At least twice in previous stories about our new house, I’ve mentioned the fishpond. Tucked up against the Office, about 15 feet outside the backdoor of the house, is a 100 gallon fishpond that the previous owners had installed. It is little more than a plastic liner set in a dusty hole in the ground […]

We just settled into our spot at the Long Beach Blues Festival when we heard our neighbors chide Paul for having me work on “homework” at the festival. Misinterpreting our relationship, perhaps due to the 20 year difference in our age being exaggerated by Paul’s looking older than he is and my looking younger, they […]

After having to abandon our previous house buying attempt due to the DEA’s sudden interest in the property, Carrie and I turned our attention to a similar house just two blocks away. Built in the 1920’s, it is a California Craftsman style with lots of woodwork and moldings, pocket doors, hardwood floors, and a stone […]

Who Looks Worse, Paul or the Possum? We had seen evidence of what we thought was a raccoon under the house. We had seen a raccoon in the backyard and assumed the tracks and spoor under house was his. The way the house sits on the foundation leaves gaps between the siding and the stones […]

Here is another take on the steamed dumpling for Char Siu Bao.

from simplyrecipes.com Servings: 2-4 Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 30 Minutes Difficulty: Easy 1 pound asparagus3 tablespoons plus one teaspoon butter1/2 cup chopped shallots1 cup arborio rice1/2 cup dry white wineAbout 3 1/2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable stock for the vegetarian version)1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheeseSalt and pepper Prep the asparagus by […]

From simplyrecipes.com Servings: 4 Prep time: 20 miutes Cook time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy Marinade1 tsp Soy Sauce1 tsp Sherry1/2 tsp Flour1/8 tsp Pepper Sauce2 TBS Oyster Sauce1 TBS Sherry1 TBS Soy Sauce1/4 cup Chicken Broth 3/4 lb sirloin, sliced thin in 1/2 inch long strips2 cloves Garlic, pressed1 TBS oil1 TBS flour, to thicken […]

Crust1 1/2 cups flour1/2 tsp salt1/2 cup sweet butter – diced into cubes and chilled in freezer for at least 15 minutes1/4 cup vegetable shortening, also chilled in freezer3 – 4 TBS ice water Solids1 1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts2 Russet potatoes1 3/4 cups peas Liquid6 TBS sweet butter1/2 cup flour2 1/2 cups […]

Ingredients 3 Cups flour5 TBS Lawry’s Seasoned Salt3 TBS Garlic Powder4 eggs, beatenSalt and Pepper to taste2 chickens, cut into 8 or more piecesEnough vegetable oil to fill a large frying pan about 1" deep Instructions Mix flour, Lawry’s, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.Roll chicken pieces, one at a time, in […]

2-4 Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp white pepper1/4 tsp black pepper1/4 tsp onion powder1/4 tsp garlic powder1/4 tsp cumin1/4 tsp cayennevegetable oil Drop cubed potatoes in boiling water for 7-10 minutes.Mix spices in medium bowl.Drain potatoes and stir into spices.Add oil to pan to a depth of 1" and heat to 350 degrees.Add […]

Simply Recipes 1 1/2 cups of rice, cooked Marinade6 cloves of garlic, crushed1 1/2 cups of water1/2 teaspoon salt The Rest1 pound of shrimp, deveined and peeledJuice of 1 lime1 jalepeno, seeds removed, scraped and finely chopped1/2 teaspoon salt2 Tablespoons olive oil1 can (about 12 oz.) Coconut milk, halved1 teaspoon chili powder (or sauce) Cook […]

Denise 5 – 6 lb. roasting chicken1 bunch carrots (4 – 6) cut into 1-1/2 inch chunks (bias cut if you like)1 bunch thyme1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced1 head garlic2 tablespoons melted butter1 lemon halvedolive oilsalt & pepper Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium to large roasting pan, place the carrots, onion […]