Happy 55th Anniversary John & Retha... A Happy and Sad Story...

John and Retha live across the street from us. They are in their 80s and 70s respectively. They are one of the loveliest couple you'll ever meet.

When we decided to stay back in U.S. and start our family, we knew that the kids are going to miss out on growing up with grandparents. Both Nd(Lee) and I, grew up living part of our childhood lives with our grandpa and grandmas, so even thought we know how precious those times were, it was something that we had to sacrifice. So, when we moved to our current house almost 7 years ago, we felt like a blessing for us to have them just across the street.

Our kids call them "grandpa John & grandma Retha" simply because we didn't want them to be referring them by their first names, and calling them Mr. and Mrs. would be way too formal (this is one of the cultural difference that I often have to explain to others WHY my kids are referring every adult as aunty or uncle even though we aren't related).

When we move here, Yesmin was just about 2 years old. We visited them now and then (not as often as I should have), help each other here and there, like any neighbors do. Retha is always willing to babysit for me, even though some times it's last minute. They'd bring gifts for the kids on their birthdays and Christmas. And when their grand kid, who's Yesmin's age visited, he'd come over and play too.

As for John, like ALL grandpas, he'd be the one that spoils the kids (not that Retha doesn't, but I guess as a mom herself, she knows 'more' on what to and not to). Every time Yesmin and I went over, John is ready with a lollipop! I often wonder how MANY lollipops does he have? Cos' their grand kids are in Texas and California. And I was also cuirous if HE eats that much lollipop to have 'em around every time we're there?! I mean, he was in his late 70s back then, as healthy as he could be (mowing their steep lawn, reparing dental equipments in his garage, shavoring snow in winter), but still, sure he's gotta becareful with all the sugar if he's eating them. Finally, one day he 'confessed' to me that, every time he went to the bank or post office, if they have a basket of candies on the counter, he'd take one home and save it for when Yesmin visited. It didn't stop with Yesmin of course. When Lucas came long, he didn't have so many lollipops, but still, I remembered once when they babysitted Lucas, that boy gotta enjoy ice-cream & a cookie with John! ;) *still shaking my head, smiling each time I think of it* --- see how blessed we are?!
Oh, by the way, they have a photo of the 2 of them taken in a studio some years back where, the 1st time I saw it, I really thought John look like Richard Gere, just an older Richard Gere. =)

About 2 years ago, one day, I realized that John has suddenly aged. Still, he was out and about doing his things, except for mowing the lawn. He pays our other neighbor's teenage son do it, which I was really glad...cos' the slope on their front lawn IS steep! Anyway, other the usual cold, arthritis (cos' of old age), he was fine...it was usually Retha, who has asthma that needed more medical attention.

A card with an angle flying to John and Retha's house - Yesmin made for John after our Monday visit with him.

Sometime around mid- late March, John was diagnose with Pneumonia, and was admitted to the hospital for a couple of days. I didn't even know until after he came back. We all assumed he'd be fine then. Then came early April, he was admitted again for Pneumonia, but came back with a shocking news. The doctors have misdiagnose his symptoms. He is such a fighter that he doesn't complain about his pain! The truth is John has lung cancer! He doesn't even smoke, nor his family history that he knows of, has any form of cancer. That week, happened so to be spring break for schools in California. All of their kids (the 2 youngest, and the oldest one from Bend) and sons and daughters-in-law and grand kids were back here to visit them, thank God! The doctors didn't know how long the cancer has been there, but they now know that it wasn't just arthritis that has been keeping him awake at night, or doing some other activities, but the cancer has been the culprit - it has moved into his spine and bones. The Wednesday after the kids' visited (their oldest son and his family now lives with them, they moved from Texas right before his 1st trip to the hospital for the Pneumonia), they had an appointment with the Oncologist. They were told that John would have 3-6 months time... It was hard to accept that kinda news, but still, at least they'd still have SOME time left to be together AND to handle things, both physically and psychologically - not emotionally, cos' I don't think anyone can ever prepare for that.

The kids and I went to see him the Monday afterward. He laid on the couch, tired, but was still talking to us...telling me how well I have raise them, telling them how well behave they are, and how hard working Nd (Lee) is. He said he was happy that we had come to pay him respect!! He spoke like it was the last time he'd be talking to me, and that BREAKS MY HEART!!!

On Wednesday, the hospice service sent a portable potty and a walker for him. I went over to see if Retha needed a hand (both their son and their daughter-in-law works, so they're by themselves). John was in bed. And as a gentleman that he is, he wanted to STAND UP to greet me! I had to stopped him. He spoke a little...he was so tired, and he had barely eaten since Sunday, just water, and Ensure!

