Bloom

Even though it's winter now and the weather has been wet and gloomy the last few days, the house is full of laughter and happiness, as if the spring is in full bloom. I love listening to Sabina's laughter and watching Elena's cute little smiles. My heart melts every single time when I looked at them.

Anyway, enough blabbering there because I can go on and on talking about my kids. Yes, they are the center of my universe, they mean the whole wide world to me.

Now, back to the main point of my post, I'd like to show you another FO (finished object). Woohoo!!! I'm on a knitting frenzy!!! I finally finished knitting the Bloom dress a few days ago. The lace section was a breeze but don't get me started on the ribbing section. Did I tell you I dislike knitting ribbing a lot? They're a PITA.

• Pattern: bloom by Georgie Hallam
• Needle: 3.25 mm, 4.0 mm and 5.0 mm
• Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8 ply in Baby Blossom

Even though I knitted this dress in the medium size, which is suitable for 6 months to 4 years old, I couldn't wait but put it on Elena. I think she can start wearing it now :)

Don't you think she looks super cute and adorable?

10th Baby Surprise Jacket

As Elena has just turned 3 months old a few days ago, our normal daily lives are back into routine as I readjust our lifestyles with 2 kids. I'm still learning to juggle everything but I'm glad to say, I'm doing OK so far. In addition to that, I even managed to squeeze in some knitting time too!!!

Believe it or not, this is the 10th Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ) that I've knitted. It's definitely one of my favourite baby patterns to knit and it's the first time I've knitted one for my own kids. Yeap...Sabina didn't get one. Oooops...sorry Sabina!!!

I managed to finish knitting this little jacket 2 months ago, just in time for the colder weather. Elena seems to be happy doing some modelling shots too!!! Do note that these photos was taken about 2 months ago. Did you notice that she's gotten really chubby?

Here's the project info if you're interested:

• Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann
• Needle: 4.0 mm
• Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Harmony in Coral

I'm so glad to be back in my knitting mojo although progress is a little bit slow. However, at least I get to have a little bit of some "me time". Always remember, no matter how busy you are with your family, you must set some time aside for yourself. Most of the time, mothers tend to forget about themselves, always putting others first. We need to learn to reward and treat ourselves, once in awhile. After all,  a happy Mummy = happy kids and family :)

Introducing Elena Xu

Firstly, so sorry for the short 2 months hiatus. I'm sure most of you all know that I have a good reason for that. Not long after my last post, I gave birth to my second daughter.

I would like to introduce you to my second beautiful princess, Elena Xu.

Sabina has been really good with her, as you can see from the photos. She absolutely adores and loves her little sister!!!

Now, we have become a family of four. I can feel my heart is bursting and overflowing with love!!!

The little one is already growing so fast. Just so you know, she's already 2 months old now!!!

It's the Final Countdown

This second pregnancy has gone by way too quickly. Without realising it, the final countdown has now begun. I'm going to be 37 weeks pregnant in a few days time, meaning there's only less than 4 weeks to go before baby pops. However, realistically she could come out earlier too, just like Sabina, who was born 11 days earlier than her due date.

We went for a maternity photo shoot 2 weeks ago and initially, I was a bit apprehensive how Sabina would behave during the photo shoot as I would really love her to be in it. Both hubs and myself were totally impressed as Sabina was so cooperative and did everything as she was told. Here's a sneak peak of our family portrait. Can't wait to see more soon!!

We're nearing the end of the Chinese New Year as we welcome the Year of the Goat. Better late than never, I'd like to wish everyone Gong Xi Fa Cai!!! Wishing you and your family a happy and prosperous year of the Goat.

Also, for the first time in years, we finally managed to have a family reunion dinner together with my family as they flew over for Chinese New Year. In case you're not aware, reunion dinner is usually held on New Year's Eve.

We had a little feast of our own. It was absolutely delightful and delicious. We had stir-fry vegetables, steamed fish, sweet and sour prawns, roast pork (air fried), braised mushrooms with scallops and abalone, and last but not least, lotus root and red dates soup with pork ribs. I feel like having another mini feast now :)

Air Fried Turmeric Chicken Wings with Curry Leaves

I know that about 2 months ago, I got the fancy kitchen gadget called Thermomix. Not long after that, I bought another kitchen gadget...Ooops!!

Please welcome my latest addition to my kitchen family, the Phillips Avance Collection Airfryer XL. Eating healthier and frying without oil. That got my interest!!! I must say, I've been using both my gadgets a lot and I kept telling my hubs that they're the best things that I've ever bought last year for my kitchen!!!

I was trying out my own recipe last week with the Airfryer, where I would traditionally have to deep fried it with lots and lots of oil. This time, with the Airfryer, I did not have to use a single drop of oil. Did I say that I am super impressed?

You can try this recipe with either chicken wings or drumsticks, but I personally prefer the wings. My only tip is, do note that the curry leaves will fly and might get stuck at the top grill. Make sure you get them out when you've finished cooking, otherwise they will get burnt when you use the Airfryer next time!

Air Fried Turmeric Chicken Wings with Curry Leaves
Recipe by Michelle Lee
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 21 minutes
Total time: 26 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 kg chicken wings
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground paprika/chilli
• A pinch freshly cracked black pepper
• A handful fresh curry leaves

Cooking Directions

1. Cut the whole wing into sections; which are drumette, middle and tip. Discard the tips.
2. Marinade all the ingredients except for curry leaves, preferably overnight.
3. Preheat AF at 200 deg C for 3 minutes.
4. Air fry the chicken wings at 200 deg C for 8 minutes.
5. Throw in the curry leaves and air fry the chicken wings at 180 deg C for another 10 minutes.
6. Serve with steam rice.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and is looking forward to the new year!! I know I am!!!

We had a lovely Christmas Day with lots of good food and surrounded by friends. In fact, we even had two Christmas meals in a day!!! Christmas lunch at our friend's place and Christmas dinner at our place!! I'm sure all of us were in some sort of food coma that night!!!

Anyway, for the first time ever, I've decided to cook a traditional Christmas meal, sort of. This was our menu:

• Christmas Honey and Marmalade Glazed Ham
• Bread Rolls
• Coleslaw
• Potato Bake (cooked by my dearest friend)

I actually bought the leg of ham from Woolworths just a few days before Christmas and was frantically looking for recipes on how to glazed a ham as I've never done it before. I think I was a little bit too ambitious and was stressing myself at the same time with "What if it doesn't turn out ok?", "What if it taste yuck", and so on. Did I tell you I've never made bread rolls before too? I was trying to do a lot of things from scratch with my new Thermomix and I'm just glad everything turn out ok!!!

Also, all three of the dishes that I prepared were all made with my Thermomix. I must say, it has been used quite a lot lately and I'm absolutely loving it. It definitely has to be one of my best purchases for the year 2014.

Last but not least, happy new year to all of you!!! Wishing you lots of love and happiness. Thank you Lord for blessing me with a wonderful husband, my lovely daughter Sabina and another baby on the way. Can't wait to start the new year as a family of four.

Learn, Live and Hope

In light of what is happening lately, we must remember to learn from yesterday, live for today, and continue to hope for a better tomorrow.

I pray that the Lord will comfort the hearts and bring peace upon the families and those who are affected by this tragic event in Sydney.