tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4028646260978167032024-03-13T02:39:00.881-07:00mama loungeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-51108215453263851012022-11-07T16:31:00.001-08:002022-11-07T16:31:07.465-08:00A Kitchen Pan for Family Fun<p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of my cooking goals was to learn how to make Vietnamese Bahn Khot which is made of tapioca flour and coconut and is a morsel of deliciousness. Plus it's gluten-free and fairly healthy when eaten with greens. When researching how to make it, I discovered that I needed a special pan. The pan below is known as either a takoyaki or <span style="color: #2f2f2f;">aebelskiver cast iron pan. I have found such joy experimenting with it and so have our kids. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2f2f2f;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During my birthday dinner, I made a few batches of <a href="https://www.wokandkin.com/banh-khot-mini-savory-pancakes/">Banh Khot</a> and impressed our group of friends! Shortly after, my kids and I made cute danish pancakes for breakfast. We made a few savory with cheddar cheese and sweet ones sprinkled with powdered sugar or filled with jam. I have yet to make takoyaki but the options are endless. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2f2f2f;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can create other mini-foods like aki onigiri (grilled rice balls) french toast, muffins, and pizza. Your taste buds will be happy to check out this delicious <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/goldenday22/takoyaki-pan-recipes/">pinterest board</a>.<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/goldenday22/takoyaki-pan-recipes/"></a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Honestly it took me a few months to make the purchase. It's not expensive at about $25 on Amazon, but I really had to justify purchasing another kitchen gadget. I'm happy with it and encourage others to do the same. It's a hit with the whole fam! #homecooking #joyofcooking #kitchengadgets #breakfast #appetizers</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiKPpsr3mjCfQlZFoEMoJz5R1ZNkw0Qi2gyF6fb8m6D1B2b1LZBufZa8VnJq21G6vGjKXvveJdKF7DBa2wnoY4_mk8Pkk7sy7OlJTRcmWfsk1v0FBIwD-ubumkTtEx0FhAtor5-w7UHzoCuXbLiwrT7xr6WffjP4-rtEHRSzNPiU3gfXG81PgUAkD12A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiKPpsr3mjCfQlZFoEMoJz5R1ZNkw0Qi2gyF6fb8m6D1B2b1LZBufZa8VnJq21G6vGjKXvveJdKF7DBa2wnoY4_mk8Pkk7sy7OlJTRcmWfsk1v0FBIwD-ubumkTtEx0FhAtor5-w7UHzoCuXbLiwrT7xr6WffjP4-rtEHRSzNPiU3gfXG81PgUAkD12A=w253-h240" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahn Khot<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZbIXfazHBXDmNw3VFHXR-q8n6MkK8KYiuHDV5OuSM-bIJbFrwjLPOew044J_csnr8FxitAZFSGAqhvXUzAGyaS4ZZzjycukOe2VXp9mfd_uOpYIDCVYu2s9kTGodRA1SduPXf6vr1EpBHbFOc5rqw9ljBjg0xVdK1B5e8zDbfaFr5w-b6Hm9n6br7ig" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZbIXfazHBXDmNw3VFHXR-q8n6MkK8KYiuHDV5OuSM-bIJbFrwjLPOew044J_csnr8FxitAZFSGAqhvXUzAGyaS4ZZzjycukOe2VXp9mfd_uOpYIDCVYu2s9kTGodRA1SduPXf6vr1EpBHbFOc5rqw9ljBjg0xVdK1B5e8zDbfaFr5w-b6Hm9n6br7ig=w219-h292" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">aebelskiver</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/goldenday22/takoyaki-pan-recipes/"><br /></a>. <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-12942691036435865682022-10-11T21:16:00.004-07:002022-10-13T12:48:07.698-07:00Good Food Deals #1 - Surviving Inflation with 99 Ranch<p>Like many of you, I'm always trying to find ways to pinch pennies especially when it comes to feeding a family of four which includes a teenage boy who can EAT! Even the cheapest food out has become so pricey. I've discovered the hot deli bar at 99 Ranch is a great take-out spot that won't break the wallet. I've picked up the challenge of how to stuff as much food as possible in the take-out boxes. No shame. I learned from all the bachelor men who rely on this hot bar for their nightly dinner. They pack the food into the rim and honestly the cashiers don't mind. The times when I was modest with how I filled up my box, the sweet cashiers always end up packing more food into it with a smile. They want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIbTWQWsbMW-UCcgsjTPNe6PrWXgE4D-dPDlf-FFkimxRJmzcfs0f6tYYjTMNGNpwEBGC1ceJod33vdBShNh5g5_P0j-1w4DFS0ADEaX5V9GygpUQG8HCNmO4kZu3jiXK-V8pujs39WiH2zHZ_GNIkSdG5dxnbG6t39E3XRz2PyFZrBeVMIA4XzKErA/s1426/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-11%20at%209.04.57%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1426" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIbTWQWsbMW-UCcgsjTPNe6PrWXgE4D-dPDlf-FFkimxRJmzcfs0f6tYYjTMNGNpwEBGC1ceJod33vdBShNh5g5_P0j-1w4DFS0ADEaX5V9GygpUQG8HCNmO4kZu3jiXK-V8pujs39WiH2zHZ_GNIkSdG5dxnbG6t39E3XRz2PyFZrBeVMIA4XzKErA/w385-h184/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-11%20at%209.04.57%20PM.png" width="385" /></a></div><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p>Today I discovered that there is always a $6 deal right at the cashier after 4 pm. Sometimes it's a bento box with a tea egg, grilled chicken, veggies, and rice. Today, I snagged half of a soy-sauce chicken for $6 when it usually costs $14. I was beaming with joy. </p><p>I highly recommend checking out their deli, especially at the end of the day! Our local one is located in Richmond, CA but there is usually a market nearby any big city or suburb. The hot deli will satsify anyone's craving for simple Chinese food.</p><p>My fave items include the spicy sauteed fish, chow fun, braised tofu, ha gow, siu mai, and sesame balls!</p><p>Feast on a budget. Save money by hunting for food bargains. #cheapeats #survivinginflation #foodhacks #frugalhuntress #99ranch #eatingonabudget #cheapeats</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7Ob7Z-6pmPlct5FdqyUTnc-9C3W4n46v43v7Q8K2E9Ea7cIHB-A_APZkKA2rKwWsGNHPLSMrPnHW43GNyuHyK62QzwiWVUhMlid5iESMJVXS-5ZAwFFPC2qfP49J7a-roz500O0yzQY6fYQxQwYEydeeGv46lFMS-x-YAKXBwDXuSKZoRMtKljVS5g/s864/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-11%20at%209.07.08%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="864" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7Ob7Z-6pmPlct5FdqyUTnc-9C3W4n46v43v7Q8K2E9Ea7cIHB-A_APZkKA2rKwWsGNHPLSMrPnHW43GNyuHyK62QzwiWVUhMlid5iESMJVXS-5ZAwFFPC2qfP49J7a-roz500O0yzQY6fYQxQwYEydeeGv46lFMS-x-YAKXBwDXuSKZoRMtKljVS5g/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-11%20at%209.07.08%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-91792706385066143862022-02-03T13:15:00.008-08:002022-02-24T12:13:40.006-08:00Where to Dine and Shop in El Cerrito and Richmond | Hidden Gems 💎💎<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When we moved back to California, we had to find an affordable place to live. Returning to Alameda, CA was not going to happen...it's $$$. Many of our Bay Area friends moved further out and found lovely homes in El Cerrito and the Richmond Annex. I didn't know much about this area except that we would be near San Pablo and the Ohlone Greenway. I swear everything is a few dollars cheaper than compared to Oakland and Berkeley. Much easier on the wallet for a family of four. </span></strong></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3pIoX-L70n7XMy5YmjudTIztc-Fv-IkNdeXwNE76RguY7zdQlX72ZQAxoTdfr_RsjDYidv5r2_wUJ8e06ivGeLNwWH8bwiOBPq_W2ai7wmqLXTXYCqke1NG8KbD6dpGAyDI2Zdfb1Z7cR27Dkhe64yeFaRh4JHqDzqJL9Iwo_e4DwPPOCmQ_IH1Nt9g=s1114" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1114" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3pIoX-L70n7XMy5YmjudTIztc-Fv-IkNdeXwNE76RguY7zdQlX72ZQAxoTdfr_RsjDYidv5r2_wUJ8e06ivGeLNwWH8bwiOBPq_W2ai7wmqLXTXYCqke1NG8KbD6dpGAyDI2Zdfb1Z7cR27Dkhe64yeFaRh4JHqDzqJL9Iwo_e4DwPPOCmQ_IH1Nt9g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Grocery Stores in El Cerrito:</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Yaoya-San Japanese Market </strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">- Coming from Seattle and having shopped at the famous Uwajimaya , my first two times at Yaoya-san were underwhelming only because it's a quarter of the size. However, it's grown on me a lot. Need red bean mochi - check! Need salted saba (mackerel) - check! I discovered vinegar saba and it was delish. When I needed Vietnamese rice paper- check! Though it has a smaller footprint, I always find what I need. </span><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">10566 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b>New India Supermarket-</b> Going here is a fun culinary adventure. I take my time to see if there are new teas or spices to be discovered. I love the extensive selection of nan and rothi in the freezer. 