The next day, I got a call from Retha, not wanting to give me a shocked or wonder what was going on, told me that later that afternoon, there'll be an ambulance here to pick John up, and they'll be bring him to a facility to get the medical care that he needs. She also told me that things didn't look good, as he has been sleeping a lot, and not eating, barely drinking. She had also asked the hospice nurse, based on her experience, how long more John has...and she said a few weeks, no more than a month. I started sobbing... I called my other 2 neighbors who are also close to them, and inform them of the situation. Called Nd(Lee) at work to come home early, so that he could go visit John before it's too late, as he (Nd/Lee) had planned on visiting him on the weekend. Later, our neighbor Diane who's a nurse, went over to check on him, only to find out that the hospice nurse had told Retha to give him a very strong pain medication, that he hasn't taken YET (he has been taking 2 others), the full doze (it was anywhere from 1-4 pills) as Retha had called them because John had been very anxious and agitated the whole morning. So, Diane, figured (based on his color, his breathing, and his heart rate) that it could be the medication that has knocked him out. We all crossed our fingers and toes, and prayed that, that was just it. He was still asleep when Nd (Lee) got home, and we went over with Yesmin to visit him (Diane has graciously volunteer to babysit Lucas as it might not be the right time for him, and I am so thankful for that). John barely woke up.

Next day, Lucas and I dropped by late morning to see him again. He was SO MUCH better. Retha told me that he was awake earlier in the morning, drank more water and Ensure. So that was GOOD! That's a good sign! Also, their other 3 kids (they have 4 kids) who live out of town, would be here on Sunday. Saturday, we stopped by again, with both kids and Nd(Lee). John, though was tired... still knew us, remembered all of us, but could barely talk...it was mainly mumbles. All these happened just LAST WEEK!

We all have been telling him to hang on, and hang in there, as today, April 30th is his and Retha's 55th Wedding Anniversary! And the night before he was admitted to the medical care center, he had told Retha his last good-by...Retha asked him, if it was time? He told her no, not yet...

You see, about 4 years ago, I saw these pair of fondant love birds on the book cover of "Fun & Fancy Cake Decorating" by Kate Sullivan. And the first couple that came to my mind was John and Retha. I SO wanted to make them one for their anniversary, to surprise them...but for 4 years, I DID NOTHING! NOTHING! WHAT THE F#$@ WAS I WAITING FOR???

2 nights ago, I had started baking the chocolate cake...John likes chocolate...once I had made truffles and send some over, Retha told me she has to keep an eye on HIM & the truffles! Though I knew he would not be able to eat, I was hoping, wishing, and praying that he would wait, wait till after their anniversary and that he could at least take a small crumb of it. I finish decorating the cake late last night, going to bed, hoping that I won't be too late.

This morning, after I dropped Lucas off at school, I went to Party Depot to pick up some plates and utensils for them to celebrate their anniversary there in the center. I came home, took the photos of the cake, and head back out to John's. As I walk to his room, I was optimistic and at the same time, also had a weird feeling in my stomach. His room door was closed. I knocked. Retha opened the door, I mumbled Happy Anniversary, only to realized that the hospice nurse was there talking to them, I felt like I was invading their privacy, but it should be fine...at the same time, I got a split second look at John and everyone else in the room...he's got oxygen tube hooked on his nose, everyone (all 4 kids) eyes were red and watery....I crumbled...I walked to the side, and quietly ask their oldest daughter, Denise, what's going on? She told me, this is probably "the day"....

No, no way, this can't be true! I was sure they got it wrong. After all, his condition had been going up and down, sure he'd turn around later, if not tomorrow! --- They figured that their dad, had been really HANG-ON to his dear life until TODAY, THEIR 55TH ANNIVERSARY, like he had silently promised his wife. The people from the center came in with flowers and card for their anniversary, and Retha was relating all these to him, describing all the details of the flowers, card and the cake I made. I felt like SHIT! And she was still SO STRONG, holding on to all the emotions. His youngest son wanted to go out and get champagne to celebrate their parents anniversary, cos' his older brother had to leave soon to go back for a meeting or something, and I had to go pick Lucas from preschool. I told him not to and that, he should stay put, and Rod, the older one suggested that he'd pick it up after the meeting, on the way back. We sat around chatting, Denise walked out to answer a call. I got there at 10:25am...at about 10:45am, John's breath started to get very short and slow, LONG INTERVALS...all I heard was someone said "Oh no, this is it"....I still can't believe...I didn't know what to do, Retha wanted to go call the nurse, I told her I'd do that, and got Denise.

