Hijabista's Online Shop

Salam everyone!

Would like to inform that currently I'm no more a working mom.

I am now staying at home mom.
(Alhamdulillah, can spend most of my time with lil' Mush)

BUT

(there's always a BUT, and in this case, not an exception)

I still have to generate some income as a back up.

You never know when things went upside down and you get stuck penniless.

(Minta jauh please, Ameen)

PLease check out this blog Durrah, an online shop by me and my colleagues.

Happy Shopping! 

Kisses & Hugs

Cake Decorating Class

Salam everyone.

Yesterday I attended a Cake Decorating Class at ICCA, Kota Damansara.

The instuctor was Chef Adlina Malek and she is very helpful.

I never knew that piping a cake with a weaving effect is quite easy to do.

As easy as I find it to be, I need more practice to get the perfect looking basket cake.

The tricky part was piping the roses. I can't seem to get it right.

But at least it looks like some roses.

I'm going to buy those nozzles and other cake decorating instruments and
start practicing at home.

Ice Cream Bread

Ice Cream Bread? Really??? Ice Cream Bread????

Cooking with Libby's gotta be kidding us.

Ice Cream Bread?? There's such a thing??

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I've been wanting to make some bread, but I know how difficult it is to make.

But Ice Cream Bread?

Needs only TWO INGREDIENTS!!!!!

Self raising flour and any of your favorite ice cream.

Full Stop.

Balik Kampung Trial

Mr N, my Sis-in-law, Musheera and I went back to Melaka last Saturday. My Mother-in-law has been asking numerously for Musheera to stay at her place for a week. Finally I gave in and Mr N also gave in at the very last minute.

The reason that I can't let go of Musheera is because I remember clearly when Musheera suffered from Jaundice a few days after labor. I was devastated knowing that she has to be admitted in the hospital to treat her. The very day that we had to leave her, my tears were running down all the way home from the hospital. When we reached home, I burst out a cry while holding her cap, mittens and socks she wore that morning. We went again to pay her a visit that night.

We whispered to her that she has to be strong and promised that she will never have to be in that box with the blue light anymore. The truth is, she seems to be strong naturally and the whisper is rather meant for ourselves. I prayed and prayed that she will be alright soon.

That night, I stared at this photo and I was all teary again.


The next morning, I called the nurse up and ask her on Musheera's progress. She said that Musheera is getting better. In fact, she can actually be discharged from the hospital but she needs the pediatrics's report first. I went to the hospital anyway and plan to wait there until the report is ready.

When we reached the hospital, Musheera was still in the box but with no blue light on. I am glad to see that her skin is no longer yellowish. Within minutes, the report was ready and we can discharge immediately. I was so proud of Musheera. She is a very strong baby. She's a fighter.

So, back to the Melaka part. We allowed Musheera to stay with her Oma for a week. It was quite hard in the beginning. Sometimes we forgot she is not at home. We felt something is amiss. We called her everyday (Mr N admits that he calls her up two or three times per day, how cute is that?). She seems to be enjoying her stay at her Oma's place. She's a happy baby.

PS: Last night we went to my biological parents' place and Mr N gets teary when he looked at my little nephews. It makes him feel how much he miss his baby. Musheera, Daddy's little girl.

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

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Oh commercial frozen yogurt, why are you so expensive here in Malaysia?

Whenever I'm craving for some, I have to think more than twice.

Paying a small cup of you is almost equal to my breakfast, lunch and dinner allocation per day.

I decide that, I'm gonna make my own homemade instead.

UPDATED:


It takes me the whole 2 (two) days.

No doubt, it's doable.

If I ever plan to make this again, I must get an ice cream machine.

Banoffee Pie V2

I have tried making Bonaffee Pie using a recipe i got as is in my post here.

Yeah, yeah.

It was quite a disaster.

BUT!

I found this recipe at brooklynlimestone.com!


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I am pretty confident that I will not do the same mistake again.

