Homemade Spaghetti Meatball Recipe

I used to love the meatballs in Ikea. However, the last time I ordered it, I was disappointed to discover that the meatball was processed and had the texture of the pork meatball you would normally find in the Chinese porkball noodles. What happened to the chunky mince??? Anyway, after that disappointment, I decided to cook my own meatball. Usually, this would require a lot of work but I found a recipe where instead of frying the meatball, you could bake the meatballs instead. So, there is no need to slave over the stove. Just pop it into the oven.

Meatballs:
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3 slices bread, crumbled (toast lightly and blend in food processor)
1 kilogram minced beef (can substitute with pork)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (can substitute with other herbs - fresh herbs preferred but if not availble, can use dried herbs)
1 clove garlic, smashed, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a medium bowl, beat eggs lightly; add milk and bread and let stand for about 5 minutes. Add minced beef, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper; mix gently until well blended. Shape into about 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place meatballs in a generously greased large shallow baking pan. Bake meatballs at 220°C for 25 minutes.



If you wish to serve spaghetti with the meatball, you can whip up this classic tomato sauce to accompany the spaghetti. In my earlier days, I used to buy the spaghetti sauce in a jar. Then J & I "outgrew" the tomato-based sauce and moved on to olio. Since I discovered this simple recipe, we have re-discovered our taste for this classic sauce.

Tomato Sauce
1 kilogram ripe plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup snipped fresh basil, oregano, or parsley

Peel, seed, and finely chop the fresh plum tomatoes. Or, if you're lazy, like me, skip the first 2 steps. Heat oil over medium heat, sauté onion until tender. When it just begins to turn golden, add remaining sauce ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, if necessary.

Spaghetti
Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Serve spaghetti topped with meatballs in sauce; sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Simply Red Bistro, Sheldrake Point, New York

New York City was exciting, but after a week, we were happy to leave the bustling city to explore the rest of New York State. We headed towards the lovely wine region of Finger Lakes. Our first stop - Ithaca, located on Lake Cayuga. Based on the glowing recommendation from our bed and breakfast hostess, we decided to drive to the Sheldrake Point, a winery in Ovid, about 20 minutes away from Ithaca to have our dinner at Simply Red Bistro. It was worth it. Apart from its great location by the lakeside, we had one of our best meals here during our New York trip.




We were there on a Monday night, which happens to be their Southern Night with live music. We were there early but the place was already packed. Fortunately, we managed to get a spot at the bar. Do make reservations if you plan to visit to avoid any disappointments.




J opted for the Country Style Pork Ribs whilst I had the Creole Seafood Jambalaya. The pork ribs were so flavourful and melts in your mouth. It was definitely better than the one we had in New York city! I've never tasted Jambalaya before and I was not disapppointed. The seafood- shrimps, scallops, mussels were so fresh. Cooked together with chorizo and wild rice in seafood stock, it was a meal to be had! The cornbread...Yummy!




We were really full after our main meals but we were told that the desserts were delicious and should not be missed. So, we ordered the Slow Ass Ginger Spice Apple Cake (which was highly recommended) and the Dark Chocolate Capuccino Mousse (I can't resist anything with dark chocolate). I'm glad we heeded the advice as the desserts were absolutely wonderful!



We really enjoyed our meal at the Simply Red. Not only did we meet talented Chef Sam Izzo (we were amazed at how young she was), we also enjoyed great conversation with the bartender and the gentleman we sat next to at the bar. Good food, great conversation - an unforgettable experience all round.

Simply Red Bistro
7448 Rte 153, Ovid, NY 14521
607 532 9401 ext 111

Christmas Thoughts

Christmas is not about Santa
Nor is it about presents
Jesus is the reason
For the Christmas season

Every mall is decked with bright cheery Christmas trees and decorations. Crowds of shoppers doing their last minute Christmas shopping. We dream of turkey and pudding, and wonder about the presents we'll be getting under the Christmas tree. While it is wonderful to exchange presents and cards and spend time catching up with family and friends, let us remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. It was this time more than 2000 years ago when a baby boy was born to a virgin, a gift from God to His people - a Saviour to redeem us from our sins.

