PINKYLEONA

 

Eidulfitri this year feels like no different than last year, although we are totally at different location. Last year, we are in state -different than my mom/my husband's mom. This year, although we are at the same state with husband's mom, we still cannot go back hometown because we are at different disctricts.

So, our small family of 3 had super simple celebration.

However, days before Eid, my husband booked a studio photoshoot session -just like every other year. Photoshoot done, and we are currently (at this time of writing) waiting for our poster frame to arrive! Cannot wait to add it to our collection soon (will update later)..

Due to Covid-19 (cannot believe we are hitting 2 years in pandemic!), some traditions have changed tremendously. Raya money packets is no longer in money packets, but was online transferred..

Anyway, on the day of Eid, we started the day with dressing up and start video calling family members at other places. Some is even in different country! Until about 11 am, Seff was drowsy and sleep in his Raya attire. And the routine goes about like this : eat - VC - eat - VC - eat (maybe Raya cookies) - sleep - play - eat.. LOL 

This is what we eat all day until the following day (2nd day of Raya). I cook less than last year, but everyone is full and happy, Alhamdulillah

Until next post!

We celebrated the 2020 Eid totally different, like never before, away from our family. As a small family of three, our preparation is considered minimal and small  

When Seff is born, we made promise of going to the studio to have our proper photo (cuz we need help badly, with the posing direction and all) taken every Eid, hoping this will be the one tradition we will never skip.. Plus we really like to see Seff's look progresses every year (but this 3rd isn't much different than his 2nd raya?)..

Obviously recycled, from Seff's Aqiqah heheheheh

This is the one thing I made that is totally different than previous years. Every year, I usually made 2 to 3 types of Raya cookies, while topping up with mom's signature Pineapple Tarts. But since I can't have my Pineapple tarts this year, and shipping them from my mom's would be impossible (super fragile cookies, will break to pieces), so I decided to make my own Pineapple tarts.

As early as the 1st day of Ramadhan, I asked everyone for cookies recipes, including my SIL's signature Dahlia Susu. I made them all.. (and proud of myself!)

And while Almond London is my expertise, I know the best combo for this gifting hamper/gift to our neighbors would be this :

And they loved it (especially the Almond London)

But I made a total of 6 types of Raya cookies : Pineapple tarts, Cadbury tarts, Almond London, Dahlia Susu, Red Velvet Chocolate Chip cookies and Rice Krispies in cups. I clear up the Rice Krispies (straight into my tummy) in no time.. HAHA

I also made some cookies to my family around the same area (in jars of larger quantity) as mine

I started cooking my own (definitely non-crispy!) Rendang and Raya dishes (either Curry, Ayam Masak Merah, Kuah Kacang or Lodeh) in my first year of marriage. Pre-marriage, I used to help my mom cook, while being in-charge of/the one who cook Ayam Masak Merah in large scale) 

So, cooking is definitely an easy task for me this year. Rendang Daging is cooked the day before cuz they tasted better the next day, and Sayur Lodeh on the Raya morning (cuz veges stay fresher this way). Our Raya Food including :

The meals that can come out from this (if you wonder) would be :

Signature Raya Dish : (A) + (B) + (C) + (F)

Roti Jala : (E) + (D)

Lontong : (B) + (F) + (G) + (H)

and mix (and match) them all according to your liking!

Since we are in lockdown, we spent our Raya day video chatting with our family, and all of Seff's Duit Raya received through online banking. Reached MYR1000 already.. Well, kids nowadays..

I hope everyone is having a good time this year despite the Movement Control Order (MCO). I know everyone is celebrating differently -some able to went home after months of being away, some loses job, and others have their own story..

Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir & Batin to all !

Until next post!

It is never too late to wish everyone..

SALAM AIDILFITRI, MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN

since all June is still Syawal month.

Alhamdulillah, we get to celebrate this Eid with Seff (his 2nd year), and hopefully we made progress on the photo (I want to see how he changes through the years)

Look less chubby, okay.. cannot wait for next year!

Preparation for Eid this year feel a little bit different, not sure if it is because last year I am on super long leave off work, or is it because we just moved to our 2nd place, or what..

Preparing for Eid usually involves :

1. Baju Raya (Set of matching, Malay traditional clothes)

2. Kuih Raya (Festive cookies, varies from one house to another)

3. Duit Raya (Money packet, is practiced as a gift to family and especially children)

This year, I allocated money for :

1. My Grandmother

2. My mom

3. My Husband (just because I want to)

4. My handsome baby, Euseff

5. My relatives : niece/nephew, cousins of younger age, children of my cousins

6. Others : My staff's kids and also random kids I feel like I want to

But I do expect nothing in return. I believe by giving away some of my money, I am making someone else's happy, it is probably the good thing they will remember about me because we usually meet once a year

Like my second cousin below (Malaysian know him by his staged name : AJAK SHIRO), definitely, definitely met his family once a year (or longer than a year)..

.. or NOT! hahaha we met again at a wedding recently (also in month Syawal)

I was born in Kuala Lumpur, but my relatives are mostly now in Johore and Singapore (mom's side).

During Eid, visiting family is a must, especially now that my FIL is down with stroke, a lot of people came to his house to pay a visit. In return, Seff's Raya Money Packet also exceeded last year's in the span of only 4 days! (4 figures)

Note : Therefore I never had a doubt giving away large money too, because it is like return back to Seff (one should always believe in Rezeki) And the money collected is being kept/invested in low risk, low return channel..

Our Eid this year is the best one celebrated, of course since this is our first Raya with Seff. The colour theme chosen is decided way before Ramadhan starts. So Royal Purple it is 💜

(Which matched with our PM Tun Dr Mahathir's hehe)

Our Raya shopping starts in Day 3 Ramadhan, we went to Freeport A'Famosa Outlet Malacca to get Babah's and Seff's baju melayu pair and Seff's first NIKE shoes

Later we added matching sampins for Babah and Seff (same colour, exact same prints). Acu (my little brother) also bought ketayap for Seff -matches our 2nd Raya Outfit

Every year we will be celebrating Raya in both sides, of course, making it important to have 2 formal pairs/sets. So our 2nd formal pair's theme is Gold & Olive 💛💚

Our Official Raya Photoshoot

We bought the gold baby romper at Gene Martino, and bought matching sampin again there too (Seff's sampin is for later purposes : his Akikah)

And then mommy bought some new clothes for Seff from NEXT to match with our casual raya -in Baby Blue colour scheme 💙

Mommy's baby!

Seff's top is from NEXT UK

Around 2 weeks before Raya we went to our final shopping at H&M for our next casual raya in White/Embroidery theme

First casual pair

Our outfits (Seff & I) are from H&M while Babah's top is from an Indonesian local brand

We spent the first Raya in Johor (my side). The most exciting (but with low expectation) part in Seff's Raya is definitely receiving money packets! 🎁

Seff, our rainbow baby is definitely blessed. In less that a week he got more than MYR600. And there are 3 more weeks to go!

(Still havent meet all my uncles and aunties from my mom's side. And God bless, they are superbly generous!)

Updated in my Instastories

We major-LOVING this Raya and certainly hope everyone is enjoying theirs' too!

Salam Aidilfitri, maaf zahir dan batin ❤

With love,

Syera, Andy & Seff