where I have been the last two months....

Hi, everyone!!  

I have been missing for a couple months, and I thought I would let you know in a nutshell what 

I have been up to!!

I think my last post was Easter!! 

Wow!! 

That was a while ago....

I love working in the yard in the spring, planting flowers and watching everything start 

peeking out of the ground.  

This year, we needed to have some concrete replaced on our existing patio, and decided to do an addition, adding some more room, a fire pit and a seat wall.

our new sitting area

we added larger wrap around steps to the back of the house

got a great gas heater so we can use our new space longer...

LOVE my porch swing.  

That was made by my husband in shop class in high school.

A couple of years ago for Mother's Day, he had it refurbished and a frame built for it.

(is he great or what?!?)

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I love going to concerts!!

Hadn't been to one in quite a while, then all of the sudden I had three in three weeks!!

my girls and I before the Miranda Lambert concert

my dear friend, Gigi, and I before the Daughtry concert

You have heard me mention my best friend, (my sister!!) Teresa,  in previous blogs.  

Her husband, Kris is the guitar tech for Ryan Peake of Nickelback.

Whenever they come to Omaha, Teresa flies in from California to see her Mom and I (and her hubby!!)

Kris gave us total rockstar VIP treatment this year at the show!

Kris and Teresa, my husband, Brian, and I behind stage (well under it!) at the Nickelback show

my two oldest kids with Uncle Kris and Aunt T

Got their "heavy metal horns" up!! 

I have always been a rocker, friends, and this made me SMILE!!

Spencer and Kenzie meeting Ryan Peake after the show

love my SISTAH!! muah!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Our God-Daughter, Leah and her fiance, Austin, graduated from college the first weekend in May.  

We are SO PROUD of them both!!

the happy graduates

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

I had a beautiful Mother's Day!  My kids pampered me all day!

That afternoon we had my husband's whole family over and they guys grilled chicken and fed us well!!

me and my kiddos, on Mother's Day

Brian and his Dad manning the grill

ooooooo..... I love me some grilled chicky!!

The twins made me this BIG version of me!!

We refer to it as "BIG MAMA!!"

don't 'cha LOVE her high heels??

* * * * * * * * * 

The next weekend, we hosted an Engagement Party/Couple's shower for Austin and Leah.

It was a summer beachy theme, and it was a "Stock Their Bar" party!!

They all had fun.... and I learned that I am no longer a 20-something! ;)

congrats, Austin and Leah

before they opened their gifts

their gift from us

Brian and I with Leah by the bonfire

* * * * * * * * *

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to share with you a journey I begun exactly 8 weeks ago today.

Now you know I love to cook... but I apparently had no self-control when it came to EATING all of the yumminess I have been sharing with you over the last year.

Slowly but surely, all of my pants got tighter and tighter.

I kept saying that I would do something about it "next week."

Well, next week came and went and I baked more and more.

Finally I decided it was past time for me to be doing SOMETHING!!

So, I talked with my niece, Leah and my sister in law, Sue, and said, if we are going to start losing this weight for Leah's wedding, we have about 5 months to do it!!

(Chop chop, ladies!!)

So, I decided that I would attend a meeting at a local place called

  F.A.S.T.

"Family's Achieving Success Together"

I have known two people that have had major success, one lost 90 pounds

 the other is half way to her goal of 50.

When we went to our first meeting 8 weeks ago, Brian's cousin Amy was there, too.  

So we have a little TEAM going!! 

So far, our team together has roughly lost 85 pounds!!

What appealed to me was that I can eat anything that I want, I just have to keep track of it all.

and EXERCISE!!

Well, once we started, I stopped blogging. 

Not because I didn't miss the heck out of you guys, but I was in the learning process of something I really want to succeed at.

I always envied you bloggers that were disciplined and exercised.

I am happy to report that I have just completed my 56th consecutive day of exercise.

Would you believe I have put 221.83 miles on these tennis shoes of mine?!?!?

Thank goodness the hubster got me some "new kicks" for my birthday!

The others were denigrating!!

I, myself, have lost 27.4 pounds and am half way to my goal.

