meet mikaela

Our newest member of the family. We welcomed a healthy baby girl last November and named her Mikaela. She weighed 2,7 kilos and measured 48cm at birth. She is everything we imagined. Now at 1 month, she's already cooing and starting to smile in response to us. It's a whole new experience again, like I almost forgot how it is having a baby. I and husband and Fabian are thrilled to have her and can't get enough of her. Grow happy, healthy, and wise, Mikaela. We love you!

Big brother loves little sister :)

season greetings

 So it's Christmas! Happy holidays and season greetings from me here to those who celebrate. I hope you had a merry one with laughter, family, and friends. I'm having fun enjoying the holidays with my family chillin' and adapting with our newest member of the family. Love.

ullen sentalu

 

 

  Lush gardens in between areas of display at the museum

 The View from Beukenhof Resto

 

 Classic colonial interior at the Beukenhof Resto

The holidays are here and many of us in Indonesia tend to spend them at their home town. Mine is Jogja. So, incase you plan to head there, please do visit this place - a museum of Javanese art and culture, named Ullen Sentalu. The museum is located far north in the tourist area of Kaliurang where it holds carefully chosen eclectic artifacts. A tour guide will lead your group and explain the wonderful display. The building itself is like a castle and is dominated by the beautiful architecture that aims to harmonize human with nature. At the end of this tour, you will also reach Beukenhof Restaurant that is also located in the area where visitors can dine in a building designed in the style of colonial architecture. Also their boutique selling a variety of beautiful batik clothing and other lovely ornaments and handcrafts. 

This was my second time to visit the museum and was surprised by how the area has expanded since the last time. I personally think this is a great place to visit with family. Even my toddler enjoyed it! The ticket entrance for adults is IDR25.000 and free for children under 5 years. Seriously, highly recommended. Above are a few pictures of only areas we were allowed to capture at the museum.

hello, i'm still here!

Alive and breathing. So it's obvious I've been blog blocked for months now but finally back to blog land. Reaching the end of this year, many things have happened since my last post (including welcoming that cutie in my left arm) and I have many posts on hold at the back of my head.

Meanwhile, I want to shout out a Happy Mothers Day, as it is here in Indonesia, to all you awesome moms out there. I myself couldn't be happier to be the mother of these two darlings of mine.

cisco's smart device

  I replaced my old Wi-Fi Router to the Cisco Linksys EA4500 by recommendation of a friend. It’s only been up and running for a week now but I can already tell you how charming it is.

First of all, the sleek design is pretty made to be shown off and be part of interior decoration. That’s why it sits nicely on my new desk rather than hidden underneath a shelve.

Secondly, it really is super easy to setup – even for a novice like me. Honestly, it didn’t take more than 15 minutes to setup.  

Third, and the best…other than router settings is the Cisco Connect Cloud solution it offers. This concept offers a great set of features and a completely new home networking experience. So, once you are connected to your router, simply sign in for an account at www.ciscoconnectcloud.com to enable you to use the Apps to your home network using your laptop, mobile device, or iPad. Better yet, you are then able to manage and change settings to all these customized features from anywhere you are aka when not at home. Fancy, eh?!

Long put short, the Connect Cloud allows you to 'play God' in your home network as you can monitor and filter traffic. As paranoid as it sounds, it actually has a plus. I can now limit guests who want to share the network at my home. Then, I can use the Parental Controls App to block certain websites I don’t want my kid to be seeing later on. Right now, my kid is only three years old and can’t access the internet yet, so I’m safe for a while. I can also set speed priority to streaming sites or real-time media services, on any device I chose to use, for best performance using the Media Prioritization App. Cool? I know!

Now, what more can I say? All I know is that I’m happy with this change and the connect cloud is a right on real solution for home networking. Go here for more info on this smart device. It’s a keeper! 

Photo: TheJotPot

 

orilly cookies

Look what I ordered for a sweet treat. Oatmeal Dark Chocolate cookies from Orilly Desserts made by an old colleague of mine. They are dead delicious! Other than oatmeal cookies, Corry, the baker, also makes chocolate chip cookies. I personally am in love with the oatmeal cookies. They come in milk, white, and dark chocolate for your choice.

 

I ordered the medium jar, but they do come in mini jars and hampers. Willing to try for yourself? Order at orillydesserts@gmail.com. I guarantee you won't regret it's scrumptious taste!

