Bon Iver's I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time

One of my favorite musician, Bon Iver...singing one of my favorite song :)

The 3rd Aksara Reading Rainbow featuring Kutakatik Art & Craft class

Aksara Reading Rainbow with Kutakatik Art & Craft Class celebrates The Art of Eric Carle :) 

One of my favorite artist! 

Cupcakes by Sweet & Savoury

Here's a bit from the first one and the second one :)

Sweet Potato with lemongrass creme fraiche

This recipe is from Yotam Ottolenghi's recipe book. I've been looking for this recipe book and last month I bought it from Aksara Kemang Bookstore :)

All you need:

3 medium sweet potatoes (900g)

4 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
3/4 tsp fine sea salt
15g coriander, leaves picked (this one it's up to you)



For the dipping sauce:

1/2 lemongrass stalk
200g creme fraiche
Grated zest and juices of 2 limes
50g fresh root ginger, peeled and grated
(if you don't like ginger, put less than 50g, as for me, i love ginger :p)
1/2 tsp fine sea salt

How to make:

Preheat the oven to 200C. Wash the sweet potatoes, up to you if you want to peel them or not. Cut each lenghtways into long wedges. Place them in a roasting tin, brushed light with some of the olive oil. Brush the wedges with the remaining oil and sprinkle witha  mixture of ground coriander and salt.

Roast about 25 minutes or until the sweet potato is tender and golden brown.

While you're waiting, make the sauce. Very finely chop the lemongrass. Whisk with all of the other ingredients for the dipping sauce.

And here it is....nyummy nyummy!!

Try it, it's easy! :)

Sarah Kay & Daniel Tammet

Check these two video by Sarah Kay and Daniel Tammet.
All I can say is...amazing! :)

 

One Year

Please check One Year, Hamada Hideaki's photos mainly feature his two little sons who are both adorable and hilariously funny. Here are some of his pics...

Source: hamadahideaki.jugem.jp via Kyra on Pinterest

Source: hamadahideaki.jugem.jp via Kyra on Pinterest

Source: hamadahideaki.jugem.jp via Kyra on Pinterest

Source: hamadahideaki.jugem.jp via Kyra on Pinterest

My Four Reasons for Hope (by Jane Goodall)

"It is easy to be overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness as we look around the world. We are losing species at a terrible rate, the balance of nature is disturbed, and we are destroying our beautiful planet. We have fear about water supplies, where future energy will come from – and most recently the developed world has been mired in an economic crisis. But in spite of all this I do have hope. And my hope is based on four factors:

The Human Brain
Firstly, we have at last begun to understand and face up to the problems that threaten us and the survival of life on Earth as we know it. Surely we can use our problem-solving abilities, our brains, to find ways to live in harmony with nature. Many companies have begun "greening" their operations, and millions of people worldwide are beginning to realize that each of us has a responsibility to the environment and our descendants. Everywhere I go, I see people making wiser choices, and more responsible ones.

The Indomitable Human Spirit
My second reason for hope lies in the indomitable nature of the human spirit. There are so many people who have dreamed seemingly unattainable dreams and, because they never gave up, achieved their goals against all the odds, or blazed a path along which others could follow. The recent presidential election in the US is one example. As I travel around the world I meet so many incredible and amazing human beings. They inspire me. They inspire those around them.  

The Resilience of Nature
My third reason for hope is the incredible resilience of nature. I have visited Nagasaki, site of the second atomic bomb that ended World War II. Scientists had predicted that nothing could grow there for at least 30 years. But, amazingly, greenery grew very quickly. One sapling actually managed to survive the bombing, and today it is a large tree, with great cracks and fissures, all black inside; but that tree still produces leaves. I carry one of those leaves with me as a powerful symbol of hope. I have seen such renewals time and again, including animal species brought back from the brink of extinction.  

The Determination of Young People
My final reason for hope lies in the tremendous energy, enthusiasm and commitment of young people around the world. As they find out about the environmental and social problems that are now part of their heritage, they want to right the wrongs. Of course they do -- they have a vested interest in this, for it will be their world tomorrow. They will be moving into leadership positions, into the workforce, becoming parents themselves. Young people, when informed and empowered, when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can indeed change the world. We should never underestimate the power of determined young people. 

I meet many young people with shining eyes who want to tell Dr. Jane what they've been doing, how they are making a difference in their communities. Whether it's something simple like recycling or collecting trash, something that requires a lot of effort, like restoring a wetland or a prairie, or whether it's raising money for the local dog shelter, they are a continual source of inspiration. My greatest reason for hope is the spirit and determination of young people, once they know what the problems are and have the tools to take action. 

So let’s move forward in this new millennium with hope, for without it all we can do is eat and drink the last of our resources as we watch our planet slowly die. Let’s have faith in ourselves, in our intellect, in our staunch spirit and in our young people. And let’s do the work that needs to be done, with love and compassion."

--Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE

"If we are the most intellectual creature that has ever walked on the planet, how come we're destroying that planet?"

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right.”

