Click "spring/autumn"

My entry for Click, theme this month is "spring/autumn". Hosted by Jugalbandi.



Happy spring everyone!

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Macaroni Cheese Casserole

Casserole comes to my rescue at the time I have no clue about what to cook. It is especially for my son who is a picky eater. According to Wikipedia, a casserole is a word from the French, meaning "saucepan” which is a large, deep pot or dish used both in the oven and as a serving dish. In America, many family serve casserole during many festive celebrations. There are many kinds of casserole; green beans and cream of chicken casserole, broccoli and tuna casserole, lasagna and of course, macaroni cheese casserole.

Even though I don't fancy casserole as much as any Indonesian dishes, I love making casserole because my husband and son like it. For my picky eater's son, casserole is a perfect dish as he will swallow everything in it, the meat, the cheese and the vegetables. It is also convenient to make casserole since it will not smell my kitchen though I don't mind the smell...:)

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Macaroni Cheese Casserole
Ingredient
1 pound of ground beef
1 box (6 oz) chicken stuffing mix
1 box 6 oz macaroni and cheese

1 can of spaghetti sauce
1 onion (chopped)
celery (chopped)
mix frozen vegetables
salt
pepper
Shredded cheese

Direction

Cook macaroni and cheese as the direction on the box. Do the same to the chicken stuffing. Put it aside.

In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until cooked.

In a baking dish, layered cooked macaroni, cheese, ground beef, frozen vegetables, onion, celery and stuffing. Pour one can of spaghetti sauce over then sprinkle shredded cheese on the top.

Bake, uncovered, at 375F for about 25-30 minutes or until cooked.

Cheese
Is one of my son's favorite. In every food he wants cheese in it:)

Merry Christmas from us to you.

SELAMAT NATAL (Merry Christmas) to our beloved family:

Mbah Kung and Mbah Put
Pakde and bude Wibosono and three cute little girls Gaby, Villy and Abel
Om and Tante Alexander with little Emma.
The Porters family in Canada and USA.
Love you all.
We wish you were here close to us.

And

My fellow bloggers.

Wishing you all have a blessed and fantastic Christmas!

Happy Holiday!


Love,
Dwiana, Colin and Nathaniel.


Updated:
The picture above is for my Click entry, hosted by Jugalbandi.

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Home Food Photography “Concept”

Snowing in October is absolutely no no no! This year not like last year, where the snow fall couple days before Christmas. Everyday in the weeks it seems like no change to see that cold weather and snow will stop, so I was wondering what the weather would be like on Halloween day. Miserable cold won't be fun for the kids doing treat or trick.

It was turning out a beautiful day! I took my time to enjoy a beautiful day by playing outside with my son. He was so proud with his Halloween custom. Running from one corner to the other pretend like he was a superman. While watching him in a action I sat on the grass and enjoyed picking up some Halloween cookies with a cup of tea. It was more like a picnic in my own backyard. My son was playing with some decorative pumpkins and falling leaves.
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I submit this picture for the Home Food Photography event. This months theme is concept. Hosted by Dita.

The gorgeous day was over too soon. Dark occupied about 6 o'clock at night. I didn't go out for “treat or trick” instead I stopped by my friend's house who lives couples of block from here. Nathaniel had a wonderful time there with her family and enjoyed his Halloween moment without have to go crazy knocking door to door.

Click “Fresh Orange Juice”

I was requested to be one of the judges for this month click foodie photography event, I am humbly felt honored. August theme is “CITRUS” hosted by duo couple Jai and Bee.

Speaking about Food Photography I must admit that it is getting harder and harder for me especially when it comes to set DIY studio outdoor in order to get the best natural light. I don’t have fancy studio lighting which I am hoping someday I can effort it. But for now, I only can effort outdoor setting studio. The biggest problem why it is getting harder now day, it is simply I still don’t feel comfortable to do food photograph while my neighbor are seating on their porch. I loose my confident and my mind get distracted easily. Do they bother me? Not at all! They are nice neighbor.

