Back in Xiuning

As soon as we returned home, I was eager to start cooking again. I made scallion pancakes (葱油饼), a mom-made favorite.


They turned out really well!


Rae-Rae has grown even in a month. She has more of a personality now and talks more than ever.



Sometimes she eats with the boys.

Check out these adorable videos of Rae-Rae. Youku.com takes a long time to load, but bear with it.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjQ2NDAyNTcy.html

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjQ2NTM2NTg0.html


I also made garlic knots! They're like breadsticks and perfect as appetizers.




I also told Doug about a cold dish that my mother makes with daikon radish, vinegar, and sugar. It's fresh and refreshing.


Aaron also made a side that resembles kimchi, the Korean pickled vegetables side.


Zoe also made chocolate pudding for dessert. Surprisingly, the ingredients are Xiuning-friendly. All it takes is a ton of milk and a lot of patience to stir it.

More to come! Welcome back to Xiuning!

Winter Break in New York

Sam J shoveling snow from the threshold of his Queens apartment.
(alliteration above!)


California endures throughout the cold of the East Coast.


We went to a huge warehouse-sized restaurant/supermarket called Eataly. It had everything you could want for Italian cuisine.




Fridge upon fridge of cheese...


Rows of pasta...



Cheese grater


We also stopped in the new Lego store at Rockefeller Plaza.


We went to see The Lion King on Broadway. This is the view of Times Square from the lobby above the marquee.


We also ate at Tao, an upscale Asian-fusion restaurant. My friend Jeff joined us for drinks and desserts.


I went to see Steve in Connecticut. This is Jenny's penguin present. He's eating a Bagel Bite. Steve looks really good. =)