PhotoHunt - Bird(s)

This week's shots were from our trip to Lake Lucerne, a few years ago. Lake Lucerne is Switzerland’s most popular lake, well known all over Europe. Lucerne itself is surrounded by water, since not only does it sit on the lake but it also is split in two by the River Reuss. Bird lovers will be able to see large flocks of sea birds in the middle of the city.

There were plentiful of seagulls, swans, geese and other sea birds moving gracefully around the lake.

While taking pictures of the city, a flock of seagulls flew towards us and stood still as though to welcome us. When they realised no chips were coming their way they fluttered their wings and flapped wildly by the strong gusts of wind. It looked fun.


It was incredible to see their beautiful wings spread in such graceful flight around the lake. The lovely seagulls were truly putting on a show for us.



First Commenter - Monica

RIP dear Father In law

It has been a sad, heart wrenching week for my family. My beloved father-in-law (FIL) passed away peacefully, a few days ago after a long battle with heart disease. He was aged 83.

My FIL has been in the hospital a few times in the past few years for heart and related complications. He was readmitted to the hospital again last week after suffering breathing problems.

As he was getting weak and breathless, he was confined to the hospital intensive care unit, with intravenous tubes and drips. And for a few days, an oxygen mask helped him to breathe which he absolutely hated. He shook his head sorrowfully with eyes closed, at the thought of going home. He must have been frustrated with all the pain and suffering he went through. He looked as though he had given up on life. Perhaps he thought that he had achieved a ripe old age.

When my FIL regained consciousness, through written notepad, he insisted he be taken back home. In the back of my mind, I knew that he was soon going to leave us very soon and at the same time he didn't want to die in the hospital. Eventually we took him home with all the necessary apparatus he would need to help him breathe.

His health began to take a sudden turn for the worse last week. After two battles with heart complications in a few weeks of hospitalisation, he passed away peacefully that night. We cried for him to fight on as we witnessed his final breath. However, it is a blessing that he no longer having to suffer and that he has been freed from his pain.

Memories of him will remain in our hearts forever. I miss him heaps.

First Commenter - Denesa

Wordless Wednesday - Love is in the air

First Commenter - Rainfield

Today's Flowers - Splash of Yellow

My mom's delightful garden is full of bright yellow hues and they contrast well with the glossy green leaves. It's amazing to see how the yellow beauties sway gently in the breeze and the long lasting blooms blended well with other plants in the garden. It shows the value of life being nurtured with well care and blooming in perfection.

Scrumptious Egg tarts

It was a rainy, chilly afternoon and I had this sudden crave for portuguese egg tarts and if you've not tasted this irresistible dessert before, you're missing out on some sweet, mouth-watering, fragrant egg custard.

In my previous trip to Macau, I had the best, authentic Portuguese Egg Tarts and the entire tart was tasty enough to be gobbled up in seconds. The crust was flaky and richly creamy and the custard was smooth and sinfully delicious. Those were the best portuguese egg tarts I ever had in my lifetime.

So far, one of the better egg tarts I've tasted can be found in Carnarvon St, Penang. Never mind the price, the egg tarts here are very enticing to the taste buds, in terms of its delicate flaky pastry, freshness and wobbly filling. The eggs-cellent treats are selling like hot cakes the moment they arrived at the shop.

Personally, I prefer the Portuguese style egg tarts to the normal egg tarts. While the original version at times crumbly and less flaky, the Portuguese egg tart literally tasted much better and I could feel the fragrant custard oozing out on first bite. The sweetness is just perfect for me. Hmmm........incredibly yummy.

Hungry now? I am.

First Commenter - Monica

Wordless Wednesday - View from a cruise in Turkey

First commenter - Autumn Belle

Today's Flowers - Ananas Nanus

There are a few pots of miniature pineapples with long narrow yellow-green leaves armed with sharp little thorns growing here in my garden. Its scientic name is Ananas Nanus and it belongs to the bromeliad family.

The cone-shaped inflorescence produces purple flowers with yellow-pinkish bracts.


After a few months growth, it will sprout small pink fruit atop of the elongated stem.


The mini pineapple could remain on the plant for another couple of months from this stage.


The dragon fly was at the right place at the right time when I took this shot.


They are not edible but they attract butterflies, bees and mainly dragonflies. They are a cute little thing to add to my exotic plants collection.

First Commenter - Carver