A Garden Of Eden

How does your garden grow? Being a garden enthusiast, I can go on and on about this topic! I hope you share the same interest with me...

flowering plants not only add colour but also accentuate the garden porch. Some plants are more sensitive than others, thus you will have to take extra care. That's why i love orchids. They are really hardy and not fussy.

Tender Loving Care (TLC) is what make plants trive well. Besides watering them, you should replenish the soil at least once a month, add fertiliser every fortnight and spray pesticide at least once a month. These should guarantee you a successful priced beauty.

If you love gardening, but don't have the space to create your Garden of Paradise, container gardening is an ideal choice. Container gardening is essentially placing different plants (at least three) in containers made of plastic, clay, wood or ceramic.

There are many ways in which you can design your house garden, no matter how small, into a space in which you can derive all the simple pleasures of nature. Bonsai or Japanese Garden is also a very nice concept if there is space constraint.

Happy Pottering!

Sherry

P/s more pics for my garden of EDEN

MY BEAUTIFUL GARDEN

Hi All

I have always loved plants. I like flowering and non-flowering plants. Fruit trees and herbs are also my favourite but due to space constraints, I have only managed to plant a mango and a custard apple tree in my garden. It placed in the tiny spot at my front yard. As for herbs, I have a curry leave plant, spinach and some basil for the plucking when necessary - very convenient indeed!

I simply enjoy the sounds and sights of all the happenings in my lovely small garden especially the visiting birds chirping and enjoying what the flowers have to offer every morning and evening. It's an amazing experience with nature and the wonders of our Lord!

Cheers!

Sherry

Mum's 72nd Birthday

Hello!

We celebrated my mum's birthday last Sunday, Joanna Gaspar. She was born in 1937 in Kuala Lumpur. A survivor of the second world war. A survivor of great hardship during her growing up years. She became 'mom' to her younger siblings after she lost her mother and father who expired exactly a year apart of each other. Her mother died with womb cancer after giving birth to 16 children while her father suffered a heart attack.

My mum is a jewel of a woman. She is a role model for all of us, her children and grandchildren. She is a very loving, patient, caring and understanding person.

She's also a very simple lady. She's very unassuming and generous too. She is one woman whom I can vouch is comfortable in her own skin! I say this especially because she never vain.

She's always doing stuff for us. She is a very, very good cook. The whole family enjoy her speciality to bits! Besides that she used to sew our dresses and headgear when my sister and I were little. She would be a barber, baker, tailor and carpenter!.... A perfect DIY icon of those days!

She has taught me the importance of faith - Family rosary prayers every evening before our dinner. She used to drag us to church every Sunday. As we lived on the mainland in Prai (north of Malaysia), back then when buses were not yet introduced. As a kid, I used to look forward to the sampan ride across the river to go to the Nativity Church in Butterworth. It was fun being able to touch the clear water and see the fish swimming by.

Besides that I remember very clearly how much she sacrificed for us kids. Mum was quite strict when it came to housework. She never spoilt us. I appreciate the basic living skills she passed on to me. She sent me off to the market and pay the bills at the age of 6-7 years.

She made sure we knew our responsibilities. School work, chores and other duties were always in check. I used to get upset at times back then but it's only when I grew up, I realised what it was all about.

My greatest wish for my beloved mum is that she enjoys a good life today and always. I just can't imagine if anything were to happen to her. Most of all I pray for God's blessings to shower upon her always because she deserves it!

I pray she enjoys good health in her twilight years. I wish her HAPPINESS, PEACE JOY and LOVE form all her loved ones and friends.

So my dears out there, I do hope you will appreciate, treasure, love and take care of your 'moms', whom ever they might be - how ever they have treated you. As the Lord says, honor and respect your parents, that means your grandparents too as without your grandparents, you wouldn't have your parents and without your parents, you wouldn't exist!

Last but not least always remember what goes around comes around!

Cheers!

Sherry p/s

I made an orange almond cake. Baked special chicken roast, noodles of course (for long life), chili beef and salad. We also had yellow ghee rice and oven baked wheat bread....Menu for the day had to be Mom's special request. We had a gathering of my Dad's sisters, A. Lifo & A. Helen and my cousin Elwyn & family (view pic)...Enjoy! Recipe for Orange Cake.


Orange Cake Recipe

250 grams butter softened
1-3/4 cup caster sugar
2 cups self-rising flour
4 large eggs 1 or 2 oranges - extract juice & orange rind
Almonds for decoration

method:

cream butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Beating well between each addition until thoroughly incorporated. Add orange rind. Sift flour and add in batter gradually and alternate with orange juice. Bake in moderate heat 180C for about 45 mins.

Gearing Up For Valentine's Day?

Good morning...