Rising above the pain

Amidst a heartbreaking tragedy, a man rises above his pain and forgives. "I don't blame him, I don't have any hard feelings. I know he did everything he could," Don Yoon said. He asks people to pray for the pilot. Yoon lost his entire family - his wife, 2 baby girls and mother-in-law when a fighter jet crashed into his home in San Diego on Monday.

I was in tears when I saw the press conference two days ago. Here was a man who have just lost his loved ones to a tragic accident. No one would blame him if he demanded for justice and accountability from the authorities. Yet he did no such thing. Instead he exhibited such compassion for the pilot and deep belief in God. May God's grace and comfort hold him up in this time of sorrow.

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Words of Wisdom

Sunset at Santorini,Greece



"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator"
Mahatma Gandhi

After witnessing the other night's smiling moon phenomenon and many beautiful sunsets, I can't help but be reminded once again about how great God is. I am in awe.

Smiling Moon

Last night, I received an SMS from a friend. It said "Go look at the moon. Quick. It is smiling back." I thought it was a really strange message but decided to go out to the garden and check it out. True enough, there was a sleeping crescent moon and two stars above it. It looked exactly like a smiley face. What a wonderful phenomenon! J took out the camera and tripod and managed to capture it. There is no photo manipulation. It is exactly the way it looked last night.

Discount Broadway Tickets in New York

I love watching live performances. So, when I was in New York, I couldn't pass on the opportunity to catch Broadway shows. I discovered that I could get half price tickets via the TKTS booth, so that means I could catch two shows for the price of one!

However, if there is a show that you really want to catch and the shows are really good or are fairly new, then chances of getting tickets at the TKTS booth are slim or non-existent (for e.g. Wicked and Lion King). Thanks to a friend, we managed to get Lion King tickets from the Minskoff theatre at full price. At least, we didn't have to pay a premium from third party websites. The Lion King was awesome - right down from the creative animal costumes to the jungle props to the world-class music (who can forget the haunting tune of Elton John's "Circle of Life"). Lion King was worth the top dollar paid!



In New York city, there are 2 TKTS booths:
1) Times Square - Located "under the red steps" In Father Duffy Square on
Broadway and 47th Street.Sells day-of-performance tickets only
2) South Street Seaport - Located at the corner of Front and John Streets, near the rear of the Resnick/ Prudential Building at 199 Water Street. Sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance, and matinee tickets the day before.
Although, it's located downtown, we went to the South Street Seaport as the booth opens at 11am whilst the Times Square booth only opens at 3pm. Do go earlier as the queue usually starts before the booth opens. Be prepared with a couple of show options because you don't know what shows will be on sale that day.

However, there is still a good selection of shows on sale. We managed to get really good seats (on the 3rd row) for Hair Spray. We were so close we could see the sweat on the faces of the performers. The show was very entertaining. There were groovy dance moves and catchy tunes. We found ourselves tapping our feet and rooting for Tracy Turnblad (everyone loves to see the underdog succeed)!



I really wanted to catch Mama Mia. Unfortunately, there were no available discount tickets on the days we went to the TKTS booth. That's the luck of the draw. Fortunately, Mama Mia (the London production) is coming to Malaysia in December. So, I will get to see it after all - at full price. Still, there are some things worth splurging on!

Korean Proverb

Words have no wings but they can fly a thousand miles.

Korean proverb

I was just in Seoul and was inspired to share a Korean proverb. Blogs are a classic example of this proverb. Words on our blogs traverse across continents and time differences!

