Saturday 30 October 2021

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How to Deal with Halloween as Christians?

 

This year our Little FECS and our Baby FECS chose to make a pumpkin house instead of a smiley face pumpkin.

As the evening winded down, our lonely pumpkin house grew more and more surrounded and a little too busy 🤣

Baby FECS added the rose petals bed.

Daddy FECS added the windmill - his love and pride ❤️ 

The only prop missing perhaps was Cinderella and the horse to turn it into a pumpkin carriage 😂 Well, maybe next year… for now Cinderella can make do with the yellow school bus added by our Little FECS 😁

We wanted to honor God and don’t want to celebrate scary things. So this is just our way of going against the cultural norm and still making it a little fun for our kids 😊

May the warmth, love, joy and peace of God fill your home today 🙂

Here are some of my posts on how we deal with Halloween:

















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Healthy Nutritious Pancakes - Naturally Sweetened with Dates Version 2

 

Makes 24 pancakes

Ingredients:

1. 125g flour or white whole wheat flour (1 cup)
2. 800 ml skimmed fresh milk
3. 10 eggs
4. A handful of almonds (approx. 20g)
5. A handful of walnuts (approx. 20g)
6. A handful of sunflower seeds (approx. 20g)
7. 1 TBS brewer's yeast (optional)
8. 15 dried dates pitted
9. 1/2 tsp vanilla powder (optional)
10. 2 TBS olive oil (optional)
11. 1 TBS cooking oil or combination of butter and cooking oil for frying

Directions:

1. In a blender, add vanilla powder and dried dates, milk, olive oil, almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds and blend under the lowest setting until mixed.

2. Add flour and blend well.

3. Add eggs and blend for only 1-2 seconds, just enough to mix in the eggs. Don't overbeat the batter. Stop stirring once the mixture is moist or the pancakes will be tough (don’t worry about a few lumps).

4. Let it rest for 30 minutes in the fridge if possible.

5. Heat pan with cooking oil until hot (Its temperature is just right when a few drops of cold water dropped on the pan will jump and sizzle. If the pan is not sufficiently hot, the water will lie there and boil. If it is too hot, the water will evaporate instantly).

6. When the pan is hot, add some oil just enough to spread a thin layer on the pan by rubbing it with a piece of kitchen roll when making the first piece of pancake.

7. Turn to medium-low heat (no. 7 on my stove) and pour in a ladle of mixture just enough to spread it to cover the whole circumference of the pan.

8. Cook until the surface of the pancake is filled with bubbles and the underside has turned slightly brown (about 45 secs to 1 min). Raise the edge of the pancake with the wooden spatula to test if it is firm and brown.

9. Flip over and cook the other side for 30 secs more. DO NOT flip again or the pancake will be tough. (Although you may be tempted to do so, don’t use the spatula to press down the pancake or it will be heavy).

Additional Information:

We tried this version today and it tasted very good. All natural and nutritious ingredients with whole wheat flour, nuts and dates. The nuts and seeds total 50-60g.

Friday 29 October 2021

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Flashback Fridays

April 2015 at a formal function 

If I could give our younger selves a piece of advice, it is to prioritize going for cooking classes together before the kids come along and cooking a good meal regularly together.

I have come to realize that knowing how to cook is an important life skill no matter how high or low your education level is; or how rich or poor you are; or how high or low your position at the corporate world is; or how frequent you go to the restaurant; or whether you are a male or a female.

Alas this is lost in Singapore as live-in maids or grandparents at home is a common place although mindsets are slowly changing.

It’s my wish and prayer that both Little FECS and Baby FECS will want to learn how to cook and that I could inspire them to do so.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6

Monday 25 October 2021

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Farms to visit in Denmark


Below is a list of Danish farms that we think are worth visiting. They are mainly those we have visited in the past or would like to visit one day. Besides in June for strawberry-picking, these farms are worth visiting also from July to October, where harvesting of flowers, fruits and vegetables take place in Denmark.