I feel like I have gotten a handle on my life and my eating, even though I have a ways to go.

So, I plan on blogging again, and sharing more yummy things with you!!

I would like to give you my sincere thanks for sticking with me through my journey!!

* * * * * * * 

Lastly, I celebrated my birthday this past weekend, and enjoyed every minute of it!!

lunch with my Mom for our birthdays, hers is the 7th and mine is the 9th of June

my birthday-eve, I did a wine tasting with my two dear friends, Lori and Toni

my two-dozen GORGEOUS red roses from my sweet hubby the morning of my birthday

After that he did a 4.5 mile walk with me!!

<3

me with my kiddos and my furry kiddos

strawberry shortcake, yum!!

Brian and I before our dinner date

Stay tuned, please, I have two parties and like 5 recipe blogs coming SOON!!

Hugs and Good Health to ALL of YOU!!

Michaela

Hi, everyone!!  

I have been missing for a couple months, and I thought I would let you know in a nutshell what 

I have been up to!!

I think my last post was Easter!! 

Wow!! 

That was a while ago....

I love working in the yard in the spring, planting flowers and watching everything start 

peeking out of the ground.  

This year, we needed to have some concrete replaced on our existing patio, and decided to do an addition, adding some more room, a fire pit and a seat wall.

our new sitting area

we added larger wrap around steps to the back of the house

got a great gas heater so we can use our new space longer...

LOVE my porch swing.  

That was made by my husband in shop class in high school.

A couple of years ago for Mother's Day, he had it refurbished and a frame built for it.

(is he great or what?!?)

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I love going to concerts!!

Hadn't been to one in quite a while, then all of the sudden I had three in three weeks!!

my girls and I before the Miranda Lambert concert

my dear friend, Gigi, and I before the Daughtry concert

You have heard me mention my best friend, (my sister!!) Teresa,  in previous blogs.  

Her husband, Kris is the guitar tech for Ryan Peake of Nickelback.

Whenever they come to Omaha, Teresa flies in from California to see her Mom and I (and her hubby!!)

Kris gave us total rockstar VIP treatment this year at the show!

Kris and Teresa, my husband, Brian, and I behind stage (well under it!) at the Nickelback show

my two oldest kids with Uncle Kris and Aunt T

Got their "heavy metal horns" up!! 

I have always been a rocker, friends, and this made me SMILE!!

Spencer and Kenzie meeting Ryan Peake after the show

love my SISTAH!! muah!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Our God-Daughter, Leah and her fiance, Austin, graduated from college the first weekend in May.  

We are SO PROUD of them both!!

the happy graduates

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

I had a beautiful Mother's Day!  My kids pampered me all day!

That afternoon we had my husband's whole family over and they guys grilled chicken and fed us well!!

me and my kiddos, on Mother's Day

Brian and his Dad manning the grill

ooooooo..... I love me some grilled chicky!!

The twins made me this BIG version of me!!

We refer to it as "BIG MAMA!!"

don't 'cha LOVE her high heels??

* * * * * * * * * 

The next weekend, we hosted an Engagement Party/Couple's shower for Austin and Leah.

It was a summer beachy theme, and it was a "Stock Their Bar" party!!

They all had fun.... and I learned that I am no longer a 20-something! ;)

congrats, Austin and Leah

before they opened their gifts

their gift from us

Brian and I with Leah by the bonfire

* * * * * * * * *

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to share with you a journey I begun exactly 8 weeks ago today.

Now you know I love to cook... but I apparently had no self-control when it came to EATING all of the yumminess I have been sharing with you over the last year.

Slowly but surely, all of my pants got tighter and tighter.

I kept saying that I would do something about it "next week."

Well, next week came and went and I baked more and more.

Finally I decided it was past time for me to be doing SOMETHING!!

So, I talked with my niece, Leah and my sister in law, Sue, and said, if we are going to start losing this weight for Leah's wedding, we have about 5 months to do it!!

(Chop chop, ladies!!)

So, I decided that I would attend a meeting at a local place called

  F.A.S.T.

"Family's Achieving Success Together"

I have known two people that have had major success, one lost 90 pounds

 the other is half way to her goal of 50.

