http://mamaera.fotopages.com/ actually i'm malaysian and i'm a full time housewife.i like to share my memories and recipes with family and friends..and also to friends that i don't know yet.... Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:26:40 GMT Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:26:40 GMT http://www.fotopages.com/images/rss_logo.gif http://shw.fotopages.com/ 40 60 Hari Selasa 15-07-08, tak de xtvt apa-apa hari nie cuma suami kene ke cyber cafe utk buat keje dia sikit dan tgh hari pulak ada 'urusan kerajaan'.... :-D Pada hari Rabu 16-07-08, pagi2 dah siap nak berangkat balik. Selepas sarapan pagi dan siapkan semua brg,dgn bekalan yg disediakan oleh Dayang..kita pun mula bersalam dan ucapkan terima kasih atas layanan Dayang sekeluarga sepanjang kita di London.Memang best kat sini, dgn hidangan makanan...sedappp.... :P :P Hanya Allah swt hanya akan membalas budi mereka dan tak lupa kepada Kak Ani walaupun sibuk dgn kerja tapi masih mampu melayan kita anak beranak. Jangan lupa buat kunjungan balas sekiranya kita masih lagi di sini.... Pukul 7.00 pg, kita mulakan perjalanan ke Dover, kene kejar ferry pukul 10.00pg. Perjalanan dr London ke Dover 142km dan mengambil masa yg pjg jugak krn traffic jam sepjg jln. Kita sampai di Dover kurang 15 minit dr 10.00pg. Terus check in masuk ferry. Alhamdulillah....sepjg perjalanan tadi,berdebar-debar jugak takut tertinggal ferry.. ;-) Perjalanan dr Dover ke Dunkerque dgn Norfolkline Ferry mengambil masa 1 jam 45 minit. So apa lagi mama terasa penat sgt, bawak anak2 ke ruang tv dan mama pun terlelap kat atas sofa....kepenatan....alahai padahal tak driving pun.... :lol_crash: Sampai di Dunkerque,France pada pukul 12 pm lebih kurang dan kita plan teruskan perjalanan ke Brugge,Belgium..singgah makan lunch kat sana..Dunkerque ke Brugge tak jauh...76km ...Kita sampai di Brugge pada pukul 1pm dan singgah lunch di tepi jln tepi sungai..cantikkk....tak de gmbr krn sibuk makan..... LOL Pas tu teruskan perjalanan dari Brugge ke Hamburg, Germany 658km , kita singgah di bbp stesen minyak dan papa pun kene berehat sikit, minum kopi dan teruskan perjalanan lagi..Mama nak tolong drive jugak tp kene ketawa je..Papa kata dgn anak-anak.."If mama drive , tahun depan baru kita sampai ke rumah"....hishhhh...ada ke? :lol_crash: Kita sampai ke Hamburg,Germany pada pukul 12 tgh malam, anak2 dah tidur lena dlm kereta..kasihan pulak...bila terkejut je dan check in hotel, anak-anak mengadu kelaparan..alahai kasihan...so papa pun gi cari restoran dan bawak makanan balik ke hotel dan kita makan-makan dan selepas tu.....apa lagi...tidurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......rehat sebelum kita teruskan perjalanan lagi.... ;-) * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNFghIFQmaI Orait....simple resipi...layan... UDANG MENTEGA BERPERISA Sumber : Buku Masakan Popular Malaysia Bahan: 600gm udang besar minyak utk menggoreng 3 camb susu segar 3 biji telur ( ambil kuningnya sahaja) 2 camb majerin /mentega 1 camb bawang putih yg dicincang 6 biji cili padi (dititik) sedikit daun kari Bahan perap: 1 biji telur ( ambil kuningnya shj) 1 camb tepung beras Cara: 1. Cuci dan tuskan udang.Potong sesungutnya ttp jgn buang kulitnya. Kemudian belah bahagian belakangnya secar memanjang serta buangkan uratnya. Lap dan keringkan dgn kertas dapur atau tuala. 2. Campurkan kedua-dua jenis bahan perap dan kacau sehingga sebati. Kemudian masukkan udang dan gaul hingga rata. Biarkan utk kira-kira 15-20 minit. 3. Pijarkan minyak, goreng udang hingga keperang-perangan. Angkat dan tuskan. 4. Masukkan susu segar dan kuning telur ke dalam mangkuk, kacau rata. 5. Cairkan mentega dalam kuali panas. Tuangkan susu segar serta kuning telur ke dalamnya dengan perlahan-lahan. Goreng atas api keil sambil dikacau-kacau supaya campuran telur itu menjadi butiran halus. 6. Masukkan udang,bawang putih,cili padi dan daun kari. Tumiskan atas api besar sehingga rata panasnya. 