Watch this space . . .

Made the lists, checked it twice . . . See you in 10 days! We have a short itinerary, and then it’s Plan B Hope the weather isn’t as wet as predicted.

The new Peranakan Museum

This weekend was the unveiling of the new Peranakan Museum which is part of the Asian Civilization Museum. It is housed in a three-storied building to exhibit and preserve the world of the Peranakan culture. The interior was done in simple black and white, but it’s the exhibits that showcase the Peranakan’s love for color.

On the grounds outside was a huge tent and stage set up to showcase the Peranakan life and traditions. (They do a lot in tents here.) They featured a fashion show, and even a whole wedding ceremony in traditional dress. Under the tent were also booths selling Peranakan wear, food, jewelry and artifacts; including beautiful batiks, and tile work.

These are the traditional batik sarongs and blouses, known as Kebaya, that the women wear. The blouses are always very intricately embroidered and/or done with open pattern work; I think referred to as fretwork? Any comments or clarification on that? The woman in the museum store mentioned, when complimented on hers, that it was their “uniform”!

Even their tile work reflect the designs in their batiks. These were just a couple of the samples one vendor was selling. They would be beautiful to scatter on the back splash in the kitchen, or use in a bathroom.

The workmanship of these silver belt buckles and belts were eye catching.

We had just come from lunch but I couldn’t resist trying these.

I didn’t buy mine from the above vendor but just took a picture of their sign for the name. They’re crisp little cups filled with sauted bamboo shoots, then topped with a sprig of cilantro and a slice of shrimp; laced with a splash of hot chili sauce! At 4 pcs for $2.00 it was a better buy where I got mine and they’re delicious. (Update: I found these little crispy cups for sale and will use them for hors d’oeuvres at my next gathering; now where do I find them in Columbia?)

There were also rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves for sale. They consist of glutinous rice, meat, sometimes salted egg yoke, peanuts, chestnuts, salted pork, any combination of ingredients. My Mom had the market on these, she made the best in the world.

And to satisfy the sweet tooth, lots of little cakes, reminds me of afternoon tea take away . . .

It was a bright sunny day, and as you can imagine, it was hot and steamy under the tent, even with fans going. We didn’t want to wait for the stage events, instead we ducked into the museum. Here’s a preview:

In the Malay speaking areas of S.E. Asia, Peranakan means “child of”, but I’ve also seen where it means “family”. It was amazing to me to find the different blendings of the Peranakan people. This was just one wall of photos representing the different cultural blends. This room featured their origins. There were, the Chinese – who formed the largest number, but also other communities such as, Chitty Malaka (Indian), and Jawi (Indian Muslim). I also found those that were specifically of the Hokkien, or Hakka Chinese ethnic groups, and a whole array of cross cultures.

The other galleries featured the 12-day long wedding celebration, Life of a Nonya (Peranakan woman), the Peranakan’s religion, their politics, social affairs and public life; and my favorite – food and feating. Mick commented that one of the baby photos could be me

Examples of the wedding baskets and stacking trays that were used to carry the gifts in the wedding procession; after which these gifts were then exchanged between the families of the bride and groom.

How’s this for a headdress and necklace, or the wedding presents. Lots and lots of gold and silver.

Young women learned the art of bead work, using beautiful glass beads imported from Europe. They make beautiful slippers/shoes, evening bags, and even a case which held the nipah palm leaf used in making hand-rolled cigarettes, not to mention artifacts covered with bead work.

Peranakan homes used colorful porcelains known as Nonyaware. The colorful porcelains are made in China but distinctively different from traditional Chinese porcelain motifs. The use of the eight auspicious Buddhist symbols as decorative motifs identifies the Peranakan’s roots. These symbols are the wheel of life, conch shell, umbrella, canopy, lotus, vase, pair of fish, and the eternal knot.

The very rich would commission to have a pattern made just for their family, and would have pieces for all different uses. These covered containers, left, known as Kamcheng were used as a serving containers for food, desserts, and water. They came in a variety of sizes but only the very wealthy could afford the very large ones.