Cruising Around New York City

After a gruelling 20-hour flight, jet-lagged and bleary eyed, J & I decided that the best way to stay awake on our first day in New York was to go on the Circle Line Cruise. A bit of fresh air was just what we needed to combat the 12 hour time difference. So off we went to Pier 83, West 42nd Street, NYC to purchase our tickets. Whilst we were queuing at the ticket booth, a local who was ahead of us approached the couple in front of us and ourselves to offer a discount coupon he had cut from the newspapers. We were pleasantly surprised by this stranger's kind gesture and thought that it was a wonderful welcoming gift. (Later, I decided to pay this gesture forward and gave away my Woodbury coupons which I didn't use to strangers who could use it. Isn't it amazing how one person can affect so many others.)

We opted for the 3-hour cruise which took us around Manhattan Island on the 3 rivers (Hudson, East and Harlem). We cruised pass the 5 boroughs (Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx), below the 7 major bridges (including the famous Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges) and saw over 25 NY icons, including a close up of the Statue of Liberty. As we were there when the New York City waterfalls (designed by Olafur Elliasaon) were on display, we were able to enjoy these four man-made falls close-up. The river cruise also offered some unique sights which we would not have seen on a bus tour. (Check out the picture of the train carriages). What a lovely way to spend a lazy day in New York city.

New York City waterfalls

Manhattan Bridge

United Nations Statue Of Liberty

New Jersey

All forms of water transportation

Fancy a cruise???

Need a water taxi to cross over the river???

How about a ferry across to Staten Island???

Old train carriages are laid to rest...

Words of Wisdom

"I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career"
Gloria Steinem

I guess it's true. It's usually the women who grapple with this issue, especially if they have kids. Maybe it's in the genetic make-up of a woman, or perhaps it's due to society's expectation of a woman's role in the family. Whatever the reason, I believe each woman has to choose her own path.

I have known women with children who work full time and known others who gave up their careers to look after their children. Some have gone back to work after their children are grown. They have struggled to re-learn skills and acquire new skills before re-joining the workforce. Some countries have a system in place to assist these women. In other countries, you have to do it on your own.

It's tough. But women have prevailed. Eleanor Roosevelt puts it aptly when she said "A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water"

Sanity Tips For Working From Home

I came across an article from the News Straits Times on working from home tips. I've extracted and posted it below:

1) Get Out
Getting out of the house once a day is a great way to energize yourself and prevent boredom.
Comment: It is easy to be be stuck at your desk when it's a busy period. I'm glad that I have Kess. Going for walks with her gets me out of the house twice a day for exercise.

2) Workspace
Keep your work place separate from the rest of the house. By keeping the area you work out of sight, it is easier to relax when you're not working. It also prevents family members from picking things up or moving projects you could be working on.
Comment: This tip was the reason why I decided to designate a separate room as my home office as opposed to working in the living or dining room. Besides, it also helps put me in a working frame of mind without the distraction of the TV.

3) Take Short Breaks
By taking a few minutes off to load laundry, read the papers or do the dishes, you will be able to relax and come back refreshed.
Comment: Taking short breaks applies whether you work in an office or at home. Our brains and body needs a short break to recharge. Of course, the infamous long tea breaks typically associated with certain organisations does not fall into this category.

4) Hours
Decide on number of acceptable hours to work each day and stick with it.
Comment: I agree that one should be disciplined, especially when working from home. However, the beauty of working from home is having the flexibility. So, if something else pops up, I would just make up for it another time - as long as I can meet my deadline. One just need to be sensible with time management.

Words of Wisdom

“For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.” Unknown

Last week, I was busy reorganising my study to become a proper home office. This required planning the most efficient work area and acquiring new bookcases for filing. At the end, I felt a satisfaction knowing that the time spent organising was well spent.

Best New York View - Empire or The Rock?

I have always had a soft spot for the Empire State Building ever since I watched the movie Sleepless in Seattle. It was such a classic scene when Meg Ryan's character was supposed to finally meet with Tom Hank's character at the top of the Empire State Building after a build-up of near misses through out the movie. So when we went to NY, I really wanted to go to the top of the Empire State Building.

In the end, I opted for Top of the Rock based on visitor reviews on Frommers as well as recommendation from a New Yorker friend. Whilst the Empire is higher than the Rock, you get the best of both worlds with the Rock. You get to see great NY views as well as front row seat view of the Empire itself (see photo on the top left).