Rest assured.

12 Months Development Checklist

All this while I've reading on baby's monthly development. But I've never came across a checklist that makes life easier. I got his list from babyzone.com. So what are the developments we should expect from a 12 months baby? Check it out:

√ Lowers self from standing to sitting without falling.
Sampai baring terus bila marah tak dapat sesuatu yang dia nak.

√ Waves bye-bye.
Dua-dua tangan dia hayun. sampai kaki2-kaki pun sama.

√ Says Mama, Dada specific.
Mama boleh, Dada boleh. Daddy pun boleh. Tapi Mommy tak boleh. Birthday present Mommy nanti Musheera tahu nak bagi apa eh. Thanks.

√ Releases toy.
Habis semua toys dia baling.

√ Gives hugs.
Besides hug Mommy, dia suka hug Mousie, Teddy, Tutit, Twinkle, Pinky, Baby Pinky, Miaw Miaw and Doggy kesayangan.

√ Precise grasps.
Kalau dia genggam, susah nak lepas. Suruh lepas, mengangis. Musheera gets what Musheera wants. Yeah right.

√ Walks with support, may take few steps alone.
Dah berlari pun. Kalau keluar jalan-jalan tanak kita pegang tangan dia.

√ May scribble.
Sambil senyum suka, pastu gelak-gelak.

√ One word speech sounds.
Sebut susu sebagai "chuchu". Takda "Nak", takde "Please". Tapi pandai "Meceh" aka Terima Kasih.

√ Plays with toys appropriately (squeaks a squeak toy).
Sampai ke bath tub dia bawa, takde squeak2 lagi dah. Jadi Splett!

√ Bangs two cubes together.
Sambil gelak-gelak menjerit. Cajon Daddy dia pun dia tolong mainkan.

√ Can put one object inside another.
Keluarkan balik, masukkan balik, keluarkan balik, masukkan balik, dan berterusan begitu sampai bosan.

√ Usually insists on self feeding.
Kata Musheera, "Hello Mommy, takkan nak makan biskut pun nak suapkan?"

√ Takes three meals a day. Holds cup to drink. Uses spoon. Plays with saucer.
Bab makan memang favorite, bila masa yang dia tak makan. Takde.

√ May have trouble sleeping. One afternoon nap.

Gesek sana gesek sini. Tonyoh kepala sini tonyoh kepala sana. Tidur tengahari lama, 2 atau 3 jam.

√ Cooperates in dressing.

Yeah, sambil menjerit-jerit suruh cepat.

Alahamdulillah. Baby Mommy dah besar. Dah satu tahun dah darling. Semoga menjadi anak yang solehah. Amin ya Rabb Al Amin.

Birthday Bash

Last Saturday, we hosted a little birthday party for our little 1 year old baby girl. We sort of rented (returnable full deposit) the Pool Terrace at our apartment and it was a success!

I cooked some of my usual Spaghetti and Prawns Aglio Olio, made some Fresh Fruits with oh so yummy Marshmallow Dip, very simple Garden Salad, Assorted Sandwiches including sweet Strawberry Jam Sandwich, rich Cheese Sandwich, savory Egg and Mayo Sandwich, and Tuna and Cucumber Sandwich, and baked some fun Butter Confetti Cupcakes as well as double fun Rainbow Cookies! Mr N bought some of the best in town Chicken and Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce and firing Sambal and some Kuih Bakar. My sis-in-law (SIL) was very much a helper, she made a a tub of fantastic Tropical Punch and hot beverages including Tea and Coffee. Oh, and my Mommy (adopted mom) brought some refreshing Jelly Kelapa and my Mother (biological mother) brought some cute fluffy donuts. Thank you, appreciate it a lot!

