Category Archives: Hobbies

Sewing Stories: Counted Cross Stitch Kits

By Andrea Pavee Yesterday, after about a 5-month epic adventure of thread and needle, I finished my first counted cross stitch kit. While I have always loved cross stitch, I used to grab onto a pattern, restock my supply of thread, then armed with a good amount of Aida cross stitch cloth, I would manuallyContinue reading “Sewing Stories: Counted Cross Stitch Kits”

GARDENING TIPS: ALL THINGS BLACK, BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL

By Andrea Pavee About a year ago, as we were preparing to return to our newly constructed home, we traversed the length and breadth of the Klang Valley looking for feature plants, planters and pots to beautify our garden. At one of our stops, I found the magnificent Black Magic (Black Colocasia) and Black CoralContinue reading “GARDENING TIPS: ALL THINGS BLACK, BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL”

Beginner’s Choice: Friends, Food and Fun

Food diplomacy The week has gone by quickly in the world that has been bustling with events from meetings of world leaders to the World Cup. Serious business is usually followed by the sharing of a meal at a banquet or a cocktail reception, where the mood is lighter and the host takes the occasionContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Friends, Food and Fun”

Sewing Symphonies: The Knitted Scarf

By Andrea Pavee When I was a child, Malaysian students were taught rudimentary sewing in Primary school. That was where I first learned how to cross stitch. I still remember the day I brought back my fledgling efforts to my Godmother’s home and how she helped me finish my homework to perfection. Encouraged by myContinue reading “Sewing Symphonies: The Knitted Scarf”

Just Loaf-ing Around with Sourdough

By Anne Lise Tan I have a love-hate relationship with making sourdough bread. Last year, I started entirelyfrom scratch back home with my first sourdough starter. (Read: a sourdough starter is an active colony of wild yeast that is cultivated by combining flour and water and letting itferment – this follows a similar concept toContinue reading “Just Loaf-ing Around with Sourdough”

Beginner’s Choice: Miang Kum Appetizer and Mango Desserts

Discovering lesser known Thai dishes When most people think of Thai Cuisine, the dishes which come to mind are usually: tom yum  goong (tom yum soup with prawns); som tam (papaya salad); pad Thai (Thai fried noodles); gaeng khiao waan gai (chicken green curry) and pad kra pao gai (basil leaf chicken). Khao Chae Recently,Continue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Miang Kum Appetizer and Mango Desserts“

Beginner’s Choice: Finger food and movie nights

Carol’s contribution Many people have travelled abroad on holiday in the past few months, though many others are still hesitant to venture too far. I fall into the latter group. Carol went to Italy, and she sent photos of tapas (Spanish appetizers: a piece of bread with a meatball covering a drink, and dates withContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Finger food and movie nights”

Home Traditions: The Butter Cake

By Andrea Pavee Our family traditionally celebrates everyone’s birthday with a home baked cake, candles and loud, if off-key, singing of “Happy Birthday”, before everyone tucks into the yummilicious treat. The only exception is myself, since I am the home baker, and so for my birthday, I get an apple pie, my favourite dessert. TrueContinue reading “Home Traditions: The Butter Cake”

Gardening: Lipstick, Powder and Paint

By Andrea Pavee After a hiatus from gardening articles, I am back, with more adventures to share. Having recently celebrated my birthday, I received two beautiful pots from two dear friendsto commemorate the special day. The first pot was gifted by Marcia – a beautiful Taro a.k.a Colocasia Esculente plant. How did she know IContinue reading “Gardening: Lipstick, Powder and Paint”