Birthday celebration at Imperial Treasure Steamboat...in October

All these are must-haves at Imperial Treasure Steamboat. I consider them wonderful starters! Some like them crispy, some prefer them soaked in the thick rich soup.

Freshness of the ingredient should never be compromised in a steamboat and I think it seems somewhat guaranteed over here :) 

Of all the seafood and meat, I think fish's still my favourite!

Look who's chatting...and look who's bored

You cannot imagine how lovely and delicious this homebaked crepe cake is! Kat always takes great effort to bake for Miss Tan and myself for our birthday celebration, how blessed! Not to mention, the birthday cake always comes with lovely accessories, like knife and plate, all nicely prepared :P We love the cake, we really do and it was really yummy, not too sweet and just moist enough for our liking. Thank you, Kat!

Taking a photo with that gal who is always one week younger :)

Coincidentally, most in black, haha! 

It was not difficult for Constance to coordinate dinner for the October babies' birthday celebration. Both Miss Tan and I knew and agreed way ahead of the date that we wanted to have dinner at Imperial Treasure Steamboat, ha, a place that we visited quite a number of times but never seem to get tired of. Well, or maybe both of us are just simply too lazy to think much :P It was a Sunday evening and there was still quite a crowd in the restaurant. Had a good long meal and we were really full after the meal but we definitely could not resist the cake that Kat has baked for our birthdays. Kat, if you are reading this, I think I kinda miss that crepe cake...But to be able to taste it on that day was simply a bliss! To all the dearies who have celebrated my birthday and Miss Tan who is also an October baby, thank you for remembering and your friendship, love ya lots! :)

Birthday celebration at Liang Ji...in October

Sambal crayfish

Teochew steamed promfret...something that I want to learn to cook, looks simple but I think it requires skills  :P

Lovely wrapping, right?! ...More charmed by and excited with the wrapping than the content when I  received this lovely birthday gift from Mark

Rich rich chocolate cake!

My birthday celebration with Adeline, Gean, Derrick, Mark and Martin... Liang Ji is located to where I kind of spent my childhood. Just before dinner that day, went to take a look at the playground where I used to spend my evenings as a little girl. Sat there for a while and recalled how my late grandfather would always bring us to the playground every evening. The playground has changed its facet and no longer would you see those sand or metal bars...However, memories of us playing as little children have not faded. Dinner that day was simple Teochew fare at Liang Ji. As a Teochew, I feel that Teochew cuisine has a long history and will never fail to remind you of home. However, I thought it lacks variety. Maybe it's just a personal opinion or maybe it's really not about the variety but more of the authenticity that matters from this long history. 

A date with my very good friend...in October

It was kind of considered late lunch when we reached The Coastal Settlement near Changi Village. There weren't many people at the cafe, such a bliss every time I know that I am going to get some peace and quiet in a cafe. Well, I guess the last thing I ever want to do is to shout and raise my voice in a cafe. Love the surrounding although I thought some parts of the cafe was too cluttered with stuff of the 70s and 80s, old school I guess. Well, personally, I thought food was nothing to shout about. My burger was decent and well, I guess I was really hungry then too to notice much about what went into the burger. Snapped a pic of it and started 'working on it' hungrily :P My very good friend did not quite like her pasta as it was a little too dry and I thought I kinda agreed with that. Hmm, if there is one reason I would go back to this cafe, it would be for the peace and quiet in the afternoon as well as for the surrounding. Ha, when I stepped out of my friend's car, I thought I have entered into a nature reserve...the sounds, the smell, the crisp dry leaves that I stepped on. Thanks for the lunch date and for dinner that day too, my very good friend! 

Constance's birthday...in July

This sure looks like one big happy family!

I thought this is quite an interesting frame...four different people with four different expressions.

My duck confit...wonder why I am always so curious to try duck confit if they do serve in the various restaurants. Hmm, as for this, I guess nothing much to rave about :P

Creme brulee

Now, what was it that we had eaten?...I just remember we tried quite a few desserts.

Happy Birthday to Constance!...Sorry Cons, trying hard to recall the name of the restaurant that we went to. Hope to get some help from Rene. Disgusting me!

Rene's birthday

 Simply love the relaxed and homely feel when you first step into the cafe.

 Another love of mine at this cafe - freshly baked bread with four different flavours. Always warm and very soft when they are served! 

 Organic quinoa salad...not exactly in harmony with the taste buds of some but it makes me guilt-free when I had just that for lunch a few months ago. Food like this must take time to enjoy slowly, every bit of it :)   

 Pan-seared barramundi

 My grilled trout...this whole dish has made me realise the importance of the sides that accompany the main on the plate. The various kinds of vegetables around it complement the fish very well.  

 Had a slice of Miss Tan's pork chop (without the corn :P), it's very tender.

Veal must have been tender and flavourful for both Kat and Jakki had their plates polished clean. 

 Happy happy birthday!

 Kat's creation! That's really a lovely cake, fit for a lovely princess :)

 Snap! Snap! Click! Click!

