Christmas time

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Since we won't be home for Christmas, we didn't get a tree this year. But I LOVE Christmas decoration so put some Christmas flavor here and there in the house. Some ornaments and lights on the brunch on the corner table.

Even our favorite Noren has some Christmas ornaments.

Nut cracker guys are standing in line this year.

We will be in Japan for the holidays and guess what we are doing on Christmas morning? Opening presents? Noooooooooo. Visiting Kyoto Palace and doing some Yudofu (Tofu hotpot)!!! What a different way to spend Christmas, huh?

Opera Carmen

Steven has bought me a dress for opera. It is a beautiful dark brown silk evening dress with flower printings. Same material that is used for Chinese dress but the shape is some what western. I was looking forward to wear it and going to opera but Steven needed to go to his biz trip so I went by myself without wearing the dress (I save it till I go with him:). It was not fun as much as going with him but still Carmen was great. I also like the historical old castle-like San Francisco Opera house. Felt like I was a princess going back to my castle :) Where is my prince??? Oh, he is in Singapore...

Turkey Dinner

Since we had French food on Thanksgiving day, decided to make turkey dinner tonight. We got 2 turkey drum sticks and 1 breast and brined them for 24 hours.

Steven is cutting veggies. We roasted parsnips, turnips, potatoes, brussel sprouts, and onions. He looks great with his Japanese apron.

I made cranberry sauce for the first time. I stewed them with orange juice, sugar, and orange zest.

Menu
-Brined Roasted Turkey
-Roasted Vegetables
-Broccoli with sun-dried tomato & olive
-Shiitake mushroom soup
-Fresh Cranberry sauce with orange zest



How big was the turkey leg?

This big :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to a French restaurant in SF with our friends, Sumiko & Bruce for Thanksgiving dinner. We had great thanksgiving dinner.

Before we went to this restaurant, we had champagne and appetizerS at their place. Had a four course dinner at the restaurant which included dessert AND we had apple pie which Sumiko made.(Oh, it was so tasty!) I was so full and couldn't move after this. I guess this is the right way to spend Thanksgiving day. :)

Winter dish

I cannot believe we are in the mid of November. Time flies....really. It has been cold in mornings/nights so I thought something warm would be nice for dinner. I made stuffed cabbage (Japanese call it Rolled cabbage...Make sense because they ARE rolled. :)This was one of my favorite food my mother used to make when I was a kid. I used ground beef, parsley, shiitake mushroom, celery, onion, milk soaked bread and salt&pepper for the stuffing. Although I feel my mom's is better than mine, Steven loved them!! That only matters to me :)

Shopping therapy

The last time when Steven was on his biz trip for long time, this thing happened. Again he has been in London for 3.5 weeks. I needed to go shopping to stay myself sane because I was too lonely at home so I bought these boots...just kidding...my old boots were worn out so it was time to get new ones anyway.

I am missing him immensely but he calls me three times a day so I think I can make it. But honey, you need to come home before I buy the third pair. :)

Must love dogs...

I had brunch with a friend of mine at cafe in Menlo Park. She brought her dog, Luna and I enjoyed her company. She is a still puppy and coos when her mommy (my friend) is out of her site. I had a hard time to calm her down when she went to the bathroom. :) I love dogs and it was nice to ped and walk her.

Look at my "dog" cuddling with me in the couch. She always sits with me putting her paws on my arm. I thought cats are more independent but not our cats. They follow us and come to sit with us like dogs do. I love our dog-cats :)