Category Archives: homemaking

Beginner’s Choice: New Year’s Celebration

A new year means a fresh start. What better way than to start the new year with fresh fruits and wishes for a fruitful year ahead! It’s always fun to have new ideas for New Year’s Eve, but in the interest of sustainability, it’s best to recycle décor. We had a candlelight dinner at homeContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: New Year’s Celebration”

Beginner’s Choice: Christmas at Home

The lyrics of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” resonate with all of us at HomSkil.  The home is the usual setting for family gatherings and celebrations that no one wants to miss out on. All big occasions require a lot of planning and work. Christmas celebrations somehow require more planning than other celebrations. This year,Continue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Christmas at Home”

Beginner’s Choice: From Durian Treats to Sustainability Efforts

The durian debate It’s always a joy to receive news from Feisan and to hear about her life in Sabah. A few days ago, Feisan sent photos of some toasts with delightful unusual spreads. Yes, durian and ube spreads! I don’t know what durians in Sabah are like, but my Malaysian friends and I oftenContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: From Durian Treats to Sustainability Efforts”

Beginner’s Choice: Crystal Dumplings

When I think of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and Johor usually come to mind. I have fond memories of growing up in Kuala Lumpur and of spending study weekends at a beach in Johor as a teenager. But Peninsula Malaysia is only a part of Malaysia. I have not been to Sabah and Sarawak, which makeContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Crystal Dumplings”

Look At My Garden Grow

By Andrea Pavee Gardens are always “works in progress”. Just when you think you are done, something comes along, and the face of your garden changes again, a testament that gardens are living, breathing things. Since our shift to our new home, the garden has undergone many movements and facelifts with additions, some subtractions, andContinue reading “Look At My Garden Grow”

Exploring my roots (and other vegetables) and Hakka Lei Cha

By Valerie Hollen Learning to make traditional Hakka dishes was one of my goals for this year. Coming from an Indonesian Chinese family, I sometimes felt that I was never really in touch with my roots. Not Indonesian enough, but also not Chinese enough, and also not Singaporean enough. My parents don’t speak Chinese andContinue reading “Exploring my roots (and other vegetables) and Hakka Lei Cha”

Beginner’s Choice: The Art of Dining at Home

We had a celebration dinner one evening this week, and someone commented that the steak was perfect, much better than the steaks she had had in restaurants. I had to agree. The tenderloin was of good quality. It was served with homemade mashed potato, asparagus, and kale and cherry tomato salad. We take dining atContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: The Art of Dining at Home”

Beginner’s Choice: Friendship and Food

Reunions It had been a while since I attended a gathering of former colleagues. We had started a tradition of getting together for a potluck meal. It was a good way of having a leisurely meal without the pressure of having to leave the meeting venue. Many restaurants have started to impose a 60-minute dine-inContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Friendship and Food”

Beginner’s Choice: Traditional Thai Desserts

Chart, my brother, has been asking me to write an article on Thai desserts. Actually, I think he wants me to learn to make Thai desserts. He presented me with a beautiful book with recipes from the Heart of Thailand last Christmas, which had dessert recipes. I haven’t been able to try any of theContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Traditional Thai Desserts”