When we went to our first meeting 8 weeks ago, Brian's cousin Amy was there, too.  

So we have a little TEAM going!! 

So far, our team together has roughly lost 85 pounds!!

What appealed to me was that I can eat anything that I want, I just have to keep track of it all.

and EXERCISE!!

Well, once we started, I stopped blogging. 

Not because I didn't miss the heck out of you guys, but I was in the learning process of something I really want to succeed at.

I always envied you bloggers that were disciplined and exercised.

I am happy to report that I have just completed my 56th consecutive day of exercise.

Would you believe I have put 221.83 miles on these tennis shoes of mine?!?!?

Thank goodness the hubster got me some "new kicks" for my birthday!

The others were denigrating!!

I, myself, have lost 27.4 pounds and am half way to my goal.

I feel like I have gotten a handle on my life and my eating, even though I have a ways to go.

So, I plan on blogging again, and sharing more yummy things with you!!

I would like to give you my sincere thanks for sticking with me through my journey!!

* * * * * * * 

Lastly, I celebrated my birthday this past weekend, and enjoyed every minute of it!!

lunch with my Mom for our birthdays, hers is the 7th and mine is the 9th of June

my birthday-eve, I did a wine tasting with my two dear friends, Lori and Toni

my two-dozen GORGEOUS red roses from my sweet hubby the morning of my birthday

After that he did a 4.5 mile walk with me!!

<3

me with my kiddos and my furry kiddos

strawberry shortcake, yum!!

Brian and I before our dinner date

Stay tuned, please, I have two parties and like 5 recipe blogs coming SOON!!

Hugs and Good Health to ALL of YOU!!

Michaela

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Flag Football

My boys have been in flag football for a few years.  When you strip away the equipment, tackling and four-day-a-week commitment from tackle football, you get flag football.

And it is a blast.

The kids congregate at our field every Sunday and sport their NFL inspired team jerseys.  They play their hearts out for forty to fifty minutes, and they feel like football stars.

One of the many reasons our flag football program is so beloved is that kids who don't play tackle football sign up for flag football.  It's not intimidating, and all are welcome.  Teams are a mix of tackle football players, soccer players, baseball players, girls, boys and anyone else who wants in.

The practices are minimal, and the games are every Sunday.  They run one after the other...oldest age group at 8am, next at 9am....and it continues.  There are several families who have more than one child playing flag.  They pack their coolers, bring their folding chairs and park themselves at the field all morning.

We are one of those families.

Hubby coaches both boys, and once we are at the field, we are there until my little maniac finishes up at noon.  We eat from the snack bar, talk with friends, and watch our boys pass, catch, pull flags and hopefully score some TD's. 

 

If you've ever considered flag football for your kids,  I highly recommend it.  In our town, it is the perfect mix of hard work, friendship, fun and football.

This past Sunday was our last week of flag, and while Hubby is ready for a small hiatus before tackle starts up, I'll be missing cheering on these boys...until August rolls around.

Run baby run.  Right to the end zone.

Happy Monday all.  Hope yours is awesome.

My boys have been in flag football for a few years.  When you strip away the equipment, tackling and four-day-a-week commitment from tackle football, you get flag football.

And it is a blast.

The kids congregate at our field every Sunday and sport their NFL inspired team jerseys.  They play their hearts out for forty to fifty minutes, and they feel like football stars.

One of the many reasons our flag football program is so beloved is that kids who don't play tackle football sign up for flag football.  It's not intimidating, and all are welcome.  Teams are a mix of tackle football players, soccer players, baseball players, girls, boys and anyone else who wants in.

The practices are minimal, and the games are every Sunday.  They run one after the other...oldest age group at 8am, next at 9am....and it continues.  There are several families who have more than one child playing flag.  They pack their coolers, bring their folding chairs and park themselves at the field all morning.

We are one of those families.

Hubby coaches both boys, and once we are at the field, we are there until my little maniac finishes up at noon.  We eat from the snack bar, talk with friends, and watch our boys pass, catch, pull flags and hopefully score some TD's. 