. . . here is my little kamcheng:

hee-hee . . . It’s a mouse pad!!!

Mick mentioned that he overheard a couple of women, after they viewed some of the Peranakan objects, saying to each other that they should have saved some of their own family things. I guess we all let go those everyday things we take for granted, not seeing the intrinsic value, only to pay big bucks at an antique store to buy them back!

To see more examples of the exhibits, just click on any photo or click here

Afternoon Tea

I haven’t included food in a post in a long time, which doesn’t mean I haven’t still been out there eating. In fact I’ve been keeping tabs on the occasional short local food segment between shows for my brothers (and their wives) visit in July. I think this calls for lots of sampling prior to their arrival; though it’s hard to steer my brothers wrong when it comes to eating!

Today was the CLO outing for High Tea at the Shangri-La’s Rose Veranda room. Even though we stayed here 20 years ago, I didn’t remember how big and beautiful the hotel is.

The hotel greeter, the front desk, and a shot of the lobby from the landing of the Rose Veranda.

High Tea is a misnomer, as it should be called Afternoon Tea. In actuality the definition of High Tea in Britain, refers to dinner, but the terms seem to be used inter-changeably in the U.S. and outside the U.K. High tea, an early evening meal is a substitute for both afternoon tea and the evening meal. The term comes from the meal (tea) eaten at a high table, instead of a low table generally used at an afternoon tea. High Tea sounds loftier and gives the affair an air of elegance.

Nonetheless, a bit of dressing up, one’s pinkie up, but not pointing to the sky, to balance your tea cup; little sandwiches with the crust cut off, it’s a very civilized way to wile away the afternoon with friends . . . dim sum of the western world.

When we were led to our seating, I saw it was an even bigger misnomer for this high tea because it was an East/West fusion affair, and served in a buffet manner. I was kidding when I said dim sum of the western world; the buffet actually offered a selection dim sum AND sushi along with finger sandwiches! A bit disappointing really, I was looking forward to the classic afternoon tea.

The setting was a pretty Wedgwood china, and silverware. They offer one hundred different selections of tea, of which you could try as many as you could drink, so that was nice. We tried each others selections which was a nice way to taste the different teas and flavors.

There was no shortage of dessert choices, including a chocolate fondue pot for strawberries, fruit, and marshmallows; tarts and cakes, bread pudding, etc.

If you had room, there was also a beautiful selection of cheeses. It was all lovely, though I didn’t bother to have a scone since it just didn’t seem imperative to the experience when it was offered as part of the dessert table. But like a lot of times when we go out with friends, it’s not just for the food, it’s the company.

It’s all in the details

It’s always fun to find that special “piece” of whatever it is we buy, especially when we’re not actually shopping; whether it’s in clothing, furnishings, artwork, etc., even in the simple things that we use everyday. It’s love at first sight! What attracts us, and catches our eye to it is usually a small detail; its character — a pretty button, shape and form, the composition, color, texture, a mixture of media, a bit of whimsy. It may provoke a memory in a place and time, an event, a thread to one’s childhood. Sometimes it’s just pretty, or even ugly – but with character! A Pinocchio funnel, what kitchen would be without one. The next time you catch The Surreal Gourmet on tv, look for his, he has the best kitchen “toys”!!!

I’ve been taking a closer look at some of the things that I’ve collected so far; I’m trying to see its character, its provocation to why I chose it. It’s all in the details.

I thought you might like a closer peek at a few of these things too.

Calligraphy brushes -

Quartz and silver pipes -

Cut-out in wood frame around a mirror -

Porcelain – the left photo is Peranakan ware which I’m very drawn to. The right photo is the top of a porcelain pillow, and below are painted bowls with silver accents.

Mick pointed out how the frame of the mirror is so similar to the center motif in this rug. They would make a nice complement to each other. Not apparent in the photo, but the background on the rug is green, and there’s green in another portion of the mirror’s frame. We just have to find the right place when we get home to take advantage of pairing these.

