My Domestic Art

There are monsters everywhere..... I loved this window display when I saw it - I just knew my kids would find it amusing, especially the little one. He's been fascinated with all things monsters since he discovered that Halloween is round the corner and there are all sorts of scary masks, weapons, spiders, scary toys and decorations on sale everywhere we go lately. I just had to make something similar to amuse him . Added some simple tangles to make it more fun and mysterious. A few minutes a day is all I need to doodle and unwind. Finally. Zentangle Doodle Halloween Monster Eyes Doodling and tangling are just so incredibly fun and relaxing. My kids like to watch me doodle and give comments or suggestions along the way. What makes it even more exciting is we never know what the end result will look like as I don't like to rush the picture but rather let it progress over a few doodling sessions. Another one - just for fun. Hall...

It has been fun discovering about Zentangle. I have always enjoyed doodling , so it's sort of natural to go on to doing Zentangle art or Zentangle inspired art . This is inspired by a Tangle Pattern I saw online - called "Nymph". I started off with a light border then divide them into triangles randomly. Then retraced the triangles with curved borders. Followed by lines coming out from each "centre". Done.

Zentangle inspired flower art Zentangle is an abstract drawing method created using repetitive patterns (called "tangles"). These structured and repetitive patterns are easy-to-learn, hence accessible to all, whether you are a beginner or an expert. This art form provides a fun and relaxing way to unwind while creating beautiful art pieces. It is meant to be pleasurable and meditative. I love the fact that it is abstract and supposed to be relaxing. It is also said to increase focus and mindfulness, all of which I need right now ! The Zentangle art images I saw online have been nothing short of intriguing and I was itching to try it out. All it requires is a white piece of paper and pencil or black ink. There is no rule to it, and the creation of each piece of art is completely organic. NO eraser should be used to erase any mistakes. Here's how it went with my first Zentangle. Start with a border or a shape - in my case I started with a simple f...

Butterfly doodle Doodling is not only a great way to pass the time, but also fantastic as a stress reliever. I used to doodle a lot when I was in school and also before I had kids. But kids just take up so much of my time that I have not been able to put aside time to do the things that I used to enjoy. Like crafting.... and doodling. Since the older kids are revising for their exams now, I try to keep the little one quiet by getting him to do quiet activities . The annoying thing is if I were to give him a piece of paper and ask him to draw, he would simply refuse. BUT... I have found that if I were to take a piece of paper and start doodling myself, he would join me. Every SINGLE time!  It has been amazing to see the effect of doodling on him - it calms him down almost immediately and the house is peaceful and conducive for the older boys to revise. And to be honest, doodling calms me down too! Exam period is a time when the stress level all around is at an a...

Giving someone special a handmade greeting card is not only fun and more personal, but also more meaningful to both the recipient and the giver. Isn't it wonderful to give someone something that you have made yourself and to show them how much you care! Making your own beautiful greeting cards doesn't have to be hard, there are many tools out there to get started, such as rubber stamps, ink pads, ribbons, laces, stickers, washi tapes, embossers and many more. But seriously, as fantastic as it is to have all the latest fun gadgets to make beautiful cards, sometimes all you need is a few basic stuff, some creativity, patience and time. Yup, I fell for it too and bought a whole bunch of pretty little toys that I hardly use now. Today, I am going to show you my doodle birthday cards, which I made together with my son for his friend's birthday. This is all you need: a nice piece of thick paper or card stock coloured marker, pen or pencil and let your imaginat...

Marinated and then roasted, these mini Portobello mushrooms are quick to prepare, yet incredibly favourful and delicious. I love all kinds of mushrooms, be it button, enoki, oyster and many others, but Portobello mushrooms are in a league of their own. They taste very much like meats - hearty and satisfying. Some of these Portobello mushrooms are gigantic, when marinated and cooked their taste and texture are like grilled steaks. But I particularly enjoy these mini portobellos - they are easier and faster to cook, and perfect as a side dish. Mushrooms are an excellent source of dietary fiber while low in calories, making them very satiating and totally guilt-free. So go ahead and have a bunch of these in one go! :P Roasted Mini Portobello Mushrooms in Balsamic Vinegar Ingredients: 200g mini Portobello mushrooms 2 tbsp. minced garlic 3 tbsp. minced onion 3 tbsp. chopped tomatoes 3 tbsp. olive oil 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar salt black pepper Instr...