Photos: TheJotPot

fresh work space

My new desk is finally up to use. I posted this months ago wishing for a new workspace and soon ordered a tailor-made desk. The finishing could have been better but for now, I can live with it :) I'm so glad to have new space to work outside my room. I get fresh air and bright sunlight in the morning from this spot. I'm still browsing for inspiration on how to decorate the desk without placing too many things there. What I'm mostly excited about is that some of my favorite things have a decent and nice place to sit now.

The eames chair I bought here. It finally has a good partner in the same color and sits with a lovely cushion I bought for 3 dollars at Mustafa Centre Singapore years ago. Also, the desk lamp from the husband, all out of the box and gets a spot.

My new gadget, Cisco Linksys EA4500 Router, which makes working a lot easier and organized. Actually, there's gonna be a whole post about this router and the things it can do (wait up). It really is a helpful solution for home networking. 

Photos: TheJotPot

ramadhan mubarok

Although it's the fourth day already, it's not too late to wish you a happy month of fasting. My personal excitement in this month: the smell of my mother in laws cookie baking almost everyday during this month and awaiting for Eid since we always head back to Jogja to be with family. I hope in this holy month of Ramadhan, we shall all be blessed by Gods love. The image above is my ideal menu for breaking the fast - tea and dates. Sweetness!

Photo by: TheJotPot
Styling: Sheila
Dates: Medjool Dates

white rattan shelve

Take a look at this post of my rattan finds. I finally found a proper home for my rattan baskets to sit. I ordered the shelve at a local carpenter near where I live and asked him to make an exact model of what I drew. Nothing fancy, but I love how it turned out. It makes storage more fun and prettier than ever.

The little guy insisted to be in photo... but then I realized that the height of the shelve is just right to keep those little hands away from my trinkets on top. 

F is 3!

My little boy turns three years old today! I can't believe it was three years ago I was feeling those mighty contractions :) He might be just three but it seems he has grown so much. Just a month ago he started to attend school and he loves it to bits. His library of songs have grown everyday since. He's my favorite singer and I'm his biggest fan. I guess there's too much to say about this little guy turning three. Happy birthday my little farmer, as your Daddy says, may you keep on sowing the seeds of goodness to others. We heart you!

The Amazing Spider-Man

I just got to see the movie last night and found it really attractive. I personally think it's way much better than the Tobey Maguire series. I'm assuming because the storyline, settings, feels more fresh, and the fact that Peter Parker doesn't look dorky at all or maybe just because Andrew Garfield is such a hottie in this movie :) Here's 5 things I loved most about the film:
1. Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker. He gives the character a whole new personality. He already has the perfect built up body, he looks smart, he has the sense of humor, and his gestures just work without him trying too hard. Despite all that, maybe it's just because he looks so much like my all-time-crush, Adam Brody :)
2.  Gwen Stacey played by Emma Stone. They couldn't of found a better person. She has the persona of a smart schoolgirl. And the attire she wears that show off the classic girl of the 60's.
3. The fact that Spidey always brings his backpack with him. It creates the feel that this time Spidey is more a human hero in his suit, also like when he shouts in excitement when swinging around town.
4. The awkward funny scene: 

1. Gwen Stacy: [opens the door to the hallway] No, Dad, I do not want cocoa. Honestly, I'm 17 years old.
2. George Stacy: Okay, I just thought I remembered somebody saying last week that her fantasy was to live in a chocolate house.
3. Gwen Stacy: Well, that's impractical! [she shuts the door, then reopens it] And fattening. [closes the door again]
4. Peter Parker/Spider-Man: Chocolate house?
5. 5. The storyline that portrays more of the background of Peter Parker's parents and the history of his orphanage which, I guess, will be an important point to the sequel.   
6. 
   
7. Image from googleimages

no news is good news

Really? In this case, yes. The absence of my blogging has a reason, and it's because I'm expecting my second child *fluttering still* :) Right now, I'm in my 22nd week but have just felt myself from only for a few weeks ago. Unlike my first pregnancy, this time around, the hormones seem more strong and the body feels easily exhausted, so I'm spoiling myself to bits by taking time to just lay down and do nothing. I really hope that because now I'm feeling less zombie and more human, I can get The Jot Pot up and running again. Hope the energy lasts *fingers crossed*. 

