Celebrating with the Kins!

It's darling husband's birthday today, so we had both families over, and like all kins' get togethers, it meant loads of carbs, sugar and fun laughter! And, Damascus got to have another round of birthday candles, this time with all his cousins :)

For this round's celebration, Damascus had specially ordered his Tok Mama's butter cake. Initially he had wanted a "Generator Rex" birthday party, but he changed his mind yesterday and asked for "SpongeBob" instead. So, when Tok Mama arrived with her butter cake this morning, mommy improv-ed and somehow turned it into a "SpongeBob". For Ayah, it was mommy's simplest brownie, mainly due to sugar issues; but as simple as it may be, it was made with loads of love nonetheless :)




Ayah's party favours were Jules' favourite cheese stix and SinarFM's stickers, hehehe... :)



And for the kids, always something special, of course :)





Food was Arabian, from one of our favourite restaurants nearby, and the hottest on the menu was my guys' favourite lamb mendy and lamb samosa, and mommy's hommus tahinah of course.

Alhamdulillah, it is always a blessing to have the families together although not everyone could be there, and nothing beats seeing all the cousins playing and laughing together :)

Love & Hope for Mother's Day 2011

My eldest son Esfahan loves origami. I don't quite remember when it started, but it was quite earlier on, when he was about 4 I think. His favourite is the crane; he told me that if he made 1000 cranes, then he could make a wish and it would come true!

So when I told him that I've decided to showcase the ancient Japanese art in my 2011 Mother's Day gift, to pay homage to the victims and survivors of the recent Fukushima tsunami and to show our greatest support in their rebuilding efforts, he couldn't be more thrilled. He quickly took out his great big book of origami and started showing me all the objects he could make for me.




The Fukushima tsunami was one of the greatest natural devastations the world had ever seen, and it impacted not only the people of Japan, but also the entire world. And it wasn't just about another tsunami, it was also about how a nation stood strong, unified and composed in dealing with adversity.

As a mother, I want my children to make an example of the valour and optimism shown by the Japanese people, that they (my sons) must learn to address life's great challenges with courage and dignity, always keeping their faith in the Almighty. As a daughter, this is a chance for me to express gratitude to my beloved mother who has selflessly given me love and hope, with courage and dignity throughout my whole 41 years.

So I told Esfahan, let's make it sweet and simple, let's just make the heart and the crane, and our gift concept for this year's Mother's Day shall be "Ai To Nozomi" (pronounced Ai Tok Nozomi), or "Love and Hope" ... :)






Handmade journal/album ~ the perfect gift for Mum, to immortalise her most cherished thoughts and memories, @RM50.00. Upon confirmation of order, I will personalise the journal/album with recipient's name and simple deco that best suits the recipient.





Petra canister ~ a therapeutic eye mask to help Mum refresh and rejuvenate, @RM28.00.






Jordan canister ~ a wonderful eye cushion to help Mum sleep better, @RM25.00.






I use Japanese origami paper to cover the journal/album, while my Petra and Jordan canisters are altered using wrapping paper with a Japanese feel. All the origami hearts and cranes are made by Esfahan using Japanese origami paper. And since it's basically about Japan and our support towards its rebuilding efforts, what better than to complete the whole packaging with dainty plastic bags and ribbon I found at my favourite Japanese store, Daiso. Last but not least, a signature Jules gift card, with a little touch of Japan and a brief writeup about Jules' "Love & Hope".





I hope you will like "Love & Hope" and share them with the special people in your lives. Mothers, Aunts, Sisters, Friends...a Mother need not be biological to be the best Mum, it's all about the fab Love & Hope that she pours unto us all. And, it's always the simple things that make life most meaningful, insyaAllah... :)


Note : Please email to julesmdaud2@gmail.com, preferably before 10am 2 May 2011, to order your Jules' "Love & Hope" Mother's Day gift/s. Available while stock lasts.

It's All About The Kids...

Last Saturday, 16 April 2011, Han and her team successfully organised their annual party for the kids ~ super fab patients and ex-patients of P6 ward of the Pediatric Oncology Ward, University Malaya Medical Centre. Jules was blessed to have had the opportunity to do her little teeny weeny micro mini nano bit for the kids... Alhamdulillah :)




JulesDelighfulness gift boxes, containing mango chocolate, coconut chocolate, pineapple chocolate and Jules handmade journals/album

Thank you Han for the opportunity, you know how I feel...It's all about the kids :)

3 pushes for Damascus!

