Wanna make your single friends all uncomfortable and tense? Simply dump your 2 month old baby in their arms and watch in amusement. Tried and tested formula.

Can I have those delicious looking drumsticks please?

Together with those hamburger buns thankewverimuch!

Any mom would know, tending to a baby is like having 2 full time jobs all at once. In the midst of endless feedings, diaper changes & tantrum management, it is important to take some time to breath and do something out of the ordinary. Like taking a shower or going to the loo for a number 1.

If you are extremely lucky to have a supportive hubby like D-man, you can venture further and experiment with recycling / upcycling projects like this one.

It’s a tube bag for your yoga mat, and requires nothing but an old pair of jeans and some ribbon. Aunty Scroogey would approve. Come on admit it, we all have at least a pair of jeans sitting in the darkest corner of our wardrobes, waiting for it’s salvation day when we miraculously grow thinner. I stopped counting when my stash hit 15.

I made this from D-man’s ancient ripped jeans. I loved how incredibly soft it is, the results of being worn so frequently for years. I can never achieve that effect, nor will I ever see natural fade lines on my denims. That’s the downside for often buying new clothes that I don’t need.

But don’t tell him that. He might get cocky and use it against me.

Best part of it is, that I know it’s one in the world.

Just like D-man. :)

A few people had came to me before and told me of their “magical” experience with childbirth. They claimed that the minute they saw their bundles of creamy joy being put on their chest, they forgot all the excruciating pain and bla bla bla… dah dah dah…

I will not hesitate to tell the truth about my birthing experience too. That it was a horrific one.

I had woken up bleeding in the ungodly hours of the night and alone because D-man was away serving the army. I showered and packed my bag before hailing a cab to the hospital. Upon admitting myself, I was told that I needed an emergency c-section right away due to a complication with my placenta. As the doctor goes on to explain the procedure, I had already zoomed out and was in my mind counting the number of hours I had wasted on researching the benefits of drug-free childbirth, the time and dollars spent on pre-natal yoga, consultations with a doula etc, all just to gear up for the much raved about natural labour.

It would be pure hypocrisy to say I was not disappointed with the method of delivery. It certainly doesn’t help that everyone around you are committed advocates of natural childbirth. But did it made me any less of a mother? Hell no, and my sentiments are shared by all my loved ones.

What I am really saying is…if you kicked the kerb & tripped into the same emotional manhole of blaming yourself for a less than perfect birth experience (whatever that is), it’s ok. Just get up, swear, brush the dirt off yourself and move on. The roses and rainbow are right ahead, and will be personally delivered to you by your very own cherub

I absolutely not want to be one of those annoying parents who has 10 Facebook albums of their baby despite the kid being only 2 weeks old. And don’t get me talking about those mums who start and end all their conversations with “my baby..”.

But I realize it’s pretty damn hard not to share pictures as adorable as these…

What are you hiding in your cheeks sweetheart?

I’ll totally understand though if you decide never to come to this site again.

Love,
Addict

It’s been quite a while. The fact that I still remember how to turn on the computer and type this is a miracle by itself.  Do forgive me though, for you see, I’ve been involved in the mega project of colossal scale.

Meet the latest member of the Peonies family!!!

In between endless feedings and diaper changes, I will try to update my beloved blog but if I don’t, you know why (especially all the mommies out there. Btw here’s a long overdue salute!).

A good weekend (or 2 if you’re slow like me) project. I got the pattern from Abbey Lane, and love it for its generous size. I’m a born and bred big bag girl. Small, itsy ladylike handbags just ain’t up my alley.

I added a handmade owl for that extra cuteness. I think he is happy there.

Its inside is roomy and quilted, with pockets for your little life savers.

Finished off with a pair of nylon bag handles with leather grips. Light weight yet sturdy.

Available for order if you’re keen!

How did someone come up with having turkey for Christmas feasts? Why on earth would you cook something so large, you have to eat it for the next 2 years?

Since we all have to OD on turkey, might as well do it in different ways. I made the pie crust a night in advance and just had to cook the fillings before baking the pie. The pie crust recipe can be found here.

