2008/5/29 乳酪及薑汁撞奶製作

很多朋友也問我怎樣製作乳酪，既然大家那麼有興趣，就讓我在此講解一下：
材料：無任何生果的乳酪一湯匙（可多但不可少）、沙糖兩湯匙（可加可減）、鮮奶一公升（全脂低脂皆可）



做法：將鮮奶及沙糖加熱到冒出少許煙（即不燙手／口），熄火，倒入預先放了乳酪的膠樽，搖勻，再用毛巾包好保暖，放一晚便可以。



小貼士：乳酪菌最適合生長的溫度為攝氏四十度，太熱會死，太冷就不大量繁殖，因此不要令鮮奶燙手。我沒有衡溫器，所以我放它在雪櫃的散熱位旁邊。如放入保溫瓶，只須放四小時便可，不過保溫瓶內膽為金屬的話，可能會被乳酪的酸侵蝕，所以要留意。如天氣太冷，放一晚還未夠「硬」的話，便多放幾小時，不過發酵的時間越長越酸，未必人人喜歡。



盛乳酪的膠樽太小，剩下一小碗甜奶，於是我就立刻磨薑做薑汁撞奶。

2008/5/28 New Title by Faye - 小紅帽

受到哥哥的感染，飛飛也愛畫畫和寫書。最近的一本十分高質素，值得為她撰文記錄。飛飛現時還未學寫字，只有認字，不過她也會像畫畫一樣寫一些想寫的字，至於想寫又不認識的，她會寫「太空字」。整本書只有插圖，但飛飛從旁解釋，原來每一幅也有意思，讓我試試回想飛飛的故事。

這是封面：書目為＜＜小紅帽＞＞，主角有小紅帽和狼。


有一天，小紅帽去探婆婆。小紅帽頭上的格線是廚房，她放了些食物在籃子裏。豺狼看見小紅帽便跟蹤她。



這兩頁的內容我忘記了，希望今晚回家我會記得向飛飛請教．．．
．．．原來豺狼跟著小紅帽，令她很害怕。



這兩個「十」字也有意思，不過我忘記了．．．
豺狼躲在兩個十字的後面，小紅帽終於到婆婆的門口，十分開心。



豺狼睡在婆婆的床上，婆婆被鎖在門後，小紅帽看不見她。



婆婆的雙手被豺狼綑綁，有一個小男孩來到婆婆的大門前來幫手。



小男孩解鬆婆婆手上的繩子，婆婆十分開心。



小男孩送小紅帽回家，媽媽就在大門口，小紅帽見到媽媽很開心。

2008/5/26 New title by Tyler - Pictures

Tyler likes drawing very much. He also likes to teach others how to draw. His current dream job is to teach people to draw, just like his teacher at a gallery. He practices this very often since there are two 'students' at home.

2008/5/25 Yummy Yoghurt

A few days before I ran the StandChart Marathon, some of my colleagues encouraged me: if I could complete the run, they would treat me with whatever yummy food I liked. I chose apple since it was healthy and easy for them to prepare. Out of my surprise, I could complete the marathon. Out of my surprise again, my colleagues did remember the treat! They sent me apples. One day, a colleague came to me with a souffle cup, In which, I found some diced apple topped with sour cream and a few blueberries. It looked like those desserts we ate at restaurants. She said, '單吃蘋果太單調了'. From that moment onward, I realized the importance of garnish. Taste is important, but appearance is more important!



I still have to learn how to make the cup yoghurt look better. Besides, I also have to learn how to take good photos of my product. But for the taste, I can say: SCRUMPTIOUS! In the past, if I made any food with various ingredients, I must have overeaten. Take these cups as an example, there are mashed mango, diced apples and banana. One apple, one banana and two mangos make 5 cups of yoghurt. Now I have Tin, Tyler, Faye and Trevor help me eat, cooking becomes real fun.

2008/5/24 日本城蚊網 DIY

五月十二日佛誕那天去了朋友家的會所泳池游泳，無聊四處看時，看見兩個十歲左右的兄妹倆的小腿十分光潔幼滑，一點疤痕也沒有，相比起ｄｒｍ，他們的小腿真丟人，特別是飛飛，女仔人家，但蚊叮蟲咬的疤痕累累，看起來也心痛。
　　　　　　
爸爸跟我也有一顆憐憫的心，天氣越來越熱，家家戶戶開冷氣，加強溫室效應等人所共知的道理也不用多講，我們覺得多一個啟動的冷氣，街上的氣溫就升高一點，對於街上的行人，以及根本負擔不起冷氣的家庭，炎炎夏日實在很難捱。其實我們是否可以少一點享受，而為別人帶來多一點涼快和舒適呢？這種不想自私的態度，支持我們實行了六年的無冷氣日。不過就是因為無冷氣，所以踏入春季起就只有我家開窗，蚊子不找我家的ｄｒｍ就太笨了。