“Chimpanzees are suffering horribly for our entertainment.”

“My mission is to create a world where we can live in harmony with nature.”

"Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference."

"The greatest danger to our future is apathy."

(All words & quotes by Jane Goodall)

"Kutakatik" Art & Craft for kids at Potato Head

We're celebrating Father's Day with the kids. 

Thank's to Potato Head for the opportunity, we had fun! :)

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers in the world! :)

Pear and Apple Phyllo Crisp

This is nyummy and so easy...got this from Martha Stewart's web.

All you need:

• 1/3 cup plain fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling (you can use brown sugar too)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
• 6 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted ( how much are you going to brush it? up to you)
• 2 small firm pears
• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 180-200C degrees with a rack in top position. Combine breadcrumbs, sugar, and cinnamon.

Line a baking sheet with parchment, and top with 1 phyllo sheet. Brush phyllo all over with butter, and sprinkle pecan mixture evenly over top. Repeat 4 times. Top with remaining phyllo sheet, and brush with all but 2 tablespoons butter.

Slice pears and apples 1/8 inch thick; discard seeds. Arrange pear and apple slices in a single layer on phyllo, leaving space between fruit and a 1/4-inch border around edges. Brush fruit with reserved 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle with sugar, and dust with cinnamon. 

Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until phyllo is golden brown and fruit is soft, 28 to 32 minutes. Let cool slightly. Cut into 8 pieces.

This one wasn't as pretty as the Martha Stewart's pic hehehe. I think because the pear and apple slices weren't thin enough. Oh well, it tasted good anyway. Again, when it comes to baking, apple and cinnamon, I always love to eat it with vanilla ice cream :)
Go have a try, easy peasy!

♥♥♥♥

Oooohhh...here is the 2nd attempt at making Pear and Apple Phyllo Crisp. I sliced the apple thinner than yesterday. And yes...less butter more crunchy! :)

Eat it with vaniwa aiskwim pwiiizzzzzzz! :p

So it's up to you...if you want to have it more gooey or crunchy :)

The 2nd Aksara Reading Rainbow featuring Kutakatik Art & Craft class

The 2nd Aksara Reading Rainbow featuring Kutakatik!

Thanks to Adinda and Aksara Kemang to give us (me and my sister) the opportunity to have a small art & craft class.

Today we're using Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax". One of my fave book by one of my fave author :)

All the kids wanted to make "The Truffula Trees" :D

Let's do this :)

Grace's doll :)

Truffula's Trees cupcakes by Sweet & Savoury

You can join us every weekend. It's free but space is limited. Sign up at any Aksara Store or email info@aksara.com

Here's a bit from the first one :) 

Alphabets Posters

I love collecting posters. And when it comes to kids' posters, I love alphabets and animals.

 This one I have it in my bedroom :) it's from Burlesque Design

I wish for these posters...

Pics are from this site :)

Sam Richards: A radical experiment in empathy

Try to put yourself in someone else's shoes...

Take Me To Aruanda

Astrud Gilberto's Take Me To Aruanda....one of my fave song of all time by one of my fave artist...

There's a land, Aruanda
Diamond sand, Aruanda
Silver stars on the hill top
Take me to Aruanda

Lots of fish in the stream near
Lots of dangers to dream there
Golden sun in the valley
Take me to Aruanda

There where nobody worries
There where nobody hurries
Easy life waving you're welcome
Take me there

Leave my sadness behind me
Let sweet paradise find me
Heaven waits over yonder
Take me to Aruanda

Churros

Got this recipe from my cousin and this site. Easy peasy :)

All you need for the churros:

1 quart of oil

1 cup water

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 cups flour

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 large eggs

For the chocolate dipping:

2 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

2 tbsp sugar

1 pound bittersweet chocolate (66 percent), coarsely chopped

Directions: 

Combine the milk, cream, sugar, in a medium saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds. Whisk the mixture until smooth. Keep warm.

And then...

Put the oil into a large saucepan and heat over medium heat until a deep fry thermometer. Place several layers of paper towels on a baking sheet and set aside.

Combine the water, butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the butter is completely melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the flour, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon anise seeds and quickly beat with a wooden spoon until a ball is formed and the mixture becomes dry, about 2 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat for one minute to allow some of the steam to escape the mixture and to cool slightly before adding the eggs. Add the eggs, one a time, beating every time until each is incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and beat for 20 seconds longer. Scrape the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.

Working in batches, pipe 6-inch strips of the dough into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, turning once. 

Combine the remaining 1 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a baking dish. As you can see my niece love to mixed it (or you can say play with it hahaha) :p

Remove with a slotted spoon or spider to the prepared paper towel-lined baking sheet. Let the churros drain for 30 seconds and immediately toss in the sugar mixture. 

Serve the churros warm with the chocolate dipping sauce on the side. 

PS : As you can see, it doesn't always have to be perfect, hey you know that the real churros is longer than our kind of churros right haha. Eventhough these were unpresentable, but I can assure you these churros were delicious :)