November 6, 2009 by gobawplante

I love this type of lunch. Simple bowl of mixed brown and white rice, chili pepper sesame tofu, dry radish pickle, Spicy Takuan pickle, pickled burdock, and fresh cucumber. (most of it from H-Mart)
As an Asian-American, I am always excited when a new Asian market opens up. It can be difficult to find some of the items that I love to eat and cook with in regular grocery stores. Up until about 6 months ago, there was a wonderful Japanese grocery store, Kotobukiya, in Porter Exchange mall, in nearby Porter Square of Cambridge. They carried all sorts of fresh food including onigiri, mochi, produce, and the usual. But unfortunately, the nasty powers that be Lesley University, pushed them out in favor of a bland Barnes and Nobles bookstore. What a shame it was to lose such a beloved independent store to a corporate chain store. Anyways, I do hear that Kotobukiya is currently under construction in its new location in Medford Square, although I’m told it will be under new ownership. I am not holding my breath, as plans to open have already been delayed by several months. In the meantime, I have been somewhat saved by the recent opening of a brand new H-Mart. H-mart is a Korean-owned grocery store, but they also carry many Japanese items. They have my favorite mochi-cream daifukus as well as a nice selection of fresh produce and dry good items. But one of my favorite things about H-mart is actually not Japanese, it’s their HUGE selection of fresh Korean pickles, including over 10 types of kimchi! I love it! I can totally satisfy my need for super spicy pickles and sweet Japanese treats all at the same place!
H-Mart is a chain store too, but I don’t feel the same way about them as I do about B&N. I must admit, I was eagerly awaiting the opening of the H-Mart store, so much so that I actually called their company headquarters to find out their opening date (the “coming soon” sign had been lingering too long and was beginning to just feel like a tease). With it right down the road from me, I was driving by it at least once a week. My mom happened to be here visiting on their opening day, so even though it was a madhouse we braved the crowds so she could see what she was missing. OMG, it was a mob scene! Seriously, I think every Asian in the tri-state area came to Burlington, MA that day. The people spilled out into the streets that led to the store and the parking lot of the nearby Market Basket was flooded with deprived Asian-Americans looking for their fix. It was a regular Asian invasion. Traffic was clogged for miles. Market Basket up a sign the following week threatening to tow H-Mart customers. Ha. Seems Burlington didn’t realize what they were in for when H-Mart opened up.
I go about once a week now and get my own fix. I miss Kotobukiya, but for now H-mart is making me happy.
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October 31, 2009 by gobawplante

Kenji is ready for Halloween...
Today is Halloween! Kenji has been waiting with abated breath ever since last Halloween. Seems it has become his favorite holiday. Candy, costumes, acting silly and wild–I can see why he love the holiday. By the way, the title of this post comes from his most recent favorite movie: “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” If you’ve seen the film, you might remember the song sang at their Halloween parade by all of the townfolk–”Here comes Halloween…Halloween, Halloween!!!”

Pumpkin totem pole
We went on the haunted hayride down the road. This has become somewhat of a tradition, as we’ve braved the long lines and mobs for 3 out of 4 yrs now. Kenji donned his batman costume on the hayride, but has also worn it whenever given the chance. Tonight he’ll get to do the real thing with his best buddy, Chase, and their daddies. Their neighborhood is in a historic district of the town where people really show off their halloween spirit.

Very appropriately dressed for the Haunted Hayride

This guy was scary....but the boys didn't seem to be frightened

Kai checking out the scary farmer

A few other kids came dressed up for the hayride (Kai had mouse ears but quickly *perhaps smartly*discarded them)

The tractor about to enter the shark tunnel

Linus in the Halloween pumpkin patch

My friend Mika and me

Batman and his best friend, a pirate
Wishing you all a happy and safe Halloween!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged fall, fun, halloween, Holidays, kids, outside, silliness | Leave a Comment »
October 26, 2009 by gobawplante

We got these new rollers that you can use for paint or clay
In the last few months, Kenji has moved away from the blocks and trains (although he still loves them too), to spending a lot more time with visual art and letter making. He is constantly making something new for me to hang on the fridge or in various places that he has claimed as his “gallery space.” We do have a wall dedicated to this, but it seems as though we will have to come up with something more creative to show off his many creations. I’m glad he’s taken such an interest in making things, both 3-dimensional and 1-dimensional. It seems as though he’s gotten some of both of our genes after all…

It took deep concentration to make daddy's birthday card

Our gallery of Kenji and Kai's art

The finished product
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged art, boys, creativity | Leave a Comment »
October 17, 2009 by gobawplante

