About this time last year

I was in Seattle and I had just begun my book tour.

Seattle had so many fun places to visit for cupcakes.

And not just the kind you eat.

While I was there, I was so excited to stop in and see my friend CakeSpys shop.

Its in Capitol Hill and its pretty darn cute.

Jessie, aka CakeSpy, gave me and my friend Julie a warm welcome.

Her shop is as charming as she is.

Its filled with her adorable watercolor illustrations of Lil Cuppie.

And illustrated magnets, too.

Plus, theres lots of other fun cupcake i! tems, sh irts and even a cozy gallery space where she features local artists.

Theres even a Pug named Porkchop.

They are both as cute as can be.

Porkchop keeps watch over things from his ice cream throne.

If you pass by the shop sometime, you might even get to see Jessie at work through the storefront window. See if she still has that cute two-headed deer. Eeek!

Stop in and say hi if you do. Shell greet you with a welcoming smile.

Here she is creating one of her more requested Zombie and Lil Cuppie illustrations. I love how tiny she works. It was so fun watching her do her thing.

If youve been following my site for a while, you may remember CakeSpy from some of my earlier posts.

I first met CakeSpy onflickr, when I stumbled upon her adorable cupcake drawings and had to have some of my very own.

These are the first ones she did for me. Yeah, I have several more.

And shes the one I made this little video for. (Check out our other sweet exchanges here.)

And Ive been following her with each new adventure.

When she sold her drawings on etsy.

When she went part-time at her day job.

When she quit her job to pursue her passion full-time.

When she opened her adorable shop in Capitol Hill.

And now when shes just about to begin her own book tour and celebrate the launch of her new book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life.

The book has lots of fun little recipes like this one for Red Velvet Cake Shakes.

And of course the book is sprinkled with her signature illustrations.

Heres her tour info with a launch party at the shop this Thursday.

Shell be signing books at bakeries, too. How fun!

Jessie, Im so proud for you. You deserve all the sweet success that comes your way.

Hugs!

Big Bad Wolf Sale! Have you heard of it ? Its the biggest and baddest book sale. I was contemplating on whether to go or not as it was SO SO far away, in Serdang. It was in MAEPS near UPM and its a long way drive there for someone from Klang. When someone told me that there are quite some cookbooks there, I was tempted. I had to go. So I made my way there via GPS and ended up in this huge factory look a like thing.

Date: 7th-16th October 2011

Time : 10am to 9pm

Venue: MAEPS, Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang (Hall A)

I was there early, say about 10am (it started at 10), there were already alot of cars there. Once youve reached the parking there would be shuttle busses to pick u and go to the main hall. It is quite impossible to walk there as its right under the bright and shiny sun.

I was there early, 10am, there wasnt any queue. So I then entered without any problems. Then I went in, o.m.g.. HUGE!!! crazy HUGE!! So I thought, ok, probably there wont be a long queue cause its so big anyway. Im sure it can fit a couple thousands people.. Boy was I wrong, when I left (at 11.45am) the queue was at least 30 people.. Yeah, dont say I didnt warn you!!

So as I was only looking for cookery books, it was quite alot.. In fact, its one of those topics with more tables under the non-fiction section. There were others like Photography, Bibliography, Coffee Table Books, Self-Help, Religious, and not forgetting the childrens books section. It was huge too! There are as well fictions and I am not at all interested in fiction books. The only books Ive read are the Twilight and Shopaholic series, and a couple other asian related stories..

I could only head straight to the cookery section and walk a few rounds there, just making sure I dont miss any books.. Kiasuism

There are authors like Gordon Ramsey, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver and lots more.. But some of the books are quite limited. If you see what you like, grab it first because you most likely cant find it later (unless its those that has alot of copies available.. )

If youre thinking How am I going to carry all those books and still walk!!?? Not to worry, they have storage stations. What you do is find the station, ask them for a box, then put your name and box there. They will give you a number and you just walk around with the number in you bag. 10 minutes later, if youve got more books, just go back to the same station and tell them your number, add on the books in the storage Then you continue again, till youre ready to check out and pay. But PLEASE REMEMBER that youll be carrying those books from the point the bus drops you, to your car..Its wise to go with another person, preferably a guy or someone that can carry heavy stuffs.