In my heart, I feel like maybe John has lost track of time and date, but soon after Retha told him about how we all brought things over to celebrate their anniversary, and that his son will bring in the champagne, he then knows that he has kept his promise, and he has done all that he could - to hang on for ONE MORE YEAR with his wife. On this beautiful sunny Spring morning, at 10:55am, John passed away peacefully, with his wife of 55 loving years - Retha, and his kids - Denise, Rod, Glenna, and John Jr. by his side.


HAPPY 55th ANNIVERSARY TO YOU- JOHN AND RETHA. OUR DEEPEST, DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY. YOU WILL BE MISSED DEARLY, JOHN. IT'S BEEN OUR HONOR TO KNOW YOU AND BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE YEARS YOU HAVE SPOILED OUR KIDS, TAKEN CARE OF US, TREATED US LIKE WE'RE PART OF YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS. WE LOVE YOU!

Jenny, Lee, Yesmin and Lucas

Spring Break in White Pass (Another late post)

The black and double black diamond trails that I WOULD NEVER EVER take! ;P

Last year, our neighbor, D told us about the place they have been going for the past 5-6 years, during Spring break. White Pass is a ski resort in southeast Washington. Honestly, I am not a big fan of skiing or snowboarding. I don't like the speed and I don't like the height - I'm a chicken! ;P I only did it once during our college days. But of course, I am MARRIED to one who LOVES snowboarding. So, like in all relationship, you take some, you give some. (brownie points)

After D, our neighbor told me more about this place --- the "magic carpet" which is like a conveyor belt, where you stand on it, and it brings you up a small kiddy slope...kinda like for 1st timers, and little kids; and the "platter"- where you hold on a vertical bar, in a standing position, with a disk on your behind, it'd drag you up the beginner slope; PLUS since White Pass is in Washington, and they have their Spring break one week after ours, the resort is not crowded. So, I figure, this is probably something that I could "give" in our relationship! :P As of last year, we have made White Pass our destination for Spring break.

The drive to White Pass from our house is about 3 hours. Although Mt. Hood is only 1 & 1/2 hours drive from home, the road condition makes it difficult and some times dangerous to drive on.

Snoozing...

However, the drive to White Pass, you won't even believe that you're driving towards a ski resort! There isn't a lot of up hill or winding road. You won't even see much snow until almost 1/2 hour before reaching the resort! And it's not a fancy ski resort like Timberline or Mt. Hood Meadows...there's the day lodge where there's a small retail shop, ski rentals, child care (another feature that attracts me), L&F, restrooms, and food. During Spring break, just a small potion of the food court is open. Across from the day lodge is the Village Inn, which is the slope side lodging, and where we stayed, and it has a large outdoor hot tub!! (another attraction! Will remember to take a photo of it next year)

Village Inn with the slopes on the backdrop

During our 1st trip back in '08, Yesmin and I took 2 lessons. It is so true about the place not being crowed. We took the group lessons, since it's SO MUCH cheaper than private...and we still end up having the instructor to ourselves. We learn to ski a little...did a lot of the "magic carpet"(10' vertical, 70' length) and some on the Platter (70' Vertical, 520' length)- just half way though. This year, we took one lesson. Again, we got the instructor all to ourselves, for the price of group lesson. ;) Amazingly though, we only ski ONCE a year, both Yesmin and I still remembered quite a lot. The instructor took us all the way up to the top of the platter this time. Yesmin was excited, I wasn't! She, like all kids, just skied down hill in high speed! A few times, I was so worried she's gonna fly off the slop or crashed into someone! I, on the other hand, almost lose control...I tell ya, I was praying so hard as I skied down! :P But finally on the last day, I did go to the top of the platter slope a couple of times and actually REALLY enjoyed it!