7. Angkat dan hidangkan panas-panas. :P :P Dapat gift nie dari AlongRoz dan Kak Lin...... TO ALONGROZ & KAK LIN http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1640548 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Pada hari Isnin 14-07-08, kita bawak Zahir dan Ika gi shopping di Oxford Street. Budak 2 org nie tak henti2 nak cari dan beli game utk Nintendo wii dan Nintendo ds....adoiii...pening kepala sampai kita sendiri pun tak reti nak beli apa utk diri sendiri...at last sebelum naik bas nak balik,kita beli je lah sepasang kasut dan handbag Clark, beli yg murah semuanya cuma GBP45 je. Sebenarnya kita tak berapa suka belanja lebih utk beli pakaian, handbag...kita lebih suka belanja lebih utk barangan dapur dan perhiasan rumah...pelik kan? Maybe dah sampai ke peringkat yg kita rasa semua accessories yg mahal2 nie tak perlu...minat bertukar lebih ke benda lain... Lagipun kita nie duduk di rumah je dan if beli pun , rasanya berdebu jugak nmpknya nanti.... :-D :-D :-D Resipi hari nie.... BANANA CHOCOLATE RICE MUFFIN Ingredients A: 3 cups self raising flour 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup chocolate rice - option 1/2 cup descicated coconut - option Ingredients B: 1 egg - beaten 3/4 cup cooking oil or melted butter 1 cup milk 3 mashed ripe bananas Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the egg, oil, mashed bananas and milk in a large mixing bowl and beat together. In another bowl place the flour, sugar, descicated coconut and chocolate chips and mix. Pour in the liquid into the dry mix and stir until just blended. Line a muffin tray with paper muffin cases, and then fill each case to just below the top with the muffin mixture. Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes. http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1637598 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Pada hari ke 3 iaitu hari Ahad, 13-07-08, hari nie kita sekeluarga gi sightseeing di London,naik Big Bus Company...bayaran GBP58.00 utk sefamili. Tiket utk 2 hari termasuk river pass jugak.... Kita tak sempat ke Madame Tassauds...lagipun org yg berbaris masuk ke situ,pjgggg........For the truth, papa pun tak berminat...katanya , 'tak nak tgk patung-patung tu...' :-D :-> :-> ;-) * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KI21q-NCAg Resipi hari nie... IKAN MASIN GORENG ASAM - resipi dr Bro Mat Gebu blogspot , thanks ... Sumber: Florence Tan Bahan-Bahannya : 140 g daging ikan kurau, hiris nipis dan rendam sekejap, toskan - kita guna ikan masin jenis lain yg dibeli dr kedai Thai... 2 tangkai cili kering, cuci bersih, dan potong serong 5 biji bawang merah, hiris halus 3 ulas bawang putih, hiris halus 1/2 cm halia, hiris halus 300 ml jus asam jawa 1 1/2 camca besar gula 1/2 camca teh lada sulah Cara membuatnya : 1. Panaskan minyak (dalam 1/2 cawan), goreng ikan masin tadi hingga garing, angkat dan toskan. Alih ke dalam pinggan sesuai. 2. Cedok keluar minyak dan tinggalkan 3 camca besar. Tumis cili kering, bawang merah, bawang putih dan halia hingga wangi. Masukkan air asam dan biar mendidih. 3. Tambah gula dan serbuk lada sulah dan renih hingga kuah pekat. Angkat dan tuang atas ikan masin tadi. Hidangkan segera dengan nasi hangat atau bubur nasi... http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1633793 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Kali nie kita sambung lagi pasal cuti....Pada pagi sabtu 12-07-08, kita semua bangun awal tapi tak leh bergerak ke mana-mana lagi krn counter kat airport nak claim pram yg hilang semlm buka pada pukul 9.00 pg. Selepas sarapan pagi kita pun bergerak ke airport semula dan tunggu papa ke counter claim brg hilang. Dalam masa 15 minit, papa serong pram si era tu..alhamdulillah...... Kita pun naik bas express ke rumah Kak Ani. Pada tgh hari baru sampai di rumah Kak Ani dan Kak Ani dah siap makanan....Terima kasih byk2 Kak Ani...selera sungguh makan, pas ada keropok lagi tu...pada petang pulak kita pun bergerak ke Bicester Village... Ke Bicester Village pun ambil masa jugak...Bicester Village adalah tempat shopping tapi semuanya kedai branded tapi hgnya kira murahlah dari hg kat kedai di London. Kita tak de beli apa2 pun, cuci mata je..nmpknya tak de yg menambat hati setakat nie...oleh kerana dah sampai di sana , papa dan zahir beli kasut utk diri masing-masing. So layan video kat bawah....... * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uhQF8lNk1o Resipi kali nie..... CUCUR UDANG Bahan-bahan: 500 gram tepung gandum udang -potong kecik2 daun kuchai 1 biji telur 1 sudu teh soda bikarbonat bawang besar (potong halus) garam secukup rasa sedikit kunyit air secukupnya minyak utk menggoreng Cara: 1. Masukkan semua bahan di atas ke dalam satu mangkuk besar.Tambahkan air hingga adunan menjadi boleh dijemput.Jangan terlalu pekat atau terlalu cair. 2. Panaskan minyak. Sudukan atau jemputkan adunan ke dalam minyak yang betul-betul panas.Goreng hingga kekuningan.Angkat dan hidang dalam pinggan. SOS CILI CHEF WAN Bahan-bahan: 8 batang chili merah dimesin halus 2 ulas bawang putih ditumbuk halus 1 cawan gula halus ¼ cawan air ¼ cawan cuka 4 camca besar sos napla 4 camca besar kacang tumbuk CARA: 1. Didalam periuk masak bahan-bahan A sampai pekat umpama sirap gula. Sebelum dihidangkan ditabur kacang tumbuk . 