Asian invasion

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.

Here comes Halloween…Halloween, Halloween!

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!

Making art

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

Autumn means apples in New England

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.

Kenji opening up a milkweed pod

A closeup of the inside of milkweed pod

A perfect spot for a picnic

Kai and Emile holding hands (soon they’ll be best buddies just like their older brothers)

Holding hands makes the chance of tumbling less likely

My friend Mika and the boys opening up some milkweed

Kai doing his favorite thing and me looking impossibly tired. What’s new?

Kenji with is rascal face and Kai deciding whether or not to eat his apple

Apples with boys playing in background

Of course more time was spent being silly than picking apples. That’s what being 4 is all about.

The color of the apples was insanely beautiful

Can’t you just taste them?

Did I mention that there was lots of silliness

Kenji found a tractor

How many boys can we fit on a tractor

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How could I forget?

My dear dad visited just a week before my mom did. September was such a whirlwind of a month, that it’s taking me a while to catch up on everything, including this blog. I’m severely behind in almost everything.

We had a blast. Trips to the beach, visits to museums (ICA and Children’s Museum), raspberry picking, and of course lots of good eating.

We went to the new Cambridge Common playground in HSq. Fun was had, wetness ensued.

more eating

Can you see the resemblance?

Shhh…My dad said he ate about 3 times more than he picked.

We went raspberry picking

Eating outside with grandpa

More good food and fun

Good food and fun

Silliness

Hmm, how do I get this into my mouth

Kai demonstrating his own way of eating corn

A steamer (this was my dad’s first time having them)

Poor grandpa was getting tired out…

Rocks are always fun (outside Boston Children’s Museum)

Outside Boston Children’s Museum

Kenji and his tube course that he built

Kenji inside a bubble at Boston Children’s Museum

Kenji and grandpa playing with bubbles at Boston Children’s Museum

Seeing how high the ball will go inside Boston Children’s Museum

Outside Boston Children’s Museum

Dad, Kai and Kenji outside Boston Children’s Museum

Me and Kai outside the Children’s museum

The final days of an Indian summer

Every day that comes along where the temperature gets above 70° feels like a blessing during a New England September. The crisp blue skies combined with mild weather make a day outside inevitable. And we were lucky enough to get a couple of them during my mom’s visit from Virginia. Visits to the beach, running through sprinklers in the city, picking raspberries, we enjoyed it all.
I was more than happy to have her here, as were the boys. Walter just got back last night from 10 days in Taiwan and Tokyo, so needless to say, it was nice to have the extra help. I’m glad Walter is back home, but I still miss my mom. Someday I hope we live closer to each other.

Grammy and Kai taking a walk

It was just warm enough to wade in the water

We went to Stage Fort Beach in Gloucester after lunch downtown.

Grammy showed the boys how to stack rocks. They showed her how to knock them down.

We went to the Aquarium and then spent some time getting wet in the sprinklers on the greenway.

I love the rocks at Wingaersheek

The sky was amazing. Kenji enjoyed the wide open beach at Wingaersheek

Something fun

Coconut cupcakes

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:

• 4 eggs

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!

Summer days at the beach

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.

The view from the water towards the shore of Lighthouse Beach

Walter carrying Kai to a smaller part of the beach we like to seek out for even more privacy

Me and my love-bug, Kai

We’ve brought many friends to the beach

More of me and love-bug

Kenji found many tide pools to temporarily capture minnows and tadpoles

One of many seaweed and sand creations

Kenji caught many crabs

My dear friend Heather visited from Oregon

Kenji and kai enjoying a snack together

sailboats sailing by

The many types of seaweed we foudn on the beach

Kenji and Grace wading in the lowtide in the late afternoon (that’s Wingaersheek beach across the way)

Yiching and Sara

Walter’s secret shot of us

The view of the beach from the water

Searching for seashells or fish

Kai and Sara

Walter and Kenji on the rocks on a perfect day

Chase, Emile, and Kenji

Me and Kai

Emile, Kai crawling, and Chase by the sea