Ingredients (pie fillings enough for 1 large and 6 small pies)
leftover turkey meat, shredded (about 4 cups )
1.5 large carrots. diced
3 large white onions, diced
1 can of button mushrooms, sliced
butter for frying (approx 4 tbsp)
1 cup stock (I used chicken but veg stock works just as well)
1 tbsp cornflour or plain flour mixed with 1/2 cup water for starch
pepper and salt for seasoning (optional, as the turkey, butter and stock is already tasty on its own)
1 egg yolk for brushing onto pie pastry to get that golden brown tinge

In a large pan, melt butter and fry the onions and carrots till soft. Add mushrooms, turkey and fry till fragrant. Add stock, mix well and add starch while constantly stirring the stock to prevent lumps. Quickly remove from heat. Let the divine mixture cool, and get to work with the pie crust.

I have to say it looks good considering its molded by pie virgins A-gal and Tommy.

Few days before this, my online conversation with Tommy went like this:
me: We’re having Death by Turkey session 2, starring Turkey Pie at A-gal’s. Wanna come?
T: Huh?
me: Sunday lunch. Turkey. You. Come?
T: Ok. What do I bring?
me: We’re having pie. A salad would be nice..
T: Sure! How do you cook a salad?
me: *sound of crickets*
T: Hallo?
me: Nevermind. Just bring drinks.

Never one to let people down, Tommy brought not only drinks but this as well.

Don’t ask. Just..don’t.

Aunty Scroogey often writes about the “big money”, so I thought it might be a refreshing change to talk about the “small money”. Small money, when accumulated & utilized properly, transforms itself into big money. And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like big money.

1. Always write down your shopping list, and stick to it. Better still section your grocery list into food, non-food, household needs, toiletries and etc. This way you buy only what you need and save time wondering down the aisles repeatedly.

2. Do your grocery shopping on a weekday. Parking is cheaper, there’s usually no maddening crowds and things are magically easier to find (tried and tested!). A minute saved is a penny gained isn’t it?

3. When reading your daily paper do keep a look out for special deals and promotions. Sometimes savings can really be substantial, especially on frequently purchased essentials like diapers and coffee.

4. Always have your meal before doing your grocery shopping, otherwise be prepared to buy more than you require. Shoppers who go to the supermarket hungry usually end up buying a lot more food (especially junk food) then they really need. <—- the scientists/researchers said this, not me :)

5. You must have heard this one many times. Budget your grocery spendings and stick to it. It is usually a balancing act. If you must have that expensive pate, then buy other items at no frills price. Supermarket house brands are usually just as good as the other established labels because the products are usually from the same source.

6. Cook at home from scratch. Even if you think you can’t, anyone can. Skip the frozen meals aisle and don’t let excuses and your lazy bones tell you otherwise. It doesn’t have to be a fanciful 3 course dinner everyday. A simple pasta bologna serves its purpose of being nutritious, wholesome and cheap. Planning your meals at home in advance also means you will only buy what you need and nothing more.

7. Buy only whole, real foods, and not processed-to-death instant junk. Don’t even think of picking up something that boldly prints “Just add water!”. More likely than not you won’t recognize 1 word from the ingredient list. Not only does this save you money, but more importantly your health too.

8. Buy based on price per gram/pound/kilos, especially if its an essential you need often. That bigger jar of peanut butter is definitely a better buy than it’s smaller counterpart.

9. Avoid disposable packaging as much as possible. Individually packed biscuits definitely cost more than regular family sized bags. Besides you can use your pretty cookie jars. No amount of plastic wrapping can beat that!

10. Go shopping alone or just with your partner. Bringing your tag team and the entire village with you means your supermarket trolley will load up on its own with things that you probably haven’t seen before in your life.

Come share your tips if you have more!

What’s white, sticky, cute and totally addictive?

Do you remember what you were doing during the last few days leading to the millennium? Can you believe its been 10 years since Y2K (I just felt a white hair emerging from my balding scalp)? And if the 1990′s was the 20th century, what is 2011? The 21st century doesn’t quite cut it anymore, does it?

Ok grumbles aside, I’ll like to thank all my friends for sticking around for so long, and for all your unwaivering support amidst the tornadic weather. May all your dreams and fantasies come alive, and 2011 bringing you boundless happiness, health and prosperity.