How are you feeling today? Hope that you're in the pink of health! The vibes of Valentine's Day has been brewing in the air for the past week.

Just look around on the TV, in the media and shopping malls - It's amazing to see how this day has caught on to people all over the world.

Advertisement has it as 'Say it with Roses', 'Spice up your Valentine's Day with Scent' and others 'Spoil Him/Her with Chocolate!' Of course I'm sure some of you would proof to your loved one by booking in an exclusive holiday on an
island in Malaysia or the Alps perhaps?..a cruise? or even a luxurious stay at a prominent hotel inclusive of a spa treatment to boot??'

Well I would be thrilled to enjoy such pampering but lets get real OK! I for one wouldn't like to stand in queue just to have a SPECIAL dinner at famous place. I wouldn't want my spouse to pay a hefty RM10 just for 1 stalk of rose (although he wouldn't do it anyway). I'd be touched if he gets me some other variety (but not form my garden mind you!)....I wouldn't mind the Bunga Raya even, as long as it's not a stolen one!

It's not about being a cheapskate but it's simply the practicality of the whole matter. I feel everyday should be Valentine's Day.

Yup! We should demonstrate our love for each other EVERY single day. Yes we all have our differences - be it in our opinions, our likes and dislikes, hobbies, beliefs etc, etc. But only if we love, respect and except one another be it our lover, husband, wife, father, mother, children, relatives, friends and everyone in the world, it would amount to something great, right?

But the whole truth is I am a freak for Valentine's. I usually do something extra special for my loved ones. My own special way - so today I have baked some special Valentine's Muffin with topping (pls view pic). Hope they will enjoy them and and feel SPECIAL!

Here's wishing you a wonderful 'Valentine's Day' this Sunday. Just remember that YOU ARE SPECIAL! Introducing my funny Valentine, Edgar and sons, Leslie & Jude.

Cheers!

Sherry

p/s tq u L/ann & Les.

Another Holiday & Another Chance!

Hi there....

today we enjoy yet another holiday here, in the state of Selangor and a few other states in Malaysia in conjunction of Thaipusiam - a day where Hindus carry out their vows to the Lord Muruga at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur.

Devotees fulfill their vows by carrying the kavadi (a small decorated chariot), some of them pierce themselves while others carry milk pots as an offering for favours granted or thanksgiving.

This event usually attracts many tourists who watch in awe as the devotees perform these religious acts. Throngs of onlookers as well as devotees usually cause traffic congestion which begins very early in the morning.

Tonight is also Chap Goh Meh. It's the 15 day or the last day of the Chinese New Year. Lots of crackers being fired around the area where I live. Hopefully this will not hamper yet another good night's sleep!

Happy to have completed making 3 sets of muffins today (tiga sekawan) - Orange Poppy Seed, Chocolate and the Chicken Mushroom & Cheese variation. My niece, Llew-Ann will help me promote them to her colleagues in her office.


I have been looking around town and I think I've found a base where I can advertise my creations. Who knows something great will materialise eventually!

I know that I should be cautious and not rush into anything...I shall have to give it a good thought. On the other hand, me being a Money Mastery graduate, have learnt that acting fast is the essence in making money machines a success.

The biggest hurdle of course will have to be... getting approval and blessings from my hubby and the rest of the family before launching my project.

So do continue to wish me luck...Gotta say goodnite! Enjoy the new articles!

Cheers!

Sherry

p/s: TQ very much, Llew-Ann!

MY VERY FIRST BREAK!

Hello there!

Today I'm feeling AWESOME! I got my first break at marketing my muffins at a local restaurant. Yup! I feel it's the stepping stone or the beginning of my dream.

Although it's only at it's infant stages or well, should I say it's only at it's embryotic stages, I feel very very elated and excited!

My ultimate dream is having a cosy place where I can bake my favourite things (by now I'm sure you know muffins and pies) and providing a nice ambience where people can relax and meet up for a cuppa or a snack.

So for the moment I shall focus on the NOW and TODAY therefore I shall continue to go knocking on doors. Hopefully by the grace of God He will connect me to some more good people who will give me a chance to proof myself.

Gotta run now...lots of nitty-gritty things to think about and iron out. Shall keep you posted. In the meantime do wish me well in my endeavour, will be needing them heaps!! Thank you!

Take care & Cheers!

Sherry

There are Good People Out There!

Hello everyone!

I just got back from my dental appointment today. These days going to dentist is something pleasant, unlike before - an absolute torture! All this sudden change is due to a wonderful specialist, a Dr Sorayah who is from the Gonverment dental hospital in our city, Klang, Selangor.

I was referred to her when the general dentist couldn't help me with my gum (it being something extraordinary). Since I visited her from day one, I realised how wrong I had been in being so judgemental about all dentist and branding them as ruthless, impersonal and just treating their patients just to make their $ for the day.

