Triple Delicious Pie

I've been craving this pie (my favorite). The last time I made it was probably two years ago (Martin said). He was the one who's looking for the fresh rhubarb. Everything has to be fresh to taste good.

Ingredients:

* 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb
* 1 cup sugar
* 3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
* 1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
* 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* Dash ground mace or ground nutmeg
* 1 recipe Pastry for Lattice-Top Pie



Directions:

1. If using frozen rhubarb, thaw but do not drain. In a large bowl stir together sugar and tapioca. Add fruit, lemon juice, vanilla, and mace or nutmeg. Gently toss to coat fruit. Let mixture stand 15 minutes, stirring once. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degree F. On a lightly floured surface roll out one ball of pastry to a 12-inch circle; carefully transfer pastry to a 9-inch pie plate. trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Transfer fruit mixture to pastry-lined pie plate.

2. For lattice top, roll out remaining dough as above. Cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Weave strips on top of filling to make a lattice. Press ends of strips into rim of bottom crust. Fold bottom pastry over strips; seal and crimp edge. Cover edge of pie with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more or until top is golden brown and juices are bubbly. Cool. Makes 8 servings.

Higher Purpose

We had some visitors on Tuesday night, a wonderful little family. Tanner had a hard time sharing his toys with his old friend but they managed to get along. We used to be in their ward. Both Martin and I admire this couple for their testimony of the temple. We remember some of their testimony they shared after their visits to the temple.

So, we decided to go this morning. Tanner was having a great time with his cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's anyway. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!


I always feel rejuvenated after a temple visit. It's good to be free of the worldly cares for a while. It is true that the challenges of life we are facing are still the same when we get back from the temple. However, we have a different outlook on those challenges. Somehow they ceased to become problems because we have a better understanding of the higher purpose of what to learn in this life. I hope I could keep that in mind!

Easter Chef

We took Tanner on Saturday last week for the "egg-citement" put on by the City of Placentia at Kraemer Memorial Park. I thought I lost my camera so we do not have pictures. It turned out that he wasn't interested at all with the whole idea. He could careless about the eggs or candies. He'd rather play on the playground and watch the Easter Bunny.

Martin got a whole turkey back in December. We were going to cook it for Christmas since we missed Thanksgiving last year. It didn't happen since we went to Idaho to celebrate Christmas with my sister. So, we decided to have a thankful Easter.


The Easter chef is concentrating on the gravy.


I made the salad, pink lemonade and set the table, that's it.


Yummy turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. My complements to the Easter chef! We didn't need dessert.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Ku Tau Penebusku Hidup)

The words from the hymn "I know that my Redeemer lives" is constantly in my mind these past weeks. I thought of writing them in Bahasa Indonesia too.

I know that my Redeemer lives (Ku tau Penebusku hidup)
What comfort is this sentence gives! (Lega dengar kabar ini)
He lives, he lives who once was dead (Dia hidup yang pernah mati)
He lives, my ever living head (Dia hidup Sang pemimpinku)
He lives to bless me with his love (Hidup 'tuk memberkatiku)
He lives to plead for me above (Dari Surga membelaku)
He lives my hungry soul to feed (Puaskan lapar jiwaku)
He lives to bless in time of need (Limpahkan rahmat sepenuh)

He lives! All glory to his name (Dia hidup mulya namaNya)
He lives, my Savior still the same (Juru S'lamatku t'ap jaya)
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives (O, manisnya kabar ini)
"I know that my Redeemer lives!" (Ku tau Penebusku hidup)

Disneyland

We usually meet up with some friends on Thursdays at Disneyland. Last Thursday we have four moms with six children total and one on the way (Aiyden's mom is due this week). Tanner tried a new ride this time: the food box at the bug's land. I tried to get him to the bug's life but he's afraid as soon as we got to the door (he heard some buzzing bugs noises).


Tanner's favorite place to run around is the Toon Town.


He likes to be behind the wheel.


