i-heart-things: 02/08

2.25.2008

This stuff they call "snow"

So, I was recently in NY for a second to visit my friend Megan. Luckily, I came just in time to experience this stuff they call "snow."

Heehee.

Being from Austin, Texas we don't see snow often. I think we got a little bit about 4 years ago. I also heard we had some good snow back in '85, but I was too young to remember. I am slightly afraid of cold weather. I guess I am quite adapted to 100+ degree temperatures because I complain that I'm cold when it's in the 60's! Naturally, I didn't know how to react when I woke up and saw this outside the bedroom window.

(slight) Panic was my first reaction. I didn't feel prepared to go outside...that one day it snowed in Austin I never even stepped out the door. I thought it would be unbearably cold. I was NOT looking forward to this, but you know what?...it was totally okay! In fact, it was pretty amazing. Central Park was a sight to behold. So pristine with all of that fluffy snow. People were out with their kids and dogs, some on skii's, some making snowmen. I have to say it was one of the best days I've ever had.

(Photos below of Central Park at 96th street entrance. Click to enlarge)

Thanks to Megan, Karen & Adome for making this trip possible. XOXO

2.19.2008

Run Meg, Run!

(She is proabably going to shriek when she sees that I posted this!)

I just want to do an old-school shout out to my dear friend Megan for completing the Austin Marathon this past Sunday! There was no doubt she would, but in my eyes, that's quite an accomplishment.

-Finished in 3hours, 32 minutes!

-Ranked 78 out of 2,000 women!

WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU CARROT!!

I-Heart-Soup

I like to make a homemade pot of soup at least once a week. Usually, it's of the chicken soup variety, but yesterday I tried a potato version. This soup tastes thick and creamy without the use of fatty cream, but with the help of a little flour. It's extremely easy and fast to make -- about 30 minutes total. Overall, this soup is definitely a crowd pleaser and the ingredients are probably already in your fridge or pantry...gotta love that!

photo via Eating is Believing

Baked Potato Soup
Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
4 cups milk
2 cups peeled and chopped potatoes
4 green onions, chopped and divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2-4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:
1. Melt butter in a pot over low heat; add flour and stir until it's smooth.
2. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute until it thickens and bubbles. Note: it thickened immediately for me, so you may be able to skip this short step.
3. Gradually stir in the milk. Stir in the potatoes, half the green onions, salt and pepper.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 30 minutes or until thickened and the potatoes are done and cooked. Again, for me it did not take 30 minutes to cook the potatoes, so this estimate of time may be much shorter for you.
5. Stir in 1 cup of cheese and cook for about 5 minutes more.
6. Serve the soup with the remaining cheese, green onions and bacon on top.

I found the baked potato soup recipe on the Start Cooking blog (by the way, rated in the top 5 cooking blogs by Real Simple magazine), which directs you to the Eating is Believing blog.

My tips:
-If you have to run to the bathroom or answer the phone or do anything that will take you away from the pot for more than a couple of minutes then remove the pot from the burner. This soup really does have to be stirred often or it will start to burn on the bottom.
-If you don't normally keep bacon in the house and you don't want to buy a whole package just for this recipe then you can pick up a couple of slices of bacon at the deli of your grocery store.
-I use my kitchen scissors to snip the green onions. It's sooooo much faster than cutting.

2.07.2008

Congratulations and be prosperous

The new moon of February 7, 2008 rings in the lunar year, the year of the rat! Celebrated throughout much of Asia, and around the world anywhere large Asian communities reside, the Lunar New Year is marked by 15 days of celebrations in honor of new beginnings. Festivities are centered around family and community gatherings and include flower festivals, dragon parades, firework displays and often culminate in a lantern festival synchronizing with the full moon.

Symbolized by the rat, the first of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, this year is especially favorable for renewal of all kinds. It is said that how you spend the first day of the new year will reflect how the rest of year follows, so gather your loved ones, eat some delicious food and make it a good one!

Moons Creations

Mythology
According to legend, in ancient China, the Nián was a man-eating beast from the mountains (in other versions from under the sea), which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the color red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the color red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián, which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian.

The Rat

The Rat was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is the first of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. Rat is associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities.

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.