Great brush!

I've found this brush sometime ago and it has become one of my favourite tools. =)
It acts exactly like a brush but simply effortless to clean! Unlike the conventional brush with bristles like that of a paintbrush, getting rid of stains and smell is a breeze. Two faces for different application. See pictures below for details.

By the way, the brand of this brush is ' KAI ', made in Japan.

Sauteed Chicken Steak with Garlic and Rosemary

I've been looking everywhere in this countryside that I'm staying and finally, I've got the herbs I want. This dish is a quick fix! A tender and juicy finish with absolutely fragrant skin. Rosemary brings out the goodness of the chicken indeed. =)


Recipe

Ingredient ( Prepares 2 chicken steak )

One large chicken thigh boneless

One medium clove of garlic

Two pieces of Rosemary

Carrot and Potato for 2 persons, cut into bite size

Salt

Black pepper or ground

Olive oil

• Cut chicken into 2 steak size, rid off excess fats. Marinate with salt and black pepper.
• Boil carrot to biteable softness, not too soft. Set aside
• Cut garlic into thick pieces, and crush with blade of knife.
• Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in pan at medium fire, saute crushed garlic till aromatic.
• Place chicken steak into pan, with skin facing down. Saute till light brown.
• Reverse chicken steaks, throw in rosemary, boiled carrot, and potato. Close lid to allow cooking for 10 mins, reverse steaks, carrots and potatoes occassionally. Serve without garlic as they are most probably burnt.

Cold Mountain

When I was waiting to board the plane to leave Singapore on 10th February, I caught the telecast of this movie in the waiting lounge.
Was pretty sore about the fact that I couldn't watch the entire thing. Resolved to rent the DVD when I was back in Japan.

A story on love, waiting, war and human behaviour. It is ultimately true that no one wins at war and everyone suffers inevitably. There are several touching moments, but the ending is quite sad. Great actors and actresses, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellwegner. One favourite line said by Ruby ( Renee Zellwegner ) about men and the war they waged, ' Every piece of this is man's bullshit. They call this war a cloud over the land, but they made the weather, and then they stand in the rain and say " Shit, it's raining! " '

Awesome Art of Winter

Time flies, winter is slipping away. Signs of Spring are revealing these days. The sun feels warmer, and the cold breeze less biting. I've found insects appearing outdoors. They may have been hatched with the slightest warmth that invaded during the midst of fading winter.

I hardly took any pictures this winter, but I decided not to miss capturing its face before we bid goodbye. Compared to previous winters, the present one is not too harsh. Lesser snowfall, and thus leaving a rather mild trace behind. I've looked around for frozen trees or other natural phenomenon but it was quite unfruitful.

Nevertheless, one favourite secret place that my husband and I share, never fails to disappoint us throughout the year.

These rare huge ice rocks are found in the valley of deep mountainous area. We discovered them years ago when visiting a hot spring just beside them. They stand at least 3m tall, and probably 5 men to encircle the rock shown in the picture above.

The surrounding nature is soothing. A gentle stream flows between these ice rocks. Sometimes, mountain deers pass by and stop with a curious look.

So far, none has managed to explain how these rocks happen. The elements that have contributed to this unique creation, are probably snow, stream water, limited sunlight, and minerals of the hot spring. It remains a mystery unresolved. Well, Art is best left unexplained, and marvelled at.

There were plenty of rocks of different shapes but the snow level was higher than my kneecap and proved too dangerous to move around in order to get close enough to them. As they slowly melt away with the arrival of Spring, they take put on a new shape totally. We plan to visit again later when snow melts away. I shall share more pictures of this lovely place again in Spring.

GOD always wields His great artistry with nature.

Three-Tier Pork Cutlet ( A surprizingly pleasant mistake! )

OK, I am guilty about this. I refrain from fried food as much as possible, but my overworked husband has been so pressurized these days, I thought making his favourite food should make him feel better. I shall share other non-fried recipes another day.

This invention of mine is actually a result of failed attempt of another recipe. Laughs ;P The rolling portion did not work out well so I decided to pile everything together. Ha ha ... My husband likes it so much that he calls it ' the mistake divine '. Under the crispy crust, oozes melting onion-flavoured cheeze with mushroom and a tinge of Perilla leaves or seaweed. You may like to arrange it anew in your choice. Check out the recipe!

Ingredients ( Makes one cutlet )
3 slices of pork, thickness of ham slice
thin slices of onion ( around1 mm thickness )
1 mushroom, sliced thin ( around 2mm thickness )
1 piece of cheeze
2 Perilla leaves ( Or use 2 pieces of seaweed for Japanese style )
1 egg white
Bread crumbs
Salt
Pepper

• Lightly salt and pepper the pork slices.
• Spread thin slices of onion across a piece of pork slice, followed by the mushroom slices. Tear cheeze into 2 and spread across. See pictures below for details.

• Now, place another slice of pork on top of the stack, with the fats portion facing yourself. See picture below. I think this avoids one-sided fats concentration.

• Fold Perilla leaves into half, spread the 2 folded leaves across. Place the last piece of pork slice across with fats facing away from you and it's done. Cutlet below is finished with seaweed.

• Fasten with toothpicks if you feel that you can't handle the cutlet well.
• Dip in egg white, attach bread crumbs.
• Fry at medium heat until bread crumbs turn into delicious brown.

Frying Tip : If you are using low level of oil, it's better to land the cutlet with cheeze portion facing top, turn it later to fry the reverse. Cheeze tends to ooze out a little after frying, just be careful.

I've made 2 cutlets, one with Perilla leaves, another with seaweed within. My husband loves them both. You may wish to replace with other leaves that carry a unique flavour. It may be a small cutlet, but bear in mind you are consuming 3 slices of pork with that.

