桑

Google了桑，获知桑（学名：Morus alba L.）喜光，喜温暖湿润气候，耐寒。耐干旱，耐水湿能力极强。于是决定把它种在篱笆外的大盆里，任它日晒雨淋，连肥都不施。


去年八月底讨了两枝枝干插下，九月初开始长芽。

九月尾已经长得相当茂盛啦。

在九月至十二月之间，她开花结果好几次了，我们却没空拍照、采摘果实。这就放一张2016年圣诞的花吧。

2016年圣诞节

有时候采摘蝶豆花时看见桑果成熟了，当场采了就吃。不知道几时才有机会拍一拍‘丰收’的照片。

贺年片

小时候，贺年片是农历新年重大的一部分。新年前在书店、文具店、购物中心的柜台前慢慢为每一个亲朋戚友细选贺年片，在书桌前认真地写上贺语，再贴上邮票寄出（或亲自给同学递送贺年片），整个过程细长而神圣。收到贺年片大家也不忘用把贺年片挂在墙上、摆在桌上，为家里增添新年气氛。

今年，我以为自己稍微清闲，想要画贺年片给亲朋戚友寄上。奈何，我高估了自己的水准，练习了好久都是一些见不得人的拙作，最后只好放弃这个念头。

当然，我的贺岁e卡仍然是参着一些自己的拙作，希望收到的人不嫌弃。毕竟，都是诚意满满的贺语。 愿大家安康幸福快乐。

收割薄荷

之前把妈妈买的薄荷插了几枝在菜圃里，结果薄荷攀生满地，我怕它们把整个菜圃占为己有，于是我们趁妈妈煮laksa时把全部给收割了，然后留下几枝种在盆里。

没施肥，丢在外头任它日晒雨淋，几个星期后又可以收割啦～

虽然收成不算太多……

但是要让妈妈用来弄kerabu beehun给一家吃还是够的。

妈妈不在家之食谱（六十六）： Avocado Devil Eggs

材料：
鸡蛋四粒
牛油果一粒
桔子一粒
三粒cherry tomatoes，切丁
basil适量，切丝
dill适量
炒好的蒜米适量
盐和黑胡椒作调味

步骤：
1. 在锅里放入鸡蛋，让水盖过鸡蛋越半寸。
2. 大火把水煮沸。水沸后关小火煮一分钟。
3. 把盖关上，让鸡蛋浸在热水里十二分钟。
4. 十二分钟后取出鸡蛋，放入冰水。
5. 剥壳后切半。
6. 把蛋黄挖出，放入碗内，加入牛油果、蒜米、盐、黑胡椒、basil丝、桔子汁，把它打拌均匀嫩滑。
7. 把这混合好的蛋黄再放入原本的洞里。
8. 摆上cherry tomato丁，撒上dill和油葱即可上桌。

清静无为

到今天为止，我已经五个月没有呆坐在办公室里了。

许多人问我“这么有空，怎么打发时间”。我想说的是，无论谁离开了朝九晚五的规律（我则是朝八晚五时半），每天只有二十四个小时仍然是个不变的定律。唯一的不同，就是你多了运用时间的自由，如果你以为这样子会闲得发慌，那你必定是误解了时间与人生。

我仍然每天只有二十四个小时，和大家一样，我的时间仍然不够用。时间的分配不是茫盲忙，是清晰明确充实。

我趁现在时间自由，尽量配合十二经脉时间作息。胃经运行时吃完早餐，脾经当令时到小院子里耕作，心经运行时睡个午觉，小肠经旺时可以吃午餐，膀胱经运作我就喝下午茶，肾经运行时喝汤吃晚餐，心包经当令就晚餐后散步，过后就看看电视读读书准备睡觉去。

想要吃个早餐，我会到小菜园里看看有什么可以收割的，要吃多少收割多少。从收割到清洗到烹饪到终于上桌有时候甚至要近一个小时，但感觉特别好，很恬然地活在当下。想要吃个零食，我甚至乐于自己炒南瓜子慢慢啃。现代人眼中低效率的事儿，我觉得真实而且乐趣无穷。

我每天还要学画画呀、听音乐呀、读书呀、写笔记呀、看戏呀、茗茶呀、品咖啡呀、拈花呀、惹草呀、耕作呀、下厨呀、策划呀、当司机呀、会亲友呀、叙旧呀、谈人生呀、看看世界呀……哪来的时间打发？

还有女红呢？书法呢？茶道呢？剪纸呢？雕塑呢？传统食谱研究呢？T恤设计呢？中医呢？诸子百家呢？戏曲呢？武术呢？宗教哲理呢？都不够时间了，拿什么消磨？

即使是在蜗牛角上，人生仍然有无尽的选择。别以为眼前的规律是一切，无为就好。

泼墨画

究竟是泼墨了才有物象再有意象，还是有意象了再泼墨方成物象，还是先决定了物象再泼墨方勾出意象？无论如何，终成幅画，是不是？

最近一口气看了刘慈欣的地球往事三部曲*和好莱坞电影Arrival*，思绪有一点慌乱。都是泼墨画似的作品，看似迷蒙内敛，其实气势磅礴。泼洒在娟素上的水墨痕迹开初不成物象 ，随着渐渐成形勾出意象。然后，我知道我不知道。

