Browse Category: yum

Winter Break

IMG_7851 Let the vacation begin!  I have 11 days off!  Woot!  I haven’t had a break this long since my maternity leave!  I feel so lucky the have the time off since we’re running really thin on staff this coming week at work.

IMG_7856On Friday night, we went out to eat and Kumquat and I shared a tomato and burrata salad and mac and cheese.  I also kicked off the break with a nice strong drink.

On Saturday morning, I had lots of laundry and packing to do.  We left around 12:45 and Kumquat slept most of the way.  IMG_7864IMG_7873We stopped once to eat and once to pick up coffee where she got to run around and got a hold of my phone for a bit.

IMG_7881It was only during the last hour that Kumquat started to get really antsy so she got to watch some videos.  The trip took a total of 7.5 hours and the drive was congested at times but overall a smooth ride.

It’s good to be back in SoCal and at The Magical House.  I love having the grandparents around to hang out with Kumquat.  Jes and I were even able to get away for a quick trip to Target late last night to buy a few things.  Aaah…I feel more relaxed already.

Christmas Party 2013

The last time Jes and I threw a Christmas Party was back in 2006 when we lived in Irvine.  It was before any of us had kids and some of us weren’t even married yet.  On Saturday, we threw a party and it was almost like a reunion for some people.  It was just nice to have a lot of the same people all together again under one roof.  DSC_4043We reserved the Clubroom and we had a decent showing of 17 adults and 9 kids!  My oh my!  I remember back when our parties consisted of at least 25 adults and maybe 4 dogs.

IMG_7559Anyway, the day started with a little drama.  Jes started the prime rib at 11:30 thinking it would take 7 hours to finish.  There was smoke all up in the house because it was turned up to 500 degrees (nothing bad happened) and the roast finished by 2:30!

DSC_4040 So, in a panic, we went to Plan B and decided to make prime rib sandwiches with horseradish aioli, onion relish, and arugula instead of serving slices with sides.  It turned out just fine and the meat was perfectly medium rare.  Yum.

IMG_7565DSC_4022We had a kid-friendly menu and activities also prepared and they had a fun time together.

DSC_4035 IMG_7582The adults also had a little game to play – we set up a blind wine tasting of cheap and more expensive red wines.

IMG_7575 By the end, everyone was pretty rowdy.  Check out the Reese and Jack Team vs. Uncle Jimmy. IMG_7588

DSC_4050Keenan almost stole a kiss from Zoe until Uncle Victor spooked her.

IMG_7578I’m so glad the timing worked out for everyone.  It’s rare that we all have a free Saturday to hang out all together nowadays.  What a great way to kick off the Christmas season!!

LOL

I don’t know why but I can’t stop laughing when I see this photo. I think the caption and comments really top it off. Thanks for capturing this pose, Brother!IMG_7501

Black Friday

IMG_7371 1On Friday morning, Brother and I got up really early to go for another run.  IMG_7373 1It was nice to be out before the sun came up.  We finished three miles in time to then hop into the car and head over to Tartine.

IMG_7374 1 This is our version of standing in line for Black Friday.

IMG_7378 1We got there about 15 minutes before the doors opened and left with a butter crossaint, pan du chocolat, coconut macaroons, 2 morning buns, two slices of ham and cheese quiche, and a chocolate hazelnut tart.

IMG_7385 1Later that morning, we all packed up for a walk along Embarcadero to Hog Island Oyster Co.  There was a bit of a wait but it was just enough for us to to enjoy a glass of wine and to build up an appetite.  IMG_7398They gave us a big table for all 8 of us and we feasted on oysters and clam chowder. IMG_7402IMG_7403 1

What a tasty meal!!  Once that was all done, we took a walk to Union Square to do a little shopping.

IMG_8545Brother went back to Uniqlo to exchange something while Jes and I went to the Apple Store to get me a brand new Macbook Pro, which came with a $150 Apple Store gift card!!  Woot!  Merry Christmas to me!

DSC_4000 DSC_4005The afternoon was then spent at home resting and cleaning up.  Kumquat enjoyed hanging out with Cousin Alice and it was so cute to see how curious she is around her.

IMG_8948For dinner, we all piled into the SUV that Brother rented and went to R&G Lounge for some salt and pepper crab.  Daddy really enjoyed the crab and we were all wondering why we hadn’t yet taken him there after all these years.

Thanksgiving Day

IMG_7326Thanksgiving Day was filled with family and food.  In the morning, we took a drive down to San Jose to visit my uncle and aunt.  It was fun to see the two little girls in their carseats side-by-side.

IMG_2509While we were there, Pa Peed (my aunt) took out some old photos for us and it was fun to see us all as little kids.

IMG_7353This is a photo of the cousins while we were visiting them in Thailand.  From left to right: Pish (5), me (5), Ishya (3), John (3), Johnny (1). 

IMG_7349This is a photo of me when I was about 2 months old.  It was on a Christmas card that my aunt received the year I was born.  I guess I my very own set of chubby cheeks.cousins_02This is a photo of me and Pish when during my first visit to Thailand.  We were both almost a year old.  My mom and uncle were so cute as first-time parents.

IMG_3746 IMG_7360 After our drive back up to SF, we stopped in Chinatown for our favorite breakfast – porridge and fried dough.  Yum.  IMG_2513Kumquat thoroughly enjoyed the porridge and some of uncle’s noodles too.

IMG_2518Meanwhile, Jes was home preparing our giant turkey feast.  DSC_3999We had a 23-lb turkey and all the fixings – my favorite meal of the year!

DSC_3995The only piece of the meal that was missing were Susie and Victor.  We’ve had Thanksgiving with the for the past 6 years and this year they’re out of town.  Oh well.

Pasta Cups

IMG_6744Tonight I made up a new recipe.  Went to Safeway to pick up some ground turkey and ricotta.  Had some pasta, kale, and leftover shredded cheese and tomato sauce at home.  I cooked up the ground turkey, added the tomato sauce, and then mixed in chopped kale until it wilted.

IMG_6745At the same time, I boiled some wheel pasta and when it was done, I scooped some into the turkey mixture.

IMG_6747While it was still hot, I folded in some bread crumbs and ricotta (about 3 heaping scoops).  It all went into the trusty muffin tin and got a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese.

IMG_6749They turned out quite well and has a flavor and texture similar to lasagna.  You can barely taste and feel the kale so it’s an easy way to packed in the vitamins and iron too!

IMG_6757This is how they looked after they cooled and placed in a ziploc for the freezer.  I set aside one of the cups for Kumquat’s lunch tomorrow.  Hope she likes it!