We saw Mickey but the line was to long. Tanner didn't have the patient to wait.

This week and next is block out dates since it's spring break. So we just settle for the park with the fire truck.


Behind the wheel again.


Wail ... wail ... wail !!!

Sunday

Can you imagine if there is no Sunday? I am so grateful for Sunday. Sunday is very "recharging" for me. We have a ward conference and the messages were so powerful for me to be a little bit better. Life is going so fast that sometimes we forgot to stop and listen to the prompting of the Spirit to give us personal revelation (guidance for our life).

I always look forward also for the weekly newsletter from Elder and Sis. Bennet who are serving in my branch (Semarang). They'll be done with their mission in four months. My father told me that they have been such great blessings for the members there.

I enjoy talking to my father (and family) on the phone too. We talked about our family, their well being, and their challenges in life. He said that my mom doesn't get tired of watching Tanner (on the dvd) from our trip in Bali over and over. She missed us terribly.

One of my nephews, Ganang turned 18 this year and is getting ready for college. He may have to finish his college first before going on his mission since he won't be permitted there to take two years off college or he could wait a year to turn 19 and start college after mission. That also will bring other problems with entering good universities since he'd be off HS for three years. I remember things could be very frustrating there and the future for the people could be really deemed because of the system.

My father replied that we should just have faith that Heavenly Father will open the way and things will work out fine. (Yeah right, I thought) - (Help mine little faith, I scolded myself at the same time).
I love my Dad!! He reminds me again and again in my life how important it is to JUST HAVE FAITH! No doubting and no questioning.


Sister Bennett with the young women.


My nephews Dimas (left with blue/white) and Ganang (right brown shirt) with friends.


Another typical flood in Semarang. Don't worry, the water will reside.


Rambutan, a type of sweet fruits. I miss it.

Josh and Maly Birthdays

Maly and Josh shared their birthdays this month so we celebrated them last week on Saturday. Josh had been wanting some Indonesian food and Maly agreed to have some too. I get Martin to help me with the cooking. I am really proud of him. He made the chicken curry and BBQ chicken sate.


Chicken sate with peanut sauce, fried noodle, beef rendang and some perkedel (potatoe patties). Everybody loves them but I didn't feel like eating much by the time we eat since I smell the food all day.


Maly and her birthday presents.


Josh and a cute card from his wife, Lorena.


The banana cream pie is for Maly and the chocolate pie is for Josh. Yes, I made them from scratch. I like to make my own pie crusts too. I remember years ago working at BYU bakery and making all those pies! I am glad I only make two this time.


Tanner can't wait to taste the pies. He has his spatula ready!


Monsavanh is enjoying the pies too. Yummm ...

Letter from my brother

It is always fun to get emails from my brother (His family lives on th other side of the globe). Most of the time I would cry wishing that I could be part of their life (not that I am not) - but it's rather hard to be thousands miles away. I wish I could watch his children and have them come over to play. We spent few days with them when we visited them. Such sweet spirits!


Timmie, the oldest - doesn't like picture. He's a good brother though.


Cinta, sweet and shy but warm up quickly as we spend time with her.


Jared, cute and giggly. He smiles easily.

And there was Joshua in between Cinta and Jared. My brother and his wife took great confidence and comfort having the knowledge that they will reunite with Joshua again.

Playdates

Tanner and I made some friends at the "Joyful Parenting" class. Erika (Aiyden's mom) invited us for playdates on Tuesdays. Sometimes we do scrapbooking with Jen (Rowan's mom). I forgot my camera most of the time but I had a funny picture of them "toilet watching" at Erika's birthday party in January.


Ayden, Rowan, and Tanner "toilet watching" Logan (Rowan's brother). They took some chairs with them and followed Logan. Logan didn't mind. We guessed that they don't mind being there with him. Logan set a good example for these future potty trainers. Tanner was watching me taking the picture (I couldn't get him into the picture).