10289 San Pablo Ave. El Cerrito.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Giovanni's Produce Market</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">- This family-owned market is wonderful if you need basics and a selection of specialty foods. When I went for the time, I thought it was charming. They even had a basket of complimentary succulent cuttings. You'll find Acme Bread, affordable fruits and veggies, and specialty snacks. Again this isn't Berkeley Bowl, but if you realized you forgot some key ingredients for your Italian dinner, this is your spot! Tucked away at 1600 Liberty. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Where to Eat/Drink El Cerrito | Richmond</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://gangnamtofuusa.com/">Gangnam Tofu</a>: </span><span>Go here for amazing seafood pancakes and fried chicken! It can be busy and they are short staffed, so have a snack right before and practice patience. Or just take it to go. :) 11740 San Pablo Ave. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfg6tdADJlMQOXsN8NfWaHycqdziGZ8l7a63ghPCgNNHEu79RpG3dLJvcsebUZgjqgtrMpLSqw6j6dTWL9K8RsugQuB4AsnH6o4HUaUxY7xNwLJcARNOHjl6fm0ZfUe4qNXZMgMjra3ZPDWfGqm3rft5qVd8tuARr59-XbXqbVzzuv_6-HwqIQOZbXmg=s520" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="520" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfg6tdADJlMQOXsN8NfWaHycqdziGZ8l7a63ghPCgNNHEu79RpG3dLJvcsebUZgjqgtrMpLSqw6j6dTWL9K8RsugQuB4AsnH6o4HUaUxY7xNwLJcARNOHjl6fm0ZfUe4qNXZMgMjra3ZPDWfGqm3rft5qVd8tuARr59-XbXqbVzzuv_6-HwqIQOZbXmg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Talla Tea</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">: For an affordable and delicious bubble tea, 🧋check out this modest spot in one of the shopping centers. The owner can be grouchy at first and he is grouchy to all no matter who you are. But if you're looking for a bargain, this is the spot. It's great for my son and his middle school friends because it's easy on the pocket and the cafe is teen-friendly. Base price is $3.50 and add-ons are 75 cents. Compare that to most places where the base price is $4.75-5.50 + add ons. Located on 10734 San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">For a healthy green smoothie head on over to the <a href="https://naturalgrocery.com/annex/">Natural Grocery Annex</a>! They also have ice-cream by the scoop and wonderful baked goods!</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/402864626097816703/9179270638506614386#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">New Dumpling</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">: Amazing Taiwanese beef noodle soup and dumplings. You can also buy frozen dumplings to store. Great prices.🥟</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/402864626097816703/9179270638506614386#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Masa</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> - a wonderful place to chow down on tamales, tacos, and burritos!🌮 A beautiful, clean, and spacious restaurant that is perfect for the pandemic. They also have limited outdoor seating. It's set in the charming Point Richmond neighborhood with great prices too! If you're in a rush, order in advance. You have to wait for 5-10 minutes to customize your food. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Where to Shop, El Cerrito:</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">👉</strong><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/402864626097816703/9179270638506614386#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Jenny K</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">: I discovered this place during the holidays. Jenny and her husband own Well-Grounded Cafe and the Jenny K gift shop. Their kids also attend the local school. Perfect neighborhood gift shop for last-minute kid and adult gifts. She also has an annual shop for a good cause that benefits the local schools. </span><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">6921 Stockton Ave, El Cerrito. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">👉 </strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> I like to shop local of course, but every once in a while I need things from </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Marshalls</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> (I've never lived within walking distance to one) - it's great for make-up and fancy shampoos. There's always practical stuff to be found. Lovely teas, truffle oil.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Affordable Kids Classes</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">My son started taking acting classes at the</span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/402864626097816703/9179270638506614386#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> East Bay Center for Performing Arts</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> in Richmond. Group youth classes are FREE! I couldn't believe it either. These are 8 -week courses in a beautiful building with high-quality teachers. A wonderful community space to support! </span><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">339 11th St, Richmond</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">#shoplocal #eatlocal #elcerrito #richmond</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">What else would you add?</strong></p></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-82133512833179118592022-01-27T21:54:00.002-08:002022-01-31T12:14:38.275-08:00Tet | Vietnamese Lunar New Year 2022 | Year of the Tiger<p>Yes, Vietnamese people do celebrate Lunar New Year. This holiday is often mistaken as only Chinese New Year and that is simply not true. Did you know that Vietnamese, Koreans, Thai, and more celebrate this beautiful holiday? </p><p>Tet is one of our favorite times of the year. This means on Sunday we will clean our house and sweep out any negative energy to bring in good fortune on February 1. We'll pray and eat in honor of our ancestors.</p><p>One of my favorite memories is watching my dad light red firecrackers in front of our house to scare away bad spirits. I'm sure all of our neighbors in the 1980s were wondering what the heck we were doing lighting firecrackers in the morning.</p><p>Married folks hand out "lai see" (red envelopes) to the special kids in their life. The more generous you are, the more good fortune you will receive.</p><p>I look forward to eating banh chung (a vietnamese savory tamale wrapped in banana leaf), glass noodles with shitake and chicken, and lots of tangerines. </p><p>If you're wondering what the kids wear to celebrate their heritage, it's our traditional Ao Dai. Here's a photo of our kids proud to show off their Vietnamese threads at the Tet festival at the Seattle Center. If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself, find a Vietnamese tailor in your town. I wouldn't recommend buying one online because it is a fitted tunic and exact measurements are needed. </p><p>If you live the Bay Area, there are quite a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=lunar+new+year+events+2022+san+francisco+bay+area&oq=lunar+new+year+events+2022+san+francisco+bay+area&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i22i29i30l5.7829j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ibp=htl;events&rciv=evn&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3w6qR4NP1AhW3D0QIHVpJC-wQ8eoFKAJ6BAgeEA8&sxsrf=APq-WBueKuICum5luNLB75AGmnvQIDyU6w:1643349013087#htivrt=events&htidocid=L2F1dGhvcml0eS9ob3Jpem9uL2NsdXN0ZXJlZF9ldmVudC8yMDIyLTAyLTE4fDEwMDkyNDU1MjUzNzA0OTQ1NDg3&fpstate=tldetail">few celebrations</a> to enjoy. </p><p>Wishing you a bright and beautiful new year. Go get 'em, Tiger! #tet #lunarnewyear #yearoftiger</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3S7xvjVI0rwJPjQ6A8bhUItwyoyYQ6GSGh-gggzzxYfb82RrpGJDwySeY-O-S_eBQwflDdISLy70YaAxrepbop_BYKnorYc4Wyrb8xl59Qs5fu0ZjEoK0Rhj1kniquRhCp0ZArvdyRkn-VERkktGsz5AacIhjqWf2jndvlb4I5nqC2ZpiwOGRBItUKQ=s1554" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1554" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3S7xvjVI0rwJPjQ6A8bhUItwyoyYQ6GSGh-gggzzxYfb82RrpGJDwySeY-O-S_eBQwflDdISLy70YaAxrepbop_BYKnorYc4Wyrb8xl59Qs5fu0ZjEoK0Rhj1kniquRhCp0ZArvdyRkn-VERkktGsz5AacIhjqWf2jndvlb4I5nqC2ZpiwOGRBItUKQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>If you're wondering what the kids wear to celebrate their heritage, it's our traditional Ao Dai. Here's a photo a few years back at the Tet festival at the Seattle Center. It's time for us to shop for new ones as they've outgrown their outfits already. </p><p>Wishing you a bright and beautiful new year. Go get em Tiger!