你说，以我们的认知局限，在多维度空间里不小心一眼望穿时间长河，是一种怎么样的悲哀？
你说，若光锥之内是命运，在光锥之外存心或无意泼墨的，是一种怎么样的存在？

如果我不想谈哲学不想深究物理，只想介于知道与不知道之间，行不？
如果我不想知道真相，只想在当下规规矩矩做人老老实实做事，行不？


*注：
1. 刘慈欣的地球往事三部曲为《三体》、《三体II：黑暗森林》、《三体III：死神永生》
2. 上网查了一下才知道原来Arrival是改编自科幻短篇Story of Your Life，作家是美籍华裔姜峯楠，看来我又得到book depository进货了

过去心不可得，现在心不可得，未来心不可得……

枸杞桂花糕

鲜花入菜在中国久有历史，可惜以前南来的都是想要避开苦日子，带到南洋来的食谱多是实际的充饥食物。这些风花雪月的鲜花烹饪在南洋不曾流行，除了广为大家熟悉的菊花茶，我倒想不起传统上我们还吃些什么花馔。我想沾一沾秀气，一直想研究花馔。前一阵子在淘宝买了本《舌尖上的花朵》，却一直没有什么行动。昨天终于下定决心，来个简单的枸杞桂花糕。

《本草纲目》说枸杞性味甘平，养肝、滋肾、润肺，桂花性味辛温，散寒破结、化痰止咳。我这个星期正咳嗽喉咙痛，正适合呢。

材料：
干桂花两茶匙
枸杞一茶匙
冰糖40克
水500ml
鱼胶15克（这一次稍软了，下一次我可能用20克吧）

步骤： 
1. 煮滚热水，放冰糖小火煮至完全溶解。
2. 加入鱼胶，不停搅拌至完全溶解。
3. 加入枸杞桂花煮一分钟，然后熄火焗五分钟。
4. 倒入容器内，待凉后放入冰箱即可。


简单好吃美味又养眼，大家可以试试哦！

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is one of those books that's always at my bed side.

Of course, I am not qualified to explain The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success to anyone. I am far from mastering these laws. However, I'd like to share how these laws helped me to grow, guided me when I'm in doubt. (I always believe that 真理大同, we have read about these 'laws' from various books and sources but I like how Deepak Chopra makes them systematic, simple and easy to follow if you ever wish to practice.)

1) The Law of Pure Potentiality
The source of all creation is pure consciousness. We are, in our essential state, pure consciousness. When we discover our essential nature and know who we really are, we have the ability to fulfill any dreams we have.

The book mentioned about daily practice of silence, meditation and non-judgment. While all these practices are ways to access the field, at this stage, I benefited the most from practicing non-judgment.
I used to behave as if I am at the center of the universe. I dislike certain experiences, certain things about people, and a lot of things about myself. I got angry, frustrated, disappointed all the time. When I learn to accept, I noticed that most of the experiences are neither good nor bad, they’re just happening. I start to adopt a skeptical attitude about my own thoughts. (Our thoughts often lie to us, and we can feel empowered by choosing not to automatically believe them.)
Don't get me wrong. I am not a saint. I STILL judge a lot! However, as much as I can, as frequent as I can, I will consciously choose to practice non-judgement.


2) The Law of Giving and Receiving
The Universe operates through dynamic exchange. In our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives. The more you give, the more you will receive.

I learn that the gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation and love are some of the most precious gifts you can give to everyone you come into contact with. With this, we can begin the process of circulating joy and affluence in life.
I also learn to gratefully receive all the gifts that life has to offer me.


3) The Law of Karma (or Cause and Effect)
"Karma" is both action and the consequence of that action; it is cause and effect. (Just like Newton's Third Law of Motion, every action has an equal and opposite reaction).
If we want to create happiness in our lives, we must learn to sow the seeds of happiness. Therefore, karma implies the action of conscious choice-making. (A lot of us make choices unconsciously, and therefore we don't think they are choices--and yet, they are.) The book taught us that, whenever making a choice, one must ask two questions: “What are the consequences of this choice that I’m making?” and “Will this choice bring fulfillment and happiness to me and also to those who are affected by this choice?”, then ask your own heart for guidance. If the choice feels comfortable, then plunge ahead with abandon. If the choice feels uncomfortable, one need to pause and see the consequences.

I used to argue about why do good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. Having this paradigm, most of the time we may feel completely powerless to change our circumstances.
Now, I understand that's just my circle of concerns and I'd rather focus on my circle of influence (my choices). I love the fact that ultimately this law makes us accountable for our actions and for our own circumstances. Our life doesn't just "happen." Our life is carefully designed by ourselves, choices after choices.
If we want to create happiness in our lives, we must learn to sow the seeds of happiness. Simple.