2. Sos cili dimakan dgn cucur udang....yummy..... :P :P http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1631133 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Memang lama dah balik dari cuti tapi entahlah rasa tak de mood pulak nak update fp.. rasanya masih tak puas cuti..... :-D :-D Summer Holiday Part 1 Kita mula perjalanan pada hari Jumaat petang,tunggu papa balik keje.Kita naik train dr Helsinki ke Tampere (1jam 56minit) dan dari Tampere ke Pirkala airport naik bas pulak (40 minit). Sampai di airport, panjangnya barisan sampai ke luar bangunan. Pirkala airport kecik je. Mesti tertanya2 knp jauh sgt perjalanan sampai kene ke Pirkala airport nie. Sebenarnya budget flight landing kat sini , oleh krn kita low cost travelling/holiday so mcm nie lerrr..... LOL LOL Flight dr Tampere - Stansted pulak jam 11.00pm dan mengambil masa selama lebih dari 2 jam sampai di Stansted. Sampai di Stansted jam 11.55pm (waktu UK,lambat 2 jam dr Finland)..semua dah kepenatan..pas tu bila nak pass UK border tu,kene beratur pjggggggg...pas tu byk soalan lagi tu..adoii......luckily lepas jugak akhirnya.... Check in beg cuma satu je so senang lah...tak de masalah tp pram era pulak yg tak de..kita tunggu hampir sejam kat airport bersama dgn org lain yg kehilangan pram dan sama flight jugak tu..lastly we give up, tak larat nak tunggu lagi so kita pun check in hotel lerrr ,hotel tak jauh ,5 minit naik teksi..sampai hotel kita semua makan sekejap dan terus tidurrrr...... Ok..utk resipi kali nie...Kari Asam Pedas Ikan Tenggiri, resipi dari Kak Rinn fp (Kari Asam Pedas Patin)...Terima kasih Kak Rinn... KARI ASAM PEDAS IKAN TENGGIRI Bahan-bahan : Ikan tenggiri , dibersihkan (Boleh diganti dengan ikan lain seperti patin, ikan merah, pari dsb nya) 1 biji bawang besar, dimayang 3 biji bawang putih, diketuk 2 inci halia, diketuk 1/2 ibu jari belacan 1 batang serai, diketuk lengkuas, dihiris nipis 1 sudu besar halba campur 3 sudu besar cili kisar 2 sudu besar serbuk kari, dibancuh dengan sedikit air 1/2 cawan air asam jawa Air secukupnya Garam & gula secukup rasa 2 pelepah daun kari 3 tangkai daun kesom Cara-cara : 1. Panaskan sedikit minyak. Tumiskan semua bawang, halia, serai, lengkuas, belacan dan halba campur hingga naik minyak. Masukkan daun kari dan kacau. 2. Masukkan cili kisar dan kacau rata. 3. Masukkan serbuk kari dan tambah sedikit air. Kacau rata. 4. Tuangkan air secukupnya. Bila mendidih, masukkan ikan. 5. Bila ikan agak masak, masukkan air asam jawa dan daun kesum. 6. Perasakan dengan garam & gula. * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEd_VEfoqjw http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1626811 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT This award was given to me by Shima. TO SHIMA... Kita baru je balik bercuti dan masih lagi mencari semangat nak update fp. Cuti pun pendek dan semuanya tergesa-gesa krn cuti papa cuma ada seminggu je.Perjalanan kita bermula dari 11-07-2008 } Helsinki (Finland) -Tampere (Finland) -Stansted (UK) 12-07-2008 } Stansted (UK) - London (UK) 13-07-2008 } Sightseeing in London by big bus company and boat 14-07-2008 } Oxford Street 15-07-2008 } Wimbledon 16-07-2008 } London (UK) - Dover (UK) - Dunkerque (France) - Brugge (Belgium) - Antwerp (Belgium) - Hamburg (Germany) - check in hotel at 12.00 am. 17-07-2008 } Hamburg (Germany) - Copenhagen (Denmark) - Stockholm (Sweden) - sampai pukul 2.00 am 18-07-2008 } Stockholm (Sweden) - Helsinki (Finland) 19-07-2008 } Helsinki - sampai rumah pukul 10.00 am ....yahoooooo.... :wave: Papa drive dari London - Helsinki dan naik turun ferry ada 2 kali iaitu dari Dover - Dunkerque (Norfolkline) dan Puttgarden - Rodby (Scandlines), cross from Copenhagen - Malmo dan last sekali naik kapal cruise dari Stockholm - Helsinki (Silja Line) http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1623276 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT PULUT MUSHROOM - resipi dr Fatimah Julia, Moscow... thanks...cuma saya seorg je yg makan nie.... LOL LOL nasib baik buat setgh je dr resipi asal..itupun byk oooo..... Bahan-bahan: 1 kg beras pulut air secukupnya Bahan A: 1 sudu besar minyak bijan 2 cube stok ayam sos tiram secukupnya kicap pekat secukupnya garam dan gula secukup rasa pepper secukup rasa Topping: 2 cawan udang kering di rendam dan di tumbuk 12 pieces dried shitake mushrooms di hiris nipis setelah direndam garam (tak bubuh pun takper kerana udang kering dah masin) sos tiram secukup rasa Hiasan: daun bawang dan cili merah Cara-cara: 1. Masak beras pulut, guna rice cooker saja. 2. Sementara itu, stir fry bahan2 topping sehingga naik bau, tambahkan sedikit pepper, garam dan sos tiram secukup rasa. ketepikan. 3. Bila pulut dah masak, gaulkan dgn semua bahan2 A. Secukup rasa masinnya. 4. Hidangkan dengan topping dan hiaskan dgn daun bawang dan cili merah. Dan buat roti nie dah byk kali...krn papa dan anak2 suka dan makan dgn butter dan homemade serikaya.... :P :P KITA AKAN BEREHAT SEMENTARA ......KITA UCAPKAN BERBANYAK TERIMA KASIH KEPADA KAWAN-KAWAN YG SUDI MELAWAT FP KITA YANG TAK SEBERAPA NIE... http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1610639 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 1ST TIME.... 2ND TIME.... CREAM CHEESE BUTTER CAKE - resipi dr Hajar fp dan Lee Lin fp, terima kasih..kita suka kek nie sampai buat 2 kali.... :-D :-> ;-) Bahan-bahan: 200 gm butter 200 gm cream cheese 250 gm gula castor 5 biji telur 250 gm tepung gandum 1 sudu teh baking powder Sedikit jam (terserah citarasa) utk hiasan - kita tak bubuh Cara: 1. Pukul butter, cream cheese dan gula hingga sebati. 2. Masukkan telur sebiji demi sebiji hingga ringan. 3. Kaup balikkan tepung ke dalamnya hingga rata. Hiaskan dengan jam di atas kek. 4. Bakar dlm acuan 8 in dengan suhu 180'C hingga masak. CREAM CHEESE BUTTER CAKE Ingredients: 200 gm butter 200 gm cream cheese 250 gm castor sugar 5 eggs 250 gm flour 1 tsp baking powder Jam (any flavour) for topping - I didn't put any Method: 1. Beat butter, cream cheese dan sugar until well mixed. 2. Add in egg, one at a time and continue beating until fluffy. 3. Fold in the flour and mix well. Put jam on the top of the cake. 4. Bake in 8 inci pan at pre-heated 180c until done. - it takes 45 mins for me. SILA-SILAKAN MENJAMU SELERA....... :-D :-> ;-) http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1606799 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hari nie hari ulangtahun PAPA...tak de hadiah atau acara istimewa cuma makan malam n kita anak beranak je...Papa lebih suka mcm tu krn dia tak berapa selesa dgn sambutan hari jadi nie. eehhhmmmm hadiah hadiah..tak belipun krn if beli pun pakai duit dia jugak... :lol_teethfull: :lol_teethfull: :lol_teethfull: So kita masak je ....Menu kat bawah nie kita masak pada hari Isnin lepas...Menu utk hari nie akan dipostkan kemudian...... :-> :-D NASI TOMATO - resipi yg simple dr Kak Rinn fp Bahan-bahan: 2 pot beras , dibasuh dan ditoskan. 2 biji bawang merah, dimayang 2 biji bawang putih, dimayang 1/2 cawan minyak sapi (Kalau tak ada, guna mentega aje) 2 kuntum bunga cengkih 2 kuntum bunga lawang 2 biji buah pelaga 2 inci kayu manis Air secukupnya 3/4 cwn sos tomato Garam secukup masin Cara-cara: 1. Cairkan minyak sapi dalam periuk nasi di atas api. Tumis bwg merah dan putih. Masukkan segala rempah dan tumis hingga naik bau wangi. 2. Masukkan beras dan gaul hingga rata. Tuangkan air secukupnya utk menanak nasi. Masukkan juga sedikit garam. 3. Biarkan mendidih. Kecilkan api dan bila nasi hampir masak masukkan sos tomato dan kacau rata. Tutup periuk dan biarkan nasi masak dengan api yg kecil. 