. . . one of my all time favorite detail is on this document chest – the way the two vertical bars keep the drawers from sliding out, most likely for transporting, and in the simplicity and beauty of the locks themselves.

So the next time you’re dusting your “under-discovered” treasures, rediscover their artistic character.

Antique shopping and the Dragon Kiln

This weekend was the CLO’s (Community Liaison Office) trip to Lee’s Antiques and the Dragon Kiln. I had a bit of food poisoning when I awoke on Fri and was feeling miserable all day. I thought for sure I wouldn’t make this trip feeling the way I did, but I felt better after a little bit of breakfast Sat morning so I thought I’d venture out.

We embarked from the Embassy at 9 am with Ms Laura Lee, the owner of Lee’s Antiques, and our hostess, and headed out to her showroom/warehouse. To make the ride more fun, though it wasn’t really that far, Ms Lee brought little gifts for us, and also told our fortunes.

A strand of fresh water pearls for the ladies, and fans for the guys. Presents for guys are always tricky and hard to come up with.

Ms Lee had each person pick a fortune stick from a joss stick container, and whatever number was on the stick, she read the corresponding fortune. Usually you have a wish, or have a question you want to know the outcome, i.e., am I going to pass trigonometry?, is he going to ask me for a second date?, etc. You would grasp the container and shake all the sticks until just one falls out, and that would be your answer. Mick’s was 57, and mine, 9; our fortunes weren’t bad, pretty positive that we were going to be granted our wishes.

We poked around the three rooms of antiques and reproductions. I think no one left empty handed!

Mick found a real gem in his poking around. He went to the room where there were Mongolian artifacts and came upon a couple of saddles. We bought this one . . .

They are made of wood with some metal clips, and leather lashings. I don’t know if anything softer went on top of these because they didn’t look very comfortable, interesting to be sure, but not something I’d want to ride upon. You know what this means right, now we have to buy a horse Or the blanket that went over the saddle.

Another interesting find was a mirror from Shanxi Province in China. The actual mirror is in the shape of a rectangle with an inverted “v” that gives it a tent-like look. Does that make sense? (update: click link for mirror) It has a Muslim flavor to the design, and also has artwork on the wood frame. I guess you have to see it to get an appreciation for it. Trust us, it is very interesting looking.

After poking and shopping, Ms Lee gave us a short lecture about antiques, while we sipped some wine. (A ploy to induce more shopping!) This is just two of the pieces she showed and told us about; the significance of the Foo dogs, you see these at entrance ways to Chinese buildings, like the Chinese Embassy, or to wealthy patrons homes; they bring luck and good fortune. And the silver decorated wedding hat that Erica is modeling. This teetered on Ericka’s head; the Chinese women of that era were a lot tinier.

After the big pack-up and some dim sum (Chinese snacks) we all loaded back into the van. We had room for everyone who came and their purchases, plus extra space for our next destination — Pottery Jungle – this is just the entry to pottery jungle.

The real name of pottery jungle is Thow Kwang Dragon Kiln. It’s been nicknamed “Pottery Jungle” for two reasons, one, being it’s way out in a forested area, and two, there is so much pottery it’s like traversing through a “jungle”. Thow Kwang sports one of only two remaining Dragon Kilns in Singapore. This one has been in existence since 1940. It’s still used today but not for commercial pottery manufacturing. It is used once or twice a year for special potters that bring their wares to be fired.

Dragon kilns can be as long as 100 metres. During firing, the kiln resembles a recumbent dragon with fire spewing from its nostrils (fire box). This is the “head” of the dragon.

Dragon Kiln has a brick-built kiln constructed on a hill side with the fire box in front and side stroking holes at the sides. The arches of the oven (dragon’s spine) have no supports in the underside, such as the placement of the keystone for the arch in architecture. The dragon kiln technology was brought to Singapore by immigrant Chinese artisans in the early 1900s. This is a view looking down the dragon’s spine towards the head.