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYyZMG5t2jPFoNYEn7ttJjU6LpvfM8nXToAhyxKQrSd5SZ56gUFKHgA9mSW9oEYrZmQXdFnSgBgqxU2Y4g6bnVnVub7NBUFIa1f3hqhAcHHXIyiQnRybnYE95qU8ZxsMFWMnXqJczVgbVpSVcXYGHeQjiTbVI2jpaxyYRsHjctGfjZfieECVjco61vQA=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYyZMG5t2jPFoNYEn7ttJjU6LpvfM8nXToAhyxKQrSd5SZ56gUFKHgA9mSW9oEYrZmQXdFnSgBgqxU2Y4g6bnVnVub7NBUFIa1f3hqhAcHHXIyiQnRybnYE95qU8ZxsMFWMnXqJczVgbVpSVcXYGHeQjiTbVI2jpaxyYRsHjctGfjZfieECVjco61vQA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-62698276077740431232022-01-26T17:51:00.002-08:002022-02-24T12:15:52.923-08:00Books to Read Now<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Right now, I'm reading:</b><p></p><p>Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by <a href="http://www.cathyparkhong.com/">Cathy Park Hong</a></p><p>Oh yes, I'm feeling myself getting pumped now. Amen- just what we all need to read now. Her book reminds me of all the critical moments in API history and how many of us internalize the rage we often feel because our struggles are never acknowledged. This book is for anyone who has wondered about the Asian American experience or for any API who needs more self-love.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2jSUgXwzmvYdBNFz6nR8GT0AdUh7inYex8Qp7PvmTLm4sGaYd2A8IOWzZ_6xLjKFVXk0XXWVEiQLqMqdGIpkZl-KrCRxr8BaEO76Vk7ijwl8b8KLKTtMn1ISnsTtdrdZWeKwKildEse9PPXFDpXC2WFwbcFmRFyDRNKBxgMpDO-e2Q0RpF14c6wIr3Q=s854" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="854" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2jSUgXwzmvYdBNFz6nR8GT0AdUh7inYex8Qp7PvmTLm4sGaYd2A8IOWzZ_6xLjKFVXk0XXWVEiQLqMqdGIpkZl-KrCRxr8BaEO76Vk7ijwl8b8KLKTtMn1ISnsTtdrdZWeKwKildEse9PPXFDpXC2WFwbcFmRFyDRNKBxgMpDO-e2Q0RpF14c6wIr3Q=w320-h284" width="320" /></a></p><p>The Art of Living by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%ADch_Nh%E1%BA%A5t_H%E1%BA%A1nh">Thich Nhat Hanh</a>.</p><p>Master TNH words are simple but forces us to contemplate. I need to read his messages twice to fully understand his message. He recently passed away at the age of 95 and had a profound influence on the world. Mindfulness takes years to master and I still feel like a beginner. This book is for anyone who is feeling lost and needs encouragement. There are breathing activities and deep messages to meditate on.</p><p>I leave you with this from the book:</p><p><i>Our suffering is impermanent</i></p><p><i>and that is why we can transform it.</i></p><p><i>And because happiness is impermanent</i></p><p><i>that's why we have to nourish it.</i></p><p>peace and love,</p><p>Ly</p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-3744885239743475352022-01-26T10:23:00.002-08:002022-01-27T21:30:01.294-08:00Supporting Friends Through Tough Times | Pandemic Blues<p>Many of us have been blue during the pandemic and may have even questioned our mental well health. So many people in our lives can be on the brink of entering a period of darkness. A few months ago, we learned that a dear friend had committed suicide. We had celebrated a milestone birthday where family and friends showed a ton of love. It was shocking to hear the news of her death. I know many of us have witnessed someone or multiple people pass away during the two year pandemic. </p><p>The other day another dear friend expressed how sad she's been too. The pressure of parenting, working and the ongoing grieving of departed ones feels unbearable. It's true we're not all ok. I knew I had to gather my girlfriends together for another virtual chat. I had been feeling a little lost too. Many of us organized zoom calls in the early days of lockdown in 2020. But it seems as things become a bit more normal, we've tried to go back to our regular lives. So the gatherings and check-ins have been less frequent. </p><p>However, friends and family are still hurting and grieving as we march through the different waves of COVID-19. Or as we experience the one year death anniversaries of people we love. Whether it's a co-worker or a close friend, check in on the people in your life. My girlfriends and I send heart emojis and affirmations when we know someone is down just to let them know we're thinking of them. Simple things that have cheered folks up in my life include:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQVaAss0Rjj1smOXDZvDUWmS9UKaOY42XEN0_CNxpYCsxpPSLp1algvnFkk94VRkhwZ7gSN8vFYymegAtnbKU4aAPfN_-NfIR2SpJfI4YCEH7nE1XIv-9hy94tuCr6u0ZvRu_X2fQHCGwL6neg41V6QltY39DyODhjsVR2CLJMKoLy32lhBKAZsKtj8Q=s940" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQVaAss0Rjj1smOXDZvDUWmS9UKaOY42XEN0_CNxpYCsxpPSLp1algvnFkk94VRkhwZ7gSN8vFYymegAtnbKU4aAPfN_-NfIR2SpJfI4YCEH7nE1XIv-9hy94tuCr6u0ZvRu_X2fQHCGwL6neg41V6QltY39DyODhjsVR2CLJMKoLy32lhBKAZsKtj8Q=w487-h408" width="487" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-75740822997109313892022-01-26T09:30:00.006-08:002022-02-24T12:14:27.979-08:00More Family Time After I Quit My Job<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOG9ZhL3m4z6i_dSd5z-F6VacF_8YqSAE7RDFr-k9XraTNu95u4TVFfueAd-iAkDdCL90tzmWox6cC9Af6wSaS2my2y0ZSvARfNFvb1cFGwCyCPYZ542yb0BqZVpcQdmeKq7Gr5fBsUfCCKUwE0guf7LxliojdXNiLFFcoxiBR4WqxKIxWGXU_IBgzfw=s1122" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOG9ZhL3m4z6i_dSd5z-F6VacF_8YqSAE7RDFr-k9XraTNu95u4TVFfueAd-iAkDdCL90tzmWox6cC9Af6wSaS2my2y0ZSvARfNFvb1cFGwCyCPYZ542yb0BqZVpcQdmeKq7Gr5fBsUfCCKUwE0guf7LxliojdXNiLFFcoxiBR4WqxKIxWGXU_IBgzfw=s320" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe you've been thinking "Should I quit my job"? I quit my job about six months ago and it's been quite the journey. One of the benefits of the #greatresignation is spending more quality time with my kids. Right after the holiday, Camille's school delayed their start. That meant she and I could bake carrot cupcakes together on a Tuesday morning. I can't remember the last time we did something like that on a weekday. Last year at this time I was glued to my laptop sorting through work emails. These small moments add up and makes taking a break worth it. #itsthesmallthings #familymatters</div><p>Have you transitioned from your job recently? What are new things you've been doing with your new found time?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-49925185015667584942022-01-20T15:58:00.006-08:002022-01-21T10:37:58.163-08:00It's Possible... A VBAC in Thirty Minutes or Less<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">This is a throwback post that I didn't publish many moons ago. For those mamas to be who are contemplating a VBAC: vaginal birth after c-section. Yes, I too had an emergency C-Section with my first and it was TRAUMATIZING!</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I had a VBAC baby in 2012 and looking back I'm glad I decided to try. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">____________________________</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">We spent the first thirty days post-partum in a traditional Vietnamese </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/402864626097816703/4992518501566758494#" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">rest period</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. I guess it wasn't that bad since it was rainy and cold. With two kids now, there were a few days of near delirium. They always want their mommy at the same time...why is that?