Category: Travel

Our meanderings

Find of the Week: Amazing Cupcakes Delivered to your Door (Dangerous, I Know)

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Who likes cupcakes?  And I’m not talking about the beautifully-decorated but only kind-of-sweet cupcakes that you find in most Bangkok hotel bakeries.  I’m talking about real cupcakes – the kind where the cake is succulent and moist and the buttercream icing is divinely sweet and perfectly coiffed on top.  I’m talking about a bakery with a selection of both traditional and creative (without being totally wacky) flavors – and, here is the kicker, one that takes special orders and delivers directly to your doorstep.  That bakery is Sparkles, and its owner and creator, Khun Sophie.

Yummy Sparkles cupcakes

Now I realize that having a thing for cupcakes is very American, and I’m the first to admit that I signed on to the craze that hit Washington, DC in 2008 when Georgetown Cupcake exploded onto the scene.  But other than being the only bakery in town that can truly make an amazing cupcake, Sparkles even has my at-home-equivalent cupcakery beat when it comes to customer service.  Khun Sophie is not only a master baker, she is a people person.  She runs her bakery with a very personal touch by engaging with her customers and knowing them by name.  Now that is something that you definitely can’t get at most well-known bakeries at home.

Sparkles is located in Thong Lor at:  2/6 Sukhumvit Soi 53, (Soi Paidee-Madee), phone:  +66 (0)81 136 3367.  CNN Go also raved about Sparkles in this 2010 online review.

If you’re a cupcake person, I bet with one visit to Sparkles you’ll be hooked.  Become a big enough fan and you can even get on the bakery’s email list to receive alerts about new flavors.   Over Christmas, Sophie featured cupcake flavors such as:  Chocolate and Roasted Chestnuts, Peppermint, Gingerbread and Molasses, Pecan and Maple Syrup, and Toffee and Vanilla.  You can bet when I got that email I made a call to order a couple dozen cupcakes for our Christmas cocktail party.  Really, how can you go wrong?

Baby booties on cupcakes . . . perfect for a baby shower!

Giant cupcake

Sparkles' Giant Cupcake - serves 20 and can be made in the flavor of your choice!

Now that we’ve got cupcakes covered, the next question is, when will some genius baker in Bangkok open up a delicious cake pop bakery?  It can’t be too far behind, right?

Let’s Get Ready for Easter!

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For the last few days, I’ve been wandering the net looking for fun Easter craft and baking ideas.  Getting ready for and celebrating the holidays is so much fun with little ones around!  I thought I’d share some of my favorite finds thus far with you, if for no other reason than to get you into the Easter spirit.

One more thing – if you haven’t yet discovered Pinterest, you should!  It’s a site that lets you organize and share things and ideas that you find on the web.  The beauty in Pinterest is that you can browse pinboards created by other people for specific ideas on recipes or decorating (for example), which is an effortless and fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.  For more of my favorite Easter craft and baking ideas (those not featured below), click my Pinterest link (the red “P”) in the right hand column of my webpage.  Happy Browsing!

Melted Crayon Eggs

Sourced from:  Disney Family Fun

When the most humble of art supplies meets the shell of a just-boiled egg, the crayon wax softens, and the colors swirl together in a magical way. The results are fast, fun, and gorgeous.

Materials
  • white eggs
  • tongs
  • empty egg carton
  • crayons
Instructions
  1. Hard-boil white eggs. Remove them from the hot water with tongs or a slotted spoon, dry them, and rest them in an empty egg carton or on plastic bottle caps (an adult’s job).
  2.  Color them with the crayons’ tips or remove the paper coverings and use the crayons’ sides. For a speckled effect, grate a crayon and sprinkle the bits over the eggs. The waxy eggs are very slippery, so take care when turning them to color the underside.
  3. When you’re done coloring, leave them to dry for about an hour.

Naturally-Dyed Easter Eggs

Sourced From:  Better Homes and Gardens

Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.

Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Jade Green
Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Green-Yellow
Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Orange
Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Red-Orange
Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Yellow
Rich yellow: Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Various shades: Steep 4 bags of chamomile or green tea in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes.
Pale yellow: Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.

Brown-Gold
Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Brown
Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup strong coffee.

Pink
Faint pink: Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Dark pink: Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.

Lavender
Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

Chocolate-Dipped Easter Peeps

Sourced From:  Love From the Oven

For the how-to, click here.

Cereal Treat Easter Eggs

Sourced From:  In Katrina’s Kitchen

Ingredients:
·        ¼ c butter
·        10 oz bag of marshmallows
·        5 c cereal (I used Fruity Pebbles)
Directions:
1.   In a large pan melt butter using medium heat.
2.   Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
3.   Pour in the cereal and mix to incorporate.
4.   Spray plastic eggs with cooking spray. I found it was easiest to use eggs that split vertically. You could just use 1 or 2 eggs for this process as the cereal does not take long to take the shape of the egg.

5.   Spoon the cereal mixture into each half of the egg then close egg to form shape. Pop cereal out after about 10 seconds.