 

If you've ever considered flag football for your kids,  I highly recommend it.  In our town, it is the perfect mix of hard work, friendship, fun and football.

This past Sunday was our last week of flag, and while Hubby is ready for a small hiatus before tackle starts up, I'll be missing cheering on these boys...until August rolls around.

Run baby run.  Right to the end zone.

Happy Monday all.  Hope yours is awesome.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Jia Jia 家家 Bak Kut Teh in Tangkak, Johor

The boss of Hua Bee bakery recommended that I should try Jia Jia 家家 Bak Kut Teh, which is one of the most famous in Tangkak.

When we arrived, we found Jia Jia occupying this large corner shoplot along Jalan Kemajuan which is off Jalan Payamas, the main street of Tangkak.

The finishing touches to the claypots of bak kut teh were done at high heat at the front of the shop.

Our order of mixed pork and ribs came in a claypot presented in Jia Jia's signature style with a large clump of fresh lettuce on top. Very photogenic though obscuring the meat somewhat.

Lifting away the veil of lettuce revealed a chock full of various cuts of inviting, lip smacking looking pork and ribs soaking in fragrant herbal soup.

Even though we just had a hearty breakfast in Yong Peng (on the way up from Singapore), we dove into the claypot greedily.

First to be hit was of course the ribs.

Then pieces of leg.

My favourite cut has always been meat on soft cartilage. Sweet and tender, yet crunchy.

A thin slice of skin, fat and lean meat. Sweet, mildly salty, smooth and smoky.

I must mention Jia Jia's special soy sauce here. Make sure to dip the pork and ribs in this fragrant, sweet, salty and gooey blend. Jia Jia's special black sauce takes the tastiness of the meat to the next level.

This deep fried, braised and then steamed chicken feet is a hot selling signature item at Jia Jia. Quite salty but also sweet and tender, chewy and crunchy. Fun to eat!

To create that texture and bite, workers manually removed the shank bone from the chicken feet before cooking.

Give Jia Jia bak kut teh a try if you are passing Tangkak and want to try something other than the two famous beef shops, Do Do Do and Kuang Fei.


Restaurant name: Jia Jia 家家 Bah Kuet Teh Restaurant
Address: 38, Jalan Kemajuan, off Jalan Payamas, Tangkak, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/kPTt
GPS: 2.272886,102.544680
Hours: 7:00am to 2:00pm

Date visited: 23 May 2012

The boss of Hua Bee bakery recommended that I should try Jia Jia 家家 Bak Kut Teh, which is one of the most famous in Tangkak.

When we arrived, we found Jia Jia occupying this large corner shoplot along Jalan Kemajuan which is off Jalan Payamas, the main street of Tangkak.

The finishing touches to the claypots of bak kut teh were done at high heat at the front of the shop.

Our order of mixed pork and ribs came in a claypot presented in Jia Jia's signature style with a large clump of fresh lettuce on top. Very photogenic though obscuring the meat somewhat.

Lifting away the veil of lettuce revealed a chock full of various cuts of inviting, lip smacking looking pork and ribs soaking in fragrant herbal soup.

Even though we just had a hearty breakfast in Yong Peng (on the way up from Singapore), we dove into the claypot greedily.

First to be hit was of course the ribs.

Then pieces of leg.

My favourite cut has always been meat on soft cartilage. Sweet and tender, yet crunchy.

A thin slice of skin, fat and lean meat. Sweet, mildly salty, smooth and smoky.

I must mention Jia Jia's special soy sauce here. Make sure to dip the pork and ribs in this fragrant, sweet, salty and gooey blend. Jia Jia's special black sauce takes the tastiness of the meat to the next level.

This deep fried, braised and then steamed chicken feet is a hot selling signature item at Jia Jia. Quite salty but also sweet and tender, chewy and crunchy. Fun to eat!

To create that texture and bite, workers manually removed the shank bone from the chicken feet before cooking.

Give Jia Jia bak kut teh a try if you are passing Tangkak and want to try something other than the two famous beef shops, Do Do Do and Kuang Fei.


