Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies

Here's another cookie to feed sweet-toothed guests this Christmas. 

There's chopped cranberries and oats, sweetened with the majestic white chocolate!

 Nicely chopped cranberries

A handful of oats (don't ask me what type..) 

Cut White Chocolates (careful not give in to temptation while slicing them..)

Mash them into batter

Scoop and dump onto tray

 Hot from the oven.. yummy!

Click to enlarge and smell.. (Humour me, okay..)

Disclaimer: I will not be able to guarantee that these will still be available after the 26th of December 2012..

Pineapple Tarts for Christmas

Ahh.. Don't you just love the smell of Christmas round the corner? 

Well, today Christmas smells like pineapple tarts. No, not just any pineapple tarts, but the ones my wife makes are the only ones I love the best! 

There's something about the pastries that I just can't stop myself from whacking them. Don't get me wrong, I love the pineapple tart on it too, cos they're made from fresh pineapples, not the ones you find vacuum-packed and kept on some supermarket shelf. Those would taste of commercial crap.. yucks!

Pingates

Made from fresh ripe pineapple. 

Just look at it, all cooked and mashed up..

From batter to dough.

Then nicely shaped and molded to fit right into the opening of the mouth..

Scoop the mashed pineapple onto the center of the tarts.

Finish up with egg yolk coating - ready for the oven..

After 30 minutes you can smell it already..

(Please wait till they cool down..)

Close-up view. 

Not big enough for you? 

Click to view bigger! Smell it!

Next stop - cranberry cookie..

HyperSmash.com

The Mustard Seed and The Master Key!

Year in, year out, new year resolutions were like making a dull wish whenever I wake up in the morning after a vague fantasy dream. Soon as I get my butt off the bed all the dreams and wishes would instantly disappear under the blanket, only to engulf me again when I hit the sheets at night. New Year resolutions never made any sense to me, because they're beyond my grasp. And, whenever I made one up it'd only made me more discouraged, and put me in a state of depression.

This year is different. I just know it. Someone had planted a mustard seed in me during a Christmas visit to my dear old friend, Hilary, who was my wedding best man. He introduced me to a friend who is a director of Asia Event, and we got acquainted very well. Why not, since he is very humble and friendly, who was once suffering in an endless loop of rat race corporate world. Ever since he got out of it, things began to change, and with every new door he opened, another door presented itself, but not before he had acquired some knowledge and experiences which equipped him with the wisdom and courage in order to open the next door of new challenges. From thereon, more doors would present themselves and every door he had opened brought with him more new experiences and knowledge that would excite him to take on new challenges. And every new challenges would bring him more success!

From just a single act of courage in opening the first door of opportunity his life has never been the same. He is now able to provide for his family, not only in terms of money, but he is able to spend more quality time with his family. Plus point - no more stress! Every day he looks forward to start the day meeting new clients and new challenges!

He has inspired me on that Christmas day. He has planted a seed in me. I have started to grab an opportunity before that chance meeting with him, but his words of courage has driven me to courageously pursue that opportunity and go all out to open more doors as they come my way. With every door I open more doors will present themselves, as the first key, which I have used to open that very first door, is actually The Master Key!

The Christmas Exchange of Gifts

I could almost hear Christmas... I could almost feel like it... I know it's very near.. it's round the corner... it's.. it's.. **

..alas! Over here, it's always "could almost" but we can never really fully experience Christmas as in other countries where there's snow, where there's Nativity play on street corners, Santa's at every shopping centres, or hotels, subways, carolling at the central park, need I list all?

Every time the experience of Christmas season is played over TV, movies and documentaries it leaves a very dry yearning in my soul, the very same feeling when the 1st day of Christmas passed with the waking up the next morning wondering if yesterday was even Christmas! At least this is how Christmas is to me, year after year.

Spiritual aspect aside, among the physical aspect of Christmas, I have always love the giving of presents because, to me, it is this very fundamental outward act of Christmas love and sharing that makes Christmas so real and so touching. Even if it does not involve the exchange of presents, but simply buying stuff and giving it to someone would already fill my heart with so much joy, and my soul with so much warmth! Now only if I could work out the means..

Now comes the spiritual aspect - actually there is no spiritual aspect and physical or commercial aspect of Christmas. It's Mary's aspect because it is the day Jesus was born unto her into this world to heal everyone and to give hope to all who seek hope. Therefore, too, it is our aspect of Christmas because He came for us all, not for commercial purpose, nor self centered purpose, but for purpose of undying love that knows no bounds. No catch, no strings attached, but to return His love for us, that is all He requires of us. His gift to us, His undying Love, and our gift to Him, our hearts. That, surely, is the Great Exchange of Gifts!