After an almost 2-year hiatus, the orchid plant occupying space on my kitchen counter started blooming again!
Spinach and Cheese Egg Soufflé
Reprising one of my favorite homemade dishes during the pandemic, it is almost nostalgic making these Panera-style baked egg soufflés once again!
Yui's Birthday
[8 August, 2023]
Yui turned 13 and it’s a lunch treat at Roosters in Polaris.
Zucchini Rose Muffins
My next-door neighbor has a vegetable garden and shared a couple of zucchini with me this past weekend. So, through the magic of pre-made frozen puff pastry, I turned them into zucchini rose muffins.
Buff, Polish, Shine
It’s that time of year: a total clean up treatment of my concrete floor. First, a buff with the Oreck orbiter. followed by a thorough vacuum, and finally, 2 coats of Zep’s High Traffic Floor Polish. For that shiny, glass-like finish!
On Elites and Counter-Elites
Current read —
New Scanner
Replaced the old ( > 10 years?) ScanSnap 300M scanner with its latest, more modern equivalent, the ScanSnap ix1300. Much faster, more versatile, and now, also wireless and wi-fi capable!
A New Computer
New MacBook Air in the house! It was time to replace the 2018 MacBook Air with the 2023 Apple silicon M2-based 15” MacBook Air in Starlight.
Kate's Birthday
[14 June, 2023]
Seafood pasta and homemade cakes for Kate on her birthday.
Ramen Night!
[June 13, 2023]
Dinner out for early celebration of my niece, Kate’s birthday. At Yokai Ramen Bistro.
Weekend Visitors from Chicago
[10 June, 2023]
More family from Chicago visited with us over the weekend. Another excuse for a food gathering and some downtown gallivanting.
Memorial Day Outing
[29 May, 2023]
Lunch at 5 Guys and sugary treats at Dragon Donuts.
Big Birthday Party
[27 May, 2023]
The Satoh’s have arrived and it’s one big get-together after another! First, a big 4th birthday party for Madeleine Kaori, complete with banners, bunting, and chocolate cake!
Berry Custard Pastries
Tried this Instagram recipe for berry custard pastries with Italian crema pasticcera and they were fantastic. Definitely Insta-worthy!
Courtyard Landscaping
Spring is underway, and so are landscaping activities in the central courtyard. The citrus plants (Meyer Lemon and Calamondin) are outside and re-containered, and the 4-yr old juniper bonsai is out of its winter hibernation and now comfortably in its new ceramic pot. I also put together a new succulent centerpiece for the outside dining table. Continuing: a season-long battle with weeds!
Overall, everything’s looking good, so here’s to a great growing season!
Homemade Steamed Pork Buns
Made these Filipino-style steamed pork buns (“siopao bola-bola”) yesterday based on a recipe from this YouTube video and they turned out very well. The perfect savory snack, ingredients include pork meat balls, Chinese sausage, and salted duck eggs.
Citrus Update
Meyer lemons are coming along well, but the calamondin (Philippine lime, “calamansi”) is really having a bumper crop. I counted at least 4 dozen new fruit. With the weather warming up, I should be able to take these babies outside very soon!
Birthday Celebrations
[14 and 20 April, 2023]
Kasey’s and my birthdays are only a few days apart so it’s been a foodie flurry of lunches and dinners the past couple of weekends. Here’s to celebrating completing another revolution around our closest star!
Easter Weekend
[ 8 April, 2023]
Easter weekend celebrations at home.
Homemade Madeleines
[29 March, 2023]
Madeleines are one of those French pastries that have simple ingredients yet can take a very long time to perfect. The crispy, darker side with the notable ridges, the distinctive “bump” on the lighter, softer side, the subtle hint of vanilla flavor, and the rich, soft lemony moist cake interior — all need to come together nicely in a scrumptious little bite-size cookie. They also have a very short life, best consumed fresh and warm from the oven. This is my first attempt; not too bad if I may say so.