Top Left: Foods
Top Middle: Beverages
Top Right: My biological family
Middle Left: My adopted family
Center: Mr N's cousin and his friends
Middle Right: My mother with Musheera
Bottom Left: Musheera slept in Atok Ayah's arms
Bottom Middle: Musheera with Mommy and Daddy
Bottom Right: Birthday Presents

It was an ok weather, but some time in the middle it drizzles. Musheera didn't get to go for a swim, I was afraid that the water might be too cold for her. She has an issue with very cold water.

Musheera with Mommy :)

We had no birthday cake cutting session. We had that already on her actual birthday. No games either, some kids enjoyed swimming. Anyway, it was an enjoyable family get together and most importantly, Musheera enjoys everyone's company.

Thank you for those who comes. Love you much!

Rainbow Cookies

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What a fun cookies!

-by the look.

will it be fun making them...?

UPDATED:


Nope, it was not easy at all.

Needs more practice.

BUT!!

Things to ponder:

1. It was sticky, very sticky. Very difficult to work with
and the cutting part just drives me insane.
My guess is, it may not good for hot weather; and

2. It was time consuming, with all the tinting the colors
and bringing them into the fridge and out and all.

It was not fun to do.

But the result looks fun :)

Happy 1st Birthday Musheera!

At first I wanted to bake a rainbow cake. However, I have not much time after as I had to do it after work and forgot to buy butter. Mr N had to go and buy some after his Big Boys Out. Since I have to make a quick bake, I've decided to make cupcakes instead. Alhamdulillah I got the cupcake liners left.

So I've baked rainbow cupcakes with cream cheese icing (in which takes about almost 2 hours to make) for Musheera's birthday and brought them them to my parents house to celebrate with the family.

Musheera was excited when I bring out the cake. How can you not?

She was clapping her hands and gazing at the cake. When everyone sing her a Happy Birthday song, she was smiling and enjoying it. Oh, what great little baby she is. I'm a proud Mommy :)

Everyone likes the cupcake. One said, "oh, sooo moist!". I'm a proud baker too :)

Happy 1st Birthday Musheera Dearest! Mommy loves you *kiss kiss big hug*

Let's Use Natural Cleaning Solution: VINEGAR

Last but not least, from the Natural Cleaning Solution Series, you can use vinegar for cleaning your:

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Coffeemaker:
Pour equal parts vinegar and water into the machine’s water chamber, then switch on the brew cycle. Halfway through, turn off the coffeemaker and let the solution sit for about an hour. Turn it on again to complete the cycle, then run several cycles with clean water.

Dishwasher:
To disinfect the interior of the machine, pour ½ cup vinegar into the reservoir and run an empty cycle, says Hunter. Or place a small bowl filled with vinegar on the bottom rack and run an empty cycle.

Drains:
Clean drains―and the pipes they’re attached to―by pouring vinegar down them. After 30 minutes, flush with cold water.

Floors:
Add ¼ cup vinegar to a bucket of warm water to clean almost any type of floor except marble (vinegar can scratch it) or wood (vinegar can strip it).

Glassware:
For spotless hand-washed glasses, add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse water.

Moldy walls:
Spray vinegar on the affected areas. After about 15 minutes, rinse and let dry thoroughly.

Showerheads:
To combat mineral deposits, pour vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and knot the handles over the neck of the showerhead, securing with rubber bands. Let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.

Steam iron:
To get rid of mineral deposits, fill the iron with equal parts vinegar and water; press the steam button. Turn off, let cool, empty, and rinse.

Windows:
Mix ¼ cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and a squirt of liquid Castile soap in a spray bottle. Spritz windows and wipe with a sheet of newspaper.

That's the end of the Natural Cleaning Solution Series.

Till next time, I will share on something else relating to domestic chores.

Let's Use Natural Cleaning Solution: COOKING OIL

Salam everyone! Let me continue with my Natural Cleaning Solution Series.

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As promised, I will share with you what you can do with cooking oil besides, well, what else is new, cooking:

Cast-iron pans:
Make a scrubbing paste with vegetable oil and a teaspoon of coarse salt to combat cooked-on debris, then rinse with hot water.