To top it off, there was hardly any queue to get into the Rock, unlike the Empire. Our friends who opted for the Empire queued under the hot summer sun for 3 hours. We were in and up in less than 15 minutes! The ride on the lift is really cool. You have to ride it to believe it.

Entrance of the Rock

Magnificent chandelier at the staircase

Souvenier shot to remember our visit

A little bit of history

View of Central Park

Perfect Timing

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time..."

God's timing is always perfect. Just as I was ready to end my self-gifted sabbatical, He provided me the job that I was looking for. Now, I'm working from home and am happy that I don't have to get stuck in traffic commuting to work. Truly He has made everything beautiful in its time!

My Favourite New York Shopping Spots

I love shopping in New York. There are bargains galore during the summer sale period that will drive any shopaholic crazy! Here is a list of my favourite New York shopping spots:

1) Macy's Herald Square

For its central location (151 West 34th Street), Macy's is my pick for city shopping. This Macy's is located in historic charming buildings (yes, it spans over more than 1 building) and claims to be the world's largest store. If you're an international visitor, head up to the Visitors Service Centre to apply for a Welcome International Savings Card, which offers 11% savings in all Macy's stores for 30 days after validation. The savings also applies for items already discounted! There is a great selection of branded names. I loved their Clearance sections and was pleased with my purchase of DKNY jeans and Le Sport Sac bags at great prices.

2) Century 21

Em & I stumbled upon Century 21 (22 Cortlandt Street) when we ventured downtown to buy discounted Broadway tickets (a subject of another post yet to be written...). Em had read about it in a NY brochure and we decided to check it out. What a find! They stock designer merchandise at bargain prices. During the weekend, "Fashion Worth Fighting For"their motto comes to life. The place is jam-packed with locals and tourists rummaging (or fighting ...) haphazardly through stocks of designer goods ranging from clothes, bags, shoes, electrical, household, etc, etc. You really require lots of patience to shop as some sections, especially the women's clothing area tends to be rather dishevelled. But it is well worth the reward. Count on making more than 1 trip!

3) Woodbury Common Premium Outlet

Set in the lush Central Valley, about an hour's drive out of Manhattan, Woodbury Common is the mother of shopping centres! With 220 premium outlet stores which offers fantastic savings, you may not even notice the scenic backdrop of the surrounding green hills. And if you want to save even more, register online to join their VIP club to get exclusive online coupons and a free VIP coupon book. One word of advice. Go early to find a good parking spot, wear comfortable shoes and then shop till you drop. There is something for everyone - from Coach (there was even a queue to go into the outlet) to Corningware, Osh Kosh to Brook Brothers, Samsonite to Tag Heuer. This is a shopping paradise!

After one full day of traipsing from 1 outlet to another, it was so good to be able to relax at the Inn at Stony Creek, a bed and breakfast located in Warwick, about 20 minutes drive from Woodbury (for more pictures, read my post on bed and breakfasts) . We just kicked off our shoes, sat on the porch and enjoyed nature's bright fire-fly show and listened to the symphony of crickets. Then, we headed up to our cosy room in this lovingly restored historical farmhouse for a well-deserved rest. The next morning, we were treated to a scrumptious breakfast of oven-baked french toast and sausage patties. What a lovely way to end a shopping spree!

4) Waterloo Premium Outlet

You would have thought that after all that shopping, we would have had enough. But during our travel around the scenic Finger Lakes Region, we couldn't resist dropping by Waterloo Premium Outlet on Route 318, Waterloo. Somehow, we managed to clear some space in our car to add more shopping bags. After that, we had to call it a day. No more shopping for me until for a long while...Well, at least I got all my Christmas shopping done :-)

Words of Wisdom

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill

Following through my last post on our visit to Philea Home, I wanted to share a quote on giving. Giving isn't just about money. It's also giving of our love and time. In the busy world we live in, we are sometimes so preoccupied with getting more. Sometimes it feeds itself, the more we get, the more we want. And in the quest of making a living, we forget to make a life. We have no time and energy to give to our loved ones, let alone strangers. So, take a step back to reflect and make a life by giving.

