Mango Sour Cream Soup

Spring is always time for new experiments. For a person who spends a lot of time at home, what's better than exploring new recipes?

After attending a potluck last week, i have yet to manage to use up all my sour cream. Frankly, i don't know whats got into me when I purchased this in family-size - Granted it was probably on sale, this is simply too much "fat" to put into one dish at once.  Now i am juggling through recipe ideas to figure to a creative way to use them up, well, eventually. 

Never daunt on me mango and sour cream will be a good combination, but the mango in my fruit basket happened to be ripe, juicy and very ready to eat today.  Normally i would just eat the mango as fruit by itself, but it turned out incorporating the mango into a creamy soup isn't bad, either.

i like this soup, but it is a bit dense and very rich. Small bowl of this soup is more enough to get that fulfilling sensation.  Maybe i should go with light or low fat version of sour cream and then dilute it with more milk to get that lighter texture next time?

Also, this soup is meant to be served chilled, yet i have hard time convincing myself to drink cold soup.  I decided to microwave for a good one and half minute and well, i couldn't call it better, but warm soup is more normal in my opinion.

Ingredients:

• one big size mango, peeled and seeded
• 1.5 cups of milk ( i used 1%)
• ½ cup sour cream
• Juice and zest of 6 or 8 kumquat
• 1 sprig fresh basil, minced

Get all the ingredients in a blender and puree till smooth, then ready to eat!


**this receipt is adapted from Champagne Mango.**

Baking kind of afternoon

Initially i was going for a loaf of bread based on a recipe i found here, but it turned out i don't have that fancy kind of dutch oven, and unwilling to purchase one just for the sake of an impulsive baking session on a Saturday afternoon, i switched gear and went with a fast and easy lemon sponge pie. I get to prepare, bake, and eat them all within 2 hours. Yes, efficiency is the key ingredient in my cookbook.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup milk
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 9-inch pie crust, unbaked

Preparation:

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, milk, and egg yolks. Gently fold egg whites into mixture. Pour mixture into pastry-lined pie pan. Bake lemon sponge pie at 350° for 40 minutes, or until done.

Here comes the lesson I learned:
beating egg white with a pair of chopsticks are just morally wrong.
Do you know how long it takes to beat the white to "stiff peaks form"
After more than 30 minutes of intensive workout, my arm is sored, my neck is tense, and honestly, I just don't care about stiff peaks form at that point. I think it looks good enough and dump it in the mixture, but we all know well it would take another good 15-20 mins of good beating to get to that stage of perfection. I gave up voluntarily and told myself there will be no more baking until I steal an egg beater from my parents' house next time.

How does it taste, though?
texture was ok. For an inexperienced person like me, i wasn't sure what a sponge pie looks like, so i take what I can get, and it doesn't look bad, either. However, for some odd reason I forgot to add the sugar, and I didn't find out about this missing ingredient until half way through the baking. Since it is too late to fix anything, i sprinkle some brown sugar on the top to make it sparkles. All I can say is better luck next time because i will be sure to add the sweet.



all set up and ready to for their steamy bath at 350F.


you will be so much better with sugar. *sigh*

Spring is a great time to try new things

After that shocking morning snow on April 1st, i want to say that winter has officially ended. Today is the first day I can actually open my screen door and feeling that lovely spring breeze coming by. I can't wait to enjoy next 6 months of sunshine ( actually, only 3 months of spring, summer is more like a heat wave) here is Yak.

Spring symbolizes a new beginning. It is also great time to try out new things. Economy as bad as it is, there is no better time to shop, shop, and shop. Crazy sales has become my new best friend, and I get to buy more things, and try out new products more than ever.

Mary Kay Cosmetics
One of my co-workers hosted a skincare party a few weeks ago. Because my facial lotion is running low, there is no better time to attend this kind of party. After trying their entire line from cleanser to moisturiser, I ended up with their night gel solution, and anti-aging facial lotion.

Lotion is something I always use, but this lotion absorbs a lot faster than shiseido I am currently using. As soon as i put it on, lotion immediately disappeared. It makes me wonder if my skin is too dry, and therefore it is crying for a stronger dose?

The night solution is serum that is used right before lotion. It is a bottle of nutrients that provides all the vitamin needed for maintaining beautiful skin. It feels wonderfully to put it on right after my toner, and this will be a great addition to my current skincare routine at night.

of course, neither of those products is on sale, and i probably shouldn't be buying name brand that costs a fortune. What can I say? I am a sucker when it comes to skincare products.

Kansas City exceeds my expectation

Never in the million times I would picture myself in Kansas City, but it turned out to be an adorable city full of a good mix of historical and modern buildings. Being a crazy photographer that i am, two hour break from work means 200 plus of new photos on my camera. Now I am back home. Contented.

Aside from beautiful architecture, one thing worth mentioning is how demography differs when you transfer from one airport to the next.

Seattle
after being there for countless visits, i still consider this a decent size of airport. Not only is this the airport i am most familiar with, but also it is the place that is in sync with the rest of Asian population in Seattle. Actually, there is a good mix of all races here in SeaTac.

Denver
also another International Airport. It was built in 1995 with the modern design that i like. This is a semi-busy airport with shops and cafe on each floor. Not a bad place to wait around for a short flight transfer. It could be the timing of my visit, but this is the airport filled with mostly business travelers.

Kansas City
Small airport. I had to walk all the way to the end of hallway to get a cup of Starbuck. Did I mention their Vanilla Latte is overpriced in this airport? Kansas has alot more black but almost no Asian. After living in the Northwest for so long, it is about time i see an equal mix of black and white for a change.

Phoenix
Transferring flight from Kansas to Phoenix is a big transition. First of all, it is warmth this time of year. It is nice to enjoy sunshine and sip on my Coffee Frappucino in the 70's during winter. Also, Asian popular is back. Never knew there are this many Asian living in Phoenix.

As flight departs from the airport, i can still see unless buildings miles after miles. As a big city Phoenix is, maybe I should give it a shot and plan on my next trip around this area.

Opening Ceremony

If I already expect this to be spectacular, the whole opening ceremony is beyond believable. Not only is this creative on a large scale, but also it is quite educational. With help of host who deliberates the story behind each performance, I felt as if i have learned about major Chinese culture all over again.

This might sound shallow if i say it, but what moves me is not the educational aspect. Rather, it is their incredible choreography ties in with precision of movement, all on a massive scope that literally takes my breath away.

If teamwork is tough, think about difficulty coordinating a huge group of 2008. That is 2008 drummers, 2008 Tai Chi Masters, 2008 dancers all moving in unity to deliver this stunning presentation on the stage. This is the kind of coordination beyond imaginable, even so in a 1.3 billion country, possessing unlimited labor resource like China.

What may seem an hour performance, there is no doubt that months of preparation and countless rehearsal must have invested in this event. I applaud to those who made this opening ceremony possible, as well as athletes who are out there of presenting their country next two weeks.

so this is how it feels like to be in pain

We all try to stay safe, but accident happens once in a while.
When accident happens, at least we can hope for is to have one great story to brag about. Unfortunately, most accidents happen for stupid reasons, and I believe mine can top that list today.

so I already had this sore spot on my lower back after a long nap last Friday. After a few days without fully getting better, I figure i could twist and unwind that sore muscle a little.

Unwind too much, maybe?


When I was stretching in the bathroom this morning, i hit a spot that stuck gold and really made it worse. While I yawn like this every single day, i have never managed to cause this much damage.

How did this happen I am not sure completely sure, but now I know for a fact that I move around like a grandma. To add salt in my wounds, I had to use to my heating pad to in the middle of summer to smooth away the pain. As annoying as this might sound, somehow i felt "smoothing" somewhat after this steamy treatment.

Give me more heat, please...

there is such thing as too many cakes

After many nonproductive weekends, i finally decide to invite a friend to come over and baked something this Saturday. Baking is usually a hassle, cleaning all the dishes afterward isn't helping much, either. However, i love cakes and it just feels like one of those weekends to have a steaming hot cake fresh out of oven.

Since it is made out of a cake mix, it is almost impossible to screw up. After a short yet unsettling anticipation, cake is ready to serve.

What i did not think of is what to do with leftover. When a cake just came out of oven, it never once occurred to me that a whole cake is probably too much for two girls to swallow.

It all became obvious afterward that I should have thought about my neighbors earlier. Now that the cake has been sitting on my counter for 48 hours, and the last time I checked there is still a big portion left inside the pan. Finishing the whole cake while fresh has almost became mission impossible - looks like this is going to be a long week with carrot cake challenge ahead of me.

To make the problem worse, I also baked some lemon cupcakes on the side. Since oven was already hot and ready to go, i figure how convenient it is to top it off with a side dish.

Another miscalculation....


Lesson of the day:

"love your neighbors: when it says 12 serving on the box, it probably means that".

"After Hour" by Brent Heighton.

Have you encountered a painting that speaks to you?
This painting is called "After Hour" by Brent Heighton and i felt a connection just like that.

There is just something special of this causal setting that caught my attention- whether it is the coffee aroma in Europe, or simply a cute couple having a romantic dinner together? Maybe it is combination of the two that once again triggers my dream and desire for a trip in Europe.

With current crappy Euro to dollar exchange rate, this trip is probably not going to happen soon. However, a Euro trip will always be on my to-do list.

As for now, i will settle for a cup of starbucks and call it a day.

Thank You

Wow....it really has been that long?
looks like my blog is dying again!!!!!!
now that spring has finally come around, it is time to revive my blog.

I hate to say there isn't much going on in my life, but people like me to do get lazy easily. After being sick on my birthday and had the quietest birthday of my life, ( i actually went to see a doctor on my birthday..how lame is that?) i continue to receive care, love, and support from my dearest family and friends.

This thank-you note comes in a bit late, but I just wanted to say a BIG thank you for those of you who remembered my otherwise miserable day and how appreciate and grateful i am for all your warm greetings.

!!!!!!THANK YOU!!!!THANK YOU!!!!

A little bit of white

After weeks of cold air and freezing temperature, we finally got our first 8 inches of snow this season. Despite the fact that i hate driving on a slippery load, it is nice to have that rapid change of scenery overnight.

Oh my...an interactive Starbucks gift card

This is totally a random discovery, but Starbucks recently introduces an interactive gift card where users get to design their own gift card off the template online . I created a special one with caramel macchiato in green background. Absolutely loved it.

Of course, this fun package comes with a small price tag, but no doubt this is definitely one the best gift cards ever invented. I had so much fun playing around with different templates. Most important of all, i am one of those crazy people who actually collect Starbucks gift cards out of boredom; this will be a great addition to my current collection.

Once again, kudos to the innovative Starbucks marketing team. You guys are soooo cool!

Not feeling festive

Two days of straight rain in the desert city has somehow disturbed my otherwise peaceful weekend. Usually this time of year I get excited about holiday shopping and gift wrapping. However, i feel detached from all that year-end routine this year. Other than putting on a mini Christmas tree on my coffee table (the same mini green from last year), there is nothing else I wanted to do spice up this holiday season. Is it a sign of rapid aging, plus laziness combined with lack of creativity? or maybe i have come to realization that I can save some trees by sending an e-card instead?

Regardless of my lack of festive spirit, it is almost turkey day. I am very much looking forward to my day off. Yeah, that's something to feel excite about.

Welcome Autumn

Before my Hot Springs trip to Oregon this coming weekend, I sacrificed my precious power nap in exchange for some fresh air during lunch today. Even without the luxury of green mountains, I feel fortunate to be in the proximity to colorful leaves and a mini creek. Best part of all, this spot is only minutes away from my office - a quick getaway from my otherwise chaotic morning.

Never thought that i would fall in love with autumn, but i have to admit that a colorful autumn without nasty rain can be quite attractive sometimes. Suddenly, living in the country isn't so bad after all.

i am weak

Two days after my flu shot, my upper arm is still sored.

Honestly, i don't even know why I got my flu shot at first place. I have never had a flu shot in my entire life, yet i thought getting a shot might be a booster to overcome possible sickness in winter - something I suffer every year.

Still, i am not sure whether this shot would really help, but guess we will find out soon. Regardless of outcome, there are about 1/3 of the sales team are already sick at work. With this widespread of virus floating around the office, it seems like what I need is more than a shot.

An offer I can't say no

One of the benefits living in an old community of a small town is to be physically close to many friendly, yet sometimes nosy neighbors who can and are willing to look after you. It is not my first time getting a phone call reminder to close the garage door, nor my first time receiving generous offer of homegrown fruit and vegetable that are freshly picked in their backyard.

While it is great to eat those tomatoes/melons that I actual love, there are also other stuff that are worth giving a second thought. Grandpa's beef/turkey jerky is a common item that goes on top of that list. There is nothing wrong with the taste - I tried it before and thought the flavor is decent. Everything is great until one day i walked into his garage where jerky is made - hum...not the cleanest and most sensitized kitchen i have been to. I didn't get sick or anything, but it was then I start to convince myself that little amount of bacteria is good for our health.

Grandpa visited me again this afternoon with another pack of his homemade jerky in his hand " Turkey is good for you, kiddo"
What can I say other than thanking for his kindness? I felt bad turning down his enthusiasm after all.

Looking at another pack of homemade jerky sitting in my fridge, I seriously doubt when I am going to eat it, if ever?

Bangkok Trip Continue and Finale

It seems like there is never a good time to finish the blog about my recent trip to Bangkok, so I might as well start now. Since I didn't spend that much time on sightseeing; this entry should be brief, simple and painless.

So what did I see exactly?


well, i had a Thai dinner buffet on a boat, touring through the city and the surrounding buildings/temples along the river. Last time I checked the map, there is only one river cutting through central Bangkok, so I would assume it is the Chaopharaya River.

Due to nature of a typical business dinner, I couldn't devote 100% of my focus on what is supposed to be an incredible view on the river, but can I just say that the food is awesome as well? Toward the end of an 2-hour boat ride, I went on the deck to get some fresh air. I felt nothing but a thick layer of humidity running through my face. It is very.........warm even late at night.


State Tower - this place is referring by my colleague. They accidentally "found" this building while looking for a Starbucks last time in Bangkok. When they got the coffee on the ground floor, they also found the entrance to an extraordinary city view on top of the building.