Yesmin's light saber

We stayed there for 4 days 3 nights. After the lesson, which we took on the 2nd day (didn't skied at all on the 1st, cos' we arrived late...but went to use the hot tub! ;P), we skied by ourselves. By the 3rd day, Yesmin was tired of getting off in the middle of the platter. She wanted to go all the way up to the platter slop, but I didn't allow her too...cos' for one, I wanted her to learn to maneuver herself, so she could avoid crashing into others who fell in the middle of the slop, and to reduce her speed. I also told her that she could only go all the way up if daddy goes with her. So, once she was able to maneuver better and knows how to slow down as she gets down to the slop, Nd(Lee) and her went up to the top of the platter, while I still stuck to my mid way. She kept on encouraging me to go all the way up...but mommy was too chicken! I don't know how many times that girl when up then down, then up then down again. So many times that even the guys who helps grab the platter for those of us who are too short to reach, knows her by her name, AND knows that she likes them holding back the platter for a longer time then release it, so that she gets a boost up! *sigh*


Nd(Lee) and I took turns babysitting Lucas in the magic carpet, and we did chucked him in the childcare one day for just 2 hours. We rented skis for Lucas too! Last year, he was just HORRIBLE! Nd (Lee) would ride with him on the magic carpet, and the "slide" down with him, while holding him from the back. Lucas, "the prince" would just lean back and put all his weight on dad! Nd(Lee) had such a sore back after that! :P This year, he did the same thing, the 1st two times Nd(Lee) took him up. Then he finds Nd(Lee) annoying for holding him! He told Nd(Lee) in an angry tone "LET ME GO!! I CAN DO IT MYSELF!!!" :P But Nd(Lee) was worried (huh? HE worried?? THAT IS NEW to me! ;P ) Seeing Lucas getting so annoyed, I told Nd(Lee) to let him go, at most he'd just fall on his bottom (cos' he leans back a lot).

Lucas on the Magic Carpet

And so he did, and Lucas just skkkiiii down all by himself!!! :D We were all so excited, proud and glad to see him do that...and you could just see it in his face too, that he was mighty proud of himself! ;D

Weeee..... I did it!!!

So, he kept on going for a LONG time...until he met a little girl! :P She's our neighbor's friends' daughter, who also goes there every spring break, name Viki. That's when Lucas didn't wanna ski anymore, and just wanted to play in the snow with Viki! :P

This year, one of our friends were supposed to join us...but didn't make it. We sure hope they can do so next year. Their daughter P and Yesmin are good friends, and I think it'd be more fun to have a friend to ski together. However, our friend Mark came from Seattle to join us, even though he was recovering from a cold. I think he felt obligated, first of all, he had promised to join, secondly, my mom had passed some food stuff to his dad, when his dad went back to Malaysia. We all just feel bad for him, cos' not only did he not skied much, he also have go through the torture of hanging out with my 2 monkeys!! Nevertheless, we appreciate him coming over. :)

See what I mean?? Lucas tried to use tissue(Kleenex) to "dry" Uncle Mark's hair! (and oh, Mark is available! ;))

When it was time to leave, we felt really sad...but our bodies are shouting "FINALLY??!!!" Can't wait for next Spring Break! :)

More Cheesecake -- Japanese Cheesecake

When the April DB challenge was announced, I was excited, but at the same time, I knew I wasn't exactly a cheesecake person. The only cheesecake I like is Cheesecake Factory's Craig's Crazy Ccarrot Cake-Cheesecake (almost half of it is carrot cake), and a mascarpone cheesecake that I get occasionally from Safeway, which, is too sweet for my taste, but I get it anyways, for a quick fix! :P To me, cheesecake or the famous New York style cheesecakes are too rich, too dense, too heavy. After a few bites, I often feel like gagging...not because it doesn't taste good, but just the feeling in my mouth, makes me feel that way. So, I wanted to look for something lighter --- a mascarpone cheesecake (for the challenge) and a Japanese style cheesecake. I set my sail up (my search engine- google), in search for the yummy and light cheesecake. I came across a couple of blogs for Japanese cheesecake, and finally settle on dock with Cotton Soft Japanses Cheesecake submitted by Irene Oon in Diana's Dessert.

Japanese cheesecake is very much like a souffle or a chiffon cake. It doesn't call for a huge amount of cream cheese, in fact, only one part of it - just enough for a light taste. The main component here is the eggs being separated, and the whites are whip till medium-soft peak and gently folded in to the rest of the batter. This creates the light and fluffy, soft souffle like texture. It is the PERFECT type of "cheesecake" for me.

I was nervous though, knowing that I could easily deflate the egg whites! And I believe that it is true, when you feel nervous before you even begin the process, this is the result you'd get! :P

Eeekkkk!!!! My deflated 1st attempt on the Japaneses cheesecake!

I knew this was gonna happened even before I set it into the oven....as I could already see how "liquidy" instead of fluffy, when I pour the batter into the pan! :P But I was determine to get it right. So, the next day, I talked myself into not allowing the egg whites to "intimidate" me! ;) And...ta-da!!