Restaurant name: Jia Jia 家家 Bah Kuet Teh Restaurant
Address: 38, Jalan Kemajuan, off Jalan Payamas, Tangkak, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/kPTt
GPS: 2.272886,102.544680
Hours: 7:00am to 2:00pm

Date visited: 23 May 2012

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Quick and Easy Father's Day Gift

*a re-post...enjoy!*

To me, Father's Day isn't about buying presents.  The handmade gifts are where it's at.

This gift is one of my all time favorites.  My Gymnastics Queen made something very similar for me a few years ago in school and it still hangs above my vanity.

Every morning when I'm primping myself I see it and smile.

This gift is easy, simple and inexpensive.  All you need is a munchkin, a computer with a printer, crayons and one trip to Walmart for a $3.00 frame.

Instructions:

On your computer print out a sheet of paper with "My Dad"  or "All About My Dad" across the top.

Underneath type four or five questions or statements for your munchkin to answer and fill in.  Examples are "My dad likes to cook____", "My Dad's favorite show is________".   You'll be amused by what your munchkins notice and the answers they give.

Keep questions to a few because munchkin hands tire quickly.

After questions are typed, add in an empty box underneath "My Dad" (or chosen title) for your munchkin to make a picture.

If you want to be a real fancypants add in a real photograph.  I am never prepared enough for actual photos.  I fly by the seat of my pants on handmade crafts.

I suggest allowing munchkins to come up with answers without any assistance.  My son wrote my Hubby was 90 and he likes to ask the kids about vitamins.

Entertainment in it's purest form.

Secure your paper in frame and voila!  A handy, entertaining heartfelt keepsake for your wall. 

Another option for the frame (which I prefer for older munchkins) is the homemade newspaper.  This would be a "Father of the Year Named!"  Or "World's Best Dad 2011!" title.  Underneath I created an interview style article with questions about Hubby for my Sports Fanatic to answer.

Again, just need a frame and a computer.  Munchkin can handle the rest.

Happy Gift Making!


Mommyhood Footnote: If you want to be uber crafty head to a crafts store and buy an unfinished frame.  Have munchkin paint it and add paper in after it dries.

*a re-post...enjoy!*

To me, Father's Day isn't about buying presents.  The handmade gifts are where it's at.

This gift is one of my all time favorites.  My Gymnastics Queen made something very similar for me a few years ago in school and it still hangs above my vanity.

Every morning when I'm primping myself I see it and smile.

This gift is easy, simple and inexpensive.  All you need is a munchkin, a computer with a printer, crayons and one trip to Walmart for a $3.00 frame.

Instructions:

On your computer print out a sheet of paper with "My Dad"  or "All About My Dad" across the top.

Underneath type four or five questions or statements for your munchkin to answer and fill in.  Examples are "My dad likes to cook____", "My Dad's favorite show is________".   You'll be amused by what your munchkins notice and the answers they give.

Keep questions to a few because munchkin hands tire quickly.

After questions are typed, add in an empty box underneath "My Dad" (or chosen title) for your munchkin to make a picture.

If you want to be a real fancypants add in a real photograph.  I am never prepared enough for actual photos.  I fly by the seat of my pants on handmade crafts.

I suggest allowing munchkins to come up with answers without any assistance.  My son wrote my Hubby was 90 and he likes to ask the kids about vitamins.

Entertainment in it's purest form.

Secure your paper in frame and voila!  A handy, entertaining heartfelt keepsake for your wall. 

Another option for the frame (which I prefer for older munchkins) is the homemade newspaper.  This would be a "Father of the Year Named!"  Or "World's Best Dad 2011!" title.  Underneath I created an interview style article with questions about Hubby for my Sports Fanatic to answer.

Again, just need a frame and a computer.  Munchkin can handle the rest.

Happy Gift Making!


Mommyhood Footnote: If you want to be uber crafty head to a crafts store and buy an unfinished frame.  Have munchkin paint it and add paper in after it dries.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Kok Yow Yong 霍有用 Traditional Herbal Tea in Old Downtown (Near City Square), Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Whenever I passed through the old part of downtown Johor Bahru, I would catch a glimpse of this quaint, dingy hole-in-the-wall shop without stopping or slowing down. Today, I slowed my pace a little, and let the glasses of herbal tea enticed me to stop, and find out what this shop was all about. 

