Chinese New Year

I've been busy puttering around, making a few odd crafts here and there for the past few weeks . . . a baby blanket, a new necklace . . . . and working on a new quiet book (which is taking longer than I thought - or I'm just slower than I used to be).



But among all the busyness, I decided it would be fun to celebrate the Chinese New Year with my little family. I feel a little experienced in this area since I did get to spend some time (not nearly enough!) in China a year and a half ago. I can't believe it has been that long ago now. And there have been so many great ideas floating through blogland that I just couldn't resist. We celebrated today (or as son #2 has taken to saying: We "partied down" today - Chinese New Year style).



So amongst an excellent Chinese dinner at a great restaurant a fair distance from our house (that we rarely ever take the time to drive to) - and having to drive home in a nice winter snow storm, we did a few fun crafty things. I thought I would post the links here so that I can find them again in future years.



#1 - Dragon masks: it is the year of the dragon. Skip to my Lou, guest posting at Alphamom, made these super cute dragon masks. The boys loved to color them and wear them all over the house tonight.



#2 - Red envelopes: it is traditional to give money to others as a gift or a wish for good luck in a red envelope. While I ended up finding the "real thing" at a local Asian market that recently opened, the Silly Pearl has these super cute ones to make yourself. We made these too. The boys each got $1 in their envelopes. Son #1 instantly decided it should go to the bank to be deposited in his college fund. Son #2 had other ideas but reluctantly gave in to "brother-pressure" (otherwise known as peer pressure) and gave his bill to dad to deposit at the bank.



Other things we found at the local Asian market - super cute dragon ornaments that the boys have hanging with their other good luck charms I brought them back from China, and also some Chinese zodiac charms. They were born in the year of the dog and the rat so they have these charms in their rooms now too. Oh - and of course, these super touristy but fun little hats with the long braid running down the backs. They've hardly taken them off their heads today. I couldn't let them go in the Chinese restaurant with them on - - - and they were very disappointed.
But the Japanese "Pokey" sticks (cookie sticks dipped in chocolate) I bought at the Asian market seemed to make up for it and ended our night perfectly! Happy New Year!

Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes

After a much needed vacation with my family to Jackson, WY last week, I had to leave them there and catch a flight to Minneapolis for a conference. It was a busy few days putting the conference on but after we got everything cleaned up on Friday afternoon, I wandered around downtown Minneapolis with a few of my friends. We happened upon this restaurant and took a peek at their menu. It sounded intriguing and so we decided to have our lunch there. Well it turned out to be an award winning restaurant . . . and for a good reason. Hell's Kitchen describes their food as "unique but not fancy; interesting but not fussy." Their name has nothing to do with the TV show on Fox, but rather it comes from the famous New York neighborhood. The food was totally out of this world! My friends both had the crab cakes and poached eggs with bell pepper holandaise sauce. I chose the Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes and oh my! They were incredible! I've never tasted such fluffy, light, and airy pancakes. A few berries on top with a light dusting of powdered sugar and I was in heaven!

They do have a recipe book for $28 but after buying their homemade Blood Orange Marmalade and their homemade Peanut Butter to bring home I didn't want to spend the money on the cookbook. So of course, I googled for a recipe and here it is:

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Mitch Omer - Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

6 egg whites

9 egg yolks

1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

4 T freshly grated lemon zest

1 T fresh lemon juice

1 t kosher salt
1/3 cup flour

unsalted butter, melted for the skillet

Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer fitted with a wire whisk attachment, pour egg whites into a stainless steel bowl. Whisk the whites on high speed until they form stiff peaks. Once peaks are formed, reduce the speed to low.

Add the egg yolks one at a time to the whites, beating after each addition. Then slowly add 1/3 cup melted butter. Continue to whisk on low speed until the ingredients are well combined.

Turn off the mixer and add the sugar, ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk for 1 minute at medium speed, then reduce the speed to low. Slowly add the flour. Mix to combine the flour for about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrap the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to eliminate any remaining dry spots. Mix again at medium speed for about 1 minute until everything is just combined.

Place the batter in the fridge for 4 hours or up to 3 days.

When ready to cook, place a large skillet or griddle over medium high heat. Brush the cooking surface with melted butter and pour the batter into the skillet in 1/4 cup portions. Leave about 2 inches between the batter to allow for spreading. Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear on the surface and the underside is a golden brown, about 5 minutes. (These will take a bit longer to cook than traditional pancakes, so be patient.) Flip the pancakes a cook for another 2-3 minutes until the other side is golden brown. Transfer the pancakes to a warm plate, and repeat until all of the batter is used up.

Garnish the hot pancakes with powdered sugar, fresh berries, melted butter, and warm syrup. Serve immediately.

Jewelry Roll

Since I travel a lot, I needed something to carry jewelry in that was both functional and, of course, cute. So I made this travel Jewelry Roll. A couple of layers of pockets, some coordinating piping, and a ribbon closure . . . .

. . . . and this little carrier just rolls right up to throw in my carry on bag.

I have a lot of crafting to do this week as I get ready to send off my package for the Fall Favorite's Gift Exchange - check back in later in the week and you can see what I'm sending my new friend.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes / Tropic Reservoir / Bryce NP

One of the things that I enjoy about my job is the traveling. I definitely don't enjoy being away from home so much - I miss my family terribly while I'm gone. And I always feel incredibly guilty about leaving my husband home alone to take care of two young boys by himself. He's one-of-a-kind to put up with being a single dad so often! But I do love seeing parts of my state, country, and the world that I wouldn't otherwise get to see. I try to take every chance I get to really get out and experience the area - where ever I go. I "had to" (got to) go to Southern Utah this week to Kanab and Bryce Valley. I've driven this route a few times before and always found fun places to stop and visit. This time I decided to stop at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park - I only had a few minutes but I drove in and what to my wondrous eyes did appear? Real pink sand dunes in the middle of nowhere. It was a beautiful day!

After day #2 - a day full of meetings, I had the chance to hop a 4-wheeler and head out for a trail ride. We went out to Tropic Reservoir. It was a great ride - a little dusty but definitely worth it! Despite my nasty sinus infection and super sore sinuses, I'm glad I didn't miss this ride.

And on my way back home I couldn't resist a quick stop in Red Canyon to snap this picture. This certainly is a beautiful part of my state!

Quick Trip to San Francisco

I had to make a short trip to San Francisco earlier this week for work. I love working with this group because even though we work really hard, we always make time to have great meals (and do a little shopping). On night #1, we ate at Fisherman's Wharf at the Crab House. This is a picture of the sunset out of the window we were seated next. The bridge out in the distance is the Golden Gate Bridge. Very beautiful!

And just to put in a quick shout-out for the restaraunt we ate dinner at on night #2 . . . Chinatown . . . House of Nanking. Ultra incredible!! Of course I am a little partial to Chinese food after my trip to China this summer.

Things That Make You Go Hum!

So this post is all about me - this little item is now in my possession - - - to be used in about three weeks. All on my own . . . with a group of people I don't know . . . but I am about as excited as my kids are when they get to spend a day out with Thomas at our local historic train company!

Hum . . . . what will it be like? I can hardly wait to see! And I would be neglectful to not mention a big thank you to a deserving husband who is sending me on my way while he stays home to take care of two busy little boys all by himself! I hope we all survive!