Finally! They rise (this time, I made them in a 7" spring form and a 6" regular cake pan) and DID NOT collapse! Wooohooo!!! ;) I was so happy, I did a little dance in the kitchen! - too bad no photo nor video clips! Ha. It taste really yummy! So soft, not a whole lot of cheesy taste, and SOOO MUCH lighter, that my husband had some for breakfast! :P

The dense, deflated Japanese cheesecake (R) and the light and fluffy, cotton soft Japanese cheesecake (L)

However, I do have to say that the deflated one was pretty good too! It taste more like a Southeast Asian form of "kuih"!! So, we ate up the deflated one, and gave away some of the good looking one to some friends. I mean, we had 3 cheesecakes (one for the DB challenge, one deflated Japanese cheesecake and one fluffy soft Japanese cheesecake) within 6 days! How can I NOT share 'em??? So, if you don't like cheesecake because of its tangy taste, or its dense and heavy texture, give the Japanese style cheesecake a try...you might be surprise! :)

This was taken on a gloomy day...I think I should have turn the whole plate the other way so it's not so dark on the blackberries! :P

Here's the recipe submitted by Irene Oon to Diana's Dessert.

Cotton Soft Japanses Cheesecake

Servings: 12

Comments: This cheesecake really lives up to it's name. It is very light and soft. My family and friends like it and I hope you do too.

140g/5 oz. fine granulated sugar (I reduced it to 4oz.)
6 egg whites
6 egg yolks
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
50g/2 oz. butter
250g/9 oz. cream cheese
100 ml/3 fluid oz. fresh milk
1 tbsp. lemon juice (I added lemon zests)
60g/2 oz. cake flour /superfine flour
20g/1 oz. cornflour (cornstarch)
1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:
1. Melt cream cheese, butter and milk over a double boiler. Cool the mixture. Fold in the flour, the cornflour, egg yolks, lemon juice and mix well.

2. Whisk egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Add in the sugar and whisk until soft peaks form. (I whisked till medium - soft peaks for my 2nd attempt)

3. Add the cheese mixture to the egg white mixture and mix well. Pour into a 8-inch round cake pan (Lightly grease and line the bottom and sides of the pan with greaseproof baking paper or parchment paper). (In my 1st attempt, I used a 9" spring form pan, on the 2nd attempt, I used a 7" spring form & a 6" regular round cake pan)

4. Bake cheesecake in a water bath for 1 hours 10 minutes or until set and golden brown at 160 degrees C (325 degrees F).

Makes 1 (8-inch) cheesecake, 12 servings.

Daring Bakers' Challenge - Cheesecake!!

Lemon-Chambord Cheesecake with Toasted Almond Crust

The fun of taking part in the Daring Baker's Challenge is that, you don't know what's waiting for you the following month. This is my 2nd challenge, but I believe, every month, after we get our challenge up on our blog, we're all sitting in front of the computer, waiting for the next month's challenge to be revealed (though we know WHEN they will be posted)! :)

The April 2009 challenge is hosted by Jenny from Jenny Bakes. She has chosen Abbey's Infamous Cheesecake as the challenge.

Many people have tried baking cheesecake, and many more that have shied away because a baked cheesecake is a lot trickier. If you have tried, or have talked to some others who have baked a cheesecake, you'll hear all those "nightmares of baking a cheesecake stories" --- the cracked top monster and the soggy crust devil! :P So, you might wonder "what's so challenging about this challenge??" Well, in this challenge,with the basic recipe in hand, we are "unleashed" to use our creativity to the max in terms of flavorings, the crust, and the decoration! (you should check out some other Daring Bakers HERE ~ there are some REALLY interesting flavors that I wished I could just reach into the screen and take it out of the pictures! ;P )

Also, this is not any cheesecake. If you have baked a cheese cake before, you'll be surprised by how "liquidy" the batter is! It is very creamy, unlike the New York style cheesecake that I often feel like it's too dense, dry and heavy ~ just one bite and I've have enough. Plus, with this recipe, you don't have to prebake the crust - one step eliminated!! ;)

Here's the recipe:

Abbey's Infamous Cheesecake:

Crust:
2 cups / 180 g graham cracker crumbs
1 stick / 4 oz butter, melted
2 tbsp. / 24 g sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cheesecake Filling:
3 sticks of cream cheese, 8 oz each (total of 24 oz) room temperature
1 cup / 210 g sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup / 8 oz heavy cream
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. vanilla extract (or the innards of a vanilla bean)
1 tbsp liqueur, optional, but choose what will work well with your cheesecake

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (Gas Mark 4 = 180C = Moderate heat). Begin to boil a large pot of water for the water bath.