4. Selepas 10 minit, buka tutup dan gemburkan nasi. Tutup semula dan biarkan tanak sepenuhnya. * Jika guna rice cooker, tumiskan bahan2 di dalam periuk di atas api. Selepas dituang air masak di dalam cooker seperti biasa. DAGING KURMA Bahan-bahan: 600 g daging batang pinang (dipotong kecil) 3 camb minyak 3 camb rempah kurma 1L santan (2 biji kelapa) 1 keping asam gelugur 400 g ubi kentang } 3 biji tomato } dibelah 4 2 labu bawang besar } 2 biji cili merah } dibelah 2, jangan putus 2 biji cili hijau } Bahan Penumis: 5 cm kulit kayu manis 2 kuntum bunga lawang 3 biji buah pelaga Bahan Kisar: 6 biji bawang merah 3 ulas bawang putih 1 labu bawang besar 4 biji buah keras Cara-caranya: 1. Panaskan minyak, masukkan bahan penumis. Kacau 1-2 minit. 2. Bubuh pula bahan kisar, kacau sampai wangi. 3. Masukkan rempah kurma dan sedikit air. Bila terbit bau, bubuh pula daging dan kacau 3-4 minit atau hingga kering airnya. 4. Tuangkan santan dan asam gelugur. Kacau hingga menggelegak dan daging separuh empuk. 5. Bubuh pula kentang, kacau sampai daging lembut. 6. Bubuh bahan baki dan biar mendidih semula sebelum diangkat. You have a big heart And you're quick to forgive Always thinking of others And always willing to give How lucky I am to Have a husband like you Someone who takes an Interest in all that I do You're always there To lend an ear I love you so much You're such a dear NOTE: TERIMA KASIH KEPADA KAWAN-KAWAN ATAS UCAPAN UTK CIK ABE KITA.... :-D :-D http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1600890 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Today is my 14th Wedding Anniversary. ....... Alhamdulillah...Thank you Allah for Your grace and blessing that giving me a happy family that would be last forever. WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MEANING Below is a list of the most popular anniversaries celebrated today and what they mean, but there are others. According to one American website, the 24th anniversary is for musical instruments, the 29th for new furniture, the 42nd for improved real estate and the 44th for groceries. Well, you never know your luck… When it comes to anniversary gift buying, our advice is to think laterally. For example, most people can't afford to buy rubies for a ruby wedding anniversary, but how about a beautiful ruby-red throw, bottles of red wine or some coloured glass or pottery? 1st anniversary: Paper Can it really be a year ago you said 'I do'? Time flies when you're having fun… Paper weddings have an edible tradition. If you opted for a fruit wedding cake, you can freeze the top tier and have it re-iced to eat on this day. Don't stick to stationery for gifts on a paper theme. Name a star after your partner and present them with the certificate, or order a personal horoscope, or offer a voucher for a gift experience such as a helicopter ride over London? Tickets are, of course, paper.. so the world is your oyster! Then again, why not just pour your heart out in a love letter? 2nd anniversary: Cotton 3rd: anniversary: Leather Keep it simple on your second wedding anniversary: spend it tucked up in crisp, fresh cotton sheets. Or splash out on a second honeymoon. For your third, what about a leather-bound photo album or wallet with something to spend inside? Plus Jimmy Choo makes leather shoes… 4th anniversary: Linen How about some lovely new bedlinen or cushions for your bed? 5th anniversary: Wood In Wales, elaborately carved wooden 'lovespoons' have been given for centuries. The term 'spooning' - meaning 'romancing' - originates from this Welsh tradition. An alternative gift to each other could be a romantic vsit to a log cabin! 6th anniversary: Iron In his famous diary, Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) writes of going home 'to be merry, it being my sixth wedding night'. PS a tip for your sixth: a steam iron is NOT a romantic gesture! 7th anniversary: Wool For your wool wedding, you could snuggle up in new cashmere sweaters and watch Marilyn Monroe in the Seven Year Itch. 8th anniversary: Bronze 9th anniversary: Pottery Stylish ceramics make perfect pottery presents. On the other hand, your ninth anniversary is a good opportunity to exercise your own artistic talents. Take a trip to your local pottery café and create a personalised masterpiece for your beloved. 10th anniversary: Tin At ten years old, your marriage is getting all grown up and hopefully, more mature. But not too mature! To celebrate a decade of togetherness, why not break out the jelly and ice cream and hold a tenth birthday party for your marital relationship? Invite your friends and family over to join in the fun. As a gift idea, tin may not sound too promising. Fortunately, there's also a gemstone or precious metal associated with each wedding anniversary. According to this tradition, you can celebrate your first decade together with diamonds. Any excuse! 