Let’s start with flowers…

I really did not plan to post a gift guide. But, as I was finalizing my own gift list, the who, the what, the when, and the why, I started thinking about books. How could I not? I love books. I’m always happy to receive a book as a gift. (Or something for the kitchen, [...]

So many parties going on…
Here’s the story of one of the parties we went to…
First, the minute the door got opened, the smell of oil hits you right in the nose. This is why…

More about the miracle of Hanukah and a Latkes recipe on MomGrind here.

Lots and lots of latkes

This is an easy, no mixer needed, mix by hand, kind of recipe, that I made in the speed of lighting with my 6 years old one evening for his dad’s birthday. We got home late and were in a big rush to bake some cookies in time before dad got home so we can [...]

This is becoming a yearly family tradition. Something fun to do during the holidays, adults or kids, is going to see the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel in Seattle where local architects and chefs from the Sheraton team up to design, bake, and build gingerbread houses.
This is the Sheraton Seattle’s 17th annual Gingerbread Village [...]

It’s been a while, hasn’t it?! I haven’t posted anything for more than a week… I missed you guys and I missed blogging. I got busy and out of focus as we planned a little Thanksgiving vacation to sunny California. We visited family and went to the beach which was a lot of fun. And [...]

You people, you are something else!
I don’t know how this happened or exactly why (although I have a clue…), but almost out of the blue I started having thoughts and questions: What’s the point of this blog? Why should I continue writing? For who? Who cares? What do I have to say or contribute that [...]

Originally, I had nothing to say about it. Too easy to create, too quick to make, there was no opportunity to blurt a word out before it was done. But it’s beauty too astounding to ignore, I had to share. Its expected tart sweet gorgeous tang, I could not wait until Thanksgiving.
Yes, I’m talking about [...]

How would you like to have these for your holiday dinner?
Remember the Pumpkin banana cream pie? The recipe is here. So this is what you do when you don’t want pie (skip the dough step), or if you do make the pie but have extra custards.
I mentioned a shortcut in the pie post – if [...]

As far as my memory goes back in time, I can count the times I baked with someone on one hand. I don’t get too many opportunities to bake together with family or friends besides my son (who sometimes quits before the process is complete) or an occasional guest. Baking means a lot to me. [...]

Remember the cognac/whiskey-soaked chocolate cake?
Well, my mother-in-law baked that cake and sent me photos. And then, I just had to make it again. I had to!

However… since Valentine’s Day was approaching, I thought I’ll try to make it CUTE. Hmmm…

No, I am not going to give you another decadent chocolate dessert recipe for Valentine’s Day. They seem to be all over the place as it is. You don’t really need another one. Do you? On the other hand, what are you going to have for dinner before the dessert? Or is it going to [...]

I’m in love with this cake. Can you tell? I think I already had 3 pieces today. And it’s only 8:26 pm… The night is young.
Pphhh, forget about new-year’s-dieting- resolution.
The first time I saw the recipe for this cake was a few weeks ago on Orangette blog, and then a few days ago I found [...]

I want to dedicate a cake to you. To celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of a new one. You deserve it. It has been tough lately. But it will get better, right?! It has to.
I usually don’t fuss over a change of digit when a year ends, but this year it [...]

Eating out while on a trip or vacation, with or without kids, can become a stressful event. Going out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and maybe snacks too, every day throughout your vacation, can be tiring. Choosing a restaurant, driving, parking, waiting to be seated, reading the menu, consulting, deciding, ordering, waiting, paying, waiting… add [...]

The last weekly menu plan for 2008. Posted recipe for December were…
Party times – Holiday (or Birthday) Party Food – Appetizers
Entrées:

Breadcrumbly Pumpkin Ravioli – Sometimes Life Gives You Breadcrumbs
Upgraded/dressed-up Pizza – Sometimes it’s Pizza for Dinner
Surprise – Time to Tell You What It Is
Amazing, but simple, Chicken Wrap
Linguine with Shrimp Scampi
Orange-Colored Soup

Side dishes:
Zucchini Pancakes Addiction
Mashed [...]

Holidays season means… party time, and if you’re lucky, then it’s parties. Here are a few ideas to make your party stress free.
What you see in the pictures is what I served for my birthday party in August. That was outside in the backyard… But, regardless of the weather, all the ingredients I used then [...]

When my son was 3 years old, he got a Home depot tool box from Toys R Us for his birthday. That was one of the best gifts ever. He played with it a lot, by himself or when he was “helping” his dad build things. It was a wonderful imaginary toy as well as [...]

If you are looking for something fun to do for the holidays, go see the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Local architects and chefs from the Sheraton Seattle team up to design, bake, and build gingerbread houses and creations with a superhero holiday theme.

Time: Mon-Thu, Sat 10am-6pm; Fri 10am-7pm; Sun 11am-5pm. Ongoing Daily [...]

I made four batches! of pumpkin muffins in the past 24 hours for all kinds of school fall festivals. I was hoping to share a WOW recipe with you, but the one I used from Gourmet magazine was just OK, so I won’t post it. Since I didn’t have a Plan B recipe and has [...]

Sarah, a mom I know from my son’s school, gave me a little bag with roasted fresh pumpkin seeds she baked at home. They were very very tasty.
Pumpkin seeds make a nutritious and tasty snack, and have an extra oomph during the holidays. They make a good treat to serve to your holiday dinner guests [...]

I was at the grocery store this morning buying ingredients to make pumpkin cupcakes for all kinds of fall festivals.As I was imagining how I will photograph the cupcakes, looking at all the Halloween stuff around me, a thought came to my mind – what if a real live big spider was crossing by the [...]

Rosh Ha-Shana (a Jewish holiday) is coming soon and people are looking for good recipes. Naturally, some are asking me, but regardless, I feel pressured to post something, and it must be good, and easy, of course. So here is a winner recipe for beef goulash by one of my favorite top chefs, Wolfgang Puck [...]