I will never forget that Friday, 15 April 2005, when Damascus came into this world. I was 100kg and seriously could no longer fit behind the wheels of our kancil and kembara. And that Friday I was ngam-ngam 38 weeks, which was why I had made the appointment for induction.

Carrying Damascus was fun. The first few weeks I was binging on buah kedondong, 2-3kgs at a time and I just wanted salad, salad and more salad. But in the following weeks, I was gulping down 1-2lits of fresh milk everyday, spending my afternoons watching Sanay Wala Nang Wakas! And I loved cheese, meat, cakes and all good things. So, I really couldn't blame anyone or anything for my 100kg at fullterm! My vitals were all good, alhamdulillah, no sugar, no high blood, so I carried on happily.

I was nervous and anxious and scared that Friday, everytime thinking of the baby I'm about to deliver and about Esfahan, who was at home waiting for mommy. I remember telling darling husband, that if anything should happen to me during chidlbirth, he must take good care of Esfahan and this new baby, and tell them I love them. I wasn't scared for my life, but for the lives I wouldn't be able to care for...

I was induced at 7.30am and my contractions started within an hour or so. About 1.55pm Dr Jean Woo walked happily into the labour room in her scrubs and casually said, "Okay, it's time to push now." Oh sweet angel, Damascus was a huge one; we had known this from the ultra sounds, and though I was nervous, I just kept the faith. And true enough, drug free and gas free, pushing him was wuuuuuheeeeeee!!! At 2pm sharp, his head finally came out, phewh! Alhamdulillah... Then Dr Woo said, "Erm, please push again, coz his shoulders are stuck." Huh? What? Oh no! But yes, I went on again, with all the might I had... And voilah! Damascus was completely out, all 4kgs of him and all was well, alhamdulillah...

The nurse put him in my arms and I looked at my bluish, purplish, gooey baby and I saw his big beautiful eyes, looking at me with pure innocence, and all the pain was gone and I was in love all over again... :)

Dr Woo continued to work on me, to get the placenta out. Then she said, "Hmmm, I think you'll have to give me one last push dear, coz the placenta needs some help coming out." OMG!!! At that point I was numb, and starting to be disoriented, but oh heck! I had to do it, I didn't have any choice. So, I pushed again, leaving everything to the Almighty, in my mind were visions of Esfahan and my new baby Damascus, I had to do this for them, I want to be home with them, I want to love and care for them... Finally the placenta was out, about half the size of my baby who had just come out! Aaaahhhh... After that I just fell into slumber and didn't realise anything much anymore...

When I awoke in the ward, I felt like a cement truck had fallen on me. I searched for my hands and legs and phewh, I still had them. I couldn't really get up, it was just the bed moving up, down, up, down. Then my mum came, and my sister and of course darling husband. They were all happy, but somehow they were all looking at me one kind. As exhausted as I was, I couldn't help wondering what was wrong? Then I had to go to the bathroom and that was when I saw my face in the mirror. ..............AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! There were red spots on my face and neck!!! I had spots! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

My mum casually said it was nothing, just "pecah kedarah" coz I had been pushing so hard during labour just now. U think?! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! No wonder everyone was giving me the look! I must have looked like a clown! Hehehehe... It's so funny when I think of it now!

It took a good 3 weeks for me to recover from Damascus's labour. Before that I had felt so week, braving myself to get up to feed him, and to feed myself. I couldn't eat, I was basically consuming only Milo, and it was hard to even bite into some cream crackers. My baby had taken all my energy out of me. But luckily he didn't have any trouble feeding and sleeping. God is great, alhamdulillah... :)

So, that's how I had Damascus, 3 pushes and red spots all over my face! And now my darling big eyes is 6 and I am yet again 6 years "older". Alhamdulillah... :)

Damascus's "Party At The Fair" birthday brownie, which we brought to his kindy, to celebrate with his friends...

He packed the goody bags and placed all the stickers himself, mommy helped a bit only... :)

Mother's Day is coming...

...and I hope to share my ideas on special gifts for the most wonderful person in the world with everyone soon, insyaAllah.