1. Rokkedyssegård

13 June 2021 (5Y28D): Strawberry-picking at Rokkedyssegård

27 June 2021 (12Y3M22D): Raspberry-picking at Rokkedyssegård

This farm specializes in berries, although you can also harvest your own potatoes. Its berries are the best in Denmark, so juicy and sweet. It's one of the best places to pick strawberries in mid June. It is best to get there as the season starts for strawberry-picking. That's when you get to pick the biggest and juiciest strawberries. Check their website to follow when they open up for strawberry-picking. 

You can also dig potatoes here. The only disadvantage about this farm is that you have to buy ticket beforehand to pick strawberries. Thus, it requires a bit of planning beforehand. You also need to pay a service fee per ticket, but it's all worth it in my opinion as their strawberries and raspberries are the sweetest and tastiest we have tried, an unforgettable experience.

Address:
Lejrvej 45, 3500 Værløse
Tel: 31570740

It offers:

- Pick your own tulips 8 May. Tulips at their most beautiful now.
- Dig your own potatoes late May to late October
- Strawberry-picking 5 June, also mid August to 4 October (last day usually half price to empty the field of strawberries)
- Raspberry-picking 23 June to mid September. Best time mid July
- Cherry-picking mid July
- Black currant-picking mid July
- Flower-picking mid July
- Apple-picking to late October
- Plum-picking late august to late October
- Tomato-picking to late October (last weekend on 31 October). Best time end September
- Gala apple-picking from early October
- Blueberry-picking mid July to early October
- Mid October during the autumn school holidays special price with toogoodtogo.dk to dig potatoes
- Snobrød on bon fire and popcorn
- Carve a pumpkin
- Cafe, ice-cream, berry brunch
- Christmas hygge - waffles baking
- Sells duck for Christmas dinner

2. Jordbærcentret Vejborgaard


This farm is huge and located north of Copenhagen near Hillerød. It used to be very good seven years ago, but in recent years, the strawberries are rather small and few in between, making our strawberry-picking experience not as memorable. You don't have to buy a ticket beforehand to pick strawberries, unlike Rokkedyssegård. They don't have any animals or Christmas market.

Roskildevej 203,
Freerslev 3330 Gørløse
Tlf. 4827 8635
Tlf. 2097 8635
post@vejborggaard.dk 


The farm is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm for strawberry-picking 

It offers:

- Strawberry-picking from 4 June to mid July
- Peas-picking from 9 July to mid July
- Raspberry-picking
- Black currant-picking
- Market selling vegetables and fruits

28 June 2014 (5Y3M23D): Raspberry-picking at Jordbærcentret Vejborgaard


You can see more pictures from our outing here

3. Holmevang Frugtplantage

9 June 2014 (5Y3M4D): J harvesting potatoes with granny and daddy

Only 20 minutes drive from Copenhagen, it is one of the nearest farm. The strawberry farm is across the road from the farm house. You can harvest potatoes at the same time as  you pick strawberries. You can also harvest your own organic vegetables in October. You can cut your own Christmas tree. The farm opens from end March.

Address:
Frederiksholmsvej 3, Sengeløse
2630 Taastrup
Telefon: 51 30 75 58/ 40 17 16 36/ 42 83 77 43

It offers:

- Dig your own potatoes from late May to late October
- Strawberry picking from mid June to mid July 
- Apple-picking from mid August to third week of November
- Plum-picking from end August to almost mid September
- Self-harvesting of vegetables from late October
- Cut your own Christmas tree from mid November to late December (You can reserve a tree and cut it at a later date yourself or ask them to cut it for you)
- Christmas hygge - glogg, hot chocolate, Christmas pancake æbleskriver, apple juice... to Christmas Eve 

Here is a youtube video made by someone who visited this farm:


4. Freerslev Kotel



We found the above information on a farm that looks interesting, but we haven't been there yet. Archiving it here to try it :-) It is not free though. It costs 45 DKK for kids and 90 DKK for adults. For this farm, it is mainly to see farm animals.