It Is More Blessed To Give

Last Sunday, this phrase became more than just a phrase to me. Our cell group visited Philea Home, an orphanage in Kapar, Klang. Our intention was to bless the 20 kids with a special meal and gifts. We were even able to obtain sponsorship from a hypermarket to donate baking goods as the home volunteers wanted to bake cookies during the festive season to raise funds. So, after church service, off we went with cakes, games and goody bags in our cars. When we arrived, the McDonalds' meals were already there (McD's agreed to make a special delivery even though the home was outside their delivery area). The kids were really excited as they hardly ever get such a treat.

We spent the afternoon singing songs and playing games with the kids. They had so much fun (we did too, despite the sweltering afternoon heat) and thrived on the attention. After the activities, we had cakes for tea, another special treat for them. By then, their curiosities got the better of them. They couldn't resist peeking into the bag of goodies we had lined up by the door. As each bag had a name, they were looking to see which bag was theirs...Kids will be kids! When we called each child individually, it was a pleasure to see the sheer joy in their faces as they came up to receive their goody bag.

Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive. We went with the intention to bless the children. In the end, we were the ones who were blessed.

My friend Doris captured some amazing shots of the children. Check out her post on our visit to Philea.

My First Award

Dear Sweet Jasmine has given me my very first award. It is nice to be able to share this with Kess' blog (given by Uncle Bok Jae). What an honour. I want to pass this on to:

• CC
• Blogger Bin

Congratulations!

Words of Wisdom

"Followers may doubt what their leaders say, but they usually believe what they do."
John C. Maxwell

How true it is that action speaks louder than words. How sad it is that a majority of our political leaders have yet to learn this truth...

My encounter with the firefighters

After my post on the NY firefighters, I actually had an encounter with the Malaysian men in red yesterday. No, there wasn't a fire at my place...Thank goodness!

It all started on late Sunday night when we heard mewing coming from the airwell up on our roof. We also heard a thudding sound as if someone (or something) was knocking against the door of the airwell. Needless to say, it wasn't a restful night...

The next morning, we heard the mewing again. This time, it sounded desparate. Obviously, the kitty couldn't figure out how to get off the roof (typical!) We had to do something. Hubby had to go off to work. I wasn't brave enough to climb up the stairwell. What was I to do? My neighbour suggested I call the Bomba (Malay word for firemen). They sent a team within 20 minutes. I was amazed at their efficiency!

They came equipped with their animal pole and thick leather gloves. Had a quick chat with the friendly firefighters and found out that cat rescues from the roof are a common occurence. Sometimes when the firefighters show up, the cats decide to "rescue themselves"...Since there was silence, they thought that this may be the case. But they were good sports and went up to check anyway.

They found one frightened and angry kitten, hiding behind the water tank. It must have found its way through a gap and couldn't get out again. Now I understand why they had thick gloves. The lil' kitty was spitting, snarling and scratching like crazy! Mid-way, the frightened kitty poo-ed, leaving a trail of poo in my home! Sigh...

It wasn't pleasant cleaning up the poo and wiping my floor throroughly with disinfectant. It cost us money to call in the pest control to fumigate the roof against fleas (our neighbour's home was infested with fleas after a cat gave birth on their roof). We didn't want to risk flea bites.

But, we were grateful to the men in red. Often times, we don't think very highly of public service. This team of firefighters did a wonderful job rescuing the kitten. Not only that, they performed this public service cheerfully! Well done, to our Malaysian firefighters!

How to say Thank You...

I did a post on "How to say Thank You" in different languages on Kess' "It's a Dog's Life" blog. Thanks to my blogger friends from all over the world, the initial list of 4 has now expanded to 20. So, if you want to learn some new languages, check out the post. If you know of new languages not already listed, drop a comment and I'll add it to the list.

