Warning: High sugar content - Fondant fun 101

Went to another cake decorating class at Cake Connection last Thursday. This time, it's working with fondant. Like the Cupcake fun 101 class, we were provided with the recipe and given points on making the cake they prepared for us but the decorating part was hands on. Everything was breezy at the beginning. I was working pretty fast, kneading the plain white fondant by adding Kelly green mixed with Electric green, splitting the cake into 2 and filling it (i have to get one of those cake leveller. It's so easy to work with!) and icing the cake with a thin layer of buttercream but when it came to the decorating part, i got delayed.

First, because i had produced an oblong shape of fondant to cover the 6" round cake. So i had to start kneading and rolling all over again. It was quite a task i tell you! After several minutes had passed, i stopped rolling and asked Lynette, the instructor if my fondant was ready and she said, "it's still quite small for your cake". Sigh. Yeah, my patience was running thin at that point. "Please avoid re-kneading your fondant too many times, please", cried Lynette after checking one of the other girls. Obviously i wasn't the only one. Hehe. Fondant dries very quickly, so we had to work fast to prevent it from cracking due to dryness. You can't tell from the picture below, but my cake actually has some kind of (slight) "stretch marks" because it took me quite a while to work my hands on it. Huhuhu...

Lynette also demonstrated the crimping technique, which i didn't do any on my cake, not wanting to risk having ugly holes because i think it requires lots of practice and of course, time is of essence. In fact, none of us actually did any crimping on our cakes. She also showed us how to create borders from fondant cut outs, making sugar flowers from modelling paste and the quilling technique. We were given the chance to work with royal icing too. But the fact that we were instructed to make a stem and leaves for our sugar flowers using the white royal icing, i thought i'd continue when i get home. Reason being, i think it kind of spoils the look. (If this was a test i would obviously fail.. hehe). Well, time was running out as i was just about done with my sugar flowers (Lynette told us to make 15 of 'em) when i decided to stop anyways.

When i got home, i realised that i had accidentally left the flowers behind. So i only had sebijik of the little pink sugar flower on my cake. Yep, one sad little pink sugar flower. My brother's maid sempat tanya, "bunga ni satu je kak?..". Cess. However, the husband was kind enough to drive me to a place nearby to get the tools to make new ones from the leftover modelling paste i brought home. (Thanks, sweetness!). Here's the upshot(s) of my very first fondant cake (one, with a fan :P):

I thought the shade of green was rather too pale at first, but i kind of like it after it's all done :)

Have a good week ahead, everyone!

Wait, before i forget...

... Pearl Jam is coming to Malaysia?? Betul ke?? Asked a fellow fan about this, (the brother, who is guilty of the music influence) and he went, "..ye ke? Tak tau apa-apa pun..". Sigh. But it was in the news! I may not have an innate knowledge in music (my choice of music is eclectic), but grunge is what i grew up listening to and Pearl Jam is one alternative rock band i heart the most among very few others. Now that there are no Blind Melon and Soundgarden concerts to count on, i feel like i am obligated to go to this one. (Oh, Eddie Vedder!!) Why can't i get more info on this??? Adoihhh...

Making connection with (cup)cakes - Cupcake fun 101

I went for a cupcake decorating class at Cake Connection last week. It's located at Jaya One, PJ where you can find almost everything you need to make that cake of yours extraordinary all under one roof - sprinklers, toppers you name it! And i simply love the setting of the place. It's simple yet so chic!

We were taught and given tips on how to make basic vanilla cupcakes and buttercream frosting that will hold in our nice, hot weather. It was all exciting but i was pretty nervous as i have never attempted any kind of cake decorating (heck, i've only baked once in my lifetime!) and i know the underlying challenge for me particularly will be the TIME as time is (always) jealous of me and in this case, wars against my rosettes & my hydrangeas & swirls :)

Nancy, the instructor told us to treat the class therapeutic, but of course, i was all stressed out come end of the class! Struggling in between the messiness of putting in the icing into the piping bag, practicing the techniques on the board and working on the cupcakes to finish on time. But i guess it somehow did have that therapeutic effect after all as one of my colleague said my energy was different that day. "You look happier than usual!", he said. Haha! Here's a visual of some of my finished product:

I've always loved the classic swirl. I would have done more swirls but due to time constraints, i was short for a refill.
And as for the purple Hydrangeas, it went straight onto the cupcake!

Mussy. The kind of work i get when i do things fast!

(But mussy sometimes adds character, no?)

Rave over an insect

Of late, i've noticed that i am more and more into Dragonflies. After googling to find out what it actually symbolises, here's what i get:

"A dragonfly is a symbol of sense of self, which comes with maturity. It represents renewal, positive forces and power of life. A pair of mating dragonflies is believed to be a symbol of love.

The animal symbolism of a dragonfly is associated with good luck, prosperity, swiftness, strength, peace, purity and harmony. These symbolic meanings of a dragonfly are popular, specifically, with the Japanese and Native Americans.

In Japanese paintings, dragonflies represent new light and joy. Dragonflies help you see through your illusions and allow your own light to shine in a new vision. They remind us to pay attention to our deeper thoughts and desires.

In Japanese culture, dragonflies are considered as a symbol of strength, happiness and courage. They are often mentioned in Japanese literature and art, especially 'haiku'. In ancient mythology, Japan was recognized by the name, Akitsushima that means ‘Land of the Dragonflies’. According to the Japanese people, a dragonfly is associated with the rice plant’s spirit.

To some Native Americans, dragonflies are the souls of the dead. In England, dragonflies were considered to be evil and dangerous (yikes!). They were nicknamed as ‘horse stingers’.

