he finally learn something new...

Lucas finally has learnt to roll over!! I am surprise to discover one morning when he is crying for help that he needed help to roll back (lol). I was startled and to my surprise he is a fast learner. Every minute when he lie on the bed now, he will roll over very fast. Now I am having a hard time to change his diaper...

my lucas @ 4 months 14 days old

Sunday...inspiration

Having my free time or a break, I love reading others blog. Recently, I have some inspiration after reading Ali Edward's blog. I love her weekinthelife and her project of journaling. I think I would love to start a project on journaling... and I may want to start on my Japan trip which I have jot down bit and pieces during the trip. I have yet compiling it and doing it nicely like how Ali's kept most of her works and beautifully taken photos. I am quite pround and envy her on how she innovate it and bind it herself.
The trip to Japan had opened my eye and each day I'm there, I am deeply in love with the place and people there. For those who haven't step into Japan before, I swear that you will definately love it and enjoy it.
I think this is it! It will be my current project which help lifting up my inspiration and my crafting spirit for the moment. I need some drive to cheer me UP and get myself motivated.
Sharing with you is one of my handmade postcard. Hope you like it...

Above postcard paperie are made from washi paper from Kyoto, Japan.

It's labour DAY...

Had a break this morning without Lucas, although I have my usual sinus. Nothing can spoil my mood. Loving my cup of cafe latte and a healthy chicken egg sandwich.


Today another cook day for me. I would like to share my California maki with everyone. Very simple making food and yet fun to make with your children or family member.

California Maki


4 pcs nori (roasted seaweed)
1 kyuri a.k.a. japanese cucumber, cut into approx. 10cm/ 4" long
10 pcs crab stick
50g tobiko a.k.a. flying fish roe
3 tbsp japanese mayo
2 cups of short grain rice
1 sushi mat

Seasoning for rice,

5 tbsp rice vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp sugar

Serve: 4 persons

Preparations,

Rice need to soak with water for at least 2 hr before cooking it (if you have the time - it's Optional)
Once rice cooked, stir in above ingredient till even (much easier if you use a wooden chopsticks) - let the rice cool down in room temperature before we can start wrapping...
I will insert pictures for my california maki, I hope the picture tutorial can be able to help you in better understanding...



Enjoy!!

kyuri & crab stick - cut into 10cm/ 4" long

all the ingredients shown above

first - *tips - soak hand into vinaigrette water to avoid rice stick on to fingers 

second, compress rice nicely

third, lay in mayo, tobiko, crab stick & kyuri (as shown above)

fourth, slowly & gently roll with the help of the sushi mat (roll & pull is the trick)

lastly, ta-dah....you get a nice round maki (you can try to do square with the help of using the mat)

don't worry if your end of the maki is not nice and not filled up with rice

To cut the maki evenly, here is the tips. Cut it into half and lay them side by side.

And cut into half again...you should have 4 portions, lastly cut into half again

Finally, you should be able to get 8 pieces of california maki with 1 sheet of nori.

I hope you will enjoy making it. Usually when I make this for my families, this is always the first dish that pass around and when it come back. It is all Gone! Once you have master the rolling of the maki, you can always try replacing the ingredient with another vegetable of your choice or put in additional stuff like avocado.

After all the cooking and catching up with families tonight...I need to take a good rest...