5. Ventegodtgaard


It's located in the north of Køge. It's one of the few places that offer self-harvesting of pumpkins during early to end October. You can also self-harvest potatoes here. We missed it this year. We hope to go next year.

Address:
Naurbjergvej 26, 4623 Ll. Skensved
Tel. +45 5616 9005
ventegodtgaard@gmail.com

It offers:

- Strawberry-picking from 15 June to 1 August
- Dig your own potatoes from 15 June to 1 September
- Apple-picking from 1 September to 1 November
- Self harvesting of pumpkins from 15 September to 31 October
- Tomato-picking 30 July to October
- Picking of basil, dill, celery, sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli from 10 July

- Cafe serving fish 'n' chips, soup, sausages, pancake, ice-creams, hamburgers, hot chocolate, apple juice, smoothies
- Petting animals such as rabbits, goats, chicken
- Play ground for kids
- Tractor rides for kids
- bon fire during autumn

6. Grennessminde - Det Økologiske Gartneri


It's located south of Copenhagen. It specializes in vegetables. You can self-harvest the vegetables and herbs. You can harvest your own flowers. You can also pick your own strawberries. They sell pumpkins, but you can't harvest your own pumpkins. They are closed during the summer school holidays and opens from 11 August. Check their website to find out what's on for picking before you go.

Snubbekorsvej 16-18,
2630 Taastrup
Tel: 43990470
Email: info@gminde.dk

It offers:

- Vegetable-picking from 1 June to late October.
- Strawberry-picking from 21 June.
- Flower-picking from early July to mid October. 
- Plum-picking to 19 August.

- Pony-riding
- Cafe serves pumpkin soup during autumn on Wednesday and Friday, cakes and hot chocolate and other soup according to the season. 
- Fastelavnboller during Fastelavn period
- Snobrød (Danish twist bread over fire) over bon fire in autumn on Tuesday and Thursday. Especially during the autumn school holidays.
- Mini zoo with farm animals you can pet.
- Early October make chestnut figures with kids at the cafe.
- Conduct courses in planting and flower arrangement workshops for adults.

7. Grantoftegaard


You can visit and pet their animals such as lamb, pigs, horses, etc. The stables are normally open daily from 10am - 2pm (Weekends from 10am - 12pm). They are open for Christmas with a Christmas market. They also keep bees and make honey. You can try their free horse carriage tour Wednesday and Thursday (except weekends and public holidays) from 10am - 12 pm. There is a nice and cozy cafe too to stop for rest and a cup of coffee. The Cafe is open Wednesday to Friday from 11am - 4pm, Saturday from 10am - 5pm and Sunday from 10am - 4pm.

Pederstrupvej 69,
Ballerup 2750
Tel: 88185860

It offers:

- Free horse carriage ride on Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 12pm (except weekends and public holidays) at Stor Pederstrup
- Mini zoo - you can pet rabbits, goats etc.
- Snobrød on bon fire from Monday to Friday during autumn (to end October). You cna buy the dough from the cafe at 20 DKK.
- Carve pumpkin. You can buy the pumpkin, but you can't self harvest it.
- Sells organic vegetables, honey, lamb and beef.
- Høstfestival usually around 4 Septmber
- Viking market 18-19 September with stalls selling viking times products - stones, food, jewellery, etc.
- Christmas market 5 December 11am

You can see pictures from our outing here

8. Frydenlunds Alle 7, 2950 Vedbæk


It is the one of the two farms as far as I know that you can pick Clara Friis pears. Clara Friis pears is a type of pear that are very sweet and crunchy. Our family loves them. You can to be fast and be there on the very first day when the season starts for picking, normally the first Saturday of September. They go fast! It is located up north of Copenhagen in a very beautiful surrounding with a nice mansion in the background.

Address:
Frydenlunds Alle 23B, 
2950 Vedbæk
Tel: +45 20 32 02 40  (10 – 12)
Email: post@frydenlundslot.dk


It offers:

- Pear-picking from 4 September to 10 October.
- Apple-picking from 4 September to 24 October.
- Opens mid June selling fruit products to November.

