Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Masterchef Blind Taste Test Hii-style

It is a not a very well-known fact (noooot!) but the Hiis can get a tad competitive at times. So with all the craze going on about macarons at the moment, super competitive Mel decided that it would be super easy for her since she's a genius, to whip up a batch to rival Laduree's. So she did for Christmas and while they were nearly as flat as pancakes, the gang declared them very good. So the compliments went to her head and she quickly whipped up another batch in as many days and this time, in a fancy schmancy flavour - pistachio.

Now I just happened to receive Adriano Zumbo's macarons as a present from Damon (thanks, dude) so I decided that it was the perfect perfect opportunity to stage a blind taste test to decide once and for all just how good Mel's macarons are... you know, compared to the Willie Wonka of Australia.. just sayin'. Although I must say that Zumborons (as they have been called affectionately in Sydney) were a tad stale due to a side week-long trip to Bali (really, thanks dude!).

This was Mel's creation:

This was Zumbo's:

Side by side comparison - virtually the same, right?

First guinea pig was Monica, sporting an eye mask to keep things equal:

We thought it would be hilarious if we had fed her papaya, her most hated food in the world... heheh but we didn't.

Macarons cut up ready for the taste test:

Logan did the honours. I like his evil look here:

Monica pretending to ponder the difference between the two... it was pretty obvious and one was a lot flatter than the other heheheh. Check out the ke-por look on Mum and Viv's faces.

Next up, it was Logan's turn.

Lauren fed her brother the macarons.

Then the girl had to have a turn too of course. Check out her orange nail polish. The girl has superb tastes in nail colours, I tell ya. She was rocking orange, blues and purples. None of that pink girly business. I like it.


Isaac also wanted in on the action but unfortunately he didn't meet the age restrictions of the competition. Next time, bub.

Last but not least, it was the newly-wed's turn.


Results - I can't quite remember now but I think they all unanimously said they liked Da Ee Ee's macarons over the professional's. Hmmm methinks they were all sucking up to Da Ee Ee. Heheh twas fun.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Monday, February 6, 2012

Crazy Chickens!!

Lauren being chased by crazy chickens hehe...

Family That Bounces Together Stays Together

While Monica and her gang were here in December, I took them to Crystal Mountain out in the West. It was very boring so I was glad I got a good deal for them on the daily deal sites. But they did have a bungy thing which provided me with some laughs and amusement.

Lauren was up first and she looked teeny tiny! Tres adorable.




Yes I realised there are way more photos of Lauren than the others. My answer? Look as cute as her and I'll post more photos of you too.



Haz reliving his youth:




Logan was reluctant to go but did in the end.





Monica also had a go and didn't embarrass herself.... much.




*victory sign* We rocked it.

Cute As A Button

Friday, January 27, 2012

Happy Dragon Year Everyone

Fortune cookies are one of those cheesey American things you see on tv, along with mushu pork (whatever the heck that is) and chinese food in paper boxes. So I've always steered clear of them, thinking they are probably shrivelled up stale crackers with lame bits of sayings inside. Anyway we were given some when we went to Langham Hotel for lunch so i cracked one open.


The cookie was actually yum!!! It tasted like a ice cream waffle cone which I lurrrrrve. As for the saying....

Very true indeed *nod head*. It's easy to get caught up thinking of the have-nots. Let's all start counting the haves and forget about the have-nots and the frown will naturally turn upside down. Haha enough cheese yet?

Friday, January 6, 2012

Happy New Year 2012, Peeps!

I know, I know I've been very slack. Anyhoo hope you all had a good one. I had an excellent one surrounded by loved ones reminiscing about the good old days while watching childhood home videos. You know you are getting old when you have "good old days" to talk about.

Sidetrack: My answer to the ever popular question of what would you rescue if your house is on fire? This precious cassette tape which the five of us taped when we were kids and sent to the then 16-year-old Mel who was studying in Melbourne. Hmm maybe I should put it in a fire-proof box?

We also had a wedding in the family recently which added to the hecticness of the holidays. The bride looked gorgeous and the groom looked like he struck the lottery. I will be doing a blog on it when I can be bothered. In the meantime, I have been given the go-ahead to post a photo of Mel and since it's as rare as hen's teeth, I will be posting it on every social medium that I am able to. Enjoy!


Oh and by the way, I broke my resolution on January the 1st. Fail!