2. Mix together the crust ingredients and press into your preferred pan. You can press the crust just into the bottom, or up the sides of the pan too - baker's choice. Set crust aside.

3. Combine cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a stand-mixer (or in a large bowl if using a hand-mixer) and cream together until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Make sure to scrape down the bowl in between each egg. Add heavy cream, vanilla, lemon juice, and alcohol and blend until smooth and creamy.

4. Pour batter into prepared crust and tap the pan on the counter a few times to bring all air bubbles to the surface. Place pan into a larger pan and pour boiling water into the larger pan until halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan. If cheesecake pan is not airtight, cover bottom securely with foil before adding water.

5. Bake 45 to 55 minutes, until it is almost done - this can be hard to judge, but you're looking for the cake to hold together, but still have a lot of jiggle to it in the center. You don't want it to be completely firm at this stage. Close the oven door, turn the heat off, and let rest in the cooling oven for one hour. This lets the cake finish cooking and cool down gently enough so that it won't crack on the top. After one hour, remove cheesecake from oven and lift carefully out of water bath. Let it finish cooling on the counter, and then cover and put in the fridge to chill. Once fully chilled, it is ready to serve.

Pan note: The creator of this recipe used to use a springform pan, but no matter how well she wrapped the thing in tin foil, water would always seep in and make the crust soggy. Now she uses one of those 1-use foil "casserole" shaped pans from the grocery store. They're 8 or 9 inches wide and really deep, and best of all, water-tight. When it comes time to serve, just cut the foil away.

Prep notes: While the actual making of this cheesecake is a minimal time commitment, it does need to bake for almost an hour, cool in the oven for an hour, and chill overnight before it is served. Please plan accordingly!

In this months challenge, one of the topic the members discussed most was the water bath issue. In almost every cheesecake recipe you find, you'll be told to wrap the the bottom of the pan with layers of foil up to the sides, then place the cheesecake into the water bath. In my experience, EVERY TIME I follow THAT instruction, my crust comes out soggy, no matter what! Then I read some where, a anonymous reviewer for a mascarpone cheesecake recipe mentioned the idea of placing the water bath on the LOWER rack of the oven, so I tried it. It worked! :) -- no cracking mosters or soggy devil!!! My cheesecake came out beautifully! However, in the discussion, this is not the original intentional way of baking a cheesecake. It seems like the hot waterbath is to gently bake the cheesecake and to bake it in the low temperature. So, I will try this method once again in the future to see if I was just lucky! ;P Another way is to do as Jenny & Abbey have suggested under Pan Note.


Anyway, I didn't stray away too much from the original recipe. Only a few substitutions.

• I liked the taste and feel of mascarpone cheesecake, they are lighter. So, I substitute one part of the cream cheese for on part of mascarpone, which, in the future, I would try with 2 parts.

• I also added lemon zests.
• Omitted the lemon juice and vanilla - replaced with Chambord - note: NOT ENOUGH Chambord flavor!!!
  
• Cut down on the sugar to about 3/4 cup.
• Replace 1 cup of the gramham crackers with finely ground toasted almonds.
• Cut the butter for the crust to 6 Tablespoons.

Besides, I am also a person who likes sauce with majority of my food, dessert included. I think this habit comes from the time when I was growing up, as a typical Malaysian-Chinese family, my mom would mix all the dishes into my bowl/plate of rice, with gravy/sauce or soup. Come to think of it now, it doesn't look appealing at all, and it is exactly what I do for Lucas too! :P I did not do this with Yesmin back when she was younger, and now, I am always told by her to NOT put her dishes on top of her rice! ~ while Lucas could careless! Anyway, back to cheesecake... so, since I love sauce, I made a chocolate sauce and a raspberry sauce to go with my cheesecake.

with raspberry and chocolate sauce

Chocolate Sauce (Chef Raymond Ost of Sandrine's, MA, published in Chocolatier magazine)

8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 Cup heavy cream
1/4 Cup whole milk

Place chopped chocolate into medium bowl. Combine cream and milk in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Immediately pour the hot cream/milk mixture onto the chopped chocolate, gently stir till smooth and blended.

Raspberry Sauce

1 bag of frozen raspberry
sugar to taste

Place frozen raspberry into a saucepan, bring it to a gentle boil. Add sugar to taste. Pass raspberry sauce through a fine sieve and discard the seeds. Chill it in the fridge before serving.

