My New House and Garden

Pat and BC, sorry I abandon my blog for so long. I know that you are my loyal readers. Well I just like to post some pictures of my new house and garden (those you have not seen)

Story in My hood

As you might know, I live in a semi "hood" but still people keep their yard clean and a lot of young kid. Just full of life. But sometimes life might not be easy for every one or a lot. Last weekend, a middle aged guy came and asked if he could mow my yard. He did not ask much. I told him that I would pay double since the backyard is even bigger. He finished the work and got paid. Well, He came back three days later and asked if he could borrow a couple dollar to buy a humberg. I told him that I only had a few coins. I went inside and tried to collect all my coins. Then I realized that all coins might not be enough. I told him that I could go to McDy to get a couple humberg for him. I could tell that he felt so embarrassed and kept telling me that he was sorry to disturb me. then started to walk away. I said it was alright and gave all the coins I had.

He came back yesterday and asked if he could mow my yard again. Well the grass just did not grow fast as he hoped^^. I told him how about he can do it this coming Wednesday. He was so disappointed and asked if he could borrow $5 and I could deduct from the next service. I told him that he can come today to help me clean the flower bed and I can grow veggie this year since I think that I only can do so many projects this summer. I gave him $5 dollar and he walked away.

Today, when I came back from Lowe's, he was waiting outside next to a SUV. Then he introduced his wife and two young kids (a boy and a girl, they are nice and cute kids). He told me that he is separated from his wife and lost his work from the State a longwhile ago. His wife has kids and she has the only car they had together. They just had a bit family together thing. He flipped that whole the flower bed, took all the weeds out and get paid (I did not deduct any). I do not know how much I could help nor any noble. But it definitely gave me a different perspective when I observe so close to others who are so less fortunate than me.

He told that he was so lost when his mom passed away and thing started falling apart. I know he constantly struggles and never knows where the next meal comes from. But he said to me just like a lot of black folks that he has faith in God and thing will work out. I am totally atheist but I feel relieved that he still sees the hope no matter where the faith comes from.

Just share a bit story of my hood.

Christmas Eve Tonight

We visited Atlanta earlier this month instead of during Christmas time in order to celebrate Bc's 80 year old birthday. It is always so happy to see how well BC and Pat are doing. I had to tell BC that 80 is new 60 since 100 is common place now a day. I am always fascinated how meticulously they decorated for the Christmas, especially a old American town with many years collection from Stein Mart. Also sided with skating man given by us several years ago. So cozy and warm. BC was so intrigued by this glass ball to reflect sunshine over the wall and tirelessly moved into a optimal spot until sun finally went away.

I am waiting to post them until now. Merry Christmas and happy New Year, BC and Pat. I have to tell you that I am so lucky to have you in my life.

Happy holiday to everyone!

My Dream Is Still In the Pipeline

Just not sure how long it has elapsed since my last post. Really just lazy or not motivated or ... Well I did post some pictures once a while in my Facebook. But I can not believe that I have forgot my most loyal readers here - Pat and BC.

Finally I stepped out a tiny step to create my pipeline dream - my own brand which is culture meaningful and transcending. Here it is my first prototype which aims to just get touching and feeling. Those Zodiac characters are made by real Chinese peasant artists. Its imaginative purity makes it so authentic and inspires me.

Beautiful Morning

Evening Walk

David and Kevin's house is right on the edge of the desert. Kevin, Sammy and I took a nice walk before pot roast was slow cooked. Weather just could not be better. It was so pleasant. We walked about 25 minutes to see a reservoir. On the way back,we can see Restless Sin City under the dark from a distance.

Dinner Special

1. Green Lettuce Salad with home made toasted garlic bread
2. Mush potato with minced onion and diced roasted jalapeno
3. Grilled skirt Steak marinated with red wind, rosamary, black pepper

Lunch Menu

Cucumber Salad with Peanut Soy Dressing
Grill Cheese
Grape and Salami

Full Moon Right Above

It has been so pleasant outside and made us realize it would be so nice to read in the front porch after the night falls. It might even be perfect if we have a full moon right above. Well we have this super size paper lantern brought back from the very first trip to Montreal. It survived airport security check by barely escaping squeezing through inspection machine. Well it really is peaceful.

Back to the Basic

Sorry Ina, this is not your Barefoot Contessa. It is my basic- my garden this time. I worked in the garden for a quite bit today. Mainly cleaned up our back screened porch. Once a while, I go back to check the sanity of my plants. I always do basic maintenance such as watering and fertilizing. It keeps them live. But that does not necessarily give the charm and appealing they are meant to be. My itching hands touch and feel them once a while for better or worse. But intention is always good. Here they are

The Salad Du Jour

Sammy made its Ina Garten's recipe with all grilled with vegetables- Zucchini, red onion, potato, beet, bread with fresh tomato, local cheese and Salami. They are either from our garden or from our farmer's market. It can not be a complete lunch without Italian sparkling wine-Prosecco. Simply pleasant!

My Rabbit Update

I saw my outdoor pet several days ago in the backyard. When I moved to the front garden, he followed me and starting chewed my monkey grass a couple of feet from me. I guess that he is lonely as well. It puzzles me of why he is alone in the middle of the city.

Robert and John, This is warning! Be gentle and behave as a grow-up. I am showing my pet's picture now.

Beef Bourguignon

To dry beef pieces well is the secret to have a great beef bourguignon. That is what we were told in Julie&Julia. We just have to try to prove the difference it makes. That became a little job for me when Sammy apparently has not faded yet from the fever of Julie & Julia. I went to Farmer's Market and tried to find that perfect beef stew meat. I did not find beef stew meat but I did get a piece of beautiful round beef roast which can be chopped for the stew. I went back to the grocery to get carrots again for this dish.

Well we have something else special. It is golden chanterelles mushroom from our friend Laiyee's woods. I had it very first since I bought some from the market without knowing how delicious it is. It is not able to be cultivated and comes from wild period. It happened that Laiyee dropped by to give us her home-made black berry and straw berry sauce. So we invited Laiyee and Bob to share our beef bourguignon dish. Laiyee is a great baker who baked a beautiful peach pie and mozzarella tomato salad within two hours. As Bob tried to tell my mom, it was very luxurious dinner. Surely it is. $18 of a piece of beef, very expensive and hard-to-acquire mushroom, .... Most importantly, a lot of love and appreciation of fine cooking and above all, family and friends.

I suppose to post this a while ago. Well guess it is never too late to share the joy.