Some tips you might wanna know if youre planning to go.

1. Go early. Trust me.

2. Bring a trolley if you have. Otherwise, bring a small suitcase. I am not kidding, I saw alot of these when I was there. Anything with wheels and a handle is good.

3. Ventilation is alright in there, not too hot. Try not to bring kids that are too young. You will be distracted.

4. If you see a book that you like, take it, unless there are a cartful of it (read: hundreds of! copies) Some books are quite limited.

5. Check the books for any torn pages or cover before buying them.

6. Check publication date (well, this is just me. Sometimes I like to know when was the book first published.)

7. Water and food is prohibited in the books section, but surely a small bottle in the handbag wouldnt hurt. There are only water stations available at the exit (after you pay the books).

8. There are shuttle busses to fetch you from the carpark to the hall and vise versa. But because there will be alot of carpark lots, be sure to tell the bus driver when to stop.

9. If youre looking for fiction books, they actually arranged them in order. Like 1st table could be A,B and C, then the next would be D,E and F.. Ask the people in charge there if you need help. Theyre pretty friendly.

10. Dont be a smart ass and ask the workers to look for books for you. Its a warehouse sale. Whatever is there, is there.

OK. So here are the books that I bought. 12 books and 4 magazines (not in picture, but they were backdated delicious UK mags). Guess how much ?? I would have bought more if I didnt go alone

Id give you some hint, the most expensive was RM 25 and the cheapest was RM5

Oktoberfest @ Bavarian Bier Cafe

Before I let this slip past into the wrong end of October, it is time to celebrate Oktoberfest. Now although the name suggests Oktoberfest, I am told the celebration officially starts from late September and well, it can end anytime you want I presume.

So bring on the big mugs of imported beer and feast on all the good fried things that goes well with it like schnitzel and pork belly.

We were lucky to be invited to Bavarian Bier Cafe that night when they were going to officiate the event by opening a keg of imported Lowenbrau or was it Hofbrau or some other beer that literally has the ability to quench your thirst.

As fresh as it comes.

We were also treated to some finger food which I found out to take some pictures of but to get a picture, it was a range of German pub food; sausages, pork belly, schnitzels, chips, wedges and so on and so forth. Even though the portions were small and we had to corner the waiters, it was in good fun picking on a bit of everything.

Having eaten here once before and left quite happy too (may I add), it shouldn't be too long before heading back.

So if you guys are looking for a place to drink some beer, Bavarian Bier Cafe seems like a safe bet to me.

Went for Fei Por Chicken before going to Eurasian Association

Restoran Fei Por Chicken is found along the main road of Pudu. Only opens in the night. And do not expect to see any fat lady (Fei Por) cos Fei Por here is a man and his name is Mr. Wong Chin Onn.

The variety of food displayed at the stall at the front of the shop poached chicken, fried chicken, BBQ meat, chicken innard, etc etc....

Half bird of poached chicken - succulent and juicy.

Vinegar soy sauce pork trotter the soup was so enticing.

Stir fried baby kailan with garlic.

Steamed fish head (Song fish)

Chicken innards for those daring eaters. I have to refrain from these maybe one or two bites for the feel of it...

Fresh white Tofu with oyster sauce, dried shrimps & golden brown shallot fries.

Braised chicken legs at the stove and getting warm before being served.

Friends from KGT PDRM came to render their esteem support for a dart competition. Makan first at Fei Por Chicken Rice.

Kelab Golf Titiwangsa PDRM managed to retain the trophy "Dato' Lawrence Unity Trophy" and a big Congratulation to Tuan Lee & his team.

Ravi having a jolly time at EA, Pudu.

Selangor & FT Eurasian Association located next to the Pudu Jail (now being demolished for a new development & bye bye to another Malaysian heritage structure).

Some of the exhibits seen in the club and it is probably one of the oldest clubs in town with rich history for the people of Eurasia origin.

Robert Yeo was very happy with his achievement and told me this is his second medal for dart tournament. He took up this sport quite recently. Bravo to Robert.