This turned out to be a more than 100-year old piece of living history! This old shop known as Kok Yow Yong 霍有用 has been a household name here since the time of its founder over a hundred years ago. Today, it is run by a grandmother, mother and son team who are direct descendants of the founder.

Through the years, Kok Yow Yong 霍有用 herbal tea had built up a loyal following from all ethnic groups from the surrounding areas, and also from Singaporean day trippers. Today, I saw a Singapore customer bring a vacuum flask to take home her herbal tea :)

Cooling chrysanthemum tea 菊花

Wong lo kat 王老吉 great for driving away heatiness

Kok Yow Yong herbal tea shop offers regular chrysanthemum tea 菊花 and wong lo kat 王老吉 at 70 sens. Made from real herbs, it felt like drinking herbal tea that our mums brew at home.

If you have a cough or a cold or just needed a vitality boost, the lady can make you an extra strength, special tea for RM5 to RM10. I asked for the RM5 brew and swallowed the bitter, grainy concoction in a couple of quick gulps. The lady then poured me half a glass of chrysanthemum tea to wash off the bitterness in the mouth. I did felt energised from the 3 herbal drinks which I sampled in quick succession.

Try it, this is the oldest traditional herbal tea shop in Johor Bahru.

 

Click on the picture to view the video on Kok Yow Yong by Fatbook Production.

 

 

Restaurant name: Kok Yow Yong 霍有用

Address: Junction of Jalan Trus and Jalan Pasar, Old Downtown Johor Bahru (near City Square)

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/DNFr
GPS: 1.457870,103.764050

Hour: 6:00am to 1:00am (closed on Sunday)

Halal

Date visited: 29 May 2012

Whenever I passed through the old part of downtown Johor Bahru, I would catch a glimpse of this quaint, dingy hole-in-the-wall shop without stopping or slowing down. Today, I slowed my pace a little, and let the glasses of herbal tea enticed me to stop, and find out what this shop was all about. 

This turned out to be a more than 100-year old piece of living history! This old shop known as Kok Yow Yong 霍有用 has been a household name here since the time of its founder over a hundred years ago. Today, it is run by a grandmother, mother and son team who are direct descendants of the founder.

Through the years, Kok Yow Yong 霍有用 herbal tea had built up a loyal following from all ethnic groups from the surrounding areas, and also from Singaporean day trippers. Today, I saw a Singapore customer bring a vacuum flask to take home her herbal tea :)

Cooling chrysanthemum tea 菊花

Wong lo kat 王老吉 great for driving away heatiness

Kok Yow Yong herbal tea shop offers regular chrysanthemum tea 菊花 and wong lo kat 王老吉 at 70 sens. Made from real herbs, it felt like drinking herbal tea that our mums brew at home.

If you have a cough or a cold or just needed a vitality boost, the lady can make you an extra strength, special tea for RM5 to RM10. I asked for the RM5 brew and swallowed the bitter, grainy concoction in a couple of quick gulps. The lady then poured me half a glass of chrysanthemum tea to wash off the bitterness in the mouth. I did felt energised from the 3 herbal drinks which I sampled in quick succession.

Try it, this is the oldest traditional herbal tea shop in Johor Bahru.

 

Click on the picture to view the video on Kok Yow Yong by Fatbook Production.

 

 

Restaurant name: Kok Yow Yong 霍有用

Address: Junction of Jalan Trus and Jalan Pasar, Old Downtown Johor Bahru (near City Square)

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/DNFr
GPS: 1.457870,103.764050

Hour: 6:00am to 1:00am (closed on Sunday)

Halal

Date visited: 29 May 2012

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How to Make a Shirt for Field Day

Remember Field Day?  That day towards the end of school when you did nothing but play games?  It's a free-for-all tied in with an "it's almost summer!" excitement that every child should experience.

Usually classes are teams.  In our school, in every grade each class is assigned a team color.  This year my boys are blue team, my daughter is yellow team.