之前有位朋友點醒了我，裝了蚊網便可以１００％杜絕蚊蟲，但工作忙的我遲遲未決定裝什麼款式，經過佛誕遊泳一役，唯有的起心肝行動。市面上蚊網不外乎下拉式、磁貼式或揭門式的，價錢有平有貴。本來想裝磁貼的，但電話及ｅｍａｉｌ那間公司也沒有回覆，又多拖幾天。有一回上 Baby Kingdom，看見有媽咪介紹用紗網 DIY，不過試過之後覺得不夠方便，後來在網上知道原來日本城也有簡易蚊網（紗網加自動黏貼魔術貼）出售，於是立刻去買來試試看。

首先跟窗戶的大小剪裁紗網，如果想耐用一點就裁大一點，再用衣車車一行線收口。



接著就將魔術貼貼在已清潔的窗框，再把紗網貼鈎在魔術貼上。要開窗的話，只要揭起手抽部份的蚊紗就可以。



今天開始有點熱，因此全屋會開啓的窗戶也有紗網了。不過由於物料關係，露台的紗網還未動工。我希望今年的夏天，ｄｒｍ及我和爸爸睡覺時也不用再餵蚊。

小貼士：如果大家有興趣用日本城蚊網的話，千萬不要買＄２９．９的那一種，要買到＄１９．９那一種，因為貴一點的蚊網的尺寸一點也不好用，只有浪費。不過不論平或貴，實物跟包裝上的圖片並不相符，不要相信。

2008/5/23 薑汁撞奶食譜

Ginger milk curd is one of my favourite Chinese dessert. Here is the receipe copied from this year's HKCEE Biology paper.

1. Grind the ginger to obtain some ginger juice.
2. Boil the milk.
3. Wait until the temperature of the milk drops to around 65^C.
4. Pour 220 mL of milk into 15 mL of ginger juice.
5. Ginger milk curd is made as the milk coagulates.

Step 3 is underlined since it is unnecessary. It is designed for setting a question to challenge CE candidates. The correct procedure is easier:

2. Heat the milk until it reaches 65^C.

I made ginger milk curd yesterday while my colleague showed me this paper this morning. What a coincidence! It is so yummy that I have to make it again next week. Why not tonight? It is because I made also a bottle of yoghurt last night. It takes 3 to 4 days to place all in our tummies :)~





I make kiwi yoghurt for Tyler after dinner. This is the first time kiwi and yoghurt go together. He tells me that it is yummy. Then I make one cup for Trevor. When I am feeding Trevor, I try how yummy it is. Yuk! It is bitter. So when I prepare one for Faye, I use banana and strawberry jam. Yum Yum. Right before I add this paragraph, I make a cup for myself. It is so yummy that I make another one immediately. So there is not much fresh yoghurt left. I can make ginger mild curd tomorrow night!

2008/5/21 Peacock - on the way home

On the way home from Kids' Gallery, there was a large safety island. Someone put a lot of palm leaves on the ground. Tyler and Faye picked them up to play. They swept the ground.



'This is the peacock tail. I am a peacock!' said Tyler.



The palm leaf was too heavy for Faye, so Tyler offered help at once.



The footbridge below was built right above a traffic light crossing, so no one used it at all. However, we use it around twice a month. Faye walks in a very low pace. We cannot start the second crossing since the green light is usually flashing after we have past the first one. 'Miss Tong said le, we should not cross the road when the green light is flashing.' Instead of waiting for the next go, Tyler and Faye like climbing up the footbridge.



Spring ends and summer is coming. Everywhere is full of vitality. Trees are leafing and blooming. White orchid, flame tree and 雞蛋花 are everywhere. Bauhinia and azelea blossom is past. They like flowers very much. Every time when they see pretty flowers, they will take them home. They know that they should not pick anything from a plant. So they only pick up from the ground. They only choose pretty, flesh, complete and ant-free flowers. I let them bring one flower each so as to free one hand to hold my hands. Faye insists to take two. 'One for me and one for 姐姐.' Okay, I appreciate her thoughtfulness.

They put the 雞蛋花 on their chest to pretend wearing corsage. 'Just like bride and bridegroom.'

2008/5/11 Cyrus Birthday Party

Cyrus' Birthday Party was held at My Gym. Tyler and Faye went to My Gym before. They knew that there would be great fun. They both remembered that dress or skirt was not suitable and thus, Faye chose a pair of shorts.

(above left) Circle time - Faye likes to play with Webby very much. (right) Trevor runs really fast. (below) Story time?

The most important event: Cake time! Tyler was often the fastest while Faye is often the slowest. Therefore, Faye only knelt behind Tyler. It was so sweet to see Faye out her arms round her brother.

Faye is playing with one of her favourite classmates Webby. She likes Webby's long hair very much. However, she likes her short hair the best!

Thank you Cyrus' mom and dad for arranging such a wonderful and enjoyable party for us.