Apples with boys playing in background
Recently, the boys I headed out to the country for some impromptu apple picking. My good friend Mika and her boys joined us, which of course added to the fun. Autumn Hill Orchards is located in Groton, about a 45 minute drive from us, but the drive is well worth it. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll remember that I did a posting last year on a visit to this same orchard. The mountain views, the lack of crowds, and abundance and variety of apples, make it the perfect apple-picking experience and are what draw me back every year For selfish and silly reasons, I find myself almost not wanting to share their name for fear it will spoil what feels like my own secret garden. I love that there’s no one there but us, but a secret like this is too good not to share. You should really consider making the drive if you’re interested in apple picking without any of the bells and whistles that other more commercial orchards offer.
It’s not often that I get to commune with nature. I grew up in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by wildness. And even though I don’t care to live that way again, I miss it. I miss the smell of decaying wet tree bark, the sound of rushing water breaking through makeshift dams made of twigs, the feeling of complete solitude yet comfort in that you are surrounded by a million other living things. Funny that a little trip to an apple orchard makes me feel poetic.
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Kenji opening up a milkweed pod
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A closeup of the inside of milkweed pod
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A perfect spot for a picnic
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Kai and Emile holding hands (soon they’ll be best buddies just like their older brothers)
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Holding hands makes the chance of tumbling less likely
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My friend Mika and the boys opening up some milkweed
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Kai doing his favorite thing and me looking impossibly tired. What’s new?
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Kenji with is rascal face and Kai deciding whether or not to eat his apple
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Apples with boys playing in background
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Of course more time was spent being silly than picking apples. That’s what being 4 is all about.
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The color of the apples was insanely beautiful
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Can’t you just taste them?
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Did I mention that there was lots of silliness
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Kenji found a tractor
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How many boys can we fit on a tractor
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged boys, fall, friends, nature, outside | Leave a Comment »
September 21, 2009 by gobawplante
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
September 20, 2009 by gobawplante

coconut cupcakes
A friend of mine is planning on opening up a cupcake bakery in San José, Costa Rica. She’s been experimenting with different types of cupcakes, all of which not only look delicious but are works of art! I wish I lived closer so I could try her tiramisu cupcake! I asked her if she’d like a coconut cupcake recipe, and she said she didn’t have one yet, so here you go, Mary! I hope it makes the final cut, they’re dangerously addictive! I’ll have to post a link to Miss Mary’s cupcakes once she opens the shop.
Coconut frosting
- 2 1/2 cup of confectioner sugar
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- 2 tbsp of full fat cream cheese
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- ½ tsp coconut extract
- 4-5 tablespoons of heavy cream
- Bakers coconut sweetened (first toast it in the oven at 350 for a couple minutes, turn it while toasting). Set aside and keep dry.
Beat all a few minutes until well blended. May refrigerate, but must be at room temp to spread on cupcakes.
Coconut cupcakes
- 2 ½ cup of sifted flour
- 2 ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Mix together above, set aside.
- 2 sticks of unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
Beat above til fluffy
Then beat in:
Gradually add alternating with dry flour mix:
- 1 cup of whole milk (can substitute half cream if you like)
- 2 tsp of vanilla
- ½ tsp coconut extract
Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes.
Top cooled off cupcakes with coconut frosting, sprinkle liberally with toasted coconut. A touch of red (like a rasberry) in the center looks lovely. Enjoy!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged food, friends, recipes | Leave a Comment »
September 10, 2009 by gobawplante

The view from the water towards the shore of Lighthouse Beach
During the months of July and August, we spent many a day at a small beach, called Lighthouse beach. I have a cousin who lives up in Annisquam, who generously offered us use of her private beach. After many years of visiting and paying to go the larger beaches on the North Shore, it’s been so nice to go to Lighthouse Beach. It’s peaceful and quiet and it’s a lot easier to watch the kiddos, not to mention it’s free! The somewhat small beach dramatically increases in size during low tide, and is dotted by oversized boulders perfect for climbing or sunbathing on.
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The view from the water towards the shore of Lighthouse Beach
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Walter carrying Kai to a smaller part of the beach we like to seek out for even more privacy
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Me and my love-bug, Kai
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We’ve brought many friends to the beach
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More of me and love-bug
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Kenji found many tide pools to temporarily capture minnows and tadpoles
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One of many seaweed and sand creations
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Kenji caught many crabs
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My dear friend Heather visited from Oregon
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Kenji and kai enjoying a snack together
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sailboats sailing by
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The many types of seaweed we foudn on the beach
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Kenji and Grace wading in the lowtide in the late afternoon (that’s Wingaersheek beach across the way)
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Yiching and Sara
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Walter’s secret shot of us
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The view of the beach from the water
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Searching for seashells or fish
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Kai and Sara
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Walter and Kenji on the rocks on a perfect day
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Chase, Emile, and Kenji
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Me and Kai
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Emile, Kai crawling, and Chase by the sea
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged beach, boys, friends, leisure, nature, outside, play, summer | 3 Comments »