11th anniversary: Steel 12th anniversary: Silk In Denmark, it's traditional to make a big fuss of the 12-and-a-half-year anniversary. Called a copper wedding, friends and family build the couple half an arch made from spruce (you get the other half when you reach your 25th). The arch is decorated with flowers and lights and positioned at the door of your home. When it comes to silk, why not invest in some beautiful silk lingerie for yourself! 13th anniversary: Lace Romantic lace is often associated with weddings. The veil made for Queen Elizabeth's 1923 wedding to George VI required 12,000 hours of work and 12million stitches. For your 13th anniversary, why not surprise your partner with a weekend trip to Bruges, home of lace-making? 14th anniversary: Ivory Ivory comes from elephants, so if you want to follow tradition in cruelty-free style, choose the modern alternatives of opal or gold gifts instead. 15th anniversary: Crystal If renewing your wedding vows appeals to you, your 15th anniversary - one of the first 'big' ones - could be the time to do it. You can make the service as formal or informal as you like, have a civil or religious ceremony, or fly to an exotic location to do 'I do' all over again. Anniversary symbols vary worldwide. In some cultures, your 15th wedding anniversary, for example, is called a 'glass' wedding. Time to blow your savings on a conservatory? A greenhouse? Designer his 'n' hers specs? Combine the traditions by toasting each other with champagne in new crystal glasses. 16th anniversary: Topaz 17th anniversary: Amethyst Why are certain materials associated with different anniversaries? As the years pass, you'll see that the materials become more durable and more valuable the longer the marriage - just like your relationship! Another theory is that they are designed to help you replace wedding gifts at the time they wear out… 18th anniversary: Garnet You might not fancy buying each other garnets, but there's nothing wrong with taking a weekend break in the home of these red gems - Prague. If you love the idea of a city filled with gothic architecture and romance, this is the place to go. 19th anniversary: Aquamarine Aquamarines are the colour of the sea, so what about a quick trip to the coast to celebrate your 19th anniversary? A stroll on the prom, a quick paddle and a champagne picnic on the beach can be a real tonic. As the poet EE Cummings wrote, 'It's always ourselves that we find at the sea'. An alternative could be a visit to a relaxing spa for the weekend. Continuing the water theme, fit out your bathroom with some beautiful new accessories? 20th anniversary: China Congratulations - you've made it together through two whole decades! Invite friends and family together to help you celebrate. To mark your 20th anniversary, throw a roaring twenties fancy dress party , and Charleston the night away. You can always add another piece to your wedding china, as it's fun to collect things over time. Prince Albert, for example, gave Queen Victoria a set of gold and porcelain jewellery bit by bit - a brooch before their wedding, a brooch and earrings for Christmas and a wreath on their fifth wedding anniversary in 1845. 21st anniversary: Brass 22nd anniversary: Copper Brass and copper are not necessarily the most romantic of metals but use your imagination and you could make something of them. Copper-bottomed saucepans are prized by celebrity chefs, or be 'bold as brass' and take your beloved for an extreme sports experience such as bungee jumping or whitewater rafting. 23rd anniversary: Silver plate 24th anniversary: Musical instruments This is an unusual one! Instead of an instrument, how about tickets to a concert, or a new cd for the collection? 25th anniversary: Silver Silver weddings have a long tradition. In medieval Germany, husbands gave their wives a wreath of silver when they had been married for 25 years. 