Pumpkin Kutter

I have some screen caps from the old pumpkin kutter commercial. Which is also circa 1988. I begged my parents to buy me one. That thing didn't work. A kitchen knife cut better than that thing. Even if it was for children to use. As the commercial says: "It's great for kids' because it doesn't have any sharp edges." And it rusted few years later. Here is a link to an older version of the commercial. It appears to be from the early to mid 80s. I don't recall seeing it on tv back in the day. Last year I posted screen caps from the Pumpkin Light commercial.

The Price is Right had a funny 1970s theme episode. Drew had a "porn stache" and he was wearing platform shoes. Was that a nod at the show being brought back in the 1970s? At least they used some old music ques. All the audiences' and I guess cast members' costumes were provided by Party City. It would have been funny if Drew had worn one of those old 70s style suits Bob wore with the wide lapels. (which was the style at the time) At least there was not a tank top incident. I wonder what an 80s themed show would look like? I would hope the models wouldn't wear like tutus or something like that. It would be really funny if they wore pantsuits with really big shoulder pads.

I didn't do much this year and I didn't get to put my 90s girl costume to good use. Oh well.

Bank Negara Museum

To all my readers who have been looking for information about Bank Negara Malaysia Money Museum, its already open and located in a new BNM building called Sasana Kijang. The new Bank Negara Museum or Galeri Numismatic is located on the second floor of the visitor building. The building has been open since 15 September this year. I know many of you searching for information about the new museum and end up with an old BNM money museum yellow teaser. Maybe they don't have time to update their website or they don't realize that many people looking for information end up with that 2 years old teaser. You can read about the new Bank Negara Museum at my post; Galeri Numismatik.

The new Money museum already open for public.

Visit time: 10am-6pm. Everyday including Saturday & Sunday.

Parking: LG4 & LG5. (RM3 per entry)

Admission Fee: Free.

You can read Sasana Kijang location post for the maps and guided location.

The Sasana Kijang building house International Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), an international organisation for the setting of prudential standards for the Islamic Finance and its global development, The SEACEN Centre, a regional learning and research Centre for Central Banks in Asia. In addition to training facilities, offices and conference halls, Sasana Kijang also houses the Bank Negara Malaysia Knowledge Management Centre and the Bank Negara Malaysia's Museum and Art Gallery which is open to the public. The total built-up area of Sasana Kijang is 1.09 million sq.ft.

In Galeri Numismatik, they display their collections according to the earliest coinage in Malaysia history. You get to see the vast collection of early Malay coinage from Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perak, Melaka and also Sabah (British North Borneo) & Sarawak coins. Most of their Malay Sultanate collection are something that I never seen before in my life. In the gallery, you also get to see almost complete set of Malaysia commemorative coins collection since 1967 and the latest, all the coins are display on a wall.

For more Bank Negara Museum pictures, you can also view them at my Facebook pages at Malaysia Coin Facebook page.

free nice christmas pictures 2011 to print for cards or wallpapers etc xmas images

here are some nice free christmas pictures 2011 to print for cards or your computer desktop wallpapers etc, and to get in the spirit for this years christmas festivities less then 2 months away now, you could print these images of christmas nature to make your own christmas cards, for family and friends.

a good way of making a homemade christmas card, can be to print a few pictures for the card into a collage while adding your own writing style over the pictures and onto blank sections of your card, making your own christmas cards can give a really personal effect to them, and you can put your own style to the designs of your xmas 2011 cards.

and these pictures are probably going to be accurate if you go by current weather forecasts lots of snow and cold is predicted by the weathermen for this years christmas and snow in december.

which each year it seems to be getting more and more colder on the winter seasons, with some really chilly winter weather in europe and other countries around the world.

so here are some nice christmas winter landscapes, of what will be our snow covered christmas season, not sure about snow on christmas day though.

this first picture has a christmas tree look to it, with the snow covered christmas tree's in the natural habitat on a mountain side as to in the living room covered in christmas decorations.



some more beautiful christmas images, these are some magical christmas tree's out in nature, the christmas tree being one of the main symbols of xmas.



