BERRIES ON A CREAM CHEESE MARSHMALLOW CLOUD AND TWO GRADUATIONS

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At last our two older boys have graduated. Both with a Masters in Engineering, Second class, Division one from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. Yesterday was their graduation ceremony and there they were sweating in their robes, dampened underneath but happy and excited on the outside. Truly, robes and Malaysian weather are not the best of friends. Nevertheless, it was a sweet moment to witness and cherish. Four down done and one to go. 

Having two sons graduating at the same time is like having two luscious ice cream cones in each hand, to put it mildly. We look forward to the ' get-a-job ' phase to be over as well. 

 N right, Z left in the Carousel Cafe at The Palace of the Golden Horses

We watched our boys, with the lightest of  hearts, literally frolicking, each with the other, dark heavy robes swinging, mortar boards tumbling off, roaring occasionally, their limbs entangled, poking tummies and laughing as they queued up to get their photos taken. Just as they did as seven and eight year olds. Men will always be boys. How time does indeed not fly. 

The graduation ceremony was held at The Palace of the Golden Horses, The Mines Resort, a 5 star hotel, (I wished the upkeep crew were made to work a whole lot harder at every square inch of its building so that it looks 5 star), 20 minutes from the city centre of Kuala Lumpur.


But the grounds were rather pretty and these young exuberant people had their group photographs and mortar board flinging sessions orchestrated on the lush green, palm tree fringed garden just to the side of the hotel. They were all being silly happy. For a dang good reason. 

N is front row third from right and Z is second row third from left in the grounds outside of the hotel


As I watched, my heart sang. I know that they will make our world a much better place. After all, as mothers, we deserve it. Don't you think? Listen to this Mom Song.......You just MUST. It's hilarious. :D




I feel like berries on a cloud.

The recipe ~ adapted loosely from Betty Crocker 

This is really lovely. Like a cream cheese pudding and a slather of syrupy fruits on top. I just loved it.

The cream cheese pudding :

8 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups whipping cream
21/2 cups miniature marshmallows

The berries : 


1 can pie cherry filling ( I used fresh cherries, 175 gm )
1 tsp lemon juice (I used lime)
2 cups sliced strawberries (I used almost one cup)
1 cup fresh peaches (I used fresh 1 fresh mango)
2-3 tsp of balsamic vinegar
some honey to the level of sweetness you'd like
a pinch of salt



Beat cream cheese and sugar and vanilla ina  large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat whipping cream in a chilled bowl until stiff. Fold whipped cream and marshmallows into cream cheese mix. Divide the mixture between glasses. I made half the recipe. I think I got about 4 glasses depending on the size of your glasses of course.


Stone and halve the cherries. Place them in a pan. Add the strawberries, lime juice, a tablespoon or two of water and a little honey. Cook over medium heat until the fruits soften a little and there is some juice in the pan. Add balsamic vinegar. Stir for a second and turn off heat. Add the sliced mangoes just before you would pour the berry mix over the cheese pudding. Do adjust the mix to your taste. Allow to cool completely before spooning over the cheese pudding. Serve chilled. Oh so YUM. True.