Indonesian cuisine features a lot of fried food. To accompany the main dishes, there are usually some fried food of some sort, like corn fritters , vegetable fritters, fried meat balls etc... They make perfect side dishes to the main meals, as a snack or treats for the kids. This potato fritter (perkedel kentang) is another example. It is an unassuming, humble side dish that is tasty and filling. It is incredibly delicious eaten with Indonesian sambal (chilli sauce). Soft and savoury on the inside and crispy on the outside, and extremely addictive! Potato Fritters (Perkedel Kentang) Ingredients: 3 potatoes 2 cloves garlic - minced 2 shallots - minced 1 egg ½ tsp salt ½ tsp ground nutmeg white pepper corn flour (optional) Instructions: Peel potatoes and cut into large chunks, boil till soft (around 8 minutes) Drain and mash potatoes Add the rest of the ingredients (except egg) to the mashed potatoes and mix well  If mixture is too runny, add a litt...

I enjoy eating lentils every now and then, usually in hotel buffets or as a side dish when having Indian cuisine. Lentils were never a star dish or something that I was interested to cook before. They are just not our usual Chinese ingredients. But, lentils are incredibly healthy and highly nutritious. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and selenium, all of which boost the immune system. They are also high in proteins and fiber, which are good for digestive and heart health, and to aid in weight loss. As I am incorporating at least 1 meat-free day per week, I have been experimenting with different varieties of legumes as our source of proteins. Some legumes require soaking overnight and cooking for hours, which can be tedious to prepare. But lentils are fast to cook and don't require soaking, making their preparation a breeze. After a few attempts at preparing lentils, I am now a lentils convert! I love their taste and texture, and how versatile t...

The Chinese Garden is one of our favourite outdoor spots. It is so under-rated and secluded that it feels like our little hidden oasis. When we came here a few weeks back, we were intrigued to spot quite a number of their resident monitor lizards roaming around freely. It is great that the people who see them don't disturb or feed them, and these wild animals were completely comfortable in their urban environment. This has to be the biggest one we have ever come across! The boys started off a little weary but soon went closer and closer. A lot of them came out as the sun was setting and the boys followed them to see where they were headed.  Into the waters to settle for the night, it seems. What a wonderful outdoor experience, with a few unexpected find! I hope this wonderful Garden will remain this peaceful, serene and clean, with the monitor lizards community striving for a long time to come. 😉

Semur Ayam is an Indonesian home-cooked dish that I grew up with. It is a classic chicken and potatoes combo, stewed in a lovely thick and rich sauce of nutmeg and kecap manis - which is an Indonesian sweet dark soy sauce. Indonesian food uses a lot of kecap manis, and this dish is no exception. It gives a distinct flavour of sweet with salty undertone, a lovely colour and thick consistency to the dish. I usually stock up on Bango kecap manis whenever I go to Indonesia as they give the most authentic flavour. Chicken wings are used here because my kids just love wings, but you can use any bone-in chicken parts cut to small pieces. For a wholesome meal, I like to add some hard-boiled eggs and serve with white/brown rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.  😋 A true comfort food indeed! Semur Ayam (Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce) Ingredients: 10 pcs chicken wings - winglets and drumlets separated 2 potatoes - cut into big chunks 5 hard-boiled eggs 5 cloves gar...

My kids absolutely dislike the taste and texture of green peas, I have no idea why. I actually think they are quite mild-tasting. Whenever I include some green peas in fried rice or pasta or stir-fry dishes, the boys always pick and separate them at the side of their plates. Even the hubby does that! It's so annoying... But I'm glad I didn't give up. Green peas are a wonderful source of proteins, and contain high levels of glutamine - an amino acid compound that helps to repair muscles after workouts. Peas also improve digestive health and apparently can help to reduce sugar craving! What's not to love, right. After many trial and errors, I have now found a way to feed my family some green peas... By blending them into soups! My family loves our soups and this green pea soup is another winner. When blended and mixed with other veggies, my family did not complain about the taste of peas. In fact, they agreed the soup did not taste like green peas and all w...

Meal times should be fun and enjoyable for the whole family. Sometimes I stress about what the kids are putting in their mouths, whether they are healthy or nutritious enough for their growing bodies. And I get really upset when they refuse the food I have laboriously prepared for them! I know I shouldn't take it personally and I'm trying to accept that they may take a while to like a certain new taste or texture. But really, meal times should be enjoyed and stress-free. Sometimes it's great to just let go and let the kids have what they want, even when it's messy and may be not the healthiest option! My kids love seaweed and sushi so much. I figured a sushi making activity would be a hit with them. With minimal prep, I can get dinner on the table in 30 minutes - which is the time taken to cook the rice in my rice cooker :P I prepare the kids' favourite like tuna mayonnaise, omelette, sweet corn, crabsticks, and seasoned seaweed sheets. I usually use...