New Blogging Equipment

Nope. This is not a paid advertisement though I mention a few brand names here.

Mama went to Harvey Norman a few days ago and bought me a few "stuffs." She said it's just to make my blogging more comfortable. Auw...you shouldn't Mama...or maybe she's feeling guilty over the swearing incident.

First, it was this gadget called USB Fan. It's supposed to reduce the heat produced by prolonged use of the MacBook.

The colour pink matches the MacBook, OK?

Then, I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, a couple of handsome blokes said they have delivery for me. Mama bought a new desk for me! Yahoo!!! I think people call this style of desk "roll top" or something. It's Made in Australia by a manufacturer called Flamingo Furniture of Victoria, of plantation timber. Oak, I think. Wooo...it has travelled far....

Hmmm...ample space for the MacBook, USB Fan and modem.

Teeheehee...that's me checking out if I could fit into the space too. Hmmm...just nice.

When not in use, we can roll the cover. Cool....

"But Mama, all those dangling cables spoil the look," I said.

"We'll go to Ikea and get those monster cables tomorrow, OK?" she replied.

This new desk looks like something out of the Antiques Roadshow programme of the BBC, eh?

Oh, Mama bought something for Brad too but am not telling....It's a high-tech gadget that he can share with Dad. It's humongous!!!

...WTF!!!!!

"Angelina, go downstairs and check the mail. I'm expecting some bills."
"Yes, Mama. Won't be long."
....krrrriuuuukkk....bang!
"Angelina, don't slam the door."
....krrriuuuuukkk..
"It wasn't me Mama. It was the wind."
"OK."
....krrriuuuuukkk..
After five minutes or so...
....krrrriuuuukkk...
"Mama, I can't get 'to' the mail."
"What do you mean by you can't get 'to' the mail?"
"It's too high, Mama. I can't reach it."
"Don't lie, sweetheart. It's within your reach."
"I used to. But I can't anymore."
"Duh?"
"Well, you should see it for yourself."
"I will. You come with me too."
....krrrriuuuukkkkk...click..
Meanwhile, on ground level....
"What the #@%&*!!!"
"Mama, don't swear."
"Oh, sorry sweetheart. It will be a while before I'll ask you to check the mail again."
"But I can climb to the brown box, Mama."
"Nope. This is a construction site now. Dangerous for you."

Someone knocked down the mailboxes at our building over the weekend.

An Apple A Day....

The Big Bowl of Fruits - Bilpin's landmark.

What do you on a boring weekend at the end of summer? Hmmm....let's go apple picking!!!

I have a confession. Ever since Mama started her annual pilgrimage to Bilpin to pick apples, I've never tasted store-bought ones anymore. Once you've tasted a tree-ripened organic apple, you'll never want to eat those waxed and old stored apples.

So, last weekend, Mama invited Aunty A and her daughters to come with us to Bilpin. Imagine, Aunty A has lived in this country for yonks but her Aussie hubby has never taken her apple picking. Tsk tsk tsk...shame on you, Uncle T.

Must say that the kids really enjoyed the fresh air of the countryside and the activity too. We had apples for breakfast and apple pies for lunch. Oooh...what a life.

Bilpin, the apple capital of New South Wales, is a tiny village about an hour's drive from where we live (if you follow the speed limit, Mama said). It's on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains.

A Jonathon apple tree in full glory awaits at the entrance of the orchard.

Aunty A says hello to the Granny Smiths.

There were as much apples on the trees....

....as on the ground. Nope, not a waste, as they decompose to become organic fertiliser.

Aunty A and daughter Amani showing off the Pink Lady apples.

Aunty A and daughter Ilham going ga-ga over the Royal Galas.

Yes, we were at Pinecrest Orchard, a pick-your-own property.

Apple pie production line at the Big Fruit cafe.

Didn't pick enough? Well, buy some here at only $1 a bag.

Our harvest - apples, potatoes and home made jams.

