Beautiful hibiscus in my garden

Another new species of hibiscus just bloomed this morning. It's fiery red with shorter pistil, not the dangly red hibiscus rosa-sinensis. 

What a beautiful morning to be greeted by such beautiful flowers and cheerful colours...especially on a Monday, the beginning of another hectic and busy week before school close for the Hari Raya this weekend.

I've collected 4 different colors & types of hibiscus so far and will be adding more soon. I'll be out looking for some great looking yellow (egg-yolk yellow) this weekend or if I'm lucky, just might find some white ones as well.

Not many nurseries carry a wide variety of hibiscus...will try my luck in Sg Buloh.

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Elegant hibiscus

Another very beautiful apricot-coloured hibiscus with deep-red eye. The bush can grow quite tall, probably to 7 feet but the bush in my garden has been trimmed regularly to maintain its height of just 4 feet. It's pale but the colour contrast is clear with slight frilly petal edges and a long pistil and stamen. 

The flower is dangly, attractive and elegant. I think it's called El Capitola Sport. 

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Max likes Art

OMG! Is Max a budding artist?

He brought this back from school and I saw at the corner a 4-stars marking from his Art teacher. Wowee, yes, proud Mommy! I can’t say how happy I am, to see his masterpiece.

Sending him for his weekly class 6 months ago, was to fill his time with extra-curricular activities but he always enjoyed Art class. Children are very interested in colors.

He is very fascinated with machines, cars, weapons, castle-knight, super-heroes… like most boys, he’ll make a tank, machine gun, sports cars, fighter jet F-16 or trebuchet from Lego.

Max will commence formal education next year, but with the daily homework burden of primary school syllabus, I’m worried he may not have time for other extra-curricular activities. Nevertheless, I think I need to nurture his interest and find some time to continue with his Art class.

Drawing, sketching and coloring is proven to develop children’s observation capability, increase their concentration as well as their creativity. I noticed that he can sit still for slightly longer periods since commencing Art class.

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Chocolate Chip Nut Brownies

This recipe is for lovers of chocolate and nuts. :-)


When I get the urge for some chocolate fix, I'll head to my kitchen to whip up a batch of brownies and I've made this many times, my friends and neighbors have fallen in love with these, not to mention my supportive hubby and son.


Making brownies is easy and you don't need a mixer to do that. Here's one recipe that I've always used, with sugar level adjusted. I think I've found the right balance with chocolate chip and the added nuts. It's sweet enough for your chocolate cravings fix without cringing! There are lots of nuts to give the brownies the crunchy and nutty topping accompaniment.

Some might like it really fudgy and some like it cakey. I like it somewhere in between. Here's my version.


120g butter, melted
180g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 tsp mocha essence (or 1 tsp of instant coffee granules dilute in 1 tbsp of boiling water)
2 eggs
100g flour
40g cocoa powder
2/3 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup almond nibs


1.  Pre-heat oven 175°C.
2.  Line an 8" square baking dish with baking paper with sides cut longer (hanging over the sides, this is to enable ease of removal) once it's baked.
3.  Melt butter. Combine melted butter with sugar, vanilla essence and mocha essence (optional) in a medium bowl.
4.  Beat the eggs and add in the wet ingredients.
5.  Sift flour and cocoa powder.
6.  Gently stir in dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
7.  Spread into the pan, level with plastic spatula.
8.  Sprinkle chopped walnuts on the top, followed by almond nibs.
9.  Lastly sprinkle chocolate chips on the top most.
10.Bake for 35-40 minutes. If tested with a tooth-pick inserted into the center, it should have still have some crumbs stuck to the tooth-pick, but it could be the melted chocolate chips. Do not overbake.


Cool in the pan and cut into 16 squares.

The irresistible aroma of chocolate that fills the home will draw the kids (or the Man) to the kitchen, they could hardly wait for the brownies to cool. :-P


* There is a very subtle hint of coffee which enhances the aroma of chocolate. If the brownies are for kids, you may wish to omit it. (Optional)


It's easier to get clean cut lines when it is completely cool or it may get crumbly. 


I think brownies taste better the day after... I normally cut into 20 squares, well, the smaller the pieces, I thought I could reduce the calories intake.... ha-ha-ha...trust me, it's calories laden, every mouthful. The smaller the cut, the smaller the 'guilt'...- self-deception! 


Each time I feel like reaching for another piece of this sinfully chocolatey and heavenly rich brownies, I tell myself....oh, look at your hips, but then I only bake this like once a month? How bad can it get... :-)


Have a fun weekend.

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