New Eve thinking

hmmmm tonight is the last night of year 2008.

Flash back what I have got in this year, I have to be very appreciative.

It is the first year of our marriage and everything is very right. I feel so lucky to have him, a man with wisdom, kind heart and especially sense of humor as my life partner. Though sometimes I spent too much time on my blog and forgot to cook in time, he still thinks no big deal. :P

I have my family visiting me this summer and it has become very unique memories in life. No matter east coast, southwest or west coast, the big nature and city charms all brought us enjoyment and surprises.

Also got luck to know some friends in D.C. area. They are all very nice and each one with different life story and character. We don't know for how long we are able to get together, but the friendship will gonna live for a long long time.

Good bye, year 2008 and you have been very special to me in my life. Wish all the best to my beloved family and friends.

Happy New Eve to all.

My favorite desesrt: Rice Pudding (Arroz con leche)

I usually do not like sweets too much but if you ask me what is my favorite dessert, I would say: Rice pudding ("arroz con leche" in Spanish).

When I traveled to Spain, I always ordered this dessert in restaurants and try it cool. It is a very delicious dessert especially for summer time.

So I checked out recipes on internet and found this one: http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001427rice_pudding.php

This afternoon I tried to make it the first time and it really needed some patience to stir the rice continuously, at least for 30 mins. The result was not bad at all and my husband ate the half of it before I put it into the frig. He said it is delicious and very healthy and good for our future kids.

As to my judgment, I think it is too thick and maybe don't need the whole milk but half milk will be good enough with less rice. And though I cooked with the time instructed in the recipe, I feel next time should cook with a bit more time to let rice softer for a better taste.

Well, it is very easy to make and I believe I'll make it very often from now on.

I'm so proud of you, hon.

We spent great time in Christmas holiday. Especially my husband cooked delicious steak and spaghetti to celebrate.

Let's sing Christmas Songs

After saying so much Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday, let us enjoy some Christmas songs together.



This one is what I like most after staying at Spain for a few years. It is written and sung by Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano.



And this is my husband's favorite Christmas song - It is the most wonderful time of the year, sung by Andy Williams. My husband sings it a lot when he feels Christmas.

Everyone must have his/her favorite Christmas song, do you have any to share?

I like what it's said in the greeting of my friend Sabine:

"May these days of peace and contemplation give you the time to look back on this year's work, savor your accomplishments and regain your strength for the New Year."

And if you still with a heart of child, go to check Santa Claus' location.
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

I just found this on the net:
A Christmas Story: A free audio e-book for you!

You may download the whole book with audio or choose the lite version with audio on line.

My best way is just listen to the story on line and you don't need to download anything.

http://www.english4today.com/e-books/christmascarol/contents.htm

Go to the above link and just click on it, then you could enjoy the wonderful story of Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol.

For our Christmas Eve, we already decided to watch this classic movie to spend our cozy night.

Christmas is coming...

Get ready for the Christmas?

1.99 is a record-breaking gas price

My Goodness. The gas price has reached $1.99 per gallon now.

I don't know what to say but I have to put it into my record.

And if it keeps dropping to $1, then it will be my life time big shock for sure.

Learning Pakistani Food Cooking

This is such an unique experience for us learning how to cook Pakistani Food.

After we experienced several middle eastern restaurants, we fell in love with this exotic and healthy cooking style.

So this weekend my husband invited his best friends to our humble home and L, who is Pakistani, taught us to cook the delicious food.

Actually there were 2 dishes and rice. We didn't have much space on our modest table, so there was only one plate on the photo. It is called cholay with ingredients like tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, chickpeas and three kinds of spices: Coriander Powder, Cumin Seed Powder, Chili Powder.

After we tried the first bite, Oh My God! It was so fresh and delicious. We loved it and ate with great pleasure and appreciation. Thanks, L for teaching us cook this fantastic plate. And luckily they did not care that I was actually with a cold. :P

And amazingly I saw the first snow of this year while we were enjoying a cheerful dinner with friends.

Eating Organics

I just read International Herald Tribune and there is an article getting my attention.

Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician and author in Danville, California, decided to eaten nothing but organic foods for three years to find out the impact on human body.

Why 3 years? The reason is "that was the amount of time it took to have a breeding animal certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture."

"Organic farmers don't use conventional methods to fertilize the soil, control weeds and pests, or prevent disease in livestock. Organic methods often lead to higher costs, and consumers can pay twice as much for organic foods as for conventional products."

Dr. Alan Greene said: "If you don't eat meat at every meal, if meat becomes more of a side dish than a centerpiece, you can fill the plate with healthy organic food for about the same price."

Hey that is so true and hopefully inspiring to us people to think about what to eat is what we will become.

The report indicates that: "Greene said he was inspired to go all-organic after talking to a dairy farmer who noted that livestock got sick less after a switch to organic practices. He wondered if becoming 100 percent organic might improve his own health. Three years later, he says he has more energy and wakes up earlier."

In Dr. Greene's latest book, "he advocates a "strategic" approach, urging parents to insist on organic versions of a few main foods, like milk, potatoes, apples and baby food."

Seriously, that is something that we need to put into our considerations.

note: the original article: One man's 3-year experiment in eating organic food - all the time ->
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/04/healthscience/snparker.php