Thanks Jenny from JennyBakes for this fun challenge, and thanks to Jenny's friend Abbey for this recipe! :)

I Met A Skateboarder

If you live in Beaverton/Tigard area, you'd know how busy Hall Blvd is (2 lanes on each side plus the common lane in the middle), and so often I see parents/adults, and especially the ones with kids riding their bikes (there's a walking trail on both sides of the road) trying to cross THAT street, without walking the extra 30-50 feet to the traffic lights, where it is WAY more safe for them, and even worst, sometimes I see them doing that during the busiest hour. I mean, seriously, what the heck are they thinking???

Anyway, about 20 minutes ago, I was driving Yesmin to her animation class in Conestoga Rec Center. All of a sudden, I saw a teenager, with a skateboard, with long and messy hair, a cap turned to the back, with his pants hanging on his butt, showing his boxer, and, standing at the crosswalk, waiting, I mean, he was really at the crosswalk, waiting to cross. I'm sorry to say this, but I admit I am one of those people who often judge a book by its cover... Anyway, when I saw him, I stopped and let him cross, and he wave a friendly "thank you" to me, and I gave him nod and a wave back. But what I really SHOULD have done, when even some adults, and some parents with KIDS who would rather take the risk than to walk that extra 30-50 steps, on a busy street, was to wind down the window and tell him this "THANK YOU for using the crosswalk!!!"

My First Panna Cottas

This blog that I "stalk" all the time ~ Tartelette by Helen, has inspired me to bake lately. When I saw her post ~ Mango & Vanilla Bean Buttermilk Panna Cottas, I straight away fell in love with it! I have not made nor tried Panna Cottas, but after reading the recipe, it doesn't sound too difficult, and I have a can of Kesar Mango Pulp (puree) that I bought for whatever reason, I forgot. But because of other commitments, I had to wait till today.

It didn't take long at all to make 'em, not counting the freezing time. I started freezing the mango puree, where I added some diced fresh mango pieces in the early afternoon. Cook up the panna cottas and stick 'em in the fridge 20 minutes before I had to walk down to the bus stop to get Yesmin from school. Lucas and I didn't tell her about this dessert =) Later, when I baked the meringue kisses, she "questioned" me what they were for, and if I was making more dessert (I've been on a baking marathon which I'll post later when the time is right) =) So, Lucas told her we are going to have "mango pudding" for dessert! ;P I brought out the panna cottas to take photos while they play in the back yard...and I forgot to include the chopped up pistachio :P Oh well, we included the pistachio when we ate...and IT IS YUMMY!!! Oh, if you want the recipe, click HERE. I think I will make this agian next week, when I have the gals over to use the pretty plates I found in Party Depot. =)

Yesmin, not wanting to wait for us. When she was done, she tried licking the cup!

Lucas staying focus on his dessert...making sure NOTHING drops,
and if they did, he'd scoop it up and put it right back into his mouth.

Thanks Helen, for sharing your recipes and beautiful photos. =)

Susan Boyle

Ok, I've got no clue as to HOW to post a YouTube clip here...but, I just wanna share with those of you who haven't discover Susan Boyle! Click on the link, and watch it...you will need some tissue paper. I am so glad to hear that Simon Cowell is already in line to sign her up (I guess, if she "doesn't" win the British Got Talent Show). Thank goodness for her gut, if not, the whole world would missed out on her amazing, and beauiful voice!

You go girl! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Pretty, pretty, pretty!!

I was at Party Depot yesterday to pick up some clear plastic cups for a dessert I'll be making and saw these set of PRETTY plates and napkins! Don't you agree they are gorgeous?? All of my favorite colors together! Not one speck of purple in it! ;P Nah, that's not really the reason. Just that I LOVE the combination of the brown, with that tone of blue, pink and orange! Will have to invite the ladies over next week! :) By the way, the best thing is that the whole set is 50% off! :)

The Gene on "WHERE IS...????"

I truly think there's a gene for "where is ...???" Does that sound familiar?? My dad has it, MY HUSBAND probably have DOUBLE that gene, and so do my monkeys! ~ A little MORE in Lucas than in Yesmin. I'd say that out of 365 days, maybe there are only 20 days (or less) that I actually don't get that question. Nd (Lee) and I have married for 8 years + now. We have lived in this house for almost 7 years. Yes, I am a homemaker, so I take care of putting things away after grocery/whatever shopping trips, so of course I KNOW things are. BUT, through out our "almost" 7 years of stay here, I HAVE NOT moved stuff around in the pantry. The medicine are still where they are, the spices, the drinks (coffee/cocoa/tea/Milo..etc), the snacks, the condiments, plates, containers...whatever it is, ARE STILL in the EXACT pantry, on the EXACT designated shelves!!! The extra shampoo, tooth paste, laundry detergent, batteries...etc, ARE STILL EXACTLY where they are. So, I wonder WHAT is it that makes him (Nd/Lee) every so often ASK me "Where is...???"