Hands:
To get paint off your skin, rub with vegetable oil, then wash thoroughly with soap.

Leather shoes:
Wipe away dirt with a damp sponge, then apply a drop of vegetable oil to a soft cloth and rub the surface to remove scuff marks. Buff the shoes with a chamois to a shine.

Rattan and wicker furniture:
To prevent rattan and wicker from drying or cracking, lightly brush them with vegetable or sunflower oil and gently rub in with a cloth. Warm the oil on the stove first to thin it and make it easier to apply.

Stainless-steel surfaces:
For extra sparkle, pour olive oil onto a cloth and buff.

Wood furniture:
Make your own polish by mixing 2 cups olive or vegetable oil with the juice of 1 lemon; work it in with a soft cloth. To smooth out scratches in light-colored wood, rub them with a solution of equal parts olive or vegetable oil and lemon juice.

Next item, Vinegar :)

Make Your Own Tag

Salam everyone.

I have made a tag for Musheera's birthday using Picnik.

It's super easy.

Cute, right?

I'm using it for the invites.

Will be using it too all around the party, from decorations to party packs.

Yeay!

Let's Use Natural Cleaning Solution: LEMON

Salam Everyone! I found this tips from here about on tackling countless chores with common household items. Let's go green!

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I love the smell of fresh fizzy of lemons. You can use them to clean your:

Counter tops:
Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle countertops; wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Don’t use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel (it may discolor).

Cutting boards:
To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Dishes:
To increase the grease-cutting power of your dish washing detergent, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Faucets:
Combat lime scale by rubbing lemon juice onto the taps and letting it sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.

Garbage disposal:
Cut a lemon in half, then run both pieces through the disposal. “The lemon cleans it and makes it smell great,” says Linda Mason Hunter, a coauthor of Green Clean.

Grout:
Spilled morning coffee on your tile counter top or backsplash? Here’s how to tackle grout stains: Add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (an acidic salt that acts as a natural bleaching agent) to make a paste. Apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.

Hands:
When you touch raw fish, the smell can linger on your fingers. Rub your hands with lemon juice, which will neutralize the odor.

Laundry:
To brighten whites, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle for a normal-size load.

Plastic food-storage containers:
To bleach stains from tomato soup and other acidic foods on dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let dry in a sunny place, then wash as usual.

I shall continue with cooking oil in my next post. Stay tuned!

Rainbow Party Coming Soon!

As I have posted before here, I am in the midst of preparing for Musheera's 1st Birthday Rainbow Bash! I have mentioned the menus. But since my attempt on making the Lasagna Cups which turns out not so good as expected, I may need a 2nd attempt. Hmm. Or perhaps I should just forget about it entirely. So not cool :(

Some details I'm going to make a few changes so that I don't pass out on the day of party due to the craziness I'm suffering for rainbows. I shall play it cool and don't go over the top. Let me check.

Guest List
Immediate family members

Note: Musheera don't really get along with new faces (with exception to those who loves babies, she can feel your 'aura' and accepts you immediately) hence the invites are for those she normally sees in her daily life.

Date & Day
March 3, 2012 (Saturday)

(Note: Musheera's birthday is actually on the 1st March but since it's on Thursday, we must choose a weekend for everyone's convenience in attending her birthday bash. The nearest weekend to her birthday was picked)

Time
4pm - 5.30pm

(Note: Musheera always have her nap time between 11am to 2pm. She barely sleeps around 4pm-6pm)

Venue
Sri Acappella Apartment Poolside

(Note: Just Because and there's no charging rate except for a reasonable sum of returnable deposit. Better get the venue squeaky clean post-bash!)