Also on the other hand I have million things to do, so preparation time for food shooting plus cleaning the mess are things that I don’t feel like to deal with. Hope this explains why I am behind of my schedule to posting every week or replying comments you have left on my blog. BUT when I get my time I promise to keep our communication going by visiting your sites.

Happy Weekend!

Red and White Strawberry Pudding

In about two weeks, we are Indonesian are going to celebrate Indonesian Independent day. It will be August 17! This is my entry for “RED & WHITE” event.

I am so proud to be part of this country which I have been living here in United State for about 7 years. The land where I was united with my dear hubby and been blessed with a handsome son. The land that offers me some opportunities and freedom, that I thankful for being here.

BUT also in the other hand, THE LAND that brings me tears …. being a daughter and a sister, I have to be apart of my wonderful family in Indonesia. Everyday I miss them terribly. In the special day like Independence Day, majority Indonesian people like to get together to celebrate it by playing all kinds of games of all ages. One of the funny games I love the most to watch is gunny sack race (lomba balap karung). They put both legs inside gunny sack and try to get the finish line as fast as possible by hoping or jumping. Those funny games always bring me big smile and good laugh. I miss it for sure!

Red and White Strawberry Pudding.
First layer
1 red agar agar or red Jell-O-pudding
900 ml water
150 gram sugar
Half quart of strawberry (blended)

In the sauce pan mix agar2, 900 ml water, strawberry and 150 gram sugar. Bring to boil. Pour into agar agar/jello molding pan. Set a side and put in refrigerator for about 1 hour or until it harden.

Second layer
1 white agar2 or white jello-o pudding
600 ml milk
150 gram sugar
4 white eggs

Beat white eggs for about 15 minutes or until it becomes foamy and stiff.

Bring to boil agar agar, water, and sugar. Cool it for about 5 minutes then add to the white eggs. Stir them well.

Add the second mixture on the top of first mixture. Garnish with strawberry. Store it in refrigerator until serving time.

INDONESIAN NATIONAL FLAG color is “Red and White”. RED is a symbol of the blood shed in the war of independence and WHITE is a symbol of Purity. This is my “Indonesian flag water droplet” shoot. My prayer and thought for my beloved country INDONESIA.

MERDEKA!

Note: Please submit for this event asap. This is just a fun event for our independent celebration. Submission is until August 18. More information HERE.

LUWAK Coffee

My hubby loves LUWAK Coffee….

Me? I am not a coffee drinker. A cup a coffee a day or not at all is just perfectly fine. All the coffee tastes the same to me, however this highly offends by my dear hubby. For he says Coffee Luwak has a very unique and extremely tasty flavor.

Here is my entry for Click this month theme is “Coffee and Tea”. Hosted by Jai and Bee.

Foodie Photography "Red & White" - Celebration Indonesian Indepedence day!

RED & WHITE - Foodie Photography Contest
(A collaboration of three foodie bloggers Dhi-Fitri-Dwi)

August is closing in now. Most of us are pretty familiar with the warm feelings that August brings. August means mid summer for some…….. vacations to others…. or sitting on a beach watching sunset with a glass of margarita in hand for a few. But do you know that in August, some years ago, a couple had their parachute wedding for the first time in the world, a man name Priestly discovered oxygen and Galileo demonstrated his first telescope to the Venetian lawmakers. Also it was the day when Indonesia declared independence from the Dutch Colonial. The day was August 17, 1945.

In the spirit of celebrating the Independence Day, the freedom in every aspect of life hopefully, we would like to see the creative spirit within YOU. If you have a talent in cooking or baking, food styling or food photography, show it to us, flaunt it. Even if you don’t think you have a talent, just send it anyway. We would like to see it!

The theme is “Red and White” but it may be stretched as far as you can think of. Anything red and white, visual or concept wise, taste wise… anything. Be creative as much as you can. There’re some cool door prizes waiting. Remember, winning isn’t everything, but having fun is. So let’s have fun and let that creativity spilling over.

