Tea 101-How to care for teapots

Of course everybody knows how to use teapot!! It's no brainer! That's why no teapot comes with any instruction;)) But wait, do not be surprised if grandma uses it to water flowers! It works!

Stainless steel teapots are more of modern invention. Most of teapots we use today are made from clay, glass, China, or pottery. I love all of them.

Recipes-Sweet Potato Coconut Snow Balls

Christmas was over!! Can you believe it? Too short!!! Do you feel the say way?

Holidays are always about food and families, regardless of which country you are from. Christmas is not a typical Chinese holiday but it becomes more popular in China! Who will reject a nice gift and a great meal?;)) I wont!! The more, the merrier!!!

Well I bet you have a lot of leftovers, except if your guests were hungry horses;)) Most of times, moms always prepare tons of yum yum foods for holidays. The results are they need to figure out ways to "digest" those leftovers, without wasting any!

Christmas Recipe-Santa Hat Brownie

Christmas without Santa is not a Christmas, right? This year Santa left the hat in the kitchen while sliding down the chimney!!!:))

Inspired by Santa's hat brownie by Daisy's World, I quickly made this one!!!

Christmas recipes-Easy Dumplings

Do you know what today is? In Chinese calendar, it's called Dong Zhi (冬至 in Chinese, one of the 24 Solar Terms for weather），meaning today is the day that has the longest night and shortest day time in this year! In Northern China, people normally eat dumplings or Wonton!!

Here's the story from Wikipedia: In northern China, people typically eat dumplings on Dongzhi. It is said to have originated from Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. On one cold winter day, he saw the poor suffering from chilblains on their ears. Feeling sympathetic, he ordered his apprentices to make dumplings with lamb and other ingredients, and distribute them among the poor to keep them warm, to keep their ears from getting chilblains. Since the dumplings were shaped like ears, Zhang named the dish "qùhán jiāoěr tāng" (祛寒嬌耳湯) or dumpling soup that expels the cold. From that time on, it has been a tradition to eat dumplings on the day of Dongzhi.

Christmas Recipes-Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

I bought few boxes of snack bars at Costco and put them in my car, office and kitchen. But nothing can beat the freshly made bars!!!

I have some Puffed Millet and Rice from an event. We had few friends brought their kids to an event and I made some snack bars. Kids LOVED them!!!

Happy Tuesday- Half Dog Half man

I used to have a super friendly and adorable dog-golden retriever who died few years ago. I cooked a lot of meat even though I don't eat that much. I normally let the dog eat the meat and I eat the veggie. Every time while I was cooking, my dog would jump around and could not stop barking. He knew he would have a yumm meal for sure!

Can you imagine a dog eat food like a human?;)) This video shows you how it looks like!!;)) Super cute!!

xoxo

Christmas recipe-Mango Drumsticks with Red Wine

I mentioned I made Mango Red Wine Chicken Drumsticks for the Non profit Potluck lunch last week. Was too busy then when I prepared the dish and forgot to take pictures. I still have little bit  Mango jam from last batch, and half bottle of red wine from Argentina I bought at Costco. It's a no-brainer to just make Mango drumsticks with Red Wine again!

TGIF-holiday gift guide;))

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Are you struggling with what to buy and should you buy that gift for the holidays? This chart may give you some ideas as if you should buy that gift, considering the current economic situation!

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Hope you shopping this weekend is as relaxing as this cute polar bear!!!

Alcoholic drinks recipes-Light Alcoholic Sin City Green Tea Punch (Stevia)

I made my first Lightly Alcoholic Blooming Tea Punch and everyone loved it!!! This drink is inspired by a recipe from "The Ultimate Guide to Pitcher Drinks" by Sharon Tyler Herbst.  I always love orange juice, my top beverage whenever I go to restaurant!! Not tea? you may ask. Nah...I do not drink any tea served in restaurant;)) Kinda picky;)) I went to Mitsuwa few weeks ago and bought few bottles of Sake. Today I finally figure out ways to use them!

Tea 101-Tea blend

Today is my headache day;((( Whether migrain or cold, I am having my ginger tea for a whole day!! Feel a little bit better, but it will take few days to recover!
I met a lady who came from India. I do not even have to ask if she drinks tea because all Indians drink tea;))) agree? but she told me she creates her own version of custom tea blands-grows her own herbs and blend with tea leaves. That's so fascinating to me!! She lives in Minnesoda and grows herbs in her backyard. Imagine using all fresh ingredients to brew your own customized cuppa!!!