Yuletide blessings

For many folks, the end of year marks a season of parties and extreme feasting and we are no exception. Christmas tree, sparkling decor, loads of presents and our home was ready. We even had a special visitor this year - Danger Dan!

Then there's the food! Just in anticipation, we try to cut down the day before a party and do a little more exercise. But it's all in vain. No amount of jumping jacks done as an afterthought can withstand the massive onslaught of turkey, ham, etc etc etc. I'm quite certain just thinking about Christmas food makes me move up one waist size. Time to switch to elastic pants.

Plus cake. Always lots of cake. And almost always chocolate. I'm telling you, those feeble situps don't stand a chance. Your brain sends an image of the dessert to your abs which, seeing the futility, surrenders and sags instantaneously.  

But most of all, Christmas is really about the company we keep. Sharing meals with loved ones, especially those we don't get to meet as often as we like - that is what makes the occasion.

Food, family and friends - God has provided for us abundantly over the past year. Hope you had an equally fabulous Christmas season and here's wishing all of you showers of blessings for 2014!

Braces off!

Almost a year ago on 31 December 2012, Andre had braces fitted because his top front teeth jutted out at an angle that affected his jaw growth. This meant that he often went around with his mouth slightly open because the overbite was so severe. Here's a picture of him a year ago.

 

Due to certain circumstances, we ended up with a different orthodontist for Andre than Lesley-Anne. This orthodontist is pretty pricey and we wouldn't have gone to her if not for the fact that Kenneth knew her and she gave us a discount. Even so, the bills sometimes made us feel faint! I'm pretty sure we paid for the ornamental fish tank and other furniture in the clinic. :o

We expected the braces to be on for at least two years, since that was the case with Lesley-Anne. However, this orthodontist is some miracle worker because yesterday, Andre's braces were ready to come off! Just under a year! I thought this was pretty much unheard of. So maybe, you do get what you pay for afterall.

We're terribly pleased with the results. His teeth sit so nicely now and the gaps from the extractions have completely closed up. As for Andre, he's just glad that there will be no more tightening and no more bouts of porridge and fish soup!

A mega-watt smile for Christmas :)

Danger Dan hogs the limelight at Crystal Jade My Bread!

In September this year, I was invited to a media dinner to review Crystal Jade Steamboat Restaurant. I thought it would be a one-time thing but the lovely folks at Crystal Jade asked me back again! This time, it was for a media event to showcase Crystal Jade My Bread's Christmas offerings.

To make it even more interesting, I was invited not just as a blogger but as the author of the upcoming Danger Dan book series. That meant Lesley-Anne was also invited and of course, Danger Dan himself!

For the festive season, Crystal Jade My Bread offers a comprehensive takeaway menu which ranges from nibblets to complete party packages. Everything from turkey and ham to log cakes and cupcakes. Here are mini pizzas and mushroom vol-au-vents.

Mini egg and bacon bread rolls (background), fish and pork stick in Thai style (foreground).

Since both Lesley-Anne and I are camera shy, having Danger Dan as a guest is GREAT because he loves being the centre of attention (and trust me, he was! People were staring.)  We made him photobomb everything and it was super fun!

We also got to decorate our very own snowman cake!

And while other guests came up with pretty, jolly old Frosty...

Danger Dan had to put a creative spin on his! Zombie snowman, anyone? (And in case you couldn't tell from our abstract artistry, the mouth is actually an attempt at the Danger Dan logo). 

We had a terrific time and I can see that we're going to have a ball with Danger Dan around. By the way, all pictures were taken by Lesley-Anne. That made me Danger Dan's handler (as you can imagine, it's quite a task trying to keep him in check).

Oh yes, this post was supposed to be about the food, right? The Christmas menu is available online and at Crystal Jade My Bread outlets. Prices start at $8 for 8 mini pizzas. Pretty reasonable. You can place your orders three days in advance.

Crystal Jade hotline: 6512 0800 Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 6pm (excluding public holidays)