'Sylver brydells' are mentioned in an English church record of 1624, and the term 'silver feast' is attributed to the Germans in a letter to Dr Samuel Johnson in 1806. Couples may want to buy something to special to commemorate this first major milestone in their relationship. Choose from a huge range of silver items to celebrate your 25 years together - this could be a lovely silver frame for one of your wedding photographs, or even a piece of jewellery for each of you. 26th anniversary: Original pictures How about having your portrait painted as a special anniversary gift? A less costly option is to enlarge and frame a favourite (wedding?) photo. Otherwise, keep an eye out in local galleries and choose something that you both love. 27th anniversary: Sculpture This anniversary gives you a great opportunity to buy a lovely sculpture - either for inside your home or for your garden. You might even decide to take a class and make something yourself! 28th anniversary: Orchids In China, orchids symbolise nobility, friendship, elegance and perfection - making these exotic, mysterious blooms an ideal anniversary present. Bouquets of orchids or orchid plants are breathtaking. If you feel like splashing out, many orchids originate from Asia so perhaps it's time for a holiday! 29th anniversary: New furniture 30th anniversary: Pearl Be pearly king and queen for the night with a Cockney themed party for your pearl wedding. You can feast on jellied eels and have a good old knees-up! Alternatively, keep it just the two of you and curl up in front of some classic movies from the 1930's. In Indian mythology, pearls are said to be dewdrops from heaven that fell into the sea. These jewels represent peace, nobility and beauty, and would make a wonderful gift - but if you can't stretch to pearls, use their colour as an inspiration for a beautiful white gift, or just get romantic over a dozen oysters. Caviar is traditionally eaten with a mother of pearl spoon... I see an evening of Champagne and caviar! 31st anniversary: Timepieces 32nd anniversary: Conveyances (vehicles) You could always purchase that long-coveted Porsche for your anniversary, but if a car isn't quite the right thing, why not just 'convey' your partner to a posh hotel to enjoy a weekend of luxury as a 32nd celebration? Or hire a limo for the night and enjoy the celebrity lifestyle. 33rd anniversary: Amethyst The Victorians were fond of making rings with a message conveyed in the first initial of each jewel. So a ring with a Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Topaz on it spelt 'dearest'. 34th anniversary: Opal 35th anniversary: Coral Jewellery is the natural choice for this anniversary gift, as coral goes so well with jade, the gemstone associated with 25 years of marriage. Jade was once used as currency in China and is considered to be lucky. Red coral is the most valuable kind. Alternatively, head to one of the world's great coral reefs and go for a dive together! 36th anniversary: Bone china 37th anniversary: Alabaster Although, generally speaking, it's five- and ten-year anniversaries that are the most widely celebrated, there's no reason not to mark the date of your wedding every year. So if you want to have a big bash on your 37th or 38th - go ahead! Try an alabaster carving or sculpture, as a gift. 38th anniversary: Beryl Beryl is a little known, colourless gemstone in it's pure form. Aquamarine is it's blue versiou and it's green is one of the most precious gems of all - emerald. 39th anniversary: Lace There is no traditional material for the 39th wedding anniversary but the modern lists state lace, which also marks the 13th. 26 years on, it may be time to replace that tablecloth! 40th anniversary: Ruby Life begins at 40, and the 40th wedding anniversary is considered to be one of the most important after the 25th. Not surprisingly it's been attached to one of the world's most precious gems. Rubies are said to be rarer than diamonds - they symbolise health, wealth and wisdom and, of course, passion. Rubies are red, so why not plant a red rose in your garden as testament to your love? Or buy some vintage bottles and invite your party guests to toast the future and the past in vintage ruby port or red wine. 41st anniversary: Land In 1659, John Evelyn wrote in his diary about going to a 'forty-first wedding day feast', one of the earliest references to wedding anniversaries in English literature. It looks as if all anniversaries were an excuse for a celebration back in those days - what a good idea! 42nd anniversary: Real estate 43rd anniversary: Travel This couldn't be easier. Enjoy a day or weekend away, or head off on the holiday of your dreams! 