The New Domestic

November 2009


11/28/09

Raisin Bread

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Raisin Bread

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Raisin Bread

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Raisin Bread

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Raisin Bread

Since I purchased my bread maker, I have been non stop making all sorts of bread from whole wheat bread, white bread, french bread, rosemary, raisin etc… It’s so much fun! Today, I made raisin bread for my sister as per her request. This recipe calls for more work than other bread recipes. After the kneading cycle, I have to remove the dough from the machine and flatten it out as if making a pizza dough and spreading the raising/sugar/cinnamon mixture to it before rolling it like a baguette (I roll out the dough with a mojito muddler as I don’t seem to stock a rolling pin in my kitchen!). I’ve made this recipe a few times and it’s always a hit! It’s amazingly good eaten freshly baked with a spread of melted butter on top!! Here’s the recipe for a 2 lb bread:

Recipe (2 pounds)

Granulated sugar – 1/3 cup
Cinnamon – 3/4 tbs
Raisins – 1 1/4 cups
Milk – 1 1/4 cups (300 ml)
Butter, room temperature – 2 1/2 tbs
Egg, room temperature – 1
Salt – 1 tsp
Granulated sugar – 1 1/2 tbs
Bread flour – 4 cups
Yeast – 2 tsp

The granulated sugar, cinnamon and raisins mixture is spread out on the dough after kneading (see photos above).

Happy bread making!


FoodNo comments — Posted by: Nerissa
11/25/09

Sewing Day

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Sewing Day

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Sewing Day

The day I started my maternity leave, I had a list of personal projects I wanted to work on like making throw pillows, designing posters, cards etc… But I guess Luna had enough being cooped up in a dark watery world in my tummy and decided to come out 2.5 weeks early. We were shocked but super happy to meet her early!

Having a baby at home means doing as much as you can while they are fast asleep. While Luna was snoring away this morning, I finally was able to make her throw pillow. I love how easy and fast it is to make one. I plan to make a few more but I’m on the hunt for nice fabrics. Next task on my list: finishing up her birth announcement cards!


DIY / Make / Domestic 2.0No comments — Posted by: Nerissa
11/23/09

One Month Old!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : One Month Old!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : One Month Old!

Luna is now one month old and growing! So far, life with Luna at home has been pretty easy (easy compared to some of the stories I have heard…). Though, every time I think it’s “easy”, she suddenly wants to stay up for a portion of the night or wants to be held all afternoon as she sleeps soundly in my arms. She’s probably thinking, “hey mom, stop with your baking and play with me instead!”.

Our activities daily hasn’t really changed, except for the past few days, Peter and I are trying something new with her. We read in a book, my sister gave us called ‘What To Expect The First Year’, that babies today are developing some motor skills later than they used to because they are spending less time on their tummies. So for a few minutes each day, we lay her on her tummy but this usually only lasts for a few minutes. It’s a new feeling for her and she easily gets frustrated not knowing what to do with herself in this position. As she lays on her tummy, we see her trying to do a crawling movement and tries her best to lift her head up to look around. We encourage her by clapping and telling her she’s doing a great job. But all of it ends as soon as she starts screaming as if she’s telling us “give it up guys, just put me back on my bassinet and let me rest!!”.

Aaahhh… the life of a baby…


Kids / Luna's Monthly Photos1 comment — Posted by: Nerissa
11/20/09

Christmas Tree!

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Christmas Tree!

Xmas tree is up! Thirty-five more days till Christmas. Tree skirt: an old white wool sweater. Star: bookmarks I made a few years ago taped together to make a star. Ornaments: Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Michaels. The hand-carved wooden nativity figures on the mantel are from the Philippines.


InteriorNo comments — Posted by: Nerissa
11/18/09

Newest Project On-The-Go

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Newest Project On The Go

Rissa and I are currently working on Luna’s birth announcement. We sketched up some ideas together on the weekend. Rissa spent yesterday reformatting some of them into InDesign files to print out and mock-up on paper. Other than posing for cute photos, Luna wasn’t actually too helpful on this task. Her favorite activities continue to be eating, sleeping – I think she dreams about swimming in rivers and oceans of milk – and something new: stretching out and exercising her limbs. Maybe one day soon she’ll have fun putting stuff together with mom and dad. We’re hoping to finalize the design and production this week and send off the announcements asap.


Arts / DIY / MakeNo comments — Posted by: Peter
11/15/09

Last Day Before Work

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Last Day Before Work

Squeezing in some extra cuddle time with the girls…I took three weeks off after Luna’s arrival and tomorrow will be my first day back in the studio. Luna wakes up for feedings approximately every three hours. Mom and I have a little routine going. She feeds. I change the nappies. The new sleep pattern hasn’t been too bad so far but tomorrow will be the real test.

Update: Day one went off without any tiredness. Hope to keep it up as much as possible.