The Garfield Bump picture above was actually my first pregnancy. I always imagined to make those week by week pregnancy photos but my energy just wasn't there. Lets see what might happens in the remaining weeks of baking the bun.

toys of the 80's

If you're a girl and spent your early years of life in the 80's, then most of these toys may have made your days really happy. Don't they bring back so many good childhood memories? These were some of the best I had when I was a kid. The list could go on... there was Rainbow Brite, Popples, Glow Worm, etc. They all were awesome. I didn't have the Fisher Price Record Player and the Cabbage Patch Kids, though I wish I had, since everyone seemed to have them, but the rest we have and are stored safe and sound in our toy cupboard at my parents house. 

1. Fisher Price Record Player. How I'm wishing I had this. It would make a       lovely vintage toy for Fabian. 

2. Care Bears. Mine was the Bedtime Care Bear, a favorite toy I always carried around. I even cried when my sister made up a story that he (the care bear) was going to run away to my neighbors house.

3. Red from Fraggle Rock. Remember? They're just so funny! Sometimes scary, but entertaining.

4. The Cabbage Patch Crew. I remember the diversity of race they were trying to portray. Did you adopt one and sign the certificate?

5. View master. Brilliant! It's not exactly the iPad 2 but it definitely was wow-ing at the time. I could just sit there in the light gazing through it.

6. Sony Sports Walkman. If you had one of these, you were really cool! I think mine actually belonged to my brothers but then handed it down to us girls. Check out the bright yellow: shocking 80's!

7. My Little Pony. Mine was blue, I forgot its exact name though. Personally I think they have the best hair after Barbie :)

8. Glo Bugs. We got the whole batch! There's Granny Bug, Artist Bug, Snail Bug, etc. The one above is Butterfly Bug. They're really pretty in the dark, great accompany. Just don't forget to give them a nice sit under the sun or light for a brighter glow.

9. Fisher Price Phone. This classic is a lifetime keeper. My kid has been playing with it every time we go to my parents house. It still makes that quacking sound and its eyes still rolls around whenever its pulled. 

Now I know why my parents never gave away our toys. For us kids, it's great to look back upon them and the sweet memories of our childhood, and greater yet for the grandchildren, they don't have to bring toys whenever we visit. Can't wait to get a look at them again.  

wishlist: new (white) work space

Images from the book "A Space of My Own" via decorology

Images from the book "A Space of My Own" via decorology

I am in need of a new desk and workspace. My old one is fine but it's in our room and I need another one outside the room for me to work throughout the day until afternoon when the air is nice and fresh, or whenever I'm bored working in my room at night. Not really necessary you say? Maybe, but it will make me happy to have a little nook to myself or be a new place to place my growing collection of knick-knacks. These white desks (up and below) have been haunting me. They would definitely make a clean and cozy work place. I bet I could sit there for hours and hours :) Plus, they would go great with my eames fiber chair that I haven't actually used properly since I bought it. I'm eyeing on one of these desks. A trip to the garage sale might be a good idea or maybe I'll get one tailor made for me? Let's see...

teatime today

I made myself a large pyrex bowl of macaroni and cheese today. It was disturbing my mind last night so I thought I had to make it ASAP. It was the perfect match for my tea and such a comfort for my not so comfortable day. Now I know why it's called comfort food. Below is the recipe:

Ingredients: 

4 handfuls of elbow macaroni

1 big onion, 2 garlics

Half a can of corned beef

1 1/2 little carton of milk for the roux

2 table spoons of flour for the roux

Margarine

Half a box of cheese, grated

Season with salt, pepper, sugar

Bread crumbs for the top

How to make: Cook the pasta until soft in boiled salted water. Chop up the onion and garlic, cook in margarine till soft and add the corned beef. Season and turn off heat. Put in 3 spoons of margarine in another pot and add the flour while stirring consistantly. Add the milk little by little until the liquid forms a thick paste. Add the cheese and pepper, mix, turn off heat. Drain the macaroni, then add to the corned beef pan and mix thoroughly. Place in a pyrex bowl. Pour in the roux until blended well with the macaroni and add lots of bread crumbs on top. Bake for 40 minutes for a nice golden brown top. Yumm-O!

