Playdough

When the Swallow's young ones were younger, they love to play with Plasticine, a soft modelling material which could be bought from craft shops or stationery stores. However, the Swallow felt it was not cost-effective to use this material as it hardened quickly if not used often after it has been opened. Thus, when she came across this Playdough recipe, it was a welcomed relief. Although this recipe does not last long either, the cost of the ingredients was only a fraction of the cost for the Plasticine.

PLAYDOUGH

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 tbsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tbsp oil
• food colouring

Method

1. In a large bowl, combine everything together and mix well with a wooden spoon. A ball of soft dough will slowly form. 
2. When the soft dough if warm to the touch, continue kneading by hand until dough is no longer sticky.
3. Store in an air-tight container when not in use.

Improving Communication in Marriage

What is real communication?

To communicate means to overcome the desire to conceal feelings and thoughts which lead to honesty of expression.  -- Henry Brandt

A study was done by Gallup Public Opinion Poll, and this was the finding - A couple's ability to communicate is the single most important contributing factor to a stable and satisfying relationship.  The quality of relationships among couples with excellent communication is strikingly better than those with less satisfactory communication.  (source : O J Gibson's Better Homes & Marriages).

The conclusions from these two parties seem to be that the level of trust in a relationship appears closely tied to the couple's ability to communicate, and that real communication is more than a dialogue consisting of merely words and responses between people.

In the fourth session of "Better Homes & Marriages with the 5 Love Languages", the moderator described communication in this way - A person (the sender) transmit a message to another person (the receiver).  However, this message may be sent on a frequency that's different from the receiver's.  There may also be noises, both internal and external, which may cloud the message.  The sender's and the receiver's feelings play a part in this transmission as well.  When the message has been sent, the receiver has to sieve through all these to decipher the actual meaning.

So how does one improve communication, not just in a marriage but in general as well?

Some of the tips given were...

• Listen for emotional overtones which may reveal hurt, anger, bitterness, frustration or discouragement.
• Clarify instead of jumping into conclusions (more often than not, they are wrong conclusions).  If attacked verbally, don't be quick to go on the defence or the offence.
• Don't tune out even if it may be something that has been said before.  No selective listening and don't let the mind wander.
• No sarcasm.
• If one is naturally quiet, make a point to contribute to the conversation.  If not, give others a chance to talk too.
• Do not interrupt.
• Learn to discuss rather than argue.

Looking at the above tips, there is little wonder that communication is an art...

Anna and the Black Tie Affair

Anna loved happy endings.  In movies, the sight of a knight rushing to the rescue of his damsel-in-distress, while defeating the villain victoriously, often drew a sigh from her.  Stories where the hero overcome all odds to find his true love were always preferred.

One day, one of the King's subjects threw a grand wedding for his son.  Out of love for a fellow subject yet blissfully clueless, Anna and her husband accepted the invitation to the 'Black Tie' affair.  A day before the event, they realized their error of being ignorant - what 'Black Tie' really meant, where the hotel was actually located, and what class of hotel it was - a quick shopping spree was in order!

Anna and her husband were grateful that their King saw their need even before they knew it...the store had a sale...one of their friends lent a suit...and they were ready to go...

On the night of the event, complete with a Prince Charming and a gown, but minus the fairy godmother, the pumpkin and the glass slippers (just a wonderful King, a taxi and solid high heels), Anna felt like Cinderella.  Dazzled by the glitter and surrounded by cheerful fellow subjects, she and her husband basked in the glow of love.

Past midnight, Anna and her husband reached home.  Happy to have experienced the stuff of her dreams, Anna was contented to live happily ever after with her very own Prince Charming, under the always-watchful eyes of her King.

Read more of Anna's adventures

• Anna and the Rehearsal
• Anna and Her Act of Kindness