F&B
Appetizers
Strawberries, oranges, bananas, kiwis, blueberries and grapes with Marshmallow Dip
Baby tomatoes, baby carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and onions with Lemon-Thyme Dip

(Note: I'll be arranging these into rainbows and their respective dips placed as clouds. Fun right? A step to encourage people, especially children, to eat fruits and vegetables)

Main
Strawberry Jam Sandwich
Cheddar Cheese Sandwich
Egg Sandwich
Cucumber Sandwich
Mixed Berries Sandwich
Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce
Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce
Baked Macaroni and Tuna

(Note: All sandwiches will be arranged into a large plate/tray and it will look like a stripe of rainbow. Fun too right? Other main entrees are Just Because)

Dessert
Marshmallow with White Chocolate Dip and Sprinkles Pop
Butter cake pop with Milk Chocolate Top

(Note: All pops will be placed around the buffet table as decorations too)

Birthday Cake
Vanilla and Confetti Cupcake with various colors of icing

(Note: Cupcakes will be arranged assembling a huge rainbow)

Favors
Rainbow Cookies

(Note: a few cookies will be inserted into a small clear plastic bags and will be heat sealed and a "Thank you" tag stapled on top)

Entertainment
Hi-5 Songs
Coloring Sheets and Crayons/Color Pencils
Bubbles
Playground
Swimming

So now, let's get cranking!

When I was at DEMC, Shah Alam V2.1

Freebies!

Besides the complimentary pouch bag I got during check in,

I received more free stuffs from DEMC!!

Wow, a lot of goodies for new mommy and baby :)

More goodies found inside the far left green box.

But the greatest gift ever goes to...

The gift from Allah the Great and Almighty.

Alhamdulillah.

When I was at DEMC, Shah Alam V2.0

Salam everyone!

I almost forgot that I owed you guys a continued post.

I apologize, I was on a hectic schedule for the past few weeks.

Shall we continue now? Hehe

The first thing that gets my attention was this

Wow! Like hotel maaaa.

Got In-Room Dining Menu.

What a Room Service they have here.
(Mind you, this was my first time being admitted to hospital)

Flipping page to page, I was excited choosing my menus :)

While doing that, I felt like wanting to go the loo.

Yeah, it was cold to the bone.

Boleh tahan juga bilik air dia.

Almost like home.

Back into the room, let's watch some cartoons on the flat screen TV.

This activity keeps me calm while waiting for my labour.

Oh! I almost forgot! One thing that I always do when I enter a room for the first time!

Just look at the view.

I can see only one pillar of the Blue Mosque.
Darn!

Rainbow Cake and Cupcakes

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For my little mushkin's first birthday party, we are going for rainbow theme.

A cake is a must for a birthday party ey?

But for parties, catering more than [perhaps] more than 50 people(!!),
I prefer serving cupcakes rather than a cake
because for eating cupcakes, we:
1. don't need forks or spoons;
2. don't need plates; and most of all
3. don't have to do any cuttings!

I have tried making this cake in somewhere in December last year.

I've made the individual colors of cake layers, plus individual colors of frosting too!

BUT, I only used one batter of cake mix and it turns out looking like "kuih lapis" instead.


Anyway, taste is soooo yummy and many of my relatives gave good reviews.

You know what, am gonna make the cake again on my little mushkin's birthday,

AND butter (cup)cake with variants of rainbow colors icing on her birthday party.

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Can' wait!

UPDATED:

I have baked the butter cupcakes but I have no time to make the variant colors of icing.

Thus, I opt for rainbow cupcakes with cream cheese icing instead.

As for assembling the rainbow shape,
I have sprinkled colorful heart shapes according to the rainbow coordination.


My baby loves it and so does the whole family.

Banoffee Pie

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I've heard about it.

But I've never tasted one.

Looks easy.

Let's see if making it is as easy as just looking at it.

UPDATED:

This one turns out to be too sweet!!

I think I have read the brown sugar measurement wrong.

It says 1/3 cup.

I think I measured 3 cups.

Yikes! That's waaaaaay a lot of sugar!!

Better luck next time.