this next christmas picture for 2011 is more like the traditional british countryside with the tree's snow covered branches frozen and icy, notice how the sun shines through the branches though, that nice bit of winter sun that can make a cold day feel that bit warmer, for a short while anyway, the winter sun being less hours in the daytime through the winter months, the sun being at its lowest around december the 25th christmas day time.

just making itself shown through the tree branches at christmas, but most of high winter the sun is hidden by tall objects and buildings, due to it being low in the winter christmas sky.

if you go out side on christmas day 25th december 2011 you should see the sun very low on the horizon.



this is a lovely picture, with a breathtaking xmassy winter background, of snow covered mountains, this would make a nice christmas picture to print for homemade christmas cards, if you like to try and make your own cards for people at christmas.

pumpkin spice hot chocolate

via cookies and cups

i have had a very strong craving for pumpkin chocolate cookies, then i thought to myself what about pumpkin hot chocolate? ooooh. when i googled pumpkin hot chocolate i came across this recipe and a fun blog called cookies and cups. super cute name. can't wait to try this out! maybe i will make it as i wait for trick or treaters tonight.

a pet peeve i wanted to discuss: teenagers trick or treating without a costume. WHY?! if you are going to go trick or treating you should wear a good costume! thoughts on this? i wanted to hand out apples to those teens who failed to dress appropriately, but ry said we better not or else we might get egged or TPeed. fabulous.

update on morning sickness: it is getting better, but sometimes i still get quite sick with nausea. funny how the only thing that will make you feel better is food when food is what you want to run away from. i crave menchies frozen yogurt with strawberry crunches. wowie. ry and i went to menchies for the first time friday night and im in love.  its just super cute. my favorite flavor? peanut butter and the tart original. not that great together, but so good by themselves. ry and i don't eat a lot of sugar (besides with this pregnancy lol) so when we go out to frozen yogurt we share a cup and only put a bit of each flavor that appeals to us. maybe people think we are weird but i suppose its better for us and less expensive. win-win.

hope you try out this hot chocolate! im planning on it :)

• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1/3 cup hot cocoa mix (no marshmallows)
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• pinch of salt
• whipped cream or marshmallows optional

1. In a medium sauce pan over medium low heat whisk together your milk and hot cocoa mix.
2. Add your canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.
3. Heat until desired temperature is reached.
4. Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and/or marshmallows and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Number of servings (yield): 3

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Review & Giveaway: HappyBaby

   

I have a HAPPY baby but he is especially HAPPY when he is eating (I mean just take a look at him, he is a little butterball)....so when I was browsing the aisles of my local supermarket one day and noticed a new baby food named HappyBaby, I just knew I had to give it a try...eh hem, I mean my little one had to give it a try. I was especially excited because all of HappyBaby's products are 100% organic, made in the U.S., and recommended by Dr. Sears.


A bit about HappyFamily
A few short years ago, HappyBaby was the first premium baby brand to enter the market in 5 small stores in New York City—at a time when there were no homestyle options for parents to feed their children. Processed foods or homemade baby food—which can be time consuming for busy families—were the only options. A lot has changed, and HappyFamily is now the leading premium brand of baby and toddler meals in the U.S.—sold in over 10,000 stores with 5 different lines of optimally delicious organic foods for your growing family.

HappyFamily attributes their success to their dedication to only creating the very best products, their commitment to always doing what is right as a business, the amazing team of brilliant colleagues and advisors—and to you. You are the parents that demand that your children get foods that truly nourish their bodies and support their growth as healthy happy individuals for the years to come.


My Review
    I was sent some coupons to review a few items from the HappyBaby product line. Unfortunately my local store only carries the HappyPuffs, HappyMelts/Yogis, and HappyPouches so I wasn't able to review the HappyBellies Baby Cereals or HappyBaby Frozen foods. The products we did end up purchasing were the HappyPuffs in Banana, HappyMelts in Mixed Berry, and HappyPouches in Broccoli, Peas, and Pear.

The HappyPuffs in Banana have been a hit with my 9 month old son. The HappyPuffs melt in his mouth and are completely 100% organic. The HappyPuffs are sweetened with 100% fruit juice and are made with organic whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. They are puffy and the perfect size and shape for my son to pick up with his little fingers.


