Chinese New Year Eve, an eat all about memories and traditions

Happy Chinese New Year! Don't you like new year celebration, it feels a bit like a reset button. Always hope, and always a new set-n-go.

Super Speed Chinese New Year Eve Meal

I swear I won't do this again.
This, is my historical lightening speed for a festival cook. Arrive home 6pm, have an eight course Chinese New Year eve dinner ready before 8pm. AND they are all traditional dish and most require a lot of time and efforts. Our family's regular way takes one whole night before the the day, then pretty much a whole day on new year eve to perfect this just one dinner.
My schedule has been not worked as "tradition" way this year. I always believe I can make it happen, even everyone show me a "now what you gonna do" look. But when I fried the endless pork and meat balls and bean curd, while five other burners were all on full powers and almost burned my manicure and half an eyebrow, I realized it is truly not a good way for me to enjoy this annual family cooking tradition.
Sometimes, to achieve is a thing. To enjoy is another thing.
Oh but I eventually pair a good wine.

我的意思是，完全从开油锅算起，两小时之内把年夜饭端上桌了。
这种挑战一生一次就好。实在对心脏有负担。
嗯，对漂亮的指甲和眉毛也不宜。
虽说坐下来，看家人惊喜开心的团年，有着这样我也居然做成了的成就。可提前一整夜寒风里伴着一炸一惊的油锅偷偷吃了烫着嘴的小兴奋，除夕夜一整天家里各种煮各种香的混合，还是不应该错过的呀。
新一年，让我们好好的更多的享受一粥一饭的快乐吧。

Happy New Year of Relaxing Family Eating!

We are on the road. Again.
And where could be better for New Year's Day morning a no-reservation-no-waiting-all-you-like-to-eat than get it at home. I had it done within 45 minutes (struggled a bit with that sweetened pumpkin thing or could be done within 30 minutes), and we spent a luxury 1.5 hours around the table, sharing stories and learns from last year, while looking forward all best for a brand new 2018.

Brunch Everyday for the Holidays

Unless a party, I normally not cooking on Christmas. We either on travels, or like to test all new restaurants in town, and just dress up and relax.

But brunch does not count to cooking. It's a "fixing". And it works so fine to our 11am wake up calls.

Somehow My boys consider big hotel brunch is a waste of money: What?! They are robberying! Mom can make these all for free at all the time!
Right?!.... I'm free.

Jingle Jingle Let's Mingle: 2017 Holiday Luncheon w/BFF

I am a very lucky person, every friend comes to my life brings me messages, inspirations, and warmth. There is many ways we say thanks and loves, asking for my holiday lunch invite has been a very popular one recently. May be because of my food, or because of my laughs?

I consider cooking is love made visible. Above all, Christmas makes everything softer and more beautiful.

Happy Birthday America!

I love this great country and feeling so appreciate and proud to call it my home.  This year, we did not travel as we always did on the Independent Day, there is no reason not to party, cook and eat seriously.

Chinese Dragon Boat Fest 粽香四溢

Don't you feel, while, a bit awkward, if to name a fest to remember the first and most fundamental poets in Chinese history, a dragon boat day? Long story in short, even he drown and people racing boat to try to save him and put sweet rice snacks into water to memory him, I still think a National Poets Day or Chinese Memorial Day may be a better (but sounds less fun) choice.
BTW, in Chinese the fest name is Duanwu, perfectly fine and right for season.

It is the mark when is full swing of summer heat. Our tradition including kiddos wear five color strings on hands and a dot of herb liquor on center of forehead, to scare away the deadly disease and/or evils. Five things always on table to enjoy: peach, plum, salted egg, garlic, and Zongzi (Sweet Rice staffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves).
端午吃五子：粽子，桃子，李子，蛋子，蒜子。雄黄和艾草我是遍寻不着啊。

A Much In-Needed Relaxing Long Weekend 很多烤肉的长周末

Our tradition is always play hard on Labor Day. But for Memorial Day, we relax, slow down, of course BBQ, of course shopping and go concert. We find out black and white pictures of family members who once were in wars and fight for own nation, and dust the unforgettable stories they once shared with us to the next generation.   

My best record this year is ----  three BBQ three days in a row. Oh the smell of smokes and meats and a hot summer just begins. 

学校还有三天才期末考结束。这个国殇日长周末，我们一如既往放轻松，吃喝补觉。最不可思议纪录是，连续三天吃烤肉。

Year of Monkey 欢喜过大年

恍然一看，居然懒怠这许久了！

借口总是要有的。最成立的也是真正2015伤心榜排行首选啊：我的电脑硬盘完全、彻底、毅然决然毫无预警地，毁掉了。修电脑的家伙都没见过如此重伤，口气之婉转。

我那多少千万的照片啊啊，排了一半大半的文章啊啊，还有所有的文件记录 OMG.