A dragonfly lives a very short life and it tries to live to the fullest with what it has. I think this is the greatest lesson for all of us. We should try to enjoy every moment of life with what we have."

There's always a little something to figure about yourself, ey? ;)
Have a good Friday, people!

30 Things To Do Before 30

Here's my list (just for the heck of it):

1. Do volunteer work - I haven't been involved in any charity work since i left the Interact Club in school (Interactors do charity (& party) all the time!). Perhaps this is a good time to be lending a helping hand again :)
2. Visit to one of the places you've always wanted to - Check!

3. Watch 10 best (old movies) - Oh this will be so much fun! I am compiling a list for this. Or if you would suggest any of your favourites??
4. Dye your hair a crazy colour - I think i'll dye a nice colour instead. Maybe after raya.
5. Smoke a cigar - does a ciggie count? Tried once with my non-smoking housemates back in college. So, Check! The good times.. :)
6. Get fit (again) - Check! I recently bought this workout DVD and have been trying to make time for it as often as i can. I've started going for walks too :)
7. Learn a new language. Check!
8. Overcome your fear - I'd say this is a WIP. Yep.
9. Learn to dance - Salsa??? Quick step?? I just hope i won't step on my own feet. But wait, does the Fat Blasting Dance Mix count?? Hehe.
10. Watch all 3 Godfathers - Check! It's in my collection.
11. Bungee jump - I used to be thrilled by this idea but now, not so much.
12. Watch a sports game - I wish i could go watch a basketball game. Perhaps a Lakers game :p (ever since Penny Hardaway retired, i haven't got any favourite). But on a realistic note, maybe I go watch a soccer/badminton game? Eeek!
13. Swim with the dolphins - Ahah.. I don't know if i'm able to do this, but there is a plan to go swim with the dolphins at Lovina, north of Bali with some pals.
14. Kiss in the rain - I'm a hopeless romantic and this might just be fun ;) I hope he's up for it, else i'm gonna have to find someone else to do this with me. Kidding.
15. Watch movie alone - doable.
16. Play new sports - Took up tennis recently. So, Check!
17. Learn to bake - Check! But been planning to go for baking class though....
18. Survived an accident you shouldn't have - Check! (More photos/Story)
19. Select one important author who u missed in school & read - Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.
20. Paint!
21. Climb a mountain.
22. Start your own business - hopefully i won't have to push this to my things to do before i'm 40 :)
23. Buy a house - Err, yeah. I might have to push this one, though..
24. Take risks with your job. - Check!
25. Dance under the moonlight - will wait for a fullmoon :)
26. Take up new hobby - I have 2 in mind but one involves a big budget. Coming soon!
27. Buy a nice piece of jewellery for yourself - Ooh, i like this one. I haven't done this before so, I'm so in! :)
28. Have a really stupid accident which necessitates a hospital visit - this one u know. Check! Here's a photo of the broken toe, enjoy!
29. Learn to change tyre - Check! The husband made me and my sister-in-law attend a session with him on one Saturday. It was a serious session, mind you!
30. Read a 500 page book in one sitting - must first find one really interesting book. Any suggestions??

19 items, 11 months & 11 days to go!!

Malaysia's 52nd

Happy MERDEKA!!!

Laman "Bersawang"

I have nothing to blame for my long absence but the bad connection (yet again) as well as my own indolence :)

After so long, here's a highlight of some events that took place:

- Baked a cake for the first time. It was for the Mr.'s birthday a couple of months back. Here's a visual of the slightly lop-sided chocolate cake i made from scratch. So proud! It didn't taste that bad either! Hee.


- Been working on the Kazzen Motorsports blog and the Club registration with the authority body (that's been long overdue). This is a brainchild from the Mr.'s hobby, in which are shared by a big number of the alpha males in our family. They decided to make it official and having come from Company Secretarial background (& the one staying at home and all), i was given the "honour" of incorporating the Club (with the help of En. Jasni, a friend from Shearn Delamore & Co. Thank you, Jasni! I haven't forgotten about our deal :)). Check out the blog (click on the logo below). I am still trying to decide what program to use for the photo album..







- Babysitting the nephew every now and then since the mother is away on a 6-month course.

- Took up tennis.. with a bunch of silly, but fun first timers (yours truly included).

- Turned another year younger :)

and the most recent...- Started a part-time job. I am currently learning and doing something completely different which i quite enjoy (it's still too early to tell since i only started about a week now). But the less working hour also means less $$ but i still get to enjoy my time at home (to still be all domestic) and meet new people.

And now, it's fasting month again. So back to my ramadhan cooking routine (till i gag.. & i mean literally!).

A blessed Ramadhan to all!

Pretty boy Kris

He stunned many (including himself) when he was announced as one of the top three last week in American Idol and now he's in the final. Yes, he can sing and yes, he performed well in ONE of his songs before America voted Danny Gokey out. But i have to say, without that face and that smile, he wouldn't have gotten this far. I know looks sell but if that wins over talent, it just sickens me. I mean, that Gokey guy is more talented. All i'm saying now is, he better not win!

[Obviously i'm irritated. Well, how can i not when it's the only TV show i actually follow. Go to my labels and click TV and you'll find it's all posts on American Idol if you don't believe me ;p].

From the folder

I just love simple, unconventional designs of things. I have a few stuff in my folder which i keep as sort of my virtual scrapbook, this is one item i would so love to have in my home...

This bookshelf!!
.. found when i was browsing on books.
[i don't remember the source, though.]

My top three Idol

:)))

I hope Kris goes home today.