Mum's Amaryllis

This is an old photo from my mum's garden. All along I've been calling this a lily when in fact it is an amaryllis. When I told my sisters this, they said memang la, hang ingat apa? Alahai, saya yang tak tahu rupanya.

Anyway. I was home visiting mum this past weekend - it was a quick visit. She was sleeping when I got home mid-morning (she apparently had trouble sleeping the previous night); and when I peeped into her room later she was reading in bed. I thought, she looked well rested and fine. Albeit very old. We talked and then had lunch and then talked some more. At times sedih pulak saya kenangkan bonda, all her life taking care of us sampai tua sebegini pun masih pikirkan macam2 pasal anak-cucu. Cuma kudrat (and occasionally her memory) yang membataskan apa yang mahu dibuatnya lagi untuk anak2. Masa saya esok entah macamana.

I looked out into her garden from the kitchen windows. No new plants. The vegetable plot was quite empty too. But the red amaryllis was there, flaming bright in the sun. I didnt take any new photos of mum, or of the flower this time around. But I have not seen amaryllis as beautiful as this.

Tolong doakan rahmat Allah untuk bonda saya. Syukran.

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It Was A Beautiful Wedding Indeed

I was at a wedding this past weekend. Kad yang simple tapi anggun membuat saya teruja untuk menghadiri majlis perkahwinan itu (skema nye ayat ni..) Actually the invitation card looked like it was meticulously picked and designed, simple yet very tastefully laid out. I could imagine a beautiful wedding as well from the look of that card.

And I was right. The hall was beautifully decorated. Blue has never been a favorite wedding theme color for me, but the blue that day was quite alright in fact.

Each table was decorated with a tall fluted glass with a pair of gold fish swimming in the water.. (my hubby just had to feed the fish. The little girl who sat at the table with us had eyes as big as saucers when she watched him do that).

 And the fresh flowers were simply gorgeous.

Maka, ni'mat Allah yang manakah yang ingin kita dustakan?

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The Weeks In Photos

It isnt my most creative times, these days. So here are some pictures to make up for the lost words.

We visited the helipad. That is a mighty achievement mind you, as that is at the tip of the rebung.. We've got to have some quality time to connect after all (I deliberately chose the smallest photo I have, coincidently).

We celebrated father's day a week early (because of technical issues) at Wadi Hadramawt in Ampang. The olive salad was delish. I think everybody should leave their mobile at home when we go out next time.

 

I came across their new store by accident. I bought a pretty casserole dish. I also like the lesung batu that they have, like in the photo.

I love these which I got at Cold Storage. The (Mediterranean) sea salt comes with the grinder too. Somebody asked if there is any pepper grinder at the Munawwarah Lifestyle Store, I almost blurted oh, you can get Jamie Oliver's at Cold Storage (I'd be kicked out of the store in the blink of an eye, dont you think?)

There is something compelling about this t that Ilyas got in Singapore (I suppose it is befitting..?)

And last, but MOST certainly not the least, a photo of my mum taken like a couple of days ago. She's been somewhat under the weather, so my sis baby-sat her and send us this photo (maybe to reassure us mum is well. She is smiling after all).Tolong doakan kesejahteraan dan rahmat Allah untuk bonda saya. Jazakallah.

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His Dinners Part 3 - Pan Grilled Steaks

I got an sms that says dinner will be pan grilled steaks, coleslaw and mashed potatoes. I replied, yeay..

Doesnt that look good on the plate? I didnt ask how the steaks were prepared so I cant give directions here. But the potatoes were boiled with the skins cleaned and then mashed with some butter and salt added. The coleslaw was made with sliced cabbage (purple here) and celery, shredded carrots and chopped onions. Add lemon juice, mayo, salt and pepper to taste. Voilà . Dinner is served.

We had quesadillas (thanks Ain for posts on these. That's where the inspiration came from. Btw, I cant find you blog anymore..?) with home made salsa the other day day, but no photos so no post on that. Unfortunately.

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Love It, Love It, Love It

Yeay, and the publishers sent my photobook already yesterday. I thought it would maybe arrive next week in fact.

I am very, very pleased with the results. It is actually nicer than I thought it would be. Iman was pretty blasé about it, after all she made one herself for her wedding. Ilyas was silent and gaped at the book when I showed it to him (at least I left him speechless). Luqman had no feelings whatsoever about it (but later said cantik). And my youngest was laughing at me all the time while I showed the book to everyone (I flipped the pages over and over for everybody to see!)

I said I am taking it to the office to show it to everybody (and I sort of did). Somebody said I have nice photographs in the book. Yeay. I know I do (said with pride not ego..), but it is very nice to hear somebody else thought the same too.

These are a couple of pages taken from the photobook (compare this finished product with the design page I had posted earlier).

 And these.

Anyways, I am getting my second book. And a third. And fourth. The third might be a birthday present for my mum (I have this fancy idea in my head). The fourth is a retirement gift (that we are still planning).

Oh ps, if you want to make a photobook but do not want to bother with the how-s or do not have the time to spare, I can do it for you (for a minimal fee). Leave your message / order in comments and I'll get back asap to you (and of course this will remain private between us). 

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Weekend Doodles

And almost like in a blink of an eye it is suddenly Friday again. It was (almost) a weird week, quiet (than usual) at work. Many are on leave, going on holidays I suppose this school break.

But I've been busy. I finished the photobook I got for at a very good discount from Groupon. Hopefully by next week I will get the finished copy. If you like to make your own photo books, here are some beautiful samples to choose from. They have discounts too now. I am already thinking of ordering my second (and third!). This is a page from my very own photobook design. 

We also went to the bookstore to get books for Eirfan. Ilyas sneaked in a book he wanted to buy in my pile with a Ma, Ayeah punya buku satu ok? A sap that I am, (and for no particular reason whatsoever) I thought now this is a kodak moment (only I cant say that as kodak is no more, bankrupt as it is. Maybe I should say an iPhone moment and take a video of that scene). Anyway.

We watched Avengers too. Where my husband said, you seem to enjoy yourself (I thought that surely is given. With bigger than life superheroes on the big screen what girl can keep silly grins off her face? Haha)

I have a busy weekend ahead. Have fun wherever you may be.

 

This is a sample from Photobook, titled chasing northern lights (amazing photos).

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