You can see pictures from our outing here

9. Kildebrønde Frugtplantage


It's located south of Copenhagen. You can self-harvest pumpkins here. They have "Cinderella" pumpkin for sale. Their products are not organic.

Address:
Kildebrønde Landevej 41, 
2670 Greve
Tel: 4361 0910
Email: post@kildebronde-frugt.dk


It offers:

- Strawberry-picking to 18 June 4 July at 35 DKK per kg
- Raspberry-picking 24 July to 7 August
- Apple-picking until late October 24
- Pear-picking until late October 24
- Clara Friis pear-picking opens 4 September at 10am to 3pm at 17 DKK per kg.
- Self-harvesting pumpkins from 2 October at 9am to 17 October at 35 DKK per pumpkin

- Sells rabarbar from end April
- Christmas market selling Christmas trees, but you can cut your own Christmas trees, hot chocolate and other Christmas goodies from 9 November.

10. Skobruget Sandet Juletræer & Pyntegrønt


Here is a beautiful place in Roskilde that you can cut your own Christmas tree. It has a fairytale-like forest full of rows of Christmas trees. We went there last year. They have two locations. We went to the location stated below.

Address:
Sandet 4,
4130 Viby Sjælland
Tel: +45 20967701


Opens daily from 10am - 4pm

You can read about our outing here

11. Dyssegaardens Juletræsplantage


You can cut your own Christmas tree here. It's open daily from 26 November to Christmas Eve. It's about 25 minutes drive from Copenhagen. It closes earlier on Christmas Eve at 1pm.

Address:
Frederiksborgvej 570, 
4000 Roskilde
Tel: 61 18 56 38


It offers:

- Cut your own Christmas tree
- Christmas market selling Christmas decorations, Christmas dress for children, etc.
- Cafe with waffles, hot chocolate and Christmas goodies
- Horse-carriage ride 10am - 4pm
- Santa Claus
- Sledging when there is snow
- Ride on donkeys
- Labyrinth made of hay for children 
- Pet farm animals i.e. pigs, etc.

References:


Friday 15 October 2021

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Flashback Fridays

 

2006 Redang Malaysia

If I were to give my younger self an advice, that is to always use sun screen for the whole family. That’s the secret to youthfulness. But since I am still young, I can still take my own advice :-D

Thursday 7 October 2021

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Throwback Thursdays

 


I promise Daddy FECS that I will sort through our photo albums and find a back-up solution. What technology do you use to back-up your photos? 

It’s been a year since I have been a full-time mom, and I still haven’t done it yet. Life as a full-time mom is really busy 😅 

Finally I have started organizing our old photos. That will make Daddy FECS very happy. When he is happy, I am happy too 😃 

And I am starting a series called “Throwback Thursdays” and “Flashback Fridays”

Looking through old photos brought back so much memories…

This picture was taken in 2006 in our old apartment in Hellerup. Those were the days in our married life when I still had the leisure of time to make sushi 🍱 

It felt like just yesterday, but 15 years have flew past since.

It teaches me to appreciate our life together. Life is short. I am more determined than ever to let go of minor annoyances and to really appreciate and cherish each other. The days are short.

Before we know our life together today will all be in the past. Before we know, we may not have the health like before… Hopefully I am a bit wiser today 😊 

What about you? Does looking back at old photos make you appreciate your spouse more?

God bless your marriage ❤️

Friday 1 October 2021

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Flashback Fridays

 


Married to my Boo Boo Honey Bee for 19 years 7 months 29 days and still counting 😆

Memory from 2005 Christmas in Singapore during the kids-free days…

Many things have changed since… expanding waistline, more white hair and wrinkles… from the demands of parenting, the responsibility of supporting a family and the ever so imperfect wife 😁

But at least one thing stays the same - your steadfast integrity towards work and your commitment and love for the marriage and the family❤️… no matter how much I exasperate you 😆

Our children and I are so blessed because of you 🥰

Thursday 30 September 2021

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Throwback Thursdays

 




Sweet memories from 2004 during those carefree kids-free days...