</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">It's a scary and tough decision because many OBs may automatically sign you up for your second or third c-section. I was lucky that my OB encouraged me to try to have a birth naturally even though I was second-guessing myself. We made an agreement that I would try and she'd still schedule a c-section just in case. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">In the weeks before giving birth I kept hearing some women share they preferred having a c-section because it was convenient and they could plan for it. Was I going to be one of those women? It did sound logical but I was determined to experience a natural birth. I also remembered that the recovery was pretty slow after my c-section not to mention painful. I didn't want to go through that exhaustion again. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Often mothers are told "Once a C-section, always a C-Section" - it's simply not true. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I did a few things differently and decided to break a few rules so I wouldn't be exhausted and be at risk for another c-section. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">- I took my time going to the hospital after the contractions. During my first birth, I rushed to the hospital because I felt like I had to. I didn't eat and so I was starving by the time I pushed. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">- I almost took too much time because, by the time we arrived at the hospital, Camille was in the position to be born!</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">- Thirty minutes after my arrival, I gave birth. No time for drugs. I was awake and could see my baby girl instantly. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Now I tell other women that a VBAC is possible and that they should be paired up with an OB that supports them. It's hard to put aside the trauma of the first c-section but mentally preparing for a VBAC pays off. I encourage anyone who is thinking about it to talk with their OB about their wishes. Many of us have done it.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Remember decide what's best for you. Here are </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.thevbaclink.com/how-to-have-a-successful-vbac/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">great tips</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">!</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />#vbac #naturalbirth #postcsection</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9IBOTdl1YpkB3TAE_1LRPjqtaeXPWQ7bLqWs7K3Lc_X6vB-pIXEOk7xI-mC49vB8b2D386bTXnIO0Z9TaWpHMZrY1UpUZ3NgiRNi35HenLQWcljz9Cel9sKwnHJwBYcGh4hmbA9lsgKDdN9qi_7bz0GK5k_eHUy_NcFUFGD-urGqN4uQ035SBS5zt6Q=s1736" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1736" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9IBOTdl1YpkB3TAE_1LRPjqtaeXPWQ7bLqWs7K3Lc_X6vB-pIXEOk7xI-mC49vB8b2D386bTXnIO0Z9TaWpHMZrY1UpUZ3NgiRNi35HenLQWcljz9Cel9sKwnHJwBYcGh4hmbA9lsgKDdN9qi_7bz0GK5k_eHUy_NcFUFGD-urGqN4uQ035SBS5zt6Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>MY VBAC BABY!</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-3198279941317747982022-01-18T08:21:00.003-08:002022-01-26T17:15:18.803-08:00You Must Feel Sadness to Feel Joy - Moving Blues<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You might have been like me contemplating whether to move out of state. Over the past few months, I’ve been grieving our recent move. In the early mornings, my heart longs for the Pacific Northwest morning rain. I find myself feeling both grief and guilt on some nights. The withdrawal from our Seattle house and PNW land pulls me into deep sorrow. The waves of grief strike me at strange times like when I’m exploring a new park or at night when I imagine being in our old bedroom.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After living in Seattle for five years, we knew it was time to move back, especially after my father-in-law passed away and my mom’s cancer returned. The move that I had been looking forward to in my head turned out to create heartache for me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRghqg3xqQKdGwzIrG4Fg2lu1kh7opcNdbZOuUTBebig8puwFi5P1B9-vvjiT1Nk1RzUayjw0-vtF-sdkdM2mFmbUOhdLeZ6j49Kv38DnK41qcAsZ-qKDLwri5bZdmSLVYLBme-zgIkD-sTqDAaOPxPMsRvV9xO4Viq0GEJ3xm5BTA1DAT9nlO7efX7g=s1080" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRghqg3xqQKdGwzIrG4Fg2lu1kh7opcNdbZOuUTBebig8puwFi5P1B9-vvjiT1Nk1RzUayjw0-vtF-sdkdM2mFmbUOhdLeZ6j49Kv38DnK41qcAsZ-qKDLwri5bZdmSLVYLBme-zgIkD-sTqDAaOPxPMsRvV9xO4Viq0GEJ3xm5BTA1DAT9nlO7efX7g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As an Asian daughter, the pull home was relentless and especially with my mom going through treatment. It was the right thing to do. Of course, weighing the option against parent duties kept me up at night. I was sandwiched between two generations who both needed me. And of course, the pandemic didn't make things easier. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Coming back home was joyful at the beginning for sure but then I found myself having moments of doubt. For the first few weeks of school, I just prayed that my kids would make new friends. After all, they had left the strong bonds they built in Seattle. My daughter is nine and my son is thirteen, so they feel things. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the other hand, our children now have access to their grandparents and cousins more easily which is a win. We reconnected with old friends, but why do I feel like something's missing?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So much of me wanted to be selfish and stay in Seattle but my good Asian daughter duties stirred up too much conflict. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After reading many blogs on this topic, I learned that one must feel sadness to feel joy. It sucks to feel the sadness but I need to sit with it and learn from it. It means that what we built in Seattle was that special and letting it go is very hard. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m sure that I felt this way when we first landed in Seattle, but I may have forgotten by now. Have you ever struggled with a big move? #moving #lifechanges #sandwichgeneration</span></div></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-b8762845-7fff-5055-ef54-4bfdc6573978"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p></span><br /><p><br /></p><span><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-88595482644067122982022-01-17T17:09:00.006-08:002022-01-18T08:31:36.753-08:00A Decade Later - How Motherhood Changes<p>Wow, it's been a minute. Wait, <b>it's been a decade</b>. I'm going out on a limb today as I stumbled upon my blog. So much has changed. Back then there was no TikTok, no IG, and no pandemic. Just us modest bloggers. It's 2022!</p><p>It's mid-life for me. My kids are now going on 10 and 13. Crazy. When I started this blog I was a new mom. This blog was my lifesaver and creative outlet when I was breastfeeding. I've spent the last decade being a working mom in a busy corporate environment. I can tell you that working moms can't have it all, but we can have most of it. </p><p>I had very little time to write and this blog faded in the background. However, I did finish a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Same-Ly-Nguyen/dp/1469738252/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">novella</a> in 2012 right after Camille was born and most recently finished a children's book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bas-Magic-Pho-Ly-Nguyen/dp/1737312034" target="_blank">Ba's Magic Pho</a>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyi27RB9kvJZ6_2nuu0woPXAJnUDDHZ5y_JnzZy6Rm97w62HPBg89KQ3ub2XyyFTBFswh-0wQdbyldZHD-2K_Rkb_L5Sxm8PwTUFdo4RWLQcvwN4faYfTGuvno7V4D-p_9wUbPY6dJInHmNHSya5v6qX7aJ7bFDKNjienJwetZFV92b166RMbeSr9c-w=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyi27RB9kvJZ6_2nuu0woPXAJnUDDHZ5y_JnzZy6Rm97w62HPBg89KQ3ub2XyyFTBFswh-0wQdbyldZHD-2K_Rkb_L5Sxm8PwTUFdo4RWLQcvwN4faYfTGuvno7V4D-p_9wUbPY6dJInHmNHSya5v6qX7aJ7bFDKNjienJwetZFV92b166RMbeSr9c-w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Anyways, our life hasn't been quite status quo. In a decade so much changed. We moved to Seattle from the Bay Area in 2016 and lived there until 2021. My mom was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and has been in on-going treatment and still living her life. My father-in-law passed away and I had my first experience creating a memorial site and being that supportive spouse during a tough time. As a married couple, we weathered lay-offs and financial uncertainty to finally purchasing a home on our own terms. I've grown a lot in a decade and hope to share my lessons with you again. <br /><br />Now that I'm 46, I realize that life does go by really fast. We've experienced our parents aging, loved ones dying and at the same time seeing our own children, nieces, and niblings grow into beautiful people. I'm excited to get back into this creative life and see where it goes.