One participant can only send one entry. Just don’t forget to send in your entry
to redwhiteevent@gmail.com by August 18, 2008 midnight GMT+7

Ensure that you submit all the details

Name/Nickname :
Blog/Site Name :
Blog/Site URL :
Entry Title :
Entry URL :
Attach image : image of the entry with 200 pixel size in width

Now, we’re getting to the most interesting part. Door prizes and the guest jury for this event. Since this is a FUN event with capital letters, which is why I hate to call it a “competition”, we are going to raffle the prizes to four participants showing the most talented, artistic, creative, appealing and drool-worthy photos.

Here’re the prizes:

* (1) Mini sewing machine kit for scrapbooking hobby
* (1) Food Made Fast Desserts cooking book from William Sonoma
* (1) Electric Crepemaker
* (3) cute retro-looking cooking aprons

Guest jury will be Widarto Adi, best in his field as graphic designer and commercial photographer. He won the award for Silver Citra Adi Pariwara in 2006, which is the highest national award for advertising and has long list of happy clients and other inspiring achievements. His portfolios are available at http://dartz.multiply.com

Good luck and don’t forget to have fun!

MERDEKA!

Click "Lemon reflected on droplet" and fun raiser for Bri

Excuse me for not updating my blog as often as I used to do.

What is the excuse?

Mmmm let me think, I don’t want to claim that I have been busy lately though. Perhaps the main reason is because I got so burn out with food photography. I don’t cook or bake as often as I used to do either as the weather outside is too attempting for me to go out all the time.

It is not officially summer yet, the weather changes from time to time. Raining in the couples of hours then change to hot and humid. Very hot indeed that make me even getting lazier spend time in the kitchen.

While I am playing with my son I do outdoor photographs at the same time, that give me different feeling and hopefully I will get back soon of taking food photos as this is absolutely my passion.

I must do this posting for supporting the click event about FUNRAISER to BRI. I did write up about this HERE. Fun raiser it self is hosted by Jugalbadi, wonderful hosting who always have brilliant idea of selecting the theme for click event every month. OK, now that I need to do to support the event is I am donating A HANDMADE PURSE FROM INDONESIA. This is brand new purse without tag. Width is about 17 inches and length is about 91/2 inches. It was made from some kind of straw. Nicely done handmade by local Java people.

So here's how my fundraiser for Bri is going to work:

For every $30 dollar donation you make to Bri, you have a chance to win this beautiful purse. Then forward a copy of your receipt with your full name, email address and your home address to me at littletetuko (at) yahoo (dot) com. I will be selecting the winners for the drawings on Sunday, July 6. I will ship this purse to your address around the world.

This is my entry for Click event “yellow for Bri”

LEMON REFLECTED ON DROPLET

As the rain outside stopped, I went to my back yard to explore some droplets. This is my first project of photographing droplet. I saw pretty big dew on the weed grass, instead of photographing lemon as it is I placed a half cut of lemon behind the dew to give a reflection. I am aware as my fist time shooting dew it is far from prefect, I wish I could get all the dew in focus BUT for now while I am trying to practice more I submit this image for Bri. It is a symbol of how God takes care of the living plant by sending them raining and I believe God takes care of you too even more special. I don’t know you but I wish the best of your health. BE STRONG!

This place is called "Borobudur temple" , to know more about this temple if you may please click HERE. There is a local market close to this temple which sell all kind of handmade from local people. There where I bought this purse during my visit last time. People of Java it self if we may describe is famous of being quite, polite and reserved. They are also rich with their culture; from music, dance, batik and etc.

Ah ha... now, if you don't know where to go for summer vacation I bet they are waiting for you*big smile*

I photographed Borobudur sunset on my last vacation there, Hopefully I will be back soon.

