HM Book Review: Dry Ice by Stephen White

Just completed reading Dry Ice by Stephen White.

HM Book Review: Blood Relative by David Thomas

"How well do you know the one you love?" With a statement like that on the cover, how could I not want to read further. When I select a book to read, the anticipation of how the story unfolds is a thrilling pleasure. This book never failed to deliver the twists, turns and anxiety I so love to endure with a good book. I finished it in record time albeit a busy schedule as I just had to know the answer to that sinister question.

HM Book Review: Out Of The Darkness by Tina Nash

I struggled to read this true life story of what this writer endured in the hands of her ex-boyfriend. Not only because of the horrible physical and mental abuse she suffered, but also largely by the disgust and dissapointment I felt towards her and her family for allowing things to get that far. I know I cannot fully understand her situation at that time nor do I have the right to judge, but my heart bleeds when I think of the two other helpless victims who were unnecessarily forced to experience the horrors of everyone's actions (or inaction). Her two beautiful sons. I hope women in abusive relationships read her account and take a moment to reflect. We deserve better.

HM Book Review: The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver

I tried so hard to make this book last as long as it did. But with a book like this, reading is effortless and you find yourself turning the pages quickly. What a wonderful and thought provoking read with my favourite character, Lincoln Rhyme.

Parquet, My Shiny Parquet

Parquet floors are lovely to have in a home. It adds to the ambiance and gives a warm cosy feeling to even a bare room. I have two rooms in my home with parquet floors.

One is my study cum library. It has withstood more than ten years of having furniture and fittings being placed on it and all the wear and tear of its basic purpose. Needless to say, I am the room's primary occupant. The parquet floors are still beautiful.

The second room is my son's. He has really put the room to good use over the last eight years and the numerous scratches and scraps on the surface bares testimony to it. There are not many things he didn't do in that room. From playing with his building blocks to train sets, wrestling with his WWF figures and other action hero's and villans alike, making forts and obstacles to defend his territory from make believe foes, to launching all kinds of sharp edged and heavy toys as artillery against these phantom foes. Over the last couple of years, he has added cricket and football to his list of games that my cupboards are falling off its hinges. Well, that's another story.

What I am trying to say is that, my beautiful parquet floor was disfigured by his enthusiasm to create a great play time. Last week, I managed to find someone to grind and polish the parquet in his room. For a small fortune, they took half a day to restore it back to this shinny luster. This is the first of many other repairs and purchases I have in mind to give him a 'new' room that he can be proud off. Let's see how he manages.

Quick Meals: Chicken & Mushroom Fajitas

I have put this recipe on the Quick Meals category as it is one of my go to recipes when I want to make a hearty, healthy and nutritious meal, fast. It is not only easy to make, but there is also hardly any cleaning up to do afterwards. It is truly a one dish wonder.

This time, however, I made a couple of changes to the recipe with my son in mind. Firstly, I diced the chicken breast into cubes. This was because, when I left it in strips before, they kept slipping out of the wraps while my son was eating them. The smaller pieces would nicely mix with the other ingredients and be easier to handle.

Secondly, I sliced the onions and capsicums into quarters before slicing them into strips so that he wouldn't spend the entire meal opening up the wraps and pulling out all the "long" vegetables.

The final twist is the adding of the Dark Soy Sauce. As the dish was cooked in only olive oil and the natural juices of the other ingredients, the end result looks a little pale (but still tasty). The Dark Soy Sauce gives it a lovely color without altering the taste in any way.

The recipe:

500 g Chicken breasts - cubed
200g Shitake mushrooms - finely sliced
1 large white onion - quartered and sliced
2 medium red and green capsicums - quartered and sliced
4 cloves garlic - minced (add as much as you like)
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 - 3 tbsp Light Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce (to add colour - optional)
8 pcs Whole Wheat Wraps

Embracing My 40

I have been 40 years old for about 10 days now. Try as I might, I can't find the clues as to how I may or should feel old or older. I feel the same, I am doing the same things, if not more, and my body looks and feels the same.

Maybe it's because it was only 11 days ago that I was 39. So I probably haven't aged much in 10 days. Anyway, I hope to keep the pruning and pasturing process at bay for as long as I can for I have alot of living to do as yet.

I am embracing my 40.

It's All About The Puff

My son has always been conscious of his appearance, especially his hair. From a young age, he'd finish getting ready by spending a good portion of the time in front of the mirror, making sure his hair was just right.

I know I've had a role to play in this. Since he was able to walk and talk, I've always ingrained the value of cleanliness and being responsible for his belongings and his person. Just as how he was taught to care for his toys, he was taught to care about his hygiene and appearance.

He always wears his hair in a certain way. Short at the back, but a little longer in the front. Parted at the side, its swept up with a little layered puff in the front. How high and dramatic that puff was depended on the occasion. There's the weekday puff and one for the weekend. There's a puff for social outings and one for school. You could almost figure out where he was going just by his puff.

I have always accompanied my son to get his hair cut, as I know exactly what to say to the barber. He knows that I'll ensure he'd get exactly the cut he wants. Today, however, he has gone with his dad. With a look of trepidation, he'd agreed to give his dad a chance to advice the barber. It will all come down to his puff.

I am waiting anxiously for his return. Oh, did I mention he's eight?

HM Book Review: Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart

Here's what I thought of Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart: I gave it 4/5 stars. I am not really a fan of romance, but once in awhile I'll indulge in one. This book had an endearing storyline about love, friendship and family. I loved every character in the story. A pleasant read indeed. http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Homespun-Bride/book-B6zxQvBW3UuadJxo8Vt1kA/page1.html

31 Days To 40

It's exactly 31 days until my 40th birthday. I am excited, nervous, cluless......just a jumble of mixed emotions. I believe I am looking forward to it.

I belatedly realised that I have been waiting to turn 40 ever since I turned 39. What I mean is, I never really spent the year thinking as if I was 39, but instead used it to prepare myself mentally and physically to turning 40.

I referred to my age as "turning 40", as opposed to saying "I am 39". I consciously took stock of my lifestyle choices and how it affected my health and emotional state of mind. I took being healthy more seriously and even dabbled in some form of exercise. Eating healthy has become not so much an after thought, but more a conscious choice. I made changes to be more in control of my life and made no excuse for having an opinion, no matter how it differed from others. After all, I was turning 40!

As I move closer toward reaching that dateline of turning 40, perhaps I do regret a little for not having enjoyed being 39. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next chapter of my life.