Vacation to Remember - Part Deux

I don't know why it is expensive to board on a plane nowadays. The airline is charging the second suitcase around $60 to $100. Plus, the food has been cutting down too. I did not get any peanuts or drinks without paying extra flying from my house to the nearest international airport. There are some airline that will charge the ear phones for $5. Luckily I brought with me my own ear phones. This airline I was boarded on did not charge for the earphones. The choices of movies available are not bad at all. Over all, I was happy with the total of 11 hours journey. The actual flight was actually about 7 hours to get to England. But the layover is adding the rest of the hours.

Coming back on weekdays was the best trip ever. There are not many passengers on board. Although I was given a smaller plane but the seat was comfy. I had the whole row to myself and can stretch out. The food was not bad. The only gift I bought from Paris was a simple tote bag with Eiffel tower embroidered to the fabric.

I have set my mind to shop for some indian fabric from the indian town near London. I was lucky for that weekend the shops are having a sale. Each set cost about $20. The glitters and embroidery on the fabric are perfect for eid celebration. I was gone crazy trying to choose the fabric. There are so many choices of the colors. They are all beautiful. In Malay we say "Rambang mata".

The shop's owner was giving a good advice that is to buy 2 sets of the fabric if the person is big. This will ensure that the glittering part of the fabric is enough for that person. I am not worry about the material because I always could mix and match the fabric. Plus, I like to sew them into a simple tunic which doesn't need lots of fabric.

There is a store going on closeout. All items are on sale including these bags. Again, I was "rambang mata". But I know I could not shop much because I do not want to pay the exra $100.

I love the dots and I did not pass up getting this beautiful LeeCouper computer bag.

This LeeCouper red lunch bag is to die for. I like the simple design. I can just use it as a regular beg.

Last but not least, I must have this polka dots hat.

Vacation to Remember - Part Une

The weather has changed. The leaves are falling to the ground. The night air is very cold. Yet, I did not pass up the opportunity to enjoy a week and a half at my sister's house. I had a flu shot before I left the country. But somehow, I am coming back with a cold. Travelling in a small confined plane could have caused it or the trip I took in the train to Paris. I really enjoyed every single moment I spent with my family. There is no Mr. Big to spoil my vacation. He tried though over the phone and kept calling me the nanny. But that did not bother me at all. I know that he was jealous because he was home alone.

My sister got for us a hotel room just within 2 minutes walk to the Eiffel tower. I was hoping for a balcony with the Eiffel view but did not get it. It was raining the night we arrived in Paris. But we were equipped with our umbrella. So, we enjoyed our dinner at a nearby restaurant. Food choices are limited to us. My family do not eat non halal meat. So, I ordered for them fish and chips. That worked well.

I have never seen a beetroot as big as my face before. My sister is growing some gigantic beetroots. The biggest beet root was the sweetest. The smaller one are bland. There was hardly any taste to it. I roasted the beetroot and enjoyed it just as such and I also made some pickled eggs. They are delicious.

My cousin was amazed at the size of the garlic cloves my sister is growing in her garden. I have never seen as big as this garlic before. It is all thanks to the horse manure and homemade compost she used in her soil.

This miniature pumpkins are so pretty for decoration. I did roast some of them and they are very tasty. They taste like sweet potato. I also cooked them in some coconut gravy. Delicious!

The cold weather seems not to bother these duckies. They are swimming happily in the pond.

My niece is very talented. She loves crocheting. She also made the pretty hat she had on using the round crochet tool. I taught her how to make the pom pom too. My nephew on the other hand prefers to play with his ipod. He is an ipad fan. He could spent hours after hours playing the kids game on that machine.

My sister is enjoying her new bundle of joy. The baby is adorable. Daniella love warm water. It was easy to bath and to wash her. She will scream if her feet is touching the cold sink or cold water. She is smart and did not give us any hard time at all. We all enjoyed our dinner without any disturbance from her. All she does was sleep and sleep. I am missing her already.

My vacation at my sister's house was very short. But, I enjoyed every moment of it. I came back with tons of salwa fabric from the Indian town in London, my favorite brand of soy sauce and lots of english cookies. I tried to limit my suitcase's weight to 50lbs. The second suitcase will cost me $100 which I do not plan to pay. Thanks to my sister and her famiy for their hospitality. I hope we will see each other again next year at mom's house on Eid.

Beginning of the year 2011

2010 went by so quickly. I have not updating this blog for quite sometimes. It was actually before Thanksgiving to be exact. I had a great turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. The meal is featured in zumurphyrecipe.blogspot.com site. Came the cold weather and like a clock, my body is adjusting to the chilly day and freezing night. The best of all was the heavenly shopping spree I did before the Christmas. Going through rack after rack of clothing at the shopping mall, it got me to thinking that I don’t really need any addition to my wardrobe. But when I get to the fine fabric area, I feel the need to spend my good money on those soft and warm sweaters. I was strolling around Mark & Spencer and saw a matching glove at 50% off. I was tempted to buy one pair of glove but I could not remember the color of my sweaters to go with.

Although the day is shorter these days, but my night has been very long. For some reason, I am hooked at watching Astro Ria, layaria, Indonesia scary movie, thai love story movies and what not on youtube. Whoever invented youtube is a genius and life saver. If I am watching the video on my small laptop, I can plug in the head phones so it will not disturb anyone. But when I am on ipad, I have no choice but to let the noise comes out of it. I have no time to check if there is a headphone jack on the ipad. My time is so limited these days.

My SIL sent a cooking book by Rachael Ray and I have yet to try any of the recipes from the book. The cooking book should motivate me to cook more and feature my cooking in my zumurphyrecipe.blogspot.com. Unfortunately, I have yet to find the mood for it. I have been cooking a simple meal for the family. One day, I hope I will be back in the cooking zone. Right now, like my honey said…She’s on the VIDEO…On the VIDEO.

To cook delicious food is listed as one of my new year’s resolution. My biggest challenge is again probably had to cook two separate dishes. One dish is cook to feature in my site and the other dish is cook to my family liking. Finding the time to do it is another challenge. I have faith that I can do both.

I am back in the mood for leggings, jeggings and everything fashion around tight figure hugging outfit. It was so funny that I had to send back the ankle length winter bubble jacket. The jacket was too tight and I had to ask for one size bigger. But I don’t mind having one size bigger as long as I can breathe. My next year’s project is to own a soft synthetic fur coat. But honey thought it will look awful to wear fake fur, especially if I walk around Harrods or Macy’s. I would rather wear fake fur than having paint sprayed on my coat.

Although it is a little bit late, but it is better late than never. I am wishing a Happy New Year to my readers and may the year 2011 brought happiness and wealth to all.