CLICK - Cherry Tomato in Spring

As we all know, spring has sprung. It is always be my favorite season. I Love the climate and the loveliest is seeing my flowers burst into an explosion of color. In order to celebrate spring here is my entry for CLICK “Au Naturel”.

Cherry tomato in spring

Canon 40 D

Click “EMPTY MUFFIN MOLD”

I am not as prepared for this entry as I usually am. I found the theme “METAL” is very challenging and difficult. I have no experience of photographing metal. I have been trying over and over again but the pictures always came up not very satisfactory.

One problem in photography is hard to get natural light. I have to wait until the sun finally decided to come out, ah ha… and when the sun finally is out, I’ve run of ideas.
But then when an idea comes across my mind, the weather outside is gloomy and snowy. Oh dear, I am hoping the winter will be over soon!

Anyway as today is chilly but yet sunny, I decided to photograph “MUFFIN MOLD”.
I used this object as it is still on the top of my kitchen counter after I make “FRUTY PUDDING”. I will post fruity pudding as soon as I have time.

Canon 40D
100 mm macro lens

Click HERE for more of CLICK March event. All the entries HERE.

Animal Coffee with cinnamon stick

When I woke up today and I felt like having a cup of coffee, although it is not my regular routine. Cold weather is just perfectly for this fantastic coffee and accompanied by couples of doughnuts – mmm it brightens my day already!

NOW, lets we talk about “Animal Coffee”. This coffee is called “Coffee Luwak”. This comes from this animal. Don’t get a heart attack ok? LOL It is very interesting story behind this coffee and so far I know by searching on the internet Coffee Luwak is the most expensive coffee in the world.. Selling at least $120 per pound in US according to WIKIPEDIA. More curious about this coffee? You may visit this website too ANIMAL COFFEE/COFFEE LUWAK.

Wondering about how does it taste? Extremely good!! My husband loves it so much. The fact is we bought this coffee in Indonesia during our visit. So guess, I don’t spend about $120 per pound.

Set back and relax enjoying my coffee which I mix it up with cinnamon stick. It will bring the aroma even fantastic!

Also this picture is submitted for CLICK hosted by Jugalbadi.




Camera used: Canon 40D
Lens used: USM 100 macro

Photo of Luwak animal was taken from Animal Coffee

Stir – Fried Noodles with SHRIMP and Vegetables.

Chinese Food! Never get bored about that food and one think that I like cooking Chinese food is my hubby always eats it as long as it is not spicy. Also to participate for food photography event this is hosted by Jai and Bee. This month theme is noodle. So here is also my entry for CLICK.

Ingredients:
mushrooms
3 cups fine noodles (6 ounces)
½ pound shrimp
1/3 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1 cup red pepper and green pepper
1 cup bean sprouts
½ cup coarsely shredded carrot
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated gingerroot

Cook noodle according to package directions. Rinse in cold water. Drain well. Blend chicken broth and soy sauce into cornstarch; set aside

Preheat wok or large skillet over high heat; add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Add half of the doodles; stir fry for 5 – 7 minutes or till just beginning to brown. Remove to warm plate. Repeat with another tablespoons oil and remaining noodles; removed.

Add remaining oil to hot wok or skillet. Add garlic; stir fry for 1 minute then add mushrooms, green and red pepper, bean sprouts, shrimp and gingerroot to wok or skillet. Stir fry 1 minute. Stir chicken broth mixture and stir into vegetable mixture. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Stir in noodles; cover and heat through. Serve warm the desired main dish.

Very simple recipe and easy to cook – ENJOY!

"FALL" ing Egg

Give me an opportunity to learn and challenge my self in photography. I am just a newbie to photography and yet having so much fun!

The theme for this months is egg! Hosting by Jai and Bee, brilliant idea guys!

My function here is to tell of an eggstrodinary tale of the falling egg that caught in a spoon and rested on a fallen maple leaf.

This photograph was taken with a Canon EOS 40D and Lens Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 Macro USM.

Hope you enjoy this simple picture.