Once my five year old daughter tasted the Mixed Berry HappyMelts/Yogis she was addicted. HappyMelts are a freeze dried yogurt and fruit mix. They are gluten free and contain no preservatives and have added pre and probiotics for babys digestive health. 
Just like the HappyPuffs-HappyMelts melt in baby's mouth. HappyMelts are creamy, sweet, and fun to snack on. They are a bit difficult for my son to pick up because of their small disc shape but I didn't mind helping him. Everyone in our house loved them and we will definitely be purchasing more HappyMelts!

I can not say enough of HappyPouches! They are convenient (my son can just slurp up the food right from the package), healthy, and delicious...all in a cute little BPA-free package! The Broccoli, Peas, and Pea has a delicious taste (I would happily sit down and enjoy a pouch) and you can actually see the tiny bits of spinach in the food. My five year old daughter is SUPER SUPER picky and she LOVED HappyPouches! It is so nice to know that I can just throw some of these in my diaper bag and go-and they feed both my daughter AND son!


I am extremely impressed with all of the products I was able to review from HappyFamily Brands. All are delicious, well packaged, and priced just right. I will definitely be purchasing more HappyBaby products next time I go to the grocery store...yum!

                                                                   The company did send me a product or service. 

This in no way has affected my opinion of the product or service. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

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Queen Elizabeth II coin portraits

Last week, a few of my Facebook friends have a discussion about Queen Elizabeth II coin potraits. One of them is asking about a potrait that look identical but with a different writing on them. One of them have a writing "ELIZABETH II D.G.REG F.D" and the other "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D". My friend were thinking that both of the portraits on the coins are different persons because of the different faces and writing on the coin obverse. Most of the answer on the discussion told him that both coins show the pictures of Queen Elizabeth II but with a different portraits design. The words abbreviations "D. G. REG. F. D." or "DEI GRATIA REGINA F D" stand for Dei gratia regina fidei defensor which means ""By the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith" and normally can be seen on British coins.

Here are some of the Queen Elizabeth II coin portraits designs:

Mary Gillick Portrait

First portrait of the Queen to appear on a coin was issued in 1953, shows The Queen wearing a wreath, a young woman in her mid-20s. This portrait was used both on UK coinage and the coinage of many commonwealth countries. The first portrait was used from 1953 to 1965 on all pre-decimal coins.

Cecil Thomas Portrait

A portraits on Malaya and British Borneo coins is a design by Cecil Thomas. His designs  showed an effigy of The Queen crowned and facing right. Cecil Thomas designed a ‘realm portrait’ which is similar in nature and appears in the same context as that of George VI who was king before and father to Queen Elizabeth II. The design approved for use on colonial coinage and certain medals.

Arnold Machin RA Portrait

A new portrait of the Queen was adopted for the decimal coins. Designed by Arnold Machin RA, it had in fact been approved by the Queen as early as June 1964. Like Mary Gillick, Machin avoided the couped portrait cut off by the neck which had been usual on coins earlier in the century. The wreath, however, was replaced with the tiara which the Queen had been given as a wedding present from her grandmother Queen Mary.  The design was used for the decimal coins from 1968 to 1984.

Raphael Maklouf Portrait

From 1985 to 1997, UK circulating coins were struck bearing a royal portrait by the sculptor Raphael Maklouf. The couped portrait – cut off at the neck – shows the Queen with the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, and includes a necklace and earrings. A close examination reveals the artist’s initials, RDM, on the truncation of the neck, the inclusion of the middle letter – for David – ensuring that the signature would not be misinterpreted as a reference to the Royal Mint.

Dora de Pedery-Hunt Portrait

Dora de Pedery-Hunt was an artist who designed various coins and medals. She created the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that was used on Canadian coinage in 1990. She was the first Canadian citizen to design an effigy for Her Majesty, The Queen. Her effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, when she was 64 years old.

Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Portrait

Portrait design by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS is a winning design in a competition held by the Royal Mint to design the obverse of the 1997 Golden Wedding crown. The design introduced in 1998 and show the matureness of the Queen’s years, etchings of age to reflect her 71 years.

Susanna Blunt Portrait

Susanna Blunt is a Canadian portrait artist who designed the most recent portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the current Canadian coinage, which began in 2003. Blunt was invited by the Canadian Mint to join eight other artists in a nationwide competition for a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to be used on Canadian coins. Blunt created the image from a photograph of the Queen.