Black and White Cake

Bakerella said that it is just a cake.

Just a cake?

From a great baker like her would say that it is just a cake.

Unlike, me I wouldn't say that it is just a cake.

It's a Chocolate Layer Cake with White Frosting and Chocolate Ganache.

Now, that's not just a cake.

It's THE CAKE.

THE cake for my biological father's birthday.

Make one.

I'm so in.

I WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

At least try to.


UPDATED:

I have substituted the white frosting to whipping cream.

I have added a layer of chocolate mousse and slices of fresh strawberries.

And more strawberries in halves as decoration.

Note to self:

1. Lessen the whipping cream and keep the layer thin;
2. Omit the strawberry slices as a layer because they causes the cake tasted sour; and
3. Add more of chocolate mousse for layer.

Lasagna Cups

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What izz thizzz?

Lasagna?

Are you out of your mind? It zzoundz very difficult!!

Zzzzome may not get to pronounce it right, what more to make zzzome of theeeze.

I have to make theeeze by thizzzz week?

Lemme zzzee the ingredientzzz, whether I can get them near my uzzzual grozzzery zzztrore.

I will only need 3 ingredientzzzzz. What?? Izzzzit it even pozzzzible?

A-ha! I only need wantan wrapperzzz, tomato zauzzze, and mozzarella cheeze, eyyyy.

I WILL DO IT!
*Shakes hand and nods at the same time*

UPDATED:


Turns out it is not as easy as I thought it would be.

The layers. Yes, the layers are just time consuming.

I didn't find any wantan wrapper from my favourite grocery store,
so I used lasagna noodles instead.

Maybe that's why the recipe says wantan wrapper,
coz lasagna noodle just don't hold the cupcake shape nicely.
Some even began to fall apart.
So I put them in their respective individual cupcake wrapper.

And I added mince beef in my tomato sauce.

The taste, is yummeh!

But I don't know if I'll ever do it again.

Only if I have free times, yes I would.

And if I find wantan wrapper.

10 months!

Salam everyone! Today, Musheera is 10 months and 3 weeks old :) she's almost 1 year old now!! mommy dia super excited nak celebrate her first birthday party (or should i say birthday bash? But I lagi suka the word party). Memang plan nak buat birthday party untuk munchkin ni, (siap berangan nak panggil Hi-5 from Australia tu. Hihi.) but since we're going on a holidays in the same month, kena cut budget sikit. So sorry la kawan-kawan and extended families. We have tofollow our Plan B, buat simple je with close family members. Itu pun dah kira ramai yang amat.Mana taknya, my own family je dah ramai. My adopted family AND biological family, dah lebih dari 30 orang tau. So tambah lagi dengan Mr N's family, boleh kata total in 40 pax la.

Ok, tak sabar nak plan party ni punya pasal, I have done gazzilions of research on the preparing for the party. Banyaknya theme yang sesuai for 1st birthday, ada cookies and milk, sesame street, rainbow, my little ponies, ABC, nursery rhymes, and etc. But I have made a decision, the theme is going to be...... jen jeng jeng!!! RAINBOW!!!

Research punya research. These are the ideas that I'm gonna use for the party:

Rainbow Fresh Fruits with Marshmallow Dip.
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Rainbow Fresh Vegetables with Ranch Dressing
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Rainbow Sandwich Bites

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Rainbow Cookies
(I'm gonna make this lots as favors so I can give to extended families, friends and office mates)
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Rainbow paper chain as decor
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Other non-rainbow foods I'm gonna add to the menu:

Lasagna Cupcakes
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Chicken Nuggets, Fish Fingers and French fries.

The reason behind the chosen menu is because 1 year old babies start to eat by themselves using their hands or fingers. They chose to discover the texture of foods by their bare hands and won't opt of forks or spoons. So that's why I will be preparing finger foods ONLY. So don't expect forks or spoons will be provided (unless if my mom insisted on providing cutlery).