Find of the Week: The Perfect Place for Aspiring Young Musicians

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All toddlers I know love music. They love to make music, dance to music, and share the joy of music with friends. Playing new instruments and discovering new sounds is a powerful creative outlet for children.  Some of the most joyous times in our home are the ones spent testing out new musical instruments and dancing wildly, boldly, and comically to our favorite songs.

Not so long ago a friend of mine asked me if I had stumbled upon the music store across from La Monita*.  Despite the great many times we had been to La Monita, I hadn’t seen the place, so I decided to make a special trip.  From the outside, it’s hard to get a glimpse of what’s inside IQ Plus Music (located in Mahatun Plaza off of Ploenchit Road) because of the dark-tinted windows; however, once you venture inside, you’ll find a wall full of colorfully-decorated high-quality musical instruments for children of all ages.  This place has everything from egg shakers to rainbow music hand bells, ukuleles, and bongos.  The instruments are so visually attractive with fun shapes and colors that they are certain to spark the interest of even the most undecided of young musicians.

Check out the awesome alligator xylophone - I want one!

On top of the high-quality selection of beautiful instruments, the staff at IQ Plus Music is extremely helpful in informing your decision about which instruments suit your child at a certain age and musical ability.  Vice President Quincy Yu, who worked in the same business in California for several years, was an enormous help to me when I was in search of an instrument that would introduce my toddler to musical range.  Definitely seek him out if you make a trip to IQ Plus Music.

 

Store details:

IQ Plus Music
888/110 Mahatun Plaza Building
Ploenchit Road, Lumpini
Phone:  02-651-4062
Web:  www.iqplusmusic.com

*If you haven’t been to La Monita, consider this post a “Double-Find of the Week.”   La Monita, also located in Mahatun Plaza off of Ploenchit Road, is easily some of the best Mexican food in town.  The nachos and cali tacos are amazing.  Yum!  If you’re with your with your toddler, they’ll do a “mini-quesadilla” and a side of Spanish rice and beans.

Find of the Week: The Jackpot for Car Enthusiasts

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The first word our toddler says in the morning is “car.”  The last word he says at night is “car.”  I’m pretty sure I’ve even heard him say “car” in his sleep.  We’ve determined that most of this is a result of genetics.  Both of Logan’s grandfathers have collectively been proud owners of Porsches, BMWs, Audis, and Corvettes.  Logan’s dad is a regular subscriber to Car and Driver.  There are actually times that I find myself wrestling Car and Driver away from Dad so that Logan can get his fill.  Other times, I find them watching youtube clips from The Fast and Furious or various versions of “Addison’s Pimped Car Slide Show,” oohing and ahhing at the screen.  They can often be found playing race car video games at different locations around town (as evidenced by the below).  At home, our coffee table has become a race track.  Given the persuasions of his genealogy, I’m guessing this is not just a passing phase.

It was a close race, but in the end Daddy prevailed

Logan even managed to pull his Gran into the youtube car action during her last visit

So, when my husband and I discovered a table full of “pull back” model car replicas outside of Central World, we knew we had hit the jackpot.  Dozens of model cars to choose from (what you see on the table is only a small fraction of what the vendor has stored underneath his booth) – Lamborghinis, Hummers, Volkswagen Beetles, Ford GTs, Porsche Carreras, BMW M5s, Audi Q5s, Dodge Rams . . . name your car, and this guy probably has it.  In fact, you can even find concept cars at this guy’s table, our latest purchase being a Volkswagen Microbus Concept that never made it to production – how’s that for a good selection?

You think this is impressive? Ask to see Mr. Cat’s under-the-table stash!

So who is the man with the cars?  His nickname is Khun Maaeo (yes, Mr. Cat – fitting, don’t you think) and his booth is located on Rajadamri Road, just to the right of Central World. One look at us, and Khun Maaeo started at 199 baht for the mid-size models and 259 baht for the larger ones.  Just like any outdoor vendor in Thailand, prices are very bargain-able.  The absurd thing is, a quick online search shows that similar (although, undoubtedly, much higher quality) model cars can cost up to hundreds of dollars.  Unless you’re going for a very fancy, collectible showcase of model cars, I tend to think the $3-5 type will suit a car-crazed toddler just fine.  Our yellow Porsche Cayman has suffered a side-view mirror casualty, but so far that has been our only casualty — which is pretty impressive given the amount of use Logan’s cars get everyday.  So if you have a car-happy toddler at home and you happen to be out on the town and find yourself near Central World, visit Mr. Cat.  Any one of the cars is bound to bring your toddler hours of joy.

Three Toddler-Friendly Weekend Escapes from Bangkok

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Bangkok.  Bustling, boisterous, beguiling Bangkok.  A vibrant, exciting city to live in, but let’s face it, sometimes you just need to a break; an escape for the soul, if you will.  About once a month when we decide a weekend excursion out of the city is in order, we generally look for a place that Bangkok is not:  calm, quiet, and green.  We aspire for our toddler to hear, see and experience nature, to star-gaze, to bob in the ocean, to sink his feet into green grass, to run, trip, and tumble across great expanses.  If you want to get technical, you can do almost all of those things in Lumpini Park, but bobbing in the murky green water with the monitor lizards is not really the kind of nature we’re looking for.