Source: Wikipedia, Royal Mint UK,

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West Point Gardens Pasir Panjang: When Fairyland Beckons: Singapore 50s Music

Dance and Pop Band Venues in the 50s:

I remember when I was in my early twenties being chauffeur driven in the night in an Opel Record (image 3) to *West Point Gardens. A good friend had suggested that we experienced the place and I agreed.

To the uninitiated West Point was a distance away from the Orchard Road belt of nightclubs, dance floors, lounges, pubs and bars. From its name description, it was also on the west end of Singapore compared to another music hot spot, the more populated east coast.

So it was the first time in my life that I went there and as we were approaching the area under cover of trees, shrubs and near darkness, I could hear faintly the music and noticed the glow of flourescent lighting.

When I came out of the car I was pleasantly surprised to see that West Point Gardens was a fairyland in the woods. And as Peter Chan explained: "One thing I cannot forget were the strings of multi-coloured lightbulbs hung across the garden." Don't forget it was the beginning of the 60s and as a young 'un everything seemed bright and beautiful to me.

West Point Gardens had been in existence since the early 50s and was patronised by the well-heeled caucasians and locals to dine and dance. The main attraction was a circular open-air area that had a bandstand, a cafe with chairs and tables at its peripheral, guarding the precious dance floor jealously, allowing only the selected to tread. During high-tide evenings I was told, betwixt the music, one could hear the lapping waves from the sea beside.

Doli Tupaz and his Hawaiian Rhythm Kings (image 2) were the resident band at the Gardens since the 50s and the 1955 photographs above show Anthony Danker, Doli Tupaz, G. Mani, Jimmy Tupaz and William Frois.

The other line-up (image 1) included Charles Danker and Horace Oliveiro. Their repertoire of popular hits from the 30s onwards took them to royalty status indeed! Samba, rhumba, mambo and grass-skirt, palm-tree swaying music filled the Pasir Panjang air. Sliding guitar, ukelele maracas combinations were the order of the day.

After the 50s and during the Singapore garage band (locally known as kampong bands)explosion, these swing bands were taken over by the more youthful guitar gangs, as they ambled in rapaciously with their portables and colourful Hofners, plugging them into their black box amplification. And as the solid bass guitar replaced the booming double-bass a new era was born; anyone could jive, twist, shake and rattle on the floor as West Point Gardens changed its tune.

*NB: According to Peter Chan, whom I consult to authenticate yesteryear locations in Singapore: "West Point is a condominium today. As one travels along old Pasir Panjang Road near the junction with Clementi Road, there is an old house which was Kwa Geok Choo's family house during pre-WWII. One door away was a police station (maybe a carpark now), then a condominium. That place was West Point Gardens.

I passed by that place very often in my father's car in the 1960s as we took the West Coast Road over a road bridge to Boon Lay before turning into Old Jurong Road. West Point had an old Peranakan type bungalow raised on legs.

There was a large garden and the beach was in front - today's longkang (exceptionally large monsoon drain) - between West Coast Highway and those old houses."

Images 1, 2: National Heritage Board Singapore Website.
Image 3: Google.
Information: (1) Peter Chan's distinctive recollection of West Point and (2) Ms E. Chua, her Opel Record and chauffeur.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

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Tips: Halloween Costumes in a snap!

It will be 'All Hallows Eve' before you know it! Have you been too busy to think about a costume this year? Are you at a loss at what you can do with a small budget and little time to spare? No worries! We have conjured up some unique and easy costumes (from around the web) that you can easily make in a snap!

Little Lamb

via Parents

Slam Dunk

via FamilyFun

Hot Air Balloon

via Country Living

Roach Legs

via Martha Stewart

Tornado Costume

via Parents

A costume that would make hitchcock proud

Securency case in Malaysia

In a recent statement by The Malay Mail, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner Datuk Shukri Abdull indicated that there would be no fresh charges related to Securency case. MACC have completed their investigations and have charged the former senior central bank officer and a businessmen. In a report by Australian newspaper The Age yesterday,  lawyers forNote Printing Australia (NPA) and Securency entered guilty pleas at the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court to three charges each of bribing or conspiring to bribe foreign officials to obtain a business advantage.

