Manhood Comes With A Price

As most of y'all know, Seb has been "fixed". I don't know why but all the boys in this family had to go through this ritual. It's for your own good, Mama said. So that we can have fun with all the girls without adding on to the feline population....she rationalised.

So, anyway, back to Seb, I don't think he was happy about it. Maybe he doesn't even realise it as there is no "unfixed" girl in this house, anyway. But then, what choice does he have? There are three girls in this house, all singles but unavailable.

Nicole, as we know, is not a merry widow. I don't think anyone can ever hold a torch to the memory of Tom and the loving relationship they have. Then there's Nikki, the happy go lucky rolly polly girl who's happy being single and Dad's blue eyed girl. And, of course, there's Queen Angelina who doesn't care a hoot about being tied to a single mancat. Last I heard, she already has three fiances.

Thus, my next job is to make sure Seb will remain a happy bachelor like me. We can flirt with anyone we like, without fear of knocking up anyone. har har har *evil laughs*

Oh yeah, did I tell you the vet who "fixed" Seb was a girl? I bet this is a conspiracy by all you ladies out there. "Fix" the boys so the girls can roam free? Hmmmm.....

Seb being comforted by Mama....he was admitted to the clinic in the evening prior to surgery day. Seb had to fast before surgery, hard to control when living in a household of multiple cats. Thus the overnight stay.

Yeah....don't be duped by the sweet smile, Seb. She's the one with the knife....

That's the look Seb gave Mama as she was leaving the premises.

He must be thinking: oh no! What's going to happen to me?

At home, Seb decided to give Mama his tail of disapproval. Hard to do when you don't have a long tail, my brofur!

Brad's note: He's still alive and kicking, and back to his pesky self. Err....whoever said that "fixing" this boy will change his behaviour? I don't see any change and I should know coz I have been his Big Bro for so long. har har har *evil laughs*

Thousand Apologies.....

My purrrson with the opposable thumb is sick. Some virus attacks that made her cough and snort and sneeze. So expect some down time on the blogging front, either updating or visiting. On another note, my protege Seb has recovered from his ordeal at the vet's. The deed has been done. He is now officially a mancat with no balls! har har har *evil laughs* Now I have to go snuggle Mama. Signing off, Brad

YVCM

Yummy Vegetarian Chocolate Muffins. Yup. That's what YVCM stands for. You know...the purrrson with the opposable thumbs was too lazy to type...but I've whipped her into shape.

More than that, she's even whipped up a yummy concoction for me to taste. I don't know how long this herbivore phase of hers will last but as long as the felines remain carnivores, am not complaining.

So, what has she come up with? Yes...it is the Yummy Vegetarian Chocolate Muffins. One bite and you'd never thought that there's neither eggs nor butter in the recipe. Honest.

The end results....very dark chocolatey muffin....the hazelnuts are the bonus!

The recipe: (makes 8)
3/4 cup flour
2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder (we used Majulah cocoa powder by HoKo)
1/2 cup sugar (we used brown sugar)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil (we used Carotino)**
1/2 cup cold water (from the fridge)
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp lemon juice/vinegar (we used apple cider vinegar)

16 pieces whole hazelnuts (optional)*

1. Sieve flour, cocoa and baking soda together to ensure even mixing, and then mix in salt and sugar. Reserve the lemon juice. Mix the dry and wet ingredients until sugar is dissolved.
2. Preheat oven to 190oC. Add lemon juice just before spooning batter into muffin cases. Mix well.

3. Spoon one tablespoon batter into muffin case, insert one piece of hazelnut, spoon another half tablespoon and then another piece of hazelnut.

4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpicks come out clean.

*Hazelnuts are atrociously expensive in this country. So, it's optional. Nope, can't substitute with peanuts.

**Carotino gives a very rich taste and texture similar to butter based cakes. Yes, you may substitute with any other type of cooking oil but I can't guarantee the taste.

The Majulah cocoa powder we used came from Tawau, Sabah.

Brad's note: Best eaten the next day. Serious. Your pawrents may want to try baking this over the weekend. har har har *evil laughs*

Mama the Betrayer

I know that my Mama is a diehard fan of Aussie hunk Curtis Stone. But recently she brought Jamie Oliver home. Said she couldn't find CS on the shelves but found JO aplenty.

Smoky hot JO is now in our house.

We used him to flavour these....lamb sausages and kebabs....

Brad's note: I say, bring JO on! I loooove his smoky hot jar of spices.... hmmm...can anyone tell me if CS has produced his own line of products? purrr....meow!

Life in Malaysia: Corn.... but not as we know it

This, to us, is the best way to eat corn. Steamed. lathered with butter and a sprinkling of salt.

Then we found these at a restaurant in Semporna, Sabah.

Upclose....looks like mashed up corn steamed in its own skin. The taste? Hmmm....sweetish...reminds us of polenta...

Oh....he must be the chef who prepared the steamed corn a la Semporna!

Brad's note: Mama says the more you travel, the more weird stuffs you discover. But this is weird good, not weird bad. I just love corn....no matter how it's cooked. har har har *evil laughs*

Double Surprise!!!!

Once upon a time there was a kitten. He got lost in a neighbourhood in Sydney, Australia and was picked up by strangers. Their kindness made him want to stay with them forever. Alas...it wasn't to be. His forever home was somewhere else....where he had to share a forevermom with another feline. A green-eyed beauty named Angelina who called him her slave....

Then one day his Mama decided to return to her homeland..but not without her Aussie kitties. Thus, began his journey to Malaysia...a land so far away from where he was born....and to begin his life with four other cats. Finally, he found acceptance. His new furblings embraced him and freed him from slavery. Thus, the new Brad Pitt was born. Grown up, confident, manly. Har har har *evil laughs*

How do you like the story so far, peeps? And what's the double surprise, you asked?

Well, surprise #1 is, it's Brad blogging here. Not Angelina. She decided that since July is my gotcha month, she'll let me host this site while she hibernates. Hmmm...yeah...this is the tropics, no winter here, so.... Well, she's the princess aka diva aka drama queen. If she says she wants to hibernate, let her be. I'm not complaining.

Surprise #2, we have visitors from Australia!!!! Remember the family who always babysat us whenever Mama was away? They came all the way from Sydney to celebrate my gotcha day! Uncle Is, Aunty If, Kakak and Akim came and made my day. I wish they had brought my buddies Pingu and Ginger too but you know...immigration, customs....human rules.... So, anyway, Mama prepared food for everyone. Just like the good old days.

Oh yeah....the gotcha boy and his band of admirers....yeah...right!

Uncle Is and Aunty If...I love you guys! Please come visit us again!

Kakak and Akim eating. Hey...I helped Mama cook!

Nikki was popular with everyone!

Et tu, Kakak?

Our breakfast the next day.....leftover curry noodles....

Brad's note: I don't really know how long Angelina will be hibernating. She hasn't issued any copy of the contract. In the mean time, enjoy your time with me. har har har *evil laughs*

Wordless Wednesday: Hot Cross Buns