Dr Soraya is such a beautiful lady. She is a professional who is so humble, gentle, caring and patient. She has always treated me with respect. She never fails to explain what the problem articulately, what she plans to do to help overcome it and always asks me how I FEEL in the process of the procedure. This is something I have never ever experienced in my entire life!

I still remember the ordeal as a little girl in Primary school, how our names (students) were called up when the school organised random dental check-ups.... My friends and I would be shivering, hoping and praying that it won't be our turn! Then we will be taken off in a van to nearest gorvenment clinic.

Oh, how I used to dread those awful times. The doctors and nurses wouldn't talk, let alone smile at us! They were just as sterile as the apparatus and atmosphere there. Yet, I used to diligently go anyway....thanks to that, I still have all my teeth intact...considering what a sweet, chocolate and cake junkie I was and still am till today!

Anyway coming back to the lovely Dr Soraya, she has become a beloved friend to my whole family. During one of my visits, I mentioned to her about my mum's gum problem (she used to get gum-boils very often) I was only looking forward for an explanation but instead she booked my mum to visit her.

Subsequently, my dad who had a very, very bad experience with the last dentist who extracted his molar many years ago, didn't want to go to any dentist although he was silently suffering with some serious underlying dental problems . I spoke to Dr Soraya and she was willing to see him and treat him.

That's not all, once my little son accompanied me for my appointments. He was awfully curious and asked her a hundred and one questions and yet I was amazed at how patiently she had explained everything he wanted to know! In fact she was actually enjoying his company! That's not all, she also took the opportunity to give him a check up and polish his teeth with him getting to choose what flavour polish he wanted! Lucky fellow!

So by now you would understand why we completely adore this specialist who incidentally heads the department at this dental clinic. Well you might think that I have taken advantage of the kindness of this special lady but let me tell you that she is one genuine human being who obviously is passionate about her job just as well passionate about people in general.

I notice that she treats her staff the same way as her patients, with respect and kindness. I'm glad to mention that her staff seems to be influnced by their leader! This is a fact!

Well will you believe me that my Dad has no sweat going to the dentists? Guess what today she asked me how my Mum was. That's how genuine she is. Well honestly speaking another person wouldn't even bother... Indeed I feel that this world would be a better place if it had more Dr. Sorayas and the likes. There would be less selfishness, ruthlessness and less inflated egos.

On a possitive note, there are pepole out there who are kind, loving and caring. You just gotta be lucky to bump into them by chance. Better still it would be nice if you can be one of them...yup... YOU can make a difference!

Cheers! Keep smiling!
Sherry

p/s meet my little son JUDE (pic)

Here's to LONG Life!

Hello there!

Can't imagine 10 days has gone by since my last posting..it's simply because I have been busy living my life!

Yup, the Chinese New Year Hols was here and my little son had 1 week off. My sister who teaches was also on a week's break. She and her family were down from Penang too. We were pretty busy doing things that made us happy.

Since my mum is half Chinese we had a steamboat dinner on the eve and it was fun. It was quite an evening for us as it ended with a colourful display of fireworks plus fire crackers, compliments from our Chinese neighbours - awesome!

All these happiness and celebrating, again has caused me to be back at square one where my workout regime is concerned. Nevertheless, isn't all these little things that makes life so worthwhile....so I'm not complaining!

Research has found that besides exercise, there are other things that one can do to add years to our life.

BEING HAPPY tops the list as it adds 9 years! Optimistic people tend to act in healthier ways that those who are negative - getting more exercise and taking part in more life-affirming social activities.

A positive outlook also means quicker recovery from illness and injury to fight viruses and bacteria.

Did you know that FEMALES outlive men by 10 years? Having FAITH + 7 YEARS?
MARRIAGE + 7 YEARS too? Caring for PETS + 2 YEARS? Last but not least, A ROOM WITH A VIEW + 2 YEARS? - Living, working or recuperating from a room with a view can lift our mood, ease stress and provide a deep sense of optimism.

There you have it! Go on live your life to the fullest doing all that's good for you. Get out of your bed...stop resting on your laurels... go get yourself a pet, a husband or a wife. Practise your faith, know your GOD as He loves you unconditionally!

Last but not least, please don't go change your SEX if your a man OK! We females are simply gifted! Hee! Hee! Hee!

I baked 2 types of muffins for tea last weekend for my family. Orange Poppy and 3C's (Coconut, Cappuicino & Cocolate) Muffin. I enjoyed playing with the all ingredients I had in the pantry and it was so rewarding to see them go like hot cakes! Will share the recipie with you soon.

Included photos of my room with a view of my garden. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Cheers!

Till then, take care and God bless,

Sherry