<br /><br />If you're reading this, I hope to share lessons in life again and the little things that spark happiness.<p></p><p>Like many of you, I worked a ton to build a future and was completely burnt out by my corporate job. I took the plunge into the Great Resignation. And here I am. I keep starting to build something new, then stopping, and here I am back to my writing again. Enjoy! #motherhood #midlife</p><p>Love, </p><p>Ly</p><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-30385243243879115602012-02-08T17:13:00.001-08:002022-01-18T08:35:47.695-08:00The Home Stretch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Despite the increased acid reflex and sleepless nights, I'm still holding up okay. I was thrilled to be treated to a henna session on my belly. I was feeling bad for not taking any good maternity photos with the second one. After all we made a huge effort to catch the perfect photo with Kai in my belly. The artwork was designed by Karen B. of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/traditionalhenna/">Traditional Henna</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TKVCUKOGuWAIshtrTpt32TAz1vChpd4w5V_l4bi-dfgNYi8n3DCdlUgq8HVYIwh-XE6YyALCuaEys_4eLuvca1Ms_e3FbWP5g7Kn1q2KnO3R41Rgc3Lb0BSF2SYqRevfUwNkIXth11yo/s1600/henna_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TKVCUKOGuWAIshtrTpt32TAz1vChpd4w5V_l4bi-dfgNYi8n3DCdlUgq8HVYIwh-XE6YyALCuaEys_4eLuvca1Ms_e3FbWP5g7Kn1q2KnO3R41Rgc3Lb0BSF2SYqRevfUwNkIXth11yo/s320/henna_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken after henna session</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoMKMqhWUUIXUQz8NmgZKzSDyjdAQohrEyoohnmvEsU0__BDtDBPNCKzeyLm5Rp0bRLQf3C4BI_r9DQSTasacuVaj8j7x3KsZCyzZFxXOK3n6YiHXleElJcXEdL2Ehe-f7d-kwJCzUT3w/s1600/henna_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoMKMqhWUUIXUQz8NmgZKzSDyjdAQohrEyoohnmvEsU0__BDtDBPNCKzeyLm5Rp0bRLQf3C4BI_r9DQSTasacuVaj8j7x3KsZCyzZFxXOK3n6YiHXleElJcXEdL2Ehe-f7d-kwJCzUT3w/s320/henna_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo taken 2 days after session under a low lit lamp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HQkKWcOHVP_lt8vHSJNn0wtmoMAGCjlYCEViH3YQN50w5klq0b6TZkoqheiSe2a4lAQc-3D7MNMybzfncWXJbQ9ZjUzE9B41zZ4lfWfOQn7P8W8UdlfnQCETMbiSivLOg9Vn0zHtU8fr/s1600/henna_3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HQkKWcOHVP_lt8vHSJNn0wtmoMAGCjlYCEViH3YQN50w5klq0b6TZkoqheiSe2a4lAQc-3D7MNMybzfncWXJbQ9ZjUzE9B41zZ4lfWfOQn7P8W8UdlfnQCETMbiSivLOg9Vn0zHtU8fr/s320/henna_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the flower is related to the new name we picked</td></tr>
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If the baby doesn't come tomorrow as Kai predicts, then we have one more chance to celebrate hubby's birthday and head to the beach this weekend. Next up, we'll see if the woman who stopped me on the street to tell me our daughter will come on Valentine's Day is right. #pregnancy #hennabelly</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-75830439162901389382012-01-11T14:09:00.000-08:002012-01-11T14:09:05.625-08:00Get Your Ice On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4TAhks6_HszN7uxRWmYnVclhOvfQbylQ8N-TXK4nfDeVr6JFR0EUmVd3grUlLHDCMWq6rnuWvkzQVcLEtWQnuqeOREmEn9D2nwNKoyXgc5AG32aTV9Gd_6yEDOSVNN3BJn5ztaxI1Lk9/s1600/thelittleicerink+masthead_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="72" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4TAhks6_HszN7uxRWmYnVclhOvfQbylQ8N-TXK4nfDeVr6JFR0EUmVd3grUlLHDCMWq6rnuWvkzQVcLEtWQnuqeOREmEn9D2nwNKoyXgc5AG32aTV9Gd_6yEDOSVNN3BJn5ztaxI1Lk9/s320/thelittleicerink+masthead_final.jpg" /></a></div>
For parents with children or not, I recommend having a night out at the Little Ice Rink in Alameda. Recently, our family had an outing on a Friday afternoon with Kai, his cousins and grandparents. Oh how I wish I could have joined them on the ice! It is a happy place with children testing out their skills and bright orange plastic seals that act as skating aides for first timers.
My little one was adamant about not sitting on the seal at first and he wanted to be a big boy and stand. Well there was fall within a few minutes and lots of tears. But he tried again and had a ball for the hour and half session.
My in-laws and I sat on the bleachers sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies from the food stand. It’s amazing how children will skate with clumsy feet, fall and then get right back up with big smiles on their faces. Even if you don’t love going on the ice, it’s a pleasant way to people watch and spend a winter night. Friday nights offer a disco night for those parents who want a date night!
Hours and location <a href="http://www.thelittleicerink.com/">here</a>.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHXmZyW6oVTaPdWZe57Ywmp8BvvMWwU74J6KxdXIXSkmvtWQXmeu5CQbC0E10OaMc1SVCUK1NMp8AzncqSMqd1oEVh_BBLKdQuDjVzM7arrwxTddPlGXWF0pQx9dwzxH9a11BOSE2FtvT/s1600/bobby+the+seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHXmZyW6oVTaPdWZe57Ywmp8BvvMWwU74J6KxdXIXSkmvtWQXmeu5CQbC0E10OaMc1SVCUK1NMp8AzncqSMqd1oEVh_BBLKdQuDjVzM7arrwxTddPlGXWF0pQx9dwzxH9a11BOSE2FtvT/s320/bobby+the+seal.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-78804780934328932782011-12-22T15:17:00.000-08:002011-12-22T15:17:37.043-08:00It's been a long time and happy holidays!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Dear Readers,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know it’s been a very long time since my last post. There are good reasons. After taking a short sabbatical, I jumped back into full time work and became pregnant. I know in the past, I was on the fence about having a second kid but I'll go into more detail in my next post. Good news is that I’m eight weeks away from having a baby girl and publishing my first novella. It’s hard to balance finishing up a book, work, a toddler, and pregnancy…so that’s why I’ve haven’t had much time and energy to update Mama Lounge. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am making a commitment to breathe life into Mama Lounge again as the new year unfolds. Besides I’ll need space to share what it’s like to have a boy and girl plus share all the new things I discovered this past year. Thanks for being patient! Happy holidays to you. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6mzCO1Ltuo/TvO55KLlqmI/AAAAAAAAA8k/HqvmcTTehsY/s1600/ly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6mzCO1Ltuo/TvO55KLlqmI/AAAAAAAAA8k/HqvmcTTehsY/s200/ly.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">-Ly<o:p></o:p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-10035121575686260382011-05-28T13:17:00.001-07:002011-05-28T15:38:52.686-07:00Help save Oakland librariesAs I'm writing this, my husband is at the Oakland Main library scanning archival images for an upcoming exhibit on <a target="_blank" href="http://philippinearts.org/rizal150.htm">Jose Rizal </a>.<br /><br />There is a proposal to close 13 out of <br />17 Oakland libraries along with adult literacy services.<br /><br />Libraries are cornerstones of communities. There is no other place where people can access books, movies, periodicals, and computers for free. When people are unemployed and without the Internet, the library is a job seeker resource. When a new immigrant with little income needs to find a book in their native language, the library has it. <br /><br />Imagine what's going to happen to all the people who depend on library services in their neighborhood. Where will they go? <br />Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://saveoaklandlibrary.org/">Save Oakland library</a> to learn more. <br /><br /><br /><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/17749659@N08/5769154201/'><img src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/5769154201_63ee6a72f2_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />mama-lounge on the go<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-1913043043968165572011-05-06T11:17:00.000-07:002011-05-06T11:32:42.937-07:00Ten Day Countdown and I'm Back to Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT99THDsZzA1KtAtkwh_L3Q3heNE42iaxLyhy4aQd5WGTuv0pgCA2qDSIIymz2TJMOtKEjOgqYMqpOLB9Hz_Cmc3F_8dmLJcHeOANUtXY34jvcKwwSDHSCBDfiSeVizxAC-N9wPh8yLgJR/s1600/-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT99THDsZzA1KtAtkwh_L3Q3heNE42iaxLyhy4aQd5WGTuv0pgCA2qDSIIymz2TJMOtKEjOgqYMqpOLB9Hz_Cmc3F_8dmLJcHeOANUtXY34jvcKwwSDHSCBDfiSeVizxAC-N9wPh8yLgJR/s400/-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kai took this incredibooth photo on an outing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
OMG, I can't believe that I'm going back to work in ten days! For five months, I've had the honor of staying home with Kai and writing short stories. One season later I find myself in that bittersweet state again. Thrilled to have an exciting new opportunity but definitely sad that I can't sit in my PJ's for half the day and write fiction. As a mom, I've cherished my time with Kai to help him transition to preschool, make a big leap in potty training, and perfecting oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. As a wife, I've enjoyed keeping the house neat, traveling, and gardening. I will have to now relearn balancing work, family, and play. <br />
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Mama lounge will keep going but I'm going to add a new feature. Since I will begin working in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MHealth">mHealth</a> field, I will feature new technology and services that can benefit families. Thanks again for supporting me throughout my life transitions. This space means a lot to me. <br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-39956105353240588442011-05-02T11:58:00.001-07:002011-05-03T10:17:27.380-07:00Spring at Lake Temescal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17749659@N08/5681117866/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5681117866_42664d4253_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducks frolicking in the meadow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It was quite the morning with a fussy toddler not wanting to finish breakfast. We still managed to get out the door and make our way to <a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/temescal">Lake Temescal</a>, my favorite park in Oakland. Despite Kai throwing up his yogurt in the car and having to clean up the mess with wipes, we went to the lake anyways. It was lovely in the sixty degree weather. We found our patch of peace after weaving through the groups of jogging moms and strollers. If you haven't visited this spring, I highly recommend it. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17749659@N08/5680555181/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5680555181_94cda660f2_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors at the lake are breathtaking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17749659@N08/5681118494/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5681118494_4e0366d129_b.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my phone camera did good</td></tr>
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mama-lounge on the go</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-52183103345303607672011-04-14T13:11:00.000-07:002011-04-14T13:11:51.146-07:00Dandelion Wishes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKdhSn8xCYxK9pACpH6VJpSbWhxoRt7NdKfq1wntZeAz_yeimm83LRfdl150Zc7_saqVznR1QWP-1Ic6FT8Svz3_qwADI9qBXJ6MinMvsBwRWSDmQvnUSmO9uD0d1uN-s8McIxKbs8xtC/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKdhSn8xCYxK9pACpH6VJpSbWhxoRt7NdKfq1wntZeAz_yeimm83LRfdl150Zc7_saqVznR1QWP-1Ic6FT8Svz3_qwADI9qBXJ6MinMvsBwRWSDmQvnUSmO9uD0d1uN-s8McIxKbs8xtC/s320/-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Dandelion seed heads are a symbol of childhood. I have memories of closing my eyes and blowing the seeds into the breeze each summer. Recently, Kai has been making wishes with them too.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKdhSn8xCYxK9pACpH6VJpSbWhxoRt7NdKfq1wntZeAz_yeimm83LRfdl150Zc7_saqVznR1QWP-1Ic6FT8Svz3_qwADI9qBXJ6MinMvsBwRWSDmQvnUSmO9uD0d1uN-s8McIxKbs8xtC/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqFVzNBIgLdmoGJaBppGQ0TdEUemAUb_A3wGeMqgvLnZhlqfxAG17Hi2r2jzurSYqIAmbqW4N6oFYvwQ_QtFpjrbuqpeKrA3hEJZzKh3u_nFYZUK6fgUu7eJlIspPcdTAMw2oD6mmsMKV/s1600/dandelion_illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqFVzNBIgLdmoGJaBppGQ0TdEUemAUb_A3wGeMqgvLnZhlqfxAG17Hi2r2jzurSYqIAmbqW4N6oFYvwQ_QtFpjrbuqpeKrA3hEJZzKh3u_nFYZUK6fgUu7eJlIspPcdTAMw2oD6mmsMKV/s320/dandelion_illustration.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Dandelion Watch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"> If you ever wondered about this plant which most people dismiss as a weed, here are some interesting facts. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The name comes from the French term dent de lion which means tooth of a lion.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> The jagged leaves are popular in salad and are </span>high in calcium, iron and Vitamins A and C.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The white airy seed heads are a part of the life cycle of the common yellow dandelion. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bodyclass">According to <a href="http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Dandelion.html">Wildman</a>, "Each seed has a tiny parachute, to spread far and wide in the wind." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bodyclass">Before you decide to mow all the yellow flowers off your lawn, check out <a href="http://www.universalpreschool.com/how-to/dandelion_fun.asp">Universal Preschool</a> and their list of fun ideas to make use of these whimsical flowers. Better yet at your next dinner party, make a <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/dandelion-salad/Detail.aspx">dandelion salad</a>.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO8VRjwx5OH5wQxhwoSDtEWWA-rsEQ2ty9nv_1jWOf_QxRJYD4rk3ogzyiJWfY-GCm68au_yv7NQl3do9lSzGdwuOqVO7QiIarqsQ1VpTff3IKVnN4N8ut2fejfUJw8GTRMkXvsgbkdPk/s1600/-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO8VRjwx5OH5wQxhwoSDtEWWA-rsEQ2ty9nv_1jWOf_QxRJYD4rk3ogzyiJWfY-GCm68au_yv7NQl3do9lSzGdwuOqVO7QiIarqsQ1VpTff3IKVnN4N8ut2fejfUJw8GTRMkXvsgbkdPk/s320/-2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-7988181753478699942011-03-24T11:23:00.001-07:002022-01-18T08:36:43.483-08:00Zurich Airport Playroom and Nursery...Wow!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">On a recent trip to Spain, we had a quick layover in Zurich. I know the Swiss are known to be clean and neat, but it seems that they also know how to accommodate the little ones. At the airport there are two <a href="http://www.zurich-airport.com/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-151/">playrooms</a> that are amazing. If every airport could offer something similar, I think families with small children would fly more often. This playroom provided a much needed break after a eleven hour plane ride. It's also super clean and staffed by friendly ladies who will remind you to catch your flight. #travelwithkids #zurichairport<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8_fxaLTpu_GMiOdklviuzQz9nw7pc0g3zK4UT3cwdY1Hur3J5trpVdaBS5vI7vWqCMk5jHe79rlkHlZSCMVg7lVqfks7LwgmYzAT40LA4rfxFasV6OZJvohHwJHlp2EDaleCkDL2gWmY/s1600/zurich+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8_fxaLTpu_GMiOdklviuzQz9nw7pc0g3zK4UT3cwdY1Hur3J5trpVdaBS5vI7vWqCMk5jHe79rlkHlZSCMVg7lVqfks7LwgmYzAT40LA4rfxFasV6OZJvohHwJHlp2EDaleCkDL2gWmY/s320/zurich+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there are multiple rooms to relax in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPlEyCIAon6SxMaZa4zqnUzkYoHH3wOLEJYsKNY9qnlXRNzWaOs8BHaqk2QdlzaVNzhVLvK-Tm2tlecnPs8eil-t8LxOeJLjgR462rNL-uG-Hva7ywQL7Cvao6NL3VCRm-FweWm4Sg5hc/s1600/zurich+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPlEyCIAon6SxMaZa4zqnUzkYoHH3wOLEJYsKNY9qnlXRNzWaOs8BHaqk2QdlzaVNzhVLvK-Tm2tlecnPs8eil-t8LxOeJLjgR462rNL-uG-Hva7ywQL7Cvao6NL3VCRm-FweWm4Sg5hc/s320/zurich+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">foosball