A healthy note : Fried food is not a very healthy choice. My family consumes fried food once in a fortnight, if not; longer. Take lots of vegetables and fruit if you must have fried stuff. I shall share some healthier options in days to come. Meanwhile, hope you'd enjoy this humble recipe!

Lovestory of Orchids and Singapore Botanic Gardens

I have never loved Orchids when I was in Singapore. Orchid has been the representative flower of Singapore and they are such a commonplace everywhere, but they were just no more than ordinary to me then.

It was until when I started staying in Japan, and I was struggling hard to get past the first winter. One cold morning in March, when I was still agonizing over the unbearable freeze, something caught the corner of my eye...

It was Orchids, and they were fully bloomed! The luxurious colors were such a sight in the cold deadly winter, I thought I have not seen life like this for so many unbearable months. They looked indescribably beautiful in the golden ray of sunlight. Warm tears immediately welled my eyes, I could hear them telling me ' Hang on just a little more. Spring is coming... '

From then, my love for Orchids began. And I don't think that this new found love will ever cease.

The whole thing began officially when I started owning my Orchid plants. My husband fell in love with Orchids too, as he watched them grow. My lovely Orchid plants, Phal Kun and Ran Ran have brought us so much joy. It's queer how flowers can bring such gentle soothing effect, just by being themselves. Phal Kun and Ran Ran are like the fellow Singaporeans staying with me under the same roof, and sometimes they make me forget where I am. The period from first bloom to end of flower, is about 10 weeks, so it is really quite a delightful span of time compared to other plants.

During our CNY holiday, my husband and I visited the Singapore Botanic Garden. There is a special ' Orchid Garden ' within, and we took the chance to find out different variety of Orchids. It is my pleasure to share with you some of the pictures we have taken.

There were several species of Orchids in all different colors, shapes and sizes. Some were as huge as my palm while some were tiny, like the size of a thumb.

The beauty of Orchids can hardly be captured by my poor camera skills, but I can tell you, they are nonetheless uncomparably beautiful in their own way.

Phal Kun & Ran Ran

There is no regret going back to Singapore for CNY holidays of course. Yet someone in Japan was probably longing so much for my return.

I started growing these lovely Orchids since last year's Spring and they added a new song to my life. It was tough looking after these tropical plants in a climate like Japan's, but I thought I was doing well.


Orchids, or rather, the ' Phalaenopsis ' type that I am growing at home is one of the most difficult to raise in cold Japan. Phalaenopsis is extremely vulnerable to chill, sensitive to hydration level, and particular about amount of sunlight. The Japanese calls Phalaenopsis the ' difficult flower ' indeed.

This is ' Phal Kun '. I named him so as he appears a sturdy young boy to me. ( ' Kun ' is the Japanese word used to call little boys ) He looks radiant than anything else whenever he bathes in the sunlight. He sparkles! Phal Kun is always such a delight to look at whenever we have our breakfast and enjoy the morning light. He is the apple of my eye.

Phal Kun has been responding well to my love and showing signs of bloom for the coming Spring. I sought advice from Orchid sellers and did my best to protect my Orchids carefully from chill, when I had to leave for Singapore.



Sadly, the countermeasures did not seem sufficient. To explain in Japanese terms, both Phal Kun and Ran Ran were severly ' scalded ' by the extreme chill of winter. I've learnt that the temperature has unexpectedly dipped way lower during my absence, it could have been then that my Orchids suffered.

I wish I could be there and protect them from the harsh winter...=*(

I hate to show you their present pathetic state. Both show no sign of recovery and their condition seem to be deteriorating. However, I am not giving up. It's alright that they may not bloom for us this Spring, I won't even think about it.

Phal Kun and Ran Ran are probably my closest friends in this lonely place. Looking after them takes a little effort, but every bloom makes my joy complete. It really saddens me to see their present state. I wish there is something I can do to make them feel better. All that I ask is Phal Kun and Ran Ran may be able to pull through this winter and survive.

I hope that I'll be able to post the good news next time. Meanwhile, I am trying my best to keep them comfortable in my love...

Lesson learnt : One can never be too careful. Complacence costs. Let's protect the ones we love.

My pastor is back. =)

One of the kindest people I have known in Japan, is the pastor of my church and his family.

I am attending a small church in Japan all these years and the only pastor of the church has always been caring towards my husband and I.

Last year's Christmas was hard. Pastor has been diagnosed with cancer and had to be operated on immdediately. He was admitted early this year to have his entire stomach removed. His condition is difficult becos of diabetes and other complications, the risk of failed operation is high.

The church moblized in chain-prayer for the 6-hours operation. I think I have not prayed so hard for such a long time... I felt immense relief and gratitude when I was informed by the pastor's daughter that the operation was a success.

My pastor went into a period of recuperation, while I went back to Singapore for holidays. It was great to meet my pastor again on Sunday's service. =) He looked tired and a little feeble, obviously smaller in size as he has lost 29kg. Yet this warm man has never failed to greet me a cosy welcome whenever I return to Japan.

I am thankful to Jesus for planting me in this small church, and surrounding me with warm people like my pastor and other members. I thank the Lord for every Sunday's message, that always give me joy and encouragement. It is unimaginable that this part should be eliminated from my life. I've come this far by the Lord's grace, and all these peoples' love.

I thank the Lord for the success of my pastor's operation, and may the Lord continue to heal him and regain health soon. May pastor serve our Lord Jesus another 10, 20, 30 and more years to come. May the fellowship of the church be a sweet time always, as we seek the Lord's presence and face with our hearts. Amen.

For the loved ones around us, let's not take their presence for granted. And let's take care of our health always.