4) The Law of Least Effort
This law is based on the fact that nature's intelligence functions with effortless ease and abandoned carefreeness. This is the principle of least action, of no resistance. This is, therefore, the principle of harmony and love. When we learn this lesson from nature, we easily fulfill our desires. Ultimately, you come to the state where you do nothing and accomplish everything. This means that there is just a faint idea, and then the manifestation of the idea comes about effortlessly. What is commonly called a "miracle" is actually an expression of the Law of Least Effort. Least effort is expended when your actions are motivated by love, because nature is held together by the energy of love. When you seek power and control over other people, you waste energy. When you seek money or power for the sake of the ego, you spend energy chasing the illusion of happiness instead of enjoying happiness in the moment. When your actions are motivated by love, your energy multiplies and accumulates--and the surplus energy you gather and enjoy can be channeled to create anything that you want, including unlimited wealth. 

I learn that I must commit to acceptance. The whole universe is as it should be. No point to struggle to go against the universe. However, this is not as passive as it sounds because I am responsible for my own situation after I accept the situations and circumstances as it should be. Oh, and most importantly, I no longer have the strong urge to persuade others to accept my point of view.


5) The Law of Intention and Desire
This law is based on the fact that energy and information exist everywhere in nature. The whole universe, in its essential nature, is the movement of energy and information. The only difference between you and a tree is the informational and energy content of your respective bodies. You can consciously change the energy and informational content of your own quantum mechanical body, and therefore influence the energy and informational content of your extended body--your environment, your world--and cause things to manifest in it. The quality of intention on the object of attention will orchestrate an infinity of space-time events to bring about the outcome intended, provided one follows the other spiritual laws of success. Intention lays the groundwork for the effortless, spontaneous, frictionless flow of pure potentiality. The only caution is that you use your intent for the benefit of mankind.

I love this law. I have a long list of all my desires (and not necessary material things), and I can let them stay in the womb of creation, waiting for the right time. Having my full attention in the present moment doesn't mean that my desires do not manifest the future.


6) The Law of Detachment
This law says that in order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it. This doesn't mean you give up the intention to create your desire. You give up your attachment to the result. Detachment is based on the unquestioning belief in the power of your true Self. 

This law free me from worries. When I practice this, I no longer rigidly impose my idea of how things should be. I understand that uncertainty is an essential part of our life. I embrace surprises in life and step into the field of all possibilities. Suddenly, we have an infinity of choices. Fun, adventure, magic, and mystery are waiting at the next corner.


7) The Law of "Dharma" or Purpose in Life
The seventh spiritual law of success is the Law of Dharma. (Dharma is a Sanskrit word that means "purpose in life.") This law says that we have taken manifestation in physical form to fulfill a purpose. You have a unique talent and a unique way of expressing it. There is something that you can do better than anyone else in the whole world--and for every unique talent and unique expression of that talent, there are also unique needs. When these needs are matched with the creative expression of your talent, that is the spark that creates affluence. Expressing your talents to fulfill needs creates unlimited wealth and abundance. There are three components to the Law of Dharma. The first says that each of us is here to discover our true Self. The second component is to express our unique talents; the expression of that talent takes you into timeless awareness. The third component is service to humanity. When you combine the ability to express your unique talent with service to humanity, then you make full use of the Law of Dharma. 

This is the one that I'm lost. I do not know what are my unique talents. (I'm a master of none) The only thing I can do is to always ask “How can I serve?” and “How can I help?”

蝶豆花之成长

前一阵子看见大家喝蝶豆花茶，这么梦幻的颜色，决定向朋友讨了些种子，2016年7月22日播种。种在小盆里，放在屋檐下任他吸收日月精华的同时还有“半温室”的温暖。

8月10日，有几颗种子破土而出。

8月22日，长得这么高了！

8月27日，我放了竹子让它们攀爬，丢去户外任他自生自灭。

9月5日，还是攀爬啦~

后来，我一直忙着。反正是任他自生自灭的，也没给他太多关注。到我终于有兴致去看看他的近况时，原来它早已开花好几回，果实累累了。这是11月23日的蝶豆花：

我有兴致的时候就摘几朵，晒一晒。（中间那个是九层塔的花）

泡茶呗！多梦幻的蓝……

妈妈不在家之食谱（六十五）：Mushroom soup

弟弟说除了上一回到Perth，他还没吃过我在马来西亚煮的mushroom soup。难得我有空，就玩玩吧。上回自己吃，弄的是简单版的。这次就勤力一点吧。

食材：
蒜头四瓣
洋葱半粒
九层塔一把
洋菇一盒
鲜奶一盒
牛油
调味料：黑胡椒、食盐

步骤：
1. 切一碟蒜蓉、洋葱蓉、九层塔蓉和洋菇茎蓉。

2. 再切一碗洋菇

3. 切一大块牛油放入热锅内

4. 油热了就把整碟蒜蓉、洋葱蓉、九层塔蓉和洋菇茎蓉倒入锅内炒。

5. 飘香后再把整碗的洋菇倒入锅内，加入调味料，大火炒之。（注意：洋菇会出水）

6. 锅内水分稍干后可以加入鲜奶大火煮沸。关小火再煮一下即可。