I noticed that my home page has been well graced by pasta/noodle dishes these past few days. Despite that, I am adding another one today. Certainly because it's Presto Pasta Night (PPN) again! This recipe I'm sharing with PPN is a spin-off recipe of my favorite meat shop - Monterey's Roast Beef Pasta which they featured in their latest "Beef Up Your Meals - Mini Magazine". They usually have this mini magazine in their store which shoppers can get for free. Everytime I do my shopping in the branch nearest to our place, I always look forward for new copies of the magazine. For time-strapped moms like me, it's a delight to have cooking kits like this which can make your weekly menu planning stress-free. It gives me quick ideas and inspirations to stir up in my own kitchen. This is exactly what happened with this Pasta Recipe. I modified it according to what my pantry has to offer. Gladly, the taste did not disappoint.

What you need: 250g linguine cooked according to package directions, 250 g ground beef, salt and pepper to taste, 1/4 cup butter (for sauteing) + another 1/4 (for the sauce), 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 1 pc red bell pepper (diced), 2 cups beef broth (2 cups pasta water reserve + 2 beef broth cubes), 2 tsp Knorr liquid seasoning (original flavor)

How to make: Cook the linguine according to package directions, set aside including 2 cups of pasta water reserve. Dissolve beef broth cubes in the pasta water and set aside. Melt butter in a heated pan, add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, saute until beef is browned and tender. Set aside. Melt the other serving of butter, whisk in all purpose flour, add in red bell pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add in the prepared beef broth then simmer until slightly thickened. Add in the sauted beef and liquid seasoning. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes with occasional stirring. Pour over the cooked pasta and serve.

This week's pasta bloggers' event is being hosted by the Pasta Queen herself -Ruth Daniels of Once Upon a Feast.

It seemed like it was only yesterday that we were unpacking and loading new things to a new place, in a new home. Back in 2008 we decided to move in to a new location for the kids to have bigger roaming space and cleaner ambiance. I even made a post about our new-found home here. Lo and behold! Surprise of all the surprises, it never did occur to me that we will be passing through the same experience again at the same time of the year. Only, 2009 speaks of much height. We are moving to a new country!

I’ve been in deep thoughts these past few days and weeks. I’ve been trying so hard to discern the decision that we have just made. It’s going to be life changing for sure. But there’s no doubt in my mind and in my heart that it’s where I would like us to be. So in January 2010 we are definitely moving LAH!

For the second time around, we will be welcoming the New Year in a new place. There are just too many to prepare and arrange - house hunting, school search, culture to learn, rules to know and so on and so forth. How does one really prepare to relocate, much more to a foreign land?! This is the challenge my family is about to take. For those who have been through the same road before, your thoughts and suggestions would be very much welcome.

For now, we will take a quick plunge unto our new environment. The pre-scheduled visit to HK with the kids will again take a back seat for now. Zoos and Botanical gardens will be the must visit spots next month over the happiest place on earth. It still is a mixed feeling at the moment. To my dear readers, in 60 days, Our Taste of Life will be evolving to Our Taste of Life in Singapore. Join us as we embark on new beginnings in our lives. I hope to be still journeying with you as we take on new discoveries and ultimately have a new TASTE of LIFE, the Singapore way!