During our first year and a half in Thailand, we’ve discovered many getaway gems, but it is the following ones that keep us going back for more.  They are toddler-friendly, reasonably-priced, and an easy two-to-three hour drive out of town.  They require minimal planning and reward with maximum enjoyment; altogether a pretty sweet deal.

  1. Rim Phae Beach, Rayong

When the sand and surf call, we head southeast.  Our family has traveled to Rim Phae Beach at least half a dozen times; enough to consider it our “home away from home.”  We stay in a small community of large homes on the beach.  The three-story, three-bedroom homes are ideal for a quiet family-only getaway, or can easily accommodate two-to-three families for a regaling weekend away.  We spend our days swimming in the pool, playing in the sand, taking dips in the ocean, grilling on our patio, strolling down the beach in search of local cuisine, admiring the bright orange sunsets – you get the point.  When it’s too hot out to play, we jump in the car and visit Rayong Aquarium (for 30 baht/person, admission is a steal!), check out surrounding local villages, or nap.  If we’re feeling particularly adventurous, we hire a speedboat from our beachfront to Koh Samet – a 20-minute jaunt away.

Giggles on Rim Phae Beach

Crystal Beach is lush, serene, and private.  While it pains me to give away details on our best kept getaway secret, I would feel remiss in my toddlejoy duties if I didn’t, so here goes:

  • Drive:  2.5 hours (part highway, part local roads)
  • Stay:  The Crystal Beach House or Rayong Beach Villa
  • Expect to pay:  Around 6,000 baht/night (if you share with another family, split the cost and it becomes 3,000 baht/night, etc. etc.)
  • Bring:  sunscreen, beach/pool toys, food for grilling

2. Khao Yai

When the mountains call, we head northeast.  Billing itself as Thailand’s wine and cowboy country, Khao Yai boasts an eclectic mix of steakhouses and wineries.  As you drive past vacation homes and restaurants, you are oddly-reminded of Tuscany, Napa, and Bordeaux.  Khao Yai is also home to Thailand’s largest national park, Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site.  The air is fresh, the surrounds are green and rolling, and the wildlife is plentiful.  Khao Yai is where we go to really relax.  And dare I forget to mention, Khao Yai is where Logan goes to get his tractor and golf cart fix (as evidenced by the pictures below).  There is plenty to do in Khao Yai, but what you should not miss is the following:  a trip to Khao Yai National Park (whether a two-hour drive in the park to satisfy a baby/toddler nap session or a guided hike); an afternoon lunching at PB Valley Khao Yai Winery (eat the food, perhaps skip the wine); and a visit to Chokchai Farm (if you’re not up for the entire three-hour tour of Chokchai, you can ask to meet up with the tour at specific points, such as the petting zoo).  There are a bundle of places to stay in Khao Yai, so make sure to do your research.  Use Agoda to book in order to get the best deals.  We have been so spoiled by one resort in particular, that we refuse to stay anywhere else (details below).

In tractor heaven at PB Valley Winery

Sweet electric ride at the Muthi Maya

  • Drive:  2 hours (mostly highway)
  • Stay: Kirimaya Resort (hotel) or Muthi Maya Resort (private pool villas)
  • Expect to pay:  On Agoda, rates usually run USD 148/night for a standard room at the Kirimaya, and USD 237/night for a private pool villa at Muthi Maya
  • Bring:  hiking clothes, bathingsuits, bug spray

3. Kanchanaburi

When we’re tired of going east, we go northwest.  In a full admission of honesty, we’ve done Kanchanaburi far fewer times than Rayong and Khao Yai.  In fact, we’ve only done it once.  But I can tell you, one trip is enough to know we’ll be going back.  Although a little bit more difficult to reach than Khao Yai, it has all of the natural beauty of Khao Yai and then some.  It is not as crowded or as developed as Khao Yai, and if you’re a true adventurer, it offers bundles of waterfalls, springs, and day-hikes to explore.  If you’re the athletic type, keep an eye out for the River Kwai International Half Marathon, which takes place in Kanchanaburi every year.  Couple a short getaway with the success of completing a half-marathon, and I’d say you have a pretty good weekend on your hands.  As for accommodations, utilize Agoda to find the best deals and the resort of your choice.  We really enjoyed the private pool villa at the Mida Resort (details below), which is located on a beautiful swath of the River Kwai.

Enjoying the natural beauty of the River Kwai

Checking out the resort with mommy

Swimming at our private pool villa (yes, colorful balls included)!

  • Drive:  2.5-3 hours (some highway, mostly local roads)
  • Stay:  Mida Resort
  • Expect to pay:  On Agoda, rates usually run USD 59/night for a superior room or USD 157/night for a one-bedroom private pool villa
  • Bring:  hiking clothes, bathingsuits, bug spray