To Aunty Sherry With Love

Dear Aunty Sherry,
Shhhh...Angelina's asleep. So, I'm "borrowing" her blog for a while. I hope you'll like this video of handsome me. har har har *evil laughs*

"you know who"

888

Aunty Naz has tagged me. OK, it is straightforward, so this very busy kitty had to abandon her beauty sleep to do it right away.

The rule:
1. Go to your photo files… select the 8th photo folder
2. Select the 8th photo in that folder
3. Post that photo along with the story behind it
4. Then challenge 8 blogging friends to do the same.

Someone's believing in numerology must have invented this. So, here goes:

My Mama!!!!

Hmmm...a bit of info about the pix. That's my Mama at the Shop at the Top, a souvenir shop at the top of the Christchurch Gondola complex. She was trying out stuffs at the baby section when Dad took this photo of her.

Where in the world is the Christchurch Gondola? It's in Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand...you know, those teenie weenie isles across the pond from us...

The Christchurch Gondola is situated just 15 minutes from the inner city. Situated on the Port Hills, the Summit Station of the Gondola provides spectacular panoramic views from its elevation at 500 metres above sea level. Perched on the rim of the Mt Cavendish crater, the summit complex rises up 4 storeys and includes: The Summit Café; The Pinnacle Restaurant and Events Centre; Shop at the Top; and Time Tunnel Ride Experience.

The first and only Gondola in Christchurch City, it is one of the most popular Christchurch activities. Experience a spectacular ride far above the city, as a 4-person cabin lifts you gently up to 500m (1500ft) above sea level over the 945m ride. Stunning 360° views extend over Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean to Kaikoura; over Banks Peninsula, Lake Ellesmere and Lyttleton Harbour, and across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.

And now, for the most exciting part of this exercise. Who am I going to tag? (Buat tau, jangan tak buat!)
1. Aunty Pi (banana pix oso can lor!)
2. Aunty Paula (get away from all those politicking)
3. CO78 (you're good at this!)
4. Pak Mat (we want more of those sunrise/sunset ones in our life)
5. Aunty Sherry (har har har!!!!)
6. Aunty Ahan (I know you have sooooo many pix)
7. Uncle Razee (food pix oso OK maa...)
8. Aunty Kay (do I care if you're sooooo busy?)

purrrr.....meow!

Not for Aunty Pi

Drool Aunty Pi, drool....

Dear Aunty Pi,

I'd like to ask you a question. Why can't you eat bird chili? I think it's the most delicious, delectable, and delightful fruit on earth. Okay, let's not start an argument whether chili is a fruit or a vegetable. What I know is it can be used to add zing to any savoury dish. Of course, there are people who swear by chocolate coated chilies too.

Anyway, remember those surplus from our garden? We've harvested more chilies last weekend. The problem with the chili plants is that once one starts to fruit, the rest follow suit. And we have seven of them.

Well, blame Yummy Mummy and Andrea. They suggested that we pickle or preserve this manna from heaven. So, here's our version of pickled chili.

Pickled Bird Chilies a la Angelina

Ingredients: (to make one 1/2 liter jar)

100g fresh bird chili

Please discard the stems and wash thoroughly. Beware of cat fur...

1 cup vinegar

We tried this delightful Middle Eastern red vinegar.

2 tsp dill seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 bulb garlic, sliced

The dill seeds come from our garden too. Mustard seeds and garlic - from the shops...teeheehee...

1 cup sugar (we use brown, not white)

Method:
Bring vinegar, sugar and spices to a boil and simmer about 7 minutes to a light syrup.

The red vinegar and brown sugar combine to give a nice caramel colour to the syrup.

Put one layer of bird chilies in jar.

No need to cook the chilies. They go into the jar raw.

Add sliced garlic.

Layering chilies and garlic in jar is supposed to spread the flavours.

Cover with syrup and cover with tight lid.

Mama bought the jar at Ikea!!!

Refirigerate for at least 3 days before serving. Try it with char kuey teow or fried noodles or soup noodles. Itadakimasu! purrr...meow!