last weekend

We went to Bogor last Sunday with my sister in law's family. Even though it's only an hour drive away, as always, the vibe is totally different: cool, relaxing, and refreshing. We headed straight to Kebun Raya Bogor (Plant Conservation Gardens), a lovely lush green space where we can admire the trees, plants, the lovely palace, historical pieces, and had a light picnic in the light sun. How I wish we had a park like this in Jakarta. The entrance ticket includes free entrance to the botanic gardens and the zoology museum. We were so lucky because the whole day was sunny, quite a rare treat since Bogor is famous as the 'rainy city' and I've always experienced rain every time I go there. But not last Sunday. After sitting and wondering through the gardens, we headed for a traditional Sundanese lunch at De Leuit, and topped off the outing at Tajur, the local bag industry complex just before heading home. Bogor never fails to refresh me, even if it's just for half a day. 

childhood snacks

Suddenly I'm craving over these snacks I loved munching when I was a kid. I remember coming home from school looking for any of these in the kitchen cupboard. They were our monthly buys at the supermarkets :) I wish we had quavers or monster munch or at least something close to them here. They rest, well, I've found something like them but still I think these are brits best! Check out this website of food and beverages made in England. I personally like their tag line: Groceries, Confectionery, and Memorabilia. 
1. Walkers Pure Butter Shortbread
2. Lady Fingers
3. Monster Munch
4. Jaffa Cakes
5. Quavers
(images from google)

pizza party

 

Last weekend, we were invited to a pizza party. It was actually a kid play-date with a theme :) Amesh from Dreamesh hosted and made the kids creative aprons from dishtowels with their initials on it. See her tutorial here. She also prepped the kids with pizza shaped cookies ordered here and free downloadable pizza templates form here. Amesh is such a prepared momma when it comes to hosting a themed gathering ;) I bought along some of my home made pizza sauce and pre-dough, so that it wouldn't take much time to bake and the kids could help us prepare the pizza before baking them. Unfortunately, the kids were not as excited to play with the real pizza's and dug for the imitations instead :) Talking about this pre-dough pizza, its really good though for quick fixes. First, they come in mini size (suitable for party food), personal panned size (just enough for a brunch portion), and a medium size, and they turn out nice and crunchy if well cooked. I bought the minis for the kids and the personal panned size for the adults. Too bad not everyone came so there were left-overs, but happily eaten anyway. At the end of the afternoon, the kids had fun, the parents were (quite) full. It was a fun day!

Images: by Amesh 

paris VS new york

When I saw these illustrations over at A Cup Of Jo, it made me LOL. I mean they're so clever, aren' they? Even to me, a person that has not visited either of the cities, gets it. Blame it on the New York and Paris-based blogs I read every single day. The illustrator works as a graphic designer between the two cities. His collections are available in art work and now a book. Take a look of more of the versus illustration at his blog. My favorite has got to be Amelie and Carrie. So iconic! :D 

fiesta flavors

I recently realized that the colors I love mostly belong to the Fiesta palete.  Inspired by the Mexican culture, these colors are my kind of bright -- the not too much and still calming kind. Fiesta is also noted to be the multicolors popping in and out of the fashion runway this year. These pretty colors on (and off) clothes are just a really cool mix put all together. Now I know why they say "Fiesta Forever!" 

1--> Beautiful Mexican Placemats that are too pretty to use.

2--> Fiesta colors on the runway

3--> Taco's, delish Mexican food with delish colors. Here's the recipe.

4--> Imagine this fiestaware in your kitchen. Love!

new year, new look: all that glitters!

My first post in 2012 is about the new look here at The Jot Pot. It has been two blogging years now and I thought the blog needs a good old makeover. Everything is easy here on blogger, there are many templates to choose from, but the tricky part was finding the right design I wanted for the header. I actually spent the whole day playing around with photoshop and adobe illustration, with the help of google of course. Just until a few hours ago I ended up with new header design and a clean look that I am loving. I find this so fun since it's like designing my own magazine - a thing I really miss after working for years in printed media. Overall, I'm really happy with the result of The (new) Jot Pot :)
So! it's the 12th day of January and behind those gold curtains of glitter, I am wishing you a great year ahead with many happy things coming along. I'm optimistic for this year and waiting for so many good surprises. Happy new year, good people! 
Image by Aaron Cobbet via Getty Images