44th anniversary: Groceries Groceries don't sound too exciting, but they can make a great present. Just remember to avoid standard supermarket fare and go for a luxury hamper instead. 45th anniversary: Sapphire Sapphires come in an array of colours - pink, yellow, white, green and red as well as blue. So get the shaker out and celebrate your 45th with a multi-coloured cocktail drinks party. Use the Victorian language of flowers to let your partner know how you feel with a colourful bouquet. You could try freesias for faithfulness, alstromeria for desire - or just a red rose, for love. 46th anniversary: Poetry This is the perfect opportunity to be romantic - buy a poetry book, go to a poetry reading or even put pen to paper yourself. 47th anniversary: Books Explore the literary theme for these anniversaries and take your love to Hay-on-Wye, home of the famous book festival. It's a charming, picturesque place, packed with bookshops where you'll be sure to find a volume of romantic poetry for your partner. 48th anniversary: Optical goods 49th anniversary: Luxuries Modern wedding symbols, such as luxuries and optical goods, might not have quite the same romantic ring to them as traditional materials like silver or rubies, but you could always buy a telescope and spend your anniversary stargazing together… 50th anniversary: Gold You've spent half a century together - what better cause for a celebration? Golden weddings have been marked for many years. In medieval Germany, men would present their wives with a golden wreath on their 50th anniversary. This was said to symbolise harmony. Going for gold is the obvious choice for a 50th wedding gift and you may want to use the opportunity to buy each other new wedding rings to add to your old ones. You could even have special inscriptions made inside the rings to mark the occasion. 55th anniversary: Emerald These precious stones symbolise love and rebirth and make beautiful jewellery. You can also use green as a basis for your anniversary party and give it a Celtic theme with some traditional Irish music. Or 'go green' and give your loved one a present with an ecological slant, so the gift endures for future generations too. Now's your chance to take a dream trip to Ireland - the Emerald Isle, in celebration of your anniversary. You could even stay in a romantic castle. If you fancy somewhere a little warmer try Sardinia's Emerald Coast. 60th anniversary: Diamond The word 'diamond' originates from the Greek adamus, meaning unconquerable - which, if you've lasted 60 years, is the perfect epithet for your own marriage. Splash out in celebration of this fantastic event and buy a beautiful piece of diamond jewellery. The Queen sends out congratulatory messages to British citizens at home and abroad on their 60th, 65th and 70th anniversaries, and each one thereafter. To receive yours, you need to complete a form and send it no sooner than three weeks prior to the anniversary date to: The Anniversaries Office, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA. You can download the form from the Internet at http://www.royalinsight.gov.uk . 70th anniversary: Platinum After 70 years together, you've earned your own platinum record. And like the metal, your marriage is strong, precious and rare. Eternity rings are a popular anniversary present. Of course, you can buy one whenever you feel like it, but it might be an ideal gift to mark a special anniversary like the 70th. 75th anniversary: Diamond Although the 75th is the second diamond wedding in the anniversary calendar, it was actually the first to exist - the 60th was added in 1897 when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. There's no modern symbol for a diamond wedding. Perhaps that's because nothing beats a diamond. Diamond anniversary parties will probably include generations of family and friends and should be an event to remember. Make sure someone is on hand with the video camera to get it all on tape. http://mamaera.fotopages.com/?entry=1597566 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT