It has been unseasonably springlike in Portland the past few weeks. I’m talking between 65 and 70 degrees for days. I’ve got to admit, the Bay Area-like weather has made the transition back to Oregon a lot easier than I thought it would be. It also makes me feel like taking advantage of the weather in ways I didn’t in California. Because in the back of my mind I have this sinking feeling that the rain is waiting to surprise us in April. Continue reading churn, baby churn
time to party, with tea eggs
This year my husband and I are hosting our eighth annual Chinese New Year party. Our first party was in 2008, and we had just moved to the Bay Area. Now, eight years later, we’re combining a housewarming Chinese New Year party in our new home in Portland. Continue reading time to party, with tea eggs
a portland chinese new year
On the eve of Chinese New Year I’m feeling that twinge. The twinge of wishing I was back in the Bay Area at my mother-in-law’s house making dumplings for the holiday. The twinge of wishing I was hanging out with my husband’s family celebrating the new year. Instead, we are going to check out a promising Taiwanese/Chinese restaurant in Portland. They make their own Chinese sausage and serve a lot of my husband’s Taiwanese favorites. I’m hoping we’ll be able to talk to the owners and find out where they source their ingredients and if they’re interesting in adopting a Caucasian daughter figure. Ok, maybe not the latter, but I definitely would love to talk with them. Continue reading a portland chinese new year
keeping cozy
Hello! It’s been a while since my last dispatch. A lot has happened: a move from the Bay Area to Portland, unpacking, settling into both a new house and a new pace of life. How’s that for an excuse for not writing? Continue reading keeping cozy
a love letter to SF
Leaving is hard to do. I think as I get older, saying goodbye to a familiar place feels more challenging than it used to. I left Portland 12 years ago and barely looked back. I was too busy looking forward to a new adventure in California. In the 12 years since I left my home state, I’ve lived in Southern and Northern California, and have fallen in love with life in the San Francisco Bay Area. Today my husband and I are embarking on a new adventure in Portland. I’m excited at the prospect of living as a fully formed adult in Portland, being geographically closer to my dad and reuniting with my friends. Continue reading a love letter to SF
thank you
Today I’m saying thank you for reading my blog. I’ve been thinking about writing about food for years, but never got off my lazy butt to actually do it. I think losing my job motivated me to do something that I’m passionate about. Continue reading thank you
a fast car and a cheesecake
Once upon a time my husband worked for the North American racing division of a German car manufacturer. Working for a German company had its perks. One of which was access to their products, i.e. fast cars. The company offered a lease program to its employees for a price we couldn’t pass up. We couldn’t lease a modest Honda for the deal we would get on this fancy, fast car. So we decided to take advantage of a company benefit. Continue reading a fast car and a cheesecake
traditions in a cake
Holiday traditions. Many of us have them, regardless of what holiday we celebrate this time of year. It seems that traditions, new or old, have a strong place in our hearts. One such tradition for me is enjoying my friend Mel and her brother’s chess cakes. If I had to categorize this on my holiday tradition continuum, it’s relatively new for me. But regardless, taking a bite of that chess cake signifies that the holidays are here. Continue reading traditions in a cake
boozy balls
I had been hearing about my girlfriend’s holiday cookie party for years. She started hosting them a couple of years after I moved away from Portland to California, so I was never around to attend, nor was I ever invited. Each December I would hear stories about the infamous cookie party from our mutual friends. I’m not one to get bent out of shape about such things, but after a while, I started to wonder why I never made the short list for this party. I mean come on, I’m close with the hostess, I’m into baking and I’ve been known to travel over state lines for events. Continue reading boozy balls
knife-wielding children and tofu
I have a friend who shares the same name as my husband. Both first and last name. Confusing? Sometimes. Hilarious? Definitely. I’ve accidentally tagged them incorrectly on Facebook and I have a note in my phone differentiating the two so I won’t embarrass myself with an inappropriate text to the one who’s not my husband. Continue reading knife-wielding children and tofu
planks and sticks 