ACCELERATED RESTORATION

This unprecedented lockdown is paving the way for unusual accelerated growth: my faith is reaffirmed; my vision renewed; my mission reestablished; broken dreams rebuilt...and the inner man, released.
An impossible situation has unexpectedly brought about some good turnarounds! "Dead bones are made alive!"
Jesus' death and resurrection bought my freedom (Psalms 103:10-12) Hallelujah!!
Because He lives I can face tomorrow. 
Have lovely days, my friends.
The Lord is risen...rejoice.

GARDENIA

Isn't she a beauty ...my gardenia bloomed in all her glory ... greeted me this morning and made my day.

"Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, Solomon in all his splendour was not dressed like one of these." (Luke 12:27 NIV)

Finding joy in the garden ...

BAKING

Having grown accustomed to staying in for so many weeks, going out will require some effort! At the initial stage of MCO - partial lockdown - people found extreme difficulty in adjusting to new routines, rules, regulations and restricted movements.

In time when the MCO is lifted people will once again have to readjust. For some, life would never be the same again. Many challenges loom on the horizon.

Anyway lets cross the bridge when we come to it! For now the order is still "diam diam duduk di rumah!" (stay safe, stay home)

Like many I've jumped on the bandwagon and have taken a liking to baking!

Look what came out of the oven today...rich moist chocolate cake

Finding joy in the kitchen.

DINNER ROLLS

I have kaya (coconut jam) but no bread! Apparently there's a grave shortage in many areas since the lockdown. Recently I saw an ad online "One loaf of bread for RM1k!"

There was another ad in a local newspaper "One loaf for RM500.00!"

Don't know if there were any takers.

Anyway I decided to bake my own. Of all days, my bread maker machine decided to break down and refused to work! So into the mixing bowl the already mixed ingredients were transferred.

Knead! Knead! Knead!

Let stand for three hours..

Shaped and let stand for another one hour.

Baked for 20 minutes and whala!...fresh buns. I'm no Martha Stewart but, man, these were delicious; soft and fluffy.

Kaya and bread...apa lagi mau!

Happy as can be.

COCONUT JAM

Craving for kaya (coconut egg jam) satiated!

Since this was no where near to be found in any of the supermarkets or convenient stores, I decided to make my own using the old fashioned method passed down by my mother. No fanciful utensils but just the ones mother used in her day.

Took me more than an hour but well worth the time and effort when the result came out almost perfect. Just the right consistency, silky smooth and a sheer delight to the palate. My first attempt, clumsy and fumbling mostly, but I'm really pleased.

For sure Mother would approve...

PANDEMIC

"Without vision people run wild and nations perish!"
If we are living merely to satisfy personal desires, feed idiosyncrasies,  pursue selfish
ambitions and gains without a thought for others, then surely our life is headed for misery! The obsessive love of (ego) self; the love of money; the love of pleasure seem to have overtaken the general human race. The hunger for material wealth, power and obsessive indulgences appear all encompassing.
However in recent time with this global pandemic - Covid 19 - the sentiment has changed somewhat. There is panic and chaos - a heightened sense of hopelessness - the fear of death - looms large!
Life is fragile ... humans are not in control ...the virus kills ... anytime it could be 'game over!' That's pretty scary.  Time to re-look our priorities ...

SHAKENING

Change is taking place whether we like it or not; whether we're ready or not; whether we accept it or not; whether we see it or not!
Life as we know it will never be the same again.
Families are shaken; governments are shaken; economies are shaken; dreams are shaken.
Dare we remain unmoved when even the heavens are shaken...?
In the midst of panic and chaos, people are being awakened. This, in itself, is revealing!
Yes, we can make a difference for Such A Time As This.

GARDENING

Babies from three mother plants...in all twenty five. Finally separated them to make room for individual growth. 
Independent Day for mama plant indeed! If plants could talk, they'll probably thank me ... hardly any 'breathing space' left in their previous abode.
Oh yes, It'll be most gratifying to see them take root, mature and in time have babies of their own.
Meanwhile I'm discovering additional joys not only in the kitchen but garden as well.

PANCAKES

There are many ways to prepare pancakes. We like ours thin, crispy on the sides, a little fluffy and a tad chewy in the middle. Those will suffice for a light and satisfying brunch.
Partial lockdown (MCO) extended for another two weeks until mid April 
Much creativity and innovation are needed to remain active, productive, happy and engaged while house bound. Stay hopeful, thankful and fruitful...

NEW HOBBY

Rich butter cake in the baking! Won't be long now ...just a few more minutes and it'll be done. Suppose to be for breakfast tomorrow but it smells too good to wait that long ...

PARTIAL LOCKDOWN

Is it just me or are some of you also thinking of food most of the time, being home and all since the MCO - partial lockdown - was enforced?
The urge doesn't stop at thinking...it's actually raiding the fridge and larder too frequently!!
Boy, don't think I'll ever be able to get into that one ever again. Oh, well ...