New York, New York - My impressions of the city

I can never watch CSI NY, the Nanny, Project Runway, Sleepless in Seattle (remember the scene where Meg Ryan finally meets Tom Hanks at the top of the Empire State Building after missing each other for most parts of the movie) or a host of other TV shows and movies the same way again! I never realised how many programs out there that are filmed in NY! It is exciting to be able to recognise the icons of NY city and say I've been there!

NY Icons

Statue of Liberty

Empire State Building (viewed from Rockefeller Centre)

Central Park (viewed from Rockefeller Centre)Broadway - The Lion King

Brooklyn Bridge

NY is by far the busiest city I've ever been to. People everywhere. Locals going about their own business, tourists gawking at the famous sights. It's a city where you can be anonymous if you choose to because it is so easy to get lost in the sea of colourful faces. Yes, NY is a cultural melting pot. It doesn't matter what colour or race, you'll feel right at home. Another thing about NY, it's a city that never sleeps!

People, people everywhere

Times Square - midnight

Canal Street Subway Station

One of the unique aspects of NYC is the firefighters. We never failed to see the fire engines whizzing past every single day (and night) we were there. They're kept really busy!

Firefighters

Tribute to the brave firefighters who perished in the line of duty

New York is truly an amazing city! There are so many facets to this fascinating city, which I'm sure the locals can attest to. As a visitor, I am glad to have tasted a glimpse of NY life, if only for a few days.

Words of Wisdom

Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.- Oscar Wilde

Everyone makes mistakes. But, if we learn from our mistakes, then we become "experienced" people!

Bed and Breakfast - An Alternative to Motels and Hotels

I discovered my first bed and breakfast, Ashton Gate in Tasmania, Australia. I loved it! So did my mum. She still remembers the delicious breakfast! Since then, whenever I travel, I try to look out for bed and breakfasts to stay in.The best way to find a B&B is to check out the local B&B directory (which Frommers will normally provide). And as I've mentioned in my Top 3 Travel Guide post, check out reviews in Trip Advisor. I also like to view pictures of the B&B so that I know what to expect.

How do you know if you would enjoy staying at a bed and breakfast?

• You love meeting new people. Apart from meeting the host, usually, you would have breakfast together with other guests at the dining table. At the end of breakfast, you'll be amazed at how much you've learnt about the other guests.
• You appreciate old houses. Most B&Bs are restored old homes and lovingly furnished with antiques.

Inn at Stony Creek, Warwick, New York

• You cherish the personal touch. Each room is unique. The better B&Bs will also provide chocolates and toiletries.


Hillcrest Inn - Niagara Falls, New York


• You want to go local. The hosts are more than happy to recommend local places to visit and local restaurants for dining. We have not been dissapointed by the recommendations!

Sheldrake Point Lakeside Bistro, Finger Lakes, New York

• You don't mind walking up stairs with your luggage (or if you're lazy like us, leave your suitcases in the car and just bring up a small overnight bag).


• You relish a good cooked breakfast. When we were in New York, we really enjoyed the cooked breakfasts served in the B&Bs. (The complimentary bagel and cream cheese served in some motels pales in comparison. Some hotels don't even provide complimentary breakfast)

Breakfast Menu - Inn at Stony Creek, Warwick, New York

B&Bs are not for those who:

• Require room service.
• Want to sleep in or leave early (Most B&Bs serve breakfast between 8.30-9.00am).
• Want to party all night.
• Prefer to keep to themselves.
• Must have a television. Not all B&Bs have television and cable. So, if you're a TV die-hard fan, check first.

After one bad experience in Victoria, Canada, we try to avoid B&Bs with too many rooms. Sometimes the host may not be able to cope with too many guests. We actually missed our tour as the host could not get breakfast ready in time. Other than that, we've totally enjoyed our stays in the B&Bs and our interactions with the hosts and other guests. It is an eye-opener experience. After all, one of the best thing about travelling is to learn about other people and cultures. What better way to do so than to talk to people?