Mid-Autumn Festival

We used to have great parties at Granny's; with all members of the extended family coming together during festive occasions. One of my favourite was the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Lantern or Mooncake Festival in Singapore.

Delicious mooncakes and sweet juicy pomelos; green tea and the bright mid-autumn harvest moon. Each year, amidst the merry-making, I would wait patiently for my lantern to be lit and hung up together with the rest. A simple gesture of love and devotion.

This year, I am inspired to handmake mooncakes -- a traditional delicacy and a must-have on this occassion.

Mini Snowskin Mooncake Soaps

Mini Snowskin Mooncake Soap with 'lotus paste filling and a single salted egg yolk'

As the harvest festival approaches, I am filled with poignant memories. Tonight, kiddos and I shall light our lanterns. A simple gesture of our love and devotion. LJTKJ ♥

Update : Mini Snowskin Mooncake Soaps are available at The Garden Shop, Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Meimei's Lip Balm Adventure

Meimei is a very determined lil lady. All of 5 years and 9 months, she has decided that she wants to learn how to make soap and her personal toiletries. During the last few months, she has repeatedly asked mummy for lessons proper.

Today is THE day ... O-N-E. (Monday 5 Sept 2011)

Meimei was mighty pleased and super-thrilled to learn that we were going to make lip balm sticks!

" ooohhhhh .... my favourite " she cooed; " I want them to be pink in colour and taste like strawberries! "

To be honest, I was a little hesitant as I have yet to work with a kindergarten-age child and I was concerned whether she would be able to understand and follow the instructions during the lesson. Well, I was proven SO wrong ! Silly mummy !  :)

First, Meimei learnt the importance of sterilising all equipment and utensils.

Next, beeswax, candilla wax, castor and olive oils were carefully warmed in the microwave oven until completely melted. Mummy handled the hot stuff whilst Meimei was in-charge of operating the microwave oven. We allowed the mixture of waxes and oils to cool slightly before stirring in all natural "Berry Berrilicious" flavour fragrance oil (lip-safe and phthalate-free), followed by lip-smacking lip balm sweetener. YUMM !

For colour, Meimei chose Bramble Berry's Red Blue lip safe mica and our lip potion turned a deliciously shimmery iridescent pink with blue undertones! So pretty ♥

The lil lady impressed me with her motorskills as she carefully filled each lip tube using a disposable dropper. Perfect ! I topped each tube with just alittle more of our berry lip potion and set the tubes aside to cool.

VOILA !

Meimei with her pretty stash of Berry Berrilicious lip balm

To complete the "look", mummy will be printing out some customised labels for the lip tubes. Once done, we will seal each lip balm tube with a shrink wrap band for hygiene purpose.

Pretty pleased with the results we have achieved today. I have a sudden inspiration to create some holiday workshops for the lil ones -- definately great bonding sessions with parents ♥

For now, I am sure Meimei's teachers and girlfriends at school will be in for a berrilicious treat after the term holidays. I am so dreaming up our next lil adventure :) 

Celebrate Teachers

So engrossed in filling my orders for this nation-wide celebration to honour those in the teaching profession on 1 Sept 2011; I ... erm ... only realised my booboo when Gege peered into the gift bag for his beloved teacher and wailed " mummy, where's my soap ?! " 

" OOOOORRRRRRRRRR ... you Forgetful Mummy !!! " Meimei wagged a little finger at me.

*gasp** I FORGOT !!! I smiled sheepishly and bravely declared " A-HAH !! Thank goodness for body creams !! " 

Yes, some who have tried them body creams, agree that they are one of my "best kept secrets". I'd managed to whip some Goat Milk & Honey body cream scented in a deliciously fresh and crisp apple fragrance at the last moment and popped them into the gift bags before kiddos left for school.

AND I baked for the teachers too ! Never mind 'Forgetful Mummy' for forgetting the soaps. The teachers will never know if YOU do not tell them ;) ssshhhhhhhh .... that's our lil secret *wink**

Vanilla Fairy Cakes with Marshmallow Frosting & Rainbow Sprinkles ... wait ... edible or soapy ?!

♥ EAT ME ♥

I have rekindled my love affair with --- my oven  :)