In the meantime, there are some days in April that I personally feel are worth sharing and celebrating :
April 2 - World Autism Awareness Day, recognized by the UN
April 7 - World Health Day, recognized by the UN
April 16 - World Entrepreneurship Day (WED)
April 22 - Earth Day
April 23 - World Book and Copyright Day, recognized by the UN
April 26 - World Intellectual Property Day, recognized by the UN

As we enter the 2nd quarter of 2011, I wish to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to all my family, friends, patrons and the fabulous people out there who have continually supported everything Jules, Alhamdulillah...may you all continue to be blessed with good health, good fortune, good love and loads and loads of good chocolate! InsyaAllah... :)


...A special glam brownie for a glamourous lady... :)

Lights, Camera, aaaaaand... ACTION!!!

So Heska sent me an SOS last Friday, asking for a molto speciale brownie for her boss, Tangerine Picture's very talented Bobby Husaini. I call him Tuan Bobby, coz I like the sound of it. Heska emailed me some visuals of how she'd like the brownie to look and feel, and though I had this thot in my mind, "Babe, you've got this thing about 0 size timelines huh?", I nevertheless said "A OK", coz I'm sure all the Tangerine folks feel the same way everytime I step into their office! Hehehehe...

So I made a 2 recipe brownie and recommended to Heska something simple yet special, ie. sans fondant, just to keep all sugar levels fairly safe :)



Alhamdulillah, birthday boy was well surprised, Heska was happy and the whole crew was delighted. And Heska, you must know that you're a real darling, your crew should feel so blessed :)

Sugar and Spice, plus Herbs and EXERCISE!!!

Alhamdulillah, my JulesFudgyliciousness Dark Choc Fudge and Chewies have received such a warm welcome for many, starting from their debut at my recent charity booth in Great Eastern Mall.

Now my fudge is available in a single recipe in normal bites or special bites; I also offer them in single bites which are bites that are individually wrapped, like how I presented them at my charity booth. Chewies will also come in the same forms, and I will soon post the related photos.

While I love everyone enjoying JulesFudgyliciousness' sinfulness, I am also concerned about the amount of sugar they are consuming, as my products do not come with a "how to consume safely" instruction, and both my fudge and chewie have yet to receive their nutritional analysis.

The truth to the matter is I am very particular about my diet and I do count calories. At the same time, I do eat all that I make, brownies, fudge and chewies, and I certainly do keep stock at home coz my 3 goons always ask for them. So to keep our sugar intake in check, I have to balance out everything we eat. Fyi, our staple food at home is mainly wheat and we drink only water, no cordials, syrups, and certainly NO soft drinks. My goons will surely finish about 2litres of fresh milk everyday and apart from milk, it's just water; fresh juices are allowed but maybe a cup each everyday. Then I make sure they have ample physical movements throughout the day so I know their energy is being used. But Esfahan is already in Std 4 and he has access to canteen food and I know he'll have soya bean with loads of syrup from the uncle after school, but I let this slide coz I know he's used up lots of joules during the day. As for us grown ups, we must have our coffees, sans sugar of course, and then it's just plain water. I love fresh juices so I'd have them at breakfast, and since darling husband has to go low on the sugar, he'd just take a sip from my glass.

I grew up with more bread and cereal and potatoes as compared to rice, coz my father naturally favours wheat to rice. I remember always waking up to cornflakes or roti bakar, with milk and cheese, hmmm yumm yumm... ) I love rice of course, but I love bread more, and as I learnt about the nutritional content of various grains, I of course choose to have more of the other grains than rice. And I don't get any complaints from my boys thus far, so everything's good :)

During the charity bazaar I offered samples of brownie, fudge and chewie to those who passed by, and many ladies would go, "oh, no thank you, I don't need the calories", or "ooo, no no, too much sugar and fats". But there were also many who came and scooped a whole bunch away too! So it's a matter of preference and I respect that. But for me, I choose to enjoy what I love, and I know very well that what I love can be dangerous for me in the long run if not kept in check, so I EXERCISE!!! Instead of giving up my sinful indulgence, I do something better for my body, EXERCISE!!! Hehe, ya, I'm simply harping on this word, EXERCISE!!! Coz I know many people out there find it so hard to EXERCISE!!! But the truth is, my body feels best when I EXERCISE!!! Yes, it feels absolutley good after some doses of brownie, fudge and chewie, but it feels so undeniably fabulous after EXERCISE!!!