for the grown ups</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI5tirMkeg2aN1Dyy32R8ejHxo0BCl5OCpgt3nk2Y_0NBdMxNjzqN_BAlrkYpkYXQgNprCtS-NfYZ2Aa3mGOE-PTBnwUJn5UynzhPO7MZKSoEcTUr7F3-eN2_6VB7C1BWE3vzmPpNGWjP/s1600/zurich+4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI5tirMkeg2aN1Dyy32R8ejHxo0BCl5OCpgt3nk2Y_0NBdMxNjzqN_BAlrkYpkYXQgNprCtS-NfYZ2Aa3mGOE-PTBnwUJn5UynzhPO7MZKSoEcTUr7F3-eN2_6VB7C1BWE3vzmPpNGWjP/s320/zurich+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">multiple diaper changing stations...spotless</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlffKExBJTJLDVpw7Hg3C88-dHJgxktd2AvuNItJ_qKRwJDjWZTvr0jl6AD9PKCgfwo2mWnoaUz9WR-tuaEr0j2a5BJazlUJsK0d4_4PYPAZSt3Ew9b1CRH3cjmLPV0M4_czTi0CsOPW2/s1600/zurich+5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlffKExBJTJLDVpw7Hg3C88-dHJgxktd2AvuNItJ_qKRwJDjWZTvr0jl6AD9PKCgfwo2mWnoaUz9WR-tuaEr0j2a5BJazlUJsK0d4_4PYPAZSt3Ew9b1CRH3cjmLPV0M4_czTi0CsOPW2/s320/zurich+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">food station</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1pF9u42k2Efydj562GZyA0gPc8IRKxPFtqoRsWeoraMgurXru_kYpkmcEm_FZswPovWLDkVfjlLEoeK9hyphenhyphenefMXZ_m7Wr6moU_EQVlMbFgGJr_6F514s3jNWsXw20SiCnpBtF5fgETvIU/s1600/zurich+6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1pF9u42k2Efydj562GZyA0gPc8IRKxPFtqoRsWeoraMgurXru_kYpkmcEm_FZswPovWLDkVfjlLEoeK9hyphenhyphenefMXZ_m7Wr6moU_EQVlMbFgGJr_6F514s3jNWsXw20SiCnpBtF5fgETvIU/s320/zurich+6.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nap room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-36284780993293947322011-03-15T09:40:00.000-07:002011-03-15T09:40:41.517-07:00Prayers to Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZXCRxJK_bDBZilhT1Xsl57V5zg8PNR8DQfdTMklINFkWfHJ_luZALDpQ7oDcZqr6cla7lGI-gyEJib9iKNOZTIvRnm5l1E6hVXaLhTc9ZjvYD2yGXpQSrvN4gMHFUtMsYxMdHDxYBkFQ/s1600/f6c30566-87a0-4f15-acb4-90328beb874f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZXCRxJK_bDBZilhT1Xsl57V5zg8PNR8DQfdTMklINFkWfHJ_luZALDpQ7oDcZqr6cla7lGI-gyEJib9iKNOZTIvRnm5l1E6hVXaLhTc9ZjvYD2yGXpQSrvN4gMHFUtMsYxMdHDxYBkFQ/s320/f6c30566-87a0-4f15-acb4-90328beb874f.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AP Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There was a picture today in the<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/03/14/international/i002205D47.DTL"> San Francisco Chronicle</a> of a Japanese baby girl who was being checked for radiation levels. It made my cry knowing this little girl had endured tripled trauma in a matter of days. <br />
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This reality is certainly not far fetched for any of us, especially living in the earthquake state of California. Last night, we talked about our emergency plan with my parents. I hope that everyone will pause and make sure there are multiple emergency kits in your home and car. If you have a child at daycare or preschool, be sure that your child has a kit there as well. I highlighted tips on family emergency planning in this <a href="http://mama-lounge.blogspot.com/2009/04/emergency-exitis-your-family-prepared.html">previous article</a>.<br />
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My heart goes out to the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-70107254504010948652011-03-01T11:38:00.000-08:002011-03-01T11:38:52.046-08:00Yum..what's for breakfast?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A friend recently posted on FB that she was in a breakfast rut with her three year old son. It made me think about the question I ask Kai each morning, "What do you want for breakfast?" This morning Kai replied with "sticky rice". It's true Kai craves sticky rice about once a week. I know several friends who have picky eaters and are always searching for ways to mix up the food offerings at home. For the next week, I'll post ideas for different meals. Today, let's start with that most important meal of the day breakfast.<br />
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I think that there is a lot of pressure on moms to magically cook something different every day. It's easy to fall back on Trader Joe's staples but that gets boring. Here's our breakfast rotation:<br />
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1) <a href="http://sundaynitedinner.com/chinese-sticky-rice/">Sticky Rice</a> (ie. glutinous rice) which can be made instantly from this box with no preservatives or MSG or bought from your local dim sum shop. There are both sweet and savory versions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ_5Luo0UJVmRjOPq69Ya3Ed3-NgID7Rv7QJKeRNdzqqVZEMLsRLUG1i2EJXzWriaSFeDzTuHoQM2U9zx1PhuTFxfRl2itsOxFy4y8pAbUQkeK0U8japF_bkwl-_I-4BZV0DALJhyphenhyphenmR2m/s1600/rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ_5Luo0UJVmRjOPq69Ya3Ed3-NgID7Rv7QJKeRNdzqqVZEMLsRLUG1i2EJXzWriaSFeDzTuHoQM2U9zx1PhuTFxfRl2itsOxFy4y8pAbUQkeK0U8japF_bkwl-_I-4BZV0DALJhyphenhyphenmR2m/s320/rice.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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2) <a href="http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2010/05/banana-flaxseed-pancakes-with-blackberry-syrup.html">Banana Flaxseed </a><a href="http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2010/05/banana-flaxseed-pancakes-with-blackberry-syrup.html">Pancakes</a><a href="http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2010/05/banana-flaxseed-pancakes-with-blackberry-syrup.html">.</a> Kai always helps me make these and he eats about three mini pancakes. These are great because you can make a big stack and save it for the next day.<br />
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3) Vanilla yogurt with bee pollen, blueberries, and mango.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoatCnbz-A5mOb2uKiHFoLFyfrfi6WEpgK9IWsdK15unFRaz6nSVbkjmuH1ZcrJ7a_1OX-nA1lhsl8Zhv_zX36rXBKhdc526DOFBzGJ5sm2k3arayketGBPM5QKgBnOviZhsMPcyK-kkKM/s1600/yogurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoatCnbz-A5mOb2uKiHFoLFyfrfi6WEpgK9IWsdK15unFRaz6nSVbkjmuH1ZcrJ7a_1OX-nA1lhsl8Zhv_zX36rXBKhdc526DOFBzGJ5sm2k3arayketGBPM5QKgBnOviZhsMPcyK-kkKM/s320/yogurt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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4) Wheat toast with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Simple and delicious. <br />
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5) Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Crunch. This is a store bought cereal that Kai picked out. It was a nice break from Trader Joe's cereals and it's organic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCB0ogXOSwN-_2aXIPAPpdMg_JZXfHy0XLbx1GQrksTyHLn8xHi1H2d8T1yD9QiDqwjP0ndd4_9vJgJvPnd_q_HHL8ntiziCH6YjC7ELmjT6cuIxKXPW0aztPk-i2Q-ZiWn8qq4AgtgL7/s1600/cereal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCB0ogXOSwN-_2aXIPAPpdMg_JZXfHy0XLbx1GQrksTyHLn8xHi1H2d8T1yD9QiDqwjP0ndd4_9vJgJvPnd_q_HHL8ntiziCH6YjC7ELmjT6cuIxKXPW0aztPk-i2Q-ZiWn8qq4AgtgL7/s1600/cereal.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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6) Leftover Homemade <a href="http://www.vietnamese-recipes.com/vietnamese-recipes/rice-noodles/chicken-noodle-soup.php">Pho Ga</a>. Vietnamese Chicken Noodle soup that either my mom or I made the night before. This is great especially during the cold season. <br />
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7) Soft Scrambled Egg with Tomato and Garlic over Brown Rice with a hint of oyster sauce (this can be bought in any Asian market) <br />
