http://www.veronicafung.com/ en Copyright 2009 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:34:27 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 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. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2009/02/q_whats_almond_and_yummy_all_o.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2009/02/q_whats_almond_and_yummy_all_o.html food Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:34:27 -0500 Poloroid PoGo printer- This printer is compact enough to fit in your purse or pocket. 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! ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2009/02/february_09_whats_new.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2009/02/february_09_whats_new.html swear by... Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:11:53 -0500 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: For these daan taats I used the simplest recipe I could find online ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/05/dang_tarts.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/05/dang_tarts.html food Fri, 23 May 2008 00:57:53 -0500 ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/04/a_cat_named_bunny.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/04/a_cat_named_bunny.html misc. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:16:29 -0500 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". 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. 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. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/february_08_whats_new.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/february_08_whats_new.html swear by... Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:39:33 -0500 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. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/he_admires_me.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/he_admires_me.html misc. Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:55:05 -0500 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). ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/crying_over_dogfood.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/crying_over_dogfood.html misc. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:31:25 -0500 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. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/i_wanna_hold_your_hand.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/i_wanna_hold_your_hand.html swear by... Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:37:24 -0500 Kung Hee Fat Choy!!!!!! Tomorrow marks the lunar new year - Year of the Rat: 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. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/aw_rats.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/02/aw_rats.html misc. Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:49:31 -0500 LATEST TUNES: 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 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. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/01/jan_08_whats_new.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2008/01/jan_08_whats_new.html swear by... Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:25:51 -0500 ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/12/not_your_mamas_bunny_slippers.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/12/not_your_mamas_bunny_slippers.html swear by... Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:47:24 -0500 And who knew it would be so easy to prepare?!?!? Profiteroles: Basic Cream Puff pastry (Pate a Choux) recipe Vanilla Ice Cream (recommend Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean) Hot fudge sauce recipe Bake pastry puffs, cut in center (don't go all the way through) and fill with ice cream. Top with hot fudge sauce. Enjoy. These are to die for.... Trust! ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/12/perfeterprofitiriuhh_cream_puf.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/12/perfeterprofitiriuhh_cream_puf.html food Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:27:22 -0500 Longchamp's Le Pliage Large Tote: Lightweight nylon signature large tote. Leather double shoulder straps and flap with snap. Top zip closure. Folds up for travel. Interior pocket. 13"W x 13"H x 7 1/2"D; 10" drop from shoulder So here''s the scenario: My sister had long had a blue Pliage bag that I've been eyeing and almost stole from her the last time she visited to take for my trip to Paris this past spring...so one Saturday afternoon in September I received a call from her and it went something like this: Me: Hello? #5: Hey Stupid... Me: WTF do you want? #5: I'm at Bloomingdales and that bag of mine you like is on sale. What color do you want? Black or red? Me: Black, it goes with everything #5: Ok, whatever, bye. [Can you sense the sisterly love?] A week later I receive this in the mail... ...of course it isn't black, but it still goes with everything. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/10/reaping_and_pliageing.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/10/reaping_and_pliageing.html swear by... Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:07:57 -0500 fruit topped variety I've been making all summer, so I thought I'd try something new. Hit the grocery store for supplies and inspiration and then I saw it... what better addition to my mini-cheesecakes than mini chocolate chips! Nestle's Tollhouse Mini Morsels, to be exact. Oh so cute! So using my Superr Easy Cheesecake recipe (linked above), I substituted chocolate grahams for regular, and omitted the lemon zest and juice and added a 1/4 cup of mini chips. Furthermore, before adding the mini chips, I tossed them in a little bit of flour to prevent the chips from falling to the bottom when baking - a tip I picked up from the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Gartner (love, love her!). Of course, I may have royally ruined the recipe with the addition of the flour, but it looks good, non? ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/09/ccc.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/09/ccc.html food Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:22:32 -0500 lemongrass and mandarin. Exotic tea blend you're thinking? Nope. Thai cooking sauce? Nope. New vodka flavor? Nope. It was a bottle of Bath & Body Works' Energizing Hand Soap in Lemongrass and Mandarin. I swear, if my fantasy dream of vacationing in Tahiti had a smell, this is what it would smell like. Just heavenly. Not only does it leave a tingly feeling, it smells so good, you can almost taste it - citrusy, minty, gingery and peppery (ok, so I'm not the most versed person around). Next time you're wondering what to get me for a gift, I'll gladly accept a bottle of this...or two. ]]> http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/09/dont_drink_the_soap.html http://www.veronicafung.com/2007/09/dont_drink_the_soap.html swear by... Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:26:01 -0500