I would say not s good shot especially with those lights grabbing the attention in the photograph but I really do love the smiles on all our faces, such beautiful, lovely and irresistible smiles :)

This should be the third time I was at Waterfall Cafe at Shangri-la Hotel and this time it was to celebrate Rene's birthday. Hee, kinda glad that she has chosen this place as personally, I do like this place, not just for the ambience but also the food. If I am not wrong, this cafe was just newly opened last year. It's certainly the kind of place which one could spend the whole afternoon just chilling out and relax. Well, that's exactly what we did last Saturday. We had lunch and I could not believe that by the time we left the cafe, it was almost 5pm. As usual, I was impressed by the service and the thoughtfulness of the staff there. A nice and cozy place I know I would love to 'hide' myself in and to be away from the hustle and bustle of life. Sure gonna try their chocolate cake the next time! Tea time, anyone? :)

That pair of hands

 She's always camera shy, had to be quick to take a shot of her when she's on her phone or doing other things :P

 Ha, I always laugh at that pair of hands which is filled with lines and wrinkles no matter how much moisturiser was 'invested' on them. But truly treasure this pair of hands that has supported me in one way or another in this friendship that we share all these years since we were studying in JC. My dear very good friend, thanks for the little gifts in life! 

 Our common love! We finished a whole big plate of it and lamented together how sinful it was. Ha, we are truly disgusting, ain't we? 

Truly no cream, but a little too salty for me. 

Well, you see, my very good friend is a chicken lover :) Not bad but I thought it was a little too dry for my liking.

It's time with my very good friend again! Fixed the date some time back but going to Prego for dinner that Friday evening was kind of a last minute decision. Was not able to shop with her coz I only knocked off at about 7pm. But glad that at least we were able to meet up for a meal to celebrate her birthday. Adore her for those times that she shares all the good things (not necessarily things at times) in life with me, love her for those times when she reminds me of the more important things in life by merely a simple comment or thought, cherish her for those times that she scolds me like an elder sister with good intention and will always treasure her for being that special and very good friend in my life. She is truly one dear friend that I know I will grow old with :)

The month of October...

When Mark showed me this photograph that he had taken, I thought I was very much captivated by it. As I looked at it once again, it seemed to reflect much of my life or probably what's ahead. After more than three decades of existence, what's really the essence of living as I move forward in this life journey of mine? Hmm, wish that I will continue to be blessed with simple joys and happiness. Wish that I will always appreciate what I have and who I am. Erinna, Adeline, Gean, Joyce, Lee Shan, Martin, Derrick and Mark... Thank you for being a part of my life journey :)

It was really a pleasant surprise! Angeline, Nura and Belinda, thank you for being so lovely and sweet, and for taking time to plan the day out despite our busyness at work. Time spent with friends will always remain as one of the best gifts one could ever receive. Sometimes, I think there is really nothing much more that I could ask for in life.

Miss Tan, I am sure with the friendship that we share, we will and can continue to sail smoothly through our life journey. Well, despite the storms, I know we will still continue to steer. Thank you for your lovely birthday card every year :) 

Rene, your friendship, love and care are all felt in every bit of the cupcakes that you had baked for us. You can never imagine how those have provided much warmth and brought much delight to my heart. Hugz!

That dear friend who will always be one week younger than me :)

To my very good friend and her big monster, what a lovely day spent with both of you! Will always be looking forward to the next gals' day out, ha! My very good friend, I just like to let you know that you are very much loved and much treasured for being you, just being you :)

Angelic Angeline

For those times that you have listened patiently (even when I ranted and vented)... 

For those times that you have been trying to answer all my questions, thinking so intensely about a possible answer (even though at times, there may be none or even though the most convenient way could just be to ignore)...

For those times that you have shared your thoughts and have also helped me to see other perspectives when looking at situations (even though I can be real stubborn and still be living in my own silly world)...

For those times that you have cared, loved and shown much concern as a colleague and as a friend regardless of who I am and what constitutes me... 

I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I know I am blessed to have you as a great colleague and friend. Happy Birthday, my dear gal :)

My very good friend, steamboat and shopping

 We asked for healthy chicken soup...rich (the real stuff!) and we didn't feel we had spoonfuls of MSG after the meal. The ingredients were so fresh that the slices of fish could literally melt in our mouths. 

We were kinda awed by the selection of sauces placed in front of us. My personal favourite mix...chilli padi, minced garlic, Chinese parsley, spring onion and light soya sauce. 

I cannot tell you how great it felt to be able to have a good dinner after work on a weekday...away from the crowd and putting aside work and tiredness of the day. Most of all, meeting up with my very good friend :) We finally decided what to eat after walking at Level 4 of ION Orchard for a few times. We settled for Imperial Treasure Steamboat, a restaurant that both of us had not tried. It was a good dinner and I must say we had a wonderful time catching up and shopping. Sure gonna look forward to meeting up again! My dearest friend, hope that your special day was a great one with your loved ones and may there be many more lovely moments ahead :)