Good food and good company

Maly invited us in the beginning of the month for what she called "Asian Food with Asian Friends." Wendy&Rick and Maricris&Michael were there. I know Wendy from my previous ward. Wendy and Maricris were best friends in college in Filipines. Of course, most of our husbands are not Asian (except Maricris's husband: Michael) but we invited them anyway because we needed help with finishing the food:).


Pangsit noodle by Maricris and satay chicken by Susy&Martin.


Spring rolls by Maly and the peanut sauce. Yummm ... I could eat ten of those.


BBQ chicken by Wendy and Rick. I don't believe them BBQ-ing this chicken dish. We found out the take out label on them. We forgive them this time.


Playing games and having great times. We laughed and laughed even though it's not funny but that's what made it funny (cause we laughed anyway).

Water fun

Maly and I have been friends for almost 11 years. She's not tired of me, yet :). We both were sad when I moved away but that didn't keep us from hanging out. We always have good times together with Tanner and Monsavanh.
"Making friends is easy but keeping them is not" (Old Proverb).


Tanner, Auntie Maly and Monsavanh, blowing the fountain at the children's garden (Huntington Library).


Splashing at Mon.

The Garden

Tanner enjoys the children's garden. He could play all day there. His favorite spots are the water fountains and the rainbow tunnel. He likes the "green" house too. I should say that he loves being there with the exception of the mist. I love the artificial mist because it's so refreshing for a nice warm day.


Peek a boo mommy ...


Being nice to each other (most of the time).


My dream garden...


Everything I need for my kitchen is here (basil, mint, lemon grass, etc).


Look Tanner, I saw a big one.


"Ikan Besar!", said Tanner (means big fish).


Tanner is busy taking picture too (with Auntie Maly's camera).


Check this out Mon! A rock!


Free at last.

For the beauty of the earth

Maly got some tickets to the Huntington Library. It's free on the first Thurdays of the month but you got to have tickets. We enjoy to go once a month when we have the chance. We never get to see them all. It is fun to discover which flowers are blooming. It's always different each time we go.

For the beauty of the earth ...


The tropical/green house (Reminds me of my mom's favorite: orchid).


For the beauty of the skies.

--- Lord of all to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

The Power of Hymns

We always look forward for Sunday (just like many of you do). Even little Tanner knows that Sunday is a special day. He talked of nursery Sunday morning and mentioned the names of all of his nursery friends (Mason, Mariah, Jensen, Amber, Ashley, etc - there are about ten of them).

Our church starts at 11 a.m. which gives us plenty of time to get ready. Martin is starting a new tradition Sunday morning by putting on recent general conference talks (he downloaded from the internet). I thought this was a great idea. We listened and watched President Monson and President Eyring while we were getting ready for church.

As for me, I love the hymns in the church. I love singing them. I noticed that not very many people sing. I like to look at the "instruction" on the left corner and sing it like it supposed to be (i.e. reverently, thoughtfully, exultantly, brightly, etc.) I enjoy doing this (I think you should give it a try!). The Spirit often speaks to me this way.

The following hymn is not often sung but the words are so powerful. I thought of my brother's family and their trial(s) as we sang them and this hymn is perfect for them.

COME, YE DISCONSOLATE

Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish,
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts; here tell your anguish,
Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot heal

Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
"Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot cure."

Here see the Bread of Life: see waters flowing
Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love; come ever knowing
Earth has no sorrow but heav'n can remove.

---I could not help crying but be grateful for The Bread of Life.

Up and running again

After being sick for almost a week, Tanner is up and running again. What a relief! When the weather changes, He usually goes on his cycles (fever, cough, runny nose, wheezing or worst ear infection!) He didn't have ear infection this time. We are still giving him his treatment to control his asthma (he calls it "the fishie mask"). We all slept for eight hours last night without interruptions! (Now, that's a luxury for moms ... and dads too).


Concentrating on going up.


Ready to slide....


Tanner with his favorite: "Stiderman shirt!"