came to face him and again, repeat the same! She would keep on doing until either the guy leaves or she leaves. See who has the longest breath. LOL!

Good morning and Happy Niu (Ox) Year, everyone!

May the coming new year a better year for all.

The last year (Rat) was a bad year for me and I guess most people. Economic downturn, fuels price, inflation, wars, etc. 6 people hospitalized in my family (4 in my mom’s side, 2 in DH’s side) plus one death. I lost my job and still haven’t found one.

I am hoping this new Ox year works better for me and my family. Also wish that there is no more wars, and all the politicians will be back to run the country insead of fighting like the whole of last year!