更伤的是新一个iMac. 原以为不就一个大iPhone嘛，可真拗呀，不光拗手，脑袋也更不太跟得上，不是一个物种似的。

万丈高楼新一年，平地起。

那，就从除夕这一天开启吧。

中午请客。秉承一贯作风，好不好吃顺不顺意不说，量要够。不喜欢party完回家下面条的体验。

My hard drive was totally broken.
It hit my life in a very tough way. All recipes, notes, records, and ten of thousands of pictures...
Ahhh.
While, I'm finally getting ready for a fresh begin. Let's celebrate a great year of Monkey, full with active, smart, brilliant and hope!

Yes: It's 4th of July! 快乐的国庆节 - 庆祝回家

How busy I've been and how many of countries I can visit within a very short and challenging schedule.
Yes, I love to travel, but just saying, there is no place like great USA.
Love to landing and back to my lovely home.

It's a typical BBQ + fireworks weekend. We were so tired, and so excited.

好容易回家了，坐下来，肉也好，酒也好，刀也好，景致也好。自己的窝：舒服啊。

 

Just Home-Cook Memorial Day Weekend 就是平凡安静的假日周末

Ops, cooking much less often recently: kiddos have very challenging practice schedules, heavily travel, and, party too many...
But you know what, it always make me feel so good that even providing all best choices of restaurants in town for them to pick, they still totally get tired and keep asking, can we eat at home. Even it's 830pm, or 25 miles away.

Home cooking is everyday-none-brainer & none-fancy but with lots of love and care.
You order the same dish from a restaurant, but could never taste the same.

We cook three meals in two days. Just simple, quick(but I can take my time) and free minded.

就是再忙，那也是在为一家人操劳。所以只要群众有建议和意见，咱们就要好好变通一下日程，响应号召：上家常菜， 好好在家不慌不忙地吃饭，发呆。

A lot to thank for ---- 2014 thanksgiving & after eats 感恩又一年

One more year has been flying away. Counting my blessings while spending this precious fest with the closest and love ones.
Thanksgiving is my tradition to spend only with family so to keep low-key and quiet as possible. The menu really seldom changed. We keep all traditional and simple and just polish a bit to adjust to a very little change on taste. Above all, it always a big bird show.
人说体会时光如梭就是成年了。这2014就要溜走啦，温馨的感恩节，把一串的佳节好时光撩开了序幕。

A Little Labor in the Labor Day 假日的快餐

Decided to work half day after long sleep and a brunch. I have been out of office for almost a whole week, so many to catch up. If you may consider working is rewarding, much would enjoy the quiet and productive time all by yourself.

I also find eating is more labor while cooking is more therapy, sometimes......

天也热，放个长周末人就偷懒起来。头天晚上红烧一大锅牛腩牛筋，睡到日近正中，才"fix"一碗米粉。人人各自随意，自得其乐。

Happy Year of Horse 恭贺新禧2014

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year!

过年啦！
今年的新记录不是多复杂的菜单，也不是多花俏的菜式。而是，时间。
昨晚开的油锅炸扣肉炸圆子炸腐竹。今天早上把扣肉蒸了，干货泡了。下午4点还在超市补货，傍晚接接送送小朋友的活动，待到家已是6点。
7:25开饭。九菜一汤一甜点。鸡和鸭是迫不得已外卖，黄瓜是妈妈的手艺，全部出齐啦！
真开心，还外烧个生姜红糖水，热辣辣，好暖人。



Happy Moon Fest 2013

It's the best moon of the year, and a fest for family, love, and tradition.
又是一年中秋。
偶尔有风，但依然炎热的天。雷雨之间，庆幸还赏到了月亮。一路成长看过的明月，这时分看她，一如回望一年年走过的自己。

没有老人亲戚陪伴身边的中国节，就少了很多气氛。两大两小，还有分别的课后活动，8点后晚饭，9点后吃月饼，都精简到最最所能啦：过节就是要个传统和彩头吧。

2013 Family Memorial Day 清明节的平凡转身

Chinese Qingming Fest, a day to memorize our family root, and enjoy the early spring outdoors. A tradition of "whole meal" make the dinner table before dinning a big "WOW" to my kiddos. I bet it's fun + tough to handle a whole full size roasted pork head, either to viewer or the one work in the kitchen, but it truly becomes very rewarding to create different ways to satisfy the family after pray and presentation.

Roasted Duck, Roasted Pork, Steamed Chick, Pan Grilled Fish.


清明英文该称什么呢？这个赏春和祭祖的一天，身在海外，赏春往往是周末而行，那餐桌上摆开来，还是祭祖算头一桩。
不是周末，一切从简。