February 14, 2009

Q: What's almond and yummy all over?

I was asked to bring dessert for my family's Chinese New Year celebration dinner. More specifically, my oldest sister requested I make an almond dessert - to go with the 'chinesey" theme. As actual Chinese desserts choices are very limited, only almond cookies and almond jelly (jello) came to mind.

Since I've always considered cookies as treats more than a dessert, I settled on making almond jello. Although I think its tasty, I've never cared for the almost rubbery consistency of almond jello (at least the kind we get at our local dim-sum place). My sister suggested I try making an almond panna cotta.
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February 12, 2009

February '09.... What's New

Wow...I've let a long time pass between entries. I'll try to be more consistent this year.

Here are a couple of items from this past Christmas to add to the "swear by" list:

1. Poloroid PoGo printer- This printer is compact enough to fit in your purse or pocket.
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Just attach to your camera and it instantly prints the cutest business card sized pictures. Even better, the back of the pictures are peel and stick! I took it to several holiday parties and it was fun to share instant memories!

2. Blurb.com - A publishing site for home authors and photographers. I created the most beautiful "coffee table" book from pictures of our Mediterranean cruise last fall. It was incredibly easy and the result was so amazing - some people actually thought it was from Barnes & Noble or something. I highly recommend this site! my_Blurb_book.jpg

May 23, 2008

Dang Tarts!

What's your favorite dim sum dish? Ask any self respecting dim-summer and 9 times out of 10 they'll tell you daan taats. Darn what? You ask. Daan taats - those yummy, sunny yellow, egg custardy concoctions with the flaky crust, pure bliss I tell you! They're usually served alongside other sweets and pastries on the dessert cart during dim sum, but I don't know anybody that saves them for dessert.

I thought I'd give a try at baking these at home. The custard part tastes close to the real thing, unfortch I can't seem to get the pastry crust right. Twice, I've made these in mini muffin pans and although the crust isn't flaky, these little pastries still go fast:

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For these daan taats I used the simplest recipe I could find online

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April 23, 2008

A Cat Named Bunny

In Loving Memory of the sweetest, cutest, most loving, most wonderful kitty. Ever.

Bunny. 1992-2008

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February 29, 2008

February '08.... What's New

Wow! Wasn't New Years (Gregorian, not Chinese lunar) just the other day? Yet another month has passed us by.

Here are a couple of new items to add to my "Swear By" list:

1. Buxom Lips by Bare Ecsentuals in "Trixie".
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This ain't your average lip gloss - this is more, they call it LIP POLISH. Goes on silky, smells heavenly, and it leaves this wonderful tingly feeling that makes your lips feel like they really are bee stung (minus the pain, of course). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this product!


2. Hershey's Really Nuts! Chocolate Cocoa Peanuts - It doesn't get any better than this. Chocolate covered peanuts, dusted in cocoa. Covers all groups - sweet, salty, powdery, silky, crunchy. Leaves your hands messy, but oh-so-worth-it!


3. Poket Sudoku by Technosource.

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I know, they say Sudoku is sooo 2 years ago, but I'm addicted. My sister #3 gave me an Illuminated Pocket Sudoku a couple of Christmases ago. I shoved it in a desk drawer and forgot all about it. I've recently found it again while shoving away this past Christmas' gifts and trinkets. I've been playing it every day for the past two months. I promise myself I'll stop after 2 or 3 games, and then realize I can't put it down. I'm jonesing to play as I type.

February 18, 2008

He "ADMIRES" Me?!?!?!

My Sweety knows when it comes to flowers I'm partial to pinks and purples - pastels, lavender, hot pink, you name it.

For Valentines day, I received this pretty arrangement:

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So I'm sitting there, relishing in my flower arrangement and thinking to myself, if pink and purple flowers can be so beautiful, then why are RED roses synonymous with Valentines?

Well it turns out there's a meaning behind every color....


RED
Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say "I love you." The red rose has long symbolized beauty and perfection. A bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to express your deep feelings for someone special.

PINK
As a symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as an expression of admiration. Pink roses can also convey appreciation as well as joyfulness. Pink rose bouquets often impart a gentler meaning than their red counterparts.

Continue reading "He "ADMIRES" Me?!?!?!" »

February 13, 2008

Crying Over Petfood

a Pedigree dogfood commercial that is. In what has got to be the most effective advertisement campaign EVER promoting pet adoption - I cry everytime I see this stupid commercial.

How could anybody possibly pass up this cute little pup? If this commercial doesn't move you... then you have no soul.

(Sort of GOOD NEWS: a couple of sites, mostly forums, are claiming that Echo was adopted in November of 2007... but I can't seem to find confirmation from a credible source).


February 10, 2008

I Wanna Hold Your Hand...

I've spent the morning shopping for music on itunes and came across this little gem from Across the Universe. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" performed by T.V. Carpio, who plays Prudence in the movie (I haven't seen it, but it's out on DVD).

The movie's characters and music are based on popular Beatles tunes and this version of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" is so haunting - I've been running down the batteries on my nano replaying this song.

And yes, the song is intended to be sung by a guy - "please let me be your man".... but in the movie, Prudence has a crush on her female friend.

February 6, 2008

Aw Rats...

Kung Hee Fat Choy!!!!!!

Tomorrow marks the lunar new year - Year of the Rat:

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I have no affinity for rodents, but here's to hoping Chinese lunar year 4705 is the most prosperous year yet! Now where's my freakin' lucky money?

A Ratty Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in rat years tend to be leaders, pioneers, and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, William Shakespeare, and Mozart were all born in the year of the rat.


January 30, 2008

January '08 ... What's New

Four new things to add to my "Swear By" category...

1) LATEST TUNES:
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The Trumpet Child by Over The Rhine ... been playing it non-stop since I got it. "Trouble" is my favorite track, but the entire album is excellent.


2) CURRENT READ: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Catherine and Mr. Tilney have NOTHING on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but to quote the heroine, Catherine, in Chapter 14, "...but it is a nice book, and why should not I call it so?" Wasn't aware this novel even existed until the Complete Jane Austen series started on PBS this month.


3) CURRENT SCENT: Vera Wang Princess
vwang_princess.jpg One of the three things a girl should never buy for herself (jewelry, chocolates, and perfume)... this was a favorite Christmas gift from my Sweety.

Here's the product description:
Created for the playful, unpredictable, independent woman who treats every day like an event and adventure. This is a woman who likes to make her own magic, this sheer, flirty blend of water lily, lady apple, mandarin meringue, and golden apricot skin are melded with sheer floral notes, accented with dark chocolate, and finished with a pink frosting accord, amber, warm woods, musk, and vanilla - a whimsical treat.
Notes: Water Lily, Lady Apple, Mandarin Meringue, Golden Apricot Skin, Ripe Pink Guava, Tahitian Flower, Wild Tuberose, Dark Chocolate, Pink Frosting Accord, Precious Amber, Forbidden Woods, Royal Musk Captive, Chiffon Vanilla.
Style: Sheer. Tropical. Delectable.


4: BETTER THAN CRACK: Jasmine Tea Balls from Caribou Coffee Goodbye Diet Coke! Finally, an addiction that's actually good for me.