By Andrea Pavee As a child, my constant delight rested in chocolates. While the varieties we could savour back then was somewhat limited, whatever I managed to get my hands on did not last long. Cadbury’s was a staple then, just as it is now. Another popular brand was Van Houten’s chocolates which, back then,Continue reading “Home Traditions: Chocolate”
Author Archives: chayohome2020
Beginner’s Choice: Cherry Blossoms and Outdoor-Dining
Celebrating in Japan Spring is a great time to celebrate the beauty of nature. There is a sudden burst of colour in many places that sparks joy. Apart from the beautiful sight of blossoms, there is also the joy of food which goes with celebrating the cherry blossom festival. I sent a birthday greeting toContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Cherry Blossoms and Outdoor-Dining”
Beginner’s Choice: Cháo gà ( chicken porridge) and gỏi gà (chicken salad)
By Cecille Vy Nguyen, a Vietnamese friend, came to the house and taught me how to cook Vietnamese chicken porridge and to prepare Vietnamese chicken salad. “It’s your birthday present”, she said. These two dishes are usually eaten together. She brought the chicken (kampong chicken) from her province, Dong Nai, two hours away from SaigonContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Cháo gà ( chicken porridge) and gỏi gà (chicken salad)”
Beginner’s Choice: Thoughtful Meals
Thoughtful gestures make thoughtful meals It has been two years since Covid disrupted the international travel. Travelling from Singapore to Johor Bahru (JB) (in Malaysia) can hardly be called international travel, as it is a five-minute train ride, but Covid made crossing the border impossible for two years. Since the reopening of the border, happyContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Thoughtful Meals”
Gardening: Airwell Chronicles
By Andrea Pavee Hello everyone! In my previous article, I wrote about our airwell which is the green centerpiece of our new home. It is situated right in the middle of the house, with a breakfast nook on one side, the dry kitchen, in front, and the dining room, on the other side. As ChayoContinue reading “Gardening: Airwell Chronicles”
Beginner’s Choice: The Heart of the Home
Students on exchange In Singapore There is more force of gravity in the kitchen than anywhere else in the house, so people usually gravitate to it, especially when there is the aroma of pastry baking in the oven. Some students came around today to prepare a French meal. There had to be baguettes, otherwise itContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: The Heart of the Home”
Beginner’s Choice: The Joy of Sharing and Recycling
There has been some semblance of normality in the past weeks, though I understand that we will have to live with the “new normal” once Covid is over. The past weeks have been very busy, though a lot of activities have been over Zoom. I realised that I have made some new friends over theContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: The Joy of Sharing and Recycling”
Beginner’s Choice: Tart Art and A Mother’s Heart
There is something special about cake! There is also tart art. Cakes and tarts have a value that comes from the heart. Many years ago, I went to Chinatown on an outing at night with some friends. We had dinner, and then we walked to China Square. There was a small café with a signContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Tart Art and A Mother’s Heart”
Beginner’s Choice: Mom’s Magic
It has been a busy week, and the HomSkil’s Homemaking 101 course is on my schedule for this afternoon. I managed to get some free time to go on a National Gallery tour yesterday, and I will recommend it. Lianne, who was our guide did an excellent job. Two hours flew by too quickly. SheContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Mom’s Magic”
Gardening Tips: Divide & Rule
By Andrea Pavee Having moved more than a month ago, we are slowly, but surely, settling down. The garden area though has multiplied in size from what I worked on previously, at the rented house, where I developed gardening as a hobby. However, as I was contemplating the area I have to manage, an oldContinue reading “Gardening Tips: Divide & Rule”
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