Domestic 2.02 comments — Posted by: Peter
11/12/09

A Perfect November Day

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : A Perfect November Day

Yup, a perfect day to go to the beach! The sun was out. The cold breeze brushing against our faces… I love simple days like this when the three of us are together. It was Luna’s first stroll along the beach and she slept through it all. Before today, Luna’s only taste of the outside world was a couple trips to the doctor and a quick dash through the mall. It’s nice to get some fresh air and a change of scenery. The three of us together – a perfect day.


Domestic 2.0No comments — Posted by: Nerissa
11/08/09

Grandma’s Congee

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Grandmas Congee

My mom is staying with us for three weeks. She arrived last night and we’re really enjoying her traditional home cooking comfort food. More info and recipes coming up…but first, we’re going to Marga and Dan’s wedding shower.


FoodNo comments — Posted by: Peter
11/07/09

Luna likes Carla Bruni

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Luna likes Carla Bruni

Luna seems to love listening to Carla Bruni. When she was in my womb, I used to put headphones on my tummy and play Carla Bruni to her before going to bed. Mmm…does she remember hearing it inside my womb? I wonder. Her favorite song seems to be Déranger Les Pierres. Even in the middle of a crying frenzy, Luna will pause and relax for a little Carla Bruni.

Today is a special day as it’s Yuka & Paul’s wedding. But sadly, I am unable to attend. We are thinking of you guys on your special day!!! I may not be there physically but in spirit I am.


KidsNo comments — Posted by: Nerissa
11/06/09

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

There’s nothing like having some chewy double chocolate chip cookies on a rainy day. While Luna is fast asleep in her own little world, I’m busy in the kitchen trying  a new recipe. These are truly amazing! They are super chewy and not too sweet. These would make fantastic christmas presents. Just sprinkle some icing sugar on top of the cookies to make them look more festive.

Recipe
1 1/4 cups margarine
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa 
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions
1. Cream together the margarine, sugar, then add the eggs and vanilla.
2. Blend in the cocoa and add baking soda, salt and blend well.
3. Add the flour into the creamed mixture and fold in the chocolate chips.
4. Bake at 350° for 8-9 minutes.

Recipe by Recipe Zaar.


FoodNo comments — Posted by: Nerissa
11/06/09

Luna on Flickr

I started a Flickr set for family & friends who have been asking for more photos of Luna. There’s few new snapshots and a couple videos up. Have a look and bookmark that page if you’d like to follow along. The neighbours tell us to that kids grow up really fast and that we should take a lot of photos. Good advice. Point well taken.

P.S. The dancing duck in the video above was part of a gift package the fine folks at work FedEx’d over to our place (thanks, guys!) and the music in the background is Lullatone. Luna must have been trying really hard to beatbox along because she spits up some milk at the end. ;)


Kids1 comment — Posted by: Peter
11/03/09

Lullatone Plays Pajama Pop

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Lullatone Plays Pajama Pop

Two of our favourite friends, Jonathan and Anita, gave us a few CDs from Japan for Luna to listen to. Thanks guys! We play them to her most of the day but Peter and I enjoy listening to them so much that I wonder if we play it for Luna or for our own enjoyment! The CDs are from Lullatone, a husband and wife duo, who’ve invented their own whimsical musical genre that they call “pajama pop“. Listen to some their songs below.

We really appreciate seeing indie creativity in the kids scene, so we’re happy to know that there are artists reinventing and re-imagining the lullaby genre. You should totally check them out. You can read an interview with Lullatone here or check out their website.


Arts / Kids2 comments — Posted by: Nerissa and Peter
11/03/09

Nicole Bonds with Luna

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Nicole Bonds with Luna

It’s been a great week. Some of my favourite girl friends have come by to meet Luna. First Tami, then Sisi and today Nicole! Nicole came to visit us and brought some yummy danish pastries that we devoured with some caffeine. Yum! Another ladies day for me which is exactly what I needed today. Love ya Nicole!


Domestic 2.0No comments — Posted by: Nerissa
11/01/09

It’s a Hard Life

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Its a Hard Life

Every day we see Luna getting more active and learning new movements. Little things impress us such as seeing her progress from lubberly sucking her fist to developing the dexterity to hone in on a single digit (i.e. her thumb). Plus, there’s all the random cuteness that we find so adorable. Just now while napping, we caught Luna in this gem of a pose. Aw…what’s on your mind little Luna? It’s a hard life, we know.


KidsNo comments — Posted by: Peter
11/01/09

When Hunger Strikes

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : When Hunger Strikes

When Luna is hungry, she makes sure it’s known! She cries and cries and screams loudly until milk gets put into her mouth and suddenly, life is sweet again.


Kids1 comment — Posted by: Nerissa
11/01/09

Sisi & Luna

Peter Hoang & Nerissa Goco : Sisi & Luna

One of my best friends Sisi is back from London. Yay! I was a little sleep deprived from last night so it was nice to have Sisi over for a little girl time as we sip some tea, nibble on fruits and tell exciting tales from our time apart. Welcome home Sisi!


Domestic 2.0No comments — Posted by: Nerissa