With a purchase of an very expensive drink, I get to see a view like this for "FREE" on top of State Tower




Later on i found out, according to my tour guide, Sirocco in State Tower is where you get to enjoy the MOST expensive (about $330 USD a meal) lobster meal in bangkok. For those of us who are on a tighter budget, we can skip the whole seafood idea but go straight to the Sky Bar on the roof of building at the 64th floor.




Standing on top of the stairs looking down the bar.
I actually got stopped by the security guard when trying to snap some shots of this beautiful bar. But toward the end of night, the he was nice enough to grant me one shot. I took more than one shot, but who is counting anyways?




Gate/Temple in front of the famous Siam Lum Night Bazaar - pretty much a night market mixed with live performance, bar, street food, and arty crafts. It is a very organized market for the western tourist; this means you won't be able to get a good bargain out of anything. Later on we went to another night market where any bargain is possible, including the "special service" along the side of the street. Hum...I wouldn't want to get into too much details here, though.



Bangkok Airport - getting ready to go home. Since I didn't have time for a real temple, I think this decor will work as well.

A relaxing weekend

Nothing beats a relaxing weekend at home and the privilege to wake up as late as I wanted to. It feels great to sleep until whenever, no work, no jet lag, no sickness, or just simply not being on the road. It is not like I don't like travel, but it just feels great to be home again after a long trip. ( Yes, two week is a long trip for me)

What did I do this weekend at home? Not only did I spend my whole Saturday mopping the floor, I even cleaned my bathroom. It is all fresh and shiny now, yeahhhh.......I also cooked both meals, which is something I haven't done in a long time. Regardless of so-called flavor, or flavorless of my dish, anything homemade is always good.

My Sunday also starts late with my classic espresso. It would have been nice to take a sip in the morning, but considering the time I woke up, an afternoon would also serves the purpose. For those of you who haven't tried my espresso, it is time to pay me a visit in the country. It is so much better than my cooking.

Finally, the picture above is my lovely hotel room in Bangkok, which will be the introduction for my Bangkok journey, which I will soon update when I am fully settled at work. Yes, i posted that picture for that special someone who keeps asking about the update. :)

8/24 to 9/2 in Taipei then 9/3 to 9/7 in Bangkok

9 more days until my vaca starts. After thoughtfully planned my Oregon Trip, i haven't put in much effort into the planning of my second trip. Since I am pretty much running of time, i picked an easy and effortless spot - Taiwan.

Besides shopping and dining, I figure there won't be much time for anything else. It sounds like a perfect effortless trip that requires least amount of planning.

Just as i booked the ticket and called it job well done, I mentioned this upcoming trip with one of my customers. Instead of showing his enthusiasm and excitement, he asked why I didn't choose to go somewhere else for this week-long vacation?

I paused for a second in dismay. Good question, why didn't I choose a different spot? Taiwan was an easy choice, but you learn and appreciate so much more when reaching out of your comfort zone. I did just come back from Taiwan 6 months ago, now I am going again for pointless shopping? As fun as shopping goes, there are so many other destinations I have yet to discover. There is life outside of shopping after all; I just wish this thought would have stricken me earlier - before booking my flight.

Since now it is too late to reconsider elsewhere, I am still going to Taiwan as planned. However, I will definitely put more thought and make a better use of my vaca next time for sure.

A Cool Personality Analysis

I never liked forwarded e-mails, but every once in a while I see a good one that is worth reading/playing. If a lazy person like me who actually spend time to advertise and share the link, it gotta to be good, right?

Here is my latest discovery for a cool personality analysis; i had to admit that result is amazing - it is very close to my so-called true personality.


When you open the link, a series of about 12 pictures will come up.
click on a photo in that category that most appeals to you. Just continue to keep picking the pics that appeal to you after reading the category. At the end it will give you a profile of yourself .


http://dna.imagini.net/friends/

Luggage Hugger

"What a great product!"
as soon as i see its debut on TV, I can't stop thinking how great this is for those of us who own a pair of black luggage - the color that's so common that it takes forever to spot it on the rotating belt at baggage claim.

Luggage Hugger https://www.myluggagehugger.com/default.php is a creatively-designed piece of fabric that can tightly wrap around your luggage, so eye-catching that finding your bags from distance is no longer a problem. Even though I am not a big traveler, but I can totally see myself using this cool thing ever time I travel. As a serious shopper who always fills up bags to its capacity; it is total frustration when I accidentally grab someone else's bag and then have it throw it back on the belt. Did I mention the bag is heavy?

Once I dress up my luggage, i will no longer worry about where my bag is and always get the right bag the first time. Now that my next trip is coming up, i am seriously thinking about getting this. The last question i have in mind is whether this is worth my money,but either way i have to admit that this really is a smart idea.