Last year all my kids were red team.  It was pretty awesome.

For the past few years, I have made a tradition of making field day shirts with my kids.  Once I know what color team they are, I head to Michael's Craft Store and grab them shirts.  I also comb the aisles for sale or clearance iron on decals.

If your children are lucky enough to have field day, keep your eyes open throughout the year for great deals on fabric markers and anything to decorate shirts.  Puff paints, iron on letters and glitter included.

Once you have groovy shirt decorating tools like fabric markers you will be able to use them for a few years.  Keep them all together in a bag like this one, and every year you won't have to dig all over your closet or junk drawer when it's time to decorate shirts.

If you are tight on money (I know the feeling) puff paints and glitter work wonders on shirts.  Make designs or write on the shirt with the puff paint, and sprinkle glitter over top.  Allow to dry and shake off the excess.

Your kids will be proud to sport their homemade shirts to field day, and they will have a great jammie shirt for years to come.  You'll remember making the shirt every time your child wears it, or every time you run it through the wash.

And trust me, you'll be glad you spent $5.00 on a shirt for you and your munchkin to decorate.  You'll keep the memories with your forever.

Happy Friday!

Remember Field Day?  That day towards the end of school when you did nothing but play games?  It's a free-for-all tied in with an "it's almost summer!" excitement that every child should experience.

Usually classes are teams.  In our school, in every grade each class is assigned a team color.  This year my boys are blue team, my daughter is yellow team.

Last year all my kids were red team.  It was pretty awesome.

For the past few years, I have made a tradition of making field day shirts with my kids.  Once I know what color team they are, I head to Michael's Craft Store and grab them shirts.  I also comb the aisles for sale or clearance iron on decals.

If your children are lucky enough to have field day, keep your eyes open throughout the year for great deals on fabric markers and anything to decorate shirts.  Puff paints, iron on letters and glitter included.

Once you have groovy shirt decorating tools like fabric markers you will be able to use them for a few years.  Keep them all together in a bag like this one, and every year you won't have to dig all over your closet or junk drawer when it's time to decorate shirts.

If you are tight on money (I know the feeling) puff paints and glitter work wonders on shirts.  Make designs or write on the shirt with the puff paint, and sprinkle glitter over top.  Allow to dry and shake off the excess.

Your kids will be proud to sport their homemade shirts to field day, and they will have a great jammie shirt for years to come.  You'll remember making the shirt every time your child wears it, or every time you run it through the wash.

And trust me, you'll be glad you spent $5.00 on a shirt for you and your munchkin to decorate.  You'll keep the memories with your forever.

Happy Friday!

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Chicken Rice Buffet @ Café Downtown in Hotel Tropical Inn, Johor Bahru

My Johor kakis told me about how they love the chicken rice at Café Downtown in Hotel Tropical Inn. Being a chicken rice fan, of course, I am interested to check it out.

But the price tag of RM25++ made me think twice. RM25++ seems alot to pay for chicken rice in Johor Bahru where it can be had for under RM5 in many coffee shops.

Yet, Tropical Inn's chicken rice buffet has been thriving and attracting new fans by the day. This reminds me of the famous Mandarin Orchard chicken rice which had become an institution over the last 20 plus years despite being the most expensive by far in Singapore. So, I was curious to find out "What kept Tropical Inn's chicken rice flying high?"

To start with, the service is excellent. Guests are personally served by the friendly Executive Chef Woon who cheerfully chops and cuts the chicken according to what the guest chooses.

I went for the thigh of a Hainanese style boiled chicken, first. I was impressed.

The smooth, tender flesh was flowing with sweet natural juices which oozes into my mouth when I bite into it. The chicken was fresh and the succulent thigh had little fat on it. (Good, as I am cholesterol conscious.) I must say, this is one of the best boiled chicken thighs I've had J

Greedy me went for a roasted chicken thigh, next. This golden brown thigh was nice too. It tasted more salty than sweet, and with just the right amount of saltiness. Tender though dryer than the boiled version. You can see by now, my personal preference is for boiled chicken.