Through the ups and downs and thick and thin over the years... the bond and memories grow deeper as we mature and grow older :-)

Thank you for your love, commitment, steadfastness, forgiveness and faithfulness... they are new every morning :-)

Thanking God for every single day
  

Wednesday 29 September 2021

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Danish Primary School Results (Grundskolens karaktergennemsnit i bunde prøver)

 

Here is the website where you can check the results of each primary school in Denmark i.e. folkeskolens karaktergennemsnit i bunde prøver:

https://uddannelsesstatistik.dk/Pages/Reports/1813.aspx


The school exam results usually come out in mid October each year.


Sunday 26 September 2021

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Japanese Curry


Ingredients:

1. 1 kg pork cut into bite-size (I use nakkefilet (which is pork neck) from Føtex supermarket, see picture below)
2. 4 potatoes cut into cubes
3. 2 carrots cut into cubes
4. 2 large onions sliced
5. 4 cloves garlic diced
6. 4 cubes of Japanese curry seasoning
7. Just enough water to cover the items in the pot
8. 2 TBS cooking oil
9. 1 TBS ketchup (optional)
10. A handful of frozen peas (optional)
11. A handful of frozen corns (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat cooking oil in pan and add half of the garlic and fry until golden.
2. Add half of the onions and fry until golden.
3. Add carrots and potatoes and fry until golden.
4. Remove from pan.
5. Heat pot with oil, add the remaining half of the garlic and fry until golden.
6. Add meat and fry until golden, but not fully cooked.
7. Add back the vegetables.
8. Fill it with hot water until just covering the items in the pot and bring it to light boil.
9. Add Japanese curry seasoning and mix well, add 1 tablespoon of ketchup (optional, but not more than that), a handful of frozen peas (optional) and frozen corns (optional)
10. Simmer for 15-20 minutes under low fire (no. 2.5 out of 9 of my stove) until the meat is cooked and serve with rice and salad :-)

Additional Information:

This is always a hit with our children. Daddy FECS loves this dish too. It is also a safe dish to bring for potluck - usually most, if not all, guests love it. But having said that, I don't serve this dish so often as the Japanese curry seasoning I believe does contain MSG. Also it does take a bit of time as it takes a lot of peeling, cutting and chopping of the ingredients. I can't believe I only made this post now. It has stayed in my draft box since June 2015! For the pork, I use nakkefilet, as it is very tender and quite forgiving no matter how you cook it. If you are not using nakkefilet, I suggest that you coat the pork with corn starch first before cooking it. I sometimes marinade the pork first with a tablespoon of soy sauce and a dash of salt and pepper, but it's not necessary at all, as the Japanese curry seasoning contains a lot of flavor. 

My preferred pork cut is nakkefilet, as it is tender and quite forgiving.

You can get these Japanese curry seasonings from any Asian grocery stores.

Cut the pork into bite size.

If you are not using "nakkefilet" neck portion of the pork, make it tender by marinading it with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.

Marinade it with 1 tablespoon of sake (optional)

Marinade it with 1 tablespoon of mirin (optional)

Marinade it with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil (optional)

Add a dash of salt and

pepper.

Mix well.

If you are not using nakkefilet, you may need to coat the pork with a tablespoon of corn starch to make the meat tender.

Mix well.

In a pan, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.

And half of the garlic and fry until golden.

Add half of the onions and fry until golden.

Add carrots and

potatoes and fry for a couple of minutes.

Add remaining onions, mix well and fry. Then dish out and set aside.

In the pan, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.


Add the remaining half of the garlic and fry until golden.

Add pork and fry until brown.

Add back to the pan the carrots and potatoes.

Add water to just enough to cover the items in the pot...

like this.

Add 4 cubes of Japanese curry seasoning.

Simmer under low fire for 15-20 minutes (no. 2.5 on my stove).

Now it's done :-) If you wish, you can...

Add 1 tablespoon of ketchup and mix well (optional)

Add a handful of frozen peas.

Add a handful of frozen corns.

Mix well.

Now it's done :-)

Serve :-)
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