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Breakfast is different in every culture. For some people eating cereal every day is fine, but there are a lot of families like ours that needs just a little more to get us going. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl8lwSTu7YRKGUwh_HoBRMLTGeJ-JVKDLWBtuM-Eh92tl8GIXT7P8QOfoAB9YOalRhs3B7OOQBnr_beADanCzL9TMUMKJdyYqdc3-RKmo4fs7u97P69CNdgubx5P-jN_96mjSCnZnHukW/s1600/bagel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl8lwSTu7YRKGUwh_HoBRMLTGeJ-JVKDLWBtuM-Eh92tl8GIXT7P8QOfoAB9YOalRhs3B7OOQBnr_beADanCzL9TMUMKJdyYqdc3-RKmo4fs7u97P69CNdgubx5P-jN_96mjSCnZnHukW/s1600/bagel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">once in awhile, we grab a blueberry bagel and enjoy it outside</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-22539564505712868772011-02-03T11:28:00.001-08:002011-02-03T11:31:36.741-08:00Tet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Last night we offered traditional foods to the kitchen goddess. I made a black mushroom chicken soup with bean thread noodles, veggie eggrolls, fried tilapia, and <a href="http://vietnameseportal.com/recipe/Desserts_Drinks/Warm-Bananas-with-Tapioca-Pearls-%28Che-Chuoi%29_101910.php">banana tapioca pudding</a>. We said our prayers and made wishes for the year of the rabbit. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17749659@N08/5413461787/"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/5413461787_63f575385e_m.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="400" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17749659@N08/5414073232/"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5414073232_25422a386d_m.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="298" /></a></center><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-49388406466685430072011-02-01T13:36:00.000-08:002011-02-01T13:40:09.803-08:00Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit at Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA42BQz848Jk97o01g7-YYQ-iWm1K_26ANtuw2zUGsgLJlRZbl9xJUSKRvI0zRyPgktXNxR19GhSqEr4g8HLu7Bv24Lu1h7r8nvwCvWDLKLVl3jOY0FoJhwg5UUmhRAwRmaHyvljlVYm2/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA42BQz848Jk97o01g7-YYQ-iWm1K_26ANtuw2zUGsgLJlRZbl9xJUSKRvI0zRyPgktXNxR19GhSqEr4g8HLu7Bv24Lu1h7r8nvwCvWDLKLVl3jOY0FoJhwg5UUmhRAwRmaHyvljlVYm2/s320/-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique Shelf with Cherry Blossoms from Our Yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Tet is the most spiritual and celebrated holiday in my family. This <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/chinese-year-of-the-rabbi_n_813830.html#s229618">Rabbit year </a>is especially dear to my heart because both my husband and I are rabbits. We are beginning to decorate with lots of red and gold to bring good fortune into our home. This week I will share photos of our traditions and home life for this occasion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMuSJKuLZXm3qy7BtxzKaMF18RQYmmhBSn0T2Xy0X6KclKa3wgpPE0GmwvXqOjCV9Gg82BxnvS-19bs362HdBjw_i6jvy5NLt3KeJnD9xfzOKVA41JKjon1RdZCusepg_thT6Rdcf9stK/s1600/-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMuSJKuLZXm3qy7BtxzKaMF18RQYmmhBSn0T2Xy0X6KclKa3wgpPE0GmwvXqOjCV9Gg82BxnvS-19bs362HdBjw_i6jvy5NLt3KeJnD9xfzOKVA41JKjon1RdZCusepg_thT6Rdcf9stK/s320/-2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow chrysanthemums under artwork by Megan Wilson</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56VC7D94-znW2sGyELR1Nb8p0z4X3FORN4srdXzuDIfMA-05h8e5jTJxngZBFFW3laq3PK8gDDM0cStuEVgo_qThuEHgUQdSCWxJYIT5-isH1AYg0rocxurEpxune-aciJUwTt23l56ve/s1600/-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56VC7D94-znW2sGyELR1Nb8p0z4X3FORN4srdXzuDIfMA-05h8e5jTJxngZBFFW3laq3PK8gDDM0cStuEVgo_qThuEHgUQdSCWxJYIT5-isH1AYg0rocxurEpxune-aciJUwTt23l56ve/s320/-3.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky Bamboo with Li Xi</td></tr>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-74394854140411280962011-01-28T10:25:00.000-08:002011-01-28T10:25:45.851-08:00We Heart Sloths<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheM_Iu_McuEEaENHC8qXKQrC3v0MuH_e1ezSThB1KjdTegz9SCbgRUZ1R5k_twwNfwCXfY_bnhAQipOi4E3KcDjEaFV_zHy6jef4citNAdOzOklVm6XjCntsteJAz3WCXNCKILKmrj9TVc/s1600/sloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheM_Iu_McuEEaENHC8qXKQrC3v0MuH_e1ezSThB1KjdTegz9SCbgRUZ1R5k_twwNfwCXfY_bnhAQipOi4E3KcDjEaFV_zHy6jef4citNAdOzOklVm6XjCntsteJAz3WCXNCKILKmrj9TVc/s320/sloth.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>Our love for <a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/three-toed-sloth/">sloths</a> has grown. The furry creature found in the Rainforest has fascinated my husband for a long time. Recently we picked up a copy of <a href="http://www.examiner.com/fiction-in-san-francisco/slowly-slowly-slowly-said-the-sloth-by-eric-carle-a-book-review">Eric Carle's</a> book, <i>"Slowly, Slowly, Slowly," said the Sloth</i> that revealed interesting facts about them. Sloths sleep more than cats do, up to nineteen hours a day and they spend most of their lives hanging upside down. They're considered the slowest moving mammal and enjoy a peaceful life feeding off leaves and fruit. In Carle's book, the sloth reminds us that moving at a slower pace is actually a more peaceful way to live. In every photo I've seen of sloths, they're smiling. It's sad to think that both the two and three-toed sloths of South America are endangered as the rainforests continue to be destroyed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAZssGZh2XVobDkmDelqBpqW_gw2JoSap9_FCv0bmXXIEUyXBgGOknqtFLnL2B_CuIs9kDaTEyvJRn9Z2vYjd5EKQCM-XyNFaGaDlPjbm_OjlLKJylHYpOsynJq8svQEfV7oNOCXmfU_y/s1600/sloth-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAZssGZh2XVobDkmDelqBpqW_gw2JoSap9_FCv0bmXXIEUyXBgGOknqtFLnL2B_CuIs9kDaTEyvJRn9Z2vYjd5EKQCM-XyNFaGaDlPjbm_OjlLKJylHYpOsynJq8svQEfV7oNOCXmfU_y/s320/sloth-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Trek Earth</td></tr>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-4611185922206332332011-01-11T09:51:00.000-08:002011-01-11T09:51:41.552-08:00Teary Eyed at His First Day of PreschoolI'm talking about me being teary eyed. I've seen parents cry at weddings and graduations, but it must happen throughout their child's life. J and I dropped Kai off at his first day of preschool and watched as the teacher said "Let's say hi to our new friend, Kai." While he tried to follow the group stretches, my eyes swelled up. Maybe it's a symbol of time...he's growing up and I'm getting older. The love parents have for their child is immense and there's else like it. Now I can understand why my mom still cries when I hit a new chapter in my life. Your kid is always "your baby". Sniff, sniff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BAhyphenhyphenisz_3oHmrpM0t0aJOvEZNF1rjGgWOylhSBiI5S7wjLo6nQ1TVIipFUJpqaToxO-Fxzbs5qRJcjQBavKg_Pgoqi8Vtorz8pZobnW3WVU5vjwtCL6tDmRs8KtE-lRKDtoN37Nd-wXA/s1600/IMG_5063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BAhyphenhyphenisz_3oHmrpM0t0aJOvEZNF1rjGgWOylhSBiI5S7wjLo6nQ1TVIipFUJpqaToxO-Fxzbs5qRJcjQBavKg_Pgoqi8Vtorz8pZobnW3WVU5vjwtCL6tDmRs8KtE-lRKDtoN37Nd-wXA/s320/IMG_5063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time Flies...Kai at One Week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-402864626097816703.post-74103431612499828392011-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:002011-01-07T13:05:54.078-08:00Upcoming Giveaway-- Win a Hide and Seek Placemat<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dinner time is a big deal around our house. Hubby, Kai, and I like to take our time with dinner and make it a ritual. In the new year, we are looking to upgrade to more <a href="http://www.allmodern.com/Dining-Room-C32873.html">modern dining room furniture </a>and make our dinners even more creative. Our wish list includes a dinner bell,cool placemats, and reupholstered chairs.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In the upcoming giveaway next Wednesday, January 12, you'll have the chance to score the <a href="http://www.allmodern.com/Modern-Twist-PLHSCLBK-MTW1014.html">Twist Hide and Seek Placemat</a> from <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">CSN Stores</a>. Hint: Begin thinking about your favorite winter time recipe. More details to come next week. </span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99t2Otn2JTIrrZu0xpwaHj_SJsVBbBOyNSaR5Fa_-HU6RYJj78xkADzdHYg3-GfZMYIj01GDsfOW6X-MJjr_dtYEc1mx53VVnU8UOZMJ7ZGIN_J-Y4hVclzpcE5L1tlOe9HupHdy6N67/s1600/hideandseek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99t2Otn2JTIrrZu0xpwaHj_SJsVBbBOyNSaR5Fa_-HU6RYJj78xkADzdHYg3-GfZMYIj01GDsfOW6X-MJjr_dtYEc1mx53VVnU8UOZMJ7ZGIN_J-Y4hVclzpcE5L1tlOe9HupHdy6N67/s400/hideandseek.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hide and Seek Placemat</td></tr>
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0