Apple Picking, Simmered Apples & A Quick Tart

Apple Picking, Simmered Apples & A Quick Tart

  Over the weekend, my family and I went apple picking at Riley’s Los Rios Rancho in Yucaipa, CA. This year, I decided I wanted to celebrate my birthday differently than years past. When I was little, my parents used to take us cherry picking and I can’t recall if we went apple picking too, but our jaunt to rural Southern California brought back great childhood memories and it was quite a pleasant get-away for us city...

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Mini Banana Muffins, A Day in My Life

Mini Banana Muffins, A Day in My Life

  I am really enjoying my daughter’s nursery school experience, and honestly I’m not sure who is having a better time: Bebe E or Mama. I was so worried about Bebe E having separation anxiety as she used to cry when I would leave her with my parents, a family friend, or even my husband, but it seems she is growing up. Since school started last month, Bebe E hasn’t shed a single tear when I dropped her off at school. Every time...

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Corned Beef Hash & Summerpalooza

Corned Beef Hash & Summerpalooza

Our summer is heating up with activities very quickly. This weekend Bebe E starts a soccer for tots class and Bebe E just finished up basketball for tots. We also started obon odori practice, which is a Japanese dance for the summer obon festivals. (Click here for my post on obon and okinawa dango, a Japanese sweet donut). Bebe E loved her first dance practice and especially the popsicle that was offered during break! This week, Bebe E is...

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Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs, Decorating Eggs, An Easter Egg Hunt & A Pony Ride

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs, Decorating Eggs, An Easter Egg Hunt & A Pony Ride

  I considered a non-food related, no-recipe blog post about our pre-Easter weekend extravaganza. However, after a little thought I changed my mind and decided on a post about “perfect” boiled eggs, how to color them with simple food coloring, as well as to share a few crafty ideas for decorating eggs. Before we get to the cooking and decorating of eggs, I’ll share what I really wanted to write about, which is our...

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Pumpkin Pancakes & Monterey Bay

Pumpkin Pancakes & Monterey Bay

Until our visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the farthest road trip we had ever taken with Bebe E was to San Diego for a visit to Sea World or the San Diego Zoo, which is a mere 1 1/2-hour drive. However, since our 17 hour flight to Beijing, we’ve gotten bold as parents. Just prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday, Bebe Dada invited us to accompany him on a business trip to Northern California. He suggested we take a road trip and that we...

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Granola French Toast with Very Berry Maple Syrup

Granola French Toast with Very Berry Maple Syrup

I hope everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day! That seems like so long ago, although it was only just a week ago! I’ve been looking forward to posting our yummy Father’s Day french toast breakfast but I have been surprisingly busy this week, but in a good way! My mom (grandma/Bachan) stayed with Bebe E and I to keep us company and help out while Bebe Dada was traveling. Needless to say, we had a fabulous time while my mom was...

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White Chocolate, Almond & Apricot Scones, Game 5

White Chocolate, Almond & Apricot Scones, Game 5

  Game 5 of the Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Finals series was a complete disappointment with the Lakers losing, 92 – 86.  The series is now 3 – 2 with the Celtics leading.  Kobe showed-up to the game in the 2nd half with over 30 points, but the rest of the Lakers team didn’t “bring it”, and with the Celtics shooting at roughly 66%, we were doomed.  If the Lakers can’t play championship-grade basketball, they...

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Homemade Granola & Happy Memorial Day!

Homemade Granola & Happy Memorial Day!

I know the Memorial Day Holiday has already passed, but, as always, I am behind on my foodie posts. I cook faster than I write. Or, maybe I just have too much to write, much like I talk too much, and therein lies my problem?!? Albeit late, I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day. On Sunday, we had a nice family BBQ with bebe dada’s family. Bebe E had her first outdoor pool experience and was able to splash her feet and stand on the first...

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