2008/5/21 一天都光晒！

是我又懶又太老定之過！不論卓君、飛飛或韜韜也好，當他們兩歲的時候，我只為他們向一間心儀的幼兒園報名。卓君和飛飛都順利入讀，但今年好景不常，韜韜只能做備取生。我和阿天深信那是因為我們被學校列入黑名單，因為卓君和飛飛都只讀了一年便離校。三月初得悉結果時十分徬徨，因為大部份幼兒園都已截止報名，我真擔心韜韜會沒有學校取錄。不過我也是慢條斯理地為韜韜找合適的學校（其實是找合我心水的學校），受了教訓還不積極點！作為備取生的韜韜昨天又一次遭拒絶，於是我開始心急，立刻打電話去另一間面見了韜韜的幼兒園，但負責老師沒有空，真令人心急。幸好今天收到老師回電，韜韜獲取錄了！Ｙｅａｈ！

2008/5/11 I can do better

Housework can never be finished. Once the floor is mopped, it will be covered with toys. After the toys on the table are cleared, paper and pencils will be found very soon. The children often test my tolerance.

Five months ago, I decided to hire a second domestic helper. Part of the reason is to release me from housework, especially on Sunday. After 4-month waiting and 2-week unhappy experience with the agent, the helper finally came. I had much expectation to my new life. Unforturnately, the helper was dismissed after 20 days. The nightmare has gone. It does no help to recall what actually happened during these 20 days.

This morning, a Sunday morning, I was busy at the housework at usual. My drm again were testing my tolerance again. I found the following on the table, which was originally a sponge ball.



I was very very angry. I thundered.

'Why do you do this?'
'Because I am naughty.'

In the past 1 to 2 years, I often heard Tyler and Faye speaking 'because I am naughty' and 'because I am bad'. I sometimes would reply them 'yes yes, you are reeeeeally bad'. This morning, I suddenly realized I had made a big mistake. 'Naughty' and 'bad' are not the reason that they did something 'wrong'. I blamed myself again and again since this 'model answer' was suggested by me! This did not help to guide the children to improve their behaviour. I read the book One minute father/mother, which emphasized that when a child had done wrong, it was only the 'behaviour' was bad, but not the child. We should say, 'You are a good boy, but what you have done is bad.'

'Are you trying out something with this sponge ball?'
'I pretend it is an orange.'
'Good idea. It really looks like an orange.'
'I pretend to tear the orange in pieces.'
'You are very innovative, but the sponge ball cannot recover anymore.'

This ending is much better. Tin told me before - 你每次發怒就在磨平卓君. I lost my temper easily, especially when something did not go as what I expect. I felt very guilty and sorry for the wrong message I gave the children in the past.

I cried for a week after that Sunday, for being such a bad mother. I have to change. Although no one help me or support me, I will try my best. They are my children. They are coming to earth to help me know more about myself.

'Are you going to be like that?'
'Are you going to shout again?'
'That is not a big deal!'

Tyler, thank you very much for being so brave. Your words help me change!

2008/5/10 Malcolm Philips Memorial Run

The run started at 4:00 p.m. However, it rained heavily at 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. We worried a lot that it may stop us going to the race. Luckily, 2 hours before the race, the rain stopped. Trevor was sleeping at the time we left home, so Faye also stayed at home to keep Trevor and Wati's company.

We arrived in time. Tyler joined many races before. He learnt some tactics from his experience. He wanted to go the front during the start of race. It was quite dangerous for children to go there since the race was of mixed ages. Therefore, I persuaded him to stay in the middle.



The race suddenly started after a shout. We all set off happily. The first 400 m was the most difficult part since we had to run all the way up the hill. Tyler kept running slowly so that he had no need to stop. After some time, Dad was nowhere to see. Tyler remembered that he ran this route before. He told me that there would be a long flight of stairs. Besides, there was 'sewer' on the way. At first, I did not know which 'sewer' he meant. In the middle of the journey, there were ditches across the footpath that we were running on. He said, 'Here is the sewer, see?' The photo on the right below was taken after climbing flight of stairs but before the U-turn. Shortly after the U-turn, we saw Dad. He was just a few metres behind us.



Many cheers were for Tyler since he was a little boy. Finally, he arrived the finish line. Well done Tyler!!! Dad prepared a surprise for Tyler. That was the space shuttle key chain that Tyler wanted some days ago. Besides this surprise, we also had siu mai and chicken drumstick.



We happily took a family photo as well. I asked Tyler to make a 'victory' with his fingers. He was so cheeky that he used the toothpicks to make.



It was quite cool at the time we were waiting for the bus. I wrapped him with our sourvenior - blue towel.



Tyler played with the space shuttle all the way home. However, he still could manage to observe the things around us. He told me that he had never saw a bus U-turn under this flyover. Impossible! Tyler, you are so sensitive and observant.