This is the entrance to the kiln and an inside view; about 20 feet up is the kiln’s exit. It’s not that high, I could not stand up in there.

While poking around Mick discovered a small family of monkeys that live on the premises, with a new baby who was so hard to catch because before I could focus he was gone.

Jungle Pottery will be a place to go back several times to explore and see their enormous inventory. I bought an umbrella stand to house my collection. No one left empty handed here either! The owner invited us to come back with a picnic lunch and spend a Sunday afternoon there, behind the pottery is pond with picnic area, so we can shop a little, rest, regroup and shop some more

This is not the actual pond area, but is sure is a peaceful little place.

All in all, it was a fun day and I feel better now. Maybe shopping is the best medicine!

Knit, knit, knit . . .

. . . no purling yet, that’s why I like knitting in the round. That is after you work out the kinks, like accidentally twisting the first round and not finding out til you’ve done several rows, and you’re wondering why it looks “funny”; you realize – ugh – frogging coming up.

I have this nice bamboo yarn that I picked up at the Stitches East Knitting Expo. I’ve tried several other projects with this yarn but none went farther than a couple of inches of knitting before the frogging would start — “ribbit out, ribbit out, ribbit out”; and then it just sat, rewound into balls, for months and months. I found a nice camisole-style tank top pattern that looked perfect for using with the bamboo yarn. The pattern is from an old 2004 issue of Interweave Knits.

This is my third attempt, and so far it’s going well! (Had to downsize the needles to get the right gauge, yes, I did it: twisted the first row.) For non-knitters, those little jeweled rings are not part of the finished product, they’re markers to delineate the pattern so when I drop a stitch, or screw up along the way, I know where to fix the problem, usually This pattern is easy, but you do have to pay attention, well, I have to pay attention. Maybe I should have a smaller picture so’s not to highlight my work just yet. Purling rows will come in when I divide the piece to work the front and back separately on straight needles. I’ll keep you posted on the progress.

Go grab your needles and join me, or sign up for a class.

Children’s Treasures

The Fair was held today at the Hyatt, a monthly event; and I went to see what the vendors had to offer. Lots of bead jewelry, clothing, handbags, things for home decorating, etc. I was on the look out for the vendor who carried minority Chinese children’s hat and shoes. Lo and behold I found her and also found two treasures of my own.

I bought a boy’s and a girl’s hat. These are from Gui Zhou, a province in China’s southwest. This province contains the most minority groups in all of China. The two hats here are from two different minority tribes and are hand made. Not only are the hats to keep the children warm in the colder climes of China, but they were also to provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. The hats are thought to instill in the wearer qualities as wealth, health, courage, academic success, happiness, long life, grace, and beauty.

This is the front view of boy’s hat, it’s so colorful and happy.

The figures on the front are silver and they represent the eight immortals. These are placed on the hat to protect the child.

Back view: the right tassel I believe is missing. I didn’t pay close attention to that when I was checking it out. It doesn’t make a big difference. Love the bells. Like tying the bell to the cat!

Here are some details of the embroidery . . . the hat is 50 years old!

Now here is the girl’s hat ~ not at all as colorful as the boy’s hat. It almost seems like it should be the opposite. They’re so different but yet much the same; both of the hats contain the eight immortals and delicate embroidery. The girl’s hat was guessed to be between 30 and 50 years old.

Back view . . . and detail . . .

— embroidery details

Now that Spring seems to be coming finally, you’re probably putting away those winter hats and bringing out caps with brims to shade your face from the sun

To see some beautiful examples of other hats click on this link.

Catnap . . .

After a long day of shopping, making all those important decisions, which brand of cereal can I get Mom to buy me; sometimes a guy just has to stop and take 40 winks.

Remember those days when you could just drop off and sleep just about anywhere? I found this little guy parked outside the pastry shop. I think he’s in for a big surprise, if he finishes all of his dinner tonight