Some simple ideas from a kedekut mama

What would you do to a romper that still fits your girl but it is just too short that you can no longer fasten the buttons? Like the one worn by Bea3 (left) here:

Make it another layer under a dress when the day is a little cold and blowy, just like this (left):

Here's another one:



No one would know...;).

Of Tahnik, some scones and butter prawn

Firstly Tahnik.

I wish I could do more research before writing this in my blog. I only got to know about the word during the weekend when we had it for Atef at my parents place. Hubby went "tsk, tsk..." when I told him I knew only about shaving head (or bercukur) but not tahnik.

Anyway, I digged this out:It was reported that Abu Moosa said: “I had a baby boy, and I brought him to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He named him Ibraaheem, did Tahneek with some dates and prayed for Allaah to bless him, then he gave him back to me.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5150; Muslim, 2145). Tahneek means putting something sweet, such as dates or honey, in the child’s mouth when he is first born.


Atef is all ready.

But besides sweets we also use other things for the event. I was told that all are symbols to 'introduce' life to the newborn. Besides rubbing the dates on baby's palate, others are slightly touched on his lips. On the plate at the top, there are gold and silver rings (represent wealth, maybe...I'm hopeless hehe), sugar, salt and asam keping (aiseh, what you call it in English?). Dates and other dried fruits on the next plate. Zam-zam water and finally some talc powder that is meant to be used if head is fully shaven. But I'd preferred to keep my baby's hair;).

Dad just invited some folks that did a jemaah prayer at the mosque, so it is a small do actually. After tahnik, they did selawat with Atef being shown to everyone and everyone gave their blessings.
This time everyone was easy with kids, so it was done with curious kids observing the whole process...nice!

So that's how we do it. I know a lot of people do aqiqah at the same time, and for folks from Johor, they do berzanji and some involve the 'buaian' thingy. Seriously, all these are common but I never experienced anything done outside the family. I'm a bit curious actually.

Now, the scone!

With a small baby in tow, I find it harder to bake these days. Yesterday, I made some scones but I didn't manage to even knead the dough. I just quickly roll it into balls while Atef giving me warning that he would shake the condo anytime with his yelling.

But, I'm blessed with kids that are very easy with food. They got excited with anything fresh from the oven. I was only left with only two pieces (out of 20) that I hoped can be savoured peacefully while Atef naps, with some butter and tea.


And finally, butter prawn...or rather butter prawn that is not quite like it still!

After trying a few times, yesterday I followed instructions shown here to make the egg floss. I thought I almost got it, but suddenly I had a lot of foam in my wok that I could not see the eggs anymore. I finally got what looks like a drier version of scrambled eggs. What was wrong? The fire not hot enough, or I didn't stir hard enough? Any tips, please?

Slowly getting back to the routine

Three weeks is all I got from mom and sister. I was surprised that mom managed to stay 2 out of the 3, knowing that usually she can only tahan spending only one night at our place.

Anyway, for the whole of last week, hubby went out with the girls and Adel in the morning, firstly to send Bea1 to KAFA and later the rest to the babysitter before the office. A helpful colleague cum neighbour fetched Bea1, sent her home and later to the school.

Last Monday is my 31st day. Ok, mom-in-law insisted 30th but I consider the birth day as the first day;). I can't tahan already, Bea2 and Bea3 had missed kindy for 3 weeks. So I decided that's it, I drive!

The whole week was spent dropping off and picking up, but once Bea1 is in school and the rest at the babysitter in the afternoon, I have all the time for myself and Atef. Bertungku is so draggy but I try to do that at least once a day. I also still continue with the bengkung at night.

The new term also started this week, and I singgah the office in between to send teaching materials to a prof who is taking over my classes. And also to show off Atef;).

And I baked too! I modified a recipe on Thursday to do something to dates from last Ramadhan. I must finish them before the next one comes, which is about one month away.

I cooked 15 dates in boiling milk to soften them. After cooling them, I removed the seeds, blended them with the milk and 3/4 cup sugar. Later I mixed with 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup sifted self-raising flour.

Pic is horrible, bila la nak beli micro-lens ni hehe

Bea1 just loves them. A better way to eat dates besides munching them on their own. They are just too sweet for me. And the cake is eggless, mom would not freak out if she knew that;).

Thought of decorating them with choc icing but I didn't know what I was thinking, when I whipped castor instead of icing sugar with the rest of the ingredients. Gave up I just dumped the mixture in the fridge.
Yesterday, I found that it was hardened. Not to waste it, I added some hot water to it and mixed again. Added 3 eggs (at 36th day, mom is ok with me taking some already), 150g flour, some baking powder and coarsely chopped pecan nuts.

It turned out to be a cross between a cake and brownie. A little fluffy moist texture but with crispy top, and not too rich. The kids love it too, and I got motivated to have some fun with the icing!

Isn't that wonderful when you don't know what you're doing by just dumping whatever comes to mind and it turns out to be good.

With all the activities, now I found myself stop counting the days when the confinement will be over;). I still try to rest a lot anyway, and I have not touched the broom yet!

Yesterday, hubby brought the girls to a bowling competition that his company organised. Later they watced Ice Age. I spent the day with only the boys and took some pics!
My comot boy...

and another one!