I had been following Securency case in Malaysia since June 2010. Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) fully owns banknote printer Note Printing Australia (NPA) and half of Securency, which manufactures plastic banknotes. These companies printed the RM5 polymer note, as well as the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games RM50 commemorative notes. Here are some of the story that had been posted in my blog. 

Sex bribe for currency printing contracts

Australia The Age Newspaper reported, Bank Negara Malaysia official probably involve in sex bribe for currency printing contracts. The allegations were made on ABC television by a key witness in a long-running Federal Police investigation into the international operations of Securency, which provides the polymer base for high security paper currency. Responding a query by Starbiz in relation to Bernama report on the investigation in Britain, Indonesia and Malaysia for alleged bribery by the currency-printing subsidiaries of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Securency and Note Printing Australia (NPA) are the currency-printing subsidiaries. Read More.

3 arrested in Malaysia for Securency case

Malaysian's anti-corruption agency said it has arrested three individuals over an Australian banknote supply contract scandal, as an international probe into the case deepened. Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the trio were arrested last month after claims emerged that the Melbourne-based Securency International offered bribes to officials in Malaysia. They were arrested in Putrajaya when they went there to give their statements. Read More.

Securency hired Malaysia political family

A news by Sydney Morning Herald reported that Securency hired Malaysia political family. The Age has learned that Securency signed Kuala Lumpur firm Liberal Technology as its Malaysian agent in 2009. The biggest individual shareholder in Liberal Technology is businessman Haris Onn Hussein. Haris Onn Hussein is well connected; his cousin is the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, and his brother is Home Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. Read More.

Minister brother denies Liberal Technology shares

Businessman Haris Onn Hussein, brother of Malaysia's Home Affairs Minister yesterday said he was not a shareholder of Kuala Lumpur company when it was hired two years ago by Securency. He said he already sold his shares in Liberal Technology in September 2006 and had no dealings with Securency, which engaged the Malaysian firm as its agent in 2009. However, Liberal Technology's official records with Companies Commission of Malaysia had, until yesterday, listed Haris Onn Hussein as owning 180,000 shares. Read More.

Picture by Bernama: Mohamad Daud (centre)

RM5 polymer case involved ex BNM governor

A former Bank Negara Malaysia assistant governor Datuk Mohamad Daud Dol Moin, 58, has claimed trial at a Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, for accepting RM100,000 bribe, to secure a contract for printing a RM5 polymer notes by Note Printing Australia Ltd. On the same day, businessman Abdul Kayum, has claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Shah Alam for bribing Mohamad Daud. The offences were allegedly committed at the EON Bank, Jalan Taipan in Subang Jaya on Nov 24, 2004 and Feb 15, 2005. Abdul Kayum was arrested on July 5 last year. Read More.

Securency tried to bribe Pak Lah

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s banknote firms, Securency and Note Printing Australia (NPA) are suspected of attempting to bribe Malaysia former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in order to get his help to win a $31 million currency contract for Malaysia RM5 polymer notes. The contracts negotiation occurred around 2003, the year he became prime minister and finance minister. Tun Abdullah served as Malaysia prime minister until 2009. Read More.

The middlemen, Abdul Kayum Syed Ahmad also involved in a 2004 case of black market link on supplying a nuclear weapon to Pakistan. Securency and NPA engaged Abdul Kayum in the late 1990s to lobby Malaysian government and banking officials to adopt the Australian-made polymer banknotes. Abdul Kayum's former business associates had told The Age that the man claimed to have high-level political connections in Malaysia that he could use to help strike deals for foreign companies. The Age disclosed that Abdul Kayum's Kuala Lumpur investment company Aksavest is alleged to have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions from Securency and NPA. By late 2007, the Reserve Bank had ordered NPA to sever ties with Abdul Kayum and its other overseas middlemen due to integrity concerns.

Abdul Kayum is charged under Section 11(b) of the Anti Corruption Act 1997 with paying RM 50,000 through a middleman to Mohamad Daud to aid in obtaining a contract linked to the application for a project for printing of the RM5 polymer bank note by Note Australia Limited. He was also charged with a second offence under Section 11(b) of the Anti Corruption Act for paying Mohamad Daud another RM50,000 through the same middleman at the same place on Feb 15, 2005.