I'm not thin or slim, but I'm not fat either, and I eat practically everything, because I EXERCISE!!! That and because I make sure I know everything I eat; this needs a lot of good reads of course, I believe I have mentioned some of these recommended literatures in my previous posts. And at my age if one can still regularly go trail riding on horseback, do white water rafting, manage 3 boysterous goons while managing a small little home business, without experiencing any body ache or pain, or without having to deal with diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol, then I'd say that's good living, wouldn't you? Alhamdulillah...

My 90 year old grandaunt in Kelantan lives her life strong and healthy, and her diet has always consisted of ulam-ulam, herbs and spice. She is a rice eater surely and a lover of all Kelantanese desserts, but she is never without her ulam or herbs and spices, and she is always up to something around the house, housekeeping, cooking, gardening, and mostly sewing; she sews almost all her grandchildren's and greatgrandchildren's clothes and all the cushion covers, bedspreads and table cloths! That's my darling grandaunt "Pah". That is why I try my best to always have all these ulams, herbs and spices in my daily consumption, while doing things that I'm passionate about.

This is just my opinion, and my opinion is that one should not blame or penalise all the good stuff out there, just because they cannot or do not make time to eat well and EXERCISE!!! Hehehe...

Life's too precious... :)

PS. Channel 706 Astro offers fab workouts from 6am-9am daily. So if you don't have time or means to make it to the gym, this would be a good alternative. My personal choice is CandiSoo's Barbell Matrix workout, of course :)

Sugar and Spice...

...and everything nice, that's what girls are made of.

And while I am impartial in creating things for both girls and guys, I must admit that firework comes out when I'm making it per donna... :)


"Burlesque" ~ for a sophisticated lady who knows how to have fun...

...oh I just love love love creating such girlie things like this :)



A "Heart" filled with love, for mom, sister and niece...



Butterfly Fudge (bites) & Brownie (2tier cake) for a princess who turns 9...

Japan Quake...

...My heart and my prayers go to the people of Japan, the Malaysians there, and everyone in all the affected areas...

Happy International Women's Day 2011

Here's wishing all FAB WOMEN out there a Happy International Women's Day! May we all continue to enrich and empower ourselves as we grow strongly alongside global progress, may we continue to contribute positively towards our family and friends as well as the needs of our community and society, and may we remain relevant among our piers and the ever exciting opposite sex! InsyaAllah... :)

Oh yes, I SO love being a woman :)

So, here I am again, catching a breather, before I start getting busy busy again...

The past few weeks have been hectic, especially with my sore throat that has been around for about a month! I'm not sick, I don't have fever, no one else at home is sick or coughing or has had fever. And it's not just a sore throat, I've been going around sounding like a rusty old record for weeks now and overdosing on lozenges! Hehe, but apart from this, things have been quite exciting.

After my short trip to Bali with darling husband, I got started on several projects right away. Brownies, gifts, wedding hantarans and the Soroptimist Ampang charity bazaar. Amidst all these excitement, there were of course the everyday realities, some of which were very trying, ie. JulesMD dotmy URL was suspended because some rookie who lacks professional communications skill and who chews food while talking on the phone failed to email me the relevant invoice hence resulting in me going back to www.julesmd.blogspot.com (believe me when I say that printing new stickers is more worthwhile than trying to sort this matter out), streamyx went AWOL on me, and so many other stuff...but like most of us often do, all these were dealt with in cool stride... :)



Jules at the Soroptimist International Ampang Chapter Charity Bazaar, 5 & 6 March 2011 ~ funds raised from this bazaar will be channeled to, amongst others, the cancer ward of HKL and homes for the less privileged


The debut of JulesFudgyliciousness Dark Chocolate Fudge & Chewies (Cinnamon & Coffee flavours) ~ both were great hits! Alhamdulillah...





Hantaran boxes, in a maroon theme, for a stylishly hip and edgy Bride, from her equally hip and funky Groom... :)


The traditional sireh as the lead hantaran...

The frame that held the duit hantaran cheque...

The holy Quran...

The sejadah...

The embroidered telekung...

The must have item :)...

The fashionably edgy baby T, that highlights the "love story"...

The watch...

The cool shades...

The fab gladiator shoes...

The cookie box...

And right after the khenduri on the girl's side, mak, the groom's mother, called me simply to tell me that the bride and everyone in her family absolutely LOVED all the hantarans! Weeeeeeeeeeeee...I was on cloud nine! Alhamdulillah... :)



A special "Flying Magic Carpet" for the super fab Nora and her fellow super fab G15 Women, for their Arabian Nights Party :)