As for the monkeys? At least, Yesmin would try to look for whatever she's looking for by herself, most of the times. However, Lucas WOULD NOT even TRY to look for it before asking "Where's my ...???" He would just STAND there, expecting the (usually) toy would somehow, make its way to him! Ha! See the similarities in the MALE SPECIES?? I can't totally in that cos' I know my sister (yes you, jia) does the same! :P And guess what, when I get mad at them for constantly ASKING, Nd (Lee) would answer back "Fine! We won't ASK you anything, anymore!" ~ as though he ASK me it's because he LOVES me! HA HA, very funny, darling!

Prayers...

I just received a sad news from my opposite neighbor... her husband was just diagnosed with lung cancer. He's 80 plus years old, have been in pain. This news came as a surprise to their family and even us. Living across from them for almost 7 years, he's always been able to do a lot of things by himself, repair dental equipment, drive himself here and there, mow the lawn..etc. Past 2-3 years, we did realized that he has aged, but never thought about this! One thing I am glad is that all 4 of their kids and their family are back here. He'll be back from the hospital tomorrow. I am keeping HIM and his family, especially his 70 plus year-old wife in my prayers. They have been in MANY ways, like grandparents to our kids. If you are reading this, please do me a favor, take a minute and pray for him ~ John Kimbrough.

Thanks Mommy!!!

Whenever we go back to Malaysia, or when our parents come over for visit, we usually have a list of "neccesity" usually that includes her home made curry paste, sambal belacan, and fried shallots, and usually requested by Yesmin, Lucas and I, as ND(Lee) is "shy" to request for anything, as he's "suppose" to play the "role" of the "easy-going-will-eat-anything" husband.

Ok, so I admit...this picture doesn't look as appetizing as it should...especially if you're not from Southeast Asia. This is my mom's Sambal Belacan.

And I tell you --- it is THE BEST (not that I am bias or what, how can that be right?! :P) It is also Lucas' favorite "spicy sauce" (he calls it "poh poh's (grandma's) spicy sauce") It is made with grinding fresh cayanne pepper, with belacan (Shrimp paste. She only buys it from certain store in Penang) and some lime juice. I've tried making it, but of course it never turn out the same.
So, each time they visit us, or we go back for vacation, she'd make LOTS of them and pack them in small packets, freeze them, so that I can bring them back to U.S. However, our last trip home in Sept '07, she was so busy preparing variety of curry paste, fried shallots (the following picture), and other stuff (she tries to prepare them towards the end of our trip, so that they all stay fresh), she forgot the MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL ~ SAMBAL BELACAN!!! Even I didn't relized it until we go back here and unpacked! :P

Anyway, it's been a little more than a year since we got to enjoy it. End of last year, a family friend in Seattle went back to Malaysia, and stayed at my parents'. He offered to bring back stuff for us - thank you Uncle Liew! (and Mark for bring to the ski trip ;)) This time, my mom made sure she made A LOT! :P Today, I made stir fry Udon and I made sure I remembered to bring this GOLD out to savor with the udon!! ~ Y-U-M-M-Y!!! =)

Next on our list of food that we request from my mom, is her fried shallots!

After coming over to US, I usually buy the store bought ones from the Asian grocery stores. Then knowing how much I like 'em, my mom started making them for me to bring back here, and when I run out of it, I'd go back to the store bought... However, few years back, after we ran out of her fried shallots (it's Yesmin's favorite from the list (Nd/Lee's least favorite)...she could careless about any spicy food) and started with store bought ones...yuks, no way I'm gonna used those stuff again!!! Gosh I AM SO DARN SPOILED!!! *tsk, tsk, tsk* From then on, I'd rather NOT eat if I don't have my mom's fried shallot! ;P We put it on our udon, fried rice and whatever else that goes with it! ;P So....
Thank you mommy!!! :)

For My Friends Who LOVE The Color Purple...

Remember how I don't like the color Purple???!!! ...Well...this is one of my potted flowers I got from the nursery few weeks ago. This is for ALL of you who LOVE the color PURPLE!! ;) Enjoy, and Happy April Fool's day =)