Rice with a drizzle of black soy sauce

The rice was excellent. The grains were firm and separate. Very lightly coated with a fragrant blend of chicken and shallot oils, the grains felt slightly nutty, which I liked.

The buffet provides a good patola (sponge gourd) soup to complement the chicken and rice. 

Ginger, chili and dark soy sauces as well as gravy are provided. The ginger and chili sauces are mild, and I like the dark soy sauce best.

So, back to the question, "Was it worth RM25++ for a lunch of chicken rice?"

Actually, to be fair, the RM25++ does not just pay for the chicken rice; the buffet spread also offers several other beef, fish, and vegetable dishes. There was even a Penang laksa station. Desserts, cakes and cut fruits as well as free flow of coffee and tea were also included.

So, would I come back for this chicken rice? Yes, I would and despite my initial scepticism, I think this delicious chicken rice buffet is actually value for money (considering the buffet spread, hotel café ambiance, and attentive service).

I shall be back to try their popular herbal chicken.

(Tropical Inn's Chicken rice buffet is available on Mondays and Thursdays. On Mondays, they serve boiled and herbal chicken. On Thursdays, boiled and roasted chicken.)


Restaurant name: Café Downtown @ Tropical Inn
Address: 15, Jalan Gereja, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uJXg
GPS: 1.465661,103.760456
Hours: Noon to 2:00pm
Halal

Date visited: 7 Jun 2012

My Johor kakis told me about how they love the chicken rice at Café Downtown in Hotel Tropical Inn. Being a chicken rice fan, of course, I am interested to check it out.

But the price tag of RM25++ made me think twice. RM25++ seems alot to pay for chicken rice in Johor Bahru where it can be had for under RM5 in many coffee shops.

Yet, Tropical Inn's chicken rice buffet has been thriving and attracting new fans by the day. This reminds me of the famous Mandarin Orchard chicken rice which had become an institution over the last 20 plus years despite being the most expensive by far in Singapore. So, I was curious to find out "What kept Tropical Inn's chicken rice flying high?"

To start with, the service is excellent. Guests are personally served by the friendly Executive Chef Woon who cheerfully chops and cuts the chicken according to what the guest chooses.

I went for the thigh of a Hainanese style boiled chicken, first. I was impressed.

The smooth, tender flesh was flowing with sweet natural juices which oozes into my mouth when I bite into it. The chicken was fresh and the succulent thigh had little fat on it. (Good, as I am cholesterol conscious.) I must say, this is one of the best boiled chicken thighs I've had J

Greedy me went for a roasted chicken thigh, next. This golden brown thigh was nice too. It tasted more salty than sweet, and with just the right amount of saltiness. Tender though dryer than the boiled version. You can see by now, my personal preference is for boiled chicken.



Rice with a drizzle of black soy sauce

The rice was excellent. The grains were firm and separate. Very lightly coated with a fragrant blend of chicken and shallot oils, the grains felt slightly nutty, which I liked.

The buffet provides a good patola (sponge gourd) soup to complement the chicken and rice. 

Ginger, chili and dark soy sauces as well as gravy are provided. The ginger and chili sauces are mild, and I like the dark soy sauce best.

So, back to the question, "Was it worth RM25++ for a lunch of chicken rice?"

Actually, to be fair, the RM25++ does not just pay for the chicken rice; the buffet spread also offers several other beef, fish, and vegetable dishes. There was even a Penang laksa station. Desserts, cakes and cut fruits as well as free flow of coffee and tea were also included.

So, would I come back for this chicken rice? Yes, I would and despite my initial scepticism, I think this delicious chicken rice buffet is actually value for money (considering the buffet spread, hotel café ambiance, and attentive service).

I shall be back to try their popular herbal chicken.

(Tropical Inn's Chicken rice buffet is available on Mondays and Thursdays. On Mondays, they serve boiled and herbal chicken. On Thursdays, boiled and roasted chicken.)


Restaurant name: Café Downtown @ Tropical Inn
Address: 15, Jalan Gereja, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uJXg
GPS: 1.465661,103.760456
Hours: Noon to 2:00pm
Halal

Date visited: 7 Jun 2012

reade more... Résuméabuiyad